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As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 18, 2021

1933 Act File No. 333-[    ]

1940 Act File No. 811-21293

 

 

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form N-2

(Check appropriate box or boxes)

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

Pre-Effective Amendment No.     

 

Post-Effective Amendment No.

and/or

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

 

Amendment No. 7

 

 

Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Number, Street, City, State, Zip Code)

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code): (312) 917-7700

Mark L. Winget

Vice President and Secretary

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Name and Address (Number, Street, City, State, Zip Code) of Agent for Service

 

 

Copies to:

 

Thomas S. Harman

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

1111 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20004

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:
From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

 

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

☐  Check box if the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans.

☒  Check box if any securities being registered on this Form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”), other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan.

☒  Check box if this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction A.2 or a post-effective amendment thereto.

☒  Check box if this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction B or a post-effective amendment thereto that will become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act.

☐  Check box if this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction B to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act.

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

☐  when declared effective pursuant to Section 8(c), or as follows:

If appropriate, check the following box:

☐  This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.


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☐  This Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is:                .

☐  This Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is:                .

☐  This Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is:                .

Check each box that appropriately characterizes the Registrant:

☒  Registered Closed-End Fund (closed-end company that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Investment Company Act”)).

☐  Business Development Company (closed-end company that intends or has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act).

☐  Interval Fund (Registered Closed-End Fund or a Business Development Company that makes periodic repurchase offers under Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act).

☒  A.2 Qualified (qualified to register securities pursuant to General Instruction A.2 of this Form).

☒  Well-Known Seasoned Issuer (as defined by Rule 405 under the Securities Act).

☐  Emerging Growth Company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”).

☐  If an Emerging Growth Company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act.

☐  New Registrant (registered or regulated under the Investment Company Act for less than 12 calendar months preceding this filing).

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Title of Securities

Being Registered

 

Amount
Being

Registered(1)

  Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Unit(2)
  Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price(3)
 

Amount of

Registration Fee(3)

Common Shares, $0.01 par value

               

Preferred Shares

               

 

 

(1)

There are being registered hereunder an unspecified number of common shares and preferred shares to be offered on an immediate, continuous or delayed basis.

(2)

The proposed maximum offering price per share will be determined, from time to time, by the Registrant in connection with the sale by the Registrant of the securities registered under this registration statement.

(3)

In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act, the Registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fees.

 

 

 


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LOGO

BASE PROSPECTUS

COMMON SHARES

PREFERRED SHARES

Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund

 

 

The Offerings. Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) is offering, on an immediate, continuous or delayed basis, in one or more offerings, common shares (the “Common Shares”) or preferred shares (“the Preferred Shares,” and collectively with the Common Shares, the “Securities”). The Fund may offer and sell Securities to or through underwriters, through dealers or agents that the Fund designates from time to time, directly to purchasers or through a combination of these methods. In connection with any offering of Securities, the Fund will deliver a prospectus supplement describing such offering, including, as applicable, the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and information regarding any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangements made with those underwriters, dealers or agents or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. For more information about the manners in which the Fund may offer Securities, see “Plan of Distribution.”

The Fund. The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund’s primary investment objective is high current income. The Fund’s secondary investment objective is total return. The Fund cannot assure you that it will achieve its investment objectives.

Common Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “JPC.”

This prospectus, together with any prospectus supplement, sets forth concisely information about the Fund that a prospective investor should know before investing, and should be retained for future reference. Investing in the Securities involves risks. See Risk Factorsbeginning on page 9. You should consider carefully these risks together with all of the other information in this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement before making a decision to purchase any of the Securities.

(continued on next page)

 

 

March 18, 2021


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Fund Strategies and Policies. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing primarily in preferred securities and other income producing securities, including hybrid securities such as contingent capital securities. The Fund may also invest in other securities, primarily income-oriented securities such as corporate and taxable municipal debt and common equity. Under normal circumstances:

 

   

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its Assets (as defined herein) in preferred securities and other income producing securities, including hybrid securities such as contingent capital securities and up to 20% in other securities, primarily income-oriented securities such as corporate and taxable municipal debt and common equity.

 

   

The Fund will invest at least 50% of its Managed Assets (as defined herein) in securities rated investment grade (BBB/Baa and above) at the time of investment. Investment grade quality securities are those securities that, at the time of investment, are rated by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) within the four highest grades (Baa or BBB or better by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Corporation, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (“S&P”), or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”)), or are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Fund’s investment adviser, Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (“Nuveen Fund Advisors” or the “Adviser”), or sub-advisers, Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (“Nuveen Asset Management”) and NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC (“NWQ” and, together with Nuveen Asset Management, each, a “Sub-Adviser” and together, the “Sub-Advisers”). The Fund may invest in securities of below investment grade quality, commonly referred to as “high yield” or “junk” bonds, which are regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due, and they are more susceptible to default or decline in market value due to adverse economic and business developments than investment grade securities.

 

   

The Fund will invest more than 25% of its Managed Assets in the securities of companies principally engaged in financial services.

 

   

The Fund is not limited in the amount of its investments in non-U.S. issuers. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its Managed Assets in non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities. The Fund may invest up to 5% of the portion of its portfolio managed by Nuveen Asset Management in preferred securities issued by companies located in emerging market countries.

The Fund may use derivative instruments to seek to hedge some of the risk of the Fund’s investments or its leverage, to enhance return, to serve as a substitute for a position in an underlying asset, to reduce transaction costs, to manage the Fund’s effective interest rate exposure, to maintain full market exposure, to manage cash flows or to preserve capital. Such instruments may include financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate and credit default swaps), options on equity securities, options on financial futures or other derivative instruments.

Leverage. The Fund uses leverage to pursue its investment objectives. The Fund may use leverage to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), including the following forms of leverage: (a) borrowings, including loans from certain financial institutions, and/or the issuance of debt securities; (b) the issuance of Preferred Shares; and (c) engaging in reverse repurchase agreements and economically similar transactions. The Fund also may borrow money for repurchase of its shares or as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes,


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including the payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Fund securities. Currently, the Fund employs leverage through bank borrowings and reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund pays a management fee to Nuveen Fund Advisors (which in turn pays a portion of its fees to the Sub-Advisers) based on a percentage of Managed Assets. Because Managed Assets for this purpose includes the assets acquired from the Fund’s use of leverage, Nuveen Fund Advisors and the Sub-Advisers may have a conflict of interest in determining whether the Fund should use or increase leverage. See “Use of Leverage” and “The Fund’s Investments.” There is no assurance that the Fund’s leveraging strategy will be successful. Leverage involves special risks. See “Risk Factors—Leverage Risk.”

 

 

You should read this prospectus, together with any prospectus supplement, which contains important information about the Fund, before deciding whether to invest in Securities and retain it for future reference. A statement of additional information, dated March 18, 2021, and as it may be supplemented from time to time (the “SAI”), containing additional information about the Fund, has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this prospectus. You may request a free copy of the SAI and annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders and other information about the Fund and make shareholder inquiries by calling (312) 917-7700 or by writing to the Fund, or from the Fund’s website (www.nuveen.com). The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, the Fund’s website is not part of this prospectus, except to the extent specifically incorporated by reference in the SAI. You also may obtain a copy of the SAI (and other information regarding the Fund) from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).

 

 

The Securities do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and are not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution, and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.

Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

Forward-Looking Statements

     ii  

Prospectus Summary

     1  

Risk Factors

     9  

Summary of Fund Expenses

     27  

Financial Highlights

     29  

The Fund

     32  

Trading and Net Asset Value Information

     32  

Use of Proceeds

     32  

Description of Securities

     33  

The Fund’s Investments

     36  

Use of Leverage

     48  

Management of the Fund

     52  

Net Asset Value

     55  

Distributions

     56  

Plan of Distribution

     56  

Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws

     57  

Repurchase of Fund Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund

     60  

Tax Matters

     62  

Custodian and Transfer Agent

     65  

Legal Matters

     65  

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     65  

Available Information

     65  

Incorporation by Reference

     66  

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement. The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The Fund is not making an offer of Securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the respective dates on the front covers. The Fund’s business, financial condition and prospects may have changed since that date.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Any projections, forecasts and estimates contained or incorporated by reference herein are forward looking statements and are based upon certain assumptions. Projections, forecasts and estimates are necessarily speculative in nature, and it can be expected that some or all of the assumptions underlying any projections, forecasts or estimates will not materialize or will vary significantly from actual results. Actual results may vary from any projections, forecasts and estimates and the variations may be material. Some important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward looking statements include changes in interest rates, market, financial or legal uncertainties, including changes in tax law, and the timing and frequency of defaults on underlying investments. Consequently, the inclusion of any projections, forecasts and estimates herein should not be regarded as a representation by the Fund or any of its affiliates or any other person or entity of the results that will actually be achieved by the Fund. Neither the Fund nor its affiliates has any obligation to update or otherwise revise any projections, forecasts and estimates including any revisions to reflect changes in economic conditions or other circumstances arising after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, even if the underlying assumptions do not come to fruition. The Fund acknowledges that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the safe harbor for forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 does not apply to investment companies such as the Fund.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This is only a summary. You should review the more detailed information contained elsewhere in this prospectus, in any prospectus supplement and in the statement of additional information, dated March 18, 2021, and as it may be supplemented (the SAI”), including the documents incorporated by reference, prior to making an investment in the Fund, especially the information set forth under the heading Risk Factors.

 

The Fund

Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund’s common shares, $.01 par value per share (the “Common Shares”), are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “JPC.” See “Description of Securities—Common Shares.” As of February 28, 2021, the Fund had 103,355,149 Common Shares outstanding and net assets applicable to Common Shares of $994,147,634.

 

The Offerings

The Fund may offer, on an immediate, continuous or delayed basis, in one or more offerings, Common Shares or Preferred Shares in any combination (collectively, the “Securities”), at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of the offering. The Fund may offer and sell Securities to or through underwriters, through dealers or agents the Fund designates from time to time, directly to one or more purchasers or through a combination of these methods. In connection with any offering of Securities, the Fund will deliver a prospectus supplement describing such offering, including, as applicable, the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of Securities and the applicable purchase price, fee, commission and/or discount arrangement between the Fund and the underwriters, or among underwriters, dealers or agents or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

  The prospectus supplement for an offering of Common Shares also will include information regarding risk factors specific to an investment in Common Shares, fund expenses, trading and net asset value (“NAV”) of the Common Shares, the dividend reinvestment plan for Common Shares and other details concerning the offering. See “Description of Securities—Common Shares.”

 

 

The prospectus supplement for an offering of Preferred Shares also will include information regarding the risk factors specific to an investment in the Preferred Shares, the series designation, redemption terms, the dividend rate, material U.S. federal income tax considerations and other details concerning the offering. The terms and conditions of the Preferred Shares of each series will

 

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be specified in a Statement Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of Preferred Shares (the “Statement”) and a Supplement to the Statement Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of Preferred Shares (the “Statement Supplement”), forms of which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Description of Securities—Preferred Shares.”

 

 

Investment Objectives and Policies

The Fund’s primary investment objective is high current income. The Fund’s secondary investment objective is total return.

 

  The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing primarily in preferred securities and other income producing securities, including hybrid securities such as contingent capital securities. The Fund may also invest in other securities, primarily income-oriented securities such as corporate and taxable municipal debt and common equity. Under normal circumstances:

 

   

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its Assets (as defined herein) in preferred securities and other income producing securities, including hybrid securities such as contingent capital securities and up to 20% in other securities, primarily income-oriented securities such as corporate and taxable municipal debt and common equity.

 

   

The Fund will invest at least 50% of its Managed Assets (as defined herein) in securities rated investment grade (BBB/Baa and above) at the time of investment. Investment grade quality securities are those securities that, at the time of investment, are rated by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) within the four highest grades (Baa or BBB or better by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Corporation, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (“S&P”), or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”)), or are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Fund’s investment adviser, Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (“Nuveen Fund Advisors” or the “Adviser”), or sub-advisers, Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (“Nuveen Asset Management”) and NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC (“NWQ” and, together with Nuveen Asset Management, each, a “Sub-Adviser” and together, the “Sub-Advisers”). The Fund may invest

 

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in securities of below investment grade quality, commonly referred to as “high yield” or “junk” bonds, which are regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due, and they are more susceptible to default or decline in market value due to adverse economic and business developments than investment grade securities.

 

   

The Fund will invest more than 25% of its Managed Assets in the securities of companies principally engaged in financial services.

 

   

The Fund is not limited in the amount of its investments in non-U.S. issuers. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its Managed Assets in non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities. The Fund may invest up to 5% of the portion of its portfolio managed by Nuveen Asset Management in preferred securities issued by companies located in emerging market countries.

 

  For purposes of the investment policies provided above such policies only apply at the time of purchase and will not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of an acquisition of securities.

 

  The Fund may use derivative instruments to seek to hedge some of the risk of the Fund’s investments or its leverage, to enhance return, to serve as a substitute for a position in an underlying asset, to reduce transaction costs, to manage the Fund’s effective interest rate exposure, to maintain full market exposure, to manage cash flows or to preserve capital. Such instruments may include financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate and credit default swaps), options on equity securities, options on financial futures or other derivative instruments.

 

During temporary defensive periods, the Fund may deviate from its investment policies and objectives. During such periods, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in high quality, short-term securities, and in short-, intermediate-, or long-term U.S. Treasury securities. There can be no assurance that such techniques will be successful. Accordingly, during such periods, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

 

 

“Assets” means net assets of the Fund plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes. “Managed Assets” means

 

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the total assets of the Fund, minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (other than Fund liabilities incurred for the express purpose of creating leverage). Total assets for this purpose shall include assets attributable to the Fund’s use of leverage (whether or not those assets are reflected in the Fund’s financial statements for purposes of generally accepted accounting principles), and derivatives will be valued at their market value.

 

  The Fund’s investment objectives, policy to invest more than 25% of its Managed Assets in securities of financial services companies, and certain other investment restrictions identified in the SAI are considered fundamental and may not be changed without shareholder approval. All of the other investment policies of the Fund, including as noted above, are not considered to be fundamental by the Fund and can be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) without a vote of the shareholders; provided that the Fund will notify shareholders at least 60 days prior to any change in its policy to invest at least 80% of its Assets in preferred securities and other income producing securities. The Fund may only change its fundamental investment restrictions with the approval of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Fund as is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). 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.

 

  There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. See “Risk Factors” and “The Fund’s Investments—Investment Objectives and Policies” in this prospectus.

 

Investment Adviser

Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, the Fund’s investment adviser, is responsible for overseeing the Fund’s overall investment strategy and its implementation.

 

 

Nuveen Fund Advisors, a registered investment adviser, offers advisory and investment management services to a broad range of investment company clients. Nuveen Fund Advisors has overall responsibility for management of the Fund, oversees the management of the Fund’s portfolio, manages the Fund’s business affairs and provides certain clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative services. Nuveen Fund Advisors is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606. Nuveen Fund Advisors is an indirect subsidiary of Nuveen, LLC

 

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(“Nuveen”), the investment management arm of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (“TIAA”). TIAA is a life insurance company founded in 1918 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and is the companion organization of College Retirement Equities Fund. As of December 31, 2020, Nuveen managed approximately $1.2 trillion in assets, of which approximately $156.5 billion was managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors.

 

Sub-Advisers

Nuveen Fund Advisors has selected its affiliates, Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, and NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC, located at 2049 Century Park East, Suite 1600, Los Angeles, California 90067, to serve as the sub-advisers to the Fund, each managing a portion of the Fund’s investment portfolio. Nuveen Fund Advisors has engaged the Sub-Advisers, each a registered investment adviser, to oversee day-to-day operations and manage the investment of the Fund’s assets on a discretionary basis pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement between Nuveen Fund Advisors and each Sub-Adviser (each, a “Sub-Advisory Agreement” and together, the “Sub-Advisory Agreements”), subject to the supervision of Nuveen Fund Advisors.

 

Federal Income Tax

The Fund has elected to be treated, and intends to continue to qualify each year, as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As a RIC, the Fund generally does not expect to have to pay U.S. federal income tax. To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally accorded to RICs, the Fund must, among other requirements, derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from certain prescribed sources. Additionally, in order to qualify as a RIC, the Fund must meet certain distribution requirements. The failure to pay distributions could result in the Fund ceasing to qualify as a RIC. Nevertheless, the Fund might not distribute all of its net investment income, and the Fund is not required to distribute any portion of its net capital gains. If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a RIC, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to stockholders, and such distributions would be taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. The value of Securities may be adversely affected by changes in tax rates and policies.

 

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  In addition, the Fund treats Preferred Shares, if any, as equity in the Fund for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the Preferred Shares were treated as debt rather than as equity for such purposes, the timing and character of distributions could be affected.

 

  See “Risk Factors—Tax Risks” and “Tax Matters.”

 

Use of Leverage

The Fund uses leverage to pursue its investment objectives. The Fund may use leverage to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, including the following forms of leverage: (a) borrowings, including loans from certain financial institutions, and/or the issuance of debt securities; (b) the issuance of Preferred Shares; and (c) engaging in reverse repurchase agreements and economically similar transactions. The Fund also may borrow money for repurchase of its shares or as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including the payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Fund securities. Currently, the Fund employs leverage through bank borrowings and reverse repurchase agreements.

 

The timing and terms of any leverage transaction are determined by the Fund’s Board, and may vary with prevailing market or economic conditions. The Fund has issued Preferred Shares in the past, but does not currently have any Preferred Shares outstanding. If the Fund issues Preferred Shares, such preferred securities, voting as a separate class, would have the right to elect at least two Board members at all times and to elect a majority of the Board members in the event two full years’ dividends on the Preferred Shares are unpaid. In each case, the remaining Board members would be elected by holders of Common Shares and Preferred Shares voting together as a single class. The holders of Preferred Shares would vote as a separate class or classes on certain other matters as required under the Fund’s Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”), the 1940 Act and Massachusetts law.

 

 

The Fund may reduce or increase leverage based upon changes in market conditions and anticipates that its leverage ratio will vary from time to time based upon variations in the value of the Fund’s holdings. So long as the rate of net income received on the Fund’s investments exceeds the then current expense on any leverage, leverage will generate more net income than if the Fund had not used leverage. If so, the excess net income will be available to pay higher distributions to shareholders of Common Shares (the “Common Shareholders”). However, if the rate of net income received from the Fund’s portfolio

 

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investments is less than the then current expense on outstanding leverage, the Fund may be required to utilize other Fund assets to make expense payments on outstanding leverage, which may result in a decline in Common Share NAV and reduced net investment income available for distribution to Common Shareholders.

 

  The Fund pays a management fee to Nuveen Fund Advisors (which in turn pays a portion of its fee to the Sub-Advisers) based on a percentage of Managed Assets. Managed Assets for this purpose includes the proceeds realized and managed from the Fund’s use of leverage as set forth in the Fund’s investment management agreement. Because Managed Assets include the Fund’s net assets as well as assets that are attributable to the Fund’s use of leverage, it is anticipated that the Fund’s Managed Assets will be greater than its net assets. Nuveen Fund Advisors and the Sub-Advisers are responsible for using leverage to pursue the Fund’s investment objectives, and base their decision regarding whether and how much leverage to use for the Fund on their assessment of whether such use of leverage will advance the Fund’s investment objectives. However, a decision to employ or increase the Fund’s leverage will have the effect, all other things being equal, of increasing Managed Assets and therefore Nuveen Fund Advisors’ and the Sub-Advisers’ fees. Thus, Nuveen Fund Advisors and the Sub-Advisers may have a conflict of interest in determining whether the Fund should use or increase leverage. Nuveen Fund Advisors and the Sub-Advisers will seek to manage that potential conflict by only employing or increasing the Fund’s use of leverage when they determine that such increase is in the best interest of the Fund and is consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives, and by periodically reviewing the Fund’s performance and use of leverage with the Fund’s Board.

 

  The use of leverage creates additional risks for Common Shareholders, including increased variability of the Fund’s NAV, net income and distributions in relation to market changes. See “Risk Factors—Leverage Risk.” There is no assurance that the Fund will continue to use leverage or that the Fund’s use of leverage will work as planned or achieve its goals.

 

Exchange Listing

Common Shares: The Common Shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “JPC.”

 

  Preferred Shares: Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Preferred Shares will not be listed or traded on any securities exchange.

 

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Custodian and Transfer Agent

State Street Bank and Trust Company serves as custodian of the Fund’s assets. Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (together, “Computershare”) serve as transfer agent for the Common Shares. See “Custodian and Transfer Agent.”

 

Risk Factors

Investment in the Fund involves risk. The Fund is designed as a long-term investment and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. See “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement for a discussion of the principal risks you should consider before making an investment in the Fund. The specific risks applicable to a particular offering of Securities will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement.

 

Governing Law

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust is, and each Statement and Statement Supplement for Preferred Shares will be, governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in the Securities involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment or that you may lose part or all of your investment. The following discussion, together with the risk factors included in the applicable prospectus supplement, describes the principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund’s Securities.

Portfolio Level Risks

Preferred and Hybrid Preferred Securities Risks

Preferred and other subordinated securities rank lower than bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than those debt instruments. There are various special risks associated with investing in preferred securities, including:

 

   

Limited Voting Rights Risk. Generally, preferred security holders (such as the Fund) have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company unless preferred dividends have been in arrears for a specified number of periods, at which time the preferred security holders may elect a number of directors to the issuer’s board. Generally, once all the arrearages have been paid, the preferred security holders no longer have voting rights. In the case of certain preferred securities issued by trusts or special purpose entities, holders generally have no voting rights except if a declaration of default occurs and is continuing. In such an event, preferred security holders generally would have the right to appoint and authorize a trustee to enforce the trust’s or special purpose entity’s rights as a creditor under the agreement with its operating company.

 

   

Special Redemption Rights Risk. In certain circumstances, an issuer of preferred securities may redeem the securities at par prior to their stated maturity date. For instance, for certain types of preferred securities, a redemption may be triggered by a change in federal income tax or securities laws or regulatory or major corporate action. A redemption by the issuer may negatively impact the return of the security held by the Fund.

 

   

Payment Deferral and Omission Risk. Generally, preferred securities may be subject to provisions that allow an issuer, under certain conditions, to skip (“non-cumulative” preferred securities) or defer (“cumulative” preferred securities) distributions for a stated period without any adverse consequences to the issuer. Non-cumulative preferred securities can defer distributions indefinitely. Cumulative preferred securities typically contain provisions that allow an issuer, at its discretion, to defer distribution payments for up to 10 years. If the Fund owns a preferred security that is deferring its distribution, the Fund may be required to report income for tax purposes although it has not yet received such income. In addition, recent changes in bank regulations may increase the likelihood for issuers to defer or omit distributions.

 

   

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

 

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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.

 

   

Floating Rate and Fixed-to-Floating Rate Securities Risk. The market value of floating rate securities is a reflection of discounted expected cash flows based on expectations for future interest rate resets. The market value of such securities may fall in a declining interest rate environment and may also fall in a rising interest rate environment if there is a lag between the rise in interest rates and the reset. This risk may also be present with respect to fixed-to-floating rate securities in which the Fund may invest. A secondary risk associated with declining interest rates is the risk that income earned by the Fund on floating rate and fixed-to-floating rate securities may decline due to lower coupon payments on floating-rate securities.

 

   

Liquidity Risk. Certain preferred securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as U.S. Government securities or common stock. 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.

 

   

Regulatory Risk. Issuers of preferred securities may be in industries that are heavily regulated and that may receive government funding. The value of preferred securities issued by these companies may be affected by changes in government policy, such as increased regulation, ownership restrictions, deregulation or reduced government funding.

 

   

New Types of Securities Risk. 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 Sub-Advisers believe that doing so would be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective 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.

Convertible Securities Risk

Convertible securities have characteristics of both equity and debt securities and, as a result, are exposed to certain additional risks that are typically associated with debt. Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar credit quality. The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, the convertible security’s market value tends to reflect the market price of the common stock of the issuing company when that stock price is greater than the convertible security’s “conversion price.” The conversion price is defined as the predetermined price at which the convertible security could be exchanged for the associated common stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, the price of the convertible security tends to be influenced more by the yield of the convertible security. However, convertible securities fall below debt obligations of the same issuer in order of preference or priority in the event of a liquidation and are typically unrated or rated lower than such debt obligations.

 

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Contingent Capital Securities

Contingent capital securities (sometimes referred to as “CoCos”) have loss absorption mechanisms benefitting the issuer built into their terms. CoCos generally provide for mandatory conversion into the common stock of the issuer or a write-down of the principal amount or value of the CoCos upon the occurrence of certain “triggers.” These triggers are generally linked to regulatory capital thresholds or regulatory actions calling into question the issuing banking institution’s continued viability as a going-concern. Equity conversion or principal write-down features are tailored to the issuer and its regulatory requirements and, unlike traditional convertible securities, conversions are not voluntary.

A loss absorption mechanism trigger event for CoCos would likely be the result of, or related to, the deterioration of the issuer’s financial condition (e.g., a decrease in the issuer’s capital ratio) and status as a going concern. In such a case, with respect to CoCos that provide for conversion into common stock upon the occurrence of the trigger event, the market price of the issuer’s common stock received by the Fund will have likely declined, perhaps substantially, and may continue to decline, which may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV. Further, the issuer’s common stock would be subordinate to the issuer’s other classes of securities and therefore would worsen the Fund’s standing in a bankruptcy proceeding. In addition, because the common stock of the issuer may not pay a dividend, investors in these instruments could experience a reduced income rate, potentially to zero. In view of the foregoing, CoCos are often rated below investment grade and are subject to the risks of high yield securities.

CoCos may be subject to an automatic write-down (i.e., the automatic write-down of the principal amount or value of the securities, potentially to zero, and the cancellation of the securities) under certain circumstances, which could result in the Fund losing a portion or all of its investment in such securities. In addition, the Fund may not have any rights with respect to repayment of the principal amount of the securities that has not become due or the payment of interest or dividends on such securities for any period from (and including) the interest or dividend payment date falling immediately prior to the occurrence of such automatic write-down. An automatic write-down could also result in a reduced income rate if the dividend or interest payment is based on the security’s par value. Coupon payments on CoCos may be discretionary and may be cancelled by the issuer at any point, for any reason or may be subject to approval by the issuer’s regulator and may be suspended in the event there are insufficient distributable reserves. Certain CoCos are issued as perpetual instruments, callable at pre-determined levels only with the approval of the issuer’s regulator, thus subjecting the CoCo investor to call extension risk.

In certain scenarios, contrary to classical capital hierarchy, investors in CoCos may suffer a loss of capital ahead of equity holders or when equity holders do not. There is no guarantee that the Fund will receive a return of principal on CoCos. The Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than its original investment. Any indication that an automatic writedown or conversion event may occur can be expected to have a material adverse effect on the market price of CoCos.

The prices of CoCos may be volatile. Additionally, the trading behavior of a given issuer’s CoCo may be strongly impacted by the trading behavior of other issuers’ CoCos, such that negative information from an unrelated CoCo may cause a decline in value of one or more CoCos held by the Fund.

 

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Investments in CoCos may lead to an increased industry concentration risk as such securities may be issued by a limited number of financial institutions.

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk that one or more securities in the Fund’s portfolio will decline in price, or the issuer thereof will fail to pay interest or principal when due, because the issuer of the security experiences a decline in its financial status. In general, lower-rated securities carry a greater degree of risk that the issuer will lose its ability to make interest and principal payments, which could have a negative impact on the Fund’s NAV or dividends. Credit risk is increased when a portfolio security is downgraded or the perceived creditworthiness of the issuer deteriorates. If a downgrade occurs, the Adviser and/or the Sub-Advisers will consider what action, including the sale of the security, is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

Debt or preferred securities held by the Fund may fail to make dividend or interest payments when due. Investments in securities below investment grade credit quality are predominantly speculative and subject to greater volatility and risk of default. Unrated securities are evaluated by Fund managers using industry data and their own analysis processes that may be similar to that of a NRSRO; however, such internal ratings are not equivalent to a national agency credit rating. Counterparty credit risk may arise if counterparties fail to meet their obligations, should the Fund hold any derivative instruments for either investment exposure or hedging purposes.

Below Investment Grade Risk

Securities of below investment grade quality, commonly referred to as “high yield” or “junk” bonds, are regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due, and they are more susceptible to default or decline in market value due to adverse economic and business developments than investment grade securities. Also, to the extent that the rating assigned to a security in the Fund’s portfolio is downgraded by any NRSRO, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected. The market values for securities of below investment grade quality tend to be volatile, and these securities are less liquid than investment grade securities. For these reasons, an investment in the Fund, compared with a portfolio consisting predominately or solely of investment grade securities, may experience the following:

 

   

increased price sensitivity resulting from a deteriorating economic environment and/or changing interest rates;

 

   

greater risk of loss due to default or declining credit quality;

 

   

adverse issuer-specific events that are more likely to render the issuer unable to make interest and/or principal payments; and

 

   

the possibility that a negative perception of the below investment grade market develops, resulting in the price and liquidity of below investment grade securities becoming depressed, and this negative perception could last for a significant period of time.

Adverse changes in economic conditions are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of a below investment grade issuer to make principal payments and interest payments compared to an

 

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investment grade issuer. The principal amount of below investment grade securities outstanding has proliferated in the past decade as an increasing number of issuers have used below investment grade securities for financing. An economic downturn may severely affect the ability of highly leveraged issuers to service their debt obligations or to repay their obligations upon maturity. In the event of an economic downturn or in the event interest rates rise sharply, increasing the interest cost on variable rate instruments and negatively impacting economic activity, the number of defaults by below investment grade issuers would likely increase. Similarly, prolonged downturns in profitability in specific industries could adversely affect private activity bonds. The market values of lower quality debt securities tend to reflect individual developments of the issuer to a greater extent than do higher quality securities, which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. Factors having an adverse impact on the market value of lower quality securities may have an adverse impact on the Fund’s NAV and the market value of its Common Shares. In addition, the Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in payment of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings. In certain circumstances, the Fund may be required to foreclose on an issuer’s assets and take possession of its property or operations. In such circumstances, the Fund would incur additional costs in disposing of such assets and potential liabilities from operating any business acquired.

The secondary market for below investment grade securities may not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated securities, a factor that may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to dispose of a particular security. There are fewer dealers in the market for below investment grade securities than the market for investment grade securities. The prices quoted by different dealers for below investment grade securities may vary significantly, and the spread between the bid and ask price is generally much larger for below investment grade securities than for higher quality instruments. Under adverse market or economic conditions, the secondary market for below investment grade securities could contract, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer, and these instruments may become illiquid. As a result, the Fund could find it more difficult to sell these securities or may be able to sell the securities only at prices lower than if such securities were widely traded. Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated securities, under these circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating the Fund’s NAV.

Issuers of such below investment grade securities are typically highly leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of financing. Therefore, the risk associated with acquiring the securities of such issuers generally is greater than is the case with higher rated securities. For example, during an economic downturn or a sustained period of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers of below investment grade securities may experience financial stress. During such periods, such issuers may not have sufficient revenues to meet their interest payment obligations. The issuer’s ability to service its debt obligations also may be adversely affected by specific developments, the issuer’s inability to meet specific projected forecasts or the unavailability of additional financing. The risk of loss from default by the issuer is significantly greater for the holders of below investment grade securities because such securities are generally unsecured and are often subordinated to other creditors of the issuer. Prices and yields of below investment grade securities will fluctuate over time and, during periods of economic uncertainty, volatility of below investment grade securities may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV. In addition, investments in below investment grade zero coupon bonds rather than income-bearing below investment grade securities, may be more speculative and may be subject to greater fluctuations in value due to changes in interest rates.

 

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The Fund may invest in distressed securities, which are securities issued by companies that are involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or are experiencing other financial difficulties at the time of acquisition by the Fund. The issuers of such securities may be in transition, out of favor, financially leveraged or troubled, or potentially troubled, and may be or have recently been involved in major strategic actions, restructurings, bankruptcy, reorganization or liquidation. These characteristics of these companies can cause their securities to be particularly risky, although they also may offer the potential for high returns. These companies’ securities may be considered speculative, and the ability of the companies to pay their debts on schedule could be affected by adverse interest rate movements, changes in the general economic climate, economic factors affecting a particular industry or specific developments within the companies. Distressed securities frequently do not produce income while they are outstanding and may require the Fund to bear certain extraordinary expenses in order to protect and recover its investment.

Investments in lower rated or unrated securities may present special tax issues for the Fund, including when the issuers of these securities default on their obligations pertaining thereto, and the federal income tax consequences to the Fund as a holder of such distressed securities may not be clear.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fixed-rate securities in the Fund’s portfolio, such as preferred and debt securities, will decline in value because of increases in market interest rates. Generally, when market interest rates rise, the market value of such securities will fall, and vice versa. As interest rates decline, issuers of fixed-rate securities may prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities and potentially reducing the Fund’s income. As interest rates increase, slower than expected principal payments may extend the average life of securities, potentially locking in a below market interest rate and reducing the Fund’s value. In typical market interest rate environments, the prices of longer-term fixed-rate securities generally fluctuate more than prices of shorter-term fixed-rate securities as interest rates change. The Federal Reserve recently reduced the federal funds rate several times. To the extent the Fund invests in longer-term fixed-rate securities, the common share NAV and market price per share will fluctuate more in response to changes in market interest rates than if the Fund invested alternatively in shorter-term securities. Because the values of lower rated and comparable unrated debt securities are affected both by credit risk and interest rate risk, the price movements of such lower grade securities typically have not been highly correlated to the fluctuations of the prices of investment grade quality securities in response to changes in market interest rates. The Fund’s use of leverage, as described herein, will tend to increase common share interest rate risk. There may be less governmental intervention in the securities markets in the near future. The negative impact on fixed-rate securities if interest rates increase as a result could negatively impact the Fund’s NAV.

Reinvestment Risk

Reinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Fund’s portfolio will decline if and when the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called preferred securities or debt instruments at market interest rates that are below the portfolio’s current earnings rate. A decline in income could affect the Common Shares’ ability to pay dividends, market price or their overall returns.

 

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Concentration and Financial Services Sector Risk

The preferred securities market is comprised predominantly of securities issued by companies in the financial services sector. Therefore, preferred securities present substantially increased risks at times of financial turmoil, which could affect financial services companies more than companies in other sectors and industries. The Fund’s investment in securities issued by financial services companies makes the Fund more susceptible to adverse economic or regulatory occurrences affecting those companies. Concentration of investments in financial services companies includes the following risks:

 

   

financial services companies may suffer a setback if regulators change the rules under which they operate, which may increase costs for or limit the ability to offer new services or products and make it difficult to pass increased costs on to consumers;

 

   

unstable interest rates can have a disproportionate effect on the financial services sector;

 

   

financial services companies whose securities the Fund may purchase may themselves have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to real estate developers, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect that sector; and

 

   

financial services companies have been affected by increased competition, which could adversely affect the profitability or viability of such companies.

The profitability of many types of financial services 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 services companies are especially vulnerable to these economic cycles, the Fund’s investments in these companies may lose significant value during such periods.

Leverage Risk

Leverage risk is the risk associated with the use of borrowings, the issuance of debt securities or Preferred Shares, or other form of leverage to leverage the Fund’s portfolio. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s leveraging strategy will be successful.

Through the use of leverage, the Fund seeks to enhance potential Common Share earnings over time by borrowing, issuing debt securities or Preferred Shares or using other types of leverage that bear costs that are lower than the return of portfolio investments held by the Fund. However, the Fund may use derivatives, such as interest rate swaps, to fix the effective rate paid on all or a portion of the Fund’s leverage, in an effort to lower leverage costs over an extended period. Accordingly, the Fund provides no assurance that the use of leverage will result in a higher yield or return to shareholders. The income benefit from leverage will be reduced (increased) to the extent that the difference narrows (widens) between the net earnings on the Fund’s portfolio securities and its cost of leverage. If short-or intermediate-term rates rise and the Fund’s leverage costs fluctuate, the Fund’s cost of leverage could exceed the return on portfolio securities held by the Fund. Because of the costs of leverage, the Fund may incur losses even if the Fund has positive returns, if they are not sufficient to cover the costs of leverage. The Fund’s cost of leverage includes the interest rate paid on its borrowings or dividends on

 

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Preferred Shares, the expenses relating to ongoing maintenance of any borrowings and the issuance of Preferred Shares, as well as any other ongoing fees and expenses associated with those borrowings or Preferred Shares. The Fund also bears the one-time costs associated with establishing borrowing facilities, issuing preferred shares and refinancing such leverage. Refinancing risk is the risk that the Fund is unable to replace existing leverage at all or on favorable terms. In the event the Fund has issued Preferred Shares and it is unable to replace its leverage upon a redemption of such Preferred Shares, it may be forced to reduce leverage and sell portfolio securities when it otherwise would not do so. More frequent refinancings may also increase the one-time costs of establishing leverage. The Fund may seek to refinance its leverage over time, in the ordinary course, as current forms of leverage mature or it is otherwise desirable to refinance; however, the form that such leverage will take cannot be predicted at this time. If the Fund is unable to replace existing leverage on comparable terms, its costs of leverage will increase. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the use of leverage may result in a higher yield or return to shareholders.

The Fund’s use of leverage also creates incremental Common Share NAV risk because the full impact of price changes in the Fund’s investment portfolio, including assets attributable to leverage, is borne by Common Shareholders. This can lead to a greater increase in NAVs in rising markets than if the Fund were not leveraged, but it also can result in a greater decrease in NAVs in declining markets. The Fund’s use of leverage similarly can magnify the impact of changing market conditions on Common Share market prices.

The Fund currently employs leverage through bank borrowings and reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund will pay (and shareholders will bear) any costs and expenses relating to the Fund’s use of leverage, which will result in a reduction in the NAV of the Common Shares. The Fund may in the future, based on its assessment of market conditions, increase or decrease its amount of leverage or change the types of leverage employed. Such changes may impact net investment income and the market value of Common Shares. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s leverage strategy will be successful.

Derivatives Risk

The Fund’s use of derivatives involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the investments underlying the derivatives, including: the imperfect correlation between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets of the Fund, which creates the possibility that the loss on such instruments may be greater than the gain in the value of the underlying assets in the Fund’s portfolio; the loss of principal; the possible default of the other party to the transaction; and illiquidity of the derivative investments. If the Fund enters into a derivative transaction, it could lose more than the principal amount invested. Whether the Fund’s use of derivatives is successful will depend on, among other things, if the Adviser and/or Sub-Advisers correctly forecast market values, interest rates and other applicable factors. If the Adviser and/or Sub-Advisers incorrectly forecast these and other factors, the investment performance of the Fund will be unfavorably affected.

The Fund may enter into debt-related derivatives instruments including interest rate and other swap contracts. Like most derivative instruments, the use of swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. In addition, the use of swaps requires an understanding by the Adviser and/or Sub-Advisers of not only the referenced asset, rate or index, but also of the swap itself. The derivatives

 

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market is subject to a changing regulatory environment. It is possible that regulatory or other developments in the derivatives market could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to successfully use derivative instruments.

Furthermore, the derivative investments may be illiquid. Although both over-the-counter (“OTC”) and exchange-traded derivatives markets may experience the lack of liquidity, OTC non-standardized derivative transactions are generally less liquid than exchange-traded instruments. The illiquidity of the derivatives markets may be due to various factors, including congestion, disorderly markets, limitations on deliverable supplies, the participation of speculators, government regulation and intervention and technical and operational or system failures. In addition, the liquidity of a secondary market in an exchange-traded derivative contract may be adversely affected by “daily price fluctuation limits” established by the exchanges which limit the amount of fluctuation in an exchange-traded contract price during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in the contract, no trades may be entered into at a price beyond the limit, thus preventing the liquidation of open positions. Prices have in the past moved beyond the daily limit on a number of consecutive trading days. If it is not possible to close an open derivative position entered into by the Fund, the Fund would continue to be required to make cash payments of variation (or mark-to-market) margin in the event of adverse price movements. In such a situation, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet variation margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. The absence of liquidity may also make it more difficult for the Fund to ascertain a market value for such instruments. The inability to close futures or derivatives positions also could have an adverse impact on the Fund’s ability to effectively hedge its portfolio.

In October 2020, the SEC adopted Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies. Upon becoming effective and subject to a transition period, Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, eliminate the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, treat derivatives as senior securities so that a failure to comply with the limits would result in a statutory violation and require funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure to establish and maintain a comprehensive derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager.

Future regulatory developments could impact the Fund’s ability to invest in certain derivatives. It is possible that government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, including futures, options and swap agreements, may limit or prevent the Fund from using such instruments as a part of its investment strategies, and could ultimately prevent the Fund from being able to achieve its investment objectives. It is impossible to fully predict the effects of past, present or future legislation and regulation in this area, but the effects could be substantial and adverse. There is a likelihood of future regulatory developments altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in the Fund or the ability of the Fund to continue to implement its investment strategies. It is possible that legislative and regulatory activity could limit or restrict the ability of the Fund to use certain instruments as a part of its investment strategies. Limits or restrictions applicable to the counterparties with which the Fund engages in derivative transactions (for example, the Volcker Rule) could also prevent the Fund from using certain instruments.

Reverse Repurchase Agreement Risk

Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse

 

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repurchase agreements involve the risk that the other party to the agreement may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of the collateral held by the Fund, including the value of investments made with cash collateral, is less than the value of the securities. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences to the Fund.

Reverse repurchase agreements, in economic essence, constitute a securitized borrowing by the Fund from the security purchaser. The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements for the purpose of creating a leveraged investment exposure and, as such, their usage involves essentially the same risks associated with a leveraging strategy generally since the proceeds from these agreements may be invested in additional securities. Reverse repurchase agreements tend to be short-term in tenor, and there can be no assurances that the purchaser (lender) will commit to extend or “roll” a given agreement upon its agreed-upon repurchase date or an alternative purchaser can be identified on similar terms. Reverse repurchase agreements also involve the risk that the purchaser fails to return the securities as agreed upon, files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent. The Fund may be restricted from taking normal portfolio actions during such time, could be subject to loss to the extent that the proceeds of the agreement are less than the value of securities subject to the agreement and may experience adverse tax consequences.

Counterparty Risk

Changes in the credit quality of the companies that serve as the Fund’s counterparties with respect to derivatives or other transactions supported by another party’s credit may affect the value of those instruments. Certain entities that have served as counterparties in the markets for these transactions have in the past incurred significant losses and financial hardships, including bankruptcy, as a result of exposure to sub-prime mortgages and other lower quality credit investments that have experienced recent defaults or otherwise suffered extreme credit deterioration. As a result, such hardships have reduced these entities’ capital and called into question their continued ability to perform their obligations under such transactions. By using derivatives or other transactions, the Fund assumes the risk that its counterparties could experience similar financial hardships. In the event of insolvency of a counterparty, the Fund may sustain losses or be unable to liquidate a derivatives position.

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk

Mortgage-backed securities are secured by and payable from pools of mortgage loans. Similarly, asset-backed securities are supported by obligations such as automobile loans, home equity loans, corporate bonds, or commercial loans. These mortgages and other obligations generally can be prepaid at any time without penalty. Investment in mortgage- and asset-backed securities poses several risks, including, among others, prepayment, market and credit risk. Prepayment risk reflects the risk that borrowers may prepay their mortgages faster than expected, thereby affecting the investment’s average life and perhaps its yield. Whether or not a mortgage loan is prepaid is almost entirely controlled by the borrower. Borrowers are most likely to exercise prepayment options at the time when it is least advantageous to investors in mortgage-backed securities, generally prepaying mortgages as interest rates fall, and slowing payments as interest rates rise. Besides the effect of prevailing interest rates, the rate of prepayment and refinancing of mortgages may also be affected by home value appreciation, ease of the refinancing process and local economic conditions. Market risk reflects the risk that the price of a security may fluctuate over time. The price of mortgage- and asset-backed securities may be particularly sensitive to prevailing interest rates, the length of time the security is

 

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expected to be outstanding and the liquidity of the issue. In a period of unstable interest rates, there may be decreased demand for certain types of mortgage- and asset-backed securities, and the Fund, if invested in such securities and wishing to sell them, may find it difficult to find a buyer, which may in turn decrease the price at which they may be sold. Credit risk reflects the risk that the Fund may not receive all or part of its principal because the issuer or credit enhancer has defaulted on its obligations. Obligations issued by certain U.S. government-related entities are guaranteed as to the payment of principal and interest, but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. The performance of private label mortgage- and asset-backed securities, issued by private institutions, is based on the financial health of those institutions.

Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are also subject to extension risk, which is the risk that rising interest rates could cause mortgages or other obligations underlying the securities to be prepaid more slowly than expected, resulting in slower prepayments of the securities. This would, in effect, convert a short- or medium-duration mortgage- or asset-backed security into a longer-duration security, increasing its sensitivity to interest rate changes and causing its price to decline.

Non-U.S. Securities Risk

Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers involve special risks not presented by investments in securities of U.S. issuers, including the following: (i) less publicly available information about non-U.S. issuers or markets due to less rigorous disclosure or accounting standards or regulatory practices; (ii) many non-U.S. markets are smaller, less liquid and more volatile, meaning that, in a changing market, the Fund may not be able to sell its portfolio securities at times, in amounts or at prices it considers reasonable; (iii) potential adverse effects of fluctuations in currency exchange rates or controls on the value of the Fund’s investments; (iv) the economies of non-U.S. countries may grow at slower rates than expected or may experience a downturn or recession; (v) the impact of economic, political, social or diplomatic events; (vi) possible seizure, expropriation or nationalization of the company or its assets; (vii) certain non-U.S. countries may impose restrictions on the ability of non-U.S. issuers to make payments of principal and/or interest to investors located outside the United States, due to blockage of foreign currency exchange or otherwise; and (viii) withholding and other non-U.S. taxes may decrease the Fund’s return. These risks are more pronounced to the extent that the Fund invests in securities of issuers in emerging market countries.

Economies and social and political climates in individual countries may differ unfavorably from the United States. Non-U.S. economies may have less favorable rates of growth of gross domestic product, rates of inflation, currency valuation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments positions. Many countries have experienced substantial, and in some cases extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Unanticipated economic, political and social developments may also affect the values of the Fund’s investments and the availability to the Fund of additional investments in such countries.

Emerging Markets Risk

The risks of investments are usually much greater in emerging markets countries. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are riskier because they develop unevenly and may never fully develop. They are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, including sudden, significant devaluations. In addition, the securities and currencies of many of these countries may have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than those

 

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of developed countries. If the Fund’s investments issued by an emerging market country need to be liquidated quickly, the Fund could sustain significant transaction costs. Many emerging markets have histories of political instability and abrupt changes in policies. As a result, their governments may be more likely to take actions that are hostile or detrimental to foreign investment than those of more developed countries, such as expropriation, confiscatory taxation and nationalization of assets and securities. Certain emerging markets also may face other significant internal or external risks, including a heightened risk of war, and ethnic, religious and racial conflicts. In addition, governments in many emerging market countries participate to a significant degree in their economies and securities markets, which may impair investment and economic growth, and which may in turn diminish the value of their currencies.

Currency Risk

The prices of any non-U.S. securities held by the Fund that are traded in U.S. dollars are typically indirectly influenced by currency fluctuations. Changes in currency exchange rates may affect the Fund’s NAV, interest earned, and gains or losses realized on the sale of securities. Changes in currency exchange rates will also affect the value of non-U.S. dollar denominated securities, the value of dividends and interest earned from such securities, gains and losses realized on the sale of such securities, and derivative transactions tied to such securities. A strong U.S. dollar relative to these other currencies will adversely affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio.

Call Risk

The Fund may invest in preferred and debt securities, which are subject to call risk. Preferred and debt securities may be redeemed at the option of the issuer, or “called,” before their stated maturity date. In general, an issuer will call its preferred or debt securities if they can be refinanced by issuing new instruments which bear a lower interest rate. The Fund is subject to the possibility that during periods of falling interest rates, an issuer will call its high-yielding preferred or debt securities. The Fund would then be forced to invest the unanticipated proceeds at lower interest rates, resulting in a decline in the Fund’s income.

Duration Risk

Duration is the sensitivity, expressed in years, of the price of a fixed income security to changes in the general level of interest rates (or yields). Securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to interest rate (or yield) changes than securities with shorter durations. For example, if a security or portfolio has a duration of three years and interest rates increase by 1%, then the security or portfolio would decline in value by approximately 3%. Duration differs from maturity in that it considers potential changes to interest rates, and a security’s coupon payments, yield, price and par value and call features, in addition to the amount of time until the security matures. The duration of a security will be expected to change over time with changes in market factors and time to maturity. The duration of the Fund’s portfolio is not subject to any limits and therefore the portfolio may be very sensitive to interest rate changes.

Inflation Risk

Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investment will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of shares and

 

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the distributions can decline. In addition, during any period of rising inflation, interest rates on borrowings would likely increase, which would tend to further reduce returns to shareholders.

Deflation Risk

Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time, which may have an adverse effect on the market valuation of companies, their assets and revenues. In addition, deflation may have an adverse effect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer default more likely, which may result in a decline in the value of the Fund’s portfolio.

Other Investment Companies Risk

An investment in the securities of another investment company will expose the Fund to the risks of investing in the securities held in such other investment company’s portfolio. In addition, the Fund’s shareholders will bear their proportionate share of the fees and expenses of such other investment company in addition to the fees and expenses of the Fund. The securities of other investment companies may also be leveraged. As a result, the Fund may be indirectly exposed to leverage through an investment in such securities. Utilization of leverage is a speculative investment technique and involves certain risks. An investment in securities of other investment companies that are leveraged may expose the Fund to higher volatility in the market value of such securities and the possibility that the Fund’s long-term returns on such securities will be diminished.

ETF Risk

The Fund may invest in the securities of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) to the extent permitted by law. Most ETFs are investment companies that aim to track or replicate a desired index, such as a sector, market or global segment. Most ETFs are passively managed and their shares are traded on a national exchange. ETFs do not sell individual shares directly to investors and only issue their shares in large blocks known as “creation units.” The investor purchasing a creation unit may sell the individual shares on a secondary market. Therefore, the liquidity of ETFs depends on the adequacy of the secondary market. There can be no assurance that an ETF’s investment objective will be achieved, as ETFs based on an index may not replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weightings of securities in the index. ETFs are subject to the risks of investing in the underlying securities. The Fund, as a holder of the securities of the ETF, will bear its pro rata portion of the ETF’s expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses are in addition to the direct expenses of the Fund’s own operations. ETF shares may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV. As ETFs trade on an exchange, they are subject to the risks of any exchange-traded instrument, including: (i) an active trading market for shares may not develop or be maintained, (ii) trading of shares may be halted by the exchange, and (iii) shares may be delisted from the exchange. Some ETFs are highly leveraged and therefore will expose the Fund to the risks posed by leverage discussed elsewhere in this prospectus.

When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Transactions Risk

When-issued and delayed-delivery transactions may involve an element of risk because no interest accrues on the securities prior to settlement and, because securities are subject to market fluctuations, the value of the securities at time of delivery may be less (or more) than their cost. A separate account of the Fund will be established with its custodian consisting of cash equivalents or liquid securities having a market value at all times at least equal to the amount of any delayed payment commitment.

 

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Delivery and payment for securities that have been purchased in this manner can take place a month or more after the transaction date. Such securities do not earn interest, are subject to market fluctuation, and may increase or decrease in value prior to their delivery. The purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV if the Fund makes such purchases while remaining substantially fully invested.

Illiquid Investments Risk

The Fund may invest in securities and other instruments that, at the time of investment, are illiquid. 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.

U.S. Government and Agency Securities Risk

U.S. Government and agency securities are subject to market risk, interest rate risk and credit risk. In addition, to the extent the Fund invests in such securities, its potential for capital appreciation may be limited. Not all U.S. Government securities are insured or guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government; some are only insured or guaranteed by the issuing agency, which must rely on its own resources to repay the debt. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. Government securities held by the Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, including their legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future. Although the U.S. Government has provided support to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, there can be no assurance that it will support these or other government-sponsored enterprises in the future.

Other Risks

Global Economic Risk

National and regional economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibilities that conditions in one country, region or market might adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or market. Changes in legal, political, regulatory, tax and economic conditions may cause fluctuations in markets and securities prices around the world, which could negatively impact the value of the Fund’s investments. Major economic or political disruptions, particularly in large economies like China’s, may have global negative economic and market repercussions. Additionally, the aftermath of the war in Iraq, instability in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Russia, Ukraine and the Middle East, natural and environmental disasters and the spread of infectious illnesses or other public health emergencies, possible terrorist attacks in the United States and around the world, continued tensions between North Korea and the United States and the international community generally, growing social and political discord in the United States, the European debt crisis, the response of the international community—through economic sanctions and otherwise—to Russia’s annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine and posture vis-a-vis Ukraine, further downgrade of U.S. Government securities, the change in the U.S. president and the new administration and other similar events may adversely affect the global economy and the markets and issuers in which the Fund invests. Recent examples of such events include the outbreak of a novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 that was first detected in China in December 2019 and heightened concerns regarding North Korea’s nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic

 

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missile programs. These events could reduce consumer demand or economic output, result in market closure, travel restrictions or quarantines, and generally have a significant impact on the economy. These events could also impair the information technology and other operational systems upon which the Fund’s service providers, including the Adviser and the Sub-Advisers, rely, and could otherwise disrupt the ability of employees of the Fund’s service providers to perform essential tasks on behalf of the Fund. Additionally, the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted global commercial activity and has contributed to significant volatility in certain financial markets. There are no comparable recent events in the U.S. that provide guidance as to the effect of the spread of COVID-19 on the economy as a whole and, consequently, the Fund. Accordingly, while there have been proposed, and in some cases enacted, economic stimulus measures aimed at curbing the negative economic impacts to the U.S. and other countries as a result of COVID-19, it cannot be determined at this time whether such stimulus measures will have a stabilizing economic effect. The Fund does not know and cannot predict how long the securities markets may be affected by these events and the effects of these and similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets. The Fund may be adversely affected by abrogation of international agreements and national laws which have created the market instruments in which the Fund may invest, failure of the designated national and international authorities to enforce compliance with the same laws and agreements, failure of local, national and international organizations to carry out their duties prescribed to them under the relevant agreements, revisions of these laws and agreements which dilute their effectiveness or conflicting interpretation of provisions of the same laws and agreements.

Governmental and quasi-governmental authorities and regulators throughout the world have in the past responded to major economic disruptions with a variety of significant fiscal and monetary policy changes, including but not limited to, direct capital infusions into companies, new monetary programs and dramatically lower interest rates. An unexpected or quick reversal of these policies, or the ineffectiveness of these policies, could increase volatility in securities markets, which could adversely affect the Fund’s investments. See “—Recent Market Conditions” below.

Recent Market Conditions

In response to the financial crisis and recent market events, the United States and other governments and the Federal Reserve and certain foreign central banks have taken steps to support financial markets. Policy and legislative changes by the United States government and the Federal Reserve to assist in the ongoing support of financial markets, both domestically and in other countries, are changing many aspects of financial regulation. The impact of these changes on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time. In some countries where economic conditions are recovering, such countries are nevertheless perceived as still fragile. Withdrawal of government support, failure of efforts in response to the crisis, or investor perception that such efforts are not succeeding, could adversely impact the value and liquidity of certain securities. The severity or duration of adverse economic conditions may also be affected by policy changes made by governments or quasi-governmental organizations, including changes in tax laws and the imposition of trade barriers. The impact of new financial regulation legislation on the markets and the practical implications for market participants may not be fully known for some time. Changes to the Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain interest rates, may affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities. Regulatory changes are causing some financial services companies to exit long-standing lines of business, resulting in dislocations for other market participants. In addition, the contentious domestic political environment, as well as political and diplomatic events within the United States and abroad, such as the U.S. government’s inability at times

 

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to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan, the threat of a federal government shutdown and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree. The U.S. government has recently reduced the federal corporate income tax rate, and future legislative, regulatory and policy changes may result in more restrictions on international trade, less stringent prudential regulation of certain players in the financial markets, and significant new investments in infrastructure and national defense. Markets may react strongly to expectations about the changes in these policies, which could increase volatility, especially if the markets’ expectations for changes in government policies are not borne out.

Changes in market conditions will not have the same impact on all types of securities. Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years in the United States and abroad, but there is a consensus that interest rates will increase during the life of the Fund, which could negatively impact the price of debt securities. Because there is little precedent for this situation, it is difficult to predict the impact of a significant rate increase on various markets. For example, because investors may buy securities or other investments with borrowed money, a significant increase in interest rates may cause a decline in the markets for those investments. Because of the sharp decline in the worldwide price of oil, there is a concern that oil producing nations may withdraw significant assets now held in U.S. Treasuries, which could force a substantial increase in interest rates. Regulators have expressed concern that rate increases may cause investors to sell fixed income securities faster than the market can absorb them, contributing to price volatility. In addition, there is a risk that the prices of goods and services in the United States and many foreign economies may decline over time, known as deflation (the opposite of inflation). Deflation may have an adverse effect on stock prices and creditworthiness and may make defaults on debt more likely. If a country’s economy slips into a deflationary pattern, it could last for a prolonged period and may be difficult to reverse.

On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom (“UK”) held a referendum on whether to remain a member state of the European Union (“EU”), in which voters favored the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, an event widely referred to as “Brexit” and which triggered a two-year period of negotiations on the terms of withdrawal. The formal notification to the European Council required under Article 50 of the Treaty on EU was made on March 29, 2017, following which the terms of exit were negotiated. On January 31, 2020, the UK formally withdrew from the EU subject to a transition period that ended on December 31, 2020. The longer term economic, legal, political and social framework to be put in place between the UK and the EU are unclear at this stage and are likely to lead to ongoing political and economic uncertainty and periods of exacerbated volatility in both the UK and in wider European markets for some time. The outcomes may cause increased volatility and have a significant adverse impact on world financial markets, other international trade agreements, and the UK and European economies, as well as the broader global economy for some time. Additionally, a number of countries in Europe have suffered terror attacks, and additional attacks may occur in the future. Ukraine has experienced ongoing military conflict; this conflict may expand and military attacks could occur elsewhere in Europe. Europe has also been struggling with mass migration from the Middle East and Africa. The ultimate effects of these events and other socio-political or geographical issues are not known but could profoundly affect global economies and markets.

The current political climate has intensified concerns about a potential trade war between China and the United States, as each country has recently imposed tariffs on the other country’s products. These actions may trigger a significant reduction in international trade, the oversupply of certain manufactured goods, substantial price reductions of goods and possible failure of individual companies

 

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and/or large segments of China’s export industry, which could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. U.S. companies that source material and goods from China and those that make large amounts of sales in China would be particularly vulnerable to an escalation of trade tensions. Uncertainty regarding the outcome of the trade tensions and the potential for a trade war could cause the U.S. dollar to decline against safe haven currencies, such as the Japanese yen and the euro. Events such as these and their consequences are difficult to predict and it is unclear whether further tariffs may be imposed or other escalating actions may be taken in the future.

The impact of these developments in the near- and long-term is unknown and could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world.

Legislation and Regulatory Risk

At any time after the date of this prospectus, legislation or additional regulations may be enacted that could negatively affect the assets of the Fund, securities held by the Fund or the issuers of such securities. Changing approaches to regulation may have a negative impact on the entities and/or securities in which the Fund invests. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. Fund shareholders may incur increased costs resulting from such legislation or additional regulation. There can be no assurance that future legislation, regulation or deregulation will not have a material adverse effect on the Fund or will not impair the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective.

For example, the Dodd-Frank Act is designed to impose stringent regulation on the over-the-counter derivatives market in an attempt to increase transparency and accountability and provides for, among other things, new clearing, execution, margin, reporting, recordkeeping, business conduct, disclosure, position limit, minimum net capital and registration requirements. Although the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) has released final rules under the Dodd-Frank Act, many of the provisions are subject to further final rulemaking, and thus the Dodd-Frank Act’s ultimate impact remains unclear.

The SEC proposed rules governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, which could affect the nature and extent of derivatives use by the Fund. The proposed rules have not yet been adopted and therefore the full impact of such rules is uncertain at this time. It is possible that such rules, if adopted, could limit the implementation of the Fund’s use of derivatives, which could have an adverse effect on the Fund.

Additionally, the Fund is operated by persons who have claimed an exclusion, granted to operators of registered investment companies like the Fund, from registration as a “commodity pool operator” under Rule 4.5 promulgated by the CFTC pursuant to its authority under the Commodity Exchange Act (the “CEA”) and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a “commodity pool operator.” As a result, the Fund is limited in its ability to use commodity futures (which include futures on broad-based securities indexes and interest rate futures) or options on commodity futures, engage in swaps transactions or make certain other investments (whether directly or indirectly through investments in other investment vehicles) for purposes other than bona fide hedging. With respect to transactions other than for bona fide hedging purposes, either: (1) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish the Fund’s positions in such investments may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Fund’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such investments); or (2) the aggregate net notional value of such instruments, determined at the time the most recent position was established, may not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the

 

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Fund’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of the foregoing trading limitations, the Fund may not market itself as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the futures, options or swaps markets. If the Fund does not continue to claim the exclusion, it would likely become subject to registration and regulation as a commodity pool operator. The Fund may incur additional expenses as a result of the CFTC’s registration and regulatory requirements.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust and By-laws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to open-end status. These provisions could have the effect of depriving the Common Shareholders of opportunities to sell their Common Shares at a premium over the then-current market price of the Common Shares. See “Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws.”

Potential Conflicts of Interest Risk

Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management each provide a wide array of portfolio management and other asset management services to a mix of clients and may engage in ordinary course activities in which their respective interests or those of their clients may compete or conflict with those of the Fund. In certain circumstances, and subject to its fiduciary obligations under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, Nuveen Asset Management may have to allocate a limited investment opportunity among its clients, which include closed-end funds, open-end funds and other commingled funds. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management have each adopted policies and procedures designed to address such situations and other potential conflicts of interests.

The following risks are not considered to be principal risks of investing in the Fund:

Cybersecurity Risk

Technology, such as the internet, has become more prevalent in the course of business, and as such, the Fund and its service providers are susceptible to operational and information security risk resulting from cyber incidents. Cyber incidents refer to both intentional attacks and unintentional events including: processing errors, human errors, technical errors including computer glitches and system malfunctions, inadequate or failed internal or external processes, market-wide technical-related disruptions, unauthorized access to digital systems (through “hacking” or malicious software coding), computer viruses, and cyber-attacks which shut down, disable, slow or otherwise disrupt operations, business processes or website access or functionality (including denial of service attacks). Cyber incidents could adversely impact the Fund and cause the Fund to incur financial loss and expense, as well as face exposure to regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and additional compliance costs associated with corrective measures. Cyber incidents may cause the Fund or its service providers to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption, lose operational capacity or fail to comply with applicable privacy and other laws. Among other potentially harmful effects, cyber incidents also may result in theft, unauthorized monitoring and failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support the Fund and its service providers. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred in order to prevent any cyber incidents in the future. While the Fund’s service providers have established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, such cyber incidents, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. Furthermore, the Fund cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by its service providers or any other third parties whose operations may affect the Fund.

 

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Certain Affiliations

Certain broker-dealers may be considered to be affiliated persons of the Fund, Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management, Nuveen and/or TIAA. Absent an exemption from the SEC or other regulatory relief, the Fund generally is precluded from effecting certain principal transactions with affiliated brokers, and its ability to purchase securities being underwritten by an affiliated broker or a syndicate including an affiliated broker, or to utilize affiliated brokers for agency transactions, is subject to restrictions. The Fund has not applied for and does not currently intend to apply for such relief. This could limit the Fund’s ability to engage in securities transactions and take advantage of market opportunities. In addition, unless and until the underwriting syndicate is broken in connection with the initial public offering of the Common Shares, the Fund will be precluded from effecting principal transactions with brokers who are members of the syndicate.

SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES

The purpose of the table below and the Examples below is to help you understand all fees and expenses that you, as a common shareholder, would bear directly or indirectly. The table shows the expenses of the Fund as a percentage of the average net assets applicable to Common Shares, and not as a percentage of total assets or Managed Assets.

 

Shareholder Transaction Expenses (as a percentage of offering price)

  

Maximum Sales Charge

     4.00 %* 

Offering Costs(1)

     0.16

Dividend Reinvestment Plan Fees(2)

   $ 2.50  

 

*

A maximum sales charge of 4.00% applies only to offerings pursuant to a syndicated underwriting. The maximum sales charge for offerings made at-the-market is 1.00%. There is no sales charge for offerings pursuant to a private transaction.

 

     As a Percentage of
Net Assets
Attributable to
Common Shares(3)
 

Annual Expenses

  

Management Fees

     1.26

Interest Expense on Borrowings and Fees on Reverse Repurchase Agreements(4)

     1.17

Other Expenses(5)

     0.07
  

 

 

 

Total Annual Expenses

     2.50
  

 

 

 

 

(1)

Assuming a Common Share offering price of $9.17 (the Fund’s closing price on the NYSE on March 8, 2021).

(2)

You will be charged a $2.50 service charge and pay brokerage charges if you direct ComputerShare Inc. and ComputerShare Trust Company, N.A., as agent for the common shareholders (the “Plan Agent”), to sell your Common Shares held in a dividend reinvestment account.

(3)

Stated as percentages of average net assets attributable to Common Shares for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020.

(4)

Currently, the Fund employs leverage through its use of borrowings and reverse repurchase agreements. Interest Expense on Borrowings and Fees on Reverse Repurchase Agreements reflect actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020. The actual interest expense on the use of borrowings and fees on reverse repurchase agreements incurred in the future may be higher or lower. If short-term market interest rates rise in the future, and if the Fund continues to maintain leverage the cost of which is tied to short-term interest rates, the Fund’s interest expenses on its short-term borrowings can be expected to rise in tandem. The Fund’s use of leverage will increase the amount of management fees paid to Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management and NWQ.

(5)

Other Expenses is based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. Expenses attributable to the Fund’s investments, if any, in other investment companies are currently estimated not to exceed 0.01%. See “The Fund’s Investments—Other Investment Companies” in the SAI.

 

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For a more complete description of the Annual Expenses a common shareholder would bear directly or indirectly, see “Management of the Fund—Investment Management and Sub-Advisory Agreements” in this prospectus.

Examples

The following examples illustrate the expenses including the applicable transaction fees (referred to as the “Maximum Sales Charge” in the fee table above), if any, and estimated offering costs of $1.60, that a common shareholder would pay on a $1,000 investment that is held for the time periods provided in the table. Each example assumes that all dividends and other distributions are reinvested in the Fund and that the Fund’s Annual Total Expenses, as provided above, remain the same. The examples also assume a 5% annual return.1

Example # 1 (At-the-Market Transaction)

The following example assumes a transaction fee of 1.00%, as a percentage of the offering price.

 

1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years
$37   $89   $143   $292

Example # 2 (Underwritten Transaction)

The following example assumes a transaction fee of 4.00%, as a percentage of the offering price.

 

1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years
$66   $116   $169   $313

Example # 3 (Privately Negotiated Transaction)

The following example assumes there is no transaction fee.

 

1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years
$27   $79   $134   $285

The examples should not be considered a representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown above.

 

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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The following Financial Highlights table is intended to help a prospective investor understand the Fund’s financial performance for the periods shown. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Common Share of the Fund. The total returns in the table represent the rate an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in Common Shares of the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends). The Fund’s annual financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015, including the financial highlights for the fiscal years then ended, have been audited by KPMG LLP (“KPMG”), independent registered public accounting firm. KPMG has not reviewed or examined any records, transactions or events after the date of such reports. The information with respect to the fiscal years ended prior to July 31, 2015 has been audited by other auditors. A copy of the Annual Report may be obtained from www.sec.gov or by visiting www.nuveen.com. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, the Fund’s website is not part of this Prospectus. Past results are not indicative of future performance.

The following per share data and ratios have been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

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Selected data for a Common Share outstanding throughout each period:

 

    Year Ended July 31     Year Ended December 31  
    2020     2019     2018     2017     2016     2015     2014     2013(g)     2012     2011     2010  

Per Share Operating Performance

                     

Beginning Common Share Net Asset Value (“NAV”)

  $ 10.14     $ 10.16     $ 10.87     $ 10.53     $ 10.45     $ 10.67     $ 10.26     $ 10.28     $ 8.67     $ 9.62     $ 8.56  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment Operations:

                     

Net Investment Income (Loss)(a)

    0.65       0.70       0.76       0.72       0.77       0.80       0.79       0.46       0.76       0.51       0.50  

Net Realized/Unrealized Gain (Loss)

    (1.26     0.01       (0.70     0.40       0.11       (0.25     0.38       (0.04     1.61       (0.72     1.23  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    (0.61     0.71       0.06       1.12       0.88       0.55       1.17       0.42       2.37       (0.21     1.73  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less Distributions to Common Shareholders:

                     

From Net Investment Income

    (0.68     (0.70     (0.77     (0.77     (0.80     (0.77     (0.76     (0.44     (0.76     (0.75     (0.57

From Accumulated Realized Gains

    0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00  

Return of Capital

    (0.02     (0.03     0.00     (0.01     0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       (0.11
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    (0.70     (0.73     (0.77     (0.78     (0.80     (0.77     (0.76     (0.44     (0.76     (0.75     (0.68
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Common Share:

                     

Discount from Common Shares Repurchased and Retired

    0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.00     0.00     0.00       0.00       0.01       0.01  

Ending NAV

  $ 8.83     $ 10.14     $ 10.16     $ 10.87     $ 10.53     $ 10.45     $ 10.67     $ 10.26     $ 10.28     $ 8.67     $ 9.62  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending Share Price

  $ 8.81     $ 9.91     $ 9.44     $ 10.59     $ 10.43     $ 9.19     $ 9.34     $ 9.35     $ 9.71     $ 8.01     $ 8.35  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Common Share Total Returns:

                     

Based on NAV(b)

    (6.16 )%      7.48     0.57     11.16     9.01     5.36     11.97     4.09     28.17     (2.23 )%      21.06

Based on Share Price(b)

    (4.12 )%      13.52     (3.76 )%      9.73     23.47     6.76     8.50     0.63     31.44     4.95     21.28

Common Share Supplemental Data/Ratios Applicable to Common Shares

                     

Ending Net Assets (000)

  $ 912,193     $ 1,047,925     $ 1,049,894     $ 1,122,751     $ 1,020,717     $ 1,012,766     $ 1,035,146     $ 995,460     $ 997,484     $ 840,643     $ 938,844  

Ratios to Average Net Assets Before Reimbursement(c)

                     

Expenses

    2.50     3.04     2.59     1.92     1.73     1.63     1.67     1.67 %***      1.79     1.73     1.67

Net Investment Income (Loss)

    6.87     7.10     7.19     6.82     7.58     7.55     7.73     7.47 %***      7.85     5.40     5.39

Ratios to Average Net Assets After Reimbursement(c)(d)

                     

Expenses

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       1.70     1.54

Net Investment Income (Loss)

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       5.43     5.52

Portfolio Turnover Rate(f)

    32     23     29     32     17     44     41     27     123     34     49

Borrowings at the End of Period:

                     

Aggregate Amount Outstanding (000)

  $ 400,000     $ 455,000     $ 437,000     $ 540,000     $ 404,100     $ 404,100     $ 402,500     $ 402,500     $ 383,750     $ 348,000     $ 270,000  

Asset Coverage Per $1,000

  $ 3,280     $ 3,303     $ 3,403     $ 3,079     $ 3,526     $ 3,506     $ 3,572     $ 3,473     $ 3,599     $ 3,416     $ 4,477  

 

(a)

Per share Net Investment Income (Loss) is calculated using the average daily shares method.

(b)

Total Return Based on Common Share NAV is the combination of changes in Common share NAV, reinvested dividend income at NAV and reinvested capital gains distributions at NAV, if any. The last dividend declared in the period, which is typically paid on the first business day of the following month, is assumed to be reinvested at the ending NAV. The actual reinvest price for the last dividend declared in the period may often be based on the Fund’s market price (and not its NAV), and therefore may be different from the price used in the calculation. Total returns are not annualized.

 

  

Total Return Based on Common Share Price is the combination of changes in the market price per share and the effect of reinvested dividend income and reinvested capital gains distributions, if any, at the average price paid per share at the time of reinvestment. The last dividend declared in the period, which is typically paid on the first business day of the following month, is assumed to be reinvested at the ending market price. The actual reinvestment for the last dividend declared in the period may take place over several days, and in some instances may not be based on the market price, so the actual reinvestment price may be different from the price used in the calculation. Total returns are not annualized.

 

(c)

• Net Investment Income (Loss) ratios reflect income earned and expenses incurred on assets attributable to borrowings and/or reverse repurchase agreements, where applicable.

 

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• Each ratio includes the effect of all interest expenses paid and other costs related to borrowings and/or reverse repurchase agreements, where applicable, as follows:

 

Year Ended 7/31:    Ratios of Dividends Expense on Securities Sold Short
to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares(e)
    Ratios of Borrowings Interest Expense to Average
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares
 

2020

               1.17

2019

                 1.73  

2018

                 1.29  

2017

                 0.70  

2016

                 0.50  

2015

                 0.41  

2014

                 0.43  

2013(g)

                 0.45 *** 

Year Ended 12/31:

          

2012

                 0.52  

2011

        **         0.43  

2010

        **          

 

(d)

After expense reimbursement from the Adviser, where applicable. As of March 31, 2011, the Adviser is no longer reimbursing the Fund for any fees or expenses.

(e)

Effective for periods beginning after December 31, 2011, the Fund no longer makes short sales of securities.

(f)

Portfolio Turnover Rate is calculated based on the lessor of long-term purchases or sales divided by the average long-term market value during the period.

(g)

For the seven months ended July 31, 2013.

N/A

The Fund no longer has a contractual reimbursement with the Adviser.

*

Rounds to less than $0.01 per common share.

**

Rounds to less than 0.01%.

***

Annualized.

 

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THE FUND

The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on January 27, 2003, pursuant to the Declaration of Trust, which is governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Fund’s Common Shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “JPC.” The Fund’s principal office is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, and its telephone number is (312) 917-7700.

5% Shareholders

As of March 1, 2021, no shareholders owned of record, or were known by the Fund to own of record or beneficially, five percent or more of any class of shares of the Fund.

TRADING AND NET ASSET VALUE INFORMATION

The following table shows for the periods indicated: (i) the high and low sales prices for the Common Shares reported as of the end of the day on the NYSE, (ii) the high and low NAV of the Common Shares, and (iii) the high and low of the premium/(discount) to NAV (expressed as a percentage) of the Common Shares.

 

     Market Price      Net Asset Value      Premium/(Discount)  

Fiscal Quarter Ended

   High      Low      High      Low      High      Low  

January 2021

   $ 9.50      $ 8.30      $ 9.68      $ 9.06        (1.35 )%       (8.55 )% 

October 2020

   $ 8.93      $ 8.22      $ 9.16      $ 8.83        0.34      (8.87 )% 

July 2020

   $ 8.81      $ 7.42      $ 8.83      $ 8.03        2.46      (7.94 )% 

April 2020

   $ 10.73      $ 5.03      $ 10.71      $ 6.22        0.56      (21.53 )% 

January 2020

   $ 10.59      $ 10.01      $ 10.59      $ 10.26        0.19      (3.19 )% 

October 2019

   $ 10.10      $ 9.62      $ 10.32      $ 9.95        (0.59 )%       (3.90 )% 

July 2019

   $ 9.96      $ 9.32      $ 10.17      $ 9.82        (1.00 )%       (5.36 )% 

April 2019

   $ 9.77      $ 8.95      $ 10.02      $ 9.65        (1.61 )%       (7.53 )% 

January 2019

   $ 9.27      $ 7.95      $ 9.90      $ 9.08        (3.69 )%       (12.92 )% 

October 2018

   $ 9.48      $ 8.73      $ 10.19      $ 9.81        (6.78 )%       (11.73 )% 

The NAV per Common Share, the market price and percentage of premium/(discount) to NAV per Common Share on March 8, 2021 was $9.65, $9.17 and (4.97)%, respectively. As of February 28, 2021, the Fund had 103,355,149 Common Shares outstanding and net assets applicable to Common Shares of $994,147,634. See “Repurchase of Fund Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund” in this prospectus.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the Fund will use the net proceeds from any sales of Securities pursuant to this prospectus to make investments in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies or to redeem outstanding Preferred Shares.

To the extent a portion of the net proceeds from an offering are used to make investments, the relevant prospectus supplement will include an estimate of the length of time it is expected to take to invest such proceeds. The Fund anticipates that the net proceeds will be invested shortly following completion of the offering and in any event expects the time period to be less than three months. To the

 

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extent a portion of the net proceeds from an offering are used to redeem outstanding Preferred Shares, the Fund anticipates that such redemptions will be effected as soon as practicable after completion of the relevant offering.

Pending the use of proceeds, as described above, the Fund anticipates investing the proceeds in high-quality, short-term investments.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

The following is a brief description of the material terms of the Common Shares and the Preferred Shares of the Fund, except that the series designation, redemption terms, dividend rate or rates, and other details concerning any Preferred Shares issued under the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part will be disclosed in a prospectus supplement.

The following provides information about the Fund’s outstanding Securities as of February 28, 2021:

 

Title of Class

   Amount
Authorized
     Amount Held
by the Fund
or for its
Account
     Amount
Outstanding
 

Common Shares

     Unlimited        0        103,355,149  

Preferred Shares

     Unlimited        

Common Shares

The Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of Common Shares. The Common Shares have a par value of $0.01 per share and, subject to the rights of holders of Preferred Shares, if any, have equal rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation. The Common Shares when issued, are fully paid and, subject to matters discussed in “Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws,” non-assessable, and have no preemptive or conversion rights or rights to cumulative voting. A copy of the Declaration of Trust is filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the Fund’s registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. A copy may be obtained as described under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Each whole Common Share has one vote with respect to matters upon which a shareholder vote is required, and each fractional share shall be entitled to a proportional fractional vote consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder, and will vote together as a single class. Whenever the Fund incurs borrowings and/or Preferred Shares are outstanding, Common Shareholders will not be entitled to receive any cash distributions from the Fund unless all interest on such borrowings has been paid and all accumulated dividends on Preferred Shares have been paid, unless asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to any borrowings would be at least 300% after giving effect to the distributions and asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to Preferred Shares would be at least 200% after giving effect to the distributions. See “—Preferred Shares” below.

The Common Shares are listed on the NYSE and trade under the ticker symbol “JPC.” The Fund intends to hold annual meetings of shareholders so long as the Common Shares are listed on a national securities exchange and such meetings are required as a condition to such listing. The Fund will not issue share certificates.

 

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Unlike open-end funds, closed-end funds like the Fund do not provide daily redemptions. Rather, if a shareholder determines to buy additional Common Shares or sell shares already held, the shareholder may conveniently do so by trading on the exchange through a broker or otherwise. Common shares of closed-end investment companies may frequently trade on an exchange at prices lower than NAV. Common shares of closed-end investment companies like the Fund have during some periods traded at prices higher than NAV and have during other periods traded at prices lower than NAV.

Because the market value of the Common Shares may be influenced by such factors as distribution levels (which are in turn affected by expenses), call protection, dividend stability, portfolio credit quality, NAV, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, general market and economic conditions, and other factors beyond the control of the Fund, the Fund cannot assure you that Common Shares will trade at a price equal to or higher than NAV in the future. The Common Shares are designed primarily for long-term investors, and investors in the Common Shares should not view the Fund as a vehicle for trading purposes. See “Repurchase of Fund Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund.”

Preferred Shares

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of Preferred Shares in one or more classes or series, with rights as determined by the Board, by action of the Board without the approval of the Common Shareholders. In connection with the issuance of Preferred Shares, copies of the Declaration of Trust, and the applicable statement establishing and fixing the rights and preferences of Preferred Shares of the applicable series, and, if applicable, the related supplement, will be filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement. Copies may be obtained as described under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Ranking and Priority of Payment

Each Preferred Share will rank on parity with each other and other Preferred Shares with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation. Each Preferred Share will rank senior in priority to the Common Shares as to the payment of dividends and as to the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Fund.

Dividends and Distributions

The holders of Preferred Shares of each series are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board, out of funds legally available therefor in accordance with the Declaration of Trust and applicable law, cumulative cash dividends at the dividend rate for the Preferred Shares of such series payable on the dividend payment dates with respect to the Preferred Shares of such series. Holders of Preferred Shares are not entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property or shares, in excess of full cumulative dividends on the Preferred Shares. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on Preferred Shares which may be in arrears, and no additional sum of money will be payable in respect of such arrearage.

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, the applicable prospectus supplement or the SAI and except as otherwise required by applicable law, Preferred Shares would vote together with the holders of Common Shares as a single class.

 

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Holders of Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, will be entitled to elect two of the Fund’s trustees. The remaining trustees will be elected by the holders of Common Shares and the holders of Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class. In the unlikely event that two full years of accumulated 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 trustees until all dividends in arrears have been paid or declared and set apart for payment. In order for the Fund to take certain actions or enter into certain transactions, a separate class vote of holders of Preferred Shares would be required, in addition to the single class vote of the holders of Preferred Shares and Common Shares. See “Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws.”

Redemption, Purchase and Sale of Preferred Shares

The terms of the Preferred Shares of any series may provide that they may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption by the Fund at certain times or under certain circumstances, in whole or in part, at the liquidation preference per share plus accumulated dividends. The terms for optional redemption of Preferred Shares may provide for the payment of a redemption premium, which will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any redemption or purchase of Preferred Shares by the Fund will reduce the leverage applicable to Common Shares, while any issuance of Preferred Shares by the Fund would increase such leverage.

Ratings and Asset Coverage

To the extent Preferred Shares are outstanding, the composition of the Fund’s portfolio will reflect guidelines established by the NRSRO or NRSROs rating such shares. These guidelines may impose requirements different from or in addition to those required under the 1940 Act, and generally include asset coverage requirements, portfolio characteristics such as portfolio diversification and credit rating criteria, and qualitative views on the Fund and Fund management. Although the Fund’s failure to meet such requirements or criteria under applicable guidelines may cause the Fund to sell portfolio positions or to redeem Preferred Shares at inopportune times in an amount necessary to restore compliance with the guidelines, or may result in a downgrade of ratings, the Fund currently does not anticipate that these restrictions or guidelines will impede the management of the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies.

There can be no assurance that one or more NRSROs will not alter its or their rating criteria resulting in downgrades of ratings, that the Fund will maintain any ratings of the Preferred Shares, or, if at any time the Preferred Shares have one or more ratings, that any particular ratings will be maintained. The Fund may, at any time, replace a NRSRO with another NRSRO or terminate the services of any NRSROs then providing a rating for Preferred Shares without replacement, in either case, without the approval of shareholders of the Fund (except as may be otherwise specifically provided for a series of Preferred Shares). In addition, the NRSRO guidelines adopted by the Fund in connection with a NRSRO’s rating of Preferred Shares may be changed or eliminated at any time without the approval of shareholders of the Fund, including in connection with the change or elimination of any or all long-term ratings of the Preferred Shares.

Ratings of the Preferred Shares neither eliminate nor mitigate the risks of investing in Common Shares or Preferred Shares. See “Risk Factors” above and in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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THE FUND’S INVESTMENTS

Investment Objectives and Policies

The Fund’s primary investment objective is high current income. The Fund’s secondary investment objective is total return. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing primarily in preferred securities and other income producing securities, including hybrid securities such as contingent capital securities. The Fund may also invest in other securities, primarily income-oriented securities such as corporate and taxable municipal debt and common equity.

The Fund will invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its Assets (as defined herein) in preferred securities and other income producing securities, including hybrid securities such as contingent capital securities and up to 20% in other securities, primarily income-oriented securities such as corporate and taxable municipal debt and common equity.

The Fund will invest at least 50% of its Managed Assets in securities rated investment grade (BBB/Baa and above) at the time of investment. Investment grade quality securities are those securities that, at the time of investment, are rated by at least one NRSRO within the four highest grades (Baa or BBB or better by Moody’s, S&P, or Fitch, or are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Adviser or Sub-Advisers. The Fund may invest in securities of below investment grade quality, commonly referred to as “high yield” or “junk” bonds, which are regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due, and they are more susceptible to default or decline in market value due to adverse economic and business developments than investment grade securities. Securities rated below investment grade tend to be less marketable than higher-quality securities because the market for them is less broad. The market for unrated securities is even narrower. During periods of thin trading in these markets, the spread between bid and asked prices is likely to increase significantly and the Fund may have greater difficulty selling its holdings of these types of portfolio securities. The Fund will be more dependent on the Adviser’s and/or the Sub-Advisers’ research and analysis when investing in these securities.

The foregoing credit quality policy targets apply only at the time a security is purchased, and the Fund is not required to dispose of a security in the event that a rating agency upgrades or downgrades its assessment of the credit characteristics of a particular issuer or that valuation changes of various securities cause the Fund’s portfolio to fail to satisfy those targets. In determining whether to retain or sell such a security, the Adviser and/or the Sub-Advisers may consider such factors as the Adviser’s and/or the Sub-Advisers’ assessment of the credit quality of the issuer of such security, the price at which such security could be sold and the rating, if any, assigned to such security by other rating agencies. The credit ratings assigned by rating agencies from time to time represent their opinions as to the quality of the securities they rate. However, it should be emphasized that ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, securities with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while obligations of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield. A general description of the ratings of securities by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch is set forth in Appendix A to the SAI.

Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest more than 25% of its Managed Assets in the securities of companies principally engaged in financial services. A financial services company is one that is primarily involved in banking, mortgage finance, consumer finance, specialized finance, investment banking and brokerage, asset management and custody, corporate lending, insurance,

 

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financial instruments or real estate, including BDCs and REITs. For purposes of identifying companies in the financial services sector, the Fund uses industry classifications such as those provided by MSCI and Standard & Poor’s The Global Industry Classification Standard, Bloomberg, Barclays or similar sources commonly used in the financial industry. As a result, if one or more of these classifications include a company in the financial services sector, the Fund considers such company as being in the financial services sector.

The Fund is not limited in the amount of its investments in non-U.S. issuers. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its Managed Assets in non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities. The Fund may invest up to 5% of the portion of its portfolio managed by Nuveen Asset Management in preferred securities issued by companies located in emerging market countries. For purposes of identifying non-U.S. issuers, the Fund uses Bloomberg classifications, which employ various factors as described herein. Emerging market countries include any country other than Canada, the United States and the countries comprising the MSCI EAFE® Index.

The Fund may use derivative instruments to seek to hedge some of the risk of the Fund’s investments or its leverage, to enhance return, to serve as a substitute for a position in an underlying asset, to reduce transaction costs, to manage the Fund’s effective interest rate exposure, to maintain full market exposure, to manage cash flows or to preserve capital. Such instruments may include financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate and credit default swaps), options on equity securities, options on financial futures or other derivative instruments.

During temporary defensive periods, the Fund may deviate from its investment policies and objectives. During such periods, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in high quality, short-term securities, and in short-, intermediate-, or long-term U.S. Treasury securities. There can be no assurance that such techniques will be successful. Accordingly, during such periods, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

“Assets” means net assets of the Fund plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund, minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (other than Fund liabilities incurred for the express purpose of creating leverage). Total assets for this purpose shall include assets attributable to the Fund’s use of leverage (whether or not those assets are reflected in the Fund’s financial statements for purposes of generally accepted accounting principles), and derivatives will be valued at their market value.

The Fund’s investment objectives, policy to invest more than 25% of its Managed Assets in securities of financial services companies, and certain other investment restrictions identified in the SAI are considered fundamental and may not be changed without shareholder approval. All of the other investment policies of the Fund, including as noted above, are not considered to be fundamental by the Fund and can be changed by the Board without a vote of the shareholders; provided that the Fund will notify shareholders at least 60 days prior to any change in its policy to invest at least 80% of its Assets in preferred securities and other income producing securities. The Fund may only change its fundamental investment restrictions with the approval of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Fund as is defined in the 1940 Act. 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.

 

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Portfolio Composition

The Fund’s portfolio will be composed principally of the following investments.

Preferred Securities

The Fund invests in preferred securities. The Fund may invest in all types of preferred securities, including both traditional preferred securities and non-traditional preferred securities. Traditional preferred securities are generally equity securities of the issuer that have priority over the issuer’s Common Shares as to the payment of dividends (i.e., the issuer cannot pay dividends on its Common Shares until the dividends on the Preferred Shares are current) and as to the payout of proceeds of bankruptcy or other liquidation, but are subordinate to an issuer’s senior debt and junior debt as to both types of payments. Additionally, in a bankruptcy or other liquidation, traditional Preferred Shares are generally subordinate to an issuer’s trade creditors and other general obligations.

Traditional preferred securities pay a dividend, typically contingent both upon declaration by the issuer’s board and at times approval by regulators, and on the existence of current earnings (or retained earnings) in sufficient amount to source the payment. Dividend payments can be either cumulative or non-cumulative and can be passed or deferred without limitation at the option of the issuer. Traditional preferred securities typically have no ordinary right to vote for the board of directors, except in some cases voting rights may arise if the issuer fails to pay the preferred share dividends. Traditional preferred securities may be perpetual, or have a term and typically have a fixed liquidation (or “par”) value.

While some preferred securities are issued with a final maturity date, others 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 triggering an event of default for the issuer. No redemption can typically take place unless all cumulative payment obligations to preferred security investors have been met, although issuers may be able to engage in open-market repurchases without regard to any cumulative dividends or interest payable. A portion of the portfolio may include investments in non-cumulative preferred securities, whereby the issuer does not have an obligation to make up any arrearages to holders of such securities. Should an issuer default on its obligations under such a security, the amount of income earned by the Fund may be adversely affected. Non-traditional preferred securities include hybrid preferred securities, contingent convertible capital securities and other types of preferred securities that do not have the traditional features described above. Hybrid-preferred securities often behave similarly as investments in traditional preferred securities and are regarded by market investors as being part of the preferred securities market. Hybrid-preferred securities possess varying combinations of features of both debt and Preferred Shares and as such they may constitute senior debt, junior debt or Preferred Shares in an issuer’s capital structure. As such, hybrid-preferred securities may not be subordinate to a company’s debt securities (as are traditional Preferred Shares). Given the various debt and equity characteristics of hybrid-preferred securities, whether a hybrid-preferred security is classified as debt or equity for purposes of reporting the Fund’s portfolio holdings may be based on the portfolio managers’ determination as to whether its debt or preferred features are preponderant, or based on the assessment of an independent data provider. Such determinations may be subjective.

 

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Hybrid-preferred securities include trust preferred securities. Trust 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 trust preferred securities market consists of both fixed and adjustable coupon rate securities that are either perpetual in nature or have stated maturity dates. Trust preferred securities may defer payment of income without triggering an event of default. These securities may have many characteristics of equity due to their subordinated position in an issuer’s capital structure. Trust preferred securities may be issued by trusts or other special purpose entities.

Preferred securities may also include certain forms of debt that have many characteristics of Preferred Shares, and that are regarded by the investment marketplace to be part of the broader preferred securities market. Among these “preferred securities” are certain exchange-listed debt issues that historically have several attributes, including trading and investment performance characteristics, in common with exchange-listed traditional preferred stock and hybrid-preferred securities. Generally, these types of “preferred securities” are senior debt or junior debt in the capital structure of an issuer.

Preferred securities generally pay fixed or adjustable rate dividends or interest to investors and have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends or interest and generally the liquidation of a company’s assets, which means that a company typically must pay dividends or interest on its preferred securities before paying any dividends on its common stock. As a general matter, dividend or interest payments on preferred securities may be cumulative or non-cumulative. The dividend or interest rates on preferred securities may be fixed or floating, or convert from fixed to floating at a specified future time; the Fund may invest without limit in such floating-rate and fixed-to-floating rate preferred securities. Floating-rate and fixed-to-floating rate preferred securities may be traditional preferred or hybrid-preferred securities. Floating-rate preferred securities pay a rate of income that resets periodically based on short- and/or longer-term interest rate benchmarks. If the associated interest rate benchmark rises, the income received from the security may increase and therefore the return offered by the floating-rate security may rise as well, making such securities less price sensitive to rising interest rates (or yields). Similarly, a fixed-to-floating rate security may be less price sensitive to rising interest rates (or yields), because the period over which the rate of payment is fixed is shorter than the maturity term of the bond, after which period a floating rate of payment applies. On the other hand, preferred securities are junior to most other forms of the company’s debt, including both senior and subordinated debt. Because of their subordinated position in the capital structure of an issuer, the ability to defer dividend or interest payments for extended periods of time without triggering an event of default for the issuer, and certain other features, preferred securities may have, at times, risks similar to equity instruments. The Fund’s portfolio of preferred securities may consist of fixed rate preferred and adjustable rate preferred securities.

The preferred securities market continues to evolve. New securities may be developed that may be regarded by market investors as being part of the preferred securities market. Where such securities will fall in the capital structure of the issuer will depend on the structure and characteristics of the new security. For purposes of the Fund’s policy of investing at least 80% of its Assets in preferred securities and other income producing securities, the Fund considers all of the foregoing types of securities that are commonly viewed in the marketplace as preferred securities to be preferred securities, regardless of their classification in the capital structure of the issuer.

 

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Preferred securities are typically issued by corporations, generally in the form of interest or dividend bearing instruments, or by an affiliated business trust of a corporation, generally in the form of beneficial interests in subordinated debentures or similarly structured securities. Preferred securities may either trade over-the-counter, or trade on an exchange. The preferred securities market is generally divided into the $25 par “retail” and the $1,000 par “institutional” segments. The $25 par segment is typified by securities that are listed on the NYSE, which trade and are quoted with accrued dividend or interest income, and which are often callable. The institutional segment is typified by $1,000 par value securities that are not exchange-listed. The Fund may invest in preferred securities of either segment.

Contingent Capital Securities

Contingent capital securities (sometimes referred to as “CoCos”) are securities issued primarily by non-U.S. financial institutions. Specific CoCo structures vary by country of domicile and by each issue. All CoCos have mechanisms that absorb losses or reduces the value of the CoCo due to deterioration of the issuer’s financial condition and status as a going concern. Loss absorption mechanisms, which may include conversion into common equity and principal write-down, are intended for the benefit of the issuer and when triggered will likely negatively impact the value of the CoCo to the detriment of the CoCo investor. Loss absorption mechanisms can be triggered by capital levels or market value metrics of the issuers dropping below a certain predetermined level or at the discretion of the issuer regulator/supervisory entity. Unlike traditional convertible securities, the conversion is not voluntary and the equity conversion or principal write-down features are tailored to the issuer and its regulatory requirements. Due to increased regulatory requirements for higher capital levels for financial institutions, the issuance of CoCo instruments has increased in the last several years and is expected to continue.

Other Equity Securities

Common stock generally represents an equity ownership interest in an issuer. Although common stocks have historically generated higher average total returns than fixed-income securities over the long term, common stocks also have experienced significantly more volatility in those returns and may underperform relative to fixed-income securities during certain periods. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of a particular common stock held by the Fund. Also, prices of common stocks are sensitive to general movements in the stock market and a drop in the stock market may depress the price of common stocks to which the Fund has exposure. Common stock prices fluctuate for several 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 which affect the issuer. In addition, common stock prices may be particularly sensitive to rising interest rates, which increases borrowing costs and the costs of capital.

Additional types of equity securities (other than preferred securities) in which the Fund may invest include convertible securities (discussed below), REITs, warrants, rights, depositary receipts (which reference ownership of underlying non-U.S. securities) and other types of securities with equity characteristics. The Fund’s equity investments also may include securities of other investment companies (including open-end funds, closed-end funds and ETFs).

 

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Debt Securities

Debt securities in which the Fund may invest include corporate debt securities and U.S. government and agency debt securities. Generally, debt securities typically, but not always, possess the following characteristics: a specified maturity or term, at which time the issuer is contractually obligated to pay the associated principal amount of debt to the debtholders; interest payments that are a contractual and enforceable obligation as of the stated payment date, and not contingent either on payment-by-payment declaration by the issuer’s board or on the demonstrated existence of company earnings as a source for the payment; and do not entitle the holder to exercise governance of or control over the issuer.

In the capital structure of an issuer, debt securities can be senior debt or junior debt. A senior debt security has priority over any other type of security in a company’s capital structure as to the payment of any promised income (typically denoted as interest) from the issuer, and as to payout of the proceeds of the bankruptcy or other liquidation of the company. At times, the issuer will have pledged specific assets or revenues to secure the rights of the holder of the debt security to payments of interest and principal such that the proceeds of the specific assets or revenues must be used to satisfy these debt obligations prior to being applied to any of the issuer’s other obligations in a bankruptcy or other liquidation. In the event that the assets securing the debt security are not sufficient to fully satisfy such obligations in a bankruptcy or other liquidation, the remainder of such obligations will generally have the same priority as an issuer’s trade creditors and other general obligations, but still have priority of payment relative to the issuer’s Preferred Shares and Common Shares. Sometimes referred to as subordinated or mezzanine debt, junior debt stands behind the senior debt as to its rights to receive promised income payments (again, typically denoted as interest) from the issuer, and payouts of the proceeds of bankruptcy or other liquidation, but will have priority of payment relative to the issuer’s Preferred Shares and Common Shares.

Convertible Securities

Convertible securities are hybrid securities that combine the investment characteristics of bonds and common stocks. Convertible securities typically consist of debt securities or preferred securities that may be converted within a specified period of time (typically for the entire life of the security) into a certain amount of common stock or other equity security of the same or a different issuer at a predetermined price. They also include debt securities with warrants or common stock attached and derivatives combining features of debt securities and equity securities. Convertible securities entitle the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt securities, or dividends paid or accrued on preferred securities, until the securities mature or are redeemed, converted or exchanged.

Before conversion, convertible securities have characteristics similar to nonconvertible income securities in that they ordinarily provide a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stocks of the same or similar issuers, but lower yields than comparable nonconvertible securities. The value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value generally declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors also may have an effect on the convertible security’s investment value. Convertible securities are subordinate in rank to any senior debt obligations of the same issuer and, therefore, an issuer’s convertible securities entail more risk than its debt obligations.

 

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REITs

REITs are typically publicly traded corporations or trusts that invest in residential or commercial real estate. REITs generally can be divided into the following three types: (i) equity REITs which invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive their income primarily from rents and capital gains or real estate appreciation; (ii) mortgage REITs which invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgage loans and derive their income primarily from interest payments; and (iii) hybrid REITs which combine the characteristics of equity REITs and mortgage REITs. The Fund can invest in common stock, preferred securities, debt securities and convertible securities issued by REITs.

Foreign Issuers

The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers through the direct investment in securities of such companies and through depositary receipts. For purposes of identifying foreign issuers, the Fund will use Bloomberg classifications, which employ the following factors listed in order of importance: (i) the country in which the company’s management is located, (ii) the country in which the company’s securities are primarily listed, (iii) the country from which the company primarily receives revenue and (iv) the company’s reporting currency. The Fund may purchase depositary receipts such as American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”). ADRs, EDRs and GDRs are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of foreign issuers and are alternatives to purchasing directly the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies.

The Fund may invest in securities of emerging markets issuers. Emerging markets issuers are those (i) whose securities are traded principally on a stock exchange or over-the-counter in an emerging market country, (ii) organized under the laws of an emerging market country or (iii) whose principal place of business or principal office(s) is in an emerging market country. Emerging market countries include any country other than Canada, the United States and the countries comprising the MSCI EAFE® Index (currently, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom).

Derivatives. The Fund may use derivatives to hedge the risk associated with portfolio holdings or for investment exposure. The specific derivative instruments to be used, or other transactions to be entered into, may include (i) options and futures contracts, including options on common stock, stock indexes, bonds and bond indexes, stock index futures, bond index futures and related instruments, (ii) short sales of securities that the Fund owns or has the right to acquire through the conversion of securities, (iii) structured notes and similar instruments, (iv) credit derivative instruments and (v) currency exchange transactions. Some, but not all, of the derivative instruments may be traded and listed on an exchange. There is no assurance that these derivative strategies will be available at any time or that the Sub-Advisers will determine to use them for the Fund or, if used, that the strategies will be successful.

Under regulations of the CFTC currently in effect, which may change from time to time, with respect to futures contracts to purchase securities and call options on futures contracts purchased by the Fund, the Fund will set aside in a segregated account liquid securities with a value at least equal to the value of instruments underlying such futures contracts less the amount of initial margin on deposit for

 

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such contracts. The current view of the staff of the SEC is that the Fund’s long and short positions in futures contracts must be collateralized with cash or certain liquid assets held in a segregated account or “covered” in order to counter the impact of any potential leveraging.

Short-Term Taxable Fixed Income Securities

For temporary defensive purposes or to keep cash on hand fully invested, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its net assets in cash equivalents and short-term taxable fixed-income securities. Short-term taxable fixed income investments are defined to include, without limitation, the following:

(1) U.S. Government securities, including bills, notes and bonds differing as to maturity and rates of interest that are either issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S. Government Agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Government Agency securities include securities issued by (a) the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Small Business Administration and the Government National Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; (b) the Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks and the Tennessee Valley Authority, whose securities are supported by the right of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (c) the Federal National Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and (d) the Student Loan Marketing Association, whose securities are supported only by its credit. While the U.S. Government provides financial support to such U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it always will do so since it is not so obligated by law. The U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities do not guarantee the market value of their securities. Consequently, the value of such securities may fluctuate.

(2) Certificates of deposit issued against funds deposited in a bank or a savings and loan association. Such certificates are for a definite period of time, earn a specified rate of return and are normally negotiable. The issuer of a certificate of deposit agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the certificate on the date specified thereon. Under current FDIC regulations, the maximum insurance payable as to any one certificate of deposit is $250,000; therefore, certificates of deposit purchased by the Fund may not be fully insured.

(3) Repurchase agreements, which involve purchases of debt securities. At the time the Fund purchases securities pursuant to a repurchase agreement, it simultaneously agrees to resell and redeliver such securities to the seller, who also simultaneously agrees to buy back the securities at a fixed price and time. This assures a predetermined yield for the Fund during its holding period, since the resale price is always greater than the purchase price and reflects an agreed-upon market rate. Such actions afford an opportunity for the Fund to invest temporarily available cash. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements only with respect to obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; certificates of deposit; or bankers’ acceptances in which the Fund may invest. Repurchase agreements may be considered loans to the seller, collateralized by the underlying securities. The risk to the Fund is limited to the ability of the seller to pay the agreed-upon sum on the repurchase date; in the event of default, the repurchase agreement provides that the Fund is entitled to sell the underlying collateral. If the value of the collateral declines after the agreement is entered into, and if the seller defaults under a repurchase agreement when the value of the underlying collateral is less than the

 

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repurchase price, the Fund could incur a loss of both principal and interest. The Adviser monitors the value of the collateral at the time the action is entered into and at all times during the term of the repurchase agreement. The Adviser does so in an effort to determine that the value of the collateral always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price to be paid to the Fund. If the seller were to be subject to a federal bankruptcy proceeding, the ability of the Fund to liquidate the collateral could be delayed or impaired because of certain provisions of the bankruptcy laws.

(4) Commercial paper, which consists of short-term unsecured promissory notes, including variable rate master demand notes issued by corporations to finance their current operations. Master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and a corporation. There is no secondary market for such notes, however, they are redeemable by the Fund at any time. The Adviser will consider the financial condition of the corporation (e.g., earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios) and will continuously monitor the corporation’s ability to meet all of its financial obligations, because the Fund’s liquidity might be impaired if the corporation were unable to pay principal and interest on demand. Investments in commercial paper will be limited to commercial paper rated in the highest categories by S&P, Moody’s or Fitch and that matures within one year of the date of purchase or carries a variable or floating rate of interest.

(5) Bankers’ acceptances, which are credit instruments evidencing the obligation of a bank to pay a draft drawn on it by a customer. These instruments reflect the obligation both of the bank and of the drawer to pay the full amount of the instrument upon maturity.

(6) Variable amount master demand notes, which are unsecured demand notes that permit the indebtedness thereunder to vary and provide for periodic adjustments in the interest rate according to the terms of the instrument. Because master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and the issuer, they are not normally traded. Although there is no secondary market in the notes, the Fund may demand payment of principal and accrued interest at any time. While the notes are not typically rated by credit rating agencies, issuers of variable amount master demand notes (which are normally manufacturing, retail, financial, and other business concerns) must satisfy the same criteria as set forth above for commercial paper.

(7) Variable rate demand obligations (“VRDOs”), which are securities in which the interest rate is adjusted at pre-designated periodic intervals. VRDOs may include a demand feature which is a put that entitles the holder to receive the principal amount of the underlying security or securities and which may be exercised either at any time on no more than 30 days’ notice or at specified intervals not exceeding 397 calendar days on no more than 30 days’ notice.

Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

During temporary defensive periods and in order to keep the Fund’s cash fully invested, the Fund may deviate from its investment objectives and may invest any percentage of its net assets in short-term investments including high quality, short-term debt securities (or in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in preferred securities of the types in which the Fund may invest directly).

 

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Illiquid Securities

The Fund may invest in illiquid securities. For this purpose, illiquid securities include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities the disposition of which is restricted under the federal securities laws), securities that may be resold only pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) but that are deemed to be illiquid, and repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days. The Fund’s Board or its delegate has the ultimate authority to determine, to the extent permissible under the federal securities laws, which securities are liquid or illiquid. The Fund’s Board has delegated to the Adviser and the Sub-Advisers, the day-to-day determination of the illiquidity of any security held by the Fund, although it has retained oversight and ultimate responsibility for such determinations. Although no definitive liquidity criteria are used, the Fund’s Board has directed the Adviser and the Sub-Advisers to look for such factors 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.

Restricted securities may be sold only in privately negotiated transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the 1933 Act. Where registration is required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses, and a considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than that which prevailed when it decided to sell. Illiquid securities will be priced at a fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or its delegatee.

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions

The Fund may buy and sell securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, making payment or taking delivery at a later date, normally within 15 to 45 days of the trade date. This type of transaction may involve an element of risk because no interest accrues on the securities prior to settlement and, because securities are subject to market fluctuations, the value of the securities at time of delivery may be less (or more) than cost. A separate account of the Fund will be established with its custodian consisting of cash equivalents or liquid securities having a market value at all times at least equal to the amount of the commitment.

Interest Rate Transactions

In connection with the Fund’s use of leverage through borrowings or the issuance of Preferred Shares, the Fund may enter into interest rate swap or cap transactions. The payment obligation would be based on the notional amount of the swap.

The Fund may use an interest rate cap, which would require it to pay a premium to the cap counterparty and would entitle it, to the extent that a specified variable rate index exceeds a predetermined fixed rate, to receive from the counterparty payment of the difference based on the

 

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notional amount. 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 common share net earnings as a result of leverage.

The Fund will generally enter into swaps or caps on a net basis; that is, the two payment streams will be netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund 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 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, the Fund’s use of interest rate swaps or caps has the potential to enhance or harm the overall performance of the Fund’s Common Shares. Buying interest rate caps could enhance the performance of the shares by providing a maximum leverage expense. Buying interest rate caps could also decrease the net earnings of the 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.

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. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund would not be able to use the anticipated net receipts under the swap or cap to offset the dividend payments on Preferred Shares or interest payments on borrowings. 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 a default could negatively impact the performance of the 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 a Sub-Adviser believes does not have the financial resources to honor its obligation under the interest rate swap or cap transaction. Further, the Sub-Advisers 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 the 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 Fund’s Common Shares.

The Fund may choose or be required to reduce its borrowings or other leverage. Such an event would likely result in the Fund seeking to terminate early all or a portion of any swap or cap transaction. Such early termination of a swap could result in a termination payment by or to the Fund. An early termination of a cap could result in a termination payment to the Fund.

Segregation of Assets

As a closed-end investment company registered with the SEC, the Fund is subject to the federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder, and various interpretive positions of the

 

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SEC and its staff. Under current laws, rules and positions, the Fund must maintain liquid assets (often referred to as “asset segregation”), or engage in other SEC staff-approved measures, to “cover” open positions with respect to certain kinds of derivative instruments and financial agreements (such as reverse repurchase agreements). Generally, the Fund will maintain an amount of liquid assets with its custodian in an amount at least equal to the current amount of its obligations under derivative instruments and financial agreements, in accordance with SEC guidance. However, the Fund also may “cover” certain obligations by other means such as through ownership of the underlying investment or financial instrument. The Fund also may enter into offsetting transactions with respect to certain instruments consistent with existing SEC staff guidance so that its combined position, coupled with any liquid assets maintained by its custodian, equals its net outstanding obligation in related derivatives or financial agreements.

The SEC recently adopted new Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, which, among other things, imposes limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into and replaces the asset segregation framework previously used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act. The Fund will comply with the new rule’s requirements on or before the rule’s compliance date in 2022.

The Fund reserves the right to modify its policies in the future to comply with any changes in the positions from time to time articulated by the SEC or its staff.

Other Investment Companies

The Fund may not invest its Managed Assets in securities of other open-end or closed-end investment companies except in compliance with the 1940 Act or any exemptive relief obtained thereunder. The Fund generally expects to invest in other investment companies either during periods when it has large amounts of uninvested cash, such as the period shortly after the Fund receives the proceeds of the offering of its Common Shares, or during periods when there is a shortage of attractive, preferred securities available in the market. As an investor in an investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment company’s expenses, and would remain subject to payment of the Fund’s advisory and administrative fees with respect to assets so invested. Holders of Common Shares would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies. The Sub-Advisers will take expenses into account when evaluating the investment merits of an investment in the investment company relative to available preferred securities. In addition, the securities of other investment companies also may be leveraged and therefore will be subject to the same leverage risks described herein. The NAV 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 Investment Policies and Techniques of the Fund

Portfolio Trading and Turnover Rate. 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. High portfolio turnover may result in the realization of net short-term capital gains by the Fund, which when distributed to shareholders will be taxable as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

Zero Coupon Bonds and Other OID Instruments. A zero coupon bond is a bond that typically does not pay interest for its entire life. When held to its maturity, the holder receives the par value of

 

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the zero coupon bond, which generates a return equal to the difference between the purchase price and its maturity value. A zero coupon bond is normally issued and traded at a deep discount from face value. This original issue discount (“OID”) approximates the total amount of interest the security will accrue and compound prior to its maturity and reflects the payment deferral and credit risk associated with the instrument. Because zero coupon securities and other OID instruments do not pay cash interest at regular intervals, the instruments’ ongoing accruals require ongoing judgments concerning the collectability of deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral. As a result, these securities may be subject to greater value fluctuations and less liquidity in the event of adverse market conditions than comparably rated securities that pay cash on a current basis. Because zero coupon bonds, and OID instruments generally, allow an issuer to avoid or delay the need to generate cash to meet current interest payments, they may involve greater payment deferral and credit risk than coupon loans and bonds that pay interest currently or in cash. The Fund generally will be required to distribute dividends to shareholders representing the income of these instruments as it accrues, even though the Fund will not receive all of the income on a current basis or in cash. Thus, the Fund may have to sell other investments, including when it may not be advisable to do so, and use the cash proceeds to make distributions to its shareholders. For accounting purposes, these cash distributions to shareholders will not be treated as a return of capital.

Further, the Adviser collects management fees on the value of a zero coupon bond or OID instrument attributable to the ongoing non-cash accrual of interest over the life of the bond or other instrument. As a result, the Adviser receives non-refundable cash payments based on such non-cash accruals while investors incur the risk that such non-cash  accruals ultimately may not be realized.

USE OF LEVERAGE

The Fund uses leverage to pursue its investment objectives. The Fund may use leverage to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, including the following forms of leverage: (a) borrowings, including loans from certain financial institutions, and/or the issuance of debt securities; (b) the issuance of Preferred Shares; and (c) engaging in reverse repurchase agreements and economically similar transactions. The Fund also may borrow money for repurchase of its shares or as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including the payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Fund securities. Currently, the Fund employs leverage through bank borrowings and reverse repurchase agreements.

The timing and terms of any leverage transaction are determined by the Fund’s Board, and may vary with prevailing market or economic conditions. The Fund has issued Preferred Shares in the past, but does not currently have any Preferred Shares outstanding. If the Fund issues Preferred Shares, such preferred securities, voting as a separate class, would have the right to elect at least two Board members at all times and to elect a majority of the Board members in the event two full years’ dividends on the Preferred Shares are unpaid. In each case, the remaining Board members would be elected by holders of Common Shares and Preferred Shares voting together as a single class. The holders of Preferred Shares would vote as a separate class or classes on certain other matters as required under each Fund’s Declaration of Trust, the 1940 Act and Massachusetts law.

The Preferred Shares have seniority over the Common Shares. Changes in the value of the Fund’s bond portfolio, including costs attributable to Preferred Shares, will be borne entirely by Common Shareholders. If there is a net decrease (or increase) in the value of the Fund’s investment portfolio, the leverage will decrease (or increase) the NAV per Common Share to a greater extent than

 

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if the Fund were not leveraged. For tax purposes, the Fund is currently required to allocate net capital gain and other taxable income, if any, between Common Shares and Preferred Shares in proportion to total dividends paid to each class for the year in which the net capital gain or other taxable income is realized. If net capital gain or other taxable income is allocated to Preferred Shares (instead of solely tax-exempt income), the Fund will likely have to pay higher total dividends to shareholders of Preferred Shares (the “Preferred Shareholders”) or make special payments to Preferred Shareholders to compensate them for the increased tax liability. This would reduce the total amount of dividends paid to the Common Shareholders.

The Fund may reduce or increase leverage based upon changes in market conditions and anticipates that its leverage ratio will vary from time to time based upon variations in the value of the Fund’s holdings. So long as the net rate of income received on the Fund’s investments purchased with leverage proceeds exceeds the then current expense on any leverage, the investment of leverage proceeds will generate more net income than if the Fund had not used leverage. If so, the excess net income will be available to pay higher distributions to Common Shareholders. However, if the rate of net income received from the Fund’s portfolio investments purchased with leverage is less than the then current expense on outstanding leverage, the Fund may be required to utilize other Fund assets to make expense payments on outstanding leverage, which may result in a decline in Common Share NAV and reduced net investment income available for distribution to Common Shareholders. See “Risk Factors—Leverage Risk.”

Following an offering of additional Common Shares from time to time, the Fund’s leverage ratio will decrease as a result of the increase in net assets attributable to Common Shares. The Fund’s leverage ratio may decline further to the extent that the net proceeds of an offering of Common Shares are used to reduce the Fund’s leverage. A lower leverage ratio may result in lower (higher) returns to Common Shareholders over a period of time to the extent that net returns on the Fund’s investment portfolio exceed (fall below) its cost of leverage over that period, which lower (higher) returns may impact the level of the Fund’s distributions. See “Risk Factors—Leverage Risk.”

The Fund may use derivatives, such as interest rate swaps with varying terms, in order to manage the interest rate expense associated with all or a portion of its leverage. Interest rate swaps are bi-lateral agreements whereby parties agree to exchange future payments, typically based upon the differential of a fixed rate and a variable rate, on a specified notional amount. Interest rate swaps can enable a Fund to effectively convert its variable leverage expense to fixed, or vice versa. For example, if the Fund issues leverage having a short-term floating rate of interest, the Fund could use interest rate swaps to hedge against a rise in the short-term benchmark interest rates associated with its outstanding leverage. In doing so, the Fund would seek to achieve lower leverage costs, and thereby enhance Common Share distributions, over an extended period, which would be the result if short-term interest rates on average exceed the fixed interest rate over the term of the swap. To the extent the fixed swap rate is greater than short-term market interest rates on average over the period, overall costs associated with leverage will increase (and thereby reduce distributions to Common Shareholders) than if the Fund had not entered into the interest rate swap(s).

The Fund pays a management fee to Nuveen Fund Advisors (which in turn pays a portion of such fee to the Sub-Advisers) based on a percentage of Managed Assets. Managed Assets include the proceeds realized and managed from the Fund’s use of most types of leverage (excluding the leverage exposure attributable to the use of futures, swaps and similar derivatives). Because Managed Assets include the Fund’s net assets as well as assets that are attributable to the Fund’s investment of the

 

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proceeds of its leverage (including instruments like inverse floating rate securities and reverse repurchase agreements), it is anticipated that the Fund’s Managed Assets will be greater than its net assets. Nuveen Fund Advisors will be responsible for using leverage to pursue the Fund’s investment objective. Nuveen Fund Advisors will base its decision regarding whether and how much leverage to use for the Fund, and the terms of that leverage, on its assessment of whether such use of leverage is in the best interests of the Fund. However, a decision to employ or increase leverage will have the effect, all other things being equal, of increasing Managed Assets, and in turn Nuveen Fund Advisors’ and the Sub-Advisers fees. Thus, Nuveen Fund Advisors may have a conflict of interest in determining whether to use or increase leverage. Nuveen Fund Advisors will seek to manage that potential conflict by using leverage only when it determines that it would be in the best interests of the Fund and its Common Shareholders, and by periodically reviewing with the Board the Fund’s performance, the Fund’s degree of overall use of leverage and the impact of the use of leverage on that performance.

The 1940 Act generally defines a “senior security” as any bond, debenture, note, or similar obligation or instrument constituting a security and evidencing indebtedness, and any stock of a class having priority over any other class as to distribution of assets or payment of dividends; however, the term does not include any promissory note or other evidence of indebtedness issued in consideration of any loan, extension, or renewal thereof, made for temporary purposes and in an amount not exceeding five percent of the value of the Fund’s total assets. A loan shall be presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within 60 days and is not extended or renewed.

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue “senior securities representing indebtedness” if, immediately after the issuance of such senior securities representing indebtedness, the asset coverage ratio with respect to such senior securities would be less than 300%. “Senior securities representing indebtedness” include borrowings (including loans from financial institutions); debt securities; and other derivative investments or transactions such as reverse repurchase agreements and investments in inverse floating rate securities to the extent the Fund has not fully covered, segregated or earmarked cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to its future obligation under such instruments. With respect to any such senior securities representing indebtedness, asset coverage means the ratio which the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), bears to the aggregate amount of such borrowing represented by senior securities representing indebtedness issued by the Fund.

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue “senior securities” that are Preferred Shares if, immediately after the issuance of Preferred Shares, the asset coverage ratio with respect to such Preferred Shares would be less than 200%. With respect to any such Preferred Shares, asset coverage means the ratio which the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, bears to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness of the Fund plus the aggregate liquidation preference of such Preferred Shares.

The Fund is limited by certain investment restrictions and may borrow money from a bank for temporary or emergency purposes or for repurchase of its shares only in an amount not exceeding one-third of the Fund’s total assets (including the amount borrowed) less the Fund’s liabilities (other than borrowings). See “Investment Restrictions” in the SAI. These restrictions are fundamental and may not be changed without the approval of Common Shares and Preferred Shares voting together as a single class.

 

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If the asset coverage with respect to any senior securities issued by the Fund declines below the required ratios discussed above (as a result of market fluctuations or otherwise), the Fund may sell portfolio securities when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

Certain types of leverage used by the Fund may result in the Fund being subject to certain covenants, asset coverage and, or other portfolio composition limits by its lenders, Preferred Shares purchasers, liquidity providers, rating agencies that may rate Preferred Shares, or reverse repurchase agreement counterparties. Such limitations may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act and may affect whether the Fund is able to maintain its desired amount of leverage. At this time, Nuveen Fund Advisors does not believe that any such potential investment limitations will impede it from managing the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with its investment objective and policies.

EFFECTS OF LEVERAGE

The following table is designed to illustrate the effects of leverage through the use of senior securities, as that term is defined under Section 18 of the 1940 Act, as well as certain other forms of leverage, such as reverse repurchase agreements, on Common Share total return, assuming investment portfolio total returns (consisting of income and changes in the value of investments held in the Fund’s portfolio) of -10%, -5%, 0%, 5% and 10%. The table below reflects the Fund’s (i) estimated use of leverage at approximately the same percentage of Managed Assets (including assets attributable to such leverage) set forth in the table, (ii) the estimated annual effective interest expense rate payable by the Fund on such instruments (based on market conditions as of the date hereof) as set forth in the table and (iii) the annual return that the Fund’s portfolio must experience (net of expenses) in order to cover such costs of leverage based on such estimated annual effective interest expense rate. The information below does not reflect the Fund’s use of certain other forms of economic leverage achieved through the use of other instruments or transactions not considered to be senior securities under the 1940 Act, such as certain derivative instruments.

The numbers are merely estimates, used for illustration. The costs of leverage may vary frequently and may be significantly higher or lower than the estimated rate. The assumed investment portfolio returns in the table below are hypothetical figures and are not necessarily indicative of the investment portfolio returns experienced or expected to be experienced by the Fund. Your actual returns may be greater or less than those appearing below.

 

Estimated Leverage as a Percentage of Managed Assets (Including Assets Attributable to Leverage)

     37.0

Estimated Annual Effective Interest Expense Rate Payable by Fund on Leverage

     0.90

Annual Return Fund Portfolio Must Experience (net of expenses) to Cover Estimated Annual Effective Interest Expense Rate on Leverage

     0.33

Common Share Total Return for (10.00)% Assumed Portfolio Total Return

     (16.4 %) 

Common Share Total Return for (5.00)% Assumed Portfolio Total Return

     (8.5 %) 

Common Share Total Return for 0.00% Assumed Portfolio Total Return

     (0.5 %) 

Common Share Total Return for 5.00% Assumed Portfolio Total Return

     7.4

Common Share total return is composed of two elements – the distributions paid by the Fund to holders of Common Shares (the amount of which is largely determined by the net investment income of the Fund after paying dividend payments on any Preferred Shares issued by the Fund and expenses on any forms of leverage outstanding) and gains or losses on the value of the securities and other instruments the Fund owns. As required by SEC rules, the table assumes that the Fund is more likely to

 

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suffer capital losses than to enjoy capital appreciation. For example, to assume a total return of 0%, the Fund must assume that the income it receives on its investments is entirely offset by losses in the value of those investments. This table reflects hypothetical performance of the Fund’s portfolio and not the actual performance of the Fund’s Common Shares, the value of which is determined by market forces and other factors. Should the Fund elect to add additional leverage to its portfolio, any benefits of such additional leverage cannot be fully achieved until the proceeds resulting from the use of such leverage have been received by the Fund and invested in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. As noted above, the Fund’s willingness to use additional leverage, and the extent to which leverage is used at any time, will depend on many factors.

Utilization of leverage is a speculative investment technique and involves certain risks to the Common Shareholders, including increased variability of the Fund’s net income, distributions and NAV in relation to market changes. See “Risk Factors—Leverage Risk.” There is no assurance that the Fund will use leverage or that the Fund’s use of leverage will work as planned or achieve its goals.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Trustees and Officers

The Board is responsible for the Fund’s management, including supervision of the duties performed by Nuveen Fund Advisors and the Sub-Advisers. The names and business addresses of the trustees and officers of the Fund and their principal occupations and other affiliations during the past five years are set forth under “Management of the Fund” in the SAI.

Investment Adviser, Sub-Advisers and Portfolio Managers

Investment Adviser

Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, the Fund’s investment adviser, is responsible for overseeing the Fund’s overall investment strategy and implementation. Nuveen Fund Advisors offers advisory and investment management services to a broad range of investment company clients. Nuveen Fund Advisors has overall responsibility for management of the Fund, oversees the management of the Fund’s portfolio, manages the Fund’s business affairs and provides certain clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative services. Nuveen Fund Advisors is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606. Nuveen Fund Advisors is a subsidiary of Nuveen, the investment management arm of TIAA. TIAA is a life insurance company founded in 1918 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and is the companion organization of College Retirement Equities Fund. As of December 31, 2020, Nuveen managed approximately $1.2 trillion in assets, of which approximately $156.5 billion was managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors.

Sub-Advisers

Nuveen Fund Advisors has selected its affiliates, Nuveen Asset Management and NWQ, to serve as the sub-advisers to the Fund. Nuveen Asset Management is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, and NWQ is located at 2049 Century Park East, Suite 1600, Los Angeles, California 90067. Nuveen Fund Advisors has engaged the Sub-Advisers, each a registered investment adviser, to oversee day-to-day operations and manage the investment of their respective Fund assets on a discretionary basis pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreements and subject to the

 

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supervision of Nuveen Fund Advisors. Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreements, each Sub-Adviser is compensated for the services it provides to the Fund with a portion of the management fee Nuveen Fund Advisors receives from the Fund. Nuveen Fund Advisors and the Sub-Advisers retain the right to reallocate investment advisory responsibilities and fees between themselves in the future.

Portfolio Managers

Subject to the supervision of Nuveen Fund Advisors, the Sub-Advisers are responsible for execution of specific investment strategies and day-to-day investment operations. Nuveen Asset Management and NWQ each manage approximately half of the Fund’s investment portfolio. Douglas Baker, CFA and Brenda Langenfeld, CFA, are the portfolio managers for the Nuveen Asset Management team. The NWQ income-oriented investment team is led by Thomas J. Ray, CFA and Susi Budiman, CFA.

Douglas Baker, CFA, is a Managing Director at Nuveen Asset Management and a portfolio manager for the Fund and related preferred security strategies. He is the lead portfolio manager for the preferred securities strategies, as well as a co-portfolio manager for the firm’s multi-sector strategies. Douglas is also a member of the Investment Committee, which establishes investment policy for all global fixed income products. He originally joined Nuveen Asset Management in 2006 as a Vice President and Derivatives Analyst, and later that year his responsibilities expanded to include portfolio management duties for the Nuveen Preferred Securities and Income Fund. In addition, he manages Nuveen Asset Management’s derivative overlay group, where he is responsible for implementing derivatives-based hedging strategies across the Nuveen Asset Management complex, as well as managing collateral accounts for several commodity-based strategies.

Brenda A. Langenfeld, CFA, is a Managing Director at Nuveen Asset Management and a portfolio manager for the Fund. She is the co-manager of the preferred securities strategy and related institutional portfolios. She is also a co-manager for the real asset income strategy, which invests in income-generating debt and equity securities from both the real estate and infrastructure segments, since 2015. She started working in the financial services industry with FAF Advisors, Inc. in 2004.

Thomas J. Ray, CFA, is a Managing Director, Co-Head of Fixed Income, and a Fixed Income Portfolio Manager/Analyst for NWQ. Prior to joining NWQ in 2015, Tom was a Private Investor. Prior to that, he served as Chief Investment Officer, President and founding member of Inflective Asset Management, a boutique investment firm specializing in convertible securities. Prior to founding Inflective, Asset Management Tom also served as portfolio manager at Transamerica Investment Management. Tom graduated from University of Wisconsin with a B.B.A in Finance, Investment & Banking and an M.S. in Finance. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute.

Susi Budiman, CFA, is a Managing Director, Co-Head of Fixed Income, and a Portfolio Manager/Analyst for NWQ. Prior to joining NWQ in 2006, Susi was Portfolio Manager for China Life Insurance Company in Taiwan where she managed multi-sector and multi-currency fixed income portfolios with responsibility for over $1.8 billion in assets under management. Prior to that, she was a currency exchange associate at Fleet National Bank in Singapore covering Asian, Euro, and other major currencies. Susi earned her B.Comm. in Finance from the University of British Columbia and received her M.B.A. in Finance at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern

 

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California. She earned her Chartered Financial Analyst designation from the CFA Institute in 2006 and is a member of the Los Angeles Society of Financial Analysts. She also earned her Financial Risk Manager designation in 2003.

Additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers and the Portfolio Managers’ ownership of securities in the Fund is provided in the SAI. The SAI is available free of charge by calling (800) 257-8787 or by visiting the Fund’s website at www.nuveen.com. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, the Fund’s website is not part of this prospectus or the SAI.

Investment Management and Sub-Advisory Agreements

Investment Management Agreement. Pursuant to an investment management agreement between Nuveen Fund Advisors and the Fund (the “Investment Management Agreement”), the Fund has agreed to pay an annual management fee for the services and facilities provided by Nuveen Fund Advisors, payable on a monthly basis, based on the sum of a fund-level fee and a complex-level fee, as described below.

Fund-Level Fee. The annual fund-level fee for the Fund, payable monthly, is calculated according to the following schedule:

 

Average Daily Managed Assets*

   Fund-Level
Fee Rate
 

For the first $500 million

     0.6800

For the next $500 million

     0.6550

For the next $500 billion

     0.6300

For the next $500 billion

     0.6050

For managed assets over $2 billion

     0.5800

Complex Level Fee. The annual complex-level fee for the Fund, payable monthly, is calculated by multiplying the current complex-wide fee rate, determined according to the following schedule, by the Fund’s daily managed assets:

 

Complex-Level Eligible Asset Breakpoint Level*

   Effective
Complex-Level
Fee Rate at
Breakpoint Level
 

$55 billion

     0.2000

$56 billion

     0.1996

$57 billion

     0.1989

$60 billion

     0.1961

$63 billion

     0.1931

$66 billion

     0.1900

$71 billion

     0.1851

$76 billion

     0.1806

$80 billion

     0.1773

$91 billion

     0.1691

$125 billion

     0.1599

$200 billion

     0.1505

$250 billion

     0.1469

$300 billion

     0.1445

 

*

The complex-level fee is calculated based upon the aggregate daily “eligible assets” of all Nuveen open-end and closed-end funds. Eligible assets do not include assets attributable to investments in other Nuveen funds or assets in excess of a determined amount

 

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  (originally $2 billion) added to the Nuveen fund complex in connection with Nuveen Fund Advisors’ assumption of the management of the former First American Funds effective January 1, 2011, but do include certain assets of certain Nuveen funds that were reorganized into funds advised by an affiliate of Nuveen Fund Advisors during the 2019 calendar year. Eligible assets include closed-end fund assets managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors that are attributable to certain types of leverage. For these purposes, leverage includes the closed-end funds’ use of preferred stock and borrowings and certain investments in the residual interest certificates (also called inverse floating rate securities) in tender option bond (TOB) trusts, including the portion of assets held by the TOB trust that has been effectively financed by the trust’s issuance of floating rate securities, subject to an agreement by Nuveen Fund Advisors as to certain funds to limit the amount of such assets for determining eligible assets in certain circumstances. As of December 31, 2020, the complex-level fee rate for the Fund was 0.1557%.

In addition to the fee of Nuveen Fund Advisors, the Fund pays all other costs and expenses of its operations, including compensation of its trustees (other than those affiliated with Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management), custodian, transfer agency and dividend disbursing expenses, legal fees, expenses of independent auditors, expenses of repurchasing shares, expenses associated with any borrowings, expenses of issuing any Preferred Shares, expenses of preparing, printing and distributing shareholder reports, notices, proxy statements and reports to governmental agencies, and taxes, if any. All fees and expenses are accrued daily and deducted before payment of dividends to investors.

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s decision to renew the Investment Management Agreement for the Fund may be found in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders dated July 31 of each year.

Sub-Advisory Agreements.    Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreements, each Sub-Adviser is compensated for the services it provides to the Fund with a portion of the management fee Nuveen Fund Advisors receives from the Fund with respect to the Sub-Adviser’s allocation of Fund average daily net assets. For the services provided pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreements, Nuveen Fund Advisors pays the Sub-Advisers a fee, payable monthly, as specified by the following schedule:

 

Average Daily Net Assets*

   Percentage of
Management Fee
 

Up to $125 million

     50.00

For the next $25 million

     47.50

For the next $25 million

     45.00

For the next $25 million

     42.50

Over $200 million

     40.00

 

*

For this purpose, “Average Daily Net Assets” includes net assets attributable to any Preferred Shares and the principal amount of borrowings pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement.

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s decision to renew the Sub-Advisory Agreements for the Fund may be found in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders dated July 31 of each year.

NET ASSET VALUE

The Fund’s NAV per Common Share is determined as of the close of trading (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open for business. NAV is calculated by taking the fair value of the Fund’s total assets, including interest or dividends accrued but not yet collected, less all liabilities, and dividing by the total number of Common Shares outstanding. The result, rounded to the nearest cent, is the NAV per share.

 

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The Fund’s custodian calculates the Fund’s NAV. The custodian uses prices for portfolio securities from a pricing service the Fund’s Board has approved. The pricing service values portfolio securities at the mean between the quoted bid and asked price or the yield equivalent when quotations are readily available. Securities for which quotations are not readily available (which will constitute the majority of the Fund’s portfolio securities) are valued at fair value as determined by the Board in reliance upon data supplied by the pricing service. The pricing service uses methods that consider yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity, and ratings; dealers’ indications of value; and general market conditions. The pricing service may use electronic data processing techniques or a matrix system, or both. The Fund’s officers review the pricing service’s procedures and valuations, under the general supervision of the Board.

DISTRIBUTIONS

For a discussion of dividends and other distributions applicable to the Common Shares and the dividend reinvestment plan, see the prospectus supplement relating to the Common Shares being offered.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The Fund may sell Securities from time to time on an immediate, continuous or delayed basis, in one or more offerings under this prospectus and a related prospectus supplement in any one or more of the following ways: (1) directly to one or more purchasers, (2) through agents for the period of their appointment, (3) to underwriters as principals for resale to the public or (4) through, in the case of the Common Shares, in transactions that are deemed to be “at the market” as defined under Rule 415 under the 1933 Act.

The prospectus supplement will describe the method of distribution of the Securities offered therein.

Each prospectus supplement relating to an offering of Securities will state the terms of the offering, including:

 

   

the names of any agents or underwriters;

 

   

any sales loads, underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation;

 

   

any discounts, commissions, fees or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers or agents;

 

   

the public offering or purchase price of the offered Securities, the estimated net proceeds the Fund will receive from the sale and the use of proceeds; and

 

   

any securities exchange on which the offered Securities may be listed.

If any underwriters are involved in the offer and sale, the Securities will be acquired by the underwriters and may be resold by them, either at a fixed public offering price established at the time of offering or from time to time in one or more negotiated transactions or otherwise, at prices related to prevailing market prices determined at the time of sale. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the Securities will be subject to

 

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conditions precedent and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the Securities described in the prospectus supplement if any are purchased. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

The Fund may offer and sell the Securities directly or through an agent or agents designated by the Fund from time to time. An agent may sell securities it has purchased from the Fund as principal to other dealers for resale to investors and other purchasers, and may reallow all or any portion of the discount received in connection with the purchase from the Fund to the dealers. After the initial offering of the Securities, the offering price (in the case of Securities to be resold at a fixed offering price), the concession and the discount may be changed. Any agent participating in the distribution of the Securities may be deemed to be an “underwriter,” as that term is defined in the 1933 Act, of the Securities so offered and sold.

Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with the Fund, to indemnification by the Fund against some liabilities, including liabilities under the 1933 Act.

The place and time of delivery for the Securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement if appropriate.

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, each series of offered Preferred Shares will be a new issue of securities for which there currently is no market. Any underwriters to whom Preferred Shares are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in such Preferred Shares as permitted by applicable laws and regulations, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so, and any such market making may be discontinued at any time without notice. Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to the development or liquidity of any market for the Preferred Shares.

Underwriters, agents and dealers may engage in transactions with or perform services, including various investment banking and other services, for the Fund and/or any of the Fund’s affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

The Fund will bear the expenses of the offering, including but not limited to, the expenses of preparation of this prospectus and the SAI and the prospectus supplement for the offering and the expense of counsel and auditors in connection with the offering.

In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), the maximum commission or discount to be received by any member of FINRA or independent broker-dealer will not be greater than 9% of the initial gross proceeds from the sale of any Securities being sold.

To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the underwriters may from time to time act as a broker or dealer and receive fees in connection with the execution of the Fund’s portfolio transactions after the underwriters have ceased to be underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, each may act as a broker while it is an underwriter.

CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE DECLARATION OF TRUST AND BY-LAWS

Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. However, the Fund’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for debts or obligations of the Fund and requires that notice of such

 

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limited liability be given in each obligation, contract or instrument made or issued by the Fund or the trustees. The Fund’s Declaration of Trust further provides for indemnification out of the assets and property of the Fund for all loss and expense of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund would be unable to meet its obligations. The Fund believes that the likelihood of such circumstances is remote.

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust includes provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to convert the Fund to open-end status. Specifically, the Fund’s Declaration of Trust requires a vote by holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Common Shares and Preferred Shares, voting as a single class, except as described below, to authorize (1) a conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company, (2) a merger or consolidation of the Fund with any corporation, association, trust or other organization or a reorganization or recapitalization of the Fund or a series or class of the Fund, (3) a sale, lease or transfer of all or substantially all of the Fund’s assets (other than in the regular course of the Fund’s investment activities), (4) in certain circumstances, a termination of the Fund, or (5) a removal of trustees by shareholders, and then only for cause, unless, with respect to (1) through (4), such transaction has already been authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Fund’s Declaration of Trust or the Fund’s By-Laws, in which case the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Fund’s outstanding Common Shares and Preferred Shares, voting as a single class, is required; provided, however, that, where only a particular class or series is affected (or, in the case of removing a trustee, when the trustee has been elected by only one class), only the required vote by the applicable class or series will be required. For purposes of the foregoing, the term “recapitalization” will not mean, without limitation, the issuance or redemption of Preferred Shares pursuant to the terms of the Declaration of Trust or the applicable Statement adopted with respect to such Preferred Shares, whether or not in conjunction with the issuance, retirement or redemption of other securities or indebtedness of the Fund. However, approval of shareholders is not required for any transaction, whether deemed a merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise, whereby the Fund issues shares in connection with the acquisition of assets (including those subject to liabilities) of any other investment company or similar entity. In the case of the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company, or in the case of any of the foregoing transactions constituting a plan of reorganization (as that term is used in the 1940 Act) which adversely affects the holders of Preferred Shares, the action in question will also require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Fund’s Preferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, or, if such action has been authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Fund’s Declaration of Trust or the Fund’s By-Laws, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Fund’s Preferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class. None of the foregoing voting provisions may be amended or repealed except by the vote of at least two-thirds of the Common Shares and Preferred Shares, voting as a single class. The votes required to approve the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company or to approve transactions constituting a plan of reorganization which adversely affects the holders of Preferred Shares are higher than those required by the 1940 Act. The Fund’s Board believes that the provisions of the Fund’s Declaration of Trust relating to such higher votes are in the best interests of the Fund.

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust provides that the obligations of the Fund are not binding upon the Fund’s trustees individually, but only upon the assets and property of the Fund, and that the trustees will not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. However, nothing in the Fund’s

 

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Declaration of Trust protects a trustee against any liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

In addition, the Fund’s By-Laws require the Board to be divided into three classes with staggered terms. This provision of the By-Laws could delay for up to two years the replacement of a majority of the Board. Holders of Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, are entitled to elect two of the Fund’s trustees.

The Fund’s By-Laws provide that a shareholder who obtains beneficial ownership of Common Shares in a “Control Share Acquisition” shall have the same voting rights as other Common Shares only to the extent authorized by shareholders. Such authorization shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (more than 50%) of the shares of the Fund entitled to vote in the election of trustees excluding Interested Shares. Interested Shares include shares held by Fund officers and any person who has acquired Common Shares in a Control Share Acquisition (the “Control Share Provisions”). The By-Laws define a “Control Share Acquisition,” subject to various conditions and exceptions, generally to mean an acquisition of Common Shares that would give the beneficial owner, upon the acquisition of such shares, the ability to exercise voting power, but for the Control Share Provisions, in the election of trustees in any one of the following ranges: (i) one-tenth or more, but less than one-fifth of all voting power; (ii) one-fifth or more, but less than one-third of all voting power; (iii) one-third or more, but less than a majority of all voting power; or (iv) a majority or more of all voting power. For this purpose, all Common Shares acquired by a person within ninety days before or after the date on which such person acquires shares that result in a Control Share Acquisition, and all Common Shares acquired by such person pursuant to a plan to make a Control Share Acquisition, shall be deemed to have been acquired in the same Control Share Acquisition. Subject to various conditions and procedural requirements, including the delivery of a “Control Share Acquisition Statement” to the Fund setting forth certain required information, a shareholder who obtains or proposes to obtain beneficial ownership of Common Shares in a Control Share Acquisition generally may request a vote of shareholders to approve the authorization of voting rights of such shareholder with respect to such shares.

The provisions of the Fund’s Declaration of Trust and By-Laws described above could have the effect of depriving the Common Shareholders of opportunities to sell their Common Shares at a premium over the then-current market price of the Common Shares by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund in a tender offer or similar transaction. The overall effect of these provisions is to render more difficult the accomplishment of a merger or the assumption of control by a third party. However, they provide the advantage of potentially requiring persons seeking control of the Fund to negotiate with its management regarding the price to be paid and facilitating the continuity of the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. The Fund’s Board has considered the foregoing anti-takeover provisions and concluded that they are in the best interests of the Fund.

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust provides that Common Shareholders will have no right to acquire, purchase or subscribe for any shares or securities of the Fund, other than such right, if any, as the Fund’s Board in its discretion may determine.

Reference should be made to the Fund’s Declaration of Trust and By-Laws on file with the SEC for the full text of these provisions.

 

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REPURCHASE OF FUND SHARES; CONVERSION TO OPEN-END FUND

The Fund is a closed-end investment company and as such its shareholders will not have the right to cause the Fund to redeem their shares. Instead, the Common Shares trade in the open market at prices that are a function of several factors, including Common Share dividend levels (which are in turn affected by expenses) in comparison to market rates for similar investments, NAV, call protection, dividend stability, portfolio credit quality, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, general market and economic conditions and other factors. Because shares of closed-end investment companies may frequently trade at prices lower than NAV, the Board has currently determined that, at least annually, it will consider action that might be taken to reduce or eliminate any material discount from NAV in respect of Common Shares, which may include the repurchase of such shares in the open market or in private transactions, the making of a tender offer for such shares at NAV, or the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company. The Fund cannot assure you that its Board will decide to take any of these actions, or that share repurchases or tender offers will actually reduce market discount.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time when the Fund’s Preferred Shares are outstanding, the Fund may not purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its Common Shares unless (1) all accumulated but unpaid dividends on Preferred Shares due to be paid have been paid and (2) at the time of such purchase, redemption or acquisition, the NAV of the Fund’s portfolio (determined after deducting the acquisition price of the Common Shares) is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding Preferred Shares (expected to equal the original purchase price per share plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon). Any service fees incurred in connection with any tender offer made by the Fund will be borne by the Fund and will not reduce the stated consideration to be paid to tendering shareholders.

Subject to its investment limitations, the Fund may borrow to finance the repurchase of shares or to make a tender offer. Interest on any borrowings to finance share repurchase transactions or the accumulation of cash by the Fund in anticipation of share repurchases or tenders will reduce the Fund’s net income. Any share repurchase, tender offer or borrowing that might be approved by the Board would have to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Although the decision to take action in response to a discount from NAV will be made by the Board at the time it considers such issue, it is the Board’s present policy, which may be changed by the Board, not to authorize repurchases of Common Shares or a tender offer for such shares if (1) such transactions, if consummated, would (a) result in the delisting of the Common Shares from the NYSE, or (b) impair the Fund’s status as a RIC under the Code, as amended (which would make the Fund a taxable entity, causing the Fund’s income to be taxed at the corporate level in addition to the taxation of shareholders who receive dividends from the Fund), or as a registered closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act; (2) the Fund would not be able to liquidate portfolio securities in an orderly manner and consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies in order to repurchase shares; or (3) there is, in the Board’s judgment, any (a) material legal action or proceeding instituted or threatened challenging such transactions or otherwise materially adversely affecting the Fund, (b) general suspension of or limitation on prices for trading securities on the NYSE, (c) declaration of a banking moratorium by federal or state authorities or any suspension of payment by United States or state banks in which the Fund invests, (d) material limitation affecting the Fund or the issuers of its portfolio securities by federal or state authorities on the extension of credit by lending

 

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institutions or on the exchange of foreign currency, (e) commencement of war, armed hostilities or other international or national calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States, or (f) other event or condition which would have a material adverse effect (including any adverse tax effect) on the Fund or its shareholders if shares were repurchased. The Board may in the future modify these conditions in light of experience.

Conversion to an open-end company would require the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Fund’s Common Shares and Preferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting together as a single class, and of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Fund’s Preferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class; provided, however, that such separate class vote shall be a majority vote if the action in question has previously been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Declaration of Trust or By-Laws. See “Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws” for a discussion of voting requirements applicable to conversion of the Fund to an open-end company. If the Fund converted to an open-end investment company, it would be required to redeem all Preferred Shares then outstanding (requiring in turn that it liquidate a portion of its investment portfolio), and the Common Shares would no longer be listed on the NYSE. In contrast to a closed-end investment company, shareholders of an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem their shares at any time (except in certain circumstances as authorized by or under the 1940 Act) at their NAV, less any redemption charge that is in effect at the time of redemption. In order to avoid maintaining large cash positions or liquidating favorable investments to meet redemptions, open-end companies typically engage in a continuous offering of their shares. Open-end companies are thus subject to periodic asset in-flows and out-flows that can complicate portfolio management. As a result, conversion to open-end status may require changes in the management of the Fund’s portfolio in order to meet the liquidity requirements applicable to open-end funds. Because portfolio securities may have to be liquidated to meet redemptions, conversion could affect the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objectives or to use certain investment policies and techniques described above. If converted to an open-end fund, the Fund expects to pay all redemptions in cash, but intends to reserve the right to pay redemption requests in a combination of cash or securities. If such partial payment in securities were made, investors may incur brokerage costs in converting such securities to cash. If the Fund were converted to an open-end fund, new Common Shares may be sold at NAV plus a sales load. The Board may at any time propose conversion of the Fund to an open-end company depending upon their judgment as to the advisability of such action in light of circumstances then prevailing.

The repurchase by the Fund of its Common Shares at prices below NAV will result in an increase in the NAV of those shares that remain outstanding. However, there can be no assurance that share repurchases or tenders at or below NAV will result in the Common Shares trading at a price equal to their NAV. Nevertheless, the fact that the Common Shares may be the subject of repurchase or tender offers at NAV from time to time, or that the Fund may be converted to an open-end company, may reduce any spread between market price and NAV 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 if the Common Shares trade below NAV, the Board would consider all relevant factors, including the extent and duration of the discount, the liquidity of

 

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the Fund’s portfolio, the impact of any action that might be taken on the Fund or its shareholders, and market considerations. Based on these considerations, even if the Common Shares should trade at a discount, the Board may determine that, in the interest of the Fund and its shareholders, no action should be taken. On August 4, 2020, the Fund’s Board renewed the Fund’s open market share repurchase program under which the Fund may repurchase up to 10% of its Common Shares. Since the inception of the Fund’s share repurchase program through March 8, 2021, the Fund has repurchased 2,826,100 Common Shares under the program.

TAX MATTERS

The following information is meant as a general summary for U.S. holders of an investment in the shares of the Fund. Please see the SAI for additional information. A description of material U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the purchase and ownership of any Common Shares or Preferred Shares being offered will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement. Investors should rely on their own tax adviser for advice about the particular federal, state and local tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund.

The Fund has elected to be treated and intends to qualify each year as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to qualify as a RIC, the Fund must satisfy certain requirements regarding the sources of its income, the diversification of its assets and the distribution of its income. As a RIC, the Fund is not expected to be subject to federal income tax on the income and gains it distributes to its shareholders.

Dividends paid out of the Fund’s investment company taxable income (which includes dividends the Fund receives, interest income and net short-term capital gain) will generally be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income, except as described below with respect to qualified dividend income. Net capital gain distributions (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) are generally taxable at rates applicable to long-term capital gains regardless of how long a shareholder has held its shares. Long-term capital gains for noncorporate shareholders are currently taxable at a maximum federal income tax rate of 20%. In addition, certain individuals, estates and trusts are subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax on net investment income, including net capital gains and other taxable dividends. Corporate shareholders are taxed on capital gain at the same rate applicable to ordinary income. Distributions derived from qualified dividend income and received by a noncorporate shareholder will be taxed at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain. In order for some portion of the dividends received by a shareholder to be qualified dividend income, the Fund must meet certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend-paying stocks in its portfolio and the noncorporate shareholder must meet certain holding period and other requirements with respect to its shares of the Fund. A portion of the Fund’s distributions to shareholders may qualify for the dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders. The Fund’s investment strategies may limit its ability to make distributions that are eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income for non-corporate shareholders or for the dividends received deduction for corporate shareholders. Taxable distributions are taxable whether or not such distributions are reinvested in the Fund. Dividend distributions may be subject to state and local taxation, depending on a shareholder’s situation.

If the Fund’s total distributions exceed both the current taxable year’s earnings and profits and accumulated earnings and profits from prior years, the excess generally will be treated as a tax-free return of capital up to and including the amount of a shareholder’s tax basis in its shares of the Fund, and thereafter as capital gain. Upon a sale of shares of the Fund, the amount, if any, by which

 

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the sales price exceeds the basis in the shares of the Fund is gain subject to federal income tax. Because a return of capital reduces basis in the shares of the Fund, it will increase the amount of gain or decrease the amount of loss on a shareholder’s subsequent disposition of the shares of the Fund.

As a RIC, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax in any taxable year provided that it meets certain distribution requirements. The Fund may retain for investment some (or all) of its net capital gain. If the Fund retains any net capital gain or investment company taxable income, it will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. If the Fund retains any net capital gain, it may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who, if subject to federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their share of such undistributed amount; (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the federal income tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their federal income tax liabilities, if any; and (iii) may claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For federal income tax purposes, the basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence.

If the Fund utilizes leverage through borrowings, or otherwise, asset coverage limitations imposed by the 1940 Act as well as additional restrictions that may be imposed by certain lenders on the payment of dividends or distributions potentially could limit or eliminate the Fund’s ability to make distributions on its Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares, if any, until the asset coverage is restored. These limitations could prevent the Fund from distributing at least 90% of its investment company taxable income as is required under the Code and therefore might jeopardize the Fund’s qualification as a RIC and/or might subject the Fund to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax. The Fund endeavors to avoid restrictions on its ability to distribute dividends.

Dividends declared by the Fund in October, November or December to shareholders of record in one of those months and paid during the following January will be treated as having been paid by the Fund and received by shareholders on December 31 of the year the distributions were declared.

Each shareholder will receive an annual statement summarizing the shareholder’s dividend and capital gains distributions.

The redemption, sale or exchange of shares normally will result in capital gain or loss to shareholders who hold their shares as capital assets. Generally, a shareholder’s gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year. The gain or loss on shares held for one year or less will generally be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. Present law taxes both long-term and short-term capital gains of corporations at the same rates applicable to ordinary income. For noncorporate taxpayers, however, long-term capital gains are currently taxed at a maximum federal income tax rate of 20%, while short-term capital gains and other ordinary income are currently taxed at ordinary income rates. An additional 3.8% Medicare tax may also apply to certain individual, estate and trust shareholders’ capital gain from the sale or other disposition of their shares. Any loss on the sale of shares that have been held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any net capital gain distributions received by the shareholder on such shares. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of the Fund will be disallowed to the extent those shares of the Fund are replaced by other substantially identical shares of the Fund or other substantially identical stock or securities (including through reinvestment of dividends) within a period

 

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of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date of disposition of the original shares. In that event, the basis of the replacement shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

The Fund may invest in preferred securities or other securities the federal income tax treatment of which may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the Internal Revenue Service (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, potentially requiring the Fund to purchase or sell securities, or otherwise change its portfolio, in order to comply with the requirements applicable to RICs under the Code.

The Fund may acquire debt securities that are market discount bonds. A market discount bond is a security acquired in the secondary market at a price below its redemption value (or its adjusted issue price if it is also an original issue discount bond). If the Fund invests in a market discount bond, it will be required to treat any gain recognized on the disposition of such market discount bond as ordinary taxable income to the extent of the accrued market discount unless the Fund elects to include the market discount in taxable income as it accrues.

If the Fund invests in certain pay-in-kind securities, zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities or, in general, any other securities with original issue discount (or with market discount if the Fund elects to include market discount in income currently), the Fund must accrue income on such investments for each taxable year, which generally will be prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments. However, the Fund must distribute to shareholders, at least annually, all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) including such income it is required to accrue, to qualify as a RIC and to avoid federal income and excise taxes. Therefore, the Fund may have to dispose of its portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash, or may have to leverage itself by borrowing the cash, to satisfy these distribution requirements. The Fund’s investment in lower rated or unrated debt securities may present issues for the Fund if the issuers of these securities default on their obligations because the federal income tax consequences to a holder of such securities are not certain.

Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. It is not possible to determine the Fund’s effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the amount of the Fund’s assets to be invested in various foreign countries is not known. The payment of such taxes will reduce the Fund’s return on such investments. If more than 50% of the Fund’s assets are invested in foreign securities at the end of a taxable year, the Fund will be eligible to make an election permitting shareholders to claim a credit or deduction for their pro rata share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund subject to certain limitations. If the Fund makes this election, shareholders will be required to include their share of those taxes in gross income as a distribution from the Fund. If the Fund does not make the election, the net investment income of the Fund will be reduced by the foreign taxes paid by the Fund and shareholders will not be required to include in their gross income and will not be able to claim a credit or deduction for their pro rata share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund.

The Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 24% from all distributions and redemption proceeds payable to a shareholder if the shareholder fails to provide the Fund with his, her or its correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or if

 

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the shareholder has been notified by the IRS (or the IRS notifies the Fund) that he, she or it is subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax; rather, it is a way in which the IRS ensures it will collect taxes otherwise due. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. Sections 1471-1474 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury and IRS guidance issued thereunder (collectively, “FATCA”) generally require the Fund to obtain information sufficient to identify the status of each of its shareholders. If a shareholder fails to provide this information or otherwise fails to comply with FATCA, the Fund may be required to withhold under FATCA at a rate of 30% with respect to that shareholder on Fund dividends. The Fund may disclose the information that it receives from (or concerning) its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA, related intergovernmental agreements or other applicable law or regulation. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the applicability of FATCA and any other reporting requirements with respect to the investor’s own situation, including investments through an intermediary.

CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT

The custodian of the Fund’s assets is State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111 (the “Custodian”). The Custodian performs custodial, fund accounting and portfolio accounting services. The Fund’s transfer, shareholder services and dividend paying agent is Computershare. Computershare is located at 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with the Common Shares will be passed upon for the Fund by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Washington, D.C.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, provides auditing services to the Fund. The principal business address of KPMG is 200 East Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

The Fund is subject to the informational requirements of the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and is required to file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Reports, proxy statements, and other information about the Fund can be inspected at the offices of the NYSE.

This Prospectus does not contain all of the information in the Fund’s Registration Statement, including amendments, exhibits, and schedules. Additional information about the Fund and the Common Shares can be found in the Fund’s Registration Statement (including amendments, exhibits, and schedules) on Form N-2 filed with the SEC. The SEC maintains a web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains the Fund’s Registration Statement, other documents incorporated by reference, and other information the Fund has filed electronically with the SEC, including proxy statements and reports filed under the 1934 Act.

 

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The documents listed below, and any reports and other documents subsequently filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 30(b)(2) of the 1940 Act and Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act prior to the termination of the offering will be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and deemed to be part of this Prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports and documents:

 

   

The Fund’s SAI, dated March 18, 2021;

 

   

The Fund’s annual report on Form N-CSR for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020.

The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this Prospectus, and later information that the Fund files with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. Incorporated materials not delivered with the prospectus supplement may be obtained, without charge, by calling (800) 257-8787, by writing to the Fund at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, or from the Fund’s website (http://www.nuveen.com).

 

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NUVEEN PREFERRED & INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

March 18, 2021

Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on January 27, 2003 as Nuveen Preferred and Convertible Income Fund, changed its name effective May 7, 2007 to Nuveen Multi-Strategy Income and Growth Fund, changed its name effective April 2, 2012 to Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund, and effective September 29, 2017 changed its name to Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund.

This statement of additional information (the “SAI”) relating to the common shares (“Common Shares” ) and preferred shares (“Preferred Shares” and, together with the Common Shares, the “Securities”) of the Fund does not constitute a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the prospectus relating thereto dated March 18, 2021 and any related prospectus supplement. This SAI relates to the offering, on an immediate, continuous or delayed basis, in one or more offerings, of the Securities. This SAI does not include all information that a prospective investor should consider before purchasing Securities. Investors should obtain and read the prospectus and any related prospectus supplement prior to purchasing such shares. In addition, the Fund’s audited financial statements and the independent registered public accounting firm’s report thereon included in the Fund’s annual report for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020 are incorporated into this SAI by reference. A copy of the prospectus and any related prospectus supplement may be obtained without charge by calling (312) 917-7700. You may also obtain a copy of the prospectus and any related prospectus supplement on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC”) web site (http://www.sec.gov). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this SAI have the meanings ascribed to them in the prospectus.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Use of Proceeds

     1  

Investment Objectives and Policies

     1  

Investment Restrictions

     3  

The Fund’s Investments

     6  

Management of the Fund

     17  

Investment Adviser, Sub-Advisers and Portfolio Managers

     38  

Code of Ethics

     46  

Proxy Voting Policies

     46  

Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage

     47  

Net Asset Value

     49  

Tax Matters

     49  

Financial Statements

     59  

Custodian and Transfer Agent

     60  

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     60  

Legal Matters

     60  

Additional Information

     60  

Appendix A—Ratings of Investments

     A-1  


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USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds from the issuance of Common Shares hereunder will be invested in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies as stated below. Pending investment, the timing of which may vary depending on the size of the investment but in no case is expected to exceed 30 days, it is anticipated that the proceeds will be invested in short-term or long-term securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies or instrumentalities or in high quality, short-term money market instruments. See “Risk Factors—Leverage Risk” and “Use of Leverage” in the Prospectus.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

The Fund’s primary investment objective is high current income. The Fund’s secondary investment objective is total return. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing primarily in preferred securities and other income producing securities, including hybrid securities such as contingent capital securities. The Fund may also invest in other securities, primarily income-oriented securities such as corporate and taxable municipal debt and common equity.

The Fund will invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its Assets (as defined herein) in preferred securities and other income producing securities, including hybrid securities such as contingent capital securities and up to 20% in other securities, primarily income-oriented securities such as corporate and taxable municipal debt and common equity.

The Fund will invest at least 50% of its Managed Assets (as defined herein) in securities rated investment grade (BBB/Baa and above) at the time of investment. Investment grade quality securities are those securities that, at the time of investment, are rated by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) within the four highest grades (Baa or BBB or better by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Corporation, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (“S&P”), or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”)), or are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Fund’s investment adviser, Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (“Nuveen Fund Advisors” or the “Adviser”), or sub-advisers, Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (“Nuveen Asset Management”) and NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC (“NWQ” and, together with Nuveen Asset Management, each, a “Sub-Adviser” and together, the “Sub-Advisers”). The Fund may invest in securities of below investment grade quality, commonly referred to as “high yield” or “junk” bonds, which are regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due, and they are more susceptible to default or decline in market value due to adverse economic and business developments than investment grade securities. Securities rated below investment grade tend to be less marketable than higher-quality securities because the market for them is less broad. The market for unrated securities is even narrower. During periods of thin trading in these markets, the spread between bid and asked prices is likely to increase significantly and the Fund may have greater difficulty selling its holdings of these types of portfolio securities. The Fund will be more dependent on the Adviser’s and/or the Sub-Advisers’ research and analysis when investing in these securities.

Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest more than 25% of its Managed Assets in the securities of companies principally engaged in financial services. A financial services company is one that is primarily involved in banking, mortgage finance, consumer finance, specialized finance,

 

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investment banking and brokerage, asset management and custody, corporate lending, insurance, financial instruments or real estate, including BDCs and REITs. For purposes of identifying companies in the financial services sector, the Fund uses industry classifications such as those provided by MSCI and Standard & Poor’s The Global Industry Classification Standard, Bloomberg, Barclays or similar sources commonly used in the financial industry. As a result, if one or more of these classifications include a company in the financial services sector, the Fund considers such company as being in the financial services sector.

The Fund is not limited in the amount of its investments in non-U.S. issuers. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its Managed Assets in non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities. The Fund may invest up to 5% of the portion of its portfolio managed by Nuveen Asset Management in preferred securities issued by companies located in emerging market countries. For purposes of identifying non-U.S. issuers, the Fund uses Bloomberg classifications, which employ various factors as described herein. Emerging market countries include any country other than Canada, the United States and the countries comprising the MSCI EAFE® Index.

The Fund may use derivative instruments to seek to hedge some of the risk of the Fund’s investments or its leverage, to enhance return, to serve as a substitute for a position in an underlying asset, to reduce transaction costs, to manage the Fund’s effective interest rate exposure, to maintain full market exposure, to manage cash flows or to preserve capital. Such instruments may include financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate and credit default swaps), options on equity securities, options on financial futures or other derivative instruments.

During temporary defensive periods, the Fund may deviate from its investment policies and objectives. During such periods, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in high quality, short-term securities, and in short-, intermediate-, or long-term U.S. Treasury securities. There can be no assurance that such techniques will be successful. Accordingly, during such periods, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

“Assets” means net assets of the Fund plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund, minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (other than Fund liabilities incurred for the express purpose of creating leverage). Total assets for this purpose shall include assets attributable to the Fund’s use of leverage (whether or not those assets are reflected in the Fund’s financial statements for purposes of generally accepted accounting principles), and derivatives will be valued at their market value.

The Fund’s investment objectives, policy to invest more than 25% of its Managed Assets in securities of financial services companies, and certain other investment restrictions identified below are considered fundamental and may not be changed without shareholder approval. All of the other investment policies of the Fund, including as noted above, are not considered to be fundamental by the Fund and can be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) without a vote of the shareholders; provided that the Fund will notify shareholders at least 60 days prior to any change in its policy to invest at least 80% of its Assets in preferred securities and other income producing securities. The Fund may only change its fundamental investment restrictions with the approval of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Fund as is defined in the 1940 Act. 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.

 

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The Fund is diversified for purposes of the 1940 Act. Consequently, as to 75% of its assets, the Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any single issuer (and in not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of an issuer), except that this limitation does not apply to cash, securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities and securities of other investment companies.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

Below are the fundamental investment restrictions of the Fund. The Fund cannot change its fundamental investment restrictions without the approval of the holders of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Fund as is defined in the 1940 Act. When used with respect to particular shares of the Fund, a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” means the vote of (i) 67% or more of the Fund’s shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the Fund’s shares are present or represented by proxy; or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding Common Shares, whichever is less.

Except as described below, the Fund may not:

(1) Issue senior securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, other than (i) Preferred Shares which immediately after issuance will have asset coverage of at least 200%, (ii) indebtedness which immediately after issuance will have asset coverage of at least 300%, or (iii) the borrowings permitted by investment restriction (2) set forth below.

(2) Borrow money, except as permitted by the 1940 Act.

(3) Act as underwriter of another issuer’s securities, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities or acting as an agent or one of a group of co-agents in originating corporate loans.

(4) Invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities of issuers in any one industry other than the financial services 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, and provided further that for purposes of this limitation the term “issuer” shall not include a lender selling a participant to the Fund together with any other person interpositioned between such lender and Fund with respect to a participation.

(5) Purchase or sell real estate, except pursuant to the exercise by the Fund of its rights under loan agreements and except to the extent that interests in corporate loans the Fund may invest in are considered to be interests in real estate, and this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities of companies that deal in real estate or are engaged in the real estate business, including real estate investment trusts, 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.

(6) Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, except pursuant to the exercise by the Fund of its rights under loan agreements

 

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and except to the extent that interests in corporate loans the Fund may invest in are considered to be interests in commodities and this shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing or selling options, futures contracts, derivative instruments or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities).

(7) Make loans of funds or other assets, other than by obtaining interests in corporate loans, entering into repurchase agreements, lending portfolio securities and through the purchase of debt securities in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and limitations.

(8) With respect to 75% of the value of the Fund’s total assets, purchase any securities (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States Government or by its agencies or instrumentalities), if as a result more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would then be invested in securities of a single issuer or if as a result the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any single issuer and, provided further that for purposes of this restriction, the term “issuer” includes both the borrower under a loan agreement and the lender selling a participation to the Fund, together with any other persons interpositioned between such lender and the Fund with respect to a participation.

With respect to the limitations set forth in paragraphs 1 above, Section 18(c) of the 1940 Act generally limits a registered closed-end investment company to issuing one class of senior securities representing indebtedness and one class of senior securities representing stock, except that the class of indebtedness or stock may be issued in one or more series, and promissory notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in consideration of any loan, extension, or renewal thereof, made by a bank or other person and privately arranged, and not intended to be publicly distributed, are not deemed a separate class of senior securities.

With respect to the limitation set forth in paragraph 2 above, Section 18(a) of the 1940 Act generally prohibits a registered closed-end fund from incurring borrowings if, immediately thereafter, the aggregate amount of its borrowings exceeds 33 1/3% of its total assets.

With respect to the limitation set forth in paragraph 7 above, Section 21 of the 1940 Act makes it unlawful for a registered investment company, like the Fund, to lend money or other property if (i) the investment company’s policies set forth in its registration statement do not permit such a loan or (ii) the borrower controls or is under common control with the investment company.

With respect to the limitation set forth in paragraph 8 above, a governmental issuer shall be deemed the single issuer of a security when its assets and revenues are separate from other governmental entities and its securities are backed only by its assets and revenues. Similarly, in the case of a non-governmental issuer, if the security is backed only by the assets and revenues of the non-governmental issuer, then such non-governmental issuer would be deemed to be the single issuer. Where a security is also backed by the enforceable obligation of a superior or unrelated governmental or other entity (other than a bond insurer), it shall also be included in the computation of securities owned that are issued by such governmental or other entity. Where a security is guaranteed by a governmental entity or some other facility, such as a bank guarantee or letter of credit, such a guarantee or letter of credit would be considered a separate security and would be treated as an issue of such government, other entity or bank. When a municipal security is insured by bond insurance, it shall not be considered a security that is issued or guaranteed by the insurer; instead, the issuer of such municipal security will be determined in accordance with the principles set forth above. The foregoing

 

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restrictions do not limit the percentage of the Fund’s assets that may be invested in municipal securities insured by any given insurer.

Under the 1940 Act, subject to limited exceptions, the Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in the aggregate in shares of other investment companies and up to 5% of its total assets in any one investment company, provided the investment does not represent more than 3% of the voting stock of the acquired investment company at the time such shares are purchased. As a stockholder in any investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment company’s expenses, and will remain subject to payment of the Fund’s management, advisory and administrative fees with respect to assets so invested. Shareholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent their Fund invests in other investment companies. In addition, the securities of other investment companies may be leveraged and therefore may be subject to the same leverage risks described herein.

In addition to the foregoing fundamental investment policies, the Fund is also subject to the following non-fundamental restrictions and policies, which may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval. The Fund may not:

(1) Sell securities short, except that the Fund may make short sales of securities if, at all times when a short position is open, the Fund owns at least 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, and provided that transactions in options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, or other derivative instruments are not deemed to constitute selling securities short.

(2) Purchase securities of open-end or closed-end investment companies except in compliance with the 1940 Act or any exemptive relief obtained thereunder.

(3) Purchase securities of companies for the purpose of exercising control, except to the extent that exercise by the Fund of its rights under loan agreements would be deemed to constitute exercising control.

The restrictions and other limitations set forth above will apply only at the time of purchase of securities and will not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of an acquisition of securities.

The Fund may issue senior securities, including Preferred Shares, notes and other evidences of indebtedness (including bank borrowings or commercial paper). If it does so, the Fund may be subject to certain restrictions imposed by either guidelines of one or more NRSROs that may issue ratings for senior securities issued by the Fund or, if the Fund borrows from a lender, by the lender. These guidelines may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act. In addition, reverse repurchase agreement counterparties may require certain criteria for securities included within such agreements. If these restrictions were to apply, it is not anticipated that these covenants, guidelines or security criteria would impede Nuveen Asset Management from managing the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies.

 

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THE FUND’S INVESTMENTS

Preferred Securities

The Fund invests in preferred securities. The Fund may invest in all types of preferred securities, including both traditional preferred securities and non-traditional preferred securities. Traditional preferred securities are generally equity securities of the issuer that have priority over the issuer’s Common Shares as to the payment of dividends (i.e., the issuer cannot pay dividends on its Common Shares until the dividends on the Preferred Shares are current) and as to the payout of proceeds of bankruptcy or other liquidation, but are subordinate to an issuer’s senior debt and junior debt as to both types of payments. Additionally, in a bankruptcy or other liquidation, traditional Preferred Shares are generally subordinate to an issuer’s trade creditors and other general obligations.

Traditional preferred securities pay a dividend, typically contingent both upon declaration by the issuer’s board and at times approval by regulators, and on the existence of current earnings (or retained earnings) in sufficient amount to source the payment. Dividend payments can be either cumulative or non-cumulative and can be passed or deferred without limitation at the option of the issuer. Traditional preferred securities typically have no ordinary right to vote for the board of directors, except in some cases voting rights may arise if the issuer fails to pay the preferred share dividends. Traditional preferred securities may be perpetual, or have a term and typically have a fixed liquidation (or “par”) value.

While some preferred securities are issued with a final maturity date, others 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 triggering an event of default for the issuer. No redemption can typically take place unless all cumulative payment obligations to preferred security investors have been met, although issuers may be able to engage in open-market repurchases without regard to any cumulative dividends or interest payable. A portion of the portfolio may include investments in non-cumulative preferred securities, whereby the issuer does not have an obligation to make up any arrearages to holders of such securities. Should an issuer default on its obligations under such a security, the amount of income earned by the Fund may be adversely affected. Non-traditional preferred securities include hybrid preferred securities, contingent convertible capital securities and other types of preferred securities that do not have the traditional features described above. Hybrid-preferred securities often behave similarly as investments in traditional preferred securities and are regarded by market investors as being part of the preferred securities market. Hybrid-preferred securities possess varying combinations of features of both debt and Preferred Shares and as such they may constitute senior debt, junior debt or Preferred Shares in an issuer’s capital structure. As such, hybrid-preferred securities may not be subordinate to a company’s debt securities (as are traditional Preferred Shares). Given the various debt and equity characteristics of hybrid-preferred securities, whether a hybrid-preferred security is classified as debt or equity for purposes of reporting the Fund’s portfolio holdings may be based on the portfolio managers’ determination as to whether its debt or preferred features are preponderant, or based on the assessment of an independent data provider. Such determinations may be subjective.

Hybrid-preferred securities include trust preferred securities. Trust 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 trust preferred

 

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securities market consists of both fixed and adjustable coupon rate securities that are either perpetual in nature or have stated maturity dates. Trust preferred securities may defer payment of income without triggering an event of default. These securities may have many characteristics of equity due to their subordinated position in an issuer’s capital structure. Trust preferred securities may be issued by trusts or other special purpose entities.

Preferred securities may also include certain forms of debt that have many characteristics of Preferred Shares, and that are regarded by the investment marketplace to be part of the broader preferred securities market. Among these “preferred securities” are certain exchange-listed debt issues that historically have several attributes, including trading and investment performance characteristics, in common with exchange-listed traditional preferred stock and hybrid-preferred securities. Generally, these types of “preferred securities” are senior debt or junior debt in the capital structure of an issuer.

Preferred securities generally pay fixed or adjustable rate dividends or interest to investors and have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends or interest and generally the liquidation of a company’s assets, which means that a company typically must pay dividends or interest on its preferred securities before paying any dividends on its common stock. As a general matter, dividend or interest payments on preferred securities may be cumulative or non-cumulative. The dividend or interest rates on preferred securities may be fixed or floating, or convert from fixed to floating at a specified future time; the Fund may invest without limit in such floating-rate and fixed-to-floating rate preferred securities. Floating-rate and fixed-to-floating rate preferred securities may be traditional preferred or hybrid-preferred securities. Floating-rate preferred securities pay a rate of income that resets periodically based on short- and/or longer-term interest rate benchmarks. If the associated interest rate benchmark rises, the income received from the security may increase and therefore the return offered by the floating-rate security may rise as well, making such securities less price sensitive to rising interest rates (or yields). Similarly, a fixed-to-floating rate security may be less price sensitive to rising interest rates (or yields), because the period over which the rate of payment is fixed is shorter than the maturity term of the bond, after which period a floating rate of payment applies. On the other hand, preferred securities are junior to most other forms of the company’s debt, including both senior and subordinated debt. Because of their subordinated position in the capital structure of an issuer, the ability to defer dividend or interest payments for extended periods of time without triggering an event of default for the issuer, and certain other features, preferred securities may have, at times, risks similar to equity instruments. The Fund’s portfolio of preferred securities may consist of fixed rate preferred and adjustable rate preferred securities.

The preferred securities market continues to evolve. New securities may be developed that may be regarded by market investors as being part of the preferred securities market. Where such securities will fall in the capital structure of the issuer will depend on the structure and characteristics of the new security. For purposes of the Fund’s policy of investing at least 80% of its Assets in preferred securities and other income producing securities, the Fund considers all of the foregoing types of securities that are commonly viewed in the marketplace as preferred securities to be preferred securities, regardless of their classification in the capital structure of the issuer.

Preferred securities are typically issued by corporations, generally in the form of interest or dividend bearing instruments, or by an affiliated business trust of a corporation, generally in the form of beneficial interests in subordinated debentures or similarly structured securities. Preferred securities may either trade over-the-counter, or trade on an exchange. The preferred securities market is generally divided into the $25 par “retail” and the $1,000 par “institutional” segments. The $25 par segment is

 

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typified by securities that are listed on the NYSE, which trade and are quoted with accrued dividend or interest income, and which are often callable. The institutional segment is typified by $1,000 par value securities that are not exchange-listed. The Fund may invest in preferred securities of either segment.

Contingent Capital Securities

Contingent capital securities (sometimes referred to as “CoCos”) are securities issued primarily by non-U.S. financial institutions. Specific CoCo structures vary by country of domicile and by each issue. All CoCos have mechanisms that absorb losses or reduces the value of the CoCo due to deterioration of the issuer’s financial condition and status as a going concern. Loss absorption mechanisms, which may include conversion into common equity and principal write-down, are intended for the benefit of the issuer and when triggered will likely negatively impact the value of the CoCo to the detriment of the CoCo investor. Loss absorption mechanisms can be triggered by capital levels or market value metrics of the issuers dropping below a certain predetermined level or at the discretion of the issuer regulator/supervisory entity. Unlike traditional convertible securities, the conversion is not voluntary and the equity conversion or principal write-down features are tailored to the issuer and its regulatory requirements. Due to increased regulatory requirements for higher capital levels for financial institutions, the issuance of CoCo instruments has increased in the last several years and is expected to continue.

Other Equity Securities

Common stock generally represents an equity ownership interest in an issuer. Although common stocks have historically generated higher average total returns than fixed-income securities over the long term, common stocks also have experienced significantly more volatility in those returns and may underperform relative to fixed-income securities during certain periods. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of a particular common stock held by the Fund. Also, prices of common stocks are sensitive to general movements in the stock market and a drop in the stock market may depress the price of common stocks to which the Fund has exposure. Common stock prices fluctuate for several 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 which affect the issuer. In addition, common stock prices may be particularly sensitive to rising interest rates, which increases borrowing costs and the costs of capital.

Additional types of equity securities (other than preferred securities) in which the Fund may invest include convertible securities (discussed below), REITs, warrants, rights, depositary receipts (which reference ownership of underlying non-U.S. securities) and other types of securities with equity characteristics. The Fund’s equity investments also may include securities of other investment companies (including open-end funds, closed-end funds and ETFs).

Debt Securities

Debt securities in which the Fund may invest include corporate debt securities and U.S. government and agency debt securities. Generally, debt securities typically, but not always, possess the following characteristics: a specified maturity or term, at which time the issuer is contractually obligated to pay the associated principal amount of debt to the debtholders; interest payments that are a contractual and enforceable obligation as of the stated payment date, and not contingent either on payment-by-payment declaration by the issuer’s board or on the demonstrated existence of company earnings as a source for the payment; and do not entitle the holder to exercise governance of or control over the issuer.

 

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In the capital structure of an issuer, debt securities can be senior debt or junior debt. A senior debt security has priority over any other type of security in a company’s capital structure as to the payment of any promised income (typically denoted as interest) from the issuer, and as to payout of the proceeds of the bankruptcy or other liquidation of the company. At times, the issuer will have pledged specific assets or revenues to secure the rights of the holder of the debt security to payments of interest and principal such that the proceeds of the specific assets or revenues must be used to satisfy these debt obligations prior to being applied to any of the issuer’s other obligations in a bankruptcy or other liquidation. In the event that the assets securing the debt security are not sufficient to fully satisfy such obligations in a bankruptcy or other liquidation, the remainder of such obligations will generally have the same priority as an issuer’s trade creditors and other general obligations, but still have priority of payment relative to the issuer’s Preferred Shares and Common Shares. Sometimes referred to as subordinated or mezzanine debt, junior debt stands behind the senior debt as to its rights to receive promised income payments (again, typically denoted as interest) from the issuer, and payouts of the proceeds of bankruptcy or other liquidation, but will have priority of payment relative to the issuer’s Preferred Shares and Common Shares.

Convertible Securities

Convertible securities are hybrid securities that combine the investment characteristics of bonds and common stocks. Convertible securities typically consist of debt securities or preferred securities that may be converted within a specified period of time (typically for the entire life of the security) into a certain amount of common stock or other equity security of the same or a different issuer at a predetermined price. They also include debt securities with warrants or common stock attached and derivatives combining features of debt securities and equity securities. Convertible securities entitle the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt securities, or dividends paid or accrued on preferred securities, until the securities mature or are redeemed, converted or exchanged.

Before conversion, convertible securities have characteristics similar to nonconvertible income securities in that they ordinarily provide a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stocks of the same or similar issuers, but lower yields than comparable nonconvertible securities. The value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value generally declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors also may have an effect on the convertible security’s investment value. Convertible securities are subordinate in rank to any senior debt obligations of the same issuer and, therefore, an issuer’s convertible securities entail more risk than its debt obligations.

REITs

REITs are typically publicly traded corporations or trusts that invest in residential or commercial real estate. REITs generally can be divided into the following three types: (i) equity REITs which invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive their income primarily from rents and capital gains or real estate appreciation; (ii) mortgage REITs which invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgage loans and derive their income primarily from interest payments; and (iii) hybrid REITs which combine the characteristics of equity REITs and mortgage REITs. The Fund can invest in common stock, preferred securities, debt securities and convertible securities issued by REITs.

 

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Foreign Issuers

The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers through the direct investment in securities of such companies and through depositary receipts. For purposes of identifying foreign issuers, the Fund will use Bloomberg classifications, which employ the following factors listed in order of importance: (i) the country in which the company’s management is located, (ii) the country in which the company’s securities are primarily listed, (iii) the country from which the company primarily receives revenue and (iv) the company’s reporting currency. The Fund may purchase depositary receipts such as American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”). ADRs, EDRs and GDRs are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of foreign issuers and are alternatives to purchasing directly the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies.

The Fund may invest in securities of emerging markets issuers. Emerging markets issuers are those (i) whose securities are traded principally on a stock exchange or over-the-counter in an emerging market country, (ii) organized under the laws of an emerging market country or (iii) whose principal place of business or principal office(s) is in an emerging market country. Emerging market countries include any country other than Canada, the United States and the countries comprising the MSCI EAFE® Index (currently, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom).

Derivatives.    The Fund may use derivatives to hedge the risk associated with portfolio holdings or for investment exposure. The specific derivative instruments to be used, or other transactions to be entered into, may include (i) options and futures contracts, including options on common stock, stock indexes, bonds and bond indexes, stock index futures, bond index futures and related instruments, (ii) short sales of securities that the Fund owns or has the right to acquire through the conversion of securities, (iii) structured notes and similar instruments, (iv) credit derivative instruments and (v) currency exchange transactions. Some, but not all, of the derivative instruments may be traded and listed on an exchange. There is no assurance that these derivative strategies will be available at any time or that the Sub-Advisers will determine to use them for the Fund or, if used, that the strategies will be successful.

Under regulations of the CFTC currently in effect, which may change from time to time, with respect to futures contracts to purchase securities and call options on futures contracts purchased by the Fund, the Fund will set aside in a segregated account liquid securities with a value at least equal to the value of instruments underlying such futures contracts less the amount of initial margin on deposit for such contracts. The current view of the staff of the SEC is that the Fund’s long and short positions in futures contracts must be collateralized with cash or certain liquid assets held in a segregated account or “covered” in order to counter the impact of any potential leveraging.

Short-Term Taxable Fixed Income Securities

For temporary defensive purposes or to keep cash on hand fully invested, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its net assets in cash equivalents and short-term taxable fixed-income securities. Short-term taxable fixed income investments are defined to include, without limitation, the following:

(1) U.S. Government securities, including bills, notes and bonds differing as to maturity and rates of interest that are either issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S. Government

 

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Agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Government Agency securities include securities issued by (a) the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Small Business Administration and the Government National Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; (b) the Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks and the Tennessee Valley Authority, whose securities are supported by the right of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (c) the Federal National Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and (d) the Student Loan Marketing Association, whose securities are supported only by its credit. While the U.S. Government provides financial support to such U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it always will do so since it is not so obligated by law. The U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities do not guarantee the market value of their securities. Consequently, the value of such securities may fluctuate.

(2) Certificates of deposit issued against funds deposited in a bank or a savings and loan association. Such certificates are for a definite period of time, earn a specified rate of return and are normally negotiable. The issuer of a certificate of deposit agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the certificate on the date specified thereon. Under current FDIC regulations, the maximum insurance payable as to any one certificate of deposit is $250,000; therefore, certificates of deposit purchased by the Fund may not be fully insured.

(3) Repurchase agreements, which involve purchases of debt securities. At the time the Fund purchases securities pursuant to a repurchase agreement, it simultaneously agrees to resell and redeliver such securities to the seller, who also simultaneously agrees to buy back the securities at a fixed price and time. This assures a predetermined yield for the Fund during its holding period, since the resale price is always greater than the purchase price and reflects an agreed-upon market rate. Such actions afford an opportunity for the Fund to invest temporarily available cash. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements only with respect to obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; certificates of deposit; or bankers’ acceptances in which the Fund may invest. Repurchase agreements may be considered loans to the seller, collateralized by the underlying securities. The risk to the Fund is limited to the ability of the seller to pay the agreed-upon sum on the repurchase date; in the event of default, the repurchase agreement provides that the Fund is entitled to sell the underlying collateral. If the value of the collateral declines after the agreement is entered into, and if the seller defaults under a repurchase agreement when the value of the underlying collateral is less than the repurchase price, the Fund could incur a loss of both principal and interest. The Adviser monitors the value of the collateral at the time the action is entered into and at all times during the term of the repurchase agreement. The Adviser does so in an effort to determine that the value of the collateral always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price to be paid to the Fund. If the seller were to be subject to a federal bankruptcy proceeding, the ability of the Fund to liquidate the collateral could be delayed or impaired because of certain provisions of the bankruptcy laws.

(4) Commercial paper, which consists of short-term unsecured promissory notes, including variable rate master demand notes issued by corporations to finance their current operations. Master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and a corporation. There is no secondary market for such notes, however, they are redeemable by the Fund at any time. The Adviser will consider the financial condition of the corporation (e.g., earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios) and will continuously monitor the corporation’s ability to meet all of its financial obligations, because the Fund’s liquidity might be impaired if the corporation were unable to pay

 

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principal and interest on demand. Investments in commercial paper will be limited to commercial paper rated in the highest categories by S&P, Moody’s or Fitch and that matures within one year of the date of purchase or carries a variable or floating rate of interest.

(5) Bankers’ acceptances, which are credit instruments evidencing the obligation of a bank to pay a draft drawn on it by a customer. These instruments reflect the obligation both of the bank and of the drawer to pay the full amount of the instrument upon maturity.

(6) Variable amount master demand notes, which are unsecured demand notes that permit the indebtedness thereunder to vary and provide for periodic adjustments in the interest rate according to the terms of the instrument. Because master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and the issuer, they are not normally traded. Although there is no secondary market in the notes, the Fund may demand payment of principal and accrued interest at any time. While the notes are not typically rated by credit rating agencies, issuers of variable amount master demand notes (which are normally manufacturing, retail, financial, and other business concerns) must satisfy the same criteria as set forth above for commercial paper.

(7) Variable rate demand obligations (“VRDOs”), which are securities in which the interest rate is adjusted at pre-designated periodic intervals. VRDOs may include a demand feature which is a put that entitles the holder to receive the principal amount of the underlying security or securities and which may be exercised either at any time on no more than 30 days’ notice or at specified intervals not exceeding 397 calendar days on no more than 30 days’ notice.

Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

During temporary defensive periods and in order to keep the Fund’s cash fully invested, the Fund may deviate from its investment objectives and may invest any percentage of its net assets in short-term investments including high quality, short-term debt securities (or in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in preferred securities of the types in which the Fund may invest directly).

Illiquid Securities

The Fund may invest in illiquid securities. For this purpose, illiquid securities include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities the disposition of which is restricted under the federal securities laws), securities that may be resold only pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act but that are deemed to be illiquid, and repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days. The Fund’s Board or its delegate has the ultimate authority to determine, to the extent permissible under the federal securities laws, which securities are liquid or illiquid. The Fund’s Board has delegated to the Adviser and the Sub-Advisers, the day-to-day determination of the illiquidity of any security held by the Fund, although it has retained oversight and ultimate responsibility for such determinations. Although no definitive liquidity criteria are used, the Fund’s Board has directed the Adviser and the Sub-Advisers to look for such factors 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.

 

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Restricted securities may be sold only in privately negotiated transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the 1933 Act. Where registration is required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses, and a considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than that which prevailed when it decided to sell. Illiquid securities will be priced at a fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or its delegatee.

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions

The Fund may buy and sell securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, making payment or taking delivery at a later date, normally within 15 to 45 days of the trade date. This type of transaction may involve an element of risk because no interest accrues on the securities prior to settlement and, because securities are subject to market fluctuations, the value of the securities at time of delivery may be less (or more) than cost. A separate account of the Fund will be established with its custodian consisting of cash equivalents or liquid securities having a market value at all times at least equal to the amount of the commitment.

Interest Rate Transactions

In connection with the Fund’s use of leverage through borrowings or the issuance of Preferred Shares, the Fund may enter into interest rate swap or cap transactions. The payment obligation would be based on the notional amount of the swap.

The Fund may use an interest rate cap, which would require it to pay a premium to the cap counterparty and would entitle it, to the extent that a specified variable rate index exceeds a predetermined fixed rate, to receive from the counterparty payment of the difference based on the notional amount. 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 common share net earnings as a result of leverage.

The Fund will generally enter into swaps or caps on a net basis; that is, the two payment streams will be netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund 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 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, the Fund’s use of interest rate swaps or caps has the potential to enhance or harm the overall performance of the Fund’s Common Shares. Buying interest rate caps could enhance the performance of the shares by providing a maximum leverage expense. Buying interest rate caps could also decrease the net earnings of the 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.

 

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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. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund would not be able to use the anticipated net receipts under the swap or cap to offset the dividend payments on Preferred Shares or interest payments on borrowings. 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 a default could negatively impact the performance of the 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 a Sub-Adviser believes does not have the financial resources to honor its obligation under the interest rate swap or cap transaction. Further, the Sub-Advisers 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 the 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 Fund’s Common Shares.

The Fund may choose or be required to reduce its borrowings or other leverage. Such an event would likely result in the Fund seeking to terminate early all or a portion of any swap or cap transaction. Such early termination of a swap could result in a termination payment by or to the Fund. An early termination of a cap could result in a termination payment to the Fund.

Segregation of Assets

As a closed-end investment company registered with the SEC, the Fund is subject to the federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder, and various interpretive positions of the SEC and its staff. Under current laws, rules and positions, the Fund must maintain liquid assets (often referred to as “asset segregation”), or engage in other SEC staff-approved measures, to “cover” open positions with respect to certain kinds of derivative instruments and financial agreements (such as reverse repurchase agreements). Generally, the Fund will maintain an amount of liquid assets with its custodian in an amount at least equal to the current amount of its obligations under derivative instruments and financial agreements, in accordance with SEC guidance. However, the Fund also may “cover” certain obligations by other means such as through ownership of the underlying investment or financial instrument. The Fund also may enter into offsetting transactions with respect to certain instruments consistent with existing SEC staff guidance so that its combined position, coupled with any liquid assets maintained by its custodian, equals its net outstanding obligation in related derivatives or financial agreements.

The SEC recently adopted new Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, which, among other things, imposes limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into and replaces the asset segregation framework previously used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act. The Fund will comply with the new rule’s requirements on or before the rule’s compliance date in 2022.

The Fund reserves the right to modify its policies in the future to comply with any changes in the positions from time to time articulated by the SEC or its staff.

 

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Other Investment Companies

The Fund may not invest its Managed Assets in securities of other open-end or closed-end investment companies except in compliance with the 1940 Act or any exemptive relief obtained thereunder. The Fund generally expects to invest in other investment companies either during periods when it has large amounts of uninvested cash, such as the period shortly after the Fund receives the proceeds of the offering of its Common Shares, or during periods when there is a shortage of attractive, preferred securities available in the market. As an investor in an investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment company’s expenses, and would remain subject to payment of the Fund’s advisory and administrative fees with respect to assets so invested. Holders of Common Shares would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies. The Sub-Advisers will take expenses into account when evaluating the investment merits of an investment in the investment company relative to available preferred securities. In addition, the securities of other investment companies also may be leveraged and therefore will be subject to the same leverage risks described herein. The NAV 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 Investment Policies and Techniques of the Fund

Portfolio Trading and Turnover Rate.    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. High portfolio turnover may result in the realization of net short-term capital gains by the Fund, which when distributed to shareholders will be taxable as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

Zero Coupon Bonds and Other OID Instruments.    A zero coupon bond is a bond that typically does not pay interest for its entire life. When held to its maturity, the holder receives the par value of the zero coupon bond, which generates a return equal to the difference between the purchase price and its maturity value. A zero coupon bond is normally issued and traded at a deep discount from face value. This original issue discount (“OID”) approximates the total amount of interest the security will accrue and compound prior to its maturity and reflects the payment deferral and credit risk associated with the instrument. Because zero coupon securities and other OID instruments do not pay cash interest at regular intervals, the instruments’ ongoing accruals require ongoing judgments concerning the collectability of deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral. As a result, these securities may be subject to greater value fluctuations and less liquidity in the event of adverse market conditions than comparably rated securities that pay cash on a current basis. Because zero coupon bonds, and OID instruments generally, allow an issuer to avoid or delay the need to generate cash to meet current interest payments, they may involve greater payment deferral and credit risk than coupon loans and bonds that pay interest currently or in cash. The Fund generally will be required to distribute dividends to shareholders representing the income of these instruments as it accrues, even though the Fund will not receive all of the income on a current basis or in cash. Thus, the Fund may have to sell other investments, including when it may not be advisable to do so, and use the cash proceeds to make distributions to its shareholders. For accounting purposes, these cash distributions to shareholders will not be treated as a return of capital.

 

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Further, the Adviser collects management fees on the value of a zero coupon bond or OID instrument attributable to the ongoing non-cash accrual of interest over the life of the bond or other instrument. As a result, the Adviser receives non-refundable cash payments based on such non-cash accruals while investors incur the risk that such non-cash accruals ultimately may not be realized.

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Trustees and Officers

The management of the Fund, including general supervision of the duties performed for the Fund under the Investment Management Agreement (as defined under “Investment Adviser, Sub-Advisers and Portfolio Managers—Investment Management Agreement and Related Fees”), is the responsibility of the Board. The number of trustees of the Fund is ten, all of whom are not interested persons (referred to herein as “independent trustees”). None of the independent trustees has ever been a director, trustee or employee of, or consultant to, Nuveen, LLC (“Nuveen”), Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management, or their affiliates. The Board is divided into three classes, Class I, Class II and Class III, the Class I trustees serving until the 2022 annual meeting, the Class II trustees serving until the 2023 annual meeting and the Class III trustees serving until the 2021 annual meeting, in each case until their respective successors are elected and qualified, as described below. Currently, William C. Hunter, Judith M. Stockdale, Carole E. Stone and Margaret L. Wolff are slated in Class I, John K. Nelson, Terence J. Toth and Robert L. Young are slated in Class II, and Jack B. Evans, Albin F. Moschner and Matthew Thornton III are slated in Class III. If the Fund has Preferred Shares outstanding, two of the Fund’s trustees will be elected by the holders of such Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class. The remaining trustees of the Fund are elected by holders of Common Shares and Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class. In the event that the Fund fails to pay dividends on outstanding Preferred Shares for two years, holders of Preferred Shares are entitled to elect a majority of trustees of the Fund. The officers of the Fund serve indefinite terms until their successor has been duly elected and qualified, their death or their resignation or removal. The names, business addresses and years of birth of the trustees and officers of the Fund, their principal occupations and other affiliations during the past five years, the number of portfolios each trustee oversees and other directorships they hold are set forth below. Except as noted in the table below, the trustees of the Fund are directors or trustees, as the case may be, of 144 Nuveen-sponsored registered investment companies (the “Nuveen Funds”), which includes 68 open-end mutual funds (the “Nuveen Mutual Funds”), 63 closed-end funds and 13 Nushares ETFs.

 

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Table of Contents

Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served

with Funds in the
Fund Complex
 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund Complex
Overseen
By Trustee
 

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
During Past
Five Years

Independent Trustees:

Terence J. Toth

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1959)

  Chair of
the Board
and
Trustee
  Term—Class II
Length of
Service—
Since 2008
  Formerly, Co-Founding Partner, Promus Capital (investment advisory firm) (2008-2017); Director of Quality Control Corporation (manufacturing) (since 2012); formerly, Director, Fulcrum IT Service LLC (information technology services firm to government entities) (2010-2019); formerly, Director LogicMark LLC (health services) (2012-2016); formerly, Director, Legal & General Investment Management America, Inc. (asset management) (2008-2013); formerly, CEO and President, Northern Trust Global Investments (financial services) (2004-2007); Executive Vice President, Quantitative Management & Securities Lending (2000-2004); prior thereto, various positions with Northern Trust Company (financial services) (since 1994); Member of Catalyst Schools of Chicago Board (since 2008) and Mather Foundation Board (philanthropy) (since 2012) and is Chair of its Investment Committee; formerly, Member, Chicago Fellowship Board (philanthropy) (2005-2016); formerly, Member, Northern Trust Mutual Funds Board (2005-2007), Northern Trust Global Investments Board (2004-2007), Northern Trust Japan Board (2004-2007), Northern Trust Securities Inc. Board (2003-2007) and Northern Trust Hong Kong Board (1997-2004).   144   None.

 

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Table of Contents

Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served

with Funds in the
Fund Complex
 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
By Trustee
 

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
During Past
Five Years

Jack B. Evans

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1948)

  Trustee   Term—Class III
Length of
Service—
Since 1999
  Chairman (since 2019), formerly, President (1996-2019), The Hall-Perrine Foundation (private philanthropic corporation); Life Trustee of Coe College and the Iowa College Foundation; formerly, Director, Public Member, American Board of Orthapaedic Surgery (2015-2020); formerly, Director (1998-2003), Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago; formerly, President and Chief Operating Officer, (1972-1995), SCI Financial Group, Inc. (regional financial services firm); formerly, Member and President Pro Tem of the Board of Regents for the State of Iowa University System (2000-2004); formerly, Director (1996-2015), The Gazette Company (media and publishing).   144   Director and Chairman (since 2009), United Fire Group, a publicly held company; formerly, Director (2000-2004), Alliant Energy.

William C. Hunter

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1948)

  Trustee   Term—Class I
Length of
Service—
Since 2003
  Dean Emeritus, formerly, Dean (2006-2012), Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa; past Director (2005-2015) and past President (2010-2014) of Beta Gamma Sigma, Inc., The International Business Honor Society; formerly, Director (1997-2007), Credit Research Center at Georgetown University; formerly, Dean and Distinguished Professor of Finance (2003-2006), School of Business at the University of Connecticut; previously, Senior Vice President and Director of Research (1995-2003) at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.   144   Director (since 2009) of Wellmark, Inc.; formerly, Director (2004-2018) of Xerox Corporation. .

 

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Table of Contents

Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served

with Funds in the
Fund Complex
 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
By Trustee
 

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
During Past
Five Years

Albin F. Moschner

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1952)

  Trustee   Term—Class III

Length of
Service—
Since 2016

  Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Northcroft Partners, LLC (management consulting) (since 2012); previously, held positions at Leap Wireless International, Inc. (consumer wireless services), including Consultant (2011-2012), Chief Operating Officer (2008-2011) and Chief Marketing Officer (2004-2008); formerly, President, Verizon Card Services division of Verizon Communications, Inc. (telecommunication services) (2000-2003); formerly, President, One Point Services at One Point Communications (telecommunication services) (1999-2000); formerly, Vice Chairman of the Board, Diba, Incorporated (internet technology provider) (1996-1997); formerly, various executive positions (1991-1996), including Chief Executive Officer (1995-1996), with Zenith Electronics Corporation (consumer electronics).   144   Formerly, Chairman (2019) and Director (2012-2019), USA Technologies, Inc., a provider of solutions and services to facilitate electronic payment transactions; formerly, Director, Wintrust Financial Corporation (1996-2016).

 

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Table of Contents

Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served

with Funds in the
Fund Complex
 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
By Trustee
 

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
During Past
Five Years

John K. Nelson

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1962)

  Trustee   Term—Class II
Length of
Service—
Since 2013
  Member of Board of Directors of Core12 LLC (private firm which develops branding, marketing and communications strategies for clients) (since 2008); served The President’s Council of Fordham University (2010-2019) and previously a Director of the Curran Center for Catholic American Studies (2009-2018); formerly, senior external advisor to the Financial Services practice of Deloitte Consulting LLP. (2012-2014); former Chair of the Board of Trustees of Marian University (2010-2014 as trustee, 2011-2014 as Chair); formerly Chief Executive Officer of ABN AMRO Bank N.V., North America, and Global Head of the Financial Markets Division (2007-2008), with various executive leadership roles in ABN AMRO Bank N.V. between 1996 and 2007.   144   None.

Judith M. Stockdale

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1947)

  Trustee   Term—Class I
Length of
Service—
Since 1997
  Board Member of the Land Trust Alliance (national public charity addressing natural land and water conservation in the U.S.) (since 2013); formerly, Board Member of the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (national endowment addressing forest health, sustainable forest production and markets, and economic health of forest-reliant communities in the U.S.) (2013-2019); formerly, Executive Director (1994-2012), Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation (private foundation endowed to support both natural land conservation and artistic vitality); prior thereto, Executive Director, Great Lakes Protection Fund (endowment created jointly by seven of the eight Great Lake states’ Governors to take a regional approach to improving the health of the Great Lakes) (1990-1994).   144   None.

 

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Table of Contents

Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

   Position(s)
Held with
Fund
   Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served

with Funds in the
Fund Complex
  

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

   Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
By Trustee
  

Other
Directorships Held
by
Trustee
During Past
Five Years

Carole E. Stone

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1947)

   Trustee    Term—Class I
Length of
Service—
Since 2007
   Former Director, Chicago Board Options Exchange (2006-2017) and C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated (2009-2017); formerly, Commissioner, New York State Commission on Public Authority Reform (2005-2010).    144    Formerly, Director, Cboe Global Markets, Inc.(2010-2020) (formerly named CBOE Holdings, Inc.).

Matthew Thornton III

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1958)

   Trustee    Term—Class III
Length of
Service—
Since 2020
   Formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (2018-2019), FedEx Freight Corporation, a subsidiary of FedEx Corporation (“FedEx”) (provider of transportation, e-commerce and business services through its portfolio of companies); formerly, Senior Vice President, U.S. Operations (2006-2018), Federal Express Corporation, a subsidiary of FedEx; formerly, Member of the Board of Directors (2012-2018), Safe Kids Worldwide® (non-profit organization dedicated to preventing childhood injuries).    144    Member of the Board of Directors (since 2014), The Sherwin-Williams Company (develops, manufactures, distributes and sells paints, coatings and related products); Member of the Board of Directors (since 2020), Crown Castle International (provider of communications infrastructure).

 

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Table of Contents

Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

   Position(s)
Held with
Fund
   Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served

with Funds in the
Fund Complex
  

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

   Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
By Trustee
  

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee
During Past
Five Years

Margaret L. Wolff

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1955)

   Trustee    Term—Class I
Length of
Service—
Since 2016
   Formerly, Of Counsel (2005-2014), Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (Mergers & Acquisitions Group) (legal services); Member of the Board of Trustees of New York-Presbyterian Hospital (since 2005); Member (since 2004) and Chair (since 2015) of the Board of Trustees of The John A. Hartford Foundation (philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults); formerly, Member (2005-2015) and Vice Chair (2011- 2015) of the Board of Trustees of Mt. Holyoke College.    144    Formerly, Member of the Board of Directors (2013-2017) of Travelers Insurance Company of Canada and The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company (each, a part of Travelers Canada, the Canadian operation of The Travelers Companies, Inc.).

Robert L. Young

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1963)

   Trustee    Term—Class II
Length of
Service—
Since 2017
   Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Director, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (financial services) (2010-2016); formerly, President and Principal Executive Officer (2013-2016), and Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (2005-2010), of J.P. Morgan Funds; formerly, Director and various officer positions for J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (formerly, JPMorgan Funds Management, Inc. and formerly, One Group Administrative Services) and JPMorgan Distribution Services, Inc. (financial services) (formerly, One Group Dealer Services, Inc.) (1999-2017).    144    None.

 

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Table of Contents

OFFICERS OF THE FUND:

 

Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served

with Funds in the
Fund Complex
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

David J. Lamb

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1963)

  Chief
Administrative
Officer
  Term—Indefinite
Length of Service—
Since 2015
  Managing Director of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC and Nuveen Securities, LLC (since 2020); Managing Director (since 2017), formerly, Senior Vice President, of Nuveen, LLC (2006-2017), Vice President prior to 2006.

Mark J. Czarniecki

901 Marquette Avenue

Minneapolis, MN 55402

(1979)

  Vice President
and Assistant
Secretary
  Term—Indefinite
Length of Service—
Since 2013
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Securities, LLC (since 2016) and Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (since 2017); Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (since 2018); Vice President and Associate General Counsel of Nuveen, LLC (since 2013).

Diana R. Gonzalez

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1978)

  Vice President
and Assistant
Secretary
  Term—Indefinite
Length of Service—
Since 2017
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (since 2017); Vice President and Associate General Counsel of Nuveen, LLC (since 2017); Associate General Counsel of Jackson National Asset Management (2012-2017).

Nathaniel T. Jones

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1979)

  Vice President
and Treasurer
  Term—Indefinite

Length of Service—
Since 2016

  Managing Director (since 2017), formerly, Senior Vice President (2016-2017), formerly, Vice President (2011-2016), of Nuveen, LLC; Managing Director (since 2015) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Chartered Financial Analyst.

Tina M. Lazar

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1961)

  Vice President   Term—Indefinite

Length of Service—
Since 2002

  Managing Director (since 2017), formerly, Senior Vice President (2014-2017), of Nuveen Securities, LLC.

Brian J. Lockhart

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1974)

  Vice President   Term—Indefinite

Length of Service—

Since 2019

  Managing Director (since 2019) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Managing Director (since January 2017), formerly, Vice President (2010-2017), of Nuveen, LLC; Head of Investment Oversight (since September 2017), formerly, Team Leader of Manager Oversight (2015-2017); Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Financial Risk Manager.

Jacques M. Longerstaey

8500 Andrew Carnegie Boulevard

Charlotte, NC 28262

(1963)

  Vice President   Term—Indefinite

Length of Service—

Since 2019

  Senior Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer of Nuveen, LLC (since May 2019); Senior Managing Director (since May 2019) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; formerly, Chief Investment and Model Risk Officer, Wealth & Investment Management Division, Wells Fargo Bank (NA) (2013-2019).

 

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Table of Contents

Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served

with Funds in the
Fund Complex
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Kevin J. McCarthy

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1966)

  Vice President
and Assistant
Secretary
  Term—Indefinite

Length of Service—
Since 2007

  Senior Managing Director (since 2017) and Secretary and General Counsel (since 2016) of Nuveen Investments, Inc., formerly, Executive Vice President (2016-2017) and Managing Director and Assistant Secretary (2008-2016); Senior Managing Director (since 2017) and Assistant Secretary (since 2008) of Nuveen Securities, LLC, formerly Executive Vice President (2016-2017) and Managing Director (2008-2016); Senior Managing Director (since 2017) and Secretary (since 2016) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, formerly, Co-General Counsel (2011-2020), Executive Vice President (2016-2017), Managing Director, (2008-2016) and Assistant Secretary (2007-2016); Senior Managing Director (since 2017) and Secretary (since 2016) of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, formerly, Associate General Counsel (2011-2020), Executive Vice President (2016-2017) and Managing Director and Assistant Secretary (2011-2016); Vice President (since 2007) and Secretary (since 2016) (formerly, Assistant Secretary) of NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC, Santa Barbara Asset Management, LLC and Winslow Capital Management, LLC (since 2010); Senior Managing Director (since 2017) and Secretary (since 2016) of Nuveen Alternative Investments, LLC.

Jon Scott Meissner

8500 Andrew Carnegie Boulevard

Charlotte, NC 28262

(1973)

  Vice President
and Assistant
Secretary
  Term—Indefinite

Length of Service—
Since 2019

  Managing Director of Mutual Fund Tax and Financial Reporting groups at Nuveen, LLC (since 2017); Managing Director (since 2019) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Senior Director of Teachers Advisors, LLC and TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC (since 2016); Senior Director (since 2015), Mutual Fund Taxation to the TIAA-CREF Funds, the TIAA-CREF Life Funds, the TIAA Separate Account VA-1 and the CREF Accounts; has held various positions with TIAA since 2004.

 

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Table of Contents

Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served

with Funds in the
Fund Complex
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Deann D. Morgan

730 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10017

(1969)

  Vice President   Term—Indefinite
Length of Service—

Since February 2020

  President of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (since 2020); Executive Vice President, Global Head of Product at Nuveen, LLC (since November 2019); Co-Chief Executive Officer of Nuveen Securities, LLC (since 2020); Managing Member of MDR Collaboratory LLC (since 2018); Managing Director, Head of Wealth Management Product Structuring & COO Multi Asset Investing, The Blackstone Group (2013-2017).

Christopher M. Rohrbacher

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1971)

  Vice President
and Assistant
Secretary
  Term—Indefinite
Length of Service—
Since 2008
  Managing Director (since 2017), General Counsel (since 2020) and Assistant Secretary (since 2016), formerly, Senior Vice President (2016-2017), of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Managing Director (since 2017) of Nuveen Securities, LLC; Managing Director, Managing Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (since 2020); Managing Director (since 2017) and Managing Associate General Counsel (since 2016), formerly, Senior Vice President (2012-2017) and Assistant General Counsel (2008-2016), of Nuveen, LLC.

William A. Siffermann

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1975)

  Vice President   Term—Indefinite
Length of Service—
Since 2017
  Managing Director (since 2017), formerly, Senior Vice President (2016-2017) and Vice President (2011-2016), of Nuveen, LLC.

E. Scott Wickerham

8500 Andrew Carnegie

Boulevard

Charlotte, NC 28262

(1973)

  Vice President
and Controller
  Term—Indefinite
Length of Service—
Since 2019
  Senior Managing Director, Head of Fund Administration of Nuveen, LLC (since 2019), formerly, Managing Director; Senior Managing Director (since 2019) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (since 2017) of the TIAA-CREF Funds, the TIAA-CREF Life Funds, the TIAA Separate Account VA-1 and Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer (since 2020) and Treasurer (since 2017) to the CREF Accounts; formerly, Senior Director, TIAA-CREF Fund Administration (2014-2015); has held various positions with TIAA since 2006.

 

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Table of Contents

Name, Business Address

and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served

with Funds in the
Fund Complex
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Mark L. Winget

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1968)

  Vice President
and Secretary
  Term—Indefinite
Length of Service—
Since 2008
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Securities, LLC (since 2008); Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (since 2019); Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (since 2020); Vice President (since 2010) and Associate General Counsel (since 2019), formerly, Assistant General Counsel (2008-2016), of Nuveen, LLC.

Gifford R. Zimmerman

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

(1956)

  Chief
Compliance
Officer and
Vice President
  Term—Indefinite
Length of Service—
Since 1988
  Formerly, Managing Director (2002-2020) and Assistant Secretary (2002-2020) of Nuveen Securities, LLC; formerly, Managing Director (2002-2020), Assistant Secretary (1997-2020) and Co-General Counsel (2011-2020) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Managing Director (since 2004) and Assistant Secretary (since 1994) of Nuveen Investments, Inc.; formerly, Managing Director, Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (2011-2020); formerly, Vice President and Assistant Secretary of NWQ Investment Management Company (2002-2020), LLC, Santa Barbara Asset Management, LLC (2006-2020) and Winslow Capital Management, LLC (2010-2020); Chartered Financial Analyst.

Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight

The Board of Directors or the Board of Trustees (as the case may be, each is referred to hereafter as the “Board” and the trustees or directors of the Nuveen Funds, as applicable, are referred to herein as “Trustees”) oversees the operations and management of the Nuveen Funds, including the duties performed for the Nuveen Funds by Nuveen Fund Advisors and each Nuveen Fund’s sub-adviser(s), as applicable. The Board has adopted a unitary board structure. A unitary board consists of one group of Trustees who serve on the board of every Nuveen Fund in the fund complex. In adopting a unitary board structure, the Trustees seek to provide effective governance through establishing a board, the overall composition of which will, as a body, possess the appropriate skills, diversity (including, among other things, gender, race and ethnicity), independence and experience to oversee the Fund’s business. With this overall framework in mind, when the Board, through its Nominating and Governance Committee discussed below, seeks nominees for the Board, the Trustees consider, not only the candidate’s particular background, skills and experience, among other things, but also whether such background, skills and experience enhance the Board’s diversity and at the same time complement the Board given its current composition and the mix of skills and experiences of the incumbent Trustees. The Nominating and Governance Committee believes that the Board generally

 

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benefits from diversity of background (including, among other things, gender, race and ethnicity), skills, experience and views among its members, and considers this a factor in evaluating the composition of the Board, but has not adopted any specific policy on diversity or any particular definition of diversity.

The Board believes the unitary board structure enhances good and effective governance, particularly given the nature of the structure of the investment company complex. Funds in the same complex generally are served by the same service providers and personnel and are governed by the same regulatory scheme which raises common issues that must be addressed by the trustees across the fund complex (such as compliance, valuation, liquidity, brokerage, trade allocation or risk management). The Board believes it is more efficient to have a single board review and oversee common policies and procedures which increases the Board’s knowledge and expertise with respect to the many aspects of fund operations that are complex-wide in nature. The unitary structure also enhances the Board’s influence and oversight over Nuveen Fund Advisors and other service providers.

In an effort to enhance the independence of the Board, the Board also has a chair that is an independent trustee. The Board recognizes that a chair can perform an important role in setting the agenda for the Board, establishing the boardroom culture, establishing a point person on behalf of the Board for fund management, and reinforcing the Board’s focus on the long-term interests of shareholders. The Board recognizes that a chair may be able to better perform these functions without any conflicts of interests arising from a position with fund management. Terence J. Toth currently serves as the Independent Chair of the Board. Pursuant to the Fund’s By-Laws, the Chair shall perform all duties incident to the office of Chair of the Board and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the trustees or the By-Laws.

Although the Board has direct responsibility over various matters (such as advisory contracts, underwriting contracts and Fund performance), the Board also exercises certain of its oversight responsibilities through several committees that it has established and which report back to the full Board. The Board believes that a committee structure is an effective means to permit Trustees to focus on particular operations or issues affecting the Nuveen Funds, including risk oversight. More specifically, with respect to risk oversight, the Board has delegated matters relating to valuation and compliance to certain committees (as summarized below) as well as certain aspects of investment risk. In addition, the Board believes that the periodic rotation of Trustees among the different committees allows the Trustees to gain additional and different perspectives of the Fund’s operations. The Board has established six standing committees: the Executive Committee, the Dividend Committee, the Audit Committee, the Compliance, Risk Management and Regulatory Oversight Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Closed-End Funds Committee. The Board may also from time to time create ad hoc committees to focus on particular issues as the need arises. The membership and functions of the standing committees are summarized below.

The Executive Committee, which meets between regular meetings of the Board, is authorized to exercise all of the powers of the Board. The members of the Executive Committee are Mr. Toth (Chair), Mr. Moschner and Ms. Wolff. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, the Executive Committee did not meet.

The Dividend Committee is authorized to declare distributions on each Nuveen Fund’s shares including, but not limited to, regular and special dividends, capital gains and ordinary income distributions. The members of the Dividend Committee are Dr. Hunter, Mr. Moschner, Ms. Wolff and Mr. Young (Chair). During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, the Dividend Committee met four (4) times.

 

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The Board has an Audit Committee, in accordance with Section 3(a) (58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), that is composed of Independent Trustees who are also “independent” as that term is defined in the listing standards of the NYSE pertaining to closed-end funds. The Audit Committee assists the Board in the oversight and monitoring of the accounting and reporting policies, processes and practices of the Nuveen Funds, and the audits of the financial statements of the Nuveen Funds; the quality and integrity of the financial statements of the Nuveen Funds; the Nuveen Funds’ compliance with legal and regulatory requirements relating to the Nuveen Funds’ financial statements; the independent auditors’ qualifications, performance and independence; and the pricing procedures of the Nuveen Funds and the internal valuation group of Nuveen. It is the responsibility of the Audit Committee to select, evaluate and replace any independent auditors (subject only to Board and, if applicable, shareholder ratification) and to determine their compensation. The Audit Committee is also responsible for, among other things, overseeing the valuation of securities comprising the Nuveen Funds’ portfolios. Subject to the Board’s general supervision of such actions, the Audit Committee addresses any valuation issues, oversees the Nuveen Funds’ pricing procedures and actions taken by Nuveen’s internal valuation group which provides regular reports to the committee, reviews any issues relating to the valuation of the Nuveen Funds’ securities brought to its attention and considers the risks to the Nuveen Funds in assessing the possible resolutions to these matters. The Audit Committee also may consider any financial risk exposures for the Nuveen Funds in conjunction with performing its functions.

To fulfill its oversight duties, the Audit Committee receives annual and semi-annual reports and has regular meetings with the external auditors for the Nuveen Funds and Nuveen Fund Advisors’ internal audit group at Nuveen Investments. The Audit Committee also may review in a general manner the processes the Board or other Board committees have in place with respect to risk assessment and risk management as well as compliance with legal and regulatory matters relating to the Nuveen Funds’ financial statements. The committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board. Members of the Audit Committee shall be independent (as set forth in the charter) and free of any relationship that, in the opinion of the trustees, would interfere with their exercise of independent judgment as an Audit Committee member. The members of the Audit Committee are Mr. Evans, Dr. Hunter, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Moschner, Mrs. Stockdale and Mrs. Stone (Chair), each of whom is an Independent Trustee of the Nuveen Funds. A copy of the Charter is available at www.nuveen.com/fund-governance. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, the Audit Committee met four (4) times.

The Compliance, Risk Management and Regulatory Oversight Committee (the “Compliance Committee”) is responsible for the oversight of compliance issues, risk management and other regulatory matters affecting the Fund that are not otherwise under or within the jurisdiction of the other committees. The Board has adopted and periodically reviews policies and procedures designed to address the Fund’s compliance and risk matters. As part of its duties, the Compliance Committee reviews the policies and procedures relating to compliance matters and recommends modifications thereto as necessary or appropriate to the full Board; develops new policies and procedures as new regulatory matters affecting the Fund arise from time to time; evaluates or considers any comments or reports from examinations from regulatory authorities and responses thereto; and performs any special reviews, investigations or other oversight responsibilities relating to risk management, compliance and/or regulatory matters as requested by the Board.

In addition, the Compliance Committee is responsible for risk oversight, including, but not limited to, the oversight of risks related to investments and operations. Such risks include, among other

 

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things, exposures to particular issuers, market sectors, or types of securities; risks related to product structure elements, such as leverage; and techniques that may be used to address those risks, such as hedging and swaps. In assessing issues brought to the Compliance Committee’s attention or in reviewing a particular policy, procedure, investment technique or strategy, the Compliance Committee evaluates the risks to the Fund in adopting a particular approach or resolution compared to the anticipated benefits to the Fund and its shareholders. In fulfilling its obligations, the Compliance Committee meets on a quarterly basis, and at least once a year in person. The Compliance Committee receives written and oral reports from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and meets privately with the CCO at each of its quarterly meetings. The CCO also provides an annual report to the full Board regarding the operations of the Fund’s and other service providers’ compliance programs as well as any recommendations for modifications thereto. The Compliance Committee also receives reports from the investment services group of Nuveen regarding various investment risks. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the full Board also participates in discussions with management regarding certain matters relating to investment risk, such as the use of leverage and hedging. The investment services group therefore also reports to the full Board at its quarterly meetings regarding, among other things, Fund performance and the various drivers of such performance. Accordingly, the Board directly and/or in conjunction with the Compliance Committee oversees matters relating to investment risks. Matters not addressed at the committee level are addressed directly by the full Board. The Compliance Committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board. The members of the Compliance Committee are Ms. Wolff, Chair, Mr. Nelson Mr. Thornton, Mr. Toth and Mr. Young. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, the Compliance Committee met six (6) times.

The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for seeking, identifying and recommending to the Board qualified candidates for election or appointment to the Board. In addition, the Nominating and Governance Committee oversees matters of corporate governance, including the evaluation of Board performance and processes, the assignment and rotation of committee members, and the establishment of corporate governance guidelines and procedures, to the extent necessary or desirable, and matters related thereto. Although the unitary and committee structure has been developed over the years and the Nominating and Governance Committee believes the structure has provided efficient and effective governance, the Nominating and Governance Committee recognizes that, as demands on the Board evolve over time (such as through an increase in the number of funds overseen or an increase in the complexity of the issues raised), the Nominating and Governance Committee must continue to evaluate the Board and committee structures and their processes and modify the foregoing as may be necessary or appropriate to continue to provide effective governance. Accordingly, the Nominating and Governance Committee has a separate meeting each year to, among other things, review the Board and committee structures, their performance and functions, and recommend any modifications thereto or alternative structures or processes that would enhance the Board’s governance over the Fund’s business.

In addition, the Nominating and Governance Committee, among other things, makes recommendations concerning the continuing education of Trustees; monitors performance of legal counsel and other service providers; establishes and monitors a process by which security holders are able to communicate in writing with members of the Board; and periodically reviews and makes recommendations about any appropriate changes to trustee compensation. In the event of a vacancy on the Board, the Nominating and Governance Committee receives suggestions from various sources, including suggestions from fund security holders, as to suitable candidates. Suggestions should be sent in writing to William Siffermann, Manager of Fund Board Relations, Nuveen LLC, 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606. The Nominating and Governance Committee sets appropriate standards and

 

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requirements for nominations for new Trustees reserves the right to interview any and all candidates and to make the final selection of any new Trustees. In considering a candidate’s qualifications, each candidate must meet certain basic requirements, including relevant skills and experience, time availability (including the time requirements for due diligence site visits to internal and external sub-advisers and service providers) and, if qualifying as an Independent Trustee candidate, independence from the Nuveen Fund Advisors, subadvisors underwriters or other service providers, including any affiliates of these entities. These skill and experience requirements may vary depending on the current composition of the Board, since the goal is to ensure an appropriate range of skills, diversity and experience, in the aggregate. Accordingly, the particular factors considered and weight given to these factors will depend on the composition of the Board and the skills and backgrounds of the incumbent Trustees at the time of consideration of the nominees. All candidates, however, must meet high expectations of personal integrity, independence, governance experience and professional competence. All candidates must be willing to be critical within the Board and with management and yet maintain a collegial and collaborative manner toward other Board members. The committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board. This committee is composed of the Independent Trustees of the Nuveen Funds. The members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are Mr. Toth (Chair), Mr. Evans, Dr. Hunter, Mr. Moschner, Mr. Nelson, Mrs. Stockdale, Mrs. Stone, Mr. Thornton, Mrs. Wolff and Mr. Young. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, the Nominating and Governance Committee met four (4) times.

The Closed-End Funds Committee is responsible for assisting the Board in the oversight and monitoring of the Nuveen Funds that are registered as closed-end management investment companies (“Closed-End Funds”). The committee may review and evaluate matters related to the formation and the initial presentation to the Board of any new Closed-End Fund and may review and evaluate any matters relating to any existing Closed-End Fund. The Closed-End Funds Committee receives updates on the secondary closed-end fund market and evaluates the premiums and discounts of the Nuveen closed-end funds, including the Fund, at each quarterly meeting. The Closed-End Funds Committee reviews, among other things, the premium and discount trends in the broader closed-end fund market, by asset category and by closed-end fund; the historical total return performance data for the Nuveen closed-end funds, including the Fund, based on net asset value and price over various periods; the volatility trends in the market; the use of leverage by the Nuveen closed-end funds, including the Fund; the distribution data of the Nuveen closed-end funds, including the Fund, and as compared to peer averages; and a summary of common share issuances, if any, and share repurchases, if any, during the applicable quarter by the Nuveen closed-end funds, including the Fund. The Closed-End Funds Committee regularly engages in more in-depth discussions of premiums and discounts of the Nuveen closed-end funds. Additionally, the Closed-End Funds Committee members participate in workshops to explore, among other things, actions to address discounts of the Nuveen closed-end funds, potential share repurchases and available leverage strategies and their use.

The committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board. The members of the Closed-End Funds Committee are Mr. Evans (Chair), Dr. Hunter, Mrs. Wolff, Mr. Toth and Mr. Young. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, the Closed-End Funds Committee met four (4) times.

Board Diversification and Trustee Qualifications. In determining that a particular Trustee was qualified to serve on the Board, the Board considered each Trustee’s background, skills, experience and other attributes in light of the composition of the Board with no particular factor controlling. The Board believes that Trustees need to have the ability to critically review, evaluate,

 

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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, and the Board believes each Trustee satisfies this standard. An effective Trustee may achieve this ability through his or her educational background; business, professional training or practice; public service or academic positions; experience from service as a board member or executive of investment funds, public companies or significant private or not-for-profit entities or other organizations; and/or other life experiences. Accordingly, set forth below is a summary of the experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills that led to the conclusion, as of the date of this document, that each Trustee should serve in that capacity. References to the experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills of Trustees are pursuant to requirements of the SEC, do not constitute holding out the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.

Jack B. Evans.    Mr. Evans has served as Chairman (since 2019), formerly, President (1996-2019) of the Hall-Perrine Foundation, a private philanthropic corporation. Mr. Evans was formerly President and Chief Operating Officer (1972-1995) of the SCI Financial Group, Inc., a regional financial services firm headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was a member of the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago from 1998 to 2003 as well as a Director of Alliant Energy from 2000 to 2004 and President Pro Tem of the Board of Regents for the State of Iowa University System from 2000 to 2004. Mr. Evans is Chairman of the Board (since 2009) of United Fire Group, is a Life Trustee of Coe College and the Iowa College Foundation and formerly served as a Director and Public Member of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery from 2015 to 2020 and served on the Board of The Gazette Company from 1996 to 2015. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Coe College and a M.B.A. from the University of Iowa. Mr. Evans joined the Board in 1999.

William C. Hunter.    Dr. Hunter became Dean Emeritus of the Henry B. Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa in 2012, after having served as Dean of the College since July 2006. He had been Dean and Distinguished Professor of Finance at the University of Connecticut School of Business from 2003 to 2006. From 1995 to 2003, he was the Senior Vice President and Director of Research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. He has held faculty positions at Emory University, Atlanta University, the University of Georgia and Northwestern University. He has consulted with numerous foreign central banks and official agencies in Europe, Asia, Central America and South America. He has been a Director of Wellmark, Inc. since 2009. He is a past Director (2005-2015) and a past President (2010-2014) of Beta Gamma Sigma, Inc., The International Business Honor Society and a past Director (2004-2018) of the Xerox Corporation. Dr. Hunter received his PhD (1978) and MBA (1970) from Northwestern University and his BS from Hampton University (1970). Dr. Hunter joined the Board in 2004.

Albin F. Moschner.    Mr. Moschner is a consultant in the wireless industry and, in July 2012, founded Northcroft Partners, LLC, a management consulting firm that provides operational, management and governance solutions. Prior to founding Northcroft Partners, LLC, Mr. Moschner held various positions at Leap Wireless International, Inc., a provider of wireless services, where he was a consultant from February 2011 to July 2012, Chief Operating Officer from July 2008 to February 2011, and Chief Marketing Officer from August 2004 to June 2008. Before he joined Leap Wireless International, Inc., Mr. Moschner was President of the Verizon Card Services division of Verizon Communications, Inc. from 2000 to 2003, and President of One Point Services at One Point Communications from 1999 to 2000. Mr. Moschner also served at Zenith Electronics Corporation as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer from 1995 to 1996, and as Director, President and

 

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Chief Operating Officer from 1994 to 1995. Mr. Moschner was formerly Chairman (2019) and a member of the Board of Directors (2012-2019) of USA Technologies, Inc. and, from 1996 until 2016, he was a member of the Board of Directors of Wintrust Financial Corporation. In addition, he is emeritus (since 2018) of the Advisory Boards of the Kellogg School of Management (1995-2018) and the Archdiocese of Chicago Financial Council (2012-2018). Mr. Moschner received a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering from The City College of New York in 1974 and a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University in 1979. Mr. Moschner joined the Board in 2016.

John K. Nelson.    Mr. Nelson is on the Board of Directors of Core12, LLC. (since 2008), a private firm which develops branding, marketing, and communications strategies for clients. Mr. Nelson has extensive experience in global banking and markets, having served in several senior executive positions with ABN AMRO Holdings N.V. and its affiliated entities and predecessors, including LaSalle Bank Corporation from 1996 to 2008, ultimately serving as Chief Executive Officer of ABN AMRO N.V. North America. During his tenure at the bank, he also served as Global Head of its Financial Markets Division, which encompassed the bank’s Currency, Commodity, Fixed Income, Emerging Markets, and Derivatives businesses. He was a member of the Foreign Exchange Committee of the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States and during his tenure with ABN AMRO served as the bank’s representative on various committees of The Bank of Canada, European Central Bank, and The Bank of England. Mr. Nelson previously served as a senior, external advisor to the financial services practice of Deloitte Consulting LLP (2012 to 2014). At Fordham University, he served as a director of The President’s Council (2010 to 2019) and previously served as a director of The Curran Center for Catholic American Studies (2009-2018). He served as a trustee and Chairman of The Board of Trustees of Marian University (2011-2013). Mr. Nelson is a graduate of Fordham University and holds a BA in Economics (1984) and an MBA in Finance (1991). Mr. Nelson joined the Board in 2013.

Judith M. Stockdale.    Ms. Stockdale retired in 2012 as Executive Director of the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, a private foundation working in land conservation and artistic vitality in the Chicago region and the Low country of South Carolina. She is currently a board member of the Land Trust Alliance (since 2013). Her previous positions include Executive Director of the Great Lakes Protection Fund, Executive Director of Openlands, and Senior Staff Associate at the Chicago Community Trust. She has served on the Advisory Councils of the National Zoological Park, the Governor’s Science Advisory Council (Illinois) and the Nancy Ryerson Ranney Leadership Grants Program. She has served on the boards of Brushwood Center, Forefront f/k/a Donors Forum and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities. Ms. Stockdale, a native of the United Kingdom, has a Bachelor of Science degree in geography from the University of Durham (UK) and a Master of Forest Science degree from Yale University. Ms. Stockdale joined the Board in 1997.

Carole E. Stone.    Ms. Stone recently retired from the Board of Directors of the Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (2010-2020) (formerly, CBOE Holdings, Inc.) having served from 2010-2020. She previously served on the Boards of the Chicago Board Options Exchange and C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated. Ms. Stone retired from the New York State Division of the Budget in 2004, having served as its Director for nearly five years and as Deputy Director from 1995 through 1999. She has also served as the Chair of the New York Racing Association Oversight Board, as a Commissioner on the New York State Commission on Public Authority Reform and as a member of the Boards of Directors of several New York State public authorities. Ms. Stone has a Bachelor of Arts from Skidmore College in Business Administration. Ms. Stone joined the Board in 2007.

 

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Matthew Thornton III.    Mr. Thornton has over 40 years of broad leadership and operating experience from his career with FedEx Corporation (“FedEx”), which, through its portfolio of companies, provides transportation, e-commerce and business services. In November 2019, Mr. Thornton retired as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of FedEx Freight Corporation (FedEx Freight), a subsidiary of FedEx, where, from May 2018 until his retirement, he had been responsible for day-to-day operations, strategic guidance, modernization of freight operations and delivering innovative customer solutions. From September 2006 to May 2018, Mr. Thornton served as Senior Vice President, U.S. Operations at Federal Express Corporation (FedEx Express), a subsidiary of FedEx. Prior to September 2006, Mr. Thornton held a range of positions of increasing responsibility with FedEx, including various management positions. In addition, Mr. Thornton currently (since 2014) serves on the Board of Directors of The Sherwin-Williams Company, where he is a member of the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and the Board of Directors of Crown Castle International (since 2020), where he is a member of the Strategy Committee and the Compensation Committee. Formerly (2012-2018), he was a member of the Board of Directors of Safe Kids Worldwide®, a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of childhood injuries. Mr. Thornton is a member (since 2014) of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC), the nation’s premier organization of global black senior executives. He is also a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD). Mr. Thornton has been recognized by Black Enterprise on its 2017 list of the Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America and by Ebony on its 2016 Power 100 list of the world’s most influential and inspiring African Americans. Mr. Thornton received a B.B.A. degree from the University of Memphis in 1980 and an M.B.A. from the University of Tennessee in 2001. Mr. Thornton joined the Board in 2020.

Terence J. Toth.    Mr. Toth, the Nuveen Funds’ Independent Chair, was a Co-Founding Partner of Promus Capital (2008-2017). From 2010 to 2019, he was Director of a Fulcrum IT Service LLC and from 2012 to 2016, a Director of LogicMark LLC. From 2008 to 2013, he was a Director of Legal & General Investment Management America, Inc. From 2004 to 2007, he was Chief Executive Officer and President of Northern Trust Global Investments, and Executive Vice President of Quantitative Management & Securities Lending from 2000 to 2004. He also formerly served on the Board of the Northern Trust Mutual Funds. He joined Northern Trust in 1994 after serving as Managing Director and Head of Global Securities Lending at Bankers Trust (1986 to 1994) and Head of Government Trading and Cash Collateral Investment at Northern Trust from 1982 to 1986. He currently serves on the Quality Control Corporation (since 2012) and Catalyst Schools of Chicago. He is on the Mather Foundation Board (since 2012) and is the Chair of its Investment Committee. Mr. Toth graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois, and received his M.B.A. from New York University. In 2005, he graduated from the CEO Perspectives Program at Northwestern University. Mr. Toth joined the Board in 2008.

Margaret L. Wolff.    Ms. Wolff retired from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in 2014 after more than 30 years of providing client service in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group. During her legal career, Ms. Wolff devoted significant time to advising boards and senior management on U.S. and international corporate, securities, regulatory and strategic matters, including governance, shareholder, fiduciary, operational and management issues. Ms. Wolff has been a trustee of New York-Presbyterian Hospital since 2005 and, since 2004, she has served as a trustee of The John A. Hartford Foundation (a philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults) where she currently is the Chair. From 2013 to 2017, she was a Board member of Travelers Insurance Company of Canada and The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company (each of which is a part of Travelers Canada, the Canadian operation of The Travelers Companies, Inc.). From 2005 to 2015, she was a trustee of

 

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Mt. Holyoke College and served as Vice Chair of the Board from 2011 to 2015. Ms. Wolff received her Bachelor of Arts from Mt. Holyoke College and her Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Ms. Wolff joined the Board in 2016.

Robert L. Young.    Mr. Young has more than 30 years of experience in the investment management industry. From 1997 to 2017, he held various positions with J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (“J.P. Morgan Investment”) and its affiliates (collectively, “J.P. Morgan”). Most recently, he served as Chief Operating Officer and Director of J.P. Morgan Investment from 2010 to 2016 and as President and Principal Executive Officer of the J.P. Morgan Funds from 2013 to 2016. As Chief Operating Officer of J.P. Morgan Investment, Mr. Young led service, administration and business platform support activities for J.P. Morgan’s domestic retail mutual fund and institutional commingled and separate account businesses, and co-led these activities for J.P. Morgan’s global retail and institutional investment management businesses. As President of the J.P. Morgan Funds, Mr. Young interacted with various service providers to these funds, facilitated the relationship between such funds and their boards, and was directly involved in establishing board agendas, addressing regulatory matters, and establishing policies and procedures. Before joining J.P. Morgan, Mr. Young, a former Certified Public Accountant (CPA), was a Senior Manager (Audit) with Deloitte & Touche LLP (formerly, Touche Ross LLP), where he was employed from 1985 to 1996. During his tenure there, he actively participated in creating, and ultimately led, the firm’s midwestern mutual fund practice. Mr. Young holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Dayton and, from 2008 to 2011, he served on the Investment Committee of its Board of Trustees. Mr. Young joined the Board in 2017.

Independent Chairman

Terence J. Toth currently serves as the independent Chair of the Board. Specific responsibilities of the Chair include (a) presiding at all meetings of the Board and of the shareholders; (b) seeing that all orders and resolutions of the Trustees are carried into effect; and (c) maintaining records of and, whenever necessary, certifying all proceedings of the Trustees and the shareholders.

Class I Trustees will serve until the annual meeting of shareholders in 2022; Class II Trustees will serve until the annual meeting of shareholders in 2023; and Class III Trustees will serve until the annual meeting of shareholders in 2021. As each Trustee’s term expires, shareholders will be asked to elect trustees and such trustees shall be elected for a term expiring at the time of the third succeeding annual meeting subsequent to their election or thereafter in each case when their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. These provisions could delay for up to two years the replacement of a majority of the Board. See “Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws” in the prospectus.

 

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Beneficial Ownership of Shares of the Fund and the Nuveen Family of Investment Companies by Each Trustee

The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each trustee as of December 31, 2020:

 

     Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Fund
   Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in All
Registered  Investment
Companies Overseen by
Trustees in Nuveen Family
of Investment Companies

Jack B. Evans

   None    Over $100,000

William C. Hunter

   None    Over $100,000

Albin F. Moschner

   None    Over $100,000

John K. Nelson

   None    Over $100,000

Judith M. Stockdale

   None    Over $100,000

Carole E. Stone

   None    Over $100,000

Matthew Thornton III

   None    None

Terence J. Toth

   None    Over $100,000

Margaret L. Wolff

   None    Over $100,000

Robert L. Young

   None    Over $100,000

5% Shareholders

As of March 1, 2021, no shareholders owned of record, or were known by the Fund to own of record or beneficially, five percent or more of any class of shares of the Fund.

As of March 1, 2021, the officers and Trustees as a group beneficially owned less than 1% of any class of the Fund’s outstanding securities. As of March 1, 2021, none of the disinterested Trustees or their immediate family members owned, beneficially, or of record, any securities in (i) an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Fund or (ii) a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Fund.

Compensation

The following table shows, for each Independent Trustee, (1) the aggregate compensation paid to each Trustee by the Fund for its fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, (2) the amount of total compensation paid to each Trustee by the Fund that has been deferred, and (3) the total compensation paid to each Trustee by the Nuveen Funds during the calendar year ended December 31, 2020. The Fund does not have a retirement or pension plan. The officers and Trustee affiliated with Nuveen Investments serve without any compensation from the Fund. Certain of the Nuveen Funds have a deferred compensation plan (the “Compensation Plan”) that permits any Trustee who is not an “interested person” of certain funds to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of his or her compensation as a Trustee. The deferred compensation of a participating Trustee is credited to the book reserve account of a fund when the compensation would otherwise have been paid to the Trustee. The value of the Trustee’s deferral account at any time is equal to the value that the account would have had if contributions to the account had been invested and reinvested in shares of one or more of the eligible Nuveen Funds. At the time for commencing distributions from a Trustee’s deferral account,

 

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the Trustee may elect to receive distributions in a lump sum or over a period of five years. The Fund will not be liable for any other fund’s obligations to make distributions under the Compensation Plan.

 

     Aggregate
Compensation from
Fund(1)
     Amount of Total
Compensation That
Has Been Deferred(2)
     Total Compensation
from Fund and Fund
Complex(3)
 

Jack B. Evans

   $ 3,967      $ 321      $ 392,652  

William C. Hunter

     4,218               396,750  

Albin F. Moschner

     3,816               380,050  

John K. Nelson

     4,362               417,500  

Judith M. Stockdale

     3,907        902        400,147  

Carole E. Stone

     4,115        1,640        404,611  

Matthew Thornton III(4)

                   49,500  

Terence J. Toth

     4,790               467,300  

Margaret L. Wolff

     3,797        1,232        385,629  

Robert L. Young

     4,053        4,053        425,754  

 

(1)

The compensation paid, including deferred amounts, to the independent trustees for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020 for services to the Fund.

(2)

Pursuant to a deferred compensation agreement with certain of the Nuveen Funds, deferred amounts are treated as though an equivalent dollar amount has been invested in shares of one or more eligible Nuveen Funds. Total deferred fees for the Fund (including the return from the assumed investment in the eligible Nuveen Funds) payable are stated above.

(3)

Based on the compensation paid (including any amounts deferred) for the calendar year ended December 31, 2020 for services to the Nuveen open-end and closed-end funds. Because the funds in the Nuveen Fund complex have different fiscal year ends, the amounts shown in this column are presented on a calendar year basis. All trustees except for Mr. Young currently serve as director or trustee of 169 registered investment companies advised by Nuveen Fund Advisors. Mr. Young currently serves as director or trustee of 167 registered investment companies advised by Nuveen Fund Advisors.

(4)

Mr. Thornton joined the Board effective November 16, 2020.

Effective January 1, 2020, Independent Trustees receive a $195,000 annual retainer, increased to $200,000 as of January 1, 2021, plus they receive (a) a fee of $6,750 per day, increased to $7,000 per day as of January 1, 2021, for attendance in person or by telephone at regularly scheduled meetings of the Board; (b) a fee of $3,000 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at special, non-regularly scheduled Board meetings where in-person attendance is required and $2,000 per meeting for attendance by telephone or in person at such meetings where in-person attendance is not required; (c) a fee of $2,500 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at Audit Committee meetings where in-person attendance is required and $2,000 per meeting for attendance by telephone or in person at such meetings where in-person attendance is not required; (d) a fee of $5,000 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at Compliance, Risk Management and Regulatory Oversight Committee meetings where in-person attendance is required and $2,000 per meeting for attendance by telephone or in person at such meetings where in-person attendance is not required; (e) a fee of $1,000 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at Dividend Committee meetings; (f) a fee of $500 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at all other committee meetings ($1,000 for shareholder meetings) where in-person attendance is required and $250 per meeting for attendance by telephone or in person at such committee meetings (excluding shareholder meetings) where in-person attendance is not required, and $100 per meeting when the Executive Committee acts as pricing committee for IPOs, plus, in each case, expenses incurred in attending such meetings; provided that no fees are received for meetings held on days on which regularly scheduled Board meetings are held; and (g) a fee of $2,500 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at Closed-End Funds

 

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Committee meetings where in-person attendance is required and $2,000 per meeting for attendance by telephone or in person at such meetings where in-person attendance is not required; provided that no fees are received for meetings held on days on which regularly scheduled Board meetings are held. In addition to the payments described above, the Chair of the Board receives $90,000, increased to $100,000 as of January 1, 2021, and the chairpersons of the Audit Committee, the Dividend Committee, the Compliance, Risk Management and Regulatory Oversight Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Closed-End Funds Committee receive $15,000 each as additional retainers. Independent Trustees also receive a fee of $3,000 per day, increased to $3,500 per day as of January 1, 2021, for site visits to entities that provide services to the Nuveen funds on days on which no Board meeting is held. When ad hoc committees are organized, the Nominating and Governance Committee will at the time of formation determine compensation to be paid to the members of such committee; however, in general, such fees will be $1,000 per meeting for attendance in person or by telephone at ad hoc committee meetings where in-person attendance is required and $500 per meeting for attendance by telephone or in person at such meetings where in-person attendance is not required. The annual retainer, fees and expenses are allocated among the Nuveen funds on the basis of relative net assets, although management may, in its discretion, establish a minimum amount to be allocated to each fund. In certain instances fees and expenses will be allocated only to those Nuveen funds that are discussed at a given meeting. In certain circumstances, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board may hold in-person meetings by telephonic or videographic means and be compensated at the in-person rate.

The Fund has no employees. The officers of the Fund and the directors of the Fund who are not independent directors serve without any compensation from the Fund.

INVESTMENT ADVISER, SUB-ADVISERS AND PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

Investment Adviser.    Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, the Fund’s investment adviser, is responsible for overseeing the Fund’s overall investment strategy and its implementation. Nuveen Fund Advisors offers advisory and investment management services to a broad range of investment company clients. Nuveen Fund Advisors has overall responsibility for management of the Fund, oversees the management of the Fund’s portfolios, manages the Fund’s business affairs and provides certain clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative services. Nuveen Fund Advisors is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

Nuveen Fund Advisors is an indirect subsidiary of Nuveen, the investment management arm of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (“TIAA”). TIAA is a life insurance company founded in 1918 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and is the companion organization of College Retirement Equities Fund. As of December 31, 2020, Nuveen managed approximately $1.2 trillion in assets, of which approximately $156.5 billion was managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors.

Nuveen Fund Advisors has selected its affiliates, Nuveen Asset Management, LLC and NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC to serve as the sub-advisers to the Fund. Nuveen Asset Management is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, and NWQ is located at 2049 Century Park East, Suite 1600, Los Angeles, California 90067. Nuveen Fund Advisors has engaged the Sub-Advisers, each a registered investment adviser, to oversee day-to-day operations and manage the investment of their respective Fund’s assets on a discretionary basis pursuant to a

 

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sub-advisory agreement between Nuveen Fund Advisors and each Sub-Adviser (together, the “Sub-Advisory Agreements”), subject to the supervision of Nuveen Fund Advisors. Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreements, each Sub-Adviser is compensated for the services it provides to its Fund(s) with a portion of the management fee Nuveen Fund Advisors receives from the Fund. Nuveen Fund Advisors and the Sub-Advisers retain the right to reallocate investment advisory responsibilities and fees between themselves in the future.

Investment Management Agreement and Related Fees.    Pursuant to an investment management agreement between Nuveen Fund Advisors and the Fund (the “Investment Management Agreement”), the Fund has agreed to pay an annual management fee for the overall advisory and administrative services and general office facilities provided by Nuveen Fund Advisors. The Fund’s management fee is separated into two components—a complex-level component, based on the aggregate amount of all fund assets managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors, and a specific fund-level component, based only on the amount of assets within the Fund. This pricing structure enables Nuveen fund shareholders to benefit from growth in the assets within each individual fund as well as from growth in the amount of complex-wide assets managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors.

Fund Level Fee.    The annual fund-level fee for the Fund, payable monthly, is calculated according to the following schedule:

 

Average Daily Managed Assets*

   Fund-Level
Fee Rate
 

For the next $500 million

     0.6800

For the next $500 million

     0.6550

For the next $500 billion

     0.6300

For the next $500 billion

     0.6050

For managed assets over $2 billion

     0.5800

Complex Level Fee.    The annual complex-level fee for the Fund, payable monthly, is calculated by multiplying the current complex-wide fee rate, determined according to the following schedule, by the Fund’s daily managed assets:

 

Complex-Level Eligible Asset Breakpoint Level*

   Effective Complex-Level Fee
Rate at  Breakpoint Level
 

$55 billion

     0.2000

$56 billion

     0.1996

$57 billion

     0.1989

$60 billion

     0.1961

$63 billion

     0.1931

$66 billion

     0.1900

$71 billion

     0.1851

$76 billion

     0.1806

$80 billion

     0.1773

$91 billion

     0.1691

$125 billion

     0.1599

$200 billion

     0.1505

$250 billion

     0.1469

$300 billion

     0.1445

 

*

The complex-level fee is calculated based upon the aggregate daily “eligible assets” of all Nuveen open-end and closed-end funds. Eligible assets do not include assets attributable to investments in other Nuveen funds or assets in excess of a determined amount (originally $2 billion) added to the Nuveen fund complex in

 

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  connection with Nuveen Fund Advisors’ assumption of the management of the former First American Funds effective January 1, 2011, but do include certain assets of certain Nuveen funds that were reorganized into funds advised by an affiliate of Nuveen Fund Advisors during the 2019 calendar year. Eligible assets include closed-end fund assets managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors that are attributable to certain types of leverage. For these purposes, leverage includes the closed-end funds’ use of preferred stock and borrowings and certain investments in the residual interest certificates (also called inverse floating rate securities) in tender option bond (TOB) trusts, including the portion of assets held by the TOB trust that has been effectively financed by the trust’s issuance of floating rate securities, subject to an agreement by Nuveen Fund Advisors as to certain funds to limit the amount of such assets for determining eligible assets in certain circumstances. As of December 31, 2020, the complex-level fee rate for the Fund was 0.1557%.

The following table sets forth the management fee paid by the Fund for the last three fiscal years:

 

     Management Fee Net of
Expense Reimbursement Paid
for the Fiscal Year Ended
     Expense Reimbursement for
the Fiscal Year Ended
 

Fiscal year ended July 31, 2018

   $ 13,364,706      $  

Fiscal year ended July 31, 2019

   $ 12,823,581      $         —  

Fiscal year ended July 31, 2020

   $ 12,323,964      $  

In addition to the Adviser’s management fee, the Fund pays all of its other costs and expenses of its operations, including compensation of its trustees (other than those affiliated with the Adviser), custodian, transfer agency and dividend disbursing expenses, legal fees, expenses of independent auditors, expenses of repurchasing shares, expenses of issuing any Preferred Shares, expenses of preparing, printing and distributing shareholder reports, notices, proxy statements and reports to governmental agencies, listing fees and taxes, if any. All fees and expenses are accrued daily and deducted before payment of distributions to shareholders.

A discussion regarding the Board’s decision to renew the Investment Management Agreement may be found in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders dated July 31 of each year.

Sub-Advisory Agreements and Related Fees.    Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreements, each Sub-Adviser is compensated for the services it provides to the Fund with a portion of the management fee Nuveen Fund Advisors receives from the Fund with respect to the Sub-Adviser’s allocation of Fund average daily net assets. For the services provided pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreements, Nuveen Fund Advisors pays the Sub-Advisers a fee, payable monthly, as specified by the following schedule:

 

Average Daily Net Assets*

   Percentage of
Management Fee
 

Up to $125 million

     50.00

For the next $25 million

     47.50

For the next $25 million

     45.00

For the next $25 million

     42.50

Over $200 million

     40.00

 

*

For this purpose, “Average Daily Net Assets” includes net assets attributable to any Preferred Shares and the principal amount of borrowings pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement.

 

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For the services provided pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreements, Nuveen Fund Advisors paid the following amounts to the Sub-Advisers in the last three fiscal years for services rendered:

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     July 31, 2018      July 31, 2019      July 31, 2020  

NWQ

   $ 2,465,383      $ 2,402,733      $ 2,314,271  

Nuveen Asset Management

   $ 5,587,403      $ 5,371,585      $ 5,224,506  

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s decision to renew the Sub-Advisory Agreements for the Fund may be found in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders dated July 31 of each year.

Portfolio Managers.    Unless otherwise indicated, the information below is provided as of the date of this SAI.

Portfolio Management.    Douglas Baker, CFA, is a Managing Director at Nuveen Asset Management and a portfolio manager for the Fund and related preferred security strategies. He is the lead portfolio manager for the preferred securities strategies, as well as a co-portfolio manager for the firm’s multi-sector strategies. Douglas is also a member of the Investment Committee, which establishes investment policy for all global fixed income products. He originally joined Nuveen Asset Management in 2006 as a Vice President and Derivatives Analyst, and later that year his responsibilities expanded to include portfolio management duties for the Nuveen Preferred Securities and Income Fund. In addition, he manages Nuveen Asset Management’s derivative overlay group, where he is responsible for implementing derivatives-based hedging strategies across the Nuveen Asset Management complex, as well as managing collateral accounts for several commodity-based strategies.

Brenda A. Langenfeld, CFA, is a Managing Director at Nuveen Asset Management and a portfolio manager for the Fund. She is the co-manager of the preferred securities strategy and related institutional portfolios. She is also a co-manager for the real asset income strategy, which invests in income-generating debt and equity securities from both the real estate and infrastructure segments, since 2015. She started working in the financial services industry with FAF Advisors, Inc. in 2004.

Thomas J. Ray, CFA, is a Managing Director, Co-Head of Fixed Income, and a Fixed Income Portfolio Manager/Analyst for NWQ. Prior to joining NWQ in 2015, Tom was a Private Investor. Prior to that, he served as Chief Investment Officer, President and founding member of Inflective Asset Management, a boutique investment firm specializing in convertible securities. Prior to founding Inflective Asset Management, Tom also served as portfolio manager at Transamerica Investment Management. Tom graduated from University of Wisconsin with a B.B.A in Finance, Investment & Banking and an M.S. in Finance. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute.

Susi Budiman, CFA, is a Managing Director, Co-Head of Fixed Income, and a Portfolio Manager/Analyst for NWQ. Prior to joining NWQ in 2006, Susi was Portfolio Manager for China Life Insurance Company in Taiwan where she managed multi-sector and multi-currency fixed income portfolios with responsibility for over $1.8 billion in assets under management. Prior to that, she was a currency exchange associate at Fleet National Bank in Singapore covering Asian, Euro, and other major currencies. Susi earned her B.Comm. in Finance from the University of British Columbia and received her M.B.A. in Finance at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern

 

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California. She earned her Chartered Financial Analyst designation from the CFA Institute in 2006 and is a member of the Los Angeles Society of Financial Analysts. She also earned her Financial Risk Manager designation in 2003.

Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers.    The Portfolio Managers also have responsibility for the day-to-day management of accounts other than the Fund. Information regarding these other accounts is set forth below.

Number of Other Accounts Managed and Assets by Account Type as of July 31, 2020

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Type of Account Managed

  Number
of Accounts
    Assets     Number of
Accounts
with
Performance-
Based Fees
    Assets of
Accounts with
Performance-
Based Fees
 

David Baker

  Registered Investment Companies     5     $ 5.53 billion       0     $ 0  
  Other Pooled Investment Companies     0     $ 0       0     $ 0  
  Other Accounts     865     $ 1.06 million       0     $ 0  

Brenda A. Langenfeld

  Registered Investment Companies     6     $ 7.12 billion       0     $ 0  
  Other Pooled Investment Companies     1     $ 29.8 million       0     $ 0  
  Other Accounts     867     $ 2.02 billion       0     $ 0  

Thomas J. Ray

  Registered Investment Companies     5     $ 2.02 billion       0     $ 0  
  Other Pooled Investment Companies     3     $ 2.10 million       0     $ 0  
  Other Accounts     1049     $ 1.03 million     0     $ 0  

Susi Budiman

  Registered Investment Companies     3     $ 1.68 billion       0     $ 0  
  Other Pooled Investment Companies     3     $ 2.10 million       0     $ 0  
  Other Accounts     1046     $ 880 million     0     $ 0  

 

*

Includes approximately $118.5 billion in model-based assets as of July 31, 2020.

As shown in the above table, the Portfolio Managers may manage accounts in addition to the Fund. The potential for conflicts of interest exists when the Portfolio Managers manage other accounts with similar investment objectives and strategies to the Fund (“Similar Accounts”). Potential conflicts may include, for example, conflicts between investment strategies and conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities.

Responsibility for managing Nuveen Fund Advisors’ clients’ portfolios is organized according to investment strategies. Generally, client portfolios with similar strategies are managed using the same objectives, approach and philosophy. Therefore, portfolio holdings, relative position sizes and sector exposures tend to be similar across similar portfolios which minimizes the potential for conflicts of interest.

Nuveen Fund Advisors may receive more compensation with respect to certain Similar Accounts than that received with respect to the Fund or may receive compensation based in part on the performance of certain Similar Accounts. This may create a potential conflict of interest for the Portfolio Managers by providing an incentive to favor these Similar Accounts when, for example, placing securities transactions. Potential conflicts of interest may arise with both the aggregation and allocation of securities transactions and allocation of limited investment opportunities. Allocations of aggregated trades, particularly trade orders that were only partially completed due to limited availability, and allocation of investment opportunities generally, could raise a potential conflict of interest.

 

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Each Sub-Adviser has policies and procedures designed to manage these conflicts described above such as allocation of investment opportunities to achieve fair and equitable allocation of investment opportunities among its clients over time. For example, orders for the same equity security are aggregated on a continual basis throughout each trading day consistent with each Sub-Adviser’s duty of best execution for its clients. If aggregated trades are fully executed, accounts participating in the trade will be allocated their pro rata share on an average price basis. Partially completed orders will be allocated among the participating accounts on a pro-rata average price basis as well.

Compensation

Nuveen Asset Management.    Portfolio managers are compensated through a combination of base salary and variable components consisting of (i) a cash bonus; (ii) a long-term performance award; and (iii) participation in a profits interest plan.

Base salary.    A portfolio manager’s base salary is determined based upon an analysis of the portfolio manager’s general performance, experience and market levels of base pay for such position.

Cash bonus.    A portfolio manager is eligible to receive an annual cash bonus that is based on three variables: risk-adjusted investment performance relative to benchmark generally measured over the most recent three and five year periods (unless the portfolio manager’s tenure is shorter), ranking versus Morningstar peer funds generally measured over the most recent three and five year periods (unless the portfolio manager’s tenure is shorter), and management and peer reviews.

Long-term performance award.    A portfolio manager is eligible to receive a long-term performance award that vests after three years. The amount of the award when granted is based on the same factors used in determining the cash bonus. The value of the award at the completion of the three-year vesting period is adjusted based on the risk-adjusted investment performance of Fund(s) managed by the portfolio manager during the vesting period and the performance of the TIAA organization as a whole.

Profits interest plan.    Portfolio managers are eligible to receive profits interests in Nuveen Asset Management and its affiliate, Teachers Advisors, LLC, which vest over time and entitle their holders to a percentage of the firms’ annual profits. Profits interests are allocated to each portfolio manager based on such person’s overall contribution to the firms.

There are generally no differences between the methods used to determine compensation with respect to the Fund and the Other Accounts shown in the table above.

NWQ.    NWQ’s philosophy is to provide performance-based and market-competitive compensation, while mitigating inappropriate or excessive risk taking. There are three primary components of compensation: (1) base and benefits, (2) annual cash award, and (3) equity-like performance-based plans.

Base pay is determined based upon an analysis of the employee’s general performance, experience, and market levels of base pay for such positions. Base salary and annual variable compensation targets are reviewed annually, while other benefit plans are periodically reviewed to ensure competitiveness.

 

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The variable compensation is an annual cash award that can be a multiple of the base salary. NWQ’s annual variable compensation program includes both subjective and objective criteria with emphasis placed on sustained, long-term performance. The subjective portion of the incentive compensation is based on a qualitative evaluation made by each investment professional’s supervisor taking into consideration a number of factors, including the investment professional’s team collaboration, expense management, support of personnel responsible for asset growth, and his or her compliance with NWQ’s policies and procedures.

Senior employees participate in equity-like profits interest plans, which provide a meaningful opportunity to participate in the long-term success of the business. These profits interests vest over time and entitle participants to a percentage of NWQ’s annual profitability, enabling employees to participate in the growth of the overall value of NWQ. These awards allow participants to benefit directly from the financial performance and growth of NWQ over time and ensure that they have a strong alignment of interests with the firm’s clients over the long term. The profits interests are designed to provide senior personnel with strong incentives to remain with the firm and participate in its success and include non-compete and non-solicitation terms. Additional details regarding the program are proprietary.

Nuveen Asset Management Material Conflicts of Interest.    Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one account. More specifically, portfolio managers who manage multiple accounts are presented a number of potential conflicts, including, among others, those discussed below.

The management of multiple accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each account. Nuveen Asset Management seeks to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by having portfolio managers focus on a particular investment discipline. Most accounts managed by a portfolio manager in a particular investment strategy are managed using the same investment models.

If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity which may be suitable for more than one account, an account may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible accounts. To deal with these situations, Nuveen Asset Management has adopted procedures for allocating limited opportunities across multiple accounts.

With respect to many of its clients’ accounts, Nuveen Asset Management determines which broker to use to execute transaction orders, consistent with its duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain other accounts, Nuveen Asset Management may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker. In these cases, Nuveen Asset Management may place separate, non-simultaneous, transactions for a Fund and other accounts which may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment of the Fund or the other accounts.

Some clients are subject to different regulations. As a consequence of this difference in regulatory requirements, some clients may not be permitted to engage in all the investment techniques or transactions or to engage in these transactions to the same extent as the other accounts managed by a portfolio manager. Finally, the appearance of a conflict of interest may arise where Nuveen Asset

 

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Management has an incentive, such as a performance-based management fee, which relates to the management of some accounts, with respect to which a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities.

Conflicts of interest may also arise when the Sub-Adviser invests one or more of its client accounts in different or multiple parts of the same issuer’s capital structure, including investments in public versus private securities, debt versus equity, or senior versus junior/subordinated debt, or otherwise where there are different or inconsistent rights or benefits. Decisions or actions such as investing, trading, proxy voting, exercising, waiving or amending rights or covenants, workout activity, or serving on a board, committee or other involvement in governance may result in conflicts of interest between clients holding different securities or investments. Generally, individual portfolio managers will seek to act in a manner that they believe serves the best interest of the accounts they manage. In cases where a portfolio manager or team faces a conflict among its client accounts, it will seek to act in a manner that it believes best reflects its overall fiduciary duty, which may result in relative advantages or disadvantages for particular accounts.

Nuveen Asset Management has adopted certain compliance procedures which are designed to address these types of conflicts common among investment managers. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.

NWQ Material Conflicts of Interest. Actual or perceived conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one account. More specifically, portfolio managers who manage multiple accounts are presented with the following potential conflicts, which are not intended to be an exhaustive list:

 

   

The management of multiple accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each account. NWQ seeks to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of the portfolio manager by utilizing investment models for the management of most investment strategies.

 

   

If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity which may be suitable for more than one account, an account may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible accounts. To deal with these situations, NWQ has adopted procedures for allocating limited opportunities across multiple accounts.

 

   

With respect to many of its clients’ accounts, NWQ determines which broker to utilize when placing orders for execution, consistent with its duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain other accounts, NWQ may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker. In these cases, NWQ may place separate transactions for certain accounts which may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transactions, or both, to the detriment of other accounts. NWQ seeks to minimize market impact by using its discretion in releasing orders in a manner which seeks to cause the least possible impact while keeping within the approximate price range of the discretionary block trade.

 

   

Finally, the appearance of a conflict of interest may arise where NWQ has an incentive, such as a performance-based management fee, which relates to the management of some

 

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accounts, with respect to which the portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities. NWQ periodically performs a comparative analysis of the performance between accounts with performance fees and those without performance fees.

NWQ has adopted certain compliance procedures which are designed to address these types of conflicts common among investment managers. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.

Ownership of Fund Shares by the Portfolio Managers.    As of July 31, 2020, the Portfolio Managers beneficially owned (as determined pursuant to Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the 1934 Act) shares of the Fund having values within the indicated dollar ranges.

 

Portfolio Manager

   Dollar Range of Equity
Securities Beneficially
Owned in the Fund

Douglas Baker

   None

Brenda Langenfled

   None

Thomas J. Ray

   $10,001—$50,000

Susi Budiman

   None

CODE OF ETHICS

The Fund, Nuveen Fund Advisors, the Sub-Advisers, Nuveen Investments and other related entities have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, that essentially prohibit certain of their personnel, including the Fund’s portfolio managers, from engaging in personal investments that compete or interfere with, or attempt to take advantage of a client’s, including the Fund’s, anticipated or actual portfolio transactions, and are designed to assure that the interests of clients, including Fund shareholders, are placed before the interests of personnel in connection with personal investment transactions. Personnel subject to the Code of Ethics may purchase shares of the Fund and may generally invest in securities in which the Fund may also invest subject to the restrictions set forth in the Code of Ethics. Text-only versions of the Code of Ethics of the Fund, Nuveen Fund Advisors, the Sub-Advisers and Nuveen Investments can be viewed online or downloaded from the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s internet web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, copies of the Code of Ethics may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by e-mail request at publicinfo@sec.gov.

PROXY VOTING POLICIES

The Fund invests its assets generally in preferred and income producing securities. The Fund may also acquire, directly or through a special-purpose vehicle, equity securities; provided that, under current non-fundamental investment restrictions, the Funds may not purchase securities of issuers for the purpose of exercising control, except to the extent that exercise by the Fund of its rights under loan agreements would be deemed to constitute exercising control. The Sub-Advisers do not consider such activities proxy voting for purposes of Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), but nevertheless provides reports to the Fund’s Board on its control activities on a quarterly basis.

 

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In the rare event that an issuer were to issue a proxy or that the Fund were to receive a proxy issued by a cash management security, the Sub-Advisers would either engage an independent third party to determine how the proxy should be voted or vote the proxy with the consent, or based on the instructions, of the Fund’s Board or its representative. A member of the Sub-Adviser’s legal department would oversee the administration of the voting and ensure that records maintained in accordance with Rule 206(4)-6 of the Advisers Act were filed with the SEC on Form N-PX, provided to the Fund’s Board and made available to shareholders as required by applicable rules.

In the event of a conflict of interest that might arise when voting proxies for the Fund, the Sub-Advisers will defer to the recommendation of an independent third party engaged to determine how the proxy should be voted, or, alternatively, members of the Sub-Adviser’s legal and compliance departments, in consultation with the Board, will examine the conflict of interest and seek to resolve such conflict in the best interests of the Fund. If a member of the Sub-Adviser’s legal or compliance department or the Board has a personal conflict of interest, that member will refrain from participating in the consultation.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge by calling (800) 257-8787 or by accessing the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

Subject to the supervision of the Board and Nuveen Fund Advisors, the Sub-Advisers are responsible for decisions to purchase and sell securities for the Fund, the negotiation of the prices to be paid and the allocation of transactions among various dealer firms. Transactions on stock exchanges involve the payment by the Fund of brokerage commissions. There generally is no stated commission in the case of securities traded in the OTC market, but the prices paid by the Fund generally include an undisclosed dealer commission or mark-up. Transactions in the OTC market can also be placed with broker-dealers who act as agents and charge brokerage commissions for effecting OTC transactions. The Fund may place its OTC transactions either directly with principal market makers, or with broker-dealers if that is consistent with Sub-Adviser obligations to obtain best qualitative execution. In certain instances, the Fund may make purchases of underwritten issues at prices that include underwriting fees.

Portfolio securities may be purchased directly from an underwriter or in the OTC market from the principal dealers in such securities, unless it appears that a better price or execution may be obtained through other means. Portfolio securities will not be purchased from Nuveen Investments or its affiliates, including the Adviser and Sub-Advisers, except in compliance with the 1940 Act.

It is the policy of each Sub-Adviser to seek the best execution under the circumstances of each trade. The Sub-Advisers will evaluate price as the primary consideration, with the financial condition, reputation and responsiveness of the dealer considered secondary in determining best execution. Given the best execution obtainable, it will be the practice of the Sub-Advisers to select dealers that, in addition, furnish research information (primarily credit analyses of issuers and general economic reports) and statistical and other services to the Sub-Adviser. It is not possible to place a dollar value on information and statistical and other services received from dealers. Since it is only supplementary to a Sub-Adviser’s own research efforts, the receipt of research information is not expected to reduce significantly a Sub-Adviser’s expenses. While the Sub-Advisers will be primarily responsible for the

 

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placement of the business of the Fund, the policies and practices of the Sub-Advisers in this regard must be consistent with the foregoing and will, at all times, be subject to review by the Board of the Fund.

The Sub-Advisers may manage other investment accounts and investment companies for other clients that may invest in the same types of securities as the Fund and that may have investment objectives similar to those of the Fund. The Sub-Advisers seek to allocate portfolio transactions equitably whenever concurrent decisions are made to purchase or sell assets or securities by the Fund and another advisory account. If an aggregated order cannot be filled completely, allocations will generally be made on a pro rata basis. An order may not be allocated on a pro rata basis where, for example (i) consideration is given to portfolio managers who have been instrumental in developing or negotiating a particular investment; (ii) consideration is given to an account with specialized investment policies that coincide with the particulars of a specific investment; (iii) pro rata allocation would result in odd-lot or de minimis amounts being allocated to a portfolio or other client; or (iv) where a Sub-Adviser reasonably determines that departure from a pro rata allocation is advisable. There may also be instances where the Fund will not participate at all in a transaction that is allocated among other accounts. While these allocation procedures could have a detrimental effect on the price or amount of the securities available to the Fund from time to time, it is the opinion of the Board that the benefits available from a Sub-Adviser’s management outweigh any disadvantage that may arise from such Sub-Adviser’s larger management activities and its need to allocate securities.

The following table sets forth the aggregate amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Fund for the last three fiscal years:

 

     Brokerage Commissions Paid  

Fiscal year ended July 31, 2018

   $ 26,805  

Fiscal year ended July 31, 2019

   $ 26,556  

Fiscal year ended July 31, 2020

   $ 62,937  

During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, the Fund did not pay commissions in return for research services or hold any securities of its regular broker-dealers.

During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, the Fund acquired certain securities of its regular brokers or dealers, as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act, or of the parents of the brokers or dealers. The following table sets forth those brokers or dealers and states the value of the Fund’s aggregate holdings of the securities of each issuer as of close of the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020:

 

Broker/Dealer

   Issuer    Aggregate Fund Holdings of
Broker/Dealer or Parent
(as of July 31, 2020)
 

Bank of America

   Bank of America Corp    $ 42,217,784  

Barclays Capital

   Barclays Bank PLC      2,728,532  
   Barclays PLC      20,418,487  

BNP Paribas Securities Services

   BNP Paribas SA      19,598,450  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

   Citigroup Inc      55,622,268  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

   Credit Suisse Group AG      29,786,215  

Cowen and Company, LLC

   Cowen Inc      1,341,502  

Goldman Sachs + Co LLC

   Goldman Sachs Group Inc      17,294,161  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

   JPMorgan Chase & Co      46,901,097  

Morgan Stanley Co Incorporated

   Morgan Stanley      40,595,755  

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

   Wachovia Capital Trust III      6,733,551  
   Wells Fargo & Co      29,437,835  

 

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NET ASSET VALUE

The Fund’s NAV per Common Share is determined as of the close of the regular session trading (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open for business. Net asset value is calculated by taking the market value of the Fund’s total assets, including interest or dividends accrued but not yet collected, less all liabilities, and dividing by the total number of shares outstanding. The result, rounded to the nearest cent, is the NAV per share. All valuations are subject to review by the Fund’s Board or its delegate.

The Fund’s custodian calculates the Fund’s NAV. The custodian uses prices for portfolio securities from a pricing service the Fund’s Board has approved. The pricing service values portfolio securities at the mean between the quoted bid and asked price or the yield equivalent when quotations are readily available. Securities for which quotations are not readily available (which will constitute the majority of the Fund’s portfolio securities) are valued at fair value as determined by the Board in reliance upon data supplied by the pricing service. The pricing service uses methods that consider yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and ratings; dealers’ indications of value; and general market conditions. The pricing service may use electronic data processing techniques or a matrix system, or both. The Fund’s officers review the pricing service’s procedures and valuations, under the general supervision of the Board.

TAX MATTERS

The following is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a shareholder that acquires, holds and/or disposes of Common Shares of the Fund. This discussion only addresses U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. shareholders who hold their Common Shares as capital assets and does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to particular shareholders in light of their individual circumstances. This discussion also does not address the tax consequences to shareholders who are subject to special rules, including, without limitation, shareholders with large positions in the Fund, financial institutions, insurance companies, dealers in securities or foreign currencies, foreign holders, persons who hold their shares as or in a hedge against currency risk, a constructive sale, or conversion transaction, holders who are subject to the federal alternative minimum tax or tax-exempt or tax-advantaged plans, accounts, or entities. In addition, the discussion does not address any state, local, or foreign tax consequences. The discussion reflects applicable tax laws of the United States as of the date of this SAI, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) retroactively or prospectively. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal income tax concerns affecting the Fund and its shareholders, and the discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine the specific tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund, including the applicable federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences to them and the effect of possible changes in tax laws.

The Fund has elected to be treated, and intends to continue to qualify each year, as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally accorded to regulated investment companies, the Fund must, among other things, (a) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or non-U.S. currencies, other income derived with

 

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respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, and net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships,” as defined in the Code; (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets is represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. Government securities, the securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities, with such other securities of any one issuer limited for the purposes of this calculation to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested, including through corporations in which the Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, in the securities (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other RICs) of a single issuer, or two or more issuers that the Fund controls and are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships; and (c) distribute each year an amount equal to or greater than the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code, but without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and 90% of its net tax-exempt interest.

If the Fund failed to qualify as a RIC in any taxable year, the Fund would be taxed in the same manner as a regular corporation on its taxable income (even if such income were distributed to its shareholders) and distributions to shareholders would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. Additionally, all distributions out of earnings and profits (including distributions from net capital gain and net tax-exempt interest) would be taxed to shareholders as ordinary dividend income. Such distributions generally would be eligible (i) to be treated as “qualified dividend income,” as discussed below in the case of noncorporate shareholders and (ii) for the dividends received deduction under Section 243 of the Code (the “Dividends Received Deduction”) in the case of corporate shareholders. In addition, in order to requalify for taxation as a RIC, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make certain distributions.

As a RIC, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its investment company taxable income and net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, that it distributes to shareholders. The Fund may retain for investment its net capital gain. However, if the Fund retains any net capital gain or any investment company taxable income, it will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. If the Fund retains any net capital gain, it may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their share of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the federal income tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder’s gross income and the federal income tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence. The Fund intends to distribute to its shareholders, at least annually, substantially all of its investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and the net capital gain not otherwise retained by the Fund.

Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax. To prevent imposition of the excise tax, the Fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of its ordinary taxable income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the calendar

 

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year, (2) 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending July 31 of the calendar year, and (3) any ordinary taxable income and capital gains for previous years that were 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 distributions in accordance with the calendar year distribution requirement.

The Fund may elect to treat part or all of any “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining the Fund’s taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. The effect of this election is to treat any such “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in characterizing Fund distributions for any calendar year. A “qualified late year loss” generally includes net capital loss, net long-term capital loss, or net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year (commonly referred to as “post-October losses”) and certain other late-year losses.

The treatment of capital loss carryovers for the Fund is similar to the rules that apply to capital loss carryovers of individuals, which provide that such losses are carried over indefinitely. If the Fund has a “net capital loss” (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains), the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year, and the excess (if any) of the Fund’s net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year. In addition, the carryover of capital losses may be limited under the general loss limitation rules if the Fund experiences an ownership change as defined in the Code.

Nature of Fund’s Investments

Certain investment practices of the Fund are subject to special provisions of the Code that, among other things, may defer the use of certain deductions or losses of the Fund, affect the holding period of securities held by the Fund and alter the character of the gains or losses realized by the Fund. These provisions may also require the Fund to recognize income or gain without receiving cash with which to make distributions in the amounts necessary to satisfy the requirements for maintaining RIC status and for avoiding federal income and excise taxes. The Fund will monitor its transactions and may make certain tax elections in order to mitigate the effect of these rules and prevent disqualification of the Fund as a RIC.

The Fund may invest in preferred securities or other securities the 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, potentially requiring the Fund to purchase or sell securities, or otherwise change its portfolio, in order to comply with the requirements applicable to regulated investment companies under the Code.

The Fund may acquire debt securities that are market discount bonds. A market discount bond is a security acquired in the secondary market at a price below its redemption value (or its adjusted issue price if it is also an original issue discount bond). If the Fund invests in a market discount bond, it will be required to treat any gain recognized on the disposition of such market discount bond as ordinary taxable income to the extent of the accrued market discount unless the Fund elects to include the market discount in taxable income as it accrues.

 

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If the Fund invests in certain pay-in-kind securities, zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities or, in general, any other securities with original issue discount (or with market discount if the Fund elects to include market discount in income currently), the Fund must accrue income on such investments for each taxable year, which generally will be prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments. However, the Fund must distribute to shareholders, at least annually, all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), including such income it is required to accrue, to continue to qualify as a RIC and to avoid federal income and excise taxes. Therefore, the Fund may have to dispose of its portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash, or may have to leverage itself by borrowing the cash, to satisfy these distribution requirements.

The Fund’s investment in lower rated or unrated debt securities may present issues for the Fund if the issuers of these securities default on their obligations because the federal income tax consequences to a holder of such securities are not certain.

The application of certain requirements for qualification as a RIC and the application of certain other federal income tax rules may be unclear in some respects in connection with investments in certain derivatives and other investments. As a result, the Fund may be required to limit the extent to which it invests in such investments and it is also possible that the IRS may not agree with the Fund’s treatment of such investments. In addition, the tax treatment of derivatives and certain other investments may be affected by future legislation, Treasury Regulations and guidance issued by the IRS (which could apply retroactively) that could affect the timing, character and amount of the Fund’s income and gains and distributions to shareholders, affect whether the Fund has made sufficient distributions and otherwise satisfied the requirements to maintain its qualification as a RIC and avoid federal income and excise taxes or limit the extent to which the Fund may invest in certain derivatives and other investments in the future.

Generally, the character of the income or gain that the Fund receives from another investment company will pass through to the Fund’s shareholders as long as the Fund and the other investment company each qualify as regulated investment companies. However, to the extent that another investment company that qualifies as a RIC realizes net losses on its investments for a given taxable year, the Fund will not be able to recognize its share of those losses until it disposes of shares of such investment company. Moreover, even when the Fund does make such a disposition, a portion of its loss may be recognized as a long-term capital loss, which will not be treated as favorably for federal income tax purposes as an ordinary deduction. In particular, the Fund will not be able to offset any capital losses from its dispositions of shares of other investment companies against its ordinary income. As a result of the foregoing rules, and certain other special rules, it is possible that the amounts of net investment income and net capital gains that the Fund will be required to distribute to shareholders will be greater than such amounts would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the investment companies in which it invests, rather than investing in shares of the investment companies. For similar reasons, the character of distributions from the Fund (e.g., long-term capital gain, qualified dividend income, etc.) will not necessarily be the same as it would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the investment companies in which it invests.

Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates which occur between the time the Fund accrues income or receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such income or pays such liabilities generally are

 

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treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, on disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency and on disposition of certain other instruments, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the security or contract and the date of disposition also may be treated as ordinary gain or loss. These gains and losses, referred to under the Code as “Section 988” gains or losses, may increase or decrease the amount of the Fund’s investment company taxable income to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income.

If the Fund receives an “excess distribution” with respect to the stock of a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”), the Fund itself may be subject to federal income tax on a portion of the excess distribution, whether or not the corresponding income is distributed by the Fund to shareholders. In general, a foreign corporation is classified as a PFIC for a taxable year if at least 50% of its assets constitute certain investment-type assets or 75% or more of its gross income is certain investment-type income.

Under the PFIC rules, an excess distribution is treated as having been realized ratably over the period during which the Fund held the PFIC stock. The Fund itself will be subject to U.S. federal income tax (including interest) on the portion, if any, of an excess distribution that is so allocated to prior taxable years. Certain distributions from a PFIC as well as gain from the sale of PFIC stock are treated as excess distributions. Excess distributions are characterized as ordinary income even though, absent application of the PFIC rules, certain excess distributions might have been classified as capital gain.

Rather than being taxed on the PFIC income as discussed above, the Fund may be eligible to elect alternative tax treatment. Under an election that currently is available in certain circumstances, the Fund generally would be required to include in its gross income its share of the PFIC’s income and net capital gain annually, regardless of whether distributions are received from the PFIC in a given year. Amounts included in income each year by the Fund arising from such election will be “qualifying income” under the qualifying income requirement for classification as a RIC (as described above) even if not distributed to the Fund, if the Fund derives such income from its business of investing in stock, securities or currencies. In addition, another election may be available that would involve marking to market the Fund’s PFIC shares at the end of each taxable year (and on certain other dates prescribed in the Code), with the result that unrealized gains are treated as though they were realized and treated as ordinary income or loss (subject to certain limitations). If this election were made, federal income tax at the Fund level under the PFIC rules would generally be eliminated, but the Fund could, in limited circumstances, incur nondeductible interest charges. The Fund’s intention to qualify annually as a RIC may limit its options with respect to PFIC shares.

Because the application of the PFIC rules may affect, among other things, the character of gains and the amount of gain or loss and the timing of the recognition of income with respect to PFIC shares, and may subject the Fund itself to tax on certain income from PFIC shares, the amount that must be distributed to shareholders and that will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gain may be increased or decreased as compared to a fund that did not invest in PFIC shares.

The Fund’s investments in REITs may result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the REIT’s earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, these distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for federal income tax purposes. Investments in REIT equity securities also may require the Fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received. To generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions, the Fund may be required to sell securities in its portfolio (including

 

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when it is not advantageous to do so) that it otherwise would have continued to hold. Dividends received by the Fund from a REIT will not qualify for the corporate Dividends Received Deduction and generally will not constitute qualified dividend income. If a REIT is operated in a manner such that it fails to qualify as a REIT, an investment in the REIT would become subject to double taxation, meaning the taxable income of the REIT would be subject to federal income tax at the regular corporate rate without any deduction for dividends paid to shareholders and the dividends would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (or possibly as qualified dividend income) to the extent of the REIT’s current and accumulated earnings and profits.

“Qualified REIT dividends” (i.e., ordinary REIT dividends other than capital gain dividends and portions of REIT dividends designated as qualified dividend income eligible for capital gain tax rates) are eligible for a 20% deduction by non-corporate taxpayers. This deduction, if allowed in full, equates to a maximum effective tax rate of 29.6% (37% top rate applied to income after 20% deduction). Distributions by the Fund to its shareholders that are attributable to qualified REIT dividends received by the Fund and which the Fund properly reports as “section 199A dividends,” are treated as “qualified REIT dividends” in the hands of non-corporate shareholders. A section 199A dividend is treated as a qualified REIT dividend only if the shareholder receiving such dividend holds the dividend-paying RIC shares for at least 46 days of the 91-day period beginning 45 days before the shares become ex-dividend, and is not under an obligation to make related payments with respect to a position in substantially similar or related property. The Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as section 199A dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so.

REITs in which the Fund invests often do not provide complete and final tax information to the Funds until after the time that the Fund issues a tax reporting statement. As a result, the Fund may at times find it necessary to reclassify the amount and character of its distributions to you after it issues your tax reporting statement. When such reclassification is necessary, the Fund (or its administrative agent) will send you a corrected, final Form 1099-DIV to reflect the reclassified information. If you receive a corrected Form 1099-DIV, use the information on this corrected form, and not the information on the previously issued tax reporting statement, in completing your tax returns.

The Fund may invest in REITs that hold residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”). Under a notice issued by the IRS, a portion of the Fund’s income from a REIT (or other pass-through entity) that is attributable to a residual interest in a REMIC (referred to in the Code as an “excess inclusion”) will be subject to federal income tax in all events. The notice provides that excess inclusion income of a RIC, such as the Fund, will be allocated to shareholders of the RIC in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related REMIC residual interest directly. In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (a) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (b) 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, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a federal income tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (c) in the case of a foreign shareholder, 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 by the Code) is a record holder of a share in a RIC, then the RIC 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 federal income tax rate imposed on corporations.

 

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Distributions to shareholders of net investment income received by the Fund, and of net short-term capital gains realized by the Fund, if any, will be taxable to its shareholders as ordinary income, except as described below with respect to qualified dividend income. Distributions by the Fund of net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, are taxable as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time the shareholder has owned the shares with respect to which such distributions are made. Distributions derived from qualified dividend income and received by a noncorporate shareholder will be taxed at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain. Qualified dividend income generally includes dividends from domestic corporations and dividends from non-U.S. corporations that meet certain specified criteria. In order for some portion of the dividends received by a shareholder to be qualified dividend income, the Fund must meet certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend paying stocks in its portfolio and the noncorporate shareholder must meet certain holding period and other requirements with respect to its shares of the Fund. A portion of the Fund’s distributions to shareholders may qualify for the Dividends Received Deduction available to corporate shareholders. Taxable distributions are subject to federal income tax whether reinvested in additional shares of the Fund or paid in cash.

Distributions

To be eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income, shareholders generally must hold their shares for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date. In order for dividends received by the Fund’s shareholders to be treated as qualified dividend income, the Fund must also meet certain holding period and other requirements with respect to such dividend paying stocks it owns. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income at the Fund level if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for 60 days or fewer during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 90 days or fewer during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date). In addition to the above holding period requirements, a dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level), (1) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (2) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (3) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with an exception for stock that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (b) treated as a PFIC. The Fund’s investment strategies may limit its ability to make distributions that are eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income for non-corporate shareholders or for the Dividends Received Deduction for corporate shareholders.

Distributions, if any, in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a shareholder’s shares and, after that basis has been reduced to zero, will constitute capital gain to the shareholder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset).

If the Fund utilizes leverage through borrowings, or otherwise, asset coverage limitations imposed by the 1940 Act as well as additional restrictions that may be imposed by certain lenders on the payment of dividends or distributions potentially could limit or eliminate the Fund’s ability to make distributions on its Common Shares until the asset coverage is restored. These limitations could prevent the Fund from distributing at least 90% of its investment company taxable income and tax-exempt interest as is required under the Code and therefore might jeopardize the Fund’s

 

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qualification as a RIC and/or might subject the Fund to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax. The Fund endeavors to avoid restrictions on its ability to distribute dividends.

Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid, dividends declared in October, November or December, payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in one of those months and paid during the following January, will be treated as having been distributed by the Fund (and received by the shareholders) on December 31 of the year declared.

A dividend or distribution received shortly after the purchase of shares reduces the net asset value of the shares by the amount of the dividend or distribution and, although in effect a return of capital, will be taxable to the shareholder. If the net asset value of shares were reduced below the shareholder’s cost by dividends or distributions representing gains realized on sales of securities, such dividends or distributions, although also in effect returns of capital, would be taxable to the shareholder in the same manner as other dividends or distributions. This is known as “buying a dividend” and should be avoided by taxable investors.

The IRS requires that a RIC that has two or more classes of stock allocate to each such class proportionate amounts of each type of its income (such as ordinary income, capital gains, dividends qualifying for the dividends received deduction, qualified dividend income, interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends) based upon the percentage of total dividends paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits to each class for the tax year. Accordingly, if the Fund issues Preferred Shares, it intends each year to allocate capital gain dividends, if any, between its Common Shares and Preferred Shares in proportion to the total dividends paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits to each class with respect to such tax year. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, if any, however, would not be allocated proportionately among the Common Shares and Preferred Shares. Since the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits in the event of the issuance of Preferred Shares would first be used to pay dividends on the Preferred Shares, distributions in excess of such earnings and profits, if any, would be made disproportionately to Common Shareholders.

Sale, Exchange or Liquidation of Fund Shares

The sale or exchange of shares of the Fund normally will result in capital gain or loss to shareholders who hold their shares as capital assets. Generally, a shareholder’s gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year. The gain or loss on shares held for one year or less will generally be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. Present law taxes both long-term and short-term capital gains of corporations at the same rates applicable to ordinary income. For noncorporate taxpayers, however, long-term capital gains are currently taxed at a maximum federal income tax rate of 20%, while short-term capital gains and other ordinary income are currently taxed at ordinary income rates. If a shareholder sells or otherwise disposes of shares before holding them for more than six months, any loss on the sale or disposition will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any net capital gain dividends received by the shareholder with respect to such shares. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of the Fund will be disallowed to the extent those shares of the Fund are replaced by other substantially identical shares of the Fund or other substantially identical stock or securities (including through reinvestment of dividends) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date of disposition of the original shares. In that event, the basis of the replacement stock or securities will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitation.

 

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Medicare Tax

Certain noncorporate shareholders are subject to an additional 3.8% tax on some or all of their “net investment income,” which includes items of gross income that are attributable to interest, original issue discount and market discount (but not including tax-exempt interest), as well as net gain from the disposition of other property. This tax generally applies to the extent net investment income, when added to other modified adjusted gross income, exceeds $200,000 for an unmarried individual, $250,000 for a married taxpayer filing a joint return (or a surviving spouse), or $125,000 for a married individual filing a separate return. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers regarding the applicability of this tax in respect of their shares.

Foreign Taxes

Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be eligible to elect to “pass through” to the Fund’s shareholders the amount of eligible foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, a shareholder generally subject to federal income tax will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro rata share of foreign taxes in computing his or her taxable income and to use such amount as a foreign tax credit against his or her U.S. federal income tax liability or deduct such amount in lieu of claiming a credit, in each case subject to certain limitations. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Each shareholder will be notified after the close of the Fund’s taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid by the Fund will “pass through” for that year.

If the Fund does not satisfy the requirements for passing through to its shareholders their proportionate shares of any foreign taxes paid by the Fund, shareholders will not be required to include such taxes in their gross incomes and will not be entitled to a tax deduction or credit for such taxes on their own federal income tax returns.

Under certain circumstances, if the Fund receives a refund of foreign taxes paid in respect of a prior year, the value of Fund shares could be affected or any foreign tax credits or deductions passed through to shareholders in respect of the Fund’s foreign taxes for the current year could be reduced.

Backup Withholding

The Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 24% from all distributions and redemption proceeds payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Corporate shareholders and certain other shareholders specified in the Code generally are exempt from such backup withholding. This withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s federal income tax liability, provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.

 

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Foreign Shareholders

U.S. taxation of a shareholder who, as to the United States, is a nonresident alien individual, a foreign trust or estate, or a foreign corporation (“foreign shareholder”) depends on whether the income of the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the shareholder. If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Fund shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partner in a partnership holding Fund shares should consult its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of Fund shares.

If the income from the Fund is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the foreign shareholder, distributions of investment company taxable income will be subject to a U.S. tax of 30% (or lower treaty rate), which tax is generally withheld from such distributions. Distributions which are reported by the Fund as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends” are exempt from the 30% withholding tax. Interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends generally represent distributions of interest or short-term capital gains that would not have been subject to U.S. withholding tax at the source if they had been received directly by a foreign person and satisfy certain other requirements.

Distributions of capital gain dividends (including any amounts retained by the Fund which are reported as undistributed capital gains) and gains recognized on the sale or other disposition of our common stock will not be subject to U.S. tax at the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate) unless the foreign shareholder 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% U.S. tax. In the case of a foreign shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, the Fund may be required to withhold U.S. income tax from distributions of net capital gain unless the foreign shareholder certifies his or her non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption.

If the income from the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, then distributions of investment company taxable income and capital gain dividends, any amounts retained by the Fund which are reported 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 shareholders also may be subject to the branch profits tax imposed by the Code. Certain certification and disclosure requirements, including delivery of a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI, must be satisfied for income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business to be exempt from the 30% withholding described above.

The tax consequences to a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may differ from those described herein. Foreign shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

 

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Under legislation known as “FATCA” (the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), the Fund will be required to withhold 30% of the ordinary dividends it pays to shareholders that fail to meet prescribed information reporting or certification requirements. In general, no such withholding will be required with respect to a U.S. person or foreign person that timely provides the certifications required by the Fund or its agent on a valid IRS Form W-9, W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, respectively. Shareholders potentially subject to withholding include foreign financial institutions (“FFIs”), such as foreign investment funds, and non-financial foreign entities (“NFFEs”). To avoid withholding under FATCA, an FFI generally must enter into an information sharing agreement with the IRS in which it agrees to report certain identifying information (including name, address, and taxpayer identification number) with respect to its U.S. account holders (which, in the case of an entity shareholder, may include its direct and indirect U.S. owners), and an NFFE generally must identify itself and may be required to provide other required information to the Fund or other withholding agent regarding its U.S. owners, if any. Such foreign shareholders also may fall into certain exempt, excepted or deemed compliant categories as established by regulations and other guidance. A non-U.S. entity that invests in the Fund will need to provide the Fund with documentation properly certifying the entity’s status under FATCA in order to avoid FATCA withholding. A foreign shareholder resident or doing business in a country that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. to implement FATCA may be subject to different requirements provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement. Foreign shareholders are encouraged to consult with their tax advisers regarding the possible implications of these requirements on their investment in Fund shares.

Other Tax Considerations

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

Under Treasury regulations, generally, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to Common Shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder in any single taxable year (or a greater loss over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The audited financial statements, financial highlights and notes thereto and the independent registered public accounting firm’s report thereon appearing in the Fund’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020 are incorporated herein by reference in this SAI. The Fund’s Annual Report may be obtained without charge by calling (312) 917-7700 or on Nuveen’s website at www.nuveen.com. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, the Fund’s website is not part of this SAI.

 

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CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT

The custodian of the Fund’s assets is State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111 (the “Custodian”). The Custodian performs custodial, fund accounting and portfolio accounting services. The Fund’s transfer, shareholder services and dividend paying agent is Computershare. Computershare is located at 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, provides auditing services to the Fund. The principal business address of KPMG is 200 East Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60601.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with the Common Shares will be passed upon for the Fund by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Washington, DC.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A Registration Statement on Form N-2, including amendments thereto, relating to the shares of the Fund offered hereby, has been filed by the Fund with the SEC, Washington, D.C. The Prospectus and this SAI do not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, including any exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Fund and the shares offered hereby, reference is made to the Fund’s Registration Statement. Copies of the Registration Statement may be inspected without charge at the SEC’s principal office in Washington, D.C., and copies of all or any part thereof may be obtained from the SEC upon the payment of certain fees prescribed by the SEC.

 

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APPENDIX A

RATINGS OF INVESTMENTS

S&P Global Ratings

The following rating definitions are for long-term and short-term credit ratings for both issuer and issue ratings. These types of credit ratings cover the broadest set of credit risk factors and are not limited in scope. Some refer to these as the “traditional” credit ratings.

A. Issue Credit Ratings

An S&P Global Ratings 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 Global Ratings’ view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and this opinion 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. Short-term ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.

Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings

Long-term issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&P Global Ratings’ analysis of the following considerations:

 

   

The likelihood of payment—the capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitments on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;

 

   

The nature and provisions of the financial obligation, and the promise we impute; and

 

   

The protection afforded by, and relative position of, the financial obligation in the event of a 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.)

AAA

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

 

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AA

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.

A

An obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

BBB

An obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

BB, B, CCC, CC, and C

Obligations rated ‘BB’, ‘B’, ‘CCC’, ‘CC’, and ‘C’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘C’ the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

BB

An obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

B

An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CCC

An obligation rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments 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 commitments on the obligation.

CC

An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The ‘CC’ rating is used when a default has not yet occurred but S&P Global Ratings expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

 

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C

An obligation rated ‘C’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared with obligations that are rated higher.

D

An obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

NR

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

Plus (+) or minus (-)

The ratings from ‘AA’ to ‘CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings

A-1

A short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

A-2

A short-term obligation rated ‘A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

A-3

A short-term obligation rated ‘A-3’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken an obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

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B

A short-term obligation rated ‘B’ is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

C

A short-term obligation rated ‘C’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

D

A short-term obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

Dual Ratings

Dual ratings may be assigned to debt issues that have a put option or demand feature. The first component of the rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second component of the rating addresses only the demand feature. The first component of the rating can relate to either a short-term or long-term transaction and accordingly use either short-term or long-term rating symbols. The second component of the rating relates to the put option and is assigned a short-term rating symbol (for example, ‘AAA/A-1+’ or ‘A-1+/A-1’). With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, the U.S. municipal short-term note rating symbols are used for the first component of the rating (for example, ‘SP-1+/A-1+’).

For more information on S&P Global Ratings, please visit www.standardandpoors.com.

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

A brief description of the applicable Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) rating symbols and their meanings (as published by Moody’s) follows:

Municaipal Bonds

Aaa

Bonds that are rated ‘Aaa’ are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as “gilt edged.” Interest payments are protected by a

 

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large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

Aa

Bonds mat are rated ‘Aa’ are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the ‘Aaa’ group they comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in ‘Aaa’ securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present mat make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in ‘Aaa’ securities.

A

Bonds that are rated ‘A’ possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present that suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.

Baa

Bonds that are rated ‘Baa’ are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.

Ba

Bonds that are rated ‘Ba’ are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.

B

Bonds that are rated ‘B’ generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

Caa

Bonds that are rated ‘Caa’ are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.

Ca

Bonds that are rated ‘Ca’ represent obligations that are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

 

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C

Bonds that are rated ‘C’ are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor Prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.

#(hatchmark): Represents issues that are secured by escrowed funds held in cash, held in trust, invested and reinvested in direct, non-callable, non-prepayable United States government obligations or non-callable, non-prepayable obligations unconditionally guaranteed by the U.S. Government, Resolution Funding Corporation debt obligations.

Con. (...): Bonds for which the security depends upon the completion of some act or the fulfillment of some condition are rated conditionally. These are bonds secured by (a) earnings of projects under construction, (b) earnings of projects unseasoned in operation experience, (c) rentals that begin when facilities are completed, or (d) payments to which some other limiting condition attaches. The parenthetical rating denotes probable credit stature upon completion of construction or elimination of the basis of the condition.

(P): When applied to forward delivery bonds, indicates the rating is provisional pending delivery of the bonds. The rating may be revised prior to delivery if changes occur in the legal documents or the underlying credit quality of the bonds.

Note: Moody’s applies numerical modifiers 1,2 and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates mat the issue ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.

Short-Term Loans

MIG 1/VMIG 1

This designation denotes best quality. There is present strong protection by established cash flows, superior liquidity support or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

MIG 2/VMIG 2

This designation denotes high quality. Margins of protection are ample although not so large as in the preceding group.

MIG 3/VMIG 3

This designation denotes favorable quality. All security elements are accounted for but there is lacking the undeniable strength of the preceding grades. Liquidity and cash flow protection may be narrow and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well established.

MIG 4/VMIG 4

This designation denotes adequate quality. Protection commonly regarded as required of an investment security is present and although not distinctly or predominantly speculative, there is specific risk.

 

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SG

This designation denotes speculative quality. Debt instruments in this category lack margins of protection.

Commercial Paper

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1 repayment ability will normally be evidenced by the following characteristics:

 

   

Leading market positions in well-established industries.

 

   

High rates of return on funds employed.

 

   

Conservative capitalization structures with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection.

 

   

Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation.

 

   

Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to variation than is the case for Prime-2 securities. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. The effect of industry characteristics and market composition may be more pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection measurements and the requirement for relatively high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.

Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

For more information on Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., please visit www.moodys.com.

 

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Fitch Ratings

A brief description of the applicable Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”) ratings symbols and meanings (as published by Fitch) follows:

Long-Term Credit Ratings

Investment Grade

AAA

Highest credit quality. ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA

Very high credit quality. ‘AA’ ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A

High credit quality. ‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB

Good credit quality. ‘BBB’ ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

BB

Speculative. ‘BB’ ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists that supports the servicing of financial commitments.

B

Highly Speculative. ‘B’ ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

CCC

Substantial credit risk. Default is a real possibility.

 

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CC

Very high levels of credit risk. Default of some kind appears probable.

C

Near default. A default or default-like process has begun, or the issuer is in standstill, or for a closed funding vehicle, payment capacity is irrevocably impaired. Conditions that are indicative of a ‘C’ category rating for an issuer include:

 

  a.

the issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation;

 

  b.

the issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation;

 

  c.

the formal announcement by the issuer or their agent of a distressed debt exchange;

 

  d.

a closed financing vehicle where payment capacity is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default is imminent.

RD

Restricted default. ‘RD’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch’s opinion has experienced:

 

  a.

an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation, but

 

  b.

has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation, or other formal winding-up procedure, and

 

  c.

has not otherwise ceased operating.

This would include:

 

  i.

the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt;

 

  ii.

the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation;

 

  iii.

the extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; ordinary execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations.

D

Default. ‘D’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch’s opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure or that has otherwise ceased business.

 

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Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange.

In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency’s opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer’s financial obligations or local commercial practice.

Short-Term Credit Ratings

A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-term deposit ratings may be adjusted for loss severity. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short term” based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.

Fl

Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

F2

Good short-term credit quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

F3

Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

B

Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

C

High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.

RD

Restricted Default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.

 

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D

Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.

Notes to Long-term and Short-term ratings:

“+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the ‘AAA’ Long-term rating category, to categories below ‘CCC, or to Short-term ratings other than ‘FT.

‘NR’ indicates that Fitch Ratings does not rate the issuer or issue in question.

‘Withdrawn’: A rating is withdrawn when Fitch Ratings deems the amount of information available to be inadequate for rating purposes, or when an obligation matures, is called, or refinanced.

Rating Watch: Ratings are placed on Rating Watch to notify investors that there is a reasonable probability of a rating change and the likely direction of such change. These are designated as “Positive”, indicating a potential upgrade, “Negative”, for a potential downgrade, or “Evolving”, if ratings may be raised, lowered or maintained. Rating Watch is typically resolved over a relatively short period.

A Rating Outlook indicates the direction a rating is likely to move over a one to two year period. Outlooks may be positive, stable, or negative. A positive or negative Rating Outlook does not imply a rating change is inevitable. Similarly, ratings for which outlooks are ‘stable’ could be downgraded before an outlook moves to positive or negative if circumstances warrant such an action. Occasionally, Fitch Ratings may be unable to identify the fundamental trend. In these cases, the Rating Outlook may be described as evolving.

For more information about Fitch, Inc., please visit www.fitchratings.com.

 

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Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund

 

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

 

March 18, 2021


Table of Contents

PART C—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 25:

Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

1.    Financial Statements:
   Contained in Part A:

Financial Highlights for the Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund (the “Fund” or the “Registrant”) for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

 

Contained in Part B:

Financial Statements are incorporated in Part B by reference to the Registrant’s July 31, 2020 Annual Report (audited) on Form N-CSR as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) via EDGAR Accession No. 0001193125-20-265451 on October 7, 2020.

2.    Exhibits:
   a.1    Declaration of Trust of Registrant, dated January  27, 2003. Filed on January 31, 2003 as Exhibit a. to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No.  333-102903) and incorporated herein by reference.
   a.2    Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Registrant, dated May  7, 2007. Filed on December 13, 2016 as Exhibit 1.b to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No.  333-215072) and incorporated by reference herein.
   a.3    Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Registrant, dated April  2, 2012. Filed on December 13, 2016 as Exhibit 1.c to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No.  333-215072) and incorporated by reference herein.
   b.    Amended and Restated By-Laws of Registrant, dated October 5, 2020, are filed herewith.
   c.    Not applicable.
   d.    Form of Share Certificate. Filed on May  7, 2003 as Exhibit d. to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-103694) and incorporated herein by reference.
   e.    Terms and Conditions of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Filed on February  12, 2003 as Exhibit e. to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-102903) and incorporated by reference herein.
   f.    Not applicable.
   g.1    Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, dated October 1, 2014. Filed on December 13, 2016 as Exhibit 6.a to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-215072) and incorporated by reference herein.
   g.2   

Continuance of Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, dated July 30, 2020, is filed herewith.

   g.3    Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, dated October 1, 2014. Filed on December 13, 2016 as Exhibit 6.d to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-215072) and incorporated by reference herein.
   g.4   

Notice of Continuance of Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Nuveen Fund Advisors,  LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, dated July 31, 2020, is filed herewith.

 

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   g.5    Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement Agreement between Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC and NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC, dated October 1, 2014. Filed on December 13, 2016 as Exhibit 6.g to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-215072) and incorporated by reference herein.
   g.6    Notice of Continuance of Investment Sub-Advisory  Agreement between Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC and NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC, dated July 31, 2020, is filed herewith.
   h.1    Distribution Agreement Relating to At-the-Market offerings between the Registrant and Nuveen Securities, LLC to be filed by amendment.
   h.2    Dealer Agreement Relating to At-the-Market offerings between Nuveen Securities, LLC and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company Incorporated to be filed by amendment.
   i.   

Amended and Restated Nuveen Open-End and Closed-End Funds Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Directors and Trustees, effective as of May 8, 2020, is filed herewith.

   j.1    Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement between the Nuveen Investment Companies and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated July 15, 2015. Filed on December 13, 2016 as Exhibit 9.a to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-215072) and incorporated by reference herein.
   j.2    Amendment and revised Appendix A, dated July 31, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement between the Nuveen Investment Companies and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated July 15, 2015, is filed herewith.
   k.1   

Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Registrant and Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., dated June 15, 2017, is filed herewith.

   k.2   

First Amendment and updated Schedule A, dated September 7, 2017, to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Registrant and Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., dated June 15, 2017, is filed herewith.

   k.3    Second Amendment and updated Schedule A, dated February 26, 2018, to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated June 15, 2017, between the Registrant and Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. is filed herewith.
   k.4    Third Amendment and updated Schedule A, dated May 11, 2020, to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Registrant and Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., dated June 15, 2017, is filed herewith.
   l.1    Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is filed herewith.
   l.2    Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is filed herewith.
   m.    Not applicable.
   n.    Consent of KPMG LLP is filed herewith.
   o.    Not applicable.
   p.    Subscription Agreement between the Registrant and Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, dated March 3, 2003. Filed on March 25, 2003 as Exhibit p. to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-102903) and incorporated herein by reference.
   q.    Not applicable.
   r.1   

Code of Ethics and Reporting Requirements of Nuveen (including affiliated entities) and the Nuveen Funds, as amended August 13, 2020, is filed herewith.

   r.2   

Code of Ethics for the Independent Trustees of the Nuveen Funds, as last amended May 23, 2019, is filed herewith.

   s.1   

Powers of Attorney for Mses. Stockdale, Stone and Wolff and Messrs. Toth, Evans, Hunter, Moschner, Nelson, Young and Thornton are filed herewith.

 

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Item 26:

Marketing Arrangements.

See relevant Sections of the Distribution Agreement and Dealer Agreement to be filed as Exhibits h.1 and h.2, respectively, to this Registration Statement.

 

Item 27:

Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

 

Printing and Engraving Fees

   $ 60,000  

Legal Fees

   $ 100,000  

Audit Fees

   $ 5,500  

Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fees

   $ 13,092  

Stock Exchange Listing Fees

   $ 2,500  

Miscellaneous Expenses

   $ 8,908  
  

 

 

 
   $ 190,000  
  

 

 

 

 

Item 28:

Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant.

None.

 

Item 29:

Number of Holders of Securities.

As of February 28, 2021

 

Title of Class

   Number of Record Holders  

Common Shares, $0.01 par value

     46,333  

 

Item 30:

Indemnification.

Section 4 of Article XII of the Registrant’s Declaration of Trust provides as follows:

Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in this Section 4, every person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, including persons who serve at the request of the Trust as directors, trustees, officers, employees or agents of another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (hereinafter referred to as a “Covered Person”), shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been such a Trustee, director, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him in settlement thereof.

No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:

(a) against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of a final adjudication by the court or other body before which the proceeding was brought that he engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office;

(b) with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interests of the Trust; or

(c) in the event of a settlement or other disposition not involving a final adjudication (as provided in paragraph (a) or (b)) and resulting in a payment by a Covered Person, unless there has been either a determination that such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office by the court or other body approving the

 

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settlement or other disposition or a reasonable determination, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that he did not engage in such conduct:

(i) by a vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter); or

(ii) by written opinion of independent legal counsel.

The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such a Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel other than Covered Persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.

Expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding subject to a claim for indemnification under this Section 4 shall be advanced by the Trust prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 4, provided that either:

(a) such undertaking is secured by a surety bond or some other appropriate security or the Trust shall be insured against losses arising out of any such advances; or

(b) a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter) or independent legal counsel in a written opinion shall determine, based upon a review of the readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the recipient ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

As used in this Section 4, a “Disinterested Trustee” is one (x) who is not an Interested Person of the Trust (including anyone, as such Disinterested Trustee, who has been exempted from being an Interested Person by any rule, regulation or order of the Commission), and (y) against whom none of such actions, suits or other proceedings or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending.

As used in this Section 4, the words “claim,” “action,” “suit” or “proceeding” shall apply to all claims, actions, suits, proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative or other, including appeals), actual or threatened; and the words “liability” and “expenses” shall include without limitation, attorneys’ fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.

The trustees and officers of the Registrant are covered by joint errors and omissions insurance policies against liability and expenses of claims of wrongful acts arising out of their position with the Registrant and other Nuveen Funds, subject to such policies’ coverage limits, exclusions and deductibles.

Section 7 of the Form of Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit h.2 to this Registration Statement provides for each of the parties thereto, including the Registrant and the underwriter, to indemnify the others, their trustees, directors, certain of their officers, trustees, directors and persons who control them against certain liabilities in connection with the offering described herein, including liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “1933 Act”) may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1993 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the

 

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successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

Item 31:

Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser and Sub-Advisers.

Nuveen Fund Advisors serves as investment adviser to the Registrant and serves as investment adviser or manager to other open-end and closed-end management, LLC (“Nuveen Fund Advisors”) investment companies and to separately managed accounts. The principal business address for Nuveen Fund Advisors is 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

A description of any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which the directors and officers of Nuveen Fund Advisors who serve as officers or Trustees of the Registrant have engaged during the last two years for his or her account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee appears under “Management” in the Statement of Additional Information. Such information for the remaining senior officers appears below:

 

Name and Position with Nuveen Fund Advisors

  

Other Business, Profession, Vocation or
Employment During Past Two Years

Oluseun Salami, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer    Director (since 2020) NIS/R&T, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Nuveen Alternative Advisors LLC (since 2020), Nuveen, LLC (since 2020), Teachers Advisors, LLC (since 2020), TIAA-CREF Asset Management LLC (since 2020) and TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC (since 2020); Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Business Finance and Planning (since 2020) Chief Accounting Officer (2019), Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller (2018-2020), Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America, Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller, College Retirement Equities Fund, TIAA Board of Overseers, TIAA Separate Account VA-1, TIAA-CREF Funds, TIAA-CREF Life Funds (2018-2020).
Megan Sendlak, Managing Director and Controller    Managing Director and Controller (since 2020) of Nuveen Alternatives Advisors LLC, Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, Nuveen Investments, Inc., Teachers Advisors, LLC and TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC; Managing Director and Controller (since 2020), formerly, Vice President and Corporate Accounting Director (2018-2020) of Nuveen, LLC; Vice President and Assistant Controller (since 2019) of NIS/R&T, INC., NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC and Santa Barbara Asset Management, LLC.
Michael A. Perry, Executive Vice President    Co-Chief Executive Officer (since April 2019), formerly, Executive Vice President (2017-2019); formerly, Managing Director (2015-2017) of Nuveen Securities; and Executive Vice President (since 2017) of Nuveen Alternative Investments, LLC.
Erik Mogavero, Managing Director and Chief Compliance Officer    Formerly employed by Deutsche Bank (2013- August 2017) as Managing Director, Head of Asset Management and Wealth Management Compliance for the Americas region and Chief Compliance Officer of Deutsche Investment Management Americas.

 

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Nuveen Asset Management LLC (“Nuveen Asset Management”) currently serves as sub-adviser to the Fund and as an investment adviser or sub-adviser to certain other open-end and closed-end funds and as investment adviser to separately managed accounts. The address for Nuveen Asset Management is 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

Set forth below is a list of each director and officer of Nuveen Asset Management, indicating each business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which such person has been, at any time during the past two fiscal years, engaged for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, partner or trustee.

 

Name and Position with Nuveen Asset Management

  

Other Business Profession, Vocation or
Employment During Past Two Years

William T. Huffman, President    None.
Stuart J. Cohen, Managing Director and Head of Legal    Managing Director and Assistant Secretary (since 2002) of Nuveen Securities, LLC; Managing Director (since 2007) and Assistant Secretary (since 2003) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC.
Travis M. Pauley, Managing Director and Chief Compliance Officer    Regional Head of Compliance and Regulatory Legal (2013-2020) of AXA Investment Managers.
Megan Sendlak, Managing Director and Controller    Managing Director and Controller (since 2020) of Nuveen Alternatives Advisors LLC, Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, Nuveen Investments, Inc., Teachers Advisors, LLC and TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC; Managing Director and Controller (since 2020), formerly, Vice President and Corporate Accounting Director (2018-2020) of Nuveen, LLC; Vice President and Assistant Controller (since 2019) of NIS/R&T, INC., NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC and Santa Barbara Asset Management, LLC.

NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC (“NWQ”) acts as sub-investment adviser to the Registrant for Nuveen NWQ Flexible Income Fund. In addition, NWQ serves as sub-investment adviser to other open-end funds and as investment adviser to separately managed accounts. The following is a list of the executive officers of NWQ. The principal business address of each person is 2029 Century Park East, Suite 1600, Los Angeles, California 90067.

 

Name and Position with NWQ

  

Other Business, Profession, Vocation or
Employment During Past Two Years

Jon D. Bosse, CFA, Chief Investment Officer, Co-head of NWQ, Portfolio Manager, Equity Analyst    None
Mary Ann Iudice, Chief Compliance Officer   

Chief Compliance Officer of Santa Barbara Asset Management, LLC.

Thomas J. Lavia, Jr., Co-head of NWQ, Director of Research, Portfolio Manager, Equity Analyst   

None

Avi M. Mizrachi, Senior Managing Director, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary    Senior Managing Director, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Santa Barbara Asset Management, LLC.

 

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Item 32:

Location of Accounts and Records.

Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, maintains the Fund’s Declaration of Trust, By-Laws, minutes of trustee and shareholder meetings, and contracts of the Registrant and all advisory material of the investment adviser. Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, and NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 1600, Los Angeles, California 90067, in their capacities as sub-advisers, may also hold certain accounts and records of the Fund.

Computershare Inc., 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, maintains all general and subsidiary ledgers, journals, trial balances, records of all portfolio purchases and sales, and all other required records not maintained by Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management or NWQ.

 

Item 33:

Management Services.

Not applicable.

 

Item 34:

Undertakings.

1. Not applicable.

2. Not applicable.

3. The Registrant undertakes:

a. Not applicable.

b. that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment to this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of those securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

c. to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering;

d. that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

(1) if the Registrant is relying on Rule 430B:

(A) Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (x), or (xi) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the

 

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registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or

(2) if the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C: each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in this registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

e. that for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities:

The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to the purchaser:

(1) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act;

(2) free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrants;

(3) the portion of any other free writing prospectus or advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the Securities Act relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

(4) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

4. The Registrant undertakes that:

a. for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant under Rule 424(b)(1) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this 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.

 

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5. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference into the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

6. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

7.

The Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, any prospectus or Statement of Additional Information.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in this City of Chicago, and State of Illinois, on the 18th day of March 2021.

 

NUVEEN PREFERRED & INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND

/s/  MARK L. WINGET

Mark L. Winget
Vice President and Secretary

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/  E. SCOTT WICKERHAM

E. Scott Wickerham

  

Vice President and Controller
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  March 18, 2021

/s/  DAVID J. LAMB

David J. Lamb

  

Chief Administrative Officer
(principal executive officer)

  March 18, 2021
Terence J. Toth*   

Chairman of the Board and Trustee

 
    
Jack B. Evans*   

Trustee

 
    
William C. Hunter*   

Trustee

 
    
Albin F. Moschner*   

Trustee

 
    
John K. Nelson*   

Trustee

 
    
Judith M. Stockdale*   

Trustee

 
    
Carole E. Stone*   

Trustee

 
    
Matthew Thornton III*   

Trustee

 
    
Margaret L. Wolff*   

Trustee

 
    
Robert L. Young*   

Trustee

 

 

By*:   /s/  MARK L. WINGET
  Mark L. Winget
  Attorney-in-Fact
                  March 18, 2021

 

*

The powers of attorney authorizing Mark L. Winget, among others, to execute this Registration Statement, and Amendments thereto, for the Trustees of the Registrant on whose behalf this Registration Statement is filed, have been executed and are filed herein as Exhibit s.

BY-LAWS

OF

NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUNDS

ORGANIZED AS

MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUSTS

(Amended and Restated as of October 5, 2020)

ARTICLE I

DECLARATION OF TRUST AND OFFICES

Section 1.1    The Trust; Declaration of Trust. These are the By-Laws of each Nuveen Closed-End Fund listed on Exhibit A, each a Massachusetts business trust established by its own Declaration of Trust (each such fund being referred to individually as the “Trust”). The Trust shall be subject to the Declaration of Trust, as from time to time in effect (the “Declaration of Trust”). Each Shareholder of the Trust, by virtue of having become a Shareholder, shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to be bound by the terms of the Declaration of Trust and these By-Laws.

Section 1.2    Registered Agent. The registered agent of the Trust in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be CT Corporation System, 150 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts, or such other agent as may be fixed by the Trustees.

Section 1.3    Other Offices. The Trust may have such other offices and places of business within or without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as the Trustees shall determine.

ARTICLE II

SHAREHOLDERS

Section 2.1    Place of Meetings. (a) Meetings of the Shareholders may be held at such place or places within or without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as shall be fixed by the Trustees or by the officers of the Trust and stated in the notice of the meeting, or in accordance with the following paragraph (b).

(b)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these By-Laws, the Trustees or the officers of the Trust may determine at any time, including, without limitation, after the calling of any meeting of Shareholders, that any meeting of Shareholders be held solely by means of remote communication or both at a physical location and by means of remote communication. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these By-Laws, if it is determined after notice of the meeting has been delivered to Shareholders that participation by Shareholders in the meeting shall or may be conducted by means of remote communication, announcement of such change may be made at any time by press release or any other means as may be permitted or required by applicable law. Shareholders and proxy holders entitled to be present and to vote at the meeting that are not physically present at such a meeting but participate by means of remote communication shall be considered present in person for all purposes under these By-Laws and may vote at such a meeting.


Subject to any guidelines and procedures that the Trustees or the officers of the Trust may adopt, any meeting at which Shareholders or proxy holders are permitted to participate by means of remote communication shall be conducted in accordance with the following, except to the extent otherwise permitted by the federal securities laws and the rules thereunder applicable to the Trust, including any exemptive, interpretive or other relief (including no-action relief) or guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

  (i)    The Trust shall implement, at the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer or his or her designee, reasonable measures to verify that each person considered present and authorized to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a Shareholder or proxy holder;

  (ii)    The Trust shall implement, at the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer or his or her designee, reasonable measures to provide the Shareholders and proxy holders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the Shareholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with the proceedings; and

  (iii)    In the event any Shareholder or proxy holder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of the vote or other action shall be maintained by the Trust.

Section 2.2    Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Shareholders for the election of Trustees and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held, so long as Shares are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange or any other exchange or market (an “Exchange”) and such Exchange requires the Trust to hold such meetings. Such regular meetings shall be called by the Trustees and held in accordance with the rules, regulations and interpretations of the applicable Exchange, on such day and at such place as shall be designated by the Trustees or by the officers of the Trust, provided that a meeting initially called to be held in any given calendar or fiscal year shall be deemed to be an annual meeting (as defined below) for that calendar or fiscal year, if so designated by the Trustees, even if the actual date of the Meeting is in a subsequent calendar or fiscal year, due to postponements, adjournments, delays or other similar events or circumstances. In the event that such a meeting is not held for any year if so required by the applicable Exchange, for whatever reason, a subsequent special meeting may be called by the Trustees and held in lieu of such meeting with the same effect as if held within that year. Such regular meeting or special meeting held in lieu of a regular meeting in accordance with this Section 2.2 shall be deemed to be an “annual meeting” for the purposes of these By-laws, and the term “special meeting” refers to all meetings of Shareholders other than an annual meeting or a special meeting in lieu of an annual meeting.

Section 2.3    Special Meetings.

(a)    Special meetings of the Shareholders for any purpose or purposes may be called by at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the Trustees.

(b)    Special meetings of the Shareholders must be called upon the written request of Shareholders entitled to cast at least ten (10) percent of all the votes entitled to be cast at the

 

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meeting. In order to be deemed properly submitted to the Trust, a written request of Shareholders to call a special meeting (a “Special Meeting Request”) must comply with this Section 2.3(b).

  (i)    Any Shareholder(s) seeking to request a special meeting shall send the Special Meeting Request to the Secretary by registered mail, return receipt requested, requesting the Secretary to call a special meeting. Proof of the requesting Shareholder’s ownership of Shares at the time of giving the Special Meeting Request must accompany the requesting Shareholder’s Special Meeting Request. The Special Meeting Request shall: (1) set forth the purpose of the meeting, which must be to act on a proposal upon which the requesting Shareholder(s) are entitled to vote, (2) be signed by each requesting Shareholder (or its duly authorized agent), (3) bear the date of signature of each requesting Shareholder (or its duly authorized agent), (4) set forth all information that each requesting Shareholder, and with respect to the beneficial owners of Shares on whose behalf such request is being made, each such beneficial owner of Shares, would be required to disclose in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies with respect to the proposed business to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), whether or not such Person intends to deliver a proxy statement or solicit proxies, and (5) include or be accompanied by all additional information required by Section 2.6 of these By-Laws.

  (ii)    Upon receiving the Special Meeting Request, the Trustees may in their discretion fix a date for the special meeting. In fixing a date for any special meeting, the Trustees may consider such factors as it deems relevant, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for the meeting and any plan of the Trustees to call an annual meeting or a special meeting.

  (iii)    Any requesting Shareholder (or its duly authorized agent) may revoke his, her or its request for a special meeting at any time by written revocation delivered to the Secretary.

  (iv)    If written revocation of the Special Meeting Request has been delivered to the Secretary by one or more requesting Shareholders and the result of such revocation(s) is that Shareholders of record entitled to cast less than ten (10) percent of all votes entitled to be cast at the meeting have delivered, and not revoked, requests for a special meeting to the Secretary: (1) if the notice of meeting has not already been delivered, the Secretary shall refrain from delivering the notice of the meeting and send to all requesting Shareholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of such revocations and written notice that the Trust intends to not deliver notice of the meeting, or (2) if the notice of meeting has been delivered and if the Secretary first sends to all requesting Shareholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of such revocations and written notice of the Trust’s intention to revoke the notice of the meeting or for the chair of the meeting to adjourn the meeting without action on the matter, (A) the Secretary may revoke the notice of the meeting at any time at least ten (10) days before the commencement of the meeting or (B) the chair of the meeting may call the meeting to order and adjourn the meeting without acting on the matter. Any Special Meeting Request received after a revocation by the Secretary of a notice of a meeting shall be considered a request for a new special meeting.

 

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  (v)    The Trustees, the Chair or an officer of the Trust may appoint regionally or nationally recognized independent inspectors of elections to act as the agent of the Trust for the purpose of promptly performing a ministerial review of the validity of any purported Special Meeting Request received by the Secretary. For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, no such purported Special Meeting Request shall be deemed to have been received by the Secretary until the earlier of (1) five (5) business days after actual receipt by the Secretary of such purported request and (2) such date as the independent inspectors certify to the Trust that the valid requests received by the Secretary represent Shareholders of record entitled to cast not less than ten (10) percent of all votes entitled to be cast at the meeting. Nothing contained in this paragraph (v) shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Trust or any Shareholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any request, whether during or after such five (5) business day period, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).

(c)    No business shall be conducted at a special meeting of the Shareholders except such business as shall be set forth in the Trust’s notice of meeting, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.3 and in compliance with Section 2.5 and Section 2.6 of these By-Laws and Article IX of the Declaration of Trust. If the chair of a special meeting determines that proposed business was not properly brought before such meeting in accordance with this Section 2.3(c), the chair of the meeting shall declare to the meeting that the proposed business was not properly brought before the meeting and such proposed business shall not be transacted; provided, however, that such proposed business shall not be presumed to be valid in the absence of such a declaration. Determinations of the chair of a meeting pursuant to this Section 2.3(c) shall be final and binding unless determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been made in bad faith.

Section 2.4    Chair and Secretary of Meetings.

(a)    The Secretary of the Trust, or another officer designated by the Secretary of the Trust, shall serve as chair of the meeting. If neither the Secretary of the Trust nor any other officer designated by the Secretary of the Trust to serve as chair is present (in person or by means of remote communication) at the meeting, Shareholders may designate a chair of the meeting by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by Shareholders present in person or by proxy. The chair of the meeting may by means of remote communication call the meeting to order, preside at the meeting and adjourn the meeting in accordance with Section 2.12 of these By-Laws, regardless of whether such meeting is held in person or by means of remote communication.

(b)    An individual appointed by the Trustees or, in the absence of such appointment, an individual appointed by the chair of the meeting shall act as secretary of the meeting. The secretary of the meeting may participate in the meeting by means of remote communication, regardless of whether such meeting is held in person or by means of remote communication.

Section 2.5    Notice of Meetings. Notice of all meetings stating the time, place and purpose or purposes of the meeting shall be delivered to each Shareholder not less than ten (10) nor

 

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more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the meeting. For any matter to be properly before any regular or special meeting, the matter must be (i) specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Chair, the Chief Administrative Officer or at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the Trustees or (ii) brought before the meeting by a Shareholder in the manner specified in Section 2.6 of these By-Laws.

Section 2.6    Requirements for Matters to be Considered.

(a)    With the exception of Shareholder proposals duly submitted in accordance with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act (or any successor provision thereto) upon which a requesting Shareholder is entitled to vote and required to be included therein by applicable law, only matters proposed by the Chief Administrative Officer or at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the Trustees may be included in the Trust’s proxy materials.

(b)    In addition to complying with any other requirements under all applicable federal and state laws, including the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and the Declaration of Trust and these By-Laws, any proposal to elect any person nominated by Shareholders for election as Trustee and any other proposal upon which a requesting Shareholder is entitled to vote may only be brought before a meeting of Shareholders if timely written notice (the “Shareholder Notice”) is provided to the Secretary as specified below.

  (i)    With respect to annual meetings of Shareholders, unless a greater or lesser period is required under applicable law, to be timely, the Shareholder Notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Trust not less than seventy-five (75) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the first anniversary date of the date on which the Trust first mailed its proxy materials for the prior year’s annual meeting; provided, however, if and only if the annual meeting is not scheduled to be held within a period that commences thirty (30) days before the first anniversary date of the annual meeting for the preceding year and ends thirty (30) days after such anniversary date (an annual meeting date outside such period being referred to herein as an “Other Annual Meeting Date”), such Shareholder Notice must be given in the manner provided herein not more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to such Other Annual Meeting Date and not later than the close of business on the later of (1) the date ninety (90) days prior to such Other Annual Meeting Date or (2) the tenth (10th) business day following the date such Other Annual Meeting Date is first publicly announced or disclosed.

  (ii)    In the event the Trust calls a special meeting of Shareholders for the purpose of electing one or more individuals as Trustees, a Shareholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a Trustee as specified in the Trust’s notice of meeting, provided that the Shareholder Notice be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Trust not more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the date of such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (1) the date ninety (90) days prior to such special meeting or (2) the tenth (10th) business day following the date such special meeting and the number of Trustees to be elected at such meeting is first publicly announced or disclosed.

 

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(c)    Any Shareholder desiring to nominate any person or persons (as the case may be) for election as a Trustee or Trustees of the Trust (each a “Proposed Nominee”) shall deliver, as part of such Shareholder Notice:

  (i)    a statement in writing setting forth with respect to each Proposed Nominee:

(1)    the name, age, date of birth, business address, residence address and nationality of such Proposed Nominee;

(2)    the class or series and number of all Shares of the Trust owned of record or beneficially by such Proposed Nominee and each Proposed Nominee Associate of such Proposed Nominee, as reported to such Shareholder by such Proposed Nominee;

(3)    the name of each nominee holder of Shares owned beneficially but not of record by such Proposed Nominee and each Proposed Nominee Associate of such Proposed Nominee, and the number of such Shares held by each such nominee holder;

(4)    a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether written or oral (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, warrants, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares), that has been entered into as of the date of the Shareholder Notice or on behalf of such Proposed Nominee and each Proposed Nominee Associate of such Proposed Nominee, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such Proposed Nominee and each Proposed Nominee Associate of such Proposed Nominee, with respect to Shares of the Trust;

(5)    any other information regarding such Proposed Nominee required by paragraphs (a), (d), (e) and (f) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K or paragraph (b) of Item 22 of Rule 14a-101 (Schedule 14A) under the Exchange Act (or any successor provision thereto);

(6)    a description of all agreements, arrangements or understandings (whether written or oral) between such Proposed Nominee and each Proposed Nominee Associate of such Proposed Nominee related to such nomination and any material interest of such Proposed Nominee Associate in such nomination, including any anticipated benefit therefrom to such Proposed Nominee Associate;

(7)    a description of all agreements, arrangements or understandings (whether written or oral) between such Proposed

 

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Nominee or each Proposed Nominee Associate of such Proposed Nominee and the nominating Shareholder or any Shareholder Associate of such nominating Shareholder related to such nomination, including with respect to the voting of any matters to come before the Trustees or any anticipated benefit therefrom to such Proposed Nominee and each Proposed Nominee Associate of such Proposed Nominee;

(8)    a description of all commercial and professional relationships and transactions between or among such Proposed Nominee and each Proposed Nominee Associate of such Proposed Nominee, and any other Person or Persons known to such Proposed Nominee or any Proposed Nominee Associate of such Proposed Nominee to have a material interest in such nomination;

(9)    a representation as to whether such Proposed Nominee is or will be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and information regarding such Proposed Nominee that will be sufficient, in the discretion of the Trustees, to make such determination;

(10)    a representation as to whether such Proposed Nominee satisfies the qualifications of persons nominated or seated as Trustees as set forth in Section 3.10 of these By-Laws, together with information regarding such Proposed Nominee that will be sufficient, in the discretion of the Trustees, to examine such representation;

(11)    a representation as to whether such Proposed Nominee meets all applicable legal requirements relevant to service as a Trustee, including, but not limited to, the rules adopted by the principal listing exchange (if any) upon which Shares are listed, Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act (or any successor provision thereto), Article 2-01 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act with respect to the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm (or any successor provision thereto) and any other criteria established by the 1940 Act related to service as a trustee of a management investment company or the permitted composition of the board of trustees of a management investment company, together with information regarding such Proposed Nominee that will be sufficient, in the discretion of the Trustees, to examine such representation; and

(12)    any other information regarding such Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitation of proxies for election of Trustees pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder,

 

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whether or not the nominating Shareholder intends to deliver a proxy statement or solicit proxies and whether or not a Contested Election is involved;

  (ii)    the written and signed consent of each Proposed Nominee to be named as a nominee and to serve as a Trustee if elected; and

  (iii)     the written and signed certification of each Proposed Nominee that (a) all information regarding such Proposed Nominee included in and/or accompanying the Shareholder Notice is true, complete and accurate, (b) such Proposed Nominee is not, and will not become a party to, any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) with any Person other than the Trust in connection with service or action as a Trustee of the Trust that has not been disclosed to the Trust, (c) the Proposed Nominee satisfies the qualifications of persons nominated or seated as Trustees as set forth in Section 3.10 of these By-Laws at the time of their nomination, and (d) such Proposed Nominee will continue to satisfy the qualifications of persons nominated or seated as Trustees as set forth in Section 3.10 of these By-Laws at the time of their election, if elected.

  (d)    In addition:

    (i)    Each Proposed Nominee and/or any nominating Shareholder shall furnish any other information as the Trustees may reasonably request regarding any such Proposed Nominee and/or such nominating Shareholder, and such other information shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Trust not later than seven (7) calendar days after the first request by or on behalf of the Trustees for such other information was sent to such Shareholder, group of Shareholders or Proposed Nominee. Any request for any such other information that is not answered in a reasonably complete, accurate, diligent and good faith manner, or that is not timely received by the Trust in accordance with this Section 2.6(d)(i), will render the nomination ineffective for failure to satisfy the requirements of these By-Laws. If the same request for such other information is sent to multiple Persons, then the earliest such date and time on which such request for information was sent shall apply for the purpose of determining compliance with this Section 2.6(d)(i).

    (ii)    Without limiting the foregoing, each Proposed Nominee shall, as required by the Trustees, complete and duly execute a questionnaire (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Trust and designed to obtain information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a trustee in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act, would be required pursuant to the rules of any national securities exchange on which any Shares of the Trust are listed or over-the-counter market on which any securities of the Trust are traded, would be necessary to establish that the Proposed Nominee satisfies the qualifications of persons nominated or seated as Trustees set forth in Section 3.10 of these By-Laws or would be necessary to comply with legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the Trust) (the “Questionnaire”); any Questionnaire that is not

 

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completed in a reasonably complete, diligent, accurate and good faith manner, or that is not duly executed and received by the Secretary of the Trust at the principal executive offices of the Trust not later than seven (7) calendar days after the Trustees or its designee first sends the Questionnaire to such Proposed Nominee, will render the nomination ineffective for failure to satisfy the requirements of these By-Laws.

  (iii)    Each Proposed Nominee shall, as required by the Trustees, sit for an interview with one or more Trustees or their representatives, which interview may, in the discretion of the Trustees be conducted by means of remote communication. Refusal by a Proposed Nominee to participate in such interview will render the nomination ineffective for failure to satisfy the requirements of these By-Laws.

  (iv)    Each Proposed Nominee shall, as required by the Trustees, consent to and cooperate with a background screening conducted by a background screening company with experience in conducting background screenings of public company directors selected by the Trustees. Refusal by a Proposed Nominee to cooperate with such a background screening will render the nomination ineffective for failure to satisfy the requirements of these By-Laws.

  (v)    Each Proposed Nominee shall, as required by the Trustees, agree to Board Conduct Policies adopted by the Trustees pursuant to Section 3.8 of these By-Laws. Refusal by a Proposed Nominee to agree to such Board Conduct Policies will render the nomination ineffective for failure to satisfy the requirements of these By-Laws.

  (e)    Without limiting the foregoing, any Shareholder who gives a Shareholder Notice of any matter proposed to be brought before a Shareholder meeting (whether or not involving nominees for Trustees) shall deliver, as part of such Shareholder Notice:

    (i)    the description of and text of the proposal to be presented (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration); a brief written statement of the reasons why such Shareholder favors the proposal of the business; and any material interest of such Shareholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made in such business.

  (ii)     As to the Shareholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made:

(1)    the name and address of such Shareholder, as they appear on the Trust’s books, and of such beneficial owner;

(2)    the class or series and number of Shares which are owned beneficially and of record by such Shareholder and such beneficial owner and their respective Shareholder Associates;

(3)    the name of each nominee holder of Shares owned beneficially but not of record by such Shareholder and such beneficial owner and their respective Shareholder Associates, and the number of such Shares held by each such nominee holder;

 

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(4)    a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) with respect to the nomination or proposal between or among such Shareholder and such beneficial owner, any of their respective Shareholder Associates, and any others Person or Persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business and any material interest of such Person in such business, including any anticipated benefit therefrom to such Person;

(5)    a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether written or oral (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, warrants, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares), that has been entered into as of the date of the Shareholder’s notice by, or on behalf of, such Shareholder and such beneficial owners or their respective Shareholder Associates, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such Shareholder or such beneficial owner or their respective Shareholder Associates, with respect to Shares of the Trust; and

(6)    a description of all commercial and professional relationships and transactions between or among such Shareholder and such beneficial owners or their respective Shareholder Associates, and any other Person or Persons known to such Shareholder and such beneficial owners or their respective Shareholder Associates to have a material interest in the matter that is the subject of such notice;

  (iii)    any other information relating to such Shareholder and such beneficial owner that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies by such Person with respect to the proposed business to be brought by such Person before the annual meeting pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, whether or not the Shareholder submitting the notice intends to deliver a proxy statement or solicit proxies;

  (iv)    a representation that the Shareholder is a holder of record of Shares of the Trust entitled to vote on such proposal or nomination at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination; and

  (v)    a representation whether the Shareholder or the beneficial owner is part of, or intends to form, a group which intends (1) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Trust’s outstanding Shares required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee and/or (2) otherwise to solicit proxies from Shareholders in support of such proposal or nomination.

 

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(f)    If information submitted pursuant to this Section 2.6 by a Shareholder providing notice of any nomination or other business proposed to be brought before a meeting of Shareholders or a Proposed Nominee shall be incomplete or inaccurate, the Shareholder Notice shall be ineffective for failure to satisfy the requirements of these By-Laws.

(g)    If information submitted pursuant to this Section 2.6 by a Shareholder providing notice of any nomination or other business proposed to be brought before a meeting of Shareholders or a Proposed Nominee shall become incomplete or inaccurate in any way, such Shareholders or a Proposed Nominee shall notify the Trust in writing of any inaccuracy or change and update and supplement such information to cause it to be complete and accurate within seven (7) calendar days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy. If a Shareholder or Proposed Nominee fails to provide such written notification and update within such period, the information that was or becomes inaccurate shall be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 2.6 and, accordingly, will render the Shareholder Notice ineffective for failure to satisfy the requirements of these By-Laws.

(h)    Upon written request by the Secretary of the Trust or the Trustees, a Shareholder providing notice of any nomination or other business proposed to be brought before a meeting of Shareholders or a Proposed Nominee shall provide, within seven (7) calendar days of the sending of such request, a written certification of the accuracy of all information submitted by the Shareholder or Proposed Nominee pursuant to this Section 2.6 (as updated or supplemented pursuant to paragraph (g)) as of the date of such written request. Failure to provide such written certificate in a timely manner will render the Shareholder Notice ineffective for failure to satisfy the requirements of these By-Laws.

(i)    Within seven (7) calendar days after the record date for determining the Shareholders entitled to receive notice of the annual meeting of Shareholders, a Shareholder providing notice of any nomination or other business proposed to be brought before a meeting of Shareholders or a Proposed Nominee shall provide a written certification of the accuracy of all information submitted by the Shareholder or Proposed Nominee pursuant to this Section 2.6 (as updated or supplemented pursuant to paragraph (g)) as of the record date. Failure to provide such written certificate in a timely manner will render the Shareholder Notice ineffective for failure to satisfy the requirements of these By-Laws.

(j)    The notice requirements of this Section 2.6 shall be deemed satisfied by a Shareholder with respect to business other than a nomination if the Shareholder has notified the Trust in compliance with Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act (or any successor provision of law) of his, her or its intention to present a proposal upon which such Shareholder is entitled to vote at a meeting of Shareholders and such Shareholder’s proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Trust to solicit proxies for such annual or special meeting. Nothing in this Section 2.6(j) shall limit the Trust’s ability to exclude such a proposal in accordance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision thereto).

(k)    In no event shall an adjournment or postponement (or a public announcement thereof) of a meeting of Shareholders commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of notice as provided in this Section 2.6.

 

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(l)    Except as otherwise provided by law, the chair of any meeting of Shareholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall have the power and duty:

  (i)    to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.6 (including whether the Shareholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such Shareholder’s nominee or proposal in compliance with such Shareholder’s representation as required by Section 2.6), and

  (ii)    if any proposed nomination or business was not made or proposed in compliance with Section 2.6, to declare that such proposed nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall not be transacted; provided, however, that such proposed nomination or such proposed business shall not be presumed to be valid in the absence of such a declaration.

(m)    Determinations by the Trustees or the chair of a meeting of Shareholders with respect to the compliance of any proposed nomination or business and/or any information submitted to the Trust by a Shareholder or Proposed Nominee pursuant to this Section 2.6 shall be final and binding unless determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been made in bad faith.

(n)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.6 or otherwise in these By-Laws, unless required by applicable law, no matter shall be considered at or brought before any meeting of Shareholders unless such matter has been deemed a proper matter for Shareholder action by the Chair, the Chief Administrative Officer or at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the Trustees.

Section 2.7    Quorum and Action.

(a)    The holders of a majority of the Shares entitled to vote at a meeting are a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is present when a duly called or held meeting is convened, the Shareholders present may continue to transact business until adjournment, even though the withdrawal of a number of Shareholders originally present leaves less than the proportion or number otherwise required for a quorum. Notwithstanding the foregoing, when the holders of Preferred Shares are entitled to elect any of the Trust’s Trustees by class vote of such holders, the holders of thirty-three and one-third percent (33 1/3%) of the Shares entitled to vote at a meeting shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of such an election. For the purposes of establishing whether a quorum is present, all Shares entitled under the provisions of the Declaration or these By-Laws to vote at the meeting and present in person or by properly submitted proxy, including abstentions and broker non-votes, shall be counted.

(b)    The Shareholders shall take action by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Shares present and entitled to vote at a meeting of Shareholders at which a quorum is present, except as may be otherwise required by the 1940 Act, the Declaration of Trust, any

 

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resolution of the Trustees which authorizes the issuance of Preferred Shares or the written statement setting forth the relative rights and preferences of the Preferred Shares; provided that (i) with respect to a Contested Election the affirmative vote of a majority of the Shares outstanding and entitled to vote with respect to such matter at such meeting shall be the act of Shareholders with respect to such matter and (ii) with respect to the election of Trustees, other than a Contested Election, the affirmative vote of a plurality of the Shares present and entitled to vote at a meeting of Shareholders at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Shareholders with respect to such matter..

(c)    Any purported vote of any Shareholders at any meeting of Shareholders that does not meet the requirements of applicable state or federal law may be disregarded as invalid if so determined by the Trustees or the chair of such meeting. In such event, such Shares may nevertheless be counted for purposes of determining whether or not a quorum is present at such meeting.

Section 2.8    Voting. At each meeting of the Shareholders, every holder of Shares then entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy and, except as otherwise provided by the 1940 Act, the Declaration of Trust or any resolution of the Trustees which authorizes the issuance of Preferred Shares, shall have one vote for each Share, and a proportional fractional vote for each fractional Share, registered in his or her name.

Section 2.9    Proxy Representation. At any meeting of Shareholders, any holder of Shares entitled to vote thereat may vote by proxy, provided that no proxy shall be voted at any meeting unless it shall have been placed on file with the Secretary, or with such other officer or agent of the Trust as the Trustees or officers may direct, for verification prior to the time at which such vote shall be taken. In connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Trustees, a Shareholder may give instructions, through telephonic or electronic methods of communication or via the Internet, for another person to execute his or her proxy if, in each case, such method has been authorized by the Trust by its officers, and pursuant in each case to procedures established or approved by the officers of the Trust or agents employed by the Trust for such purpose as reasonably designed to verify that such instructions have been authorized by such Shareholder; and the placing of a Shareholder’s name on a proxy pursuant to such instructions shall constitute execution of such proxy by or on behalf of such Shareholder. Pursuant to a vote of the Trustees, proxies may be solicited by the Trustees in the name of one or more Trustees and/or one or more of the officers of the Trust, in each case with right of substitution. If a proxy is solicited by any Person other than the Trustees, such a proxy may be authorized by a Shareholder only by written instrument or through telephonic or electronic methods of communication or via the Internet pursuant to procedures reasonably designed to verify that such instructions have been authorized by such Shareholder. When any Share is held jointly by several persons, any one of them may vote at any meeting in person or by proxy in respect of such Share, but if more than one of them shall be present at such meeting, in person or by proxy, and such joint owners or their proxies so present disagree as to any vote to be cast, such vote shall not be received in respect of such Share, but shall be counted as present at the meeting for all other purposes. If the holder of any such Share is a minor or a person of unsound mind, and subject to guardianship or to the legal control of any other person as regards the charge or management of such Share, such Share may be voted by such guardian or such other person appointed or having such control, and such vote may be given in person or by proxy. Unless otherwise specifically limited by their terms, proxies shall entitle the holder thereof to vote at any postponement or adjournment of a meeting, and no proxy shall be valid after eleven months from its

 

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date unless a longer period is expressly provided in the appointment. No appointment is irrevocable unless the appointment is coupled with an interest in the Shares or in the Trust. A Shareholder who has submitted a proxy may revoke or withdraw the proxy with respect to any matter to be considered at a meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof if such revocation or withdrawal is properly received prior to the vote on that matter, by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date or by attending the meeting or the adjournment or postponement thereof and voting in person on the matter or matters.

Section 2.10    Inspectors of Election. In advance of any meeting of Shareholders, the Trustees, or at any such meeting, the Trustees or the chair of the meeting, may appoint one or more persons to act as inspectors of election at the meeting or any adjournment thereof (“Inspectors of Election”). Unless otherwise instructed by the Trustees, or by the chair of the meeting, the Inspectors of Election shall (a) determine (i) the number of Shares outstanding on the record date and entitled to vote and the number of such Shares represented at the meeting, (ii) the existence of a quorum, and (iii) the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies; (b) receive votes, ballots or consents; (c) hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote; (iv) count and tabulate all votes and consents and determine the results; and (v) take such other actions as may be proper to conduct the election or vote.

Section 2.11    Conduct of Meetings. The Trustees may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of any meeting of the Shareholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Trustees, the chair of any meeting of Shareholders shall have the authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to take all such actions as, in the judgment of such chair, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Trustees or prescribed by the chair of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) the determination of when the polls shall open and close for any given matter to be voted on at the meeting; (iii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iv) limitations on attendance at and participation in the meeting to Shareholders, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other Persons as the chair of the meeting shall determine; (v) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; (vi) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by Shareholders; and (vii) the extent to which, if any, other participants are permitted to speak.

Section 2.12    Adjourned and Postponed Meetings. Any meeting of Shareholders, whether or not a quorum is present, may, by announcement by the chair of the meeting, be adjourned with respect to one or more or all matters to be considered at the meeting from time to time to a designated time and place (or to be held in accordance with Section 2.1(b) hereof), even if the new date of the meeting is more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the date initially set for the meeting. No notice of the adjournment need be given where the date, time and place of the meeting were announced at the time of the adjournment. Any meeting of Shareholders may be postponed prior to the meeting by the Trustees or by the officers of the Trust, and announcement of such postponement may be made by press release or other means of public communication as permitted or required by applicable law. Any adjourned or postponed meeting may reconvene or convene as designated or announced, and when a quorum is present any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

 

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Section 2.13    Action by Written Consent in Lieu of Meeting of Shareholders. See Section 6.3 of these By-Laws.

 

ARTICLE III

TRUSTEES

Section 3.1    Qualifications, Number, Vacancies and Classes.

(a)        Each Trustee shall be a natural person. A Trustee need not be a Shareholder, a citizen of the United States, or a resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The number of Trustees of the Trust and the filling of vacancies shall be as provided in the Declaration of Trust.

(b)        The Trustees shall be classified by resolution into the following three classes to be elected by the holders of the outstanding Common Shares and outstanding Preferred Shares, if any, voting together as a single class, each to serve for three year terms (with the exception of the initial appointment or election of Trustees as provided below): Class I, Class II and Class III. Upon their initial election or appointment, such resolution electing or appointing the Trustees shall designate the Class of Trustees designated to serve for a term expiring at the first succeeding annual meeting subsequent to their election or thereafter when their respective successors are elected and qualified, the Class of Trustees designated to serve for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting subsequent to their election or thereafter when their respective successors are elected and qualified, and the Class of Trustees designated to serve for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting subsequent to their election or thereafter when their respective successors are elected and qualified. At each subsequent annual meeting, the Trustees chosen to succeed those whose terms are expiring shall be identified as being of the same class as the Trustees whom they succeed and shall be elected for a term expiring at the time of the third succeeding annual meeting subsequent to their election or thereafter in each case when their respective successors are elected and qualified.

(c)        Upon or prior to the issuance of any Preferred Shares, the Trustees shall designate by resolution two Trustees to be appointed to serve as Trustees elected solely by the holders of the outstanding Preferred Shares (the “Preferred Trustees”). The Preferred Trustees shall initially be elected or appointed as Trustees for a term expiring at the first succeeding annual meeting subsequent to their election or appointment. At each subsequent annual meeting at which holders of Preferred Shares are entitled to vote, the Preferred Trustees shall be elected for a term expiring at the time of the next succeeding annual meeting subsequent to their election held for the election of Trustees of Class I, Class II or Class III or thereafter when their respective successors are elected and qualified.

(d)        The Trustees shall only be elected at annual meetings or at a special meeting of Shareholders at which Trustees are to be elected as determined by the Trustees and set forth in the Trust’s notice of meeting pursuant to Section 2.5. Shareholders may not call a special meeting for the purpose of electing Trustees, but, if Trustees are to be elected at a special meeting of Shareholders as determined by the Trustees, Shareholders may nominate individuals for election at such meeting in accordance with Section 2.6.

 

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Section 3.2    Powers. The business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed under the direction of the Trustees. All powers of the Trust may be exercised by or under the authority of the Trustees, except those conferred on or reserved to the Shareholders by statute, the Declaration of Trust or these By-Laws.

Section 3.3    Meetings. Regular meetings of the Trustees may be held without notice at such times as the Trustees shall fix, except to the extent notice of such meeting is required by the Declaration of Trust, these By-Laws or applicable law, in which case at least twenty-four (24) hours’ notice shall be given. Special meetings of the Trustees may be called by the Chair or the Chief Administrative Officer, and shall be called at the written request of two or more Trustees. Unless waived by each Trustee, twenty-four (24) hours’ notice of special meetings shall be given to each Trustee in person, by mail, by telephone, by means of electronic communication, or by any other means that reasonably may be expected to provide similar notice. Except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, notice of special meetings need not state the purpose or purposes thereof. Meetings of the Trustees may be held at any place within or outside the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Meetings of the Trustees or a committee of the Trustees may be held by any means of remote communication through which the Trustees may simultaneously hear each other or both at a physical location and by means of such remote communication, provided that the notice requirements have been met (or waived) and if the number of Trustees participating would be sufficient to constitute a quorum at such meeting. Participation in such meeting by means of remote communication constitutes presence at the meeting.

Section 3.4    Quorum and Action. A majority of the Trustees currently holding office, or in the case of a meeting of a committee of the Trustees, a majority of the members of such committee, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting. If a quorum is present when a duly called or held meeting is convened, the Trustees present may continue to transact business until adjournment, even though the withdrawal of a number of Trustees originally present leaves less than the proportion or number otherwise required for a quorum. At any duly held meeting at which a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of the Trustees present shall be the act of the Trustees or the committee, as the case may be, on any question, except where the act of a greater number is required by these By-Laws or by the Declaration of Trust.

Section 3.5    Emergencies. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Declaration of Trust or these By-Laws, this Section 3.5 shall apply during the existence of any catastrophe, or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which a quorum of the Trustees under Section 3.4 of these By-Laws cannot readily be obtained (an “Emergency”). During any Emergency, unless otherwise provided by the Trustees, (i) a meeting of the Trustees or a committee of the Trustees may be called by any Trustee or officer by any means feasible under the circumstances; (ii) notice of any meeting of the Trustees during such an Emergency may be given upon less than the time period otherwise required by these By-Laws to as many Trustees and by such means as may be feasible at the time; and (iii) the number of Trustees necessary to constitute a quorum shall be one-third of the Trustees.

Section 3.6    Action by Written Consent in Lieu of Meetings of Trustees. See Section 6.3 of these By-Laws.

Section 3.7    Committees. The Trustees, by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees, may designate from their members an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee and any other committee or committees, each such committee to consist of two or

 

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more Trustees and to have such powers and authority (to the extent permitted by law) as may be provided in such resolution. Any such committee may be terminated at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees.

Section 3.8    Board Conduct Policies. The Trustees may from time to time require all Trustees (and any nominee or Proposed Nominee) to agree in writing as to matters of corporate governance, business ethics and confidentiality (“Board Conduct Policies”) while such person serves as a Trustee, such agreement to be on the terms and in a form determined satisfactory by the Trustees, as amended and supplemented from time to time in the discretion of the Trustees. Such Board Conduct Policies may provide that the Trustees may determine that willful violations by a Trustee of such Board Conduct Policies shall constitute willful misconduct by such Trustee.

Section 3.9    Ratification. The Trustees may ratify any act, omission, failure to act or determination made not to act (an “Act”) by the Trust or its officers to the extent that the Trustees could have originally authorized the Act and, if so ratified, such Act shall have the same force and effect as if originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the Trust and its Shareholders. Any Act questioned in any proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or Shareholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Trustees, and such ratification shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned Act.

Section 3.10    Qualifications of Persons Nominated or Seated as Trustees. After any Shares have been publicly offered, only individuals satisfying the following qualification requirements applicable to all Trustees may be nominated, elected, appointed, qualified or seated (“nominated or seated”) to serve as a Trustee unless a majority of the Trustees then in office shall have determined by resolution that failure to satisfy a particular qualification requirement will not present undue conflicts or impede the ability of the individual to discharge the duties of a Trustee or the free flow of information among Trustees or between the Trust’s investment adviser and the Trustees:

(a)        An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not have been charged with a criminal offense involving moral turpitude, dishonesty or breach of trust.

(b)        An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not have been convicted or have plead guilty or nolo contendere with respect to a felony under the laws of the United States or any state thereof.

(c)        An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not be, and shall not at any time have been, subject to any censure, order, consent decree (including consent decrees in which the individual has neither admitted nor denied the findings) or adverse final action of any federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory authority (including self-regulatory organizations), barring or suspending such individual from participation in or association with any investment-related business or restricting such individual’s activities with respect to any investment-related business.

 

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(d)        An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not have engaged in any conduct which has resulted in the Commission censuring, placing limitations on the activities, functions, or operations of, suspending, or revoking the registration of any investment adviser under Section 203(e) or (f) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

(e)        An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not be, and shall not at any time have been, ineligible to serve or act in the capacity of employee, officer, director, member of an advisory board, investment adviser, or depositor of any registered investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act in the absence of an exemptive order under Section 9(c) of the 1940 Act.

(f)        An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not have been charged, convicted, have pled guilty or nolo contender, been subject to any censure, order, consent decree (including consent decrees in which the individual has neither admitted nor denied the findings) or final action or finding of any federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory authority (including self-regulatory organizations) with respect to any conduct that pursuant to Section 9(b) of the 1940 Act could constitute a basis for the Commission to by order prohibit, conditionally or unconditionally, such individual from serving or acting as an employee, officer, director, member of an advisory board, investment adviser or depositor of, or principal underwriter for a registered investment company, regardless of whether or not any such prohibition has been ordered.

(g)        An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not fail to comply with any other criteria established by or pursuant to the 1940 Act related to service as a trustee of a management investment company.

(h)        An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not cause (in the case of a nomination, if seated) the Fund to fail to comply with any criteria established by or pursuant to the 1940 Act governing the permitted composition of the board of trustees of a registered investment company.

(i)        An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not serve as a trustee or director (or person performing similar functions) of more than three (3) companies having securities registered under the Exchange Act or treated as public reporting companies under any comparable regulatory regime (the Trust and all other investment companies having the same investment adviser or investment advisers in a control relationship with each other shall all be counted as a single company for this purpose).

(j)        An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not, during the year of the election or nomination of such individual and during the immediately preceding calendar year, be, have been, or have been nominated or seated as, officer, general partner, manager, managing member, member of an advisory board, trustee or director (or person performing similar functions) of any investment company registered under the 1940 Act or other collective investment vehicle that would be an investment company, as defined in the 1940 Act, but for Section 3(c)(1), 3(c)(7) or 3(c)(11) of the 1940 Act (other than the Trust and other investment vehicles having the same investment adviser as the Trust or an investment adviser in a control relationship with the investment adviser of the Trust).

 

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(k)        Only individuals satisfying the following additional qualification requirements applicable to Non-Management Trustees may be nominated or seated to serve as Non-Management Trustees:

(i)        An individual nominated or seated as a Non-Management Trustee shall not be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust.

(ii)        An individual nominated or seated as a Non-Management Trustee shall not be an “affiliated person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust or an affiliated person of such a person.

(iii)        An individual nominated or seated as a Non-Management Trustee shall not directly or indirectly own beneficially, or be a member of a group of Shareholders party to an agreement, arrangement or practice for sharing information or decisions concerning Shareholder actions or the acquisition, disposition or voting of Shares, who together directly or indirectly own beneficially five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding Shares of any class of Shares of the Trust (each such Person and each member of such a group, a “5% Holder”), may not control or act in concert with a 5% Holder, and may not be an immediate family member of a 5% Holder or of a Person who controls or acts in concert with a 5% Holder.

(iv)        An individual nominated or seated as a Non-Management Trustee shall not, and any immediate family member of such nominee shall not, during the year of the election or nomination of such individual and during the immediately preceding calendar year, be or have been an employee, officer, general partner, manager, managing member, trustee or director (or person performing similar functions) of a 5% Holder or any Person in a control relationship with or who acts in concert with a 5% Holder.

(v)        An individual nominated or seated as a Non-Management Trustee shall not, and any immediate family member of such nominee shall not, during the year of the election or nomination of such individual and during the immediately preceding calendar year, accept or have accepted directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from a 5% Holder or from any Person in a control relationship with or who acts in concert with a 5% Holder.

(vi)        An individual nominated or seated as a Non-Management Trustee shall not, and any immediate family member of such individual shall not, control or act in concert with any 12(d) Holder or any Person in a control relationship with a 12(d) Holder.

(vii)        An individual nominated or seated as a Non-Management Trustee shall not, and any immediate family member of such individual shall not, during the year of the election or nomination of such individual and during the immediately preceding calendar year, be or have been an employee, officer, general partner, manager, managing member, trustee or director (or person performing similar functions) of a 12(d) Holder or any Person in a control relationship with a 12(d) Holder or who acts in concert with a 12(d) Holder.

 

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(viii)        An individual nominated or seated as a Non-Management Trustee shall not, and any immediate family member of such individual shall not, during the year of the election or nomination of such individual and during the immediately preceding calendar year, accept or have accepted any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from a 12(d) Holder or a Person in a control relationship with a 12(d) Holder or who acts in concert with a 12(d) Holder.

Section 3.11    The Chair of the Board of Trustees. The Chair of the Board of Trustees (the “Chair”) shall be elected from among the Trustees. He or she shall when present, preside at all meetings of the Trustees. He or she shall perform all duties incident to the office of Chair of the Board and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Trustees or by these By-Laws.

Section 3.12    No Increased Liability For Certain Trustees. The appointment, designation, or identification (including in any proxy or registration statement or other document) of a Trustee as Chair, a member or chair of a committee of the Trustees, an expert on any topic or in any area (including an audit committee financial expert) or as having experience, attributes or skills in any area, or any other appointment, designation, or identification of a Trustee, shall not impose on that person any standard of care or liability that is greater than that imposed on that person as a Trustee in the absence of the appointment, designation, or identification, and no Trustee who has special attributes, skills, experience, or expertise, or is appointed, designated, or identified as aforesaid, shall be held to a higher standard of care by virtue thereof. In addition, no appointment, designation, or identification of a Trustee as aforesaid shall affect in any way that Trustee’s rights or entitlement to indemnification or advancement of expenses.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 4.1    Number and Qualifications. The officers of the Trust shall include a Chief Administrative Officer, a Controller, one or more Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, a Secretary and the Chief Compliance Officer. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. Unless otherwise determined by the Trustees, each officer shall be appointed by the Trustees for a term which shall continue until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until his or her death, or until he or she shall have resigned or have been removed, as hereinafter provided in these By-Laws. The Trustees may from time to time elect, or delegate to the Chair or the Chief Administrative Officer, or both, the power to appoint, such officers (including one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Treasurers and one or more Assistant Secretaries) and such agents as may be necessary or desirable for the business of the Trust. Such other officers shall hold office for such terms as may be prescribed by the Trustees or by the appointing authority. The Chair is not deemed to be an officer of the Trust by virtue of serving as Chair.

Section 4.2    Resignations. Any officer of the Trust may resign at any time by giving written notice of his or her resignation to the Trustees, the Chair, the Chief Administrative Officer or the Secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time when it shall become effective shall not be specified therein, immediately upon its receipt, and,

 

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unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Section 4.3    Removal. The Chief Administrative Officer, the Controller, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary or the Chief Compliance Officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by a resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees present at a duly convened meeting of the Trustees. Any other officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Chair, the Chief Administrative Office or the Trustees.

Section 4.4    Vacancies. A vacancy in the office of the Chief Administrative Officer, the Controller, any Vice President or Executive Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary or the Chief Compliance Officer because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause, may be filled by appointment made by the Trustees, and the vacancy of any other office may be filled by appointment made by the Chair or the Chief Administrative Officer.

Section 4.5    The Chief Administrative Officer. The Chief Administrative Officer shall be the chief executive and operating officer of the Trust and, subject to the Board, he or she shall have general authority over and general management and control of the business and affairs of the Trust. In general, he or she shall discharge all duties incident to the offices of Chief Administrative Officer, chief executive, chief operating officer and president of the Trust and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Trustees from time to time. The Chief Administrative Officer shall be authorized to do or cause to be done all things necessary or appropriate, including preparation, execution and filing of any documents, to effectuate the registration from time to time of the Common Shares or Preferred Shares of the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Without limiting the foregoing, the Chief Administrative Officer shall have any and all of the powers and duties assigned to the president of the Trust under the Declaration of Trust.

In the absence of the Chief Administrative Officer or in the event of his or her disability, or inability to act or to continue to act, the Trustees may appoint a temporary Chief Administrative Officer who, when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Chief Administrative Officer. In the absence of any such appointment, the Secretary shall perform the duties of the Chief Administrative Officer and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Chief Administrative Officer.

Section 4.6    Vice Presidents. Each Vice-President shall perform all such duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Trustees, the Chair or the Chief Administrative Officer.

Section 4.7    Controller. The Controller shall:

(a)        keep accurate financial records for the Trust;

(b)        render to the Chair, the Chief Administrative Officer and the Trustees, whenever requested, an account of all transactions by and of the financial condition of the Trust; and

 

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(c)        in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Controller and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Trustees, the Chair or the Chief Administrative Officer.

Section 4.8    Treasurer. The Treasurer shall:

(a)        have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all the funds and securities of the Trust, except those which the Trust has placed in the custody of a bank or trust company pursuant to a written agreement designating such bank or trust company as custodian of the property of the Trust, as required by Section 6.6 of these By-Laws;

(b)        deposit all money, drafts, and checks in the name of and to the credit of the Trust in the banks and depositories designated by the Trustees;

(c)    endorse for deposit all notes, checks, and drafts received by the Trust making proper vouchers therefor:

(d)        disburse corporate funds and issue checks and drafts in the name of the Trust, as ordered by the Trustees; and

(e)        in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Trustees, the Chair or the Chief Administrative Officer.

Section 4.9    Secretary. The Secretary shall:

(a)        keep or cause to be kept in one or more books provided for the purpose, the minutes of all meetings of the Trustees, the committees of the Trustees and the Shareholders;

(b)        see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws and as required by statute;

(c)        be custodian of the records of the Trust, other than those kept by other officers or agents;

(d)        see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by statute to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and

(e)        in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Trustees, the Chair or the Chief Administrative Officer.

Section 4.10    Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer shall be the principal compliance officer of the Trust. The Chief Compliance Officer shall have the authority, duties and responsibilities of a chief compliance officer as set forth in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Chief Compliance Officer shall be appointed by, and may only be removed by, and his or her compensation shall be subject to approval of, the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act.

 

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Section 4.11    Compensation. The compensation, if any, of all officers shall be fixed by the Trustees.

ARTICLE V

SHARES

Section 5.1    Share Certificates. No certificates representing Common Shares or Preferred Shares shall be issued except as the Trustees may otherwise authorize.

Section 5.2    Share Records. The Trust shall keep at its principal executive office, or at another place or places within the United States determined by the Trustees, a share register not more than one year old, containing the names and addresses of the Shareholders and the number of Shares held by each Shareholder. The Trust shall also keep, at its principal executive office, or at another place or places within the United States determined by the Trustees, a record of the dates on which certificates representing Shares, if any, were issued.

Section 5.3    Share Transfers. Upon compliance with any provisions restricting the transferability of Shares that may be set forth in the Declaration of Trust, these By-Laws, or any resolution or written agreement in respect thereof, transfers of Shares of the Trust shall be made only on the books of the Trust by the registered holder thereof, or by his or her attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with an officer of the Trust, or with a transfer agent or a registrar, and on surrender of any certificate or certificates for such Shares properly endorsed and the payment of all taxes thereon. Except as may be otherwise provided by applicable law or these By-Laws, the person in whose name Shares stand on the books of the Trust shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the Trust; provided that whenever any transfer of Shares shall be made for collateral security, and not absolutely, such fact, if known to an officer of the Trust, shall be so expressed in the entry of transfer.

Section 5.4    Regulations. The Trustees may make such additional rules and regulations, not inconsistent with these By-Laws, as they may deem expedient concerning the issue, certification, transfer and registration of Shares of the Trust. They may appoint, or authorize any officer or officers to appoint, one or more transfer agents or one or more transfer clerks and one or more registrars and may require all certificates for Shares to bear the signature or signatures of any of them.

Section 5.5    Lost, Destroyed or Mutilated Certificates. The holder of any certificate representing Shares of the Trust shall immediately notify the Trust of any loss, destruction or mutilation of such certificate, and the Trust may issue a new certificate in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it which the owner thereof shall allege to have been lost or destroyed or which shall have been mutilated, and the Trustees may, in their discretion, require such owner or his or her legal representatives to give to the Trust a bond in such sum, limited or unlimited, and in such form and with such surety or sureties as the Trustees in their absolute discretion shall determine, to indemnify the Trust against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss or destruction of any such certificate, or the issuance of a new certificate. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustees, in their absolute discretion, may refuse to issue any such new certificate, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

 

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Section 5.6    Record Date; Certification of Beneficial Owner.

(a)        The Trustees may fix a date not more than one hundred twenty (120) days before the date of a meeting of Shareholders as the date for the determination of the holders of Shares entitled to notice of and entitled to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

(b)        The Trustees may fix a date for determining Shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or distribution or allotment of any rights or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of Shares.

(c)        In the absence of a record date fixed in accordance with the provisions above, (i) the date for determination of Shareholders entitled to notice of and entitled to vote at a meeting of Shareholders shall be the later of the close of business on the day on which notice of the meeting is mailed or the thirtieth day before the meeting, and (ii) the date for determining Shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or distribution or an allotment of any rights or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of Shares shall be the close of business on the day on which the resolution of the Trustees is adopted.

(d)        A resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees present may establish a procedure whereby a Shareholder may certify in writing to the Trust that all or a portion of the Shares registered in the name of the Shareholder are held for the account of one or more beneficial owners. Upon receipt by the Trust of the writing in accordance with such procedure, if established, the persons specified as beneficial owners, rather than the actual Shareholders, are deemed the Shareholders for the purposes specified in the writing.

ARTICLE VI

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 6.1    Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Trust shall be as fixed by the Trustees of the Trust.

Section 6.2    Notice and Waiver of Notice.

(a)        Any notice of a meeting required to be given under these By-Laws to Shareholders or Trustees, or both, may be waived by any such person (i) orally or in writing signed by such person before, at or after the meeting or (ii) by attendance at the meeting, including in the case of a Shareholder, by proxy.

(b)        Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all notices required by these By-Laws shall be printed or written, and shall be delivered either personally, by telecopy, telegraph or cable, by electronic transmission, or by mail or courier or delivery service, and, if mailed, shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the Shareholder or Trustee at his or her address as it appears on the records of the Trust.

 

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Section 6.3    Action by Written Consent in Lieu of Meeting.

(a)        An action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Shareholders may be taken without a meeting by written action signed by all Shareholders entitled to vote on that action. The written action is effective when it has been signed by all such Shareholders, unless a different effective time is provided in the written action.

(b)        An action which is required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of Trustees and which also requires subsequent Shareholder approval may be taken by written action signed by all Trustees. An action which is required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Trustees or a committee of the Trustees but which does not require Shareholder approval may be taken by written action signed by the number of Trustees that would be required to take the same action at a meeting of the Trustees or committee, as the case may be, at which all Trustees were present. The written action is effective when signed by the required number of Trustees, unless a different effective time is provided in the written action. When written action is taken by less than all Trustees, all Trustees shall be notified immediately of its text and effective date.

Section 6.4    Reports to Shareholders. The books of account of the Trust shall be examined by an independent firm of public accountants at the close of each annual period of the Trust and at such other times, if any, as may be directed by the Trustees. A report to the Shareholders based upon such examination shall be mailed to each Shareholder of the Trust of record at his or her address as the same appears on the books of the Trust or otherwise disseminated to Shareholders in accordance with applicable law. Each such report shall set forth such other information required by the 1940 Act and such other matters as the Trustees or such independent firm of public accountants shall determine.

Section 6.5    Approval of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. At any regular meeting of the Shareholders of the Trust there may be submitted, for ratification or rejection, the name of the independent registered public accounting firm which has been selected for the fiscal year in which such meeting is held by a majority of those members of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act.

Section 6.6    Custodian. All securities and cash of the Trust shall be held by a custodian meeting the requirements for a custodian contained in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and in any applicable state securities or blue sky laws. The Trust shall enter into a written contract with the custodian regarding the powers, duties and compensation of the custodian with respect to the cash and securities of the Trust held by the custodian. Said contract and all amendments thereto shall be approved by the Trustees of the Trust. The Trust shall upon the resignation or inability to serve of the custodian obtain a successor custodian and require that the cash and securities owned by the Trust be delivered to the successor custodian.

Section 6.7    Prohibited Transactions. No officer or Trustee of the Trust or of its investment adviser shall deal for or on behalf of the Trust with himself, as principal or agent, or with any corporation or partnership in which he or she has a financial interest. This prohibition shall not prevent: (a) officers or Trustees of the Trust from having a financial interest in the Trust, its principal underwriter or its investment adviser; (b) the purchase of securities for the portfolio of the Trust or the sale of securities owned by the Trust through a securities dealer, one or more of whose partners,

 

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officers or Trustees is an officer or Trustee of the Trust, provided such transactions are handled in the capacity of broker only and provided commission charged do not exceed customary brokerage charges for such service; (c) the purchase or sale of securities for the portfolio of the Trust pursuant to a rule under the 1940 Act or pursuant to an exemptive order of the Securities and Exchange Commission; or (d) the employment of legal counsel, registrar, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, or custodian having a partner, officer or director who is an officer or Trustee of the Trust, provided only customary fees are charged for services rendered to or for the benefit of the Trust.

Section 6.8    Bonds. The Trustees may require any officer, agent or employee of the Trust to give a bond to the Trust, conditioned upon the faithful discharge of his or her duties, with one or more sureties and in such amount as may be satisfactory to the Trustee. The Trustees shall, in any event, require the Trust to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company, authorized to do business in the place where the bond is issued, against larceny and embezzlement, covering each officer and employee of the Trust, who may singly, or jointly with others, have access to securities or funds of the Trust, either directly or through authority to draw upon such funds or to direct generally the disposition of such securities, such bond or bonds to be in such reasonable form and amount as a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act shall approve not less than once every twelve months, with due consideration to all relevant factors including, but not limited to, the value of the aggregate assets of the Trust to which any such officer or employee may have access, the type and terms of the arrangements made for the custody and safekeeping of such assets, and the nature of the securities in the Trust’s portfolio, and as meet all requirements which the Securities and Exchange Commission may prescribe by order, rule or regulation.

Section 6.9    Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations. The provisions of these By-Laws are severable. If any provision of these By-Laws shall be held invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision, or such part or parts thereof, in such jurisdiction and shall not in any manner affect such provision in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of these By-Laws in any jurisdiction. No provision of these By-Laws shall be effective to require a waiver of compliance with any provision of, or restrict any Shareholder rights expressly granted by, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or the 1940 Act, or of any valid rule, regulation, or order of the Commission thereunder.

Section 6.10    Derivative and Direct Actions.

(a)        No Shareholder may bring a derivative or similar action or proceeding in the right of or name of or on behalf of the Trust to recover a judgment in its favor (a “derivative action”) unless each of the following conditions is met:

(i)        The Shareholder (the “Complaining Shareholder”) was a Shareholder of the Trust at the time of the action or failure to act complained of, or acquired the Shares afterwards by operation of law from a Person who was a Shareholder at that time;

(ii)        The Complaining Shareholder was a Shareholder of the Trust at the time the demand required by subparagraph (iii) below was made;

 

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(iii)    Prior to the commencement of such derivative action, the Complaining Shareholder has made a written demand on the Trustees requesting that the Trustees cause the Trust to file the action (a “demand”), which demand shall include at least the following:

(1)        a copy of the proposed derivative complaint, setting forth a detailed description of the action or failure to act complained of, the facts upon which each such allegation is made, and the reasonably estimated damages or other relief sought;

(2)        a statement to the effect that the Complaining Shareholder believes in good faith that the Complaining Shareholder will fairly and adequately represent the interests of similarly situated Shareholders in enforcing the rights of the Trust and an explanation of why the Complaining Shareholder believes that to be the case;

(3)        a certification that the requirements of subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph (a) have been met, as well as information and documentation reasonably designed to allow the Trustees to verify that certification;

(4)        a list of all other derivative or class actions in which the Complaining Shareholder is or was a named plaintiff, the court in which such action was filed, the date of filing, the name of all counsel to any plaintiffs, and the outcome or current status of such actions;

(5)        a certification by the Complaining Shareholder of the number of Shares of the Trust owned beneficially or of record by the Complaining Shareholder at the time set forth in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph (a) and an undertaking that the Complaining Shareholder will be a Shareholder of the Trust as of the commencement of and throughout the derivative action and will notify the Trust in writing of any sale, transfer, or other disposition by the Complaining Shareholder of any such Shares within three business days thereof; and

(6)        an acknowledgement of paragraphs (e) and (f) below; and

(iv)        the derivative action has not been barred in accordance with paragraph (c) below.

(b)        Within 90 calendar days of the receipt of a Shareholder demand submitted in accordance with the requirements above, those Trustees who are independent for purposes of considering the demand (as used in this Section 6.10, the “independent Trustees”) will consider, with the assistance of counsel who may be retained by such Trustees on behalf and at the expense of the Trust, the merits of the claim and determine whether maintaining a suit would be in the best

 

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interests of the Trust or if the matter should be submitted to a vote of Shareholders to the extent permitted under Section 1 of Article IX of the Declaration. If, during this 90-day period, the independent Trustees conclude that a determination as to the maintenance of a suit cannot reasonably be made within the 90-day period, or if a decision is made to submit the matter to a vote of Shareholders, the independent Trustees may extend the 90-day period by a period of time that the independent Trustees consider will be sufficient to permit them to make such a determination, not to exceed 60 calendar days from the end of the initial 90-day period, or, if the decision is made to submit the matter to a vote of Shareholders, not to exceed such period as the Trustees shall determine is reasonable and practical for the submission of the matter to Shareholders (such 90-day period, as may be extended as provided hereunder, the “review period”). Written notice of any such decision to extend the review period shall be sent to the Complaining Shareholder, or the Shareholder’s counsel if represented by counsel, within five business days of any decision to extend the period. Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) are deemed independent for all purposes, including for the purpose of approving or dismissing a derivative action. A Trustee otherwise independent for purposes of considering the demand shall not be considered not to be independent solely by virtue of (i) the fact that such Trustee receives remuneration for his service as a Trustee of the Trust or as a trustee or director of one or more investment companies with the same or an affiliated investment adviser or underwriter, (ii) the amount of such remuneration, (iii) the fact that such Trustee was identified in the demand as a potential defendant or witness, or (iv) the fact that the Trustee approved the act being challenged in the demand if the act resulted in no material personal benefit to the Trustee or, if the Trustee is also a Shareholder, no material personal benefit that is not shared pro rata with other Shareholders.

(c)        If the demand has been properly made under paragraph (a) of this Section 6.10, and a majority of the independent Trustees have considered the merits of the claim and have determined that maintaining a suit would not be in the best interests of the Trust, the demand shall be rejected and the Complaining Shareholder shall not be permitted to maintain a derivative action unless the Shareholder first sustains the burden of proof to the court that the decision of the Trustees not to pursue the requested action was not a good faith exercise of their business judgment on behalf of the Trust. If upon such consideration a majority of the independent Trustees determine that such a suit should be maintained, then the appropriate officers of the Trust shall either cause the Trust to commence that suit and such suit shall proceed directly rather than derivatively, or permit the Complaining Shareholder to proceed derivatively, provided however that any counsel representing the interests of the Trust shall be approved by the Trustees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in their sole discretion, the Trustees may, as and to the extent provided in Section 1 of Article IX of the Declaration, submit the matter to a vote of Shareholders of the Trust and if so submitted, any decision by the independent Trustees to bring or maintain a court action, proceeding, or suit on behalf of the Trust shall be subject to any right of the Shareholders under Section 1 of Article IX of the Declaration to vote, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act), on whether or not such court action, proceeding, or suit should or should not be brought or maintained. Any decision by the independent Trustees to submit the matter to a vote of Shareholders, shall be made by the Trustees in their business judgment and shall be binding upon the Shareholders. The Trustees, or the appropriate officers of the Trust, shall inform the Complaining Shareholder of any decision reached under this paragraph (c) by sending written notice to the Complaining Shareholder, or the Shareholder’s counsel, if represented by counsel, within five business days of such decision having been reached.

 

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(d)        If notice of a decision has not been sent to the Complaining Shareholder or the Shareholder’s counsel within the time permitted by paragraph (c) above, and subparagraphs (i) through (iv) of paragraph (a) above have been complied with, the Complaining Shareholder shall not be barred by these By-Laws from commencing a derivative action.

(e)        No Shareholder may bring a direct action claiming injury as a Shareholder of the Trust where the matters alleged (if true) would give rise to a claim by the Trust, unless the Shareholder has suffered an injury distinct from that suffered by the Shareholders of the Trust generally. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, claims to vindicate a Shareholder’s contractual voting rights constitute direct claims only when the alleged injury to the Shareholder relating to the claim about his, her, or its voting rights is distinct from injury alleged to be suffered by the Shareholders of the Trust generally. A Shareholder bringing a direct claim must be a Shareholder of the Trust at the time of the injury complained of, or have acquired the Shares afterwards by operation of law from a Person who was a Shareholder at that time.

(f)        Any claim subject to this Section 6.10 shall be subject to Article VIII of these By-Laws.

ARTICLE VII

BOOKS AND RECORDS

Section 7.1    Inspection of Books and Records.

(a)        Upon at least five (5) business days advance written notice to the Trust, a Shareholder is entitled to inspect and copy, during regular business hours at the office where they are maintained, copies of any of the following records of the Trust:

(i)        the Declaration of Trust and all amendments thereto currently in effect;

(ii)        these Bylaws and all amendments thereto currently in effect;

(iii)        resolutions adopted by the Trustees creating one or more classes or series of Shares, and fixing their relative rights, preferences, and limitations, if any Shares issued pursuant to those resolutions are outstanding;

(iv)        the minutes of all Shareholders’ meetings, and records of all action taken by Shareholders without a meeting, for the past three (3) years;

(v)        all written communications to Shareholders generally within the past three (3) years;

(vi)        a list of the names and business addresses of the current Trustees and officers; and

(vii)        the most recent annual report delivered to the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

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(b)        Upon at least five (5) business days advance written notice to the Trust, a Shareholder is entitled to inspect and copy, during regular business hours at the office where they are maintained, copies of any of the following records of the Trust, only to the extent that the written notice describes with reasonable particularity the purpose of the demand and the records the Shareholder desires to inspect, the demand is made in good faith and for a proper purpose, the records requested are directly connected with such purpose, and the Trustees shall not have determined in good faith that disclosure of the records sought would adversely affect the Trust in the conduct of its business or constitute material non-public information at the time when the Shareholder’s notice of demand to inspect and copy is received by the Trust:

(i)        excerpts from minutes reflecting action taken at any meeting of the Trustees, records of any action of a committee of the Trustees while acting in place of the Trustees on behalf of the Trust, minutes of any meeting of the Shareholders, and records of action taken by the Shareholders or Trustees without a meeting, to the extent not subject to inspection under Section 7.1(a);

(ii)        the financial statements of the Trust and the supporting schedules reasonably necessary to verify any line item on those financial statements; and

(iii)        a list of the names and addresses of all Shareholders of record, in alphabetical order by class, showing the number and class of Shares held by each Shareholder of record.

Section 7.2    Scope of Inspection.

(a)        The Trust may satisfy the right of a Shareholder to copy records under Section 7.1 by furnishing to the Shareholder copies by photocopy or other means chosen by the Trust, including copies furnished through an electronic transmission or by directing the Shareholder to a publicly accessible website, if available, where copies of any such records are available electronically.

(b)        The Trust may impose a reasonable charge, covering the costs of labor, material, transmission and delivery, for copies of any documents provided to the Shareholder, which charge shall not exceed the estimated cost of production, reproduction, transmission or delivery of the records.

(c)        The Trust may impose reasonable restrictions on the use or distribution of records by the demanding Shareholder, including by requiring the Shareholder to enter into a confidentiality agreement on terms acceptable to the Trustees in its sole discretion.

(d)        Any determinations made by the Trustees related to a Shareholder’s request to inspect the Trust’s books and records pursuant to this Article VII, including, but not limited to, (i) whether such demand is made in good faith and for a proper purpose, (ii) whether the records requested are directly connected with such purpose, (iii) whether disclosure of the records sought would adversely affect the Trust in the conduct of its business or (iv) whether the records sought constitute material non-public information, shall be conclusive and any Shareholder challenging

 

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such determination shall have the burden of proving that the Trustees acted in bad faith in making any such determination.

(e)        No Shareholder shall have any right to inspect any records, accounts, books or documents of the Trust except as provided for by this Article VII or otherwise authorized by the Trustees.

ARTICLE VIII

EXCLUSIVE FORUM FOR CERTAIN LITIGATION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

Section 8.1    Exclusive Forum for Certain Litigation. Unless the Trust consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (Boston Division) or, to the extent such court does not have jurisdiction, the Business Litigation Session of the Massachusetts Superior Court in Suffolk County, shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Trust, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by any Trustee or officer or other employee of the Trust to the Trust or to the Shareholders of the Trust, (c) any action asserting a claim against the Trust or any Trustee or officer or other employee of the Trust arising pursuant to Massachusetts business trust law or the Declaration of Trust or these By-Laws, or (d) any other action asserting a claim against the Trust or any Trustee or officer or other employee of the Trust that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine (“Covered Action”). If a Shareholder or group of Shareholders bring a Covered Action in a jurisdiction other than as specified above, and venue for such Covered Action is subsequently changed through legal process to the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts or the Superior Court of Suffolk County for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, such Shareholder(s) shall reimburse all expenses incurred by the Trust or any other person in effecting such change of venue. This Article VIII does not apply to any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws.

Section 8.2    Waiver of Jury Trial. In any Covered Action, there shall be no right to a jury trial. THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IS EXPRESSLY WAIVED BY THE PARTIES TO SUCH COVERED ACTION TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

ARTICLE IX

CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITIONS

Section 9.1    Definitions. As used in this Article IX, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

(a)        “Associate” shall mean, with respect to any Person, (i) any Person who directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person, “control,” as used in this subsection meaning the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; (ii) any Person who is acting or intends to act jointly or in concert with such Person in connection with a Control Share Acquisition; (iii) any

 

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corporation or organization of which such Person is an officer, director or partner or in which such Person performs a similar function; (iv) any direct or indirect beneficial owner of ten percent (10%) or more of any class of equity securities of such Person; (v) any trust or estate in which such Person has a beneficial interest not represented by transferable shares or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (vi) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, any one of whom has the same residence as such Person.

(b)        “Beneficial ownership” shall mean the sole or shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of shares or the sole or shared power to vote or to direct the voting of shares, whether such power is direct or indirect or through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise. A Person shall not be deemed to be a beneficial owner of shares as to which such person may exercise voting power solely by virtue of a revocable proxy conferring the right to vote. A member of a national securities exchange shall not be deemed to be a beneficial owner of shares held directly or indirectly by it on behalf of another person solely because such member is the record holder of such securities and, pursuant to the rules of such exchange, may direct the vote of such shares, without instruction, on other than contested matters or matters that may affect substantially the rights or privileges of the holders of the shares to be voted but is otherwise precluded by the rules of such exchange from voting without instructions.

(c)        (i)        “Control Share Acquisition” shall mean the acquisition by any Person of beneficial ownership of Common Shares which, but for the provisions of this Article IX, would have voting rights and which, when added to all other Shares beneficially owned by such Person (including Shares otherwise included in the categories enumerated in Section 9.1(c)(iii) below), would entitle such Person, upon acquisition of such Common Shares, to vote or direct the voting of Shares having voting power in the election of Trustees (except for any elections of Trustees by holders of Preferred Shares voting as a separate class) within any of the following ranges of such voting power:—

(1)        one-tenth or more but less than one-fifth of all voting power;

(2)        one fifth or more but less than one-third of all voting power;

(3)        one-third or more but less than a majority of all voting power; or

(4)        a majority or more of all voting power.

(ii)        All Common Shares the beneficial ownership of which is acquired by such Person within ninety days before or after the date on which such Person makes an acquisition of beneficial ownership of Shares which results in such Control Share Acquisition, regardless of whether this Article IX was in effect during such ninety day period, and all Common Shares acquired by such Person pursuant to a plan to make a Control Share Acquisition, shall be deemed to have been acquired in the same Control Share Acquisition for purposes of this Article IX.

 

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(iii)        Subject to the provisions of Section 9.1(c)(ii), a Control Share Acquisition shall not include the acquisition of beneficial ownership of Common Shares acquired:

(1)        before October 5, 2020 or pursuant to a written contract existing before October 5, 2020 that creates a binding obligation to acquire Common Shares at a predetermined price, provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that Common Shares of the Trust acquired before October 5, 2020 or pursuant to such a contract existing before October 5, 2020 shall, pursuant to Section 9.1(c)(1) above, be added to Common Shares the beneficial ownership of which is acquired after October 5, 2020 (and not pursuant to such a contract to acquire Shares existing before October 5, 2020) for purposes of determining whether a Control Share Acquisition has taken place or will take place following October 5, 2020;

(2)        by will or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution;

(3)        pursuant to the satisfaction of a pledge or other security interest created in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing the provisions of this Article IX;

(4)        pursuant to a tender offer, merger or consolidation, but only if such tender offer, merger or consolidation is pursuant to an agreement of merger or consolidation to which the Trust is a party; and

(5)        directly from the Trust or a wholly-owned subsidiary thereof.

(iv)        The acquisition of beneficial ownership of Common Shares does not constitute a Control Share Acquisition if the acquisition is made by or from:

(1)        a Person whose voting rights with respect to Common Shares were previously authorized by the Shareholders of the Trust in compliance with this Article IX, unless such acquisition, when added to all other Shares beneficially owned by the Person making such acquisition, would entitle such acquiring Person to vote or direct the voting of Shares having voting power in the election of Trustees in excess of the range of voting power within which all Shares beneficially owned by such Person whose voting rights were previously so authorized had voting power immediately following such authorization; or

(2)        a Person whose previous acquisition of beneficial ownership of Common Shares would have constituted a Control

 

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Share Acquisition but for the provisions of Section 9.1(c)(iii), unless such later acquisition, when added to all other Shares beneficially owned by the Person making such acquisition, would entitle such acquiring Person to vote or direct the voting of Shares having voting power in the election of Trustees in excess of the range of voting power within which the Person who made such previous acquisition could exercise voting power immediately following such previous acquisition.

(d)        “Control Share Acquisition Statement” shall mean a statement satisfying the requirements of Section 9.2 below.

(e)        “Interested Shares” shall mean Shares that are beneficially owned by:

(i)        any Person who has acquired Beneficial Ownership of Shares in a Control Share Acquisition;

(ii)        any officer of the Trust; or

(iii)        any employee of the Trust who is also a Trustee of the Trust.

For the avoidance of doubt, any Person whose voting rights in connection with a Control Share Acquisition are subject to a Shareholder vote at a meeting of Shareholders pursuant to Section 9.3 shall be deemed to hold Interested Shares with respect to any Shareholder vote at such meeting on voting rights in connection with a Control Share Acquisition by any other Person.

(f)        “Person” shall mean and include individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, limited liability companies, associations, joint ventures and other entities, whether or not legal entities, and governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof and any Associate of such Person.

Section 9.2    Delivery of Control Share Acquisition Statement. Any Person who has made a Control Share Acquisition or has made a bona fide written offer to make a Control Share Acquisition may deliver to the Trust, personally or by registered or certified mail at its principal executive office, a Control Share Acquisition Statement which shall contain the following:

(a)        the identity of such Person and any Associate of such Person who intends to acquire or has acquired beneficial ownership of Common Shares;

(b)        a statement that such Control Share Acquisition Statement is being made and delivered pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX;

(c)        the number and class or series of Shares of the Trust beneficially owned by such Person and each Associate of such Person prior to the Control Share Acquisition;

(d)        the number of Common Shares acquired or proposed to be acquired by such Person pursuant to the Control Share Acquisition and the range of voting power to which the

 

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Control Share Acquisition is or, if consummated, would be subject pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.1(c)(i); and

(e)        a description of the terms and conditions of the proposed or completed Control Share Acquisition, including but not limited to the prices paid by such Person in the Control Share Acquisition and the dates upon which the Common Shares were acquired.

Section 9.3    Meeting of Shareholders.

(a)        (i)         If the Person delivering the Control Share Acquisition Statement so demands in writing contemporaneously with the delivery of such Control Share Acquisition Statement, the Trustees, within ten (10) days after the receipt of the demand, shall call a special meeting of Shareholders for the purpose of considering whether voting rights of such Person shall be authorized for the Common Shares acquired or to be acquired in the Control Share Acquisition. The demand shall not be effective unless accompanied by an undertaking by such Person to pay the Trust’s reasonable expenses in connection with the special meeting but not including the expenses of the Trust incurred in opposing a vote to authorize voting rights of such Person for the Shares acquired or proposed to be acquired in the Control Share Acquisition. The Trustees may require the Person making the demand to give bond, with sufficient surety, or may require such Person to deposit cash in escrow to reasonably assure the Trust that this undertaking will be satisfied. As promptly as reasonably practicable after the Trustees have called the special meeting of Shareholders, the Trust shall give written notice of the special meeting to Shareholders. Such notice shall be given not less than twenty (20) days before the date of the special meeting. Unless the Person delivering the Control Share Acquisition statement and the Trust shall agree in writing to a later date, the special meeting of Shareholders shall be held not more than fifty (50) days after the receipt by the Trust of the demand. If the person delivering the Control Share Acquisition Statement so requests in the demand, the special meeting of Shareholders shall be held no sooner than thirty (30) days after receipt by the Trust of the demand.

(ii)        A demand delivered pursuant to Section 9.3(a)(i) shall not be considereda notice of Shareholder proposal for purposes of Section 2.6 of these By-Laws and shall not be subject to the informational requirements or deadlines associated therewith and shall not be considered a Special Meeting request for purposes of Section 2.3 of these By-Laws and shall not be subject to the informational requirements or deadlines associated therewith.

(iii)        For the avoidance of doubt, a demand delivered pursuant to this Section 9.3 shall be limited to the consideration of the voting rights of the Person making or proposing to make the Control Share Acquisition to be authorized for only those Common Shares acquired within the range of voting power to which the Control Share Acquisition is subject pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.1(c)(i) above, and any Common Shares acquired in excess of such range shall constitute a separate Control Share Acquisition with respect to the next range of voting power and, therefore, shall be treated separately for purposes of applying the provisions of this Article IX.

(b)        If no demand respecting a special meeting of Shareholders is made in accordance with Section 9.3(a), consideration of the authorization of the voting rights of the Person making or proposing to make the Control Share Acquisition for the Common Shares acquired or

 

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proposed to be acquired in the Control Share Acquisition shall be presented at the Trust’s next annual or special meeting of Shareholders notice of which has not been given prior to the receipt by the Trust of the Control Share Acquisition Statement.

(c)        The notice to Shareholders of any annual or special meeting at which the authorization of voting rights of the Person making or proposing to make the Control Share Acquisition for the Common Shares acquired or proposed to be acquired in the Control Share Acquisition is to be considered shall be directed to all Shareholders as of the record date set for such meeting. Such notice shall include or be accompanied by a copy of the Control Share Acquisition Statement received by the Trust pursuant to this Section 9.3 and such other information as the Trust deems appropriate.

(d)        A Person whose voting rights with respect to Common Shares acquired or proposed to be acquired in a Control Share Acquisition are considered at a meeting of Shareholders with respect to one of the three ranges of voting power specified in Section 9.1(c)(1) above and not approved may not demand Shareholder consideration of its voting rights in connection with Common Shares acquired or proposed to be acquired in a Control Share Acquisition with respect to the same range of voting power at any subsequent Shareholder meeting held within two calendar years of the initial meeting at which such Person’s voting rights were considered with respect to such range. For the avoidance of doubt, such Person shall not have voting rights with respect to such Common Shares acquired in such Control Share Acquisition except to the extent approved at a future meeting held after the expiration of such two-year period and, after the expiration of such two-year period, such Person may deliver a Control Share Acquisition Statement (in accordance with Section 9.2 above) with respect to such Common Shares (and/or any other Common Shares acquired or proposed to be acquired in a Control Share Acquisition with respect to the same range of voting power) and may demand Shareholder consideration of the voting rights to be authorized for such Person with respect to such Common Shares (in accordance with Section 9.3(a) above).

Section 9.4    Authorization of Voting Rights.

(a)        The beneficial owner of Common Shares of the Trust acquired in any Control Share Acquisition shall have only such voting rights with respect to such Shares as are authorized pursuant to this Section 9.4.

(b)        The beneficial owner of Common Shares acquired in a Control Share Acquisition shall have the same voting rights with respect to those Common Shares as the beneficial owners of all other Common Shares of the Trust only to the extent authorized by vote of Shareholders at a meeting of Shareholders. Such authorization shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of all of the Shares entitled to vote generally in the election of Trustees, excluding Interested Shares. Interested Shares shall be disregarded for determining a quorum and shall not be entitled to vote with respect to such authorization.

(c)        If voting rights of the beneficial owners of Common Shares acquired in a Control Share Acquisition are not authorized pursuant to Section 9.4(b):

(i)        such beneficial owner shall not be “entitled to vote” such Common Shares and such Common Shares held by such beneficial owner shall not be “entitled to

 

36


vote” on any matters within the meaning of Article IX, Section 4 and Article IX, Section 5 of the Declaration of Trust and Section 2.7 of these By-Laws;

(ii)        such beneficial owner shall be entitled to vote such Common Shares in connection with any matter with respect to which the Declaration of Trust requires action by or approval or affirmative vote of a percentage of outstanding Shares; provided that action or approval with respect to any such matter shall also require the action by or approval or affirmative vote of the same percentage of the outstanding Shares, excluding such Common Shares held by such beneficial owner, which Common Shares for the purpose of such vote such beneficial owner shall not be entitled to vote and shall not be considered “outstanding;”

(iii)        the beneficial owner of such Common Shares shall not otherwise have voting rights with respect to such Common Shares with respect to any matter pursuant to the Declaration of Trust or these By-Laws; and

(iv)        if such Common Shares held by such beneficial owner shall not be entitled to vote on a matter pursuant to this Section 9.4(c), such Common Shares shall not be considered “present” or “entitled to vote” for purposes of determining quorum pursuant to Article IX, Section 3 of the Declaration of Trust and Section 2.7 of these By-Laws.

(d)        Such Common Shares may be voted upon transfer of beneficial ownership of such Common Shares to another Person unless such transfer constitutes a Control Share Acquisition by the acquirer, in which event the ability of the acquirer to vote such Common Shares shall be subject to the provisions of this Article IX.

Section 9.5    No Appraisal Rights. No holder of Shares of any class or series shall have appraisal rights with respect to their Shares as a result of any Control Share Acquisition or the authorization of voting rights with respect to any Control Share Acquisition.

Section 9.6    Persons Required to Provide Information. Each Person who owns Shares of the Trust either beneficially or of record shall provide to the Trust such information as the Trust may request as is necessary for the Trust to apply the provisions in this Article IX.

Section 9.7    Interpretation. The Trustees may adopt policies, procedures or resolutions to supply any omission, cure any ambiguity or correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provisions contained in this Article IX. Any interpretation of any term or provision contained in this Article IX made by the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive and binding upon all Shareholders.

Section 9.8    Amendment. Except pursuant to Section 9.7, any waiver, amendment, repeal or modification of, or adoption of any provision inconsistent with, this Article IX (or any provision hereof) shall not waive, amend, repeal or modify the application of this Article IX to any Control Share Acquisition that occurred prior to the time of such waiver, amendment, repeal, modification or adoption.

 

37


Section 9.9    Filings. The provisions of this Article IX may be filed with the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Clerk of the City of Boston in such form as the officers may determine.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENTS

These By-Laws may be amended or repealed, or new By-Laws may be adopted, by a vote of a majority of the Trustees at any meeting thereof or by action of the Trustees by written consent in lieu of a meeting. These By-Laws may not be amended or repealed and new By-Laws may not be adopted by the Shareholders of the Trust.

ARTICLE XI

DEFINITIONS

Section 11.1    Capitalized Terms. All words and terms capitalized in these By-Laws and not defined herein shall have the meaning or meanings set forth for such words or terms in the Declaration of Trust.

Section 11.2    Certain Definitions. As used in these By-Laws, the following term shall have the meanings ascribed to them:

(a)        “12(d) Holder” shall mean any investment fund (as defined herein), but excluding any investment fund managed by the Trust’s investment adviser or an investment adviser in a control relationship with the Trust’s investment adviser, and any company or companies controlled by such investment fund in the aggregate owning beneficially or of record (A) more than three percent (3%) of the outstanding voting Shares of the Trust, (B) securities issued by the Trust having an aggregate value in excess of five percent (5%) of the total assets of such investment fund and any company or companies controlled by such investment fund, (C) securities issued by the Trust and by all other investment funds having an aggregate value in excess of ten percent (10%) of the total assets of the investment fund making such investment and any company or companies controlled by the investment fund making such investment, or (D) together with other investment funds having the same investment adviser, investment manager, general partner or managing member (or investment advisers, investment managers, general partners or managing members in a control relationship) and companies controlled by such investment funds, more than ten percent (10%) of the total outstanding Shares of the Trust.

(b)        “1940 Act” shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

(c)        “beneficial owner” of a security shall mean any Person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise (A) has or shares: (1) voting power which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security; and/or, (2) investment power which includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition, of such security or (B) owns, controls or holds with power to vote such security. A Person shall be deemed to be the beneficial owner of shares if that Person has the right to acquire beneficial

 

38


ownership of such shares at any time, whether or not within sixty days of the date of such determination. “Beneficially own,” “own beneficially” and related terms shall have correlative meaning.

(d)        “Contested Election” shall mean any election of Trustees in which the number of persons nominated for election as Trustees in accordance with these By-Laws exceeds the number of Trustees to be elected, with the determination that any election of Trustees is a Contested Election to be made by the Secretary or other officer of the Trust prior to the time the Trust mails its initial proxy statement in connection with such election of Trustees. If, prior to the time the Trust mails its initial proxy statement in connection with such election of Trustees, one or more persons nominated for election as a Trustee is withdrawn such that the number of persons nominated for election as Trustees no longer exceeds the number of Trustees to be elected, such election shall not be considered a Contested Election.

(e)        “control” shall mean the power to exercise a controlling influence over a Person, which in the case of a company means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of such company, unless such power is solely the result of an official position with such company.

(f)        “control relationship” with respect to any Person shall mean control over such Person, being controlled by such Person or being under common control with such Person.

(g)        “immediate family member” shall mean shall mean any parent, child, spouse, spouse of a parent, spouse of a child, brother or sister (including step and adoptive relationships).

(h)        “investment fund” shall mean any collective investment vehicle, including the Trust, primarily engaged in the business of investing in “investment securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act).

(i)        “Non-Management Trustee” shall mean a Trustee who is not an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust’s investment adviser.

(j)        “Person” shall mean and include individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, limited liability companies, associations, joint ventures and other entities, whether or not legal entities, and governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof.

(k)        “Proposed Nominee Associate” of any Proposed Nominee shall mean (i) any person acting in concert with such Proposed Nominee, (ii) any beneficial owner of Shares of the Trust owned of record or beneficially by such Proposed Nominee (other than a Shareholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Proposed Nominee or such Proposed Nominee Associate.

(l)        “publicly announced or disclosed” shall mean disclosed in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service, in a document publicly filed by the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or in a Web site accessible to the public maintained by the Trust or by its investment adviser.

 

39


(m)        “Shareholder Associate” of any Shareholder shall mean (i) any person acting in concert with such Shareholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of Shares of the Trust owned of record or beneficially by such Shareholder (other than a Shareholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Shareholder or such Shareholder Associate.

 

40


EXHIBIT A

NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUNDS

(Organized as Massachusetts Business Trusts)

Updated as of October 5, 2020

 

Trust    Date Established
Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Credit Income Fund    July 12, 1999
Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Fund    November 19, 2008
Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund    July 28, 2002
Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund    August 24, 2012
Nuveen California AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund    July 29, 2002
Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund 2    January 26, 2009
Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund    December 1, 1998
Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio    March 30, 1992
Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund    January 9, 2007
Nuveen Corporate Income 2023 Target Term Fund    September 20, 2018
Nuveen Corporate Income November 2021 Target Term Fund    July 13, 2015
Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2022 Target Term Fund    September 28, 2016
Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund    March 16, 2003
Nuveen Diversified Dividend and Income Fund    July 18, 2003
Nuveen DOWSM Dynamic Overwrite Fund    May 20, 2014
Nuveen Dynamic Municipal Opportunities Fund    November 4, 2019
Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2022 Target Term Fund    June 1, 2017
Nuveen Enhanced Municipal Value Fund    July 27, 2009
Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund    January 15, 2004
Nuveen Floating Rate Income Opportunity Fund    April 27, 2004
Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund    October 26, 2001
Nuveen Global High Income Fund    August 5, 2014
Nuveen High Income 2020 Target Term Fund    April 13, 2015
Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Term Fund    October 11, 2012
Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund    December 11, 2012
Nuveen Maryland Quality Municipal Income Fund    January 12, 1993
Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund    January 12, 1993
Nuveen Michigan Quality Municipal Income Fund    August 24, 2012
Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund    April 28, 2014
Nuveen Missouri Quality Municipal Income Fund    March 29, 1993
Nuveen Mortgage and Income Fund    September 10, 2009
Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund    April 30, 2014
Nuveen Municipal 2021 Target Term Fund    October 13, 2015

 

41


Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund    March 21, 2001
Nuveen Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund    April 18, 2019
Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund    October 8, 2003
Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund    May 20, 2004
Nuveen New Jersey Municipal Value Fund    January 26, 2009
Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund    June 1, 1999
Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund    July 29, 2002
Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund 2    January 26, 2009
Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund    December 1, 1998
Nuveen New York Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio    March 30, 1992
Nuveen Ohio Quality Municipal Income Fund    August 24, 2012
Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Value Fund    January 26, 2009
Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income Fund    December 19, 1990
Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund    January 27, 2003
Nuveen Preferred & Income Securities Fund    June 24, 2002
Nuveen Preferred and Income 2022 Term Fund    July 6, 2016
Nuveen Preferred and Income Term Fund    April 18, 2012
Nuveen Quality Municipal Income Fund    January 15, 1999
Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund    January 10, 2012
Nuveen Real Estate Income Fund    August 27, 2001
Nuveen S&P 500 Buy-Write Income Fund    July 23, 2004
Nuveen S&P 500 Dynamic Overwrite Fund    November 11, 2004
Nuveen Select Maturities Municipal Fund    July 23, 1992
Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio    January 29, 1992
Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 2    March 30, 1992
Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 3    May 28, 1992
Nuveen Senior Income Fund    August 13, 1999
Nuveen Short Duration Credit Opportunities Fund    January 3, 2011
Nuveen Taxable Municipal Income Fund    December 4, 2009
Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Dividend Growth Fund    February 22, 2007
Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund    October 1, 2003
Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund    January 12, 1993

 

42

CONTINUANCE OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS

Agreement made as of this 30th day of July 2020, by and between the entities listed on Appendix A (the “Funds”), and Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Adviser”), to be effective August 1, 2020.

WITNESSETH THAT:

WHEREAS, the parties hereto are the contracting parties under each certain Investment Management Agreement (the “Agreements”) pursuant to which the Adviser furnishes investment management and other services to each Fund ; and

WHEREAS, each Agreement terminates August 1, 2020 unless continued in the manner required by the Investment Company Act of 1940; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors/Trustees, at meetings held May 19-21, 2020, have approved each Agreement, as amended as set forth in Appendix B hereto, and its continuance until August 1, 2021 in the manner required by the Investment Company Act of 1940.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in each Agreement the parties hereto do hereby continue each Agreement in effect until August 1, 2021 and ratify and confirm the Agreements in all respects.

 

  On behalf of the Nuveen Funds
  Listed on Appendix A
By:  

/s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman

  Vice President
NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC
By:  

/s/ Christopher M. Rohrbacher

  Managing Director


Appendix A

As of August 1, 2020

NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUNDS

 

     TICKER SYMBOLS

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Credit Income Fund

   NVG

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Fund

   NUW

Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NEA

Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NAZ

Nuveen California AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NKX

Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund 2

   NCB

Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund, Inc.

   NCA

Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NAC

Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

   NXC

Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund

   JCE

Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2022 Target Term Fund

   JCO

Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund

   JQC

Nuveen Diversified Dividend and Income Fund

   JDD

Nuveen Dow 30SM Dynamic Overwrite Fund

   DIAX

Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2022 Target Term Fund

   JEMD

Nuveen Enhanced Municipal Value Fund

   NEV

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund

   JFR

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Opportunity Fund

   JRO

Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NKG

Nuveen Global High Income Fund

   JGH

Nuveen High Income 2020 Target Term Fund

   JHY

Nuveen High Income 2023 Target Term Fund

   JHAA

Nuveen High Income November 2021 Target Term Fund

   JHB

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Term Fund

   NID

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund

   NIQ

Nuveen Maryland Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NMY

Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NMT

Nuveen Michigan Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NUM

Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NMS

Nuveen Missouri Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NOM

Nuveen Mortgage and Income Fund

   JLS

Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund

   JMM

Nuveen Municipal 2021 Target Term Fund

   NHA

Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund

   NZF

Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund

   NMZ

Nuveen Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

   NMI

Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc.

   NUV

Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

   QQQX

Nuveen New Jersey Municipal Value Fund

   NJV

Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NXJ

Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NRK

Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund 2

   NYV

Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund, Inc.

   NNY

Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NAN

Nuveen New York Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

   NXN

Nuveen Ohio Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NUO


Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Value Fund

   NPN

Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NQP

Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund

   JPC

Nuveen Preferred & Income Securities Fund

   JPS

Nuveen Preferred and Income 2022 Term Fund

   JPT

Nuveen Preferred and Income Term Fund

   JPI

Nuveen Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NAD

Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund

   JRI

Nuveen Real Estate Income Fund

   JRS

Nuveen S&P 500 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

   SPXX

Nuveen S&P 500 Buy-Write Income Fund

   BXMX

Nuveen Select Maturities Municipal Fund

   NIM

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 2

   NXQ

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 3

   NXR

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

   NXP

Nuveen Senior Income Fund

   NSL

Nuveen Short Duration Credit Opportunities Fund

   JSD

Nuveen Taxable Municipal Income Fund

   NBB

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Dividend Growth Fund

   JTD

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

   JTA

Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NPV

NUVEEN OPEN-END FUNDS

NUVEEN MUNICIPAL TRUST

Nuveen All-American Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Limited Term Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Strategic Municipal Opportunities Fund

NUVEEN MULTISTATE TRUST I

Nuveen Arizona Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Colorado Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Maryland Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen New Mexico Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Virginia Municipal Bond Fund

NUVEEN MULTISTATE TRUST II

Nuveen California Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen California High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Connecticut Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Massachusetts Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen New York Municipal Bond Fund

NUVEEN MULTISTATE TRUST III

Nuveen Georgia Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Louisiana Municipal Bond Fund


Nuveen North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund

NUVEEN MULTISTATE TRUST IV

Nuveen Kansas Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Kentucky Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Michigan Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Missouri Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Ohio Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Wisconsin Municipal Bond Fund

NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST

Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Global Equity Income Fund

Nuveen NWQ Multi-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Small-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Large-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Small/Mid-Cap Value Fund

NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST II

Nuveen Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund

Nuveen International Growth Fund

Nuveen NWQ International Value Fund

Nuveen Santa Barbara Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Santa Barbara Global Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Santa Barbara International Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Winslow International Large Cap Fund

Nuveen Winslow International Small Cap Fund

Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth Fund

NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST III

Nuveen Symphony High Yield Income Fund

Nuveen Symphony Floating Rate Income Fund

NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST V

Nuveen Global Real Estate Securities Fund

Nuveen Gresham Managed Futures Strategy Fund

Nuveen NWQ Flexible Income Fund

Nuveen Preferred Securities and Income Fund


NUVEEN MANAGED ACCOUNTS PORTFOLIOS TRUST

Municipal Total Return Managed Accounts Portfolio

NUVEEN INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC.

Nuveen Dividend Value Fund

Nuveen Global Infrastructure Fund

Nuveen Credit Income Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Select Fund

Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Mid Cap Value Fund

Nuveen Minnesota Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Minnesota Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Nebraska Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Oregon Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund

Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund

Nuveen Short Term Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Small Cap Growth Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Small Cap Select Fund

Nuveen Small Cap Value Fund

Nuveen Strategic Income Fund

NuSHARES ETF TRUST

Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUAG)

Nuveen Short-Term REIT ETF (NURE)

Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (NULG)

Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF (NULV)

Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NUMG)

Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Value ETF (NUMV)

Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC)

Nuveen Enhanced Yield 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUSA)

Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NUEM)

Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF (NUDM)

Nuveen ESG U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUBD)

Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC)


NOTES FOR 2021:

ADD:

 

Nuveen Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund    NMCO
Nuveen Dynamic Municipal Opportunities Fund    NDMO

NuSHARES ETF TRUST - Nuveen Core Impact Bond Managed Accounts Portfolio

NUVEEN MANAGED ACCOUNTS PORTFOLIOS TRUST - Nuveen ESG High Yield Corporate Bond ETF

NUVEEN FUNDS

NOTICE OF CONTINUANCE OF INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS

WHEREAS, Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Manager”) and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sub-Adviser”) have entered into Sub-Advisory Agreements (the “Agreements”), pursuant to which the Sub-Adviser furnishes investment advisory services to the funds listed on Schedule A (the “Funds”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Agreements, the Agreements shall continue in force from year to year, provided that such continuance is specifically approved for each Fund (as defined in each Agreement) at least annually in the manner required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations thereunder.

NOW THEREFORE, this Notice memorializes between the parties that the Board of Directors/Trustees of each Fund, including the independent Directors/Trustees, at a meeting called in part for the purpose of reviewing the Agreement, have approved the continuance of the Agreement with respect to each Fund until August 1, 2021, in the manner required by the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Dated as of July 31, 2020

 

NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC
By:  

Christopher M. Rohrbacher

Its:   Managing Director
NUVEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
By:  

Gifford R. Zimmerman

Its:   Managing Director


Schedule A

 

Closed-End Fund/ticker

   Date of
Contract
     Date of
Renewal

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Credit Income Fund (NVG)

   4-11-16      8-1-20

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Fund (NUW)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund (NEA)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund (NAZ)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen California AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund (NKX)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund 2 (NCB)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund, Inc. (NCA)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund (NAC)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio (NXC)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund (JCE)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Dow 30SM Dynamic Overwrite Fund (DIAX)

   12-5-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Enhanced Municipal Value Fund (NEV)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund (NKG)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Global High Income Fund (JGH)

   11-7-14      8-1-20

Nuveen High Income 2020 Target Term Fund (JHY)

   6-10-15      8-1-20

Nuveen High Income 2023 Target Term Fund (JHAA)

   10-24-18      8-1-20

Nuveen High Income November 2021 Target Term Fund (JHB)

   2-11-16      8-1-20

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Term Fund (NID)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund (NIQ)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Maryland Quality Municipal Income Fund (NMY)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund (NMT)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Michigan Quality Municipal Income Fund (NUM)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund (NMS)

   10-6-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Missouri Quality Municipal Income Fund (NOM)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund (JMM)

   11-19-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Municipal 2021 Target Term Fund (NHA)

   1-9-16      8-1-20

Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund (NZF)

   4-11-16      8-1-20

Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund (NMZ)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (NMI)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc. (NUV)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund (QQQX)

   12-5-14      8-1-20

Nuveen New Jersey Municipal Value Fund (NJV)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund (NXJ)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund (NRK)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund 2 (NYV)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund, Inc. (NNY)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund (NAN)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen New York Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio (NXN)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Ohio Quality Municipal Income Fund (NUO)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Value Fund (NPN)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income Fund (NQP)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund (JPC)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Preferred and Income 2022 Term Fund (JPT)

   11-16-16      8-1-20

Nuveen Preferred and Income Term Fund (JPI)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Quality Municipal Income Fund (NAD)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund (JRI)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen S&P 500 Dynamic Overwrite Fund (SPXX)

   12-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Select Maturities Municipal Fund (NIM)

   10-1-14      8-1-20


Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio (NXP)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 2 (NXQ)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 3 (NXR)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Dividend Growth Fund (JTD)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Taxable Municipal Income Fund (NBB)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund (NPV)

   10-1-14      8-1-20

OPEN-END FUNDS

 

REGISTRANT

  

FUND

   Date of
Contract
     Date of
Renewal

NUVEEN

MUNICIPAL

TRUST

   Nuveen All-American Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Limited Term Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Strategic Municipal Opportunities Fund    12-16-14      8-1-20

NUVEEN

MULTI-STATE

TRUST I

   Nuveen Arizona Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Colorado Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Maryland Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen New Mexico Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Virginia Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20

NUVEEN

MULTI-STATE

TRUST II

   Nuveen California High Yield Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund    10-19-16      8-1-20
   Nuveen California Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Connecticut Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Massachusetts Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen New York Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
NUVEEN    Nuveen Georgia Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
MULTI-STATE    Nuveen Louisiana Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
TRUST III    Nuveen North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20

NUVEEN

MULTI-STATE

TRUST IV

   Nuveen Kansas Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Kentucky Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Michigan Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Missouri Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Ohio Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Wisconsin Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20

NUVEEN

INVESTMENT

TRUST

   Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
NUVEEN    Nuveen Emerging Markets Equity Fund    11-5-18      8-1-20
INVESTMENT    Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund    10-15-14      8-1-20
TRUST II    Nuveen International Growth Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20


REGISTRANT

  

FUND

   Date of
Contract
     Date of
Renewal

NUVEEN

INVESTMENT

TRUST V

   Nuveen Global Real Estate Securities Fund    3-20-18      8-1-20
   Nuveen Preferred Securities and Income Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
           8-1-20
NUVEEN MANAGED ACCOUNTS PORTFOLIOS TRUST    Municipal Total Return Managed Accounts Portfolio    10-1-14      8-1-20
NUVEEN    Nuveen Credit Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen High Income Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
INVESTMENT    Nuveen Dividend Value Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
FUNDS, INC.    Nuveen Global Infrastructure Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Large Cap Select Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Mid Cap Value Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Minnesota Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Minnesota Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Nebraska Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Oregon Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Short Term Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Small Cap Growth Opportunities Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Oregon Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Short Term Municipal Bond Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Small Cap Growth Opportunities Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Small Cap Select Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Small Cap Value Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20
   Nuveen Strategic Income Fund    10-1-14      8-1-20

NOTICE OF CONTINUANCE OF INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

WHEREAS, Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Manager”) and NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sub-Adviser”) have entered into Sub-Advisory Agreements and continued to August 1, 2020, pursuant to which the Sub-Adviser furnishes investment advisory services to various series of Nuveen Investment Trust, Nuveen Investment Trust II and Nuveen Investment Trust V as listed below; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Agreements, the Agreements shall continue in force from year to year after the initial effective period, provided that such continuance is specifically approved for each Portfolio (as defined in each Agreement) at least annually in the manner required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations thereunder.

NOW THEREFORE, this Notice memorializes between the parties that the Board of Trustees of the Nuveen Funds, including the independent Trustees, at a meeting called in part for the purpose of reviewing the Agreements, have approved the continuance of the Agreements with respect to each Portfolio until August 1, 2021, in the manner required by the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Dated: July 31, 2020

NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC

 

Fund in Nuveen Investment Trust    Date of Sub-Advisory Contract
Nuveen NWQ Global Equity Income Fund    10-1-14
Nuveen NWQ Large-Cap Value Fund    10-15-14
Nuveen NWQ Multi-Cap Value Fund    10-1-14
Nuveen NWQ Small-Cap Value Fund    10-1-14
Nuveen NWQ Small/Mid-Cap Value Fund    10-1-14
Fund in Nuveen Investment Trust II     
Nuveen NWQ International Value Fund    10-1-14
Fund in Nuveen Investment Trust V     
Nuveen NWQ Flexible Income Fund    10-1-14

Exhibit i

 

NUVEEN OPEN-END AND CLOSED-END FUNDS

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES

(As Amended and Restated Effective May 8, 2020)


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SECTION 1 PURPOSE OF PLAN; RESTATEMENT EFFECTIVE DATE

     1  

1.1  Purpose of Plan

     1  

1.2  Effective Date

     1  

1.3  Grandfather Rule for Pre-2005 Accounts

     1  

SECTION 2 DEFINITION OF TERMS AND CONSTRUCTION

     1  

2.1  Definitions

     1  

2.2  Plurals and Gender

     4  

2.3  Headings

     4  

2.4  Separate Agreement

     4  

SECTION 3 DEFERRALS

     4  

3.1  Deferral Election

     4  

3.2  Payment Reduction

     4  

3.3  Effect of Election.

     5  

3.4  Unforeseeable Emergencies

     5  

SECTION 4 ACCOUNTS

     5  

4.1  Crediting of Deferrals.

     5  

4.2  Valuation of Account.

     5  

SECTION 5 DISTRIBUTIONS FROM ACCOUNT

     7  

5.1  Participant’s Payment Election.

     7  

5.2  Irrevocability

     8  

5.3  Death Prior to Complete Distribution of Account

     8  

5.4  Unforeseeable Emergency

     8  

5.5  Designation of Beneficiary

     8  

5.6  Domestic Relations Orders

     9  

5.7  Compliance With Conflicts of Interest Laws

     9  

SECTION 6 AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION

     9  

6.1  Amendments

     9  

6.2  Termination

     9  

SECTION 7 MISCELLANEOUS

     10  

7.1  Rights of Creditors.

     10  

7.2  Agents

     10  

7.3  Incapacity

     11  

7.4  Statement of Account

     11  

7.5  Governing Law

     11  

7.6  Non-Guarantee of Status

     11  

 

i


7.7  Counsel

     11  

7.8  Interests Not Transferable

     11  

7.9  Entire Agreement

     11  

7.10  Powers of Administrator

     11  

7.11  Participant Litigation

     12  

7.12  Successors and Assigns

     13  

7.13  Severability

     13  

7.14  Section 409A

     13  

 

ii


Exhibit i

NUVEEN OPEN-END AND CLOSED-END FUNDS

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES

(As Amended and Restated Effective May 8, 2020)

 

SECTION 1

PURPOSE OF PLAN; RESTATEMENT EFFECTIVE DATE

1.1    Purpose of Plan. The Board of each Participating Fund maintains this Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Directors and Trustees. The purpose of the Plan is to allow the independent directors and trustees of the Participating Funds to defer receipt of all or a portion of the compensation they earn for their service to the Participating Funds in lieu of receiving current payments of such compensation, and to treat any deferred amount as though an equivalent dollar amount had been invested in shares of one or more Eligible Funds. Each Board intends that the Plan shall be maintained at all times on an unfunded basis for federal income tax purposes under the Code. The Plan is not covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

1.2    Effective Date. This amendment and restatement of the Plan is effective July 11, 2019.

1.3    Grandfather Rule for Pre-2005 Accounts. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the terms of the Pre-2005 Plan shall apply to the portion (if any) of a Participant’s Account as of December 31, 2004, including credited earnings and losses with respect thereto (the “Grandfathered Account”); provided, however, that with respect to any election change otherwise allowable thereunder, (i) such change may be made only during such annual enrollment periods as the Administrator shall establish, and (ii) if a change in the Participant’s payment election would result in the commencement of payment in a given Plan Year, the change may in no event be made later than the end of the annual enrollment period occurring prior to the first day of such Plan Year. With the exception of this Section 1.3 the provisions of this amended and restated Plan shall not apply to such Grandfathered Account. The Pre-2005 Plan shall be deemed to constitute a separate plan for purposes of Section 409A.

 

SECTION 2

DEFINITION OF TERMS AND CONSTRUCTION

2.1    Definitions. The following terms as used in this Plan shall have the following meanings:

(a)    “Account” shall mean the aggregation of a Participant’s Plan Year Accounts.

 

1


(b)    “Administrator” shall mean Nuveen or such other person or persons as Nuveen may from time to time designate, provided that no Participant may serve as Administrator.

(c)    “Beneficiary” shall mean such person or persons designated pursuant to Section 5.5 hereof to receive benefits after the death of a Participant.

(d)    “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors or the Board of Trustees of the respective Participating Funds.

(e)    “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute.

(f)    “Compensation” shall mean the retainer and fees paid to a Participant (prior to reduction for Deferrals made under this Plan) for serving as a member of the Board of any Participating Fund or as a member of any committee or subcommittee of such Board.

(g)    “Deferral” shall mean the amount or amounts of a Participant’s Compensation deferred under the provisions of Section 3.

(h)    “Deferral Election” shall mean the Participant’s election under Section 3.1 to defer all or a portion of his or her Compensation.

(i)    “Designated Fund” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).

(j)    “Eligible Fund” means an open-end fund managed by Nuveen and designated by the Boards as a fund that may be chosen by a Participant as a fund in which the Participant’s Account may be deemed to be invested. Unless and until each Board otherwise determines, the Eligible Funds shall include only one or more open-end funds managed by Nuveen. Open-end funds that cease to be managed by Nuveen shall automatically cease to be Eligible Funds, unless one of the Boards otherwise determines with respect to Participants that are members of such Board. The Boards may at any time remove any open-end fund from the list of Eligible Funds, or may add any open-end fund (whether or not managed by Nuveen), for Participants who are members of that Board. Eligible Funds shall be listed on Exhibit B to the Plan, which shall be revised from time to time by the Administrator; provided, however, that failure to list an Eligible Fund on Exhibit B shall not affect its status as a Eligible Fund. The Administrator shall report to the Board on a quarterly basis any changes to Exhibit B.

(k)    “Net Asset Value” shall mean the per share value of an open-end fund, as determined as set forth in such fund’s registration statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), governing instruments and otherwise in accordance with law.

(l)    “Nuveen” shall mean Nuveen, LLC and its affiliates.

 

2


(m)    “Participant” shall mean a member of a Board who is not an “interested person” of a Participating Fund or of Nuveen, as such term is defined under Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

(n)    “Participating Fund” shall mean an open-end or closed-end fund managed by Nuveen that either (i) was a Participating Fund as of September 30, 2012, or (ii) has at least $270,000,000 in assets under management. A fund described in the foregoing clause (ii) shall become a Participating Fund on the first Quarterly Date as of which the criterion described in such clause (ii) is satisfied, and its status as a Participating Fund shall continue even if its assets under management should subsequently fall below $270,000,000. For purposes of this definition, a “Quarterly Date” means the first day of a calendar quarter. Participating Funds shall be listed on Exhibit A to the Plan, which shall be revised from time to time by the Administrator; provided, however, that failure to list a Participating Fund on Exhibit A shall not affect its status as a Participating Fund. The Administrator shall report to the Board on a quarterly basis any changes to Exhibit A.

(o)    “Payment Election” shall mean an election pursuant to Section 5.1.

(p)    “Plan” shall mean this Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Directors and Trustees, as amended from time to time.

(q)    “Plan Year” shall mean the 12-month period beginning January 1 and ending December 31.

(r)    “Plan Year Account” shall mean the book entry account described in Section 4.1(a).

(s)    “Plan Year Subaccount” shall mean, with respect to a Participating Fund, the portion of a Plan Year Account attributable to a Participant’s Compensation deferred to such Participating Fund.

(t)    “Pre-2005 Plan” shall mean the Plan as in effect prior to January 1, 2005.

(u)    “Section 409A” shall mean Section 409A of the Code, as interpreted by regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder.

(v)    “Separation from Service” means a separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A. A Separation from Service with respect to any Participating Fund shall occur on the date as of which there is a complete termination of a Participant’s relationship as a director (or independent contractor or employee) with respect to such Participating Fund, with no reasonable anticipation (as determined in good faith by the Administrator) of the Participant being reappointed to the Board of such Participating Fund.

(w)    “Unforeseeable Emergency” means a severe financial hardship of the Participant resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant or his or her spouse or dependent (as defined in Section 152(a) of the Code), loss of the Participant’s property

 

3


due to casualty (including the need to rebuild a home following damage to a home not otherwise covered by insurance), or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the Participant’s control. Circumstances that may constitute an Unforeseeable Emergency include the imminent foreclosure of or eviction from the Participant’s primary residence; the need to pay for medical expenses, including nonrefundable deductibles, as well as for the costs of prescription drug medication; and the need to pay for the funeral expenses of a spouse or a dependent (as defined in Section 152(a) of the Code). The purchase of a home and the payment of college tuition generally are not Unforeseeable Emergencies. Whether the Participant is faced with an Unforeseeable Emergency permitting an emergency withdrawal shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, based on the relevant facts and circumstances and applying regulations and other guidance under Section 409A.

(x)    “Valuation Date” shall mean the last business day of each calendar quarter and any other day upon which Nuveen makes a valuation of the Account.

2.2    Plurals and Gender. Where appearing in this Plan the singular shall include the plural and the masculine shall include the feminine, and vice versa, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning.

2.3    Headings. The headings and subheadings in this Plan are inserted for convenience of reference only and are to be ignored in any construction of the provisions hereof.

2.4    Separate Agreement. This Plan shall be construed as a separate agreement between each Participant and each of the Participating Funds.

 

SECTION 3

DEFERRALS

3.1    Deferral Election. A Participant may elect to defer all or a specified percentage or amount of the Compensation earned in a Plan Year by such Participant for serving as a member of the Board of any Participating Fund or as a member of any committee or subcommittee thereof. Reimbursement of expenses of attending meetings of the Board, committees of the Board or subcommittees of such committees may not be deferred. Such election shall be made by executing before the first day of such Plan Year such election notice as the Administrator may prescribe; provided, however, that upon first becoming eligible to participate in the Plan by reason of appointment to a Board, a Participant may file a Deferral Election not later than 30 days after the effective date of such appointment, which election shall apply to Compensation earned in the portion of the Plan Year commencing the day after such election is filed and ending on the last day of such Plan Year.

3.2    Payment Reduction. While a Deferral Election is in effect, deferrals described in Section 3.1 shall be withheld, based upon the percentage or amount elected, from each payment of Compensation to which the Participant would otherwise have been entitled but for his Deferral Election.

 

4


3.3    Effect of Election. A Deferral Election pursuant to Section 3.1 shall apply only to the Plan Year for which it is made and shall be irrevocable except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 3.4.

3.4    Unforeseeable Emergencies. In the event of a Participant’s Unforeseeable Emergency on account of which the Participant receives a withdrawal pursuant to Section 5.4, the Participant’s Deferral Election shall be canceled.

 

SECTION 4

ACCOUNTS

4.1    Crediting of Deferrals.

(a)    The Administrator shall establish a book entry account (“Plan Year Account”) consisting of one or more Plan Year Subaccounts, to which will be credited an amount equal to the Participant’s Deferrals of Compensation from each respective Participating Fund under this Plan with respect to such Plan Year. The requirement to maintain separate Plan Year Subaccounts shall be deemed satisfied if the Administrator maintains (i) separate Plan Year Accounts and (ii) adequate records to enable the portions of each Plan Year Account attributable to the respective Plan Year Subaccounts to be calculated at any time.

(b)    Any Compensation from a Participating Fund for a Plan Year earned by a Participant which he has elected to defer pursuant to the Plan will be credited to the corresponding Plan Year Subaccount on the date such Compensation otherwise would have been payable to such Participant.

(c)    The obligations to pay the amounts in a Participant’s Plan Year Subaccounts associated with a Participating Fund shall be the sole obligation of that Participating Fund.

(d)    Plan Year Subaccounts shall be debited to reflect any distributions from such subaccounts. Such debits shall be allocated to the Plan Year Subaccount as of the date such distributions are made.

4.2    Valuation of Account.

(a)    Each Board shall from time to time designate one or more open-end funds managed by Nuveen as Eligible Funds. A Participant, on his Deferral Election form, shall have the right to select from the then-current list of Eligible Funds one or more funds in which his Account shall be deemed invested as set forth in this Section 4.2 (“Designated Funds”). A Participant shall designate whether his election pursuant to this Section 4.2(a), or change in election pursuant to Section 4.2(b), is to apply to his entire Account or to one or more Plan Year Accounts as specified in the election. A Participant may designate an Eligible Fund even if he is not a member of the Board of that Eligible Fund. Except as provided below, amounts credited to a Participant’s Account shall be treated as though such amounts had been invested and reinvested in shares of the Participant’s Designated Funds, initially calculated as follows:

 

5


(i)    the product of

(A)    the amount of such Deferrals and

(B)    the percentage of such Deferrals to be deemed invested in that Designated Fund, divided by

(ii)    the Designated Fund’s Net Asset Value per share as of the date such amount is so credited.

(b)    Pursuant to rules established by the Administrator from time to time, each Participant may direct that the Designated Funds in which his or her Account is deemed invested be changed. Any election to change such investment direction shall indicate the dollar amount or percentage of the balance in such Account (determined based on the then current Net Asset Value of each Designated Fund in which the Account is deemed invested immediately prior to giving effect to such investment change) to be invested in each such Designated Fund. Any such change shall be effective on the third Saturday of the second month of each calendar quarter (“effective date”). The number of shares of each Designated Fund to be deemed held in the Participant’s Account following such investment change shall be calculated as follows:

(i)    the product of

(A)    the balance in such Account and

(B)    the percentage of such balance to be deemed invested in that Designated Fund divided by

(ii)    the Designated Fund’s Net Asset Value per share as of the effective date.

(c)    If a Designated Fund shall pay a stock dividend on, or split, combine, reclassify or substitute other securities by merger, consolidation or otherwise for its outstanding shares, the Participant’s Account shall be adjusted as though shares of such Designated Fund were actually held by the Account in order to preserve rights substantially proportionate to the rights deemed held immediately prior to such event.

(d)    On each payment date of dividends or capital gains distributions declared on shares of any Designated Fund in which a Participant’s Account is deemed invested, the Account will be credited with book adjustments representing all dividends or capital gains distributions which would have been realized had such account been invested in shares of such Designated Fund and such dividend or capital gains distribution had been received and reinvested.

(e)    The value of a Plan Year Subaccount on any Valuation Date shall be the sum of (i) the number of shares of each Designated Fund deemed to be held in the Plan Year Subaccount as provided by the preceding paragraphs, multiplied by (ii) the Net Asset Value per share of such Designated Fund on the Valuation Date.

(f)    On each date upon which a distribution of less than the entire balance is to be charged to a Participant’s Plan Year Subaccount, the amount of such distribution shall,

 

6


unless the Participant otherwise specifies in accordance with rules established by the Administrator, be allocated among all of the Designated Funds in which the Plan Year Subaccount is deemed to be invested in proportion to the aggregate value of the number of deemed shares of each such Designated Fund, and the number of deemed shares of each such Designated Fund shall then be reduced by the portion of the distribution allocated to such Designated Fund divided by the Net Asset Value per share of such Designated Fund on the date on which the distribution is charged.

(g)    If an Eligible Fund is removed from the list of Eligible Funds for any reason then no further deferrals shall be deemed invested in such fund (although prior deferrals may remain deemed invested in such fund) and, unless the Board otherwise determines, the Administrator shall give each Participant whose Account is deemed to be invested in such Eligible Fund a reasonable period to submit a new designation, and any Participant who fails to submit a new designation shall be subject to the provisions of the last sentence of Section 4.2(h) below.

(h)    As of each Valuation Date, income, gain and loss equivalents (determined as if the Account were invested in the manner set forth under Section 4.2(a) above) attributable to the period following the next preceding Valuation Date shall be credited to and/or deducted from the Participant’s Plan Year Subaccounts. Except as provided below, the Participant’s Plan Year Subaccounts shall receive a return in accordance with his deemed investment designations, provided such designations conform to the provisions of this Section. If:

(i)      the Participant does not furnish the Administrator with a written designation,

(ii)     the written designation from the Participant is unclear, or

(iii)    less than all of the Participant’s Account is covered by such written designation,

then the Participant’s Account shall receive no return until such time as the Participant shall provide the Administrator with instructions.

 

SECTION 5

DISTRIBUTIONS FROM ACCOUNT

5.1    Participants Payment Election.

(a)    Simultaneously with the filing of a Deferral Election for a Plan Year pursuant to Section 3.1, a Participant shall elect on such form as the Administrator may prescribe the time and manner in which the corresponding Plan Year Account shall be distributed. Such election shall specify (i) whether each Plan Year Subaccount within the Plan Year Account is to be paid in a lump sum, in 20 substantially equal quarterly installments, or in five substantially equal annual installments, and (ii) the date on which such lump-sum payment is to be made and/or such installments are to commence. For purposes of clause (ii) of the preceding sentence a Participant may specify either (i) the

 

7


time of the Participant’s Separation from Service, (ii) a specific date (irrespective of whether such date is before or after the Participant’s Separation from Service), or (iii) the earlier of the Participant’s Separation from Service or a specific date. In the event of a Participant’s Separation from Service from some but not all of the Participating Funds to which the Participant’s Plan Year Account is attributable, to the extent a Participant’s Payment Election relates to his or her Separation from Service it shall affect only the Plan Year Subaccounts attributable to the Participating Funds from which the Participant has incurred a Separation from Service.

(b)    A Participant’s Payment Election shall apply only to the Plan Year Account for which it is made.

(c)    Except as otherwise provided in this Section 5, the balance in a Participant’s Plan Year Account shall be paid in accordance with the Participant’s valid Payment Election made for such Plan Year Account pursuant to this Section 5.

5.2    Irrevocability. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 5, a Participant’s Payment Election shall be irrevocable.

5.3    Death or Disability Prior to Complete Distribution of Account. If a Participant dies or becomes disabled (as defined in Section 409A) prior to the commencement of the distribution of the amounts credited to his Account, the balance of such Account shall be distributed to the Participant or his Beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum as soon as practicable after the Participant’s death or disability. If a Participant dies or becomes disabled after the commencement of such distributions, but prior to the complete distribution of his Account, the balance of the amounts credited to his Account shall be distributed to the Participant or his Beneficiary, as applicable, over the remaining period during which such amounts were otherwise distributable to the Participant under Section 5.1 hereof.

5.4    Unforeseeable Emergency. In the event of a Participant’s Unforeseeable Emergency, such Participant may request an emergency withdrawal from his or her Account. Any such request shall be subject to the approval of the Administrator, which approval shall not be granted to the extent that such need may be relieved (i) through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise; (ii) by liquidation of the Participant’s assets (to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship) or (iii) by cessation of deferrals under this Plan. A Participant may withdraw all or a portion of his or her Account due to an Unforeseeable Emergency; provided, however, that the withdrawal shall not exceed the amount reasonably needed to satisfy the need created by the Unforeseeable Emergency (including any amounts necessary to pay and Federal, state or local income or employment taxes or penalties reasonably anticipated to arise from the payment, as determined by the Administrator).

5.5    Designation of Beneficiary. For the purposes of Section 5.3 hereof, the Participant’s Beneficiary shall be the person or persons so designated by the Participant in a written instrument submitted to the Administrator. Subject to rules established by the Administrator, a Participant may designate multiple or alternative Beneficiaries, and may change his Beneficiary at any time without the consent of any prior Beneficiary; provided that no change

 

8


of a Beneficiary shall be effective unless and until actually received, in proper form, by the Administrator during the Participant’s life. The Administrator’s determination of the person eligible to receive the Account of a deceased Participant, if made in good faith, shall be final and binding on all parties. If a Participant fails to properly designate a Beneficiary or if his Beneficiary predeceases him, his Beneficiary shall be his estate.

5.6    Domestic Relations Orders. If any judgment, decree or order (including approval of a property settlement agreement) which (i) relates to the provision of child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights to a spouse, former spouse, child, or other dependent of a Participant, and (ii) is made pursuant to a state or foreign domestic relations law (including a community property law) directs assignment of a portion of a Participant’s Account to a spouse, former spouse, child, or other dependent of a Participant, such amount may be paid in a lump-sum cash payment at the request of the person to whom assignment is directed to be made as soon as administratively possible after the Administrator’s receipt of the signed order, as long as the order (or a written direction to the Administrator of how to interpret the order, signed by the Participant and the person to whom the order directs assignment) clearly specifies the amount of the Account assigned and the timing of payment to the person to whom the assignment is made.

5.7    Compliance With Conflicts of Interest Laws. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, payment of a Participant’s Account shall be accelerated to the extent (and only to the extent) reasonably necessary to avoid the violation of an applicable Federal, state, or local conflicts of interest law.

 

SECTION 6

AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION

6.1    Amendments. The Boards reserve the right to amend, in whole or in part, and in any manner, any or all of the provisions of this Plan by action of the Boards, except that no amendment shall reduce the balance in any Participant’s Account, or (unless necessary to comply with the 1940 Act or other applicable law) significantly delay the time at which such balance is payable without the consent of the Participant affected.

6.2    Termination.

 

  (a)

In General. Each Board may terminate this Plan as applied to Participants who are members of such Board at any time by action of such Board. If one Board elects to terminate the Plan with respect to the Participants who are members of such Board, the Plan shall remain in effect with respect to Participants who are members of one or more other Boards. Upon termination, payment of each Participant’s then current Account value shall be made in such manner as the Administrator shall determine consistent with the requirements of Section 409A.

 

  (b)

Liquidating Fund Termination; Change in Control

 

  (i)

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein, in the event a Participating Fund liquidates in a corporate dissolution taxed under

 

9


 

Section 331 of the Code, or with the approval of a bankruptcy court pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 503(b)(1)(A) (a “Liquidating Fund”), the Board of such Participating Fund may terminate and liquidate this Plan (a “Liquidating Fund Termination”) pursuant to the corporate dissolution exception of Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix)(A) with respect to Accounts attributable to the deferral of Compensation from such Participating Fund (“Affected Accounts”) by current or former members of the Board of such Participating Fund (“Affected Participants”). Similarly, in the event a Participating Fund undergoes a change of control as defined Code Section 409A and guidance thereunder, the Board of such Participating Fund shall terminate and liquidate this Plan (a “CIC Fund Termination”) with respect to Affected Accounts of Affected Participants

 

  (ii)

In the event of a Liquidating Fund Termination or a CIC Fund Termination, the value of the Affected Accounts of the Affected Participants shall be paid in a lump sum no later than the last day of the calendar year in which the Liquidating Fund Termination occurs or, if later, the last day of the first calendar year in which the payment is administratively feasible.

 

  (iii)

Except as set forth above, a Liquidating Fund Termination or a CIC Fund Termination shall not otherwise affect the Plan, and in particular shall have no effect on any Accounts other than the Affected Accounts.

 

SECTION 7

MISCELLANEOUS

7.1    Rights of Creditors.

(a)    This Plan is unfunded. With respect to the payment of amounts credited to a Participant’s Account, the Participant and his Beneficiaries have the status of unsecured creditors of the Participating Fund to which such Account relates. The Plan shall not be construed as conferring on a Participant any right, title, interest, or claim in or to any specific asset, reserve, account, or property or any kind possessed by the Participating Funds. To the extent that a Participant or any other person acquires a right to receive payments from the Participating Funds, such right shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor.

(b)    This Plan is executed on behalf of each Participating Fund by an officer of that Participating Fund as such and not individually. Any obligation of a Participating Fund hereunder shall be an unsecured obligation of that Participating Fund and not of any other person.

7.2    Agents. Each Participating Fund may employ agents and provide for such clerical, legal, actuarial, accounting, advisory or other services as it deems necessary to perform its duties under this Plan. Each Participating Fund shall bear the cost of such services and all other expenses it incurs in connection with the administration of this Plan.

 

10


7.3    Incapacity. If the Administrator shall receive evidence satisfactory to it that a Participant or any Beneficiary entitled to receive any benefit under the Plan is, at the time when such benefit becomes payable, a minor, or is physically or mentally incompetent to receive such benefit and to give a valid release therefor, and that another person or an institution is then maintaining or has custody of the Participant or Beneficiary and that no guardian, committee or other representative of the estate of the Participant or Beneficiary shall have been duly appointed, a Participating Fund may make payment of such benefit otherwise payable to the Participant or Beneficiary to such other person or institution, including a custodian under a Uniform Transfers to Minors Act or corresponding legislation (who shall be an adult, a guardian of the minor or a trust company), and the release of such other person or institution shall be a valid and complete discharge for the payment of such benefit.

7.4    Statement of Account. The Administrator will furnish each Participant with a statement setting forth the value of such Participant’s Plan Year Accounts as of the end of each calendar year and all credits to and payments from such Plan Year Accounts during such year. Such statements will be furnished no later than 60 days after the end of each calendar year.

7.5    Governing Law. This Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois without regard to any state’s conflicts of laws principles.

7.6    Non-Guarantee of Status. Nothing contained in this Plan shall be construed as a contract or guarantee of the right of a Participant to be, or remain as, a director or a trustee of a fund, or to receive any, or any particular rate of, Compensation.

7.7    Counsel. Each Board may consult with legal counsel with respect to the meaning or construction of this Plan, its obligations or duties hereunder or with respect to any action or proceeding or any question of law, and it shall be fully protected with respect to any action taken or omitted by it in good faith pursuant to the advice of legal counsel.

7.8    Interests Not Transferable. A Participant’s and Beneficiaries’ interests in the Account may not be anticipated, sold, encumbered, pledged, mortgaged, charged, transferred, alienated, assigned nor become subject to execution, garnishment or attachment and any attempt to do so by any person shall be deemed null and void; no Participating Fund shall recognize the rights of any party under this Plan except those of the Participant or his Beneficiary; provided that this Section 7.8 shall not preclude a Participating Fund from offsetting any amount payable to a Participant hereunder by any amount owed by such Participant to that Participating Fund or to Nuveen.

7.9    Entire Agreement. This Plan contains the entire understanding between each Participating Fund and the Participants with respect to the payment of non-qualified deferred compensation by a Participating Fund to the Participants.

7.10    Powers of Administrator. In addition to other powers specifically set forth herein, the Administrator shall have all discretionary power and authority necessary or convenient for the administration of this Plan, including without limitation the authority to:

 

11


(a)    construe and interpret the Plan, and resolve any inconsistency or ambiguity with respect to any of its terms;

(b)    decide all questions of eligibility and determine the amount, manner and time of payment of any benefits hereunder;

(c)    prescribe rules and procedures to be followed by Participants or Beneficiaries in making any election or taking any action provided for herein, which rules and procedures may alter any provision of the Plan that is administrative or ministerial in nature without the necessity for an amendment;

(d)    allocate Accounts among the Eligible Funds;

(e)    maintain all the necessary records for the administration of the Plan;

(f)    delegate any of it duties or powers under the Plan to any other person acting under its supervision; and

(g)    do all other acts which the Administrator deems necessary or proper to accomplish and implement its responsibilities under the Plan.

Any rule or procedure adopted by the Administrator, or any decision, ruling or determination made by the Administrator, in good faith shall be final, binding and conclusive on all Participating Funds, Participants, Beneficiaries and all persons claiming through them. The authority of the Administrator may be exercised by such person as the Chief Executive Officer of the Administrator may designate or, in the absence of a specific designation, by those officers and employees of the Administrator whose normal duties include payment of compensation to independent directors and trustees.

7.11    Participant Litigation. In any action or proceeding regarding the Participants or their Beneficiaries or any other persons having or claiming to have an interest in this Plan shall not be necessary parties and shall not be entitled to any notice or process. Any final judgment which is not appealed or appealable and may be entered in any such action or proceeding shall be binding and conclusive on the parties hereto and all persons having or claiming to have any interest in this Plan. To the extent permitted by law, if a legal action is begun against either Board, any Participating Fund, the Administrator, or any of their respective officers, directors, trustees, employees or agents (an “indemnified party”), by or on behalf of any person and such action results adversely to such person or if a legal action arises because of conflicting claims to a Participant’s or other person’s benefits, the costs to the indemnified party of defending the action will be charged to the amounts, if any, which were involved in the action or were payable to the Participant or other person concerned. To the extent permitted by applicable law, acceptance of participation in this Plan shall constitute a release of each of the indemnified parties from any and all liability and obligation not involving willful misconduct or gross neglect.

 

12


7.12    Successors and Assigns. This Plan shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Participating Funds and their successors and assigns and to the Participants and their heirs, executors, administrators and personal representatives.

7.13    Severability. In the event any one or more provisions of this Plan are held to be invalid or unenforceable, such illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof and such other provisions shall remain in full force and effect unaffected by such invalidity or unenforceability.

7.14    Section 409A. Except with respect to Grandfathered Accounts, this Plan is intended to comply with Section 409A, and shall be administered and interpreted in accordance with such intent. If the Boards (or the Administrator, to the extent the Boards delegate such authority to the Administrator) determine that any provision of the Plan is or might be inconsistent with the requirements of Section 409A, they shall attempt in good faith to make such changes to the Plan as may be necessary or appropriate to avoiding a Participant’s becoming subject to adverse tax consequences under Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Boards nor the Administrator make any representation that the Plan complies with Section 409A and shall have no liability to any Participant for any failure to comply with Section 409A of the Code. This Plan shall constitute an “account balance plan” as defined in Treas. Reg. Section 31.3121(v)(2)-1(c)(1)(ii)(A). For purposes of Section 409A, all amounts deferred under this Plan shall be aggregated with amounts deferred under other account balance plans.

 

13


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Participating Fund listed on Appendix A has caused this amended and restated Plan to be executed by one of its duly authorized officers, this 8th day of May 2020.

 

By:       /s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman                
Name:       Gifford R. Zimmerman
Title:       Vice President and Assistant Secretary,

 

14


EXHIBIT A

NUVEEN OPEN-END AND CLOSED-END FUNDS

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR INDEPENDENT

DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES

Participating funds 1 : Funds from which director compensation can be deferred 2 : AUM ³ $270MM 3 : funds do not lose Participating status from a subsequent loss of assets 4 : list updated each quarter, with new funds that have surpassed the $270MM threshold

Current List of Participating Funds

 

Nuveen All-American Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Credit Income Fund

Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen Build America Bond Fund

Nuveen California AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen California High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen California Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund, Inc.

Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

Nuveen Colorado Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Connecticut Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Connecticut Quality Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund

Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2022 Target Term Fund

Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund

Nuveen Diversified Dividend and Income Fund

Nuveen Dividend Value Fund

Nuveen Dow 30SM Dynamic Overwrite Fund

Nuveen Enhanced Municipal Value Fund

Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund

Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Opportunity Fund

Nuveen Global High Income Fund

Nuveen Global Infrastructure Fund

Nuveen Gresham Diversified Commodity Strategy Fund

Nuveen High Income Bond Fund

Nuveen High Income December 2019 Target Term Fund

Nuveen High Income November 2021 Target Term Fund

Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Term Fund

Nuveen International Growth Fund

Nuveen Kansas Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Kentucky Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund

Nuveen Limited Term Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Maryland Quality Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen Massachusetts Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Michigan Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Michigan Quality Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Mid Cap Value Fund

Nuveen Minnesota Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Minnesota Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Missouri Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Mortgage Opportunity Term Fund

Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund

Nuveen Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund

Municipal Total Return Managed Accounts Portfolio

 

Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc.

Nuveen Nasdaq 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

Nuveen New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen New York Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen New York Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

Nuveen North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen North Carolina Quality Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen NWQ Flexible Income Fund

Nuveen NWQ Global Equity Income Fund

Nuveen NWQ International Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Large-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Multi-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Small-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen Ohio Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Ohio Quality Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Preferred & Income Securities Fund

Nuveen Preferred and Income Term Fund

Nuveen Preferred Securities and Income Fund

Nuveen Quality Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund

Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund

Nuveen Real Estate Income Fund

Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund

Nuveen S&P 500 Buy-Write Income Fund

Nuveen S&P 500 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

Nuveen Santa Barbara Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 2

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 3

Nuveen Senior Income Fund

Nuveen Short Duration Credit Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Short Term Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Small Cap Select Fund

Nuveen Small Cap Value Fund

Nuveen Strategic Income Fund

Nuveen Strategic Municipal Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Symphony Floating Rate Income Fund

Nuveen Symphony High Yield Income Fund

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

Nuveen Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Virginia Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth Fund

 

Exhibit A - Page 1


EXHIBIT B

NUVEEN OPEN-END AND CLOSED-END FUNDS DEFERRED COMPENSATION

PLAN FOR INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES

 

 

ELIGIBLE FUNDS

 

Eligible funds 1 : funds in which deferred compensation can be deemed invested 2 : selected from equity and taxable income open-end funds 3 : municipal funds are not included as they are tax-exempt and would therefore not be appropriate in a tax-advantaged deferred compensation plan 4 : deferred compensation is not actually invested in these funds; investments track the performance of these funds 5 : updated annually

Current List of Eligible Funds

 

Nuveen Dividend Value Fund

Nuveen International Growth Fund

Nuveen Large-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities Fund

Nuveen NWQ International Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Large-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Multi-Cap Value Fund

  

Nuveen NWQ Small-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund

Nuveen Santa Barbara Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Symphony Credit Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Symphony Floating Rate Income Fund

Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth ESG Fund

 

Exhibit B - Page 1

AMENDMENT TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

EACH MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY IDENTIFIED ON APPENDIX A OF

THE AGREEMENT

AND

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

AMENDMENT to the Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement (the “Agreement”) made as of July 15, 2015 by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company (the “Custodian”) and each management investment company identified on Appendix A of the Agreement and each management investment company which becomes a party to this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof (in each case, a “Fund” or “Funds”), including, if applicable, each series of the Fund identified on Appendix A and each series which becomes a party to this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof.

WHEREAS, the Agreement provides that it may be amended by agreement between the parties at any time or from time to time in writing; and

WHEREAS, Custodian and the Funds wish to extend the Agreement and to add Funds effective July 31, 2020;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

 

  1.

To restate Section 16.1, Term, in its entirety, as follows:

16.1 Term. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until April 1, 2026 (the “Term”), unless either party terminates this Agreement prior to April 1, 2026 by giving the other party not less than 120 days advanced written notice. If this Agreement isn’t terminated prior to the expiration of the Term, this Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one-year terms unless a written notice of non-renewal is delivered by the non-renewing party no later than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the Term, or any renewal term, as the case may be. A written notice of non-renewal maybe given as to a Fund or a Portfolio.

 

  2.

To restate Section 20.8, Notices, in its entirety, as follows:

20.8 Notices. Any notice, instruction or other communication required to be given hereunder will, unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, be in writing and may be sent by hand, or by facsimile transmission, or overnight delivery by any recognized delivery service, 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:     

Nuveen Investments

8500 Andrew Carnegie Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28262

Attn: Heather Bienskie

Phone: 704-988-3801


with a copy to:

Nuveen Investments

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

Attn: Nuveen Legal, Associate General Counsel

To the Custodian:

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Attention: Louis Abruzzi

Telephone: 617-662-0300

with a copy to:

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

Legal Division – Global Services Americas

One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Attention: Senior Vice President and Senior Managing Counsel

 

  3.

To add a new Section 20.18, Information Security, as follows:

20.18 Information Security. Custodian represents that it currently maintains and shall continue to maintain throughout the term of this Agreement physical, electronic and procedural safeguards as described in the State Street Client Information Security Addendum attached hereto.

 

  4.

To add a new Section 20.19, Business Continuity, as follows:

20.19 Business Continuity. Custodian shall maintain throughout the term of this Agreement business continuity, disaster recovery, and backup capabilities (the “Plan(s)”) that permit Custodian to perform its obligations hereunder with minimal disruptions or delays. The Plans shall provide for the recovery from disruptions to suppliers, sites, technology and staff, including pandemic planning or other impacts that could result in mass protracted absenteeism. Custodian shall also maintain recovery time objectives (“RTOs”) for all business critical functions used to perform the services. Custodian’s current RTOs priority levels for critical functions, which are objectives, do not exceed seven (7) business days. RTOs are Custodian’s internal guidelines only and may be updated from time to time by Custodian. Upon request, Custodian will provide to the Funds updates, if any, on RTOs.

 

  5.

Effective July 31, 2020, restating Appendix A, in its entirety, as attached.

 

  6.

To add the “State Street Client Information Security Addendum” as attached hereto.

 

  7.

All other provisions, terms and conditions contained in the Agreement, as amended, shall remain in full force and effect.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment as of the 31st day of July 2020.

 

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY   EACH OF THE MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES AND SERIES SET FORTH ON APPENDIX A HERETO
Signed on its behalf:   Signed on its behalf:
By:  

/s/ Andrew Erickson

  By:  

/s/ E. Scott Wickerham

(Authorized Signatory)   (Authorized Signatory)
Name:  

Andrew Erickson

  Name:  

E. Scott Wickerham

Title:   Executive Vice President   Title:   SMD, Head of Fund Admnin, VP & Controller of the Funds


APPENDIX A

TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

July 15, 2015

(Updated as of July 31, 2020)

NUVEEN CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Nuveen All Cap Energy MLP Opportunities Fund

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Credit Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Enhanced AMT-Free Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Value Fund

Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Arizona Premium Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Build America Bond Opportunity Fund

Nuveen California AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen California AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2

Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3

Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund 2

Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund, Inc.

Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund

Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

Nuveen Connecticut Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Connecticut Premium Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund

Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2020 Target Term Fund

Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2022 Target Term Fund

Nuveen Credit Opportunities 2024 Target Term Fund

Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund

Nuveen Diversified Dividend and Income Fund

Nuveen Dow 30SM Dynamic Overwrite Fund

Nuveen Dynamic Municipal Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2022 Target Term Fund

Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2025 Term Fund

Nuveen Energy MLP Total Return Fund

Nuveen Enhanced Municipal Value Fund

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Opportunity Fund

Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Georgia Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2

Nuveen Global Equity Income Fund

Nuveen Global High Income Fund

Nuveen High Income 2020 Target Term Fund

Nuveen High Income 2023 Target Term Fund

Nuveen High Income December 2018 Target Term Fund

Nuveen High Income December 2019 Target Term Fund


Nuveen High Income November 2021 Target Term Fund

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Term Fund

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund

Nuveen Maryland Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Maryland Premium Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Massachusetts Premium Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Michigan Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Michigan Quality Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Minnesota Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen Missouri Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Missouri Premium Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Mortgage and Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Mortgage Opportunity Term Fund

Nuveen Mortgage Opportunity Term Fund 2

Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund

Nuveen Municipal 2021 Target Term Fund

Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Enhanced Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund

Nuveen Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc.

Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

Nuveen New Jersey Municipal Value Fund

Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen New Jersey Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund

Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen New York AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund

Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund 2

Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund, Inc.

Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen New York Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund

Nuveen New York Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

Nuveen North Carolina Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen North Carolina Premium Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Ohio Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Ohio Quality Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Pennsylvania Investment Quality Municipal Fund

Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Value Fund

Nuveen Preferred and Income 2022 Term Fund

Nuveen Preferred and Income Term Fund

Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund f/k/a Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Preferred & Income Securities Fund f/k/a Nuveen Preferred Securities Income Fund

Nuveen Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund

Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund

Nuveen Real Estate Income Fund

Nuveen S&P 500 Buy-Write Income Fund

Nuveen S&P 500 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

Nuveen Select Maturities Municipal Fund

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 2

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 3

Nuveen Senior Income Fund


Nuveen Short Duration Credit Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Strategic Municipal Credit Fund f/k/a Nuveen Municipal High Yield & Special Situations Fund

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

Nuveen Taxable Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Build America Bond Fund

Nuveen Texas Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Texas Quality Income Municipal Fund

Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Virginia Premium Income Municipal Fund

NUVEEN OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

NUVEEN MUNICIPAL TRUST, on behalf of:

Nuveen All-American Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Inflation Protected Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Limited Term Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Strategic Municipal Opportunities Fund

NUVEEN MULTISTATE TRUST I, on behalf of:

Nuveen Arizona Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Colorado Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Maryland Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen New Mexico Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Pennsylvania Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Virginia Municipal Bond Fund

NUVEEN MULTISTATE TRUST II, on behalf of:

Nuveen California High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen California Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Connecticut Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Massachusetts Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen New York Municipal Bond Fund

NUVEEN MULTISTATE TRUST III, on behalf of:

Nuveen Georgia Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Louisiana Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund

NUVEEN MULTISTATE TRUST IV, on behalf of:

Nuveen Kansas Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Kentucky Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Michigan Municipal Bond Fund


Nuveen Missouri Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Ohio Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Wisconsin Municipal Bond Fund

NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST, on behalf of:

Nuveen Equity Market Neutral Fund

Nuveen Global Total Return Bond Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Core Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Growth Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Global All-Cap Fund

Nuveen NWQ Global Equity Income Fund

Nuveen NWQ Multi-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Large-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Small-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Small/Mid-Cap Value Fund

Nuveen U.S. Infrastructure Bond Fund

NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST II, on behalf of:

Nuveen Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Nuveen Equity Long/Short Fund

Nuveen Global Growth Fund

Nuveen International Growth Fund

Nuveen NWQ International Value Fund

Nuveen NWQ Japan Fund

Nuveen Santa Barbara Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Santa Barbara Global Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Santa Barbara International Dividend Growth Fund

Nuveen Symphony Dynamic Equity Fund

Nuveen Symphony International Equity Fund

Nuveen Symphony Mid-Cap Core Fund

Nuveen Symphony Small Cap Core Fund

Nuveen Tradewinds Emerging Markets Fund

Nuveen Winslow International Large Cap Fund

Nuveen Winslow International Small Cap Fund

Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth ESG Fund f/k/a Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth Fund

Nuveen Winslow Managed Volatility Equity Fund

NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST III, on behalf of:

Nuveen Symphony Dynamic Credit Fund

Nuveen Symphony Floating Rate Income Fund

Nuveen Symphony High Yield Bond Fund

Nuveen Symphony High Yield Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Symphony Credit Opportunities Fund

NUVEEN INVESTMENT TRUST V, on behalf of:

Nuveen Global Real Estate Securities Fund

Nuveen Gresham Diversified Commodity Strategy Fund

Nuveen Gresham Long/Short Commodity Strategy Fund

Nuveen Gresham Managed Futures Strategy Fund


Nuveen Multi-Asset Income Fund

Nuveen Multi-Asset Income Tax-Aware Fund

Nuveen NWQ Flexible Income Fund

Nuveen Preferred Securities and Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Preferred Securities Fund

NUVEEN MANAGED ACCOUNTS PORTFOLIOS TRUST, on behalf of

Nuveen Core Impact Bond Managed Accounts Portfolio

Municipal Total Return Managed Accounts Portfolio

NUVEEN INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC., on behalf of

Nuveen Dividend Value Fund

Nuveen Global Infrastructure Fund

Nuveen Credit Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen High Income Bond Fund

Nuveen Large Cap Select Fund

Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Mid Cap Growth Value Fund

Nuveen Minnesota Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Minnesota Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Nebraska Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Oregon Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Real Asset Income Fund

Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund

Nuveen Short Term Municipal Bond Fund

Nuveen Small Cap Growth Opportunities Fund

Nuveen Small Cap Select Fund

Nuveen Small Cap Value Fund

Nuveen Strategic Income Fund


State Street Client Information Security Addendum

All capitalized terms not defined in this State Street Client Information Security Addendum (this “Security Addendum”) shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) and each management investment company identified on Appendix A of the Agreement (“Client”) dated July 15, 2015 (the “Agreement”).

State Street and Client hereby agree that State Street shall maintain an information security policy (“Security Policy”) that satisfies the requirements set forth below; provided, that, because information security is a highly dynamic space (where laws, regulations and threats are constantly changing), State Street reserves the right to make changes to its information security controls at any time and at the sole discretion of State Street in a manner that it believes does not materially reduce the protection it applies to Client Data. State Street will review the policy on an annual basis.

From time to time, State Street may subcontract services performed under the Agreement (to the extent provided for under the Agreement) or provide access to Client’s Confidential Information (“Client Data”) its network to a subcontractor or other third party; provided, that, such subcontractor or third party implements and maintains security measures that State Street believes are at least as stringent as those described in this Security Addendum. State Street must maintain an up-to-date list of subcontractors that access, store, transmit, or use Client Data, and must provide the list to Client upon request.

For subcontractors who collect, transmit, share, store, control, process, manage or access Client Data, State Street is responsible for assessing and monitoring subcontractor control environments.

1.    Objective.

The objective of State Street’s Security Policy and related information security program is to implement data security measures consistent in all material respects with applicable prevailing industry practices and standards (“Objective”). State Street must define job responsibilities to ensure effective management of information security and appropriate separation of duties within the organization. State Street will use utilize qualified information security personnel sufficient to manage State Street’s cybersecurity risks. In order to meet such Objective, State Street uses commercially reasonable efforts to:

a.    Protect the privacy, confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all confidential data and information disclosed by or on behalf of Client to, or otherwise comes into the possession of State Street, in connection with the provision of Services under the Agreement and to the extent the same is deemed Client Data;

b.    protect against accidental, unauthorized, unauthenticated or unlawful access, copying, use, processing, disclosure, alteration, transfer, loss or destruction of the Client Data;

c.    comply with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations that are relevant to the handling, processing and use of Client Data by State Street in accordance with the Agreement;

d.    implement customary administrative, physical, technical, procedural and organizational safeguards; and

e.    limit the amount of Client Data collected to that reasonably necessary to accomplish the Services, limit the time such information is retained to that reasonably necessary to perform the Services, and limit access to those persons who are reasonably required to access or handle the Client Data in order to perform the Services.

2.    Risk Assessments.

a.    Risk Assessment - State Street shall, at least annually, perform risk assessments that are designed to identify material threats (both internal and external) against Client Data, the likelihood of those threats occurring and the impact of those threats upon the State Street organization to evaluate and analyze the appropriate level of information security safeguards (“Risk Assessments”).

b.    Risk Mitigation - State Street shall use commercially reasonable efforts to manage, control and remediate any threats identified in the Risk Assessments that it believes are likely to result in


material unauthorized access, copying, use, processing, disclosure, alteration, transfer, loss or destruction of Client Data, consistent with the Objective, and commensurate with the sensitivity of the Client Data and the complexity and scope of the activities of State Street pursuant to the Agreement.

c.    Security Controls Testing - State Street shall, on approximately an annual basis, engage an independent external party to conduct periodic reviews of State Street’s information security practices. State Street shall have a process to review and evaluate high risk findings resulting from this testing.

3.    Security Controls. Prior to State Street having access to Client Data, then annually and upon Client’s reasonable request, State Street shall provide Client’s Chief Information Security Officer or his or her designee with a copy of its corporate information security controls that form the basis for State Street’s Security Policy and an opportunity to discuss State Street’s information security measures with a qualified member of State Street’s information technology management team.

4.    Organizational Security.

a.    Responsibility - State Street shall assign responsibility for information security management to senior personnel only and will name a State Street employee to be responsible for leading this information security function.

b.    Access - State Street shall permit only those personnel performing roles supporting the provision of Services under the Agreement to access Client Data.

c.    Confidentiality - State Street personnel who have accessed or otherwise been made known of Client Data shall maintain the confidentiality of such information in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.

d.    Policy Exception - As part of the Security Policy State Street shall implement a process by which exceptions to the Security Policy are reviewed and processed. This exception process must be documented.

e.    Training - State Street will provide information security training on approximately an annual basis, to its personnel.

5.    Data Protection.

a.    Data Sensitivity - State Street acknowledges that it understands the sensitivity of Client Data.

b.    Data Flow - State Street must document data flows and associated protections for data which is sent or received between Client systems and State Street systems.

c.    External Hosting Facilities – State Street shall implement controls, consistent with applicable prevailing industry practices and standards, regarding the collection, use, storage and/or disclosure of Client Data by an external hosting provider.

d.    Segregation of Client Data - State Street shall use generally accepted security management controls designed to ensure that none of State Street’s other clients have access to Client Data.

6.    Physical Security and Data Destruction.

a.    Securing Physical Facilities - State Street shall maintain systems located in State Street facilities that host Client Data or provide Services under the Agreement in an environment that is designed to be physically secure and to allow access only to authorized individuals. A secure environment includes the availability of onsite security personnel on a 24 x 7 basis or equivalent means of monitoring locations supporting the delivery of Services under the Agreement.

b.    Physical Security of Media - State Street shall implement controls, consistent with applicable prevailing industry practices and standards that are designed to deter the unauthorized viewing, copying, alteration or removal of any media containing Client Data. Removable media on which Client Data is stored (including thumb drives, CDs, and DVDs, and PDAS) by State Street must be encrypted using at least 256 bit AES (or equivalent).

c.    Media Destruction – State Street shall destroy removable media and any mobile device (such as discs, USB drives, DVDs, back-up tapes, laptops and PDAs) containing Client Data or use commercially reasonable efforts to render Client Data on such physical media unintelligible if such


media or mobile device is no longer intended to be used. All backup tapes that are not destroyed must meet the level of protection described in this Security Addendum until destroyed. Electronic media that is not physically destroyed as part of the disposal process must be irrevocably erased or degaussed, such that the media is no longer readable for any purpose. State Street must develop and document information destruction processes that meet industry standards and must be used in all cases when Client Data is no longer needed. State Street shall keep records of all Client Data destruction completed and provide such records to Client upon demand or provide a certification that all such information has been destroyed in accordance with this Security Addendum.

d.    Paper Destruction - State Street shall cross shred all paper waste containing Client Data and dispose in a secure and confidential manner.

7.    Communications and Operations Management.

a.    Firewall Management – Firewall management processes must be documented and meet industry standards. Any files containing Client Data on a system connected to the internet must be protected with up to date, industry standard, firewall protections and operating system security patches designed to maintain integrity and security of the Client Data.

b.    Network Access – State Street must implement controls designed to prevent unauthorized devices from physically connecting to the internal network or to detect and alert an administrator (e.g. Network Access Control device (NAC)).

c.    Monitoring Systems - State Street shall monitor its systems (i) security incidents; (ii) unauthorized use of or access to Client Data; and (iii) violations and suspicious activity. This includes suspicious external activity (including unauthorized probes, scans or break-in attempts) and suspicious internal activity (including unauthorized system administrator access, unauthorized changes to its systems or network, system or network misuse or theft or mishandling of Client Data). State Street shall maintain audit and logging capabilities that will enable the State Street to effectively detect, respond to and investigate a data security incident.

d.    Intelligence Services - State Street shall monitor industry-standard information channels for newly identified system vulnerabilities and emerging risks regarding the technologies and Services provided to Client.

e.    Intrusion Detection and Prevention - State Street shall maintain software, hardware, intrusion detection system, personnel and other resources designed to ascertain whether a penetration attempt is being made against any part of State Street’s network, mainframe, server or other infrastructure used by State Street to process, store or transport Client Data. This may include deploying intrusion detection /intrusion prevention controls to block, monitor, and alert State Street of security incidents that may require escalation to, and response from, State Street’s incident response personnel on a 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year basis.

f.    Network Penetration Testing - State Street shall, on approximately an annual basis, contract with an independent third party to conduct network penetration test. State Street shall have a process to review and evaluate high risk findings resulting from this testing. The cost of vulnerability and penetration testing will be assumed by State Street.

g.    Data Protection During Transmission - State Street shall encrypt, using an industry recognized encryption algorithm, personally identifiable Client Data when in transit across public networks.

h.    Data Loss Prevention - State Street shall implement a data loss prevention program that is designed to identify, detect, monitor and alert on abnormal external data movement.

i.    Malicious Code – State Street shall implement controls that are designed to detect the introduction or intrusion of malicious code on information systems handling or holding Client Data and implement a process for removing said malicious code from information systems handling or holding Client Data.

8.    Access Controls.

a.    Authorized Access - State Street shall have controls that are designed to maintain the logical separation such that access to systems hosting Client Data and/or being used to provide Services to Client will uniquely identify each individual requiring access, grant access only to authorized personnel based on the principle of least privileges, and prevent unauthorized access to Client Data.


b.    User Access - State Street shall have a process to promptly disable access to Client Data by any State Street personnel who no longer requires such access, State Street will also promptly remove access of Client personnel upon receipt of notification from Client.

c.    Authentication Credential Management - State Street shall communicate authentication credentials to users in a secure manner, with a proof of identity check of the intended users. Initial password must be delivered in a secure manner and are required to be changed upon first logon.

d.    Multi-Factor Authentication for Remote Access - State Street shall use multi factor authentication and a secure tunnel when remotely accessing State Street’s internal network.

e.    Access Recertification - State Street must document a process to regularly recertify access to those facilities, systems, networks and applications that store, use, or otherwise have access to Client Data. This should include a documented review of access rights to confirm that access is still appropriate based on business needs. This review should occur at least annually or more frequently depending on risk and industry standards.

f.    Unique IDs - State Street must assign unique user IDs that are reasonably designed to maintain the integrity of the security of the access control to each person with computer access.

g.    Password Standards - State Street must document a password policy with a reasonably secure method of assigning and selecting passwords, or the use of unique identifier technologies, such as biometrics or token devices that cover all systems that store, access, transmit or process Client Data. Where technically feasible, passwords cannot be vendor supplied default passwords. This policy shall define standards for controlling password length, strength and change frequency.

h.    Control of Passwords - State Street personnel must maintain the confidentiality of system passwords, keys, and passcodes used for the protection of Client Data must not be hard-coded into any scripts.

i.    Account Lockout - State Street must deploy controls to lock accounts when no more than five invalid login attempts are made.

j.    Password Reset – State Street must employ a secure and documented process to reset passwords that requires verification of user identity prior to password reset.

9.    Encryption Requirements.

a.    Encryption Standards - State Street will define in its Security Policy minimum standards for encryption methods and strength.

b.    Encryption at Rest - State Street shall encrypt any laptops, mobile devices (e.g. Blackberries, PDAs), containing Client Data used by State Street’s personnel using an industry recognized encryption algorithm with at least 256 bit encryption AES (or equivalent).

c.    Encryption Key Management - State Street must document procedures for managing encryption keys as well as any salts used to protect one way hashing functions. These procedures must include specifications for key provisioning, distribution, revocation, and expiration.

10.    Use of Laptop and Mobile Devices in connection with the Agreement.

a.    Secure Storage - State Street shall require that all laptops and mobile devices be securely stored whenever out of the personnel’s immediate possession.

b.    State Street shall maintain the ability to remotely remove Client Data promptly from mobile phones managed by State Street.

c.    Bring Your Own Device - State Street shall ensure security controls, including, mobile device management (MDM), remote wipe capabilities and encryption must be in place if Client Data can be stored, accessed, transmitted to or from, or used on a personal device. State Street must have policies to ensure State Street personnel maintain the security of these devices.

11.    Information Systems Acquisition Development and Maintenance.

a.    Client Data – Client Data shall only be used by State Street for the purposes specified in the Agreement.


b.    Virus Management - State Street shall maintain a malware protection program designed to (i) deter malware infections; (ii) detect the presence of malware within the State Street environment; and (iii) recover from any impact caused by malware.

12.    Incident Event and Communications Management.

a.    Incident Management/Notification of Breach - State Street shall develop and implement an incident response plan that specifies actions to be taken when State Street or one of its subcontractors suspects or detects that a party has gained unauthorized access to Client Data or systems or applications containing any Client Data (the “Response Plan”). It must be approved by management, and have an owner to maintain and review the program. Such Response Plan shall include the following:

i.    Escalation Procedures - An escalation procedure that includes notification to senior managers and appropriate reporting to regulatory and law enforcement agencies. This procedure shall provide for reporting of incidents that compromise the confidentiality of Client Data (including backed up data) to Client via telephone or email (and provide a confirmatory notice in writing as soon as practicable); provided that the foregoing notice obligation is excused for such period of time as State Street is prohibited by law, rule, regulation or other governmental authority from notifying Client.

ii.    Incident Reporting - State Street will use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly furnish to Client information that State Street has regarding the general circumstances and extent of such unauthorized access.

iii.    Investigation and Prevention - State Street shall reasonably assist Client in investigating of any such unauthorized access and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to: (A) cooperate with Client in its efforts to comply with statutory notice or other legal obligations applicable to Client or its clients arising out of unauthorized access and to seek injunctive or other equitable relief; (B) cooperate with Client in litigation and investigations against third parties reasonably necessary to protect its proprietary rights; and (C) take reasonable actions necessary to prevent mitigate against loss from any such authorized access.

13.    Client Data Outside the United States.

a.    Storage, access, transmission or use of Client Data from a location outside the U.S. must be conducted from a State Street location designed to promote the security and confidentiality of data. Specific security controls may vary from one location to another, based on local jurisdictional limitations and risk practices, but all locations outside the U.S. are subject to State Street’s minimum security standards which may include:

  i.

Card key access

 

  ii.

Access limited to only authorized persons with a business need are granted access

 

  iii.

Visitor badges and State Street identification tags

 

  iv.

Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) cameras at site and/or floor entrance and recordings stored and available for thirty (30) to ninety (90) days

 

  v.

Lobby security, alarm, video, packages subject to search.

 

  vi.

True floor to true ceiling construction.

 

  vii.

Glass, wood, or steel doors.

LOGO

Exhibit k.1

Transfer Agency and Service Agreement

Between

Each of the Nuveen Closed-End Investment Companies

Listed on Schedule A Attached Hereto

and

Computershare Inc.

and

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.


THIS TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT, effective as of June 15, 2017 (“Effective Date”), is by and between each of the Nuveen closed-end investment companies listed on Schedule A attached hereto, as may be amended from time to time (“Schedule A”) (each such investment company, a “Fund”), and Computershare Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Computershare”), and its fully owned subsidiary Computershare Trust Company, N.A., a federally chartered trust company (“Trust Company”, and together with Computershare, “Transfer Agent”), each having a principal office and place of business at 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021.

WHEREAS, Fund desires to appoint Trust Company as its sole transfer agent and registrar for the Shares, and administrator of any dividend reinvestment plan or direct stock purchase plan for Fund, and Computershare as processor of all payments received or made by Fund under this Agreement, as of the commencement date indicated for such Fund in Schedule A (“Commencement Date”);

WHEREAS, Trust Company and Computershare will each separately provide specified services covered by this Agreement and, in addition, Trust Company may arrange for Computershare to act on behalf of Trust Company in providing certain of its services covered by this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Trust Company and Computershare desire to accept such respective appointments and perform the services related to such appointments;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

1.1 “Account” means the account of each Shareholder which reflects any full or fractional Shares held by such Shareholder, outstanding funds, or reportable tax information.

1.2 “Agreement” means this agreement and any and all exhibits or schedules attached hereto and any and all amendments or modifications which may from time to time be executed.

1.3 “Confidential Information” means any and all technical or business information relating to a party, including, without limitation, financial, marketing and product development information, Shareholder Data (including any non-public information of such Shareholder), Proprietary Information, and the terms and conditions (but not the existence) of this Agreement, that is disclosed or otherwise becomes known to the other party or its affiliates, agents or representatives before or during the term of this Agreement. Confidential Information constitutes trade secrets and is of great value to the owner (or its affiliates). Confidential Information shall not include any information that is: (a) already known to the other party or its affiliates at the time of the disclosure; (b) publicly known at the time of the disclosure or becomes publicly known through no wrongful act or failure of the other party; (c) subsequently disclosed to the other party or its affiliates on a non-confidential basis by a third party not having a confidential relationship with the owner and which rightfully acquired such information; or (d) independently developed by one party without access to the Confidential Information of the other.

1.4 “DSPP” means direct stock purchase plan.

1.5 “Plans” means any dividend reinvestment plan, DSPP, or other investment programs administered by Trust Company for Fund relating to the Shares, whether as of the Effective Date or at any time during the term of this Agreement.

1.6 “Services” means all services performed or made available by Transfer Agent pursuant to this Agreement.

 

1


1.7 “Share” means, with respect to each Fund, shares of each class indicated for such Fund in Exhibit A, authorized by Fund’s organizational documents, and other classes of Fund’s shares to be designated by Fund in writing and which Transfer Agent agrees to service under this Agreement.

1.8 “Shareholder” means a holder of record of Shares.

1.9 “Shareholder Data” means all information maintained on the records database of Transfer Agent concerning Shareholders.

2. APPOINTMENT OF AGENT.

2.1 Appointments. Fund appoints Trust Company to act as sole transfer agent and registrar for all Shares and as administrator of Plans in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof and appoints Computershare as the service provider to Trust Company and as processor of all payments received or made by or on behalf of Fund under this Agreement, all as of the Commencement Date, and Trust Company and Computershare accept the respective appointments.

2.2 Documents. In connection with the appointments herein, upon any future original issuance of Shares for which Transfer Agent will act as transfer agent hereunder, Fund shall deliver the following appointment and corporate authority documents to Transfer Agent:

 

  (a)

Board resolution appointing Trust Company as the transfer agent;

 

  (b)

If applicable, specimens of all forms of outstanding Share certificates, in forms approved by the Board of Directors of Fund, with a certificate of the Secretary of Fund as to such approval;

 

  (c)

Board resolution and/or certificate of incumbency designating officers or other designated persons of Fund authorized to sign written instructions and requests and, if applicable, Share certificates, in connection with this Agreement (each an “Authorized Person”);

 

  (d)

An opinion of counsel, or reliance letter, for Fund addressed to both Trust Company and Computershare stating that:

 

  (i)

Fund is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of organization;

 

  (ii)

All Shares issued and outstanding on the date hereof were issued as part of an offering that was registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”) and any other applicable federal or state statute or that was exempt from such registration;

 

  (iii)

All Shares issued and outstanding on the date hereof are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; and

 

  (e)

A certificate of Fund as to the Shares authorized, issued and outstanding, as well as a description of all reserves of unissued Shares relating to the exercise of options, as applicable;

 

  (f)

A completed Internal Revenue Service Form 2678; and

 

  (g)

A completed Form W-8 or W-9, as applicable.

Funds existing on the Effective Date of this Agreement shall provide Transfer Agent with the Board resolution set forth in Section 2.2(a) above.

2.3 Records. Transfer Agent may adopt as part of its records all Shareholder lists, Share ledgers, records, books, and documents which have been employed by Fund or any of its agents and which are certified to be true, authentic and complete. Transfer Agent shall keep records relating to the Services, in the form and manner it deems advisable, but in any event consistent with the reasonable standards of the transfer agency industry. Transfer Agent agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by it relating to the Services are the property of Fund and will be preserved, maintained and made available in accordance with the requirements of law and Transfer Agent’s records management policy, and will be surrendered promptly to Fund in accordance with its request subject to applicable law and Transfer Agent’s records management policy.

 

2


2.4 Shares. Fund shall, if applicable, inform Transfer Agent as soon as reasonably practicable in advance as to: (a) the existence or termination of any restrictions on the transfer of Shares, the application to or removal from any Share of any legend restricting the transfer of such Shares (which may be subject, in the case of removal of any such legend, to delivery of such legal opinion in form and substance acceptable to Transfer Agent), or the substitution for such Share of a Share without such legend; (b) any authorized but unissued Shares reserved for specific purposes; (c) any outstanding Shares which are exchangeable for Shares and the basis for exchange; (d) reserved Shares subject to option and the details of such reservation; (e) any Share split or Share dividend; (f) any other relevant event or special instructions which may affect the Shares; and (g) any bankruptcy, insolvency or other proceeding regarding a Fund affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights.

2.5 Share Certificates. If applicable, Fund shall provide Transfer Agent with (i) documentation required to print on demand Share certificates, or (ii) an appropriate supply of Share certificates which contain a signature panel for use by an authorized signor of Transfer Agent and state that such certificates are only valid after being countersigned and registered, whichever is applicable.

2.6 Fund Responsibility. Fund shall perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, documents, instruments and assurances as Transfer Agent may reasonably require in order to carry out or perform its obligations under this Agreement.

2.7 Scope of Agency.

 

  (a)

Transfer Agent shall act solely as agent for Fund under this Agreement and owes no duties hereunder to any other person. Transfer Agent undertakes to perform the duties and only the duties that are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against Transfer Agent.

 

  (b)

Transfer Agent may rely upon, and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting in good faith reliance upon, (i) any communication from Fund, any predecessor transfer agent or co-transfer agent or any registrar (other than Agent), predecessor registrar or co-registrar; (ii) any instruction, notice, request, direction, consent, report, certificate, opinion or other instrument, paper, document or electronic transmission believed in good faith by Transfer Agent to be genuine and to have been signed or given by the proper party or parties; (iii) any guaranty of signature by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a member or participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program or other comparable “signature guarantee program” or insurance program in addition to, or in substitution for, the foregoing; or (iv) any instructions received through Direct Registration System/Profile. In addition, Transfer Agent is authorized to refuse to make any transfer that it determines in good faith not to be in good order.

 

  (c)

From time to time, Fund may provide Transfer Agent with instructions concerning the Services. Further, Transfer Agent may apply to any Authorized Person for instruction, and may consult with legal counsel for Agent or Fund with respect to any matter arising in connection with the Services. Transfer Agent and its agents and subcontractors shall not be liable and shall be indemnified by Fund under Section 9.2 of this Agreement for any action taken or omitted by Transfer Agent in good faith reliance upon any Fund instructions or upon the advice or opinion of such counsel. Fund shall promptly provide Transfer Agent with an updated board resolution and/or certificate of incumbency regarding any change of authority for any Authorized Person. Transfer Agent shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any Authorized Person, until receipt of written notice thereof from Fund.

 

  (d)

Compliance with Laws. Transfer Agent is obligated and agrees to comply with all applicable U.S. federal, state and local laws and regulations, codes, orders and government rules in the performance of its duties under this Agreement.

2.8 Additional Funds. To the extent that a Fund is added to Schedule A after the Effective Date, such Fund is a Fund for all purposes of this Agreement and is bound by all terms and conditions and provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the representations and warranties of Funds set forth herein.

 

3


2.9 Amendment to Schedule A. The parties agree to amend Exhibit A to reflect the most updated information regarding Funds and Shares relevant to this Agreement. The parties agree that notwithstanding Section 15.4 of this Agreement, Schedule A may be amended without an executed written amendment if an Authorized Person delivers by email to Transfer Agent’s Relationship Manager a copy of an amended and restated Schedule A, dated as of the date such amended and restated Schedule A is intended to be effective, and a member of Transfer Agent’s Relationship Management team acknowledges in a responding email that the amended and restated Schedule A has been received. To the extent Schedule A is amended to add a Fund, Fund must provide Transfer Agent with the documents listed in Section 2.2 of this Agreement in relation to such Fund on a timeline mutually agreed by the parties.

2.10 Rule 38a-1 Compliance Program. Transfer Agent will maintain written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Federal Securities Laws, as that term is defined in Rule 38a-1, adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“Rule 38a-1”) with respect to the Services. On a quarterly basis, Transfer Agent will provide to Fund a certification certifying compliance with its responsibilities as Transfer Agent to the Funds under Rule 38a-1 or highlighting any material issue potentially impacting Transfer Agents services to the Funds. Upon Fund’s request, Transfer Agent will provide Fund with a summary of its policies and procedures in connection with Fund’s compliance with Rule 38a-1 and will provide such explanations of its policies and procedures as Fund may reasonably request. To the extent Transfer Agent makes any material changes to its written policies and procedures in order to address changing regulatory and industry developments that would impact Fund’s compliance with Rule 38a-1, Transfer Agent will notify Fund of any such changes in a timely manner. At least annually, Transfer Agent will also provide Fund a copy of third party audit reposts evaluating the Services (e.g. SSAE 18s or SOC 1s) and a copy of Transfer Agent’s annual assessment or review of Transfer Agent’s compliance programs.

2.11 Anti-Money Laundering; Office of Foreign Asset Control. Transfer Agent will comply with any laws or regulations relating to anti-money laundering applicable to Transfer Agent with respect to Fund’s Shareholders, including compliance with Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) laws or regulations, currency transaction reporting laws and regulations and suspicious activity reporting and recordkeeping requirements, by adopting appropriate compliance policies, procedures, and internal controls. Compliance with OFAC laws or regulations will include periodic screening of the Funds’ Shareholders against updated OFAC lists. The results of the screening will be provided to the Fund in monthly management report certifications. An annual OFAC attestation will also be provided by the Transfer Agent to the Fund regarding OFAC-related screening results over the prior year.

3. STANDARD SERVICES.

3.1 Share Services. Transfer Agent shall perform the Services set forth in the Fee and Service Schedule (“Fee and Service Schedule”) attached hereto and incorporated herein. Further, Transfer Agent shall issue and record Shares as authorized, hold Shares in the appropriate Account, and effect transfers of Shares upon receipt of appropriate documentation.

3.2 Replacement Shares. Transfer Agent shall issue replacement Shares for those certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon receipt by Transfer Agent of an open penalty surety bond satisfactory to it and holding it and Fund harmless, absent notice to Agent that such certificates have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser. Transfer Agent may, at its option, issue replacement Shares for mutilated certificates upon presentation thereof without such indemnity. Transfer Agent may, at its sole option, accept indemnification from Fund to issue replacement Shares for those certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed in lieu of an open penalty bond. Transfer Agent shall charge Shareholders an administrative fee for replacement of lost certificates, which shall be charged only once in instances where a single surety bond obtained covers multiple certificates. Transfer Agent may receive compensation, including in the form of surety premiums, for administrative services provided in connection with surety programs offered to Shareholders.

 

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3.3 Internet Services. Transfer Agent shall make available to Fund and Shareholders, through its web sites, including but not limited to www.computershare.com (collectively, “Web Site”), online access to certain Account and Shareholder information and certain transaction capabilities (“Internet Services”), subject to Transfer Agent’s security procedures and the terms and conditions set forth herein and on the Web Site. Transfer Agent provides Internet Services “as is,” on an “as available” basis, and hereby specifically disclaims any and all representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding such Internet Services, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and implied warranties arising from course of dealing or course of performance. Transfer Agent shall at all times use reasonable care in performing Internet Services under this Agreement.

3.4 Proprietary Information. Fund agrees that the databases, programs, screen and report formats, interactive design techniques, Internet Services, software (including methods or concepts used therein, source code, object code, or related technical information) and documentation manuals furnished to Fund by Transfer Agent as part of the Services are under the control and ownership of Transfer Agent or a third party (including its affiliates) and constitute copyrighted, trade secret, or other proprietary information (collectively, “Proprietary Information”). Shareholder Data is not Proprietary Information. Fund agrees that Proprietary Information is of substantial value to Transfer Agent or other third party and will treat all Proprietary Information as confidential in accordance with Section 11 of this Agreement. Fund shall take reasonable efforts to advise its relevant employees and agents of its obligations pursuant to this Section 3.4.

3.5 Third Party Content. Transfer Agent may provide real-time or delayed quotations and other market information and messages (“Market Data”), which Market Data is provided to Transfer Agent by certain third parties who may assert a proprietary interest in Market Data disseminated by them but do not guarantee the timeliness, sequence, accuracy or completeness thereof. Fund agrees and acknowledges that Transfer Agent shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage arising from or occasioned by any inaccuracy, error, delay in, omission of, or interruption in any Market Data or the transmission thereof.

3.6 Lost Shareholders; In-Depth Shareholder Search.

 

  (a)

Transfer Agent shall conduct such database searches to locate lost Shareholders as are required by Rule 17Ad-17 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“1934 Act”), without charge to the Shareholder. If a new address is so obtained in a database search for a lost Shareholder, Transfer Agent shall conduct a verification mailing and update its records for such Shareholder accordingly.

 

  (b)

Computershare may facilitate the performance of a more in-depth search for the purpose of (i) locating lost Shareholders for whom a new address is not obtained in accordance with clause (a) above, (ii) identifying Shareholders who are deceased (or locating the deceased Shareholder’s estate representative, heirs or other party entitled to act with respect to such Shareholder’s account (“Authorized Representative”)), and (iii) locating Shareholders whose Accounts contain an uncashed check older than 180 days, in each case using the services of a locating service provider selected by Computershare, which service provider may be an affiliate of Computershare. Such provider may compensate Computershare for processing and other services that Computershare provides in connection with such in-depth search, including providing Computershare a portion of its service fees.

 

  (c)

Upon locating any Shareholder (or such Shareholder’s Authorized Representative) pursuant to clause (b) above, the locating service provider shall clearly identify to such Shareholder (or such Shareholder’s Authorized Representative) all assets held in such Shareholder’s account. Such provider shall inform any such located Shareholders (or such Shareholder’s Authorized Representative) that such Shareholder (or such Shareholder’s Authorized Representative) may choose either (i) to contact Transfer Agent directly to obtain the assets in such account, at no charge other than any applicable fees to replace lost certificates, if applicable, or (ii) to use the services of such provider for a processing fee, which may not exceed 20% of the asset value of such Shareholder’s property where the registered Shareholder is living, deceased, or not a natural person; provided that in no case shall such fee exceed the maximum statutory fee permitted by

 

5


  the applicable state jurisdiction. If Fund selects a locating service provider other than one selected by Computershare, then Transfer Agent shall not be responsible for the terms of any agreement between such provider and Fund and additional fees may apply.

 

  (d)

Pursuant to Section 2.7(c) of this Agreement, Fund hereby authorizes and instructs Transfer Agent to provide a Shareholder file or list of those Shareholders not located following the required Rule 17Ad-17 searches to any service provider administering any in-depth shareholder location program on behalf of Transfer Agent or Fund.

4. PLAN SERVICES.

4.1 Trust Company shall perform all services under the Plans, as the administrator of such Plans, with the exception of payment processing for which Computershare has been appointed as agent by Fund, and certain other services that Trust Company may subcontract to Computershare as permitted by applicable law (e.g., ministerial services).

4.2 Transfer Agent shall act as agent for Shareholders pursuant to the Plans in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Plans.

5. COMPUTERSHARE DIVIDEND DISBURSING AND PAYMENT SERVICES.

5.1 Declaration of Dividends. Upon receipt of written notice from an Authorized Person declaring the payment of a dividend, Computershare shall disburse such dividend payments to Shareholders provided that Fund furnishes Computershare with sufficient funds one day in advance of the applicable payable date. The payment of such funds to Computershare for the purpose of being available for the payment of dividends from time to time is not intended by Fund to confer any rights in such funds on Shareholders whether in trust, contract, or otherwise.

5.2 Stop Payments. Fund hereby authorizes Computershare to stop payment of checks issued in payment of sales proceeds and of dividends, if applicable, but not presented for payment, when the payees thereof allege either that they have not received the checks or that such checks have been mislaid, lost, stolen, destroyed or, through no fault of theirs, are otherwise beyond their control and cannot be produced by them for presentation and collection, and Computershare shall issue and deliver duplicate checks in replacement thereof, and Fund shall indemnify Transfer Agent against any loss or damage resulting from reissuance of the checks.

5.3 Tax Withholding. Fund hereby authorizes Computershare to deduct from all payments of sales proceeds and of dividends declared by Fund and disbursed by Computershare to Shareholders, if applicable, the tax required to be withheld pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445, 1471 through 1474, and 3406 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or by any federal or state statutes subsequently enacted, and to make the necessary returns and payment of such tax to the relevant taxing authority. Fund will provide withholding and reporting instructions to Computershare from time to time as relevant, and upon request of Computershare.

5.4 Plan Payments. If applicable, Fund hereby authorizes Computershare to receive all payments made to Fund (i.e., optional cash purchases) or Transfer Agent under the Plans and make all payments required to be made under such Plans, including all payments required to be made to Fund. For optional cash purchases, in the event funds are unavailable for any reason (including, without limitation, due to a rejection or reversal of the payment), Computershare shall sell the Shares purchased and any gain thereon shall accrue to Computershare.

5.5 Bank Accounts. All funds received by Computershare under this Agreement that are to be distributed or applied by Computershare in the performance of Services (the “Monies”) shall be held by Computershare as agent for Fund and deposited in one or more bank accounts to be maintained by Computershare in its name as agent for Fund. Until paid pursuant to this Agreement, Computershare may hold or invest the Monies

 

6


through such Accounts in: (a) obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States of America; (b) commercial paper obligations rated A-1 or P-1 or better by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), respectively; (c) AAA rated money market funds that comply with Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940; or (d) demand deposit accounts, short term certificates of deposit, bank repurchase agreements or bankers’ acceptances, of commercial banks with Tier 1 capital exceeding $1 billion or with an average rating above investment grade by S&P (LT Local Issuer Credit Rating), Moody’s (Long Term Rating) and Fitch Ratings, Inc. (LT Issuer Default Rating) (each as reported by Bloomberg Finance L.P.). Computershare shall have no responsibility or liability for any diminution of the Monies that may result from any deposit or investment made by Computershare in accordance with this paragraph, including any losses resulting from a default by any bank, financial institution or other third party. Computershare may from time to time receive interest, dividends or other earnings in connection with such deposits or investments. Computershare shall not be obligated to pay such interest, dividends or earnings to Fund, any Shareholder or any other party.

6. ADDITIONAL SERVICES. To the extent that Fund elects to engage any entity other than Transfer Agent (“Vendor”) to provide any additional services (e.g., plans, restricted stock, corporate actions, etc.), Fund shall give Transfer Agent or its affiliates an opportunity to bid on such services upon the same terms and conditions as Vendor.

7. FEES AND EXPENSES.

7.1 Fee and Service Schedules. Fund agrees to pay Transfer Agent the fees and expenses for Services performed pursuant to this Agreement as set forth in the Fee and Service Schedule. At least ninety (90) days before the expiration of the Initial Term (as defined below) or a Renewal Term (as defined below), whichever is applicable, the parties to this Agreement will agree upon a new fee schedule for the upcoming Renewal Term. If no new fee schedule is agreed upon, the fees will increase as set forth in the Term Section of the Fee and Service Schedule.

7.2 Out-of-Balance Conditions. If any out-of-balance condition caused by Fund or any of its prior agents arises during any term of this Agreement, Fund will, promptly upon Transfer Agent’s request, provide Transfer Agent with funds or Shares sufficient to resolve the out-of-balance condition.

7.3 Invoices. Fund agrees to pay all fees and expenses within 30 days of the date of the respective billing notice, except for any fees or expenses that are subject to good faith dispute. In the event of such dispute, Fund must promptly notify Transfer Agent of such dispute and may only withhold that portion of the fee or expense subject to such dispute. Fund shall settle such disputed amounts within five (5) business days of the date on which the parties agree on the amount to be paid by payment of the agreed amount. If no agreement is reached, then such disputed amounts shall be settled as may be required by law or legal process.

7.4 Late Payments.

 

  (a)

If any undisputed amount in an invoice of Transfer Agent is not paid within 30 days after the date of such invoice, Transfer Agent may charge Fund interest thereon (from the due date to the date of payment) at a monthly rate equal to one and a half percent (1.5%). Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, such interest rate shall be no greater than permitted under applicable law.

 

  (b)

The failure by Fund to (i) pay the undisputed portion of an invoice within 90 days after the date of such invoice or (ii) timely pay the undisputed portions of two consecutive invoices shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement by Fund. Notwithstanding terms to the contrary in Section 12.2 below, Transfer Agent may terminate this Agreement for such material breach immediately and shall not be obligated to provide Fund with 30 days to cure such breach.

7.5 Transaction Taxes. Fund is responsible for all taxes, levies, duties, and assessments levied on Services purchased under this Agreement (collectively, “Transaction Taxes”). Computershare is responsible for collecting and remitting Transaction Taxes in all jurisdictions in which Computershare is registered to collect

 

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such Transaction Taxes. Computershare shall invoice Fund for such Transaction Taxes that Computershare is obligated to collect upon the furnishing of Services. Fund shall pay such Transaction Taxes according to the terms in Section 7.3. Computershare shall timely remit to the appropriate governmental authorities all such Transaction Taxes that Computershare collects from Fund. To the extent that Fund provides Computershare with valid exemption certificates, direct pay permits, or other documentation that exempts Computershare from collecting Transaction Taxes from Fund, invoices issued for Services provided after Computershare’s receipt of such certificates, permits, or other documentation will not reflect exempted Transaction Taxes. Computershare is solely responsible for the payment of all personal property taxes, franchise taxes, corporate excise or privilege taxes, property or license taxes, taxes relating to Computershare’s personnel, and taxes based on Computershare’s net income or gross revenues relating to Services.

8. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

8.1 Transfer Agent. Transfer Agent represents and warrants to Fund that:

 

  (a)

Governance. Trust Company is a federally chartered trust company duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the United States and Computershare is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and each has full power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement; and

 

  (b)

Compliance with Laws. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Transfer Agent has been duly authorized by all necessary action, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Transfer Agent enforceable against Transfer Agent in accordance with its terms, will not require the consent of any third party that has not been given, and will not violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any material term, condition or provision of (i) any existing law, ordinance, or governmental rule or regulation to which Transfer Agent is subject, (ii) any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or award of any court, arbitrator or governmental or regulatory official, body or authority applicable to Transfer Agent, (iii) Transfer Agent’s incorporation documents or by-laws, or (iv) any material agreement to which Transfer Agent is a party.

 

  (c)

Trust Company is duly registered as a transfer agent under Section 17A(c)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and it will remain so registered for the duration of this Agreement. It will promptly notify the Fund in the event of any material change in its status as a registered transfer agent.

 

  (d)

Trust Company has and will continue to have access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement.

8.2 Fund. Fund represents and warrants to Transfer Agent that:

 

  (a)

Governance. It is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of domicile, and it has full power, authority and legal right to enter into and perform this Agreement;

 

  (b)

Compliance with Laws. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Fund has been duly authorized by all necessary action, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Fund enforceable against Fund in accordance with its terms, will not require the consent of any third party that has not been given, and will not violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any material term, condition or provision of (i) any existing law, ordinance, or governmental rule or regulation to which Fund is subject, (ii) any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or award of any court, arbitrator or governmental or regulatory official, body or authority applicable to Fund, (iii) Fund’s organizational documents or by-laws, (iv) any material agreement to which Fund is a party, or (v) any applicable stock exchange rules;

 

  (c)

Securities Laws. Registration statements under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act have been filed and are currently effective, or will be effective prior to the sale of any Shares, and will remain so effective, and all appropriate state securities law filings have been made with respect to all Shares being offered for sale except for any Shares which are offered in a transaction or series of transactions which are exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, 1934 Act and state securities laws; Fund will immediately notify Transfer Agent of any information to the contrary;

 

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  (d)

Shares. The Shares issued and outstanding on the date hereof have been duly authorized, validly issued and are fully paid and are non-assessable; and any Shares to be issued hereafter, when issued, shall have been duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid and will be non-assessable; and

 

  (e)

Facsimile Signatures. The use of facsimile signatures by Transfer Agent in connection with the countersigning and registering of Share certificates has been duly authorized by Fund and is valid and effective.

9. INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

9.1 Standard of Care and Liability. Transfer Agent shall at all times act in good faith and agrees to use its best efforts within reasonable limits to ensure the accuracy of all Services performed under this Agreement. Transfer Agent shall only be liable for any loss or damage as a result of Transfer Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct; provided that any liability of Transfer Agent will be limited in the aggregate to the ongoing account management fees paid hereunder by Fund to Transfer Agent during the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the event for which recovery from Transfer Agent is being sought.

9.2 Indemnity. Fund shall indemnify and hold Transfer Agent harmless from and against, and Agent shall not be responsible for, any and all losses, claims, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees and expenses, payments, expenses and liability (collectively, “Losses”) arising out of or attributable to Transfer Agent’s duties under this Agreement or this appointment, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any Loss or enforcing this Agreement, except for any liability of Agent as set forth in Section 9.1 above.

10. DAMAGES. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither party shall be liable to the other for any incidental, indirect, special or consequential damages of any nature whatsoever, including, but not limited to, loss of anticipated profits, occasioned by a breach of any provision of this Agreement even if apprised of the possibility of such damages.

11. CONFIDENTIALITY.

11.1 Use and Disclosure. All Confidential Information of a party will be held in confidence by the other party with at least the same degree of care as such party protects its own confidential or proprietary information of like kind and import, but not less than a reasonable degree of care. Neither party will disclose in any manner Confidential Information of the other party in any form to any person or entity without the other party’s prior consent. However, each party may disclose relevant aspects of the other party’s Confidential Information to its officers, affiliates, agents, subcontractors and employees to the extent reasonably necessary to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement and such disclosure is not prohibited by applicable law. Without limiting the foregoing, each party will implement physical and other security measures and controls designed to protect (a) the security and confidentiality of Confidential Information; (b) against any threats or hazards to the security and integrity of Confidential Information; and (c) against any unauthorized access to or use of Confidential Information. To the extent that a party delegates any duties and responsibilities under this Agreement to an agent or other subcontractor, the party ensures that such agent and subcontractor are contractually bound to confidentiality terms consistent with the terms of this Section 11.

11.2 Required or Permitted Disclosure. In the event that any requests or demands are made for the disclosure of Confidential Information, other than requests to Transfer Agent for Shareholder records pursuant to subpoenas from state or federal government authorities (e.g., probate, divorce and criminal actions), the party receiving such request will promptly notify the other party to secure instructions from an authorized officer of such party as to such request and to enable the other party the opportunity to obtain a protective order or other confidential treatment, unless such notification is otherwise prohibited by law or court order. Each party expressly reserves the right, however, to disclose Confidential Information to any person whenever it is advised by counsel that it may be held liable for the failure to disclose such Confidential Information or if required by law or court order.

 

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11.3 Unauthorized Disclosure. As may be required by law and without limiting any party’s rights in respect of a breach of this Section 11, each party will promptly:

 

  (a)

notify the other party in writing of any unauthorized possession, use or disclosure of the other party’s Confidential Information by any person or entity that may become known to such party;

 

  (b)

furnish to the other party full details of the unauthorized possession, use or disclosure; and

 

  (c)

use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent a recurrence of any such unauthorized possession, use or disclosure of Confidential Information.

11.4 Costs. Each party will bear the costs it incurs as a result of compliance with this Section 11.

12. TERM AND TERMINATION.

12.1 Term. The initial term of this Agreement shall be three (3) years from the Effective Date (“Initial Term”) unless terminated pursuant to the provisions of this Section 12. This Agreement will renew automatically from year to year (each a “Renewal Term”), unless a terminating party gives written notice to the other party not less than ninety (90) days before the expiration of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, whichever is in effect.

12.2 Termination for Cause. This Agreement may be terminated at any time by any party (i) upon a material breach of a representation, covenant or term of this Agreement by any other party which is not cured within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice thereof from the terminating party or (ii) if any proceeding in bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership or insolvency is commenced by or against any other party, such other party shall become insolvent or shall cease paying its obligations as they become due or such other party shall make any assignment for the benefit of its creditors.

12.3 Fees and Expenses. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement for any reason, including any termination of this Agreement with respect to any Fund, or termination due to liquidation, Fund shall pay to Transfer Agent on or before the effective date of such termination or expiration (a) all fees and expenses due and payable to Transfer Agent up to and including the date of such termination or expiration, and (b) in connection with the movement of records, materials, and services to Fund or the successor agent, (i) all reasonable expenses and (ii) a conversion fee in an amount equal to 10% of the aggregate fees (not including expenses) incurred by Fund during the immediately preceding twelve (12) month period, for the standard conversion services listed on the attached Schedule B to this Agreement; provided, however, the fee under this Section 12.3(b)(ii) shall in no event be less than $5,000.00. In the event any of the extended conversion services listed on Schedule B are requested by Fund, the fee for each extended conversion service will be $2,500.00.

12.4 Early Termination. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if this Agreement is terminated prior to the expiration of the then-current term (a) by Fund for any reason other than pursuant to Section 12.2 above, including but not limited to, Fund’s liquidation, acquisition, merger or restructuring, or (b) by Transfer Agent pursuant to Section 12.2 above, then, in addition to the payments required in Section 12.3 above, Fund shall pay to Transfer Agent all fees accelerated through the end of, and including all months that would have remained in, the then-current term at the time of termination. Such fees will be calculated using the rates, volumes, and Services in effect as of the termination date. If Fund does not provide notice of early termination within the time period referenced in Section 12.1 above, Transfer Agent shall make a good faith effort, but cannot guarantee, to convert Fund’s records on the date requested by Fund.

13. ASSIGNMENT. Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by Fund or Transfer Agent without the written consent of the other, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that Transfer Agent may, without further consent of Fund, assign any of its rights and obligations hereunder to any affiliated transfer agent registered under Rule 17Ac2-1 promulgated under the 1934 Act.

 

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14. SUBCONTRACTORS AND UNAFFILIATED THIRD PARTIES.

14.1 Subcontractors. Transfer Agent may, without further consent of Fund, subcontract with (a) any affiliates, or (b) unaffiliated subcontractors for such services as may be required from time to time (e.g., lost shareholder searches, escheatment, telephone and mailing services); provided, however, that Transfer Agent shall be as fully responsible to Fund for the acts and omissions of any subcontractor as it is for its own acts and omissions under this Agreement.

14.2 Unaffiliated Third Parties. Nothing herein shall impose any duty upon Transfer Agent in connection with or make Transfer Agent liable for the actions or omissions to act of unaffiliated third parties (other than subcontractors referenced in Section 14.1 of this Agreement) such as, by way of example and not limitation, airborne services, delivery services, the U.S. mails, and telecommunication companies, provided, if Transfer Agent selected such company, Transfer Agent exercised due care in selecting the same.

15. MISCELLANEOUS.

15.1 Notices. Any notice or communication by Transfer Agent or Fund to the other pursuant to this Agreement is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or sent by overnight delivery service or first class mail, postage prepaid, to the other’s address:

 

If to Fund:   

[COMPANY NAME]

[COMPANY CONTACT INFORMATION]

If to Transfer Agent:   

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

250 Royall Street

Canton, MA 02021

Attn: General Counsel

15.2 No Expenditure of Funds. No provision of this Agreement shall require Transfer Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights if it shall believe in good faith that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

15.3 Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of Fund or Transfer Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.

15.4 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written amendment executed by the parties hereto and, to the extent required, authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors of Fund.

15.5 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.

15.6 Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of law. The parties irrevocably (a) submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court sitting in New York City or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, (b) waive, to the fullest extent they may effectively do so, any defense based on inconvenient forum, improper venue or lack of jurisdiction to the maintenance of any such action or proceeding, and (c) waive all right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Transfer Agent shall not be required hereunder to comply with the laws or regulations of any country other than the United States of America or any political subdivision thereof. Transfer Agent may consult with foreign counsel, at Fund’s expense, to resolve any foreign law issues that may arise as a result of Fund or any other party being subject to the laws or regulations of any foreign jurisdiction.

 

11


15.7 Force Majeure. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Transfer Agent shall not be liable for any delays or failures in performance resulting from acts beyond its reasonable control including, without limitation, acts of God, terrorist acts, shortage of supply, breakdowns or malfunctions, interruptions or malfunction of computer facilities, or loss of data due to power failures or mechanical difficulties with information storage or retrieval systems, labor difficulties, war, or civil unrest.

15.8 Third Party Beneficiaries. The provisions of this Agreement are intended to benefit only Transfer Agent, Fund and their respective permitted successors and assigns. No rights shall be granted to any other person by virtue of this Agreement, and there are no third party beneficiaries hereof.

15.9 Survival. All provisions regarding indemnification, warranty, liability and limits thereon, compensation and expenses and confidentiality and protection of proprietary rights and trade secrets shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.

15.10 Priorities. In the event of any conflict, discrepancy, or ambiguity between the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement and any schedules or attachments hereto, the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement shall take precedence.

15.11 Merger of Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written.

15.12 No Strict Construction. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event any ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by all parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.

15.13 Descriptive Headings. Descriptive headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

15.14 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. A signature to this Agreement executed and/or transmitted electronically shall have the same authority, effect, and enforceability as an original signature.

16. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. For each Fund that is a Massachusetts business trust, the Fund’s Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This Agreement is executed on behalf of each such Fund by the Fund’s officers as officers and not individually. The obligations imposed upon each such Fund by this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Fund’s Trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund.

[The remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed by one of its officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the Effective Date.

 

Computershare Inc. and

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

      On behalf of each of the Nuveen closed-end investment companies listed on Schedule A hereto
By:  

/s/ Martin J. McHale, Jr.

                   By:  

/s/ Tina M. Lazar

Name:   Martin J. McHale, Jr.       Name:   Tina M. Lazar
Title:   President, U.S. Equity Services       Title:   Managing Director

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT]

 

13


Schedule A

NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUNDS

 

Fund Name

   CPU COY    Cusip

Nuveen Municipal Value Fund

   NUV    670928100

Nuveen CA Municipal Value Fund

   NCA    67062C107

Nuveen NY Municipal Value Fund

   NNY    67062M105

Nuveen Municipal Income Fund

   NMI    67062J102

Nuveen PA Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NQP    670972108

Nuveen MI Quality Income Municipal Fund

   NUM    670979103

Nuveen OH Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NUO    670980101

Nuveen TX Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NTX    670983105

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

   NXP    67062F100

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 2

   NXQ    67063C106

Nuveen CA Select Tax-Free Inc Portfolio

   NXC    67063R103

Nuveen Ins NY Select Tax-Free Inc Portfolio

   NXN    67063V104

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 3

   NXR    67063X100

Nuveen Select Maturities Municipal Fund

   NIM    67061T101

Nuveen Enhanced AMT-Free Municipal Credit Opportunites Fund

   NVG    67071L106

Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund

   NZF    67070X101

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund

   NEA    670657105

Nuveen NY AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NRK    670656107

Nuveen CA AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NKX    670651108

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund

   JFR    67072T108

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Opportunity Fund

   JRO    6706EN100

Nuveen AZ Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NAZ    67061W104

Nuveen MD Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NMY    67061Q107

Nuveen MA Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NMT    67061E104

Nuveen VA Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NPV    67064R102

Nuveen CT Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NTC    67060D107

Nuveen MO Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NOM    67060Q108

Nuveen NC Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NNC    67060P100

Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund

   NAD    67066V101

Nuveen NY Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NAN    67066X107

Nuveen CA Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund

   NAC    67066Y105

Nuveen Senior Income Fund

   NSL    67067Y104

Nuveen NJ Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NXJ    67069Y102

Nuveen Real Estate Income Fund

   JRS    67071B108

Nuveen GA Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NKG    67072B107

Nuveen Quality Preferred Income Fund 2

   JPS    67072C105

Nuveen Preferred and Convertible Income Fund

   JPC    67073B106

Nuveen Preferred and Convertible Income Fund 2

   JQC    67073D102

Nuveen Diversified Dividend and Income Fund

   JDD    6706EP105

Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund

   NMZ    670682103

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

   JTA    67090H102

Nuveen S&P 500 Buy-Write Income Fund

   JPZ    6706ER101

 

14


Fund Name

   CPU COY    Cusip

Nuveen S&P 500 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

   JPG    6706EW100

Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund

   JCE    67090X107

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Dividend Growth Fund

   JTD    67073G105

Nuveen Municipal Value Fund 2

   NUW    670695105

Nuveen NY Municipal Value Fund 2

   NYVF    670706100

Nuveen CA Municipal Value Fund 2

   NCB    6706EB106

Nuveen PA Municipal Value Fund

   NPN    67074K105

Nuveen NJ Municipal Value

   NJV    670702109

Nuveen Enhanced Municipal Value Fund

   NEVF    67074M101

Nuveen Mortgage Opportunity Term Fund

   JLS    670735109

Nuveen Mortgage Opportunity Term Fund 2

   JMT    67074R100

Nuveen Build America Bond Fund

   NBB    67074C103

Nuveen Build America Bond Opportunity Fund

   NBDF    67074Q102

Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

   QQQF    670699107

Nuveen Energy MLP Total Return Fund

   JMF    67074U103

Nuveen Short Duration Credit Opportunity Fund

   JSD    67074X107

Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund

   JRI    67074Y105

Nuveen Preferred and Income Term Fund

   JPI    67075A106

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Term Fund

   NID    670671106

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund

   NIQ    670677103

Nuveen All Cap Energy MLP Opportunities Fund

   JMLP    67075 E108

Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund

   JMM    67075J107

Diversified Real Asset Income

   DRA    25533B108

Nuveen MN Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NMS    670734102

Nuveen Global High Income Fund

   JGH    67075G103

Nuveen Dow 30 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

   DIAX    67075F105

Nuveen High Income 2020 Target Fund

   JHY    67075L102

Nuveen High Income Dec 2018 Target Term

   JHA    67075P103

Nuveen Municipal 2021 Target Term Fund

   NHA    670687102

Nuveen High Income Nov 2021 Target Term

   JHB    67077N106

Nuveen High Income Dec 2019 Target Term

   JHD    6 7076E107

Nuveen Preferred & Income 2022 Term Fund

   JPT    67075T105

Nuveen Credit Opportunity 2022 Target Term Fund

   JCO    67075U102

Nuveen JFRT Term Preferred Shares Series 2027

   JFRT    67072TAD0

Nuveen JROT Term Preferred Shares Series 2027

   JROT    6706ENAC4

Nuveen NADR Var Rate MuniFund Term 2018

   NADR    67066V838

Nuveen Var Rate Munifund Term PFD 2019-1

   NADT    67066V820

Nuveen NEAR Var Rate MuniFund Term 2018

   NEAR    670657840

Nuveen Variable Rate MuniFund Series 2018

   NIQP    670677111

Nuveen NUM Var Rate MuniFund Series 2019

   NUMW    670979806

Nuveen NZF Var Rate MuniFund Term Pfd 2019

   NZFW    67070X853

Nuveen NAD Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd 2019

   VNAD    67066V887

Nuveen NAN Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd 2019

   VNAN    67066X800

Nuveen NAZ Var Rate MuniFund Pfd 2019

   VNAZ    67061W807

Nuveen NEA Variable Rate MuniFund 2019

   VNEA    670657873

Nuveen Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd Series 2018

   VNID    670671304

Nuveen VNKG Var Rate MuniFund Term 2019

   VNKG    67072B883

Nuveen NMS Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd 2019

   VNMS    670734409

 

15


Fund Name

   CPU COY    Cusip

Nuveen NMY Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd 2019

   VNMY    67061Q867

Nuveen NNC Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd 2019

   VNNC    67060P878

Nuveen VNQP Var Rate MuniFund Term 2019

   VNQP    670972868

Nuveen VNTC Var Rate MuniFund Term 2019

   VNTC    67060D859

Nuveen JFRP Term Pfd Shares 2019

   JFRP    67072TAA6

Nuveen JROP Term Pfd Shr Series 2023

   JROP    6706ENAA8

Nuveen NAC Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred 2019

   NACV    67066Y857

Nuveen Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd Series 2018

   NMZX    670682806

Nuveen Munifund Variable Rate Preferred Series 2018

   NOMV    67060Q405

Nuveen NSL Term Preferred Shares Series 2021

   NSLP    67067YAA2

Nuveen JSD Term Preferred Shares Series 2020

   PJSD    67074XAA5

Nuveen NHA Variaple Rate Munifund Term Preferred Series 2016

   VNHA    670687201

Nuveen Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred shares Series 2018

   VNVG    67071L874

Nuveen JFRR Term Preferred Shares Series 2022

   JFRR    67072TAC2

Nuveen JROR Term Preferred Shares Series 2022

   JROR    6706ENAB6

Nuveen PJRO Term Preferred Shares 2022-1

   PJRO    6706ENAD2

Nuveen JFR MuniFund Term Preferred Shares 2024

   PJFR    67072TAE8

 

16

Exhibit k.2

FIRST AMENDMENT TO TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT

This First Amendment (“Amendment”) is entered into and effective as of this the 7th day of September, 2017, and hereby amends that certain Transfer Agency and Service Agreement by and among each Nuveen closed-end investment companies listed on Schedule A attached hereto, as may be amended from time to time (“Schedule A”) (each such investment company, a “Fund”), and Computershare Inc., (“Computershare”) and its fully owned subsidiary Computershare Trust Company, N.A., (“Trust Company”, and together with Computershare, “Transfer Agent”) dated June 15, 2017 (the “Agreement”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.

WHEREAS, the Funds and Transfer Agent are parties to the Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Funds and Transfer Agent desire to amend the Agreement upon the terms and conditions set forth herein;

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows: 

1. Amendment to the Agreement. “Schedule A” of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the new Schedule A attached hereto.

2. Limited Effect. Except as expressly modified herein, the Agreement and the Fee Schedule shall continue to be and shall remain, in full force and effect and the valid and binding obligation of the parties thereto in accordance with its terms.

3. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. A signature to this Amendment executed and/or transmitted electronically shall have the same authority, effect, and enforceability as an original signature.

[Remainder of this page is left intentionally blank.]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed by their respective officers, hereunto duly agreed and authorized, as of the Effective Date.

 

Computershare Inc. and

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

On Behalf of Both Entities:

    

On behalf of each of the Nuveen

closed-end investment companies

listed on Schedule A attached hereto:

By:  

/s/ Dennis V. Moccia

     By:  

/s/ Tina M. Lazar

Name:  

Dennis V. Moccia.

     Name:  

Tina M. Lazar

Title:  

Manager, Contract Administration

     Title:  

Vice President


Schedule A

NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUNDS

 

Fund Name

     CPU COY      Cusip

Nuveen Municipal Value Fund

     NUV      670928100

Nuveen CA Municipal Value Fund

     NCA      67062C107

Nuveen NY Municipal Value Fund

     NNY      67062M105

Nuveen Municipal Income Fund

     NMI      67062J102

Nuveen PA Quality Municipal Income Fund

     NQP      670972108

Nuveen MI Quality Income Municipal Fund

     NUM      670979103

Nuveen OH Quality Municipal Income Fund

     NUO      670980101

Nuveen TX Quality Municipal Income Fund

     NTX      670983105

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

     NXP      67062F100

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 2

     NXQ      67063C106

Nuveen CA Select Tax-Free Inc Portfolio

     NXC      67063R103

Nuveen NY Select Tax-Free Inc Portfolio

     NXN      67063V104

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 3

     NXR      67063X100

Nuveen Select Maturities Municipal Fund

     NIM      67061T101

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Credit Income Fund

     NVG      67071L106

Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund

     NZF      67070X101

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund

     NEA      670657105

Nuveen NY AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund

     NRK      670656107

Nuveen CA AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund

     NKX      670651108

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund

     JFR      67072T108

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Opportunity Fund

     JRO      6706EN100

Nuveen AZ Quality Municipal Income Fund

     NAZ      67061W104

Nuveen MD Quality Municipal Income Fund

     NMY      67061Q107

Nuveen MA Quality Municipal Income Fund

     NMT      67061E104

Nuveen VA Quality Municipal Income Fund

     NPV      67064R102

Nuveen CT Quality Municipal Income Fund

     NTC      67060D107

Nuveen MO Quality Municipal Income Fund

     NOM      67060Q108

Nuveen NC Quality Municipal Income Fund

     NNC      67060P100

Nuveen Quality Municipal Income Fund

     NAD      67066V101

Nuveen NY Quality Municipal Income Fund

     NAN      67066X107

Nuveen CA Quality Municipal Income Fund

     NAC      67066Y105

Nuveen Senior Income Fund

     NSL      67067Y104

Nuveen NJ Quality Municipal Income Fund

     NXJ      67069Y102

Nuveen Real Estate Income Fund

     JRS      67071B108

Nuveen GA Quality Municipal Income Fund

     NKG      67072B107

Nuveen Preferred Securities Income Fund

     JPS      67072C105

Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund

     JPC      67073B106

Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund

     JQC      67073D102

Nuveen Diversified Dividend and Income Fund

     JDD      6706EP105

Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund

     NMZ      670682103

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

     JTA      67090H102

Nuveen S&P 500 Buy-Write Income Fund

     JPZ      6706ER101

Nuveen S&P 500 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

     JPG      6706EW100

Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund

     JCE      67090X107

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Dividend Growth Fund

     JTD      67073G105

Nuveen Municipal Value Fund 2

     NUW      670695105

Nuveen NY Municipal Value Fund 2

     NYVF      670706100

Nuveen CA Municipal Value Fund 2

     NCB      6706EB106

Nuveen PA Municipal Value Fund

     NPN      67074K105

Nuveen NJ Municipal Value

     NJV      670702109

Nuveen Enhanced Municipal Value Fund

     NEVF      67074M101

Nuveen Mortgage Opportunity Term Fund

     JLS      670735109

Nuveen Mortgage Opportunity Term Fund 2

     JMT      67074R100


Nuveen Build America Bond Fund

     NBB      67074C103

Nuveen Build America Bond Opportunity Fund

     NBDF      67074Q102

Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

     QQQF      670699107

Nuveen Energy MLP Total Return Fund

     JMF      67074U103

Nuveen Short Duration Credit Opportunities Fund

     JSD      67074X107

Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund

     JRI      67074Y105

Nuveen Preferred and Income Term Fund

     JPI      67075A106

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Term Fund

     NID      670671106

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund

     NIQ      670677103

Nuveen All Cap Energy MLP Opportunities Fund

     JMLP      67075 E108

Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund

     JMM      67075J107

Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2022 Target Term Fund

     JEMD      25533B108

Nuveen MN Quality Municipal Income Fund

     NMS      670734102

Nuveen Global High Income Fund

     JGH      67075G103

Nuveen Dow 30 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

     DIAX      67075F105

Nuveen High Income 2020 Target Fund

     JHY      67075L102

Nuveen High Income Dec 2018 Target Term

     JHA      67075P103

Nuveen Municipal 2021 Target Term Fund

     NHA      670687102

Nuveen High Income Nov 2021 Target Term

     JHB      67077N106

Nuveen High Income Dec 2019 Target Term

     JHD      6 7076E107

Nuveen Preferred & Income 2022 Term Fund

     JPT      67075T105

Nuveen Credit Opportunity 2022 Target Term Fund

     JCO      67075U102

Nuveen JFRT Term Preferred Shares Series 2027

     JFRT      67072TAD0

Nuveen JROT Term Preferred Shares Series 2027

     JROT      6706ENAC4

Nuveen NADR Var Rate MuniFund Term 2018

     NADR      67066V838

Nuveen Var Rate Munifund Term PFD 2019-1

     NADT      67066V820

Nuveen NEAR Var Rate MuniFund Term 2018

     NEAR      670657840

Nuveen Variable Rate MuniFund Series 2018

     NIQP      670677111

Nuveen NUM Var Rate MuniFund Series 2019

     NUMW      670979806

Nuveen NZF Var Rate MuniFund Term Pfd 2019

     NZFW      67070X853

Nuveen NAD Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd 2019

     VNAD      67066V887

Nuveen NAN Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd 2019

     VNAN      67066X800

Nuveen NAZ Var Rate MuniFund Pfd 2019

     VNAZ      67061W807

Nuveen NEA Variable Rate MuniFund 2019

     VNEA      670657873

Nuveen Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd Series 2018

     VNID      670671304

Nuveen VNKG Var Rate MuniFund Term 2019

     VNKG      67072B883

Nuveen NMS Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd 2019

     VNMS      670734409

Nuveen NMY Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd 2019

     VNMY      67061Q867

Nuveen NNC Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd 2019

     VNNC      67060P878

Nuveen VNQP Var Rate MuniFund Term 2019

     VNQP      670972868

Nuveen VNTC Var Rate MuniFund Term 2019

     VNTC      67060D859

Nuveen JFRP Term Pfd Shares 2019

     JFRP      67072TAA6

Nuveen JROP Term Pfd Shr Series 2023

     JROP      6706ENAA8

Nuveen NAC Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred 2019

     NACV      67066Y857

Nuveen Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd Series 2018

     NMZX      670682806

Nuveen Munifund Variable Rate Preferred Series 2018

     NOMV      67060Q405

Nuveen NSL Term Preferred Shares Series 2021

     NSLP      67067YAA2

Nuveen JSD Term Preferred Shares Series 2020

     PJSD      67074XAA5

Nuveen NHA Variaple Rate Munifund Term Preferred Series 2016

     VNHA      670687201

Nuveen Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred shares Series 2018

     VNVG      67071L874

Nuveen JFRR Term Preferred Shares Series 2022

     JFRR      67072TAC2

Nuveen JROR Term Preferred Shares Series 2022

     JROR      6706ENAB6

Nuveen PJRO Term Preferred Shares 2022-1

     PJRO      6706ENAD2

Nuveen JFR Term Preferred Shares 2024

     PJFR      67072TAE8

SECOND AMENDMENT TO TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT

This Second Amendment (“Amendment”) is entered into and effective as of this the 26th day of February, 2018, and hereby amends that certain Transfer Agency and Service Agreement by and among each Nuveen closed-end investment companies listed on Schedule A attached hereto, as may be amended from time to time (“Schedule A”) {each such investment company, a “Fund”), and Computershare Inc., (“Computershare”) and its fully owned subsidiary Computershare Trust Company, N.A., (“Trust Company”, and together with Computershare, “Transfer Agent”) dated June 15, 2017 (the “Agreement”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.

WHEREAS, the Funds and Transfer Agent are parties to the Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Funds and Transfer Agent desire to amend the Agreement upon the terms and conditions set forth herein;

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

  1.

Amendment to the Agreement. The Fee and Service Schedule for Stock Transfer Services (the “Schedule’’) of the Agreement is hereby amended by deleting Section 4 “Preferred Share Services” in its entirety and replacing it with the following new Section 4:

“4, PREFERRED SHARES SERVICES

Issuance of Preferred Shares. The parties acknowledge that certain Funds intend to issue series of preferred shares to be designated as MuniFund Term Preferred (“MTP”) Shares, Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred (“VMTP’’) Shares, Variable Rate Term Preferred (“VRTP”) Shares, Term Preferred Shares (“TPS”), or Adjustable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Share (“AMTP” and collectively with MTP, VMTP, VRTP, and TPS, the “Preferred Shares”), pursuant to a Statement Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of the applicable Shares (each, a “Statement”), a copy of which shall be provided to Transfer Agent by the Fund. In connection with such Statement, Transfer Agent has agreed to perform the obligations of Redemption and Paying Agent as described in such Statement and provide the Services solely as set forth herein in Sections 3 and 4, as applicable.

MTP, VMTP. VRPT, TPS, and AMTP Funds (per Fund)**

 

$xxxxx

   Monthly Administrative Fee

$xxxxx

   Monthly Fee per Additional Series of Shares

$xxxxx

   Per Cusip - Full Redemption

$xxxxx

   Per Cusip - Partial Redemption

 

**

If at any time Shares of any Fund are not held by The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) as the sole registered Shareholder in book-entry form through the Direct Registration System (“DRS”), Transfer Agent shall have the right to propose an amendment to the foregoing fees to reflect the additional costs related to providing the Services contemplated hereby with respect to additional registered holders of such Shares or shall have the right to terminate its Services hereunder with respect to such Shares of such Fund only, upon 90 days’ prior written notice. In addition, if such amendment is not acceptable to such Fund, it may terminate Transfer Agent’s services with respect to such Shares of such Fund only, on 90 days’ prior written notice.

Distribution and Redemption Services for MTP. VMTP, VRTP. TPS. and AMTP Issuing Term Preferred Shares

 

   

Maintain a registered Account for DTC (including in its nominee name, Cede & Co.) for each series of Shares issued by a Fund in book entry form through ORS

   

Provide dividend disbursing services consisting of effecting wire transfer of dividend payments to DTC on payable date. For each dividend, the applicable Fund shall provide Transfer Agent with the dividend record and payable date as well as the dividend rate per Share. All funds for the payment of dividends must be received by 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time on the payable date via Federal Funds Wire.


   

Upon notification that Shares will be redeemed/liquidated, Transfer Agent shall designate a project manager to carry out redemption duties, Including document review, review of communication materials, project management, and on-going project updates and reporting. (For each Fund redemption, Transfer Agent shall be provided with a written Instruction from the Fund setting forth the date of redemption/payable date and the amount to be paid per Share).

   

Coordinate the redemption with OTC, and if requested by a Fund, supply the Fund’s Notice of Redemption to OTC or other holders of such Fund’s Shares.

   

On the redemption date, debit the registered Shareholder(s) DRS account for the Shares to be redeemed and make payment according to Instructions received from the Fund, including Instructions concerning the redemption price to be paid per Share. All funds for redemption payments must be received by the Trust Company, via Federal Funds Wire by 12:00 Noon, Eastern Time, on the redemption date.

   

Hold or cause to be held all funds deposited with Trust Company by a Fund for payment to the holders of the Shares in trust for the benefit of such holders. All interest earned on such funds shall accrue solely for the benefit of such Fund.

   

Accept Instructions from the applicable Fund with respect to the investment or reinvestment of any funds consisting of cash deposited prior to the applicable payment date therefor in cash or cash equivalents (short-term), provided that the proceeds of any such investment will be available as same day funds at the opening of business on the applicable payment date.

   

In the event of an overpayment of funds by a Fund as a result of an error in calculation or a decrease in the dividend rate on the Shares while funds are being held, cause any such funds paid to Transfer Agent In accordance with the foregoing but not applied by Transfer Agent to the payment of dividends, redemption payments or other payments on the Shares, including Interest earned on such moneys while so held, to be repaid to the applicable Fund as soon as possible after the date on which such funds were to have been so applied, upon the instruction of such Fund. Transfer Agent shall have the right to request an opinion of counsel and/or certification from an officer of the Fund that such return of funds Is in compliance with the Statement Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preference of Shares for the applicable Fund and applicable law, as well as such other documentation concerning the overpayment as may be reasonably requested.”

 

  2.

Limited Effect. Except as expressly modified herein, the Agreement and the Fee Schedule shall continue to be and shall remain, In full force and effect and the valid and binding obligation of the parties thereto in accordance with its terms.

 

  3.

Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. A signature to this Amendment executed and/or transmitted electronically shall have the same authority, effect, and enforceability as an original signature.

[Remainder of this page is le Intentionally blank.]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed by their respective officers, hereunto duly agreed and authorized, as of the Effective Date.

 

Computershare Inc. and

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

On Behalf of Both Entities:

  

On behalf of each of the Nuveen

closed-end investment companies

listed on Schedule A attached hereto:

 

By:  

/s/ Tina M. Lazar

Name:

 

Tina M. Lazar

Title:

 

Vice President

 

By:  

/s/ Dennis V. Moccia

Name:

 

Dennis V. Moccia

Title:

 

Manager, Contract Administration


Schedule A

NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUNDS

 

Fund Name

   CPU COY      Cusip

Nuveen Municipal Value Fund

   NUV      670928100

Nuveen CA Municipal Value Fund

   NCA      67062C107

Nuveen NY Municipal Value Fund

   NNY      67062M105

Nuveen Municipal Income Fund

   NMI      67062J102

Nuveen PA Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NQP      670972108

Nuveen MI Quality Income Municipal Fund

   NUM      670979103

Nuveen OH Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NUO      670980101

Nuveen TX Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NTX      670983105

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

   NXP      67062F100

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 2

   NXQ      67063C106

Nuveen CA Select Tax-Free Inc Portfolio

   NXC      67063R103

Nuveen NY Select Tax-Free Inc Portfolio

   NXN      67063V104

Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 3

   NXR      67063X100

Nuveen Select Maturities Municipal Fund

   NIM      67061T101

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Credit Income Fund

   NVG      67071L106

Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund

   NZF      67070X101

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Income Fund

   NEA      670657105

Nuveen NY AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NRK      670656107

Nuveen CA AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NKX      670651108

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund

   JFR      67072T108

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Opportunity Fund

   JRO      6706EN100

Nuveen AZ Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NAZ      67061W104

Nuveen MD Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NMY      67061Q107

Nuveen MA Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NMT      67061E104

Nuveen VA Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NPV      67064R102

Nuveen CT Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NTC      67060D107

Nuveen MO Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NOM      67060Q108

Nuveen NC Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NNC      67060P100

Nuveen Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NAD      67066V101

Nuveen NY Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NAN      67066X107

Nuveen CA Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NAC      67066Y105

Nuveen Senior Income Fund

   NSL      67067Y104

Nuveen NJ Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NXJ      67069Y102

Nuveen Real Estate Income Fund

   JRS      67071B108

Nuveen GA Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NKG      67072B107

Nuveen Preferred Securities Income Fund

   JPS      67072C105

Nuveen Preferred Income Opportunities Fund

   JPC      67073B106

Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund

   JQC      67073D102

Nuveen Diversified Dividend and Income Fund

   JDD      6706EP105

Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund

   NMZ      670682103

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund

   JTA      67090H102

Nuveen S&P 500 Buy-Write Income Fund

   JPZ      6706ER101

Nuveen S&P 500 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

   JPG      6706EW100

Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund

   JCE      67090X107

Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Dividend Growth Fund

   JTD      67073G105

Nuveen Municipal Value Fund 2

   NUW      670695105

Nuveen NY Municipal Value Fund 2

   NYVF      670706100

Nuveen CA Municipal Value Fund 2

   NCB      6706EB106

Nuveen PA Municipal Value Fund

   NPN      67074K105

Nuveen NJ Municipal Value

   NJV      670702109


Nuveen Enhanced Municipal Value Fund

   NEVF      67074M101

Nuveen Mortgage Opportunity Term Fund

   JLS      670735109

Nuveen Mortgage Opportunity Term Fund 2

   JMT      67074R100

Nuveen Build America Bond Fund

   NBB      67074C103

Nuveen Build America Bond Opportunity Fund

   NBDF      67074Q102

Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

   QQQF      670699107

Nuveen Energy MLP Total Return Fund

   JMF      67074U103

Nuveen Short Duration Credit Opportunities Fund

   JSD      67074X107

Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund

   JRI      67074Y105

Nuveen Preferred and Income Term Fund

   JPI      67075A106

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Term Fund

   NID      670671106

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund

   NIQ      670677103

Nuveen All Cap Energy MLP Opportunities Fund

   JMLP      67075 E108

Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund

   JMM      67075J107

Nuveen Emerging Markets Debt 2022 Target Term Fund

   JEMD      25533B108

Nuveen MN Quality Municipal Income Fund

   NMS      670734102

Nuveen Global High Income Fund

   JGH      67075G103

Nuveen Dow 30 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

   DIAX      67075F105

Nuveen High Income 2020 Target Fund

   JHY      67075L102

Nuveen High Income Dec 2018 Target Term

   JHA      67075P103

Nuveen Municipal 2021 Target Term Fund

   NHA      670687102

Nuveen High Income Nov 2021 Target Term

   JHB      67077N106

Nuveen High Income Dec 2019 Target Term

   JHD      6 7076E107

Nuveen Preferred & Income 2022 Term Fund

   JPT      67075T105

Nuveen Credit Opportunity 2022 Target Term Fund

   JCO      67075U102

Nuveen JFRT Term Preferred Shares Series 2027

   JFRT      67072TAD0

Nuveen JROT Term Preferred Shares Series 2027

   JROT      6706ENAC4

Nuveen NADR Var Rate MuniFund Term 2018

   NADR      67066V838

Nuveen Var Rate Munifund Term PFD 2019-1

   NADT      67066V820

Nuveen NEAR Var Rate MuniFund Term 2018

   NEAR      670657840

Nuveen Variable Rate MuniFund Series 2018

   NIQP      670677111

Nuveen NUM Var Rate MuniFund Series 2019

   NUMW      670979806

Nuveen NZF Var Rate MuniFund Term Pfd 2019

   NZFW      67070X853

Nuveen NAD Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd 2019

   VNAD      67066V887

Nuveen NAN Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd 2019

   VNAN      67066X800

Nuveen NAZ Var Rate MuniFund Pfd 2019

   VNAZ      67061W807

Nuveen NEA Variable Rate MuniFund 2019

   VNEA      670657873

Nuveen Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd Series 2018

   VNID      670671304

Nuveen VNKG Var Rate MuniFund Term 2019

   VNKG      67072B883

Nuveen NMS Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd 2019

   VNMS      670734409

Nuveen NMY Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd 2019

   VNMY      67061Q867

Nuveen NNC Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd 2019

   VNNC      67060P878

Nuveen VNQP Var Rate MuniFund Term 2019

   VNQP      670972868

Nuveen VNTC Var Rate MuniFund Term 2019

   VNTC      67060D859

Nuveen JFRP Term Pfd Shares 2019

   JFRP      67072TAA6

Nuveen JROP Term Pfd Shr Series 2023

   JROP      6706ENAA8

Nuveen NAC Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred 2019

   NACV      67066Y857

Nuveen Variable Rate MuniFund Term Pfd Series 2018

   NMZX      670682806

Nuveen Munifund Variable Rate Preferred Series 2018

   NOMV      67060Q405

Nuveen NSL Term Preferred Shares Series 2021

   NSLP      67067YAA2

Nuveen JSD Term Preferred Shares Series 2020

   PJSD      67074XAA5

Nuveen NHA Variaple Rate Munifund Term Preferred Series 2016

   VNHA      670687201


Nuveen Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred shares Series 2018

   VNVG      67071L874

Nuveen JFRR Term Preferred Shares Series 2022

   JFRR      67072TAC2

Nuveen JROR Term Preferred Shares Series 2022

   JROR      6706ENAB6

Nuveen PJRO Term Preferred Shares 2022-1

   PJRO      6706ENAD2

Nuveen JFR Term Preferred Shares 2024

   PJFR      67072TAE8


Schedule A cont.

NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUNDS

 

NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUND    TICKER SYMBOL      CPU ID

Third Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement

This Third Amendment (“Amendment”), effective as of May 11, 2020 (“Effective Date”), is to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement (the “Agreement”, made as of June 15, 2017, by and between each of the Nuveen closed-end investment companies listed on Schedule A (each such investment company, a “Fund”, and Computershare Inc. (“Computershare”) and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Trust Company”, and together with Computershare, “Transfer Agent’’). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.

WHEREAS, the Funds and Transfer Agent are parties to the Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Funds and Transfer Agent desire to amend the Agreement upon the terms and conditions set forth herein;

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

  1.

Amendment to Fee and Service Schedule for Stock Transfer Services. The Fee and Service Schedule for Stock Transfer Services of the Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

 

  (a)

Delete the “Term” section In its entirety and replace It with the following;

“The fees set forth in this Schedule shall be effective for a period of eight (8) years, commencing from the effective date of June 15, 2017 (the “Initial Term”). If no new fee schedule is agreed upon prior to a Renewal Term, provided that service mix and volumes remain constant, the fees listed in the Schedule shall be increased by the accumulated change in the National Employment Cost Index for Service Providing Industries (Finance and Insurance) for the preceding years of the expiring term, as published by the Bureau of labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor. Fees will be increased on this basis for each successive Renewal Term.”

 

  2.

Limited Effect. Except as expressly modified herein, the Agreement shall continue to be and shall remain, In full force and effect and the valid and binding obligation of the parties thereto in accordance with its terms.

 

  3.

Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. A signature to this Amendment executed and/or transmitted electronically shall have the same authority, effect, and enforceability as an original signature.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed by their respective officers, hereunto duly agreed and authorized, as of the Effective Date.

 

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.       On behalf of each of the Nuveen closed-end
Computershare Inc.       Investment companies listed on Schedule A
      of the Agreement

On Behalf of Both Entities:

     

By: /s/ Jennifer Warren

     

By: /s/ Tina A. Lazar

Name: Jennifer Warren       Name: Tina M. Lazar
Title: CEO Issuer Services, North America       Title: Vice President

LOGO

March 18, 2021

Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

 

Re:

Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund (JPC): Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333- )

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We hereby consent to all references to our firm in the Registration Statement of Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund. In giving such consent, however, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

 

 

 

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

 

1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

  
 

Washington, DC 20004

  

LOGO  +1.202.739.3000

 

United States

  

LOGO  +1.202.739.3001

LOGO

 

March 18, 2021

Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

 

Re:

Registration Statement on Form N-2

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”), a Massachusetts voluntary association (commonly known as a “business trust”), in connection with the Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on or about March 17, 2021 (the “Registration Statement”), with respect to the registration of common shares with an aggregate offering price of up to $120 million and with a par value of $0.01 per share (the “Shares”). You have requested that we deliver this opinion to you in connection with the Fund’s filing of the Registration Statement.

In connection with the furnishing of this opinion, we have examined the following documents:

 

 

(a)

A certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts dated as of a recent date, as to the legal existence and good standing of the Fund;

 

 

(b)

A copy of the Fund’s Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated April 2, 2012 as on file with the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (the “Declaration”), as certified by an authorized officer of the Fund;

 

 

(c)

Copies of the Fund’s By-Laws, as amended and restated as of October 5, 2020 (the “By-Laws”) and certain resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund authorizing the issuance of the Shares (the “Resolutions”), each certified by an authorized officer of the Fund; and

 

 

(d)

a printer’s proof of the Registration Statement.

In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the conformity to the originals of all of the documents reviewed by us as copies, including conformed copies, the authenticity and completeness of all original documents reviewed by us in original or copy form and the legal competence of each individual executing any document. We have assumed that the Registration Statement as filed with the Commission will be in substantially the form of the printer’s proof referred to in paragraph (d) above. We also have assumed for the purposes of this opinion that the Declaration, By-Laws and Resolutions will not have been amended, modified or withdrawn with respect to matters relating to the Shares and will be in full force and effect on the date of the issuance of such Shares.

This opinion is based entirely on our review of the documents listed above and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion and such investigation of law as we have

 

 

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

  
 

1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

     
 

Washington, DC 20004

  

LOGO  +1.202.739.3000

  
 

United States

  

LOGO  +1.202.739.3001

  


March 18, 2021

Page 2

 

deemed necessary or appropriate. We have made no other review or investigation of any kind whatsoever, and we have assumed, without independent inquiry, the accuracy of the information set forth in such documents.

As to any opinion below relating to the formation or existence of the Fund under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, our opinion relies entirely upon and is limited by the certificate of public officials referred to in (a) above.

This opinion is limited solely to the internal substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as applied by courts located in Massachusetts (other than Massachusetts securities laws, as to which we express no opinion), to the extent that the same may apply to or govern the transactions referred to herein. No opinion is given herein as to the choice of law that any tribunal may apply to such transactions. In addition, to the extent that the Declaration or the By-Laws refer to, incorporate or require compliance with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), or any other law or regulation applicable to the Fund, except for the internal substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as aforesaid, we have assumed compliance by the Fund with the 1940 Act and such other laws and regulations.

We understand that all of the foregoing assumptions and limitations are acceptable to you.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, please be advised that it is our opinion that:

 

 

1.

The Fund has been formed and is existing under the Fund’s Declaration and the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a voluntary association with transferable shares of beneficial interest commonly referred to as a “Massachusetts business trust.”

 

 

2.

The Shares, when issued and sold in accordance with the Fund’s Declaration and By-Laws and for the consideration described in the Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts except that, as set forth in the Registration Statement, shareholders of the Fund may under certain circumstances be held personally liable for its obligations.

This opinion is given as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update this opinion to reflect any changes in law or any other facts or circumstances which may hereafter come to our attention. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In rendering this opinion and giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in 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 Commission thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Trustees

Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund:

We consent to the use of our report dated September 28, 2020, with respect to the financial statements and financial highlights of Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund, as of July 31, 2020, incorporated herein by reference, and to the references to our firm under the headings “Financial Highlights” and “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Prospectus and “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Statement of Additional Information filed on Form N-2.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Chicago, Illinois

March 17, 2021

LOGO    Nuveen Compliance | 13 August 2020

 

Code of Ethics

SUMMARY AND SCOPE

 

What the Code is about

Helping to ensure that Nuveen personnel place the interests of Nuveen clients ahead of their own personal interests.

Who the Code applies to and what the implications are

This Code applies to individuals in the following categories:

 

  Nuveen Employees based in the US or Canada (except employees of Gresham Investment Management LLC, Westchester Group Investment Management, Inc., and any employees of Greenwood Resources, Inc. who are based outside of Portland, Oregon).

 

  Employees of any US-registered investment adviser who are based outside the US, except Gresham Investment Management LLC and Greenwood Resources, Inc.

 

  Consultants, interns, and temporary workers based in the US or Canada whose contract length is 90 days or more, unless the Nuveen Ethics Office determines otherwise.

 

  TIAA employees designated as Access Persons by the TIAA-CREF Funds Chief Compliance Officer or the Nuveen Ethics Office.

Independent directors and trustees of the TIAA-CREF Funds Complex and Nuveen-sponsored or -branded funds have their own Code of Ethics and are not subject to this one.

For individuals who are subject to the Code, there are two designations with different implications: Access Person and Investment Person.

ACCESS PERSON

All Nuveen Employees who are subject to the Code are considered Access Persons, since they have, or could have, access to non-public information about securities transactions and other investments, holdings, or recommendations for Affiliate-Advised Accounts or Portfolios.

Key characteristics of this designation. An individual may be considered an Access Person of multiple advisers affiliated with Nuveen, or of only one. If your regular duties give you access to non-public information, or you are an officer of a Nuveen or TIAA-CREF sponsored or branded fund, your personal trading is generally monitored only against the trading activity of the specific adviser(s) or Affiliated Funds with which you are involved. For other employees, personal trading is typically monitored against the trading activities of all advisers affiliated with Nuveen. You will generally not be permitted to execute transactions in a security on any day when an Affiliate-Advised Account or Portfolio managed by the adviser(s) that you are monitored against has a pending buy or sell order for that security.

INVESTMENT PERSON

An Access Person who meets any of the following criteria will in addition be considered an Investment Person:

 

  The Access Person is a Portfolio Manager, Research Analyst or Research Assistant, or they otherwise participate in making recommendations or decisions concerning the purchase or sale of securities in any Affiliate-Advised Account or Portfolio.

 

  The Access Person has been designated an Investment Person by the Nuveen Ethics Office.

Key characteristics of this designation. The vast majority of Investment Persons are employees of Nuveen’s affiliated investment advisers.

An Investment Person is prohibited from transacting in securities during the period starting 7 calendar days before, and ending 7 calendar days after, any trade in an Affiliate-Advised Account or Portfolio for which he/she has responsibility. In addition, an Investment Person’s personal transactions will be reviewed for conflicts in the period starting 7 calendar days before, and ending 7 calendar days after, all trades by their associated investment adviser. In some cases, the Investment Person may be required to reverse a trade and/or forfeit an appropriate portion of any profit as determined by the Nuveen Ethics Office. These consequences can apply whether or not the trade was pre-cleared.

The personal trading of Investment Persons is generally only monitored against the trading activity of the specific adviser for which they have been designated an Investment Person.

 

    WHO TO CONTACT
    Nuveen Ethics Office (Americas)
        Hotline: 1 800 842 2733 extension 22-5599
        nuveenethicsoffice@nuveen.com
 


Code of Ethics

         

Page 2 of 8

 

Important to understand

Some of our affiliated investment advisers may have policies of their own that impose additional rules on the same topics covered in this Code. Check with your manager or local/designated Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) if you have questions.

Personal trading is a privilege, not a right. Nuveen Employees are expected to follow the law and adhere to the highest standards of behavior—including with respect to personal trading. Any violation of the Code could have severe adverse effects on you, your co-workers, and Nuveen. You may be held personally liable for your conduct and be subject to fines, regulatory sanctions, and even criminal penalties.

Because Nuveen can restrict your trading or take actions such as forcing you to hold a position or to disgorge profits, personal trading carries risks beyond normal market risks.

Some requirements in this Code apply to Household Members. Each Household Member (see “Terms with Special Meanings” at right) is subject to the same restrictions and requirements that apply to his/her related Nuveen Employee.

The Code does not address every ethical issue that might arise. If you have any doubt at all after consulting the Code, contact the Nuveen Ethics Office for direction.

The Code applies to appearance as well as substance. Always consider how any action might appear to an outside observer (such as a client or regulator).

You are expected to follow the Code both in letter and in spirit. Literal compliance, such as pre-clearing a transaction, does not necessarily protect you from liability for conduct that violates the spirit of the Code. If you have questions about how to comply with this Code, consult the Nuveen Ethics Office.

     TERMS WITH SPECIAL MEANINGS
   Within this policy, these terms are defined as follows:
   Affiliate-Advised Account or Portfolio Any Affiliated Fund, or any portfolio or client account advised or sub-advised by Nuveen.
   Affiliated Fund Any TIAA-CREF or Nuveen branded or sponsored open-end fund, closed-end fund, or Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), and any third-party fund advised or sub-advised by Nuveen.
   Automatic Investment Plan Any program, such as a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP), under which investment account purchases or withdrawals occur according to a predetermined schedule and allocation.
  

Beneficial Ownership Any interest by which you or any Household Member—directly or indirectly—derives a monetary benefit from purchasing, selling, or owning a security or account, or exercises investment discretion.

 

You have Beneficial Ownership of securities held in accounts in your own name, or any Household Member’s name, and in all other accounts over which you or any Household Member exercises or may exercise investment decision-making powers, or other influence or control, including trust, partnership, estate, and corporate accounts or other joint ownership or pooling arrangements.

   Code This Code of Ethics.
   Domestic Partner An individual who is neither a relative of or legally married to a Nuveen Employee, but shares a residence and is in a mutual commitment similar to marriage with such Nuveen Employee.
   Federal Securities Laws The applicable portions of any of the following laws, as amended, and of any rules adopted under them by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Department of the Treasury:
  

•  Securities Act of 1933.

  

•  Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

  

•  Investment Company Act of 1940.

  

•  Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

  

•  Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  

•  Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.

  

•  The Bank Secrecy Act.

   Household Member Any of the following who reside, or are expected to reside for at least 90 days a year, in the same household as a Nuveen Employee:
  

•  Spouse or Domestic Partner.

  

•  Sibling.

  

•  Child, stepchild, grandchild.

  

•  Parent, stepparent, grandparent.

  

•  In-laws (mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister).

  

Independent Director Any director or trustee of an Affiliated Fund who is not an “interested person” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

Managed Account Any account, including robo—advised accounts, in which you or a Household Member has Beneficial Ownership and for which you have delegated full investment discretion in writing to a third- party broker or investment manager.

 


Code of Ethics

         

Page 3 of 8

 

TERMS WITH SPECIAL MEANINGS (continued)

 

  

Nuveen Nuveen, LLC and all of its direct or indirect subsidiaries worldwide.

 

Nuveen Employee Any full- or part-time employee of Nuveen, and any consultants, interns or temporary workers designated by the Nuveen Ethics Office.

 

Private Placement Any offering exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, such as a private equity investment, hedge fund, or limited partnership.

 

Reportable Account Any account for which you or a Household Member has Beneficial Ownership AND in which securities can be bought, sold or held. This includes, among others:

 

•  All brokerage, IRA, custodial and trust accounts.

 

•  All Managed Accounts.

 

•  All 529 College Savings Plan accounts.

 

•  Any Nuveen 401(k) plan account.

 

•  Any 401(k) plan account from a previous employer that permits transactions in any Reportable Security.

 

•  Any direct holding in an Affiliated Fund.

 

•  Any health savings account (HSA) that permits the purchase of any security.

 

•  Any employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) or employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).

 

The following are NOT considered Reportable Accounts:

 

•  Charitable giving accounts.

 

•  Any 401(k) plan account or any other account held directly with a mutual fund complex or mutual fund-only platform in which open-end, non-Affiliated Funds are the only possible investment.

 

•  Any cash management account with a broker in which a security cannot be purchased or sold.

 

•  Any accounts that can invest only in cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or Ethereum.

  

Reportable Security Any security EXCEPT:

 

•  Direct obligations of the US government (indirect obligations, such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securities, are reportable).

 

•  Certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper, and high quality short-term debt (including repurchase agreements).

 

•  Money market funds.

 

•  Open-end funds that are not Affiliated Funds.

 

•  Note that closed-end funds are Reportable Securities.

 

Reportable Transaction Any transaction involving a Reportable Security EXCEPT:

 

•  Transactions in Managed Accounts. Section 16 Persons: Transactions involving Nuveen closed-end funds in any of your Managed Accounts are reportable.

 

•  Transactions under an Automatic Investment Plan; note that transactions that override the pre-set schedule or allocation are reportable.

 

• Dividends

 

•  Interest Accrued

 

Section16 Person Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder impose certain obligations on persons specified in section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as well as insiders of any public company that trades on a national stock exchange (such as a Nuveen closed-end fund). For purposes of Section 16, an “insider” is:

 

•  A director of a public company.

 

•  A designated officer of a public company.

 

• A person who beneficially owns 10% or more of any class of equity security that is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

 

• A portfolio manager of a Nuveen closed-end fund.

 

Persons subject to Section 16 include portfolio managers of the Nuveen closed-end funds.

GENERAL RESTRICTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

 

  BASIC PRINCIPLES

 

1.

Never abuse a client’s trust, rights, or interests.

This means you must never do any of the following:

 

    Engage in any plan or action, or use any device, that would defraud or deceive a client.

 

    Make any material statements of fact that are incorrect or misleading, either as to what they include or omit.

 

    Engage in any manipulative practice.

 

    Use your position (including any knowledge or access to opportunities you have gained by virtue of your position) to personal advantage or to a client’s disadvantage. This would include, for example, front- running or tailgating (trading directly before or after the execution of a large client trade order), or any attempt to influence a client’s trading to enhance the value of your personal holdings.
    Conduct personal trading in any way that could be inconsistent with your fiduciary duties to a client (even if it does not technically violate the Code).

 

2.

Handle conflicts of interest appropriately. This applies not only to actual conflicts of interest, but also to any situation that might appear to an outside observer to be improper or a breach of fiduciary duty.

 

3.

Keep confidential information confidential. Always properly safeguard any confidential information you obtain in the course of your work. This includes confidential information related to any of the following:

 

    Any Affiliate-Advised Account or Portfolio and any other financial product offered or serviced by Nuveen.

 

    New products, product changes, or business initiatives.
 


Code of Ethics

         

Page 4 of 8

 

    Past, current, and prospective clients, including their identities, investments, and account activity.

“Keeping information confidential” means using discretion in disclosing information as well as guarding against unlawful or inappropriate access by others. This includes:

 

    Making sure no confidential information is visible on your computer screen and desk when you are not there.

 

    Not sharing passwords with others.

 

    Using caution when discussing business in any location where your conversation could be overheard. Confidential information may be released only as required by law or as permitted under the applicable privacy policy(ies). Consult the Nuveen Ethics Office or your local/designated CCO before releasing any confidential information.

 

4.

Handle Material Non-Public Information properly. Follow all of the terms described in “Material Non-Public Information” below. Be aware that any failure to handle such information properly is a serious offense and may lead to disciplinary action from Nuveen as well as serious civil or criminal liability.

 

5.

Comply with Federal Securities Laws. Any violation of these laws is punishable as a violation of the Code.

 

6.

Never do anything indirectly that, if done directly, would violate the Code. Such actions will be considered the equivalent of direct Code violations.

 

7.

Promptly alert the Nuveen Ethics Office or your local/designated CCO of any actual or suspected wrongdoing. Examples of wrongdoing include violations of the Federal Securities Laws, misuse of corporate assets, misuse of confidential information, or other violations of the Code. If you prefer to report confidentially, call the TIAA Confidential Helpline at 1-877-774-6492. Note that failure to report suspected wrongdoing in a timely fashion is itself a violation of the Code.

PRE-CLEARANCE AND

HOLDING REQUIREMENTS

 

8.

Pre-clear any trade in Reportable Securities, including certain Affiliated Funds (see box on next page for additional information).

If your trade requires pre-clearance, request approval through the Protegent PTA system (PTA) before you or any Household Member places an order to buy or sell any Reportable Security. Any approval you receive expires at the end of the day it was granted; however, you may place after-hours trades in international markets until 11:59 PM local time on that day. When requesting pre-clearance, follow this process:

    Request pre-clearance on the same day you want to trade, during standard US trading hours (9:30 AM to 4:00 PM ET). Be sure your pre-clearance request is accurate as to security and direction of trade.

 

    Wait for approval to be displayed before trading. If you receive approval, you may only trade that same day, and only within the scope of approval. If you do not receive approval, do not trade.

 

    Place day orders only. Do not place good-till-canceled orders or limit orders that expire beyond the day of pre-clearance approval. You may place orders for an after-hours trading session or in foreign markets using that day’s pre-clearance approval, but you must not place any order that could remain open into the next day’s trading session.

 

9.

Hold positions in securities that are subject to pre-clearance for 60 calendar days, or be prepared to forfeit any gains. Several things to note:

 

    You may be required to surrender any gains realized (net of commissions) through a violation of this rule.

 

    The 60-day holding requirement is tested on a last- in-first-out basis, across all of your holdings (not just within individual accounts).

 

    The 60-day holding requirement extends to any options or other transactions that may have the same effect as a purchase or sale, and to all Reportable Securities except Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs), Unit Investment Trusts (UITs), and open-end Affiliated Funds. Nuveen-branded or sponsored closed-end funds are subject to the 60-day holding requirement.

 

    You may sell the security on the 60th day after purchase, provided you obtain pre-clearance or an exemption applies.

 

    You may re-purchase a security immediately after executing a sale of that same security, which will trigger a new 60 calendar day holding period.

 

    You may close a position at a loss at any time, provided pre-clearance has been obtained or an exemption applies. If your preclearance has been denied, it is advisable that you contact the Nuveen Ethics Office if you are seeking to sell at a loss within 60 days of your purchase.

 

10.

Comply with trading restrictions described in the prospectuses for all Affiliated Funds. This includes restrictions on frequent trading in shares of any open-end Affiliated Fund.

 

11.

Pre-clear any transaction in a Managed Account that involves your influence. You must also immediately consult with the Nuveen Ethics Office to discuss whether the account in question can properly remain classified as a Managed Account.

 


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12.

Obtain the required approvals before any transaction in a Private Placement. For any private funds advised or sub-advised by Nuveen, you must obtain approval for all transactions (initial investment, subsequent investment, sales/redemptions) except additional capital calls. For all other Private Placements, you must obtain approval for initial and subsequent investments but not sales/redemptions. Approval is required even if the investment is made in a Managed Account.

OTHER RESTRICTIONS

 

13.

Never knowingly trade any security being traded or considered for trade by any Affiliate-Advised Account or Portfolio. This applies to employee transactions in securities that are exempt from pre- clearance, and includes equivalent or related securities.

For example, if a company’s common stock is being traded, you may face restrictions on trading any of the company’s debt, preferred, or foreign equivalent securities, and from trading or exercising any options based on the company’s securities.

 

WHAT NEEDS TO BE PRE-CLEARED

 

Pre-clearance required

 

• All actively initiated trades in Reportable Securities, except those listed here under “No pre- clearance required.”

 

• The sale of restricted stock or employee stock options accrued during prior employment or a Household Member’s employment require pre-clearance. If pre- clearance is denied, you may contact the Nuveen Ethics Office to request reconsideration.

 

Be aware that pre-clearance can be withdrawn even after it has been granted, and even after you have traded, if Nuveen later becomes aware of Affiliate-Advised Account or Portfolio trades whose existence would have resulted in denial of pre-clearance. In these cases you may be required to reverse a trade and/or forfeit an appropriate portion of any profit, as determined by the Nuveen Ethics Office.

 

Pre-clearance not required

 

• Shares of any open-end mutual fund (including Affiliated Funds).

 

• ETFs, ETNs, UITs (including options on ETFs and ETNs).

 

• CDs and commercial paper.

 

• Securities acquired or disposed of through actions outside your control or issued pro rata to all holders of the same class of investment, such as automatic dividend reinvestments, stock splits, mergers, spin-offs, or rights subscriptions.

 

• The automatic exercise or liquidation by an exchange of a derivative instrument upon expiration or the delivery of securities pursuant to a written option that is exercised against you, and the assignment of options.

 

• Sales pursuant to a bona fide tender offer.

 

• Trades made through an Automatic Investment Plan that have been disclosed to the Nuveen Ethics Office in advance.

 

• Trades in a Managed Account (except that you must pre-clear any trades that involve your influence, any initial purchases of Private Placements, purchases in any equity IPO, and any sales or redemptions of Private Placements that are branded, sponsored, advised or sub-advised by Nuveen).

 

• Foreign currencies, including futures.

 

• Commodity instruments.

 

• Index options and index futures.

 

• Direct investments in cryptocurrencies.

 

14.

Always prioritize client trades over personal trades. Your fiduciary duties to the client are far more important than your personal trading, which is a privilege and not a right. Never delay or in any way alter the timing or terms of a client trade for your personal benefit.

 

15.

Do not engage in trading that involves single stock futures, uncovered short sales or uncovered options on individual securities. For any short position you must own the underlying security in equal notional value. Options are permitted only to generate income or for hedging -that is, selling calls and buying puts that are offset by existing long positions or buying cash-covered calls and selling cash-covered puts, with the following exceptions:

 

    You may buy or sell (write) uncovered long-term options (those with an expiration of 1 year or more from the date of purchase), subject to the 60-day holding period.

 

    Hedging with puts or with shorts against the box is permitted, subject to the 60-day holding period. This means that options on an underlying position must have an expiration date that satisfies the underlying position’s requirement to be held for at least 60 days. Note that a covered call can be written at the time you acquire the underlying position provided the expiration of the option is 60 days or more from the date you enter into the contract.

 

16.

Never participate in an investment club or similar entity.

 

17.

Do not engage in excessive or inappropriate trading activity. Never let personal trading interfere with your professional duties. The Nuveen Ethics Office and/or your local/designated CCO, in consultation with your manager, will determine what constitutes excessive or inappropriate trading.

 

18.

Pre-clear the sale of securities in a margin account. Margin accounts are permitted, however you must obtain pre-clearance when selling to meet a margin call, even if the transaction is initiated by a broker.

 


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19.

Never purchase an IPO without advance approval. This includes Managed Accounts. Equity IPO participation is generally prohibited, but approval may be granted in special circumstances, such as when:

 

    You already have equity in the company and are offered shares.

 

    You are a policy holder or depositor in a company that is demutualizing.

 

    A family member has been offered shares as an employee.

Purchases of initial offerings of fixed income securities, convertible securities, preferred securities, open- and closed-end funds, commodity pools, and secondary equity offerings are generally permitted subject to prior approval from the Nuveen Ethics Office.

 

 

 

 

MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION

 

What is Material Non-Public Information?

 

Material Non-Public Information is defined as information regarding any security, securities-based derivatives or issuer of a security that is both material and non-public. Information is material if both of the following are true:

 

• A reasonable investor would likely consider it important when making an investment decision.

 

• Public release of the information would likely affect the price of a security.

 

Information is generally non-public if it has not been distributed through a widely used public medium, such as a press release or a report, filing or other periodic communication.

 

Restrictions and requirements

 

• Any time you think you might have, or may be about to, come into possession of Material Non-Public Information (whether in connection with your position at Nuveen or not), alert the Nuveen Ethics Office. Alternatively, you may alert your local/designated CCO or Legal office, who in turn must promptly notify the Nuveen Ethics Office. Follow the instructions you are given.

 

• Until you receive further instructions from the Nuveen Ethics Office, your local/designated CCO, or Legal, do not take any action in relation to the information, including trading or recommending the relevant securities or communicating the information to anyone else.

 

• Never make decisions on your own regarding potential Material Non-Public Information, including whether such information is actually Material Non-Public Information or what steps should be taken.

 

• If the Nuveen Ethics Office, your local/designated CCO and/or Legal determine that you have Material Non- Public Information:

 

–Donot buy, sell, gift, or otherwise dispose of the issuer’s securities, whether on behalf of an Affiliate-Advised Account or Portfolio, yourself, or anyone else.

 

–  Do not in any way recommend, encourage, or influence others to transact in the issuer’s securities, even if you do not specifically disclose or reference the Material Non- Public Information.

 

–  Do not communicate the Material Non-Public Information to anyone, whether inside or outside Nuveen, except in discussions with the Nuveen Ethics Office and Legal and as expressly permitted by any confidentiality agreement or supplemental policies and procedures of your business unit.

 

• Please refer to Nuveen’s Material Non-Public Information and Insider Trading Policy for detailed information.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

 

UPON BECOMING A NUVEEN EMPLOYEE

 

20.

Within 10 calendar days of starting at Nuveen, acknowledge receipt of the Code. This includes certifying that you have read the Code, understand it, recognize that you are subject to it, have complied with all of its applicable requirements, and have submitted all Code-required reports.

 

21.

Within 10 calendar days of starting at Nuveen, use PTA to report all of your Reportable Accounts and holdings in Reportable Securities.

For each Reportable Account that permits the purchase of Reportable Securities, upload the most recent statement, making sure that it includes information about the broker,

dealer, or bank through which the account is held and the type of account. For each Reportable Security, provide the security name and type, a ticker symbol or CUSIP, the number of shares or units held, and the principal amount (dollar value).

This information must be no older than 45 calendar days before your first day of employment.

Note that there are separate procedures for Managed Accounts, as described below in item 24. Within 10 calendar days of starting at Nuveen, report all current investments in Private Placements (limited offerings). Limited offerings are Reportable Securities.

 


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22.

Within 30 calendar days of starting at Nuveen, move or close any Reportable Account that is not at an approved firm. This does not include Reportable Accounts that are 401(k), HSA, ESPP/ESOP, 529 plans, or accounts held directly with a mutual fund complex or mutual fund only platform in which open-end non-Affiliated Funds are the only possible investment. Contact the Nuveen Ethics Office if you are unsure whether your account must be held with an approved firm. The list of approved firms is maintained by the Nuveen Ethics Office and may be accessed on PTA.

Under very limited circumstances, it may be possible to obtain a waiver to keep a Reportable Account at a non-approved firm. Examples include:

 

    An account owned by a Household Member who works at another financial firm with comparable restrictions.

 

    An account that holds securities that cannot be transferred.

 

    An account that cannot be moved because of a trust agreement.

To apply for an exception, contact the Nuveen Ethics Office. For any account granted an exception, you are required to upload statements for the account in PTA based on the frequency with which a statement is generated for the account (e.g. monthly, quarterly). In all cases, if your accounts are not held at an approved firm, you must manually enter all executed Reportable Transactions in PTA within 5 days of execution.

At the discretion of the Nuveen Ethics Office, some consultants and temporary workers may not be required to move or close Reportable Accounts.

WHEN OPENING ANY NEW REPORTABLE ACCOUNT (INCLUDING A MANAGED ACCOUNT)

 

23.

Get pre-approval for any new Managed Account before any trading activity commences. Using the appropriate form (available from the Nuveen Ethics Office), provide representations that support the classification of the account as a Managed Account. For an account to be classified as a Managed Account, the account owner must have no direct or indirect influence or control over the securities in the account. The form must be signed by the account’s broker or investment manager and by all account owners. You may be asked periodically to confirm these representations or submit an updated form to confirm such.

Note that if the Managed Account is not maintained at an approved firm, you are also responsible for providing duplicate statements for the Managed Account to the Ethics Office, upon request.

24.

Report any new Reportable Account. Do this in PTA within 10 calendar days of the date you or a Household Member opens the account or an account becomes a Reportable Account through marriage, cohabitation, divorce, death, or another event.

EVERY QUARTER

 

25.

Within 30 calendar days of the end of each calendar quarter, verify in PTA that all Reportable Transactions made during that quarter have been reported. PTA will display all transactions of yours for which it has received notice (except transactions in your TIAA pension or and retirement plan accounts, which you are not required to report because the firm accesses this information directly). For any other Reportable Transactions not displayed, or displayed inaccurately, you are responsible for making any necessary revisions in PTA prior to completing your certification.

 

26.

For each Reportable Transaction, you must provide, as applicable, the transaction date, security name and type, ticker symbol or CUSIP, interest rate (coupon) and maturity date, number of shares, price at which the transaction was effected, principal amount (dollar value), the nature of the trade (buy or sell), and the name of the broker, dealer, or bank that effected the transaction. It is very important that you carefully review and verify the transactions and related details displayed on PTA, checking for accuracy and completeness. Once again, if you find any errors or omissions, correct or add to your list of transactions in PTA.

EVERY YEAR

 

27.

Within 45 calendar days of the end of each calendar year, acknowledge receipt of the most recent version of the Code and certify in PTA as to your Annual Holdings and Accounts Report.

The report must contain the information described in item 20 above, and include your certification that you have reported all Reportable Accounts, and all holdings in Reportable Securities at year end.

If any of your holdings in Reportable Securities are not displayed in PTA or are displayed inaccurately, you are responsible for entering adjustments and trade confirms or making any necessary revisions in PTA to complete your certification.

In addition, you must affirm each year through PTA that each Managed Account is properly classified as a Managed Account, for yourself and on behalf of any Household Member. This separate certification does not require broker or investment manager involvement.

You also must acknowledge any amendments to the Code that occur during the course of the year.

 


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ADDITIONAL RULES FOR SECTION 16 PERSONS

 

• Pre-clear (through PTA) any transactions in Nuveen closed-end funds and any other closed-end funds of which you are a Section 16 Person. Your request will be reviewed by Legal.

 

• Pre-clear buy/sell transactions involving any Nuveen closed-end funds within your Managed Account(s).

 

• When selling for a gain any securities you buy that are issued by the entity of which you are a Section 16 Person, make sure it is at least 6 months after your most recent purchase of that security. This rule extends to any options or other transactions that may have the same effect as a purchase or sale, and is tested on a last-in- first-out basis. You may be required to surrender any gains realized through a violation of this rule. Note that for any fund of which you are a Section 16 Person, no exception from pre-clearance is available.

 

• Promptly email details of all executed transactions in these securities to the appropriate contact in Legal.

 

• See the Nuveen Funds Section 16 Policy and Procedures for additional information.

 

If you are unsure whether you are a Section 16 Person, contact Legal or the Nuveen Ethics Office.

 

   

 

CODE ADMINISTRATION

 

Training

 

You will be required to participate in training on the Code when joining Nuveen as well as periodically during the time you are subject to the Code.

 

Exceptions

 

The Code exists to prevent violations of law. The Nuveen Ethics Office may, under certain circumstances, grant waivers from a Code requirement. No waivers or exceptions that would violate any law will be granted.

 

Monitoring

 

The Nuveen Ethics Office is responsible for monitoring transactions and holdings for any violations of this Code.

 

Consequences of violation

 

Any individual who violates the Code is subject to penalty. Penalties could include, among other possibilities, a written warning, restriction of trading privileges, unwinding or reversing trades, disgorgement of trading profits, fines, and suspension or termination of employment.

   

 

Applicable rules

 

The Code has been adopted in recognition of Nuveen’s fiduciary obligations to clients and in accordance with various provisions of Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. This Code is also adopted by the Affiliated Funds advised by Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC and Teachers Advisors, LLC under Rule 17j-1.

 

Some elements of the Code also constitute part of Nuveen’s response to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) requirements that apply to registered personnel of Nuveen Securities, LLC.

 

Nuveen Funds

Code of Ethics for the Independent Trustees

 

 

 

 

  I.

Summary

 

  a.

Purpose

The purpose of this Code is to help to ensure that the Independent Directors/Trustees (“Trustees”) of the Nuveen Funds place the interests of the Nuveen Funds and their shareholders ahead of the Trustees’ own personal interests. This Code has been adopted in recognition of Nuveen’s and the Trustees’ fiduciary obligations to Nuveen Fund shareholders and in accordance with various provisions of Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

  b.

Important to understand

The securities industry is highly regulated and its participants are expected to adhere to high standards of behavior, including in their personal trading. A violation of the Code can have an adverse effect on you, your fellow Trustees, and Nuveen, as well as the Funds and their shareholders. The Code does not address every ethical issue that might arise.

It is important for Trustees to be sensitive to investments that may compromise your independence, directly or indirectly. The Code applies to appearance as well as substance. Always consider how any action might appear to an outside observer such as a regulator. If you have any doubt after consulting the Code, contact Legal or Compliance.

For purposes of this Policy, the obligations and requirements for Independent Trustees also covers the Independent Trustee’s Household Members (as defined herein) and covers any account for which the Independent Trustee or Household Member has Beneficial Ownership (also as defined herein).

 

  c.

Terms with Special Meanings

 

  i.

Beneficial Ownership: Any interest by which you or any Household Member – directly or indirectly – derives a monetary benefit from purchasing, selling, or owning a security or account, or exercises investment discretion.

You have Beneficial Ownership of securities held in accounts in your own name, or any Household Member’s name, and in all other accounts over which you or any Household Member exercise or may exercise investment decision-making powers, or other influence or control, including trust, partnership, estate, and corporate accounts or other joint ownership or pooling arrangements.

 

  ii.

Code. This Code of Ethics.

 

  iii.

Household Member: Any of the following who reside, or are expected to reside for at least 90 days a year, in the same household as an Independent Trustee: Spouse or Domestic Partner, Sibling, Child, Stepchild, Grandchild, Parent, Stepparent, Grandparent, In-laws (mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister).


  iv.

Inside Information: Inside information is information that is both material and non-public. Information is material if: (1) a reasonable investor would likely consider it important when making an investment decision; and (2) public release of the information would likely affect the price of a security. Information is non-public if it has not been distributed through a widely used public medium such as a press release or a report, filing or other periodic communication.

 

  v.

Nuveen: Nuveen, LLC. and all of its direct or indirect subsidiaries.

 

  vi.

Nuveen Fund: Any Nuveen-sponsored open-end fund, closed-end fund, or exchange traded fund (respectively, “OEF,” “CEF,” and “ETF”)

 

  vii.

NFAL: Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC

 

  viii.

Trustee: Any director or trustee of a Nuveen Fund advised by NFAL who is not an “interested person” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Any Interested Trustee is covered by the applicable Nuveen Code of Ethics along with other Nuveen employees.

 

  II.

Restrictions and requirements

 

  a.

Do not purchase or sell common or preferred shares of any Nuveen CEF without prior approval from Nuveen Legal. The procedures are found in the Director Handbook located in the board’s online portal at https://nuveen.boardvantage.com under the “Resources” folder.

 

  b.

Do not purchase and sell or sell and purchase a Nuveen CEF within 6 months at a profit.

 

  c.

Do not purchase or sell any securities if you know at the time of the proposed transaction that a Nuveen Fund has purchased or sold the same securities within the past 15 days, or is considering purchasing or selling the same securities within the next 15 days. This is the “15 day window.”

 

  d.

Avoid conflicts of interest. This applies not only to actual conflicts of interest, but also to any situation that might appear to an outside observer to be improper or a breach of fiduciary duty.

 

  e.

Keep confidential information regarding the Nuveen Funds, including information regarding securities held in or under consideration for a Nuveen Fund, confidential.

 

  f.

Comply with trading restrictions found in the prospectuses for the Nuveen Funds. This includes restrictions on frequent trading in shares of any Nuveen OEF.

 

  g.

Never do anything indirectly that, if done directly, would violate the Code. Such actions will be considered the equivalent of direct Code violations.

 

  h.

Promptly alert Compliance of any actual or suspected wrongdoing.

 

2


  III.

Actions to Take

 

  a.

When you become an Independent Trustee: Sign an acknowledgement that you have received this Code.

 

  b.

If you want to trade in a security within the 15-day window (described above)

 

  i.

Contact Legal to pre-clear your trade.

 

  ii.

Submit a quarterly transaction report to Compliance within 30 days after the end of the quarter in which the transaction takes place.

 

  c.

If you want to trade in common or preferred shares of any Nuveen CEF

 

  i.

Contact Legal to pre-clear your trade.

 

  ii.

After you have purchased or sold the shares, immediately notify Legal and Compliance of the number of shares and the price.

 

  d.

Section 16 – CEF Insider Requirements

 

  i.

Reporting Requirements – Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act required officers and directors of certain publicly-traded companies to report promptly to the SEC their trades in the company of which they are an “insider.” As an Independent Trustee, you are considered an “insider” of the Nuveen CEFs and must report your trades in Nuveen CEF shares. Please also see III.c.ii. above.

 

  ii.

Short Swing Profit Prohibition – Section 16 insiders are also subject to a ban on short-swing profits from sales of shares of the company. This means that you may not profit from any purchase and any sale of Nuveen CEF shares within 6 months of each other. You must surrender to the Nuveen CEF in question any profits from such trades. This extends to options or other transactions that may have the same effect as a purchase or sale. Please also see II.b. above.

 

  e.

During the year: Acknowledge receipt of any material amendments to the Code. Your approval of such changes may serve as the acknowledgment.

IV. Administration of this Code

 

  a.

Training: A Nuveen representative will review this Code with you when you join the Board.

 

  b.

Exceptions: The Code exists to ensure that Trustees place the interests of the Nuveen Funds and shareholders ahead of Trustee’s own personal interests. No exceptions that would violate that principle will be granted.

 

3


  c.

Reporting and enforcement: Compliance will alert the Nuveen Fund Board to any known violations of this Code. The Nuveen Fund Board shall determine what action is appropriate for any breach of the provisions of this Code by a Trustee.

 

  V.

Responsible Parties

Fund Board Relations

Legal

Compliance (Fund and Ethics Office)

Effective: January 1, 2013

Amended: May 23, 2019

 

4


Appendix

Policy Governance

Approval Date: See Policy

Approver: NFAL Compliance Committee

Review Date: 4/30/19

Effective Date: See Policy

Policy Leader: Fund Compliance

Policy Owner: See Responsible Party Section of Policy

 

5

NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUNDS

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT, that the undersigned, in his capacity as a director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations listed on Appendix A hereto (the “Funds”), hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file the Funds’ Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 registering shares of the Funds, including any pre-effective and post-effective amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations has hereunto set his hand this 20 day of October 2020.

 

/s/ Jack B. Evans

Jack B. Evans


NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUNDS

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT, that the undersigned, in his capacity as a director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations listed on Appendix A hereto (the “Funds”), hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file the Funds’ Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 registering shares of the Funds, including any pre-effective and post-effective amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations has hereunto set his hand this 19 day of October 2020.

 

/s/ William C. Hunter

William C. Hunter


NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUNDS

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT, that the undersigned, in his capacity as a director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations listed on Appendix A hereto (the “Funds”), hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file the Funds’ Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 registering shares of the Funds, including any pre-effective and post-effective amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations has hereunto set his hand this 19 day of October 2020.

 

/s/ Albin F. Moschner

Albin F. Moschner


NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUNDS

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT, that the undersigned, in his capacity as a director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations listed on Appendix A hereto (the “Funds”), hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file the Funds’ Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 registering shares of the Funds, including any pre-effective and post-effective amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations has hereunto set his hand this 19 day of October 2020.

 

/s/ John K. Nelson

John K. Nelson


NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUNDS

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT, that the undersigned, in her capacity as a director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations listed on Appendix A hereto (the “Funds”), hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for her and on her behalf and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file the Funds’ Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 registering shares of the Funds, including any pre-effective and post-effective amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as she might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations has hereunto set her hand this 20 day of October 2020.

 

/s/ Judith M. Stockdale

Judith M. Stockdale


NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUNDS

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT, that the undersigned, in her capacity as a director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations listed on Appendix A hereto (the “Funds”), hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for her and on her behalf and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file the Funds’ Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 registering shares of the Funds, including any pre-effective and post-effective amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as she might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations has hereunto set her hand this 19 day of October 2020.

 

/s/ Carole E. Stone

Carole E. Stone


NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUNDS

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT, that the undersigned, in his capacity as a director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations listed on Appendix A hereto (the “Funds”), hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file the Funds’ Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 registering shares of the Funds, including any pre-effective and post-effective amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations has hereunto set his hand this 21 day of October 2020.

 

/s/ Terence J. Toth

Terence J. Toth


NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUNDS

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT, that the undersigned, in her capacity as a director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations listed on Appendix A hereto (the “Funds”), hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for her and on her behalf and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file the Funds’ Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 registering shares of the Funds, including any pre-effective and post-effective amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as she might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations has hereunto set her hand this 20 day of October 2020.

 

/s/ Margaret L. Wolff

Margaret L. Wolff


NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUNDS

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT, that the undersigned, in his capacity as a director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations listed on Appendix A hereto (the “Funds”), hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file the Funds’ Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 registering shares of the Funds, including any pre-effective and post-effective amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations has hereunto set his hand this 19 day of October 2020.

 

/s/ Robert L. Young

Robert L. Young


NUVEEN CLOSED-END FUNDS

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT, that the undersigned, in his capacity as a director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations listed on Appendix A hereto (the “Funds”), hereby constitutes and appoints MARK J. CZARNIECKI, DIANA R. GONZALEZ, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file the Funds’ Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 registering shares of the Funds, including any pre-effective and post-effective amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations has hereunto set his hand this 19th day of November 2020.

 

/s/ Matthew Thornton III

Matthew Thornton III


APPENDIX A

NUVEEN AMT-FREE MUNICIPAL VALUE FUND (NUW)

NUVEEN ARIZONA QUALITY MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND (NAZ)

NUVEEN CALIFORNIA AMT-FREE QUALITY MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND (NKX)

NUVEEN CALIFORNIA QUALITY MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND (NAC)

NUVEEN CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL VALUE FUND, INC. (NCA)

NUVEEN CALIFORNIA SELECT TAX-FREE INCOME PORTFOLIO (NXC)

NUVEEN CORE EQUITY ALPHA FUND (JCE)

NUVEEN CREDIT STRATEGIES INCOME FUND (JQC)

NUVEEN DOW 30 DYNAMIC OVERWRITE FUND (DIAX)

NUVEEN ENHANCED MUNICIPAL VALUE FUND (NEV)

NUVEEN FLOATING RATE INCOME FUND (JFR)

NUVEEN FLOATING RATE INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND (JRO)

NUVEEN HIGH INCOME 2020 TARGET TERM FUND (JHY)

NUVEEN MINNESOTA QUALITY MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND (NMS)

NUVEEN MUNICIPAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND (NMCO)

NUVEEN MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND (NMZ)

NUVEEN MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND, INC. (NMI)

NUVEEN MUNICIPAL VALUE FUND, INC. (NUV)

NUVEEN NASDAQ 100 DYNAMIC OVERWRITE FUND (QQQX)

NUVEEN PREFERRED & INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND (JPC)

NUVEEN PREFERRED & INCOME SECURITIES FUND (JPS)

NUVEEN REAL ESTATE INCOME FUND (JRS)

NUVEEN S&P BUY-WRITE INCOME FUND (BXMX)

NUVEEN S&P 500 DYNAMIC OVERWRITE FUND (SPXX)

NUVEEN SELECT TAX-FREE INCOME PORTFOLIO (NXP)

NUVEEN SELECT TAX-FREE INCOME PORTFOLIO 2 (NXQ)

NUVEEN SELECT TAX-FREE INCOME PORTFOLIO 3 (NXR)

NUVEEN SENIOR INCOME FUND (NSL)

NUVEEN SHORT DURATION CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND (JSD)

NUVEEN TAXABLE MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND (NBB)

NUVEEN TEXAS QUALITY MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND (NTX)

NUVEEN VIRGINIA QUALITY MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND (NPV)