As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 22, 2021
Securities Act File No. 333-231722
Investment Company Act File No. 811-23445
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. 3 | |
☐ | Post-Effective Amendment No. | |
and | ||
☒ | REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | |
☒ | Amendment No. 3 |
Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Declaration of Trust
333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606
Address of Principal Executive Offices (Number, Street, City, State, Zip Code)
(800) 257-8787
Registrants Telephone Number, including Area Code
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 of Communications to:
David P. Glatz | Joel D. Corriero | Eric F. Fess | ||
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
191 N. Wacker Drive, Ste. 1601 Chicago, Illinois 60606 |
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
2005 Market Street Suite 2600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 |
Chapman and Cutler LLP
111 W. Monroe Chicago, Illinois 60603 |
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
☒ 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, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan.
☐ when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c)
☒ Registered Closed-End Fund (closed-end company that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (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).
☐ 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 |
Proposed
Maximum Offering Price Per Unit |
Proposed
Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1) |
Amount of
Registration Fee(2) |
||||||||||||
Common Shares, $0.01 par value | 6,000,000 | $ | 10.00 | $ | 60,000,000 | $ | 6558.20 |
(1) |
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. |
(2) |
$121.20 of which was previously paid. |
The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that the Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer and sale is not permitted.
Preliminary Prospectus dated June 22, 2021
Subject to Completion
Interval Fund
2021
Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
Common Shares
Class I | Class A | |||
Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund | NMSSX | NHYEX |
The Fund. Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (the Fund) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that continuously offers its common shares of beneficial interest (the Common Shares) and is operated as an interval fund. The Fund currently offers two classes of Common Shares: Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares. The Fund may offer additional classes of Common Shares in the future.
Investment Objectives. The Funds primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. Capital appreciation is a secondary investment objective when consistent with the Funds primary investment objective. However, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve either of its investment objectives or that the Funds investment strategies will be successful.
Fund Strategies and Policies. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its Assets (as defined on page 4) in municipal securities and other related investments, the income from which is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax.
The Funds portfolio will be actively managed to identify and capitalize on high yield municipal securities (as described below) that offer favorable risk/reward potential. The Fund may also use leverage. These investment strategies should be considered high risk relative to strategies employed by investment grade municipal bond mutual funds.
The Fund invests significantly in lower-quality long-term municipal bonds. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 75% of its net assets in low- to medium-quality municipal securities that, at the time of investment, are rated BBB/Baa or lower or are unrated but judged by the subadviser to be of comparable quality. Low- to medium-quality municipal securities include below investment grade securities (or junk bonds). Below investment grade securities (securities rated BB+/Ba1 or lower) are regarded as having predominately speculative characteristics with
(continued on following page)
The date of this prospectus is , 2021.
Prospectus
Fund Strategies.
(continued from previous page)
respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest or dividends and repay principal, which implies higher price volatility and default risk than investment grade instruments of comparable terms and duration.
As an interval fund, the Fund will provide Common Shareholders periodic liquidity. See Repurchase Offers below. The Funds investment adviser believes the Funds interval fund structure may provide greater income and total return potential as compared to a traditional high yield municipal mutual fund. Without the potential disruption of outflows from daily liquidity, the subadviser may capture illiquidity premiums often unavailable to individual retail investors through more liquid investment vehicles such as mutual funds. In addition, the Funds investment adviser believes that the Funds interval structure allows more flexibility to assume larger position sizes; enables a greater allocation to less-illiquid municipal securities; and provides the Fund the opportunity to realize the maximum long-term value of certain special situations within the municipal market such as work-outs (a privately negotiated, mutual agreement between the Fund and the issuer or another party with respect to securities in default or involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings).
Leverage. The Fund anticipates using leverage to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may use leverage to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940. If current market conditions persist, the Fund intends initially to obtain leverage through either investments in inverse floating rate securities, which represent leveraged investments in underlying bonds, borrowings, reverse repurchase agreements (effectively a borrowing) and the issuance of preferred shares of beneficial interest, or a combination of thereof. If current market conditions persist, the Fund anticipates using leverage in an aggregate amount equal to approximately 25% of the Funds Managed Assets. In addition, the Fund may use derivatives that have the economic effect of leverage. The use of leverage creates special risks for holders of Common Shares (Common Shareholders). See Leverage, Special Risk ConsiderationsFund Level RisksLeverage Risk, Portfolio Level RisksInverse Floating Rate Securities Risk and Reverse Repurchase Agreement Risk. There is no assurance that the Fund will use leverage or that the Funds use of leverage will work as planned or achieve its goals.
Repurchase Offers. In order to provide liquidity to Common Shareholders, the Fund has adopted a fundamental investment policy to make quarterly offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Common Shares at net asset value, reduced by any applicable repurchase fee. Subject to applicable law and approval of the Funds Board of Trustees, for each quarterly repurchase offer, the Fund currently expects to offer to repurchase 7.5% of the Funds outstanding Common Shares at net asset value. If the value of Common Shares tendered for repurchase exceeds the value the Fund intended to repurchase, the Fund may determine to repurchase less than the full number of Common Shares tendered. In such event, Common Shareholders will have their Common Shares repurchased on a pro rata basis, and tendering shareholders will not have all of their tendered Common Shares repurchased by the Fund. The repurchase pricing date will occur no later than the 14th day after the repurchase request deadline (or the next business day, if the 14th day is not a business day). The Fund expects to distribute payment to Common Shareholders between one and three (3) business days after the repurchase pricing date and will distribute such payment no later than seven (7) calendar days after such date. The Fund currently anticipates that the repurchase request deadline will be the same date as the repurchase pricing date. The Fund expects the first repurchase request deadline to occur no later than six months after the initial effective date of this registration statement. See Periodic Repurchase Offers and RisksFund Level RisksRepurchase Offers Risk.
Fund Distributions. The Fund currently intends to declare dividends daily, and pay such dividends monthly, usually on the first business day of the month. The Fund also intends to declare and pay any capital gains once a year at year end. See Distributions.
Purchasing Class I Shares. Only certain investors are eligible to purchase Class I Common Shares. See Plan of DistributionShare Classes. The minimum initial investment for Class I Common Shares is $100,000 per account, except that the minimum investment amount may be modified for certain eligible investors. See Plan of Distribution in the Prospectus and Purchase of Class I Common Shares by Eligible Investors in the Statement of Additional Information for details. There is no minimum subsequent investment amount. See Plan of DistributionPurchasing Shares.
Purchasing Class A Common Shares. The minimum initial investment for Class A Common Shares is $2,500 per account, except that the minimum investment may be modified for certain financial firms that submit orders on behalf of their customers, the Trustees and certain employees and their extended family members of Nuveen, LLC and its affiliates. See Plan of Distribution in the Prospectus for details. The minimum subsequent investment amount for Class A Common Shares is $100. See Plan of DistributionPurchasing Shares. An investor will pay a sales load of up to 2.50% on amounts invested. If you pay the maximum aggregate 2.50% for sales load, you must experience a total return on your net investment of 2.50% in order to recover these expenses.
(notes continued on following page)
Prospectus
Price to Public(1) | Maximum Sales Load | Proceeds to the Fund(2) | ||||||||||
Per Class I Common Share | $10.00 | None | $ | |||||||||
Per Class A Common Share | $10.00 | 2.50% | (4) | $ | ||||||||
Maximum Offering(3) | $10.00 | None | $ |
(1) |
The Common Shares are offered on a best efforts basis. The Class I Common Shares will initially be offered at $10.00 per share, and thereafter will be offered on a continuous basis at net asset value per Common Share. The Class A Common Shares will initially be offered at $10.00 per share plus a maximum sales load of 2.50% of the offering price, and thereafter will be offered on a continuous basis at net asset value per Common Share plus a maximum sales load of 2.50% of the offering price. No escrow arrangements have been established in connection with the continuous offering. It is estimated that the Fund will be able to invest all or substantially all of the net proceeds according to its investment objectives and policies within approximately three months after receipt of the proceeds, subject to market conditions. |
(2) |
Nuveen Fund Advisors has agreed to (i) reimburse all organization expenses of the Fund and (ii) pay the Funds initial offering costs. The Fund is not obligated to repay any such organization expense or initial offering costs paid by Nuveen Fund Advisors. On an ongoing basis, the Fund bears its own operating expenses (including, without limitation, its offering expenses). |
(3) |
Assumes sale of all Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares currently registered at the Price to the Public. There is no assurance that the Fund will raise such amounts. |
(4) |
Reduced for purchases of $100,000 and over. See Plan of DistributionSales ChargeClass A Common Shares. |
Investor Suitability.
∎ |
The Funds Common Shares are not listed for trading on any national securities exchange. The Funds Common Shares have no trading market and no market is expected to develop. |
∎ |
An investment in the Fund is not suitable for investors who need certainty about their ability to access all of the money they invest in the short term. |
∎ |
Even though the Fund will make periodic repurchase offers for its outstanding Common Shares, subject to the limitations described herein, investors should consider Common Shares of the Fund to be an illiquid investment. |
∎ |
There is no guarantee that you will be able to sell your Common Shares at any given time or in the quantity that you desire. |
∎ |
There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to make any distributions or maintain a certain level of distributions to Common Shareholders. |
This prospectus 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 Funds Common Shares involves certain risks, including the risks associated with the Funds use of leverage. The Funds anticipated exposure to below investment grade quality securities (or junk bonds) and special situations municipal securities involves special risks, including an increased risk with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest, dividends and repay principal. You could lose some or all of your investment. See Risks beginning on page 38 of this prospectus. Certain of these risks are summarized in Prospectus SummarySpecial Risk Considerations beginning on page 8 of this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (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.
You should read this prospectus, which contains important information about the Fund, before deciding whether to invest, and retain it for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information, dated , 2021, as amended or supplemented through the effective date of this prospectus, containing additional information about the Fund, has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this prospectus. You may request a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information, the table of contents of which is on page 82 of this prospectus, annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, when available, and other information about the Fund, and make shareholder inquiries by calling (833) 688-3368 or by writing to the Fund, or from the Funds website (www.nuveen.com). The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, the Funds website is not part of this prospectus. You also may obtain a copy of the Statement of Additional Information (and other information regarding the Fund) from the SECs website (www.sec.gov).
Prospectus
The Funds Common Shares do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and are not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution, and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The Fund is not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus. The Funds business, financial condition and prospects may have changed since that date.
NOT FDIC OR GOVERNMENT INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE NO BANK GUARANTEE
This is only a summary. You should review the more detailed information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI) prior to making an investment in the Fund, especially the information set forth under the heading Risks.
The Fund
Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (the Fund) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that continuously offers its common shares of beneficial interest (Common Shares) and is operated as an interval fund. The Fund currently offers two classes of Common Shares: Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares. The Fund may offer additional classes of Common Shares in the future pursuant to exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The Offering
The Class I Common Shares are being offered initially at an offering price of $10.00 per share, and thereafter will be offered on a continuous basis at net asset value (NAV) per Common Share. The minimum initial investment for Class I Common Shares is $100,000 per account, except that the minimum investment amount may be modified for certain eligible investors. See Plan of Distribution in this Prospectus and Purchase of Class I Common Shares by Eligible Investors in the SAI for details. There is no minimum subsequent investment amount.
The Class A Common Shares will initially be offered at $10.00 per share plus a maximum sales load of 2.50% of the offering price, and thereafter will be offered on a continuous basis at NAV per Common Share plus a maximum sales load of 2.50% of the offering price. The minimum initial investment for Class A Common Shares is $2,500 per account, except that the minimum investment amount may be modified for certain eligible investors. See Plan of Distribution in this Prospectus for details. The minimum subsequent investment amount will be $100. Class A Common Shares are subject to an initial sales charge. The initial sales charge will vary depending upon the size of your purchase. See Plan of DistributionSales ChargeClass A Common Shares for details.
If additional classes of Common Shares are offered by the Fund, those additional classes of Common Shares would be expected to be offered on a continuous basis at NAV per share, plus an initial sales charge, unless you are eligible for a waiver. The initial sales charge will vary depending upon the size of your purchase. Proceeds from the offering will be held by the Funds custodian. In this prospectus, we refer to holders of Common Shares as Common Shareholders.
Common Shares are being offered through Nuveen Securities, LLC (the Distributor), on a best efforts basis. For additional information regarding Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares please see Plan of DistributionShare Classes in this prospectus. The Fund reserves the right to reject a purchase order for any reason. Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, the Funds investment adviser (Nuveen Fund Advisors), has agreed to (i) reimburse all organization expenses of the Fund and (ii) pay the Funds initial offering costs. On an ongoing basis, the Fund bears its own operating expenses (including, without limitation, its offering expenses).
Periodic Repurchase Offers; Unlisted Shares
In order to provide liquidity to Common Shareholders, the Fund has adopted a fundamental investment policy, which may only be changed by a majority vote of shareholders, to make quarterly offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Common Shares at NAV, reduced by any applicable repurchase fee. Subject to applicable law and approval of the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the Board of Trustees), for each quarterly repurchase offer, the Fund currently expects to offer to repurchase 7.5% of the outstanding Common Shares at NAV. Written notification of each quarterly repurchase offer (the Repurchase Offer Notice) will be sent to Common Shareholders at least 21 calendar days before the repurchase request deadline (i.e., the date by which Common Shareholders can tender their Common Shares in response to a repurchase offer) (the Repurchase Request Deadline).
The Fund does not currently expect to charge a repurchase fee. However, the Fund may charge a repurchase fee of up to 2.00% of the repurchase proceeds, which the Fund would retain to help offset non-de minimis estimated costs related to the repurchase incurred by the Fund, directly or indirectly, as a result of repurchasing Common Shares, thus allocating estimated transaction costs to the Common Shareholder whose Common Shares are being repurchased. The Fund may introduce, or modify the amount of, a repurchase fee at any time. The Fund may also waive or reduce the repurchase fee if Nuveen Fund Advisors determines that the repurchase is offset by a corresponding purchase or if for other reasons the Fund will not incur transaction costs or will incur reduced transaction costs.
Prospectus Summary
1
Investment Objectives
The Funds primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. Capital appreciation is a secondary investment objective when consistent with the Funds primary investment objective. However, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve either of its investment objectives or that the Funds investment strategies will be successful. See The Funds Investments and Risks.
Fund Strategies
The Funds portfolio will be actively managed to identify and capitalize on high yield municipal securities. Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, the Funds subadviser (Nuveen Asset Management), uses a research-driven approach that seeks attractive income exempt from regular U.S. federal income taxes by identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in high yield municipal securities. The Fund invests in below investment grade bonds that Nuveen Asset Management believes may offer the potential for attractive total returns, even after taking into account the significant risk (relative to higher quality securities) that these securities typically present.
The Fund may also invest in special situations municipal securities that Nuveen Asset Management believes may offer the potential for attractive total returns, even after taking into account the significant risk (relative to higher quality securities) that these securities typically present. Special situations municipal securities are municipal securities: (i) of issuers that are facing distressed financial or operating circumstances, are in default of its obligations or in an active work-out, or are in bankruptcy; or (ii) that present uncertainties or complex features that could render them undesirable for certain investors. Special situations municipal securities may offer illiquidity and complexity premiums, which may create significant investment opportunity for the Fund.
As an interval fund, the Fund will provide Common Shareholders periodic liquidity. See Periodic Repurchase Offers; Unlisted Shares above. Nuveen Fund Advisors believes the Funds interval fund structure may provide greater income and total return potential as compared to a traditional high yield municipal mutual fund. Without the potential disruption of outflows from daily liquidity, Nuveen Asset Management may capture illiquidity premiums often unavailable to individual retail investors through more liquid investment vehicles such as mutual funds. In addition, the Funds investment advisor believes that the Funds interval structure allows more flexibility to assume larger position sizes; enables a greater allocation to less-illiquid municipal securities; and provides the Fund the opportunity to realize the maximum long-term value of certain special situations within the municipal market such as work-outs (a privately negotiated, mutual agreement between the Fund and the issuer or another party with respect to securities in default or involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings).
Portfolio Contents
The Fund will invest its assets in a portfolio of municipal securities. Municipal securities include municipal bonds, notes, securities issued to finance and refinance public projects, certificates of participation, variable rate demand obligations, lease obligations, municipal notes, pre-refunded municipal bonds, private activity bonds, securities issued by tender option bond trusts, including inverse floating rate securities, and other forms of municipal bonds and securities, and other related instruments that create exposure to municipal bonds, notes and securities that provide for the payment of interest income that is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax.
Municipal Securities. Municipal securities are debt obligations generally issued by states, cities and local authorities and certain possessions and territories of the United States (such as Puerto Rico and Guam) to finance or refinance public purpose projects such as roads, schools, and water supply systems. Municipal securities may also be issued to finance and refinance privately owned facilities, such as housing, medical and educational construction, or for privately owned transportation, electric utility and pollution control projects deemed to serve a public purpose. Municipal securities may be issued on a long-term basis to provide long-term financing. The repayment of such debt may be secured generally by a pledge of the full faith and credit taxing power of the issuer, a limited or special tax, or any other revenue source, including project revenues, which may include tolls, fees and other user charges, lease payments and mortgage payments. Municipal securities may also be issued to finance projects on a short-term interim basis, anticipating repayment with the proceeds of long-term debt. Municipal securities may be issued and purchased in the form of bonds, notes, leases or certificates of participation; structured as callable or non-callable; with payment forms including fixed coupon, variable rate, zero coupon, capital appreciation bonds or inverse floating rate securities; or acquired through investments in pooled vehicles, partnerships or other investment companies. Inverse floating rate securities are securities that pay interest at rates that vary inversely with changes in prevailing short-term tax exempt interest rates and
2
Prospectus Summary
represent a leveraged investment in an underlying municipal security, which may increase the leverage of the Fund.
The market value of a municipal security will generally depend upon its form, maturity, call features and interest rate, as well as the credit quality or credit rating of the issuer, all such factors examined in the context of the municipal securities market and interest rate levels and trends.
Most municipal securities generate income that is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. The Fund may also invest in municipal securities that are subject to regular federal income tax. Although municipal bonds issued to finance activities with a broad public purpose are generally exempt from federal income tax, taxable municipal bonds are issued to finance activities with less significant benefits to the public, such as the construction of sports facilities, and as such the interest paid to holders of such bonds is taxable as ordinary income. Many taxable municipal bonds offer yields comparable to those of other taxable bonds, such as corporate and agency bonds. Taxable municipal bonds may be rated investment-grade or below investment-grade and pay interest based on fixed or floating rate coupons. Maturities may range from long-term to short-term.
The Fund may also invest in AMT Bonds, which are municipal securities that pay interest that is taxable under the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to noncorporate taxpayers.
The Fund may invest in tobacco settlement bonds. Tobacco settlement bonds are municipal securities that are secured or payable solely from the collateralization of the proceeds from class action or other litigation against the tobacco industry. Investments in tobacco settlement bonds are subject to risks. See RisksPortfolio Level RisksTobacco Settlement Bond Risk below.
Special Situations Municipal Securities. The Fund may invest in special situations municipal securities. Special situations municipal securities are municipal securities:
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of issuers that are facing distressed financial or operating circumstances, are in default of its obligations or in an active work-out, or are in bankruptcy; or |
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that present uncertainties or complex features that could render them undesirable for certain investors. |
The portion of the Funds assets invested in special situations municipal securities may fluctuate significantly over time according to the availability of attractive special situations municipal securities opportunities. See RisksPortfolio Level RisksSpecial Situations Municipal Securities Risk below.
Corporate Debt Securities. The Fund may also invest in corporate debt securities, including corporate bonds. Corporate bonds are fully taxable debt obligations issued by corporations. These securities fund capital improvements, expansions, debt refinancing or acquisitions that require more capital than would ordinarily be available from a single lender. Investors in corporate bonds lend money to the issuing corporation in exchange for interest payments and repayment of the principal at a set maturity date. Rates on corporate bonds are set according to prevailing interest rates at the time of the issue, the credit rating of the issuer, the length of the maturity and other terms of the security, such as a call feature.
Corporate bonds come in many varieties and may differ in the way that interest is calculated, the amount and frequency of payments, the type of collateral, if any, and the presence of special features (e.g., conversion rights). The Funds investments in corporate bonds may include, but are not limited to, senior, junior, secured and unsecured bonds, notes and other debt securities, and may be fixed rate, variable rate or floating rate, among other things. Holders of corporate bonds, as creditors, have a prior legal claim over common and preferred stockholders as to both income and assets of the issuer for the principal and interest due to them, and may have a prior claim over other creditors, but are generally subordinate to any existing lenders in the issuers capital structure.
U.S. Treasury Securities. The Fund may also invest in U.S. Government direct obligations. U.S. Government direct obligation are issued by the United States Treasury and include bills, notes and bonds. Treasury bills are issued with maturities of up to one year. They are issued in bearer form, are sold on a discount basis and are payable at par value at maturity. Treasury notes are longer-term interest-bearing obligations with original maturities of one to seven years. Treasury bonds are longer-term interest-bearing obligations with original maturities from five to thirty years.
See Portfolio Composition and Other Information for additional information on the types of securities in which the Fund may invest.
Prospectus Summary
3
Derivatives. The Fund also may invest in certain derivative instruments in pursuit of its investment objectives. Such instruments include financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate and credit default swaps), options on financial futures, options on swap contracts, or other derivative instruments. Nuveen Asset Management may use derivative instruments to attempt to hedge some of the risk of the Funds investments or as a substitute for a position in the underlying asset. See Portfolio Composition and Other InformationDerivatives.
Investment Policies
Under normal circumstances the Fund will invest subject to the following policies:
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The Fund will invest at least 80% of its Assets (as defined below) in municipal securities and other related investments, the income from which is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax; |
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The Fund will invest at least 75% of its net assets in low- to medium-quality municipal securities that, at the time of investment, are rated BBB/Baa or lower or are unrated but judged by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality; |
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The Fund may invest up to 25% of its Managed Assets (as defined below) in special situations municipal securities; |
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The Fund will invest no more than 10% of its Managed Assets in any one issuer; |
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The Fund will not invest in common equity securities. This policy does not apply to shares of other investment companies or to common equity securities acquired in connection with a work-out of an issuer of a debt security as discussed below; and |
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The Fund has no limitation as to the maturity or duration of the municipal securities in which it will invest. |
The foregoing policies are considered to apply only at the time of investment 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. .
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 Funds use of leverage (whether or not those assets are reflected in the Funds financial statements for purposes of generally accepted accounting principles), and derivatives will be valued at their market value.
Low to medium quality municipal securities include below investment grade securities (or junk bonds). Below investment grade securities are generally securities rated BB+/Ba1 or lower at the time of investment and are regarded as having predominately speculative characteristics with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest or dividends and repay principal, which implies higher price volatility and default risk than investment grade instruments of comparable terms and duration. For purposes of the investment limitations in this prospectus, a securitys rating is determined using the lowest rating of Moodys Investor Services, Inc. (Moodys), Standard & Poors Ratings Services, a Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC business (Standard & Poors or S&P) and Fitch Ratings, a part of the Fitch Group (Fitch) if all three nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs) rate the security. If ratings are provided by only two of those NRSROs, the lower rating is used to determine the rating. If only one of those NRSROs provides a rating, that rating is used. If a security is not rated by any NRSRO, the rating determined by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality is used. The portion of the Funds assets invested in low to medium quality municipal securities may vary over time, and may fluctuate significantly over time, over the minimum of 75% described above.
While investments in special situations municipal securities may be a component of the Funds investment strategy in pursuit of its investment objectives, the ability of the Fund to invest in special situation municipal securities may be limited by the availability of attractive opportunities in the market. The portion of the Funds assets that are invested in such securities, if any, may fluctuate significantly over time up to the 25% limit described above.
4
Prospectus Summary
Nuveen Asset Management may determine that it is in the best interest of shareholders to pursue a work-out arrangement (i.e., a privately negotiated, mutual agreement between the Fund and the issuer or another party) with respect to a defaulted security, which may involve making loans to the issuer or another party, or purchasing an equity or other interest from the issuer or another party, or other related or similar steps involving the investment of additional monies.
The Fund may enter into certain derivative transactions as a hedging technique to protect against potential adverse changes in the market value of portfolio securities. The Fund also may use derivatives to attempt to protect the NAV of the Fund, to facilitate the sale of certain portfolio securities, to manage the Funds effective interest rate exposure, and as a temporary substitute for purchasing or selling particular instruments. From time to time, the Fund also may enter into derivative transactions to create investment exposure to the extent such transactions may facilitate implementation of its strategy more efficiently than through outright purchases or sales of portfolio securities.
For temporary defensive purposes, during periods of high cash inflows or outflows, or during a Repurchase Offer Period, the Fund may depart from its principal investment strategies and invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality short-term debt securities. During such periods, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may adopt a defensive strategy when Nuveen Asset Management believes the instruments in which the Fund normally invests have elevated risks due to political or economic factors, in the event that unanticipated legal or regulatory developments interfere with implementation of the Funds principal investment strategies, and in other extraordinary circumstances.
The Funds investment policy to invest at least 80% of its Assets in municipal securities and other related investments, the income from which is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax and certain other investment restrictions identified in the SAI as such are considered fundamental. See also Investment Restrictions in the SAI. The Fund cannot change its fundamental policies without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Shares. When used with respect to approval of a changes to the Funds fundamental policies, 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. All of the Funds other investment policies are not considered to be fundamental by the Fund and can be changed by the Board of Trustees without a vote of the Common Shareholders.
Leverage
The Fund anticipates using leverage to seek to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may use leverage to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). If current market conditions persist, the Fund intends initially to obtain leverage through either the or investments in residual interest certificates of tender option bond trusts, also called inverse floating rate securities, that have the economic effect of leverage because the Funds investment exposure to the underlying bonds held by the trust have been effectively financed by the trusts issuance of floating rate certificates, borrowings, reverse repurchase agreements (effectively a borrowing) and the issuance of preferred shares of beneficial interest (Preferred Shares), which have seniority over the Common Shares, or a combination of thereof. If current market conditions persist, the Fund anticipates using leverage in an aggregate amount equal to approximately 25% of the Funds Managed Assets.
The Fund may source leverage through a number of methods including investing in inverse floating rate securities, issuance of debt securities, borrowings, entering into reverse repurchase agreements (effectively a borrowing), and issuance of Preferred Shares. In addition, the Fund may use derivatives such as financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate and credit default swaps), options on financial futures, options on swap contracts, or other derivative instruments that may have the economic effect of leverage. See Leverage and Portfolio Composition and Other InformationDerivatives.
Inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as inverse floaters) are securities whose interest rates bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. Generally, inverse floating rate securities represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds. Investments in inverse floating rate securities have the economic effect of leverage. See RisksPortfolio Level RisksInverse Floating Rate Securities Risk.
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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. Selling a portfolio security and agreeing to buy it back under a reverse repurchase agreement is economically equivalent to borrowing. See RisksPortfolio Level RisksReverse Repurchase Agreement Risk.
The Fund may reduce or increase the amount of leverage based upon changes in market conditions and the composition of the Funds holdings. The Funds leverage ratio will vary from time to time based upon such changes in the amount of leverage used, variations in the value of the Funds holdings and the levels of Common Share subscription and repurchase offer activity related to the Funds continuously offered interval fund structure. So long as the net income received on the Funds 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. Under these circumstances, the excess net income will be available to pay higher distributions to Common Shareholders. However, if the net income received from the Funds 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.
The Fund pays a management fee to Nuveen Fund Advisors (which in turn pays a portion of such fee to Nuveen Asset Management) based on a percentage of Managed Assets. Managed Assets include the proceeds realized and managed from the Funds 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 Funds net assets as well as assets that are attributable to the Funds investment of the proceeds of its leverage, it is anticipated that the Funds Managed Assets will be greater than its net assets. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will be responsible for using leverage to pursue the Funds investment objectives. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will base their decision regarding whether and how much leverage to use for the Fund, and the terms of that leverage, on their 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 therefore Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Managements fees. Thus, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management may have a conflict of interest in determining whether to use or increase leverage. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will seek to manage that potential conflict by recommending to the Board of Trustees to leverage the Fund (or increase such leverage) only when they determine that such action would be in the best interests of the Fund, and by periodically reviewing with the Board of Trustees the Funds performance and the impact of the use of leverage on that performance.
The Fund may borrow for temporary purposes as permitted by the 1940 Act.
The use of leverage creates additional risks for Common Shareholders, including increased variability of the Funds NAV, net income and distributions in relation to market changes. See Leverage and RisksFund Level RisksLeverage Risk, Portfolio Level RisksInverse Floating Rate Securities Risk and Reverse Repurchase Agreement Risk. There is no assurance that the Fund will use leverage. The Funds use of leverage may not work as planned or achieve its goals.
Distributions
Commencing with the Funds first dividend, the Fund currently intends to declare dividends daily and pay such dividends monthly, usually on the first business day of the month. Your account will begin to accrue dividends on the business day after the day when the monies used to purchase your Common Shares are collected by the transfer agent. The Fund seeks to pay monthly tax-exempt dividends at a level rate that reflects the past and projected net income of the Fund. To help maintain more stable monthly distributions, the distribution paid by the Fund for any particular monthly period may be more or less than the amount of net income actually earned by the Fund during such period, and any such under-(or over-) distribution of income is reflected in the Funds net asset value. The distribution paid by the Fund for any particular monthly period may be more or less than the amount of net income actually earned by the Fund during such period, and any such under- (or over-) distribution of income is reflected in the Funds NAV. This policy is designed to result in the distribution of substantially all of the Funds net income over time. The Fund declares and pays any capital gains once a year at year end. The Fund may declare and pay dividends, capital gains or other taxable distributions more frequently, if necessary or appropriate in the Board of Trustees discretion.
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Prospectus Summary
The Fund will continue to pay at least the percentage of its net investment income and any gains necessary to maintain its status as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The Fund reserves the right to change its distribution policy and the basis for establishing the rate of its monthly distributions at any time upon notice to Common Shareholders, upon a determination by the Board of Trustees that such change is in the best interests of the Fund and its Common Shareholders.
Automatic Reinvestment
The Fund automatically reinvests your dividends in additional Fund shares unless you request otherwise. You may request to have your dividends paid to you by check, sent via electronic funds transfer through Automated Clearing House network. For further information, contact your financial advisor or call Nuveen Investor Services at (800) 257-8787. If you request that your distributions be paid by check but those distributions cannot be delivered because of an incorrect mailing address, or if a distribution check remains uncashed for six months, the undelivered or uncashed distributions and all future distributions will be reinvested in Fund shares at the current NAV. See Dividend Payments and Reinvestment Options for more information.
Investment Adviser and Subadviser
Investment Adviser. Nuveen Fund Advisors is the Funds investment adviser, responsible for overseeing the Funds 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 Funds portfolio, manages the Funds 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 March 31, 2021, Nuveen LLC (Nuveen) managed approximately $1.2 trillion in assets, of which approximately $169.5 billion was managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors.
Subadviser. Nuveen Asset Management, a registered investment adviser, is the Funds subadviser responsible for investing the Funds Managed Assets. Nuveen Asset Management is a subsidiary of Nuveen Fund Advisors.
Management Fees. The Fund will pay Nuveen Fund Advisors an annual management fee, payable monthly in arrears, in a maximum amount equal to 1.00% of the Funds average daily Managed Assets. This maximum fee is equal to the sum of two componentsa fund-level fee, based only on the amount of assets within the Fund, and a complex-level fee, based upon the aggregate amount of all eligible assets of all Nuveen Funds (as described in Management of the FundInvestment Management and Subadvisory AgreementsComplex-Level Fee). The fund-level fee is 0.80% of the Funds average daily Managed Assets. The complex-level fee begins at a maximum of 0.2000% of average daily Managed Assets, based upon complex-wide eligible assets of $55 billion, with lower fees for eligible assets above that level. For more information, see Management of the FundInvestment Management and Subadvisory Agreements. Based on eligible assets as of March 31, 2021, the complex-level fee would be 0.1555% of Managed Assets, and the total fee to Nuveen Fund Advisors would be 0.9555% of Managed Assets.
Pursuant to an investment subadvisory agreement between Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management, Nuveen Fund Advisors will pay Nuveen Asset Management a portfolio management fee equal to 50% of the investment management fee paid on the Funds average daily Managed Assets. Nuveen Asset Management will be responsible for investing the Funds Managed Assets. The amount of fees paid to Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will be higher if the Fund utilizes leverage because the fees will be calculated based on the Funds Managed Assetsthis may create an incentive for Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management to seek to use leverage.
For more information on fees and expenses, including fees attributable to Common Shares, see Summary of Fund Expenses and Management of the Fund.
Distributor, Custodian and Transfer Agent
Nuveen Securities, LLC, an affiliate of Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management, will serve as the Funds principal underwriter and distributor. State Street Bank and Trust Company will serve as the Funds custodian, and DST Systems, Inc. will serve as the transfer agent. See Distributor, Custodian and Transfer Agent.
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Investor Suitability
An investment in the Fund involves a considerable amount of risk. It is possible that you will lose money. Common Shareholders will not have the right to redeem their Common Shares. However, in order to provide some liquidity to Common Shareholders, the Fund will conduct periodic repurchase offers for a portion of its outstanding Common Shares.
The Common Shares are not listed on any securities exchange, and the Fund anticipates that no secondary market will develop for its Common Shares. Accordingly, you may not be able to sell Common Shares when and/or in the amount that you desire. Investors should consider Common Shares to be an illiquid investment. There is no guarantee that you will be able to sell your Common Shares at any given time or in the quantity that you desire or that that the Fund will be able to make any distributions or maintain a certain level of distributions to Common Shareholders. In addition, the Funds repurchase offers may subject the Fund and Common Shareholders to special risks. See RisksFund Level RisksRepurchase Offers Risk. An investment in the Fund is suitable only for investors who can bear the risks associated with the limited liquidity of the Common Shares and should be viewed as a long-term investment. Before making your investment decision, you should (i) consider the suitability of this investment with respect to your investment objectives and personal financial situation and (ii) consider factors such as your personal net worth, income, age, risk tolerance and liquidity needs.
Investment in the Fund involves special risk considerations, which are summarized below. The risks have been divided into (i) Portfolio Level Risks, (ii) Fund Level Risks, and (iii) Other Risks. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. See Risks for a more complete discussion of the special risk considerations of an investment in the Fund.
Portfolio Level Risks
Municipal Securities Market RiskThe amount of public information available about the municipal securities in the Funds portfolio is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds, and the investment performance of the Fund may therefore be more dependent on the analytical abilities of Nuveen Asset Management than if the Fund were a stock fund or taxable bond fund. In addition, the market for below investment grade municipal securities has experienced in the past, and may experience in the future, periods of significant volatility, which could negatively impact the value of the municipal securities in the Funds portfolio.
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, in December 2019, and the resulting pandemic, has adversely impacted global commercial activity and has contributed to significant volatility in certain financial markets, including the municipal bond market. See Other RisksGlobal Economic Risk. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the risks of the municipal securities market have been magnified. These risks have had, and will continue to have, a material adverse impact on local economies and therefore on the governments in those localities. These risks may also adversely affect several sectors of the municipal bond market, such as retirement facilities, transportation facilities such as airports, hospitals and colleges, among many others. All this has adversely affected the municipal securities market, and may continue to do so for an extended period.
Although the detection of COVID-19 in China was made public in December 2019, U.S. securities markets did not start to fully acknowledge the risks and potential economic impact until the latter portion of February 2020, when outbreaks outside of China were first reported. Certain parts of the municipal bond markets experienced significant volatility and drops in values, particularly below-investment grade municipal bonds. It is possible that similar market dislocations will recur as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, which may adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Funds investments.
The impact of the outbreak is rapidly evolving, and many countries, including the United States, have reacted by instituting quarantines, prohibitions on travel and the closure of offices, businesses, schools, retail stores and other public venues. Businesses are also implementing similar precautionary measures. Such measures, as well as the general uncertainty surrounding the dangers and impact of COVID-19, are creating significant disruption in supply chains and economic activity and are having a particularly adverse impact on transportation, hospitality, tourism, entertainment and other industries. As a result, the COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect the bonds of municipalities that depend on tax or other revenues generated by tourist dollars. Additionally, the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may negatively impact state and local budgetary matters, as states and municipalities may be more likely to run budget deficits (or larger deficits) during the period of economic contraction stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Prospectus Summary
Issuer Credit RiskIssuers of municipal securities in which the Fund may invest may default, or may be in default at the time of purchase, on their obligations to pay principal or interest when due. This non-payment would result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of a municipal security experiencing non-payment and, potentially, a decrease in the NAV of the Fund. To the extent that the credit rating assigned to a municipal security in the Funds portfolio is downgraded, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected.
Credit Spread RiskCredit spread risk is the risk that credit spreads (i.e., the difference in yield between securities that is due to differences in their credit quality) may increase when the market believes that municipal securities generally have a greater risk of default. Increasing credit spreads may reduce the market values of the Funds securities. Credit spreads often increase more for lower rated and unrated securities than for investment grade securities. In addition, when credit spreads increase, reductions in market value will generally be greater for longer-maturity securities.
Below Investment Grade RiskSecurities of below investment grade quality are regarded as having speculative characteristics with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal, and may be subject to higher price volatility and default risk than investment grade securities of comparable terms and duration. Issuers of lower grade securities may be highly leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of financing. The prices of these lower grade securities are typically more sensitive to negative developments, such as a decline in the issuers revenues or a general economic downturn. The secondary market for lower rated securities may not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated securities, a factor which may have an adverse effect on the Funds ability to dispose of a particular security.
If a below investment grade security goes into default, or its issuer enters bankruptcy, it might be difficult to sell that security in a timely manner at a reasonable price.
Special Situations Municipal Securities RiskThe availability of special situations municipal securities that present attractive investment opportunities has historically been sporadic and may in the future be rare or at times non-existent. As such, the portion of the Funds assets invested in special situations municipal securities may fluctuate significantly over time according to the availability of attractive special situations municipal securities opportunities. At times when the portion of the Funds assets invested in special situations municipal securities is low, due to lack of availability of special situations municipal securities or otherwise, that low level exposure to such securities may impede the Funds ability to fully pursue its investment objectives.
Special situations municipal securities present both unusual opportunities and challenges. The ability of the Fund to capitalize on its investments in special situations municipal securities will be dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, Nuveen Asset Managements ability (1) to select special situations municipal securities to invest in that have good prospects for improving their creditworthiness over time, or otherwise experiencing price improvement; (2) to manage the various special situations municipal securities credits through the recovery process, including work-outs, buyouts and bankruptcies; (3) to buy attractively-priced special situations municipal securities that have the potential to appreciate significantly in value or minimize losses, depending on market conditions; and (4) to liquidate its investments in special situations municipal securities, either by selling such securities to other investors at attractive prices, or by receiving cash, securities or other assets of value after and as a result of a work-out or the issuers emergence from bankruptcy.
Nuveen Asset Managements ability to succeed in these efforts will require skills and techniques that are different from or in addition to the skills and techniques used by a typical municipal investment manager. There is no assurance that Nuveen Asset Management will succeed in its efforts, or that market circumstances will end up being favorable to deriving outsized returns from investments in special situations municipal securities.
Interest Rate RiskGenerally, when market interest rates rise, bond prices fall, and vice versa. Interest rate risk is the risk that the municipal securities in the Funds portfolio will decline in value because of increases in market interest rates. As interest rates decline, issuers of municipal securities may prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower-yielding municipal securities and potentially reducing the Funds income. As interest rates increase, slower than expected principal payments may extend the average life of municipal securities, potentially locking in a below-market interest rate and reducing the Funds value. In typical market interest rate environments, the prices of longer-term municipal securities generally fluctuate more than prices of shorter-term municipal securities as interest rates change. The Federal Reserve recently reduced the federal funds rate several times.
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Duration RiskDuration 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, which typically corresponds to increased volatility and risk, 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 securitys 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.
Call RiskThe Fund may invest in municipal securities that are subject to call risk. Such municipal securities may be redeemed at the option of the issuer, or called, before their stated maturity or redemption date. In general, an issuer will call its instruments 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 municipal securities. The Fund would then be forced to invest the unanticipated proceeds at lower interest rates, resulting in a decline in the Funds income.
Reinvestment RiskReinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Funds portfolio will decline if and when the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called municipal securities at market interest rates that are below the portfolios current earnings rate. A decline in income could affect the Funds NAV and/or a Common Shareholders overall returns.
Inverse Floating Rate Securities RiskThe Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities. Typically, inverse floating rate securities represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust (sometimes called a tender option bond trust) formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds. See Portfolio Composition and Other InformationInverse Floating Rate Securities. In general, income on inverse floating rate securities will decrease when short-term interest rates increase and increase when short-term interest rates decrease. Investments in inverse floating rate securities may subject the Fund to the risks of reduced or eliminated interest payments and losses of principal. In addition, inverse floating rate securities may increase or decrease in value at a greater rate than the underlying interest rate, which effectively leverages the Funds investment. As a result, the market value of such securities generally will be more volatile than that of fixed rate securities.
The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities issued by special purpose trusts that have recourse to the Fund. In Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Managements discretion, the Fund may enter into a separate shortfall and forbearance agreement with the third party granting liquidity to the floating rate security holders of the special purpose trust. The Fund may enter into such recourse agreements (i) when the liquidity provider to the special purpose trust requires such an agreement because the level of leverage in the special purpose trust exceeds the level that the liquidity provider is willing to support absent such an agreement; and/or (ii) to seek to prevent the liquidity provider from collapsing the special purpose trust in the event that the municipal obligation held in the trust has declined in value. Such an agreement would require the Fund to reimburse the third party granting liquidity to the floating rate security holders of the special purpose trust, upon termination of the trust issuing the inverse floater, the difference between the liquidation value of the bonds held in the trust and the principal amount due to the holders of floating rate interests. In such instances, the Fund may be at risk of loss that exceeds its investment in the inverse floating rate securities.
The Funds investments in inverse floating rate securities issued by special purpose trusts that have recourse to the Fund may be highly leveraged. The structure and degree to which the Funds inverse floating rate securities are highly leveraged will vary based upon a number of factors, including the size of the trust itself and the terms of the underlying municipal security. In the event of a significant decline in the value of an underlying security, the Fund may suffer losses in excess of the amount of its investment (up to an amount equal to the value of the municipal securities underlying the inverse floating rate securities) as a result of liquidating special purpose trusts or other collateral required to maintain the Funds anticipated leverage ratio.
The Funds investment in inverse floating rate securities will create leverage, which will create an opportunity for increased Common Share net income and returns, but will also create the possibility that Common Share long-term returns will be diminished if the cost of leverage exceeds the return on the inverse floating rate securities purchased by the Fund. Inverse floating rate securities have varying degrees of liquidity based upon the liquidity of the underlying securities deposited in a special purpose trust. The market price of inverse floating rate securities is more volatile than the underlying securities due to leverage. The leverage attributable to such inverse floating rate securities may be called away on relatively short notice and therefore may be less permanent than more traditional forms of leverage. In certain circumstances, the likelihood of an increase in the
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Prospectus Summary
volatility of NAV and market price of the Common Share may be greater for a fund (like the Fund) that relies primarily on inverse floating rate securities to achieve a desired leverage ratio. The Fund may be required to sell its inverse floating rate securities at less than favorable prices, or liquidate other Fund portfolio holdings in certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, the following:
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If the Fund has a need for cash and the securities in a special purpose trust are not actively trading due to adverse market conditions; and |
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If the value of an underlying security declines significantly and if additional collateral has not been posted by the Fund. |
See RisksPortfolio Level RisksInverse Floating Rate Securities Risk.
Municipal Securities Market Liquidity RiskInventories of municipal securities held by brokers and dealers have decreased in recent years, lessening their ability to make a market in these securities. This reduction in market making capacity has the potential to decrease the Funds ability to buy or sell municipal securities at attractive prices, and increase municipal security price volatility and trading costs, particularly during periods of economic or market stress. The secondary market for municipal securities, particularly the below investment grade municipal securities in which the Fund may invest, also tends to be less well-developed or liquid than many other securities markets, which may adversely affect the Funds ability to sell its municipal securities at attractive prices. In addition, recent federal banking regulations may cause certain dealers to reduce their inventories of municipal securities, which may further decrease the Funds ability to buy or sell municipal securities. As a result, the Fund may be forced to accept a lower price to sell a security, to sell other securities to raise cash, or to give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on performance. If the Fund needed to sell large blocks of municipal securities to raise cash to meet its obligations, those sales could further reduce the municipal securities prices and hurt performance. The Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in unrated municipal securities. The market for these municipal securities may be less liquid than the market for rated municipal securities of comparable quality. Less public information is typically available about unrated municipal securities or issuers than rated municipal securities or issuers.
Restricted and Illiquid Securities RiskIlliquid securities are securities that are not readily marketable. These securities may include restricted securities, including securities issued in private placements, which cannot be resold to the public without an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), or, if they are unregistered, may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant to an exemption from registration. The Fund may not be able to readily dispose of such securities at prices that approximate those at which the Fund could sell such securities if they were more widely traded and, as a result of such illiquidity, the Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations. Limited liquidity can also affect the market price of securities, thereby adversely affecting the Funds NAV and ability to make dividend distributions.
Defaulted and Distressed Securities RiskThe Fund may invest in securities of an issuer that is in default or that is in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings at the time of purchase. In addition, the Fund may hold investments that at the time of purchase are not in default or involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, but may later become so. Moreover, the Fund may invest in securities either rated Caa/CCC or lower, or unrated but judged by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality. Some or many of these low-rated securities, although not in default, may be distressed, meaning that the issuer is experiencing financial difficulties or distress at the time of acquisition. Such securities would present a substantial risk of future default, which may cause the Fund to incur losses, including additional expenses, to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal or interest on those securities. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio security, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than its original investment. Defaulted or distressed securities may be subject to restrictions on resale.
Derivatives RiskThe Funds use of derivatives involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the investments underlying the derivatives. If the Fund enters into a derivative transaction, it could lose more than the principal amount invested.
The risks associated with derivatives transactions include (i) the imperfect correlation between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets, (ii) the possible default of the counterparty to the transaction, (iii) illiquidity of the derivative instruments, and (iv) high volatility losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited. In addition, as the protection seller in a credit default swap, the Fund effectively adds leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to being subject to investment exposure on
Prospectus Summary
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its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. Although both over-the-counter (OTC) and exchange-traded derivatives markets may experience a 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, daily limits on price fluctuations and speculative position limits on exchanges on which the Fund may conduct its transactions in derivative instruments may prevent prompt liquidation of positions, subjecting the Fund to the potential of greater losses.
Whether the Funds use of derivatives is successful will depend on, among other things, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management correctly forecasting market circumstances, liquidity, market values, interest rates and other applicable factors. If Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management incorrectly forecast these and other factors, the investment performance of the Fund will be unfavorably affected. In addition, there can be no assurance that the derivatives investing techniques, as they may be developed and implemented by the Fund, will be successful in mitigating risk or achieving the Funds investment objectives. The use of derivatives to enhance returns may be particularly speculative.
The Fund may enter into various types of derivatives transactions, including financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate, total return and credit default swaps), options on financial futures, options on swap contracts and other derivative instruments consistent with the Funds investment objective and policies. The use of derivatives 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 derivatives requires an understanding by Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management of not only the referenced asset, rate or index, but also of the derivative itself. The derivatives market is subject to a changing regulatory environment. It is possible that regulatory or other developments in the derivatives market, including the SECs recently adopted rules on the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, could adversely affect the Funds ability to successfully use derivative instruments. See RisksPortfolio Level RisksDerivatives Risk, Counterparty Risk, Hedging Risk, Taxability Risk, and the SAI.
Risk of Swaps and Swap OptionsThe Fund may enter into debt-related derivatives instruments including credit default swap contracts, total return swap contracts and interest rate swaps. If Nuveen Fund Advisors and/or Nuveen Asset Management is incorrect in its forecasts of default risks, market spreads or other applicable factors or events, the investment performance of the Fund would diminish compared with what it would have been if these techniques were not used. As the protection seller in a credit default swap, the Fund effectively adds leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to being subject to investment exposure on its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
The Fund generally may only close out a swap, cap, floor, collar or other two-party contract with its particular counterparty, and generally may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Because they are two-party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered illiquid. In addition, the price at which the Fund may close out such a two-party contract may not correlate with the price change in the underlying reference asset. Moreover, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund will have contractual remedies, but there can be no assurance that the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual obligations or that the Fund will succeed in enforcing its rights.
The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swap options. When the Fund purchases a swap option, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. When the Fund writes a swap option, upon exercise of the option the Fund would become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.
Risk of Financial Futures and Options TransactionsThe Fund may use certain transactions for hedging the portfolios exposure to credit risk and the risk of increases in interest rates, which could result in poorer overall performance for the Fund. The Funds use of certain transactions to reduce risk involves costs and will be subject to Nuveen Asset Managements ability to predict correctly changes in the relationships of such hedge instruments to the Funds portfolio holdings or other factors. No assurance can be given that Nuveen Asset Managements judgment in this respect will be correct. In addition, no assurance can be given that the Fund will enter into hedging or other transactions at times or under circumstances in which it may be advisable to do so.
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Prospectus Summary
There are certain risks associated with the use of financial futures and options to hedge investment portfolios. There may be an imperfect correlation between price movements of the futures and options and price movements of the portfolio securities being hedged. Losses may be incurred in hedging transactions, which could reduce the portfolio gains that might have been realized if the hedging transactions had not been entered into. If the Fund engages in futures transactions or in the writing of options on futures, it will be required to maintain initial margin and maintenance margin and may be required to make daily variation margin payments in accordance with applicable rules of the exchanges and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). If the Fund purchases a financial futures contract or a call option or writes a put option in order to hedge the anticipated purchase of municipal securities, and if the Fund fails to complete the anticipated purchase transaction, the Fund may have a loss or a gain on the futures or options transaction that will not be offset by price movements in the municipal securities that were the subject of the anticipatory hedge. The cost of put options on debt securities or indexes effectively increases the cost of the securities subject to them, thereby reducing the yield otherwise available from these securities. If the Fund decides to use futures contracts or options on futures contracts for hedging purposes, the Fund will be required to establish an account for such purposes with one or more CFTC-registered futures commission merchants. A futures commission merchant could establish initial and maintenance margin requirements for the Fund that are greater than those which would otherwise apply to the Fund under applicable rules of the exchanges and the CFTC. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist at a time when the Fund seeks to close out a derivatives or futures or a futures option position, and the Fund would remain obligated to meet margin requirements until the position is closed. See RisksPortfolio Level RisksRisk of Financial Futures and Options Transactions.
Puerto Rico Municipal Securities Market RiskTo the extent that the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or its political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities, or public corporations (collectively referred to in this prospectus as Puerto Rico or the Commonwealth), it will be disproportionally affected by political, social and economic conditions and developments in the Commonwealth. In addition, economic, political or regulatory changes in that territory could adversely affect the value of the Funds investment portfolio.
Puerto Rico currently is experiencing significant fiscal and economic challenges, including substantial debt service obligations, high levels of unemployment, underfunded public retirement systems, and persistent government budget deficits. These challenges may negatively affect the value of the Funds investments in Puerto Rican municipal securities. Several major ratings agencies have downgraded the general obligation debt of Puerto Rico to below investment grade and continue to maintain a negative outlook for this debt, which increases the likelihood that the rating will be lowered further. In both August 2015 and January 2016, Puerto Rico defaulted on its debt by failing to make full payment due on its outstanding bonds, and there can be no assurance that Puerto Rico will be able to satisfy its future debt obligations. Further downgrades or defaults may place additional strain on the Puerto Rico economy and may negatively affect the value, liquidity, and volatility of the Funds investments in Puerto Rican municipal securities. Additionally, numerous issuers have entered Title III of the Puerto Rico Oversite, Management and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA), which is similar to bankruptcy protection, through which the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico can restructure its debt. However, Puerto Ricos case is the first ever heard under PROMESA and there is no existing case precedent to guide the proceedings. Accordingly, Puerto Ricos debt restructuring process could take significantly longer than traditional municipal bankruptcy proceedings. Further, it is not clear whether a debt restructuring process will ultimately be approved or, if so, the extent to which it will apply to Puerto Rico municipal securities sold by an issuer other than the territory. A debt restructuring could reduce the principal amount due, the interest rate, the maturity, and other terms of Puerto Rico municipal securities, which could adversely affect the value of Puerto Rican municipal securities. Legislation, including PROMESA that would allow Puerto Rico to restructure its municipal debt obligations, thus increasing the risk that Puerto Rico may never pay off municipal indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount owed, could also impact the value of the Funds investments in Puerto Rican municipal securities.
These challenges and uncertainties have been exacerbated by Hurricane Maria and the resulting natural disaster in Puerto Rico. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, causing major damage across the Commonwealth, including damage to its water, power, and telecommunications infrastructure. The length of time needed to rebuild Puerto Ricos infrastructure is unclear, but could amount to years, during which the Commonwealth is likely to be in an uncertain economic state. The full extent of the natural disasters impact on Puerto Ricos economy and foreign investment in Puerto Rico is difficult to estimate.
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Puerto Ricos political and economic conditions could have a negative impact on the liquidity or value of Puerto Rican municipal securities, and consequently may affect the Funds investments and its performance if the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in Puerto Rican municipal securities.
Municipal Lease Obligation RiskParticipation interests in municipal leases are undivided interests in a lease, installment purchase contract, or conditional sale contract entered into by a state or local government unit to acquire equipment or facilities. Participation interests in municipal leases pose special risks because many leases and contracts contain "non-appropriation" clauses that provide that the governmental issuer has no obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for this purpose by the appropriate legislative body. If an issuer stopped making payment on the municipal lease, the obligation held by the Fund would likely lose some or all of its value. In addition, some municipal lease obligations may be less liquid than other debt obligations, making it difficult for the Fund to sell the obligation at an acceptable price. Although these kinds of obligations are secured by the leased equipment or facilities, it might be difficult and time consuming to dispose of the equipment or facilities in the event of non-appropriation, and the Fund might not recover the full principal amount of the obligation.
Unrated Investments RiskUnrated investments determined by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality to rated investments that the Fund may purchase may pay a higher interest rate than such rated investments and be subject to a greater risk of illiquidity or price changes. Less public information is typically available about unrated investments or issuers than rated investments or issuers.
Valuation RiskThe municipal bonds in which the Fund may invest typically are valued by a pricing service utilizing a range of market-based inputs and assumptions, including readily available market quotations obtained from broker-dealers making markets in such instruments, cash flows and transactions for comparable instruments. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to sell a portfolio security at the price established by the pricing service, which could result in a loss to the Fund. Pricing services generally price municipal bonds assuming orderly transactions of an institutional "round lot" size, but some trades may occur in smaller, "odd lot" sizes, often at lower prices than institutional round lot trades. Different pricing services may incorporate different assumptions and inputs into their valuation methodologies, potentially resulting in different values for the same securities. As a result, if the Fund were to change pricing services, or if the Funds pricing service were to change its valuation methodology, there could be a material impact, either positive or negative, on the Funds NAV.
Zero Coupon Bonds RiskAs interest on zero coupon bonds is not paid on a current basis, the values of the bonds are subject to greater fluctuations than are the value of bonds that distribute income regularly and may be more speculative than such bonds. Accordingly, the values of zero coupon bonds may be highly volatile as interest rates rise or fall. In addition, while zero coupon bonds generate income for purposes of generally accepted accounting standards, they do not generate cash flow and thus could cause the Fund to be forced to liquidate securities at an inopportune time in order to distribute cash, as required by certain tax laws.
Hedging RiskThe Funds use of derivatives or other transactions to reduce risks involves costs and will be subject to Nuveen Asset Managements ability to correctly predict changes in the relationships of such hedge instruments to the Funds portfolio holdings or other factors. No assurance can be given that Nuveen Asset Managements judgment in this respect will be correct. In addition, no assurance can be given that the Fund will enter into hedging or other transactions at times or under circumstances in which it may be advisable to do so.
Tax RiskThe Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year as a registered investment company (RIC) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. As a RIC, the Fund is not expected to be subject to U.S. federal income tax if it complies with certain income, distribution and diversification requirements. If the Fund fails to qualify as a RIC, subject to certain cure provisions, the Fund would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the corporate income tax rate. The value of the Funds investments and its NAV may be adversely affected by changes in tax rates and rules. Because interest income from municipal securities is normally not subject to U.S. regular federal income taxation, the attractiveness of municipal securities in relation to other investment alternatives is affected by changes in federal income tax rates or changes in the tax exempt status of interest income from municipal securities. Additionally, the Fund is not a suitable investment for individual retirement accounts, for other tax exempt or tax-deferred accounts or for investors who are not sensitive to the federal income tax consequences of their investments. The Funds investment in AMT Bonds may trigger adverse tax consequences for Fund shareholders who are subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. If you are, or as a result of investment in the Fund would become, subject to the federal alternative minimum tax, the Fund may not be a suitable investment for you. In addition, distributions of taxable ordinary income (including any net short-term capital gain) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (and not eligible for favorable taxation
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Prospectus Summary
as qualified dividend income), and capital gain dividends will be taxable as long-term capital gains. Interest income on municipal securities also may be subject to state and local income taxes. See Tax Matters.
Reverse Repurchase Agreement RiskReverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price and date, thereby establishing an effective interest rate. The Funds use of 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 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.
Taxability RiskThe Fund will invest in municipal securities in reliance at the time of purchase on an opinion of bond counsel to the issuer that the interest paid on those securities will be excludable from gross income under the regular U.S. federal income tax, and Nuveen Asset Management will not independently verify that opinion. Subsequent to the Funds acquisition of such a municipal security, however, the security may be determined to pay, or to have paid, taxable income. In addition, the Funds investment in tender offer bonds (TOBs) includes the risk that the Fund might not be considered the owner for federal income tax purposes of the municipal obligations underlying a TOB and thus would not be permitted to treat income derived from the TOB as exempt from federal income taxes. Further, under some circumstances, the creation of a TOB could be considered a reissuance of the underlying municipal obligations, which might not satisfy the then current requirements for a tax-exempt obligation. As a result, the treatment of dividends previously paid or to be paid by the Fund as exempt-interest dividends could be adversely affected, subjecting the Funds shareholders to increased federal income tax liabilities. Certain other investments made by the Fund, including derivatives transactions, may result in the receipt of taxable income or gains by the Fund.
Inflation RiskInflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Common Shares and distributions can decline.
Insurance RiskThe Fund may purchase municipal securities that are secured by insurance, bank credit agreements or escrow accounts. The credit quality of the companies that provide such credit enhancements will affect the value of those securities. Certain significant providers of insurance for municipal securities have in the past incurred significant losses as a result of exposure to sub-prime mortgages and other lower credit quality investments that have experienced recent defaults or otherwise suffered extreme credit deterioration. As a result, such losses reduced the insurers capital and called into question their continued ability to perform their obligations under such insurance if they are called upon to do so in the future. While an insured municipal security will typically be deemed to have the rating of its insurer, if the insurer of a municipal security suffers a downgrade in its credit rating or the market discounts the value of the insurance provided by the insurer, the rating of the underlying municipal security will be more relevant and the value of the municipal security would more closely, if not entirely, reflect such rating. In such a case, the value of insurance associated with a municipal security would decline and may not add any value. The insurance feature of a municipal security does not guarantee the full payment of principal and interest through the life of an insured obligation, the market value of the insured obligation or the NAV of the Common Shares represented by such insured obligation.
Debt Securities RiskIssuers of debt instruments in which the Fund may invest may default on their obligations to pay principal or interest when due. This non-payment would result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of a debt instrument experiencing non-payment and, potentially, a decrease in the NAV of the Fund. There can be no assurance that liquidation of collateral would satisfy the issuers obligation in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. In the event of bankruptcy of an issuer, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing a security. To the extent that the credit rating assigned to a security in the Funds portfolio is downgraded, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected.
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Tender Option Bond Regulatory RiskThe federal banking regulators, the SEC and the CFTC in recent years have adopted rules and regulations that have impacted or may impact TOB trusts and securities issued by such trusts, including most notably the so-called Volcker Rule, added to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 with the adoption of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Dodd-Frank Act). The Volcker Rule places certain restrictions on the ability of any banking entity to sponsor, acquire interests in and engage in certain activities with a TOB trust. As a result, certain activities to support the remarketing of floating rate certificates undertaken by banking entities, in their role as remarketing agents or liquidity providers to TOB trusts, before the compliance date for the Volcker Rule, are no longer permitted under the standard TOB trust structure. To be compliant with the Volcker Rule, the standard TOB trust structure has been modified since the Rules adoption (i) to shift certain rights and responsibilities from the remarketing agent and liquidity provider to the owners of the inverse floating rate securities such as the Fund itself, and (ii) to change the way in which liquidity is provided to support remarketing of the floating rate securities. Holders of the inverse floating rate securities, including the Fund, may delegate many of these responsibilities to a third party administrator, which would generate additional costs relative to the standard TOB trust structure. The total impact of these modifications remains to be fully seen, but the operational and structural changes associated with these modifications may make early unwinds of TOB trusts in adverse market scenarios more likely, may make the use of TOB trusts more expensive and, overall, may make it more difficult to use TOB trusts to effectively leverage municipal investments to the extent that the Fund may desire. In addition, these modifications have raised or may raise other regulatory issues that may require further refinement to the structure, may impede the future use of TOB trusts as a means of financing leverage, or may increase future costs of TOB-based leverage.
Tobacco Settlement Bond RiskTobacco settlement bonds are municipal securities that are backed solely by expected revenues to be derived from lawsuits involving tobacco related deaths and illnesses which were settled between certain states and American tobacco companies. Tobacco settlement bonds are secured by an issuing states proportionate share in the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). The MSA is an agreement reached out of court in November 1998 between 46 states and nearly all of the U.S. tobacco manufacturers. Under the terms of the MSA, the actual amount of future settlement payments by tobacco manufacturers is dependent on many factors, including, but not limited to, annual domestic cigarette shipments, reduced cigarette consumption, increased taxes on cigarettes, inflation, financial capability of tobacco companies, continuing litigation and the possibility of tobacco manufacturer bankruptcy. Payments made by tobacco manufacturers could be negatively impacted if the decrease in tobacco consumption is significantly greater than the forecasted decline.
Fund Level Risks
Investment and Market RiskAn investment in Common Shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest. Your investment in Common Shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund. Your Common Shares at any point in time may be worth less than your original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.
Repurchase Offers RiskAs described under Periodic Repurchase Offers above, the Fund is an interval fund and, in order to provide liquidity to Common Shareholders, the Fund, subject to applicable law, intends to conduct quarterly repurchase offers of the Funds outstanding Common Shares at NAV, subject to approval of the Board of Trustees. In each quarter, such repurchase offers will be for at least 5% of its outstanding Common Shares at NAV, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act.
The Fund currently expects to conduct quarterly repurchase offers for 7.5% of its outstanding Common Shares under ordinary circumstances. The Fund believes that these repurchase offers are generally beneficial to the Funds Common Shareholders, and repurchases generally will be funded from available cash or sales of portfolio securities. However, repurchase offers and the need to fund repurchase obligations may affect the ability of the Fund to be fully invested or force the Fund to maintain a higher percentage of its assets in liquid investments, which may harm the Funds investment performance. Moreover, diminution in the size of the Fund through repurchases may result in untimely sales of portfolio securities (with associated imputed transaction costs, which may be significant), and may limit the ability of the Fund to participate in new investment opportunities or to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may accumulate cash by holding back (i.e., not reinvesting) payments received in connection with the Funds investments. The Fund believes that payments received in connection with the Funds investments will generate sufficient cash to meet the maximum potential amount of the Funds repurchase obligations. If at any time cash and other liquid assets held by the Fund are not sufficient to meet the Funds repurchase obligations, the Fund intends, if necessary, to sell investments. If, as expected,
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Prospectus Summary
the Fund employs leverage, repurchases of Common Shares would compound the adverse effects of leverage in a declining market. In addition, if the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect Common Shareholders who do not tender their Common Shares by increasing the Funds expenses and reducing any net investment income. If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed, the Board of Trustees may determine to increase the amount repurchased by up to 2% of the Funds outstanding shares as of the date of the Repurchase Request Deadline. In the event that the Board of Trustees determines not to repurchase more than the repurchase offer amount, or if Common Shareholders tender more than the repurchase offer amount plus 2% of the Funds outstanding Common Shares as of the date of the Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund will repurchase the Common Shares tendered on a pro rata basis, and Common Shareholders will have to wait until the next repurchase offer to make another repurchase request. As a result, Common Shareholders may be unable to liquidate all or a given percentage of their investment in the Fund during a particular repurchase offer. Some Common Shareholders, in anticipation of proration, may tender more Common Shares than they wish to have repurchased in a particular quarter, thereby increasing the likelihood that proration will occur. A Common Shareholder may be subject to market and other risks, and the NAV of Common Shares tendered in a repurchase offer may decline between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the date on which the NAV for tendered Common Shares is determined. In addition, the repurchase of Common Shares by the Fund may be a taxable event to Common Shareholders.
While the Fund anticipates having enough cash on hand to fund share repurchases, it may need to sell securities in order to generate enough cash to fund share repurchases. This may cause the Fund to have a higher portfolio turnover rate than is generally anticipated. A higher portfolio turnover rate may result in higher taxes to Fund investors. This is because the sale of securities may accelerate the recognition of capital gains by the Fund (if the Funds basis in securities sold is less than the proceeds from the sale of the security) which may be distributed to investors, and it is more likely that such gains will be taxable as short-term capital gains rather than long-term capital gains that are taxable at lower rates.
If shares tendered by an investor are repurchased by the Fund, it will be a taxable transaction to the investor either in the form of a sale or exchange which would be taxable to an investor at capital gain tax rates, assuming such shares are held as a capital asset, or, under certain circumstances, a dividend which would be taxable to an investor at ordinary income tax rates. See Tax MattersSale, Exchange of Liquidation of Fund Shares in the SAI for additional information.
Leverage RiskThe use of leverage creates special risks for Common Shareholders, including potential interest rate risks and the likelihood of greater volatility of NAV and Common Share distributions. The use of leverage in a declining market will likely cause a greater decline in Common Share NAV than if the Fund were not to have used leverage.
The Fund will pay (and Common Shareholders will bear) any costs and expenses relating to the Funds use of leverage, which will result in a reduction in the NAV of the Common Shares. Nuveen Fund Advisors may, based on its assessment of market conditions, composition of the Funds holdings, increase or decrease the amount of leverage. Such changes may impact the Funds distributions. There is no assurance that the Fund will utilize leverage or that the Funds use of leverage will be successful. Furthermore, the amount of fees paid to Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management for investment advisory services will be higher if the Fund uses leverage because the fees will be calculated based on the Funds Managed Assetsthis may create an incentive for Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management to leverage the Fund or increase the Funds leverage. See Leverage.
Non-Diversified Status RiskThe Fund is a non-diversified fund. As defined in the 1940 Act, a non-diversified fund may invest a significant part of its investments in a smaller number of issuers than can a diversified fund. Having a larger percentage of assets in a smaller number of issuers makes a non-diversified fund, like the Fund, more susceptible to the risk that one single event or occurrence can have a significant adverse impact upon the Fund.
Large Shareholder RiskTo the extent a large proportion of the Common Shares are held by a small number of Common Shareholders (or a single shareholder), including affiliates of Nuveen Fund Advisors, the Fund is subject to the risk that these shareholders will purchase Common Shares in large amounts rapidly or unexpectedly. These transactions could adversely affect the ability of the Fund to conduct its investment program. Furthermore, it is possible that in response to a repurchase offer, the total amount of Common Shares tendered by a small number of Common Shareholders (or a single shareholder) may exceed the number of Common Shares that the Fund has offered to repurchase. If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed by Common Shareholders, the Fund will
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repurchase only a pro rata portion of shares tendered by each shareholder. See Fund Level RisksRepurchase Offers Risk above.
Small Fund RiskThere can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to, or maintain, an economically viable size. A fund with a smaller asset base may experience higher expenses and portfolio transaction costs than a fund with a larger asset base. To the extent that the Fund does not grow to, or maintain, an economically viable size, it may be liquidated, and the expenses, timing and tax consequences of such liquidation may not be favorable to certain shareholders.
Other Risks
Economic and Political Events RiskThe Fund may be more sensitive to adverse economic, business or political developments if it invests a substantial portion of its assets in the bonds of similar projects (such as those relating to the education, health care, housing, transportation, or utilities industries), industrial development bonds, or in particular types of municipal securities (such as general obligation bonds, private activity bonds or moral obligation bonds). Such developments may adversely affect a specific industry or local political and economic conditions, and thus may lead to declines in the bonds creditworthiness and value.
Global Economic RiskNational 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 Funds investments. Major economic or political disruptions, particularly in large economies like Chinas, 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, 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 communitythrough economic sanctions and otherwiseto Russias 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 Koreas nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic 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 Funds service providers, including Nuveen Asset Management, rely, and could otherwise disrupt the ability of employees of the Funds service providers to perform essential tasks on behalf of the Fund.
In December 2019, an initial outbreak of COVID-19 was reported and has resulted in numerous deaths and the imposition of both local and more widespread quarantine measures, border closures and other travel restrictions, causing social unrest and commercial disruption on a global scale. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, central banks and governments have responded with liquidity injections to ease the strain on financial systems and stimulus measures to buffer the shock to businesses and consumers. These measures have helped stabilize the markets over the short term, but volatility will likely remain elevated until the health crisis itself is under control (via fewer new cases, lower infection rates and/or verified treatments). There are still many unknowns and new information is incoming daily, compounding the difficulty of modeling outcomes for epidemiologists and economists alike.
Additionally, the recent outbreak of COVID-19 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 and a potential pandemic 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.
To the extent the impacts of COVID-19 continue, the Fund may experience negative impacts to its business that could exacerbate other risks to which the Fund is subject, including: (1) issuers of municipal securities could be materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which may, in turn, negatively affect the value of such securities
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Prospectus Summary
or such issuers ability to make interest payments or distributions to the Fund and result in a decrease in the NAV of the Fund; (2) operational impacts on and availability of key personnel of Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management, and/or any of the Funds other service providers, vendors and counterparties as they face changed circumstances and/or illness related to the pandemic; and (3) limitations on the Funds ability to make distributions or dividends, as applicable, to Common Shareholders. 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 Funds investments. See "Recent Market Conditions" below.
Recent Market ConditionsIn 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. governments inability at times 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 governments 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
Prospectus Summary
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debt more likely. If a countrys 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 UKs 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 and the two sides entered into a transition phase, where the UK effectively remained in the EU from an economic perspective, but no longer had any political representation in the EU parliament. The transition period concluded on December 31, 2020, and EU law no longer applies in the UK. On December 30, 2020, the UK and EU signed an EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (UK/EU Trade Agreement), which went into effect on January 1, 2021 and sets out the foundation of the economic and legal framework for trade between the UK and EU. As the UK/EU Trade Agreement is a new legal framework, the implementation of the UK/EU Trade Agreement may result in uncertainty in its application and periods of volatility in both the UK and wider European markets. 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, remain subject to negotiation 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 countrys 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 and/or large segments of Chinas export industry, which could have a negative impact on the Funds 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 RiskAt 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. 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 objectives.
Potential Conflicts of Interest RiskNuveen 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, 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.
20
Prospectus Summary
This table is intended to assist investors in understanding the various costs and expenses directly or indirectly associated with investing in the Fund. With respect to Class A Shares, you may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in the Fund. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in Plan of DistributionSales ChargeClass A Common Shares.
Shareholder Transaction Expenses
(fees paid directly from your investment):
Class I(1) | Class A | |||||||
Maximum Initial Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price) |
None | (1) | 2.50% | |||||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
(as a percentage of offering price or repurchase proceeds, whichever is lower) |
None | 1.50% | (2) | |||||
Dividend Reinvestment Fees | None | None | ||||||
Repurchase Fee
(as a percentage of amount redeemed) |
2.00% | (3) | 2.00% | (3) |
(1) |
While neither the Fund nor the Distributor impose an initial sales charge on Class I Common Shares, if you buy Class I Common Shares through certain financial firms, they may directly charge you transaction or other fees in such amount as they may determine. Please consult your financial firm for additional information. |
(2) |
A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 1.50% may be assessed on Class A Common Shares purchased without a sales charge if they are repurchased before the first day of the month of the one-year anniversary of the purchase. |
(3) |
The Fund does not currently charge a repurchase fee; however, the Fund may, in the future, impose repurchase fees of up to 2.00% on Common Shares accepted for repurchase that have been held for less than one year. |
Annual Fund Operating Expenses | ||||||||
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment): | ||||||||
Percentage of Net Assets
Attributable to Common Shares (assuming the use of leverage)(1) |
||||||||
Class I | Class A | |||||||
Management Fees(2) | 1.33% | 1.33% | ||||||
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | N/A | 0.75% | ||||||
Fees on Preferred Shares and Interest and Related Expenses from Inverse Floaters(1)(3) | 0.25% | 0.25% | ||||||
Other Expenses(4) | 0.30% | 0.30% | ||||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.88% | 2.63% |
(1) |
The table above (including the footnotes) assumes the use of leverage representing approximately 25% of the Funds Managed Assets. |
(2) |
The table above is based on Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares, calculated at the highest Fund-level breakpoint (0.8000% of Managed Assets or 1.0667% of Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares) and the highest complex-level breakpoint (0.2000% of Managed Assets or 0.2667% of Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares). As of March 31, 2021 the complex-level fee was 0.1555% of Managed Assets or 0.2073% of Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares. See Management of the FundInvestment Management and Subadvisory Agreements. |
(3) |
Fees on Preferred Shares assume annual dividends paid and amortization of offering costs, if any. Interest and Related Expenses from Inverse Floaters, if any, include interest expense attributable to inverse floating rate securities created by selling a fixed-rate bond to a broker dealer for deposit into the special purpose trust and receiving in turn the residual interest in the trust. The actual fees on Preferred Shares and interest and related expenses from inverse floaters are subject to change based on prevailing market conditions. |
(4) |
Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. |
Example
As required by relevant SEC regulations, the following example illustrates the expenses that you would pay on a $1,000 investment in the Common Shares, assuming a 5% annual return(1):
Class I
Common Shares |
Class A
Common Shares |
|||||||
1 Year | $ | 19 | $ | 51 | ||||
3 Years | $ | 59 | $ | 105 | ||||
5 Years | $ | 102 | $ | 161 | ||||
10 Years | $ | 220 | $ | 314 |
(1) |
The example above should not be considered a representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be higher or lower than those shown. The example assumes that the estimated Dividend Cost on Preferred Shares and Other Expenses set forth in the Annual Expenses table are accurate, that the Annual Fund Operating Expenses (as described above) remain the same during the first year. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those assumed. Moreover, the Funds actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% annual return shown in the example. |
Summary of Fund Expenses
21
The Fund and its Common Shares have not previously been offered. Therefore, the Fund does not have any financial history. Additional information about the Funds investments will be available in the Funds annual and semi-annual reports when they are prepared.
The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) that continuously offers its Common Shares and is operated as an interval fund. The Fund currently offers two classes of Common Shares: Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares. The Fund may offer additional classes of Common Shares in the future pursuant to exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on May 22, 2019, pursuant to the Funds Declaration of Trust (the Declaration of Trust), which is governed by the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. On February 27, 2020, and March 1, 2021, the Fund filed an amendment to the Declaration of Trust to change the name of the Fund. On June 8, 2021 the Fund filed an amendment to the Declaration of Trust to amend Section 2 of Article IX of the Declaration of Trust. On March 2, 2021 the Fund filed an Amended and Restated Establishment and Designation of Classes to designate the Class A Common Shares. The Fund has no operating history. The Funds principal office is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, and its telephone number is (800) 257-8787.
The Fund will invest the proceeds of the continuous offering of Common Shares on an ongoing basis in accordance with its investment objectives and policies as stated below. It is currently anticipated that the Fund will be able to invest all or substantially all of the net proceeds according to its investment objectives and policies within approximately three months after receipt of the proceeds, depending on the amount and timing of proceeds available to the Fund as well as the availability of investments consistent with the Funds investment objectives and policies, and except to the extent proceeds are held in cash to pay dividends or expenses, satisfy repurchase offers or for temporary defensive purposes. Pending such investment, it is anticipated that the proceeds of an offering will be invested in low- to medium-quality municipal securities, although the Fund may, if necessary, also invest in other municipal securities.
22
Financial Highlights/The Fund/Use of Proceeds
Investment Objectives
The Funds primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. Capital appreciation is a secondary investment objective when consistent with the Funds primary investment objective. However, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve either of its investment objectives or that the Funds investment strategies will be successful. See Risks. The Funds investment objectives may be changed by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days prior written notice to shareholders.
Fund Strategies
The Funds portfolio will be actively managed to identify and capitalize on high yield municipal securities. Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, the Funds subadviser (Nuveen Asset Management), uses a research-driven approach that seeks attractive income exempt from regular U.S. federal income taxes by identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in high yield municipal securities. The Fund invests in below investment grade bonds that Nuveen Asset Management believes may offer the potential for attractive total returns, even after taking into account the significant risk (relative to higher quality securities) that these securities typically present.
The Fund may also invest in special situations municipal securities that Nuveen Asset Management believes may offer the potential for attractive total returns, even after taking into account the significant risk (relative to higher quality securities) that these securities typically present. Special situations municipal securities are municipal securities: (i) of issuers that are facing distressed financial or operating circumstances, are in default of its obligations or in an active work-out, or are in bankruptcy; or (ii) that present uncertainties or complex features that could render them undesirable for certain investors. Special situations municipal securities may offer illiquidity and complexity premiums, which may create significant investment opportunity for the Fund.
The Fund may also use certain hedging techniques to reduce exposure of the portfolio to adverse business or market conditions. See Other Policies and RisksPortfolio Level RisksHedging Risk below.
As an interval fund, the Fund will provide Common Shareholders periodic liquidity. See Periodic Repurchase Offers below. Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, the Funds investment adviser (Nuveen Fund Advisors) believes the Funds interval fund structure may provide greater income and total return potential as compared to a traditional high yield municipal mutual fund. Without the potential disruption of outflows from daily liquidity, Nuveen Asset Management may capture illiquidity premiums often unavailable to individual retail investors through more liquid investment vehicles such as mutual funds. In addition, Nuveen Fund Advisors believes that the Funds interval structure allows more flexibility to assume larger position sizes; enables a greater allocation to less-illiquid municipal securities; and provides the Fund the opportunity to realize the maximum long-term value of certain special situations within the municipal market such as work-outs (a privately negotiated, mutual agreement between the Fund and the issuer or another party with respect to securities in default or involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings).
Portfolio Contents
The Fund will invest its assets in a portfolio of municipal securities. Municipal securities include municipal bonds, notes, securities issued to finance and refinance public projects, certificates of participation, variable rate demand obligations, lease obligations, municipal notes, pre-refunded municipal bonds, private activity bonds, securities issued by tender option bond trusts, including inverse floating rate securities, and other forms of municipal bonds and securities, and other related instruments that create exposure to municipal bonds, notes and securities that provide for the payment of interest income that is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax.
Municipal Securities. Municipal securities are debt obligations generally issued by states, cities and local authorities and certain possessions and territories of the United States (such as Puerto Rico and Guam) to finance or refinance public purpose projects such as roads, schools, and water supply systems. Municipal securities may also be issued to finance and refinance privately owned facilities, such as housing, medical and educational construction, or for privately owned transportation, electric utility and pollution control projects deemed to serve a public purpose. Municipal securities may be issued on a long-term basis to provide long-term financing. The repayment of such debt may be secured generally by a pledge of the full faith and credit taxing power of the issuer, a limited or special tax, or any other revenue source, including project revenues, which may include tolls, fees and other user charges, lease payments and mortgage payments. Municipal securities may also be issued to finance projects on a short-term interim basis, anticipating repayment with the proceeds of long-term debt. Municipal securities may be issued and purchased in the form of bonds, notes, leases or certificates of participation; structured as callable or non-callable; with payment forms including fixed coupon, variable rate, zero coupon, capital appreciation bonds or inverse floating rate securities; or acquired through investments in pooled vehicles, partnerships or other investment companies. Inverse floating rate securities are securities
The Funds Investments
23
that pay interest at rates that vary inversely with changes in prevailing short-term tax exempt interest rates and represent a leveraged investment in an underlying municipal security, which may increase the leverage of the Fund.
The market value of a municipal security will generally depend upon its form, maturity, call features and interest rate, as well as the credit quality or credit rating of the issuer, all such factors examined in the context of the municipal securities market and interest rate levels and trends.
Most municipal securities generate income that is tax exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. The Fund may also invest in municipal securities that are subject to regular federal income tax. Although municipal bonds issued to finance activities with a broad public purpose are generally exempt from federal income tax, taxable municipal bonds are issued to finance activities with less significant benefits to the public, such as the construction of sports facilities, and as such the interest paid to holders of such bonds is taxable as ordinary income. Many taxable municipal bonds offer yields comparable to those of other taxable bonds, such as corporate and agency bonds. Taxable municipal bonds may be rated investment-grade or below investment-grade and pay interest based on fixed or floating rate coupons. Maturities may range from long-term to short-term.
The Fund may also invest in AMT Bonds, which are municipal securities that pay interest that is taxable under the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to noncorporate taxpayers.
Special Situations Municipal Securities. The Fund may invest in special situations municipal securities. Special situations municipal securities are municipal securities:
|
of issuers that are facing distressed financial or operating circumstances, are in default of its obligations or in an active work-out, or are in bankruptcy; or |
|
that present uncertainties or complex features that could render them undesirable for certain investors. |
The portion of the Funds assets invested in special situations municipal securities may fluctuate significantly over time according to the availability of attractive special situations municipal securities opportunities. See RisksPortfolio Level RisksSpecial Situations Municipal Securities Risk below.
Corporate Debt Securities. The Fund may also invest in corporate debt securities, including corporate bonds. Corporate bonds are fully taxable debt obligations issued by corporations. These securities fund capital improvements, expansions, debt refinancing or acquisitions that require more capital than would ordinarily be available from a single lender. Investors in corporate bonds lend money to the issuing corporation in exchange for interest payments and repayment of the principal at a set maturity date. Rates on corporate bonds are set according to prevailing interest rates at the time of the issue, the credit rating of the issuer, the length of the maturity and other terms of the security, such as a call feature.
Corporate bonds come in many varieties and may differ in the way that interest is calculated, the amount and frequency of payments, the type of collateral, if any, and the presence of special features (e.g., conversion rights). The Funds investments in corporate bonds may include, but are not limited to, senior, junior, secured and unsecured bonds, notes and other debt securities, and may be fixed rate, variable rate or floating rate, among other things. Holders of corporate bonds, as creditors, have a prior legal claim over common and preferred stockholders as to both income and assets of the issuer for the principal and interest due to them, and may have a prior claim over other creditors, but are generally subordinate to any existing lenders in the issuers capital structure.
U.S. Treasury Securities. The Fund may also invest in U.S. Government direct obligations. U.S. Government direct obligation are issued by the United States Treasury and include bills, notes and bonds. Treasury bills are issued with maturities of up to one year. They are issued in bearer form, are sold on a discount basis and are payable at par value at maturity. Treasury notes are longer-term interest-bearing obligations with original maturities of one to seven years. Treasury bonds are longer-term interest-bearing obligations with original maturities from five to thirty years.
See Portfolio Composition and Other Information for additional information on the types of securities in which the Fund may invest.
Derivatives. The Fund also may invest in certain derivative instruments in pursuit of its investment objectives. Such instruments include financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate and credit default swaps), options on financial futures, options on swap contracts, or other derivative instruments. Nuveen Asset Management may use derivative instruments to attempt to hedge some of the risk of the Funds investments or as a substitute for a position in the underlying asset. See Portfolio Composition and Other InformationDerivatives.
24
The Funds Investments
Investment Policies
Under normal circumstances the Fund will invest subject to the following policies:
|
The Fund will invest at least 80% of its Assets (as defined below) in municipal securities and other related investments, the income from which is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax; |
|
The Fund will invest at least 75% of its net assets in low- to medium-quality municipal securities that, at the time of investment, are rated BBB/Baa or lower or are unrated but judged by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality; |
|
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its Managed Assets (as defined below) in special situations municipal securities; |
|
The Fund will invest no more than 10% of its Managed Assets in any one issuer; |
|
The Fund will not invest in common equity securities. This policy does not apply to shares of other investment companies or to common equity securities acquired in connection with a work-out of an issuer of a debt security as discussed below; and |
|
The Fund has no limitation as to the maturity or duration of the municipal securities in which it will invest. |
The foregoing policies are considered to apply only at the time of investment 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.
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 Funds use of leverage (whether or not those assets are reflected in the Funds financial statements for purposes of generally accepted accounting principles), and derivatives will be valued at their market value.
Low to medium quality municipal securities include below investment grade securities (or junk bonds). Below investment grade securities are generally securities rated BB+/Ba1 or lower at the time of investment and are regarded as having predominately speculative characteristics with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest or dividends and repay principal, which implies higher price volatility and default risk than investment grade instruments of comparable terms and duration. For purposes of the investment limitations in this prospectus, a securitys rating is determined using the lowest rating of Moodys, S&P and Fitch if all three NRSROs rate the security. If ratings are provided by only two of those NRSROs, the lower rating is used to determine the rating. If only one of those NRSROs provides a rating, that rating is used. If a security is not rated by any NRSRO, the rating determined by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality is used. The portion of the Funds assets invested in low to medium quality municipal securities may vary over time, and may fluctuate significantly over time, over the minimum of 75% described above.
While investments in special situations municipal securities may be a component of the Funds investment strategy in pursuit of its investment objectives, the ability of the Fund to invest in special situation municipal securities may be limited by the availability of attractive opportunities in the market. The portion of the Funds assets that are invested in such securities, if any, may fluctuate significantly over time up to the 25% limit described above.
Nuveen Asset Management may determine that it is in the best interest of shareholders to pursue a work-out arrangement (i.e., a privately negotiated, mutual agreement between the Fund and the issuer or another party) with respect to a defaulted security, which may involve making loans to the issuer or another party, or purchasing an equity or other interest from the issuer or another party, or other related or similar steps involving the investment of additional monies.
The Fund may enter into certain derivative transactions as a hedging technique to protect against potential adverse changes in the market value of portfolio securities. The Fund also may use derivatives to attempt to protect the NAV of the Fund, to facilitate the sale of certain portfolio securities, to manage the Funds effective interest rate exposure, and as a temporary substitute for purchasing or selling particular instruments. From time to time, the Fund also may enter into derivative transactions to create investment exposure to the extent such transactions may facilitate implementation of its strategy more efficiently than through outright purchases or sales of portfolio securities.
For temporary defensive purposes, during periods of high cash inflows or outflows, or during a Repurchase Offer Period, the Fund may depart from its principal investment strategies and invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in
The Funds Investments
25
cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality short-term debt securities. During such periods, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may adopt a defensive strategy when Nuveen Asset Management believes the instruments in which the Fund normally invests have elevated risks due to political or economic factors, in the event that unanticipated legal or regulatory developments interfere with implementation of the Funds principal investment strategies, and in other extraordinary circumstances.
The Funds investment policy to invest at least 80% of its Assets in municipal securities and other related investments, the income from which is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax and certain other investment restrictions identified in the SAI as such are considered fundamental. See also Investment Restrictions in the SAI. The Fund cannot change its fundamental policies without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Shares. When used with respect to approval of a changes to the Funds fundamental policies, 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. All of the Funds other investment policies are not considered to be fundamental by the Fund and can be changed by the Board of Trustees without a vote of the Common Shareholders.
26
The Funds Investments
Portfolio Composition and Other Information
The Funds portfolio will be composed principally of the following investments. More detailed information about the Funds portfolio investments are contained in the SAI under Portfolio Composition and Other Information.
Municipal Securities
Municipal securities are either general obligation or revenue bonds and typically are issued to finance public projects (such as roads or public buildings), to pay general operating expenses or to refinance outstanding debt.
Municipal securities may also be issued for private activities, such as housing, medical and educational facility construction, or for privately owned industrial development and pollution control projects. General obligation bonds are backed by the full faith and credit, or taxing authority, of the issuer and may be repaid from any revenue source; revenue bonds may be repaid only from the revenues of a specific facility or source. The Fund may also purchase municipal securities that represent lease obligations, municipal notes, pre-refunded municipal bonds, private activity bonds, tender option bonds and other forms of municipal bonds and securities.
The municipal securities in which the Fund will invest are generally issued by states, cities and local authorities and certain possessions and territories of the United States (such as Puerto Rico and Guam), and pay interest that, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer (or on the basis of other authority believed by Nuveen Asset Management to be reliable), is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax, although the interest may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. Municipal securities issued by Puerto Rico involve specific risks. See RisksPortfolio Level RisksPuerto Rico Municipal Securities Market Risk below.
The yields on municipal securities depend on a variety of factors, including prevailing interest rates and the condition of the general money market and the municipal bond market, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. The market value of municipal securities will vary with changes in interest rate levels and as a result of changing evaluations of the ability of their issuers to meet interest and principal payments.
The Fund may invest in tobacco settlement bonds. Tobacco settlement bonds are municipal securities that are secured or payable solely from the collateralization of the proceeds from class action or other litigation against the tobacco industry. Investments in tobacco settlement bonds are subject to risks. See RisksPortfolio Level RisksTobacco Settlement Bond Risk below.
Municipal Leases and Certificates of Participation. The Fund also may purchase municipal securities that represent lease obligations and certificates of participation in such leases. These carry special risks because the issuer of the securities may not be obligated to appropriate money annually to make payments under the lease. A municipal lease is an obligation in the form of a lease or installment purchase which is issued by a state or local government to acquire equipment and facilities. Income from such obligations is generally exempt from U.S. federal income tax, as well as from state and local taxes in the state of issuance. Leases and installment purchase or conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for title to the leased asset to pass eventually to the governmental issuer) have evolved as a means for governmental issuers to acquire property and equipment without meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements for the issuance of debt. The debt issuance limitations are deemed to be inapplicable because of the inclusion in many leases or contracts of non-appropriation clauses that relieve the governmental issuer of any obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis. In addition, such leases or contracts may be subject to the temporary abatement of payments in the event the issuer is prevented from maintaining occupancy of the leased premises or utilizing the leased equipment or facilities. Although the obligations may be secured by the leased equipment or facilities, the disposition of the property in the event of non-appropriation or foreclosure might prove difficult, time consuming and costly, and result in a delay in recovering, or the failure to recover fully, the Funds original investment. To the extent that the Fund invests in unrated municipal leases or participates in such leases, the credit quality rating and risk of cancellation of such unrated leases will be monitored on an ongoing basis. In order to reduce this risk, the Fund will only purchase municipal securities representing lease obligations where Nuveen Asset Management believes the issuer has a strong incentive to continue making appropriations until maturity.
A certificate of participation represents an undivided interest in an unmanaged pool of municipal leases, an installment purchase agreement or other instruments. The certificates are typically issued by a municipal agency, a trust or other entity that has received an assignment of the payments to be made by the state or political subdivision under such leases or installment purchase agreements. Such certificates provide the Fund with the right to a pro rata undivided interest in the underlying municipal securities. In addition, such participations generally provide the Fund with the right to demand payment, on not more than seven days notice, of all or any part of the Funds participation interest in the underlying municipal securities, plus accrued interest.
Portfolio Composition and Other Information
27
Municipal Notes. Municipal securities in the form of notes generally are used to provide for short-term capital needs, in anticipation of an issuers receipt of other revenues or financing, and typically have maturities of up to three years. Such instruments may include tax anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes and construction loan notes. Tax anticipation notes are issued to finance the working capital needs of governments. Generally, they are issued in anticipation of various tax revenues, such as income, sales, property, use and business taxes, and are payable from these specific future taxes. Revenue anticipation notes are issued in expectation of receipt of other kinds of revenue, such as federal revenues available under federal revenue sharing programs. Bond anticipation notes are issued to provide interim financing until long-term bond financing can be arranged. In most cases, the long-term bonds then provide the funds needed for repayment of the bond anticipation notes. Tax and revenue anticipation notes combine the funding sources of both tax anticipation notes and revenue anticipation notes. Construction loan notes are sold to provide construction financing. Mortgage notes insured by the Federal Housing Authority secure these notes; however, the proceeds from the insurance may be less than the economic equivalent of the payment of principal and interest on the mortgage note if there has been a default. The anticipated revenues from taxes, grants or bond financing generally secure the obligations of an issuer of municipal notes. An investment in such instruments, however, presents a risk that the anticipated revenues will not be received or that such revenues will be insufficient to satisfy the issuers payment obligations under the notes or that refinancing will be otherwise unavailable.
Pre-Refunded Municipal Securities. The principal of, and interest on, pre-refunded municipal securities are no longer paid from the original revenue source for the securities. Instead, the source of such payments is typically an escrow fund consisting of U.S. government securities. The assets in the escrow fund are derived from the proceeds of refunding bonds issued by the same issuer as the pre-refunded municipal securities. Issuers of municipal securities use this advance refunding technique to obtain more favorable terms with respect to securities that are not yet subject to call or redemption by the issuer. For example, advance refunding enables an issuer to refinance debt at lower market interest rates, restructure debt to improve cash flow or eliminate restrictive covenants in the indenture or other governing instrument for the pre-refunded municipal securities. However, except for a change in the revenue source from which principal and interest payments are made, the pre-refunded municipal securities remain outstanding on their original terms until they mature or are redeemed by the issuer. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act repealed the exclusion from gross income for interest on pre-refunded municipal securities effective for such bonds issued after December 31, 2017.
Private Activity Bonds. Private activity bonds, formerly referred to as industrial development bonds, are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide privately operated housing facilities, airport, mass transit or port facilities, sewage disposal, solid waste disposal or hazardous waste treatment or disposal facilities and certain local facilities for water supply, gas or electricity. Other types of private activity bonds, the proceeds of which are used for the construction, equipment, repair or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial facilities, may constitute municipal securities, although the current federal tax laws place substantial limitations on the size of such issues. Under current law, a significant portion of the private activity bond market is comprised of AMT Bonds. The Funds distributions of its interest income from private activity bonds may subject certain investors to the federal alternative minimum tax. See Tax Matters.
Inverse Floating Rate Securities. The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities. Inverse floating rate securities are securities whose interest rates bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. Generally, inverse floating rate securities represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust, commonly referred to as a tender option bond trust (TOB trust), that holds municipal bonds. The TOB trust typically sells two classes of beneficial interests or securities: floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as short-term floaters or tender option bonds (TOBs)), and inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as inverse floaters). Both classes of beneficial interests are represented by certificates or receipts. The floating rate securities have first priority on the cash flow from the municipal bonds held by the TOB trust. In this structure, the floating rate security holders have the option, at periodic short-term intervals, to tender their securities to the trust for purchase and to receive the face value thereof plus accrued interest. The obligation of the trust to repurchase tendered securities is supported by a remarketing agent and by a liquidity provider. As consideration for providing this support, the remarketing agent and the liquidity provider receive periodic fees. The holder of the short-term floater effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rate. However, the trust is not obligated to purchase tendered short-term floaters in the event of certain defaults with respect to the underlying municipal bonds or a significant downgrade in the credit rating assigned to the bond issuer.
As the holder of an inverse floating rate investment, the Fund receives the residual cash flow from the TOB trust. Because the holder of the short-term floater is generally assured liquidity at the face value of the security plus accrued interest, the holder of the inverse floater assumes the interest rate cash flow risk and the market value risk associated with the municipal bond deposited into the TOB trust. The volatility of the interest cash flow and the residual market value will vary with the degree to which the trust is leveraged. This is expressed in the ratio of the total face value of
28
Portfolio Composition and Other Information
the short-term floaters to the value of the inverse floaters that are issued by the TOB trust. All voting rights and decisions to be made with respect to any other rights relating to the municipal bonds held in the TOB trust are passed through, pro rata, to the holders of the short-term floaters and to the Fund as the holder of the associated inverse floaters.
Because any increases in the interest rate on the short-term floaters issued by a TOB trust would reduce the residual interest paid on the associated inverse floaters, and because fluctuations in the value of the municipal bond deposited in the TOB trust would only affect the value of the inverse floater and not the value of the short-term floater issued by the trust so long as the value of the municipal bond held by the trust exceeded the face amount of short-term floaters outstanding, the value of inverse floaters is generally more volatile than that of an otherwise comparable municipal bond held on an unleveraged basis outside a TOB trust. Inverse floaters generally will underperform the market of fixed-rate bonds in a rising interest rate environment (i.e., when bond values are falling), but will tend to outperform the market of fixed-rate bonds when interest rates decline or remain relatively stable. Although volatile in value and return, inverse floaters typically offer the potential for yields higher than those available on fixed-rate bonds with comparable credit quality, coupon, call provisions and maturity. Inverse floaters have varying degrees of liquidity or illiquidity based primarily upon the inverse floater holders ability to sell the underlying bonds deposited in the TOB trust at an attractive price.
The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities issued by TOB trusts in which the liquidity providers have recourse to the Fund pursuant to a separate shortfall and forbearance agreement. Such an agreement would require the Fund to reimburse the liquidity provider, among other circumstances, upon termination of the TOB trust for the difference between the liquidation value of the bonds held in the trust and the principal amount and accrued interest due to the holders of floating rate securities issued by the trust. The Fund will enter into such a recourse agreement (1) when the liquidity provider requires such a recourse agreement because the level of leverage in the TOB trust exceeds the level that the liquidity provider is willing to support absent such an agreement; and/or (2) to seek to prevent the liquidity provider from collapsing the trust in the event the municipal bond held in the trust has declined in value to the point where it may cease to exceed the face amount of outstanding short-term floaters. In an instance where the Fund has entered such a recourse agreement, the Fund may suffer a loss that exceeds the amount of its original investment in the inverse floating rate securities; such loss could be as great as that original investment amount plus the face amount of the floating rate securities issued by the trust plus accrued interest thereon.
The Fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets with its custodian in accordance with the 1940 Act to cover its obligations with respect to its investments in TOB trusts.
The Fund may invest in both inverse floating rate securities and floating rate securities (as discussed below) issued by the same TOB trust.
Floating Rate Securities. The Fund may also invest in short-term floating rate securities, as described above, issued by TOB trusts. Generally, the interest rate earned will be based upon the market rates for municipal securities with maturities or remarketing provisions that are comparable in duration to the periodic interval of the tender option, which may vary from weekly, to monthly, to other periods of up to one year. Since the tender option feature provides a shorter term than the final maturity or first call date of the underlying municipal bond deposited in the trust, the Fund, as the holder of the floating rate securities, relies upon the terms of the remarketing and liquidity agreements with the financial institution that acts as remarketing agent and/or liquidity provider as well as the credit strength of that institution. As further assurance of liquidity, the terms of the TOB trust provide for a liquidation of the municipal bond deposited in the trust and the application of the proceeds to pay off the floating rate securities. The TOB trusts that are organized to issue both short-term floating rate securities and inverse floaters generally include liquidation triggers to protect the investor in the floating rate securities.
Special Taxing Districts. Special taxing districts are organized to plan and finance infrastructure developments to induce residential, commercial and industrial growth and redevelopment. The bond financing methods such as tax increment finance, tax assessment, special services district and Mello-Roos bonds, are generally payable solely from taxes or other revenues attributable to the specific projects financed by the bonds without recourse to the credit or taxing power of related or overlapping municipalities. They often are exposed to real estate development-related risks and can have more taxpayer concentration risk than general tax-supported bonds, such as general obligation bonds. Further, the fees, special taxes, or tax allocations and other revenues that are established to secure such financings are generally limited as to the rate or amount that may be levied or assessed and are not subject to increase pursuant to rate covenants or municipal or corporate guarantees. The bonds could default if development failed to progress as anticipated or if larger taxpayers failed to pay the assessments, fees and taxes as provided in the financing plans of the districts.
Zero Coupon Bonds. A zero coupon bond is a bond that typically does not pay interest either for the entire life of the obligation or for an initial period after the issuance of the obligation. When held to its maturity, the holder receives
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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 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 income distributions to its shareholders. For accounting purposes, these cash distributions to shareholders will not be treated as a return of capital.
Special Situations Securities
The Fund may invest in special situations municipal securities. Special situations municipal securities are municipal securities:
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of issuers that are facing distressed financial or operating circumstances, are in default of its obligations or in an active work-out, or are in bankruptcy; or |
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that present uncertainties or complex features that could render them undesirable for certain investors. |
The portion of the Funds assets invested in special situations municipal securities may fluctuate significantly over time according to the availability of attractive special situations municipal securities opportunities. See RisksPortfolio Level RisksSpecial Situations Municipal Securities Risk below.
Corporate Debt Securities
The Fund may invest in corporate debt securities, including corporate bonds. Corporate bonds are fully taxable debt obligations issued by corporations. These securities fund capital improvements, expansions, debt refinancing or acquisitions that require more capital than would ordinarily be available from a single lender. Investors in corporate bonds lend money to the issuing corporation in exchange for interest payments and repayment of the principal at a set maturity date. Rates on corporate bonds are set according to prevailing interest rates at the time of the issue, the credit rating of the issuer, the length of the maturity and other terms of the security, such as a call feature.
Corporate bonds come in many varieties and may differ in the way that interest is calculated, the amount and frequency of payments, the type of collateral, if any, and the presence of special features (e.g., conversion rights). The Funds investments in corporate bonds may include, but are not limited to, senior, junior, secured and unsecured bonds, notes and other debt securities, and may be fixed rate, variable rate or floating rate, among other things. Holders of corporate bonds, as creditors, have a prior legal claim over common and preferred stockholders as to both income and assets of the issuer for the principal and interest due to them, and may have a prior claim over other creditors, but are generally subordinate to any existing lenders in the issuers capital structure.
Corporate bonds are subject to the risk of an issuers inability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligations and may also be subject to price volatility due to such factors as market interest rates, the issuers performance or credit rating, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity. In addition, corporate restructurings, such as mergers, leveraged buyouts, takeovers or similar corporate transactions are often financed by an increase in a corporate issuers debt securities. As a result of the added debt burden, the credit quality and market value of an issuers existing corporate bonds may decline significantly. Corporate bonds usually yield more than government or agency bonds due to the presence of credit risk.
U.S. Treasury Securities
The Fund may invest in U.S. Government direct obligations. U.S. Government direct obligation are issued by the United States Treasury and include bills, notes and bonds. Treasury bills are issued with maturities of up to one year. They are issued in bearer form, are sold on a discount basis and are payable at par value at maturity. Treasury notes are longer-term interest-bearing obligations with original maturities of one to seven years. Treasury bonds are longer-term interest-bearing obligations with original maturities from five to thirty years.
Derivatives
The Fund may use in certain derivative instruments in pursuit of its investment objectives. Such instruments include financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate and credit default swaps), options on financial futures, options on swap contracts or other derivative instruments. The Fund may also use credit default swaps and interest rate swaps. Credit default swaps may require initial premium (discount) payments as well as periodic payments
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Portfolio Composition and Other Information
(receipts) related to the interest leg of the swap or to the default of a reference obligation. If the Fund is a seller of a contract, the Fund would be required to pay the par (or other agreed upon) value of a referenced debt obligation to the counterparty in the event of a default or other credit event by the reference issuer, such as a U.S. or foreign corporate issuer, with respect to such debt obligations. In return, the Fund would receive from the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default has occurred. If no default occurs, the Fund would keep the stream of payments and would have no payment obligations. As the seller, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. If the Fund is a buyer of a contract, the Fund would have the right to deliver a referenced debt obligation and receive the par (or other agreed-upon) value of such debt obligation from the counterparty in the event of a default or other credit event (such as a credit downgrade) by the reference issuer, such as a U.S. or foreign corporation, with respect to its debt obligations. In return, the Fund would pay the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default has occurred. If no default occurs, the counterparty would keep the stream of payments and would have no further obligations to the Fund. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with a counterparty of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of fixed-rate payments for floating rate payments. The Fund will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis; that is, the two payment streams will be netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. See Portfolio Composition and Other InformationHedging Strategies and Other Uses of Derivatives in the SAI and Asset Segregation below.
The requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company (RIC) may also limit the extent to which the Fund may invest in futures, options on futures and swaps. See Tax Matters.
Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management may use derivative instruments to seek to enhance return, to hedge some of the risk of the Funds investments in municipal securities or as a substitute for a position in the underlying asset. These types of strategies may generate taxable income. The Fund will value derivative instruments at market/fair value for purposes of calculating compliance with the Funds 80% investment policy in municipal securities and other related investments the income from which is exempt from regular federal income tax.
There is no assurance that these derivative strategies will be available at any time or that, if used, that the strategies will be successful.
Swap Transactions. The Fund may enter into total return, interest rate and credit default swap agreements and interest rate caps, floors and collars. The Fund may also enter into options on the foregoing types of swap agreements (swap options).
The Fund may enter into swap transactions for any purpose consistent with its investment objectives and strategies, such as for the purpose of attempting to obtain or preserve a particular return or spread at a lower cost than obtaining a return or spread through purchases and/or sales of instruments in other markets, as a duration management technique, to attempt to reduce risk arising from the ownership of a particular instrument, or to gain exposure to certain sectors or markets in the most economical way possible.
Swap agreements are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for a specified period of time. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on a particular predetermined asset, reference rate or index. The gross returns to be exchanged or swapped between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a notional amount, e.g., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate or in a basket of securities representing a particular index. The notional amount of the swap agreement generally is only used as a basis upon which to calculate the obligations that the parties to the swap agreement have agreed to exchange.
Interest Rate Swaps, Caps, Collars and Floors. Interest rate swaps are bilateral contracts in which each party agrees to make periodic payments to the other party based on different referenced interest rates (e.g., a fixed rate and a floating rate) applied to a specified notional amount. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate floor. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index rises above a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. Interest rate collars involve selling a cap and purchasing a floor or vice versa to protect the Fund against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels.
The use of interest rate transactions, such as 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 Funds use of interest rate swaps or caps could enhance or
Portfolio Composition and Other Information
31
harm the overall performance of the Funds common shares. To the extent there is a decline in interest rates, the value of the interest rate swap or cap could decline, and could result in a decline in the NAV of the common shares. In addition, if short-term interest rates are lower than the Funds fixed rate of payment on the interest rate swap, the swap will reduce common share net earnings. If, on the other hand, short-term interest rates are higher than the fixed rate of payment on the interest rate swap, the swap will enhance common share net earnings. Buying interest rate caps could enhance the performance of the common shares by providing a maximum leverage expense. Buying interest rate caps could also decrease the net earnings of the common shares in the event that the premium paid by the Fund to the counterparty exceeds the additional amount such Fund would have been required to pay had it not entered into the cap agreement.
Municipal Market Data Rate Locks. The Fund may purchase and sell municipal market data rate locks (MMD Rate Locks). An MMD Rate Lock permits the Fund to lock in a specified municipal interest rate for a portion of its portfolio to preserve a return on a particular investment or a portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities to be purchased at a later date. By using an MMD Rate Lock, the Fund can create a synthetic long or short position, allowing the Fund to select what the manager believes is an attractive part of the yield curve. The Fund will ordinarily use these transactions as a hedge or for duration or risk management although it is permitted to enter into them to enhance income or gain or to increase the Funds yield, for example, during periods of steep interest rate yield curves (i.e., wide differences between short term and long term interest rates). An MMD Rate Lock is a contract between the Fund and an MMD Rate Lock provider pursuant to which the parties agree to make payments to each other on a notional amount, contingent upon whether the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above or below a specified level on the expiration date of the contract. For example, if the Fund buys an MMD Rate Lock and the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is below the specified level on the expiration date, the counterparty to the contract will make a payment to the Fund equal to the specified level minus the actual level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. If the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above the specified level on the expiration date, the Fund will make a payment to the counterparty equal to the actual level minus the specified level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. In connection with investments in MMD Rate Locks, there is a risk that municipal yields will move in the opposite direction than anticipated by the Fund, which would cause the Fund to make payments to its counterparty in the transaction that could adversely affect the Funds performance.
Total Return Swaps. In a total return swap, one party agrees to pay the other the total return of a defined underlying asset during a specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from other underlying assets. A total return swap may be applied to any underlying asset but is most commonly used with equity indices, single stocks, bonds and defined baskets of loans and mortgages. The Fund might enter into a total return swap involving an underlying index or basket of securities to create exposure to a potentially widely diversified range of securities in a single trade. An index total return swap can be used by the portfolio managers to assume risk, without the complications of buying the component securities from what may not always be the most liquid of markets. In connection with the Funds position in a swap contract, the Fund will segregate liquid assets or will otherwise cover its position in accordance with applicable requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). See Asset Segregation below.
Credit Default Swaps. A credit default swap is a bilateral contract that enables an investor to buy or sell protection against a defined-issuer credit event. The Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements either as a buyer or a seller. The Fund may buy protection to attempt to mitigate the risk of default or credit quality deterioration in an individual security or a segment of the fixed income securities market to which it has exposure, or to take a short position in individual bonds or market segments which it does not own. The Fund may sell protection in an attempt to gain exposure to the credit quality characteristics of particular bonds or market segments without investing directly in those bonds or market segments. As the buyer of protection in a credit default swap, the Fund would pay a premium (by means of an upfront payment or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the agreement) in return for the right to deliver a referenced bond or group of bonds to the protection seller and receive the full notional or par value (or other agreed upon value) upon a default (or similar event) by the issuer(s) of the underlying referenced obligation(s). If no default occurs, the protection seller would keep the stream of payments and would have no further obligation to the Fund. Thus, the cost to the Fund would be the premium paid with respect to the agreement. If a credit event occurs, however, the Fund may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity that may have little or no value. The Fund bears the risk that the protection seller may fail to satisfy its payment obligations. If the Fund sells or writes credit default swaps, the Fund will segregate the full notional amount of the payment obligation under the credit default swap that must be paid upon the occurrence of a credit event. See Asset Segregation below.
If the Fund is a seller of protection in a credit default swap and no credit event occurs, the Fund would generally receive an up-front payment or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the swap. If a credit event occurs, however, generally the Fund would have to pay the buyer the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity that may have little or no value. As the protection seller, the Fund effectively adds the economic effect of leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to being subject to
32
Portfolio Composition and Other Information
investment exposure on its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. Thus, the Fund bears the same risk as it would by buying the reference obligation(s) directly, plus the additional risks related to obtaining investment exposure through a derivative instrument discussed below under Risks Associated with Swap Transactions.
Swap Options. A swap option is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation), in return for payment of a premium, to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel, or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement at some designated future time on specified terms. A cash-settled option on a swap gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to receive an amount of cash equal to the value of the underlying swap as of the exercise date. The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swap options. Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, the Fund generally would incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swap option than when it purchases a swap option. When the Fund purchases a swap option, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. However, when the Fund writes a swap option, upon exercise of the option the Fund would become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.
Risks Associated with Swap Transactions. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity which involves strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. If Nuveen Fund Advisors and/or Nuveen Asset Management is incorrect in its forecasts of default risks, market spreads or other applicable factors or events, the investment performance of the Fund would diminish compared with what it would have been if these techniques were not used. As the protection seller in a credit default swap, the Fund effectively adds leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to being subject to investment exposure on its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. The Fund generally may only close out a swap, cap, floor, collar or other two-party contract with its particular counterparty, and generally may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. In addition, the price at which the Fund may close out such a two party contract may not correlate with the price change in the underlying reference asset. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund will have contractual remedies, but there can be no assurance that the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual obligations or that the Fund will succeed in enforcing its rights. It also is possible that developments in the derivatives market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect the Funds ability to terminate existing swap or other agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.
Futures and Options on Futures Generally. A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a security, index or interest rate (each a financial instrument) for a set price on a future date. Certain futures contracts, such as futures contracts relating to individual securities, call for making or taking delivery of the underlying financial instrument. However, these contracts generally are closed out before delivery by entering into an offsetting purchase or sale of a matching futures contract (same exchange, underlying financial instrument, and delivery month). Other futures contracts, such as futures contracts on interest rates and indices, do not call for making or taking delivery of the underlying financial instrument, but rather are agreements pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between the value of the financial instrument at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the contract was originally written. These contracts also may be settled by entering into an offsetting futures contract.
Unlike when the Fund purchases or sells a security, no price is paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, the Fund will be required to deposit with the futures broker, known as a futures commission merchant (FCM), an amount of cash or securities equal to a varying specified percentage of the contract amount. This amount is known as initial margin. The margin deposit is intended to ensure completion of the contract. Minimum initial margin requirements are established by the futures exchanges and may be revised. In addition, FCMs may establish margin deposit requirements that are higher than the exchange minimums. Cash held in the margin account generally is not income producing. However, couponbearing securities, such as Treasury securities, held in margin accounts generally will earn income.
Subsequent payments to and from the FCM, called variation margin, will be made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying financial instrument fluctuates, making the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as marking the contract to market. Changes in variation margin are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. At any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Fund may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position that will operate to terminate its position in the futures contract. A final determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Fund, and the Fund realizes a gain or loss. In the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of an FCM that holds margin on behalf of the Fund, the Fund may be entitled to the return of margin owed to it only in proportion to the amount received by the FCMs other customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund. Futures transactions also involve brokerage costs and the Fund may have to segregate additional liquid assets in accordance with applicable SEC requirements. See Asset Segregation below.
A futures option gives the purchaser of such option the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a long position (call) or short position (put) in a futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of a call option, the purchaser acquires a long position in the futures contract and the writer is assigned the opposite short position. Upon the exercise of a put option, the opposite is true.
Portfolio Composition and Other Information
33
Asset Segregation
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 security 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 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, among other requirements. The Fund will comply with the new rules requirements on or before the SECs 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.
Bonds
The Fund may invest in a wide variety of bonds of varying maturities issued by the U.S. government and municipalities (during the initial investment period or for temporary defensive measures) and other issuers. Bonds are fixed or variable-rate debt obligations, including bills, notes, debentures, money market instruments and similar instruments and securities. Bonds generally are used by corporations as well as governments and other issuers to borrow money from investors. The issuer pays the investor a fixed or variable rate of interest and normally must repay the amount borrowed on or before maturity. Corporate bonds come in many varieties and may differ in the way that interest is calculated, the amount and frequency of payments, the type of collateral, if any, and the presence of special features (e.g., conversion rights).
Illiquid Securities
The Fund may invest in securities and other instruments that, at the time of investment, are illiquid (i.e., securities that are not readily marketable). For this purpose, illiquid securities may include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities the disposition of which is restricted under the federal securities laws), securities that may only be resold pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act) that are deemed to be illiquid, and certain repurchase agreements.
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 circumstances 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 fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees or its delegate.
Temporary Defensive Investments
For temporary defensive purposes, during periods of high cash inflows or outflows, or during a Repurchase Offer Period, the Fund may depart from its principal investment strategies and invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality short-term debt securities. During such periods, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may adopt a defensive strategy when Nuveen Asset Management believes the instruments in which the Fund normally invests have elevated risks due to political or economic factors, in the event that unanticipated legal or regulatory developments interfere with implementation of the Funds principal investment strategies, and in other extraordinary circumstances.
Portfolio Turnover
It is not the Funds policy to engage in transactions with the objective of seeking profits from short-term trading. Although the Fund cannot predict its annual portfolio turnover rate, it is generally not expected to exceed 60% under normal circumstances. Frequent trading also increases transaction costs, which could detract from the Funds performance, and may result in the realization of net short-term capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed to Common Shareholders, will be treated as ordinary income. See Tax Matters.
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Portfolio Composition and Other Information
The Fund anticipates using leverage to seek to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may use leverage to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act. If current market conditions persist, the Fund intends initially to obtain leverage through either investments in inverse floating rate securities, which represent leveraged investments in underlying bonds, borrowings, reverse repurchase agreements (effectively a borrowing) and issuing Preferred Shares, or a combination of thereof. If current market conditions persist, the Fund anticipates using leverage in an aggregate amount equal to approximately 25% of the Funds Managed Assets.
The Fund may source leverage through a number of methods including investing in inverse floating rate securities, issuance of debt securities, borrowings, entering into reverse repurchase agreements (effectively a borrowing), and issuance of Preferred Shares.
Inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as inverse floaters) are securities whose interest rates bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. Generally, inverse floating rate securities represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds. Investments in inverse floating rate securities have the economic effect of leverage. See RisksPortfolio Level RisksInverse Floating Rate Securities 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. Selling a portfolio security and agreeing to buy it back under a reverse repurchase agreement is economically equivalent to borrowing. See RisksPortfolio Level RisksReverse Repurchase Agreement 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 the 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 market 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 be greater (and thereby reduce distributions to Common Shareholders) than if the Fund had not entered into the interest rate swap(s). See Portfolio Composition and Other InformationDerivatives.
The Fund also may borrow for temporary purposes as permitted by the 1940 Act.
The Fund may reduce or increase the amount of leverage based upon changes in market conditions and/or composition of the Funds holdings. The Funds leverage ratio will vary from time to time based upon such changes in the amount of leverage used, variations in the value of the Funds holdings and the levels of Common Share subscription and repurchase offer activity related to the Funds continuously offered interval fund structure. So long as the net income received from the Funds investments purchased with leverage proceeds exceeds the then current expense of any leverage, the investment of the proceeds of leverage will generate more net income than if the Fund had not leveraged itself. Under these circumstances, the excess net income will be available to pay higher distributions to Common Shareholders. However, if the net income received from the Funds portfolio investments purchased with the proceeds of leverage is less than the current expense of any leverage, the Fund may be required to utilize other Fund assets to make interest payments on its leveraging instruments 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 such fee to Nuveen Asset Management) based on a percentage of Managed Assets. Managed Assets include the proceeds realized and managed from the Funds 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 Funds net assets as well as assets that are attributable to the Funds investment of the proceeds of its leverage, it is anticipated that the Funds Managed Assets will be greater than its net assets. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will be responsible for using leverage to pursue the Funds investment objectives. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will base their decision regarding whether and how much leverage to use for the Fund, and the terms of that leverage, on their 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 Nuveen Asset Managements management fees. Thus, Nuveen Fund Advisors and
Leverage
35
Nuveen Asset Management may have a conflict of interest in determining whether to use or increase leverage. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will seek to manage that potential conflict by using leverage only when they determine that such action would be in the best interests of the Fund and its Common Shareholders, and by periodically reviewing with the Board of Trustees the Funds performance and the Funds degree of overall use of leverage and the impact of the use of leverage on that performance.
The Fund may issue senior securities as defined under the 1940 Act. Senior securities have seniority over the Common Shares in regard to the income and assets of the Fund. 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 (Preferred Shares); 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 Funds 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 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.
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) and debt securities. Senior securities representing indebtedness also include other derivative investments or transactions, such as reverse repurchase agreements, to the extent the Fund has not fully covered, segregated or earmarked cash or liquid assets in accordance with the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder, and applicable positions of the SEC and its staff. With respect to any such senior securities representing debt, 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 issued by the Fund.
If the Fund issues senior securities and the asset coverage with respect to such senior securities 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 or other portfolio composition limits by its lenders, debt or preferred securities purchasers, rating agencies that may rate the debt or preferred securities, or reverse repurchase counterparties. Such limitations may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act and may impact whether the Fund is able to maintain its desired amount of leverage. In order to comply with these limitations, the Fund may be required to take certain actions, such as redeeming all or a portion of its Preferred Shares or reducing its borrowings. The Fund may find it necessary to hold a portion of its net assets in cash or other liquid assets or sell a portion of its portfolio investments during times and at prices when it otherwise would not do so in order to accomplish such actions. Accordingly, such actions could reduce the net earnings or returns to Common Shareholders over time, and such impact would be magnified when Preferred Shares and/or borrowings are outstanding as the Fund would be required to make provision for both the potential need to redeem Preferred Shares and/or repay borrowings and its obligation to repurchase Common Shares pursuant to the Funds fundamental policy regarding repurchases. See Periodic Repurchase Offers. Moreover, the Fund also may be required to redeem its Preferred Shares or reduce borrowings from time to time to permit it to repurchase Common Shares pursuant to the Funds repurchase policy in compliance with applicable asset coverage requirements described above. At this time Nuveen Fund Advisors does not believe that any such potential investment limitations will impede it from managing the Funds portfolio in accordance with its investment objectives and policies.
Utilization of leverage is a speculative investment technique and involves certain risks to the Common Shareholders, including increased variability of the Funds net income, distributions and NAV in relation to market changes. See RisksFund Level RisksLeverage Risk, Portfolio Level RisksInverse Floating Rate Securities Risk and Reverse Repurchase Agreement Risk. There is no assurance that the Fund will use leverage or that the Funds use of leverage will work as planned or achieve its goals.
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Leverage
Effects of Leverage
Assuming the utilization of leverage in an aggregate amount of approximately 25% of the Funds Managed Assets, at a leverage expense rate of 0.75% payable on such leverage the income generated by the Funds portfolio (net of non-leverage expenses) must exceed 0.19% in order to cover such interest and/or dividend payments and other expenses. Of course, these numbers are merely estimates, used for illustration. Actual dividend rates and other leverage expenses may vary frequently and may be significantly higher or lower than the rate estimated above.
The following table is furnished in response to requirements of the SEC. It is designed to illustrate the effect of leverage on Common Share total return, assuming investment portfolio total returns (comprised of income and changes in the value of securities held in the Funds portfolio) of 10%, 5%, 0%, 5% and 10%. These assumed investment portfolio returns are hypothetical figures and are not necessarily indicative of the investment portfolio returns experienced or expected to be experienced by the Fund. See Risks. The table further reflects the use of leverage representing 25% of the Funds Managed Assets, net of expenses, and the Funds currently projected annual interest rate and/or dividend on its leverage of 0.75%.
Assumed Portfolio Total Return (Net of Expenses) | (10)% | (5)% | 0% | 5% | 10% | |||||||||||||||
Common Share Total Return | (13.58)% | (6.92)% | (0.25)% | 6.42% | 13.08% |
Common Share Total Return is composed of two elements: the Common Share dividends paid by the Fund (the amount of which is largely determined by the net investment income of the Fund after paying dividends and other costs on its leverage) and gains or losses on the value of the securities the Fund owns. As required by SEC rules, the table above assumes that the Fund is more likely to suffer capital losses than to enjoy capital appreciation. For example, to assume a total return of 0% the Fund must assume that the interest it receives on its portfolio investments is entirely offset by losses in the value of those investments.
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The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that continuously offers its Common Shares and is operated as an interval fund. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program and, due to the uncertainty inherent in all investments, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. The Funds performance and the value of its investments will vary in response to changes in interest rates, inflation, the financial condition of a securitys issuer, ratings on a security, perceptions of the issuer, and other market factors. Your Common Shares at any point in time may be worth less than your original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.
Portfolio Level Risks
Municipal Securities Market RiskInvesting in the municipal securities market involves certain risks. The municipal market is one in which dealer firms make markets in bonds on a principal basis using their proprietary capital, and during the market turmoil in 2008-2009 these firms capital was severely constrained. As a result, some firms were unwilling to commit their capital to purchase and to serve as a dealer for municipal bonds. The amount of public information available about the municipal securities in the Funds portfolio is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds, and the investment performance of the Fund may therefore be more dependent on the analytical abilities of Nuveen Asset Management than if the Fund were a stock fund or taxable bond fund. In addition, the market for below investment grade municipal securities has experienced in the past, and may experience in the future, periods of significant volatility, which could negatively impact the value of the municipal securities in the Funds portfolio.
The ability of municipal issuers to make timely payments of interest and principal may be diminished during general economic downturns and as governmental cost burdens are reallocated among federal, state and local governments. In addition, laws enacted in the future by Congress or state legislatures or referenda could extend the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or impose other constraints on enforcement of such obligations, or on the ability of municipalities to levy taxes. Further, some state and local governments have been and in the future may be subject to direct ballot referenda that could limit their financial flexibility, or their ability to levy taxes or raise revenues, which may adversely affect the marketability of notes and bonds issued by those state and local governments. Issuers of municipal securities might seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. In the event of bankruptcy of such an issuer, the Fund could experience delays in collecting principal and interest and the Fund may not, in all circumstances, be able to collect all principal and interest to which it is entitled. To enforce its rights in the event of a default in the payment of interest or repayment of principal, or both, the Fund may take possession of and manage the assets securing the issuers obligations on such securities, which may increase the Funds operating expenses. Any income derived from the Funds ownership or operation of such assets may not be tax-exempt.
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, in December 2019, and the resulting pandemic, has adversely impacted global commercial activity and has contributed to significant volatility in certain financial markets, including the municipal bond market. See Other RisksGlobal Economic Risk. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the risks of the municipal securities market have been magnified. These risks have had, and will continue to have, a material adverse impact on local economies and therefore on the governments in those localities. These risks may also adversely affect several sectors of the municipal bond market, such as retirement facilities, transportation facilities such as airports, hospitals and colleges, among many others. All this has adversely affected the municipal securities market, and may continue to do so for an extended period.
Although the detection of COVID-19 in China was made public in December 2019, U.S. securities markets did not start to fully acknowledge the risks and potential economic impact until the latter portion of February 2020, when outbreaks outside of China were first reported. Certain parts of the municipal bond markets experienced significant volatility and drops in values, particularly below-investment grade municipal bonds. It is possible that similar market dislocations will recur as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, which may adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Funds investments.
The impact of the outbreak is rapidly evolving, and many countries, including the United States, have reacted by instituting quarantines, prohibitions on travel and the closure of offices, businesses, schools, retail stores and other public venues. Businesses are also implementing similar precautionary measures. Such measures, as well as the general uncertainty surrounding the dangers and impact of COVID-19, are creating significant disruption in supply chains and economic activity and are having a particularly adverse impact on transportation, hospitality, tourism, entertainment and other industries. As a result, the COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect the bonds of municipalities that depend on tax or other revenues generated by tourist dollars. Additionally, the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may negatively impact state and local budgetary matters, as states and
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municipalities may be more likely to run budget deficits (or larger deficits) during the period of economic contraction stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Issuer Credit RiskIssuers of securities in which the Fund may invest may default, or may be in default at the time of purchase, on their obligations to pay dividends, principal or interest when due. This non-payment would result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of a debt security experiencing non-payment and, potentially, a decrease in the NAV of the Fund. With respect to the Funds investments in securities that are secured, there can be no assurance that liquidation of collateral would satisfy the issuers obligation in the event of non-payment of a scheduled dividend, interest or principal payment or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. In the event of the bankruptcy of an issuer, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing a security. To the extent that the credit rating assigned to a security in the Funds portfolio is downgraded, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected.
Credit Spread RiskCredit spread risk is the risk that credit spreads (i.e., the difference in yield between securities that is due to differences in their credit quality) may increase when the market believes that municipal securities generally have a greater risk of default. Increasing credit spreads may reduce the market values of the Funds securities. Credit spreads often increase more for lower rated and unrated securities than for investment grade securities. In addition, when credit spreads increase, reductions in market value will generally be greater for longer-maturity securities.
Below Investment Grade RiskDebt instruments of below investment grade quality are regarded as having predominately speculative characteristics with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest, dividends and repay principal, and are commonly referred to as junk bonds or high yield debt, which implies higher price volatility and default risk than investment grade instruments of comparable terms and duration. Issuers of lower grade instruments may be highly leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of financing. The prices of these lower grade instruments are typically more sensitive to negative developments, such as a decline in the issuers revenues or a general economic downturn, than are the prices of higher grade instruments.
If a below investment grade security goes into default, or its issuer enters bankruptcy, it might be difficult to sell that security in a timely manner at a reasonable price.
The secondary market for lower grade instruments may not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated instruments, a factor which may have an adverse effect on the Funds ability to dispose of a particular instrument. There are fewer dealers in the market for lower grade securities than for investment grade obligations. The prices quoted by different dealers for lower grade instruments may vary significantly and the spread between the bid and ask price for such instruments is generally much larger than for higher quality instruments. Under adverse market or economic conditions, the secondary market for lower grade securities could contract further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer, and these instruments may become illiquid. As a result, the Fund could find it more difficult to sell these instruments or may be able to sell the instruments only at prices lower than if such instruments were widely traded. Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated instruments, under these circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating the Funds NAV.
For these reasons, an investment in the Fund, compared with a portfolio consisting solely of investment grade securities, may experience the following:
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increased price sensitivity resulting from a deteriorating economic environment and changing interest rates; |
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greater risk of loss due to default or declining credit quality; |
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adverse issuer specific events that are more likely to render the issuer unable to make interest and/or principal payments; and |
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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. |
In the event that the Fund disposes of a portfolio security subsequent to its being downgraded, the Fund may experience a greater loss than if such security had been sold prior to such downgrade.
Special Situations Municipal Securities RiskThe availability of special situations municipal securities that present attractive investment opportunities has historically been sporadic and may in the future be rare or at times non-existent. As such, the portion of the Funds assets invested in special situations municipal securities may fluctuate significantly over time according to the availability of attractive special situations municipal securities opportunities. At times when the portion of the Funds assets invested in special situations municipal securities is low, due to lack of availability of
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special situations municipal securities or otherwise, that low level exposure to such securities may impede the Funds ability to fully pursue its investment objectives.
Special situations municipal securities present both unusual opportunities and challenges. The ability of the Fund to capitalize on its investments in special situations municipal securities will be dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, Nuveen Asset Managements ability (1) to select special situations municipal securities to invest in that have good prospects for improving their creditworthiness over time, or otherwise experiencing price improvement; (2) to manage the various special situations municipal securities credits through the recovery process, including work-outs, buyouts and bankruptcies; (3) to buy attractively-priced special situations municipal securities that have the potential to appreciate significantly in value or minimize losses, depending on market conditions; and (4) to liquidate its investments in special situations municipal securities, either by selling such securities to other investors at attractive prices, or by receiving cash, securities or other assets of value after and as a result of a work-out or the issuers emergence from bankruptcy.
Nuveen Asset Managements ability to succeed in these efforts will require skills and techniques that are different from or in addition to the skills and techniques used by a typical municipal investment manager. There is no assurance that Nuveen Asset Management will succeed in its efforts, or that market circumstances will end up being favorable to deriving outsized returns from investments in special situations municipal securities.
Interest Rate RiskInterest rate risk is the risk that debt securities in the Funds portfolio will decline in value because of changes 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 debt securities may prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower-yielding securities and potentially reducing the Funds 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 Funds value. In typical market interest rate environments, the prices of longer-term debt securities generally fluctuate more than prices of shorter-term debt securities as interest rates change. The Federal Reserve recently reduced the federal funds rate several times.
Duration RiskDuration 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, which typically corresponds to increased volatility and risk, 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 securitys 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.
Call RiskDuring periods of declining interest rates or for other purposes, issuers may exercise their option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower yielding instruments. This is known as prepayment or call risk. The Fund may invest in securities that are subject to call risk. Debt and preferred instruments may be redeemed at the option of the issuer, or called, before their stated maturity or redemption date. In general, an issuer will call its debt or preferred instruments if they can be refinanced by issuing new instruments which bear a lower interest or dividend rate. The Fund is subject to the possibility that during periods of falling interest rates, an issuer will call its high yielding debt or preferred instruments. The Fund would then be forced to invest the unanticipated proceeds at lower interest or dividend rates, resulting in a decline in the Funds income.
Reinvestment RiskReinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Funds portfolio will decline if and when the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called securities at market interest rates that are below the portfolios current earnings rate. A decline in income could affect the Common Shares NAV and/or a Common Shareholders overall returns. As the average maturity of the Funds portfolio shortens, the Fund will reinvest in shorter maturity securities at market interest rates that may be lower than at the Funds inception.
Inverse Floating Rate Securities RiskThe Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities. Typically, inverse floating rate securities represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust (sometimes called a tender option bond trust) formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds. See Portfolio Composition and Other InformationMunicipal SecuritiesInverse Floating Rate Securities. In general, income on inverse floating rate securities will decrease when short-term interest rates increase and increase when short-term interest rates decrease. Investments in inverse floating rate securities may subject the Fund to the risks of reduced or eliminated interest payments and losses of principal.
The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities issued by special purpose trusts that have recourse to the Fund. In Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Managements discretion, the Fund may enter into a separate shortfall and forbearance agreement with the third party granting liquidity to the floating rate security holders of the special
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purpose trust. The Fund may enter into such recourse agreements (i) when the liquidity provider to the special purpose trust requires such an agreement because the level of leverage in the trust exceeds the level that the liquidity provider is willing to support absent such an agreement; and/or (ii) to seek to prevent the liquidity provider from collapsing the trust in the event that the municipal obligation held in the trust has declined in value. Such an agreement would require the Fund to reimburse the third party granting liquidity to the floating rate security holders of the special purpose trust, upon termination of the trust issuing the inverse floater, the difference between the liquidation value of the bonds held in the trust and the principal amount due to the holders of floating rate interests. In such instances, the Fund may be at risk of loss that exceeds its investment in the inverse floating rate securities.
Inverse floating rate securities may increase or decrease in value at a greater rate than the underlying interest rate, which effectively leverages the Funds investment. As a result, the market value of such securities generally will be more volatile than that of fixed rate securities.
The Funds investments in inverse floating rate securities issued by special purpose trusts that have recourse to the Fund may be highly leveraged. The structure and degree to which the Funds inverse floating rate securities are highly leveraged will vary based upon a number of factors, including the size of the trust itself and the terms of the underlying municipal security. In the event of a significant decline in the value of an underlying security, the Fund may suffer losses in excess of the amount of its investment (up to an amount equal to the value of the municipal securities underlying the inverse floating rate securities) as a result of liquidating special purpose trusts or other collateral required to maintain the Funds anticipated leverage ratio.
The Funds investment in inverse floating rate securities creates leverage. Any leverage achieved through the Funds investment in inverse floating rate securities will create an opportunity for increased Common Share net income and returns, but will also create the possibility that Common Share long-term returns will be diminished if the cost of leverage exceeds the return on the inverse floating rate securities purchased by the Fund. See RisksFund Level RisksLeverage Risk.
The amount of fees paid to Nuveen Asset Management for investment advisory services will be higher if the Fund uses leverage because the fees will be calculated based on the Funds Managed Assetsthis may create an incentive for Nuveen Asset Management to leverage the Fund. Managed Assets means the total assets of the Fund, minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (other than liabilities incurred for the express purpose of creating leverage). Total assets for this purpose shall include assets attributable to the Funds use of leverage (whether or not those assets are reflected in the Funds financial statements for purposes of generally accepted accounting principles), and derivatives will be valued at their market value.
Inverse floating rate securities have varying degrees of liquidity based, among other things, upon the liquidity of the underlying securities deposited in a special purpose trust. The market price of inverse floating rate securities is more volatile than the underlying securities due to leverage. The leverage attributable to such inverse floating rate securities may be called away on relatively short notice and therefore may be less permanent than more traditional forms of leverage. In certain circumstances, the likelihood of an increase in the volatility of NAV and market price of the Common Shares may be greater for a fund (like the Fund) that relies primarily on inverse floating rate securities to achieve a desired leverage ratio. The Fund may be required to sell its inverse floating rate securities at less than favorable prices, or liquidate other Fund portfolio holdings in certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, the following:
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If the Fund has a need for cash and the securities in a special purpose trust are not actively trading due to adverse market conditions; and |
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If the value of an underlying security declines significantly and if additional collateral has not been posted by the Fund. |
There is no assurance that the Funds strategy of investing in inverse floating rate securities will be successful.
Municipal Securities Market Liquidity RiskInventories of municipal securities held by brokers and dealers have decreased in recent years, lessening their ability to make a market in these securities. This reduction in market making capacity has the potential to decrease the Funds ability to buy or sell municipal securities at attractive prices, and increase municipal security price volatility and trading costs, particularly during periods of economic or market stress. The secondary market for municipal securities, particularly the below investment grade municipal securities in which the Fund may invest, also tends to be less well-developed or liquid than many other securities markets, which may adversely affect the Funds ability to sell its municipal securities at attractive prices. In addition, recent federal banking regulations may cause certain dealers to reduce their inventories of municipal securities, which may further decrease the Funds ability to buy or sell municipal securities. As a result, the Fund may be forced to accept a lower price to sell a security, to sell other securities to raise cash, or to give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a
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negative effect on performance. If the Fund needed to sell large blocks of municipal securities to raise cash to meet its obligations, those sales could further reduce the municipal securities prices and hurt performance. The Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in unrated municipal securities. The market for these municipal securities may be less liquid than the market for rated municipal securities of comparable quality. Less public information is typically available about unrated municipal securities or issuers than rated municipal securities or issuers.
Restricted and Illiquid Securities RiskIlliquid securities are securities that are not readily marketable. These securities may include restricted securities, including securities issued in private placements, which can not be resold to the public without an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act, or, if they are unregistered, may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant to an exemption from registration. The Fund may not be able to readily dispose of such securities at prices that approximate those at which the Fund could sell such securities if they were more widely traded and, as a result of such illiquidity, the Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations. Limited liquidity can also affect the market price of securities, thereby adversely affecting the Funds NAV and ability to make dividend distributions.
Defaulted and Distressed Securities RiskThe Fund may invest in any securities of an issuer that is in default or that is in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings. However, the Fund may hold investments that at the time of purchase are not in default or involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, but may later become so. Moreover, the Fund may invest to a limited extent in securities rated Caa/CCC or lower, or unrated but judged by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality. Some or many of these low-rated securities, although not in default, may be distressed, meaning that the issuer is experiencing financial difficulties or distress at the time of acquisition. Such securities would present a substantial risk of future default which may cause the Fund to incur losses, including additional expenses, to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal or interest on those securities. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio security, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than its original investment. Defaulted or distressed securities may be subject to restrictions on resale.
Derivatives RiskThe Funds use of derivatives involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the investments underlying the derivatives. If the Fund enters into a derivative transaction, it could lose more than the principal amount invested. The risks associated with derivatives transactions include (i) the imperfect correlation between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets, (ii) the possible default of the counterparty to the transaction, (iii) illiquidity of the derivative instruments, and (iv) high volatility losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited. Although both over-the-counter (OTC) and exchange-traded derivatives markets may experience a 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, daily limits on price fluctuations and speculative position limits on exchanges on which the Fund may conduct its transactions in derivative instruments may prevent prompt liquidation of positions, subjecting the Fund to the potential of greater losses.
Whether the Funds use of derivatives is successful will depend on, among other things, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management correctly forecasting market circumstances, liquidity, market values, interest rates and other applicable factors. If Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management incorrectly forecast these and other factors, the investment performance of the Fund will be unfavorably affected. In addition, there can be no assurance that the derivatives investing techniques, as they may be developed and implemented by the Fund, will be successful in mitigating risk or achieving the Funds investment objectives. The use of derivatives to enhance returns may be particularly speculative.
Risk of Swaps and Swap OptionsThe Fund may enter into debt-related derivatives instruments including credit default swap contracts and interest rate swaps. 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 Nuveen Asset Management not only of the referenced asset, rate or index, but also of the swap itself. If Nuveen Fund Advisors and/or Nuveen Asset Management is incorrect in its forecasts of default risks, market spreads or other applicable factors or events, the investment performance of the Fund would diminish compared with what it would have been if these techniques were not used. As the protection seller in a credit default swap, the Fund effectively adds leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to being subject to investment exposure on its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
The Fund generally may only close out a swap, cap, floor, collar or other two-party contract with its particular counterparty, and generally may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. Because they are
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Risks
two-party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered illiquid. In addition, the price at which the Fund may close out such a two-party contract may not correlate with the price change in the underlying reference asset. Moreover, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund will have contractual remedies, but there can be no assurance that the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual obligations or that the Fund will succeed in enforcing its rights.
The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swap options. When the Fund purchases a swap option, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. When the Fund writes a swap option, upon exercise of the option the Fund would become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.
It is possible that developments in the derivatives market, including changes in government regulation, could adversely affect the Funds ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.
Risk of Financial Futures and Options TransactionsThe Fund may use certain transactions for hedging the portfolios exposure to credit risk and the risk of increases in interest rates, which could result in poorer overall performance for the Fund. The Funds use of certain transactions to reduce risk involves costs and will be subject to Nuveen Asset Managements ability to predict correctly changes in the relationships of such hedge instruments to the Funds portfolio holdings or other factors. No assurance can be given that Nuveen Asset Managements judgment in this respect will be correct. In addition, no assurance can be given that the Fund will enter into hedging or other transactions at times or under circumstances in which it may be advisable to do so.
There are certain risks associated with the use of financial futures and options to hedge investment portfolios. There may be an imperfect correlation between price movements of the futures and options and price movements of the portfolio securities being hedged. Losses may be incurred in hedging transactions, which could reduce the portfolio gains that might have been realized if the hedging transactions had not been entered into. If the Fund engages in futures transactions or in the writing of options on futures, it will be required to maintain initial margin and maintenance margin and may be required to make daily variation margin payments in accordance with applicable rules of the exchanges and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). If the Fund purchases a financial futures contract or a call option or writes a put option in order to hedge the anticipated purchase of municipal securities, and if the Fund fails to complete the anticipated purchase transaction, the Fund may have a loss or a gain on the futures or options transaction that will not be offset by price movements in the municipal securities that were the subject of the anticipatory hedge. The cost of put options on debt securities or indexes effectively increases the cost of the securities subject to them, thereby reducing the yield otherwise available from these securities. If the Fund decides to use futures contracts or options on futures contracts for hedging purposes, the Fund will be required to establish an account for such purposes with one or more CFTC-registered futures commission merchants. A futures commission merchant could establish initial and maintenance margin requirements for the Fund that are greater than those which would otherwise apply to the Fund under applicable rules of the exchanges and the CFTC. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist at a time when the Fund seeks to close out a derivatives or futures or a futures option position, and the Fund would remain obligated to meet margin requirements until the position is closed. Futures exchanges may limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in certain futures contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous days settlement price at the end of the current trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a futures contract subject to the limit, no more trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movements during a particular trading day and therefore does not limit potential losses because the limit may work to prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. For example, futures prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of positions and subjecting some holders of futures contracts to substantial losses.
Puerto Rico Municipal Securities Market RiskTo the extent that the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or its political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities, or public corporations (collectively referred to in this prospectus as Puerto Rico or the Commonwealth), it will be disproportionally affected by political, social and economic conditions and developments in the Commonwealth. In addition, economic, political or regulatory changes in that territory could adversely affect the value of the Funds investment portfolio.
Puerto Rico currently is experiencing significant fiscal and economic challenges, including substantial debt service obligations, high levels of unemployment, underfunded public retirement systems, and persistent government budget deficits. These challenges may negatively affect the value of the Funds investments in Puerto Rican municipal
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securities. Several major ratings agencies have downgraded the general obligation debt of Puerto Rico to below investment grade and continue to maintain a negative outlook for this debt, which increases the likelihood that the rating will be lowered further. In both August 2015 and January 2016, Puerto Rico defaulted on its debt by failing to make full payment due on its outstanding bonds, and there can be no assurance that Puerto Rico will be able to satisfy its future debt obligations. Further downgrades or defaults may place additional strain on the Puerto Rico economy and may negatively affect the value, liquidity, and volatility of the Funds investments in Puerto Rican municipal securities. Additionally, numerous issuers have entered Title III of the Puerto Rico Oversite, Management and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA), which is similar to bankruptcy protection, through which the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico can restructure its debt. However, Puerto Ricos case is the first ever heard under PROMESA and there is no existing case precedent to guide the proceedings. Accordingly, Puerto Ricos debt restructuring process could take significantly longer than traditional municipal bankruptcy proceedings. Further, it is not clear whether a debt restructuring process will ultimately be approved or, if so, the extent to which it will apply to Puerto Rico municipal securities sold by an issuer other than the territory. A debt restructuring could reduce the principal amount due, the interest rate, the maturity, and other terms of Puerto Rico municipal securities, which could adversely affect the value of Puerto Rican municipal securities. Legislation, including PROMESA that would allow Puerto Rico to restructure its municipal debt obligations, thus increasing the risk that Puerto Rico may never pay off municipal indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount owed, could also impact the value of the Funds investments in Puerto Rican municipal securities.
These challenges and uncertainties have been exacerbated by Hurricane Maria and the resulting natural disaster in Puerto Rico. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, causing major damage across the Commonwealth, including damage to its water, power, and telecommunications infrastructure. The length of time needed to rebuild Puerto Ricos infrastructure is unclear, but could amount to years, during which the Commonwealth is likely to be in an uncertain economic state. The full extent of the natural disasters impact on Puerto Ricos economy and foreign investment in Puerto Rico is difficult to estimate.
Puerto Ricos political and economic conditions could have a negative impact on the liquidity or value of Puerto Rican municipal securities, and consequently may affect the Funds investments and its performance if the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in Puerto Rican municipal securities.
Municipal Lease Obligation RiskParticipation interests in municipal leases are undivided interests in a lease, installment purchase contract, or conditional sale contract entered into by a state or local government unit to acquire equipment or facilities. Participation interests in municipal leases pose special risks because many leases and contracts contain non-appropriation clauses that provide that the governmental issuer has no obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for this purpose by the appropriate legislative body. If an issuer stopped making payment on the municipal lease, the obligation held by the Fund would likely lose some or all of its value. In addition, some municipal lease obligations may be less liquid than other debt obligations, making it difficult for the Fund to sell the obligation at an acceptable price. Although these kinds of obligations are secured by the leased equipment or facilities, it might be difficult and time consuming to dispose of the equipment or facilities in the event of non-appropriation, and the Fund might not recover the full principal amount of the obligation.
Unrated Investments RiskUnrated investments determined by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality to rated investments that the Fund may purchase may pay a higher interest rate than such rated investments and be subject to a greater risk of illiquidity or price changes. Less public information is typically available about unrated investments or issuers than rated investments or issuers.
Valuation RiskThe municipal bonds in which the Fund may invest typically are valued by a pricing service utilizing a range of market-based inputs and assumptions, including readily available market quotations obtained from broker-dealers making markets in such instruments, cash flows and transactions for comparable instruments. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to sell a portfolio security at the price established by the pricing service, which could result in a loss to the Fund. Pricing services generally price municipal bonds assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round lot size, but some trades may occur in smaller, odd lot sizes, often at lower prices than institutional round lot trades. Different pricing services may incorporate different assumptions and inputs into their valuation methodologies, potentially resulting in different values for the same securities. As a result, if the Fund were to change pricing services, or if the Funds pricing service were to change its valuation methodology, there could be a material impact, either positive or negative, on the Funds NAV.
Zero Coupon Bonds RiskAs interest on zero coupon bonds is not paid on a current basis, the values of the bonds are subject to greater fluctuations than are the value of bonds that distribute income regularly and may be more speculative than such bonds. Accordingly, the values of zero coupon bonds may be highly volatile as interest rates rise or fall. In addition, while zero coupon bonds generate income for purposes of generally accepted accounting
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standards, they do not generate cash flow and thus could cause the Fund to be forced to liquidate securities at an inopportune time in order to distribute cash, as required by certain tax laws.
Hedging RiskThe Funds use of derivatives or other transactions to reduce risks involves costs and will be subject to Nuveen Asset Managements ability to predict correctly changes in the relationships of such hedge instruments to the Funds portfolio holdings or other factors. No assurance can be given that Nuveen Asset Managements judgment in this respect will be correct. In addition, no assurance can be given that the Fund will enter into hedging or other transactions at times or under circumstances in which it may be advisable to do so.
Tax RiskThe Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). As a RIC, the Fund is not expected to be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent that it distributes its investment company taxable income and net capital gains. To qualify for the special tax treatment available to a RIC, the Fund must comply with certain income, distribution, and diversification requirements. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may be forced to sell certain assets when it is not advantageous in order to meet these requirements, which may reduce the Funds overall return. If the Fund fails to meet any of these requirements, subject to the opportunity to cure such failures under applicable provisions of the Code, the Funds income would be subject to a double level of U.S. federal income tax. The Funds income, including its net capital gain, would first be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates, even if such income were distributed to shareholders and, second, all distributions by the Fund from earnings and profits, including distributions of net capital gain (if any), would be taxable to shareholders as dividends. See Tax Matters.
The value of the Funds investments and its NAV may be adversely affected by changes in tax rates and rules. Because interest income from municipal securities is normally not subject to U.S. regular federal income taxation, the attractiveness of municipal securities in relation to other investment alternatives is affected by changes in federal income tax rates or changes in the tax exempt status of interest income from municipal securities. Additionally, the Fund is not a suitable investment for individual retirement accounts, for other tax exempt or tax-deferred accounts or for investors who are not sensitive to the federal income tax consequences of their investments. The Funds investment in AMT Bonds may trigger adverse tax consequences for Fund shareholders who are subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. If you are, or as a result of investment in the Fund would become, subject to the federal alternative minimum tax, the Fund may not be a suitable investment for you. In addition, distributions of taxable ordinary income (including any net short-term capital gain) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (and not eligible for favorable taxation as qualified dividend income), and capital gain dividends will be taxable as long-term capital gains. Interest income on municipal securities also may be subject to state and local income taxes. See Tax Matters.
Reverse Repurchase Agreement RiskReverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price and date, thereby establishing an effective interest rate. The Funds use of 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 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.
Taxability RiskThe Fund will invest in municipal securities in reliance at the time of purchase on an opinion of bond counsel to the issuer that the interest paid on those securities will be excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes, and Nuveen Asset Management will not independently verify that opinion. Subsequent to the Funds acquisition of such a municipal security, however, the security may be determined to pay, or to have paid, taxable income. As a result, the treatment of dividends previously paid or to be paid by the Fund as exempt-interest dividends could be adversely affected, subjecting the Funds shareholders to increased federal income tax liabilities.
Distributions of taxable ordinary income (including any net short-term capital gain) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (and not eligible for favorable taxation as qualified dividend income), and capital gain dividends will be taxable as long-term capital gains. See Tax Matters.
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Inflation RiskInflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Common Shares and distributions can decline.
Insurance RiskThe Fund may purchase municipal securities that are secured by insurance, bank credit agreements or escrow accounts. The credit quality of the companies that provide such credit enhancements will affect the value of those securities. Certain significant providers of insurance for municipal securities have incurred significant losses as a result of exposure to sub-prime mortgages and other lower credit quality investments that have experienced defaults or otherwise suffered extreme credit deterioration. As a result, such losses have reduced the insurers capital and called into question their continued ability to perform their obligations under such insurance if they are called upon to do so in the future. While an insured municipal security will typically be deemed to have the rating of its insurer, if the insurer of a municipal security suffers a downgrade in its credit rating or the market discounts the value of the insurance provided by the insurer, the rating of the underlying municipal security will be more relevant and the value of the municipal security would more closely, if not entirely, reflect such rating. In such a case, the value of insurance associated with a municipal security would decline and may not add any value. The insurance feature of a municipal security does not guarantee the full payment of principal and interest through the life of an insured obligation, the market value of the insured obligation or the NAV of the Common Shares represented by such insured obligation.
Debt Securities RiskIssuers of debt instruments in which the Fund may invest may default on their obligations to pay principal or interest when due. This non-payment would result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of a debt instrument experiencing non-payment and, potentially, a decrease in the NAV of the Fund. To the extent that the credit rating assigned to a security in the Funds portfolio is downgraded, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected. When market interest rates rise, the market value of such instruments generally will fall.
Tender Option Bond Regulatory RiskThe federal banking regulators, the SEC and the CFTC in recent years have adopted rules and regulations that have impacted or may impact TOB trusts and securities issued by such trusts, including most notably the so-called Volcker Rule, added to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 with the adoption of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Volcker Rule places certain restrictions on the ability of any banking entity to sponsor, acquire interests in and engage in certain activities with a TOB trust. As a result, certain activities to support the remarketing of floating rate certificates undertaken by banking entities, in their role as remarketing agents or liquidity providers to TOB trusts, before the compliance date for the Volcker Rule, are no longer permitted under the standard TOB trust structure. To be compliant with the Volcker Rule, the standard TOB trust structure has been modified since the Rules adoption (i) to shift certain rights and responsibilities from the remarketing agent and liquidity provider to the owners of the inverse floating rate securities such as the Fund itself, and (ii) to change the way in which liquidity is provided to support remarketing of the floating rate securities. Holders of the inverse floating rate securities, including the Fund, may delegate many of these responsibilities to a third party administrator, which would generate additional costs relative to the standard TOB trust structure. The total impact of these modifications remains to be fully seen, but the operational and structural changes associated with these modifications may make early unwinds of TOB trusts in adverse market scenarios more likely, may make the use of TOB trusts more expensive and, overall, may make it more difficult to use TOB trusts to effectively leverage municipal investments to the extent that the Fund may desire. In addition, these modifications have raised or may raise other regulatory issues that may require further refinement to the structure, may impede the future use of TOB trusts as a means of financing leverage, or may increase future costs of TOB-based leverage.
Tobacco Settlement Bond RiskTobacco settlement bonds are municipal securities that are backed solely by expected revenues to be derived from lawsuits involving tobacco related deaths and illnesses which were settled between certain states and American tobacco companies. Tobacco settlement bonds are secured by an issuing states proportionate share in the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). The MSA is an agreement reached out of court in November 1998 between 46 states and nearly all of the U.S. tobacco manufacturers. Under the terms of the MSA, the actual amount of future settlement payments by tobacco manufacturers is dependent on many factors, including, but not limited to, annual domestic cigarette shipments, reduced cigarette consumption, increased taxes on cigarettes, inflation, financial capability of tobacco companies, continuing litigation and the possibility of tobacco manufacturer bankruptcy. Payments made by tobacco manufacturers could be negatively impacted if the decrease in tobacco consumption is significantly greater than the forecasted decline.
Fund Level Risks
Investment and Market RiskAn investment in Common Shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest. Your investment in Common Shares represents an indirect
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investment in the securities owned by the Fund. Your Common Shares at any point in time may be worth less than your original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.
Repurchase Offers RiskAs described under Periodic Repurchase Offers, the Fund is an interval fund and, in order to provide liquidity to Common Shareholders, the Fund, subject to applicable law, intends to conduct quarterly repurchase offers of the Funds outstanding Common Shares at NAV, subject to approval of the Board of Trustees. In each quarter, such repurchase offers will be for at least 5% of its outstanding Common Shares at NAV, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act.
The Fund currently expects to conduct quarterly repurchase offers for 7.5% of its outstanding Common Shares under ordinary circumstances. The Fund believes that these repurchase offers are generally beneficial to the Funds Common Shareholders, and repurchases generally will be funded from available cash or sales of portfolio securities. However, repurchase offers and the need to fund repurchase obligations may affect the ability of the Fund to be fully invested or force the Fund to maintain a higher percentage of its assets in liquid investments, which may harm the Funds investment performance. Moreover, diminution in the size of the Fund through repurchases may result in untimely sales of portfolio securities (with associated imputed transaction costs, which may be significant), and may limit the ability of the Fund to participate in new investment opportunities or to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may accumulate cash by holding back (i.e., not reinvesting) payments received in connection with the Funds investments. The Fund believes that payments received in connection with the Funds investments will generate sufficient cash to meet the maximum potential amount of the Funds repurchase obligations. If at any time cash and other liquid assets held by the Fund are not sufficient to meet the Funds repurchase obligations, the Fund intends, if necessary, to sell investments. If, as expected, the Fund employs leverage, repurchases of Common Shares would compound the adverse effects of leverage in a declining market. In addition, if the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect Common Shareholders who do not tender their Common Shares by increasing the Funds expenses and reducing any net investment income. If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed, the Board of Trustees may determine to increase the amount repurchased by up to 2% of the Funds outstanding Common Shares as of the date of the Repurchase Request Deadline. In the event that the Board of Trustees determines not to repurchase more than the repurchase offer amount, or if Common Shareholders tender more than the repurchase offer amount plus 2% of the Funds outstanding Common Shares as of the date of the Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund will repurchase the Common Shares tendered on a pro rata basis, and Common Shareholders will have to wait until the next repurchase offer to make another repurchase request. As a result, Common Shareholders may be unable to liquidate all or a given percentage of their investment in the Fund during a particular repurchase offer. Some Common Shareholders, in anticipation of proration, may tender more Common Shares than they wish to have repurchased in a particular quarter, thereby increasing the likelihood that proration will occur. A Common Shareholder may be subject to market and other risks, and the NAV of Common Shares tendered in a repurchase offer may decline between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the date on which the NAV for tendered Common Shares is determined. In addition, the repurchase of Common Shares by the Fund may be a taxable event to Common Shareholders.
While the Fund anticipates having enough cash on hand to fund share repurchases, it may need to sell securities in order to generate enough cash to fund share repurchases. This may cause the Fund to have a higher portfolio turnover rate than is generally anticipated. A higher portfolio turnover rate may result in higher taxes to Fund investors. This is because the sale of securities may accelerate the recognition of capital gains by the Fund (if the Funds basis in securities sold is less than the proceeds from the sale of the security) which may be distributed to investors, and it is more likely that such gains will be taxable as short-term capital gains rather than long-term capital gains that are taxable at lower rates.
If shares tendered by an investor are repurchased by the Fund, it will be a taxable transaction to the investor either in the form of a sale or exchange which would be taxable to an investor at capital gain tax rates, assuming such shares are held as a capital asset, or, under certain circumstances, a dividend which would be taxable to an investor at ordinary income tax rates. See Tax MattersSale, Exchange of Liquidation of Fund Shares in the SAI for additional information.
Leverage RiskThe Funds anticipated use of leverage creates special risks for Common Shareholders, including potential interest rate risks and the likelihood of greater volatility of NAV and Common Share distributions. The use of leverage in a declining market will likely cause a greater decline in Common Share NAV than if the Fund were not to have used leverage. The Fund will pay (and Common Shareholders will bear) any costs and expenses relating to the Funds use of leverage, which will result in a reduction in the NAV of the Common Shares. Nuveen Fund Advisors may, based on its assessment of market conditions, composition of the Funds holdings, increase or decrease the amount of leverage. Such changes may impact the Funds distributions. There is no assurance that the Fund will utilize leverage or that the Funds use of leverage will be successful. See Leverage.
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The Fund pays a management fee to Nuveen Fund Advisors for investment advisory services, which in turn pays a portion of its fee to Nuveen Asset Management for investment sub-advisory services, based on a percentage of the Funds Managed Assets. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will base the decision regarding whether and how much leverage to use for the Fund based on their assessment of whether such use of leverage is in the best interests of the Fund. However, the fact that a decision to employ or increase the Funds leverage will have the effect, all other things being equal, of increasing Managed Assets and therefore Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Managements fees means that they may have a conflict of interest in determining whether to use or increase leverage. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will seek to manage that potential conflict by leveraging the Fund (or increasing such leverage) only when they determine that such action is in the best interests of the Fund, and by periodically reviewing the Funds performance and use of leverage with the Board of Trustees.
Non-Diversified Status RiskThe Fund is a non-diversified fund. As defined in the 1940 Act, a non-diversified fund may invest a significant part of its investments in a smaller number of issuers than can a diversified fund. Having a larger percentage of assets in a smaller number of issuers makes a non-diversified fund, like the Fund, more susceptible to the risk that one single event or occurrence can have a significant adverse impact upon the Fund.
Large Shareholder RiskTo the extent a large proportion of the Common Shares are held by a small number of Common Shareholders (or a single shareholder), including affiliates of Nuveen Fund Advisors, the Fund is subject to the risk that these shareholders will purchase Common Shares in large amounts rapidly or unexpectedly. These transactions could adversely affect the ability of the Fund to conduct its investment program. Furthermore, it is possible that in response to a repurchase offer, the total amount of Common Shares tendered by a small number of Common Shareholders (or a single shareholder) may exceed the number of Common Shares that the Fund has offered to repurchase. If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed by Common Shareholders, the Fund will repurchase only a pro rata portion of shares tendered by each shareholder. See Fund Level RisksRepurchase Offers Risk above.
Small Fund RiskThere can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to, or maintain, an economically viable size. A fund with a smaller asset base may experience higher expenses and portfolio transaction costs than a fund with a larger asset base. To the extent that the Fund does not grow to, or maintain, an economically viable size, it may be liquidated, and the expenses, timing and tax consequences of such liquidation may not be favorable to certain shareholders.
Other Risks
Economic and Political Events RiskThe Fund may be more sensitive to adverse economic, business or political developments if it invests a substantial portion of its assets in the bonds of similar projects (such as those relating to the education, health care, housing, transportation, or utilities industries), industrial development bonds, or in particular types of municipal securities (such as general obligation bonds, private activity bonds or moral obligation bonds). Such developments may adversely affect a specific industry or local political and economic conditions, and thus may lead to declines in the bonds creditworthiness and value.
Recent Market ConditionsIn 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 investments. 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. governments inability at times 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 governments 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.
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Changes in market conditions will not have the same impact on all types of investments. 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 countrys 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 UKs 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 and the two sides entered into a transition phase, where the UK effectively remained in the EU from an economic perspective, but no longer had any political representation in the EU parliament. The transition period concluded on December 31, 2020, and EU law no longer applies in the UK. On December 30, 2020, the UK and EU signed an EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (UK/EU Trade Agreement), which went into effect on January 1, 2021 and sets out the foundation of the economic and legal framework for trade between the UK and EU. As the UK/EU Trade Agreement is a new legal framework, the implementation of the UK/EU Trade Agreement may result in uncertainty in its application and periods of volatility in both the UK and wider European markets. 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, remain subject to negotiation 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 countrys 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 and/or large segments of Chinas export industry, which could have a negative impact on the Funds 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 RiskAt 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 objectives.
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
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registration requirements. Although 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 Acts ultimate impact remains unclear.
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 Funds positions in such investments may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Funds 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 Funds 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 CFTCs registration and regulatory requirements.
Potential Conflicts of Interest RiskNuveen 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, 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.
For additional information about potential conflicts of interest, and the way in which Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management address such conflicts, please see SubadviserNuveen Asset Management Conflict of Interest Policies in the SAI.
The following risks are not considered to be principal risks of investing in the Fund:
Income RiskThe Funds income could decline due to falling market interest rates. This is because, in a falling interest rate environment, the Fund generally will have to invest the proceeds from sales of Fund shares, as well as the proceeds from maturing portfolio securities, in lower-yielding securities.
Deflation RiskDeflation 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 Funds portfolio.
Borrowing RiskIn addition to borrowing for leverage (see Leverage), the Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, to pay dividends, repurchase its shares, or clear portfolio transactions. Borrowing may exaggerate changes in the NAV of the Funds shares and may affect the Funds net income. When the Fund borrows money, it must pay interest and other fees, which will reduce the Funds returns if such costs exceed the returns on the portfolio securities purchased or retained with such borrowings. Any such borrowings are intended to be temporary. However, under certain market circumstances, such borrowings might be outstanding for longer periods of time.
Cybersecurity RiskTechnology, 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 a 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
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Risks
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 Funds 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.
Litigation RiskFrom time to time, the Fund, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management may be subject to pending or threatened litigation or regulatory action. Some of these claims may result in significant defense costs and potentially significant judgments. The ultimate outcome of any potential litigation or regulatory action or any claims that may arise in the future cannot be predicted and the reputation of the Fund, Nuveen Fund Advisors and/or Nuveen Asset Management could be damaged as a result. Certain litigation or regulatory scrutiny could materially adversely affect the Fund. The resolution of certain claims may result in significant fines, judgments, or settlements, which, if partially or completely uninsured, could adversely impact the Fund or the ability of Nuveen Fund Advisors and/or Nuveen Asset Management to perform their duties to the Fund.
Certain AffiliationsCertain 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 Funds ability to engage in securities transactions and take advantage of market opportunities.
Asset Segregation RiskCertain portfolio management techniques, such as, among other things, using reverse repurchase agreements, purchasing investments on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis or entering into swap agreements, futures contracts or other derivative transactions, create leverage or its effect, and may be considered senior securities (as that term is defined under the 1940 Act). To avoid having these instruments considered senior securities, the Fund may maintain liquid assets with its custodian in an amount with a value at least equal (on a daily market value basis or notional value basis, as applicable) to the aggregate amount of its obligations under these types of leveraging transactions (often referred to as asset segregation), enter into offsetting transactions, or otherwise cover certain transactions, in accordance with the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder, and applicable positions of the SEC and its staff. The SEC recently adopted new Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, which imposes limits on replaces the asset segregation framework previously used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, among other requirements. The Fund will comply with the new rules requirements on or before the SECs compliance date in 2022. See Portfolio Composition and Other InformationAsset Segregation above. In the event that the Fund is unable to maintain sufficient assets, or otherwise cover, any open positions, a portion or all of these instruments will be classified as a senior security for 1940 Act purposes and be subject to certain limitations on senior securities under the 1940 Act. See Leverage above. The Fund may be restricted in its use of assets that are maintained for asset segregation, or committed as cover, for certain other purposes, which could result in the Fund earning a lower return on its portfolio than it might otherwise earn if it did not have to maintain those assets in respect of, or otherwise cover, such portfolio positions. To the extent the Funds assets are maintained or committed as cover, it could limit the Funds investment flexibility. Maintaining assets and covering positions will not limit or offset losses on the related leveraging positions.
Counterparty RiskThe Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivative transactions entered into by the Fund. Changes in the credit quality of the companies that serve as the Funds counterparties with respect to derivatives transactions may affect the value of those instruments. Because certain derivative transactions in which the Fund may engage may be traded between counterparties based on contractual relationships, the Fund is subject to the risk that a counterparty will not perform its obligations under the related contracts. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise becomes unable to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties the Fund may sustain losses (including the full amount of its investment), may be unable to liquidate a derivatives position or may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceedings. By entering into derivatives transactions, the Fund assumes the risk that its counterparties could experience such financial hardships. Although the Fund intends to enter into transactions only with counterparties that Nuveen Fund Advisors believes to be creditworthy, there can be no assurance that a counterparty will not default and that the Fund will not sustain a loss on a transaction. In the event of a counterpartys bankruptcy or insolvency, any collateral posted by the Fund in connection with a derivatives transaction may be subject to the conflicting claims of that counterpartys creditors, and the Fund may be exposed
Risks
51
to the risk of a court treating the Fund as a general unsecured creditor of the counterparty, rather than as the owner of the collateral.
The counterparty risk for cleared derivatives is generally lower than for uncleared OTC derivative transactions. In a cleared derivative transaction, generally, a clearing organization becomes substituted for each counterparty to a cleared derivative contract and each party to a trade looks only to the clearing organization for performance of financial obligations under the derivative contract. In effect, the clearing organization guarantees a partys performance under the contract. However, there can be no assurance that a clearing organization, or its members, will satisfy its obligations to the Fund, or that the Fund would be able to recover the full amount of assets deposited on its behalf with the clearing organization in the event of the default by the clearing organization or the Funds clearing broker. In addition, cleared derivative transactions benefit from daily marking-to-market and settlement, and segregation and minimum capital requirements applicable to intermediaries. Uncleared OTC derivative transactions generally do not benefit from such protections. As a result, for uncleared OTC derivative transactions, there is the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with its terms and conditions because of a dispute over the terms of the contract (whether or not bona fide) or because of a credit or liquidity problem, thus causing the Fund to suffer a loss. This risk is heightened for contracts with longer maturities where events may intervene to prevent settlement, or where the Fund has concentrated its transactions with a single or small group of counterparties.
Risks Related to the Funds Clearing Broker and Central Clearing CounterpartyThe CEA requires swaps and futures clearing brokers registered as futures commission merchants to segregate all funds received from customers with respect to any orders for the purchase or sale of U.S. domestic futures contracts and cleared swaps from the brokers proprietary assets. Similarly, the CEA requires each futures commission merchant to hold in separate secure accounts all funds received from customers with respect to any orders for the purchase or sale of foreign futures contracts and cleared swaps and segregate any such funds from the funds received with respect to domestic futures contracts. However, all funds and other property received by a clearing broker from its customers are held by the clearing broker on a commingled basis in an omnibus account and may be invested in certain instruments permitted under applicable regulations. There is a risk that assets deposited by the Fund with any swaps or futures clearing broker as margin for futures contracts or cleared swaps may, in certain circumstances, be used to satisfy losses of other clients of the Funds clearing broker. In addition, the assets of the Fund might not be fully protected in the event of the Funds clearing brokers bankruptcy, as the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds segregated on behalf of the clearing brokers customers for the relevant account class.
Similarly, the CEA requires a clearing organization approved by the CFTC as a derivatives clearing organization to segregate all funds and other property received from a clearing members clients in connection with domestic cleared derivative contracts from any funds held at the clearing organization to support the clearing members proprietary trading. Nevertheless, all customer funds held at a clearing organization in connection with any futures contracts are held in a commingled omnibus account and are not identified to the name of the clearing members individual customers. All customer funds held at a clearing organization with respect to cleared swaps of customers of a clearing broker are also held in an omnibus account, but CFTC rules require that the clearing broker notify the clearing organization of the amount of the initial margin provided by the clearing broker to the clearing organization that is attributable to each customer. With respect to futures and options contracts, a clearing organization may use assets of a non-defaulting customer held in an omnibus account at the clearing organization to satisfy payment obligations of a defaulting customer of the clearing member to the clearing organization. With respect to cleared swaps, a clearing organization generally cannot do so, but may do so if the clearing member does not provide accurate reporting to the clearing organization as to the attribution of margin among its clients. Also, since clearing brokers generally provide to clearing organizations the net amount of variation margin required for cleared swaps for all of its customers in the aggregate, rather than the gross amount of each customer, the Fund is subject to the risk that a clearing organization will not make variation margin payments owed to the Fund if another customer of the clearing member has suffered a loss and is in default. As a result, in the event of a default or the clearing brokers other clients or the clearing brokers failure to extend its own funds in connection with any such default, the Fund may not be able to recover the full amount of assets deposited by the clearing broker on behalf of the Fund with the clearing organization.
Other Investment Companies RiskThe Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies, including ETFs. Such securities may be leveraged. As a result, the Fund may be indirectly exposed to leverage through an investment in such securities and therefore magnify the Funds leverage risk. 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 Funds long-term returns on such securities (and, indirectly, the long-term returns of the Common Shares) will be diminished. The Fund, as a holder of the securities of other investment companies, will bear its pro rata portion of the
52
Risks
other investment companies expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses are in addition to the direct expenses of the Funds own operations. As a result, the cost of investing in investment company shares may exceed the costs of investing directly in its underlying investments. Investing in an investment company exposes the Fund to all of the risks of that investment companys investments. An ETF that is based on a specific index may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of securities in the index. The value of an ETF based on a specific index is subject to change as the values of its respective component assets fluctuate according to market volatility. ETFs typically rely on a limited pool of authorized participants to create and redeem shares, and an active trading market for ETF shares may not develop or be maintained. The market value of shares of ETFs and closed-end funds may differ from their NAV.
Risks
53
Trustees and Officers
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the Funds management, including supervision of the duties performed by Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management. The names and business addresses of the Funds trustees and officers 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 and Subadviser
Investment Adviser. Nuveen Fund Advisors, a registered investment adviser, is responsible for overseeing the Funds overall investment strategy and its implementation. Nuveen Fund Advisors also is responsible for the ongoing monitoring of Nuveen Asset Management, overseeing the Funds use of leverage, managing the Funds business affairs and providing certain clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative services to the Fund. Nuveen Fund Advisors is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606.
Nuveen Fund Advisors is an indirect 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 March 31, 2021, Nuveen managed approximately $1.2 trillion in assets, of which approximately $169.5 billion was managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors.
Subadviser. Nuveen Asset Management, a registered investment adviser, is the Funds subadviser responsible for investing the Funds Managed Assets. Nuveen Asset Management is a subsidiary of Nuveen Fund Advisors.
Portfolio Managers. John Miller and Steve Hlavin will serve as the Funds portfolio managers.
John Miller leads the municipals fixed income strategic direction and investment perspectives for Nuveen Asset Management. He also manages several municipal bond strategies and closed-end funds. John is a trusted public voice in discussing key issues and trends within the municipal market. He is a frequent guest on CNBC, Bloomberg Television and Fox Business News. His perspective is often sought out by leading industry media such as The Wall Street Journal, Barrons, Bloomberg News and Morningstar.
John became the Head of Nuveen Municipals for Nuveen Asset Management in August of 2018 with the integration of the Nuveen Asset Management and TIAA Investments municipals team. Before being named Nuveen Asset Managements co-head of fixed income in 2011, he was chief investment officer for the firms municipal bond team starting in 2007. He was named head of portfolio management for Nuveen Asset Management in 2006. He became a portfolio manager in 2000 after starting at the firm as a municipal credit analyst in 1996. He began working in the investment industry at a private account management firm in 1993.
Mr. Miller graduated with a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Duke University, an M.A. in Economics from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. in Finance, with honors, from the University of Chicago. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA institute and the CFA society of Chicago.
Steven Hlavin is a member of the high yield portfolio management team, and is a portfolio manager for the Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond strategy and supports the management of the firms other High Yield Municipal Bond portfolios. He oversees a number of state-specific, tax-exempt portfolios including the Kansas Municipal Bond, Louisiana Municipal Bond and Wisconsin Municipal Bond strategies. He is also responsible for the tender option bond/inverse floating rate program used by some of the firms closed-end and open-end funds. In addition, he manages two closed-end funds that rely on the use of tender option bonds for leverage and co-manages several ETFs.
Mr. Hlavin began his career in the investment industry in 2003 when he joined the Nuveen Asset Management. Prior to his current position at the firm, he worked as a senior analyst responsible for risk management and performance measurement processes.
Mr. Hlavin graduated with a B.A. in Finance and Accounting and an M.B.A. in Finance from Miami University. He has been a speaker at the Leveraging Performance Attribution Analysis for Fixed Income Investments Conference series and the Municipal Bond Buyers Conference.
Additional information about the portfolio managers compensation, other accounts managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management, and other information is provided in the SAI. The SAI is available free of charge by calling (800) 257-8787 or by visiting Nuveen Investments website at www.nuveen.com.
54
Management of the Fund
Investment Management and Subadvisory Agreements
Pursuant to an investment management agreement between Nuveen Fund Advisors and the Fund, the Fund will pay Nuveen Fund Advisors an annual management fee, payable monthly in arrears, in a maximum amount equal to 1.00% of the Funds average daily Managed Assets. This maximum fee is equal to the sum of a fund-level fee, with with breakpoints based only on the amount of assets within the Fund, and a complex-level fee, with breakpoints based upon the aggregate amount of all eligible assets of all Nuveen Funds, as described below, according to the following schedule.
Fund-Level Fee
The fund-level fee shall be applied according to the following schedule:
Fund-Level Average Daily Managed Assets | Fund-Level Fee Rate | |
For the first $125 million | 0.8000% | |
For the next $125 million |
0.7875% |
|
For the next $250 million |
0.7750% |
|
For the next $500 million |
0.7625% |
|
For the next $1 billion |
0.7500% |
|
For the next $3 billion |
0.7250% |
|
For Managed Assets over $5 billion |
0.7125% |
Complex-Level Fee
The effective rates of the complex-level fee at various specified complex-wide asset levels are as indicated in the following table:
Complex-Level Asset Breakpoint Level* |
Effective
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 connection with Nuveen Fund Advisorss 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 trusts 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 March 31, 2021, the complex-level fee rate was 0.1555%. |
Based on eligible assets as of March 31, 2021 the complex-level fee would be 0.1555% of Managed Assets, and the total annual management fee to Nuveen Fund Advisors would be 0.9555% of Managed Assets.
In addition to Nuveen Fund Advisors management fee, the Fund pays all other costs and expenses of its operations, including compensation of its trustees (other than those affiliated with Nuveen), custodian, transfer agency and dividend disbursing expenses, legal fees, expenses of its independent registered accounting firm, expenses of repurchasing Common 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.
Management of the Fund
55
Nuveen Fund Advisors has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses through July 31, 2023, so that the total annual operating expenses of the Fund (excluding any distribution and/or service fees that may be applicable to a particular class of shares, issuance and dividend costs of Preferred Shares that may be issued by the Fund, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities, litigation expenses and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 1.25% of the average daily Managed Assets of any class of Fund shares. This expense limitation may be terminated or modified prior to that date only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.
Separately, pursuant to an investment sub-advisory agreement between Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management, Nuveen Fund Advisors will pay Nuveen Asset Management a portfolio management fee equal to 50% of the investment management fee paid on the Funds average daily Managed Assets.
The basis for the Board of Trustees initial approval of the Funds investment management agreement and sub-advisory agreement will be provided in the Funds initial shareholder report. The basis for subsequent continuations of the Funds investment management agreement and sub-advisory agreement will be provided in annual or semiannual reports to shareholders for the periods during which such continuations occur.
56
Management of the Fund
The NAV of the Funds Common Shares is determined by dividing the total value of the Funds portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding.
The price you pay for your Common Shares or the amount you receive upon the repurchase of your Common Shares is based on the Funds NAV per Common Share, which is determined as of the close of trading (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for business. The Funds latest NAV per Common Share is available on the Funds website at www.nuveen.com. The Funds NAV is calculated by taking the market value of the Funds 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 Common Share. The Fund reserves the right to change the time as of which its respective NAV is calculated if the Fund closes earlier, or as permitted by the SEC.
In determining the Funds NAV, portfolio instruments generally are valued using prices provided by independent pricing services or obtained from other sources, such as broker-dealer quotations. Exchange-traded instruments generally are valued at the last reported sales price or official closing price on an exchange, if available. Independent pricing services typically value non-equity portfolio instruments utilizing a range of market-based inputs and assumptions, including readily available market quotations obtained from broker-dealers making markets in such instruments, cash flows and transactions for comparable instruments. In valuing municipal securities, the pricing services may also consider, among other factors, the yields or prices of municipal securities of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating and the obligors credit characteristics considered relevant by the pricing service or the Board of Trustees designee. In pricing certain securities, particularly less liquid and lower quality securities, the pricing services may consider information about a security, its issuer or market activity provided by Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management.
If a price cannot be obtained from a pricing service or other pre-approved source, or if Nuveen Fund Advisors deems such price to be unreliable, or if a significant event occurs after the close of the local market but prior to the time at which the Funds net asset value is calculated, a portfolio instrument will be valued at its fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees or persons acting at its direction. Nuveen Fund Advisors may determine that a price is unreliable in various circumstances. For example, a price may be deemed unreliable if it has not changed for an identified period of time, or has changed from the previous days price by more than a threshold amount, and recent transactions and/or broker dealer price quotations differ materially from the price in question.
Short-term fixed-income securities that will mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, unless it is determined that using this method would not reflect an investments fair value.
The Board of Trustees has adopted valuation procedures for the Fund and has delegated the day-to-day responsibility for fair value determinations to Nuveen Fund Advisors Valuation Committee. All fair value determinations made by the Valuation Committee are subject to review and ratification by the Board of Trustees. As a general principle, the fair value of a portfolio instrument is the amount that an owner might reasonably expect to receive upon the instruments current sale. A range of factors and analysis may be considered when determining fair value, including relevant market data, interest rates, credit considerations and/or issuer specific news. However, fair valuation involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a portfolio instrument may be materially different from the value that could be realized upon the sale of that instrument. The SEC recently adopted new Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, which establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the 1940 Act. The Fund will comply with the new rules valuation requirements on or before the SECs compliance date in 2022.
Net Asset Value
57
Commencing with the Funds first dividend, the Fund intends to pay a regular monthly income dividend to Common Shareholders.
The Fund currently intends to distribute, at least annually, realized capital gains (if any). The Fund may declare and pay dividends, capital gains or other taxable distributions more frequently, if necessary or appropriate in the Board of Trustees discretion.
The Fund reserves the right to change its distribution policy and the basis for establishing the rate of its monthly distributions at any time upon notice to Common Shareholders, upon a determination by the Board of Trustees that such change is in the best interests of the Fund and its Common Shareholders.
58
Distributions
Dividend Payments and Reinvestment Options
Each Common Shareholder will have all dividends, including any capital gain dividends, reinvested automatically in additional Common Shares, unless the shareholder elects to receive cash. An election to receive cash may be revoked or reinstated at the option of the shareholder. In the case of record shareholders such as banks, brokers or other nominees that hold common shares for others who are the beneficial owners, Common Shares will be administered on the basis of the number of Common Shares certified from time to time by the record shareholder as representing the total amount registered in such shareholders name and held for the account of beneficial owners. Shareholders whose shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or nominee should contact the bank, broker or nominee for details. Such shareholders may not be able to transfer their shares to another bank or broker.
Common Shares will be issued to you at their NAV on the ex-dividend date; there is no sales or other charge for reinvestment. You may request to have your dividends paid to you by check, sent via electronic funds transfer through Automated Clearing House network. For further information, contact your financial advisor or call Nuveen Investor Services at (833) 688-3368. If you request that your distributions be paid by check but those distributions cannot be delivered because of an incorrect mailing address, or if a distribution check remains uncashed for six months, the undelivered or uncashed distributions and all future distributions will be reinvested in Fund shares at the current net asset value.
Automatically reinvested dividends and distributions are taxed in the same manner as cash dividends and distributions. See Tax Matters.
Dividend Payments and Reinvestment Options
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Description of Shares and Debt
Common Shares
The Funds Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of Common Shares. The Common Shares being offered have a par value of $0.01 per share and, subject to differences between classes, have equal rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation of the Fund. The Fund is currently offering two classes of Common Shares: Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares. The Fund may offer additional classes of Common Shares in the future pursuant to exemptive relief from the SEC. An investment in any share class of the Fund represents an investment in the same assets of the Fund. However, the ongoing fees and expenses for each share class may be different. The fees and expenses for the Fund are set forth in Summary of Fund Expenses above. Certain share class details are set forth in Plan of Distribution below. The Common Shares being offered will, when issued, be fully paid and, subject to matters discussed under Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, non-assessable, and will have no preemptive or conversion rights, except as the Board of Trustees may otherwise determine, or rights to cumulative voting. The Declaration of Trust provides that each whole Common Share shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional Common Share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. However, separate votes are taken by each class of Common Shares on matters affecting an individual class of Common Shares. The Fund does not intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders. If the Fund issues Preferred Shares, the Common Shareholders will not be entitled to receive any cash distributions from the Fund unless all accrued dividends on Preferred Shares have been paid, and unless asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to Preferred Shares would be at least 200% after giving effect to the distributions. The Fund pays monthly dividends, typically on the first business day of the following month.
The Fund will make available unaudited reports at least semiannually and audited financial statements annually to all of its Common Shareholders.
The Common Shares are not, and are not expected to be, listed for trading on any national securities exchange nor is there expected to be any secondary trading market in the Common Shares.
The following provides information about the Funds outstanding Common Shares as of May 28, 2021:
Title of Class |
Authorized
Amount |
Amount Held
by the Fund or for its Account |
Amount
Outstanding(1) |
|||
Class I Common Shares | Unlimited | 0 | 10,000 | |||
Class A Common Shares | Unlimited | 0 | 0 |
(1) |
Prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement of which this prospectus is a part, Nuveen Fund Advisors purchased Class I Common Shares from the Fund in an amount satisfying the net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the 1940 Act and therefore owns 100% of the outstanding Common Shares. Nuveen Fund Advisors may be deemed to control the Fund until such time as it owns less than 25% of the outstanding Common Shares, which is expected to occur once the Fund commences investment operations and its Common Shares are sold to the public. |
Preferred Shares
The Funds 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 of Trustees, by action of the Board of Trustees without the approval of the Common Shareholders. The terms of any Preferred Shares that may be issued by the Fund may be the same as, or different from, the terms described below, subject to applicable law and the Declaration.
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 would be less than 200%. See Leverage. Additionally, the Fund will generally not be permitted to purchase any of its Common Shares or declare dividends (except a dividend payable in Common Shares) or other distributions on its Common Shares unless, at the time of such purchase or declaration, the asset coverage ratio with respect to such Preferred Shares, after taking into account such purchase or distribution, is at least 200%.
Any Preferred Shares issued by the Fund will have priority over the Common Shares. For so long as any Preferred Shares are outstanding, the Fund will not: (1) declare or pay any dividend or other distribution (other than a dividend or distribution paid in Common Shares) in respect of the Common Shares, (2) call for redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any Common Shares, or (3) pay any proceeds of the liquidation of the Fund in respect of the Common Shares, unless, in each case, (A) immediately thereafter, the Fund shall be in compliance with the 200% asset coverage limitations set forth under the 1940 Act after deducting the amount of such dividend or other distribution or redemption or purchase price or liquidation proceeds and (B) all cumulative dividends and other distributions of shares of all series of Preferred Shares of the Fund due on or prior to the date of the applicable dividend, distribution, redemption, purchase or acquisition shall have been declared and paid.
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Description of Shares and Debt
Distribution Preference. Any Preferred Shares would have complete priority over the Common Shares as to distribution of assets.
Liquidation Preference. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Fund, holders of Preferred Shares would be entitled to receive a preferential liquidating distribution (expected to equal the original purchase price per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon, whether or not earned or declared) before any distribution of assets is made to Common Shareholders. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, holders of Preferred Shares will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund. A consolidation or merger of the Fund with or into another entity or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Fund shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund.
Voting Rights. In connection with any issuance of Preferred Shares, the Fund must comply with Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act, which requires, among other things, that Preferred Shares be voting shares and have equal voting rights with Common Shares. Except as otherwise indicated in the SAI and except as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of Preferred Shares would vote together with Common Shareholders as a single class.
In connection with the election of the Funds trustees, holders of Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be entitled to elect two of the Funds trustees, and the remaining trustees would be elected by Common Shareholders and holders of Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class. In addition, if at any time dividends on the Funds outstanding Preferred Shares would be unpaid in an amount equal to two full years dividends thereon, the holders of all outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be entitled to elect a majority of the Funds trustees until all dividends in arrears have been paid or declared and set apart for payment.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Funds outstanding Preferred Shares of any class or series, as the case may be, voting as a separate class, would be required to, among other things, (1) take certain actions that would affect the preferences, rights, or powers of such class or series or (2) authorize or issue any class or series ranking prior to the Preferred Shares. Except as may otherwise be required by law, (1) the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Funds Preferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, would be required to approve any conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company and (2) the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be required to approve any plan of reorganization (as such term is used in the 1940 Act) adversely affecting such shares; provided however, that such separate class vote would be a majority vote if the action in question has previously been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Declaration or the By-laws. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be required to approve any action not described in the preceding sentence requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act including, among other things, changes in the Funds investment objectives or changes in the investment restrictions described as fundamental policies under Investment Restrictions in the SAI. The class or series vote of holders of Preferred Shares described above would in each case be in addition to any separate vote of the requisite percentage of Common Shares and Preferred Shares necessary to authorize the action in question.
The foregoing voting provisions would not apply with respect to the Funds Preferred Shares if, at or prior to the time when a vote was required, such shares would have been (1) redeemed or (2) called for redemption and sufficient funds would have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.
Redemption, Purchase and Sale of Preferred Shares. The terms of the Preferred Shares may provide that they are redeemable by the Fund at certain times, in whole or in part, at the original purchase price per share plus accumulated dividends, that the Fund may tender for or purchase Preferred Shares and that the Fund may subsequently resell any shares so tendered for or purchased. Any redemption or purchase of Preferred Shares by the Fund would reduce the leverage applicable to Common Shares, while any resale of such shares by the Fund would increase such leverage.
Senior Securities Representing Indebtedness
The Funds Declaration of Trust authorizes the Fund, without approval of the Common Shareholders, to borrow money. In this connection, the Fund may issue notes or other evidence of indebtedness (including bank borrowings or commercial paper) and may secure any such debt by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security the Funds assets. In connection with such borrowing, the Fund may be required to maintain minimum average balances with the lender or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit. Any such requirements will increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate. Under the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund, immediately after issuing any such senior security representing indebtedness, must have an asset coverage of at least 300%. See Leverage. Certain types of debt may result in the Fund being subject to certain restrictions imposed by guidelines
Description of Shares and Debt
61
of one or more rating agencies which may issue ratings for commercial paper or notes issued by the Fund. Such restrictions may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act.
The rights of lenders to the Fund to receive interest on and repayment of principal of any such debt will be senior to those of the Common Shareholders, and the terms of any such debt may contain provisions which limit certain activities of the Fund, including the payment of dividends to Common Shareholders in certain circumstances. Any debt will likely be ranked senior or equal to all other existing and future debt of the Fund.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time, should the Fund have outstanding any senior securities representing indebtedness, the Fund may not purchase, redeem or acquire any of its Common Shares or Preferred Shares unless at the time of such purchase, redemption, or acquisition, the asset coverage of such senior securities representing indebtedness pursuant to the 1940 Act (determined after deducting the acquisition price of such Common or Preferred Shares) is at least 300%. Additionally, the Fund will generally not be permitted to declare dividends or other distributions on its Common Shares unless, at the time of such declaration or distribution, the asset coverage applicable to such senior securities representing indebtedness pursuant to the 1940 Act (determined after deducting the dividend or distribution amount) is at least 300%. Further, the 1940 Act (in certain circumstances) grants to the holders of such senior securities representing indebtedness (1) the right to declare a default, and (2) certain voting rights, in the event that specified asset coverage levels on such senior debt securities are not maintained. Specifically, in accordance with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, it shall be deemed an event of default if the asset coverage of such senior debt securities falls below 100% on the last business day of each month for 24 consecutive calendar months. In addition, senior debt security holders will be permitted to elect at least a majority of the Funds trustees if the asset coverage of such senior debt securities falls below 100% on the last business day of each month for a 12 calendar month period. These voting rights will continue until such asset coverage equals at least 110% on the last business day of each month for three consecutive calendar months. The provisions described in this paragraph do not apply, however, to bank or other privately arranged debt that is not intended to be publicly distributed.
Inter-Fund Borrowing and Lending. The SEC has granted an exemptive order permitting the Nuveen registered open-end and closed-end funds, including the Fund, to participate in an inter-fund lending facility whereby those funds may directly lend to and borrow money from each other for temporary purposes (e.g., to satisfy redemption requests or when a sale of securities fails, resulting in an unanticipated cash shortfall) (the Inter-Fund Program). The closed-end Nuveen funds will participate only as lenders, and not as borrowers, in the Inter-Fund Program because such closed-end funds rarely, if ever, need to borrow cash to meet redemptions. The Inter-Fund Program is subject to a number of conditions, including, among other things, the requirements that (1) no fund may borrow or lend money through the Inter-Fund Program unless it receives a more favorable interest rate than is typically available from a bank or other financial institution for a comparable transaction; (2) no fund may borrow on an unsecured basis through the Inter-Fund Program unless the funds outstanding borrowings from all sources immediately after the inter-fund borrowing total 10% or less of its total assets; provided that if the borrowing fund has a secured borrowing outstanding from any other lender, including but not limited to another fund, the inter-fund loan must be secured on at least an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value; (3) if a funds total outstanding borrowings immediately after an inter-fund borrowing would be greater than 10% of its total assets, the fund may borrow through the inter-fund loan on a secured basis only; (4) no fund may lend money if the loan would cause its aggregate outstanding loans through the Inter-Fund Program to exceed 15% of its net assets at the time of the loan; (5) a funds inter-fund loans to any one fund shall not exceed 5% of the lending funds net assets; (6) the duration of inter-fund loans will be limited to the time required to receive payment for securities sold, but in no event more than seven days; and (7) each inter-fund loan may be called on one business days notice by a lending fund and may be repaid on any day by a borrowing fund. In addition, a Nuveen fund may participate in the Inter-Fund Program only if and to the extent that such participation is consistent with the funds investment objective(s) and investment policies. The Board of Trustees of the Nuveen Funds is responsible for overseeing the Inter-Fund Program. The limitations detailed above and the other conditions of the SEC exemptive order permitting the Inter-Fund Program are designed to minimize the risks associated with Inter-Fund Program for both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. However, no borrowing or lending activity is without risk. When a fund borrows money from another fund, there is a risk that the loan could be called on one days notice or not renewed, in which case the fund may have to borrow from a bank at a higher rate or take other actions to payoff such loan if an inter-fund loan is not available from another fund. Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.
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Description of Shares and Debt
Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws
Shareholder and Trustee Liability. Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the Funds obligations. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for the Funds debts or obligations and requires that notice of such limited liability be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Fund or the trustees. The Declaration of Trust further provides for indemnification out of the Funds assets and property for all loss and expense of any shareholder held personally liable for the Funds obligations. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund would be unable to meet its obligations. The Fund believes that the likelihood of such circumstances is remote.
The Declaration of Trust provides that the Funds obligations are not binding upon the Funds trustees individually, but only upon the Funds assets and property, and that the trustees shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. Nothing in the Declaration of Trust, however, 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.
Anti-Takeover Provisions. The 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 to convert the Fund to open-end status. If Preferred Shares are issued, holders of Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, will be entitled to elect two of the Funds trustees. In addition, the Declaration of Trust requires a vote by holders of at least two-thirds of the Common Shares and, if issued, Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class, except as described below, to authorize (1) a conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company, (2) a merger or consolidation of the Fund, or a series or class of the Fund, with any corporation, association, trust or other organization or a reorganization of the Fund, or a series or class of the Fund, (3) a sale, lease or transfer of all or substantially all of the Funds assets (other than in the regular course of the Funds investment activities), (4) in certain circumstances, a termination of the Fund, or a series or class of the Fund or (5) a removal of trustees by shareholders, and then only for cause, unless, with respect to (1) through (4), such transaction has already been authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Declaration of Trust or the By-laws, in which case the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Funds Common Shares and, if issued, Preferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting together as a single class, would be required; provided, however, that where only a particular class or series is affected (or, in the case of removing a trustee, when the trustee has been elected by only one class), only the required vote by the applicable class or series will be required. Approval of shareholders would not be required, however, for any transaction, whether deemed a merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise whereby the Fund issues shares in connection with the acquisition of assets (including those subject to liabilities) from any other investment company or similar entity. In the case of the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company, or in the case of any of the foregoing transactions constituting a plan of reorganization that adversely affects the holders of any outstanding Preferred Shares, the action in question also would require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Preferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, unless such transaction has already been authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Declaration of Trust or the By-laws, in which case the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Funds Preferred Shares outstanding at the time would be required. None of the foregoing provisions of the Declaration of Trust may be amended except by the vote of at least two-thirds of the Common Shares and preferred shares voting together as a single class. The votes required to approve the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company or to approve transactions constituting a plan of reorganization which adversely affects the holders of preferred shares are higher than those required by the 1940 Act. The Board of Trustees believes that the provisions of the Declaration of Trust relating to such higher votes are in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.
The overall effect of the provisions described above is to render more difficult the accomplishment of a merger or the assumption of control by a third party. They provide, however, the advantage of potentially requiring persons seeking control of the Fund to negotiate with its management regarding the price to be paid and facilitating the continuity of the Funds investment objectives and policies. The Funds Board of Trustees has considered the foregoing anti-takeover provisions and concluded that they are in the best interests of the Fund and its Common Shareholders.
Procedural Requirements on Derivative Actions, Exclusive Jurisdiction and Jury Trial Waiver. The By-laws of the Fund, dated as of October 5, 2020 and effective with respect to the Fund as of May 26, 2021, contain certain provisions affecting potential shareholder claims against the Fund, including procedural requirements for derivative actions, an exclusive forum provision, and the waiver of shareholder rights to a jury trial. Massachusetts is considered a universal demand state, meaning that under Massachusetts corporate law a shareholder must make a demand on the company before bringing a derivative action (i.e., a lawsuit brought by a shareholder on behalf of the company). The
Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws
63
By-laws of the Fund provide detailed procedures for the bringing of derivative actions by shareholders which are modeled on the substantive provisions of the Massachusetts corporate law derivative demand statute. The procedures are intended to permit legitimate inquiries and claims while avoiding the time, expense, distraction, and other harm that can be caused to the Fund or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions. Among other things, these procedures:
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provide that before bringing a derivative action, a shareholder or, if brought in the right of or name of or on behalf of a class of shareholders (the affected Class), the affected Class, must make a written demand to the Fund; |
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establish a 90 day review period, subject to extension in certain circumstances, for the Board of Trustees to evaluate the shareholders demand; |
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establish a mechanism for the Board of Trustees to submit the question of whether to maintain a derivative action to a vote of shareholders or the affected Class, as appropriate; |
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provide that if the Fund does not notify the requesting shareholder of the rejection of the demand within the applicable review period, the shareholder may commence a derivative action; |
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establish bases upon which a trustee will not be considered to be not independent for purposes of evaluating a derivative demand; and |
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provide that if the trustees who are independent for purposes of considering a shareholder demand determine in good faith within the applicable review period that the maintenance of a derivative action is not in the best interest of the Fund, the shareholder shall not be permitted to maintain a derivative action unless he or she 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 Fund. |
These procedures may be more restrictive than procedures for bringing derivative suits applicable to other investment companies.
The By-laws also require that actions by shareholders against the Fund or a class of the Fund, except for actions under the U.S. federal securities laws, be brought only in a certain federal court in Massachusetts, or if not permitted to be brought in federal court, then in the Business Litigation Session of the Massachusetts Superior Court in Suffolk County (the Exclusive Jurisdictions), and that the right to jury trial be waived to the fullest extent permitted by law. Other investment companies may not be subject to similar restrictions. The designation of Exclusive Jurisdictions may make it more expensive for a shareholder to bring a suit than if the shareholder were permitted to select another jurisdiction. Also, the designation of Exclusive Jurisdictions and the waiver of jury trials limit a shareholders ability to litigate a claim in the jurisdiction and in a manner that may be more favorable to the shareholder. It is possible that a court may choose not to enforce these provisions of the Funds By-laws.
Preemptive Rights. The Declaration of Trust provides that Common Shareholders shall have no right to acquire, purchase or subscribe for any shares or securities of the Fund, other than such right, if any, as the Board of Trustees in its discretion may determine. As of the date of this prospectus, no preemptive rights have been granted by the Board of Trustees.
Reference should be made to the Declaration of Trust and By-laws on file with the SEC for the full text of these provisions.
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Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws
The Board of Trustees may also from time to time consider submitting to the Funds shareholders a proposal to convert the Fund to an open-end investment company. In determining whether to exercise its sole discretion to submit this issue to shareholders, the Board of Trustees would consider all factors then relevant, including the size of the Fund, the extent to which shareholders have adequate liquidity thorough repurchase offers, the extent to which the Funds capital structure is leveraged and the possibility of re-leveraging (if any) and general market and economic conditions.
If previously approved by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Trustees, the Declaration of Trust requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding Common Shares to approve a conversion of the Fund from a closed-end investment company to an open-end investment company. In the event there are Preferred Shares outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Common Shares and Preferred Shares, voting as a single class, is required.
In the event of conversion to an open-end fund, any Preferred Shares would need to be redeemed and all or a portion of any borrowings may need to be repaid upon conversion to an open-end investment company. The Fund may charge sales or redemption fees upon conversion to an open-end fund. Shareholders of an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem their shares on any business day (except in certain circumstances as authorized by or under the 1940 Act) at their net asset value, less such redemption charge, if any, as might be in effect at the time of redemption, whereas the Fund currently makes only quarterly offers to repurchase its Common Shares (typically 5% per quarter), and shareholders do not have the right to otherwise have shares redeemed. Open-end companies are thus subject to more frequent periodic out-flows that can complicate portfolio management in comparison to the Fund. The Fund would expect to pay all such redemption requests in cash. If the Fund were converted to an open-end fund, it is likely that new Common Shares may be sold at NAV plus a sales load. In addition, to the extent the Fund is merged, consolidated or converted into an open-end registered investment company, it may no longer be able to use the same investment strategies. As a result, conversion to open-end status may require changes in the management of the Funds 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 Funds ability to meet its investment objectives or to use certain investment policies and techniques described above. In particular, if the Fund were to operate as an open-end investment company, it would be required to hold a greater amount of liquid assets and would be more limited in the amount of leverage it could employ, which could impact the Funds performance. As described above, the Fund, like an open-end company, intends to engage in a continuous offering of its Common Shares.
Conversion to Open-End Fund
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The following discussion of U.S. federal income tax matters is based on the advice of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP, counsel to the Fund.
The discussion below does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to special classes of taxpayers including, without limitation, financial institutions, insurance companies, a partnership or other entity treated as a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, U.S. stockholders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, tax-exempt organizations, a controlled foreign corporation or a passive foreign investment company, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities or commodities that elect mark-to-market treatment, or persons that will hold Common Stock as a position in a straddle, hedge or as part of a constructive sale for federal income tax purposes.
The discussions below and certain disclosure in the SAI provide general tax information related to an investment in the Common Shares. Because tax laws are complex and often change, you should consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of an investment in the Fund. The following tax discussion assumes that you are a U.S. Common Shareholder (as defined below) and that you hold the Common Shares as a capital asset (generally, property held for investment). A U.S. Common Shareholder means a person (other than a partnership) that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes (i) an individual citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source or (iv) a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.
The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to qualify as a RIC, the Fund must (i) derive at least 90% of its annual gross income from certain kinds of investment income; (ii) meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter, and (iii) distribute in each taxable year at least 90% of its net investment income (including net interest income and net short term capital gain) and net tax-exempt income. As a RIC, the Fund is not expected to be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent that it distributes its investment company taxable income and net recognized capital gains. The Fund primarily invests in securities whose income is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. Thus, substantially all of the Funds dividends paid to you should qualify as exempt-interest dividends. A shareholder treats an exempt-interest dividend as interest on state and local bonds exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. U.S. Federal income tax law imposes an alternative minimum tax with respect to noncorporate taxpayers. Interest on certain municipal obligations, such as certain private activity bonds, is included as an item of tax preference in determining the amount of a taxpayers alternative minimum taxable income. To the extent that the Fund receives income from such municipal obligations, a portion of the dividends paid by the Fund, although exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax, will be taxable to shareholders to the extent that their tax liability is determined under the federal alternative minimum tax. The Fund will annually provide a report indicating the percentage of the Funds income attributable to municipal obligations subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.
In addition to exempt-interest dividends, the Fund also may distribute to its shareholders amounts that are treated as long-term capital gain or ordinary income (which may include short-term capital gains). These distributions may be subject to federal, state and local taxation, depending on a shareholders situation. Taxable distributions are taxable whether or not such distributions are reinvested in the Fund. 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 Common Shareholder has held his or her Common Shares. Long-term capital gains for noncorporate shareholders are currently taxable at a maximum rate of 20%. The maximum rate applicable to ordinary income is 37%. Also, certain individuals, estates and trusts may be subject to an additional 3.8% tax on net investment income, which includes net capital gains. Net investment income does not include exempt-interest dividends. The Fund does not expect that any part of its distributions to shareholders from its investments will qualify for the dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders or as qualified dividend income to noncorporate shareholders.
As a RIC, the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax in any taxable year provided that it meets certain distribution requirements. As described in Distributions above, 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 the corporate income tax rate on the amount retained. If the Fund retains any net capital gain, it may report the retained amount as undistributed capital gains as part of its annual reporting 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
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Tax Matters
purposes, as long-term capital gain, their share of such undistributed amount; (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any; and (iii) will be entitled to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of Common Shares owned by a Common Shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholders gross income and the tax deemed paid by the Common Shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) currently requires that a RIC that has two or more classes of stock allocate to each such class proportionate amounts of each type of its income (such as exempt interest, ordinary income and capital gains). Accordingly, if the Fund issues Preferred Shares, it will designate dividends made with respect to Common Shares and Preferred Shares as consisting of particular types of income (e.g., exempt interest, net capital gain and ordinary income) in accordance with the proportionate share of each class in the total dividends paid by the Fund during the year. Dividends and other taxable distributions declared by the Fund in October, November or December to shareholders of record on a specified date in such month and paid during the following January will be treated as having been received by shareholders on December 31 of the year the distributions were declared. Each shareholder will receive an annual statement summarizing the shareholders dividend and capital gains distributions (including net capital gains credited to the Common Shareholder but retained by the Fund) after the close of the Funds taxable year.
The redemption, sale or exchange of Common Shares normally will result in capital gain or loss to Common Shareholders. Generally a shareholders gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Common Shares have been held for more than one year. Present law taxes both long-term and short-term capital gains of corporations at the same rates applicable to ordinary income. For non-corporate taxpayers, however, long-term capital gains are currently taxed at a maximum rate of 20%, while short-term capital gains and other ordinary income are currently taxed at ordinary income rates. The maximum rate applicable to ordinary income is 37%. An additional 3.8% tax may apply to certain individual, estate or trust shareholders taxable distributions and to any capital gains. Any loss on the sale of shares that have been held for six months or less will be disallowed to the extent of any distribution of exempt-interest dividends received with respect to such shares, unless the shares are of a RIC that declares exempt-interest dividends on a daily basis in an amount equal to at least 90% of its net tax-exempt interest and distributes such dividends on a monthly or more frequent basis. 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 distributions received by the shareholder on such share. 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 shares of the Fund will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
Any interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry the Funds shares to which exempt-interest dividends are allocated is not deductible by shareholders. Under certain applicable rules, the purchase or ownership of shares may be considered to have been made with borrowed funds even though such funds are not directly used for the purchase or ownership of the shares. In addition, if you receive Social Security or certain railroad retirement benefits, you may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of such benefits as a result of receiving investment income, including exempt-interest dividends and other distributions paid by the Fund.
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 accrued income, 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 may hold or acquire municipal obligations 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.
Tax Matters
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The Fund may be required to backup withhold U.S. federal income tax at the current rate of 24% of all taxable distributions payable to Common Shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or if the Common Shareholders have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
The Funds investment policies permit it to invest a portion of its assets in securities that generate income that is not exempt from U.S. federal or state income tax. The Fund may invest in other securities the U.S. federal income tax treatment of which is uncertain or subject to recharacterization by the IRS. To the extent the tax treatment of such securities or their income differs from the tax treatment expected by the Fund, it could affect the timing or character of income recognized by the Fund, requiring the Fund to purchase or sell securities, or otherwise change its portfolio, in order to comply with the tax rules applicable to RICs under the Code. Common 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.
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Tax Matters
Nuveen Securities, LLC, an affiliate of Nuveen Fund Advisors (the Distributor), is the principal underwriter and distributor of the Funds Common Shares pursuant to a distribution agreement (the Distribution Agreement) with the Fund. The Distributor, located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
The Distributor acts as the distributor of Common Shares for the Fund on a best efforts basis pursuant to the terms of the Distribution Agreement. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific amount of Common Shares of the Fund.
Common Shares of the Fund will be continuously offered through the Distributor. As discussed below, the Fund may authorize one or more intermediaries (e.g., broker-dealers and other financial firms) to receive orders on its behalf. The Common Shares will be offered at NAV per share calculated each regular business day. Please see Net Asset Value above.
The Fund and the Distributor will have the sole right to accept orders to purchase Common Shares and reserve the right to reject any order in whole or in part.
No market currently exists for the Funds Common Shares. The Fund will not list its Common Shares for trading on any securities exchange. There is currently no secondary market for the Funds Common Shares and the Fund does not anticipate that a secondary market will develop for its Common Shares. Neither Nuveen Fund Advisors nor the Distributor intends to make a market in the Funds Common Shares.
The Fund has agreed to indemnify the Distributor and certain of the Distributors affiliates against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act, as amended. To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Distributor has agreed to indemnify the Fund and each Trustee against certain liabilities under the 1933 Act and in connection with the services rendered to the Fund.
Share Classes
The Fund has adopted a Multi-Class Plan in accordance with Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act. Although the Fund is not an open-end investment company, it has undertaken to comply with the terms of Rule 18f-3 as a condition of an exemptive order under the 1940 Act which permits it to have, among other things, a multi-class structure. Under the Multi-Class Plan, Common Shares of each class of the Fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the Fund and, generally, have identical voting, distribution, liquidation, and other rights, preferences, powers, restrictions, limitations, qualifications and terms and conditions, except that: (a) each class has a different designation; (b) each class of Common Shares bears any class-specific expenses; and (c) each class shall have separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of any other class, and shall have exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to that class.
Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares of the Fund are offered in this prospectus. Each share class represents an investment in the same portfolio of investments, but each class has its own expense structure and arrangements for shareholder services or distribution, which allows you to choose the class that best fits your situation and eligibility requirements.
Class I Common Shares are generally offered for investment to investors such as pension and profit sharing plans, employee benefit trusts, endowments, foundations, corporations and institutions. Class I Common Shares may also be offered to investors participating in fee-based advisory programs that have (or whose trading agents have) an agreement with the Distributor to investors that are clients of certain registered investment advisers that have an agreement with the Distributor if it so deems appropriate. Class I Common Shares are also offered to the Trustees and certain employees and former partners of Nuveen and their extended family members. For these purposes, extended family members shall include such persons spouse or domestic partner, as recognized by applicable state law, children, siblings, current brother/sister-in-laws, parents, and current father/mother-in-laws. Further information about Common Shares that are offered in conjunction with a retirement plan can be obtained directly from such retirement plan.
Class A Common Shares are primarily offered and sold to retail investors by broker-dealers which are members of FINRA and which have agreements with the Distributor, but may be available through other financial firms, including banks and trust companies and to specified benefit plans and other retirement accounts.
Plan of Distribution
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Intra-Fund Share Common Class Conversions
Conversions at the Request of a Financial Intermediary. Subject to the conditions set forth in this paragraph, Common Shares of one class of the Fund may be converted into (i.e., reclassified as) Common Shares of a different class of the Fund at the request of a shareholders financial intermediary. To qualify for a conversion, the shareholder must satisfy the conditions for investing in the class into which the conversion is sought (as described in this prospectus and the SAI). Also, Common Shares are not eligible to be converted until any applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) period has expired. No sales charge will be imposed on the conversion of Common Shares. The financial intermediary making the conversion request must submit the request in writing. In addition, the financial intermediary or other responsible party must process and report the transaction as a conversion. The value of the Common Shares received during a conversion will be based on the relative NAV of the Common Shares being converted and the Common Shares received as a result of the conversion. It generally is expected that conversions will not result in taxable gain or loss.
Class A Distribution and Servicing Plan
The Fund has adopted a Distribution and Servicing Plan for Class A Common Shares of the Fund. The Distribution and Servicing Plan operates in a manner consistent with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, which regulates the manner in which an open-end investment company may directly or indirectly bear the expenses of distributing its Common Shares. Although the Fund is not an open-end investment company, it has undertaken to comply with the terms of Rule 12b-1 as a condition of an exemptive order under the 1940 Act which permits it to, among other things, impose distribution and shareholder servicing fees. The Distribution and Servicing Plan permits the Fund to compensate the Distributor for using reasonable efforts to secure purchasers of the Funds Common Shares, including by providing continuing information and investment services and/or by making payments to certain authorized institutions in connection with the sale of Common Shares or servicing of shareholder accounts. Most or all of the distribution and/or service fees are paid to financial firms through which Shareholders may purchase or hold Class A Common Shares. Because these fees are paid out of the Funds Class A Common Share assets on an ongoing basis, over time they will increase the cost of an investment in Class A Common Shares and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. The maximum annual rates at which the distribution and/or servicing fees may be paid under the Distribution and Servicing Plan (calculated as a percentage of the Funds average daily net assets attributable to the Class A Common Shares) is 0.75%.
Purchasing Shares
The following section provides basic information about how to purchase Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares of the Fund.
The Funds Common Shares are offered for sale in the U.S. and are not widely available outside the United States. For purposes of this policy, a U.S. resident is defined as an account with (i) a U.S. address of record and (ii) all account owners residing in the U.S. at the time of sale. Non-U.S. residents should be aware that U.S. withholding and estate taxes and certain U.S. tax reporting requirements may apply to any investment in the Fund. Eligible investors may purchase Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares in the following ways:
Through your broker-dealer or other financial firm. The Funds Common Shares may in the future be available through broker-dealers, banks, trust companies, insurance companies and other financial firms. Your broker-dealer or other financial firm may establish different minimum investment requirements than the Fund and may also independently charge you transaction fees and additional amounts (which may vary) in return for its services, which will reduce your return. Shares you purchase through your broker-dealer or other financial firm will normally be held in your account with that firm.
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Through the Distributor. You should discuss your investment with your financial advisor before you make a purchase to be sure the Fund is appropriate for you. If you do not list a financial advisor and his/her brokerage firm on the Account Application, the Distributor is designated as the broker of record, but solely for purposes of acting as your agent to purchase shares through any financial intermediary that has a sales agreement with the Distributor. The Distributor acts as an agent for the Fund to work with financial intermediaries that buy and sell Common Shares of the Fund on behalf of their clients. Generally, the Distributor does not sell Fund Common Shares directly to investors. Initial purchases of Fund Shares may be made through any financial intermediary that has a sales agreement with the Distributor. Unless you are investing in the Fund through a retirement and benefit plan, fee-based program or other financial intermediary, you and your investment professional may fill out the application and send it to the Fund at the address below. To open an account through a retirement and benefit plan, fee-based program or other type of financial intermediary, you should contact your financial intermediary for instructions on opening an account.
Overnight Mail:
Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
C/O DST Systems, Inc.
430 W. 7th Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
Regular Mail:
Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
C/O DST Systems, Inc.
PO Box 219307
Kansas City, MO 64121-9097
Please do not send account applications or purchase or redemption orders to Nuveens offices in Chicago, IL.
For inquiries, please call DST Call Center: (833) 688-3368 (8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. CST).
In order to receive the current days NAV, order instructions must be received in good order prior to the close of regular trading on the NYSE (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (NYSE Close). Instructions must include the name and signature of an appropriate person designated on the Account Application (Authorized Person), account name, account number, name of the Fund and dollar amount. Failure to send the accompanying payment on the same day may result in the cancellation of the order. Payments received without order instructions could result in a processing delay.
Investment Minimums
Class I Common Shares. The following investment minimums apply for purchases of Class I Common Shares:
Initial Investment |
Subsequent Investments |
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$100,000 per account | None |
Class A Common Shares. The following investment minimums apply for purchases of Class A Common Shares:
Initial Investment |
Subsequent Investments |
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$2,500 per account | $100 |
The initial investment minimums may be modified for certain financial firms that submit orders on behalf of their customers. The Fund or the Distributor may lower or waive the minimum initial investment for certain categories of investors at their discretion. The initial investment minimums may also be modified for the Trustees and certain employees and former partners of Nuveen and their extended family members. For these purposes, extended family members shall include such persons spouse or domestic partner, as recognized by applicable state law, children, siblings, current brother/sister-in-laws, parents, and current father/mother-in- laws. Please see the Statement of Additional Information for details.
Class I Common Shares are available for purchase at a modified minimum investment amount by clients of financial intermediaries who charge such clients an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or related services. Such clients may include individuals, corporations, endowments and foundations. The minimum initial investment for such clients is $100,000, but this minimum will be lowered to $25,000 for clients of financial intermediaries that have accounts holding Class I Common Shares with an aggregate value of at least $100,000. The Distributor may also lower the minimum to $25,000 for clients of financial intermediaries anticipated to reach this Class I Common Shares holdings level.
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Additionally, Class I Common Shares are also available for purchase by family offices and their clients. A family office is a company that provides certain financial and other services to a high net worth family or families. The minimum initial investment for family offices and their clients is $100,000, but this minimum will be lowered to $25,000 for clients of family offices that have accounts holding Class I Common Shares with an aggregate value of at least $100,000.
Class I Common Shares also are available for purchase, with no minimum initial investment, by certain other categories of investors, including members of the Board of Trustees of the Fund and certain employees of Nuveen, LLC, its affiliates and extended family members of such individuals, as described in the Purchase of Class I Common Shares by Eligible Investors section in the SAI.
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Additional Investments. An investor may make additional purchases of Fund Commons Shares by contacting your investment professional or financial intermediary. If you have direct account privileges with the Fund, you may make additional purchases by sending a mailing as outlined above. You may obtain a Subscription Request Form online at nuveen.com or by calling (833) 688-3368. If you invest through a broker-dealer, contact your financial firm for information on purchasing additional Class I Common Shares. |
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Other Purchase Information. Purchases of Class I Common Shares will be made in full and fractional shares. |
The Fund and the Distributor each reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend the offering of shares of the Fund or to reject any purchase order, in whole or in part, when, in the judgment of management, such suspension or rejection is in the best interests of the Fund.
In the interest of economy and convenience, certificates for shares will not be issued.
Sales ChargeClass I Common Shares
Class I Common Shares are not subject to a sales charge.
Sales ChargeClass A Common Shares
This section includes important information about sales charge reduction programs available to investors in Class A Common Shares of the Fund and describes information or records you may need to provide to the Distributor or your financial firm in order to be eligible for sales charge reduction programs.
Unless you are eligible for a waiver, the public offering price you pay when you buy Class A Common Shares of the Fund is the NAV of the Shares plus an initial sales charge. The initial sales charge varies depending upon the size of your purchase, as set forth below. You do not pay a sales charge on the Funds distributions or dividends you reinvest in additional Class A Common Shares. For investors investing in Class A Common Shares of the Fund through a financial intermediary, it is the responsibility of the financial intermediary to ensure that you obtain the proper breakpoint discount.
Because the offering price is calculated to two decimal places, the dollar amount of the sales charge as a percentage of the offering price and your net amount invested for any particular purchase of Fund Shares may be higher or lower depending on whether downward or upward rounding was required during the calculation process.
Class A Common Shares are subject to the following sales charge:
Investors in the Fund may reduce or eliminate sales charges applicable to purchases of Class A Common Shares through utilization of the Right of Accumulation, Letter of Intent or Reinstatement Privilege. These programs (described below) will apply to purchases of Class A Common Shares of the Fund that are combined with purchases of shares of other closed-end interval funds that Nuveen sponsors in the future (collectively, Eligible Funds), which offer Class A Common Shares. Eligible Funds include open-end funds sponsored by Nuveen.
CDSC. If any Class A Common Shares for which you did not pay a sales charge are repurchased before the first day of the month in which the one-year anniversary of your initial purchase falls, a CDSC of 1.50% normally will be collected.
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The CDSC is not charged on Class A Common Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions and is charged on the original purchase cost or the NAV of the Class A Common Shares at the time they are repurchased, whichever is lower. In addition, repayment of loans under certain retirement and benefit plans will constitute new sales for purposes of assessing the CDSC. To minimize the amount of any CDSC, the Fund repurchases Shares in the following order:
1. |
Shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions (always free of a CDSC); |
2. |
Shares held for one year or more; and |
3. |
Shares held before the first anniversary of their purchase. |
Investors in the Fund may reduce or eliminate sales charges applicable to purchases of Class A Common Shares through utilization of the Rights of Accumulation, Letter of Intention or Reinvestment Privilege. These programs will apply to purchases of other Class A Common Shares of the Fund that are combined with purchases of shares of closed-end interval funds that Nuveen may sponsor in the future which offer Class A Common Shares.
Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers
Please inform the Fund, if you have direct account privileges with the Fund, or your financial intermediary at the time of your purchase of Fund Class A Common Shares if you believe you qualify for a reduced front-end sales charge.
Reducing Your Class A Common Share Front-End Sales Charge. You may purchase Class A Common Shares at a discount if you qualify under the circumstances outlined below. To receive a reduced front-end sales charge, you must let the Fund, if you have direct account privileges with the Fund, or your financial intermediary know at the time of your purchase of Fund Class A Common Shares that you believe you qualify for a discount. If you or a related party have holdings of Eligible Funds in other accounts with your financial intermediary or with other financial intermediaries that may be combined with your current purchase in determining the sales charge as described below, you must let the Fund, if you have direct account privileges with the Fund, or your financial intermediary know. Investors should consult with their financial intermediary about the calculation of the sales charge and any additional fees or charges their financial intermediary might impose on Class A Common Shares.
You may be asked to provide supporting account statements or other information to allow us or your financial intermediary to verify your eligibility for a discount. If you have direct account privileges with the Fund, or your financial intermediary do not notify the Fund or provide the requested information, you may not receive the reduced sales charge for which you otherwise qualify. Class A Common Shares may be purchased at a discount if you qualify under any of the following conditions:
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Rights of Accumulation When purchasing Class A Common Shares of the Fund, a Purchaser (as defined below) may combine the value of shares of any Eligible Fund currently owned with a new purchase of Class A Common Shares of the Fund in order to reduce the sales charge on the new purchase. |
To the extent that your financial intermediary is able to do so, the value of shares of Eligible Funds determined for the purpose of reducing the sales charge of a new purchase under the Rights of Accumulation will be calculated at the higher of: (1) the aggregate current maximum offering price of your existing shares of Eligible Funds; or (2) the aggregate amount you invested in such Class A Common Shares (including dividend reinvestments but excluding capital appreciation) less any redemptions. You should retain any information and account records necessary to substantiate the historical amounts you and any related Purchasers have invested in Eligible Funds. You must inform the Fund and/or your financial intermediary at the time of purchase if you believe your purchase qualifies for a reduced sales charge and you may be requested to provide documentation of your holdings in order to verify your eligibility as financial intermediaries may have different policies for determining the aggregated holdings of Eligible Funds by related Purchasers. If you do not do so, you may not receive all sales charge reductions for which you are eligible.
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Letter of Intention In order to reduce your Class A Common Shares front-end sales charge, when purchasing Class A Common Shares of the Fund, a Purchaser may combine purchases of shares of any Eligible Fund the Purchaser intends to make over the next 13 months in determining the applicable sales charge. The 13-month Letter of Intention period commences on the day that the Letter of Intention is received by the Fund, and the Purchaser must tell the Fund that later purchases are subject to the Letter of Intention. Purchases submitted prior to the date the Letter of Intention is received by the Fund are not counted toward the sales charge reduction. Current holdings under Rights of Accumulation may be included in a Letter of Intention in order to reduce the sales charge for purchases during the 13-month period covered by the Letter of Intention. Class A Common Shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends or distributions are not included. Class A |
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Common Shares valued at 5% of the amount of intended purchases are escrowed and may be redeemed to cover the additional sales charges payable if the intended purchases under the Letter of Intention are not completed. The Letter of Intention is neither a binding obligation on you to buy, nor on the Fund to sell, any or all of the intended purchase amount. |
Purchaser. A Purchaser includes: (1) an individual; (2) an individual, his or her spouse, domestic partner, and children under the age of 21; (3) retirement and benefit plans including a 401(k) plan, profit-sharing plan, money purchase plan, defined benefit plan, and 457(b) plan sponsored by a governmental entity, non-profit organization, school district or church to which employer contributions are made, as well as SIMPLE IRA plans and SEP-IRA plans; or (4) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing Class A Common Shares for a single trust, estate or single fiduciary account. An individual may include under item (1) his or her holdings in Eligible Funds as described below in IRAs, as a sole participant of a retirement and benefit plan sponsored by the individuals business, and as a participant in a 403(b) plan to which only pre-tax salary deferrals are made. An individual, his or her spouse, and domestic partner may include under item (2) their holdings in IRAs, and as the sole participants in retirement and benefit plans sponsored by a business owned by either or both of them. A retirement and benefit plan under item (3) includes all qualified retirement and benefit plans of a single employer and its consolidated subsidiaries, and all qualified retirement and benefit plans of multiple employers registered in the name of a single bank trustee.
Front-End Sales Charge Waivers. Class A Common Shares may be purchased without a front-end sales charge (at NAV) under any of the following conditions:
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purchases of $250,000 or more (may be subject to a CDSC); and |
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purchases by employees of any consenting securities dealer having a sales agreement with Nuveen Distributor. |
CDSC Waivers. The CDSC will not be assessed on the redemption of Class A Common Shares upon the death of a shareholder or eligible mandatory distributions under the Code. Documentation may be required and some limitations may apply.
Sales Charge Waivers on Transfers between Accounts. Class A Common Shares of any Nuveen Fund can be purchased at NAV under the following circumstances:
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Transfers of Nuveen Fund Shares from an IRA or other qualified retirement plan account to a taxable account in connection with a required minimum distribution; or |
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Transfers of Nuveen Fund Shares held in a taxable account to an IRA or other qualified retirement plan account for the purpose of making a contribution to the IRA or other qualified retirement plan account. |
A CDSC will not be imposed at the time of the transaction under such circumstances; instead, the date on which such Class A Common Shares were initially purchased will be used to calculate any applicable CDSC when the Class A Common Shares are redeemed. You must inform the Fund and/or your financial intermediary at the time of purchase if you believe your purchase qualifies for a reduced sales charge and you may be requested to provide documentation of your holdings in order to verify your eligibility. If you do not do so, you may not receive all sales charge reductions for which you are eligible.
Reinvestment Privilege. If you redeem Class A Common Shares of a Nuveen Fund, you may reinvest some or all of the proceeds in the same class of any Eligible Fund on or before the 90th day after the redemption without a sales charge unless the reinvestment would be prohibited by that Nuveen Funds frequent trading policy (if any). Special tax rules may apply. If you paid a CDSC when you redeemed your Class A Common Shares, you will be credited with the amount of the CDSC. All accounts involved must have the same registration. This privilege does not apply to purchases made through Invest-A-Matic or other automatic investment services. The reinvestment privilege only applies to your Funds Class A Common Shares if you previously paid a front-end sales charge in connection with your purchase of such Class A Common Shares.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
As part of a plan for distributing Common Shares, authorized financial intermediaries that sell the Funds Common Shares and service its shareholder accounts receive sales and service compensation. Additionally, authorized financial intermediaries may charge a fee to effect transactions in Fund Common Shares.
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Sales compensation originates from sales charges that are paid directly by shareholders and distribution fees that are paid by the Fund out of share class assets. Service compensation originates from service fees. The Fund accrues the distribution and service fees daily at annual rates shown in the Fees and Expenses table above based upon average daily net assets. The portion of the distribution and service fees for each share class is as follows:
Fee | Class A Common Shares(1) | Class I Common Shares | ||||||
Service | 0.25 | % | | |||||
Distribution | 0.50 | % | |
(1) |
For purchases of Class A Common Shares without a front-end sales charge and for which Nuveen Distributor pays distribution-related compensation, the service and distribution payments shall commence 12 months after purchase. |
The Distributor may pay distribution and service fees to authorized financial intermediaries or use the fees for other distribution purposes, including revenue sharing. The amounts paid by the Fund need not be directly related to expenses. If the Distributors actual expenses exceed the fee paid to it, the Fund will not have to pay more than that fee. Conversely, if the Distributors expenses are less than the fee it receives, the Distributor will keep the excess amount of the fee.
Sales Activities. The Fund may use distribution fees to pay authorized financial intermediaries to finance any activity that primarily is intended to result in the sale of Common Shares. The Distributor uses its portion of the distribution fees attributable to the Common Shares of a particular class for activities that primarily are intended to result in the sale of Common Shares of such class. These activities include, but are not limited to, printing of prospectuses and statements of additional information and reports for anyone other than existing shareholders, preparation and distribution of advertising and sales material, expenses of organizing and conducting sales seminars, additional payments to authorized financial intermediaries, maintenance of shareholder accounts, the cost necessary to provide distribution-related services or personnel, travel, office expenses, equipment and other allocable overhead.
Service Activities. The Distributor may pay service fees to authorized financial intermediaries for any activity that primarily is intended to result in personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts or certain retirement and benefit plans. Any portion of the service fees paid to the Distributor will be used to service and maintain shareholder accounts.
Dealer Concessions on Class A Purchases With a Front-End Sales Charge. See Sales Charge Class A Common Shares for more information.
Dealer Concessions Without a Front-End Sales Charge. For purchases of Class A Common Shares, the Distributor may pay dealers distribution-related compensation (i.e., concessions) according to the schedule set forth below (which may be subject to a CDSC).
Dealers receive concessions described below on purchases made within a 12-month period beginning with the first NAV purchase of Class A Common Shares for the account. The concession rate resets on each anniversary date of the initial NAV purchase, provided that the account continues to qualify for treatment at NAV.
Dealer Concession Schedule Class A Common Shares for Certain Purchases Without a Front-End Sales Charge
The dealer concession received is based on the amount of the Class A Common Shares investment as follows:
Class A Common Share Investments | Front-End Sales Charge* | Dealers Concession | ||||||
Over $250,000 | None | 1.50 | % |
* |
Class A Common Shares purchased without a sales charge will be subject to a 1.50% CDSC if they are redeemed before the first day of the month in which the one-year anniversary of the purchase falls. |
Revenue Sharing and Other Payments to Dealers and Financial Intermediaries. Nuveen (the term Nuveen in this section refers to Nuveen Fund Advisors and also refers to the Distributor unless the context requires otherwise) may make payments to certain financial intermediaries for marketing and distribution support activities. Nuveen makes these payments, at its own expense, out of its own resources (including revenues from advisory fees and distribution and service fees), and without any additional costs to the Fund or the Funds Shareholders.
In general, these payments are intended to compensate or reimburse financial intermediary firms for certain activities, including: promotion of sales of Fund Common Shares, such as placing the Nuveen Family of Funds on a preferred list of fund families; making Fund Common Shares available on certain platforms, programs, or trading venues; educating a financial intermediary firms sales force about the Fund; providing services to shareholders; and various other promotional efforts and/or costs. The payments made to financial intermediaries may be used to cover costs and expenses related to these promotional efforts, including travel, lodging, entertainment, and meals, among other things. In addition, Nuveen may provide payments to a financial intermediary in connection with Nuveens
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participation in or support of conferences and other events sponsored, hosted, or organized by the financial intermediary. The aggregate amount of these payments may be substantial and may exceed the actual costs incurred by the financial intermediary in engaging in these promotional activities or services and the financial intermediary firm may realize a profit in connection with such activities or services.
Nuveen may make such payments on a fixed or variable basis based on Fund sales, assets, transactions processed, and/or accounts attributable to a financial intermediary, among other factors. Nuveen determines the amount of these payments in its sole discretion. In doing so, Nuveen may consider a number of factors, including: a financial intermediarys sales, assets, and redemption rates; the nature and quality of any shareholder services provided by the financial intermediary; the quality and depth of the financial intermediarys existing business relationships with Nuveen; the expected potential to expand such relationships; and the financial intermediarys anticipated growth prospects. Not all financial intermediaries receive revenue sharing payments and the amount of revenue sharing payments may vary for different financial intermediaries. Depending on the particular arrangement, Nuveen may choose not to make payments in relation to certain classes of shares of the Fund.
In some circumstances, these payments may create an incentive for a broker-dealer or its investment professionals to recommend or sell Fund Common Shares to you. Nuveen may benefit from these payments to the extent the broker-dealers sell more Fund Common Shares or retain more Fund Common Shares in their clients accounts because Nuveen receives greater management and other fees as Fund assets increase. For more specific information about these payments, including revenue sharing arrangements, made to your broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and the conflicts of interest that may arise from such arrangements, please contact your investment professional.
Payments for Recordkeeping, Networking, and Other Services. In addition to the payments from Nuveen Fund Advisors or the Distributor described above, from time to time, Nuveen Fund Advisors and the Distributor may have other relationships with financial intermediaries relating to the provision of services to the Fund, such as providing omnibus account services or executing portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Fund generally may pay recordkeeping fees for services provided to plans where the account is a plan- level or fund-level omnibus account and plan participants have the ability to determine their investments in particular mutual funds. If your financial intermediary provides these services, Nuveen Fund Advisors or the Fund may compensate the financial intermediary for these services. In addition, your financial intermediary may have other relationships with Nuveen Fund Advisors or the Distributor that are not related to the Fund.
For example, the Fund may enter into arrangements with and pay fees to financial intermediaries that provide recordkeeping or other subadministrative services to certain groups of investors in the Fund including participants in retirement and benefit plans, investors in fund advisory programs, and clients of financial intermediaries that operate in an omnibus environment (collectively, Investors). The recordkeeping services typically include: (a) establishing and maintaining Investor accounts and records; (b) recording Investor account balances and changes thereto; (c) arranging for the wiring of funds; (d) providing statements to Investors; (e) furnishing proxy materials, periodic Fund reports, prospectuses and other communications to Investors as required; (f) transmitting Investor transaction information; and (g) providing information in order to assist the Fund in its compliance with state securities laws. The fees that the Fund pays are designed to compensate financial intermediaries for such services.
The Fund also may pay fees to broker-dealers for networking services. Networking services may include but are not limited to:
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establishing and maintaining individual accounts and records; |
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providing client account statements; and |
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providing 1099 forms and other tax statements. |
The networking fees that the Fund pay to broker-dealers normally result in reduced fees paid by the Fund to the transfer agent, which otherwise would provide these services.
Financial intermediaries may charge additional fees or commissions other than those disclosed in this prospectus, such as a transaction based fee or other fee for its service, and may categorize and disclose these arrangements differently than described in the discussion above and in the SAI. You may ask your financial intermediary about any payments it receives from Nuveen or the Fund, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges.
Signature Validation
When a signature validation is called for, a Medallion signature guarantee or Signature validation program (SVP) stamp may be required. A Medallion signature guarantee is intended to provide signature validation for transactions considered financial in nature, and an SVP stamp is intended to provide signature validation for transactions
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non-financial in nature. In certain situations, a notarized signature may be used instead of a Medallion signature guarantee or an SVP stamp. A Medallion signature guarantee or SVP stamp may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency, savings association or other financial institution which is participating in a Medallion program or Signature validation program recognized by the Securities Transfer Association. When a Medallion signature guarantee or SVP stamp is required, signature validations from financial institutions which are not participating in one of these programs will not be accepted. Please note that financial institutions participating in a recognized Medallion program may still be ineligible to provide a signature validation for transactions of greater than a specified dollar amount. The Fund may change the signature validation requirements from time to time upon notice to Common Shareholders, which may be given by means of a new or supplemented prospectus. Shareholders should contact the Fund for additional details regarding the Funds signature validation requirements.
In addition, corporations, trusts, and other institutional organizations are required to furnish evidence of the authority of the persons designated on the Account Application to effect transactions for the organization.
Acceptance and Timing of Purchase Orders
A purchase order received by the Fund or its designee prior to the NYSE Close, on a day the Fund is open for business, together with payment made in one of the ways described above will be effected at that days NAV plus any applicable sales charge. An order received after the NYSE Close will be effected at the NAV determined on the next business day. However, orders received by certain retirement plans and other financial firms on a business day prior to the NYSE Close and communicated to the Fund or its designee prior to such time as agreed upon by the Fund and financial firm will be effected at the NAV determined on the business day the order was received by the financial firm. The Fund is open for business on each day the NYSE is open for trading, which excludes the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. If the NYSE is closed due to weather or other extenuating circumstances on a day it would typically be open for business, the Fund reserves the right to treat such day as a Business Day and accept purchase orders in accordance with applicable law. The Fund reserves the right to close if the primary trading markets of the Funds portfolio instruments are closed and the Funds management believes that there is not an adequate market to meet purchase requests. On any business day when the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) recommends that the securities markets close trading early, the Fund may close trading early. Purchase orders will be accepted only on days which the Fund is open for business.
The Fund and the Distributor each reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to accept or reject any order for purchase of Class I common Shares and Class A Common Shares. The sale of Common Shares may be suspended during any period in which the NYSE is closed other than weekends or holidays, or if permitted by the rules of the SEC, when trading on the NYSE is restricted or during an emergency which makes it impracticable for the Fund to dispose of its securities or to determine fairly the value of its net assets, or during any other period as permitted by the SEC for the protection of investors.
Verification of Identity
To help the federal government combat the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person that opens a new account, and to determine whether such persons name appears on government lists of known or suspected terrorists and terrorist organizations. As a result, the Fund must obtain the following information for each person that opens a new account:
1. Name;
2. Date of birth (for individuals);
3. Residential or business street address; and
4. Social security number, taxpayer identification number, or other identifying number.
Federal law prohibits the Fund and other financial institutions from opening a new account unless they receive the minimum identifying information listed above.
Individuals may also be asked for a copy of their drivers license, passport or other identifying document in order to verify their identity. In addition, it may be necessary to verify an individuals identity by cross-referencing the identification information with a consumer report or other electronic database. Additional information may be required to open accounts for corporations and other entities.
After an account is opened, the Fund may restrict your ability to purchase additional Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares until your identity is verified. The Fund also may close your account and redeem your shares or take other appropriate action if it is unable to verify your identity within a reasonable time.
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The Fund is a closed-end interval fund and, to provide liquidity and the ability to receive NAV on a disposition of at least a portion of your Common Shares, makes periodic offers to repurchase Common Shares. No shareholder will have the right to require the Fund to repurchase its Common Shares, except as permitted by the Funds interval structure. No public market for the Common Shares exists, and none is expected to develop in the future. Consequently, Common Shareholders generally will not be able to liquidate their investment other than as a result of repurchases of their Common Shares by the Fund, and then only on a limited basis.
The Fund has adopted, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, a fundamental policy, which cannot be changed without shareholder approval, requiring the Fund to offer to repurchase at least 5% and up to 25% of its Common Shares at NAV on a regular schedule. Although the policy permits repurchases of between 5% and 25% of the Funds outstanding Common Shares, for each quarterly repurchase offer, the Fund currently expects to offer to repurchase 7.5% of the Funds outstanding Common Shares at NAV subject to approval of the Board of Trustees. The schedule requires the Fund to make repurchase offers every three months. The Fund expects the first Repurchase Request Deadline to occur no later than six months after the initial effective date of this registration statement.
Repurchase Dates
The Fund will make quarterly repurchase offers every three months. As discussed below, the date on which the repurchase price for Common Shares is determined will occur no later than the 14th day after the Repurchase Request Deadline (or the next business day, if the 14th day is not a business day).
Repurchase Request Deadline
The date by which shareholders wishing to tender Common Shares for repurchase must respond to the repurchase offer typically falls approximately seven days before the Repurchase Pricing Date (defined below). The Fund currently anticipates that the Repurchase Request Deadline will be the same date as the Repurchase Pricing Date. When a repurchase offer commences, the Fund sends, at least 21 days before the Repurchase Request Deadline, written notice to each Common Shareholder setting forth, among other things:
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The percentage of outstanding Common Shares that the Fund is offering to repurchase and how the Fund will purchase Common Shares on a pro rata basis if the offer is oversubscribed. |
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The date on which a Common Shareholders repurchase request is due. |
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The date that will be used to determine the Funds NAV applicable to the repurchase offer (the Repurchase Pricing Date). |
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The date by which the Fund will pay to Common Shareholders the proceeds from their Common Shares accepted for repurchase. |
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The NAV of the Common Shares as of a date no more than seven days before the date of the written notice and the means by which shareholders may ascertain the NAV. |
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The procedures by which Common Shareholders may tender their Common Shares and the right of shareholders to withdraw or modify their tenders before the Repurchase Request Deadline. |
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The circumstances in which the Fund may suspend or postpone the repurchase offer. |
This notice may be included in a shareholder report or other Fund document. The Repurchase Request Deadline will be strictly observed. If a Common Shareholder fails to submit a repurchase request in good order by the Repurchase Request Deadline, the shareholder will be unable to liquidate Common Shares until a subsequent repurchase offer, and will have to resubmit a request in the next repurchase offer. Shareholders may withdraw or change a repurchase request with a proper instruction submitted in good form at any point before the Repurchase Request Deadline.
Determination of Repurchase Price and Payment for Shares
The Repurchase Pricing Date will occur no later than the 14th day after the Repurchase Request Deadline (or the next business day, if the 14th day is not a business day). The Fund expects to distribute payment to Common Shareholders between one and three (3) business days after the Repurchase Pricing Date and will distribute such payment no later than seven (7) calendar days after such date. The Fund currently anticipates that the Repurchase Request Deadline will be the same date as the Repurchase Pricing Date. The Funds NAV per share may change materially between the date a repurchase offer is mailed and the Repurchase Request Deadline, and it may also change materially between the Repurchase Request Deadline and Repurchase Pricing Date. The method by which the Fund calculates NAV is
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Periodic Repurchase Offers
discussed below under Net Asset Value. During the period an offer to repurchase is open, shareholders may obtain the current NAV by visiting www.nuveen.com or calling the Funds transfer agent at (833) 688-3368.
Repurchase Fee
The Fund does not currently expect to charge a repurchase fee. However, the Fund may charge a repurchase fee of up to 2.00% of the repurchase proceeds, which the Fund would retain to help offset non-de minimis estimated costs related to the repurchase incurred by the Fund, directly or indirectly, as a result of repurchasing Common Shares, thus allocating estimated transaction costs to the shareholder whose Common Shares are being repurchased. The Fund may introduce, or modify the amount of, a repurchase fee at any time. The Fund may also waive or reduce the repurchase fee if Nuveen Fund Advisors determines that the repurchase is offset by a corresponding purchase or if for other reasons the Fund will not incur transaction costs or will incur reduced transaction costs.
Your financial adviser or other financial intermediary may charge service fees for handling Common Share repurchases. In such cases, there may be fees imposed by the intermediary on different terms (and subject to different exceptions) than those set forth above. Please consult your financial adviser or other financial intermediary for details.
Suspension or Postponement of Repurchase Offers
The Fund may suspend or postpone a repurchase offer in limited circumstances set forth in Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, as described below, but only with the approval of a majority of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. The Fund may suspend or postpone a repurchase offer only: (1) if making or effecting the repurchase offer would cause the Fund to lose its status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code; (2) for any period during which the NYSE or any other market in which the securities owned by the Fund are principally traded is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings, or during which trading in such market is restricted; (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable, or during which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets; or (4) for such other periods as the SEC may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of the Fund.
Oversubscribed Repurchase Offers
There is no minimum number of Common Shares that must be tendered before the Fund will honor repurchase requests. However, the Board of Trustees sets for each repurchase offer a maximum percentage of Common Shares that may be repurchased by the Fund, which is currently expected to be 7.5% of the Funds outstanding Common Shares. In the event a repurchase offer by the Fund is oversubscribed, the Fund may repurchase, but is not required to repurchase, additional Common Shares up to a maximum amount of 2% of the outstanding Common Shares of the Fund. If shareholders tender an amount of Common Shares greater than that which the Fund intends to repurchase, the Fund will repurchase the Common Shares tendered on a pro rata basis.
If any Common Shares that you wish to tender to the Fund are not repurchased because of proration, you will have to wait until the next repurchase offer and resubmit a new repurchase request, and your repurchase request will not be given any priority over other shareholders requests. Thus, there is a risk that the Fund may not purchase all of the Common Shares you wish to have repurchased in a given repurchase offer or in any subsequent repurchase offer. In anticipation of the possibility of proration, some shareholders may tender more Common Shares than they wish to have repurchased in a particular quarter, increasing the likelihood of proration.
There is no assurance that you will be able to tender your Common Shares when or in the amount that you desire.
Consequences of Repurchase Offers
From the time the Fund distributes or publishes each repurchase offer notification until the Repurchase Pricing Date for that offer, the Fund must maintain liquid assets at least equal to the percentage of its Common Shares subject to the repurchase offer. For this purpose, liquid assets means assets that may be sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business, at approximately the price at which the Fund values them, within the period between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the repurchase payment deadline, or which mature by the repurchase payment deadline. The Fund is also permitted to borrow up to the maximum extent permitted under the 1940 Act to meet repurchase requests.
If the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect shareholders who do not tender their Common Shares by increasing the Funds expenses and reducing any net investment income. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able sell a significant amount of additional Common Shares so as to mitigate these effects.
Periodic Repurchase Offers
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These and other possible risks associated with the Funds repurchase offers are described under RisksFund Level RisksRepurchase Offers Risk above. In addition, the repurchase of Common Shares by the Fund will be a taxable event to Common Shareholders, potentially even to those shareholders that do not participate in the repurchase. For a discussion of these tax consequences, see Tax Matters above and in the Statement of Additional Information.
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Periodic Repurchase Offers
Distributor, Custodian and Transfer Agent
Nuveen Securities, LLC, an affiliate of Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management, will serve as the Funds principal underwriter and distributor. The custodian of the Funds assets is State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street), One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. State Street performs custodial, fund accounting and portfolio accounting services. The transfer agent of the Fund is DST Systems, Inc., 333 West 11th Street, 5th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.
Certain legal matters will be passed on for the Fund by Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP, Chicago, Illinois. Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP may rely as to certain matters of Massachusetts law on the opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Brockius LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, provides auditing services to the Fund.
Privacy Statement
Nuveen (and its affiliated investment advisors and funds) considers your privacy our utmost concern. In order to provide you with individualized service, we collect certain nonpublic personal information about you from information you provide on applications or other forms (such as your address and social security number), and information about your account transactions with us (such as purchases, sales and account balances). We may also collect such information through your account inquiries by mail, email, telephone or on our Website.
We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you to anyone, except as permitted by law. Specifically, so that we may continue to offer you Nuveen products and services that best meet your investing needs, and to effect transactions that you request or authorize, we may disclose the information we collect, as described above, to companies that perform administrative or marketing services on our behalf, such as transfer agents, or printers and mailers that assist us in the distribution of investor materials. These companies will use this information only for the services for which we hired them, and are not permitted to use or share this information for any other purpose.
If you decide at some point either to close your account(s) or to become an inactive customer, we will continue to adhere to the privacy policies and practices described in this notice.
With regard to our internal security procedures, we restrict access to your personal and account information to those employees who need to know that information to service your account. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect your nonpublic personal information.
For questions about our policy, or for additional copies of this notice, please go to www.nuveen.com,or contact Nuveen at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606, or (800) 257-8787.
Distributor, Custodian and Transfer Agent/Legal Opinions and Experts, Privacy Principles of the Fund
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Table of Contents for the Statement of Additional Information
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Table of Contents for the Statement of Additional Information
Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
Shares
Class I Common Shares
$10.00 per Share
Class A Common Shares
$10.00 per Share
Prospectus
, 2021
RPR-HYIF-0621D
The information in this Statement of Additional Information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Statement of Additional Information is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer and sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 22, 2021
NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (the Fund) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that continuously offers its shares (the Common Shares) and is operated as an interval fund. The Fund currently offers two classes of Common Shares: Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares. The Fund may offer additional classes of Common Shares in the future.
This Statement of Additional Information relating to Common Shares does not constitute a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the Funds prospectus relating thereto dated , 2021 (the Prospectus). In this Statement of Additional Information, holders of Common Shares are referred to as Common Shareholders. This Statement of Additional Information does not include all information that a prospective investor should consider before purchasing Common Shares. Investors should obtain and read the Funds Prospectus prior to purchasing such shares. A copy of the Funds Prospectus, annual and semi-annual reports (when available) and additional information about the Fund 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 Funds website (http://www.nuveen.com). The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, the Funds website is not part of the Funds Prospectus or this Statement of Additional Information (SAI). You may also obtain a copy of the Funds Prospectus on the Securities and Exchange Commissions website (http://www.sec.gov). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Statement of Additional Information have the meanings ascribed to them in the Prospectus.
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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This Statement of Additional Information is dated , 2021
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
The Funds primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. Capital appreciation is a secondary investment objective when consistent with the Funds primary investment objective. The Funds investment objectives may be changed by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days prior written notice to shareholders.
Fund Strategies
The Funds portfolio will be actively managed to identify and capitalize on high yield municipal securities. Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, the Funds subadviser (Nuveen Asset Management), uses a research-driven approach that seeks attractive income exempt from regular U.S. federal income taxes by identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in high yield municipal securities. The Fund invests in below investment grade bonds that Nuveen Asset Management believes may offer the potential for attractive total returns, even after taking into account the significant risk (relative to higher quality securities) that these securities typically present.
The Fund may also invest in special situations municipal securities that Nuveen Asset Management believes may offer the potential for attractive total returns, even after taking into account the significant risk (relative to higher quality securities) that these securities typically present. Special situations municipal securities are municipal securities: (i) of issuers that are facing distressed financial or operating circumstances, are in default of its obligations or in an active work-out, or are in bankruptcy; or (ii) that present uncertainties or complex features that could render them undesirable for certain investors. Special situations municipal securities may offer illiquidity and complexity premiums, which may create significant investment opportunity for the Fund.
The Fund may also use certain hedging techniques to reduce exposure of the portfolio to adverse business or market conditions. See Other Policies below and RisksPortfolio Level RisksHedging Risk in the Prospectus.
As an interval fund, the Fund will provide Common Shareholders periodic liquidity. See Periodic Repurchase Offers in the Prospectus. Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, the Funds investment adviser (Nuveen Fund Advisors), believes the Funds interval fund structure may provide greater income and total return potential as compared to a traditional high yield municipal mutual fund. Without the potential disruption of outflows from daily liquidity, Nuveen Asset Management may capture illiquidity premiums often unavailable to individual retail investors through more liquid investment vehicles such as mutual funds. In addition, Nuveen Fund Advisors believes that the Funds interval structure allows more flexibility to assume larger position sizes; enables a greater allocation to less-illiquid municipal securities; and provides the Fund the opportunity to realize the maximum long-term value of certain special situations within the municipal market such as work-outs (a privately negotiated, mutual agreement between the Fund and the issuer or another party with respect to securities in default or involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings).
Portfolio Contents
The Fund will invest its assets in a portfolio of municipal securities. Municipal securities include municipal bonds, notes, securities issued to finance and refinance public projects, certificates of participation, variable rate demand obligations, lease obligations, municipal notes, pre-refunded municipal bonds, private activity bonds, securities issued by tender option bond trusts, including inverse floating rate securities, and other forms of municipal bonds and securities, and other related instruments that create exposure to municipal bonds, notes and securities that provide for the payment of interest income that is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax.
Municipal securities are debt obligations generally issued by states, cities and local authorities and certain possessions and territories of the United States (such as Puerto Rico and Guam) to finance or refinance public purpose projects such as roads, schools, and water supply systems. Municipal securities may also be
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issued to finance and refinance privately owned facilities, such as housing, medical and educational construction, or for privately owned transportation, electric utility and pollution control projects deemed to serve a public purpose. Municipal securities may be issued on a long-term basis to provide long-term financing. The repayment of such debt may be secured generally by a pledge of the full faith and credit taxing power of the issuer, a limited or special tax, or any other revenue source, including project revenues, which may include tolls, fees and other user charges, lease payments and mortgage payments. Municipal securities may also be issued to finance projects on a short-term interim basis, anticipating repayment with the proceeds of long-term debt. Municipal securities may be issued and purchased in the form of bonds, notes, leases or certificates of participation; structured as callable or non-callable; with payment forms including fixed coupon, variable rate, zero coupon, capital appreciation bonds or inverse floating rate securities; or acquired through investments in pooled vehicles, partnerships or other investment companies. Inverse floating rate securities are securities that pay interest at rates that vary inversely with changes in prevailing short-term tax exempt interest rates and represent a leveraged investment in an underlying municipal security, which may increase the leverage of the Fund. The market value of a municipal security will generally depend upon its form, maturity, call features and interest rate, as well as the credit quality or credit rating of the issuer, all such factors examined in the context of the municipal securities market and interest rate levels and trends.
The Fund may invest in special situations municipal securities. Special situations municipal securities are municipal securities:
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of issuers that are facing distressed financial or operating circumstances, are in default of its obligations or in an active work-out, or are in bankruptcy; or |
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that present uncertainties or complex features that could render them undesirable for certain investors. |
The portion of the Funds assets invested in special situations municipal securities may fluctuate significantly over time according to the availability of attractive special situations municipal securities opportunities. See RisksPortfolio Level RisksSpecial Situations Municipal Securities Risk in the Prospectus.
See Portfolio Composition and Other Information for additional information on the types of securities in which the Fund may invest.
The Fund also may invest in certain derivative instruments in pursuit of its investment objectives. Such instruments include financial futures contracts, swap contracts (including interest rate and credit default swaps), options on financial futures, options on swap contracts, or other derivative instruments. See Leverage and RisksPortfolio Level RisksDerivatives Risk in the Prospectus. Nuveen Asset Management may use derivative instruments to attempt to hedge some of the risk of the Funds investments or as a substitute for a position in the underlying asset. See Portfolio Composition and Other InformationDerivatives in the Prospectus.
Investment Policies
Under normal circumstances the Fund will invest subject to the following policies:
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The Fund will invest at least 80% of its Assets (as defined below) in municipal securities and other related investments, the income from which is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax; |
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The Fund will invest at least 75% of its net assets in low- to medium-quality municipal securities that, at the time of investment, are rated BBB/Baa or lower or are unrated but judged by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality; |
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The Fund may invest up to 25% of its Managed Assets (as defined below) in special situations municipal securities; |
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The Fund will invest no more than 10% of its Managed Assets in any one issuer; |
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The Fund will not invest in common equity securities. This policy does not apply to shares of other investment companies or to common equity securities acquired in connection with a work-out of an issuer of a debt security as discussed below; and |
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The Fund has no limitation as to the maturity or duration of the municipal securities in which it will invest. |
The foregoing policies are considered to apply only at the time of investment 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.
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 Funds use of leverage (whether or not those assets are reflected in the Funds financial statements for purposes of generally accepted accounting principles), and derivatives will be valued at their market value.
Low to medium quality municipal securities include below investment grade securities (or junk bonds). Below investment grade securities are generally securities rated BB+/Ba1 or lower at the time of investment and are regarded as having predominately speculative characteristics with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest or dividends and repay principal, which implies higher price volatility and default risk than investment grade instruments of comparable terms and duration. For purposes of the investment limitations in this prospectus, a securitys rating is determined using the lowest rating of Moodys, S&P and Fitch if all three NRSROs rate the security. If ratings are provided by only two of those NRSROs, the lower rating is used to determine the rating. If only one of those NRSROs provides a rating, that rating is used. If a security is not rated by any NRSRO, the rating determined by Nuveen Asset Management to be of comparable quality is used. The portion of the Funds assets invested in low to medium quality municipal securities may vary over time, and may fluctuate significantly over time, over the minimum of 75% described above.
While investments in special situations municipal securities may be a component of the Funds investment strategy in pursuit of its investment objectives, the ability of the Fund to invest in special situation municipal securities may be limited by the availability of attractive opportunities in the market. The portion of the Funds assets that are invested in such securities, if any, may fluctuate significantly over time up to the 25% limit described above.
Nuveen Asset Management may determine that it is in the best interest of shareholders to pursue a work-out arrangement (i.e., a privately negotiated, mutual agreement between the Fund and the issuer or another party) with respect to a defaulted security, which may involve making loans to the issuer or another party, or purchasing an equity or other interest from the issuer or another party, or other related or similar steps involving the investment of additional monies.
The Fund may enter into certain derivative transactions as a hedging technique to protect against potential adverse changes in the market value of portfolio securities. The Fund also may use derivatives to attempt to protect the NAV of the Fund, to facilitate the sale of certain portfolio securities, to manage the Funds effective interest rate exposure, and as a temporary substitute for purchasing or selling particular instruments. From time to time, the Fund also may enter into derivative transactions to create investment exposure to the extent such transactions may facilitate implementation of its strategy more efficiently than through outright purchases or sales of portfolio securities.
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For temporary defensive purposes, during periods of high cash inflows or outflows, or during a Repurchase Offer Period, the Fund may depart from its principal investment strategies and invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality short-term debt securities. During such periods, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may adopt a defensive strategy when Nuveen Asset Management believes the instruments in which the Fund normally invests have elevated risks due to political or economic factors, in the event that unanticipated legal or regulatory developments interfere with implementation of the Funds principal investment strategies, and in other extraordinary circumstances.
The Funds investment policy to invest at least 80% of its Assets in municipal securities and other related investments, the income from which is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax and certain other investment restrictions identified in the SAI as such are considered fundamental. See also Investment Restrictions in this SAI. The Fund cannot change its fundamental policies without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Shares. When used with respect to approval of a changes to the Funds fundamental policies, 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. All of the Funds other investment policies are not considered to be fundamental by the Fund and can be changed by the Board of Trustees without a vote of the Common Shareholders.
Other Policies
The Fund may enter into certain derivative transactions as a hedging technique to attempt to protect against potential adverse changes in the market value of portfolio instruments. The Fund also may use derivatives to attempt to protect the net asset value (NAV) of the Fund, to facilitate the sale of certain portfolio instruments, to manage the Funds effective interest rate exposure, to attempt to manage the effective maturity or duration of securities in the Funds portfolio and as a temporary substitute for purchasing or selling particular instruments. From time to time, the Fund also may enter into derivative transactions to create investment exposure to the extent such transactions may facilitate implementation of its strategy more efficiently than through outright purchases or sales of portfolio instruments.
Certain investment policies specifically identified in this SAI as such are considered fundamental and may not be changed without shareholder approval. See Investment Restrictions. All of the Funds other investment policies are not considered to be fundamental by the Fund and can be changed by the Board of Trustees without a vote of the shareholders. However, the Funds policy of investing at least 80% of its Assets in municipal securities and other investments, the income from which is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax, is a fundamental policy. The Fund cannot change its fundamental policies without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Shares. When used with respect to particular shares of the Fund, a majority of the outstanding shares means (i) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the shares are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the shares, whichever is less.
The Fund anticipates using leverage to seek to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may use leverage to the extent permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). If current market conditions persist, the Fund intends initially to obtain leverage through either investments in residual interest certificates of tender option bond trusts, also called inverse floating rate securities, that have the economic effect of leverage because the Funds investment exposure to the underlying bonds held by the trust have been effectively financed by the trusts issuance of floating rate certificates, borrowings, reverse repurchase agreements (effectively a borrowing) and the issuance of preferred shares of beneficial interest (Preferred Shares), which have seniority over the Common Shares, or a combination of thereof. If current market conditions persist, the Fund anticipates using leverage in an aggregate amount equal to approximately 25% of the Funds Managed Assets.
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The Fund may source leverage through a number of methods including investing in inverse floating rate securities, issuance of debt securities, borrowings, entering into reverse repurchase agreements (effectively a borrowing), and issuance of Preferred Shares.
Inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as inverse floaters) are securities whose interest rates bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. Generally, inverse floating rate securities represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust formed for the purpose of holding municipal bonds. Investments in inverse floating rate securities have the economic effect of leverage. See RisksPortfolio Level RisksInverse Floating Rate Securities Risk in the Prospectus.
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. Selling a portfolio security and agreeing to buy it back under a reverse repurchase agreement is economically equivalent to borrowing. See RisksPortfolio Level RisksReverse Repurchase Agreement Risk in the Prospectus.
The Fund may use derivatives, such as interest rate swaps with varying terms, in order to hedge duration risk or 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 the 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 market 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 be greater (and thereby reduce distributions to Common Shareholders) than if the Fund had not entered into the interest rate swap(s). See Portfolio Composition and Other InformationDerivatives in the Prospectus.
So long as the net income received from the Funds investments purchased with leverage proceeds exceeds the current expense of any leverage, the investment of the proceeds of leverage will generate more net income than if the Fund had not leveraged itself. Under these circumstances, the excess net income will be available to pay higher distributions to Common Shareholders. However, if the net income received from the Funds portfolio investments purchased with the proceeds of leverage is less than the current expense of any leverage, the Fund may be required to utilize other Fund assets to make interest and/or dividend payments on its leveraging instruments, which may result in a decline in Common Share NAV and reduced net investment income available for distribution to Common Shareholders.
The Fund may reduce or increase the amount of leverage based upon changes in market conditions and/or composition of the Funds holdings. The Funds leverage ratio will vary from time to time based upon such changes in the amount of leverage used, variations in the value of the Funds holdings and the levels of Common Share subscription and repurchase offer activity related to the Funds continuously offered interval fund structure. So long as the net income received from the Funds investments purchased with leverage proceeds exceeds the then current expense of any leverage, the investment of the proceeds of leverage will generate more net income than if the Fund had not leveraged itself. Under these circumstances, the excess net income will be available to pay higher distributions to Common Shareholders. However, if the net income received from the Funds portfolio investments purchased with the proceeds of leverage is less than the current expense of any leverage, the Fund may be required to utilize other Fund assets to make interest payments on its leveraging instruments 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 such fee to Nuveen Asset Management) based on a percentage of Managed Assets. Managed Assets include the proceeds
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realized and managed from the Funds 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 Funds net assets as well as assets that are attributable to the Funds investment of the proceeds of its leverage, it is anticipated that the Funds Managed Assets will be greater than its net assets. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will be responsible for using leverage to pursue the Funds investment objectives. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will base their decision regarding whether and how much leverage to use for the Fund, and the terms of that leverage, on their 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 Nuveen Asset Managements management fees. Thus, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management may have a conflict of interest in determining whether to use or increase leverage. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will seek to manage that potential conflict by using leverage only when they determine that it would be in the best interests of the Fund and its Common Shareholders, and by periodically reviewing with the Board of Trustees the Funds performance and the Funds degree of overall use of leverage and the impact of the use of leverage on that performance.
The Fund may issue senior securities as defined under the 1940 Act. Senior securities have seniority over the Common Shares in regard to the income and assets of the Fund. 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 (Preferred Shares); 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 Funds 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 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.
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) and debt securities. Senior securities representing indebtedness also include other derivative investments or transactions, such as reverse repurchase agreements, to the extent the Fund has not fully covered, segregated or earmarked cash or liquid assets in accordance with the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder, and applicable positions of the SEC and its staff. With respect to any such senior securities representing debt, 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 issued by the Fund.
If the Fund issues senior securities and the asset coverage with respect to such senior securities 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 or other portfolio composition limits by its lenders, debt or preferred securities purchasers, rating agencies that may rate the debt or preferred securities, or reverse repurchase counterparties. Such limitations may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act and may impact 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
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investment limitations will impede it from managing the Funds portfolio in accordance with its investment objectives and policies.
Utilization of leverage is a speculative investment technique and involves certain risks to the Common Shareholders, including increased variability of the Funds net income, distributions and NAV in relation to market changes. See RisksFund Level RisksLeverage Risk, Portfolio Level RisksInverse Floating Rate Securities Risk and Reverse Repurchase Agreement Risk in the Prospectus. There is no assurance that the Fund will use leverage or that the Funds use of leverage will work as planned or achieve its goals.
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Except as described below, the Fund, as a fundamental policy, may not, without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Shares and, if issued, Preferred Shares voting together as a single class, and of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Preferred Shares voting as a separate class:
(1) Issue senior securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, except as permitted by the 1940 Act1;
(2) Borrow money, except as permitted by the 1940 Act and exemptive orders granted under the 1940 Act1,2;
(3) Act as underwriter of another issuers 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;
(4) Invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities of issuers in any one industry or group of related industries; provided, however, that such limitation shall not apply to municipal securities other than those municipal securities backed principally by the assets and revenues of non-governmental users3;
(5) Purchase or sell real estate, but this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in municipal securities secured by real estate or interests therein or foreclosing upon and selling such real estate;
(6) Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing or selling options, futures contracts or derivative instruments or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities); and
(7) Make loans, except as permitted by the 1940 Act and exemptive orders granted under the 1940 Act4.
Under the 1940 Act, investments of more than 25% of a funds total assets in one or more issuers in the same industry or group of industries constitutes concentration. The policy in subparagraph (4) above will be interpreted in accordance with public interpretations of the SEC and its staff pertaining to concentration from time to time. The policy in subparagraph (4) above will be interpreted to give broad authority to the Fund as to how to classify issuers within or among either industries or groups of related industries. The Fund currently
1 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.
2 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 331/3% of its total assets. The Fund has not applied for, and currently does not intend to apply for, such exemptive relief, but reserves the right to do so in the future.
3 For purposes of this restriction, governments and their political subdivisions are not part of any industry.
4 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 companys 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. The Fund has not applied for, and currently does not intend to apply for, such exemptive relief, but reserves the right to do so in the future.
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utilizes any one or more industry classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by Nuveen Fund Advisors. For the purpose of applying the 25% industry limitation set forth in subparagraph (4) above, such limitation will apply to municipal securities if the payment of principal and interest for such securities is derived principally from a specific project, and in that situation the Fund will consider such municipal securities to be in an industry associated with the project. In addition, the Fund will consider the investments of underlying investment companies when determining compliance with its concentration policy, to the extent the Fund has sufficient information about such investments.
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest only up to 10% of its total assets in the aggregate in shares of other investment companies and only 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, unless permitted to exceed such limitation pursuant to SEC rule or exemptive relief. As a shareholder in any investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment companys expenses, and will also remain subject to payment of the Funds management, advisory and administrative fees with respect to assets so invested. Holders of Common Shares would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies.
In addition to the foregoing fundamental investment policies, the Fund is also subject to the following non-fundamental restrictions and policies, which may be changed by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days prior written notice to shareholders. The Fund may not:
(1) Purchase securities of open-end or closed-end investment companies except in compliance with the 1940 Act or any exemptive relief obtained thereunder; and
(2) 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 Fund may be subject to certain restrictions imposed by guidelines of one or more credit rating agencies that may issue ratings for Preferred Shares, commercial paper or notes, 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. If these restrictions were to apply, it is not anticipated that these guidelines will impede Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management from managing the Funds portfolio in accordance with the Funds investment objectives and policies.
In addition, the Fund has adopted the following fundamental policies with respect to repurchase offers, which may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Funds outstanding Common Shares and, if issued, Preferred Shares voting together as a single class, and of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Preferred Shares voting as a separate class:
(1) The Fund will make quarterly repurchase offers pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, as it may be amended from time to time.
(2) The Fund will repurchase shares that are tendered by a specific date (the Repurchase Request Deadline), which will be established by the Board of Trustees (the Board) in accordance with Rule 23c-3, as amended from time to time. Rule 23c-3 requires the Repurchase Request Deadline to be no less than 21 and no more than 42 days after the Fund sends notification to shareholders of the repurchase offer.
(3) There will be a maximum fourteen (14) calendar day period (or the next business day if the 14th calendar day is not a business day) between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the date on which the NAV applicable to the repurchase offer is determined (the Repurchase Pricing Date).
Under certain limited circumstances, the Fund may postpone or suspend repurchase offers. See Periodic Repurchase OffersSuspension or Postponement of Repurchase Offers in the Prospectus.
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PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION AND OTHER INFORMATION
The following information supplements the discussion of the Funds investment objectives, policies, and strategies that are described in the Prospectus.
Municipal Securities
General. The Fund may invest in various municipal securities, including municipal bonds and notes, other securities issued to finance and refinance public projects, and other related securities and derivative instruments creating exposure to municipal bonds, notes and securities that provide for the payment of interest income that is exempt from regular federal income tax. Municipal securities are often issued by state and local governmental entities to finance or refinance public projects such as roads, schools, and water supply systems. Municipal securities may also be issued on behalf of private entities or for private activities, such as housing, medical and educational facility construction, or for privately owned transportation, electric utility and pollution control projects. Municipal securities may be issued on a long term basis to provide permanent financing. The repayment of such debt may be secured generally by a pledge of the full faith and credit taxing power of the issuer, a limited or special tax, or any other revenue source, including project revenues, which may include tolls, fees and other user charges, lease payments and mortgage payments. Municipal securities may also be issued to finance projects on a short-term interim basis, anticipating repayment with the proceeds of the later issuance of long-term debt. The Fund may purchase municipal securities in the form of bonds, notes, leases or certificates of participation; structured as callable or non-callable; with payment forms including fixed coupon, variable rate, zero coupon, capital appreciation bonds, tender option bonds, and residual interest bonds or inverse floating rate securities; or acquired through investments in pooled vehicles, partnerships or other investment companies. Inverse floating rate securities are securities that pay interest at rates that vary inversely with changes in prevailing short-term tax-exempt interest rates and represent a leveraged investment in an underlying municipal security, which could have the economic effect of leverage.
Municipal Leases and Certificates of Participation. Also included within the general category of municipal securities described in the Prospectus are municipal leases, certificates of participation in such lease obligations or installment purchase contract obligations (hereinafter collectively called Municipal Lease Obligations) of municipal authorities or entities. Although a Municipal Lease Obligation does not constitute a general obligation of the municipality for which the municipalitys taxing power is pledged, a Municipal Lease Obligation is ordinarily backed by the municipalitys covenant to budget for, appropriate and make the payments due under the Municipal Lease Obligation. However, certain Municipal Lease Obligations contain non-appropriation clauses which provide that the municipality has no obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis. In the case of a non-appropriation lease, the Funds ability to recover under the lease in the event of non-appropriation or default will be limited solely to the repossession of the leased property, without recourse to the general credit of the lessee, and disposition or releasing of the property might prove difficult. In order to reduce this risk, the Fund will only purchase Municipal Lease Obligations where Nuveen Asset Management believes the issuer has a strong incentive to continue making appropriations until maturity.
Pre-Refunded Municipal Securities. The principal of and interest on pre-refunded municipal securities are no longer paid from the original revenue source for the securities. Instead, the source of such payments is typically an escrow fund consisting of U.S. government securities. The assets in the escrow fund are derived from the proceeds of refunding bonds issued by the same issuer as the pre-refunded municipal securities. Issuers of municipal securities use this advance refunding technique to obtain more favorable terms with respect to securities that are not yet subject to call or redemption by the issuer. For example, advance refunding enables an issuer to refinance debt at lower market interest rates, restructure debt to improve cash flow or eliminate restrictive covenants in the indenture or other governing instrument for the pre-refunded municipal securities. However, except for a change in the revenue source from which principal and interest payments are made, the pre-refunded municipal securities remain outstanding on their original terms until they mature or are redeemed
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by the issuer. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act repealed the exclusion from gross income for interest on pre-refunded municipal securities effective for such bonds issued after December 31, 2017.
Private Activity Bonds. Private activity bonds, formerly referred to as industrial development bonds, are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide privately operated housing facilities, airport, mass transit or port facilities, sewage disposal, solid waste disposal or hazardous waste treatment or disposal facilities and certain local facilities for water supply, gas or electricity. Other types of private activity bonds, the proceeds of which are used for the construction, equipment, repair or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial facilities, may constitute municipal securities, although the current federal tax laws place substantial limitations on the size of such issues. Under current law, a significant portion of the private activity bond market is comprised of AMT Bonds. AMT Bonds are municipal securities that pay interest that is taxable under the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to noncorporate taxpayers. The Funds distributions of its interest income from private activity bonds may subject certain investors to the federal alternative minimum tax.
Special Taxing Districts. Special taxing districts are organized to plan and finance infrastructure development to induce residential, commercial and industrial growth and redevelopment. The bond financing methods such as tax increment finance, tax assessment, special services district and Mello-Roos bonds, are generally payable solely from taxes or other revenues attributable to the specific projects financed by the bonds without recourse to the credit or taxing power of related or overlapping municipalities. They often are exposed to real estate development-related risks and can have more taxpayer concentration risk than general tax-supported bonds, such as general obligation bonds. Further, the fees, special taxes, or tax allocations and other revenues that are established to secure such financings are generally limited as to the rate or amount that may be levied or assessed and are not subject to increase pursuant to rate covenants or municipal or corporate guarantees. The bonds could default if development failed to progress as anticipated or if larger taxpayers failed to pay the assessments, fees and taxes as provided in the financing plans of the districts.
Special Situations Securities
The Fund may invest in special situations municipal securities. Special situations municipal securities are municipal securities:
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of issuers that are facing distressed financial or operating circumstances, are in default of its obligations or in an active work-out, or are in bankruptcy; or |
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that present uncertainties or complex features that could render them undesirable for certain investors. |
The portion of the Funds assets invested in special situations municipal securities may fluctuate significantly over time according to the availability of attractive special situations municipal securities opportunities. See RisksPortfolio Level RisksSpecial Situations Municipal Securities Risk below.
Corporate Debt Securities
The Fund may invest in corporate debt securities, including corporate bonds. Corporate bonds are fully taxable debt obligations issued by corporations. These securities fund capital improvements, expansions, debt refinancing or acquisitions that require more capital than would ordinarily be available from a single lender. Investors in corporate bonds lend money to the issuing corporation in exchange for interest payments and repayment of the principal at a set maturity date. Rates on corporate bonds are set according to prevailing interest rates at the time of the issue, the credit rating of the issuer, the length of the maturity and other terms of the security, such as a call feature.
Corporate bonds come in many varieties and may differ in the way that interest is calculated, the amount and frequency of payments, the type of collateral, if any, and the presence of special features (e.g., conversion
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rights). The Funds investments in corporate bonds may include, but are not limited to, senior, junior, secured and unsecured bonds, notes and other debt securities, and may be fixed rate, variable rate or floating rate, among other things. Holders of corporate bonds, as creditors, have a prior legal claim over common and preferred stockholders as to both income and assets of the issuer for the principal and interest due to them, and may have a prior claim over other creditors, but are generally subordinate to any existing lenders in the issuers capital structure.
Corporate bonds are subject to the risk of an issuers inability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligations and may also be subject to price volatility due to such factors as market interest rates, the issuers performance or credit rating, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity. In addition, corporate restructurings, such as mergers, leveraged buyouts, takeovers or similar corporate transactions are often financed by an increase in a corporate issuers debt securities. As a result of the added debt burden, the credit quality and market value of an issuers existing corporate bonds may decline significantly. Corporate bonds usually yield more than government or agency bonds due to the presence of credit risk.
U.S. Treasury Securities
The Fund may invest in U.S. Government direct obligations. U.S. Government direct obligation are issued by the United States Treasury and include bills, notes and bonds. Treasury bills are issued with maturities of up to one year. They are issued in bearer form, are sold on a discount basis and are payable at par value at maturity. Treasury notes are longer-term interest-bearing obligations with original maturities of one to seven years. Treasury bonds are longer-term interest-bearing obligations with original maturities from five to thirty years.
Hedging Strategies and Other Uses of Derivatives
The Fund may periodically engage in hedging transactions, and otherwise use various types of derivative instruments, described below, to reduce risk, to effectively gain particular market exposures, to seek to enhance returns, and to reduce transaction costs, among other reasons. The Fund will value derivative instruments at market/fair value for purposes of calculating compliance with the Funds 80% investment policy in investments the income from which is exempt from regular federal income tax.
Hedging is a term used for various methods of seeking to preserve portfolio capital value by offsetting price changes in one investment through making another investment whose price should tend to move in the opposite direction.
A derivative is a financial contract whose value is based on (or derived from) a traditional security (such as a stock or a bond), an asset (such as a commodity like gold), or a market index (such as the Lehman Municipal Bond Index). Some forms of derivatives may trade on exchanges, while non-standardized derivatives, which tend to be more specialized and complex, trade in over-the-counter or a one-on-one basis. It may be desirable and possible in various market environments to partially hedge the portfolio against fluctuations in market value due to market interest rate or credit quality fluctuations, or instead to gain a desired investment exposure, by entering into various types of derivative transactions, including financial futures and index futures as well as related put and call options on such instruments, structured notes, or interest rate swaps on taxable or tax-exempt securities or indexes (which may be forward-starting), credit default swaps, and options on interest rate swaps, among others.
These transactions present certain risks. In particular, the imperfect correlation between price movements in the futures contract and price movements in the securities being hedged creates the possibility that losses on the hedge by a Fund may be greater than gains in the value of the securities in the Funds portfolio. In addition, futures and options markets may not be liquid in all circumstances. As a result, in volatile markets, the Fund may not be able to close out the transaction without incurring losses substantially greater than the initial deposit. Finally, the potential deposit requirements in futures contracts create an ongoing greater potential financial risk than do options transactions, where the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium. Losses due to
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hedging transactions will reduce yield. Net gains, if any, from hedging and other portfolio transactions will be distributed as taxable distributions to shareholders. Successful implementation of most hedging strategies will generate taxable income.
The Fund will invest in these instruments only in markets believed by Nuveen Asset Management to be active and sufficiently liquid. Successful implementation of most hedging strategies will generate taxable income.
Swap Transactions. The Fund may enter into total return, interest rate and credit default swap agreements and interest rate caps, floors and collars. The Fund may also enter into options on the foregoing types of swap agreements (swap options).
The Fund may enter into swap transactions for any purpose consistent with its investment objectives and strategies, such as for the purpose of attempting to obtain or preserve a particular return or spread at a lower cost than obtaining a return or spread through purchases and/or sales of instruments in other markets, as a duration management technique, to attempt to reduce risk arising from the ownership of a particular instrument, or to gain exposure to certain sectors or markets in the most economical way possible.
Swap agreements are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for a specified period of time. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on a particular predetermined asset, reference rate or index. The gross returns to be exchanged or swapped between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a notional amount, e.g., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate or in a basket of securities representing a particular index. The notional amount of the swap agreement generally is only used as a basis upon which to calculate the obligations that the parties to the swap agreement have agreed to exchange. See Segregation of Assets below.
Some, but not all, swaps may be cleared, in which case a central clearing counterparty stands between each buyer and seller and effectively guarantees performance of each contract, to the extent of its available resources for such purpose. Uncleared swaps have no such protection; each party bears the risk that its direct counterparty will default.
Interest Rate Swaps, Caps, Collars and Floors. Interest rate swaps are bilateral contracts in which each party agrees to make periodic payments to the other party based on different referenced interest rates (e.g., a fixed rate and a floating rate) applied to a specified notional amount. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate floor. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index rises above a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. Interest rate collars involve selling a cap and purchasing a floor or vice versa to protect the Fund against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels.
Depending on the state of interest rates in general, the Funds use of interest rate swaps could enhance or harm the overall performance of Common Shares. To the extent interest rates decline, the value of the interest rate swap could decline, and could result in a decline in the NAV of Common Shares. In addition, if the counterparty to an interest rate swap defaults, the Fund would not be able to use the anticipated net receipts under the swap to offset the interest payments on borrowings or the dividend payments on any outstanding preferred shares. Depending on whether the Fund would be entitled to receive net payments from the counterparty on the swap, 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 Common Shares. In addition, at the time an interest rate swap transaction reaches its scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Fund would not be able to obtain a replacement transaction or that the terms of the replacement would not be as favorable as on the expiring transaction. If this occurs, it could have a negative impact on the performance of Common Shares. The Fund
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could be required to prepay the principal amount of any borrowings. Such redemption or prepayment would likely result in the Fund seeking to terminate early all or a portion of any swap transaction. Early termination of a swap could result in a termination payment by or to the Fund.
Municipal Market Data Rate Locks. The Fund may purchase and sell municipal market data rate locks (MMD Rate Locks). An MMD Rate Lock permits the Fund to lock in a specified municipal interest rate for a portion of its portfolio to preserve a return on a particular investment or a portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities to be purchased at a later date. By using an MMD Rate Lock, the Fund can create a synthetic long or short position, allowing the Fund to select what the manager believes is an attractive part of the yield curve. The Fund will ordinarily use these transactions as a hedge or for duration or risk management although it is permitted to enter into them to enhance income or gain or to increase the Funds yield, for example, during periods of steep interest rate yield curves (i.e., wide differences between short term and long term interest rates). An MMD Rate Lock is a contract between the Fund and an MMD Rate Lock provider pursuant to which the parties agree to make payments to each other on a notional amount, contingent upon whether the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above or below a specified level on the expiration date of the contract. For example, if the Fund buys an MMD Rate Lock and the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is below the specified level on the expiration date, the counterparty to the contract will make a payment to the Fund equal to the specified level minus the actual level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. If the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above the specified level on the expiration date, the Fund will make a payment to the counterparty equal to the actual level minus the specified level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. In connection with investments in MMD Rate Locks, there is a risk that municipal yields will move in the opposite direction than anticipated by the Fund, which would cause the Fund to make payments to its counterparty in the transaction that could adversely affect the Funds performance.
Total Return Swaps. In a total return swap, one party agrees to pay the other the total return of a defined underlying asset during a specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from other underlying assets. A total return swap may be applied to any underlying asset but is most commonly used with equity indices, single stocks, bonds and defined baskets of loans and mortgages. The Fund might enter into a total return swap involving an underlying index or basket of securities to create exposure to a potentially widely-diversified range of securities in a single trade. An index total return swap can be used by Nuveen Asset Management to assume risk, without the complications of buying the component securities from what may not always be the most liquid of markets.
Credit Default Swaps. A credit default swap is a bilateral contract that enables an investor to buy or sell protection against a defined-issuer credit event. The Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements either as a buyer or a seller. The Fund may buy protection to attempt to mitigate the risk of default or credit quality deterioration in an individual security or a segment of the fixed income securities market to which it has exposure, or to take a short position in individual bonds or market segments which it does not own. The Fund may sell protection in an attempt to gain exposure to the credit quality characteristics of particular bonds or market segments without investing directly in those bonds or market segments.
As the buyer of protection in a credit default swap, the Fund would pay a premium (by means of an upfront payment or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the agreement) in return for the right to deliver a referenced bond or group of bonds to the protection seller and receive the full notional or par value (or other agreed upon value) upon a default (or similar event) by the issuer(s) of the underlying referenced obligation(s). If no default occurs, the protection seller would keep the stream of payments and would have no further obligation to the Fund. Thus, the cost to the Fund would be the premium paid with respect to the agreement. If a credit event occurs, however, the Fund may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity that may have little or no value. The Fund bears the risk that the protection seller may fail to satisfy its payment obligations. If the Fund sells or writes credit default swaps, the Fund will segregate the full notional amount of the payment obligation under the credit default swap that must be paid upon the occurrence of a credit event. See Segregation of Assets below.
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If the Fund is a seller of protection in a credit default swap and no credit event occurs, the Fund would generally receive an up-front payment or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the swap. If a credit event occurs, however, generally the Fund would have to pay the buyer the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity that may have little or no value. As the protection seller, the Fund effectively adds leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to being subject to investment exposure on its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. Thus, the Fund bears the same risk as it would by buying the reference obligation(s) directly, plus the additional risks related to obtaining investment exposure through a derivative instrument discussed below under Risks Associated with Swap Transactions.
Swap Options. A swap option is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation), in return for payment of a premium, to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel, or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement at some designated future time on specified terms. A cash-settled option on a swap gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to receive an amount of cash equal to the value of the underlying swap as of the exercise date. The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swap options. Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, the Fund generally would incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swap option than when it purchases a swap option. When the Fund purchases a swap option, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. However, when the Fund writes a swap option, upon exercise of the option the Fund would become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.
Risks Associated with Swap Transactions. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity which involves strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. If Nuveen Asset Management is incorrect in its forecasts of default risks, market spreads or other applicable factors or events, the investment performance of the Fund would diminish compared with what it would have been if these techniques were not used. As the protection seller in a credit default swap, the Fund effectively adds leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to being subject to investment exposure on its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. The Fund generally may only close out a swap, cap, floor, collar or other two-party contract with its particular counterparty, and generally may only transfer a position with the consent of that counterparty. In addition, the price at which the Fund may close out such a two party contract may not correlate with the price change in the underlying reference asset. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund will have contractual remedies, but there can be no assurance that the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual obligations or that the Fund will succeed in enforcing its rights. It also is possible that developments in the derivatives market, including changes in government regulation, could adversely affect the Funds ability to terminate existing swap or other agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.
Futures and Options on Futures. A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a security, index or interest rate (each a financial instrument) for a set price on a future date. Certain futures contracts, such as futures contracts relating to individual securities, call for making or taking delivery of the underlying financial instrument. However, these contracts generally are closed out before delivery by entering into an offsetting purchase or sale of a matching futures contract (same exchange, underlying financial instrument, and delivery month). Other futures contracts, such as futures contracts on interest rates and indices, do not call for making or taking delivery of the underlying financial instrument, but rather are agreements pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between the value of the financial instrument at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the contract was originally written. These contracts also may be settled by entering into an offsetting futures contract.
Unlike when the Fund purchases or sells a security, no price is paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, the Fund will be required to deposit with the futures broker, known as a futures commission merchant (FCM), an amount of cash or securities equal to a varying specified
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percentage of the contract amount. This amount is known as initial margin. The margin deposit is intended to ensure completion of the contract. Minimum initial margin requirements are established by the futures exchanges and may be revised. In addition, FCMs may establish margin deposit requirements that are higher than the exchange minimums. Cash held in the margin account generally is not income producing. However, couponbearing securities, such as Treasury securities, held in margin accounts generally will earn income. Subsequent payments to and from the FCM, called variation margin, will be made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying financial instrument fluctuates, making the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as marking the contract to market. Changes in variation margin are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. At any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Fund may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position that will operate to terminate its position in the futures contract. A final determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Fund, and the Fund realizes a gain or loss. In the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of an FCM that holds margin on behalf of the Fund, the Fund may be entitled to the return of margin owed to it only in proportion to the amount received by the FCMs other customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund. Futures transactions also involve brokerage costs and the Fund may have to segregate additional liquid assets in accordance with applicable SEC requirements. See Segregation of Assets below.
A futures option gives the purchaser of such option the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a long position (call) or short position (put) in a futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of a call option, the purchaser acquires a long position in the futures contract and the writer is assigned the opposite short position. Upon the exercise of a put option, the opposite is true.
The requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company (RIC) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Internal Revenue Code) may also limit the extent to which the Fund may invest in futures, options on futures and swaps. See Tax Matters.
Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management may use derivative instruments to seek to enhance return, to attempt to hedge some of the risk of the Funds investments in municipal securities, to attempt to manage the effective maturity or duration of securities in the Funds portfolio or as a substitute for a position in the underlying asset. These types of strategies may generate taxable income.
There is no assurance that these derivative strategies will be available at any time or that Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management will determine to use them for the Fund or, if used, that the strategies will be successful.
Segregation of Assets
As a closed-end investment company regulated 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. In accordance with these 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, including the value of unpaid past and future payment 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 security or financial instrument. The Fund also may enter into offsetting transactions with respect to certain obligations consistent with existing guidance from the SEC and its staff 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. In the case of financial futures contracts that are not contractually required to cash settle, for example, the Fund must set aside liquid assets equal to such contracts full notional value while the positions are open. With respect to financial futures contracts that are contractually required to cash settle, however, the Fund is permitted to set aside liquid
17
assets in an amount equal to the Funds daily marked-to-market net obligations (i.e., the Funds daily net liability) under the contracts, if any, rather than such contracts full notional value. If the Fund writes credit default swaps, it will segregate the full notional amount of the payment obligation under the credit default swap that must be paid upon the occurrence of a credit event. The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities issued by special purpose trusts. With respect to such investments, the Fund will segregate or earmark assets in an amount equal to at least 100% of the face amount of the floating rate securities issued by such trusts.
The SEC recently adopted new Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, which 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, among other requirements. The Fund will comply with the new rules requirements on or before the SECs 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.
To the extent the Fund uses its assets to cover its obligations as required by the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder, and applicable positions of the SEC and its staff, such assets may not be used for other operational purposes. Nuveen Fund Advisors and/or Nuveen Asset Management will monitor the Funds use of derivatives and will take action as necessary for the purpose of complying with the asset segregation policy stated above. Such actions may include the sale of the Funds portfolio investments.
Illiquid Securities
The Fund may invest in illiquid securities (i.e., securities that are not readily marketable), including, but not limited to, restricted securities (securities the disposition of which is restricted under the federal securities laws), securities that may be resold only pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (1933 Act) that are deemed to be illiquid, and certain repurchase agreements.
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. To the extent that the Board of Trustees or its delegatee determines that the price of any illiquid security provided by the pricing service is inappropriate, such security will be priced at a fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or its delegatee.
Inverse Floating Rate Securities and Floating Rate Securities
Inverse Floating Rate Securities. Inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as inverse floaters) are securities whose interest rates bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. Generally, inverse floating rate securities represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust for the purpose of holding municipal bonds. The special purpose trust typically sells two classes of beneficial interests or securities: floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as short-term floaters or tender option bonds) and inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as inverse floaters or residual interest securities). Both classes of beneficial interests are represented by certificates. The short-term floating rate securities have first priority on the cash flow from the municipal bonds held by the special purpose trust. Typically, a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, grants the floating rate security holders the option, at periodic intervals, to tender their securities to the institution and receive the face value thereof. As consideration for providing the option, the financial institution receives periodic fees. The holder of the short-term floater effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rate. However, the institution granting the tender option will not be obligated to accept tendered short-term floaters in the event of certain defaults
18
or a significant downgrade in the credit rating assigned to the bond issuer. For its inverse floating rate investments, the Fund receives the residual cash flow from the special purpose trust. Because the holder of the short-term floater is generally assured liquidity at the face value of the security, the Fund as the holder of the inverse floater assumes the interest rate cash flow risk and the market value risk associated with the municipal security deposited into the special purpose trust. The volatility of the interest cash flow and the residual market value will vary with the degree to which the trust is leveraged. This is expressed in the ratio of the total face value of the short-term floaters in relation to the value of the residual inverse floaters that are issued by the special purpose trust. In addition, all voting rights and decisions to be made with respect to any other rights relating to the municipal bonds held in the special purpose trust are passed through to the Fund, as the holder of the residual inverse floating rate securities. Because increases in the interest rate on the short-term floaters reduce the residual interest paid on inverse floaters, and because fluctuations in the value of the municipal bond deposited in the special purpose trust affect the value of the inverse floater only, and not the value of the short-term floater issued by the trust, inverse floaters value is generally more volatile than that of fixed rate bonds. The market price of inverse floating rate securities is generally more volatile than the underlying securities due to the leveraging effect of this ownership structure. These securities generally will underperform the market of fixed rate bonds in a rising interest rate environment (i.e., when bond values are falling), but tend to outperform the market of fixed rate bonds when interest rates decline or remain relatively stable. Although volatile, inverse floaters typically offer the potential exceeding the yields available on fixed rate bonds with comparable credit quality, coupon, call provisions and maturity. Inverse floaters have varying degrees of liquidity based upon, among other things, the liquidity of the underlying securities deposited in a special purpose trust.
The Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities issued by special purpose trusts that have recourse to the Fund. In Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Managements discretion, the Fund may enter into a separate shortfall and forbearance agreement with the third party liquidity provider to a special purpose trust. The Fund may enter into such recourse agreements (i) when the liquidity provider requires such an agreement because the level of leverage in the trust exceeds the level that the liquidity provider is willing to support absent such an agreement; and/or (ii) to seek to prevent the liquidity provider from collapsing the trust in the event that the municipal obligation held in the trust has declined in value. Such an agreement would require the Fund to reimburse the third party liquidity provider to such inverse floater, upon termination of the trust issuing the inverse floater, the difference between the liquidation value of the bonds held in the trust and the principal amount due to the holders of floating rate interests. Such agreements may expose the Fund to a risk of loss that exceeds its investment in the inverse floating rate securities. The Fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets with its custodian in accordance with the 1940 Act to cover its obligations with respect to its investments in special purpose trusts. Absent a shortfall and forbearance agreement, the Fund would not be required to make such a reimbursement. If the Fund chooses not to enter into such an agreement, the special purpose trust could be liquidated and the Fund could incur a loss. See also Segregation of Assets.
The Fund may invest in both inverse floating rate securities and floating rate securities (as discussed below) issued by the same special purpose trust.
Investments in inverse floating rate securities have the economic effect of leverage. The use of leverage creates special risks for Common Shareholders. See the Prospectus under RisksPortfolio Level RisksInverse Floating Rate Securities Risk.
Floating Rate Securities. The Fund may also invest in floating rate securities, as described above, issued by special purpose trusts. Floating rate securities may take the form of short-term floating rate securities or the option period may be substantially longer. Generally, the interest rate earned will be based upon the market rates for municipal securities with maturities or remarketing provisions that are comparable in duration to the periodic interval of the tender option, which may vary from weekly, to monthly, to extended periods of one year or multiple years. Since the option feature has a shorter term than the final maturity or first call date of the underlying bond deposited in the trust, the Fund as the holder of the floating rate security relies upon the terms of the agreement with the financial institution furnishing the option as well as the credit strength of that institution.
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As further assurance of liquidity, the terms of the trust provide for a liquidation of the municipal security deposited in the trust and the application of the proceeds to pay off the floating rate security. The trusts that are organized to issue both short-term floating rate securities and inverse floaters generally include liquidation triggers to protect the investor in the floating rate security.
Other Investment Companies
The Fund may invest in securities of other open or closed-end investment companies (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) that invest primarily in municipal securities of the types in which the Fund may invest directly. In addition, the Fund may invest a portion of its Managed Assets in pooled investment vehicles (other than investment companies) that invest primarily in municipal securities of the types in which the Fund may invest directly. The Fund generally expects that it may invest in other investment companies and/or other pooled investment vehicles either during periods when it has large amounts of uninvested cash, such as the period shortly after the Fund receives the proceeds of an offering of its Common Shares or borrowing or during periods when there is a shortage of attractive, high-yielding municipal securities available in the market. The Fund may invest in investment companies that are advised by Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management or their respective affiliates to the extent permitted by applicable law and/or pursuant to exemptive relief from the SEC. As a stockholder in an investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment companys expenses and would remain subject to payment of the Funds management, advisory and administrative fees with respect to assets so invested. Common Shareholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies. The Fund will consider the investments of underlying investment companies when determining compliance with Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act. Moreover, the Fund will consider the investments of underlying investment companies when determining compliance with its own concentration policy, to the extent the Fund has sufficient information about such investments.
Nuveen Fund Advisors will take expenses into account when evaluating the investment merits of an investment in an investment company relative to available municipal security investments. In addition, the securities of other investment companies may also be leveraged and will therefore be subject to the same leverage risks described herein. As described in the Funds Prospectus, the NAV and market value of leveraged shares will be more volatile and the yield to Common Shareholders will tend to fluctuate more than the yield generated by unleveraged shares.
Repurchase Agreements
As temporary investments, the Fund may invest in repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement is a contractual agreement whereby the seller of securities (U.S. government securities or municipal securities) agrees to repurchase the same security at a specified price on a future date agreed upon by the parties. The agreed-upon repurchase price determines the yield during the Funds holding period. Repurchase agreements are considered to be loans collateralized by the underlying security that is the subject of the repurchase contract. Income generated from transactions in repurchase agreements will be taxable. The Fund will only enter into repurchase agreements with registered securities dealers or domestic banks that, in the opinion of Nuveen Asset Management, present minimal credit risk. The risk to the Fund is limited to the ability of the issuer to pay the agreed-upon repurchase price on the delivery date; however, although the value of the underlying collateral at the time the transaction is entered into always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price, if the value of the collateral declines there is a risk of loss of both principal and interest. In the event of default, the collateral may be sold but the Fund might incur a loss if the value of the collateral declines, and might incur disposition costs or experience delays in connection with liquidating the collateral. In addition, if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization upon the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited. Nuveen Asset Management will monitor the value of the collateral at the time the transaction is entered into and at all times subsequent during the term of the repurchase agreement in an effort to determine that such value always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price. In the event the value of the collateral declines below the
20
repurchase price, Nuveen Asset Management will demand additional collateral from the issuer to increase the value of the collateral to at least that of the repurchase price, including interest.
Short-Term Investments
Short-Term Taxable Fixed Income Securities
For temporary defensive purposes or to keep cash on hand fully invested, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in cash equivalents and short- term taxable fixed-income securities, although the Fund intends to invest in taxable short-term investments only in the event that suitable tax-exempt short- term investments are not available at reasonable prices and yields. Short-term taxable fixed income investments are defined to include, without limitation, the following:
(1) U.S. government securities, including bills, notes and bonds differing as to maturity and rates of interest that are either issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. government agency securities include securities issued by (a) the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Small Business Administration, and the Government National Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; (b) the Federal Home Loan Banks*, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, and the Tennessee Valley Authority, whose securities are supported by the right of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (c) the Federal National Mortgage Association*, whose securities are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and (d) the Student Loan Marketing Association, whose securities are supported only by its credit. While the U.S. government provides financial support to such U.S. government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it always will do so since it is not so obligated by law. The U.S. government, its agencies, and instrumentalities do not guarantee the market value of their securities. Consequently, the value of such securities may fluctuate.
* |
These securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. |
(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 Federal Deposit Insurance Company 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. Nuveen Asset Management 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. Nuveen Asset Management 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
21
bankruptcy proceeding, the ability of the Fund to liquidate the collateral could be delayed or impaired because of certain provisions of the bankruptcy laws.
(4) Commercial paper, which consists of short-term unsecured promissory notes, including variable rate master demand notes issued by corporations to finance their current operations. Master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and a corporation. There is no secondary market for such notes. However, they are redeemable by the Fund at any time. Nuveen Asset Management will consider the financial condition of the corporation (e.g., earning power, cash flow, and other liquidity measures) and will continuously monitor the corporations ability to meet all of its financial obligations, because the Funds liquidity might be impaired if the corporation were unable to pay principal and interest on demand. Investments in commercial paper will be limited to commercial paper rated in the highest categories by a major rating agency and which mature within one year of the date of purchase or carry a variable or floating rate of interest.
Short-Term Tax-Exempt Municipal Securities
Short-term tax-exempt municipal securities are securities that are exempt from regular federal income tax and mature within three years or less from the date of issuance. Short-term tax-exempt municipal income securities are defined to include, without limitation, the following:
Bond Anticipation Notes (BANs) are usually general obligations of state and local governmental issuers which are sold to obtain interim financing for projects that will eventually be funded through the sale of long-term debt obligations or bonds. The ability of an issuer to meet its obligations on its BANs is primarily dependent on the issuers access to the long-term municipal bond market and the likelihood that the proceeds of such bond sales will be used to pay the principal and interest on the BANs.
Tax Anticipation Notes (TANs) are issued by state and local governments to finance the current operations of such governments. Repayment is generally to be derived from specific future tax revenues. TANs are usually general obligations of the issuer. A weakness in an issuers capacity to raise taxes due to, among other things, a decline in its tax base or a rise in delinquencies, could adversely affect the issuers ability to meet its obligations on outstanding TANs.
Revenue Anticipation Notes (RANs) are issued by governments or governmental bodies with the expectation that future revenues from a designated source will be used to repay the notes. In general, they also constitute general obligations of the issuer. A decline in the receipt of projected revenues, such as anticipated revenues from another level of government, could adversely affect an issuers ability to meet its obligations on outstanding RANs. In addition, the possibility that the revenues would, when received, be used to meet other obligations could affect the ability of the issuer to pay the principal and interest on RANs.
Construction Loan Notes are issued to provide construction financing for specific projects. Frequently, these notes are redeemed with funds obtained from the Federal Housing Administration.
Bank Notes are notes issued by local government bodies and agencies, such as those described above to commercial banks as evidence of borrowings. The purposes for which the notes are issued are varied but they are frequently issued to meet short-term working capital or capital-project needs. These notes may have risks similar to the risks associated with TANs and RANs.
Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper (Municipal Paper) represents very short-term unsecured, negotiable promissory notes issued by states, municipalities and their agencies. Payment of principal and interest on issues of municipal paper may be made from various sources, to the extent the funds are available therefrom. Maturities of municipal paper generally will be shorter than the maturities of TANs, BANs or RANs. There is a limited secondary market for issues of Municipal Paper.
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Certain municipal securities may carry variable or floating rates of interest whereby the rate of interest is not fixed but varies with changes in specified market rates or indices, such as a bank prime rate or a tax-exempt money market index.
While the various types of notes described above as a group represent the major portion of the short-term tax-exempt note market, other types of notes are available in the marketplace and the Fund may invest in such other types of notes to the extent permitted under its investment objectives, policies and limitations. Such notes may be issued for different purposes and may be secured differently from those mentioned above.
Auction Rate Securities
Municipal securities also include auction rate municipal securities and auction rate preferred securities issued by closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in municipal securities (collectively, auction rate securities). In recent market environments, auctions have failed, which adversely affects the liquidity and price of auction rate securities, and are unlikely to resume. Provided that the auction mechanism is successful, auction rate securities usually permit the holder to sell the securities in an auction at par value at specified intervals. The dividend is reset by Dutch auction in which bids are made by broker-dealers and other institutions for a certain amount of securities at a specified minimum yield. The dividend rate set by the auction is the lowest interest or dividend rate that covers all securities offered for sale. While this process is designed to permit auction rate securities to be traded at par value, there is a risk that an auction will fail due to insufficient demand for the securities. Moreover, between auctions, there may be no secondary market for these securities, and sales conducted on a secondary market may not be on terms favorable to the seller. Auction rate securities may be called by the issuer. Thus, with respect to liquidity and price stability, auction rate securities may differ substantially from cash equivalents, notwithstanding the frequency of auctions and the credit quality of the security. The Funds investments in auction rate securities of closed-end funds are subject to the limitations prescribed by the 1940 Act. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management and other fees paid by such closed-end funds in addition to the advisory fees payable directly by the Fund.
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions
The Fund may buy and sell municipal securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, making payment or taking delivery at a later date, normally within 15-45 days of the trade date. On such transactions the payment obligation and the interest rate are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the commitment. Beginning on the date the Fund enters into a commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, the Fund is required under rules of the SEC to maintain in a separate account liquid assets, consisting of cash, cash equivalents or liquid securities having a market value, at all times, of at least equal to the amount of the commitment. Income generated by any such assets which provide taxable income for federal income tax purposes is includable in the taxable income of the Fund and, to the extent distributed, will be taxable distributions to shareholders. The Fund may enter into contracts to purchase municipal securities on a forward basis (i.e., where settlement will occur more than 60 days from the date of the transaction) only to the extent that the Fund specifically collateralizes such obligations with a security that is expected to be called or mature within sixty days before or after the settlement date of the forward transaction. The commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward basis may involve an element of risk because no interest accrues on the bonds prior to settlement and at the time of delivery the market value may be less than their cost.
Zero Coupon Bonds
A zero coupon bond is a bond that typically does not pay interest either for the entire life of the obligation or for an initial period after the issuance of the obligation. When held to its maturity, 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
23
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 income distributions to its shareholders. For accounting purposes, these cash distributions to shareholders will not be treated as a return of capital.
Further, Nuveen Fund Advisors 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, Nuveen Fund Advisors receives non-refundable cash payments based on such non-cash accruals while the Fund and Common Shareholders incur the risk that such non-cash accruals ultimately may not be realized.
Structured Notes
The Fund may utilize structured notes and similar instruments for investment purposes and also for hedging purposes. Structured notes are privately negotiated debt obligations where the principal and/ or interest is determined by reference to the performance of a benchmark asset, market or interest rate (an embedded index), such as selected securities, an index of securities or specified interest rates, or the differential performance of two assets or markets. The terms of such structured instruments normally provide that their principal and/or interest payments are to be adjusted upwards or downwards (but not ordinarily below zero) to reflect changes in the embedded index while the structured instruments are outstanding. As a result, the interest and/or principal payments that may be made on a structured product may vary widely, depending upon a variety of factors, including the volatility of the embedded index and the effect of changes in the embedded index on principal and/or interest payments. The rate of return on structured notes may be determined by applying a multiplier to the performance or differential performance of the referenced index or indices or other assets. Application of a multiplier involves leverage that will serve to magnify the potential for gain and the risk of loss. These types of investments may generate taxable income.
Portfolio Trading and Turnover
Portfolio trading may be undertaken to accomplish the investment objectives of the Fund in relation to actual and anticipated movements in interest rates. In addition, a security may be sold and another of comparable quality purchased at approximately the same time to take advantage of what Nuveen Asset Management believes to be a temporary price disparity between the two securities. Temporary price disparities between two comparable securities may result from supply and demand imbalances where, for example, a temporary oversupply of certain securities may cause a temporarily low price for such securities, as compared with other securities of like quality and characteristics.
A security also may be sold when Nuveen Asset Management anticipates a change in the price of such security, Nuveen Asset Management believes the price of a security has reached or is near a realistic maximum, or there are other securities that Nuveen Asset Management believes are more attractive given the Funds investment objectives. The Fund also may engage to a limited extent in short-term trading consistent with its investment objectives. Securities may be sold in anticipation of a market decline or purchased in anticipation of a market rise and later sold, but the Fund will not engage in trading solely to recognize a gain. Subject to the
24
foregoing, the Fund will attempt to achieve its investment objectives by prudent selection of securities with a view to holding them for investment. While there can be no assurance thereof, the Fund anticipates that its annual portfolio turnover rate generally will not exceed 60% under normal circumstances. However, the rate of turnover will not be a limiting factor when the Fund deems it desirable to sell or purchase securities. Therefore, depending on market conditions, the annual portfolio turnover rate of the Fund may exceed 60% in particular years. A higher portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that are borne by the Fund. High portfolio turnover may result in the realization of net short-term capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed to shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income.
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TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The management of the Fund, including general supervision of the duties performed for the Fund under the investment management agreement with Nuveen Fund Advisors (the Investment Management Agreement), is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The number of trustees of the Fund is twelve, none of whom are an interested person (as the term interested person is defined in the 1940 Act) (referred to herein as independent trustees). None of the independent trustees has ever been a director, trustee or employee of, or consultant to, Nuveen, Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management, or their affiliates. Currently the Board of Trustees consists of William C. Hunter, Amy B. R. Lancellotta, Joanne T. Medero, Judith M. Stockdale, Carole E. Stone, Margaret L. Wolff, John K. Nelson, Matthew Thornton III, Terence J. Toth, Robert L. Young, Jack B. Evans and Albin F. Moschner. If the Fund issues Preferred Shares, two of the Funds trustees would be elected by the holders of such Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class. The remaining trustees of the Fund would be elected by holders of common shares and Preferred Shares, voting together as a class. In the event that the Fund fails to pay dividends on outstanding Preferred Shares for two years, holders of Preferred Shares would be entitled to elect a majority of trustees of the Fund. The officers of the Fund serve annual terms and are elected on an annual basis. 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, as of June 1, 2021 the trustees of the Fund are directors or trustees, as the case may be, of 68 Nuveen-sponsored open-end mutual funds (the Nuveen Mutual Funds); and 62 Nuveen-sponsored closed-end funds and 13 Nuveen-sponsored exchange-traded funds (collectively with the Nuveen Mutual Funds and the Nuveen-sponsored closed-end funds, the Nuveen Funds).
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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)
|
Number of
Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen By Trustee |
Other
|
|||||
Independent Trustees |
||||||||||
Terence J. Toth 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 (1959) |
Chairman of
the Board and Trustee |
TermSince
Inception
Length of Service
|
Formerly, Co-Founding Partner, Promus Capital (investment advisory firm) (2008-2017); Director of Quality Control Corporation (manufacturing) (since 2012); formerly, Director of Fulcrum IT Services 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). | 143 | None |
27
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)
|
Number of
Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen By Trustee |
Other
Trustee
During Past
|
|||||
Jack B. Evans 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 (1948) |
Trustee |
TermSince
Inception
Length of Service
|
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 Orthopaedic 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). |
143 |
Director and Chairman (since 2009), United Fire Group, a publicly held company; formerly, Director (2000-2004), Alliant Energy. |
28
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)
|
Number of
Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen By Trustee |
Other
Trustee
During Past
|
|||||
William C. Hunter 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 (1948) |
Trustee |
TermSince
Inception
Length of Service
|
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. |
143 |
Director (since 2009) of Wellmark, Inc.; formerly, Director (2004-2018) of Xerox Corporation. |
29
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)
|
Number of
Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen By Trustee |
Other
|
|||||
Amy B. R. Lancellotta 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 (1959) |
Trustee |
TermSince 2021
Length of Service
|
Formerly, Managing Director, Independent Directors Council (IDC) (supports the fund independent director community and is part of the Investment Company Institute (ICI), which represents regulated investment companies) (2006-2019); formerly, various positions with ICI (1989-2006); Member of the Board of Directors, Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse (JCADA) (since 2020). | 143 | None |
30
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)
|
Number of
Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen By Trustee |
Other
|
|||||
Joanne T. Medero 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 (1954) |
Trustee |
TermSince 2021
Length of Service
|
Formerly, Managing Director, Government Relations and Public Policy (2009-2020) and Senior Advisor to the Vice Chairman (2018-2020), BlackRock, Inc. (global investment management firm); formerly, Managing Director, Global Head of Government Relations and Public Policy, Barclays Group (IBIM) (investment banking, investment management and wealth management businesses) (2006-2009); formerly, Managing Director, Global General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Barclays Global Investors (global investment management firm) (1996-2006); formerly, Partner, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP (law firm) (1993-1995); formerly, General Counsel, Commodity Futures Trading Commission (government agency overseeing U.S. derivatives markets) (1989-1993); formerly, Deputy Associate Director/Associate Director for Legal and Financial Affairs, Office of Presidential Personnel, The White House (1986-1989); Member of the Board of Directors, Baltic-American Freedom Foundation (seeks to provide opportunities for citizens of the Baltic states to gain education and professional development through exchanges in the U.S.) (since 2019). | 143 | None |
31
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)
|
Number of
Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen By Trustee |
Other
|
|||||
Albin F. Moschner 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 (1952) |
Trustee |
TermSince
Inception
Length of Service
|
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) of Zenith Electronics Corporation (consumer electronics). | 143 | 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). |
32
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)
|
Number of
Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen By Trustee |
Other
|
|||||
John K. Nelson 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 (1962) |
Trustee |
TermSince
Inception 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 on The Presidents 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. | 143 | None |
33
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)
|
Number of
Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen By Trustee |
Other
|
|||||
Judith M. Stockdale 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 (1947) |
Trustee |
TermSince
Inception 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). |
143 | None | |||||
Carole E. Stone 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 (1947) |
Trustee |
TermSince
Inception 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). |
143 |
Formerly, Director, Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (2010-2020) (formerly named CBOE Holdings, Inc.). |
34
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)
|
Number of
Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen By Trustee |
Other Directorships Held by Trustee
During Past
|
|||||
Matthew Thornton III 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 (1958) |
Trustee |
TermSince 2020
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). |
143 |
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). |
|||||
Margaret L. Wolff 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 (1955) |
Trustee |
TermSince
Inception
Length of Service
|
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. | 143 |
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.). |
35
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)
|
Number of
Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen By Trustee |
Other
|
|||||
Robert L. Young 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 (1963) |
Trustee |
TermSince
Inception
Length of Service
|
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). | 143 | None |
36
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 Occupations Including
|
|||||||
Officers of the Fund: | ||||||||||
David J. Lamb 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 (1963) |
|
Chief
Administrative Officer |
|
|
TermIndefinite
Length of Service
|
|
Managing Director of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC and Nuveen Securities, LLC (since 2020); Senior Managing Director (since 2021), formerly, Managing Director (2017-2021), Senior Vice President of Nuveen (2006-2017), Vice President prior to 2006. |
|||
Mark J. Czarniecki 901 Marquette Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55402 1979 |
|
Vice President
and Assistant Secretary |
|
|
TermIndefinite
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 (since 2013). |
|||
Diana R. Gonzalez 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 1978 |
|
Vice President
and Assistant Secretary |
|
|
TermIndefinite
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 (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 |
|
|
TermIndefinite
Length of Service Since 2016 |
|
Senior Managing Director (since 2019), formerly, Managing Director (2017-2021), Senior Vice President (2016-2017), formerly, Vice President (2011-2016) of Nuveen; 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 |
|
TermIndefinite
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 |
|
TermIndefinite
Length of Service Since 2019 |
|
Managing Director (since 2019) of Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC; Senior Managing Director (since 2021), formerly, Managing Director (2017-2021), Vice President (2010-2017) of Nuveen; Head of Investment Oversight (since September 2017), formerly, Team Leader of Manager Oversight (2015-2017); Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Financial Risk Manager. |
37
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 Occupations Including
|
|||
Jacques M. Longerstaey 8500 Andrew Carnegie Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28262 (1963) |
Vice President |
TermIndefinite
Length of Service Since 2019 |
Senior Managing Director, Chief Risk Officer, 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). |
|||
Kevin J. McCarthy 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 (1966) |
Vice President
and Assistant Secretary |
TermIndefinite
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), 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), 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 Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28262 (1973) |
Vice President
and Assistant Secretary |
TermIndefinite
Length of Service Since 2019 |
Managing Director of Mutual Fund Tax and Financial Reporting groups at Nuveen (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. |
38
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 Occupations Including
|
|||
Deann D. Morgan 730 Third Avenue New York, NY 10017 (1969) |
Vice President |
TermIndefinite
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 |
TermIndefinite
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. |
|||
William A. Siffermann 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 (1975) |
Vice President |
TermIndefinite
Length of Service Since 2017 |
Managing Director (since 2017), formerly, Senior Vice President (2016-2017) and Vice President (2011-2016) of Nuveen. |
|||
E. Scott Wickerham 8500 Andrew Carnegie Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28262 (1973) |
Vice President
and Controller |
TermIndefinite
Length of Service Since 2019 |
Senior Managing Director, Head of Public Investment Finance at Nuveen (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; Senior Director, TIAA-CREF Fund Administration (2014-2015); has held various positions with TIAA since 2006. |
39
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 Occupations Including
|
|||
Mark L. Winget 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 (1968) |
Vice President
and Secretary |
TermIndefinite
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. |
|||
Gifford R. Zimmerman 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 (1956) |
Chief
Compliance Officer and Vice President |
TermIndefinite
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, LLC (2002-2020), 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) oversees the operations and management of the Nuveen Funds (the Funds), including the duties performed for each Fund by its investment adviser. The Board has adopted a unitary board structure. A unitary board consists of one group of trustees who serve on the board of every fund in the 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 Funds 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 candidates particular background, skills and experience, among other things, but also whether such background, skills and experience enhance the Boards 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 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
40
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 Boards knowledge and expertise withrespect to the many aspects of fund operations that are complex-wide in nature. The unitary structure also enhances the Boards influence and oversight over the investment adviser 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 Boards 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. Accordingly, the trustees have elected Terence J. Toth as the independent chair of the Board. Pursuant to the Funds 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 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 Funds operations. The Board has established six standing committees: the Executive Committee, the Dividend Committee, the Open-End Funds Committee, the Audit Committee, the Compliance, Risk Management and Regulatory Oversight Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Board also may 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. Mr. Toth, Chair, Mr. Moschner and Ms. Wolff serve as the current members of the Executive Committee of the Board.
The Board has an Audit Committee, in accordance with Section 3(a) (58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (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 Funds, and the audits of the financial statements of the Funds; the quality and integrity of the financial statements of the Funds; the Funds compliance with legal and regulatory requirements relating to the Funds financial statements; the independent auditors qualifications, performance and independence; and the pricing procedures of the 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 Funds portfolios. Subject to the Boards general supervision of such actions, the Audit Committee addresses any valuation issues, oversees the Funds pricing procedures and actions taken by Nuveens internal valuation group which provides regular reports to the committee, reviews any issues relating to the valuation of the Funds securities brought to its attention and considers the risks to the Funds in assessing the possible resolutions to these matters. The Audit Committee may also consider any financial risk exposures for the Funds in conjunction with performing its functions.
41
To fulfill its oversight duties, the Audit Committee receives annual and semi-annual reports and has regular meetings with the external auditors for the Funds and the internal audit group at Nuveen. 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 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 Ms. Stone, Chair, Mr. Evans, Dr. Hunter, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Moschner and Ms. Stockdale, each of whom is an independent trustee of the Funds. A copy of the Charter is available at www.nuveen.com/fundgovernance.
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 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 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 Boards governance over the Funds 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 be 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 shareholders, as to suitable candidates. Suggestions should be sent in writing to William Siffermann, Managing Director of Fund Board Relations, Nuveen, LLC, 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606. The Nominating and Governance Committee sets appropriate standards and requirements for nominations for new Trustees and reserves the right to interview any and all candidates and to make the final selection of any new Trustees. In considering a candidates 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- advisors and service providers) and, if qualifying as an independent trustee candidate, independence from the Advisor, sub-advisors, 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 Funds. Accordingly, the members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are Mr. Toth, Chair, Mr. Evans, Dr. Hunter, Ms. Lancellotta, Ms. Medero, Mr. Moschner, Mr. Nelson, Ms. Stockdale, Ms. Stone, Mr. Thornton, Ms. Wolff and Mr. Young.
42
The Dividend Committee is authorized to declare distributions on the Funds shares including, but not limited to, regular and special dividends, capital gains and ordinary income distributions. The members of the Dividend Committee are Mr. Young, Chair, Dr. Hunter, Mr. Moschner and Ms. Wolff.
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 Funds that are not otherwise the jurisdiction of the other committees. The Board has adopted and periodically reviews policies and procedures designed to address the Funds 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 Funds 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 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 committees attention or in reviewing a particular policy, procedure, investment technique or strategy, the Compliance Committee evaluates the risks to the Funds in adopting a particular approach or resolution compared to the anticipated benefits to the Funds and their 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 Funds 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 Funds 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 committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board. The members of the Compliance Committee are Ms. Wolff, Chair, Ms. Lancellotta, Ms. Medero, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Thornton, Mr. Toth and Mr. Young.
The Open-End Funds Committee is responsible for assisting the Board in the oversight and monitoring of the Nuveen Funds that are registered as open-end management investment companies (Open-End Funds). The committee may review and evaluate matters related to the formation and the initial presentation to the Board of any new Open-End Fund and may review and evaluate any matters relating to any existing Open-End Fund. The committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board. The members of the Open-End Funds Committee are Mr. Moschner, Chair, Ms. Medero, Mr. Nelson, Ms. Stockdale, Ms. Stone, Mr. Thornton and Mr. Toth. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Open-End Funds Committee met five times.
Board Diversification and Trustee Qualifications. In determining that a particular trustee was qualified to serve on the Board, the Board considered each trustees 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, 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
43
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 from 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. Formerly, 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, 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 form 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 an 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.
Amy B. R. Lancellotta
After 30 years of service, Ms. Lancellotta retired at the end of 2019 from the Investment Company Institute (ICI), which represents regulated investment companies on regulatory, legislative and securities industry initiatives that affect funds and their shareholders. From November 2006 until her retirement, Ms. Lancellotta served as Managing Director of ICIs Independent Directors Council (IDC), which supports fund independent directors in fulfilling their responsibilities to promote and protect the interests of fund shareholders. At IDC, Ms. Lancellotta was responsible for all ICI and IDC activities relating to the fund independent director community. In conjunction with her responsibilities, Ms. Lancellotta advised and represented IDC, ICI, independent directors and the investment company industry on issues relating to fund governance and the role of fund directors. She also directed and coordinated IDCs education, communication, governance and policy initiatives. Prior to serving as Managing Director of IDC, Ms. Lancellotta held various other positions with ICI beginning in 1989. Before joining ICI, Ms. Lancellotta was an associate at two Washington, D.C. law firms. In addition, since 2020, she has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse (JCADA), an organization that seeks to end power-based violence, empower survivors and ensure safe
44
communities. Ms. Lancellotta received a B.A. degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1981 and a J.D. degree from the National Law Center, George Washington University (currently known as George Washington University Law School) in 1984.
Joanne T. Medero
Ms. Medero has over 30 years of financial services experience and, most recently, from December 2009 until her retirement in July 2020, she was a Managing Director in the Government Relations and Public Policy Group at BlackRock, Inc. (BlackRock). From July 2018 to July 2020, she was also Senior Advisor to BlackRocks Vice Chairman, focusing on public policy and corporate governance issues. In 1996, Ms. Medero joined Barclays Global Investors (BGI), which merged with BlackRock in 2009. At BGI, she was a Managing Director and served as Global General Counsel and Corporate Secretary until 2006. Then, from 2006 to 2009, Ms. Medero was a Managing Director and Global Head of Government Relations and Public Policy at Barclays Group (IBIM), where she provided policy guidance and directed legislative and regulatory advocacy programs for the investment banking, investment management and wealth management businesses. Before joining BGI, Ms. Medero was a Partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP from 1993 to 1995, where she specialized in derivatives and financial markets regulation issues. Additionally, she served as General Counsel of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) from 1989 to 1993 and, from 1986 to 1989, she was Deputy Associate Director/Associate Director for Legal and Financial Affairs at The White House Office of Presidential Personnel. Further, from 2006 to 2010, Ms. Medero was a member of the CFTC Global Markets Advisory Committee and she has been actively involved in financial industry associations, serving as Chair of the Steering Committee of the SIFMA (Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association) Asset Management Group (2016-2018) and Chair of the CTA (Commodity Trading Advisor), CPO (Commodity Pool Operator) and Futures Committee of the Managed Funds Association (2010-2012). Currently, Ms. Medero chairs the Corporations, Antitrust and Securities Practice Group of The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy (since 2010 and from 2000 to 2002). In addition, since 2019, she has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation, which seeks to provide opportunities for citizens of the Baltic states to gain education and professional development through exchanges in the United States. Ms. Medero received a B.A. degree from St. Lawrence University in 1975 and a J.D. degree from the National Law Center, George Washington University (currently known as George Washington University Law School) in 1978.
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 as 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 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.
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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 banks 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 banks 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. (2012-2104). At Fordham University, he served as a director of The Presidents Council (2010-2019) 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 Council of the National Zoological Park, the Governors Science Advisory Council (Illinois) and the Nancy Ryerson Ranney Leadership Grants Program. She has been a member of 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 Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (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.
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
46
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 nations 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 worlds 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 2008 to 2013, he was a Director, 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 Boards of Quality Control Corporation since 2012 and Catalyst Schools of Chicago since 2008. He is on the Mather Foundation Board since 2012 and is Chair of its Investment Committee and previously served as a Director of LogicMark LLC (2012-2016) and of Fulcrum IT Service LLC (2010-2019). Mr. Toth graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois, and received his MBA 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 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. Morgans domestic retail mutual fund and institutional commingled and separate account businesses, and co-led these activities for J.P. Morgans global
47
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 firms 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
The trustees have elected Terence J. Toth as the independent Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Specific responsibilities of the Chairman include (a) presiding at all meetings of the Board of Trustees 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.
Share Ownership
The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each trustee as of June 3, 2021:
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 Investment Companies |
|||||||
Jack B. Evans |
None | Over $100,000 | ||||||
William C. Hunter |
None | Over $100,000 | ||||||
Amy B. R. Lancellotta** |
None | None | ||||||
Joanne T. Medero** |
None | None | ||||||
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 |
* |
Mr. Thornton was appointed to the Board, effective November 16, 2020. |
** |
Ms. Lancellotta and Ms. Medero were appointed to the Board, effective June 1, 2021. |
As of June 3, 2021 no trustee who is not an interested person of the Fund or any of his or her immediate family members owns beneficially or of record, any security issued by Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management, Nuveen or any person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen Asset Management or Nuveen.
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As of June 3, 2021 the officers and trustees of the Fund, in the aggregate, own none of the Funds equity securities.
Compensation
The following table shows, for each independent Trustee, (1) the estimated aggregate compensation to be paid by the Fund projected during the Funds fiscal year after commencement of operation, (2) the amount of total compensation paid 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 trustees affiliated with Nuveen serve without any compensation from the Fund.
The Fund has a deferred compensation plan (the Plan) that permits any trustee who is not an interested person of the Fund to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of his or her compensation as a trustee. The deferred compensation of a participating trustee is credited to a book reserve account of the Fund when the compensation would otherwise have been paid to the trustee. The value of the trustees 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 trustees deferral account, the trustee may elect to receive distributions in a lump sum or over a period of five years. The Fund will not be liable for any other funds obligations to make distributions under the 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 |
$ | 190 | | $ | 392,652 | |||||||
William C. Hunter |
190 | | 396,750 | |||||||||
Amy B. R. Lancellotta(4) |
171 | | | |||||||||
Joanne T. Medero(4) |
171 | | | |||||||||
Albin F. Moschner |
196 | | 380,050 | |||||||||
John K. Nelson |
200 | | 417,500 | |||||||||
Judith M. Stockdale |
191 | | 400,147 | |||||||||
Carole E. Stone |
173 | | 404,611 | |||||||||
Matthew Thornton III(5) |
180 | | 49,500 | |||||||||
Terence J. Toth |
290 | | 467,300 | |||||||||
Margaret L. Wolff |
187 | | 385,629 | |||||||||
Robert L. Young |
189 | | 425,754 |
(1) |
Proposed on the estimated aggregate compensation to be earned on the independent trustees for the period ending March 31, 2022, representing the Funds first fiscal year, 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. |
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(4) |
Ms. Lancellotta and Ms. Medero joined the Board effective June 1, 2021. |
(5) |
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 Open-End Funds 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 Open-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 does not have retirement or pension plans. Certain Nuveen funds (the Participating Funds) participate in a deferred compensation plan (the Deferred Compensation Plan) that permits an independent Trustee to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of his or her compensation as an independent Trustee. The deferred compensation of a participating independent Trustee is credited to a book reserve account of the Participating Fund when the compensation would otherwise have been paid to such independent Trustee. The value of an independent Trustees 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 an independent Trustees deferral account, the Independent trustee may elect to receive distributions in a lump sum or over a period of five years. The Participating Fund will not be liable for any other funds obligations to make distributions under the Deferred Compensation Plan.
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The Fund has no employees. The officers of the Fund and the trustees of the Fund who are not independent Trustees serve without any compensation from the Fund.
Nuveen Fund Advisors will be responsible for determining the Funds overall investment strategy and its implementation, including the Funds use of leverage and ongoing monitoring of Nuveen Asset Management. Nuveen Fund Advisors also is responsible for managing the Funds business affairs and providing certain clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative services. For additional information regarding the management services performed by Nuveen Fund Advisors and further information about the investment management agreement between the Fund and Nuveen Fund Advisors, see Management of the Fund in the Prospectus.
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 March 31, 2021, Nuveen managed approximately $1.2 trillion in assets, of which approximately $169.5 billion was managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors.
Pursuant to 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 Funds management fee is separated into two componentsa complex-level component, based on the aggregate amount of all Nuveen 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.
Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Funds Investment Management Agreement with Nuveen Fund Advisors will remain in effect until August 1, 2021. The Investment Management Agreement continues in effect from year to year so long as such continuation is approved at least annually by (1) the Board of Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and (2) a majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of any party to the Investment Management Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Investment Management Agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by either the Fund or Nuveen Fund Advisors upon 60 days written notice, and is automatically terminated in the event of its assignment as defined in the 1940 Act.
Prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement of which this SAI is a part, Nuveen Fund Advisors purchased Common Shares from the Fund in an amount satisfying the net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the 1940 Act and therefore owns 100% of the outstanding Common Shares. Nuveen Fund Advisors may be deemed to control the Fund until such time as it owns less than 25% of the outstanding Common Shares, which is expected to occur once the Fund commences investment operations and its Common Shares are sold to the public.
Nuveen Asset Management, a registered investment adviser, is the Funds sub-adviser responsible for investing the Funds Managed Assets and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen Fund Advisors. John Miller and Steven Hlavin will serve as the Funds portfolio managers and are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio.
John Miller leads the municipals fixed income strategic direction and investment perspectives for Nuveen Asset Management. He also manages several municipal bond strategies and closed-end funds. John is a trusted public voice in discussing key issues and trends within the municipal market. He is a frequent guest on CNBC,
51
Bloomberg Television and Fox Business News. His perspective is often sought out by leading industry media such as The Wall Street Journal, Barrons, Bloomberg News and Morningstar.
John became the Head of Nuveen Municipals for Nuveen Asset Management in August of 2018 with the integration of the Nuveen Asset Management and TIAA Investments municipals team. Before being named Nuveen Asset Managements co-head of fixed income in 2011, he was chief investment officer for the firms municipal bond team starting in 2007. He was named head of portfolio management for Nuveen Asset Management in 2006. He became a portfolio manager in 2000 after starting at the firm as a municipal credit analyst in 1996. He began working in the investment industry at a private account management firm in 1993.
Mr. Miller graduated with a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Duke University, an M.A. in Economics from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. in Finance, with honors, from the University of Chicago. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA institute and the CFA society of Chicago.
Steven Hlavin is a member of the high yield portfolio management team, and is a portfolio manager for the Nuveen Short Duration High Yield Municipal Bond strategy and supports the management of the firms other High Yield Municipal Bond portfolios. He oversees a number of state-specific, tax-exempt portfolios including the Kansas Municipal Bond, Louisiana Municipal Bond and Wisconsin Municipal Bond strategies. He is also responsible for the tender option bond/inverse floating rate program used by some of the firms closed-end and open-end funds. In addition, he manages two closed-end funds that rely on the use of tender option bonds for leverage and co-manages several ETFs.
Mr. Hlavin began his career in the investment industry in 2003 when he joined the Nuveen Asset Management. Prior to his current position at the firm, he worked as a senior analyst responsible for risk management and performance measurement processes.
Mr. Hlavin graduated with a B.A. in Finance and Accounting and an M.B.A. in Finance from Miami University. He has been a speaker at the Leveraging Performance Attribution Analysis for Fixed Income Investments Conference series and the Municipal Bond Buyers Conference.
In addition to serving as a portfolio manager to the Fund, Mr. Miller is also primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the following accounts. Information is provided as of March 31, 2021 unless otherwise indicated:
Type of Account Managed |
Number of Accounts (Total) | Assets (Total) | ||||||
Registered Investment Company |
11 | $ | 42.03 billion | |||||
Other Pooled Vehicles |
11 | $ | 968 million | |||||
Other Accounts |
13 | $ | 77.2 million | |||||
Type of Account Managed |
Number of Accounts
with Performance-based Fees |
Assets (Accounts with
Performance-based Fees) |
||||||
Registered Investment Company |
| $ | 0 | |||||
Other Pooled Vehicles |
| $ | 0 | |||||
Other Accounts |
| $ | 0 |
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In addition to serving as a portfolio manager to the Fund, Mr. Hlavin is also primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the following accounts. Information is provided as of March 31, 2021 unless otherwise indicated:
Type of Account Managed |
Number of Accounts (Total) | Assets (Total) | ||||||
Registered Investment Company |
11 | $ | 17.64 billion | |||||
Other Pooled Vehicles |
1 | $ | 421.8 million | |||||
Other Accounts |
| $ | 0 | |||||
Type of Account Managed |
Number of Accounts
with Performance-based Fees |
Assets (Accounts with
Performance-based Fees) |
||||||
Registered Investment Company |
| $ | 0 | |||||
Other Pooled Vehicles |
| $ | 0 | |||||
Other Accounts |
| $ | 0 |
Portfolio Manager Securities Ownership
Because the Fund has not commenced operations, the portfolio managers did not own any securities of the Fund as of the date of this SAI.
Portfolio Manager |
Dollar Range
of Securities Beneficially Owned |
|||
John Miller |
none | |||
Steven Hlavin |
none |
Separately, pursuant to an investment sub-advisory agreement between Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management, Nuveen Fund Advisors will pay Nuveen Asset Management a portfolio management fee equal to 50% of the investment management fee paid on the Funds average daily Managed Assets.
Nuveen Asset Management Portfolio Manager Compensation
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 managers base salary is determined based upon an analysis of the portfolio managers 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 one, three and five year periods (unless the portfolio managers tenure is shorter), ranking versus Morningstar peer funds generally measured over the most recent one, three and five year periods (unless the portfolio managers 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.
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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 persons overall contribution to the firms.
There are generally no differences between the methods used to determine compensation with respect to the Funds and the Other Accounts shown in the table below.
Nuveen Asset Management Conflict of Interest Policies
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 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 issuers 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, work-out 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.
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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.
Management Fees Waived
Nuveen Fund Advisors has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses through July 31, 2023, so that the total annual operating expenses of the Fund (excluding any distribution and/or service fees that may be applicable to a particular class of shares, issuance and dividend costs of Preferred Shares that may be issued by the Fund, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities, litigation expenses and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 1.25% of the average daily Managed Assets of any class of Fund shares. This expense limitation may be terminated or modified prior to that date only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.
Code of Ethics
The Fund, Nuveen Fund Advisors, Nuveen, Nuveen Asset Management and other related entities have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that prohibit certain of their personnel, including the Funds portfolio manager, from engaging in personal investments that compete or interfere with, or attempt to take advantage of a clients, including the Funds, 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 a code of ethics may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund, but only so long as such investments are made in accordance with a codes requirements. Text-only versions of the codes of ethics of the Fund, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management can be viewed online or downloaded from the EDGAR Database on the Securities and Exchange Commissions internet web site at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, copies of those codes of ethics may be obtained, after paying the appropriate duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Nuveen Fund Advisors has delegated to Nuveen Asset Management the full responsibility for proxy voting on securities held in the Funds portfolio and related duties in accordance with the Nuveen Asset Managements policies and procedures. Nuveen Fund Advisors periodically monitors Nuveen Asset Managements voting to ensure that it is carrying out its duties. Nuveen Asset Managements proxy voting policies and procedures are attached to this filing as Appendix B.
Voted Proxies. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies (for periods subsequent to the Fund commencing operations) relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ending June 30 (or any lesser period of time ending June 30 if the Fund has not been operating for that long) of each year is available starting August 31 of that year without charge, upon request, by calling toll free (800) 257-8787 or by accessing the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. This reference to the website does not incorporate the contents of the website in the Prospectus or the SAI.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
Subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, Nuveen Asset Management is primarily responsible for the Funds portfolio decisions and the placing of the Funds portfolio transactions. Commissions are negotiated with broker/dealers on all transactions.
Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement, each of Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management is authorized to place orders pursuant to its investment
55
determinations for the Fund either directly with the issuer or with any broker or dealer, foreign currency dealer, futures commission merchant or others selected by it. The general policy of Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management in selecting brokers and dealers is to obtain the best results achievable in the context of a number of factors which are considered both in relation to individual trades and broader trading patterns, including the reliability of the broker/dealer, the competitiveness of the price and the commission, the research services received and whether the broker/dealer commits its own capital.
In connection with the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, subject to applicable law, brokers or dealers may be selected who also provide brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act)) to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which Nuveen Fund Advisors or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management are authorized to pay a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for the Fund which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable, determines in good faith that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer. Investment research services include information and analysis on particular companies and industries as well as market or economic trends and portfolio strategy, market quotations for portfolio evaluations, analytical software and similar products and services. If a research service also assists Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management in a non-research capacity (such as bookkeeping or other administrative functions), then only the percentage or component that provides assistance to Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management in the investment decision making process may be paid in commission dollars. This determination may be viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities that Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable, and its affiliates have with respect to accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management may also have arrangements with brokers pursuant to which such brokers provide research services to Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable, in exchange for a certain volume of brokerage transactions to be executed by such brokers. While the payment of higher commissions increases the Funds costs, Nuveen Fund Advisors and Nuveen Asset Management do not believe that the receipt of such brokerage and research services significantly reduces the expenses of Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable. Arrangements for the receipt of research services from brokers may create conflicts of interest.
Research services furnished to Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management by brokers that effect securities transactions for the fund may be used by Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable, in servicing other investment companies and accounts which it manages. Similarly, research services furnished to Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management by brokers who effect securities transactions for other investment companies and accounts which Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management manages may be used by Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable, in servicing the Fund. Not all of these research services are used by Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management in managing any particular account, including the Fund.
The Fund contemplates that, consistent with the policy of obtaining the best net results, brokerage transactions may be conducted through affiliated broker/dealers, as defined in the 1940 Act. The Board of Trustees has adopted procedures in accordance with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act to ensure that all brokerage commissions paid to such affiliates are reasonable and fair in the context of the market in which such affiliates operate.
In certain instances there may be securities that are suitable as an investment for the Fund as well as for one or more of Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Managements other clients. Investment decisions for the Fund and for Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Managements other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives. It may develop that a particular security is bought or sold for only one client even though it might be held by, or bought or sold for, other clients. Likewise, a particular
56
security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more clients are selling the same security. Some simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several clients receive investment advice from the same investment adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objectives of more than one client. When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed to be equitable to each. It is recognized that in some cases this system could adversely affect the price of or the size of the position obtainable in a security for the Fund. When purchases or sales of the same security for the Fund and for other portfolios managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors or Nuveen Asset Management, as applicable, occur contemporaneously, the purchase or sale orders may be aggregated in order to obtain any price advantages available to large volume purchases or sales.
Although the Fund does not have any restrictions on portfolio turnover, it is not the Funds policy to engage in transactions with the objective of seeking profits from short-term trading. Although the Fund cannot predict its annual portfolio turnover rate, it is generally not expected to exceed 60% under normal circumstances. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of sales or purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of the Funds portfolio securities. For purposes of this calculation, portfolio securities exclude all securities having a maturity when purchased of one year or less. A high rate of portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater transaction costs than a lower rate, which costs are borne by the Fund and its shareholders.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES AND DEBT
Common Shares
The Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of Common Shares. The Common Shares being offered have a par value of $0.01 per share and, subject to differences between classes, have equal rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation of the Fund. The Common Shares being offered will, when issued, be fully paid and, subject to matters discussed under Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws in the Prospectus, non-assessable, and will have no preemptive or conversion rights, except as the Board of Trustees may otherwise determine, or rights to cumulative voting. The Fund is currently offering two classes of Common Shares: Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares, and may offer additional classes in the future. An investment in any share class of the Fund represents an investment in the same assets of the Fund. However, the ongoing fees and expenses for each share class may be different. The fees and expenses for the Fund are set forth in Summary of Fund Expenses in the Prospectus. Certain share class details are set forth in the Plan of Distribution in the Prospectus. The Declaration of Trust provides that each whole Common Share shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional Common Share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. If the Fund issues Preferred Shares, the Common Shareholders will not be entitled to receive any cash distributions from the Fund unless all accrued dividends on Preferred Shares have been paid, and unless 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.
Preferred Shares
The 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 of Trustees, by action of the Board of Trustees without the approval of the Common Shareholders. The terms of any Preferred Shares that may be issued by the Fund may be the same as, or different from, the terms described below, subject to applicable law and the Declaration of Trust.
Distribution Preference. Any Preferred Shares would have complete priority over the Common Shares as to distribution of assets.
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Liquidation Preference. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Fund, holders of Preferred Shares would be entitled to receive a preferential liquidating distribution (expected to equal the original purchase price per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon, whether or not earned or declared) before any distribution of assets is made to Common Shareholders. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, holders of Preferred Shares will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund. A consolidation or merger of the Fund with or into any Massachusetts business trust or corporation or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Fund shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund.
Voting Rights. In connection with any issuance of Preferred Shares, the Fund must comply with Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act, which requires, among other things, that Preferred Shares be voting shares and have equal voting rights with Common Shares. Except as otherwise indicated in this SAI and except as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of Preferred Shares would vote together with Common Shareholders as a single class.
In connection with the election of the Funds trustees, holders of Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be entitled to elect two of the Funds trustees, and the remaining trustees would be elected by Common Shareholders and holders of Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class. In addition, if at any time dividends on the Funds outstanding Preferred Shares would be unpaid in an amount equal to two full years dividends thereon, the holders of all outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be entitled to elect a majority of the Funds trustees until all dividends in arrears have been paid or declared and set apart for payment.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Funds outstanding Preferred Shares of any class or series, as the case may be, voting as a separate class, would be required to, among other things, (1) take certain actions that would affect the preferences, rights, or powers of such class or series or (2) authorize or issue any class or series ranking prior to the Preferred Shares. Except as may otherwise be required by law, (1) the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Funds Preferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, would be required to approve any conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company and (2) the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be required to approve any plan of reorganization (as such term is used in the 1940 Act) adversely affecting such shares; provided however, that such separate class vote would 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 the By-laws. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be required to approve any action not described in the preceding sentence requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act including, among other things, changes in the Funds investment objectives or changes in the investment restrictions described as fundamental policies under Investment Restrictions in this SAI. The class or series vote of holders of Preferred Shares described above would in each case be in addition to any separate vote of the requisite percentage of Common Shares and Preferred Shares necessary to authorize the action in question.
The foregoing voting provisions would not apply with respect to the Funds Preferred Shares if, at or prior to the time when a vote was required, such shares would have been (1) redeemed or (2) called for redemption and sufficient funds would have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.
Redemption, Purchase and Sale of Preferred Shares. The terms of the Preferred Shares may provide that they are redeemable by the Fund at certain times, in whole or in part, at the original purchase price per share plus accumulated dividends, that the Fund may tender for or purchase Preferred Shares and that the Fund may subsequently resell any shares so tendered for or purchased. Any redemption or purchase of Preferred Shares by the Fund would reduce the leverage applicable to Common Shares, while any resale of such shares by the Fund would increase such leverage.
58
In the event of any issuance of Preferred Shares, the Fund likely would apply for ratings from an NRSRO. In such event, as long as Preferred Shares are outstanding, the composition of the Funds portfolio would reflect guidelines established by such NRSRO. Based on previous guidelines established by such NRSROs for the securities of other issuers, the Fund anticipates that the guidelines may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act. However, at this time, no assurance can be given as to the nature or extent of the guidelines that may be imposed in connection with obtaining a rating of any Preferred Shares.
For more information, see Description of Shares and DebtPreferred Shares in the Prospectus.
Senior Securities Representing Indebtedness
The Funds Declaration of Trust authorizes the Fund, without approval of the Common Shareholders, to borrow money. In this connection, the Fund may issue notes or other evidence of indebtedness (including bank borrowings or commercial paper) and may secure any such debt by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security the Funds assets. In connection with such borrowing, the Fund may be required to maintain minimum average balances with the lender or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit. Any such requirements will increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate. Under the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund, immediately after issuing any such senior securities representing indebtedness, must have an asset coverage of at least 300%. See Leverage in the Prospectus. Certain types of debt may result in the Fund being subject to certain restrictions imposed by guidelines of one or more rating agencies which may issue ratings for commercial paper or notes issued by the Fund. Such restrictions may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. For more information, see Description of Shares and DebtSenior Securities Representing Indebtedness in the Prospectus.
PURCHASE OF CLASS I COMMON SHARES BY ELIGIBLE INVESTORS
Class I Common Shares are available for purchase by eligible investors. The minimum initial investment for Class I Common Shares is $100,000 per account, except that the minimum investment amount may be modified for eligible investors, including certain financial firms that submit orders on behalf of their customers, members of the Board of Trustees of the Fund and certain employees of Nuveen, LLC, its affiliates and extended family members of such individuals.
Class I Common Shares are available for purchase at a modified minimum investment amount by clients of financial intermediaries who charge such clients an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or related services. Such clients may include individuals, corporations, endowments and foundations. The minimum initial investment for such clients is $100,000, but this minimum will be lowered to $25,000 for clients of financial intermediaries that have accounts holding Class I Common Shares with an aggregate value of at least $100,000. The Distributor may also lower the minimum to $25,000 for clients of financial intermediaries anticipated to reach this Class I Common Shares holdings level.
Class I Common Shares are also available for purchase by family offices and their clients. A family office is a company that provides certain financial and other services to a high net worth family or families. The minimum initial investment for family offices and their clients is $100,000, but this minimum will be lowered to $25,000 for clients of family offices that have accounts holding Class I Common Shares with an aggregate value of at least $100,000. The Distributor may also lower the minimum to $25,000 for clients of family offices anticipated to reach this Class I Common Shares holdings level.
59
Class I Common Shares also are available for purchase, with no minimum initial investment, by the following categories of investors:
|
bank or broker-affiliated trust departments investing funds over which they exercise exclusive discretionary investment authority and that are held in a fiduciary, agency, advisory, custodial or similar capacity; |
|
advisory accounts of Nuveen Fund Advisors and its affiliates, including other Nuveen, LLC (Nuveen) Mutual and Closed-End Funds whose investment policies permit investments in other investment companies; |
|
investors purchasing through a brokerage platform of a financial intermediary that has an agreement with the Distributor to offer such shares solely when acting as an agent for such investors. Investors transacting through a financial intermediarys brokerage platform may be required to pay a commission directly to the intermediary; |
|
any registered investment company that is not affiliated with the Nuveen funds and which invests in securities of other investment companies; |
|
any plan organized under section 529 under the Code (i.e., a 529 plan); |
|
current and former trustees/directors of any Nuveen fund, and their immediate family members (immediate family members are defined as spouses or domestic partners, parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, parents-in-law, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, siblings, a siblings spouse and a spouses siblings); |
|
officers of Nuveen and its affiliates, and their immediate family members; |
|
full-time and retired employees of Nuveen and its affiliates, and their immediate family members, including any corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship or other business organization that is wholly owned by one or more of such persons; and |
|
any person who, for at least the last 90 days, has been an officer, director or employee of any financial intermediary, and their immediate family members. |
Holders of Class I Common Shares may purchase additional Class I Common Shares using dividends and capital gain distributions on their shares.
In order to provide some liquidity to shareholders, the Fund makes quarterly offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Common Shares at net asset value. Although the policy permits repurchases of between 5% and 25% of the Funds outstanding Common Shares, for each quarterly repurchase offer, the Fund currently expects to offer to repurchase 7.5% of the Funds outstanding Common Shares at NAV, subject to approval of the Board. Notices of each quarterly repurchase offer are sent to shareholders at least 21 days before the Repurchase Request Deadline (i.e., the date by which shareholders can tender their Common Shares in response to a repurchase offer). The Fund determines the NAV applicable to repurchases no later than the 14 days after the Repurchase Request Deadline (or the next business day, if the 14th day is not a business day) (the Repurchase Pricing Date). The Fund expects to distribute payment to shareholders between one and three business days after the Repurchase Pricing Date and will distribute such payment no later than 7 calendar days after such date. The Funds Common Shares are not listed on any securities exchange, and the Fund anticipates that no secondary market will develop for its Common Shares. Investors should consider Common Shares of the Fund to be an illiquid investment. Accordingly, you may not be able to sell Common Shares when and/or in the amount that you desire. Thus, Common Shares are appropriate only as a long-term investment. In addition, the Funds repurchase offers may subject the Fund and shareholders to special risks.
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The section entitled Periodic Repurchase Offers in the Prospectus discusses the type and timing of notice for repurchase offers, the effects of oversubscribed repurchase offers, the determination of the repurchase price, payment by the Fund for Common Shares tendered in a repurchase offer, the effect of repurchase policies on the liquidity of the Fund, the consequences of repurchase offers and other details regarding the repurchase offers, including associated risks. The Funds fundamental policies with respect to repurchase offers are discussed in Investment Restrictions in this Statement of Additional Information.
In addition, a purchase by the Fund of its Common Shares would decrease the Funds total assets which would likely have the effect of increasing the Funds 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.
See RisksFund Level RisksRepurchase Offers Risk in the Prospectus for a description of the risks associated with the Funds repurchase offers. In addition, the repurchase of Common Shares by the Fund will be a taxable event to shareholders. For a discussion of these tax consequences, see Taxation below.
In addition to the Funds policy to make periodic repurchase offers as described above, the Board may consider additional repurchases of its Common Shares on the open market or in private transactions, the making of a tender offer for such shares, or the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company (described below). The Fund cannot assure you that its Board will decide to take or propose any of these actions.
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 Funds net income and gains. Any share repurchase, tender offer or borrowing that might be approved by the Board would have to comply with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and other applicable law.
The Fund does not currently intend to charge a repurchase fee. However, the Fund may charge a repurchase fee of up to 2.00% of the repurchase proceeds, which the Fund would retain to help offset non-de minimis estimated costs related to the repurchase incurred by the Fund, directly or indirectly, as a result of repurchasing Common Shares, thus allocating estimated transaction costs to the shareholder whose Common Shares are being repurchased. The Fund may introduce, or modify the amount of, a repurchase fee at any time. The Fund may also waive or reduce the repurchase fee if Nuveen Fund Advisors determines that the repurchase is offset by a corresponding purchase or if for other reasons the Fund will not incur transaction costs or will incur reduced transaction costs.
Conversion to an open-end company would require the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Common Shares and Preferred Shares, if issued in the future, outstanding at the time, voting together as a single class, and of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Preferred Shares, if issued in the future, 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 in the Prospectus for a discussion of voting requirements applicable to conversion of the Fund to an open-end company. If the Fund converted to an open-end company, it would likely have to significantly reduce any leverage it is then employing, which may require a repositioning of its investment portfolio, which may in turn generate substantial transaction costs, which would be borne by Common Shareholders, and may adversely affect Fund performance and Fund distributions. Shareholders of an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem their shares on any business day (except in certain circumstances as authorized by or under the 1940 Act) at their NAV, less such redemption charge, if any, as might be in effect at the time of redemption The Fund currently expects that any such redemptions would be
61
made in cash. The Fund may charge sales or redemption fees upon conversion to an open-end fund. The Board of Trustees of the Fund may at any time propose conversion of the Fund to an open-end company depending upon its judgment as to the advisability of such action in light of circumstances then prevailing.
Set forth below is a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax issues concerning the Fund and the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Common Shares. Because tax laws are complex and often change, you should consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of an investment in the Fund. This discussion does not purport to be complete or to deal with all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to Common Shareholders in light of their particular circumstances. Unless otherwise noted, this discussion assumes you are a U.S. Common Shareholder (as defined below) and that you hold your shares as a capital asset (generally, for investment). A U.S. Common Shareholder means a person (other than a partnership) that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes (i) an individual citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source or (iv) a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.
This discussion is based upon present provisions of the Code, the regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative ruling authorities, all of which are subject to change, which change may be retroactive. We have not sought and will not seek any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding any matters discussed herein. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to those set forth below. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisers with regard to the U.S. federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, or disposition of Common Shares, as well as the tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, foreign, or other taxing jurisdiction.
The discussion below does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to special classes of taxpayers including, without limitation, financial institutions, insurance companies, taxpayers subject to the alternative minimum tax, a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, U.S. Common Shareholders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, tax-exempt organizations, a controlled foreign corporation or a passive foreign investment company, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities or commodities that elect mark-to-market treatment, persons with applicable financial statements within the meaning of Section 451(b) of the Code, or persons that will hold Common Shares as a position in a straddle, hedge or as part of a constructive sale for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If a partnership (or any other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Common Shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships that hold Common Shares and partners in such a partnership should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax considerations of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Common Shares.
The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year as a RIC under the Code. To qualify as a RIC, the Fund must, among other things, derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies or other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, and (ii) net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership. A qualified publicly traded partnership is a publicly traded partnership that meets certain requirements with respect to the nature of its income. To qualify as a RIC, the Fund must also satisfy certain requirements with respect to the diversification of its assets. The Fund must, at the close of each quarter of the
62
taxable year, diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Funds 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 Funds 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 in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) of a single issuer, of two or more issuers which 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. Finally, to qualify for treatment as a RIC, the Fund must distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest, income from the interests in certain qualified publicly traded partnerships, and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses) and 90% of its net tax-exempt income each taxable year. If the Fund failed to meet the asset diversification test described above with respect to any quarter, the Fund would nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the requirements for such quarter if the Fund cured such failure within 6 months and either (i) such failure was de minimis or (ii) (a) such failure was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (b) the Fund reported the failure under Treasury regulations to be adopted and paid an excise tax.
As a RIC, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code, but without regard to the deduction for dividends paid net tax-exempt 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. If the Fund retains any net capital gain or investment company taxable income, it will be subject to tax at the corporate income tax rate on the amount retained. If the Fund retains any net capital gain, it may report the retained amount as undistributed capital gains as part of its annual reporting 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; (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any; and (iii) will be entitled to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of Common Shares owned by a Common Shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholders gross income and the tax deemed paid by the Common Shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence. The Fund intends to distribute to its Common Shareholders at least annually that portion of its investment company taxable income necessary to maintain its qualification as a RIC, as well as net capital gains (except for net capital gains credited to them but 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% excise tax. To prevent imposition of the excise tax, the Fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount equal to the sum of (1) at least 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the calendar year, (2) at least 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending October 31 of the calendar year, and (3) any ordinary income and capital gains for previous years that were not distributed during those years. To prevent application of the excise tax, the Fund intends to make its distributions in accordance with the calendar year distribution requirement (including deemed distributions of amounts on which the Fund pays federal income tax). A distribution will be treated as paid on December 31 of the current calendar year if it is declared by the Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid by the Fund during January of the following calendar year. Such distributions will be taxable to shareholders in the calendar year in which the distributions are declared, rather than the calendar year in which the distributions are received.
If the Fund failed to qualify as a RIC or failed to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement in any taxable year, and was unable to cure such failure, the Fund would be taxed as an ordinary corporation on its taxable income (even if such income were distributed to its shareholders) and all distributions out of earnings and profits
63
would be taxed to shareholders as ordinary dividends. Such distributions generally would be eligible (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income (as defined below) in the case of individual and other noncorporate shareholders and (ii) for the dividends received deduction (DRD) 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. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a RIC. The Board of Trustees reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of the Fund as a RIC if it determines such course of action to be beneficial to Common Shareholders.
Distributions
The Fund intends to qualify each year to pay exempt-interest dividends by satisfying the requirement that at the close of each quarter of the Funds taxable year at least 50% of the Funds total asset consist of municipal securities which are exempt from U.S. federal income tax.
Distributions from the Fund will constitute exempt-interest dividends to the extent of the Funds tax-exempt interest income (net of allocable expenses and amortized bond premium). Exempt-interest dividends distributed to shareholders of the Fund are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes. However, shareholders required to file a federal income tax return will be required to report the receipt of exempt-interest dividends on their returns. Moreover, while exempt-interest dividends are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes, they may be subject to alternative minimum tax (AMT) in certain circumstances for noncorporate taxpayers and may have other collateral tax consequences as discussed below.
The Fund may elect to retain rather than distribute all or a portion of any net capital gains (which is the excess of long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) otherwise allocable to Common Shareholders and pay U.S. federal income tax on the retained gain. As provided under U.S. federal tax law, Common Shareholders of record as of the end of the Funds taxable year will include their allocable share of the retained gain in their income for the year as a long-term capital gain, and will be entitled to a U.S. federal income tax credit for the tax deemed paid on their behalf by the Fund. Distributions of the Funds net capital gain (capital gain distributions), if any, are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of their holding period in the Common Shares. Distributions of the Funds net realized short-term capital gains will be taxable as ordinary income. The maximum long-term capital gain tax rate applicable to individuals is 20%.
If, for any calendar year, the Funds total distributions exceed the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a tax-free return of capital to each shareholder (up to the amount of the shareholders basis in his or her Common Shares) and thereafter as gain from the sale of Common Shares (assuming the Common Shares are held as a capital asset). The amount treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce the shareholders adjusted basis in his or her Common Shares (but not below zero), thereby increasing the potential gain or reducing the potential loss on the subsequent sale or other disposition of the Common Shares. Because the income of the Fund primarily is derived from investments earning interest rather than dividend income, the Fund does not anticipate that any part of its distributions will qualify for qualified dividend treatment or the DRD.
An additional tax at a rate of 3.8% applies to some or all of the net investment income of certain non-corporate taxpayers. For this purpose, net investment income includes interest, dividends (including dividends paid with respect to Common Shares), annuities, royalties, rent, net gain attributable to the disposition of property not held in a trade or business (including net gain from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of Common Shares) and certain other income, but will be reduced by any deductions properly allocable to such income or net gain. Net investment income does not include exempt-interest dividends. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding the taxation of net investment income.
The interest on private activity bonds in most instances is not federally tax-exempt to a person who is a substantial user of a facility financed by such bonds or a related person of such substantial user. As a
64
result, the Fund may not be an appropriate investment for a shareholder who is considered either a substantial user or a related person within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code. In general, a substantial user of a facility includes a nonexempt person who regularly uses a part of such facility in his trade or business. Related persons are in general defined to include persons among whom there exists a relationship, either by family or business, which would result in a disallowance of losses in transactions among them under various provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (or if they are members of the same controlled group of corporations under the Internal Revenue Code), including a partnership and each of its partners (and certain members of their families), an S corporation and each of its shareholders (and certain members of their families) and various combinations of these and other relationships. The foregoing is not a complete description of all of the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code covering the definitions of substantial user and related person.
Federal income tax law imposes an alternative minimum tax with respect to noncorporate taxpayers. Interest on certain municipal securities, such as bonds issued to make loans for housing purposes or to private entities (but not to certain tax-exempt organizations such as universities and non-profit hospitals), is included as an item of tax preference in determining the amount of a taxpayers alternative minimum taxable income. To the extent that the Fund receives income from such municipal securities, a portion of the dividends paid by the Fund, although otherwise exempt from federal income tax, will be taxable to shareholders whose tax liabilities are determined under the federal alternative minimum tax. The Fund will annually provide a report indicating the percentage of the Funds income attributable to municipal securities and the portion thereof the interest on which is a tax preference item.
The exemption from U.S. federal income tax for exempt-interest dividends generally does not result in exemption for such dividends under the income or other tax laws of any state or local taxing authority. In some states, however, the portion of any exempt-interest dividends derived from interest received by the Fund on its holdings of that states securities and those of its political subdivisions and instrumentalities is exempt from the states income tax. The Fund will report annually to its shareholders the percentage of interest income earned by the Fund during the preceding year on tax-exempt obligations indicating, on a state-by-state basis, the source of such income. Shareholders of the Fund are advised to consult their own tax advisors about state and local tax matters.
Tax-exempt income, including exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund, is taken into account in calculating the amount of social security and railroad retirement benefits that may be subject to federal income tax.
The IRS currently requires that a RIC that has two or more classes of stock allocate to each such class proportionate amounts of each type of its income (such as ordinary income, capital gains, dividends qualifying for the dividends received deduction, 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 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 Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits, if any, however, will not be allocated proportionately among the Common Shares and Preferred Shares. Since the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits in the event of the issuance of Preferred Shares will first be used to pay dividends on the Preferred Shares, distributions in excess of such earnings and profits, if any, will be made disproportionately to Common Shareholders.
Sale, Exchange or Liquidation of Fund Shares
The sale, exchange or repurchase of Fund shares may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares treated as a sale or exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months.
65
Otherwise, such gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Fund shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares held for six months or less (i) will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributions received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares and (ii) generally will be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends received by the shareholder with respect to the shares. All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares will be disallowed under the Codes wash sale rule if other substantially identical shares of the Fund are purchased within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
A repurchase by the Fund of a shareholders shares pursuant to a repurchase offer (as described in the Prospectus) generally will be treated as a sale or exchange of the shares by a shareholder provided that either (i) the shareholder tenders, and the Fund repurchases, all of such shareholders shares, thereby reducing the shareholders percentage ownership of the Fund, whether directly or by attribution under Section 318 of the Code, to 0%, (ii) the shareholder meets numerical safe harbors under the Code with respect to percentage voting interest and reduction in ownership of the Fund following completion of the repurchase offer, or (iii) the repurchase offer otherwise results in a meaningful reduction of the shareholders ownership percentage interest in the Fund, which determination depends on a particular shareholders facts and circumstances.
If a tendering shareholders proportionate ownership of the Fund (determined after applying the ownership attribution rules under Section 318 of the Code) is not reduced to the extent required under the tests described above, such shareholder will be deemed to receive a distribution from the Fund under Section 301 of the Code with respect to the shares held (or deemed held under Section 318 of the Code) by the shareholder after the repurchase offer (a Section 301 distribution). The amount of this distribution will equal the price paid by the Fund to such shareholder for the shares sold, and will be taxable as a dividend, i.e., as ordinary income, to the extent of the Funds current or accumulated earnings and profits allocable to such distribution, with the excess treated as a return of capital reducing the shareholders tax basis in the shares held after the repurchase offer, and thereafter as capital gain. Any Fund shares held by a shareholder after a repurchase offer will be subject to basis adjustments in accordance with the provisions of the Code.
Provided that no tendering shareholder is treated as receiving a Section 301 distribution as a result of selling shares pursuant to a particular repurchase offer, shareholders who do not sell shares pursuant to that repurchase offer will not realize constructive distributions on their shares as a result of other shareholders selling shares in the repurchase offer. In the event that any tendering shareholder is deemed to receive a Section 301 distribution, it is possible that shareholders whose proportionate ownership of the Fund increases as a result of that repurchase offer, including shareholders who do not tender any shares, will be deemed to receive a constructive distribution under Section 305(c) of the Code in an amount equal to the increase in their percentage ownership of the Fund as a result of the repurchase offer. Such constructive distribution will be treated as a dividend to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits allocable to it.
Use of the Funds cash to repurchase shares may adversely affect the Funds ability to satisfy the distribution requirements for treatment as a regulated investment company described above. The Fund may also recognize income in connection with the sale of portfolio securities to fund share purchases, in which case the Fund would take any such income into account in determining whether such distribution requirements have been satisfied.
The foregoing discussion does not address the tax treatment of tendering shareholders who do not hold their shares as a capital asset. Such shareholders should consult their own tax advisors on the specific tax consequences to them of participating or not participating in the repurchase offer.
Nature of Funds Investments
Gain recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation purchased by a fund at a market discount (generally, at a price less than its principal amount) will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion
66
of the market discount that accrued during the period of time the fund held the debt obligation unless the fund made a current inclusion election to accrue market discount into income as it accrues. If a fund purchases a debt obligation (such as a zero coupon security or pay-in-kind security) that was originally issued at a discount, the fund generally is required to include in gross income each year the portion of the original issue discount that accrues during such year. Therefore, a funds investment in such securities may cause the fund to recognize income and make distributions to shareholders before it receives any cash payments on the securities. To generate cash to satisfy those distribution requirements, a fund may have to sell portfolio securities that it otherwise might have continued to hold or to use cash flows from other sources such as the sale of fund shares.
Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether and to what extent a fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation, when a fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent a fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities and how a fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by a fund in order to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company.
Backup Withholding
The Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax from all taxable 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. The withholding percentage is currently 24%. Corporate shareholders and certain other shareholders specified in the Code generally are exempt from such backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholders U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Foreign Shareholders
U.S. taxation of a shareholder who is not a U.S. Common Shareholder (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.
Income not Effectively Connected
If the income from the Fund is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the foreign 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 currently 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
67
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. See Tax MattersBackup Withholding.
Income Effectively Connected
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.
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.
FATCA Reporting and Withholding Requirements
Under legislation known as FATCA (the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), the Fund will be required to withhold 30% on income dividends made by the Fund to shareholders that fail to meet prescribed information reporting or certification requirements. After, December 31, 2018, FATCA withholding also would have applied to certain capital gain dispositions, return of capital distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund shares; however, based on proposed regulations issued by the IRS, which can be relied upon currently, such withholding is no longer required unless final regulations provide otherwise (which is not expected). In general, no such withholding will be required with respect to a U.S. person or foreign individual 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 entitys 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.
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The foregoing discussion is a summary only and is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Purchasers of Common Shares should consult their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of investing in such Common Shares, including under state, local and other tax laws. Finally, the foregoing discussion is based on applicable provisions of the Code, regulations, judicial authority and administrative interpretations in effect on the date hereof. Changes in applicable authority could materially affect the conclusions discussed above, and such changes often occur.
The Financial Statements of the Fund are audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and will be included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. PwC provides assistance on accounting, tax and related matters to the Fund. The principal business address of PwC is One North Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606.
The custodian of the assets of the Fund is State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street), One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. State Street performs custodial, fund accounting and portfolio accounting services. The transfer agent of the Fund is DST Systems, Inc., 333 West 11th Street, 5th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105. .
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 in Washington, D.C. The Funds 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 Funds Registration Statement. Statements contained in the Funds Prospectus and this SAI as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. Copies of the Registration Statement may be inspected without charge at the SECs 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 or on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Trustees and Shareholder of Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (the Fund) as of May 28, 2021 and the related statement of operations for the period from March 16, 2021 through May 28, 2021, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of May 28, 2021, and the results of its operations for the period from March 16, 2021 through May 28, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
June 21, 2021
We have served as the auditor of one or more Funds within the Nuveen Investment complex since 2002.
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Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
May 28, 2021
Assets: |
||||
Cash |
$ | 100,000 | ||
Receivable from Adviser |
16,000 | |||
|
|
|||
Total assets |
116,000 | |||
|
|
|||
Liabilities: |
||||
Payable for organization expenses |
16,000 | |||
|
|
|||
Total liabilities |
16,000 | |||
|
|
|||
Net assets applicable to Common Shares |
$ | 100,000 | ||
|
|
|||
Class I Common Shares outstanding |
10,000 | |||
|
|
|||
Net asset value per Class I Common Share outstanding ($100,000 divided by 10,000 Class I Common Shares outstanding) |
$ | 10.00 | ||
|
|
|||
Net assets consist of: |
||||
Class I Common Shares, $.01 par value; unlimited number of Common Shares authorized, 10,000 Class I Common Shares outstanding |
$ | 100 | ||
Paid-in surplus |
99,900 | |||
|
|
|||
Net assets applicable to Common Shares |
$ | 100,000 | ||
|
|
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
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Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
Statement of Operations
For the period from March 16, 2021 through May 28, 2021
Investment income |
$ | | ||
|
|
|||
Expenses: |
||||
Organization expenses |
16,000 | |||
Expense reimbursement |
(16,000 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Total expenses |
| |||
|
|
|||
Net investment income |
$ | | ||
|
|
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
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Notes to Financial Statements
(1) General Information
Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (the Fund) was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on May 22, 2019. The Fund was inactive from that date through March 16, 2021, except for matters relating to its organization and registration as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that continuously offers its common shares of beneficial interest (the Common Shares) and is operated as an interval fund registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. On March 16, 2021, the Fund filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, to change its name, materially change its investment objectives and policies, and offer a second share class to investors. As of May 28, 2021, the only capital contribution to the Fund resulted in the issuance of 10,000 Class I Common Shares to Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (Nuveen Fund Advisors), the Funds investment adviser, an indirect subsidiary of Nuveen, LLC (Nuveen), the investment management arm of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) at an aggregate purchase price of $100,000.
The Funds primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. Capital appreciation is a secondary investment objective when consistent with the Funds primary investment objective.
(2) Significant Accounting Policies
The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 946 Financial Services Investment Companies. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets applicable to Common shares from operations during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Under the Funds organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications to other parties. The Funds maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
In order to provide liquidity to Common Shareholders, the Fund has adopted a fundamental investment policy to make quarterly offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Common Shares at net asset value, reduced by any applicable repurchase fee. Subject to applicable law and approval of the Funds Board of Trustees, for each quarterly repurchase offer, the Fund currently expects to offer to repurchase 7.5% of the Funds outstanding Common Shares at net asset value. If the value of Common Shares tendered for repurchase exceeds the value the Fund intended to repurchase, the Fund may determine to repurchase less than the full number of Common Shares tendered. In such event, Common Shareholders will have their Common Shares repurchased on a pro rata basis, and tendering shareholders will not have all of their tendered Common Shares repurchased by the Fund.
(3) Organization Expenses and Offering Costs
Organization expenses are expensed as incurred. Nuveen Fund Advisors has agreed to (i) reimburse all organization expenses of the Fund and (ii) pay the Funds initial offering costs. The Fund is not obligated to repay any such organization expense reimbursed by Nuveen Fund Advisers or offering costs paid by Nuveen Fund Advisors.
73
(4) Investment Management Agreement
Nuveen Fund Advisors will be responsible for overseeing the Funds overall investment strategy and its implementation, including the use of leverage. Nuveen Asset Management, an affiliate of Nuveen Fund Advisors and the Funds sub-adviser, will be responsible for the investing activities of the Fund.
The Fund has agreed to pay an annual management fee to 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. Nuveen Asset Management will be compensated for its services to the Fund from the management fee paid to Nuveen Fund Advisors.
Fund-Level Fee: The annual fund-level fee, payable monthly, shall be applied according to the following schedule:
Fund-Level Average Daily Managed Assets |
Fund-Level Fee Rate | |||
For the first $125 million |
0.8000 | % | ||
For the next $125 million |
0.7875 | |||
For the next $250 million |
0.7750 | |||
For the next $500 million |
0.7625 | |||
For the next $1 billion |
0.7500 | |||
For the next $3 billion |
0.7250 | |||
For Managed Assets over $5 billion |
0.7125 |
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 Funds 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 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 |
74
tender option bond (TOB) trusts, including the portion of assets held by the TOB trust that has been effectively financed by the trusts 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. |
Nuveen Fund Advisors has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses through July 31, 2023, so that the total annual operating expenses of the Fund (excluding any distribution and/or service fees that may be applicable to a particular class of shares, issuance and dividend costs of Preferred Shares that may be issued by the Fund, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities, litigation expenses and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 1.25% of the average daily Managed Assets of any class of Fund shares. This expense limitation may be terminated or modified prior to that date only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.
(5) Income Taxes
The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and therefore intends to distribute all or at least 90% of its net investment income. The Fund also intends to pay a distribution of net realized capital gains once per year.
75
Ratings of Investments
Standard & Poors CorporationA brief description of the applicable Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies (Standard & Poors or S&P), rating symbols and their meanings (as published by S&P) follows:
A Standard & Poors 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 Standard & Poors view of the obligors capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.
Issue credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term. Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 daysincluding commercial paper. 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
Issue credit ratings are based in varying degrees, on S&Ps analysis of the following considerations:
1. Likelihood of paymentcapacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;
2. Nature of and provisions of the obligation; and
3. Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors rights.
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 applies 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 Standard & Poors. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
AA
An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligors 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 obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
A-1
BBB
An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
BB, B, CCC, CC, and C
Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB
An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, which could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B
An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligors capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CCC
An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CC
An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The CC rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but Standard & Poors expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.
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 to 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 Standard & Poors 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 obligations rating is lowered to D if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer
N.R.
This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poors does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
A-2
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 Standard & Poors. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligors 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 obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
A-3
A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B
A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligors 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 commitment 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 Standard & Poors 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 obligations 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+).
MUNICIPAL SHORT-TERM NOTE RATINGS DEFINITIONS
A Standard & Poors U.S. municipal note rating reflects Standard & Poors opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating.
A-3
In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, Standard & Poors analysis will review the following considerations:
1. Amortization schedulethe larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and
2. Source of paymentthe more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.
Note rating symbols are as follows:
SP-1
Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.
SP-2
Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
SP-3
Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
Moodys Investors Service, Inc. A brief description of the applicable Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) rating symbols and their meanings (as published by Moodys) follows:
LONG-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS
Moodys long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with an original maturity of one year or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default.
Aaa
Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.
Aa
Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
A
Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa
Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Ba
Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.
B
Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
A-4
Caa
Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative, of poor standing, and are subject to very high credit risk.
Ca
Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C
Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
Note: Moodys appends numerical modifiers 1,2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a (hyb) indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms.*
* |
By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security. |
MEDIUM-TERM NOTE PROGRAM RATINGS
Moodys assigns provisional ratings to medium-term note (MTN) programs and definitive ratings to the individual debt securities issued from them (referred to as drawdowns or notes).
MTN program ratings are intended to reflect the ratings likely to be assigned to drawdowns issued from the program with the specified priority of claim (e.g., senior or subordinated). To capture the contingent nature of a program rating, Moodys assigns provisional ratings to MTN programs. A provisional rating is denoted by a (P) in front of the rating.
The rating assigned to a drawdown from a rated MTN or bank/deposit note program is definitive in nature, and may differ from the program rating if the drawdown is exposed to additional credit risks besides the issuers default, such as links to the defaults of other issuers, or has other structural features that warrant a different rating. In some circumstances, no rating may be assigned to a drawdown.
Moodys encourages market participants to contact Moodys Ratings Desks or visit moodys.com directly if they have questions regarding ratings for specific notes issued under a medium-term note program. Unrated notes issued under an MTN program may be assigned an NR (not rated) symbol.
SHORT-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS
Moodys short-term ratings are assigned to obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments. Moodys employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:
P-1
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-2
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
A-5
P-3
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
NP
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
U.S. MUNICIPAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS
The Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) scale is used to rate U.S. municipal bond anticipation notes of up to three years maturity. Municipal notes rated on the MIG scale may be secured by either pledged revenues or proceeds of a take-out financing received prior to note maturity. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation, and the issuers long-term rating is only one consideration in assigning the MIG rating. MIG ratings are divided into three levelsMIG 1 through MIG 3while speculative grade short-term obligations are designated SG.
MIG1
This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG2
This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.
MIG3
This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
SG
This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.
Fitch Ratings, Inc. A brief description of the applicable Fitch Ratings, Inc. (Fitch) ratings symbols and meanings (as published by Fitch) follows:
Rated entities in a number of sectors, including financial and non-financial corporations, sovereigns and insurance companies, are generally assigned Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs). IDRs opine on an entitys relative vulnerability to default on financial obligations. The threshold default risk addressed by the IDR is generally that of the financial obligations whose non-payment would best reflect the uncured failure of that entity. As such, IDRs also address relative vulnerability to bankruptcy, administrative receivership or similar concepts, although the agency recognizes that issuers may also make pre-emptive and therefore voluntary use of such mechanisms.
In aggregate, IDRs provide an ordinal ranking of issuers based on the agencys view of their relative vulnerability to default, rather than a prediction of a specific percentage likelihood of default. For historical information on the default experience of Fitch-rated issuers, please consult the transition and default performance studies available from the Fitch Ratings website.
LONG-TERM CREDIT RATINGS
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.
A-6
AA
Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote expectations of a 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 which 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.
CC
Very high levels of credit risk. Default of some kind appears probable.
C
Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. Default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill. 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; or
c. Fitch Ratings otherwise believes a condition of RD or D to be imminent or inevitable, including through the formal announcement of a distressed debt exchange.
RD
Restricted default. RD ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased business. This would include:
a. the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt;
A-7
b. 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;
c. 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; or
d. execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations.
D
Default. D ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business. Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, nonpayment 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.
Imminent default typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a distressed debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future.
In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agencys 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 issuers financial obligations or local commercial practice.
Note: The modifiers + 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 IDR category, or to Long-Term IDR categories below B.
Specific limitations relevant to the issuer credit rating scale include:
|
The ratings do not predict a specific percentage of default likelihood over any given time period. |
|
The ratings do not opine on the market value of any issuers securities or stock, or the likelihood that this value may change. |
|
The ratings do not opine on the liquidity of the issuers securities or stock. |
|
The ratings do not opine on the possible loss severity on an obligation should an issuer default. |
|
The ratings do not opine on the suitability of an issuer as counterparty to trade credit. |
|
The ratings do not opine on any quality related to an issuers business, operational or financial profile other than the agencys opinion on its relative vulnerability to default. |
Ratings assigned by Fitch Ratings articulate an opinion on discrete and specific areas of risk. The above list is not exhaustive, and is provided for the readers convenience.
SHORT-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS
A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. 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.
A-8
F1
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. Applicable to entity ratings only.
D
Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.
Specific limitations relevant to the Short-Term Ratings scale include:
|
The ratings do not predict a specific percentage of default likelihood over any given time period. |
|
The ratings do not opine on the market value of any issuers securities or stock, or the likelihood that this value may change. |
|
The ratings do not opine on the liquidity of the issuers securities or stock. |
|
The ratings do not opine on the possible loss severity on an obligation should an obligation default. |
|
The ratings do not opine on any quality related to an issuer or transactions profile other than the agencys opinion on the relative vulnerability to default of the rated issuer or obligation. |
Ratings assigned by Fitch Ratings articulate an opinion on discrete and specific areas of risk. The above list is not exhaustive, and is provided for the readers convenience.
RATING WATCHES AND RATING OUTLOOKS
Rating Watch
Rating Watches indicate that there is a heightened probability of a rating change and the likely direction of such a change. These are designated as Positive, indicating a potential upgrade, Negative, for a potential downgrade, or Evolving, if ratings may be raised, lowered or affirmed. However, ratings that are not on Rating Watch can be raised or lowered without being placed on Rating Watch first, if circumstances warrant such an action.
A-9
A Rating Watch is typically event-driven and, as such, it is generally resolved over a relatively short period. The event driving the Watch may be either anticipated or have already occurred, but in both cases, the exact rating implications remain undetermined. The Watch period is typically used to gather further information and/or subject the information to further analysis. Additionally, a Watch may be used where the rating implications are already clear, but where a triggering event (e.g. shareholder or regulatory approval) exists. The Watch will typically extend to cover the period until the triggering event is resolved or its outcome is predictable with a high enough degree of certainty to permit resolution of the Watch.
Rating Watches can be employed by all analytical groups and are applied to the ratings of individual entities and/or individual instruments. At the lowest categories of speculative grade (CCC, CC and C) the high volatility of credit profiles may imply that almost all ratings should carry a Watch. Watches are nonetheless only applied selectively in these categories, where a committee decides that particular events or threats are best communicated by the addition of the Watch designation.
Rating Outlook
Rating Outlooks indicate the direction a rating is likely to move over a one- to two-year period. They reflect financial or other trends that have not yet reached the level that would trigger a rating action, but which may do so if such trends continue. The majority of Outlooks are generally Stable, which is consistent with the historical migration experience of ratings over a one- to two-year period. Positive or Negative rating Outlooks do not imply that a rating change is inevitable and, similarly, ratings with Stable Outlooks can be raised or lowered without a prior revision to the Outlook, if circumstances warrant such an action. Occasionally, where the fundamental trend has strong, conflicting elements of both positive and negative, the Rating Outlook may be described as Evolving.
Outlooks are currently applied on the long-term scale to issuer ratings in corporate finance (including sovereigns, industrials, utilities, financial institutions and insurance companies) and public finance outside the U.S.; to issue ratings in public finance in the U.S.; to certain issues in project finance; to Insurer Financial Strength Ratings; to issuer and/or issue ratings in a number of National Rating scales; and to the ratings of structured finance transactions. Outlooks are not applied to ratings assigned on the short-term scale and are applied selectively to ratings in the CCC, CC and C categories. Defaulted ratings typically do not carry an Outlook.
Deciding When to Assign Rating Watch or Outlook
Timing is informative but not critical to the choice of a Watch rather than an Outlook. A discrete event that is largely clear and the terms of which are defined, but which will not happen for more than six monthssuch as a lengthy regulatory approval processwould nonetheless likely see ratings placed on Watch rather than a revision to the Outlook. An Outlook revision may, however, be deemed more appropriate where a series of potential event risks has been identified, none of which individually warrants a Watch but which cumulatively indicate heightened probability of a rating change over the following one to two years.
A revision to the Outlook may also be appropriate where a specific event has been identified, but where the conditions and implications of that event are largely unclear and subject to high execution risk over an extended periodfor example a proposed, but politically controversial, privatization.
STANDARD RATING ACTIONS
Affirmed*
The rating has been reviewed and no change has been deemed necessary.
Confirmed
Action taken in response to an external request or change in terms. Rating has been reviewed in either context, and no rating change has been deemed necessary.
Downgrade*
The rating has been lowered in the scale.
A-10
Matured*/Paid-In-Full
a. MaturedThis action is used when an issue has reached the end of its repayment term and rating coverage is discontinued. Denoted as NR.
b. Paid-In-FullThis action indicates that the issue has been paid in full. As the issue no longer exists, it is therefore no longer rated. Denoted as PIF.
New Rating*
Rating has been assigned to a previously unrated issue primarily used in cases of shelf issues such as MTNs or similar programs.
Prerefunded*
Assigned to long-term US Public Finance issues after Fitch assesses refunding escrow.
Publish*
Initial public announcement of rating on the agencys website, although not necessarily the first rating assigned. This action denotes when a previously private rating is published.
Upgrade*
The rating has been raised in the scale.
Withdrawn*
The rating has been withdrawn and the issue or issuer is no longer rated by Fitch Ratings. Indicated in rating databases with the symbol WD.
Rating Modifier Actions
Modifiers include Rating Outlook, Rating Watch, and Recovery Rating.
Rating Watch Maintained*
The issue or issuer has been reviewed and remains on active Rating Watch status.
Rating Watch On*
The issue or issuer has been placed on active Rating Watch status.
Rating Watch Revision*
Rating Watch status has changed.
Support Floor Rating Revision
Applicable only to Support ratings related to Financial Institutions, which are amended only with this action.
Under Review*
Applicable to ratings that may undergo a change in scale not related to changes in fundamental credit quality. Final action will be Revision Rating
Revision Outlook*
The Rating Outlook status has changed independent of a full review of the underlying rating.
* |
A rating action must be recorded for each rating in a required cycle to be considered compliant with Fitch policy concerning aging of ratings. Not all Ratings or Data Actions, or changes in rating modifiers, will meet this requirement. Actions that meet this requirement are noted with an * in the above definitions. |
A-11
Nuveen Asset Management, LLC
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
Effective Date: January 1, 2011, as last amended March 5, 2020
I. General Principles
A. Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (NAM) is an investment sub-adviser for certain of the Nuveen Funds (the Funds) and investment adviser for institutional and other separately managed accounts (collectively, with the Funds, Accounts). As such, Accounts may confer upon NAM complete discretion to vote proxies.1
B. When NAM has proxy voting authority, it is NAMs duty to vote proxies in the best interests of its clients (which may involve affirmatively deciding that voting the proxies may not be in the best interests of certain clients on certain matters). In voting proxies, NAM also seeks to enhance total investment return for its clients.
C. If NAM contracts with another investment adviser to act as a sub-adviser for an Account, NAM may delegate proxy voting responsibility to the sub-adviser. Where NAM has delegated proxy voting responsibility, the sub-adviser will be responsible for developing and adhering to its own proxy voting policies, subject to oversight by NAM.
D. NAMs Proxy Voting Committee (PVC) provides oversight of NAMs proxy voting policies and procedures, including (1) providing an administrative framework to facilitate and monitor the exercise of such proxy voting and to fulfill the obligations of reporting and recordkeeping under the federal securities laws; and (2) approving the proxy voting policies and procedures.
II. Policies
The PVC after reviewing and concluding that such policies are reasonably designed to vote proxies in the best interests of clients, has approved and adopted the proxy voting policies (Policies) of Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. (ISS), a leading national provider of proxy voting administrative and research services.i As a result, such Policies set forth NAMs positions on recurring proxy issues and criteria for addressing non-recurring issues. These Policies are reviewed periodically by ISS, and therefore are subject to change. Even though it has adopted the Policies as drafted by ISS, NAM maintains the fiduciary responsibility for all proxy voting decisions.
III. Procedures
A. Supervision of Proxy Voting. Day-to-day administration of proxy voting may be provided internally or by a third-party service provider, depending on client type, subject to the ultimate oversight of the PVC. The PVC shall supervise the relationships with NAMs proxy voting services, ISS. ISS apprises Nuveen Global Operations (NGO) of shareholder meeting dates, and casts the actual proxy votes. ISS also provides research
1 |
NAM does not vote proxies where a client withholds proxy voting authority, and in certain non-discretionary and model programs NAM votes proxies in accordance with its Policies in effect from time to time. Clients may opt to vote proxies themselves, or to have proxies voted by an independent third party or other named fiduciary or agent, at the clients cost. i ISS has separate polices for Taft Hartley plans and it is NAMs policy to apply the Taft Hartley polices to accounts that are Taft Hartley plans and have requested the application of such policies. |
B-1
on proxy proposals and voting recommendations. ISS serves as NAMs proxy voting record keepers and generate reports on how proxies were voted. NGO periodically reviews communications from ISS to determine whether ISS voted the correct amount of proxies, whether the votes were cast in a timely manner, and whether the vote was in accordance with the Policies or NAMs specific instructions
B. General Avoidance of Conflicts of Interest.
1. |
NAM believe that most conflicts of interest faced by NAM in voting proxies can be avoided by voting in accordance with the Policies. Examples of such conflicts of interest are as follows:2 |
a. |
The issuer or proxy proponent (e.g., a special interest group) is TIAA-CREF, the ultimate principal owner of NAM, or any of its affiliates. |
b. |
The issuer is an entity in which an executive officer of NAM or a spouse or domestic partner of any such executive officer is or was (within the past three years of the proxy vote) an executive officer or director. |
c. |
The issuer is a registered or unregistered fund or other client for which NAM or another affiliated adviser has a material relationship as investment adviser or sub-adviser (e.g., Nuveen Funds and TIAA Funds) or an institutional separate account. |
d. |
Any other circumstances that NAM is aware of where NAMs duty to serve its clients interests, typically referred to as its duty of loyalty, could be materially compromised. |
2. |
To further minimize this risk, Compliance will review ISS conflict avoidance policy at least annually to ensure that it adequately addresses both the actual and perceived conflicts of interest ISS may face. |
3. |
In the event that ISS faces a material conflict of interest with respect to a specific vote, the PVC shall direct ISS how to vote. The PVC shall receive voting direction from appropriate investment personnel. Before doing so, the PVC will consult with Legal to confirm that NAM faces no material conflicts of its own with respect to the specific proxy vote. |
4. |
Where ISS is determined to have a conflict of interest, or NAM determines to override the Policies and is determined to have a conflict, the PVC will recommend to NAMs Compliance Committee or designee a course of action designed to address the conflict. Such actions could include, but are not limited to: |
a. |
Obtaining instructions from the affected client(s) on how to vote the proxy; |
b. |
Disclosing the conflict to the affected client(s) and seeking their consent to permit NAM to vote the proxy; |
c. |
Voting in proportion to the other shareholders; |
e. |
Recusing the individual with the actual or potential conflict of interest from all discussion or consideration of the matter, if the material conflict is due to such persons actual or potential conflict of interest; or |
f. |
Following the recommendation of a different independent third party. |
2 |
A conflict of interest shall not be considered material for the purposes of these Policies and Procedures with respect to a specific vote or circumstance if the matter to be voted on relates to a restructuring of the terms of existing securities or the issuance of new securities or a similar matter arising out of the holding of securities, other than common equity, in the context of a bankruptcy or threatened bankruptcy of the issuer. |
B-2
5. |
In addition to all of the above-mentioned and other conflicts, the Head of Equity Research, NGO and any member of the PVC must notify NAMs Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) of any direct, indirect or perceived improper influence exerted by any employee, officer or director of TIAA or its subsidiaries with regard to how NAM should vote proxies. NAM Compliance will investigate any such allegations and will report the findings to the PVC and, if deemed appropriate, to NAMs Compliance Committee. If it is determined that improper influence was attempted, appropriate action shall be taken. Such appropriate action may include disciplinary action, notification of the appropriate senior managers, or notification of the appropriate regulatory authorities. In all cases, NAM will not consider any improper influence in determining how to vote proxies, and will vote in the best interests of clients. |
C. Proxy Vote Override. From time to time, a portfolio manager of an account (a Portfolio Manager) may initiate action to override the Policies recommendation for a particular vote. Any such override by a NAM Portfolio Manager (but not a sub-adviser Portfolio Manager) shall be reviewed by NAMs Legal Department for material conflicts. If the Legal Department determines that no material conflicts exist, the approval of one member of the PVC shall authorize the override. If a material conflict exists, the conflict and, ultimately, the override recommendation will be rejected and will revert to the original Policies recommendation or will be addressed pursuant to the procedures described above under Conflicts of Interest.
In addition, the PVC may determine from time to time that a particular recommendation in the Policies should be overridden based on a determination that the recommendation is inappropriate and not in the best interests of shareholders. Any such determination shall be reflected in the minutes of a meeting of the PVC at which such decision is made.
D. Securities Lending.
1. |
In order to generate incremental revenue, some clients may participate in a securities lending program. If a client has elected to participate in the lending program then it will not have the right to vote the proxies of any securities that are on loan as of the shareholder meeting record date. A client, or a Portfolio Manager, may place restrictions on loaning securities and/or recall a security on loan at any time. Such actions must be affected prior to the record date for a meeting if the purpose for the restriction or recall is to secure the vote. |
2. |
Portfolio Managers and/or analysts who become aware of upcoming proxy issues relating to any securities in portfolios they manage, or issuers they follow, will consider the desirability of recalling the affected securities that are on loan or restricting the affected securities prior to the record date for the matter. If the proxy issue is determined to be material, and the determination is made prior to the shareholder meeting record date the Portfolio Manager(s) will contact the Securities Lending Agent to recall securities on loan or restrict the loaning of any security held in any portfolio they manage, if they determine that it is in the best interest of shareholders to do so. |
E. Proxy Voting Records. As required by Rule 204-2 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, NAM shall make and retain five types of records relating to proxy voting; (1) NAMs Policies; (2) proxy statements received for securities in client accounts; (3) records of proxy votes cast by NAM on behalf of clients accounts; (4) records of written requests from clients about how NAM voted their proxies, and written responses from NAM to either a written or oral request by clients; and (5) any documents prepared by the adviser that were material to making a proxy voting decision or that memorialized the basis for the decision. NAM relies on ISS to make and retain on NAMs behalf certain records pertaining to Rule 204-2.
B-3
F. Fund of Funds Provision. In instances where NAM provides investment advice to a fund of funds that acquires shares of affiliated funds or three percent or more of the outstanding voting securities of an unaffiliated fund, the acquiring fund shall vote the shares in the same proportion as the vote of all other shareholders of the acquired fund. If compliance with this procedure results in a vote of any shares in a manner different than the Policies recommendation, such vote will not require compliance with the Proxy Vote Override procedures set forth above.
G. Legacy Securities. To the extent that NAM receives proxies for securities that are transferred into an accounts portfolio that were not recommended or selected by it and are sold or expected to be sold promptly in an orderly manner (legacy securities), NAM will generally refrain from voting such proxies. In such circumstances, since legacy securities are expected to be sold promptly, voting proxies on such securities would not further NAMs interest in maximizing the value of client investments. NAM may agree to an accounts special request to vote a legacy security proxy, and would vote such proxy in accordance with the Policies.
H. Terminated Accounts. Proxies received after the termination date of an account generally will not be voted. An exception will be made if the record date is for a period in which an account was under NAMs discretionary management or if a separately managed account (SMA) custodian failed to remove the accounts holdings from its aggregated voting list.
I. Non-votes. NGO shall be responsible for obtaining reasonable assurance from ISS that it voted proxies on NAMs behalf, and that any special instructions from NAM about a given proxy or proxies are submitted to ISS in a timely manner. It should not be considered a breach of this responsibility if NGO or NAM does not receive a proxy from ISS or a custodian with adequate time to analyze and direct to vote or vote a proxy by the required voting deadline.
NAM may determine not to vote proxies associated with the securities of any issuer if as a result of voting such proxies, subsequent purchases or sales of such securities would be blocked. However, NAM may decide, on an individual security basis that it is in the best interests of its clients to vote the proxy associated with such a security, taking into account the loss of liquidity. In addition, NAM may determine not to vote proxies where the voting would in NAMs judgment result in some other financial, legal, regulatory disability or burden to the client (such as imputing control with respect to the issuer) or to NAM or its affiliates.
NAM may determine not to vote securities held by SMAs where voting would require the transfer of the security to another custodian designated by the issuer. Such transfer is generally outside the scope of NAMs authority and may result in significant operational limitations on NAMs ability to conduct transactions relating to the securities during the period of transfer. From time to time, situations may arise (operational or otherwise) that prevent NAM from voting proxies after reasonable attempts have been made.
J. Review and Reports.
1. |
The PVC shall maintain a review schedule. The schedule shall include reviews of the Policies and the policies of any Sub-adviser engaged by NAM, the proxy voting record, account maintenance, and other reviews as deemed appropriate by the PVC. The PVC shall review the schedule at least annually. |
2. |
The PVC will report to NAMs Compliance Committee with respect to all identified conflicts and how they were addressed. These reports will include all accounts, including those that are sub-advised. NAM also shall provide the Funds that it sub-advises with information necessary for preparing Form N-PX. |
B-4
K. Vote Disclosure to Clients. NAMs institutional and SMA clients can contact their relationship manager for more information on NAMs Policies and the proxy voting record for their account. The information available includes name of issuer, ticker/CUSIP, shareholder meeting date, description of item and NAMs vote.
IV. Responsible Parties
PVC
NGO
NAM Compliance
Legal Department
B-5
Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
Common Shares
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
, 2021
PART COTHER INFORMATION
Item 25: Financial Statements and Exhibits
1. |
Financial Statements: |
Registrant has not conducted any business as of the date of this filing, other than in connection with its organization. Financial statements indicating that the Registrant has met the net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the 1940 Act will be filed with a Pre-effective Amendment to the Registration Statement on Form N-2.
2. |
Exhibits: |
Item 26: Marketing Arrangements
Reference is made to the Form of Distribution Agreement filed as Exhibit h to this Registration Statement.
Item 27: Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
Securities and Exchange Commission fees | $ | 9,546 | ||
Printing and engraving expenses | $ | 100,000 | ||
Promotion | $ | 35,000 | ||
Legal Fees | $ | 625,000 | ||
Audit | $ | 9,500 | ||
Miscellaneous expenses | $ | 5,954 | ||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 785,000 | ||
|
|
Item 28: Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant
Not applicable.
Item 29: Number of Holders of Securities
At May 28, 2021:
Title of Class |
Number of Record Holders | |||
Common Shares, $0.01 par value | 1 |
Item 30: Indemnification
Section 4 of Article XII of the Registrants Declaration of Trust provides as follows:
Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in this Section 4, every person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, including persons who serve at the request of the Trust as directors, trustees, officers, employees or agents of another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (hereinafter referred to as a Covered Person), shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been such a Trustee, director, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him in settlement thereof.
No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:
(a) against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of a final adjudication by the court or other body before which the proceeding was brought that he engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office;
(b) with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interests of the Trust; or
(c) in the event of a settlement or other disposition not involving a final adjudication (as provided in paragraph (a) or (b)) and resulting in a payment by a Covered Person, unless there has been either a determination that such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office by the court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition or a reasonable determination, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that he did not engage in such conduct:
(i) by a vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter); or
(ii) by written opinion of independent legal counsel.
The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such a Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel other than Covered Persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.
Expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding subject to a claim for indemnification under this Section 4 shall be advanced by the Trust prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 4, provided that either:
(a) such undertaking is secured by a surety bond or some other appropriate security or the Trust shall be insured against losses arising out of any such advances; or
(b) a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter) or independent legal counsel in a written opinion shall determine, based upon a review of the readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the recipient ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
As used in this Section 4, a Disinterested Trustee is one (x) who is not an Interested Person of the Trust (including anyone, as such Disinterested Trustee, who has been exempted from being an Interested Person by any rule, regulation or order of the Commission), and (y) against whom none of such actions, suits or other proceedings or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending.
As used in this Section 4, the words claim, action, suit or proceeding shall apply to all claims, actions, suits, proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative or other, including appeals), actual or threatened; and the words liability and expenses shall include without limitation, attorneys fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.
The trustees and officers of the Registrant are covered by 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 16 of the Form of Distribution Agreement filed as Exhibit h to this Registration Statement provides for each of the parties thereto, including the Registrant and the Distributor, to indemnify the other party, its trustees, directors, certain of its officers, trustees, directors and persons who control it 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 Securities 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 Securities 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 Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Item 31: Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser and Subadviser
(a) Nuveen Fund Advisors manages the Registrant and serves as investment adviser or manager to other open-end and closed-end management investment companies and to separately managed accounts. The principal business address for all of these investment companies and the persons named below 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 or Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (Nuveen Asset Management) 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 of Nuveen Fund Advisors appears below:
Name and Position with Nuveen Fund Advisors |
Other Business, Profession, Vocation or
|
|
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). |
|
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. |
|
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, LLC; and Executive Vice President (since 2017) of Nuveen Alternative Investments, LLC. |
Name and Position with Nuveen Fund Advisors |
Other Business, Profession, Vocation or
|
|
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. |
Nuveen Asset Management serves as investment sub-adviser to the Registrant and also serves as investment sub-adviser to other open-end and closed-end funds and investment adviser to separately managed accounts. The following is a list of the remaining senior officers of Nuveen Asset Management. The principal business address of each person is 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
Name and Position with Nuveen Asset Management |
Other Business, Profession, Vocation or
|
|
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 Investments, Inc., Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC, 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. |
Item 32: Location of Accounts and Records
Nuveen Fund Advisors, 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, maintains the Declaration of Trust, By-laws, minutes of Trustees and shareholders meetings and contracts of the Registrant and all advisory material of the investment adviser.
State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, 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.
Item 33: Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 34: Undertakings
1. |
Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of its shares until it amends its prospectus if: (1) subsequent to the effective date of its Registration Statement, the net asset value declines more than 10 percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the Registration Statement; or (2) the net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the prospectus. |
2. |
Not applicable. |
3. |
The Registrant undertakes: |
a. to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement:
(1) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(2) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective registration statement;
(3) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
b. that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment 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) Not applicable;
(2) if the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C [17 CFR 230.430C]: each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A under the Securities Act, 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 the 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; and
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 Registrant;
(3) the portion of any other free writing prospectus or advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the Securities Act [17 CFR 230.482] 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 purposes 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.
5. |
Not applicable. |
6. |
The Registrant undertakes that insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under 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 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in 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 1933 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 Statement of Additional Information. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, 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 22nd day of June, 2021.
NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND |
/S/ MARK L. WINGET |
Mark L. Winget, Vice President and Secretary |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, 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) | June 22, 2021 | ||
/s/ David J. Lamb David J. Lamb |
Chief Administrative Officer (principal executive officer) | June 22, 2021 | ||
Terence J. Toth* |
Chairman of the Board and Trustee |
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Jack B. Evans* |
Trustee |
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William C. Hunter* |
Trustee |
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Amy B. R. Lancellotta* |
Trustee |
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Joanne T. Medero* |
Trustee |
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Albin F. Moschner* |
Trustee |
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John K. Nelson* |
Trustee |
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Judith M. Stockdale* |
Trustee |
|||
Carole E. Stone* |
Trustee |
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Matthew Thornton III* |
Trustee |
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Margaret L. Wolff* |
Trustee |
|||
Robert L. Young* |
Trustee |
By:
/s/ Mark L. Winget
Mark L. Winget,
Attorney-in-Fact
June 22, 2021
* |
The powers of attorney authorizing Mark L. Winget and Eric F. Fess, 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 as exhibits to this Registration Statement. |
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
a.4 | Amendment to the Declaration of Trust, dated May 26, 2021 | |||
b.2 | Amended and Restated By-laws of Registrant | |||
g.3 | Amendment to the Investment Management Agreement dated June 15, 2021 | |||
h. | Form of Distribution Agreement | |||
j.3 | Amendment to the Custodian Agreement dated May 28, 2021 | |||
k.2 | Expense Reimbursement Agreement between Registrant and Nuveen Fund Advisors dated June 15, 2021 | |||
k.3 | Multi-Class Plan of the Registrant | |||
k.4 | Distribution and Servicing Plan for Class A Common Shares | |||
l.1 | Opinion and Consent of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP | |||
1.2 | Opinion and Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP | |||
n. | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP | |||
p. | Subscription Agreement of Nuveen Fund Advisors dated January 6, 2020 | |||
s. | Powers of Attorney |
Exhibit a.4
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
TO
DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
The undersigned, being a majority of the Trustees of Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (the Trust), acting pursuant to the authority granted to the Trustees under Article XIII, Section 4(ii) of the Declaration of Trust made on the 22nd day of May 2019 by the Trustees thereunder (as amended from time to time, the Declaration), do hereby amend the Declaration, effective this 26th day of May, 2021, as follows:
1. Section 2 of Article IX of the Declaration is amended to read in its entirety as follows:
Section 2. Meetings. Meetings of the Shareholders may be called and held from time to time for the purpose of taking action upon any matter requiring the vote or authority of the Shareholders as herein provided or upon any other matter deemed by the Trustees to be necessary or desirable. Meetings of the Shareholders shall be held at such place within the United States as shall be fixed by the Trustees, and stated in the notice of the meeting. Meetings of the Shareholders may be called by the Trustees and shall be called by the Trustees upon the written request of Shareholders owning at least a majority of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote. Shareholders shall be entitled to at least ten days written notice of any meeting, except where the meeting is an adjourned meeting and the date, time and place of the meeting were announced at the time of the adjournment.
. 2. Except as amended hereby, the Declaration remains in full force and effect.
[Signature page follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, have executed this instrument as of this 26th day of May, 2021.
/s/ Jack B. Evans |
/s/ William C. Hunter |
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Jack B. Evans | William C. Hunter, | |||
as Trustee |
as Trustee |
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333 West Wacker Drive | 333 West Wacker Drive | |||
Chicago, Illinois 60606 | Chicago, Illinois 60606 | |||
/s/ Albin F. Moschner |
/s/ John K. Nelson |
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Albin F. Moschner, | John K. Nelson, | |||
as Trustee |
as Trustee |
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333 West Wacker Drive | 333 West Wacker Drive | |||
Chicago, Illinois 60606 | Chicago, Illinois 60606 | |||
/s/ Judith M. Stockdale |
/s/ Carole E. Stone |
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Judith M. Stockdale, | Carole E. Stone, | |||
as Trustee |
as Trustee |
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333 West Wacker Drive | 333 West Wacker Drive | |||
Chicago, Illinois 60606 | Chicago, Illinois 60606 | |||
/s/ Matthew Thornton III |
/s/ Terence J. Toth |
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Matthew Thornton III, | Terence J. Toth, | |||
as Trustee |
as Trustee |
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333 West Wacker Drive | 333 West Wacker Drive | |||
Chicago, Illinois 60606 | Chicago, Illinois 60606 | |||
/s/ Margaret L. Wolff |
/s/ Robert L. Young |
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Margaret L. Wolff, | Robert L. Young, | |||
as Trustee |
as Trustee |
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333 West Wacker Drive | 333 West Wacker Drive | |||
Chicago, Illinois 60606 | Chicago, Illinois 60606 |
Exhibit b.2
BY-LAWS
OF
NUVEEN INTERVAL FUNDS
ORGANIZED AS
MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUSTS
(Adopted as of May 26, 2021)
ARTICLE I
DECLARATION OF TRUST AND OFFICES
Section 1.1 The Trust; Declaration of Trust. These are the By-Laws of each Nuveen Interval 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. There shall be no annual or other regular meetings of Shareholders except as otherwise required by Applicable Law.
Section 2.3 Special Meetings.
(a) Special meetings of the Shareholders for any purpose or purposes may be called by the Trustees.
(b) Special meetings of the Shareholders must be called upon the written request of holders of a majority of the shares of beneficial interest of the Trust (the Required Shares) entitled to be cast at the 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 Shareholders ownership of the Required Shares at the time of giving the Special Meeting Request must accompany the requesting Shareholders Special Meeting Request. The Special Meeting Request shall: (1) set forth the purpose of the meeting, which must be to act on a matter upon which the requesting Shareholder(s) are entitled to vote under the terms of the Declaration of Trust, (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
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beneficial owners of Required 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), and the rules and regulations thereunder, 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. If information submitted pursuant to this Section 2.3(b)(i) shall be incomplete or inaccurate at the time of its submission to the Trust, the Special Meeting Request shall be ineffective for failure to satisfy the requirements of these By-Laws.
(ii) Upon receiving a properly submitted Special Meeting Request, the Trustees shall 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 they deem 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 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 holders of less than the Required Shares 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 Trusts 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.
(v) The Trustees 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
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represent holders of not less than the Required Shares. 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 Trusts 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 more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the date set for the meeting. For any matter to be properly before any meeting, the matter must be (i) specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer or 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
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matters proposed by the Chief Administrative Officer or the Trustees may be included in the Trusts proxy materials.
(b) In the event that the Trust has called 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 Trustee at such meeting only by (1) complying with all 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, and (2) providing written notice (the Nomination Notice) that is 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 set for the meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the date ninety (90) days prior to the date set for the meeting or (y) the earlier of (i) the tenth (10th) business day following the date the meeting and the number of Trustees to be elected at such meeting is first publicly announced or disclosed or (ii) five (5) days prior to the date set for the meeting.
(c) Any such Nomination Notice shall include:
(i) a statement in writing setting forth with respect to each individual proposed to be nominated for election as a Trustee of the Trust (each a Proposed Nominee):
(1) the name, age, date of birth, business address, residence address and nationality of such Proposed Nominee;
(2) the class 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 Nomination 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
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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 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, 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 Trusts independent registered public accounting firm (or any successor
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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, whether or not the nominating Shareholder intends to deliver a proxy statement or solicit proxies;
(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 Nomination 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
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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 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 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 Nomination Notice or Special Meeting Request submitted by a Shareholder shall include:
(i) a brief written statement of the reasons why the Shareholder is making the nomination or proposal; any material interest of such Shareholder and each beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made in such business; and a description of and text of any proposal to be presented (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration); and
(ii) as to the Shareholder and each 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 Trusts books, and of such beneficial owners;
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(2) the class or series and number of Shares which are owned beneficially and of record by such Shareholder and such beneficial owners 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 owners and their respective Shareholder Associates, 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) with respect to the nomination or proposal between or among such Shareholder and such beneficial owners, 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 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 owners 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 the Shareholder and each beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made 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 special meeting pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, whether or not the Shareholder submitting the Nomination Notice or Special Meeting Request intends to deliver a proxy statement or solicit proxies;
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(iv) a representation that the Shareholder is a holder of record of Shares of the Trust entitled to vote on such nomination or proposal at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to make such nomination or proposal; and
(v) a representation whether the Shareholder or each beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made 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 Trusts outstanding Shares required to elect the nominee or approve or adopt the proposal and/or (2) otherwise to solicit proxies from Shareholders in support of such nomination or proposal.
(f) If information submitted pursuant to this Section 2.6 by a Shareholder providing a Nomination Notice or a Proposed Nominee shall be incomplete or inaccurate at the time of its submission to the Trust, the Nomination 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 a Nomination Notice or a Proposed Nominee shall subsequently become incomplete or inaccurate in any way, such Shareholder or 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 such 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 Nomination 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 a Nomination Notice or a Proposed Nominee shall provide, within seven (7) calendar days of the sending of such Notice, a written certification of the accuracy of all information submitted by such 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 certification in a timely manner will render the Nomination 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 meeting of Shareholders, a Shareholder providing a Nomination Notice and a Proposed Nominee shall provide a written certification of the accuracy of all information submitted by each of them pursuant to this Section 2.6 (as updated or supplemented pursuant to paragraph (g)) as of the record date. Failure to provide such written certification in a timely manner will render the Nomination 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 Shareholders proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Trust to solicit proxies for such special meeting. Nothing in this Section 2.6(j) shall limit the Trusts ability to exclude such a proposal in accordance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision thereto).
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(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.
(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 proposal 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 Shareholders nominee or proposal in compliance with such Shareholders representation as required by Section 2.6), and
(ii) if any nomination or proposal was not made or proposed in compliance with Section 2.6, to declare that such nomination or proposal shall be disregarded; provided, however, that such nomination or proposal 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 Chief Administrative Officer or the Trustees.
Section 2.7 Quorum and Action.
(a) The holders of one-third 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. For the purposes of establishing whether a quorum is present, all Shares entitled under the provisions of the Declaration of Trust 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 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, with respect to the election of Trustees, 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.
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(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. (a) At each meeting of 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, her or its name.
(b) Only Shareholders who are owners of record on the books of the Trust on the applicable record date will be entitled to vote on a matter. For the avoidance of doubt, the Trust shall be entitled to rely on any vote cast by a Shareholder and, without any further or independent investigation, shall deem any vote cast by a Shareholder that holds of record Shares on behalf of one or more beneficial owners of Shares to have been taken in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations governing the relationship between the Shareholder and its beneficial owners and/or any contractual provision or other arrangement with any beneficial owner of Shares holding through such Shareholder.
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 Shareholders 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 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
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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. The determination by the Trust to accept or reject the validity of a proxy purported to be executed by a Shareholder, in the reasonable judgment of the Secretary or such other officer or agent authorized to determine the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies, acting in good faith, shall be final and binding unless determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been made in bad faith.
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 they shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Trustees, or if no such rules and regulations are so adopted, 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.
Section 2.14 Rights under Contracts. For the avoidance of doubt, unless expressly set forth therein and authorized by the Trustees, Shareholders shall have no rights, privileges, claims, or remedies under any contract or agreement entered into by the Trust with any service provider or other agent to or contractor with the Trust, including, without limitation, any third party beneficiary rights.
Section 2.15 Disclosure of Shareholder Holdings. The holders of Shares shall upon demand disclose to the Trust in writing such information with respect to direct and indirect ownership of Shares as the Trustees deem necessary to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code; to comply with the requirements of any other law or regulation; or as the Trustees may otherwise decide. Ownership of Shares may be disclosed by the Trust if so required by applicable law or as the Trustees may otherwise decide, consistent with any privacy policies adopted by the Trust.
ARTICLE III
TRUSTEES
Section 3.1 Qualifications, Number, and Vacancies.
(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) 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).
(c) The Trustees shall only be elected at a special meeting of Shareholders at which Trustees are to be elected as determined by the Trustees and set forth in the Trusts 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.
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 of the Board of Trustees (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-
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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 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.
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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 Trusts 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 individuals activities with respect to any investment-related business.
(d) An individual nominated or seated as a Trustee shall not have engaged in any conduct which has resulted in the Securities and Exchange 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 contendere, 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
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basis for the Securities and Exchange 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 Trust 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).
(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 common or preferred 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
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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.
(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 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,
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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 Trustees 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, 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, 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 oversight of 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 Shares of the Trust with the Securities
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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, if any, 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 or her by the Trustees or the Chief Administrative Officer.
Section 4.7 Controller. The Controller shall serve as chief accounting officer and 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 or her by the Trustees or the Chief Administrative Officer.
Section 4.8 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall 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 or her by the Trustees 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 applicable law;
(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 applicable law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and
(e) in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Trustees 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 Shares. Shares shall be held on the books of the Trust by one or more transfer agents appointed in accordance with the Declaration of Trust (each, a Transfer Agent) in uncertificated form, and the record holders of such Shares shall be treated for all purposes as Shareholders under the Declaration of Trust, provided however that the Trust may issue one or more global certificates to a depository or similar agency in connection with the book-entry holding of Shares.
Section 5.2 Share Transfers. Transfers of Shares of the Trust shall be made only on the books of the Trust, as maintained by the Transfer Agent with respect to such Shares, by the registered holder thereof, or by his, her or its attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Transfer Agent for such Shares. 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 (a Record Shareholder) shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the Trust; provided that properly documented pledges of Shares as collateral security may be accounted for by the Transfer Agent in accordance with its standard procedures with respect thereto.
Section 5.3 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.
Section 5.4 Record Date; Certification of Beneficial Owner.
(a) The Trustees may fix a date, or may authorize the officers to 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. In the event for any reason a new record date is set for a meeting of Shareholders, a proxy received by the Trust from a Shareholder who was a Record Shareholder on both the record date originally set for the meeting and the new record date for such meeting shall remain in full force and effect unless explicitly revoked by such Shareholder.
(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 shall be the close of business on the day on which the resolution of the Trustees is adopted.
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(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 or by applicable law, 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, posting on a website, 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.
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 the Trustees or a committee of the Trustees may be taken by written action signed by the number of Trustees that would be required to take the same action at a meeting of the Trustees or committee, as the case may be, at which all Trustees were present. The written action is effective when signed by the required number of Trustees, unless a different effective time is provided in the written action. When written action is taken by less than all Trustees, all Trustees shall be notified immediately of its text and effective date.
Section 6.4 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. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of these By-Laws and the terms of the Declaration of Trust or Applicable
22
Law, the terms of the Declaration of Trust or of such Applicable Law shall control. 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 Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
Section 6.5 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;
(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
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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 (3) business days thereof; and
(6) an acknowledgement of paragraph (e) 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 6.5, 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 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 of Trust. 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 Shareholders counsel if represented by counsel, within five (5) 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 or her 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 6.5, 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
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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 of Trust, 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 of Trust 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 Shareholders counsel, if represented by counsel, within five (5) business days of such decision having been reached.
(d) If notice of a decision has not been sent to the Complaining Shareholder or the Shareholders 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 Shareholders 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 6.5 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 By-Laws and all amendments thereto currently in effect;
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(iii) resolutions adopted by the Trustees creating one or more classes 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.
(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 Shareholders 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.
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(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 their sole discretion.
(d) Any determinations made by the Trustees related to a Shareholders request to inspect the Trusts 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 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.
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ARTICLE IX
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 X
DEFINITIONS
Section 10.1 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 10.2 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 Trusts investment adviser or an investment adviser in a control relationship with the Trusts 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 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) 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
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management or policies of such company, unless such power is solely the result of an official position with such company.
(e) 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.
(f) 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).
(g) 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).
(h) Non-Management Trustee shall mean a Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trusts investment adviser.
(i) 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.
(j) 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.
(k) 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.
(l) 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.
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EXHIBIT A
NUVEEN INTERVAL FUNDS
(Organized as Massachusetts Business Trusts)
Updated as of May 26, 2021
Trust | Date Established | |
Nuveen [Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund] | May 22, 2019 |
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Exhibit g.3
AMENDMENT OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made this 15th day of June 2021, by and between NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND f/k/a NUVEEN MUNICIPAL HIGH YIELD & SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND, a Massachusetts business trust (the Fund), and NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC a Delaware limited liability company (the Adviser).
WHEREAS, the parties hereto are the contracting parties under that certain Investment Management Agreement dated as of January 13, 2020 (the Agreement) pursuant to which the Adviser furnishes investment management and other services to the Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Fund, at a meeting called for the purpose, have approved the amendment to the Agreement to reduce the investment management fee.
NOW THEREFORE, the Fund and the Adviser hereby agree to amend the Agreement, replacing Section 2, paragraph (A) in its entirety as follows:
2. For the services and facilities described in Section l, the Fund will pay to the Adviser, at the end of each calendar month, an investment management fee equal to the sum of a Fund-Level Fee and a Complex-Level Fee.
A. The Fund Level Fee shall be computed by applying the following annual rate to the average total daily managed assets of the Fund:
Average Total Daily Managed Assets(1) |
Rate |
|||
For the first $125 million |
0.8000 | % | ||
For the next $125 million |
0.7875 | % | ||
For the next $250 million |
0.7750 | % | ||
For the next $500 million |
0.7625 | % | ||
For the next $1 billion |
0.7500 | % | ||
For the next $3 billion |
0.7250 | % | ||
For managed assets over $5 billion |
0.7125 | % |
1 Managed assets for this purpose 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 Funds use of leverage, and derivatives will be valued at their market value.
2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Fund and the Adviser have caused this Agreement to be executed on the day and year above written.
NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | ||||||
By: | /s/ Mark Winget | |||||
Vice President and Secretary | ||||||
Attest: |
/s/ Celeste Clayton |
|||||
NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC | ||||||
By: | /s/ Christopher Rohrbacher | |||||
Managing Director | ||||||
Attest: |
/s/ Celeste Clayton |
3
Exhibit h
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of this of 2021 between the undersigned closed-end investment companies that operate as interval funds listed on EXHIBIT A attached hereto (each a Fund), and Nuveen Securities, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Underwriter).
WHEREAS, each Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Investment Company Act), as a closed-end, management investment company that has elected to operate as an interval fund, and it is affirmatively in the interest of each Fund to continuously offer its common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, including each Class (as defined below) of its shares as may now or hereafter be authorized (the Shares), for sale as described in the applicable Prospectus (as defined below) and to appoint the Underwriter as agent of such Fund for the purpose of facilitating such offers and sales.
WHEREAS, the Underwriter is a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) and engaged in the business of distributing shares of investment companies primarily through financial intermediaries including, without limitation, brokers, dealers, banks, trust companies, insurance companies, retirement plans, financial consultants, registered investment advisers and mutual fund marketplaces (collectively, financial intermediaries).
WHEREAS, each Fund and the Underwriter wish to enter into an agreement with each other with respect to the continuous offering of the Shares.
In consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter contained, it is hereby agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:
1. |
This Agreement shall pertain to each Fund listed on Exhibit A attached hereto, as amended from time to time, and to such additional investment portfolios as shall be designated in amendments or supplements to this Agreement, as further agreed between such Fund and the Underwriter. This Agreement, including all covenants, representations, warranties, and undertakings of any kind shall be construed so as to give effect to the intention of the parties that this Agreement constitutes a separate agreement between each Fund and the Underwriter. The parties acknowledge and agree that the rights and obligations of each Fund hereunder, including as to any fees payable by the Fund to the Underwriter or liabilities or other obligations of the Underwriter to any Fund or of such Fund to the Underwriter, shall be several and independent of one another and neither joint nor joint and several with respect to any other Fund. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, each party acknowledges and agrees that the sole source of payment of the obligations of any Fund hereunder shall be the assets of such Fund, and that the Underwriter shall have no right of recourse or offset against the revenues and assets of any other Fund. The Underwriter hereby acknowledges that a Funds obligations hereunder with respect to any distribution fee or |
1
servicing fee or early withdrawal charge payable with respect to the Shares of any Class of the Fund are binding only on the assets and property belonging to such Class. |
2. |
This Agreement shall take effect with respect to each Fund as of the close of business on the Effective Date for such Fund listed in EXHIBIT A (and with respect to any amendment, or with respect to any additional fund, the date of the amendment or supplement hereto or Effective Date for such additional fund, as applicable), and shall remain in full force and effect for such Fund (unless terminated as set forth in Section 20 or Section 21 hereof) continuously as to a Fund or a class of Shares, as set forth on EXHIBIT A, of a Fund (each, a Class) until terminated. |
3. |
Each Fund hereby appoints the Underwriter its agent for the distribution of the Shares in jurisdictions wherein Shares may legally be offered for sale; provided, however, that each Fund, in its absolute discretion, may: (a) issue or sell Shares directly to holders of Shares of such Fund upon such terms and conditions and for such consideration, if any, as it may determine, whether in connection with the distribution of subscription or purchase rights, the payment or reinvestment of dividends or distributions, or otherwise; and (b) issue or sell Shares at net asset value in connection with merger or consolidation with, or acquisition of the assets of, other investment companies or similar companies. |
4. |
The Underwriter hereby accepts appointment as agent for the distribution of the Shares and agrees that it will use its reasonable best efforts to sell such part of the authorized Shares remaining unissued as from time to time shall be effectively registered under the Securities Act of l933, as amended (the Securities Act), at prices determined as hereinafter provided and on terms hereinafter set forth, all subject to applicable Federal and State laws and regulations and to the Declaration of Trust of each Fund (each, a Declaration of Trust). Each Fund hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriter is not obligated to sell any specific number of Shares or to purchase any Shares for its own account. As used herein, the term Prospectus shall mean the prospectus included as part of each Funds Registration Statement, as such prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and the term Registration Statement shall mean the Registration Statement most recently filed from time to time by each Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) and effective under the Securities Act, and the Investment Company Act, as such Registration Statement is amended by any amendments thereto at the time in effect. |
5. |
Each Fund agrees that it will use its best efforts to keep effectively registered under the Securities Act for sale, as herein contemplated, such Shares as the Underwriter shall reasonably request and as the Commission shall permit to be so registered. |
6. |
Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, each Fund may terminate, suspend, or withdraw the offering of its Shares, or its Shares of any Class, whenever, in its sole discretion, it deems such action to be desirable. |
7. |
The Underwriter shall sell Shares to, or through, financial intermediaries, or others, in such manner not inconsistent with the provisions hereof and the then effective Registration |
2
Statement of each Fund under the Securities Act (and related Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information) as the Underwriter may determine from time to time, provided that no financial intermediary or other person shall be appointed nor authorized to act as agent of any Fund without the prior consent of such Fund. The Underwriter shall have the right to enter into agreements with financial intermediaries of its choice for the sale of Shares and fix therein the portion of the sales charge which may be allocated to such financial intermediaries; provided that each Fund shall approve the form of such agreements and shall evidence such approval by filing said form and any amendments thereto as attachments to this Agreement, which shall be filed as an exhibit to each applicable Funds Registration Statement under the Securities Act. Shares sold to financial intermediaries shall be for resale by such financial intermediaries only at the public offering price(s) set forth in each Funds then current Prospectus. |
8. |
Shares offered for sale, or sold by the Underwriter, shall be so offered or sold at a price per Share determined in accordance with the then current Prospectus relating to the sale of Shares except as departure from such prices shall be permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission. Shares may be sold at net asset value without a sales charge to such Class or Classes of investors or in such Class or Classes of transactions as may be permitted under applicable rules of the Commission and as described in the then current Prospectus of each Fund. The net asset value per Share of each Class shall be calculated in accordance with each Funds Declaration of Trust and shall be determined in the manner, and at the time, set forth in the then current Prospectus of each Fund relating to such Shares. |
9. |
The price each Fund shall receive for all Shares purchased from such Fund shall be the net asset value used in determining the public offering price applicable to the sale of such Shares. The excess, if any, of the sales price over the net asset value of Shares sold by the Underwriter as agent shall be retained by the Underwriter as a commission for its services hereunder to the extent such commission is set forth in each Funds then current Prospectus. Out of such commission, the Underwriter may allow commissions or concessions to financial intermediaries in such amounts as the Underwriter shall determine from time to time. Except as may be otherwise determined by the Underwriter and each Fund from time to time, such commissions or concessions shall be uniform to all financial intermediaries. |
10. |
The Underwriter shall issue and deliver, or cause to be issued and delivered, on behalf of each Fund such confirmations of sales made by it as agent, pursuant to this Agreement, as may be required. At, or prior to, the time of issuance of Shares, the Underwriter will pay, or cause to be paid, to each Fund the amount due such Fund for the sale of such Shares. Certificates shall be issued, or Shares registered on the transfer books of each Fund, in such names and denominations as the Underwriter may specify. |
11. |
Each Fund will execute any and all documents, and furnish any and all information, which may be reasonably necessary in connection with the qualification of its Shares for sale (including the qualification of such Fund as a dealer, where necessary or advisable) in such states as the Underwriter may reasonably request (it being understood that no Fund shall be required, without its consent, to comply with any requirement which, in its opinion, is unduly burdensome). |
12. |
Each Fund will furnish to the Underwriter, from time to time, such information with respect to |
3
such Fund and its Shares as the Underwriter may reasonably request for use in connection with the sale of Shares. The Underwriter agrees that it will not use or distribute, nor will it authorize financial intermediaries or others to use, distribute or disseminate, in connection with the sale of such Shares, any statements other than those contained in each Funds current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, except such supplemental literature or advertising as shall be lawful under Federal and State securities laws and regulations, and that it will furnish such Fund with copies of all such material. |
13. |
The Underwriter shall order, or shall authorize one or more financial intermediaries to order, Shares from each Fund only to the extent that it or they shall have received purchase orders therefor. Each Fund, or any agent of the Fund designated in writing by the Fund, shall be advised of indications of interest and purchase orders for Shares received by the Underwriter. Any order may be rejected by such Fund, provided, however, that the Fund will not arbitrarily or without reasonable cause refuse to accept or confirm orders for the purchase of Shares from eligible investors. The Underwriter (directly or through its financial intermediaries) will confirm orders upon the completion of the offering and payment therefor. The Underwriter agrees to cause such payment and such instructions to be delivered promptly to the Fund (or its agent). |
14. |
In selling Shares for the account of any Fund, the Underwriter will in all respects conform to the requirements of all Federal and State laws and the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) relating to such sales, and will indemnify and save harmless each Fund from any damage or expense on account of any wrongful act by the Underwriter or any employee, representative, or agent of the Underwriter. The Underwriter will observe and be bound by all the provisions of each Declaration of Trust (and of any fundamental policies adopted by a Fund pursuant to the Investment Company Act, notice of which shall have been given by such Fund to the Underwriter) which at the time in any way require, limit, restrict, prohibit or otherwise regulate any action on the part of the Underwriter. |
15. |
Repurchases of Shares of each Fund will be made at the net asset value per Share in accordance with such Funds applicable repurchase offer, then current Prospectus and Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act. If a fee in connection with any repurchase offer is in effect, such fee will be paid to the Fund. The net asset value of the Shares will be calculated by each Fund or by another entity on behalf of the Fund. The Underwriter has no duty to inquire into, or liability for, the accuracy of the net asset value per Share as calculated or each Funds compliance with any periodic repurchase offer in accordance with Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act and/or related policies adopted by each Fund. The proceeds of any repurchase of Shares shall be paid by each Fund to or for the account of the shareholder in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Prospectus. |
16. |
The Underwriter will require each financial intermediary to conform to the provisions hereof and of the Registration Statement (and related Prospectus) at the time in effect under the Securities Act with respect to the public offering price of the Shares, and neither the Underwriter nor any such financial intermediary shall withhold the placing of purchase orders so as to make a profit thereby. |
17. |
Each Fund will pay, or cause to be paid, expenses (including the fees and disbursements of its |
4
own counsel) of any registration of Shares under the Securities Act, expenses of qualifying or continuing the qualification of the Shares for sale and, in connection therewith, of qualifying or continuing the qualification of such Fund as a dealer or broker under the laws of such states as may be designated by the Underwriter under the conditions herein specified, and expenses incident to the issuance of the Shares such as the cost of any Share certificates, issue taxes, and fees of the transfer agent. The Underwriter will pay, or cause to be paid, all expenses (other than expenses which any financial intermediary may bear pursuant to any agreement with the Underwriter) incident to the sale and distribution of the Shares issued or sold hereunder, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all: (a) expenses of printing and distributing any Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and of preparing, printing and distributing or disseminating any other literature, advertising and selling aids in connection with such offering of the Shares for sale (except that such expenses need not include expenses incurred by a Fund in connection with the preparation, printing and distribution of any report or other communication to holders of Shares in their capacity as such), and (b) expenses of advertising in connection with such offering. No transfer taxes, if any, which may be payable in connection with the issue or delivery of Shares sold as herein contemplated, or of any certificates for such Shares, shall be borne by any Fund, and the Underwriter will indemnify and hold harmless each Fund against liability for all such transfer taxes. |
18. [The Underwriter agrees to appoint financial intermediaries to provide services as set forth in any Distribution and/or Services Plan adopted by each Fund for a share class listed in Exhibit A hereto.
19. The Underwriter represents and warrants to each Fund that it has all necessary licenses to perform the services contemplated hereunder and will perform such services in compliance with all applicable rules and regulations.
20. |
This Agreement shall continue in effect until , [2022], unless and until terminated by any party as hereinafter provided, and will continue from year to year thereafter, but only so long as such continuance is specifically approved, at least annually, in the manner required by the Investment Company Act. Any Fund, on the one hand, and the Underwriter, on the other hand, may terminate this Agreement on any date by giving the other party at least six months prior written notice of such termination, specifying the date fixed therefor. Without prejudice to any other remedies of any Fund in any such event, a Fund may terminate this Agreement at any time immediately upon any failure of fulfillment of any of the obligations of the Underwriter owed to such Fund hereunder. |
21. |
This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act). |
22. |
This Agreement may be amended by the parties only if such amendment is specifically approved (a) by the board of trustees of a Fund or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund and (b) by the vote of a majority of those trustees of a Fund who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The terms interested persons and vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities shall have the same meaning as those terms are defined in the Investment Company Act. Amendments to this Agreement to add a |
5
new share class or a new Fund may be made by amending Exhibit A hereto. |
23. |
In connection with the continuous sale of Shares by each Fund upon the terms set forth in the applicable Prospectus, the Underwriter shall act solely as an agent of such Fund and not as principal. |
24. |
The Underwriter shall be an independent contractor and neither the Underwriter nor any of its officers of employees as such, is or shall be an employee of any Fund. The Underwriter is responsible for its own conduct and the employment, control and conduct of its agents and employees and for injury to such agents or employees or to others through its agents or employees. The Underwriter assumes full responsibility for its agents and employees under applicable statutes and agrees to pay all employer taxes thereunder. |
25. |
Any notice given by a Fund under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed, and delivered or mailed, postage pre-paid, to the Underwriter at such address as the Underwriter may designate for the receipt of such notice. Any notice given by the Underwriter under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed, and delivered or mailed, postage pre-paid, to a Fund at such address as such Fund may designate for the receipt of such notice. |
26. |
(a) 1The Underwriter and each Fund (in such capacity, the Receiving Party) acknowledge and agree to maintain the confidentiality of Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined) provided by the Underwriter and such Fund (in such capacity, the Disclosing Party) in connection with this Agreement. The Receiving Party will not disclose or disseminate the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information to any person other than (i) those employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees of the Receiving Party, or (ii) with respect to the Underwriter as a Receiving Party, to those employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees of any agent or affiliate, who have a need to know it in order to assist the Receiving Party in performing its obligations, or to permit the Receiving Party to exercise its rights under this Agreement. In addition, the Receiving Party (x) will take all reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access to the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information, and (y) will not use the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information, or authorize other persons to use the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information, for any purposes other than in connection with performing its obligations or exercising its rights hereunder. As used herein, reasonable steps means steps that a party takes to protect its own, similarly confidential or proprietary information of a similar nature, which steps will in no event be less than a reasonable standard of care. |
(b) The term Confidential Information, as used herein, will mean all business strategies, plans and procedures, proprietary information, methodologies, data and trade secrets, and other confidential information and materials (including, without limitation, any non-public personal information as defined in Regulation S-P (Regulation S-P promulgated under the Gramm-Leach- Bliley Act (the Act))) of the Disclosing Party, its affiliates, their respective clients or suppliers, or other persons with whom they do business, that may be obtained by the Receiving
1 |
Note: The confidential information provisions in this section are based on those in the NuShares ETF Distribution Agreement dated 8/2/2016. |
6
Party from any source or that may be developed as a result of this Agreement.
(c) The provisions of this Section 26 respecting Confidential Information will not apply to the extent, but only to the extent, that such Confidential Information: (i) is already known to the Receiving Party free of any restriction at the time it is obtained from the Disclosing Party; (ii) is subsequently learned from an independent third party free of any restriction and without breach of this Agreement; (iii) becomes publicly available through no wrongful act of the Receiving Party or any third party; (iv) is independently developed by or for the Receiving Party without reference to or use of any Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party; or (v) is required to be disclosed pursuant to an applicable law, rule, regulation, government requirement or court order (provided, however, that the Receiving Party will advise the Disclosing Party of such required disclosure promptly upon learning thereof in order to afford the Disclosing Party a reasonable opportunity to contest, limit and/or assist the Receiving Party in crafting such disclosure).
(d) The Receiving Party will advise its employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees, and will require its agents and affiliates to advise their employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees, of the Receiving Partys obligations of confidentiality and non-use under this Section 26, and will be responsible for ensuring compliance by its and its affiliates employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees with such obligations. In addition, the Receiving Party will require all persons that are provided access to the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information, other than the Receiving Partys accountants and legal counsel, to execute confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements containing provisions substantially similar to those set forth in this Section 26. The Receiving Party will promptly notify the Disclosing Party in writing upon learning of any unauthorized disclosure or use of the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information by such persons.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each party hereto agrees that: (i) any Nonpublic Personal Information, as defined under Section 248.3(t) of Regulation S-P, disclosed by a party hereunder is for the specific purpose of permitting another other party to perform the services set forth in this Agreement, and (ii) with respect to such information, each party will comply with Regulation S-P and the Act and will not disclose any Nonpublic Personal Information received in connection with this Agreement to any other party, except to the extent as necessary to carry out the services set forth in this Agreement or as otherwise permitted by Regulation S-P or the Act.
(f) Upon the Disclosing Partys written request following the termination of this Agreement, the Receiving Party promptly will return to the Disclosing Party, or destroy, all Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party provided under or in connection with this Agreement, including all copies, portions and summaries thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, (i) the Receiving Party may retain one copy of each item of the Disclosing Partys Confidential Information for purposes of identifying and establishing its rights and obligations under this Agreement, for archival or audit purposes and/or to the extent required by applicable law, and (ii) the Underwriter will have no obligation to return or destroy Confidential Information of any Fund that resides in save tapes of the Underwriter; provided, however, that in either case all such Confidential Information retained by the Receiving Party will remain subject to the
7
provisions of Section 26 for so long as it is so retained. If requested by the Disclosing Party, the Receiving Party will certify in writing its compliance with the provisions of this paragraph.
27. |
The provisions of this Agreement, other than Section 28, shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois as at the time in effect and the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act. To the extent that the applicable law of the State of Illinois, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control. Section 28 shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. |
28. |
The Declaration of Trust of each Fund on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was executed on behalf of such Fund by the trustees of such Fund and not individually, and any obligation of such Fund shall be binding only upon the assets of such Fund and shall not be binding upon any trustee, officer or shareholder of such Fund. Neither the authorization of any action by the trustees or shareholders of any Fund nor the execution of this agreement on behalf of such Fund shall impose any liability upon any trustee, officer or shareholder of such Fund. |
[Signature page follows.]
8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in any number of counterparts, all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Each Fund Listed in EXHIBIT A hereto (with respect to each Fund, severally and neither jointly nor jointly and severally with any other Fund) | ||
By: |
|
|
[Title] |
Attest: |
Assistant Secretary |
NUVEEN SECURITIES, LLC | ||
By: |
|
|
[Title] |
Attest: |
Assistant Secretary |
EXHIBIT A
List of Funds and Share Classes
Fund |
Effective Date |
Share Class(es) | ||
Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund |
/ /2021 |
Class I Common Shares
Class A Common Shares |
Exhibit j.3
Execution Version
AMENDMENT TO THE
AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER CUSTODIAN
AGREEMENT BETWEEN
EACH MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY IDENTIFIED ON APPENDIX A
OF THE AGREEMENT
AND
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
This AMENDMENT (the Amendment) is entered into as of the May 28, 2021 and effective as of the May 28, 2021 (the Effective Date), amending the Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement (as amended, supplemented, restated, or otherwise modified from time to time, 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 the 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 the 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 amend the Agreement to reflect the name change of a Fund.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
1. |
Amendment and Restatement Appendix A. Appendix A to the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the Appendix A attached to this Amendment, effective as of the Effective Date, which Appendix A may be supplemented or modified by the parties from time to time in writing, which upon execution and delivery shall form a part of the Agreement. |
2. |
Defined Terms. Terms used in this Amendment but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Agreement. |
3. |
One Agreement. Except as amended herein, no other terms or provisions of the Agreement are amended or modified by this Amendment. Upon the execution of this Amendment, this Amendment and the Agreement shall form one agreement. |
4. |
Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Amendment. Counterparts may be executed in either original or electronically transmitted form (e.g., faxes or emailed portable document format (PDF) form), and the parties hereby adopt as original any signatures received via electronically transmitted form. |
5. |
Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the choice of law set forth in the Agreement (excluding the law thereof which requires the application of or reference to the law of any other jurisdiction). |
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment has been executed for and on behalf of the undersigned as of the day and year first written above
APPENDIX A
TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
July 15, 2015
(Updated as of May 28, 2021)
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 f/k/a Nuveen California Municipal Value, Inc.*
Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund*
Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio*
Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund
Nuveen Core Plus Impact Fund (effective March 15, 2021)
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 High Yield Municipal Bond Fund f/k/a Nuveen Strategic Municipal Credit 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 Corporate Income 2023 Target Term Fund f/k/a Nuveen High Income 2023 Target Term Fund
Nuveen High Income December 2018 Target Term Fund
Nuveen High Income December 2019 Target Term Fund
Nuveen Corporate Income November 2021 Target Term Fund f/k/a 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 f/k/a 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 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 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 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 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 Floating Rate Income Fund f/k/a Nuveen Symphony Floating Rate Income Fund
Nuveen Symphony High Yield Bond Fund
Nuveen High Yield Income Fund f/k/a 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
*Tax-Exempt funds eligible for an earnings credit on U.S. cash balances as of April 1, 2020
Exhibit k.2
EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made this 15th day of June 2021, by and between NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND f/k/a NUVEEN MUNICIPAL HIGH YIELD & SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND, a Massachusetts business trust (the Fund), and NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Adviser).
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Fund and the Adviser have separately entered into an Investment Management Agreement of even date herewith (the Management Agreement); and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter contained, it is hereby agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:
1. For the period from the date hereof through July 31, 2023, the Adviser agrees to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses so that the total annual operating expenses of the Fund (excluding any distribution and/or service fees that may be applicable to a particular class of shares, issuance and dividend costs of Preferred Shares that may be issued by the Fund, interest expenses, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, fees incurred in acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities, litigation expenses and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 1.25% of the average daily Managed Assets of any class of Fund shares.
2. To effect the expense reimbursement provided for in this Agreement, the Fund may offset the appropriate amount of the reimbursement contemplated hereunder against the management fee payable under the Management Agreement.
3. This Agreement, and the Advisers obligation to so reimburse expenses hereunder, shall terminate on the earlier of (a) July 31, 2023 or (b) termination of the Management Agreement.
4. Except as provided in paragraph 3, above, this Agreement may be terminated only by the vote of (a) the Board of Trustees of the Fund, including the vote of the members of the Board who are not interested persons within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, and (b) a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
5. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule, or otherwise, the remainder shall not be thereby affected.
6. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with applicable federal law and the laws of the State of Illinois.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Fund and the Adviser have caused this Agreement to be executed on the day and year above written.
NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | ||||||
By: |
/s/ Mark L. Winget |
|||||
Vice President and Secretary | ||||||
Attest: |
/s/ Celeste Clayton |
|||||
Assistant Secretary | ||||||
NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC | ||||||
By: |
/s/ Christopher Rohrbacher |
|||||
Managing Director | ||||||
Attest: |
/s/ Celeste Clayton |
|||||
Assistant Secretary |
2
Exhibit k.3
Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
Multi-Class Plan
This document constitutes a Plan (the Multiple Class Plan) of Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (the Fund), a closed-end management investment company that continuously offers its common shares of beneficial interest and is operated as an interval fund and is organized as a Massachusetts business trust,. This Multiple Class Plan is subject to amendment by action of the Board of Trustees (the Board) of the Fund and without the approval of shareholders of any class, to the extent permitted by law and by the governing documents of the Fund.
Rule 18f-3 (the Rule) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) requires that the Board of Trustees of an open-end investment company desiring to offer multiple classes pursuant to the Rule adopt a plan setting forth the separate arrangement and expense allocation of each class, and any related conversion features or exchange privileges. Although the Rule applies only to open-end investment companies and not closed-end interval funds, the Fund intends to rely on relief granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Multi-Class Relief) permitting the Fund, as an interval fund under Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, to issue multiple classes of shares and to impose asset-based distribution fees and early withdrawal charges so long as the Fund complies with the provisions of certain rules under the 1940 Act as if they apply to closed-end investment companies, including the Rule.
The Board, including a majority of the non-interested Board members, has determined that the following separate arrangement and expense allocation, and the related conversion features, if any, and exchange privileges, of each class of the Fund are in the best interest of each class of the Fund individually and the Fund as a whole.
1. |
CLASS DESIGNATION. |
Shares of the Fund shall be divided into Class A Common Shares and Class I Common Shares. Shares of each class of the Fund shall represent an equal pro rata interest in the Fund, and, generally, shall have identical voting, distribution, liquidation and other rights, preferences, powers, restrictions, limitations, qualifications, and terms and conditions, except as set forth below. Each class shall be subject to any investment minimums and other conditions of eligibility as may be set forth in the Funds prospectus or statement of additional information as in effect from time to time.
2. |
SALES CHARGES AND DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES. |
(a) Initial Sales Charge. Class A Common Shares will be traditional front-end sales charge shares, offered at their net asset value (NAV) plus an initial sales charge as described in the Funds prospectus as in effect from time to time.
Class I Common Shares will be offered at their NAV without an initial sales charge.
(b) Service and Distribution Fees. As to the shares of Class A, the Fund will pay service and/or distribution fees under the Plan from time to time in effect adopted for Class A shares (the Distribution and Servicing Plan), at such rates as are set by the Board. The Multi-Class Relief requires the Fund and any such Distribution and Servicing Plan comply with the provisions of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
Pursuant to the Distribution and Servicing Plan as to Class A shares, the Fund generally will pay fees at an aggregate fee at the annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily NAV of Class A share accounts, or such other rate as set by the Board from time to time.
Class I shares do not have a Distribution and Servicing Plan.
(c) Contingent Deferred Sales Charges (CDSC). Subject to some waiver exceptions, Class A shares will be subject to a CDSC equal to 1.50% of the lower of the cost or the NAV of such shares if the shares are
redeemed for cash on or before the first day of the month in which the one-year anniversary of the original purchase falls.
Class I shares will not be subject to a CDSC.
(d) Repurchase Fee. The Fund may impose a repurchase fee of up to 2.00% on any shares accepted for repurchase by the Fund, as described in the Funds prospectus as in effect from time to time.
3. |
CLASS-SPECIFIC EXPENSES |
(a) The following expenses shall be allocated, to the extent such expenses can reasonably be identified as relating to a particular class, on a class-specific basis: (i) fees under the Distribution and Servicing Plan applicable to a specific class (net of any CDSC paid with respect to shares of such class and retained by the Fund) and any other costs relating to implementing or amending such Plan, including obtaining shareholder approval of such Plan or any amendment thereto; (ii) transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees and shareholder servicing costs identifiable as being attributable to the particular provisions of a specific class; (iii) stationery, printing, postage and delivery expenses related to preparing and distributing materials such as shareholder reports, prospectuses and proxy statements to current shareholders of a specific class; (iv) Securities and Exchange Commission registration fees incurred by a specific class; (v) Board fees or expenses identifiable as being attributable to a specific class; (vi) fees for outside accountants and related expenses relating solely to a specific class; (vii) litigation expenses and legal fees and expense relating solely to a specific class; (viii) expenses incurred in connection with shareholders meetings as a result of issues relating solely to a specific class and (ix) other expenses relating solely to a specific class, provided, that advisory fees and other expenses related to the management of the Funds assets (including custodial fees and tax-return preparation fees) shall be allocated to all shares of the Fund on the basis of NAV, regardless of whether they can be specifically attributed to a particular class. All common expenses shall be allocated to shares of each class at the same time they are allocated to the shares of all other classes. All such expenses incurred by a class of shares will be charged directly to the net assets of the particular class and thus will be borne on a pro rata basis by the outstanding shares of such class. The Funds Blue Sky expenses will be treated as common expenses.
(b) Expenses of the Fund shall be apportioned to each class of shares depending upon the nature of the expense item. For each of the class-specific expenses listed above, any Vice President and/or Chief Compliance Officer, or their respective designees, shall determine, subject to Board approval or ratification, which such categories of expenses will be treated as class-specific expenses, consistent with applicable legal principles under the 1940 Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), or any private letter ruling with respect to the Fund issued by the Internal Revenue Service.
(1) Expenses in category (3)(a)(i) above must be allocated to the class for which such expenses are incurred.
(2) With respect to all other approved class-specific expenses, the total amount of such class-specific expenses shall be allocated to each of the separate classes of shares based on the relative net assets of those classes.
(3) In addition, certain expenses may be allocated differently if their method of imposition changes. Thus, if a class-specific expense can no longer be attributed to a class, it shall be charged to the Fund for allocation among all of the Funds classes of shares, as may be appropriate. However, any additional class-specific expenses not specifically identified above, which are subsequently identified and determined to be properly allocated to one class of shares, shall not be so allocated until approved by the Board, as appropriate, in light of the requirements of the 1940 Act and the Code.
4. |
INCOME AND EXPENSE ALLOCATIONS. |
Income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses and expenses not allocated to a class as provided above shall be allocated to each class on the basis of the net assets of that class in relation to the net assets of the Fund.
5. |
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. |
Dividends and distributions paid by the Fund on each class of its shares, to the extent paid, will be calculated in the same manner and will be paid at the same time, except that the amount of the dividends declared and paid by a particular class may be different from that paid by another class because of expenses borne exclusively by that class.
6. |
NET ASSET VALUE. |
The NAV of each share of a class of the Fund shall be determined in accordance with the Declaration of Trust of the Fund with appropriate adjustments to reflect the allocations of expenses, income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the Fund between or among its classes as provided above.
7. |
VOTING RIGHTS. |
Shareholders of each class will have exclusive voting rights regarding any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to such class, and will have separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of that class differ from the interests of any other class.
This Plan is qualified by and subject to the terms of the then current prospectus for the applicable Fund; provided, however, that none of the terms set forth in any such prospectus shall be inconsistent with the terms contained herein. The prospectus for the Fund contains additional information about the Funds classes and its multiple class structure.
This Plan has been adopted for the Fund with the approval of, and all material amendments thereto must be approved by, a majority of the members of the Board of the Fund, including a majority of the Board members who are not interested persons of the Fund.
Exhibit k.4
NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
WHEREAS, Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the Fund), engages in business as a closed-end management investment company that continuously offers its common shares of beneficial interest (the Shares), is operated as an interval fund and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Act);
WHEREAS, the Fund employs Nuveen Securities, LLC (the Distributor) as distributor of the Shares pursuant to one or more Distribution Agreements;
WHEREAS, the Fund intends to rely on relief granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Exemptive Relief) permitting the Fund, as an interval fund under Rule 23c-3 under the Act, to issue multiple classes of Shares (Classes) and to impose asset-based distribution fees and early withdrawal charges so long as the Fund complies with the provisions of certain rules under the Act as if they apply to closed-end investment companies, including Rule 12b-1 under the Act (Rule 12b-1);
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to adopt a Plan of Distribution and Service, and the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the Board) has determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that adoption of this Plan of Distribution and Service will benefit the Fund and the Funds shareholders;
WHEREAS, the Fund has adopted a Multiple Class Plan in compliance with Rule 18f-3 (the Multiple Class Plan) to enable the various Classes of Shares to be granted different rights and privileges and to bear different expenses, and has an effective registration statement on file with the SEC containing one or more Prospectuses describing such Classes of Shares;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Fund hereby adopts, and the Distributor hereby agrees to the terms of, this Plan of Distribution and Service (the Plan) in compliance with Rule 12b-1, on the following terms and conditions:
1. (a) |
The Fund is authorized to compensate the Distributor for services performed and expenses incurred by the Distributor in connection with the distribution of Class A Shares of the Fund and the servicing of accounts holding such Shares, to the extent it has such Share Class outstanding, |
(b) |
The amount of such compensation paid during any one year shall consist of: |
(i) |
with respect to Class A Shares of the Fund, a Service Fee not to exceed 0.25% of average daily Share net assets of the Class A Shares of the Fund, plus a Distribution Fee not to exceed 0.50% of average daily net assets of the Class A Shares of the Fund. |
Such compensation shall be calculated and accrued daily and paid to the Distributor monthly or at such other intervals as the Board may determine.
(c) |
With respect to Class A Shares, the Distributor shall pay any Service Fees it receives under the Plan for which a particular underwriter, dealer, broker, bank or selling entity having a Dealer Agreement in effect (Authorized Dealer, which may include the Distributor) is the dealer of record to such Authorized Dealers to compensate such organizations for providing services to shareholders relating to their investment; provided, however, that the Distributor shall be entitled to retain, for the first year after purchase of the Class A Shares, the Service Fee to the extent that it may have pre-paid the Service Fee for that period to the Authorized Dealer of record. The Distributor may retain any Service Fees not so paid. |
(d) |
Services for which such Authorized Dealers may receive Service Fee payments include any or all of the following: maintaining account records for shareholders who beneficially own Shares; answering inquiries relating to the shareholders accounts, the policies of the Fund and the performance of their investment; providing assistance and handling transmission of funds in connection with purchase, redemption and exchange orders for Shares; providing assistance in connection with changing account setups and enrolling in various optional fund services; producing and disseminating shareholder communications or servicing materials; the ordinary or capital expenses, such as equipment, rent, fixtures, salaries, bonuses, reporting and recordkeeping and third party consultancy or similar expenses, relating to any activity for which payment is authorized by the Board; and the financing of any other activity for which payment is authorized by the Board. |
(e) |
Payments of Distribution or Service Fees to any organization as of any month-end (or other period-end, as appropriate) will not exceed the appropriate amount based on the annual percentages set forth above, based on average Share net assets of accounts for which such organization appeared on the records of the Fund and/or its transfer agent as the organization of record during the preceding month (period). |
-2-
2. This Plan shall not take effect until the Plan, together with any related agreement(s), has been approved with respect to the Fund and Classes thereof by votes of a majority of both (a) the Board, and (b) those Trustees of the Fund who are not interested persons of the Fund (as defined in the Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or any agreements related to it (the Rule 12b-1 Trustees) cast in person at a meeting (or meetings) called for the purpose of voting on the Plan and such related Agreement(s).
3. This Plan shall continue in effect for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided for approval of this Plan in paragraph 2.
4. The Distributor shall provide to the Board and the Board shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of distribution- and service-related activities, Distribution Fees, Service Fees, and the purposes for which such activities were performed and expenses incurred.
5. This Plan may be terminated as to the Fund or as to a given Class of Shares of the Fund at any time by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by vote of a majority (as defined in the Act) of the outstanding voting Shares of the Fund or the applicable Class.
6. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of compensation payable by the Fund with respect to any Class of Shares under paragraph 1 hereof unless such amendment is approved by a vote of at least a majority (as defined in the Act) of the outstanding voting Shares of that Class of Shares of the Fund. No material amendment to the Plan shall be made unless approved in the manner provided in paragraph 2 hereof.
7. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the Act) of the Fund shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees who are not such interested persons.
8. The Fund shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreements and all reports made pursuant to paragraph 4 hereof, for a period of not less than six years from the date of the Plan, any such agreement or any such report, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
Approved and Adopted by the Board as of:
February 25, 2021
-3-
Exhibit l.1
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
191 North Wacker Drive
Suite 1601
Chicago, IL 60606
June 22, 2021
Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
We have acted as counsel for Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (the Fund) in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Act), of certain of its Class I Common Shares and Class A Common Shares of beneficial interest, par value of $0.01 per share (the Shares) in registration statement no. 333-231722 on form N-2 as it is proposed to be amended by pre-effective amendment no. 3 (as proposed to be amended, the Registration Statement).
In this connection, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate and other records, certificates and other papers as we deemed it necessary to examine for the purpose of this opinion, including the Funds declaration of trust and by-laws, actions of the board of trustees of the Fund authorizing the issuance of the Shares of the Fund and the Registration Statement.
We assume that, upon sale of the Shares, the Fund will receive the authorized consideration therefor, which will at least equal the net asset value of the Shares.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that when the Shares are issued and sold after the Registration Statement has been declared effective and the authorized consideration therefor is received by the Fund, they will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable by the Fund, except that, as set forth in the Registration Statement, shareholders of the Fund may under certain circumstances be held personally liable for obligations of the Fund.
In rendering the foregoing opinion, we have relied upon the opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP expressed in their letter to us dated June 21, 2021.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to our firm under the heading Legal Opinions and Experts in the Prospectus and Tax Matters in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under section 7 of the Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
Exhibit l.2
June 21, 2021
Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
191 N. Wacker Dr., Ste. 1601
Chicago, Illinois 60606
RE: |
Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special Massachusetts counsel to Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the Fund), in connection with the Funds Registration Statement on Form N-2 as such Registration Statement is proposed to be amended by Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about June 21, 2021 (as proposed to be amended, the Registration Statement), with respect to certain of its Class A Common Shares and Class I Common Shares of beneficial interest, par value of $.01 per share (collectively, the Shares). You have requested that we deliver this opinion to you, as special counsel to the Fund, for use by you in connection with your opinion to the Fund with respect to the Shares.
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 as to the existence of the Fund;
(b) a copy, as filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on May 24, 2019, of the Funds Declaration of Trust dated May 22, 2019 2020, and the name change amendments to the Declaration of Trust, dated February 27, 2020 and February 23, 2021, as filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on February 28, 2020 and March 1, 2021, respectively, and the amendment to the Declaration of Trust dated May 26, 2021, as filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on June 8, 2021 (as so amended, the Declaration);
(c) a copy, as filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on March 2, 2021, of the Funds Amended and Restated Establishment
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP | ||||
One Federal Street | ||||
Boston, MA 02110 | +1.617.341.7700 | |||
United States | +1.617.341.7701 |
Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
June 21, 2021
Page 2
and Designation of Classes (the Designation)
(d) a certificate of the Secretary of the Fund, certifying as to the Funds Declaration, Designation, By-Laws adopted by the Funds Trustees at meetings held on May 21-23, 2019 and February 23-25, 2021 (the Resolutions);
(e) a printers proof received on June 18, 2021 of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3.
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, 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 also assumed that the Registration Statement, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, will be in substantially the form of the printers proof referred to in paragraph (e). We have further assumed that the Funds Declaration, Designation and the 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 issuance of such Shares.
This opinion is based entirely on our review of the documents listed above and such investigation of law as we have 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 our opinion below relating to the legal existence of the Fund, our opinion relies entirely upon and is limited by the certificate referenced in paragraph (a) above.
This opinion is limited solely to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as applied by courts located in such Commonwealth, except that we express no opinion as to any Massachusetts securities law. No opinion is given herein as to the choice of law which any tribunal may apply. In addition, to the extent that the Funds Declaration, Designation or By-Laws refer to, incorporate or require compliance with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, 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 with such reference, incorporation or requirement by the Fund.
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 is legally existing under the Funds 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 Resolutions, and for
Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
June 21, 2021
Page 3
the consideration described in the Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, except that, as indicated 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 your reliance on this opinion in connection with your opinion to the Fund with respect to the Shares, to the reference to our name in the Registration Statement under the heading Legal opinions and experts and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In rendering this opinion and giving this consent, we do not concede that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Very truly yours, |
/s/ Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP |
MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP |
Exhibit n
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form N-2 of Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund of our report dated June 21, 2021, relating to the financial statements of Nuveen Enhanced High Yield Municipal Bond Fund, which appears in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings Experts and Legal Opinions and Experts in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
Chicago, Illinois |
June 21, 2021 |
Exhibit p
NUVEEN MUNICIPAL HIGH YIELD & SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND
Subscription Agreement
This Agreement made this January 6, 2020 by and between Nuveen Municipal High Yield & Special Situations Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the Fund), and Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC (the Subscriber);
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Fund has been formed for the purposes of carrying on business as a closed-end management investment company; and
WHEREAS, the Subscriber has been selected by the Funds Board of Trustees to serve as investment adviser to the Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Subscriber wishes to subscribe for and purchase, and the Fund wishes to sell to the Subscriber, 10,000 institutional class common shares for a purchase price of $10.00 per share;
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:
l. The Subscriber subscribes for and agrees to purchase from the Fund 10,000 institutional class common shares for a purchase price of $10.00 per share. Subscriber agrees to make payment for these shares at such time as demand for payment may be made by an officer of the Fund.
2. The Fund agrees to issue and sell said shares to Subscriber promptly upon its receipt of the purchase price.
3. To induce the Fund to accept its subscription and issue the shares subscribed for, the Subscriber represents that it is informed as follows:
(a) That the shares being subscribed for have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of l933 (Securities Act);
(b) That the shares will be sold by the Fund in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act;
2
(c) That the Funds reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is predicated in part on the representations and agreements contained in this Subscription Agreement;
(d) That when issued, the shares will be restricted securities as defined in paragraph (a)(3) of Rule l44 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act (Rule l44) and cannot be sold or transferred by Subscriber unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or unless an exemption from such registration is available; and
(e) That there do not appear to be any exemptions from the registration provisions of the Securities Act available to the Subscriber for resale of the shares. In the future, certain exemptions may possibly become available, including an exemption for limited sales in accordance with the conditions of Rule l44.
The Subscriber understands that a primary purpose of the information acknowledged in subparagraphs (a) through (e) above is to put it on notice as to restrictions on the transferability of the shares.
4. To further induce the Fund to accept its subscription and issue the shares subscribed for, the Subscriber:
(a) Represents and warrants that the shares subscribed for are being and will be acquired for investment for its own account and not on behalf of any other person or persons and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any public distribution thereof; and
(b) Agrees that any certificates representing the shares subscribed for may bear a legend substantially in the following form:
The shares represented by this certificate have been acquired for investment and have not been registered under the Securities Act of l933 or any other federal or state securities law. These shares may not be offered for sale, sold or otherwise transferred unless registered under said securities laws or unless some exemption from registration is available.
5. This Subscription Agreement and all of its provisions shall be binding upon the legal representatives, heirs, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.
6. The Funds Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This Agreement is executed on behalf of the Fund by the Funds officers as officers and not individually and the obligations imposed upon the Fund by this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Funds Trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund.
3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Subscription Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the day and date first above written.
NUVEEN MUNICIPAL HIGH YIELD & SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND
By: |
/s/ Kevin J. McCarthy |
|
Kevin J. McCarthy |
||
Vice President |
NUVEEN FUND ADVISORS, LLC
By: |
/s/ Christopher M. Rohrbacher |
|
Christopher M. Rohrbacher |
||
Managing Director |
NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, 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 on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 24th day of February 2021.
/s/ Jack B. Evans |
Jack B. Evans |
NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, 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 on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 24th day of February 2021.
/s/ William C. Hunter |
William C. Hunter |
NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, 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) her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for her on her behalf and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as 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 trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set her hand this 1st day of June 2021.
/s/ Amy B.R. Lancellotta |
Amy B.R. Lancellotta |
NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, 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) her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for her on her behalf and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as 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 trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set her hand this 1st day of June 2021.
/s/ Joanne T. Medero |
Joanne T. Medero |
NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, 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 on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 24th day of February 2021.
/s/ Albin F. Moschner |
Albin F. Moschner |
NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, 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 on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 24th day of February 2021.
/s/ John K. Nelson |
John K. Nelson |
NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, 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) her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for her on her behalf and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as 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 trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set her hand this 24th day of February 2021.
/s/ Judith M. Stockdale |
Judith M. Stockdale |
NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, 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) her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for her on her behalf and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as 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 trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set her hand this 24th day of February 2021.
/s/ Carole E. Stone |
Carole E. Stone |
NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, 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 on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 24th day of February 2021.
/s/ Matthew Thornton III |
Matthew Thornton III |
NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, 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 on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 24th day of February 2021.
/s/ Terence J. Toth |
Terence J. Toth |
NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, 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) her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for her on her behalf and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as 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 trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set her hand this 24th day of February 2021.
/s/ Margaret L. Wolff |
Margaret L. Wolff |
NUVEEN ENHANCED HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, 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 on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 24th day of February 2021.
/s/ Robert L. Young |
Robert L. Young |