N-2/A
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 16, 2008
Securities Act File No. 333-149414
Investment Company Act File No. 811-08476
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-2
(Check Appropriate Box or Boxes)
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 |
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Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 |
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Post-Effective Amendment No. |
and/or
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 |
THE GABELLI GLOBAL MULTIMEDIA TRUST INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1422
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrants Telephone Number, including Area Code: (800) 422-3554
Bruce N. Alpert
The Gabelli Global Multimedia Trust Inc.
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1422
(914) 921-5100
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
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Christopher J. Michailoff
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Rose F. DiMartino, Esq. |
The Gabelli Global Multimedia Trust Inc.
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Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP |
One Corporate Center
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787 Seventh Ave. |
Rye, New York 10580-1422
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New York, New York 10019 |
(914) 921-5100
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(212) 728-8000 |
Approximate date of proposed public offering: From time to time after the effective date of this
Registration Statement.
If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in
reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, other than securities offered in
connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box. þ
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
þ When declared effective pursuant to section 8(c).
If appropriate, check the following box:
o This [post-effective] amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed
[post-effective amendment] [registration statement].
o This form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b)
under the Securities Act and the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering is .
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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Amount Being |
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Proposed Maximum |
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Proposed Maximum |
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Amount of |
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Title of Securities |
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Registered |
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Offering Price Per Share |
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Aggregate Offering Price(1) |
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Registration Fee |
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Preferred Stock |
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o Shares |
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$ o |
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$200 million |
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$7,860 |
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(1) |
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Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. In no event will the
aggregate initial offering price of all shares offered from time to time pursuant to the prospectus
included as a part of this Registration Statement exceed $200 million. |
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY
TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY
STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION
8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
THE GABELLI GLOBAL MULTIMEDIA TRUST INC.
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
PART A-THE PROSPECTUS
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Items in Part A of Form N-2 |
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Location in Prospectus |
Item 1.
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Outside Front Cover
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Front Cover Page |
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Item 2.
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Cover Pages; Other Offering Information
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Front Cover Page; Inside Front Cover Page |
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Item 3.
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Fee Table and Synopsis
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Not Applicable |
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Item 4.
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Financial Highlights
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Financial Highlights |
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Item 5.
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Plan of Distribution
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Prospectus Summary; Plan of Distribution |
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Item 6.
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Selling Shareholders
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Not Applicable |
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Item 7.
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Use of Proceeds
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Use of Proceeds |
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Item 8.
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General Description of the Registrant
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Outside Front Cover; Risk Factors and
Special Considerations; Investment
Objectives and Policies; Net Asset
Value; Custodian, Transfer Agent,
Auction Agent and Dividend Disbursing
Agent; Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm; Additional Information |
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Item 9.
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Management
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Management of the Fund |
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Item 10.
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Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt and Other Securities
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Prospectus Summary; Dividends and
Distributions; Taxation; Risk Factors
and Special Considerations; Description
of Capital Stock; Anti-Takeover
Provisions of the Funds Governing
Documents; Closed-End Fund Structure;
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and
Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan; Custodian,
Transfer Agent, Auction Agent and
Dividend Disbursing Agent; Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm;
Additional Information |
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Item 11.
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Defaults and Arrears on Senior Securities
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Not Applicable |
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Item 12.
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Legal Proceedings
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Management of the Fund |
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Item 13.
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Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional
Information
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Table of Contents of the Statement of
Additional Information |
PART B STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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Items in Part B of Form N-2 |
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Location in Prospectus |
Item 1.
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Outside Front Cover
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Front Cover Page |
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Item 14.
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Cover Page
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Cover Page |
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Item 15.
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Table of Contents
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Table of Contents |
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Item 16.
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General Information and History
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Not Applicable |
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Item 17.
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Investment Objective and Policies
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Investment Objectives and Policies |
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Item 18.
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Management of the Company
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Management of the Fund |
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Item 19.
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Control Persons and Principal Shareholders
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Management of the Fund |
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Item 20.
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Investment Advisory and Other Services
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Management of the Fund |
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Item 21.
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Portfolio Managers
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Management of the Fund |
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Item 22.
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Brokerage, Allocation and Other Practices
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Portfolio Transactions |
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Item 23.
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Tax Status
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Taxation |
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Item 24.
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Financial Statements
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Incorporation by Reference |
PART C-OTHER INFORMATION
Items 25-34 have been answered in Part C of this Registration Statement.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Subject to Completion,
Preliminary Base Prospectus dated , 2008
PROSPECTUS
[LOGO OF THE GABELLI
MULTIMEDIA TRUST INC.]
$200,000,000
The Gabelli Global Multimedia Trust Inc.
Preferred Stock
Investment Objectives. The Gabelli Global Multimedia Trust Inc. (the Fund) is a
non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The Funds primary investment objective is long-term
growth of capital, primarily through investment in a portfolio of common stock and other securities
of foreign and domestic companies involved in the telecommunications, media, publishing and
entertainment industries. Income is a secondary objective of the Fund. Gabelli Funds, LLC (the
Investment Adviser) serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Under normal market conditions, the
Fund will invest at least 80% of the value of its assets in common stock and other securities,
including convertible securities, preferred stock, options, and warrants of companies in the
telecommunications, media, publishing, and entertainment industries.
A company will be considered to be in these industries if it derives
at least 50% of its revenues or earnings from, or devotes at least
50% of its assets to, the indicated activities or multimedia-related activities.
The Fund was organized as a
Maryland corporation on May 31, 1994 and commenced its investment operations on November 15, 1994.
An investment in the Fund is not appropriate for all investors. We cannot assure you that the
Funds objectives will be achieved.
We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, our preferred stock, par value
$0.001 per share. Shares may be offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more
supplements to this Prospectus (each a Prospectus Supplement). You should read this Prospectus
and the applicable Prospectus Supplement carefully before you invest in our shares.
Our shares may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, through agents designated from
time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. The Prospectus Supplement relating to
the offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of our shares, and will
set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and our
agents or underwriters, or among our underwriters, or the basis upon which such amount may be
calculated. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any sale of preferred stock will set forth the
liquidation preference and information about the dividend period, dividend rate, any call
protection or non-call period and other matters. We may not sell any of our shares through agents,
underwriters or dealers without delivery of a Prospectus Supplement describing the method and terms
of the particular offering of our shares.
Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount from net asset value. This creates a risk
of loss for an investor purchasing shares in a public offering.
Investing in the Funds shares involves risks. See Risk Factors and Special Considerations
on page ___ for factors that should be considered before investing in shares of the Fund.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete.
Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of shares by us through agents,
underwriters or dealers unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Fund that a prospective
investor should know before investing. You should read this Prospectus, which contains important
information about the Fund, before deciding whether to invest in the shares, and retain it for
future reference. A Statement of Additional Information, dated , 2008, containing
additional information about the Fund, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus. You may request a free copy
of our annual and semi-annual reports, request a free copy of the Statement of Additional
Information, the table of contents of which is on page
___ of this Prospectus, request other
information about us and make shareholder inquiries by calling (800) GABELLI (422-3554) or by
writing to the Fund, or obtain a copy (and other information regarding the Fund) from the
Securities and Exchange Commissions web site (http://www.sec.gov).
Our shares do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and are not guaranteed or endorsed by,
any bank or other insured depository institution, and are not federally insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus. The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The Fund
is not making an offer to sell these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not
permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this Prospectus is accurate as
of any date other than the date of this Prospectus.
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. THE FUND MAY NOT SELL
THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN
OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This is only a summary. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should
consider before investing in our shares. You should review the more detailed information contained
in this Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information, dated , 2008 (the SAI).
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The Fund
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The Gabelli Global Multimedia Trust Inc. is a closed-end,
non-diversified management investment company organized as
a Maryland corporation on May 31, 1994. Throughout this
Prospectus, we refer to The Gabelli Global Multimedia
Trust Inc. as the Fund or as we. See The Fund. |
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The Funds outstanding shares of common stock, par value
$0.001 per share, are listed on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol GGT. As of March 31, 2008, the net assets of
the Fund attributable to its common stock were
$164,075,740. As of March 31, 2008, the Fund had
outstanding 13,995,553 shares of common stock; 993,100
shares of 6.00% Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock,
liquidation preference $25 per share (the Series B
Preferred); and 1,000 shares of Series C Auction Rate
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference $25,000
per share (the Series C Auction Rate Preferred). The
Fund completed its redemption of its 7.92% Tax Advantaged
Cumulative Preferred Stock (the Series A Preferred) on
April 2, 2003. The Series B Preferred and Series C Auction
Rate Preferred have the same seniority with respect to
distributions and liquidation preference. |
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The Offering
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We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings,
our preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share.
The preferred stock may either be
fixed rate preferred stock or variable rate preferred stock.
The shares may be offered at prices and on terms to be set
forth in one or more supplements to this Prospectus (each
a Prospectus Supplement). You should read this
Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement
carefully before you invest in our shares. Our shares may
be offered directly to one or more purchasers, through
agents designated from time to time by us, or to or
through underwriters or dealers. The Prospectus Supplement
relating to the offering will identify any agents,
underwriters or dealers involved in the sale of our
shares, and will set forth any applicable purchase price,
fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and our
agents or underwriters, or among our underwriters, or the
basis upon which such amount may be calculated. The
Prospectus Supplement relating to any sale of preferred
stock will set forth the liquidation preference and
information about the dividend period, dividend rate, any
call protection or non-call period and other matters. We
may not sell any of our shares through agents,
underwriters or dealers without delivery of a Prospectus
Supplement describing the method and terms of the
particular offering of our shares. |
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Investment Objectives and
Policies
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The Funds primary investment objective is long-term
growth of capital, primarily through investment in a
portfolio of common stock and other securities of foreign
and domestic companies involved in the telecommunications,
media, publishing and entertainment industries. Income is
a secondary objective of the Fund. |
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Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at
least 80% of the value of its assets in common stock and
other securities, including convertible securities,
preferred stock, options, and warrants of companies in the
telecommunications, media, publishing, and entertainment
industries (the 80% Policy).
A company will be
considered to be in these industries if it derives at least 50% of
its revenues or earnings from, or devotes at least 50% of its assets
to, the indicated activities or multimedia-related activities. The 80% Policy may be
changed without shareholder |
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approval. The Fund will
provide shareholders with notice at least 60 days prior to
the implementation of any change in the 80% Policy. |
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No assurance can be given that the Funds investment
objectives will be achieved. See Investment Objectives
and Policies. |
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Preferred Stock
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Currently, 2,000,000 shares of the Funds capital stock,
which include the preferred stock being registered by this
registration statement, have been classified by the Board
of Directors of the Fund (the Board) or any duly
authorized committee thereof as preferred stock, par value
$0.001 per share. The Funds Board may reclassify
authorized and unissued shares of the Fund, previously
classified as common stock, as preferred stock prior to
the completion of any offering. The terms of each series
of preferred stock may be fixed by the Board and may
materially limit and/or qualify the rights of holders of
the Funds common stock. If the Funds Board determines
that it may be advantageous to the holders of the Funds
common stock for the Fund to utilize additional leverage,
the Fund may issue additional series of fixed rate
preferred stock (Fixed Rate Preferred Stock) or
additional series of variable rate preferred stock
(Variable Rate Preferred Stock). Any Fixed Rate
Preferred Stock or Variable Rate Preferred Stock issued by
the Fund will pay, as applicable, distributions at a fixed
rate or at rates that will be reset frequently based on
short-term interest rates. (As of March 31, 2008,
993,100 shares of Series B Preferred and 1,000 shares of
Series C Auction Rate Preferred were outstanding.)
Leverage creates a greater risk of loss as well as a
potential for more gains for the common shares than if
leverage were not used. See Risk Factors and Special
ConsiderationsLeverage Risk. The Fund may also engage in
investment management techniques, which will not be
considered senior securities if the Fund establishes in a
segregated account cash or other liquid securities equal
to the Funds obligations in respect of such techniques.
The Fund may borrow money in accordance with its
investment restrictions, including as a temporary measure
for extraordinary or emergency purposes. The Fund will not
borrow for investment purposes. |
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Dividends and Distributions
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Preferred Stock Distributions. In accordance with the
Funds Articles of Incorporation (together with any
amendments or supplements thereto, including any articles
supplementary of the Fund establishing a series of
preferred stock (the Articles Supplementary), the
Charter), all preferred stock of the Fund must have the
same seniority with respect to distributions. Accordingly,
no full distribution will be declared or paid on any
series of preferred stock of the Fund for any dividend
period, or part thereof, unless full cumulative dividends
and distributions due through the most recent dividend
payment dates for all series of outstanding preferred
stock of the Fund are declared and paid. If full
cumulative distributions due have not been declared and
made on all outstanding preferred stock of the Fund, any
distributions on such preferred stock will be made as
nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the
respective amounts of distributions accumulated but unmade
on each such series of preferred stock on the relevant
dividend payment date. |
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In the event that for any calendar year the total
distributions on shares of the Funds preferred stock
exceed the Funds current and accumulated earnings and
profits allocable to such shares, the excess distributions
will generally be treated as a tax-free return of capital
(to the extent of the shareholders tax basis in the
shares). The amount treated as a tax-free return of
capital will reduce a shareholders adjusted tax basis in
the preferred stock, thereby |
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increasing the shareholders
potential gain or reducing the potential loss on the sale
of the shares. |
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The distributions to the Funds preferred shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, were comprised exclusively of net investment income, short-term capital gains, and long-term capital gains and did not include any return of capital.
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Fixed Rate Preferred Stock Distributions on Fixed Rate Preferred Stock, at the applicable annual rate of the per share liquidation preference, are cumulative from the original issue date and are payable, when, as and if declared by the Board, out of funds legally available therefor.
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Variable Rate Preferred Stock. The holders of Variable Rate Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cash distributions, stated at annual rates of the applicable per share liquidation preference, that vary from dividend period to dividend period.
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Common Stock Distributions. In order to allow its common
shareholders to realize a predictable, but not assured,
level of cash flow and some liquidity periodically on
their investment without having to sell shares, the Fund
has adopted a managed distribution policy, which may be
changed at any time by the Board, of paying a minimum
annual distribution of 5% of the average net asset value
of the Fund to common shareholders. In the event the Fund
does not generate a total return from dividends and
interest received and net realized capital gains in an
amount equal to or in excess of its stated distribution in
a given year, the Fund may return capital as part of such
distribution, which may have the effect of decreasing the
asset coverage per share with respect to the Funds
preferred stock. Any return of capital should not be
considered by investors as yield or total return on their
investment in the Fund. |
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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Fund made
distributions of $0.63 per share of common stock, none of
which constituted a return of capital. The composition of
each distribution is estimated based on the earnings of
the Fund as of the record date for each distribution. The
actual composition of each of the current years
distributions will be based on the Funds investment
activity through the end of the calendar year. |
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Limitations on Distributions.
If at any time the Fund has borrowings outstanding, the Fund will be
prohibited from paying any distributions on any of its common stock
(other than in additional stock), and from repurchasing any of its common
stock or preferred stock, unless, the value of its total assets, less certain
ordinary course liabilities, exceed 300% of the amount of the debt outstanding
and exceed 200% of the sum of the amount of debt and preferred stock outstanding.
In addition, in such circumstances the Fund will be prohibited from paying any sister
distributions on its preferred stock unless the value of its total assets, less
certain ordinary course liabilities, exceed 200% of the amount of debt outstanding.
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See Dividends and Distributions. |
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Use of Proceeds
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The Fund will use the net proceeds from the offering to
purchase portfolio securities in accordance with its
Investment Objectives and Policies. See Use of Proceeds. Proceeds will
be invested as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to be
substantially completed within three months; however, changes in market conditions could result
in the Funds anticipated investment period extending as long as six months. |
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Exchange Listing
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The Funds outstanding shares of common stock are listed
on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), under the trading
or ticker symbol GGT. Currently, the Series B
Preferred is listed on the NYSE under the symbol GGT
PrB. See Description of Capital Stock. Any additional
series of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock issued by the Fund
would also likely be listed on the NYSE. |
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Risk Factors and Special
Considerations
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Risk is inherent in all investing. Therefore, before
investing in the Funds preferred stock, you should
consider the risks carefully. See Risk Factors and
Special Considerations. |
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Leverage Risk. The Fund currently uses, and intends to
continue to use, financial leverage for investment
purposes by issuing preferred stock. As of December 31,
2007, the amount of leverage represented approximately 20%
of the Funds total assets. The Funds leveraged capital
structure creates special risks not associated with
unleveraged funds having similar investment objectives and
policies. These include the possibility of greater loss
and the likelihood of higher volatility of the net asset
value of the Fund and the asset coverage for preferred
stock. Such volatility may increase the likelihood of the
Fund having to sell investments in order to meet its
obligations to make distributions on the preferred stock,
or to redeem preferred stock when it may be
disadvantageous to do so. Also, if the Fund is utilizing
leverage, a decline in net asset value could affect the
ability of the Fund to make common stock distributions and
such a failure to pay dividends or make distributions
could result in the Fund ceasing to qualify as a regulated
investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the Code). See Taxation. |
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Special Risks to Holders of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock.
Prior to any offering, there will be no public market for
Fixed Rate Preferred Stock. In the event any additional
series of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock are issued, prior
application will have been made to list such shares on a
national securities exchange, which will likely be the
NYSE. However, during an initial period, which is not
expected to exceed 30 days after the date of its initial
issuance, such shares may not be listed on any securities
exchange. During such period, the underwriters may make a
market in such shares, although they will have no
obligation to do so. Consequently, an investment in such
shares may be illiquid during such period. Shares of Fixed
Rate Preferred Stock may trade at a premium to or discount
from liquidation value for various reasons, including
changes in interest rates. |
|
|
|
|
|
Special Risks for Holders of Variable Rate Preferred Stock. |
|
|
|
|
|
Auction Risk. You may not be able to sell your Variable
Rate Preferred Stock at an auction if the auction fails,
i.e., if more Variable Rate Preferred Stock is offered for
sale than there are buyers for those shares. Also, if you
place an order (a hold order) at an auction to retain
Variable Rate Preferred Stock only at a specified rate
that exceeds the rate set at the auction, you will not
retain your Variable Rate Preferred Stock. Additionally,
if you place a hold order without specifying a rate below
which you would not wish to continue to hold your shares
and the auction sets a below-market rate, you will receive
a lower rate of return on your shares than the market
rate. Finally, the dividend period may be changed, subject
to certain conditions and with notice to the holders of
the Variable Rate Preferred Stock, which could also affect
the liquidity of your investment. Due to recent market turmoil most auction-rate preferred stock,
including our Series C Auction Rate Preferred, has been unable to hold successful auctions and
holders of such stock have suffered reduced liquidity. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Secondary Market Risk. If you try to sell your Variable
Rate Preferred Stock between auctions, you may not be able
to sell them for their liquidation preference per share or
such amount per share plus accumulated dividends. If the
Fund has designated a special dividend period of more than
seven days, changes in interest rates could affect the
price you would receive if you sold your shares in the
secondary market. Broker-dealers that maintain a secondary
trading market for the Variable Rate Preferred Stock are
not required to maintain this market, and the Fund is not
required to redeem Variable Rate Preferred Stock if either
an auction or an attempted secondary market sale fails
because of a lack of buyers. The Variable Rate Preferred
Stock will not be registered on a stock exchange. If you
sell your Variable Rate Preferred Stock to a broker-dealer
between auctions, you may receive less than the price you
paid for them, especially when market interest rates have
risen since the last auction or during a special dividend
period. Due to recent market turmoil most auction-rate preferred stock,
including our Series C Auction Rate Preferred, has been unable to hold successful
auctions and holders of such stock have suffered reduced liquidity, including the
inability to sell such stock in a secondary market. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock Distribution Policy Risk. The Fund has
adopted a policy, which may be changed at any time by the
Board, of paying a minimum annual distribution of 5% of
the average net asset value of the Fund to common
shareholders. In the event the Fund does not generate a
total return from dividends and interest received and net
realized capital gains in an amount equal to or in excess
of its stated distribution in a given year, the Fund may
return capital as part of such distribution, which may
have the effect of decreasing the asset coverage per share
with respect to the preferred shares. Any return of
capital should not be considered by investors as yield or
total return on their investment in the Fund. For the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Fund made
distributions of $0.63 per share of |
- 6 -
|
|
|
|
|
common stock, none of
which constituted a return of capital. The composition of
each distribution is estimated based on the earnings of
the Fund as of the record date for each distribution. The
actual composition of each of the current years
distributions will be based on the Funds investment
activity through the end of the calendar year. |
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Diversified Status. As a non-diversified, closed-end
management investment company under the 1940 Act, the Fund
may invest a greater portion of its assets in a more
limited number of issuers than may a diversified fund, and
accordingly, an investment in the Fund may, under certain
circumstances, present greater risk to an investor than an
investment in a diversified company. See Risk Factors and
Special ConsiderationsNon-Diversified Status. |
|
|
|
|
|
Industry Concentration Risk. The Fund invests a
significant portion of its assets in companies in the
telecommunications, media, publishing and entertainment
industries and, as a result, the value of the Funds
shares will be more susceptible to the factors affecting
those particular types of companies, including government
regulation, greater price volatility for the overall
market, rapid obsolescence of products and services,
intense competition and strong market reactions to
technological developments. See Risk Factors and Special
ConsiderationsIndustry Concentration Risk. |
|
|
|
|
|
Smaller Companies Risk. The Fund invests in smaller
companies which may benefit from the development of new
products and services. These smaller companies may involve
greater investment risk than large, established issuers.
See Risk Factors and Special Considerations Smaller
Companies. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest Rate Transactions. The Fund has entered into two
interest rate swap transactions with respect to its
outstanding Series C Auction Rate Preferred and may enter
into an interest rate swap or cap transaction with respect
to all or a portion of any future series of Variable Rate
Preferred Stock. Through these transactions, the Fund
seeks to obtain the equivalent of a fixed rate for a
series of Variable Rate Preferred Stock that is lower than
the rate the Fund would have to pay if it issued Fixed
Rate Preferred Stock. The use of interest rate swaps and
caps is a highly specialized activity that involves
certain risks to the Fund including, among others,
counterparty risk and early termination risk. The
Fund will enter into an interest rate swap or cap transaction only
with counterparties that the Investment Adviser believes are
creditworthy. Further, the Investment adviser monitors the
credit-worthiness of a counterparty in an interest rate swap or cap
transaction on an ongoing basis. See How the
Fund Manages RiskInterest Rate Transactions. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign Securities. There is no limitation on the amount
of foreign securities in which the Fund may invest.
Investing in securities of foreign companies (or foreign
governments), which are generally denominated in foreign
currencies, may involve certain risks and opportunities
not typically associated with investing in domestic
companies and could cause the Fund to be affected
favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange
rates and revaluation of currencies. See Risk Factors and
Special ConsiderationsForeign Securities. |
|
|
|
|
|
Dependence on Key Personnel. The Investment Adviser is
dependent upon the expertise of Mr. Mario J. Gabelli in
providing advisory services with respect to the Funds
investments. If the Investment Adviser were to lose the
services of Mr. Gabelli, its ability to service the Fund
could be adversely affected. There can be no assurance
that a suitable replacement could be found for Mr. Gabelli
in the event of his death, resignation, retirement or
inability to act on behalf of the Investment Adviser. See
Risk Factors and Special ConsiderationsDependence on Key
Personnel. |
- 7 -
|
|
|
|
|
Taxation. The Fund has qualified, and intends to remain
qualified, for federal income tax purposes as a regulated
investment company. Qualification requires, among other
things, compliance by the Fund with certain distribution
requirements. Statutory limitations on distributions on
the common stock if the Fund fails to satisfy the 1940
Acts asset coverage requirements could jeopardize the
Funds ability to meet such distribution requirements. The
Fund presently intends, however, to purchase or redeem
preferred stock to the extent necessary in order to
maintain compliance with such asset coverage requirements.
See Taxation for a more complete discussion of these and
other federal income tax considerations. |
|
|
|
Management and Fees
|
|
Gabelli Funds, LLC serves as the Funds investment
adviser. The Investment Advisers fee is computed weekly
and paid monthly, equal on an annual basis to 1.00% of the
Funds average weekly net assets including the liquidation
value of preferred stock. The fee paid by the Fund may be
higher when leverage in the form of preferred stock is
utilized, giving the Investment Adviser an incentive to
utilize such leverage. However, the Investment Adviser has
agreed to reduce the management fee on the incremental
assets attributable to the preferred stock during the
fiscal year if the total return of the net asset value of
the common shares of the Fund, including distributions and
advisory fees subject to reduction for that year, does not
exceed the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate
of each particular series of preferred stock for the
period. In other words, if the effective cost of the
leverage for any series of preferred stock exceeds the
total return (based on net asset value) on the Funds
common stock, the Investment Adviser will waive that
portion of its management fee on the incremental assets
attributable to the leverage for that series of preferred
stock to mitigate the negative impact of the leverage on
the common shareholders total return. This fee waiver is
voluntary and may be discontinued at any time. The Funds
total return on the net asset value of the common stock is
monitored on a monthly basis to assess whether the total
return on the net asset value of the common stock exceeds
the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of
each particular series of preferred stock for the period.
The test to confirm the accrual of the management fee on
the assets attributable to each particular series of
preferred stock is annual. The Fund will accrue for the
management fee on these assets during the fiscal year if
it appears probable that the Fund will incur the
management fee on those additional assets. See Management
of the Fund. |
|
|
|
|
|
For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Funds total
return on the net asset value of the common stock exceeded
the stated dividend rate or net swap expense of all
outstanding preferred stock. Thus, management fees were
accrued on these assets. |
|
|
|
|
|
A discussion regarding the basis for the Boards approval
of the continuation of the investment advisory contract of
the Fund is available in the Funds semi-annual report to
shareholders dated June 30, 2007. |
|
|
|
|
|
Over the past several years, the staff of the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the Staff), the staff of the
New York Attorney Generals office (the NYAG) and
officials of other states have been conducting
industry-wide inquiries into, and bringing enforcement and
other proceedings regarding, trading abuses involving
open-end investment companies. The Investment Adviser and
its affiliates have received information requests and |
- 8 -
|
|
|
|
|
subpoenas from the Staff and the NYAG in connection with
these inquiries and have been complying with these
requests for documents and testimony. The Investment
Adviser has implemented additional compliance policies and
procedures in response to recent industry initiatives and
its internal reviews of its mutual fund practices in a
variety of areas. For further details regarding the
Investment Advisers review in connection with these
requests, see Management of the FundRegulatory Matters. |
|
|
|
|
Repurchase of Common Stock
|
|
The Board has authorized the Fund to repurchase up to
1,700,000 shares of its common stock on the open market
when the shares are trading at a discount of 10% or more
(or such other percentage as the Board may determine from
time to time) from the net
asset value of the shares. Although the Funds Board has authorized such repurchases,
the Fund is not required to repurchase its common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Fund
repurchased 17,000 shares of its common stock in the open
market at a cost of $230,817 and an average discount of
approximately 12.14% from its net asset value. All shares
of common stock repurchased have been retired. Such
repurchases are subject to certain notice and other
requirements under the 1940 Act. See Repurchase of Common
Stock. |
|
|
|
|
Anti-Takeover Provisions
|
|
Certain provisions of the Charter and the By-Laws of the
Fund, as amended from time to time (the By-Laws and
together with the Charter, the Governing Documents), may
be regarded as anti-takeover provisions. Pursuant to
these provisions, only one of the three classes of
directors is elected each year, and the affirmative vote
of the holders of 66 2/3% of the Funds outstanding shares
of each class (voting separately) is required to authorize
the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an
open-end investment company. The overall effect of these
provisions is to render more difficult the accomplishment
of a merger with, or the assumption of control by, a
principal stockholder. These provisions may have the
effect of depriving Fund stockholders of an opportunity to
sell their stock at a premium to the prevailing market
price. See Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Funds
Governing Documents. |
|
|
|
Custodian, Transfer Agent,
Auction Agent and Dividend
Disbursing Agent
|
|
State Street Bank and Trust Company (the Custodian),
located at 1776 Heritage Drive, North Quincy,
Massachusetts 02171, serves as the custodian of the Funds
assets pursuant to a custody agreement. Under the custody
agreement, the Custodian holds the Funds assets in
compliance with the 1940 Act. For its services, the
Custodian will receive a monthly fee based upon the
average weekly value of the total assets of the Fund, plus
certain charges for securities transactions. |
|
|
|
|
|
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (Computershare),
located at 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021,
serves as the Funds dividend disbursing agent, as agent
under the Funds automatic dividend reinvestment and
voluntary cash purchase plan (the Plan), and as transfer
agent and registrar with respect to the common stock of
the Fund. |
|
|
|
|
|
Computershare also serves as the transfer agent,
registrar, dividend paying agent and redemption agent with
respect to the Series B Preferred. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Bank of New York, located at 100 Church Street, New
York, New York 10286, serves as the auction agent,
transfer agent, registrar, dividend paying agent and
redemption agent with respect to the Series C Auction Rate
Preferred. See Custodian, Transfer Agent, Auction Agent
and Dividend Disbursing Agent. |
- 9 -
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Investment Adviser expects that it will initially invest the proceeds of the offering in
high quality short-term debt securities and instruments. The Investment Adviser anticipates that
the investment of the proceeds will be made in accordance with the Funds investment objectives and
policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to substantially
be completed within three months; however, changes in market conditions could result in the Funds
anticipated investment period extending to as long as six months.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The selected data below sets forth the per share operating performance and ratios for the
period presented. The financial information was derived from and should be read in conjunction with
the Financial Statements of the Fund and Notes thereto, which are incorporated by reference into
this Prospectus and the SAI. The financial information for the fiscal years ended December 31,
2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003 has been audited by , the Funds independent registered
public accounting firm, whose unqualified report on such Financial Statements is incorporated by
reference into the SAI.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selected Data For A Common Share |
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
Outstanding Throughout Each Period: |
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
Operating Performance: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period |
|
$ |
14.09 |
|
|
$ |
11.77 |
|
|
$ |
12.27 |
|
|
$ |
10.56 |
|
|
$ |
7.67 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income (loss) |
|
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
0.29 |
|
|
|
0.16 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
(0.03 |
) |
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments, swap contracts
and foreign currency transactions |
|
|
1.15 |
|
|
|
2.85 |
|
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
1.79 |
|
|
|
3.14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total from Investment Operations |
|
|
1.25 |
|
|
|
3.14 |
|
|
|
0.25 |
|
|
|
1.83 |
|
|
|
3.11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions to Preferred Shareholders:(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
|
|
(0.02 |
) |
|
|
(0.07 |
) |
|
|
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
(0.04 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net realized gain on investments, swap contracts and foreign
currency transactions |
|
|
(0.18 |
) |
|
|
(0.12 |
) |
|
|
(0.13 |
) |
|
|
(0.09 |
) |
|
|
(0.13 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions to preferred shareholders |
|
|
(0.20 |
) |
|
|
(0.19 |
) |
|
|
(0.16 |
) |
|
|
(0.13 |
) |
|
|
(0.13 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Increase in Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders
Resulting from Operations |
|
|
1.05 |
|
|
|
2.95 |
|
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
1.70 |
|
|
|
2.98 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions to Common Shareholders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
|
|
(0.08 |
) |
|
|
(0.23 |
) |
|
|
(0.12 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized gain on investments, swap contracts and foreign
currency transactions |
|
|
(0.67 |
) |
|
|
(0.40 |
) |
|
|
(0.48 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return of capital |
|
|
(0.00 |
)(d) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions to common shareholders |
|
|
(0.75 |
) |
|
|
(0.63 |
) |
|
|
(0.60 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund Share Transactions: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase in net asset value from repurchase of common shares |
|
|
0.00 |
(d) |
|
|
0.00 |
(d) |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
Increase in net asset value from repurchase of preferred shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00 |
(d) |
|
|
|
|
Offering expenses charged to paid-in capital |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.00 |
)(d) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.10 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total fund share transactions |
|
|
0.00 |
(d) |
|
|
0.00 |
(d) |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
(0.09 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value Attributable to Common Shareholders,
End Of Period |
|
$ |
14.39 |
|
|
$ |
14.09 |
|
|
$ |
11.77 |
|
|
$ |
12.27 |
|
|
$ |
10.56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NAV total return + |
|
|
8.03 |
% |
|
|
26.65 |
% |
|
|
1.6 |
% |
|
|
16.2 |
% |
|
|
37.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market value, end of period |
|
$ |
12.89 |
|
|
$ |
12.27 |
|
|
$ |
10.15 |
|
|
$ |
10.68 |
|
|
$ |
9.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment total return ++ |
|
|
11.13 |
% |
|
|
27.89 |
% |
|
|
0.7 |
% |
|
|
17.8 |
% |
|
|
41.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios And Supplemental Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets including liquidation value of preferred shares, end
of period (in 000s) |
|
$ |
251,334 |
|
|
$ |
247,412 |
|
|
$ |
214,907 |
|
|
$ |
223,739 |
|
|
$ |
200,195 |
|
Net assets attributable to common shares, end of period (in 000s) |
|
$ |
201,506 |
|
|
$ |
197,584 |
|
|
$ |
165,079 |
|
|
$ |
173,912 |
|
|
$ |
150,195 |
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets
attributable to common shares before preferred share
distributions |
|
|
0.46 |
% |
|
|
2.17 |
% |
|
|
1.44 |
% |
|
|
0.71 |
% |
|
|
(0.36 |
)% |
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets attributable to
common shares net of advisory fee reduction, if any |
|
|
1.62 |
%(e) |
|
|
1.79 |
%(e) |
|
|
1.55 |
%(e) |
|
|
1.87 |
% |
|
|
1.81 |
% |
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets including
liquidation value of preferred shares net of advisory fee
reduction, if any |
|
|
1.32 |
%(e) |
|
|
1.39 |
%(e) |
|
|
1.20 |
%(e) |
|
|
1.41 |
% |
|
|
1.35 |
% |
Portfolio turnover rate |
|
|
14.5 |
% |
|
|
9.8 |
% |
|
|
12.4 |
% |
|
|
7.5 |
% |
|
|
10.9 |
% |
- 10 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selected Data For A Common Share |
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
Outstanding Throughout Each Period: |
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
Preferred Stock: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.00% Cumulative Preferred Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidation value, end of period (in 000s) |
|
$ |
24,828 |
|
|
$ |
24,828 |
|
|
$ |
24,828 |
|
|
$ |
24,828 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
Total shares outstanding (in 000s) |
|
|
993 |
|
|
|
993 |
|
|
|
993 |
|
|
|
993 |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
Liquidation preference per share |
|
$ |
25.00 |
|
|
$ |
25.00 |
|
|
$ |
25.00 |
|
|
$ |
25.00 |
|
|
$ |
25.00 |
|
Average market value (b) |
|
$ |
24.14 |
|
|
$ |
24.12 |
|
|
$ |
25.00 |
|
|
$ |
24.84 |
|
|
$ |
25.28 |
|
Asset coverage per share |
|
$ |
126.10 |
|
|
$ |
124.13 |
|
|
$ |
107.83 |
|
|
$ |
112.26 |
|
|
$ |
100.10 |
|
Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidation value, end of period (in 000s) |
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
Total shares outstanding (in 000s) |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Liquidation preference per share |
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
Average market value (b) |
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
Asset coverage per share |
|
$ |
126,101 |
|
|
$ |
124,134 |
|
|
$ |
107,825 |
|
|
$ |
112,257 |
|
|
$ |
100,097 |
|
Asset Coverage (c) |
|
|
504 |
% |
|
|
497 |
% |
|
|
431 |
% |
|
|
449 |
% |
|
|
400 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Based on net asset value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions at prices
obtained under the Funds dividend reinvestment plan. |
|
|
|
Based on market value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions at prices
obtained under the Funds dividend reinvestment plan. |
|
(a) |
|
Calculated based upon average common shares outstanding on the record dates throughout the
year. |
|
(b) |
|
Based on weekly prices. |
|
(c) |
|
Asset coverage is calculated by combining all series of preferred stock. |
|
(d) |
|
Amount represents less than $0.005 per share. |
|
(e) |
|
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, the effect of the custodian fee credits
was minimal. |
- 11 -
THE FUND
The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the
1940 Act. The Fund was organized as a Maryland corporation on May 31, 1994. The Fund commenced its
investment operations on November 15, 1994. The Funds principal office is located at One Corporate
Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
Investment Objectives
The Funds primary investment objective is to achieve long-term growth of capital by investing
primarily in the common stock and other securities of foreign and domestic companies involved in
the telecommunications, media, publishing and entertainment industries. Income is the secondary
investment objective. The investment objectives of long-term growth of capital and income are
fundamental policies of the Fund. The Funds policy of concentration in companies in the
communications industries is also a fundamental policy of the Fund. These fundamental policies and
the investment limitations described in the SAI under the caption Investment Restrictions cannot
be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting
securities. Such majority votes require, in each case, the lesser of (i) 67% of the Funds
applicable shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the Funds applicable shares
outstanding are represented, whether in person or by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of the applicable class.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of the value of its assets
in common stock and other securities, including convertible securities, preferred stock, options,
and warrants of companies in the telecommunications, media, publishing, and entertainment
industries. A company will be considered to be in these industries if it derives at least 50% of its revenues or earnings from, or devotes at least 50% of its assets to, the indicated activities or
multimedia-related activities.
The 80% Policy may be changed without shareholder approval. The Fund will provide
shareholders with notice at least 60 days prior to the implementation of any change in the 80%
Policy.
The telecommunications companies in which the Fund may invest are engaged in the development,
manufacture or sale of communications services or equipment throughout the world, including the
following products or services: regular telephone service; wireless communications services and
equipment, including cellular telephone, microwave and satellite communications, paging, and other
emerging wireless technologies; equipment and services for both data and voice transmission,
including computer hardware and software; electronic components and communications equipment; video
conferencing; electronic mail; local and wide area networking, and linkage of data and word
processing systems; publishing and information systems; video text and teletext; emerging
technologies combining television, telephone and computer systems; broadcasting, including
television and radio, satellite and microwave transmission and cable television.
The entertainment, media and publishing companies in which the Fund may invest are engaged in
providing the following products or services: the creation, packaging, distribution, and ownership
of entertainment programming throughout the world, including prerecorded music, feature-length
motion pictures, made-for-TV movies, television series, documentaries, animation, game shows,
sports programming and news programs; live events such as professional sporting events or concerts,
theatrical exhibitions, television and radio broadcasting, satellite and microwave transmission,
cable television systems and programming, broadcast and cable networks, wireless cable television
and other emerging distribution technologies; home video, interactive and multimedia programming,
including home shopping and multiplayer games; publishing, including newspapers, magazines and
books, advertising agencies and niche advertising mediums such as in-store or direct mail; emerging
technologies combining television, telephone and computer systems, computer hardware and software;
and equipment used in the creation and distribution of entertainment programming such as that
required in the provision of broadcast, cable or telecommunications services.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest in securities of issuers located in at least
three countries, which may include the United States. Investing in securities of foreign issuers,
which generally are denominated in foreign currencies, may involve certain risk and opportunity
considerations not typically associated with investing in domestic companies and could cause the
Fund to be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency
exchange rates and revaluations of currencies. For a further discussion of the risks
associated with investing in
- 12 -
foreign securities and a description of other risks inherent in the
Funds investment objectives and policies, see Risk Factors and Special Considerations.
The Investment Adviser believes that at the present time investment by the Fund in the
securities of companies located throughout the world presents great potential for accomplishing the
Funds investment objectives. While the Investment Adviser expects that a substantial portion of
the Funds portfolio may be invested in the securities of domestic companies, a significant portion
of the Funds portfolio may also be comprised of the securities of issuers headquartered outside
the United States.
No assurance can be given that the Funds investment objectives will be achieved.
Investment Methodology of the Fund
In selecting securities for the Fund, the Investment Adviser normally will consider the
following factors, among others:
|
|
the Investment Advisers own evaluations of the private market value (as defined below),
cash flow, earnings per share and other fundamental aspects of the underlying assets and
business of the company; |
|
|
the potential for capital appreciation of the securities; |
|
|
the interest or dividend income generated by the securities; |
|
|
the prices of the securities relative to other comparable securities; |
|
|
whether the securities are entitled to the benefits of call protection or other protective
covenants; |
|
|
the existence of any anti-dilution protections or guarantees of the security; and |
|
|
the diversification of the portfolio of the Fund as to issuers. |
The Investment Advisers investment philosophy with respect to equity securities is to
identify assets that are selling in the public market at a discount to their private market value.
The Investment Adviser defines private market value as the value informed purchasers are willing to
pay to acquire assets with similar characteristics. The Investment Adviser also normally evaluates
an issuers free cash flow and long-term earnings trends. Finally, the Investment Adviser looks for
a catalyst, something indigenous to the company, its industry or country that will surface
additional value.
Certain Investment Practices
Foreign Securities. There is no limitation on the amount of foreign securities in which the
Fund may invest. Among the foreign securities in which the Fund may invest are those issued by
companies located in developing countries, which are countries in the initial stages of their
industrialization cycles. Investing in the equity and debt markets of developing countries involves
exposure to economic structures that are generally less diverse and less mature, and to political
systems that may have less stability, than those of developed countries. The markets of developing
countries historically have been more volatile than the markets of the more mature economies of
developed countries, but often have provided higher rates of return to investors.
The Fund may also invest in the debt securities of foreign governments. Although such
investments are not a principal strategy of the Fund, there is no independent limit on its ability
to invest in the debt securities of foreign governments.
Corporate Reorganizations. The Fund may invest without limit in securities of companies for
which a tender or exchange offer has been made or announced and in securities of companies for
which a merger,
consolidation, liquidation or similar reorganization proposal has been announced if, in the
judgment of the
- 13 -
Investment Adviser, there is a reasonable prospect of capital appreciation
significantly greater than the added portfolio turnover expenses inherent in the short term nature
of such transactions. The principal risk is that such offers or proposals may not be consummated
within the time and under the terms contemplated at the time of the investment, in which case,
unless such offers or proposals are replaced by equivalent or increased offers or proposals that
are consummated, the Fund may sustain a loss.
Temporary Defensive Investments. Subject to the Funds investment restrictions, when a
temporary defensive period is believed by the Investment Adviser to be warranted (temporary
defensive periods), the Fund may, without limitation, hold cash or invest its assets in securities
of United States government sponsored instrumentalities, in repurchase agreements in respect of
those instruments, and in certain high-grade commercial paper instruments. During temporary
defensive periods, the Fund may also invest up to 10% of the market value of its total assets in
money market mutual funds that invest primarily in securities of United States government sponsored
instrumentalities and repurchase agreements in respect of those instruments. Obligations of certain
agencies and instrumentalities of the United States government, such as the Government National
Mortgage Association, are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States government;
others, such as those of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, are supported by the right of
the issuer to borrow from the United States Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal National
Mortgage Association, are supported by the discretionary authority of the United States government
to purchase the agencys obligations; and still others, such as those of the Student Loan Marketing
Association, are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. No assurance can be given
that the United States government would provide financial support to United States government
sponsored instrumentalities if it is not obligated to do so by law. During temporary defensive
periods, the Fund may be less likely to achieve its secondary investment objective of income.
Further information on the investment objectives and policies of the Fund are set forth in the
SAI.
Special Investment Methods
Options. On behalf of the Fund, the Investment Adviser may, subject to guidelines of the
Board, purchase or sell (i.e., write) options on securities, securities indices and foreign
currencies which are listed on a national securities exchange or in the U.S. over-the-counter
(OTC) markets as a means of achieving additional return or of hedging the value of the Funds
portfolio. The Fund may write covered call options on common stocks that it owns or has an
immediate right to acquire through conversion or exchange of other securities in an amount not to
exceed 25% of total assets or invest up to 10% of its total assets in the purchase of put options
on common stocks that the Fund owns or may acquire through the conversion or exchange of other
securities that it owns.
A call option is a contract that gives the holder of the option the right to buy from the
writer (seller) of the call option, in return for a premium paid, the security underlying the
option at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option.
The writer of the call option has the obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver the
underlying security upon payment of the exercise price during the option period.
A put option is a contract that gives the holder of the option the right to sell to the writer
(seller), in return for the premium, the underlying security at a specified price during the term
of the option. The writer of the put, who receives the premium, has the obligation to buy the
underlying security upon exercise, at the exercise price during the option period.
If the Fund has written an option, it may terminate its obligation by effecting a closing
purchase transaction. This is accomplished by purchasing an option of the same series as the option
previously written. There can be no assurance that a closing purchase transaction can be effected
when the Fund so desires.
An exchange traded option may be closed out only on an exchange which provides a secondary
market for an option of the same series. Although the Fund will generally purchase or write only
those options for which there
appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market
on an exchange will exist for any particular option.
- 14 -
See Investment Objectives and PoliciesInvestment Practices in the SAI.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures. On behalf of the Fund, the Investment Adviser may,
subject to the Funds investment restrictions and guidelines of the Board, purchase and sell
financial futures contracts and options thereon which are traded on a commodities exchange or board
of trade for certain hedging, yield enhancement and risk management purposes. These futures
contracts and related options may be on debt securities, financial indices, securities indices,
United States government securities and foreign currencies. A financial futures contract is an
agreement to purchase or sell an agreed amount of securities or currencies at a set price for
delivery in the future.
The Investment Adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term commodity
pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act and therefore is not subject to the registration
requirements under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Funds investments in derivative
instruments are not limited by or subject to regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act or
otherwise regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Nevertheless, the Funds
investment restrictions place certain limitations and prohibitions on its ability to purchase or
sell commodities or commodity contracts. In addition, investment in futures contracts and related
options generally will be limited by the rating agency guidelines applicable to any of the Funds
outstanding preferred stock.
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts. Subject to guidelines of the Board, the Fund may enter
into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to protect the value of its portfolio against
future changes in the level of currency exchange rates. The Fund may enter into such contracts on a
spot (i.e., cash) basis at the rate then prevailing in the currency exchange market or on a
forward basis, by entering into a forward contract to purchase or sell currency. A forward contract
on foreign currency is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date,
which may be any fixed number of days agreed upon by the parties from the date of the contract at a
price set on the date of the contract. The Funds dealings in forward contracts generally will be
limited to hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio positions. The Fund does not
have an independent limitation on its investments in foreign currency futures contracts and options
on foreign currency futures contracts.
Special Risks of Derivative Transactions. Participation in the options or futures markets and
in currency exchange transactions involves investment risks and transaction costs to which the Fund
would not be subject absent the use of these strategies. If the Investment Advisers prediction of
movements in the direction of the securities, foreign currency and interest rate markets are
inaccurate, the consequences to the Fund may leave the Fund in a worse position than if such
strategies were not used. Risks inherent in the use of options, foreign currency, futures contracts
and options on futures contracts, securities indices and foreign currencies include:
|
|
dependence on the Investment Advisers ability to predict correctly movements in the
direction of interest rates, securities prices and currency markets; |
|
|
imperfect correlation between the price of options and futures contracts and options
thereon and movements in the prices of the securities or currencies being hedged; |
|
|
the fact that skills needed to use these strategies are different from those needed to
select portfolio securities; |
|
|
the possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument at any
time; |
|
|
the possible need to defer closing out certain hedged positions to avoid adverse tax
consequences; and |
|
|
the possible inability of the Fund to purchase or sell a security at a time that otherwise
would be favorable for it to do so, or the possible need for the Fund to sell a security at a
disadvantageous time due to a need for the Fund to maintain cover or to segregate securities
in connection with the hedging techniques. |
See Risk Factors and Special ConsiderationsFutures Transactions.
- 15 -
Short Sales Against the Box. The Fund may from time to time make short sales of securities.
The market value for the securities sold short by any one issuer will not exceed 5% of the Funds
total assets or 5% of such issuers voting securities. The Fund may not make short sales or
maintain a short position if it would cause more than 25% of the Funds total assets, taken at
market value, to be held as collateral for such sales. The Fund may also make short sales against
the box. A short sale is against the box to the extent that the Fund contemporaneously owns or
has the right to obtain at no added cost securities identical to those sold short. In a short sale,
the Fund does not immediately deliver the securities sold or receive the proceeds from the sale.
To secure its obligations to deliver the securities sold short, the Fund will deposit in
escrow in a separate account with its custodian an equal amount to the securities sold short or
securities convertible into, or exchangeable for such securities. The Fund may close out a short
position by purchasing and delivering an equal amount of the securities sold short, rather than by
delivering securities already held by the Fund, because the Fund may want to continue to receive
interest and dividend payments on securities in its portfolio that are convertible into the
securities sold short.
The Fund may make a short sale in order to hedge against market risks when it believes that
the price of a security may decline, causing a decline in the value of a security owned by the Fund
or a security convertible into, or exchangeable for, such security, or when the Fund does not want
to sell the security it owns. Such short sale transactions may be subject to special tax rules, one
of the effects of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund. Additionally, the Fund may use
short sales in conjunction with the purchase of a convertible security when it is determined that a
convertible security can be bought at a small conversion premium and has a yield advantage relative
to the underlying common stock sold short.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with banks and non-bank
dealers of United States government securities which are listed as reporting dealers of the Federal
Reserve Bank and which furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of
their repurchase obligation. In a repurchase agreement, the Fund purchases a debt security from a
seller who undertakes to repurchase the security at a specified resale price on an agreed future
date. Repurchase agreements are generally for one business day and generally will not have a
duration of longer than one week. The Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) has taken the
position that, in economic reality, a repurchase agreement is a loan by a fund to the other party
to the transaction secured by securities transferred to the fund. The resale price generally
exceeds the purchase price by an amount which reflects an agreed upon market interest rate for the
term of the repurchase agreement. The Funds risk is primarily that, if the seller defaults, the
proceeds from the disposition of the underlying securities and other collateral for the sellers
obligation may be less than the repurchase price. If the seller becomes insolvent, the Fund might
be delayed in or prevented from selling the collateral. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by
a seller, the Fund will promptly seek to liquidate the collateral. To the extent that the proceeds
from any sale of the collateral upon a default in the obligation to repurchase is less than the
repurchase price, the Fund will experience a loss. If the financial institution that is a party to
the repurchase agreement petitions for bankruptcy or becomes subject to the United States
Bankruptcy Code, the law regarding the rights of the Fund is unsettled. As a result, under extreme
circumstances, there may be a restriction on the Funds ability to sell the collateral and the Fund
could suffer a loss.
Loans of Portfolio Securities. To increase income, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities
to securities broker-dealers or financial institutions if (i) the loan is collateralized in
accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and (ii) no loan will cause the value of all
loaned securities to exceed 20% of the value of its total assets.
If the borrower fails to maintain the requisite amount of collateral, the loan automatically
terminates and the Fund could use the collateral to replace the securities while holding the
borrower liable for any excess of replacement cost over the value of the collateral. As with any
extension of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in some cases even loss of rights in
collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. While these loans of portfolio
securities will be made in accordance with guidelines approved by the Funds Board, there can be no
assurance that borrowers will not fail financially. On termination of the loan, the borrower is
required to return the securities to the Fund, and any gain or loss in the market price during the
loan would inure to the Fund. If the counterparty to the loan petitions for bankruptcy or becomes
subject to the United States Bankruptcy Code, the law
regarding the Funds rights is unsettled. As a result, under these circumstances, there may be
a restriction on the Funds ability to sell the collateral and it would suffer a loss.
- 16 -
Borrowing. The Fund may borrow money in accordance with its investment restrictions, including
as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes. It may not borrow for investment
purposes.
Leveraging. As provided in the 1940 Act, and subject to compliance with the Funds investment
limitations, the Fund may issue senior securities representing stock, such as preferred stock, so
long as immediately following such issuance of stock, its total assets exceed 200% of the amount of
such stock. The use of leverage magnifies the impact of changes in net asset value. For example, a
fund that uses 33% leverage will show a 1.5% increase or decline in net asset value for each 1%
increase or decline in the value of its total assets. In addition, if the cost of leverage exceeds
the return on the securities acquired with the proceeds of leverage, the use of leverage will
diminish, rather than enhance, the return to the Fund. The use of leverage generally increases the
volatility of returns to the Fund.
Further information on the investment objectives and policies of the Fund is set forth in the
SAI.
Investment Restrictions. The Fund has adopted certain investment restrictions as fundamental
policies of the Fund. Under the 1940 Act, a fundamental policy may not be changed without the vote
of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (voting
together as a single class). The Funds investment restrictions are more fully discussed under
Investment Restrictions in the SAI.
Portfolio Turnover. The Fund will buy and sell securities to accomplish its investment
objective. The investment policies of the Fund may lead to frequent changes in investments,
particularly in periods of rapidly fluctuating interest or currency exchange rates. The portfolio
turnover may be higher than that of other investment companies.
Portfolio turnover generally involves some expense to the Fund, including brokerage
commissions or dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of securities and
reinvestment in other securities. The portfolio turnover rate is computed by dividing the lesser of
the amount of the securities purchased or securities sold by the average monthly value of
securities owned during the year (excluding securities whose maturities at acquisition were one
year or less). High portfolio turnover may also result in the realization of substantial net
short-term capital gains and any distributions resulting from such gains will be taxable at
ordinary income rates for United States federal income tax purposes. The Funds portfolio turnover
rates for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007 were 9.8% and 14.7%, respectively.
- 17 -
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Investors should consider the following risk factors and special considerations associated
with investing in the Fund:
Leverage Risk
The Fund uses financial leverage for investment purposes by issuing preferred stock. As of
December 31, 2007, the amount of leverage represented approximately 20% of the Funds total assets.
The Series B Preferred and Series C Auction Rate Preferred have the same seniority with respect to
distributions and liquidation preference. Preferred stock has seniority over common stock.
The Funds use of leverage, which can be described as exposure to changes in price at a ratio
greater than the amount of equity invested, either through the issuance of preferred stock or other
forms of market exposure, magnifies both the favorable and unfavorable effects of price movements
in the investments made by the Fund. The Funds leveraged capital structure creates special risks
not associated with unleveraged funds having similar investment objectives and policies. The Fund
cannot assure that the issuance of preferred stock will result in a higher yield or return to the
holders of the common stock.
|
|
|
Preferred Stock Risk. The issuance of preferred stock causes the net asset value and
market value of the common stock to become more volatile. If the dividend rate on the
preferred stock approaches the net rate of return on the Funds investment portfolio,
the benefit of leverage to the holders of the common stock would be reduced. If the
dividend rate on the preferred stock plus the management fee annual rate of 1.00% (as
applicable) exceeds the net rate of return on the Funds portfolio, the leverage will
result in a lower rate of return to the holders of common stock than if the Fund had
not issued preferred stock. |
|
|
|
|
Any decline in the net asset value of the Funds investments would be borne entirely
by the holders of common stock. Therefore, if the market value of the Funds
portfolio declines, the leverage will result in a greater decrease in net asset
value to the holders of common stock than if the Fund were not leveraged. This
greater net asset value decrease will also tend to cause a greater decline in the
market price for the common stock. The Fund might be in danger of failing to
maintain the required asset coverage of the preferred stock or of losing its ratings
on the preferred stock or, in an extreme case, the Funds current investment income
might not be sufficient to meet the dividend requirements on the preferred stock. In
order to counteract such an event, the Fund might need to liquidate investments in
order to fund a redemption of some or all of the preferred stock. |
|
|
|
|
In addition, the Fund would pay (and the holders of common stock will bear) all
costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred shares, including the advisory fees on the incremental assets attributable to such shares. |
|
|
|
|
Holders of preferred stock may have different interests than holders of common stock
and may at times have disproportionate influence over the Funds affairs. Holders of
preferred stock, voting separately as a single class, would have the right to elect
two members of the Board at all times and in the event dividends become two full
years in arrears would have the right to elect a majority of the Directors until
such arrearage is completely eliminated. In addition, preferred shareholders have
class voting rights on certain matters, including changes in fundamental investment
restrictions and conversion of the fund to open-end status, and accordingly can veto
any such changes. |
|
|
|
|
Restrictions imposed on the declarations and payment of dividends or other
distributions to the holders of the Funds common stock and preferred stock, both by
the 1940 Act and by requirements imposed by rating agencies, might impair the Funds
ability to maintain its
qualification as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes.
While the Fund |
- 18 -
|
|
|
intends to redeem its preferred stock to the extent necessary to
enable the Fund to distribute its income as required to maintain its qualification
as a regulated investment company under the Code, there can be no assurance that
such actions can be effected in time to meet the Code requirements. |
Special Risks to Holders of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock
Illiquidity Prior to Exchange Listing. Prior to the offering, there will be no public market
for any additional series of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock. In the event any additional series of
Fixed Rate Preferred Stock are issued, prior application will have been made to list such shares on
a national securities exchange, which will likely be the NYSE. However, during an initial period,
which is not expected to exceed 30 days after the date of its initial issuance, such shares may not
be listed on any securities exchange. During such period, the underwriters may make a market in
such shares, though, they will have no obligation to do so. Consequently, an investment in such
shares may be illiquid during such period.
Market Price Fluctuation. Shares of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock may trade at a premium to or
discount from liquidation value for various reasons, including changes in interest rates.
Special Risks for Holders of Variable Rate Preferred Stock
Auction Risk. You may not be able to sell your Variable Rate Preferred Stock at an auction if
the auction fails, i.e., if more Variable Rate Preferred Stock is offered for sale than there are
buyers for those shares. Also, if you place an order (a hold order) at an auction to retain
Variable Rate Preferred Stock only at a specified rate that exceeds the rate set at the auction,
you will not retain your Variable Rate Preferred Stock. Additionally, if you place a hold order
without specifying a rate below which you would not wish to continue to hold your shares and the
auction sets a below-market rate, you will receive a lower rate of return on your shares than the
market rate. Finally, the dividend period may be changed, subject to certain conditions and with
notice to the holders of the Variable Rate Preferred Stock, which could also affect the liquidity
of your investment. Due to recent market turmoil most
auction-rate preferred stock,
including our Series C Auction Rate Preferred,
has been unable to hold successful auctions and holders of such stock have
suffered reduced liquidity.
Secondary Market Risk. If you try to sell your Variable Rate Preferred Stock between auctions,
you may not be able to sell them for their liquidation preference per share or such amount per
share plus accumulated dividends. If the Fund has designated a special dividend period of more than
seven days, changes in interest rates could affect the price you would receive if you sold your
shares in the secondary market. Broker-dealers that maintain a secondary trading market for the
Variable Rate Preferred Stock are not required to maintain this market, and the Fund is not
required to redeem Variable Rate Preferred Stock if either an auction or an attempted secondary
market sale fails because of a lack of buyers. The Variable Rate Preferred Stock will not be
registered on a stock exchange. If you sell your Variable Rate Preferred Stock to a broker-dealer
between auctions, you may receive less than the price you paid for them, especially when market
interest rates have risen since the last auction or during a special
dividend period. Due to recent market turmoil most
auction-rate preferred stock, including our Series C
Auction Rate Preferred, has been unable to hold successful
auctions and holders of such stock have suffered reduced liquidity,
including the inability to sell such stock in a secondary market.
Common Stock Distribution Policy Risk
The Fund has adopted a policy, which may be changed at any time by the Board, of paying a
minimum annual distribution of 5% of the average net asset value of the Fund to common
shareholders. In the event the Fund does not generate a total return from dividends and interest
received and net realized capital gains in an amount equal to or in excess of its stated
distribution in a given year, the Fund may return capital as part of such distribution, which may
have the effect of decreasing the asset coverage per share with respect to the Funds preferred
stock. Any return of capital should not be considered by investors as yield or total return on
their investment in the Fund. For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Fund made distributions of $0.63 per share of
common stock, none of
- 19 -
which constituted a return of capital. The composition of each distribution
is estimated based on the earnings of the Fund as of the record date for each distribution. The
actual composition of each of the current years distributions will be based on the Funds
investment activity through the end of the calendar year.
Industry Concentration Risk
The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in companies in the telecommunications,
media, publishing and entertainment industries and, as a result, the value of the Funds shares is
more susceptible to factors affecting those particular types of companies and those industries,
including governmental regulation, a greater price volatility than the overall market, rapid
obsolescence of products and services, intense competition and strong market reactions to
technological developments.
Various types of ownership restrictions are imposed by the Federal Communications Commission,
or FCC, on investment in media companies and cellular licensees. For example, the FCCs broadcast
and cable multiple-ownership and cross-ownership rules, which apply to the radio, television and
cable industries, provide that investment advisers are deemed to have an attributable interest
whenever the adviser has the right to determine how five percent or more of the issued and
outstanding voting stock of a broadcast company or cable system operator may be voted. These rules
limit the number of broadcast stations both locally and nationally that a single entity
is permitted to own, operate, or control and prohibit ownership of certain competitive
communications providers in the same location. The FCC also applies limited ownership restrictions
on cellular licensees serving rural areas. An attributable interest in a cellular company arises
from the right to control 20 percent or more of its voting stock.
Attributable interests that may result from the role of the Investment Adviser and its
principals in connection with other funds, managed accounts and companies may limit the Funds
ability to invest in certain mass media and cellular companies.
Smaller Companies
While the Fund intends to focus on the securities of established suppliers of accepted
products and services, the Fund may also invest in smaller companies which may benefit from the
development of new products and services. These smaller companies may present greater opportunities
for capital appreciation, and may also involve greater investment risk than larger, more
established companies. For example, smaller companies may have more limited product lines, market
or financial resources, and their securities may trade less frequently and in lower volume than the
securities of larger, more established companies. As a result, the prices of the securities of such
smaller companies may fluctuate to a greater degree than the prices of securities of other issuers.
Long-Term Objective; Not a Complete Investment Program
The Fund is intended for investors seeking long-term capital growth. The Fund is not meant to
provide a vehicle for those who wish to exploit short-term swings in the stock market. An
investment in shares of the Fund should not be considered a complete investment program. Each
shareholder should take into account the Funds investment objectives as well as the shareholders
other investments when considering an investment in the Fund.
Non-Diversified Status
The Fund is classified as a non-diversified investment company under the 1940 Act, which
means it is not limited by the 1940 Act in the proportion of its assets that may be invested in the
securities of a single issuer. As a non-diversified investment company, the Fund may invest in the
securities of individual issuers to a greater degree than a diversified investment company. As a
result, the Fund may be more vulnerable to events affecting a single issuer and therefore subject
to greater volatility than a fund that is more broadly diversified. Accordingly, an investment in
the Fund may present greater risk to an investor than an investment in a diversified company. To
qualify as a regulated investment company, or RIC, for purposes of the Code, the Fund has in
the past conducted and intends to conduct its operations in a manner that will relieve it of any
liability for federal income tax
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to the extent its earnings are distributed to shareholders. To so qualify as a regulated
investment company, among other requirements, the Fund will limit its investments so that, at the
close of each quarter of the taxable year:
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not more than 25% of the market value of its total assets will be invested in the
securities (other than United States government securities or the securities of other
RICs) of a single issuer, any two or more issuers in which the fund owns 20% or more of
the voting securities and which are determined to be engaged in the same, similar or
related trades or businesses or in the securities of one or more qualified publicly
traded partnerships (as defined in the Code); and |
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at least 50% of the market value of the Funds assets will be represented by cash,
securities of other regulated investment companies, United States government securities
and other securities, with such other securities limited in respect of any one issuer
to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the its assets and not more than 10%
of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer. |
Market Value and Net Asset Value
The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. Shares of closed-end
funds are bought and sold in the securities markets and may trade at either a premium to or
discount from net asset value. Listed shares of closed-end investment companies often trade at
discounts from net asset value. This characteristic of shares of a closed-end fund is a risk
separate and distinct from the risk that its net asset value may decrease. The Fund cannot predict
whether its listed stock will trade at, below or above net asset
value. As of March 31, 2008,
the shares traded at a discount of 13.57%. Shareholders desiring liquidity may, subject to
applicable securities laws, trade their Fund shares on the NYSE or other markets on which such
shares may trade at the then-current market value, which may differ from the then-current net asset
value. Shareholders will incur brokerage or other transaction costs to sell stock.
Lower Grade Securities
The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in fixed income securities rated below
investment grade by recognized statistical rating agencies or unrated securities of comparable
quality. These securities, which may be preferred stock or debt, are predominantly speculative and
involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions. Debt securities that are not rated or that are
rated lower than BBB by Standard & Poor's, a Division of
The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (S&P) or lower than Baa by Moodys are referred to in the financial press
as junk bonds.
Generally, such lower grade securities and unrated securities of comparable quality offer a
higher current yield than is offered by higher rated securities, but also (i) will likely have some
quality and protective characteristics that, in the judgment of the rating organizations, are
outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions and (ii) are
predominantly speculative with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal
in accordance with the terms of the obligation. The market values of certain of these securities
also tend to be more sensitive to individual corporate developments and changes in economic
conditions than higher quality securities. In addition, such securities generally present a higher
degree of credit risk. The risk of loss due to default by these issuers is significantly greater
because such lower grade securities and unrated securities of comparable quality generally are
unsecured and frequently are subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. In light of
these risks, the Investment Adviser, in evaluating the creditworthiness of an issue, whether rated
or unrated, will take various factors into consideration, which may include, as applicable, the
issuers operating history, financial resources and its sensitivity to economic conditions and
trends, the market support for the facility financed by the issue, the perceived ability and
integrity of the issuers management and regulatory matters.
In addition, the market value of securities in lower rated categories is more volatile than
that of higher quality securities, and the markets in which such lower rated or unrated securities
are traded are more limited than those in which higher rated securities are traded. The existence
of limited markets may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for
purposes of valuing its portfolio and calculating its net asset value. Moreover, the lack of a
liquid trading market may restrict the availability of securities for the Fund to purchase and
- 21 -
may also have the effect of limiting the ability of the Fund to sell securities at their fair
value in response to changes in the economy or the financial markets.
Lower grade securities also present risks based on payment expectations. If an issuer calls
the obligation for redemption (often a feature of fixed income securities), the Fund may have to
replace the security with a lower yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors.
Also, as the principal value of nonconvertible bonds and preferred stocks moves inversely with
movements in interest rates, in the event of rising interest rates, the value of the securities
held by the Fund may decline proportionately more than a portfolio consisting of higher rated
securities. Investments in zero coupon bonds may be more speculative and subject to greater
fluctuations in value due to changes in interest rates than bonds that pay regular income streams.
As part of its investment in lower grade securities, the Fund may invest in securities of
issuers in default. The Fund will make an investment in securities of issuers in default only when
the Investment Adviser believes that such issuers will honor their obligations or emerge from
bankruptcy protection under a plan pursuant to which the securities received by the Fund in
exchange for its defaulted securities will have a value in excess of the Funds investment. By
investing in securities of issuers in default, the Fund bears the risk that these issuers will not
continue to honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection or that the value of the
securities will not otherwise appreciate.
In addition to using recognized rating agencies and other sources, the Investment Adviser also
performs its own analysis of issues in seeking investments that it believes to be underrated (and
thus higher yielding) in light of the financial condition of the issuer. Its analysis of issuers
may include, among other things, current and anticipated cash flow and borrowing requirements,
value of assets in relation to historical cost, strength of management, responsiveness to business
conditions, credit standing, and current anticipated results of operations. In selecting
investments for the Fund, the Investment Adviser may also consider general business conditions,
anticipated changes in interest rates, and the outlook for specific industries.
Subsequent to its purchase by the Fund, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its
rating may be reduced. In addition, it is possible that statistical rating agencies may change
their ratings of a particular issue to reflect subsequent events. Moreover, such ratings do not
assess the risk of a decline in market value. None of these events will require the sale of the
securities by the Fund, although the Investment Adviser will consider these events in determining
whether the Fund should continue to hold the securities.
The market for lower grade and comparable unrated securities has experienced several periods
of significantly adverse price and liquidity, particularly at or around times of economic
recessions. Past market recessions have adversely affected the value of such securities as well as
the ability of certain issuers of such securities to repay principal and pay interest thereon or to
refinance such securities. The market for those securities may react in a similar fashion in the
future.
Foreign Securities
Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve certain considerations and risks not
ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Foreign companies are not
generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements
comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. Foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed
companies may be subject to less government supervision and regulation than exists in the United
States. Dividend and interest income may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes, which
may adversely affect the net return on such investments. There may be difficulty in obtaining or
enforcing a court judgment abroad. In addition, it may be difficult to effect repatriation of
capital invested in certain countries. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there are
risks of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic
developments that could affect assets of the Fund held in foreign countries.
There may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than a U.S. company.
Foreign securities markets may have substantially less volume than U.S. securities markets and some
foreign company securities are less liquid than securities of otherwise comparable U.S. companies.
A portfolio of foreign securities may also be adversely affected by fluctuations in the rates of
exchange between the currencies of different nations
- 22 -
and by exchange control regulations. Foreign markets also have different clearance and
settlement procedures that could cause the Fund to encounter difficulties in purchasing and selling
securities on such markets and may result in the Fund missing attractive investment opportunities
or experiencing loss. In addition, a portfolio that includes foreign securities can expect to have
a higher expense ratio because of the increased transaction costs on non-U.S. securities markets
and the increased costs of maintaining the custody of foreign securities. The Fund does not have an
independent limit on the amount of its assets that it may invest in the securities of foreign
issuers.
The Fund also may purchase sponsored American Depository Receipts (ADRs) or U.S. denominated
securities of foreign issuers. ADRs are receipts issued by United States banks or trust companies
in respect of securities of foreign issuers held on deposit for use in the United States securities
markets. While ADRs may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities into
which they may be converted, many of the risks associated with foreign securities may also apply to
ADRs.
Futures Transactions
Futures and options on futures entail certain risks, including but not limited to the
following:
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no assurance that futures contracts or options on futures can be offset at favorable
prices; |
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possible reduction of the yield of the Fund due to the use of hedging; |
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possible reduction in value of both the securities hedged and the hedging
instrument; |
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possible lack of liquidity due to daily limits or price fluctuations; |
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imperfect correlation between the contracts and the securities being hedged; and |
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losses from investing in futures transactions that are potentially unlimited and the
segregation requirements for such transactions. |
For a further description, see Investment Objectives and PoliciesInvestment Practices in
the SAI.
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts
The use of forward currency exchange contracts may involve certain risks, including the
failure of the counterparty to perform its obligations under the contract and that the use of
forward contracts may not serve as a complete hedge because of an imperfect correlation between
movements in the prices of the contracts and the prices of the currencies hedged or used for cover.
For a further description of such investments, see Investment Objectives and PoliciesInvestment
Practices in the SAI.
Dependence on Key Personnel
The Investment Adviser is dependent upon the expertise of Mr. Mario J. Gabelli in providing
advisory services with respect to the Funds investments. If the Investment Adviser were to lose
the services of Mr. Gabelli, its ability to service the Fund could be adversely affected. There can
be no assurance that a suitable replacement could be found for Mr. Gabelli in the event of his
death, resignation, retirement or inability to act on behalf of the Investment Adviser.
Market Disruption Risk
Certain events have a disruptive effect on the securities markets, such as terrorist attacks,
war and other geopolitical events. The Fund cannot predict the effects of similar events in the
future on the U.S. economy. Lower rated securities and securities of issuers with smaller market
capitalizations tend to be more volatile than higher rated securities and securities of issuers
with larger market capitalizations so that these events and any actions resulting from them may
have a greater impact on the prices and volatility of lower rated securities and securities of
- 23 -
issuers with smaller market capitalizations than on higher rated securities and securities of
issuers with larger market capitalizations.
Special Risks Related to Preferred Securities
There are special risks associated with the Funds investing in preferred securities,
including:
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Deferral. Preferred securities may include provisions that permit the issuer, at its
discretion, to defer dividends or distributions for a stated period without any adverse
consequences to the issuer. If the Fund owns a preferred security that is deferring its
dividends or distributions, the Fund may be required to report income for tax purposes
although it has not yet received such income. |
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Non-Cumulative Dividends. Some preferred securities are non-cumulative, meaning that
the dividends do not accumulate and need not ever be paid. A portion of the portfolio
may include investments in non-cumulative preferred securities, whereby the issuer does
not have an obligation to make up any arrearages to its shareholders. Should an issuer
of a non-cumulative preferred security held by the Fund determine not to pay dividends
or distributions on such security, the Funds return from that security may be
adversely affected. There is no assurance that dividends or distributions on
non-cumulative preferred securities in which the Fund invests will be declared or
otherwise made payable. |
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Subordination. Preferred securities are subordinated to bonds and other debt
instruments in an issuers capital structure in terms of priority to corporate income
and liquidation payments, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than
more senior debt security instruments. |
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Liquidity. Preferred securities may be substantially less liquid than many other
securities, such as common stocks or U.S. government securities. |
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Limited Voting Rights. Generally, preferred security holders (such as the Fund) have
no voting rights with respect to the issuing company unless preferred dividends have
been in arrears for a specified number of periods, at which time the preferred security
holders may be entitled to elect a number of directors to the issuers board.
Generally, once all the arrearages have been paid, the preferred security holders no
longer have voting rights. |
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Special Redemption Rights. In certain varying circumstances, an issuer of preferred
securities may redeem the securities prior to a specified date. For instance, for
certain types of preferred securities, a redemption may be triggered by a change in
federal income tax or securities laws. A redemption by the issuer may negatively impact
the return of the security held by the Fund. |
Interest Rate Transactions
The Fund has entered into two interest rate swap transactions with respect to its outstanding
Series C Auction Rate Preferred, and may enter into interest rate swap or cap transactions with
respect to all or a portion of any future series of Variable Rate Preferred Stock in order to
manage the impact on its portfolio of changes in the dividend rate of such stock. Through these
transactions the Fund seeks to obtain the equivalent of a fixed rate for such Variable Rate
Preferred Stock that is lower than the Fund would have to pay if it issued Fixed Rate Preferred
Stock. The use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that involves
certain risks to the Fund including, among others, counterparty risk and early termination risk.
See How the Fund Manages RiskInterest Rate Transactions.
Investment Companies
The Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies to the extent permitted by
law. To the extent the Fund invests in the common equity of investment companies, the Fund will
bear its ratable share of any such investment companys expenses, including management fees. The
Fund will also remain obligated to pay
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management fees to the Investment Adviser with respect to the assets invested in the
securities of other investment companies. In these circumstances holders of the Funds common stock
will be subject to duplicative investment expenses.
Counterparty Risk
The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivative
contracts purchased by the Fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform
its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience
significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in bankruptcy or other
reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in
such circumstances.
Loans of Portfolio Securities
Consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and the Funds investment restrictions, the
Fund may lend its portfolio securities to securities broker-dealers or financial institutions,
provided that such loans are callable at any time by the Fund (subject to notice provisions
described in the SAI) and are at all times secured by cash or cash equivalents, which are
maintained in a segregated account pursuant to applicable regulations and that are at least equal
to the market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. The advantage of such loans is
that the Fund continues to receive the income on the loaned securities while at the same time
earning interest on the cash amounts deposited as collateral, which will be invested in short-term
obligations. The Fund will not lend its portfolio securities if such loans are not permitted by the
laws or regulations of any state in which its shares are qualified for sale. The Funds loans of
portfolio securities will be collateralized in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
For a further description of such loans of portfolio securities, see Investment Objectives
and PoliciesCertain Investment PracticesLoans of Portfolio Securities.
Management Risk
The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed portfolio. The
Investment Adviser will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment
decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results.
Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Funds Governing Documents
The Funds Governing Documents include provisions that could limit the ability of other
entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to an open-end fund. See
Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Funds Governing Documents.
Status as a Regulated Investment Company
The Fund has qualified, and intends to remain qualified, for federal income tax purposes as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. Qualification requires, among other
things, compliance by the Fund with certain distribution requirements. Statutory limitations on
distributions on the common stock if the Fund fails to satisfy the 1940 Acts asset coverage
requirements could jeopardize the Funds ability to meet such distribution requirements. The Fund
presently intends, however, to purchase or redeem preferred stock to the extent necessary in order
to maintain compliance with such asset coverage requirements. See Taxation for a more complete
discussion of these and other federal income tax considerations.
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HOW THE FUND MANAGES RISK
Investment Restrictions
The Fund has adopted certain investment limitations designed to limit investment risk and
maintain portfolio diversification. These limitations are fundamental and may not be changed
without the approval of the holders of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding
shares of common stock and preferred stock voting together as a single class. The Fund may become
subject to guidelines that are more limiting than the investment restrictions set forth above in
order to obtain and maintain ratings from Moodys or
Fitch, Inc. (Fitch) on its preferred stock. See Investment
Restrictions in the SAI for a complete list of the fundamental and non-fundamental investment
policies of the Fund.
Interest Rate Transactions
The Fund has entered into two interest rate swap transactions with respect to its outstanding
Series C Auction Rate Preferred and may enter into interest rate swap or cap transactions in
relation to all or a portion of any future series of Variable Rate Preferred Stock in order to
manage the impact on its portfolio of changes in the dividend rate of such stock. Through these
transactions, the Fund may, for example, obtain the equivalent of a fixed rate for such Variable
Rate Preferred Stock that is lower than the Fund would have to pay if it issued Fixed Rate
Preferred Stock.
The use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that involves
investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security
transactions. In an interest rate swap, the Fund would agree to pay to the other party to the
interest rate swap (which is known as the counterparty) periodically a fixed rate payment in
exchange for the counterparty agreeing to pay to the Fund periodically a variable rate payment that
is intended to approximate the Funds variable rate payment obligation on its Variable Rate
Preferred Stock. In an interest rate cap, the Fund would pay a premium to the counterparty to the
interest rate cap and, to the extent that a specified variable rate index exceeds a predetermined
fixed rate, would receive from the counterparty payments of the difference based on the notional
amount of such cap. Interest rate swap and cap transactions introduce additional risk because the
Fund would remain obligated to pay preferred stock dividends or distributions when due in
accordance with the Articles Supplementary of the relevant series of the Variable Rate Preferred
Stock even if the counterparty defaulted. Depending on the general state of short-term interest
rates and the returns on the Funds portfolio securities at that point in time, such a default
could negatively affect the Funds ability to make dividend or distribution payments on the
Variable Rate Preferred Stock. In addition, at the time an interest rate swap or cap transaction
reaches its scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Fund will not be able to obtain a
replacement transaction or that the terms of the replacement will not be as favorable as on the
expiring transaction. If this occurs, it could have a negative impact on the Funds ability to make
dividend or distribution payments on the Variable Rate Preferred Stock. To the extent there is a
decline in interest rates, the value of the interest rate swap or cap could decline, resulting in a
decline in the asset coverage for the Variable Rate Preferred Stock. A sudden and dramatic decline
in interest rates may result in a significant decline in the asset coverage. Under the Articles
Supplementary for each series of the preferred stock, if the Fund fails to maintain the required
asset coverage on the outstanding preferred stock or fails to comply with other covenants, the Fund
may be required to redeem some or all of these shares. The Fund generally may redeem any series of
Variable Rate Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option at any time (usually on a
dividend or distribution payment date), other than during a non-call period. Such redemption would
likely result in the Fund seeking to terminate early all or a portion of any swap or cap
transactions. Early termination of a swap could result in a termination payment by the Fund to the
counterparty, while early termination of a cap could result in a termination payment to the Fund.
The Fund will usually enter into swaps or caps on a net basis; that is, the two payment
streams will be netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the
instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two
payments. The Fund intends to segregate cash or liquid securities having a value at least equal to
the value of the Funds net payment obligations under any swap transaction, marked to market daily.
The Fund will monitor any such swap with a view to ensuring that the Fund remains in compliance
with all applicable regulatory investment policy and tax requirements.
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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
General
The Funds Board (who, with its officers, are described in the SAI) has overall responsibility
for the management of the Fund. The Board decides upon matters of general policy and reviews the
actions of the Investment Adviser, Gabelli Funds, LLC, located at One Corporate Center, Rye, New
York 10580-1422, and the Sub-Administrator (as defined below). Pursuant to an Investment Advisory
Contract with the Fund, the Investment Adviser, under the supervision of the Funds Board, provides
a continuous investment program for the Funds portfolio; provides investment research and makes
and executes recommendations for the purchase and sale of securities; and provides all facilities
and personnel, including officers required for its administrative management and pays the
compensation of all officers and directors of the Fund who are its affiliates.
The Investment Adviser
Gabelli Funds, LLC, located at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422, serves as the
investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (described below in
Advisory Agreement). The Investment Adviser was organized in 1999 and is the successor to
Gabelli Funds, Inc., which was organized in 1980. As of December 31, 2007, the Investment Adviser
acted as registered investment adviser to 24 management investment companies with aggregate net
assets of $16.8 billion. The Investment Adviser, together with other affiliated investment
advisers, had assets under management totaling approximately $31.0 billion as of December 31,
2007. GAMCO Asset Management Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as investment
adviser for individuals, pension trusts, profit sharing trusts and endowments, and as a sub-adviser
to management investment companies having aggregate assets of $13.3 billion under management as of
December 31, 2007. Gabelli Securities, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as
investment adviser for investment partnerships and entities having aggregate assets of
approximately $460 million under management as of December 31, 2007. Gabelli Fixed Income LLC, an
affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as investment adviser for separate accounts having
aggregate assets of approximately $24 million under management as of December 31, 2007.
Teton Advisors, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as investment manager to the Westwood
Funds having aggregate assets of approximately $440 million under management as of December 31,
2007.
The Investment Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAMCO Investors, Inc., a New York
corporation whose Class A Common Stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol GBL. Mr. Mario J.
Gabelli may be deemed a controlling person of the Investment Adviser on the basis of his
ownership of a majority of the stock of GGCP, Inc., which owns a majority of the capital stock of
GAMCO Investors, Inc.
The Investment Adviser has sole investment discretion for the Funds assets under the
supervision of the Funds Board and in accordance with the Funds stated policies. The Investment
Adviser will select investments for the Fund and will place purchase and sale orders on behalf of
the Fund.
Payment of Expenses
The Investment Adviser is obligated to pay expenses associated with providing the services
contemplated by the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Investment Adviser (the
Advisory Agreement) including compensation of and office space for its officers and employees
connected with investment and economic research, trading and investment management and
administration of the Fund, as well as the fees of all directors of the Fund who are affiliated
with the Investment Adviser. The Fund pays all other expenses incurred in its operation including,
among other things, expenses for legal and independent accountants services, costs of printing
proxies, stock certificates and stockholder reports, charges of the custodian, any subcustodian and
transfer and dividend paying agent, expenses in connection with its respective automatic dividend
reinvestment and voluntary cash purchase plan, SEC fees, fees and expenses of unaffiliated
directors, accounting and pricing costs, including costs of calculating the net asset value of the
Fund, membership fees in trade associations, fidelity bond coverage for its officers and employees,
directors and officers errors and omission insurance coverage, interest, brokerage costs, taxes,
stock exchange listing fees and expenses, expenses of qualifying its shares for sale in various
states, litigation and other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses, and other expenses properly
payable by the Fund.
- 27 -
In addition to the fees of the Investment Adviser, the Fund is responsible for the payment of
all its other expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, which include, among other things,
expenses for legal and independent accountants services, stock exchange listing fees, expenses
relating to the offering of preferred stock, rating agency fees, costs of printing proxies, stock
certificates and stockholder reports, charges of the Custodian, charges of Computershare and The
Bank of New York, SEC fees, fees and expenses of unaffiliated directors, accounting and printing
costs, the Funds pro rata portion of membership fees in trade organizations, fidelity bond
coverage for the Funds officers and employees, interest, brokerage costs, taxes, expenses of
qualifying the Fund for sale in various states, expenses of personnel performing stockholder
servicing functions, litigation and other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses and other
expenses properly payable by the Fund.
Advisory Agreement
Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser manages the portfolio of the
Fund in accordance with its stated investment objectives and policies, makes investment decisions
for the Fund, and places orders to purchase and sell securities on behalf of the Fund and manages
the Funds other business and affairs, all subject to the supervision and direction of its Board.
In addition, under the Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser oversees the administration of
all aspects of the Funds business and affairs and provides, or arranges for others to provide, at
the Investment Advisers expense, certain enumerated services, including maintaining the Funds
books and records, preparing reports to its shareholders and supervising the calculation of the net
asset value of its stock. All expenses of computing the Funds net asset value, including any
equipment or services obtained solely for the purpose of pricing shares of stock or valuing the
Funds investment portfolio, will be an expense of the Fund under the Advisory Agreement unless the
Investment Adviser voluntarily assumes responsibility for such expense. During fiscal year 2007,
the Fund reimbursed the Investment Adviser $45,000 in connection with the cost of computing the
Funds net asset value.
The Advisory Agreement combines investment advisory and administrative responsibilities in one
agreement. For services rendered by the Investment Adviser on behalf of the Fund under the Advisory
Agreement, the Fund pays the Investment Adviser a fee computed weekly and paid monthly, equal on an
annual basis to 1.00% of the Funds average weekly net assets including the liquidation value of
preferred stock. The fee paid by the Fund may be higher when leverage in the form of preferred
stock is utilized, giving the Investment Adviser an incentive to utilize such leverage. However,
the Investment Adviser has agreed to reduce the management fee on the incremental assets
attributable to the preferred stock during the fiscal year if the total return of the net asset
value of the common shares of the Fund, including distributions and advisory fees subject to
reduction for that year, does not exceed the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of
each particular series of preferred stock for the period. In other words, if the effective cost of
the leverage for any series of preferred stock exceeds the total return (based on net asset value)
on the Funds common stock, the Investment Adviser will waive that portion of its management fee on
the incremental assets attributable to the leverage for that series of preferred stock to mitigate
the negative impact of the leverage on the common shareholders total return. This fee waiver is
voluntary and may be discontinued at any time. The Funds total return on the net asset value of
the common stock is monitored on a monthly basis to assess whether the total return on the net
asset value of the common stock exceeds the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of each
particular series of preferred stock for the period. The test to confirm the accrual of the
management fee on the assets attributable to each particular series of preferred stock is annual.
The Fund will accrue for the management fee on these assets during the fiscal year if it appears
probable that the Fund will incur the management fee on those additional assets.
For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Funds total return on the net asset value of the
common stock exceeded the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of all outstanding
preferred stock. Thus, management fees were accrued on these assets.
The Advisory Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder, the Investment Adviser
is not liable for any error or judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund. As
part of the Advisory Agreement, the Fund has agreed that the name Gabelli is the Investment
Advisers property, and that in the event the Investment Adviser ceases to act as an investment
adviser to the Fund, the Fund will change its name to one not including Gabelli.
- 28 -
Pursuant to its terms, the Advisory Agreement will remain in effect with respect to the Fund
from year to year if approved annually (i) by the Funds Board or by the holders of a majority of
the Funds outstanding voting securities and (ii) by a majority of the Directors who are not
interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to the Advisory Agreement, by vote
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
A discussion regarding the basis of the Boards approval of the Advisory Agreement is
available in the Funds semi-annual report to shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 2007.
Selection of Securities Brokers
The Advisory Agreement contains provisions relating to the selection of securities brokers to
effect the portfolio transactions of the Fund. Under those provisions, the Investment Adviser may
(i) direct Fund portfolio brokerage to Gabelli & Company, Inc. (Gabelli & Company) or other
broker-dealer affiliates of the Investment Adviser and (ii) pay commissions to brokers other than
Gabelli & Company that are higher than might be charged by another qualified broker to obtain
brokerage and/or research services considered by the Investment Adviser to be useful or desirable
for its investment management of the Fund and/or its other advisory accounts or those of any
investment adviser affiliated with it. The SAI contains further information about the Advisory
Agreement, including a more complete description of the advisory and expense arrangements,
exculpatory and brokerage provisions, as well as information on the brokerage practices of the
Fund.
Portfolio Managers
Mario J. Gabelli is currently and has been primarily responsible for the day-to-day management
of the Fund since its inception. Mr. Gabelli has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
GAMCO Investors, Inc. and its predecessors since 1976. Mr. Gabelli is the Chief Investment Officer
Value Portfolios for the Investment Adviser and GAMCO Asset Management Inc. Mr. Gabelli serves as
portfolio manager for several funds in the Gabelli fund family and is a director of several funds
in the Gabelli fund family. Because of the diverse nature of Mr. Gabellis responsibilities, he
will devote less than all of his time to the day-to-day management of the Fund. Mr. Gabelli is also
Chief Executive Officer of GGCP, Inc., as well as Chairman of the Board of Lynch Interactive
Corporation, a multimedia and communication services company.
Lawrence J. Haverty, Jr., CFA, is the associate portfolio manager of the Fund since 2005.
Prior to 2005, Mr. Haverty was a managing director for consumer discretionary research at State
Street Research, the Boston-based subsidiary of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
The SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers compensation, other
accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers and the Portfolio Managers ownership of securities in
the Fund.
Sub-Administrator
PFPC Inc. (PFPC), with its principal office located at 400 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington,
Delaware 19809, serves as sub-administrator for the Fund. The Sub-Administrator provides certain
administrative services necessary for the Funds operations which do not include the investment
advisory and portfolio management services provided by the Investment Adviser. For these services
and the related expenses borne by PFPC, the Investment Adviser pays a prorated monthly fee at the
annual rate of 0.0275% of the first $10 billion of the aggregate average net assets of the Fund and
all other funds advised by the Investment Adviser and administered by PFPC, 0.0125% of the
aggregate average net assets exceeding $10 billion, and 0.01% of the aggregate average net assets
in excess of $15 billion.
- 29 -
Regulatory Matters
On
April 24, 2008, the Investment Adviser entered into an administrative settlement with
the SEC to resolve the SECs inquiry regarding prior frequent trading activity in
shares of the GAMCO Global Growth Fund (the Global Growth Fund) by one investor
who was banned from the Global Growth Fund in August 2002. In the settlement, the
SEC found that the Investment Adviser had violated Section 206(2) of the
Investment Advisers Act, Section 17(d) of the 1940 Act and Rule 17d-1 thereunder, and
had aided and abetted and caused violations of Section 12(d)(1)(B)(i) of the 1940 Act.
Under the terms of the settlement, the Investment Adviser, while neither admitting nor
denying the SECs findings and allegations, agreed, among other things,
to pay the previously reserved total of $16 million (including a $5 million penalty), of
which at least $11 million will be distributed to shareholders of the Global Growth Fund
in accordance with a plan to be developed by an independent
distribution consultant and approved by the independent directors of the Global Growth Fund and
the staff of the SEC, and to cease and desist from future violations of the above
referenced federal securities laws. The settlement will not have a material adverse
impact on the Investment Adviser or its ability to fulfill its obligations under the
Advisory Agreement. On the same day, the SEC filed a civil action against the
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Investment Adviser, alleging
violations of certain federal securities laws arising from the same matter. The officer
is also an officer of the Fund, the Global Growth Fund and other funds in the
Gabelli/GAMCO fund complex. The officer denies the allegations and is continuing in
his positions with the Investment Adviser and the funds. The Investment Adviser currently
expects that any resolution of the action against the officer will not have a
material adverse impact on the Investment Adviser or its ability to fulfill its obligations
under the Advisory Agreement.
On
a separate matter, in September 2005, the Investment Adviser was informed
by the staff of the SEC that the staff may recommend to the SEC that an administrative
remedy and a monetary penalty be sought from the Investment Adviser in connection with
the actions of two of nine closed-end funds managed by the Investment Adviser relating
to Section 19(a) and Rule 19a-1 of the 1940 Act. These provisions require registered
investment companies to provide written statements to shareholders when a dividend
is made from a source other than net investment income. While the two
closed-end funds sent annual statements and provided other materials containing this
information, the funds did not send written statements to shareholders with each
distribution in 2002 and 2003. The Investment Adviser believes that all
of the funds are now in compliance. The Investment Adviser believes that these
matters would have no effect on the Fund or any material adverse effect on the
Investment Adviser or its ability to manage the Fund.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Principal transactions are not entered into with affiliates of the Fund. However, Gabelli &
Company, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, may execute portfolio transactions on stock
exchanges and in the over-the-counter markets on an agency basis and receive a stated commission
therefor. For a more detailed discussion of the Funds brokerage allocation practices, see
Portfolio Transactions in the SAI.
- 30 -
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund has a policy, which may be modified at any time by its Board, of paying a minimum
annual distribution of 5% of the average net asset value of the Fund to common shareholders. The
Funds current quarterly distribution level is set at $0.15 per share in each of the first three
quarters of the year. Each year the Fund pays an adjusting distribution in the fourth quarter of an
amount sufficient to pay 5% of the average net asset value of the Fund, as of the last day of the
four preceding calendar quarters, or to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements of the Code,
whichever is greater. Each quarter, the Board reviews the amount of any potential distribution and
the income, capital gain or capital available. This policy permits common shareholders to realize a
predictable, but not assured, level of cash flow and some liquidity periodically with respect to
their shares of common stock without having to sell their shares. The Fund may retain for
reinvestment, and pay the resulting federal income taxes on, its net capital gain, if any. To avoid
paying income tax at the corporate level, the Fund distributes substantially all of its investment
company taxable income and has historically distributed net capital gain.
If, for any calendar year, the total quarterly distributions to common shareholders and the
amount of distributions on any preferred stock issued by the Fund exceed current and accumulated
earnings and profits, the excess will generally be treated as a tax-free return of capital up to
the amount of a shareholders tax basis in the stock. Any distributions to the holders of common or
preferred stock which constitute tax-free return of capital will reduce a shareholders tax basis
in such stock, thereby increasing such shareholders potential gain or reducing his or her
potential loss on the sale of the stock. Any amounts distributed to a shareholder in excess of the
basis in the stock will generally be taxable to the shareholder as capital gain.
In the event the Fund distributes amounts in excess of its investment company taxable income
and net capital gain, such distributions will decrease the Funds total assets more than otherwise
and, therefore, have the likely effect of increasing its expense ratio more than otherwise, as the
Funds fixed expenses will become a larger percentage of the Funds average net assets. In
addition, in order to make such distributions, the Fund might have to sell a portion of its
investment portfolio at a time when independent investment judgment might not dictate such action.
The Fund, along with other registered investment companies advised by the Investment Adviser,
has obtained an exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder permitting
the Fund to make periodic distributions of long-term capital gains provided that any distribution
policy of the Fund with respect to its common stock calls for periodic (e.g., quarterly or
semi-annually, but in no event more frequently than monthly) distributions in an amount equal to a
fixed percentage of the Funds average net asset value over a specified period of time or market
price per share of common stock at or about the time of distribution or payment of a fixed dollar
amount. The exemption also permits the Fund to make distributions with respect to its preferred
stock in accordance with such stocks terms.
AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLAN
Under the Funds Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan (the
Plan), a shareholder whose common shares are registered in his or her own name will have all
distributions reinvested automatically by Computershare, which is agent under the Plan, unless the
shareholder elects to receive cash. Distributions with respect to shares registered in the name of
a broker-dealer or other nominee (that is, in street name) will be reinvested by the broker or
nominee in additional shares under the Plan, unless the service is not provided by the broker or
nominee or the shareholder elects to receive distributions in cash. Investors who own common
shares registered in street name should consult their broker-dealers for details regarding
reinvestment. All distributions to investors who do not participate in the Plan will be paid by
check mailed directly to the record holder by Computershare as dividend-disbursing agent.
Enrollment in the Plan
It is the policy of the Fund to automatically reinvest dividends payable to common
shareholders. As a registered shareholder, you automatically become a participant in the Funds
Plan. The Plan authorizes the Fund to issue shares of common stock to participants upon an income dividend or a capital gains
distribution regardless of whether the shares are trading at a discount or a premium to net asset
value. All distributions to shareholders whose
- 31 -
shares are registered in their own names will be automatically reinvested pursuant to the Plan in
additional shares of the Fund. Plan participants may send their stock certificates to
Computershare to be held in their dividend reinvestment account. Registered shareholders wishing
to receive their distributions in cash must submit this request in writing to:
- 32 -
The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.
c/o Computershare
P.O. Box 43010
Providence, RI 02940-3010
Shareholders requesting this cash election must include the shareholders name and address as
they appear on the share certificate. Shareholders with additional questions regarding the Plan,
or requesting a copy of the terms of the Plan may contact Computershare at (800) 336-6983.
If your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank, or nominee, you should contact such
institution. If such institution is not participating in the Plan, your account will be credited
with a cash dividend. In order to participate in the Plan through such institution, it may be
necessary for you to have your shares taken out of street name and re-registered in your own
name. Once registered in your own name, your dividends will be automatically reinvested. Certain
brokers participate in the Plan. Shareholders holding shares in street name at participating
institutions will have distributions automatically reinvested. Shareholders wishing a cash
dividend at such institution must contact their broker to make this change.
The number of shares of common stock distributed to participants in the Plan in lieu of cash
dividends is determined in the following manner. Under the Plan, whenever the market price of the
Funds common stock is equal to or exceeds net asset value at the time shares are valued for
purposes of determining the number of shares equivalent to the cash dividends or capital gains
distribution, participants are issued shares of common stock valued at the greater of (i) the net
asset value as most recently determined or (ii) 95% of the then current market price of the Funds
common stock. The valuation date is the dividend or distribution payment date or, if that date is
not a NYSE trading day, the next trading day. If the net asset value of the common stock at the
time of valuation exceeds the market price of the common shares, participants will receive shares
from the Fund valued at market price. If the Fund should declare a dividend or capital gains
distribution payable only in cash, Computershare will buy shares of common stock in the open
market, or on the NYSE or elsewhere, for the participants accounts, except that Computershare will
endeavor to terminate purchases in the open market and cause the Fund to issue shares at net asset
value if, following the commencement of such purchases, the market value of the common stock
exceeds the then current net asset value.
The automatic reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions will not relieve
participants of any income tax which may be payable on such distributions. A participant in the
Plan will be treated for federal income tax purposes as having received, on a dividend payment
date, a dividend or distribution in an amount equal to the cash the participant could have received
instead of shares.
Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan
The Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan is yet another vehicle for our shareholders to increase their
investment in the Fund. In order to participate in the Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan, shareholders
must have their shares registered in their own name.
Participants in the Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan have the option of making additional cash
payments to Computershare for investments in the Funds common shares at the then current market
price. Shareholders may send an amount from $250 to $10,000. Computershare will use these funds
to purchase shares in the open market on or about the 1st and 15th of each month. Computershare
will charge each shareholder who participates $0.75, plus a pro rata share of the brokerage
commissions. Brokerage charges for such purchases are expected to be less than the usual brokerage
charge for such transactions. It is suggested that any voluntary cash payments be sent to
Computershare, P.O. Box 43010, Providence, RI 02940-3010 such that Computershare receives such
payments approximately 10 days before the 1st and 15th of the month. Funds not received at least
five days before the investment date shall be held for investment until the next purchase date. A
payment may be withdrawn without charge if notice is received by Computershare at least 48 hours
before such payment is to be invested.
Shareholders wishing to liquidate shares held at Computershare must do so in writing or by
telephone. Please submit your request to the above mentioned address or telephone number. Include
in your request your name, address and account number. The cost to liquidate shares is $2.50 per
transaction as well as the brokerage
- 33 -
commission incurred. Brokerage charges are expected to be less than the usual brokerage
charge for such transactions.
For more information regarding the Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan and Voluntary Cash
Purchase Plan, brochures are available by calling (914) 921-5070 or by writing directly to the
Fund.
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plans as applied to any voluntary cash
payments made and any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change sent
to the members of the Plan at least 90 days before the record date for such dividend or
distribution. The Plan also may be amended or terminated by Computershare on at least 90 days
written notice to participants in the Plan.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following is a brief description of the terms of the Funds common stock and preferred
stock. This description does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to the Funds
Governing Documents. For complete terms of the common stock and preferred stock, please refer to
the actual terms of such series, which are set forth in the Governing Documents.
Common Stock
The Fund is authorized to issue two hundred million (200,000,000) shares, all of which were
initially classified and designated common stock. The Board has the authority to classify and
reclassify any authorized but unissued shares of capital stock from time to time. Of the Funds two
hundred million (200,000,000) shares initially classified and designated as common stock, two
million (2,000,000) have been reclassified as preferred stock. Each share within a particular class
or series thereof has equal voting, dividend, distribution and liquidation rights. There are no
conversion or preemptive rights in connection with any outstanding stock of the Fund. All stock,
when issued in accordance with the terms of the offering, will be fully paid and non-assessable.
The common stock is not redeemable and has no preemptive, conversion or cumulative voting rights.
In the event of liquidation, each share of Fund common stock is entitled to its proportion of the
Funds assets after payment of debts and expenses and the amounts payable to holders of the Funds
preferred stock ranking senior to the shares of common stock of the Fund as described below.
The common stock of the Fund is listed on the NYSE under the symbol GGT and began trading
November 14, 1994. The average weekly trading volume of the common stock on the NYSE during the
period from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006 was 81,592 shares. The average weekly trading
volume of the common stock on the NYSE during the period from January 1, 2007 through December 31,
2007 was 63,813 shares. Shares of closed-end investment companies often trade on an exchange at
prices lower than net asset value. The Funds shares of common stock have traded in the market at
both premiums to and discounts from net asset value.
The Fund is a closed-end, management investment company and, as such, its shareholders do not,
and will not, have the right to redeem their stock. The Fund, however, may repurchase its common
stock from time to time as and when it deems such a repurchase advisable. The Funds Board has
determined that such repurchase, up to 1,700,000 shares of common stock, may be made when the
Funds common stock is trading at a discount of 10% (or such other percentage as the Board may
determine from time to time) or more from net asset value.
Pursuant
to this authorization the Fund has repurchased in the open market 1,079,933 shares
through March 31, 2008, 5,800 of which were repurchased during the
first quarter of 2008. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Fund may repurchase its stock on a securities exchange
(provided that the Fund has informed its stockholders within the preceding six months of its
intention to repurchase such stock) or as otherwise permitted in accordance with Rule 23c-1 under
the 1940 Act. Under Rule 23c-1, certain conditions must be met for such repurchases of its stock
regarding, among other things, distribution of net income for the preceding fiscal year, asset
coverage with respect to the Funds senior debt and equity securities, identity of the sellers,
price paid, brokerage commissions, prior notice to stockholders of an intention to purchase stock
and purchasing in a manner and on a basis which does not discriminate unfairly against the other
stockholders through their interest in the Fund. In addition, Rule 23c-1 requires the Fund to file
notices of such purchase with the SEC. Any repurchase of common
- 34 -
stock by the Fund will also be subject to Maryland corporate law, which requires that
immediately following such repurchase the total assets of the Fund must be equal to or greater than
the sum of the Funds total liabilities plus the aggregate liquidation preference of its
outstanding preferred stock.
When the Fund repurchases its common stock for a price below its net asset value, the net
asset value of the common stock that remains outstanding will be enhanced. This does not, however,
necessarily mean that the market price of the Funds remaining outstanding common stock will be
affected, either positively or negatively. Further, interest on any borrowings made to finance the
repurchase of common stock will reduce the net income of the Fund.
Preferred Stock
Currently, 2,000,000 shares of the Funds capital stock, which include the preferred stock
being registered by this registration statement, have been classified by the Board as preferred
stock, par value $0.001 per share. The Funds Board may reclassify authorized and unissued shares
of the Fund, previously classified as common stock, as preferred stock prior to the completion of
any offering. The terms of each series of preferred stock may be fixed by the Board and may
materially limit and/or qualify the rights of the holders of the Funds common stock. As of
March 31, 2008, the Fund had outstanding 993,100 shares of Series B Preferred and 1,000 shares
of Series C Auction Rate Preferred.
At all times, holders of shares of the Funds preferred stock outstanding, voting as a single
class, will be entitled to elect two members of the Funds Board, and holders of the common stock
and preferred stock, voting as a single class, will elect the remaining directors. See
Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Funds Governing Documents.
Distributions on the Series B Preferred accumulate at an annual rate of 6.00% of the
liquidation preference of $25 per share, are cumulative from the date of original issuance thereof,
and are payable quarterly on March 26, June 26, September 26 and December 26 of each year. The
Series B Preferred is rated Aaa by Moodys. The Funds outstanding Series B Preferred is
redeemable at the liquidation preference plus accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not
earned or declared) at the option of the Fund beginning April 1, 2008. The Series B Preferred is
listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol GGT PrB.
Distributions on the Series C Auction Rate Preferred accumulate at a variable rate, usually
set at a weekly auction. The Series C Auction Rate Preferred is rated Aaa by Moodys and AAA by
Fitch. The liquidation preference of the Series C Auction Rate Preferred is $25,000
per share. The Fund generally may redeem the outstanding Series C Auction Rate Preferred, in whole
or in part, at any time other than during a non-call period. The Series C Auction Rate Preferred is
not traded on any public exchange.
If the Fund issues any additional series of preferred stock, it will pay dividends to the
holders at either a fixed rate or a rate that will be reset frequently based on short-term interest
rates, as described in the Prospectus Supplement accompanying each preferred stock offering.
The following table shows (i) the classes of capital stock authorized, (ii) the number of
shares authorized in each class, and (iii) the number of shares outstanding in each class as of
March 31, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title Of Class |
|
Amount Authorized |
|
Amount Outstanding |
Common Stock |
|
|
196,750,000 |
|
|
|
13,995,553 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A Preferred |
|
|
2,000,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series B Preferred |
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
993,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series C Auction Rate Preferred |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
- 35 -
As of
March 31, 2008, the Fund does not hold any shares of capital stock for its account.
Upon a liquidation, each holder of preferred stock will be entitled to receive out of the
assets of the Fund available for distribution to shareholders (after payment of claims of the
Funds creditors but before any distributions with respect to the Funds common stock or any other
class of capital stock of the Fund ranking junior to the preferred stock as to liquidation
payments) an amount per share equal to such shares liquidation preference plus any accumulated but
unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or declared, excluding interest thereon) to the date of
distribution, and such shareholders shall be entitled to no further participation in any
distribution or payment in connection with such liquidation. Each series of preferred stock ranks
on a parity with any other series of preferred stock of the Fund as to the payment of distributions
and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, and is junior to the Funds obligations with
respect to any outstanding senior securities representing debt. The preferred stock carries one
vote per share on all matters on which such shares are entitled to vote. The preferred shares will,
upon issuance, be fully paid and nonassessable and will have no preemptive, exchange or conversion
rights. The Board may by resolution classify or reclassify any authorized but unissued capital
shares of the Fund from time to time by setting or changing the preferences, conversion or other
rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions or terms or conditions of
redemption. The Fund will not issue any class of capital stock senior to the preferred stock.
Recent Market Events
Due
to recent market turmoil most auction-rate preferred stock, including our Series C Auction
Rate Preferred, has been unable to hold successful auctions and holders
of such stock have suffered reduced liquidity. If the number of Series
C Auction Rate Preferred subject to bid orders by potential holders is less than the number of
Series C Auction Rate Preferred subject to sell orders, then the auction is considered to
be a failed auction, and the dividend rate will be the maximum rate. In that event, holders that
have submitted sell orders may not be able to sell any or all of the Series C Auction Rate
Preferred for which they have submitted sell orders. The current maximum rate is
150% of the AA Financial Composite Commercial Paper Rate on the date of such
auction. These failed auctions have been an industry wide problem and may
continue to occur in the future. Any current or potential holder of
auction-rate preferred shares faces the risk that auctions will continue to
fail, or will fail again at some point in the future, and that he or she
may not be able to sell his
or her shares through the auction process.
Rating Agency Guidelines. Upon issuance, the preferred shares may be rated or unrated. If
rated, the preferred shares may have any credit quality, from Aaa to C by Moodys and/or AAA
to D by Fitch or the equivalent from other statistical rating organizations. If the Fund issues
preferred shares rated by Moodys or Fitch, the Fund expects that it will be required under Moodys
and Fitch guidelines to maintain assets having in the aggregate a discounted value at least equal
to the Basic Maintenance Amount (as defined below) for its outstanding preferred stock with respect
to the separate guidelines Moodys and Fitch has each established for determining discounted value.
To the extent any particular portfolio holding does not satisfy the applicable rating agencys
guidelines, all or a portion of such holdings value will not be included in the calculation of
discounted value (as defined by such rating agency). The Moodys and Fitch guidelines also impose
certain diversification requirements and industry concentration limitations on the Funds overall
portfolio, and apply specified discounts to securities held by the Fund (except certain money
market securities). The Basic Maintenance Amount is equal to (i) the sum of (a) the aggregate
liquidation preference of any preferred shares then outstanding plus (to the extent not included in
the liquidation preference of such preferred stock) an amount equal to the aggregate accumulated
but unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or declared) in respect of such preferred stock,
(b) the total principal of any debt (plus accrued and projected interest), (c) certain Fund
expenses and (d) certain other current liabilities (excluding any unmade distributions on the
Funds common stock) less (ii) the Funds (a) cash and (b) assets consisting of indebtedness which
(y) mature prior to or on the date of redemption or repurchase of the preferred stock and are U.S.
government securities or evidences of indebtedness rated at least Aaa, P-1, VMIG-1 or MIG-1
by Moodys or AAA, SP-1+ or A-1+ by Fitch, and (z) is held by the Fund for distributions, the
redemption or repurchase of preferred stock or the Funds liabilities.
If the Fund does not cure in a timely manner a failure to maintain a discounted value of its
portfolio equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount in accordance with the requirements of the
applicable rating agency or agencies then rating the preferred stock at the request of the Fund,
the Fund may, and in certain circumstances will be required to, mandatorily redeem preferred stock,
as described below under Redemption.
The Fund may, but is not required to, adopt any modifications to the rating agency guidelines
that may hereafter be established by Moodys and Fitch. Failure to adopt any such modifications,
however, may result in a change in the relevant rating agencys ratings or a withdrawal of such
ratings altogether. In addition, any rating agency providing a rating for the preferred stock at
the request of the Fund may, at any time, change or withdraw any such rating. The Board, without
further action by the shareholders, may amend, alter, add to or repeal certain of the definitions
and related provisions that have been adopted by the Fund pursuant to the rating agency guidelines
if the Board determines that such modification is necessary to prevent a reduction in rating of the
preferred stock by Moodys and Fitch, as the case may be, is in the best interests of the holders
of common stock and is not adverse to the holders of preferred stock in view of advice to the Fund
by Moodys and Fitch (or such other rating agency then rating the preferred stock at the request of the Fund) that such modification would not
adversely affect, as the case may be, its then current rating of the preferred stock.
- 36 -
The Board may amend the Articles Supplementary definition of Maximum Rate (the maximum
rate as defined below under Distributions on the Preferred SharesMaximum Rate) to increase
the percentage amount by which the applicable reference rate is multiplied or to increase the
applicable spread to which the reference rate is added to determine the maximum rate without the
vote or consent of the holders of the preferred stock or any other shareholder of the Fund, but
only after consultation with the broker-dealers and with confirmation from each applicable rating
agency that the Fund could meet applicable rating agency asset coverage tests immediately following
any such increase.
As described by Moodys and
Fitch, the ratings assigned to each series of preferred stock are
assessments of the capacity and willingness of the Fund to pay the obligations of each such series.
The ratings on these series of preferred stock are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell
shares of any series, inasmuch as the ratings do not comment as to market price or suitability for
a particular investor. The rating agency guidelines also do not address the likelihood that an
owner of preferred stock will be able to sell such shares on an exchange, in an auction or
otherwise. The ratings are based on current information furnished to Moodys and Fitch by the Fund
and the Investment Adviser and information obtained from other sources. The ratings may be changed,
suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or the unavailability of, such information.
The rating agency guidelines apply to each series of preferred stock only so long as such
rating agency is rating such series at the request of the Fund. The Fund pays fees to Moodys and
Fitch for rating the preferred stock.
Asset Maintenance Requirements. In addition to the requirements summarized under Rating
Agency Guidelines above, the Fund must also satisfy asset maintenance requirements under the 1940
Act with respect to its preferred stock. Under the 1940 Act, debt or additional preferred stock may
be issued only if immediately after such issuance the value of the Funds total assets (less
ordinary course liabilities) is at least 300% of the amount of any debt outstanding and at least
200% of the amount of any preferred stock and debt outstanding. The Fund is required under the
Articles Supplementary of each series of preferred stock to determine whether it has, as of the
last business day of each March, June, September and December of each year, an asset coverage (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of at least 200% (or such higher or lower percentage as may be required at
the time under the 1940 Act) with respect to all outstanding senior securities of the Fund that are
debt or stock, including any outstanding preferred stock. If the Fund fails to maintain the asset
coverage required under the 1940 Act on such dates and such failure is not cured on or before 60
days, in the case of the Fixed Rate Preferred Stock, or 10 business days, in the case of the
Variable Rate Preferred Stock, the Fund may, and in certain circumstances will be required to,
mandatorily redeem shares of preferred stock sufficient to satisfy such asset coverage. See
"Redemption below.
Distributions. In connection with the offering of one or more additional series of preferred
stock, an accompanying Prospectus Supplement will specify whether dividends on such preferred stock
will be based on a fixed or variable rate. If such Prospectus Supplement specifies that dividends
will be paid at a fixed rate, holders of such Fixed Rate Preferred Stock will be entitled to
receive, out of funds legally available therefor, cumulative cash distributions, at an annual rate
set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payable with such frequency as set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. Such distributions will accumulate from the date on which such
shares are issued.
In the alternative, the Prospectus Supplement may state that the holders of one or more series
of Variable Rate Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cash distributions at annual rates stated
as a percentage of liquidation preference, that will vary from dividend period to dividend period.
The liquidation preference per share and the dividend rate for the initial dividend period for any
such series of preferred stock will be the rate set forth in the Prospectus Supplement for such
series. For subsequent dividend periods, each such series of preferred stock will pay distributions
based on a rate set at an auction, normally held weekly, but not in excess of a maximum rate.
Dividend periods generally will be seven days, and the dividend periods generally will begin on the
first business day after an auction. In most instances, distributions are also paid weekly, on the
business day following the end of the dividend period. The Fund, subject to some limitations, may
change the length of the dividend periods, designating them as special dividend periods, as
described below under Designation of Special Dividend Periods.
Distribution Payments. Except as described below, the dividend payment date for a series of
Variable Rate Preferred Stock will be the first business day after the dividend period ends. The
dividend payment dates for special
- 37 -
dividend periods of more (or less) than seven days will be set out in the notice designating a
special dividend period. See Designation of Special Dividend Periods for a discussion of
payment dates for a special dividend period.
If a dividend payment date for a series of Variable Rate Preferred Stock is not a business day
because the NYSE is closed for business for more than three consecutive business days due to an act
of God, natural disaster, act of war, civil or military disturbance, act of terrorism, sabotage,
riots or a loss or malfunction of utilities or communications services, or the dividend payable on
such date can not be paid for any such reason, then:
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the dividend payment date for the affected dividend period will be the next business day on
which the Fund and its paying agent, if any, are able to cause the distributions to be paid
using their reasonable best efforts; |
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the affected dividend period will end on the day it would have ended had such event not
occurred and the dividend payment date had remained the scheduled date; and |
|
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the next dividend period will begin and end on the dates on which it would have begun and
ended had such event not occurred and the dividend payment date remained the scheduled date. |
Determination of Dividend Rates. The Fund computes the distributions per share for a series of
Variable Rate Preferred Stock by multiplying the applicable rate determined at the auction by a
fraction, the numerator of which normally is the number of days in such dividend period and the
denominator of which is 360. This applicable rate is then multiplied by the liquidation preference
per share of such series to arrive at the distribution per share.
Maximum Rate. The dividend rate for a series of Variable Rate Preferred Stock that results
from an auction for such shares will not be greater than the applicable maximum rate. The maximum
rate for any standard dividend period will be the greater of the applicable percentage of the
reference rate or the reference rate plus the applicable spread. The reference rate will be the
applicable LIBOR Rate (as defined below) for a dividend period of fewer than 365 days or the
Treasury Index Rate (as defined below) for a dividend period of 365 days or more. The applicable
percentage and the applicable spread will be determined based on the lower of the credit ratings
assigned to such series of preferred shares by Moodys and Fitch on the auction date for such period
(as set forth in the table below). If Moodys and/or Fitch do not make such rating available, the
rate will be determined by reference to equivalent ratings issued by a substitute rating agency. In
the case of a special dividend period, (1) the Fund will communicate the maximum applicable rate in
a notice of special rate period for such dividend payment period, (2) the applicable percentage and
applicable spread will be determined on the date two business days before the first day of such
special dividend period and (3) the reference rate will be the applicable LIBOR Rate for a dividend
period of fewer than 365 days or the Treasury Index Rate for a dividend period of 365 days or more.
The LIBOR Rate, as described in greater detail in the Articles Supplementary, is the
applicable London Inter-Bank Offered Rate for deposits in U.S. dollars for the period most closely
approximating the applicable dividend period for the preferred stock.
The Treasury Index Rate, as described in greater detail in the Articles Supplementary, is
the average yield to maturity for certain U.S. Treasury securities having substantially the same
length to maturity as the applicable dividend period for the preferred stock.
- 38 -
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Credit Ratings |
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| |
|
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Applicable |
Moodys |
|
Fitch |
|
Percentage |
Aa3 or higher |
|
AA- or higher |
|
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150 |
% |
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
A3 to A1 |
|
A- to A+ |
|
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175 |
% |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Baa3 to Baa1 |
|
BBB- to BBB+ |
|
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250 |
% |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Below Baa3 |
|
Below BBB- |
|
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275 |
% |
There is no minimum dividend rate in respect of any dividend period.
Effect of Failure to Pay Distributions in a Timely Manner. If the Fund fails to pay the paying
agent the full amount of any distribution or redemption price, as applicable, for a series of
Variable Rate Preferred Stock in a timely manner, the dividend rate for the dividend period
following such a failure to pay (such period referred to as the default period) and any subsequent
dividend period for which such default is continuing will be the default rate. In the event that
the Fund fully pays all default amounts due during a dividend period, the dividend rate for the
remainder of that dividend period will be, as the case may be, the applicable rate (for the first
dividend period following a dividend default) or the then maximum rate (for any subsequent dividend
period for which such default is continuing).
The default rate is 550% of the applicable LIBOR Rate for a dividend period of 364 days or
fewer and 550% of the applicable Treasury Index Rate for a dividend period of longer than 364 days.
Designation of Special Dividend Periods. The Fund may instruct the auction agent to hold
auctions more or less frequently than weekly and may designate dividend periods longer or shorter
than one week. The Fund may do this if, for example, the Fund expects that short-term rates might
increase or market conditions otherwise change, in an effort to optimize the potential benefit of
the Funds leverage for holders of its common stock. The Fund does not currently expect to hold
auctions and pay distributions less frequently than weekly or establish dividend periods longer or
shorter than one week. If the Fund designates a special dividend period, changes in interest rates
could affect the price received if preferred shares are sold in the secondary market.
Any designation of a special dividend period for a series of Variable Rate Preferred Stock
will be effective only if (i) notice thereof has been given as provided for in the Governing
Documents, (ii) any failure to pay in a
- 39 -
timely manner to the auction agent the full amount of any distribution on, or the redemption price
of, any preferred stock has been cured as provided for in the Governing Documents, (iii) the
auction immediately preceding the special dividend period was not a failed auction, (iv) if the
Fund has mailed a notice of redemption with respect to any preferred stock, the Fund has deposited
with the paying agent all funds necessary for such redemption and (v) the Fund has confirmed that
as of the auction date next preceding the first day of such special dividend period, it has assets
with an aggregate discounted value at least equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount, and the Fund has
provided notice of such designation and a Basic Maintenance Report to each rating agency then
rating the preferred stock at the request of the Fund.
The dividend payment date for any such special dividend period will be set out in the notice
designating the special dividend period. In addition, for special dividend periods of at least 91
days, dividend payment dates will occur on the first business day of each calendar month within
such dividend period and on the business day following the last day of such dividend period.
Before the Fund designates a special dividend period: (i) at least seven business days (or two
business days in the event the duration of the dividend period prior to such special dividend
period is less than eight days) and not more than 30 business days before the first day of the
proposed special dividend period, the Fund will issue a press release stating its intention to
designate a special dividend period and inform the auction agent of the proposed special dividend
period by telephonic or other means and confirm it in writing promptly thereafter and (ii) the Fund
must inform the auction agent of the proposed special dividend period by 3:00 p.m., New York City
time on the second business day before the first day of the proposed special dividend period.
Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions for the Preferred Stock
So long as any preferred stock is outstanding, the Fund may not pay any dividend or
distribution (other than a dividend or distribution paid in common stock or in options, warrants or
rights to subscribe for or purchase common stock) in respect of the common stock or call for
redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any common stock (except by
conversion into or exchange for shares of the Fund ranking junior to the preferred stock as to the
payment of dividends or distributions and the distribution of assets upon liquidation), unless:
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the Fund has declared and paid (or provided to the relevant dividend paying agent) all
cumulative distributions on the Funds outstanding preferred stock due on or prior to the date
of such common stock dividend or distribution; |
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|
the Fund has redeemed the full number of shares of preferred stock to be redeemed pursuant
to any mandatory redemption provision in the Funds Governing Documents; and |
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after making the distribution, the Fund meets applicable asset coverage requirements
described under Rating Agency Guidelines and Asset Maintenance Requirements. |
No full distribution will be declared or made on any series of preferred stock for any
dividend period, or part thereof, unless full cumulative distributions due through the most recent
dividend payment dates therefor for all outstanding series of preferred stock of the Fund ranking
on a parity with such series as to distributions have been or contemporaneously are declared and
made. If full cumulative distributions due have not been made on all outstanding preferred stock of
the Fund ranking on a parity with such series of preferred stock as to the payment of
distributions, any distributions being paid on the preferred stock will be paid as nearly pro rata
as possible in proportion to the respective amounts of distributions accumulated but unmade on each
such series of preferred stock on the relevant dividend payment date. The Funds obligation to make
distributions on the preferred stock will be subordinate to its obligations to pay interest and
principal, when due, on any senior securities representing debt.
Redemption
- 40 -
Mandatory Redemption Relating to Asset Coverage Requirements. The Fund may, at its option,
consistent with its Governing Documents and the 1940 Act, and in certain circumstances will be
required to, mandatorily redeem preferred stock in the event that:
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the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage requirements specified under the 1940 Act on
a quarterly valuation date and such failure is not cured on or before 60 days, in the case of
the Fixed Rate Preferred Stock, or 10 business days, in the case of the Variable Rate
Preferred Stock, following such failure; or |
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the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage requirements as calculated in accordance with
the applicable rating agency guidelines as of any monthly valuation date, and such failure is
not cured on or before 10 business days after such valuation date. |
The redemption price for preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption will be the
liquidation preference, as stated in the Articles Supplementary of each existing series of
preferred stock or the Prospectus Supplement accompanying the issuance of any additional series of
preferred stock, plus an amount equal to any accumulated but unpaid distributions (whether or not
earned or declared) to the date fixed for redemption, plus (in the case of preferred stock having a
dividend period of more than one year) any applicable redemption premium determined by the Board
and included in the Articles Supplementary.
The number of shares of preferred stock that will be redeemed in the case of a mandatory
redemption will equal the minimum number of outstanding shares of preferred stock, the redemption
of which, if such redemption had occurred immediately prior to the opening of business on the
applicable cure date, would have resulted in the relevant asset coverage requirement having been
met or, if the required asset coverage cannot be so restored, all of the shares of preferred stock.
In the event that shares of preferred stock are redeemed due to a failure to satisfy the 1940 Act
asset coverage requirements, the Fund may, but is not required to, redeem a sufficient number of
shares of preferred stock so that the Funds assets exceed the asset coverage requirements under
the 1940 Act after the redemption by 10% (that is, 220% asset coverage). In the event that shares
of preferred stock are redeemed due to a failure to satisfy applicable rating agency guidelines,
the Fund may, but is not required to, redeem a sufficient number of shares of preferred stock so
that the Funds discounted portfolio value (as determined in accordance with the applicable rating
agency guidelines) after redemption exceeds the asset coverage requirements of each applicable
rating agency by up to 10% (that is, 110% rating agency asset coverage).
If the Fund does not have funds legally available for the redemption of, or is otherwise
unable to redeem, all the shares of preferred stock to be redeemed on any redemption date, the Fund
will redeem on such redemption date that number of shares for which it has legally available funds,
or is otherwise able to redeem, from the holders whose shares are to be redeemed ratably on the
basis of the redemption price of such shares, and the remainder of those shares to be redeemed will
be redeemed on the earliest practicable date on which the Fund will have funds legally available
for the redemption of, or is otherwise able to redeem, such shares upon written notice of
redemption.
If fewer than all shares of the Funds outstanding preferred stock are to be redeemed, the
Fund, at its discretion and subject to the limitations of the Charter, the 1940 Act, and Maryland
law, will select the one or more series of preferred stock from which shares will be redeemed and
the amount of preferred stock to be redeemed from each such series. If fewer than all shares of a
series of preferred stock are to be redeemed, such redemption will be made as among the holders of
that series pro rata in accordance with the respective number of shares of such series held by each
such holder on the record date for such redemption (or by such other equitable method as the Fund
may determine). If fewer than all shares of preferred stock held by any holder are to be redeemed,
the notice of redemption mailed to such holder will specify the number of shares to be redeemed
from such holder, which may be expressed as a percentage of shares held on the applicable record
date.
Optional Redemption of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock. Shares of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock are
not subject to optional redemption by the Fund until the date, if any, specified in the applicable
Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement, unless such redemption is necessary, in the judgment of the
Fund, to maintain the Funds status as a regulated investment company under the Code. Commencing on
such date and thereafter, the Fund may at any time redeem such Fixed Rate Preferred Stock in whole
or in part for cash at a redemption price per share equal to the
- 41 -
liquidation preference per share plus accumulated and unpaid distributions (whether or not
earned or declared) to the redemption date. Such redemptions are subject to the notice requirements
set forth under Redemption Procedures and the limitations of the Charter, the 1940 Act and
Maryland law.
Optional Redemption of Variable Rate Preferred Stock. The Fund generally may redeem Variable
Rate Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option at any time (usually on a dividend or
distribution payment date), other than during a non-call period. The Fund may designate a non-call
period during a dividend period of more than seven days. In the case of such preferred stock having
a dividend period of one year or less, the redemption price per share will equal the liquidation
preference plus an amount equal to any accumulated but unpaid distributions thereon (whether or not
earned or declared) to the redemption date, and in the case of such preferred stock having a
dividend period of more than one year, the redemption price per share will equal the liquidation
preference plus any redemption premium applicable during such dividend period. Such redemptions are
subject to the notice requirements set forth under Redemption Procedures and the limitations of
the limitations of the Charter, the 1940 Act and Maryland law.
Redemption Procedures. A notice of redemption with respect to an optional redemption will be
given to the holders of record of preferred stock selected for redemption not less than 15 days
(subject to NYSE requirements), in the case of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock, and not less than seven
days, in the case of Variable Rate Preferred Stock, nor, in both cases, more than 40 days prior to
the date fixed for redemption. Preferred shareholders may receive shorter notice in the event of a
mandatory redemption. Each notice of redemption will state (i) the redemption date, (ii) the number
or percentage of shares of preferred stock to be redeemed (which may be expressed as a percentage
of such shares outstanding), (iii) the CUSIP number(s) of such shares, (iv) the redemption price
(specifying the amount of accumulated distributions to be included therein), (v) the place or
places where such shares are to be redeemed, (vi) that distributions on the shares to be redeemed
will cease to accumulate on such redemption date, (vii) the provision of the Articles Supplementary
under which the redemption is being made and (viii) any conditions precedent to such redemption. No
defect in the notice of redemption or in the mailing thereof will affect the validity of the
redemption proceedings, except as required by applicable law.
The holders of preferred shares, whether subject to a variable or fixed rate, will not have
the right to redeem any of their shares at their option.
Liquidation Rights
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Fund, the holders of preferred stock then outstanding will be entitled to receive a preferential
liquidating distribution, which is expected to equal the original purchase price per preferred
share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, before any distribution of
assets is made to holders of common stock. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating
distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of preferred stock will not be entitled to any
further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund.
Voting Rights
Except as otherwise stated in this Prospectus, specified in the Funds Charter or resolved by
the Board or as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of preferred stock shall be entitled
to one vote per share held on each matter submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Fund and
will vote together with holders of common stock and of any other preferred stock then outstanding
as a single class.
In connection with the election of the Funds Directors, holders of the outstanding shares of
preferred stock, voting together as a single class, will be entitled at all times to elect two of
the Funds Directors, and the remaining Directors will be elected by holders of common stock and
holders of preferred stock, voting together as a single class. In addition, if (i) at any time
dividends and distributions on outstanding shares of preferred stock are unpaid in an amount equal
to at least two full years dividends and distributions thereon and sufficient cash or specified
securities have not been deposited with the applicable paying agent for the payment of such
accumulated dividends and distributions or (ii) at any time holders of any other series of
preferred stock are entitled to elect a majority of the Directors of the Fund under the 1940 Act or
the applicable Articles Supplementary creating such shares, then the number of Directors
constituting the Board automatically will be increased by the smallest number
- 42 -
that, when added to the two Directors elected exclusively by the holders of preferred stock as
described above, would then constitute a simple majority of the Board as so increased by such
smallest number. Such additional Directors will be elected by the holders of the outstanding shares
of preferred stock, voting together as a single class, at a special meeting of shareholders which
will be called as soon as practicable and will be held not less than ten nor more than twenty days
after the mailing date of the meeting notice. If the Fund fails to send such meeting notice or to
call such a special meeting, the meeting may be called by any preferred shareholder on like notice.
The terms of office of the persons who are Directors at the time of that election will continue. If
the Fund thereafter pays, or declares and sets apart for payment in full, all dividends and
distributions payable on all outstanding shares of preferred stock for all past dividend periods or
the holders of other series of preferred stock are no longer entitled to elect such additional
Directors, the additional voting rights of the holders of the preferred stock as described above
will cease, and the terms of office of all of the additional Directors elected by the holders of
the preferred stock (but not of the Directors with respect to whose election the holders of common
stock were entitled to vote or the two Directors the holders of preferred stock have the right to
elect as a separate class in any event) will terminate at the earliest time permitted by law.
So long as shares of preferred stock are outstanding, the Fund will not, without the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the shares of
preferred stock outstanding at the time, and present and voting on such matter, voting separately
as one class, amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Funds Charter whether by merger,
consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially adversely affect any of the rights, preferences or
powers expressly set forth in the Charter with respect to such shares of preferred stock, unless
the Fund obtains written confirmation from Moodys, Fitch or any such other rating agency then rating
the preferred stock that such amendment, alteration or repeal would not impair the rating then
assigned by such rating agency to the preferred stock, in which case the vote or consent of the
holders of the preferred stock is not required. Also, to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act,
in the event shares of more than one series of preferred stock are outstanding, the Fund will not
approve any of the actions set forth in the preceding sentence which materially adversely affect
the rights, preferences or powers expressly set forth in the Charter with respect to such shares of
a series of preferred stock differently than those of a holder of shares of any other series of
preferred stock without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of
preferred stock of each series materially adversely affected and outstanding at such time (each
such materially adversely affected series voting separately as a class to the extent its rights are
affected differently). For purposes of this paragraph, no matter shall be deemed to adversely
affect any right, preference or power unless such matter (i) adversely alters or abolishes any
preferential right of such series; (ii) creates, adversely alters or abolishes any right in respect
of redemption of such series; or (iii) creates or adversely alters (other than to abolish) any
restriction on transfer applicable to such series.
Unless a higher percentage is provided under the Charter or Maryland law, the affirmative vote
of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of the preferred
stock, voting together as a single class, will be required to approve any plan of reorganization
adversely affecting the preferred stock. The affirmative vote of the holders of 66 2/3% of the
outstanding voting shares of the Fund, and the vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of
the holders of preferred shares, voting as a single class, is required to authorize the conversion
of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company. Further, unless a higher
percentage is provided for under the Charter, the affirmative vote of a majority (as defined in the
1940 Act) of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of the Funds preferred
stock, voting as a separate class, required to approve any action requiring a vote of security
holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act (other than a conversion of the Fund from a closed-end
to an open-end investment company), including, among other things, changes in the Funds investment
objectives or changes in the investment restrictions described as fundamental policies under
Investment Objectives and Policies in this Prospectus and the SAI, How the Fund Manages
RiskInvestment Restrictions in this Prospectus and Investment Restrictions in the SAI. For
purposes of this paragraph, except as otherwise required under the 1940 Act, the majority of the
outstanding preferred stock means, in accordance with Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act, the vote,
at the annual or a special meeting of the shareholders of the Fund duly called (i) of 66 2/3% or
more of the shares of preferred stock present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of
the outstanding shares of preferred stock are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than
50% of the outstanding shares of preferred stock, whichever is less. The class vote of holders of
preferred stock described above in each case will be in addition to a separate vote of the
requisite percentage of common stock, and any other preferred stock, voting together as a single
class, that may be necessary to authorize the action in question.
- 43 -
The calculation of the elements and definitions of certain terms of the rating agency
guidelines may be modified by action of the Board without further action by the shareholders if the
Board determines that such modification is necessary to prevent a reduction in rating of the shares
of preferred stock by Moodys and/or Fitch (or such other rating agency then rating the preferred
stock at the request of the Fund), as the case may be, or is in the best interests of the holders
of common stock and is not adverse to the holders of preferred stock in view of advice to the Fund
by the relevant rating agencies that such modification would not adversely affect its then-current
rating of the preferred stock.
The foregoing voting provisions will not apply to any series of preferred stock if, at or
prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote otherwise would be required will be
effected, such stock will have been redeemed or called for redemption and sufficient cash or cash
equivalents provided to the applicable paying agent to effect such redemption. The holders of
preferred stock will have no preemptive rights or rights to cumulative voting.
Limitation on Issuance of Preferred Stock
So long as the Fund has preferred stock outstanding, subject to receipt of approval from the
rating agencies of each series of preferred stock outstanding, and subject to compliance with the
Funds investment objectives, policies and restrictions, the Fund may issue and sell shares of one
or more other series of additional preferred stock provided that the Fund will, immediately after
giving effect to the issuance of such additional preferred stock and to its receipt and application
of the proceeds thereof (including, without limitation, to the redemption of preferred stock to be
redeemed out of such proceeds), have an asset coverage for all senior securities of the Fund
which are stock, as defined in the 1940 Act, of at least 200% of the sum of the liquidation
preference of the shares of preferred stock of the Fund then outstanding and all indebtedness of
the Fund constituting senior securities and no such additional preferred stock will have any
preference or priority over any other preferred stock of the Fund upon the distribution of the
assets of the Fund or in respect of the payment of dividends or distributions.
The Fund will consider from time to time whether to offer additional preferred stock or
securities representing indebtedness and may issue such additional securities if the Board
concludes that such an offering would be consistent with the Funds Charter and applicable law, and
in the best interest of existing common shareholders.
Book Entry. Shares of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock sold through this offering will initially be
held in the name of Cede & Co. as nominee for DTC. The Fund will treat Cede & Co. as the holder of
record of such shares for all purposes. In accordance with the procedures of DTC, however,
purchasers of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock will be deemed the beneficial owners of shares purchased
for purposes of dividends, voting and liquidation rights.
Shares of Variable Rate Preferred Stock will initially be held by the auction agent as
custodian for Cede & Co., in whose name the shares of Variable Rate Preferred Stock will be
registered. The Fund will treat Cede & Co. as the holder of record of the such shares for all
purposes.
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF THE FUNDS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS
The Fund presently has provisions in its Governing Documents that could have the effect of
limiting:
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the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Funds Board; |
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the Funds freedom to engage in certain transactions; or |
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the ability of the Funds directors or stockholders to amend the Governing Documents or
effectuate changes in the Funds management. |
These provisions of the Governing Documents of the Fund may be regarded as anti-takeover
provisions. The Board is divided into three classes, each having a term of three years. Each year
the term of one class of
directors will expire. Accordingly, only those directors in one class may be changed in any
one year, and it would
- 44 -
require two years to change a majority of the Board. Such system of electing
directors may have the effect of maintaining the continuity of management and, thus, make it more
difficult for the stockholders of the Fund to change the majority of directors. See Management of
the Fund in the SAI. A director of the Fund may be removed with or without cause by a vote of a
majority of the votes entitled to be cast for the election of directors of the Fund. In addition,
the affirmative vote of the holders of 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting shares of the Fund, and
the vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the holders of preferred shares, voting as a
single class, is required to authorize its conversion from a closed-end to an open-end investment
company, or generally to authorize any of the following transactions:
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merger or consolidation of the Fund with or into any other corporation; |
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issuance of any securities of the Fund to any person or entity for cash; |
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sale, lease or exchange of all or any substantial part of the assets of the Fund to any
entity or person (except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than
$1,000,000); or |
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sale, lease or exchange to the Fund, in exchange for securities of the Fund, of any assets
of any entity or person (except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than
$1,000,000); |
if such corporation, person or entity is directly, or indirectly through affiliates, the beneficial
owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. However, such vote would not be
required when, under certain circumstances, the Board approves the transaction or when each class
of voting securities of the corporation or entity that is the other party to any of the
above-listed transactions is (directly or indirectly) majority owned by the Fund.
Further, unless a higher percentage is provided for under the Charter, the affirmative vote of
a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding
shares of the Funds preferred stock, voting as a separate class, will be required to approve any
plan of reorganization adversely affecting such stock or any action requiring a vote of security
holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, including, among other things, open-ending the Fund
and changing the Funds investment objectives or changing the investment restrictions described as
fundamental policies under Investment Restrictions in the SAI.
Maryland corporations that are subject to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the 1934 Act)
and have at least three outside directors, such as the Fund, may by board resolution elect to
become subject to certain corporate governance provisions set forth in the Maryland corporate law,
even if such provisions are inconsistent with the corporations charter and by-laws. Accordingly,
notwithstanding its Governing Documents, under Maryland law, the Funds Board may elect by
resolution to, among other things:
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require that special meetings of stockholders be called only at the request of stockholders
entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting; |
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reserve for the Board the right to fix the number of Fund directors; |
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provide that directors are subject to removal only by the vote of the holders of two-thirds
of the stock entitled to vote; and |
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retain for the Board sole authority to fill vacancies created by the death, removal or
resignation of a director, with any director so appointed to serve for the balance of the
unexpired term rather than only until the next annual meeting of stockholders. |
The Board may make any of the foregoing elections without amending the Governing Documents and
without stockholder approval. Though a corporations charter or a resolution by its board may
prohibit its directors from making the elections set forth above, the Funds Board currently is not
prohibited from making any such elections.
- 45 -
The provisions of the Governing Documents and Maryland law described above could have the
effect of depriving the owners of stock in the Fund of opportunities to sell their shares at a
premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control
of the Fund in a tender offer or similar transaction. The overall effect of these provisions is to
render more difficult the accomplishment of a merger or the assumption of control by a principal
stockholder.
The Governing Documents of the Fund are on file with the SEC.
CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE
The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company (commonly referred to
as a closed-end fund). Closed-end funds differ from open-end funds (which are generally referred to
as mutual funds) in that closed-end funds generally list their shares for trading on a stock
exchange and do not redeem their shares at the request of the shareholder. This means that if you
wish to sell your shares of a closed-end fund you must trade them on the market like any other
stock at the prevailing market price at that time. In a mutual fund, if the shareholder wishes to
sell shares of the Fund, the mutual fund will redeem or buy back the shares at net asset value.
Also, mutual funds generally offer new shares on a continuous basis to new investors, and
closed-end funds generally do not. The continuous inflows and outflows of assets in a mutual fund
can make it difficult to manage the Funds investments. By comparison, closed-end funds are
generally able to stay more fully invested in securities that are consistent with their investment
objective, to have greater flexibility to make certain types of investments and to use certain
investment strategies such as financial leverage and investments in illiquid securities.
Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount to their net asset value. Because of this
possibility and the recognition that any such discount may not be in the interest of shareholders,
the Funds Board might consider from time to time engaging in open-market repurchases, tender
offers for shares or other programs intended to reduce a discount. In accordance with
determinations made by the Board, the Fund may repurchase its common stock from time to time when
it deems such a repurchase advisable. The Funds Board has determined that such repurchase, up to
1,700,000 shares of common stock, may be made when the Funds common stock is trading at a discount
of 10% (or such other percentage as the Board may determine from time to time) or more from net
asset value. No guarantee or assurance can be made that any of these actions will be undertaken.
Nor is there any guarantee or assurance that such actions, if undertaken, would result in the
shares trading at a price equal or close to net asset value per share. The Board might also
consider converting the Fund to an open-end mutual fund, which would also require a supermajority
vote of the shareholders of the Fund and a separate vote of any outstanding preferred shares. We
cannot assure you that the Funds common shares will not trade at a discount.
NET ASSET VALUE
For purposes of determining the Funds net asset value per share, portfolio securities listed
or traded on a nationally recognized securities exchange or traded in the U.S. over-the-counter
market for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the last quoted sale price
or a markets official closing price as of the close of business on the day the securities are
being valued. If there were no sales such day, the security is valued at the average of the closing
bid and asked prices or, if there were no asked prices quoted on that day, then the security is
valued at the closing bid price on that day. If no bid or asked prices are quoted on such day, the
security is valued at the most recently available price or, if the Board so determines, by such
other method as the Board shall determine in good faith to reflect its fair market value. Portfolio
securities traded on more than one national securities exchange or market are valued according to
the broadest and most representative market, as determined by the Investment Adviser.
Portfolio securities primarily traded on a foreign market are generally valued at the
preceding closing values of such securities on the relevant market, but may be fair valued pursuant
to procedures established by the Board if market conditions change significantly after the close of
the foreign market but prior to the close of business on the day the securities are being valued.
Debt instruments with remaining maturities of 60 days or less that are not credit impaired are
valued at amortized cost, unless the Board determines such amount does not reflect the securities
fair value, in which case these securities will be fair valued as determined by the Board. Debt
instruments having a maturity greater than 60 days for which market quotations are readily
available are valued at the average of the latest bid and asked prices. If there were no asked
prices quoted on such day, the security is
- 46 -
valued using the closing bid price. Futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement
price of the exchange or board of trade on which the applicable contract is traded.
Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are fair valued as
determined by the Board. Fair valuation methodologies and procedures may include, but are not
limited to: analysis and review of available financial and non-financial information about the
company; comparisons to the valuation and changes in valuation of similar securities, including a
comparison of foreign securities to the equivalent U.S. dollar value ADR securities at the close of
the U.S. exchange; and evaluation of any other information that could be indicative of the value of
the security.
The Fund obtains valuation on the basis of prices provided by one or more pricing services
approved by the Board. All other investment assets, including restricted and not readily marketable
securities, are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established
by and under the general supervision of the Board. In addition, whenever developments in one or
more securities markets after the close of the principal markets for one or more portfolio
securities and before the time as of which the Fund determines its net asset value would, if such
developments had been reflected in such principal markets, likely have had more than a minimal
effect on the Funds asset value per share, the Fund may fair value such portfolio securities based
on available market information as of the time the Fund determines its net asset value.
TAXATION
The following discussion is a brief summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations
affecting the Fund and its shareholders. This discussion reflects applicable tax laws of the United
States as of the date of this Prospectus, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new
interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) retroactively or
prospectively. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal, state,
local and foreign tax concerns affecting the Fund and its shareholders (including shareholders
owning a large position in the Fund), and the discussions set forth herein do not constitute tax
advice. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences to
them of investing in the Fund.
Taxation of the Fund
The Fund has elected to be treated and has qualified, and intends to continue to qualify, as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. Accordingly, the Fund must, among
other things, meet the following requirements regarding the source of its income and the
diversification of its assets:
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The Fund must derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from
the following sources, which are referred to herein as Qualifying Income: (a)
dividends, interest (including tax-exempt interest), payments with respect to certain
securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or
foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gain from options,
futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in
such stock, securities or foreign currencies; and (b) interests in publicly traded
partnerships that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and
that derive less than 90% of their gross income from the items described in (a) above
(each a Qualified Publicly Traded Partnership). |
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(ii) |
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The Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of
each taxable year (a) at least 50% of the market value of the Funds total assets is
represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, the securities of other
regulated investment companies and other securities, with such other securities
limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of
the Funds total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of
such issuer and (b) not more than 25% of the market value of the Funds total assets is
invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities and the securities of
other regulated investment companies) of (I) any one issuer, (II) any two or more
issuers of which the Fund holds 20% or more of the voting stock and that are determined
to be engaged in the same business or similar or related trades or businesses or (III)
any one or more Qualified Publicly Traded Partnerships. |
- 47 -
As a regulated investment company, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal
income tax on income and gains that the Fund distributes to its shareholders, provided that it
distributes each taxable year at least the sum of (i) 90% of the Funds investment company taxable
income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest and the excess of any net short-term
capital gain over net long-term capital loss and other taxable income, other than any net long-term
capital gain, reduced by deductible expenses) determined without regard to the deduction for
dividends paid and (ii) 90% of the Funds net tax-exempt interest (the excess of its gross
tax-exempt interest over certain disallowed deductions). The Fund intends to distribute
substantially all of such income at least annually. The Fund will be subject to income tax at
regular corporation rates on any taxable income or gains that it does not distribute to its
shareholders.
The Code imposes a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the Fund to the extent the Fund does not
distribute by the end of any calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its
ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gain or loss) for the calendar year and (ii)
98% of its capital gain in excess of its capital loss (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for a
one-year period generally ending on October 31 of the calendar year (unless an election is made to
use the Funds fiscal year). In addition, the minimum amounts that must be distributed in any year
to avoid the excise tax will be increased or decreased to reflect any under-distribution or
over-distribution, as the case may be, from the previous year. While the Fund intends to distribute
any income and capital gain in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% excise tax,
there can be no assurance that sufficient amounts of the Funds taxable income and capital gain
will be distributed to entirely avoid the imposition of the excise tax. In that event, the Fund
will be liable for the excise tax only on the amount by which it does not meet the foregoing
distribution requirement.
If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of
its taxable income (including its net capital gain) will be subject to tax at regular corporate
rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders.
Taxation of Shareholders
Distributions paid to you by the Fund from its net realized long-term capital gains, if any,
that the Fund designates as capital gains dividends (capital gain dividends) are taxable as
long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held your shares. All other dividends paid
to you by the Fund (including dividends from short-term capital gains) from its current or
accumulated earnings and profits (ordinary income dividends) are generally subject to tax as
ordinary income.
Special rules apply, however, to ordinary income dividends paid to individuals with respect to
taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010. If you are an individual, any such ordinary
income dividend that you receive from the Fund generally will be eligible for taxation at the
Federal rates applicable to long-term capital gains (currently at a maximum rate of 15%) to the
extent that (i) the ordinary income dividend is attributable to qualified dividend income (i.e.,
generally dividends paid by U.S. corporations and certain foreign corporations) received by the
Fund, (ii) the Fund satisfies certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the
stock on which such qualified dividend income was paid and (iii) you satisfy certain holding period
and other requirements with respect to your shares. There can be no assurance as to what portion of
the Funds ordinary income dividends will constitute qualified dividend income.
Any distributions you receive that are in excess of the Funds current or accumulated earnings
and profits will be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your adjusted tax
basis in your shares, and thereafter as capital gain from the sale of shares. The amount of any
Fund distribution that is treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce your adjusted tax
basis in your shares, thereby increasing your potential gain or reducing your potential loss on any
subsequent sale or other disposition of your shares.
Dividends and other taxable distributions are taxable to you even if they are reinvested in
additional common shares of the Fund. Dividends and other distributions paid by the Fund are
generally treated under the Code as received by you at the time the dividend or distribution is
made. If, however, the Fund pays you a dividend in January that was declared in the previous
October, November or December and you were the shareholder of record on a specified date in one of
such months, then such dividend will be treated for tax purposes as being paid by the Fund and
received by you on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.
- 48 -
The Fund will send you information after the end of each year setting forth the amount and tax
status of any distributions paid to you by the Fund.
The sale or other disposition of shares of the Fund will generally result in capital gain or
loss to you, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held such shares for more than
one year at the time of sale. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of shares held for six months or
less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received
(including amounts credited as an undistributed capital gain dividend) by you with respect to such
shares. Any loss you realize on a sale or exchange of shares will be disallowed if you acquire
other shares (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day
period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after your sale or exchange of the shares. In
such case, your tax basis in the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
The Fund may be required to withhold, for U.S. federal backup withholding tax purposes, a
portion of the dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds payable to shareholders who fail to
provide the Fund (or its agent) with their correct taxpayer identification number (in the case of
individuals, generally, their social security number) or to make required certifications, or who
have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Certain shareholders are
exempt from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld
may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that
you furnish the required information to the IRS.
CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT, AUCTION AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
State Street Bank and Trust Company, located at 1776 Heritage Drive, North Quincy,
Massachusetts 02171, serves as the custodian of the Funds assets pursuant to a custody agreement.
Under the custody agreement, the Custodian holds the Funds assets in compliance with the 1940 Act.
For its services, the Custodian receives a monthly fee based upon the average weekly value of the
total assets of the Fund, plus certain charges for securities transactions.
Computershare Trust Company, N.A., located at 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021,
serves as the Funds dividend disbursing agent, as agent under the Funds automatic dividend
reinvestment and voluntary cash purchase plan and as transfer agent and registrar with respect to
the common stock of the Fund.
Computershare also serves as the Funds transfer agent, registrar, dividend paying agent and
redemption agent with respect to the Series B Preferred.
The Bank of New York, located at 100 Church Street, New York, NY 10286, also serves as the
Funds auction agent, transfer agent, registrar, dividend paying agent and redemption agent with
respect to the Series C Auction Rate Preferred.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell shares through underwriters or dealers, directly to one or more purchasers,
through agents, to or through underwriters or dealers, or through a combination of any such methods
of sale. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will identify any underwriter or agent involved in
the offer and sale of our shares, any sales loads, discounts, commissions, fees or other
compensation paid to any underwriter, dealer or agent, the offering price, net proceeds and use of
proceeds and the terms of any sale.
The distribution of our shares may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions
at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale,
at prices related to such prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices, provided, however,
that the offering price per share in the case of common shares, must equal or exceed the net asset
value per share, exclusive of any underwriting commissions or discounts, of our common shares.
We may sell our shares directly to, and solicit offers from, institutional investors or others
who may be deemed to be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act) for
any resales of the securities.
- 49 -
In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may
use electronic media, including the Internet, to sell offered securities directly.
In connection with the sale of our shares, underwriters or agents may receive compensation
from us in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell our shares to
or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions
or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act
as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of our shares may
be deemed to be underwriters under the 1933 Act, and any discounts and commissions they receive
from us and any profit realized by them on the resale of our shares may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions under the 1933 Act. Any such underwriter or agent will be
identified and any such compensation received from us will be described in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. The maximum commission or discount to be received by any NASD member or
independent broker-dealer will not exceed eight percent. We will not pay any compensation to any
underwriter or agent in the form of warrants, options, consulting or structuring fees or similar
arrangements.
If a Prospectus Supplement so indicates, we may grant the underwriters an option to purchase
additional shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions,
within 45 days from the date of the Prospectus Supplement, to cover any overallotments.
Under agreements into which we may enter, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in
the distribution of our shares may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the 1933 Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage
in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business.
If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, we will ourselves, or will authorize
underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to
purchase our shares from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future
date. Institutions with which such contacts may be made include commercial and savings banks,
insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions
and others, but in all cases such institutions must be approved by us. The obligation of any
purchaser under any such contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the shares
shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which such
purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such other agents will not have any responsibility in
respect of the validity or performance of such contracts. Such contracts will be subject only to
those conditions set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, and the Prospectus Supplement will set
forth the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.
To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, the underwriters may from time to time act as brokers or dealers and receive fees in
connection with the execution of our portfolio transactions after the underwriters have ceased to
be underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, each may act as a broker while it is an
underwriter.
A Prospectus and accompanying Prospectus Supplement in electronic form may be made available
on the websites maintained by underwriters. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of
securities for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Such allocations of securities for
Internet distributions will be made on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, securities
may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell securities to online brokerage
account holders.
In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, our shares
offered hereby will be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or
dealers.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters will be passed on by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue,
New York, New York 10019 in connection with the offering of the preferred stock.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
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serves as the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of the Fund and
audits the financial statements of the Fund. is located at .
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Fund is subject to the informational requirements of the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and in
accordance therewith files, or will file, reports and other information with the SEC. Reports,
proxy statements and other information filed by the Fund with the SEC pursuant to the informational
requirements of the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act can be inspected and copied at the public reference
facilities maintained by the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The SEC maintains a
web site at http://www.sec.gov containing reports, proxy and information statements and other
information regarding registrants, including the Fund, that file electronically with the SEC.
The Funds common stock and Series B Preferred are listed on the NYSE. Reports, proxy
statements and other information concerning the Fund and filed with the SEC by the Fund will be
available for inspection at the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York, 10005.
This Prospectus constitutes part of a Registration Statement filed by the Fund with the SEC
under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act. This Prospectus omits certain of the information contained in
the Registration Statement, and reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and related
exhibits for further information with respect to the Fund and the shares offered hereby. Any
statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete,
and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the SEC. Each such statement is qualified in its
entirety by such reference. The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from the SEC upon
payment of the fee prescribed by its rules and regulations or free of charge through the SECs web
site (http://www.sec.gov).
PRIVACY PRINCIPLES OF THE FUND
The Fund is committed to maintaining the privacy of its shareholders and to safeguarding their
non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what
personal information the Fund collects, how the Fund protects that information and why, in certain
cases, the Fund may share information with select other parties.
Generally, the Fund does not receive any non-public personal information relating to its
shareholders, although certain non-public personal information of its shareholders may become
available to the Fund. The Fund does not disclose any non-public personal information about its
shareholders or former shareholders to anyone, except as permitted by law or as is necessary in
order to service shareholder accounts (for example, to a transfer agent or third party
administrator).
The Fund restricts access to non-public personal information about its shareholders to
employees of the Funds Investment Adviser and its affiliates with a legitimate business need for
the information. The Fund maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to
protect the non-public personal information of its shareholders.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
An SAI dated as of ___, 2008, has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus. An SAI may be obtained without charge by writing to the Fund at its
address at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422 or by calling the Fund toll-free at (800)
GABELLI (422-3554). The Table of Contents of the SAI is as follows:
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THE FUND |
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A-1 |
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES |
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A-1 |
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INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS |
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A-11 |
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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND |
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A-12 |
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AUCTIONS FOR AUCTION RATE PREFERRED STOCK |
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A-22 |
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PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS |
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A-24 |
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REPURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK |
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A-25 |
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PORTFOLIO TURNOVER |
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A-26 |
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TAXATION |
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A-26 |
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BENEFICIAL OWNERS |
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A-31 |
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GENERAL INFORMATION |
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A-31 |
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Appendix A Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures |
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A-34 |
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No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations in
connection with this offering other than those contained in this Prospectus in connection with the
offer contained herein, and, if given or made, such other information or representations must not
be relied upon as having been authorized by the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the underwriters.
Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder will, under any circumstances,
create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Fund since the date
hereof or that the information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to its date.
This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any
securities other than the securities to which it relates. This Prospectus does not constitute an
offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstance in which
such an offer or solicitation is unlawful.
- 53 -
$200,000,000
[LOGO
OF THE GABELLI MULTIMEDIA TRUST INC]
The Gabelli Global Multimedia Trust Inc.
Preferred Stock
PROSPECTUS
, 2008
- 54 -
Filed Pursuant to Rule 497
Registration Statement No. -
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated , 2008)
Shares
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
Series Preferred Stock
We
are offering for sale
shares of our Series ___ Preferred Stock, par value
$0.001 per share. Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GGT.
You should review the information set forth under Risk Factors and Special Considerations on
page ___ of the accompanying Prospectus before investing in our preferred stock.
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Public offering price |
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$ |
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Underwriting discounts and commissions |
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Proceeds, before expenses, to us |
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(1) The aggregate expenses of the offering are estimated to be $ .
The Series Preferred Stock will be ready for delivery on or about
, .
You should read this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus before deciding
whether to invest in our preferred stock and retain it for future reference. The Prospectus
Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus contain important information about us. Material that
has been incorporated by reference and other information about us can be obtained from us by
calling 1-800-GABELLI (422-3554) or from the Securities and Exchange Commissions (SEC) website
(http://www.sec.gov).
Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these
securities or determined if this Prospectus Supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation
to the contrary is a criminal offense.
,
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Supplement
P-2
TERMS OF THE SERIESPREFERRED STOCK
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Dividend Rate
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The dividend rate [for the initial dividend period](1) will be %. |
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Dividend Payment Rate
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[Dividends will be paid when, as and if declared on , , ,
and , commencing .](2) The payment date for the
initial dividend period will be .](1) |
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[Regular Dividend Period
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Regular dividend periods will be days.](1) |
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[Regular Auction Date
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Auctions will be held on .](1) |
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Liquidation Preference
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$ per share |
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[Non-Call Period
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The shares may not be called for redemption at the option of the Fund prior to
.](2) |
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[Stock Exchange Listing](2) |
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[Rating
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It is a condition of issuance that the preferred stock be rated [ ] by [ ]]. |
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(1) |
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Applicable only if the preferred stock being offered is Auction Rate Preferred Stock. |
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(2) |
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Applicable only if the preferred stock being offered is Fixed Rate Preferred Stock. |
P-3
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate the total net proceeds of the offering to be $ , based on the
public offering price of $ per share and after deducting underwriting discounts and
commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
The Investment Adviser expects that it will initially invest the proceeds of the offering in
high-quality short-term debt securities and instruments. The Investment Adviser anticipates that
the investment of the proceeds will be made in accordance with the Funds investment objectives and
policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to be
substantially completed within three months; however, changes in market conditions could result in
the Funds anticipated investment period extending to as long as six months.
UNDERWRITING
[To Come]
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters will be passed on by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue,
New York, New York 10019, counsel to the Fund in connection with the offering of the preferred
stock. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the
underwriters by .
P-4
Dated , 2008
[LOGO OF THE GABELLI GLOBAL MULTIMEDIA TRUST INC.]
THE GABELLI GLOBAL MULTIMEDIA TRUST INC.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE
CHANGED. THE FUND MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT AN
OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY
STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
The Gabelli Global Multimedia Trust Inc. (the Fund) is a non-diversified, closed-end
management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
1940 Act). The Funds primary investment objective is long-term growth of capital, primarily
through investment in a portfolio of common stock and other securities of foreign and domestic
companies involved in the telecommunications, media, publishing and entertainment industries.
Income is a secondary objective of the Fund. The Fund commenced investment operations on November
15, 1994. Gabelli Funds, LLC (the Investment Adviser) serves as investment adviser to the Fund.
This Statement of Additional Information (the SAI) does not constitute a prospectus, but
should be read in conjunction with the Funds prospectus relating thereto dated ,
2008, and as it may be supplemented. This SAI does not include all information that a prospective
investor should consider before investing in the Funds shares, and investors should obtain and
read the Funds prospectus prior to purchasing such shares. A copy of the Funds Registration
Statement, including the prospectus and any supplement, may be obtained from the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the SEC) upon payment of the fee prescribed, or inspected at the SECs
office or via its website (www.sec.gov) at no charge.
This
SAI is dated , 2008.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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The Prospectus and this SAI omit certain information contained in the registration statement
filed with the SEC, Washington D.C. The registration statement may be obtained from the SEC upon
payment of the fee prescribed, or inspected at the SECs office at no charge.
THE FUND
The Fund was incorporated in Maryland on May 31, 1994 and is a non-diversified, closed-end
management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The common stock of the Fund is listed
and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE) under the symbol GGT. The Funds 6.00%
Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock (the Series B Preferred) is listed and traded on the NYSE
under the symbol GGT PrB.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
Investment Objectives
The Funds primary investment objective is long-term growth of capital. Income is a secondary
objective. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of the value of its
assets in common stock and other securities, including convertible securities, preferred stock,
options, and warrants of companies in the telecommunications, media, publishing, and entertainment
industries. See Investment Objectives and Policies in the Prospectus.
Investment Practices
Special Situations. Subject to the Funds policy of investing at least 80% of the value of its
assets in companies involved in the telecommunications, media, publishing and entertainment
industries, the Fund from time to time may, as a non-principal investment strategy, invest in
companies that are determined by the Investment Adviser to possess special situation
characteristics. In general, a special situation company is a company whose securities are expected
to increase in value solely by reason of a development particularly or uniquely applicable to the
company. Developments that may create special situations include, among others, a liquidation,
reorganization, recapitalization or merger, material litigation, technological breakthrough or new
management or management policies. The principal risk associated with investments in special
situation companies is that the anticipated development thought to create the special situation may
not occur and the investment therefore may not appreciate in value or may decline in value.
Temporary Defensive Investments. Subject to the Funds investment restrictions, when a
temporary defensive period is believed by the Investment Adviser to be warranted (temporary
defensive periods), the Fund may, without limitation, hold cash or invest its assets in securities
of United States government sponsored instrumentalities, in repurchase agreements in respect of
those instruments, and in certain high-grade commercial paper instruments. During temporary
defensive periods, the Fund may also invest up to 10% of the market value of its total assets in
money market mutual funds that invest primarily in securities of United States government sponsored
instrumentalities and repurchase agreements in respect of those instruments. Obligations of certain
agencies and instrumentalities of the United States government, such as the Government National
Mortgage Association, are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States government;
others, such as those of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, are supported by the right of
the issuer to borrow from the United States Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal National
Mortgage Association, are supported by the discretionary authority of the United States government
to purchase the agencys obligations; and still others, such as those of the Student Loan Marketing
Association, are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. No assurance can be given
that the United States government would provide financial support to United States government
sponsored instrumentalities if it is not obligated to do so by law. During temporary defensive
periods, the Fund may be less likely to achieve its secondary investment objective of income.
Lower Rated Securities. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in fixed-income
securities rated in the lower rating categories of recognized statistical rating agencies, such as
securities rated CCC or lower by S&P or Caa or lower by Moodys, or non-rated securities of
comparable quality. These debt securities are
A-1
predominantly speculative and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions and are often
referred to in the financial press as junk bonds.
Generally, such lower rated securities and unrated securities of comparable quality offer a
higher current yield than is offered by higher rated securities, but also (i) will likely have some
quality and protective characteristics that, in the judgment of the rating organizations, are
outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions and (ii) are
predominantly speculative with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal
in accordance with the terms of the obligation. The market values of certain of these securities
also tend to be more sensitive to individual corporate developments and changes in economic
conditions than higher quality bonds. In addition, such lower rated securities and comparable
unrated securities generally present a higher degree of credit risk. The risk of loss due to
default by these issuers is significantly greater because such lower rated securities and unrated
securities of comparable quality generally are unsecured and frequently are subordinated to the
prior payment of senior indebtedness. In light of these risks, the Investment Adviser, in
evaluating the creditworthiness of an issue, whether rated or unrated, will take various factors
into consideration, which may include, as applicable, the issuers operating history, financial
resources and its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, the market support for the
facility financed by the issue, the perceived ability and integrity of the issuers management and
regulatory matters.
In addition, the market value of securities in lower rated categories is more volatile than
that of higher quality securities, and the markets in which such lower rated or unrated securities
are traded are more limited than those in which higher rated securities are traded. The existence
of limited markets may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for
purposes of valuing its portfolio and calculating its net asset value. Moreover, the lack of a
liquid trading market may restrict the availability of securities for the Fund to purchase and may
also have the effect of limiting the ability of the Fund to sell securities at their fair market
value to respond to changes in the economy or the financial markets.
Lower rated debt obligations also present risks based on payment expectations. If an issuer
calls the obligation for redemption (often a feature of fixed income securities), the Fund may have
to replace the security with a lower yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for
investors. Also, as the principal value of bonds moves inversely with movements in interest rates,
in the event of rising interest rates the value of the securities held by the Fund may decline
proportionately more than a portfolio consisting of higher rated securities. Investments in zero
coupon bonds may be more speculative and subject to greater fluctuations in value due to changes in
interest rates than bonds that pay interest currently.
The Fund may invest in securities of issuers in default. The Fund will invest in securities of
issuers in default only when the Investment Adviser believes that such issuers will honor their
obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection and the value of these securities will appreciate.
By investing in securities of issuers in default, the Fund bears the risk that these issuers will
not continue to honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection or that the value of
the securities will not appreciate.
In addition to using recognized rating agencies and other sources, the Investment Adviser
also performs its own analysis in seeking investments that it believes to be underrated (and thus
higher-yielding) in light of the financial condition of the issuer. Its analysis of issuers may
include, among other things, current and anticipated cash flow and borrowing requirements, value of
assets in relation to historical cost, strength of management, responsive ness to business
conditions, credit standing and current anticipated results of operations. In selecting investments
for the Fund, the Investment Adviser may also consider general business conditions, anticipated
changes in interest rates and the outlook for specific industries.
Subsequent to its purchase by the Fund, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its
rating may be reduced. In addition, it is possible that statistical rating agencies might not
change their ratings of a particular issue or reflect subsequent events on a timely basis.
Moreover, such ratings do not assess the risk of a decline in market value. None of these events
will require the sale of the securities by the Fund, although the Investment Adviser will consider
these events in determining whether the Fund should continue to hold the securities.
The market for certain lower rated and comparable unrated securities has in the past
experienced a major economic recession. The recession adversely affected the value of such
securities as well as the ability of certain
A-2
issuers of such securities to repay principal and pay interest thereon. The market for those
securities could react in a similar fashion in the event of any future economic recession.
Options. The Fund may, subject to guidelines of the Board of Directors (the Board), purchase
or sell (i.e., write) options on securities, securities indices and foreign currencies which are
listed on a national securities exchange or in the United States over-the-counter (OTC) markets
as a means of achieving additional return or of hedging the value of the Funds portfolio.
A call option is a contract that gives the holder of the option the right to buy from the
writer (seller) of the call option, in return for a premium paid, the security or currency
underlying the option at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. The
writer of the call option has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to deliver the
underlying security or currency upon payment of the exercise price during the option period.
A put option is the reverse of a call option, giving the holder the right, in return for a
premium, to sell the underlying security or currency to the writer, at a specified price, and
obligating the writer to purchase the underlying security or currency from the holder at that
price. The writer of the put, who receives the premium, has the obligation to buy the underlying
security or currency upon exercise, at the exercise price during the option period.
If the Fund has written an option, it may terminate its obligation by effecting a closing
purchase transaction. This is accomplished by purchasing an option of the same series as the option
previously written. There can be no assurance that a closing purchase transaction can be effected
when the Fund so desires.
An exchange-traded option may be closed out only on an exchange that provides a secondary
market for an option of the same series. Although the Fund will generally purchase or write only
those options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that
a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option.
A call option is covered if the Fund owns the underlying instrument covered by the call or
has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that instrument without additional cash
consideration upon conversion or exchange of another instrument held in its portfolio (or for
additional cash consideration held in a segregated account by its custodian). A call option is also
covered if the Fund holds a call on the same instrument as the call written where the exercise
price of the call held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written or (ii)
greater than the exercise price of the call written if the difference is maintained by the Fund in
cash, direct obligations of the United States or by its agencies or instrumentalities that are
entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States and that, other than United States
Treasury Bills, provide for the periodic payment of interest and the full payment of principal at
maturity or call for redemption or other high-grade short-term obligations in a segregated account
with its custodian. A put option is covered if the Fund maintains cash or other high grade
short-term obligations with a value equal to the exercise price in a segregated account with its
custodian, or else holds a put on the same instrument as the put written where the exercise price
of the put held is equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put written. If the Fund has
written an option, it may terminate its obligation by effecting a closing purchase transaction.
This is accomplished by purchasing an option of the same series as the option previously written.
However, once the Fund has been assigned an exercise notice, the Fund will be unable to effect a
closing purchase transaction. Similarly, if the Fund is the holder of an option it may liquidate
its position by effecting a closing sale transaction. This is accomplished by selling an option of
the same series as the option previously purchased. There can be no assurance that either a closing
purchase or sale transaction can be effected when the Fund so desires.
The Fund will realize a profit from a closing transaction if the price of the transaction is
less than the premium received from writing the option or is more than the premium paid to purchase
the option; the Fund will realize a loss from a closing transaction if the price of the transaction
is more than the premium received from writing the option or is less than the premium paid to
purchase the option. Since call option prices generally reflect increases in the price of the
underlying security, any loss resulting from the repurchase of a call option may also be wholly or
partially offset by unrealized appreciation of the underlying security. Other principal factors
affecting the market value of a put or call option include supply and demand, interest rates, the
current market price and price volatility of the underlying security and the time remaining until
the expiration date. Gains and losses on
A-3
investments in options depend, in part, on the ability of the Investment Adviser to predict
correctly the effect of these factors. The use of options cannot serve as a complete hedge since
the price movement of securities underlying the options will not necessarily follow the price
movements of the portfolio securities subject to the hedge.
An option position may be closed out only on an exchange that provides a secondary market for
an option of the same series or in a private transaction. Although the Fund will generally purchase
or write only those options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no
assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option. In
such event, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options, so the
Fund would have to exercise its options in order to realize any profit and would incur brokerage
commissions upon the exercise of call options and upon the subsequent disposition of underlying
securities for the exercise of put options. If the Fund, as a covered call option writer, is unable
to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the
underlying security until the option expires or until the Fund delivers the underlying security
upon exercise or otherwise covers the position.
In addition to options on securities, the Fund may also purchase and sell call and put options
on securities indices. A stock index reflects in a single number the market value of many different
stocks.
Relative values are assigned to the stocks included in an index and the index fluctuates with
changes in the market values of the stocks. The options give the holder the right to receive a cash
settlement during the term of the option based on the difference between the exercise price and the
value of the index. By writing a put or call option on a securities index, the Fund is obligated,
in return for the premium received, to make delivery of this amount. The Fund may offset its
position in the stock index options prior to expiration by entering into a closing transaction on
an exchange, or it may let the option expire unexercised.
Use of options on securities indices entails the risk that trading in the options may be
interrupted if trading in certain securities included in the index is interrupted. The Fund will
not purchase these options unless the Investment Adviser is satisfied with the development, depth
and liquidity of the market and the Investment Adviser believes the options can be closed out.
Price movements in the portfolio of the Fund may not correlate precisely with the movements in
the level of an index and, therefore, the use of options on indices cannot serve as a complete
hedge and will depend, in part, on the ability of the Investment Adviser to predict correctly
movements in the direction of the stock market generally or of a particular industry. Because
options on securities indices require settlement in cash, the Fund may be forced to liquidate
portfolio securities to meet settlement obligations.
The Fund may also buy or sell put and call options on foreign currencies. A put option on a
foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell a foreign currency at the
exercise price until the option expires. A call option on a foreign currency gives the purchaser of
the option the right to purchase the currency at the exercise price until the option expires.
Currency options traded on U.S. or other exchanges may be subject to position limits which may
limit the ability of the Fund to reduce foreign currency risk using such options. Over-the-counter
options differ from exchange-traded options in that they are two-party contracts with price and
other terms negotiated between buyer and seller and generally do not have as much market liquidity
as exchange-traded options. Over-the-counter options are considered illiquid securities.
Although the Investment Adviser will attempt to take appropriate measures to minimize the
risks relating to the Funds writing of put and call options, there can be no assurance that the
Fund will succeed in any option writing program it undertakes.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures. A sale of a futures contract (or a short futures
position) means the assumption of a contractual obligation to deliver the assets underlying the
contract at a specified price at a specified future time. A purchase of a futures contract (or a
long futures position) means the assumption of a contractual obligation to acquire the assets
underlying the contract at a specified price at a specified future time. Certain futures contracts,
including stock and bond index futures, are settled on a net cash payment basis rather than by the
sale and delivery of the assets underlying the futures contracts. No consideration will be paid or
received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, the Fund will be
required to deposit with the broker an amount of cash or cash equivalents equal to approximately 1%
to 10% of the contract amount (this amount
A-4
is subject to change by the exchange or board of trade on which the contract is traded and
brokers or members of such board of trade may charge a higher amount). This amount is known as
initial margin and is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract.
Subsequent payments, known as variation margin, to and from the broker will be made daily as the
price of the index or security underlying the futures contracts fluctuates. At any time prior to
the expiration of a futures contract, the Fund may close the position by taking an opposite
position, which will operate to terminate its existing position in the contract.
An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid,
to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time prior to the
expiration of the option. Upon exercise of an option, the delivery of the futures positions by the
writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated
balance in the writers futures margin account attributable to that contract, which represents the
amount by which the market price of the futures contract exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less
than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. The potential
loss related to the purchase of an option on futures contracts is limited to the premium paid for
the option (plus transaction costs). Because the value of the option purchased is fixed at the
point of sale, there are no daily cash payments by the purchaser to reflect changes in the value of
the underlying contract; however, the value of the option does change daily and that change would
be reflected in the net assets of the Fund.
Futures and options on futures entail certain risks, including but not limited to the
following: no assurance that futures contracts or options on futures can be offset at favorable
prices, possible reduction of the yield of the Fund due to the use of hedging, possible reduction
in value of both the securities hedged and the hedging instrument, possible lack of liquidity due
to daily limits on price fluctuations, imperfect correlation between the contracts and the
securities being hedged, losses from investing in futures transactions that are potentially
unlimited and the segregation requirements described below.
In the event the Fund sells a put option or enters into long futures contracts, under current
interpretations of the 1940 Act, an amount of cash, obligations of the U.S. government and its
agencies and instrumentalities or other liquid securities equal to the market value of the contract
must be deposited and maintained in a segregated account with the custodian of the Fund to
collateralize the positions, thereby ensuring that the use of the contract is unleveraged. For
short positions in futures contracts and sales of call options, the Fund may establish a segregated
account (not with a futures commission merchant or broker) with cash or liquid securities that,
when added to amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant or a broker as margin, equal the
market value of the instruments or currency underlying the futures contract or call option or the
market price at which the short positions were established.
Interest Rate Futures Contracts and Options Thereon. The Fund may purchase or sell interest
rate futures contracts to take advantage of, or to protect the Fund against fluctuations in
interest rates affecting the value of debt securities which the Fund holds or intends to acquire.
For example, if interest rates are expected to increase, the Fund might sell futures contracts on
debt securities the values of which historically have a high degree of positive correlation to the
values of the Funds portfolio securities. Such a sale would have an effect similar to selling an
equivalent value of the Funds portfolio securities. If interest rates increase, the value of the
Funds portfolio securities will decline, but the value of the futures contracts to the Fund will
increase at approximately an equivalent rate, thereby keeping the net asset value of the Fund from
declining as much as it otherwise would have. The Fund could accomplish similar results by selling
debt securities with longer maturities and investing in debt securities with shorter maturities
when interest rates are expected to increase. However, since the futures market may be more liquid
than the cash market, the use of futures contracts as a risk management technique allows the Fund
to maintain a defensive position without having to sell its portfolio securities.
Similarly, the Fund may purchase interest rate futures contracts when it is expected that
interest rates may decline. The purchase of futures contracts for this purpose constitutes a hedge
against increases in the price of debt securities (caused by declining interest rates) which the
Fund intends to acquire. Since fluctuations in the value of appropriately selected futures
contracts should approximate that of the debt securities that will be purchased, the Fund can take
advantage of the anticipated rise in the cost of the debt securities without actually buying them.
Subsequently, the Fund can make its intended purchase of the debt securities in the cash market and
concurrently liquidate its futures position. To the extent the Fund enters into futures contracts
for this purpose, it will maintain, in a segregated asset account with the Funds custodian, assets
sufficient to cover the Funds obligations with respect
A-5
to such futures contracts, which will consist of cash or other liquid securities from its
portfolio in an amount equal to the difference between the fluctuating market value of such futures
contracts and the aggregate value of the initial margin deposited by the Fund with its custodian
with respect to such futures contracts.
The purchase of a call option on a futures contract is similar in some respects to the
purchase of a call option on an individual security. Depending on the pricing of the option
compared to either the price of the futures contract upon which it is based or the price of the
underlying debt securities, it may or may not be less risky than ownership of the futures contract
or underlying debt securities. As with the purchase of futures contracts, when the Fund is not
fully invested it may purchase a call option on a futures contract to hedge against a market
advance due to declining interest rates.
The purchase of a put option on a futures contract is similar to the purchase of protective
put options on portfolio securities. The Fund will purchase a put option on a futures contract to
hedge the its portfolio against the risk of rising interest rates and consequent reduction in the
value of portfolio securities.
The writing of a call option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against
declining prices of the securities that are deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If
the futures price at expiration of the option is below the exercise price, the Fund will retain the
full amount of the option premium, which provides a partial hedge against any decline that may have
occurred in the its portfolio holdings. The writing of a put option on a futures contract
constitutes a partial hedge against increasing prices of the securities that are deliverable upon
exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at expiration of the option is higher than
the exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium, which provides a
partial hedge against any increase in the price of debt securities that it intends to purchase. If
a put or call option the Fund has written is exercised, the Fund will incur a loss which will be
reduced by the amount of the premium it received. Depending on the degree of correlation between
changes in the value of its portfolio securities and changes in the value of its futures positions,
the Funds losses from options on futures it has written may to some extent be reduced or increased
by changes in the value of its portfolio securities.
Currency Futures and Options Thereon. Generally, foreign currency futures contracts and
options thereon are similar to the interest rate futures contracts and options thereon discussed
previously. By entering into currency futures and options thereon, the Fund will seek to establish
the rate at which it will be entitled to exchange U.S. dollars for another currency at a future
time. By selling currency futures, the Fund will seek to establish the number of dollars it will
receive at delivery for a certain amount of a foreign currency. In this way, whenever the Fund
anticipates a decline in the value of a foreign currency against the U.S. dollar, the Fund can
attempt to lock in the U.S. dollar value of some or all of the securities held in its portfolio
that are denominated in that currency. By purchasing currency futures, the Fund can establish the
number of dollars it will be required to pay for a specified amount of a foreign currency in a
future month. Thus, if the Fund intends to buy securities in the future and expects the U.S. dollar
to decline against the relevant foreign currency during the period before the purchase is effected,
the Fund can attempt to lock in the price in U.S. dollars of the securities it intends to acquire.
The purchase of options on currency futures will allow the Fund, for the price of the premium
and related transaction costs it must pay for the option, to decide whether or not to buy (in the
case of a call option) or to sell (in the case of a put option) a futures contract at a specified
price at any time during the period before the option expires. If the Investment Adviser, in
purchasing an option, has been correct in its judgment concerning the direction in which the price
of a foreign currency would move as against the U.S. dollar, the Fund may exercise the option and
thereby take a futures position to hedge against the risk it had correctly anticipated or close out
the option position at a gain that will offset, to some extent, currency exchange losses otherwise
suffered by the Fund. If exchange rates move in a way the Fund did not anticipate, however, the
Fund will have incurred the expense of the option without obtaining the expected benefit; any such
movement in exchange rates may also thereby reduce, rather than enhance, the Funds profits on its
underlying securities transactions.
Securities Index Futures Contracts and Options Thereon. Purchases or sales of securities index
futures contracts are used for hedging purposes to attempt to protect the Funds current or
intended investments from broad fluctuations in stock or bond prices. For example, the Fund may
sell securities index futures contracts in anticipation of or during a market decline to attempt to
offset the decrease in market value of the its securities portfolio that might otherwise result. If
such decline occurs, the loss in value of portfolio securities may be offset, in whole or
A-6
part, by gains on the futures position. When the Fund is not fully invested in the securities
market and anticipates a significant market advance, it may purchase securities index futures
contracts in order to gain rapid market exposure that may, in part or entirely, offset increases in
the cost of securities that it intends to purchase. As such purchases are made, the corresponding
positions in securities index futures contracts will be closed out. The Fund may write put and call
options on securities index futures contracts for hedging purposes.
Limitations on the Purchase and Sale of Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts.
The Investment Adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term commodity pool
operator under the Commodity Exchange Act and therefore is not subject to registration under the
Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Funds investments in derivative instruments described in
the Prospectus and this SAI are not limited by or subject to regulation under the Commodity
Exchange Act or otherwise regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Nevertheless, the
Funds investment restrictions place certain limitations and prohibitions on the Funds ability to
purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts. See Investment Restrictions. Under these
restrictions, the Fund may not enter into futures contracts or options on futures contracts unless
(i) the aggregate initial margins and premiums do not exceed 5% of the fair market value of the
Funds total assets and (ii) the aggregate market value of the Funds outstanding futures contracts
and the market value of the currencies and futures contracts subject to outstanding options written
by the Fund, as the case may be, do not exceed 50% of the market value of the Funds total assets.
In addition, investment in futures contracts and related options generally will be limited by the
rating agency guidelines applicable to any of the Funds preferred stock.
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts. The Fund may engage in currency transactions other than
on futures exchanges to protect against future changes in the level of future currency exchange
rates. The Fund will conduct such currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash)
basis at the rate then prevailing in the currency exchange market or on a forward basis, by
entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell currency. A forward contract on foreign
currency involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may
be any fixed number of days agreed upon by the parties from the date of the contract, at a price
set on the date of the contract. Dealing in forward currency exchange will be limited to hedging
involving either specific transactions or portfolio positions. Transaction hedging is the purchase
or sale of forward currency with respect to specific receivables or payables of the Fund generally
arising in connection with the purchase or sale of its portfolio securities and accruals of
interest receivable and Fund expenses. Position hedging is the forward sale of currency with
respect to portfolio security positions denominated or quoted in that currency or in a currency
bearing a high degree of positive correlation to the value of that currency.
The Fund may not position hedge with respect to a particular currency for an amount greater
than the aggregate market value (determined at the time of making any sale of forward currency) of
the securities held in its portfolio denominated or quoted in, or currently convertible into, such
currency. If the Fund enters into a position hedging transaction, the Funds custodian or
subcustodian will place cash or other liquid securities in a segregated account of the Fund in an
amount equal to the value of the Funds total assets committed to the consummation of the given
forward contract. If the value of the securities placed in the segregated account declines,
additional cash or securities will be placed in the account so that the value of the account will,
at all times, equal the amount of the Funds commitment with respect to the forward contract.
At or before the maturity of a forward sale contract, the Fund may either sell a portfolio
security and make delivery of the currency, or retain the security and offset its contractual
obligations to deliver the currency by purchasing a second contract pursuant to which the Fund will
obtain, on the same maturity date, the same amount of the currency which it is obligated to
deliver. If the Fund retains the portfolio security and engages in an offsetting transaction, the
Fund, at the time of execution of the offsetting transaction, will incur a gain or a loss to the
extent that movement has occurred in forward contract prices. Should forward prices decline during
the period between the Funds entering into a forward contract for the sale of a currency and the
date it enters into an offsetting contract for the purchase of the currency, the Fund will realize
a gain to the extent the price of the currency it has agreed to purchase is less than the price of
the currency it has agreed to sell. Should forward prices increase, the Fund will suffer a loss to
the extent the price of the currency it has agreed to purchase exceeds the price of the currency it
has agreed to sell. Closing out forward purchase contracts involves similar offsetting
transactions.
The cost to the Fund of engaging in currency transactions varies with factors such as the
currency involved, the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing.
Because forward transactions in currency
A-7
exchange are usually conducted on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved. The
use of foreign currency contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the
securities, but it does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in the future. In
addition, although forward currency contracts limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value
of the hedged currency, they also limit any potential gain that might result if the value of the
currency increases.
If a decline in any currency is generally anticipated by the Investment Adviser, the Fund may
not be able to contract to sell the currency at a price above the level to which the currency is
anticipated to decline.
Special Risk Considerations Relating to Futures and Options Thereon. The ability to establish
and close out positions in futures contracts and options thereon will be subject to the development
and maintenance of liquid markets. Although the Fund generally will purchase or sell only those
futures contracts and options thereon for which there appears to be a liquid market, there is no
assurance that a liquid market on an exchange will exist for any particular futures contract or
option thereon at any particular time.
In the event no liquid market exists for a particular futures contract or option thereon in
which the Fund maintains a position, it will not be possible to effect a closing transaction in
that contract or to do so at a satisfactory price and the Fund would have to either make or take
delivery under the futures contract or, in the case of a written option, wait to sell the
underlying securities until the option expires or is exercised or, in the case of a purchased
option, exercise the option. In the case of a futures contract or an option thereon which the Fund
has written and which the Fund is unable to close, the Fund would be required to maintain margin
deposits on the futures contract or option thereon and to make variation margin payments until the
contract is closed.
Successful use of futures contracts and options thereon and forward contracts by the Fund is
subject to the ability of the Investment Adviser to predict correctly movements in the direction of
interest and foreign currency rates. If the Investment Advisers expectations are not met, the Fund
will be in a worse position than if a hedging strategy had not been pursued. For example, if the
Fund has hedged against the possibility of an increase in interest rates that would adversely
affect the price of securities in its portfolio and the price of such securities increases instead,
the Fund will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value of its securities because it
will have offsetting losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such situations, if the Fund
has insufficient cash to meet daily variation margin requirements, it may have to sell securities
to meet the requirements. These sales may be, but will not necessarily be, at increased prices
which reflect the rising market. The Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it is
disadvantageous to do so.
Additional Risks of Foreign Options, Futures Contracts, Options on Futures Contracts and
Forward Contracts. Options, futures contracts and options thereon and forward contracts on
securities and currencies may be traded on foreign exchanges. Such transactions may not be
regulated as effectively as similar transactions in the U.S., may not involve a clearing mechanism
and related guarantees, and are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in,
or the prices of, foreign securities. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected
by (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than
in the U.S. of data on which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Funds ability to act
upon economic events occurring in the foreign markets during non-business hours in the U.S., (iv)
the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements
than in the U.S. and (v) lesser trading volume.
Exchanges on which options, futures and options on futures are traded may impose limits on the
positions that the Fund may take in certain circumstances.
Risks of Currency Transactions. Currency transactions are also subject to risks different from
those of other portfolio transactions. Because currency control is of great importance to the
issuing governments and influences economic planning and policy, purchases and sales of currency
and related instruments can be adversely affected by government exchange controls, limitations or
restrictions on repatriation of currency, and manipulation, or exchange restrictions imposed by
governments. These forms of governmental action can result in losses to the Fund if it is unable to
deliver or receive currency or monies in settlement of obligations and could also cause hedges it
has entered into to be rendered useless, resulting in full currency exposure as well as incurring
transaction costs.
A-8
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may engage in repurchase agreements as set forth in the
Prospectus. A repurchase agreement is an instrument under which the purchaser, i.e., the Fund,
acquires a debt security and the seller agrees, at the time of the sale, to repurchase the
obligation at a mutually agreed upon time and price, thereby determining the yield during the
purchasers holding period. This results in a fixed rate of return insulated from market
fluctuations during such period. The underlying securities are ordinarily U.S. Treasury or other
government obligations or high quality money market instruments. The Fund will require that the
value of such underlying securities, together with any other collateral held by the Fund, always
equals or exceeds the amount of the repurchase obligations of the counter party. The Funds risk is
primarily that, if the seller defaults, the proceeds from the disposition of the underlying
securities and other collateral for the sellers obligation are less than the repurchase price. If
the seller becomes insolvent, the Fund might be delayed in or prevented from selling the
collateral. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a seller, the Fund will promptly seek to
liquidate the collateral. To the extent that the proceeds from any sale of such collateral upon a
default in the obligation to repurchase are less than the repurchase price, the Fund will
experience a loss.
If the financial institution which is a party to the repurchase agreement petitions for
bankruptcy or becomes subject to the United States Bankruptcy Code, the law regarding the rights of
the Fund is unsettled. As a result, under extreme circumstances, there may be a restriction on the
Funds ability to sell the collateral and the Fund would suffer a loss.
Loans of Portfolio Securities. Consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and the
Funds investment restrictions, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities to securities
broker-dealers or financial institutions, provided that such loans are callable at any time by the
Fund (subject to notice provisions described below), and are at all times secured by cash or cash
equivalents, which are maintained in a segregated account pursuant to applicable regulations and
that are at least equal to the market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. The
advantage of such loans is that the Fund continues to receive the income on the loaned securities
while at the same time earns interest on the cash amounts deposited as collateral, which will be
invested in short-term obligations. The Fund will not lend its portfolio securities if such loans
are not permitted by the laws or regulations of any state in which its stock is qualified for sale.
The Funds loans of portfolio securities will be collateralized in accordance with applicable
regulatory requirements and no loan will cause the value of all loaned securities to exceed 20% of
the value of the Funds total assets. The Funds ability to lend portfolio securities will be
limited by the rating agency guidelines applicable to any of the Funds outstanding preferred
stock.
A loan may generally be terminated by the borrower on one business day notice, or by the Fund
on five business days notice. If the borrower fails to deliver the loaned securities within five
days after receipt of notice, the Fund could use the collateral to replace the securities while
holding the borrower liable for any excess of replacement cost over collateral. As with any
extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in some cases even loss of rights in
the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, these loans of
portfolio securities will only be made to firms deemed by the Funds management to be creditworthy
and when the income which can be earned from such loans justifies the attendant risks. The Board
will oversee the creditworthiness of the contracting parties on an ongoing basis. Upon termination
of the loan, the borrower is required to return the securities to the Fund. Any gain or loss in the
market price during the loan period would inure to the Fund. The risks associated with loans of
portfolio securities are substantially similar to those associated with repurchase agreements.
Thus, if the counter party to the loan petitions for bankruptcy or becomes subject to the United
States Bankruptcy Code, the law regarding the rights of the Fund is unsettled. As a result, under
extreme circumstances, there may be a restriction on the Funds ability to sell the collateral and
the Fund would suffer a loss. When voting or consent rights which accompany loaned securities pass
to the borrower, the Fund will follow the policy of calling the loaned securities, to be delivered
within one day after notice, to permit the exercise of such rights if the matters involved would
have a material effect on the Funds investment in such loaned securities. The Fund will pay
reasonable finders, administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan of its securities.
When Issued, Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments. The Fund may enter into
forward commitments for the purchase or sale of securities, including on a when issued or
delayed delivery basis, in excess of customary settlement periods for the type of security
involved. In some cases, a forward commitment may be conditioned upon the occurrence of a
subsequent event, such as approval and consummation of a merger, corporate reorganization or debt
restructuring, i.e., a when, as and if issued security. When such transactions are negotiated, the
price is fixed at the time of the commitment, with payment and delivery taking place in the future,
A-9
generally a month or more after the date of the commitment. While it will only enter into a
forward commitment with the intention of actually acquiring the security, the Fund may sell the
security before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable.
Securities purchased under a forward commitment are subject to market fluctuation, and no
interest (or dividends) accrues to the Fund prior to the settlement date. The Fund will segregate
with its custodian cash or liquid securities in an aggregate amount at least equal to the amount of
its outstanding forward commitments.
Short Sales. The Fund may make short sales of securities. A short sale is a transaction in
which the Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation that the market price of that
security will decline. The market value of the securities sold short of any one issuer will not
exceed either 5% of the Funds total assets or 5% of such issuers voting securities.
The Fund will not make a short sale, if, after giving effect to such sale, the market value of
all securities sold short exceeds 25% of the value of its assets or the Funds aggregate short
sales of a particular class of securities exceeds 25% of the outstanding securities of that class.
The Fund may also make short sales against the box without respect to such limitations. In this
type of short sale, at the time of the sale, the Fund owns, or has the immediate and unconditional
right to acquire at no additional cost, the identical security. The Fund expects to make short
sales both to obtain capital gains from anticipated declines in securities and as a form of hedging
to offset potential declines in long positions in the same or similar securities. The short sale of
a security is considered a speculative investment technique. Short sales against the box may be
subject to special tax rules, one of the effects of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund.
When the Fund makes a short sale, it must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the
broker-dealer through which it made the short sale in order to satisfy its obligation to deliver
the security upon conclusion of the sale. The Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular
securities and is often obligated to pay over any payments received on such borrowed securities.
The Funds obligation to replace the borrowed security will be secured by collateral deposited
with the broker-dealer, usually cash, U.S. government securities or other highly liquid debt
securities. The Fund will also be required to deposit similar collateral with its custodian to the
extent, if any, necessary so that the value of both collateral deposits in the aggregate is at all
times equal to the greater of the price at which the security is sold short or 100% of the current
market value of the security sold short. Depending on arrangements made with the broker-dealer from
which it borrowed the security regarding payment over of any payments received by the Fund on such
security, the Fund may not receive any payments (including interest) on its collateral deposited
with such broker-dealer. If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the
short sale and the time the Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a loss;
conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be
decreased, any loss increased, by the transaction costs described above. Although the Funds gain
is limited to the price at which it sold the security short, its potential loss is theoretically
unlimited.
To secure its obligations to deliver the securities sold short, the Fund will deposit in
escrow in a separate account with its custodian, State Street Bank and Trust Company (State
Street), an amount at least equal to the securities sold short or securities convertible into, or
exchangeable for, the securities. The Fund may close out a short position by purchasing and
delivering an equal amount of securities sold short, rather than by delivering securities already
held by the Fund, because the Fund may want to continue to receive interest and dividend payments
on securities in its portfolio that are convertible into the securities sold short.
Restricted and Illiquid Securities. The Fund may invest up to a total of 15% of its net assets
in securities that are subject to restrictions on resale and securities the markets for which are
illiquid, including repurchase agreements with more than seven days to maturity. Illiquid
securities include securities the disposition of which is subject to substantial legal or
contractual restrictions. The sale of illiquid securities often requires more time and results in
higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling expenses than does the sale of
securities eligible for trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter
markets. Restricted securities may sell at a price lower than similar securities that are not
subject to restrictions on resale. Unseasoned issuers are companies (including predecessors) that
have operated less than three years. The continued liquidity of such securities may not be as well
assured as that of publicly traded securities, and accordingly the Board will monitor
A-10
their liquidity. The Board will review pertinent factors such as trading activity, reliability
of price information and trading patterns of comparable securities in determining whether to treat
any such security as liquid for purposes of the foregoing 15% test. To the extent the Board treats
such securities as liquid, temporary impairments to trading patterns of such securities may
adversely affect the Funds liquidity.
In accordance with pronouncements of the SEC, the Fund may invest in restricted securities
that can be traded among qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the Securities Act), without registration and may treat them as liquid for
purposes of the foregoing 15% test if such securities are found to be liquid. The Board has adopted
guidelines and delegated to the Investment Adviser, subject to the supervision of the Board, the
function of determining and monitoring the liquidity of particular Rule 144A securities.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Fund operates under the following restrictions that constitute fundamental policies that
cannot be changed without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act). Such a majority is defined as the
lesser of (i) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting of stockholders, if the holders of 50%
of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of
the outstanding shares of the Fund. All percentage limitations set forth below apply immediately
after a purchase or initial investment and any subsequent change in any applicable percentage
resulting from market fluctuations does not require elimination of any security from the portfolio.
The Fund may not:
1. Invest 25% or more of its total assets, taken at market value at the time of each
investment, in the securities of issuers in any particular industry other than the
telecommunications, media, publishing and entertainment industries. This restriction does not apply
to investments in U.S. government securities.
2. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except in connection with a merger,
consolidation, acquisition or reorganization, if more than 10% of the market value of the total
assets of the Fund would be invested in securities of other investment companies, more than 5% of
the market value of the total assets of the Fund would be invested in the securities of any one
investment company or the Fund would own more than 3% of any other investment companys securities;
provided, however, this restriction will not apply to securities of any investment company
organized by the Fund that are to be distributed pro rata as a dividend to its shareholders.
3. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts except that the Fund may purchase or
sell futures contracts and related options thereon if immediately thereafter (i) no more than 5% of
its total assets are invested in margins and premiums and (ii) the aggregate market value of its
outstanding futures contracts and market value of the currencies and futures contracts subject to
outstanding options written by the Fund do not exceed 50% of the market value of its total assets.
The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate, provided that the Fund may invest in securities
secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies which invest in real estate or
interests therein
4. Purchase any securities on margin, except that the Fund may obtain such short-term credit
as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities.
5. Make loans of money, except by the purchase of a portion of publicly distributed debt
obligations in which the Fund may invest, and repurchase agreements with respect to those
obligations, consistent with its investment objectives and policies. The Fund reserves the
authority to make loans of its portfolio securities to financial intermediaries in an aggregate
amount not exceeding 20% of its total assets. Any such loans will only be made upon approval of,
and subject to any conditions imposed by, the Board. Because these loans would at all times be
fully collateralized, the risk of loss in the event of default of the borrower should be slight.
6. Borrow money, except that the Fund may borrow from banks and other financial institutions
on an unsecured basis, in an amount not exceeding 10% of its total assets, to finance the
repurchase of its shares. The Fund also may borrow money on a secured basis from banks as a
temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes. Temporary borrowings may not exceed 5%
of the value of the total assets of the Fund at the time the loan
A-11
is made. The Fund may pledge up to 10% of the lesser of the cost or value of its total assets
to secure temporary borrowings. The Fund will not borrow for investment purposes. Immediately after
any borrowing, the Fund will maintain asset coverage of not less than 300% with respect to all
borrowings. While the borrowing of the Fund exceeds 5% of its respective total assets, the Fund
will make no further purchases of securities, although this limitation will not apply to repurchase
transactions as described above.
7. Underwrite securities of other issuers except insofar as the Fund may be deemed an
underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in selling portfolio securities;
provided, however, this restriction will not apply to securities of any investment company
organized by the Fund that are to be distributed pro rata as a dividend to its shareholders.
8. Invest more than 15% of its total assets in illiquid securities, such as repurchase
agreements with maturities in excess of seven days, or securities that at the time of purchase have
legal or contractual restrictions on resale.
9. Issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by applicable law.
With
respect to
(1) above, the Fund invests 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of issuers in
the telecommunications, media, publishing and entertainment industries.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Directors and Officers
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of its Board, and the
day-to-day operations are conducted through or under the direction of its officers.
The Board approves all significant agreements between the Fund and the companies that furnish
the Fund with services, including agreements with the Investment Adviser, State Street Bank and
Trust Company, 150 Royall Street, Canton, MA 02021, the Funds custodian (the Custodian),
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (Computershare), located at 250 Royall Street, Canton,
Massachusetts 02021, the Funds transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent with respect to the
Series B Preferred, and The Bank of New York, the Funds auction agent, paying agent and registrar
with respect to the Series C Auction Rate Preferred. The day-to-day operations of the Fund are
delegated to the Investment Adviser.
The names and business addresses of the Directors and principal officers of the Fund are set
forth in the following table, together with their positions and their principal occupations during
the past five years and, in the case of the Directors, their positions with certain other
organizations and companies. Directors who are interested persons of the Fund, as defined by the
1940 Act, are listed under the caption Interested Director.
Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name, Position with the |
|
Term of Office |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Portfolios |
Fund, Age and Business |
|
and Length of |
|
Principal Occupation(s) |
|
Other Directorships |
|
in Fund Complex |
Address1 |
|
Time Served2 |
|
During Past Five Years |
|
Held by Director |
|
Overseen by Director |
INTERESTED DIRECTOR3: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mario J. Gabelli
Director and Chief Investment
Officer
Age: 65
|
|
Since 1994*
|
|
Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of
GAMCO Investors, Inc.;
Chief Investment
OfficerValue
Portfolios of Gabelli
Funds, LLC and GAMCO
Asset Management Inc.;
Director/Trustee or
Chief Investment
Officer of other
registered investment
companies in the
Gabelli/GAMCO Funds
complex; Chairman and
Chief Executive
Officer of GGCP, Inc.
|
|
Director of Morgan
Group Holdings,
Inc. (holding
company); Chairman
of the Board of
LICT Corporation
(multimedia and
communication
services company)
|
|
|
26 |
|
A-12
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name, Position with the |
|
Term of Office |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Portfolios |
Fund, Age and Business |
|
and Length of |
|
Principal Occupation(s) |
|
Other Directorships |
|
in Fund Complex |
Address1 |
|
Time Served2 |
|
During Past Five Years |
|
Held by Director |
|
Overseen by Director |
NON-INTERESTED DIRECTORS: |
|
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|
|
|
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|
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Thomas E. Bratter
Director
Age: 68
|
|
Since 1994*
|
|
Director, President
and Founder of The
John Dewey Academy
(residential college
preparatory
therapeutic high
school).
|
|
None
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anthony J. Colavita(4)
Director
Age: 72
|
|
Since 2001*
|
|
Partner in the law
firm of Anthony J.
Colavita, P.C.
|
|
None
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James P. Conn(4)
Director
Age: 69
|
|
Since 1994**
|
|
Former Managing
Director and Chief
Investment Officer of
Financial Security
Assurance Holdings
Ltd. (insurance
holding company)
(1992-1998).
|
|
None
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. Director
Age: 68
|
|
Since 1999***
|
|
President and Chief
Executive Officer of
the American Gaming
Association;
Co-Chairman of the
Commission on
Presidential Debates;
Chairman of the
Republican National
Committee (1983-1989).
|
|
None
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anthony R. Pustorino Director
Age: 82
|
|
Since 1994**
|
|
Certified Public
Accountant; Professor
Emeritus, Pace
University.
|
|
Director of The LGL
Group, Inc.
(diversified
manufacturing)
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Werner J. Roeder, MD
Director
Age: 67
|
|
Since 1999***
|
|
Medical Director of
Lawrence Hospital and
practicing private
physician.
|
|
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salvatore J. Zizza
Director
Age: 62
|
|
Since 1994***
|
|
Chairman of Zizza &
Co., Ltd.
(consulting).
|
|
Director of
Hollis-Eden
Pharmaceuticals
(biotechnology) and
Earl Scheib, Inc.
(automotive
services)
|
|
|
26 |
|
A-13
Officers
|
|
|
|
|
Name, Position with the |
|
|
|
|
Fund, Age, and Business |
|
|
|
|
Address(1) |
|
Length of time Served |
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years |
Bruce N. Alpert
President
Age: 56
|
|
Since 1988
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 1988;
Director and President of Gabelli Advisers,
Inc. since 1998; Officer of most of the
registered investment companies in the
Gabelli/GAMCO Funds complex. |
|
|
|
|
|
Laurissa M. Martire
Vice President
Age: 31
|
|
Since 2004
|
|
Vice President of the Fund since 2004; Vice
President of The Gabelli Convertible and
Income Securities Fund Inc. since 2004;
Assistant Vice President of GAMCO Investors,
Inc. since 2003; Sales Assistant for GAMCO
Investors, Inc. prior to 2003. |
|
|
|
|
|
Peter D. Goldstein
Chief Compliance Officer
Age: 54
|
|
Since 2004
|
|
Director of Regulatory Affairs for GAMCO
Investors, Inc. since 2004; Chief Compliance
Officer of all of the registered investment
companies in the Gabelli/GAMCO Funds complex;
Vice President of Goldman Sachs Asset
Management from 2000 to 2004. |
|
|
|
|
|
Agnes Mullady
Treasurer and Principal
Financial Officer
Age: 49
|
|
Since 2006
|
|
President and Chief Operating Officer of
Closed-End Funds for Gabelli Funds, LLC since
April 2007; Officer of all registered
investment companies in the Gabelli/GAMCO
Funds complex; Senior Vice President of U.S.
Trust Company, N.A. and Treasurer and Chief
Financial Office of Excelsior Funds from
2004-2005; Chief Financial Officer of AMIC
Distribution Partners from 2002-2004. |
|
|
|
|
|
LoAn P. Nguyen
Vice President &
Ombudsman
Age: 25
|
|
Since 2004
|
|
Vice President of the Fund since 2004 and The
Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. since 2006;
Portfolio Administrator for Gabelli Funds,
LLC during 2004; Student at Boston College
prior to 2004. |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Address: One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580, unless otherwise noted. |
|
2 |
|
The Funds Board is divided into three classes, each class having a term of three years. Each
year the term of office of one class expires and the successor or successors elected to such
class serve for a three year term. The three year term for each class expires as follows: |
|
* |
|
Term expires at the Funds 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until his successor is duly
elected and qualified. |
|
** |
|
Term expires at the Funds 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until his successor is duly
elected and qualified. |
|
*** |
|
Term expires at the Funds 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until his successor is duly
elected and qualified. |
|
3 |
|
Interested person of the Fund is defined in the 1940 Act. Mr. Gabelli is considered an
interested person of the Fund because of his affiliation with the Investment Adviser and
Gabelli & Company, which executes portfolio transactions for the Fund, and as a controlling
shareholder because of the level of his ownership of common shares of the Fund. |
|
4 |
|
As a Director, elected solely by holders of the Funds preferred stock. |
Beneficial Ownership of Shares Held in the Fund and the Fund Complex for Each Director
Set forth in the table below is the dollar range of equity securities in the Fund beneficially
owned by each Director and the aggregate dollar range of equity securities in the Fund complex
beneficially owned by each Director.
A-14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of |
|
|
|
|
Equity Securities in all |
|
|
|
|
Registered Investment |
|
|
Dollar Range of Equity |
|
Companies in the Gabelli Fund |
Name of Director |
|
Securities in the Fund(1) |
|
Complex(1)(2) |
Interested Director |
|
|
|
|
Mario J. Gabelli
|
|
over $100,000
|
|
over $100,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Disinterested Directors |
|
|
|
|
Thomas E. Bratter
|
|
$10,001 50,000
|
|
over $100,000 |
Anthony J. Colavita
|
|
$10,001 50,000
|
|
over $100,000 |
James P. Conn
|
|
over $100,000
|
|
over $100,000 |
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
|
|
none
|
|
$1 $10,000 |
Anthony R. Pustorino
|
|
$10,001 50,000
|
|
over $100,000 |
Werner J. Roeder, MD
|
|
none
|
|
over $100,000 |
Salvatore J. Zizza |
|
$50,001 $100,000 |
|
over $100,000 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
This information has been furnished by each Director as of December 31, 2007. Beneficial
Ownership is determined in accordance with Section 16a-1(a)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended. |
|
|
(2) |
|
The Fund Complex includes all of the funds that are considered part of the same fund
complex as the Fund because they have a common or affiliated investment adviser. |
The Directors serving on the Funds Nominating Committee are Anthony J. Colavita (Chair),
Werner J. Roeder and Salvatore J. Zizza. The Nominating Committee is responsible for recommending
qualified candidates to the Board in the event that a position is vacated or created. The
Nominating Committee would consider recommendations by shareholders if a vacancy were to exist.
Such recommendations should be forwarded to the Secretary of the Fund. The Nominating Committee met
once during the year ended December 31, 2007. The Fund does not have a standing compensation
committee.
Anthony R. Pustorino (Chair), Werner J. Roeder and Salvatore J. Zizza serve on the Funds
Audit Committee and these Directors are not interested persons of the Fund as defined in the
1940 Act. The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and evaluating issues related to the
accounting and financial reporting policies and internal controls of the Fund and the internal
controls of certain service providers, overseeing the quality and objectivity of the Funds
financial statements and the audit thereof and to act as a liaison between the Board and the Funds
independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee met twice during the year ended
December 31, 2007.
Remuneration of Directors and Officers
The Fund pays each Director who is not affiliated with the Investment Adviser or its
affiliates a fee of $6,000 per year plus $500 per meeting attended in person and by telephone,
including committee meetings, together with the Directors actual out-of-pocket expenses relating
to his attendance at such meetings. All Board committee members receive $500 per meeting attended.
In addition, the Audit Committee Chairman receives an annual fee of $3,000 and the Nominating
Committee Chairman receives an annual fee of $2,000. Directors who are directors or employees of
the Adviser or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the
Fund.
The following table shows the compensation that the Directors earned in their capacity as
Directors during the year ended December 31, 2007. The table also shows, for the year ended
December 31, 2007, the compensation Directors earned in their capacity as Directors/Trustees for
other funds in the Gabelli Fund Complex.
A-15
Compensation Table for the Year Ended December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
From the Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
and |
|
|
Compensation |
|
Fund Complex |
Name of Director |
|
From the Fund |
|
Paid to Directors* |
Interested Director: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mario J. Gabelli |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Disinterested Directors: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas E. Bratter |
|
$ |
8,000 |
|
|
$ |
39,500 |
|
Anthony J. Colavita |
|
$ |
10,750 |
|
|
$ |
225.000 |
|
James P. Conn |
|
$ |
8,500 |
|
|
$ |
104,750 |
|
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. |
|
$ |
8,000 |
|
|
$ |
60,500 |
|
Anthony R. Pustorino |
|
$ |
12,167 |
|
|
$ |
141,500 |
|
Werner J. Roeder, MD |
|
$ |
9,500 |
|
|
$ |
103,250 |
|
Salvatore J. Zizza |
|
$ |
9,531 |
|
|
$ |
166,250 |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Represents the total compensation paid to such persons during the year ended December 31, 2007 by
investment companies (including the Fund) or portfolios thereof from which such person receives
compensation that are considered part of the same fund complex as the Fund because they have common
or affiliated investment advisers. |
Limitation of Directors and Officers Liability
Subject to limitations imposed by the 1940 Act, the Funds Charter limits the liability of the
Funds directors and officers to the Fund and its stockholders to the fullest extent permitted by
Maryland law. Under Maryland law, Maryland corporations may limit their directors and officers
liability for money damages to the corporation and stockholders except to the extent (i) that it is
proved that a director or officer actually received an improper benefit or profit in money,
property or services, in which case such director or officer may be liable for the amount of the
benefit or profit actually received or (ii) that a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to
a director or officer is entered in a proceeding based on a finding that such directors or
officers action, or failure to act, was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and was
material to the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding.
The Charter also provides for the indemnification of, and expenses to be advanced on behalf
of, directors and officers, among others, to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law, subject
to the limitations imposed by the 1940 Act. Under Maryland law, corporations may indemnify present
and past directors and officers, or officers of another corporation that serve at the request of
the indemnifying corporation, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable
expenses (including attorneys fees) actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending
or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(other than an action by or in the right of the corporation in which such director or officer is
adjudicated liable to the corporation), in which they are made parties by reason of being or having
been directors or officers, unless it is proved that (i) the act or omission of the director or
officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and was committed in bad faith or
was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (ii) the director or officer actually received
an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (iii) in the case of any criminal
proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was
unlawful. Maryland law also provides that, unless limited by the corporations charter, a
corporation will indemnify present and past directors and officers who are successful, on the
merits or otherwise, in the defense of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, against reasonable expenses
(including attorneys fees) incurred in connection with such proceeding. The Funds Charter does
not limit the extent of this indemnity.
Investment Management
The Investment Adviser, located at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422, serves as
the investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Fund (the
Advisory Agreement). The Investment Adviser was organized in 1999 and is the successor to Gabelli
Funds, Inc., which was
A-16
organized in 1980. As of
December 31, 2007, the Investment Adviser acted as registered
investment adviser to 24 management investment companies with aggregate net assets of $16.8
billion. The Investment Adviser, together with other affiliated investment advisers, had assets
under management totaling approximately $31.0 billion as of
December 31, 2007. GAMCO Asset
Management Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as investment adviser for
individuals, pension trusts, profit sharing trusts and endowments, and as a sub-adviser to
management investment companies having aggregate assets of $13.3 billion under
management as of
December 31, 2007. Gabelli Securities, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as
investment adviser for investment partnerships and entities having aggregate assets of
approximately $460 million under management as of December 31, 2007.
Gabelli Fixed Income LLC, an
affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as investment adviser for separate accounts having
aggregate assets of approximately $24 million under
management as of December 31, 2007. Teton Advisors, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as investment manager to the Westwood
Funds having aggregate assets of approximately $440 million under management as
of December 31, 2007.
The Investment Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAMCO Investors, Inc., a New York
corporation, whose Class A Common Stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol GBL. Mr. Mario J.
Gabelli may be deemed a controlling person of the Investment Adviser on the basis of his
ownership of a majority of the stock of GGCP, Inc., which owns a majority of the capital stock of
GAMCO Investors, Inc.
The Investment Adviser will provide a continuous investment program for the portfolios of the
Fund and oversee the administration of all aspects of the Funds business and affairs. The
Investment Adviser has sole investment discretion for the assets of the Fund under the supervision
of the Funds Board and in accordance with the Funds stated policies. The Investment Adviser will
select investments for the Fund and will place purchase and sale orders on behalf of the Fund.
Investment Advisory Agreements
Affiliates of the Investment Adviser may, in the ordinary course of their business, acquire
for their own account or for the accounts of their advisory clients, significant (and possibly
controlling) positions in the securities of companies that may also be suitable for investment by
the Fund. The securities in which the Fund might invest may thereby be limited to some extent. For
instance, many companies in the past several years have adopted so-called poison pill or other
defensive measures designed to discourage or prevent the completion of non-negotiated offers for
control of the company. Such defensive measures may have the effect of limiting the shares of the
company that might otherwise be acquired by the Fund if the affiliates of the Investment Adviser or
their advisory accounts have or acquire a significant position in the same securities. However, the
Investment Adviser does not believe that the investment activities of its affiliates will have a
material adverse effect upon each the Fund in seeking to achieve its investment objectives.
Securities purchased or sold pursuant to contemporaneous orders entered on behalf of the investment
company accounts of the Investment Adviser or the advisory accounts managed by its affiliates for
their unaffiliated clients are allocated pursuant to principles believed to be fair and not
disadvantageous to any such accounts. In addition, all such orders are accorded priority of
execution over orders entered on behalf of accounts in which the Investment Adviser or its
affiliates have a substantial pecuniary interest. The Fund may on occasion give advice or take
action with respect to other clients that differs from the actions taken with respect to the Fund.
The Fund may invest in the securities of companies that are investment management clients of GAMCO
Asset Management Inc. In addition, portfolio companies or their officers or directors may be
minority shareholders of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates.
Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser manages the portfolio of the
Fund in accordance with its stated investment objectives and policies, makes investment decisions
for the Fund, places orders to purchase and sell securities on behalf of the Fund and manages its
other business and affairs, all subject to the supervision and direction of the Funds Board. In
addition, under the Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser oversees the administration of all
aspects of the Funds business and affairs and provides, or arranges for others to provide, at the
Investment Advisers expense, certain enumerated services, including maintaining the Funds books
and records, preparing reports to the Funds shareholders and supervising the calculation of the
net asset value of its shares. All expenses of computing the net asset value of the Fund, including
any equipment or services obtained solely for the purpose of pricing shares or valuing its
investment portfolio, will be an expense of the Fund under its Advisory Agreement unless the
Investment Adviser voluntarily assumes responsibility for such
A-17
expense. During fiscal year 2007, the Fund paid or accrued $45,000 to the Investment Adviser
in connection with the cost of computing the Funds net asset value.
The Advisory Agreement combines investment advisory and administrative responsibilities in one
agreement. For services rendered by the Investment Adviser on behalf of the Fund under the Advisory
Agreement, the Fund pays the Investment Adviser a fee computed weekly and paid monthly, equal on an
annual basis to 1.00% of the Funds average weekly net assets including the liquidation value of
preferred stock. The fee paid by the Fund may be higher when leverage in the form of preferred
stock is utilized, giving the Investment Adviser an incentive to utilize such leverage. However,
the Investment Adviser has agreed to reduce the management fee on the incremental assets
attributable to the preferred stock during the fiscal year if the total return of the net asset
value of the common shares of the Fund, including distributions and advisory fees subject to
reduction for that year, does not exceed the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of
each particular series of preferred stock for the period. In other words, if the effective cost of
the leverage for any series of preferred stock exceeds the total return (based on net asset value)
on the Funds common stock, the Investment Adviser will waive that portion of its management fee on
the incremental assets attributable to the leverage for that series of preferred stock to mitigate
the negative impact of the leverage on the common shareholders total return. This fee waiver is
voluntary and may be discontinued at any time. The Funds total return on the net asset value of
the common stock is monitored on a monthly basis to assess whether the total return on the net
asset value of the common stock exceeds the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of each
particular series of preferred stock for the period. The test to confirm the accrual of the
management fee on the assets attributable to each particular series of preferred stock is annual.
The Fund will accrue for the management fee on these assets during the fiscal year if it appears
probable that the Fund will incur the management fee on those additional assets.
The Advisory Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard for its obligations and duties thereunder, the Investment Adviser
is not liable for any error or judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund. As
part of the Advisory Agreement, the Fund has agreed that the name Gabelli is the Investment
Advisers property, and that in the event the Investment Adviser ceases to act as an investment
adviser to the Fund, the Fund will change its name to one not including Gabelli.
Pursuant to its terms, the Advisory Agreement will remain in effect with respect to the Fund
until the second anniversary of stockholder approval of such Agreement, and from year to year
thereafter if approved annually (i) by the Funds Board or by the holders of a majority of its
outstanding voting securities and (ii) by a majority of the directors who are not
interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to the Advisory Agreement, by vote
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Advisory
Agreement was initially approved by the Board at a meeting held on April 6, 1994 and was approved
most recently by the Board on May 16, 2007. The Advisory Agreement terminates automatically on its
assignment and may be terminated without penalty on 60 days written notice at the option of either
party thereto or by a vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds outstanding
shares.
A discussion regarding the basis of the Boards approval of the Advisory Agreement for the
Fund is available in the semi-annual report to shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 2007.
For each of the years ended December 31, 2005, December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007, the
Investment Adviser was paid $2,117,085, $1,972,573 and $2,626,472, respectively, for advisory and
administrative services rendered to the Fund.
A-18
Portfolio Managers Information
Other Accounts Managed
The information below lists other accounts for which each portfolio manager was primarily
responsible for the day-to-day management during the year ended December 31, 2007 for Mr. Gabelli
and for Mr. Haverty.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Managed |
|
|
Total Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
with |
|
|
with |
|
|
|
|
|
Total # |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advisory |
|
|
Advisory |
|
|
|
|
|
of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fee Based |
|
|
Fee Based |
|
Name of Portfolio |
|
|
|
Accounts |
|
|
Total |
|
|
on |
|
|
on |
|
Managers |
|
Type of Accounts |
|
Managed |
|
|
Assets |
|
|
Performance |
|
|
Performance |
|
Mario J. Gabelli |
|
Registered Investment Companies: |
|
|
23 |
|
|
$ |
15.6B |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
$ |
5.3B |
|
|
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: |
|
|
12 |
|
|
$ |
269.6M |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
$ |
188.6M |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Accounts: |
|
|
1,991 |
|
|
$ |
10.6B |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
$ |
1.6B |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lawrence J. Haverty, Jr. |
|
Registered Investment Companies: |
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: |
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Accounts: |
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Potential Conflicts of Interest
Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager also has
day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to one or more other accounts. These potential
conflicts include:
Allocation of Limited Time and Attention. Because the portfolio manager manages many accounts,
he may not be able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally attractive investment
opportunities for each of those accounts as if he were to devote substantially more attention to
the management of only a few accounts.
Allocation of Limited Investment Opportunities. If the portfolio manager identifies an
investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple accounts, the Fund may not be able to take
full advantage of that opportunity because the opportunity may need to be allocated among all or
many of these accounts or other accounts primarily managed by other portfolio managers of the
Investment Adviser and its affiliates.
Pursuit of Differing Strategies. At times, the portfolio manager may determine that an
investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some of the accounts for which he exercises
investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the accounts should take differing
positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, the portfolio manager may execute
differing or opposite transactions for one or more accounts which may affect the market price of
the security or the execution of the transactions, or both, to the detriment of one or more of his
accounts.
Selection of Broker/Dealers. A portfolio manager may be able to select or influence the
selection of the brokers and dealers that are used to execute securities transactions for the funds
or accounts that he or she supervises. In addition to providing execution of trades, some brokers
and dealers provide the Investment Adviser with brokerage and research services. These services
may be more beneficial to certain funds or accounts of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates
than to others. Although the payment of brokerage commissions is subject to the requirement that
the Investment Adviser determine in good faith that the commissions are reasonable in relation
A-19
to the value of the brokerage and research services provided to the Fund, a portfolio
managers decision as to the selection of brokers and dealers could yield disproportionate costs
and benefits among the funds or other accounts that the Investment Adviser and its affiliates
manage. In addition, with respect to certain types of accounts (such as pooled investment vehicles
and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals), the Investment Adviser may be
limited by the client concerning the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades to
particular brokers. In these cases, the Investment Adviser or its affiliates may place separate,
non-simultaneous transactions in the same security for the Fund and another account that 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 account. Because of Mr. Gabellis position with, and his
indirect majority ownership interest in, an affiliated broker dealer, Gabelli & Company, he may
have an incentive to use Gabelli & Company to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund even if
using Gabelli & Company is not in the best interest of the Fund.
Variation in Compensation. A conflict of interest may arise where the financial or other
benefits available to the portfolio manager differ among the accounts that he manages. If the
structure of the Investment Advisers management fee or the portfolio managers compensation
differs among accounts (such as where certain accounts pay higher management fees or
performance-based management fees), the portfolio manager may be motivated to favor certain
accounts over others. The portfolio manager also may be motivated to favor accounts in which he has
an investment interest, or in which the Investment Adviser or its affiliates have investment
interests. In Mr. Gabellis case, the Investment Advisers compensation (and expenses) for the Fund
is marginally greater as a percentage of assets than for certain other accounts and is less than
for certain other accounts managed by Mr. Gabelli, while his personal compensation structure varies
with near-term performance to a greater degree in certain performance fee-based accounts than with
non-performance-based accounts. In addition, he has investment interests in several of the funds
managed by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates.
The Investment Adviser and the Fund have adopted compliance policies and procedures that are
designed to address the various conflicts of interest that may arise for the Investment Adviser and
its staff members. However, there is no guarantee that such policies and procedures will be able to
detect and address every situation in which an actual or potential conflict may arise. In Mr.
Havertys case, his compensation is not affected by changes in assets of the Fund while it is for
other accounts that he manages.
Compensation Structure. Mr. Gabelli receives incentive-based variable compensation based on a
percentage of net revenues received by the Investment Adviser for managing the fund. Net revenues
are determined by deducting from gross investment management fees the firms expenses (other than
Mr. Gabellis compensation) allocable to the Fund. Additionally, he receives similar
incentive-based variable compensation for managing other accounts within the firm. This method of
compensation is based on the premise that superior long-term performance in managing a portfolio
should be rewarded with higher compensation as a result of growth of assets through appreciation
and net investment activity. Five closed-end registered investment companies managed by Mr. Gabelli
have arrangements whereby the Investment Adviser will only receive its investment advisory fee
attributable to the liquidation value of outstanding preferred stock (and Mr. Gabelli would only
receive his percentage of such advisory fee) if certain performance levels are met. Mr. Gabelli
manages other accounts with performance fees. Compensation for managing these accounts has two
components. One component of the fee is based on a percentage of net revenues received by the
Investment Adviser for managing the account. The second component is based on absolute performance
of the account, with respect to which a percentage of such performance fee is paid to Mr. Gabelli.
As an executive officer of the Investment Advisers parent company, GAMCO Investors, Inc., Mr.
Gabelli also receives ten percent of the net operating profits of the parent company. Mr. Gabelli
receives no base salary, no annual bonus and no stock options.
The compensation of other portfolio managers in the Gabelli organization is reviewed annually
and structured to enable it to attract and retain highly qualified professionals in a competitive
environment. Mr. Haverty receives a compensation package that includes a minimum draw or base
salary, equity-based incentive compensation via awards of stock options, and incentive-based
variable compensation based on a percentage of net revenues received by the Investment Adviser for
managing certain accounts other than the funds to the extent that the amount exceeds a minimum
level of compensation. Net revenues are determined by deducting from gross investment management
fees certain of the firms expenses (other than Mr. Havertys compensation) allocable to such other
accounts. This method of compensation is based on the premise that superior long-term performance
in managing a portfolio should be rewarded with higher compensation as a result of growth of assets
through appreciation and net
A-20
investment activity. Equity-based incentive compensation is based on an evaluation by the
Investment Advisers parent, GAMCO Investors, Inc., of quantitative and qualitative performance
evaluation criteria.
Mr. Havertys compensation for managing other pooled investment accounts is based on a
percentage of net revenues received by the Investment Adviser for managing the account.
Compensation for managing accounts that have a performance-based fee will have two components. One
component is based on a percentage of net revenues received by the Investment Adviser for managing
the account. The second component is based on absolute performance of the account, with respect to
which a percentage of the performance fee is paid to the portfolio manager.
Ownership of Shares in the Fund
The portfolio managers of the Fund owned the following amounts of equity securities of the
Fund.
|
|
|
Name |
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities Held in Fund |
Mario J. Gabelli* |
|
Over $1,000,000 |
|
|
|
Lawrence J. Haverty, Jr.** |
|
$100,001 $500,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
As of December 31, 2007. |
|
|
** |
|
As of March 31, 2008 |
|
Portfolio Holdings Information
Employees of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates will often have access to information
concerning the portfolio holdings of the Fund. The Fund and the Investment Adviser have adopted
policies and procedures that require all employees to safeguard proprietary information of the
Fund, which includes information relating to the Funds portfolio holdings as well as portfolio
trading activity of the Investment Adviser with respect to the Fund (collectively, Portfolio
Holdings Information). In addition, the Fund and the Investment Adviser have adopted policies and
procedures providing that Portfolio Holdings Information may not be disclosed except to the extent
that it is (a) made available to the general public by posting on the Funds website or filed as a
part of a required filing on Form N-Q or N-CSR or (b) provided to a third party for legitimate
business purposes or regulatory purposes, that has agreed to keep such data confidential under
forms approved by the Investment Advisers legal department or outside counsel, as described below.
The Investment Adviser will examine each situation under (b) with a view to determine that release
of the information is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders and, if a potential
conflict between the Investment Advisers interests and the Funds interests arises, to have such
conflict resolved by the Chief Compliance Officer or the independent Board. These policies further
provide that no officer of the Fund or employee of the Investment Adviser shall communicate with
the media about the Fund without obtaining the advance consent of the Chief Executive Officer,
Chief Operating Officer, or General Counsel of the Investment Adviser.
Under the foregoing policies, the Fund currently may disclose Portfolio Holdings Information
in the circumstances outlined below. Disclosure generally may be either on a monthly or quarterly
basis with no time lag in some cases and with a time lag of up to 60 days in other cases (with the
exception of proxy voting services which require a regular download of data):
|
(1) |
|
To regulatory authorities in response to requests for such information and with
the approval of the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund; |
|
|
(2) |
|
To mutual fund rating and statistical agencies and to persons performing
similar functions where there is a legitimate business purpose for such disclosure and
such entity has agreed to keep such data confidential at least until it has been made
public by the Investment Adviser; |
A-21
|
(3) |
|
To service providers of the Fund, as necessary for the performance of their
services to the Fund and to the Board; the Funds anticipated service providers are its
administrator, transfer agent, custodian, independent registered public accounting
firm, and legal counsel; |
|
|
(4) |
|
To firms providing proxy voting and other proxy services, provided such entity
has agreed to keep such data confidential until at least it has been made public by the
Investment Adviser; |
|
|
(5) |
|
To certain broker dealers, investment advisers, and other financial
intermediaries for purposes of their performing due diligence on the Fund and not for
dissemination of this information to their clients or use of this information to
conduct trading for their clients. Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings Information in
these circumstances requires the broker, dealer, investment adviser, or financial
intermediary to agree to keep such information confidential and is further subject to
prior approval of the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund and to reporting to the
Board at the next quarterly meeting; and |
|
|
(6) |
|
To consultants for purposes of performing analysis of the Fund, which analysis
(but not the Portfolio Holdings Information) may be used by the consultant with its
clients or disseminated to the public, provided that such entity shall have agreed to
keep such information confidential until at least it has been made public by the
Investment Adviser. |
Disclosures made pursuant to a confidentiality agreement are subject to periodic confirmation
by the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund that the recipient has utilized such information solely
in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Neither the Fund nor the Investment Adviser, nor any
of the Investment Advisers affiliates will accept on behalf of itself, its affiliates, or the Fund
any compensation or other consideration in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings of
the Fund. The Board will review such arrangements annually with the Funds Chief Compliance
Officer.
AUCTIONS FOR AUCTION RATE PREFERRED STOCK
Summary of Auction Procedures
The following is a brief summary of the auction procedures for preferred shares that are
auction rate preferred stock. These auction procedures are complicated, and there are exceptions to
these procedures. Many of the terms in this section have a special meaning. Accordingly, this
description does not purport to be complete and is qualified, in its entirety, by reference to the
Funds Charter, including the provisions of the Articles Supplementary establishing any series of
auction rate preferred stock.
The auctions determine the dividend rate for auction rate preferred shares, but each dividend
rate will not be higher than the maximum rate. If you own auction rate preferred shares, you may
instruct your broker-dealer to enter one of three kinds of orders in the auction with respect to
your stock: sell, bid and hold.
|
|
|
If you enter a sell order, you indicate that you want to sell auction rate preferred
shares at their liquidation preference per share, no matter what the next dividend
periods rate will be. |
|
|
|
|
If you enter a bid (or hold at a rate) order, which must specify a dividend rate,
you indicate that you want to sell auction rate preferred shares only if the next
dividend periods rate is less than the rate you specify. |
|
|
|
|
If you enter a hold order you indicate that you want to continue to own auction rate
preferred shares, no matter what the next dividend periods rate will be. |
You may enter different types of orders for different portions of your auction rate preferred
shares. You may also enter an order to buy additional auction rate preferred shares. All orders
must be for whole shares of stock. All orders you submit are irrevocable. There is a fixed number
of auction rate preferred shares, and the dividend rate likely will vary from auction to auction
depending on the number of bidders, the number of shares the bidders seek
A-22
to buy, the rating of the auction rate preferred shares and general economic conditions
including current interest rates. If you own auction rate preferred shares and submit a bid for
them higher than the then-maximum rate, your bid will be treated as a sell order. If you do not
enter an order, the broker-dealer will assume that you want to continue to hold auction rate
preferred shares, but if you fail to submit an order and the dividend period is longer than 28
days, the broker-dealer will treat your failure to submit a bid as a sell order.
If you do not then own auction rate preferred shares, or want to buy more shares, you may
instruct a broker-dealer to enter a bid order to buy shares in an auction at the liquidation
preference per share at or above the dividend rate you specify. If your bid for shares you do not
own specifies a rate higher than the then-maximum rate, your bid will not be considered.
Broker-dealers will submit orders from existing and potential holders of auction rate
preferred shares to the auction agent. Neither the Fund nor the auction agent will be responsible
for a broker-dealers failure to submit orders from existing or potential holders of auction rate
preferred shares. A broker-dealers failure to submit orders for auction rate preferred shares held
by it or its customers will be treated in the same manner as a holders failure to submit an order
to the broker-dealer. A broker-dealer may submit orders to the auction agent for its own account.
The Fund may not submit an order in any auction.
The auction agent after each auction for the auction rate preferred shares will pay to each
broker-dealer, from funds provided by the Fund, a service charge equal to, in the case shares of
any auction immediately preceding a dividend period of less than 365 days, the product of (i) a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in such dividend period and the denominator
of which is 365, times (ii) 1/4 of 1%, times (iii) the liquidation preference per share, times (iv)
the aggregate number of auction rate preferred shares placed by such broker-dealer at such auction
or, in the case of any auction immediately preceding a dividend period of one year or longer, a
percentage of the purchase price of the auction rate preferred shares placed by the broker-dealer
at the auction agreed to by the Fund and the broker-dealers.
If the number of auction rate preferred shares subject to bid orders by potential holders with
a dividend rate equal to or lower than the then-maximum rate is at least equal to the number of
auction rate preferred shares subject to sell orders, then the dividend rate for the next dividend
period will be the lowest rate submitted which, taking into account that rate and all lower rates
submitted in order from existing and potential holders, would result in existing and potential
holders owning all the auction rate preferred shares available for purchase in the auction.
If the number of auction rate preferred shares subject to bid orders by potential holders with
a dividend rate equal to or lower than the then-maximum rate is less than the number of auction
rate preferred shares subject to sell orders, then the auction is considered to be a failed
auction, and the dividend rate will be the maximum rate. In that event, existing holders that have
submitted sell orders (or are treated as having submitted sell orders) may not be able to sell any
or all of the auction rate preferred shares offered for sale than there are buyers for those
shares.
If broker-dealers submit or are deemed to submit hold orders for all outstanding auction rate
preferred shares, the auction is considered an all hold auction and the dividend rate for the
next dividend period will be the all hold rate, which is 80% of the AA Financial Composite
Commercial Paper Rate, as determined in accordance with procedures set forth in the Articles
Supplementary establishing the auction rate preferred shares.
The auction procedures include a pro rata allocation of auction rate preferred shares for
purchase and sale. This allocation process may result in an existing holder continuing to hold or
selling, or a potential holder buying, fewer shares than the number of shares of auction rate
preferred shares in its order. If this happens, broker-dealers will be required to make appropriate
pro rata allocations among their respective customers.
Settlement of purchases and sales will be made on the next business day (which also is a
dividend payment date) after the auction date through DTC. Purchasers will pay for their auction
rate preferred shares through broker-dealers in same-day funds to DTC against delivery to the
broker-dealers. DTC will make payment to the sellers broker-dealers in accordance with its normal
procedures, which require broker-dealers to make payment against delivery in same-day funds. As
used in this SAI, a business day is a day on which the NYSE is open for trading, and which is not a
Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banks in New York City are authorized or obligated by
law to close.
A-23
The first auction for a series of auction rate preferred shares will be held on the date
specified in the Prospectus Supplement for such series, which will be the business day preceding
the dividend payment date for the initial dividend period. Thereafter, except during special
dividend periods, auctions for such series auction rate preferred shares normally will be held
within the frequency specified in the Prospectus Supplement for such series, and each subsequent
dividend period for such series auction rate preferred shares normally will begin on the following
day.
If an auction is not held because an unforeseen event or unforeseen events cause a day that
otherwise would have been an auction date not to be a business day, then the length of the
then-current dividend period will be extended by seven days (or a multiple thereof if necessary
because of such unforeseen event or events), the applicable rate for such period will be the
applicable rate for the then-current dividend period so extended and the dividend payment date for
such dividend period will be the first business day immediately succeeding the end of such period.
The following is a simplified example of how a typical auction works. Assume that the Fund has
1,000 outstanding shares of auction rate preferred stock and three current holders. The three
current holders and three potential holders submit orders through broker-dealers at the auction.
|
|
|
|
|
Current Holder A
|
|
Owns 500 shares, wants to
sell all 500 shares if
auction rate is less than
4.6%
|
|
Bid order at 4.6% rate for all 500 shares |
|
|
|
|
|
Current Holder B
|
|
Owns 300 shares, wants to hold
|
|
Hold order will take the auction rate |
|
|
|
|
|
Current Holder C
|
|
Owns 200 shares, wants to
sell all 200 shares if
auction rate is less than
4.4%
|
|
Bid order at 4.4% rate for all 200 shares |
|
|
|
|
|
Potential Holder D
|
|
Wants to buy 200 shares
|
|
Places order to buy at or above 4.5% |
|
|
|
|
|
Potential Holder E
|
|
Wants to buy 300 shares
|
|
Places order to buy at or above 4.4% |
|
|
|
|
|
Potential Holder F
|
|
Wants to buy 200 shares
|
|
Places order to buy at or above 4.6% |
The lowest dividend rate that will result in all 1,000 shares of auction rate preferred stock
continuing to be held is 4.5% (the offer by D). Therefore, the dividend rate will be 4.5%. Current
holders B and C will continue to own their shares. Current holder A will sell its shares because
As dividend rate bid was higher than the dividend rate: Potential holder D will buy 200 shares and
potential holder E will buy 300 shares because their bid rates were at or below the dividend rate.
Potential holder F will not buy any shares because its bid rate was above the dividend rate.
Secondary Market Trading and Transfer of Auction Rate Preferred Stock
The underwriters shall not be required to make a market in the auction rate preferred stock.
The broker-dealers (including the underwriters) may maintain a secondary trading market for outside
of auctions, but they are not required to do so. There can be no assurance that a secondary trading
market for the auction rate preferred stock will develop or, if it does develop, that it will
provide owners with liquidity of investment. The auction rate preferred stock will not be
registered on any stock exchange. Investors who purchase auction rate preferred shares in an
auction for a special dividend period should note that because the dividend rate on such shares
will be fixed for the length of that dividend period, the value of such shares may fluctuate in
response to the changes in interest rates and may be more or less than their original cost if sold
on the open market in advance of the next auction thereof, depending on market conditions.
You may sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the auction rate preferred stock only in whole
shares and only pursuant to a bid or sell order placed with the auction agent in accordance with
the auction procedures, to the Fund or its affiliates or to or through a broker-dealer that has
been selected by the Fund or to such other persons as may be permitted by the Fund. However, if you
hold your auction rate preferred shares in the name of a broker-dealer, a sale or transfer of your
auction rate preferred shares to that broker dealer, or to another customer of that broker-dealer,
will not be considered a sale or transfer or purposes of the foregoing if the shares remain in the
name of the broker-dealer immediately after your transaction. In addition, in the case of all
transfers other than through an
A-24
auction, the broker-dealer (or other person, if the Fund permits) receiving the transfer must
advise the auction agent of the transfer.
Due
to recent market turmoil most auction-rate preferred stock, including our Series C Auction
Rate Preferred, has been unable to hold successful auctions and holders of such stock have suffered reduced
liquidity. If the number of Series C Auction Rate Preferred subject to bid orders by potential holders is
less than the number of Series
C Auction Rate Preferred subject to sell orders, then the auction is considered to be a
failed auction, and the dividend rate will be the maximum rate. In that event, holders that have submitted
sell orders may not be able to sell any or all of Series C Auction Rate Preferred for which they have submitted sell
orders. The current maximum rate is 150% of the AA Financial Composite Commercial Paper Rate
on the date of such auction. These failed auctions have been an industry wide problem and may continue to
occur in the future. Any current or potential holder of auction-rate preferred stock faces the risk
that auctions will continue to fail, or will fail again at some point in the future, and that he or she
may not be able to sell his or her stock through the auction process.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Subject to policies established by the Board, the Investment Adviser is responsible for
placing purchase and sale orders and the allocation of brokerage on behalf of the Fund.
Transactions in equity securities are in most cases effected on U.S. stock exchanges and involve
the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. In general, there may be no stated commission in
the case of securities traded in over-the-counter markets, but the prices of those securities may
include undisclosed commissions or mark-ups. Principal transactions are not entered into with
affiliates of the Fund. However, Gabelli & Company may execute transactions in the over-the-counter
markets on an agency basis and receive a stated commission therefrom. To the extent consistent with
applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and exemptions adopted by the SEC thereunder,
as well as other regulatory requirements, the Funds Board has determined that portfolio
transactions may be executed through Gabelli & Company and its broker-dealer affiliates if, in the
judgment of the Investment Adviser, the use of those broker-dealers is likely to result in price
and execution at least as favorable as those of other qualified broker-dealers, and if, in
particular transactions, the affiliated broker-dealers charge the Fund a rate consistent with that
charged to comparable unaffiliated customers in similar transactions. The Fund has no obligations
to deal with any broker or group of brokers in executing transactions in portfolio securities. In
executing transactions, the Investment Adviser seeks to obtain the best price and execution for the
Fund, taking into account such factors as price, size of order, difficulty of execution and
operational facilities of the firm involved and the firms risk in positioning a block of
securities. While the Investment Adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive commission rates,
the Fund does not necessarily pay the lowest commission available.
Subject to obtaining the best price and execution, brokers who provide supplemental research,
market and statistical information, or other services (e.g., wire services) to the Investment
Adviser or its affiliates may receive orders for transactions by the Fund. The term research,
market and statistical information includes advice as to the value of securities, and advisability
of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers
or sellers of securities, and furnishing analyses and reports concerning issues, industries,
securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts.
Information so received will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be
performed by the Investment Adviser under the Advisory Agreement and the expenses of the Investment
Adviser will not necessarily be reduced as a result of the receipt of such supplemental
information. Such information may be useful to the Investment Adviser and its affiliates in
providing services to clients other than the Fund, and not all such information is used by the
Investment Adviser in connection with the Fund. Conversely, such information provided to the
Investment Adviser and its affiliates by brokers and dealers through whom other clients of the
Investment Adviser and its affiliates effect securities transactions may be useful to the
Investment Adviser in providing services to the Fund.
Although investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of the other
accounts managed by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, investments of the kind made by the
Fund may also be made for those other accounts. When the same securities are purchased for or sold
by the Fund and any of such other accounts, it is the policy of the Investment Adviser and its
affiliates to allocate such purchases and sales in a manner deemed fair and equitable over time to
all of the accounts, including the Fund.
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005, December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007, the
Fund paid a total of $78,571, $60,442 and $93,540, respectively, in brokerage commissions, of which
Gabelli & Company and its affiliates received, $56,544, $38,843 and $41,870, respectively. The
amount received by Gabelli & Company and its affiliates from the Fund in respect of brokerage
commissions for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 represented approximately 44.76% of the
aggregate dollar amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Fund for such period and approximately
45.14% of the aggregate dollar amount of transactions by the Fund for such period.
REPURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK
The Fund is a closed-end, non-diversified, management investment company and as such its
stockholders do not, and will not, have the right to redeem their stock. The Fund, however, may
repurchase its common stock from time to time as and when it deems such a repurchase advisable.
Such repurchases will be made when the
A-25
Funds common stock is trading at a discount of 10% (or such other percentage as the Board may
determine from time to time) or more from net asset value. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Fund may
repurchase its common stock on a securities exchange (provided that the Fund has informed its
stockholders within the preceding six months of its intention to repurchase such stock) or as
otherwise permitted in accordance with Rule 23c-1 under the 1940 Act. Under that Rule, certain
conditions must be met regarding, among other things, distribution of net income for the preceding
fiscal year, status of the seller, price paid, brokerage commissions, prior notice to stockholders
of an intention to purchase stock and purchasing in a manner and on a basis that does not
discriminate unfairly against the other stockholders through their interest in the Fund.
When the Fund repurchases its common stock for a price below net asset value, the net asset
value of the common stock that remains outstanding will be enhanced, but this does not necessarily
mean that the market price of the outstanding common stock will be affected, either positively or
negatively.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The portfolio turnover rates of the Fund for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2006 and
December 31, 2007 were 9.8% and 14.7%, respectively. Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by
dividing the lesser of an investment companys annual sales or purchases of portfolio securities by
the monthly average value of securities in its portfolio during the year, excluding portfolio
securities the maturities of which at the time of acquisition were one year or less. A high rate of
portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage commission expense than a lower rate,
which expense must be borne by the Fund and its stockholders, as applicable. A higher rate of
portfolio turnover may also result in taxable gains being passed to stockholders.
TAXATION
The following discussion is a brief summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations
affecting the Fund and its shareholders. This discussion reflects applicable tax laws of the United
States as of the date of this SAI, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations
by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) retroactively or prospectively. No attempt
is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax
concerns affecting the Fund and its shareholders (including shareholders owning a large position in
the Fund), and the discussions set forth herein do not constitute tax advice. Investors are urged
to consult their own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences to them of investing in the
Fund.
Taxation of the Fund
The Fund has qualified and intends to continue to qualify, as a regulated investment company
under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) (a RIC).
Accordingly, the Fund will, among other things, (i) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its
gross income from (a) dividends, interest (including tax-exempt interest), payments with respect to
certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or
foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gain from options, futures and
forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or
currencies and (b) net income derived from interests in certain publicly traded partnerships that
are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that derive less than 90% of
their gross income from the items described in (a) above (each a Qualified Publicly Traded
Partnership); and (ii) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable
year (a) at least 50% of the value of its total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S.
government securities, the securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities,
with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5%
of the value of the Funds total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities
of such issuer and (b) not more than 25% of the value of the Funds total assets is invested in the
securities of (I) any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities and the securities of other
RICs), (II) any two or more issuers in which the Fund owns more than 20% or more of the voting
stock and that are determined to be engaged in the same business or similar or related trades or
businesses or (III) any one or more Qualified Publicly Traded Partnerships.
The investments of the Fund in partnerships, including Qualified Publicly Traded Partnerships,
may result in the Fund being subject to state, local, or foreign income, franchise or withholding
tax liabilities.
A-26
As a RIC, the Fund generally is not or will not be, as the case may be, subject to U.S.
federal income tax on income and gains that it distributes each taxable year to shareholders, if it
distributes at least 90% of the sum of the Funds (i) investment company taxable income (which
includes, among other items, dividends, interest and the excess of any net short-term capital gain
over net long-term capital loss and other taxable income, other than any net long-term capital
gain, reduced by deductible expenses) determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid
and (ii) its net tax-exempt interest (the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest over certain
disallowed deductions). The Fund intends to distribute at least annually substantially all of such
income.
Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution
requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax at the Fund level. To avoid the tax, the
Fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of
its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gain or loss) for the calendar year, (ii)
98% of its capital gain in excess of its capital loss (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for a
one-year period generally ending on October 31 of the calendar year (unless an election is made to
use the funds fiscal year), and (iii) certain undistributed amounts from previous years on which a
fund paid no federal income tax. While the Fund intends to distribute any income and capital gain
in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% excise tax, there can be no assurance that
sufficient amounts of the Funds taxable income and capital gain will be distributed to avoid
entirely the imposition of the tax. In that event, the Fund will be liable for the tax only on the
amount by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.
A distribution will be treated as paid during the calendar year if it is paid during the
calendar year or declared by the Fund in October, November or December of the year, payable to
shareholders of record on a date during such a month and paid by the Fund during January of the
following year. Any such distributions paid during January of the following year will be deemed to
be received no later than December 31 of the year the distributions are declared, rather than when
the distributions are received.
If the Fund were unable to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement or otherwise were to fail
to qualify as a RIC in any year, it would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation
and distributions to the Funds shareholders would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its
taxable income. To qualify again to be taxed as a RIC in a subsequent year, the Fund would be
required to distribute to its shareholders its earnings and profits attributable to non-RIC years.
In addition, if the Fund failed to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years,
then the Fund would be required to elect to recognize and pay tax on any net built-in gain (the
excess of aggregate gain, including items of income, over aggregate loss that would have been
realized if the Fund had been liquidated) or, alternatively, be subject to taxation on such
built-in gain recognized for a period of ten years, in order to qualify as a RIC in a subsequent
year.
Gain or loss on the sales of securities by the Fund will generally be long-term capital gain
or loss if the securities have been held by the Fund for more than one year. Gain or loss on the
sale of securities held for one year or less will be short-term capital gain or loss.
Foreign currency gain or loss on non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities and on any non-U.S.
dollar-denominated futures contracts, options and forward contracts that are not section 1256
contracts (as defined below) generally will be treated as ordinary income and loss.
Investments by the Fund in certain passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), as
defined in the Code, could subject the Fund to federal income tax (including interest charges) on
certain distributions or dispositions with respect to those investments which cannot be eliminated
by making distributions to shareholders. Elections may be available to the Fund to mitigate the
effect of this tax provided that the PFIC complies with certain reporting requirements, but such
elections generally accelerate the recognition of income without the receipt of cash. Dividends
paid by PFICs will not qualify for the reduced tax rates discussed below under Taxation of
Shareholders.
The Fund may invest in debt obligations purchased at a discount with the result that the Fund
may be required to accrue income for U.S. federal income tax purposes before amounts due under the
obligations are paid. The Fund may also invest in securities rated in the medium to lower rating
categories of nationally recognized rating organizations, and in unrated securities (high yield
securities). A portion of the interest payments on such high yield securities may be treated as
dividends for certain U.S. federal income tax purposes.
A-27
As a result of investing in stock of PFICs or securities purchased at a discount or any other
investment that produces income that is not matched by a corresponding cash distribution to the
Fund, the Fund could be required to include in current income, income it has not yet received. Any
such income would be treated as income earned by the Fund and therefore would be subject to the
distribution requirements of the Code. This might prevent the Fund from distributing 90% of its
investment company taxable income as is required in order to avoid Fund-level federal income
taxation on all of its income, or might prevent the Fund from distributing enough ordinary income
and capital gain net income to avoid completely the imposition of the excise tax. To avoid this
result, the Fund may be required to borrow money or dispose of securities to be able to make
distributions to its shareholders.
If the Fund does not meet the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act and the Articles
Supplementary, the Fund will be required to suspend distributions to the holders of common stock
until the asset coverage is restored. Such a suspension of distributions might prevent the Fund
from distributing 90% of its investment company taxable income as is required in order to avoid
fund-level federal income taxation on all of its income, or might prevent the fund from
distributing enough income and capital gain net income to avoid completely imposition of the excise
tax.
Certain of the Funds investment practices are subject to special and complex U.S. federal
income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the
allowance of certain losses or deductions, (ii) convert lower taxed long-term capital gains into
higher taxed short-term capital gains or ordinary income, (iii) convert ordinary loss or a
deduction into capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause a fund to
recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the time as
to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (vi) adversely alter the
characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (vii) produce income that will not
qualify as good income for purposes of the 90% annual gross income requirement described above. The
Fund will monitor its transactions and may make certain tax elections to mitigate the effect of
these rules and prevent disqualification of the fund as a regulated investment company.
Foreign Taxes
Since the Fund may invest in foreign securities, income from such securities may be subject to
non-U.S. taxes. The Fund expects to invest less than 35% of its total assets in foreign securities.
As long as the Fund continues to invest less than 35% of its assets in foreign securities it will
not be eligible to elect to pass-through to shareholders of a fund the ability to use the foreign
tax deduction or foreign tax credit for foreign taxes paid with respect to qualifying taxes.
Taxation of Shareholders
The Fund will determine either to distribute or to retain for reinvestment all or part of its
net capital gain. If any such gain is retained, the Fund will be subject to a tax of 35% of such
amount. In that event, the Fund expects to designate the retained amount as undistributed capital
gain in a notice to its shareholders, each of whom (i) will be required to include in income for
tax purposes as long-term capital gain its share of such undistributed amounts, (ii) will be
entitled to credit its proportionate share of the tax paid by the Fund against its federal income
tax liability and to claim refunds to the extent that the credit exceeds such liability and (iii)
will increase its basis in its shares of the Fund by an amount equal to 65% of the amount of
undistributed capital gain included in such shareholders gross income.
Distributions paid by the Fund from its investment company taxable income, which includes net
short-term capital gain, generally are taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Funds
earnings and profits. Such distributions, if designated by the Fund, may, however, qualify
(provided holding period and other requirements are met by the Fund and its shareholders) (i) for
the dividends received deduction available to corporations, but only to the extent that the Funds
income consists of dividend income from U.S. corporations and (ii) for taxable years beginning on
or before December 31, 2010, as qualified dividend income eligible for the reduced maximum federal
tax rate to individuals of generally 15% (currently 0% for individuals in lower tax brackets) to
the extent that the Fund receives qualified dividend income. Qualified dividend income is, in
general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain qualified foreign
corporations (e.g., generally, foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United
States or in certain countries with a qualifying comprehensive tax treaty with the
A-28
United States, or whose shares with respect to which such dividend is paid is readily tradable
on an established securities market in the United States). A qualified foreign corporation does not
include a foreign corporation which for the taxable year of the corporation in which the dividend
was paid, or the preceding taxable year, is a PFIC. If the Fund engages in certain securities
lending transactions, the amount received by the Fund that is the equivalent of the dividends paid
by the issuer on the securities loaned will not be eligible for qualified dividend income
treatment. Distributions of net capital gain designated as capital gain distributions, if any, are
taxable to shareholders at rates applicable to long-term capital gain, whether paid in cash or in
shares, and regardless of how long the shareholder has held the Funds shares. Capital gain
distributions are not eligible for the dividends received deduction. The maximum federal tax rate
on net long-term capital gain of individuals is currently 15% (0% for individuals in lower
brackets). The maximum rate on long-term capital gain is scheduled to rise to 20% for gains
realized in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010. Unrecaptured Section 1250 gain
distributions, if any, will be subject to a 25% tax. Distributions in excess of the Funds earnings
and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holders shares and, after such adjusted
tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gain to such holder (assuming the shares are
held as a capital asset). Investment company taxable income (other than qualified dividend income)
will currently be taxed at a maximum rate of 35%. For corporate taxpayers, both investment company
taxable income and net capital gain are taxed at a maximum rate of 35%.
If an individual receives a dividend that is eligible for qualified dividend income treatment,
and such dividend constitutes an extraordinary dividend, any loss on the sale or exchange of
shares in respect of which the extraordinary dividend was paid, then the loss will be long-term
capital loss to the extent of such extraordinary dividend. An extraordinary dividend for this
purpose is generally a dividend (i) in an amount greater than or equal to 5% of the taxpayers tax
basis (or trading value) in a share of stock, aggregating dividends with ex-dividend dates within
an 85-day period or (ii) in an amount greater than 20% of the taxpayers tax basis (or trading
value) in a share of stock, aggregating dividends with ex-dividend dates within a 365-day period.
The IRS currently requires that a registered investment company that has two or more classes
of stock allocate to each such class proportionate amounts of each type of its income (such as
ordinary income, capital gains, dividends qualifying for the dividends received deduction (DRD)
and qualified dividend income) based upon the percentage of total dividends paid out of current or
accumulated earnings and profits to each class for the tax year. Accordingly, the Fund intends each
year to allocate capital gain dividends, dividends qualifying for the DRD and dividends that
constitute qualified dividend income, if any, between its common stock and preferred stock in
proportion to the total dividends paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits to each
class with respect to such tax year. Distributions in excess of the Funds current and accumulated
earnings and profits, if any, however, will not be allocated proportionately among the common stock
and preferred stock. Since the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits will first be
used to pay dividends on its preferred stock, distributions in excess of such earnings and profits,
if any, will be made disproportionately to holders of common stock.
Shareholders may be entitled to offset their capital gain distributions (but not distributions
eligible for qualified dividend income treatment) with capital loss. There are a number of
statutory provisions affecting when capital loss may be offset against capital gain, and limiting
the use of loss from certain investments and activities. Accordingly, shareholders with capital
loss are urged to consult their tax advisers.
The price of stock purchased at any time may reflect the amount of a forthcoming distribution.
Those purchasing stock just prior to a distribution will receive a distribution which will be
taxable to them even though it represents in part a return of invested capital.
Certain types of income received by the Fund from real estate investment trusts (REITs),
real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs), taxable mortgage pools or other investments
may cause the Fund to designate some or all of its distributions as excess inclusion income. To
Fund shareholders such excess inclusion income may (1) constitute taxable income, as unrelated
business taxable income (UBTI) for those shareholders who would otherwise be tax-exempt such as
individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, Keogh plans, pension plans and certain charitable
entities; (2) not be offset by other taxable deductions for tax purposes; (3) not be eligible for
reduced U.S. withholding for non-U.S. shareholders even from tax treaty countries; and (4) cause
the Fund to be subject to tax if certain disqualified organizations as defined by the Code are
fund shareholders.
A-29
Upon a sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of stock, a shareholder will generally
realize a taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair
market value of other property received and the shareholders adjusted tax basis in the stock. Such
gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for
more than one year. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the extent the
shares disposed of are replaced by substantially identical shares within a 61-day period beginning
30 days before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed of. In such a case,
the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
Any loss realized by a shareholder on the sale of Fund shares held by the shareholder for six
months or less will be treated for tax purposes as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any
capital gain distributions received by the shareholder (or amounts credited to the shareholder as
an undistributed capital gain) with respect to such shares.
Ordinary income distributions and capital gain distributions also may be subject to state and
local taxes. Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding specific questions
about federal (including the application of the alternative minimum tax rules), state, local or
foreign tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund.
Shareholders will receive, if appropriate, various written notices after the close of each of
the Funds taxable years regarding the U.S. federal income tax status of certain dividends,
distributions and deemed distributions that were paid (or that are treated as having been paid) by
the Fund to its shareholders during the preceding taxable year.
If a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Funds shares of $2 million or more for
an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must
file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities
are in many cases exempted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance,
shareholders of a regulated investment company are not exempted. The fact that a loss is reportable
under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayers treatment
of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the
applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Dividends paid or distributions made by the Fund to shareholders who are non-resident aliens
or foreign entities (foreign investors) are generally subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate or
a reduced rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty to the extent derived from investment
income and short-term capital gains. In order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding, a foreign
investor will be required to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN certifying its entitlement to benefits
under a treaty. The withholding tax does not apply to regular dividends paid or distributions made
to a foreign investor who provides a Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends or distributions
are effectively connected with the foreign investors conduct of a trade or business within the
United States. Instead, the effectively connected dividends or distributions will be subject to
regular U.S. income tax as if the foreign investor were a U.S. shareholder. A non-U.S. corporation
receiving effectively connected dividends or distributions may also be subject to additional
branch profits tax imposed at a rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate). A foreign investor who fails
to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form may be subject to backup withholding at the
appropriate rate.
In general, United States federal withholding tax will not apply to any gain or income
realized by a foreign investor in respect of any distributions of net long-term capital gains over
net short-term capital losses, exempt-interest dividends, or upon the sale or other disposition of
shares of the Fund.
Backup Withholding
The Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax on all taxable distributions and
redemption proceeds payable to non-corporate 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. Backup withholding is not an
additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be refunded or credited against such shareholders U.S.
federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the
IRS.
A-30
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable provisions of the Code
and Treasury regulations presently in effect. For the complete provisions, reference should be made
to the pertinent Code sections and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder. The Code and
the Treasury regulations are subject to change by legislative, judicial or administrative action,
either prospectively or retroactively. Persons considering an investment in shares of the Fund
should consult their own tax advisers regarding the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares
of the Fund.
BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The
following
person was known to the Fund to be beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Funds
outstanding shares of common stock as of April 30, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
|
Amount of Shares and Nature of Ownership |
|
Percent of Class |
Lazard Asset Management LLC
30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 |
|
778,036 |
|
5.56% |
As
of April 30, 2008, there were no persons known to the Fund to be beneficial owners
of more than 5% of the Funds outstanding shares of preferred stock.
As
of April 30, 2008, the Directors and Officers of
the Fund as a group beneficially owned
approximately 4% of the outstanding shares of the
Funds common stock and less than 1% of the
outstanding shares of the Funds Series B Preferred.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Book-Entry-Only Issuance
The Depository Trust Company (DTC) will act as securities depository for the securities
offered pursuant to the Prospectus. The information in this section concerning DTC and DTCs
book-entry system is based upon information obtained from DTC. The securities offered hereby
initially will be issued only as fully-registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co.
(as nominee for DTC). One or more fully-registered global security certificates initially will be
issued, representing in the aggregate the total number of securities, and deposited with DTC.
DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a banking
organization within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve
System, a clearing corporation within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a
clearing agency registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934. DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilities the
settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in
deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants accounts,
thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct DTC
participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations
and certain other organizations. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as
securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a
custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly through other
entities.
Purchases of securities within the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants,
which will receive a credit for the securities on DTCs records. The ownership interest of each
actual purchaser of a security, a beneficial owner, is in turn to be recorded on the direct or
indirect participants records. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of
their purchases, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing
details of the transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or
indirect participants through which the beneficial owners purchased securities. Transfers of
ownership interests in securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of
participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates
representing their ownership interests in securities, except as provided herein.
DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities being offered pursuant
to the prospectus; DTCs records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose
accounts such securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The
participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their
customers.
A-31
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct
participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect participants to
beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or
regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
Payments on the securities will be made to DTC. DTCs practice is to credit direct
participants accounts on the relevant payment date in accordance with their respective holdings
shown on DTCs records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payments on such
payment date. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of such participant and not of
DTC or the Fund, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time
to time. Payment of distributions to DTC is the responsibility of the Fund, disbursement of such
payments to direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to
the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants. Furthermore each
beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC to exercise any rights under the securities.
DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depository with respect to the
securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Fund. Under such circumstances, in the
event that a successor securities depository is not obtained, certificates representing the
securities will be printed and delivered.
Proxy Voting Procedures
The Fund has adopted the proxy voting procedures of the Investment Adviser and has directed
the Investment Adviser to vote all proxies relating to the Funds voting securities in accordance
with such procedures. The proxy voting procedures are attached. They are also on file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and can be reviewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange
Commissions Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the
Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at
202-551-8090. The proxy voting procedures are also available on the EDGAR Database on the
Securities and Exchange Commissions internet site (http://www.sec.gov) and copies of the proxy
voting procedures may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the
follow E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Securities and Exchange Commissions
Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
Code of Ethics
The Fund and the Investment Adviser have adopted a code of ethics (the Code of Ethics) under Rule
17j-1 under the 1940 Act. The Code of Ethics permits personnel, subject to the Code of Ethics and
its restrictive provisions, to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or
held by the Fund. The Code of Ethics can be reviewed and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room
in Washington, D.C. Information on the operations of the Reference Room may be obtained by calling
the SEC at 202-551-8090. The Code of Ethics is also available on the EDGAR database on the SECs
Internet web site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the Code of Ethics may also be obtained, after
paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address:
publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SECs Public Reference Room, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
Joint Code of Ethics for Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers
The Fund and the Investment Adviser have adopted a code of conduct for the principal executive
and financial officers. This code of conduct sets forth policies to guide the principal executive
and financial officers in the performance of their duties. The code of conduct is on file with the
SEC and can be reviewed and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and
information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Commission
at 202-551-8090. The code of conduct is also available on the EDGAR Database on the SECs Internet
web site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies of the code of conduct may be obtained, after paying a
duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by
writing the SECs Public Reference Room, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
A-32
Financial Statements
The audited financial statements included in the annual report to the Funds shareholders for
the year ended December 31, 2007, together with the report of for the Funds annual
report, are incorporated herein by reference to the Funds annual report and semi-annual report to
shareholders. All other portions of the annual report and semi-annual report to shareholders are
not incorporated herein by reference and are not part of the registration statement.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
serves as the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of the Fund and
audits the financial statements of the Fund. is located at .
A-33
APPENDIX A
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. and AFFILIATES
The Voting of Proxies on Behalf of Clients
Rules 204(4)-2 and 204-2 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Rule 30b1-4 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 require investment advisers to adopt written policies and procedures
governing the voting of proxies on behalf of their clients.
These procedures will be used by GAMCO Asset Management Inc., Gabelli Funds, LLC, Gabelli
Securities, Inc., and Gabelli Advisers, Inc. (collectively, the Advisers) to determine how to
vote proxies relating to portfolio securities held by their clients, including the procedures that
the Advisers use when a vote presents a conflict between the interests of the shareholders of an
investment company managed by one of the Advisers, on the one hand, and those of the Advisers the
principal underwriter, or any affiliated person of the investment company, the Advisers, or the
principal underwriter. These procedures will not apply where the Advisers do not have voting
discretion or where the Advisers have agreed to with a client to vote the clients proxies in
accordance with specific guidelines or procedures supplied by the client (to the extent permitted
by ERISA).
I. Proxy Voting Committee
The Proxy Voting Committee was originally formed in April 1989 for the purpose of formulating
guidelines and reviewing proxy statements within the parameters set by the substantive proxy voting
guidelines originally published by GAMCO Investors, Inc. in 1988 and updated periodically, a copy
of which are appended as Exhibit A. The Committee will include representatives of Research,
Administration, Legal, and the Advisers. Additional or replacement members of the Committee will be
nominated by the Chairman and voted upon by the entire Committee.
Meetings are held on an as needed basis to form views on the manner in which the Advisers
should vote proxies on behalf of their clients.
In general, the Director of Proxy Voting Services, using the Proxy Guidelines, recommendations
of Institutional Shareholder Corporate Governance Service (ISS), other third-party services, and
the analysts of Gabelli & Company, Inc., will determine how to vote on each issue. For
non-controversial matters, the Director of Proxy Voting Services may vote the proxy if the vote is
(1) consistent with the recommendations of the issuers Board of Directors and not contrary to the
Proxy Guidelines; (2) consistent with the recommendations of the issuers Board of Directors and is
a non-controversial issue not covered by the Proxy Guidelines; or (3) the vote is contrary to the
recommendations of the Board of Directors but is consistent with the Proxy Guidelines. In those
instances, the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Chairman of the Committee may sign and date
the proxy statement indicating how each issue will be voted.
All matters identified by the Chairman of the Committee, the Director of Proxy Voting Services
or the Legal Department as controversial, taking into account the recommendations of ISS or other
third party services and the analysts of Gabelli & Company, Inc., will be presented to the Proxy
Voting Committee. If the Chairman of the Committee, the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the
Legal Department has identified the matter as one that (1) is controversial; (2) would benefit from
deliberation by the Proxy Voting Committee; or (3) may give rise to a conflict of interest between
the Advisers and their clients, the Chairman of the Committee will initially determine what vote to
recommend that the Advisers should cast and the matter will go before the Committee.
A-34
A. |
|
Conflicts of Interest. |
|
|
|
The Advisers have implemented these proxy voting procedures in order to prevent
conflicts of interest from influencing their proxy voting decisions. By following
the Proxy Guidelines, as well as the recommendations of ISS, other third-party
services and the analysts of Gabelli & Company, the Advisers are able to avoid,
wherever possible, the influence of potential conflicts of interest. Nevertheless,
circumstances may arise in which one or more of the Advisers are faced with a
conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest in connection with
its vote. In general, a conflict of interest may arise when an Adviser knowingly
does business with an issuer, and may appear to have a material conflict between its
own interests and the interests of the shareholders of an investment company managed
by one of the Advisers regarding how the proxy is to be voted. A conflict also may
exist when an Adviser has actual knowledge of a material business arrangement
between an issuer and an affiliate of the Adviser. |
|
|
|
In practical terms, a conflict of interest may arise, for example, when a proxy is
voted for a company that is a client of one of the Advisers, such as GAMCO Asset
Management Inc. A conflict also may arise when a client of one of the Advisers has
made a shareholder proposal in a proxy to be voted upon by one or more of the
Advisers. The Director of Proxy Voting Services, together with the Legal Department,
will scrutinize all proxies for these or other situations that may give rise to a
conflict of interest with respect to the voting of proxies. |
|
B. |
|
Operation of Proxy Voting Committee |
|
|
|
For matters submitted to the Committee, each member of the Committee will receive,
prior to the meeting, a copy of the proxy statement, any relevant third party
research, a summary of any views provided by the Chief Investment Officer and any
recommendations by Gabelli & Company, Inc. analysts. The Chief Investment Officer or
the Gabelli & Company, Inc. analysts may be invited to present their viewpoints. If
the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Legal Department believe that the
matter before the committee is one with respect to which a conflict of interest may
exist between the Advisers and their clients, counsel will provide an opinion to the
Committee concerning the conflict. If the matter is one in which the interests of
the clients of one or more of Advisers may diverge, counsel will so advise and the
Committee may make different recommendations as to different clients. For any
matters where the recommendation may trigger appraisal rights, counsel will provide
an opinion concerning the likely risks and merits of such an appraisal action. |
|
|
|
Each matter submitted to the Committee will be determined by the vote of a majority
of the members present at the meeting. Should the vote concerning one or more
recommendations be tied in a vote of the Committee, the Chairman of the Committee
will cast the deciding vote. The Committee will notify the proxy department of its
decisions and the proxies will be voted accordingly. |
|
|
|
Although the Proxy Guidelines express the normal preferences for the voting of any
shares not covered by a contrary investment guideline provided by the client, the
Committee is not bound by the preferences set forth in the Proxy Guidelines and will
review each matter on its own merits. Written minutes of all Proxy Voting Committee
meetings will be maintained. The Advisers subscribe to ISS, which supplies current
information on companies, matters being voted on, regulations, trends in proxy
voting and information on corporate governance issues. |
|
|
|
If the vote cast either by the analyst or as a result of the deliberations of the
Proxy Voting Committee runs contrary to the recommendation of the Board of Directors
of the issuer, the matter will be referred to legal counsel to determine whether an
amendment to the most recently filed Schedule 13D is appropriate. |
A-35
II. Social Issues and Other Client Guidelines
If a client has provided special instructions relating to the voting of proxies, they should
be noted in the clients account file and forwarded to the proxy department. This is the
responsibility of the investment professional or sales assistant for the client. In accordance with
Department of Labor guidelines, the Advisers policy is to vote on behalf of ERISA accounts in the
best interest of the plan participants with regard to social issues that carry an economic impact.
Where an account is not governed by ERISA, the Advisers will vote shares held on behalf of the
client in a manner consistent with any individual investment/voting guidelines provided by the
client. Otherwise the Advisers will abstain with respect to those shares.
III. Client Retention of Voting Rights
If a client chooses to retain the right to vote proxies or if there is any change in voting
authority, the following should be notified by the investment professional or sales assistant for
the client.
Operations
Legal Department
Proxy Department
Investment professional assigned to the account
In the event that the Board of Directors (or a Committee thereof) of one or more of the
investment companies managed by one of the Advisers has retained direct voting control over any
security, the Proxy Voting Department will provide each Board Member (or Committee member) with a
copy of the proxy statement together with any other relevant information including recommendations
of ISS or other third-party services.
IV. Voting Records
The Proxy Voting Department will retain a record of matters voted upon by the Advisers for
their clients. The Advisers staff may request proxy voting records for use in presentations to
current or prospective clients. Requests for proxy voting records should be made at least ten days
prior to client meetings.
If a client wishes to receive a proxy voting record on a quarterly, semi-annual or annual
basis, please notify the Proxy Voting Department. The reports will be available for mailing
approximately ten days after the quarter end of the period. First quarter reports may be delayed
since the end of the quarter falls during the height of the proxy season.
A letter is sent to the custodians for all clients for which the Advisers have voting
responsibility instructing them to forward all proxy materials to:
[Adviser name]
Attn: Proxy Voting Department One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1433
The sales assistant sends the letters to the custodians along with the trading/DTC instructions.
Proxy voting records will be retained in compliance with Rule 204-2 under the Investment Advisers
Act.
V. Voting Procedures
1. Custodian banks, outside brokerage firms and First Clearing Corporation are responsible for
forwarding proxies directly to GAMCO.
A-36
Proxies are received in one of two forms:
|
|
Shareholder Vote Authorization Forms (VAFs) Issued by Broadridge. VAFs must be voted
through the issuing institution causing a time lag. Broadridge is an outside service
contracted by the various institutions to issue proxy materials. |
|
|
|
Proxy cards which may be voted directly. |
2. Upon receipt of the proxy, the number of shares each form represents is logged into the
proxy system according to security.
3. In the case of a discrepancy such as an incorrect number of shares, an improperly signed or
dated card, wrong class of security, etc., the issuing custodian is notified by phone. A corrected
proxy is requested. Arrangements are made to insure that a proper proxy is received in time to be
voted (overnight delivery, fax, etc.). When securities are out on loan on record date, the
custodian is requested to supply written verification.
4. Upon receipt of instructions from the proxy committee (see Administrative), the votes are
cast and recorded for each account on an individual basis.
Since January 1, 1992, records have been maintained on the Proxy Edge system. The system is backed
up regularly. From 1990 through 1991, records were maintained on the PROXY VOTER system and in
hardcopy format. Prior to 1990, records were maintained on diskette and in hardcopy format.
PROXY EDGE records include:
Security Name and Cusip Number
Date and Type of Meeting (Annual, Special, Contest) Client Name
Adviser or Fund Account Number
Directors Recommendation
How GAMCO voted for the client on each issue The rationale for the vote when it is appropriate
Records prior to the institution of the PROXY EDGE system include:
Security name
Type of Meeting (Annual, Special, Contest)
Date of Meeting
Name of Custodian
Name of Client
Custodian Account Number
Adviser or Fund Account Number
Directors recommendation
How the Adviser voted for the client on each issue
A-37
Date the proxy statement was received and by whom Name of person posting the vote
Date and method by which the vote was cast
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From these records individual client proxy voting records are compiled. It is our policy to
provide institutional clients with a proxy voting record during client reviews. In addition,
we will supply a proxy voting record at the request of the client on a quarterly, semi-annual
or annual basis. |
5. VAFs are kept alphabetically by security. Records for the current proxy season are located
in the Proxy Voting Department office. In preparation for the upcoming season, files are
transferred to an offsite storage facility during January/February.
6. Shareholder Vote Authorization Forms issued by Broadridge are always sent directly to a
specific individual at Broadridge.
7. If a proxy card or VAF is received too late to be voted in the conventional matter, every
attempt is made to vote on one of the following ways:
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VAFs can be faxed to Broadridge up until the time of the meeting. This is followed up by the
mailing of the original form. |
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When a solicitor has been retained, that person is called. At the solicitors direction, the
proxy is faxed. |
8. In the case of a proxy contest, records are maintained for each opposing entity.
9. Voting in Person
a) At times it may be necessary to vote the shares in person. In this case, a legal proxy is
obtained in the following manner:
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Banks and brokerage firms using the services at Broadridge: |
The back of the VAF is stamped indicating that we wish to vote in person. The forms are then sent
overnight to Broadridge. Broadridge issues individual legal proxies and sends them back via
overnight (or the Adviser can pay messenger charges). Lead time of at least two weeks prior to the
meeting is needed to do this. Alternatively, the procedures detailed below for banks not using
Broadridge may be implemented.
Banks and brokerage firms issuing proxies directly:
The bank is called and/or faxed and a legal proxy is requested. All legal proxies should
appoint:
Representative of [Adviser name] with full power of substitution.
b) The legal proxies are given to the person attending the meeting, along with the following
supplemental material:
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A limited Power of Attorney appointing the attendee an Adviser representative. |
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A list of all shares being voted by custodian only. Client names and account numbers are not
included. This list must be presented, along with the proxies, to the Inspectors of Elections
and/or tabulator at least one-half hour prior to the scheduled start of the meeting. The
tabulator must qualify the votes (i.e. determine if the votes have previously been cast, if
the votes have been rescinded, etc.). |
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A sample ERISA and Individual contract. |
A-38
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A sample of the annual authorization to vote proxies form. |
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A copy of our most recent Schedule 13D filing (if applicable). |
A-39
Appendix A
Proxy Guidelines
PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
GENERAL POLICY STATEMENT
It is the policy of GAMCO Investors, Inc. to vote in the best economic interests of our clients. As
we state in our Magna Carta of Shareholders Rights, established in May 1988, we are neither for nor
against management. We are for shareholders.
At our first proxy committee meeting in 1989, it was decided that each proxy statement should be
evaluated on its own merits within the framework first established by our Magna Carta of
Shareholders Rights. The attached guidelines serve to enhance that broad framework.
We do not consider any issue routine. We take into consideration all of our research on the
company, its directors, and their short and long-term goals for the company. In cases where issues
that we generally do not approve of are combined with other issues, the negative aspects of the
issues will be factored into the evaluation of the overall proposals but will not necessitate a
vote in opposition to the overall proposals.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Advisers do not consider the election of the Board of Directors a routine issue. Each slate of
directors is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Factors taken into consideration include:
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Historical responsiveness to shareholders |
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This may include such areas as: |
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- |
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Paying greenmail |
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- |
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Failure to adopt shareholder resolutions receiving a majority of shareholder votes |
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Qualifications |
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Nominating committee in place |
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Number of outside directors on the board |
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Attendance at meetings |
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Overall performance |
SELECTION OF AUDITORS
In general, we support the Board of Directors recommendation for auditors.
BLANK CHECK PREFERRED STOCK
We oppose the issuance of blank check preferred stock.
A-40
Blank check preferred stock allows the company to issue stock and establish dividends, voting
rights, etc. without further shareholder approval.
CLASSIFIED BOARD
A classified board is one where the directors are divided into classes with overlapping terms. A
different class is elected at each annual meeting.
While a classified board promotes continuity of directors facilitating long range planning, we feel
directors should be accountable to shareholders on an annual basis. We will look at this proposal
on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration the boards historical responsiveness to the
rights of shareholders.
Where a classified board is in place we will generally not support attempts to change to an
annually elected board.
When an annually elected board is in place, we generally will not support attempts to classify the
board.
INCREASE AUTHORIZED COMMON STOCK
The request to increase the amount of authorized shares is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Factors taken into consideration include:
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Future use of additional shares |
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- |
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Stock split |
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- |
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Stock option or other executive compensation plan |
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- |
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Finance growth of company/strengthen balance sheet |
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- |
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Aid in restructuring |
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- |
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Improve credit rating |
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- |
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Implement a poison pill or other takeover defense |
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Amount of stock currently authorized but not yet issued or reserved for stock option plans |
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Amount of additional stock to be authorized and its dilutive effect |
We will support this proposal if a detailed and verifiable plan for the use of the additional
shares is contained in the proxy statement.
CONFIDENTIAL BALLOT
We support the idea that a shareholders identity and vote should be treated with confidentiality.
However, we look at this issue on a case-by-case basis.
In order to promote confidentiality in the voting process, we endorse the use of independent
Inspectors of Election.
CUMULATIVE VOTING
In general, we support cumulative voting.
A-41
Cumulative voting is a process by which a shareholder may multiply the number of directors being
elected by the number of shares held on record date and cast the total number for one candidate or
allocate the voting among two or more candidates.
Where cumulative voting is in place, we will vote against any proposal to rescind this shareholder
right.
Cumulative voting may result in a minority block of stock gaining representation on the board. When
a proposal is made to institute cumulative voting, the proposal will be reviewed on a case-by-case
basis. While we feel that each board member should represent all shareholders, cumulative voting
provides minority shareholders an opportunity to have their views represented.
DIRECTOR LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
We support efforts to attract the best possible directors by limiting the liability and increasing
the indemnification of directors, except in the case of insider dealing.
EQUAL ACCESS TO THE PROXY
The SECs rules provide for shareholder resolutions. However, the resolutions are limited in scope
and there is a 500 word limit on proponents written arguments. Management has no such limitations.
While we support equal access to the proxy, we would look at such variables as length of time
required to respond, percentage of ownership, etc.
FAIR PRICE PROVISIONS
Charter provisions requiring a bidder to pay all shareholders a fair price are intended to prevent
two-tier tender offers that may be abusive. Typically, these provisions do not apply to
board-approved transactions.
We support fair price provisions because we feel all shareholders should be entitled to receive the
same benefits.
Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
GOLDEN PARACHUTES
Golden parachutes are severance payments to top executives who are terminated or demoted after a
takeover.
We support any proposal that would assure management of its own welfare so that they may continue
to make decisions in the best interest of the company and shareholders even if the decision results
in them losing their job. We do not, however, support excessive golden parachutes. Therefore, each
proposal will be decided on a case-by- case basis.
Note: Congress has imposed a tax on any parachute that is more than three times the executives
average annual compensation.
ANTI-GREENMAIL PROPOSALS
We do not support greenmail. An offer extended to one shareholder should be extended to all
shareholders equally across the board.
LIMIT SHAREHOLDERS RIGHTS TO CALL SPECIAL MEETINGS
We support the right of shareholders to call a special meeting.
A-42
CONSIDERATION OF NONFINANCIAL EFFECTS OF A MERGER
This proposal releases the directors from only looking at the financial effects of a merger and
allows them the opportunity to consider the mergers effects on employees, the community, and
consumers.
As a fiduciary, we are obligated to vote in the best economic interests of our clients. In general,
this proposal does not allow us to do that. Therefore, we generally cannot support this proposal.
Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
MERGERS, BUYOUTS, SPIN-OFFS, RESTRUCTURINGS
Each of the above is considered on a case-by-case basis. According to the Department of Labor, we
are not required to vote for a proposal simply because the offering price is at a premium to the
current market price. We may take into consideration the long term interests of the shareholders.
MILITARY ISSUES
Shareholder proposals regarding military production must be evaluated on a purely economic set of
criteria for our ERISA clients. As such, decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
In voting on this proposal for our non-ERISA clients, we will vote according to the clients
direction when applicable. Where no direction has been given, we will vote in the best economic
interests of our clients. It is not our duty to impose our social judgment on others.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Shareholder proposals requesting the signing of the MacBride principles for the purpose of
countering the discrimination of Catholics in hiring practices must be evaluated on a purely
economic set of criteria for our ERISA clients. As such, decisions will be made on a case-by-case
basis.
In voting on this proposal for our non-ERISA clients, we will vote according to client direction
when applicable. Where no direction has been given, we will vote in the best economic interests of
our clients. It is not our duty to impose our social judgment on others.
OPT OUT OF STATE ANTI-TAKEOVER LAW
This shareholder proposal requests that a company opt out of the coverage of the states
anti-takeover statutes. Example: Delaware law requires that a buyer must acquire at least 85% of
the companys stock before the buyer can exercise control unless the board approves.
We consider this on a case-by-case basis. Our decision will be based on the following:
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State of Incorporation |
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Management history of responsiveness to shareholders |
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Other mitigating factors |
POISON PILL
In general, we do not endorse poison pills.
In certain cases where management has a history of being responsive to the needs of shareholders
and the stock is very liquid, we will reconsider this position.
A-43
REINCORPORATION
Generally, we support reincorporation for well-defined business reasons. We oppose reincorporation
if proposed solely for the purpose of reincorporating in a state with more stringent anti-takeover
statutes that may negatively impact the value of the stock.
STOCK OPTION PLANS
Stock option plans are an excellent way to attract, hold and motivate directors and employees.
However, each stock option plan must be evaluated on its own merits, taking into consideration the
following:
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Dilution of voting power or earnings per share by more than 10% |
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Kind of stock to be awarded, to whom, when and how much |
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Method of payment |
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Amount of stock already authorized but not yet issued under existing stock option plans |
SUPERMAJORITY VOTE REQUIREMENTS
Supermajority vote requirements in a companys charter or bylaws require a level of voting approval
in excess of a simple majority of the outstanding shares. In general, we oppose
supermajority-voting requirements. Supermajority requirements often exceed the average level of
shareholder participation. We support proposals approvals by a simple majority of the shares
voting.
LIMIT SHAREHOLDERS RIGHT TO ACT BY WRITTEN CONSENT
Written consent allows shareholders to initiate and carry on a shareholder action without having to
wait until the next annual meeting or to call a special meeting. It permits action to be taken by
the written consent of the same percentage of the shares that would be required to effect proposed
action at a shareholder meeting.
Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
A-44
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 25. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(1) Financial Statements(1)
(a) Statement of Assets and Liabilities
(b) Statement of Operations
(c) Statement of Changes in Net Assets
(d) Notes to Financial Statements
(e) Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
(2) Exhibits
(a)(i) Articles of Incorporation(2)
(ii) Articles Supplementary for the 6.00% Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock (7)
(iii) Articles Supplementary for the Series C Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (7)
(b) Amended and Restated By-Laws of Registrant(3)
(c) Not applicable
(d)(i) Specimen Stock Certificate:
(A) 7.92% Cumulative Preferred Stock (3)
(B) 6.00% Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock (7)
(C) Series C Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (7)
(e) Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan of Registrant(5)
(f) Not applicable
(g) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Gabelli Funds, LLC(5)
(h)(i) Form of Underwriting Agreement(7)
(ii) Form of Underwriting Agreement(8)
(i) Not applicable
(j) Custodian Contract between Registrant and Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company(3)
(k)(i) Registrar, Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between Registrant and Equiserve Trust Company(3)
(ii) Form of Auction Agency Agreement(7)
(iii) Form of Broker-Dealer Agreement(7)
(iv) Form of DTC Agreement(7)
(v) Registrar, Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between Registrant and Computershare
Trust Company, N.A. (8)
(l) Opinion and Consent of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP(8)
(m) Not applicable
(n)(i) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm(8)
(ii) Powers
of Attorney(9)
(o) Not applicable
(p) Not applicable
(q) Not Applicable
(r) Codes of Ethics of the Fund and the Adviser(5)
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(1) |
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Incorporated by reference to the Registrants semi-annual report filed September 6, 2007 on
Form N-CSRS (File No. 811-08476) and the Registrants annual report filed March 7, 2007 on
Form N-CSRS (File No. 811-08476). |
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(2) |
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Incorporated by reference from the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos.
333-60407 and 811-8476, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 20, 1995. |
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(3) |
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Incorporated by reference from the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-2, File No.
333-60407 and 811-8476, s filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 1997. |
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(4) |
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Incorporated by reference from Amendment No. 1 to the Registrants Registration Statement on
Form N-2, File Nos. 33-60407 and 811-8476, as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on August 7, 1995. |
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(5) |
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Incorporated by reference from the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-2, File No.
333-33514 and 811- 8476, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 2, 2000. |
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(6) |
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Incorporated by reference from
the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-2, File No.
333-102755 and 811-8476, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17,
2003. |
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(7) |
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Incorporated by reference from the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-2, File No.
333-102755 and 811-8476, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 21,
2003. |
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(8) |
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To be filed by amendment. |
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(9) |
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Incorporated by reference from the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-2,
File No. 333-149414 and 811-8476, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on February 27, 2008. |
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ITEM 26. Marketing Arrangements
See Exhibit 2(h) to this Registration Statement.
ITEM 27. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with the
offering described in this Registration Statement:
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SEC
registration fees |
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$[ ] |
New York Stock Exchange listing fee
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$[ ] |
Rating Agency fees |
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$[ ] |
Printing expenses |
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$[ ] |
Auditing fees and expenses
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$[ ] |
Legal fees and expenses
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$[ ] |
Blue
Sky fees |
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$[ ] |
Miscellaneous
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$[ ] |
Total
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$[ ] |
ITEM 28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant
NONE
ITEM 29.
Number of Holders of Securities as of March 31, 2008
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Number of Record |
Title of Class |
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Holders |
Common Stock |
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6,102 |
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6.00% Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock |
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4 |
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Series C Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock |
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1 |
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ITEM 30. Indemnification
The response of this Item is incorporated by reference to the caption Management of the
Fund-Limitation of Directors and Officers Liability in the Part B of this Registration
Statement.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of Registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC,
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be
governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
ITEM 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
The Investment Adviser, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of
New York, acts as investment adviser to the Registrant. The Registrant is fulfilling the
requirement of this Item 30 to provide a list of the officers and directors of the Investment
Adviser, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of
a substantial nature engaged in by the Investment Adviser or those officers and directors during
the past two years, by incorporating by reference the information contained in the Form ADV
of the Investment Adviser filed with the commission pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of
1940 (Commission File No. 801-26202).
ITEM 32. Location of Accounts and Records
The accounts and records of the Registrant are maintained in part at the office of the
Investment Adviser at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1434, in part at the offices of the
Custodian, State Street Bank and Trust Company, 1776 Heritage Drive, North Quincy, Massachusetts
02171, at the offices of the Funds sub-administrator, PFPC Inc., 400 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington,
Delaware 19809, and in part at the offices of Computershare Trust Company, N.A., 250 Royall Street,
Canton, Massachusetts 02021.
ITEM 33. Management Services
Not applicable.
ITEM 34. Undertakings
1. Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of shares until the prospectus is amended, if
subsequent to the effective date of this registration statement, its net asset value declines more
than ten percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the registration statement or
its net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the
prospectus.
2. Not applicable.
3. Not applicable.
4. Registrant undertakes:
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(a) |
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to file, during and period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: |
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(1) |
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to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act; |
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(2) |
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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;
and |
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(3) |
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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. |
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(b) |
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that for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof; |
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(c) |
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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; and |
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(d) |
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that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act
to any purchaser, if the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C: Each prospectus filed
pursuant to Rule 497(b), (c), (d) or (e) under the Securities Act as part of a
registration statement relating to an offering, other than 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. |
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Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus
that is part of the registration 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. |
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(e) |
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that for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the
Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities: |
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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: |
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(1) |
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any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned
Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 497
under the Securities Act. |
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(2) |
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the portion of any advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the
Securities Act relating to the offering containing material information about
the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the
undersigned Registrant; and |
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(3) |
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any other communication that is an offer in the offering made
by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser. |
5. Registrant undertakes:
|
(a) |
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that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of the
Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of
prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 497(h) will be deemed to be a
part of the Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective. |
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(b) |
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that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus will be deemed
to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time will be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof. |
6. Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally
prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, any Statement of
Additional Information constituting Part B of this Registration Statement.
SIGNATURES
As required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this
Registrants Registration Statement has been signed on behalf of the Registrant, in the City of
Rye, State of New York, on the 16th day of May, 2008.
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THE GABELLI GLOBAL MULTIMEDIA TRUST INC.
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By: |
/s/ Bruce N. Alpert
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Bruce N. Alpert |
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President |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed below by the following persons in the capacities set
forth below on the 16th day of
May, 2008.
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Signature |
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Title |
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Director |
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Director |
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/s/
Agnes Mullady
Agnes Mullady
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Treasurer |
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Director |
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Director |
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Director |
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/s/ Bruce N. Alpert
Bruce N. Alpert
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President |
Attorney-in-Fact |
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* |
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Pursuant to a Power of Attorney. |