nv2za
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January
15, 2009.
1933
Act File No. 333-154880
1940 Act File No. 811-22072
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-2
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.
and
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
AMENDMENT NO. 8
The Cushing MLP Total Return Fund
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
3300 Oak Lawn Avenue
Suite 650
Dallas, TX 75219
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(214) 692-6334
(Registrants Telephone Number, including Area Code)
Jerry V. Swank
The Cushing MLP Total Return Fund
3300 Oak Lawn Avenue
Suite 650
Dallas, TX 75219
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
Philip H. Harris
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Four Times Square
New York, NY 10036
(212) 735-3000
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or
continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities
offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, 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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Proposed Maximum |
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Proposed Maximum |
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Amount Being |
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Offering Price Per |
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Aggregate Offering |
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Amount of |
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Title of Securities Being Registered |
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Registered |
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Unit(1) |
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Price(1) |
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Registration Fee(1) |
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Common Shares, $0.001 par value per share |
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80,000,000 |
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$ |
5.35 |
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$ |
428,000,000 |
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$ |
16,820.40 |
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(1) |
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Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) solely for the purpose of determining
the registration fee. The proposed maximum offering price per common
share will be determined, from time to time, by the Registrant in
connection with the sale by the Registrant of the common shares
registered under this registration statement. $39.30 was previously paid
with the Registrants initial filing on October 30, 2008. |
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 this Registration
Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and
Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a),
may determine.
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 is not soliciting offers
to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Preliminary Base Prospectus dated
January 15, 2009
Subject
to completion
January 15, 2009
The Cushing MLP Total Return Fund
80,000,000 COMMON SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Investment Objective. The Cushing MLP Total Return Fund (the Fund) was formed as a Delaware
statutory trust on May 23, 2007 and is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company.
The Funds investment objective is to obtain a high after-tax total return from a combination of
capital appreciation and current income. No assurance can be given that the Funds investment
objective will be achieved.
Investment Strategy. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal
market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in
master limited partnership (MLP) investments (the 80% policy). Entities commonly referred to as
MLPs are taxed as partnerships for federal income tax purposes and are generally organized under
state law as limited partnerships or limited liability companies. If publicly traded, MLPs must
derive at least 90% of their gross income from qualifying sources as described in Section 7704 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). For purposes of the Funds 80% policy,
MLP investments are investments that offer economic exposure to public and private MLPs in the form
of common or subordinated units issued by MLPs, securities of entities holding primarily general
partner or managing member interests in MLPs, debt securities of MLPs, and securities that are
derivatives of interests in MLPs, which are I-Shares (described on page 29 of this base prospectus) and other derivative securities that have economic characteristics of MLP securities. The Fund is managed by Swank Energy Income Advisors, LP (the
Investment Adviser).
The Fund seeks to obtain a high after-tax total return through investments in public and private
MLPs that have distribution growth prospects that, in the Investment Advisers view, are high
relative to comparable MLPs and available unit pricing. The Fund will be treated as a regular
corporation, or C corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Fund intends to focus
its investments in MLPs with operations in the development, production, processing, refining,
transportation, storage and marketing of natural resources. The Fund believes that, as a result of
the tax characterization of cash distributions made by MLPs to their investors (such as the Fund),
a significant portion of the Funds income will be tax-deferred, which will allow distributions by
the Fund to its shareholders to include tax-deferred income; however, there can be no assurance in
this regard. If this expectation is not realized, the Fund will have a larger corporate income tax
expense than expected, which will result in less cash available to distribute to shareholders. The
Fund expects to make equity investments in a mix of publicly traded securities and non-readily
marketable securities that may be issued by public or private companies. The Fund will seek to
hedge certain risks such as overall market, interest rate and commodity price risk.
The Fund will generally seek to invest in 20 to 30 issuers with generally no more than 10% of
Managed Assets (as defined below) in any one issue and no more than 15% of Managed Assets in any
one issuer (for purposes of this limit, an issuer includes both an MLP and its controlling
general partner or managing member), in each case, determined at the time of investment. Among
other things, the Investment Adviser will use fundamental, proprietary research to seek to identify
the most attractive MLPs with strong fundamental growth prospects and will seek to invest in
initial public offerings (IPOs) and secondary market issuances, private investment in public
equity (PIPE) transactions and private transactions, including pre-acquisition and pre-IPO equity
issuances and investments in private companies. Generally, no more than 50% of the Funds portfolio
will be in PIPE or other private or restricted securities at the time of investment.
As used in this base prospectus (the Prospectus), Managed Assets means the total assets of the
Fund, minus all accrued expenses incurred in the normal course of operations other than liabilities
or obligations attributable to investment leverage, including, without limitation, investment
leverage obtained through (i) indebtedness of any type (including, without limitation, borrowing
through a credit facility or the issuance of debt securities), (ii) the issuance of shares of
preferred stock or other similar preference securities and/or (iii) the reinvestment of collateral
received for securities loaned in accordance with the Funds investment objective and policies.
Our common
shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SRV. On January 14, 2009, the last reported sale price of our
common shares was $5.31.
The Fund may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, common shares of beneficial
interest (common shares), each having a par value of $0.001 per share. Common 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 common shares.
Common shares may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, through agents designated from
time to time by the Fund, 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 common
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. 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 common shares.
Investment in the Funds common shares involves substantial risks arising from the Funds policy of
investing in the securities of MLPs, its concentration in the natural resources sector and its use
of leverage. Before buying any of the Funds common shares, you should read the discussion of the
material risks of investing in the Fund in Principal Risks of
the Fund beginning on page 34 of
this Prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) 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. This Prospectus may not be used to
consummate sales of shares by us through agents, underwriters or dealers unless accompanied by a
Prospectus Supplement.
Please read this Prospectus carefully before deciding whether to invest and retain it for future
reference. This Prospectus contains all information required to be in the Funds Statement of
Additional Information. This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Fund that a
prospective investor ought to know before investing in the Fund. Copies of the Funds annual and
semi-annual reports may be obtained upon request, without charge, by calling toll-free (800)
662-7232 and also will be made available on the Funds website at www.swankcapital.com. You may
also call this toll-free telephone number to request other information about the Fund or to make
shareholder inquiries. Information on, or accessible through, the Funds website is not a part of,
and is not incorporated into, this Prospectus. The SEC maintains an internet website (www.sec.gov)
that contains other information regarding the Fund.
The Funds common shares do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and are not guaranteed or
endorsed by, any bank or other insured depositary institution, and are not federally insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.
Prospective investors should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus. The Fund has not authorized any other person to provide investors with different
information. If anyone provides an investor with different or inconsistent information, the
investor should not rely on it. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any
jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. Prospective investors should assume that the
information appearing in this Prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this
Prospectus. The Funds business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have
changed since that date.
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You should rely only on the information contained in this Prospectus and the accompanying
Prospectus Supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with additional information,
or information different from that contained in this Prospectus and the accompanying Prospectus
Supplement. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely
on it. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, common shares only in jurisdictions
where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained, or incorporated by reference, in
this Prospectus and the accompanying Prospectus Supplement is accurate only as of the date of this
Prospectus and such Prospectus Supplement. We will update these documents to reflect material
changes as required by law. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects
may have changed since then.
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iii
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This is only a summary. This summary does not contain all of the information that an investor
should consider before investing in the Funds common shares. You should review the more detailed
information contained in this base prospectus (the Prospectus). In particular, you should
carefully read the risks of investing in the common shares, as discussed under Principal Risks of
the Fund.
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The Fund
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The Cushing MLP Total Return Fund was formed as a Delaware statutory trust on May 23,
2007 and is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under
the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act). Throughout the Prospectus, The
Cushing MLP Total Return Fund is referred to simply as the Fund or as we, us or
our. See The Fund. |
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The Offering
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The Fund may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, common shares of
beneficial interest, $0.001 par value per share. The common shares of beneficial
interest are called common shares in the rest of this Prospectus. The common 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). The offering price per share of our common
shares will not be less than the net asset value per share of our common shares at the
time we make the offering, exclusive of any underwriting commissions or discounts. You
should read this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement carefully before
you invest in our common shares. Common 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. We may not sell any of our common shares through
agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a Prospectus Supplement describing
the method and terms of the particular offering of our common shares. |
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NYSE Listed
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The Funds common shares are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the
NYSE), under the symbol SRV. As of
January 14, 2009, the last reported sale price
of the Funds common shares on the NYSE was $5.31. |
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Who May Want to Invest
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Investors should consider their own investment goals, time horizon and risk tolerance
before investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all
investors and is not intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund may be an
appropriate investment for you if you are seeking: |
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The opportunity for an attractive total return through capital appreciation and
current income, in a fund managed by an experienced team of portfolio and investment
professionals. |
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Low correlation with broader equity or fixed income markets. |
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Exposure to a growing sub-sector of the natural resources universe, which sub-sector
benefits from a tax-advantaged structure and which owns and operates integral
infrastructure energy assets that are essential in meeting the growing demand from
energy producers and consumers. |
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Access through a single investment vehicle to a portfolio of public, private
investment in public equity (PIPE), and private securities issued by master limited
partnerships (MLPs) and securities of other companies that are generally engaged in
the same lines of business as those in which MLPs engage (Other Natural Resources
Companies) (not otherwise available to the general public) researched and sourced by
experienced investment professionals at Swank Energy Income Advisors, LP. (the
Investment Adviser). |
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However, an investment in the Fund involves certain associated investment risks. See
Principal Risks of the Fund. |
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An Investment in the Fund vs.
Direct Investment in MLPs
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The Investment Adviser believes that an investment in the Fund has certain advantages
over direct investment in MLPs, such as: |
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Exposure to the MLP asset class through an investment vehicle that will provide common
shareholders with a single Internal Revenue Service (IRS) form 1099. Direct investors
in MLPs receive an IRS schedule K-1 from each MLP in which they invest. |
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Access to an investment vehicle that will not require shareholders to file state
income tax returns in any state in which such investor is not otherwise required to file
a tax return. Direct investors in an MLP are considered limited partners and may be
required to file state income tax returns in each state in which the MLP operates. |
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Ability for the Funds common shareholders that are tax-exempt investors to avoid
having the Funds distributions classified as unrelated business taxable income
(UBTI), unless such investors common shares are debt-financed. A portion of income
received by tax-exempt investors directly from MLPs is generally treated as UBTI. |
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Ability for non-U.S. shareholders to avoid being directly subject to regular net based
U.S. federal income tax and return filing requirements with respect to investments in
MLPs, provided such non-U.S. shareholders investment in the Fund is not effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States by such
shareholder. Non-U.S. shareholders would generally be subject to regular net based
U.S. federal income tax on income from direct investments in MLPs treated as effectively
connected with a U.S. trade or business. |
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Ability for the Funds common shareholders to not be limited by the provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the Code) containing the passive activity
loss rules with respect to any losses resulting from the purchase and sale of common
shares, because the Fund is taxed as a corporation. The passive activity loss rules
limit the ability of certain direct investors in MLPs to use their allocable share of
any losses generated by an MLP to offset income from other activities. |
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Investment Objective and Policies
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The Funds investment objective is to obtain a high after-tax total return from a
combination of capital appreciation and current income. The Fund seeks to achieve its
investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its
net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in MLP
investments (the 80%
policy). There can be no assurance that the Funds investment objective will be
achieved. The Fund intends to focus its investments in MLPs with operations in the
development, production, processing, refining, transportation, storage and marketing of
natural resources. |
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The Fund generally will generally seek to invest in 20 to 30 issuers with generally no
more than 10% of Managed Assets (as defined below) in any one issue and no more than 15%
of Managed Assets in any one issuer (for purposes of this limitation, an issuer
includes both the MLP or limited liability company, as well as its controlling general
partner or managing member), in each case, determined at the time of investment. For
purposes of this calculation, an issue is a class of an issuers securities or a
derivative security that tracks that class of securities. Among other things, the
Investment Adviser will use fundamental and proprietary research to seek to identify the
most attractive MLPs and will seek to invest in MLPs that have distribution growth
prospects that, in the Investment Advisers view, are high relative to comparable MLPs
and that are not fully reflected in current pricing. The Investment Adviser believes
that the MLPs most likely to offer such attractive investment characteristics are those
that are relatively small and have proven and motivated management teams that are able
to develop projects organically (greenfield or internally developed) and/or to
successfully identify, acquire and integrate assets and companies that enhance value to
shareholders. As part of the Funds 80% policy, the Investment Adviser will also seek to
invest in MLPs or other entities that hold the general partner or managing member
interest and incentive distribution rights in MLPs (GP MLPs). The |
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Investment Adviser
believes the distribution growth prospects of many GP MLPs are high relative to many
other MLPs, and the Investment Adviser will seek to invest in GP MLPs in which the
Investment Adviser believes that such growth is not fully reflected in current pricing.
Like MLPs with strong distribution growth prospects, GP MLPs with strong growth
prospects often trade at prices that result in relatively low current yields. Since the
Investment Adviser will seek to maximize total return through a focus on MLPs and GP
MLPs with strong distribution growth prospects, the Investment Adviser believes the
distribution yield of the Fund will be lower than it would be under a more diversified
investment approach. |
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As used in this Prospectus, Managed Assets means the total assets of the Fund, minus
all accrued expenses incurred in the normal course of operations other than liabilities
or obligations attributable to investment leverage, including, without limitation,
investment leverage obtained through (i) indebtedness of any type (including, without
limitation, borrowing through a credit facility or the issuance of debt securities),
(ii) the issuance of shares of preferred stock (preferred shares) or other similar
preference securities and/or (iii) the reinvestment of collateral received for
securities loaned in accordance with the Funds investment objective and policies. |
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The Investment Adviser will seek to invest in initial public offerings (IPOs) and
secondary market issuances, PIPE transactions and privately negotiated transactions,
including pre-acquisition and pre-IPO equity issuances and investments in private
companies. See Investment Objective and Policies. |
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The Funds investment objective and percentage parameters, including its 80% MLP
investment policy, are not fundamental policies of the Fund and may be changed without
shareholder approval. Shareholders, however, will be notified in writing of any change
at least 60 days prior to effecting any such change. |
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The Funds Investments
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MLPs |
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Master limited partnerships are formed as limited partnerships or limited liability
companies and taxed as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. The securities
issued by many MLPs are listed and traded on a U.S. exchange. An MLP typically issues
general partner and limited partner interests or managing member and member interests.
The general partner or managing member manages and often controls, has an ownership
stake in, and is normally eligible to receive incentive distribution payments from, the
MLP. To be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an MLP must
derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from qualifying sources as
described in Section 7704 of the Code. These qualifying sources include natural
resources-based activities such as the exploration, development, mining, production,
processing, refining, transportation, storage and certain marketing of mineral or
natural resources. The general partner or managing member may be structured as a private
or publicly-traded corporation or other entity. The general partner or managing member
typically controls the operations and management of the entity through an up to 2%
general partner or managing member interest in the entity plus, in many cases, ownership
of some percentage of the outstanding limited partner or member interests. The limited
partners or members, through their ownership of limited partner or member interests,
provide capital to the entity, are intended to have no role in the operation and
management of the entity and receive cash distributions. Due to their structure as
partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and the expected character of their
income, MLPs generally do not pay federal income taxes. Thus, unlike investors in
corporate securities, direct MLP investors are generally not subject to double taxation
(i.e., corporate level tax and tax on corporate dividends). Currently, most MLPs operate
in the energy and midstream, natural resources, shipping or real estate sectors. |
3
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MLP Equity Securities. Equity securities issued by MLPs typically consist of common and
subordinated units (which represent the limited partner or member interests) and a
general partner or managing member interest. See The Funds Investments. |
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I-Shares |
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I-Shares represent an ownership interest issued by an MLP affiliate. The MLP affiliate uses the proceeds
from the sale of I-Shares to purchase limited partnership interests in the MLP in the form of I-units. Thus, I-Shares represent an indirect limited partner interest in the MLP. I-units have features
similar to MLP common units in terms of voting rights, liquidation preference and distribution. I-Shares
differ from MLP common units primarily in that instead of receiving cash distributions, holders of
I-Shares
will receive distributions of additional I-Shares in an amount equal to the cash distributions received by
common unit holders. I-shares are traded on the NYSE or the AMEX. |
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Other Equity Securities |
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The Fund may invest in equity securities of issuers other than MLPs, including common
stocks of Other Natural Resources Companies and issuers engaged in other sectors,
including the finance and real estate sectors. Such issuers may be organized and/or
taxed as corporations and therefore may not offer the advantageous tax characteristics
of MLP units. |
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Debt Securities |
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The Fund may invest in debt securities rated, at the time of investment, at least (i) B3
by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys), (ii) B- by Standard & Poors (S&P) or
Fitch Ratings (Fitch), or (iii) a comparable rating by another rating agency,
provided, however, that the Fund may invest up to 5% of the Funds Managed Assets in
lower rated or unrated debt securities. Debt securities rated below investment grade are
commonly known as junk bonds and are regarded as predominantly speculative with
respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with
the terms of the obligations, and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions. |
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Non-U.S. Securities |
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The Fund may invest in non-U.S. securities, including, among other things,
non-U.S. securities represented by American Depositary Receipts or ADRs. ADRs are
certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a non-U.S. issuer that are issued by
depositary banks and generally trade on an established market in the United States or
elsewhere. |
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See The Funds Investments. |
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Investment Characteristics
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The Investment Adviser believes that the following characteristics of MLPs make them
attractive investments: |
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Many MLPs are utility-like in nature and have relatively stable, predictable cash
flows. |
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MLPs provide services which help meet the largely inelastic demand of U.S. energy
consumers. |
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Transportation assets in the interstate and intrastate pipeline sector are typically
backed by relatively long-term contracts and stable transportation rates (or tariffs)
that are regulated by the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) or by state
regulatory commissions. |
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High barriers to entry may protect the business model of some MLPs, since construction
of the physical assets typically owned by these MLPs generally requires significant
capital expenditures and long lead times. |
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As the location and quality of natural resources supplies change, new midstream
infrastructure such as gathering and transportation pipelines, treating and processing
facilities, and storage facilities is needed to meet these new logistical needs.
Similarly, as the demographics of demand centers change, new infrastructure is often
needed. MLPs are integral providers of these midstream needs. |
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Requirements for new and additional transportation fuel compositions (e.g., reduced
sulfur diesel and ethanol blends) require additional logistical assets. MLPs are
integral providers of these logistical needs. |
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Midstream assets are typically long-lived and tend to retain their economic value, and
the risk of technological obsolescence is low. |
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MLPs are pass-through entities and do not pay federal income taxes at the entity
level. In general, a portion of their distributions are treated as a return of capital
(that is, a payback of invested capital). |
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In addition to their growth potential, MLP investments are currently offering higher
yields than some investments, such as utilities and real estate investment trusts
(REITs). Of course, there can be no guarantee that the MLP investments in the Funds
portfolio will generate higher yields than these other asset classes, and since the
Investment Adviser will seek to maximize total return through a focus on MLPs and GP
MLPs with strong distribution growth prospects, the Investment Adviser believes the
distribution yield of the Fund will be lower than it would be under a more diversified
investment approach. |
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An investment in MLPs also involves risks, some of which are described below under
Principal Risks of the Fund. |
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Investment Adviser
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The Funds investments are managed by its Investment Adviser, Swank Energy Income
Advisors, LP, whose principal business address is 3300 Oak Lawn Avenue, Suite 650,
Dallas, Texas 75219. The Investment Adviser is also investment adviser to the private
managed accounts (Affiliated Funds), which invest primarily in securities of MLPs and
Other Natural Resources Companies and global commodities. Since 2003, the Investment
Adviser has managed the Affiliated Funds with a focus on achieving a high after-tax
total return from a combination of capital appreciation and current income (as opposed
to relative performance against a benchmark index). The Investment Adviser seeks to
identify and exploit investment niches it believes are generally less understood and
less followed by the broader investor community. |
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The Fund has agreed to pay the Investment Adviser, as compensation for the services
rendered by it, a monthly management fee at an annual rate of 1.25% of the average
weekly value of the Funds Managed Assets. See Management of the FundInvestment
Management Agreement.
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Competitive Strengths |
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The Investment Adviser considers itself one of the principal professional institutional
investors in the MLP space based on the following: |
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An investment team with extensive experience in MLP analysis and investment, portfolio
management, risk management, and private securities transactions. |
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A focus on bottom-up, fundamental analysis performed by its experienced investment
team. |
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The investment teams wide range of professional backgrounds, market knowledge,
industry relationships, and experience in the analysis, financing, and structuring of
MLP investments give the Investment Adviser insight into, and the ability to identify
and capitalize on, investment opportunities in MLPs and Other Natural Resources
Companies. |
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Its central location in Dallas, Texas and proximity to major players and assets in the
MLP space. |
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Administrator
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U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (the Administrator) will provide the Fund with
administrative services. The Administrator also performs fund accounting. See Other
Service Providers. |
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Distributions
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The Fund intends to make regular quarterly cash distributions of all or a portion of its
income to its common shareholders. |
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The Fund anticipates that, due to the tax characterization of cash distributions made by
MLPs, a significant portion of the Funds distributions to common shareholders will
consist of tax-advantaged return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In
general, a distribution will constitute a return of capital to a common shareholder,
rather than a dividend, to the extent such distribution exceeds the Funds current and
accumulated earnings and profits. The portion of any distribution treated as a return of
capital will not be subject to tax currently, but will result in a corresponding
reduction in a shareholders basis in our common shares and in the shareholders |
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recognizing more gain or less loss (that is, will result in an increase of a
shareholders tax liability) when the shareholder later sells or exchanges our common
shares. Dividends in excess of a shareholders adjusted tax basis in its shares are
generally treated as capital gains. To permit it to maintain a more stable quarterly
distribution rate, the Fund may distribute less or more than the entire amount of cash
it receives from its investments in a particular period. Any undistributed cash would be
available to supplement future distributions, and until distributed would add to the
Funds net asset value. Correspondingly, such amounts, once distributed, will be
deducted from the Funds net asset value. See Distributions and Dividend Reinvestment
Plan. |
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Shareholders will automatically have all distributions reinvested in common shares
issued by the Fund or common shares of the Fund purchased on the open market in
accordance with the Funds dividend reinvestment plan unless an election is made to
receive cash. See Distributions and Dividend Reinvestment Plan. |
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Common shareholders who receive dividends in the form of additional common shares will
be subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences as common
shareholders who elect to receive their dividends in cash. |
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Use of Leverage
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On October 19, 2007, the Fund entered into a fully-collateralized borrowing arrangement
with Credit Suisse. Proceeds from the borrowing arrangement are used to execute the
Funds investment objective. The borrowing arrangement is collateralized with
investments held in a segregated account for the benefit of Credit Suisse at the Funds
custodian, which collateral exceeds the amount borrowed. |
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The Fund may also seek to enhance its total returns through the issuance of preferred
shares and other commercial paper or notes and other forms of borrowing (each, a
Leverage Instrument and collectively, Leverage Instruments), in each case within the
applicable limits of the 1940 Act. The Fund may also borrow under certain privately-arranged, temporary or fully-collaterized and
segregated borrowing arrangements, but such arrangements are not deemed leverage under the
1940 Act and thus are not included within the term Leverage Instruments.
The Fund may leverage through these Leverage
Instruments in an aggregate amount of up to approximately
331/3% of its Managed Assets
(i.e., 50% of its net assets attributable to the Funds common shares). |
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The Fund may leverage through the issuance of preferred shares
or other means, and at such times total leverage of the Fund is generally expected to be in the range
of 20% to 50% of the Funds Managed Assets, including any borrowings for investment
purposes (i.e., 25% to 100% of its net assets attributable to the Funds common shares).
The Fund may borrow from banks and other financial institutions. |
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To the extent the Fund borrows, the Fund will create financial leverage. It will do so
only when it expects to be able to invest the proceeds at a higher rate of return than
its cost of borrowing. |
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The use of leverage for investment purposes creates opportunities for greater total
returns, but at the same time increases risk. When leverage is employed, the net asset
value, market price of the common shares and the yield to holders of common shares may
be more volatile. Any investment income or gains earned with respect to the amounts
borrowed in excess of the interest due on the borrowing will augment the Funds income.
Conversely, if the investment performance with respect to the amounts borrowed fails to
cover the interest on such borrowings, the value of the Funds common shares may
decrease more quickly than would otherwise be the case, and distributions on the common
shares would be reduced or eliminated. Interest payments and fees incurred in connection
with such borrowings will reduce the amount of net income available for distribution to
common shareholders. |
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Because the investment management fee paid to the Investment Adviser is calculated on
the basis of the Funds Managed Assets, which include the proceeds of leverage, the
dollar amount of the management fee paid by the Fund to the Investment Adviser will be
higher (and the Investment Adviser will be benefited to that extent) when leverage is
utilized. The Investment Adviser will utilize leverage only if it believes such action
would result in a net benefit to the Funds shareholders after taking into account the
higher fees and expenses associated with leverage |
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(including higher management fees).
See The Funds Investments Use of Leverage. |
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The Funds leveraging strategy may not be successful. See Principal Risks of the Fund
Leverage Risk. |
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Tax Treatment of the Fund
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The Fund will be treated as a regular corporation, or C corporation, for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Fund generally will be subject to U.S. federal
income tax on its taxable income at the graduated rates applicable to corporations
(currently at a maximum rate of 35%). In addition, as a regular corporation, the Fund
may be subject to state income tax by reason of its investments in equity securities of
MLPs. The Fund may be subject to a 20% alternative minimum tax on its alternative
minimum taxable income to the extent that the alternative minimum tax exceeds the Funds
regular income tax liability. The Funds payments of U.S. corporate income tax or
alternative minimum tax could materially reduce the amount of cash available for the
Fund to make distributions on the shares. In addition, distributions to shareholders of
the Fund will be taxed under federal income tax laws applicable to corporate
distributions, and thus at least a significant portion of the Funds taxable income may
be subject to a double layer of taxation. See Tax Matters. |
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Principal Risks of the Fund
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General |
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Risk is inherent in all investing. The following discussion summarizes some of the risks
that a potential investor should consider before deciding to purchase the Funds common
shares. |
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Limited Operating and Trading History. The Fund was formed as a Delaware statutory
trust on May 23, 2007 and is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment
company. The Fund commenced operations on August 27, 2007. Being a recently organized
company, the Fund is subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated
with any new business, including the risk that the Fund will not achieve its investment
objective and that the value of an investment in the Fund could decline substantially.
See Principal Risks of the FundGeneralLimited Operating and Trading History. |
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Investment and Market Risk. An investment in the Funds common shares is subject to
investment risk, including the possible loss of an investors entire investment. The
Funds common shares at any point in time may be worth less than at the time of original
investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of the Funds dividends. The
Fund is primarily a long-term investment vehicle and should not be used for short-term
trading. An investment in the Funds common shares is not intended to constitute a
complete investment program and should not be viewed as such. See Principal Risks of
the FundGeneralInvestment and Market Risk. |
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Market Discount From Net Asset Value Risk. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade
at discounts to their net asset value. This characteristic is a risk separate and
distinct from the risk that the Funds net asset value could decrease as a result of its
investment activities and creates a risk of loss for investors purchasing common shares
at net asset value in a public offering. The net asset value of the Funds common shares
will be reduced immediately following the offering as a result of the payment of certain
offering costs. Although the value of the Funds net assets is generally considered by
market participants in determining whether to purchase or sell shares, whether investors
will realize gains or losses upon the sale of the Funds common shares will depend
entirely upon whether the market price of its common shares at the time of sale is above
or below the investors purchase price for the Funds common shares. The Funds common
shares have in the past traded below their net asset value. See Principal Risks of the
FundGeneralMarket Discount from Net Asset Value Risk. |
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Sector Concentration Risk |
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Under normal market conditions and once the proceeds of each offering are fully invested
in accordance with its investment objective, the Fund will have at least 80% of its net
assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, invested in MLP investments, which
operate primarily in the natural resources sector. There are risks inherent in the
natural resources sector and the |
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businesses of MLPs and Other Natural Resources
Companies, including those described below. See Principal Risks of the Fund Sector
Concentration Risk. |
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MLP and Other Natural Resources Company Risks |
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Commodity Price Risk. Natural resources commodity prices have been very volatile in the
past and such volatility is expected to continue. MLPs and Other Natural Resources
Companies engaged in crude oil and natural gas exploration, development or production,
natural gas gathering and processing, crude oil refining and transportation and coal
mining or sales may be directly affected by their respective natural resources commodity
prices. The volatility of, and interrelationships between, commodity prices can also
indirectly affect certain MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies due to the
potential impact on the volume of commodities transported, processed, stored or
distributed. Some MLPs or Other Natural Resources Companies that own the underlying
energy commodity may be unable to effectively mitigate or manage direct margin exposure
to commodity price levels. The prices of MLP and Other Natural Resources Companies
securities can be adversely affected by market perceptions that their performance and
distributions or dividends are directly tied to commodity prices. See Principal Risks
of the FundMLP and Other Natural Resources Company RisksCommodity Price Risk. |
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Cyclicality Risk. The highly cyclical nature of the natural resources sector may
adversely affect the earnings or operating cash flows of the MLPs and Other Natural
Resources Companies in which the Fund will invest. See Principal Risks of the FundMLP
and Other Natural Resources Company RisksCyclicality Risk. |
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Supply Risk. A significant decrease in the production of natural gas, crude oil, coal
or other energy commodities, due to the decline of production from existing resources,
import supply disruption, depressed commodity prices or otherwise, would reduce the
revenue, operating income and operating cash flows of MLPs and Other Natural Resources
Companies and, therefore, their ability to make distributions or pay dividends. See
Principal Risks of the FundMLP and Other Natural Resources Company RisksSupply Risk.
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Demand Risk. A sustained decline in demand for coal, natural gas, natural gas liquids,
crude oil and refined petroleum products could adversely affect an MLPs or an Other
Natural Resources Companys revenues and cash flows. See Principal Risks of the
FundMLP and Other Natural Resources Company RisksDemand Risk. |
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Risks Relating to Expansions and Acquisitions. MLPs and Other Natural Resources
Companies employ a variety of means to increase cash flow, including increasing
utilization of existing facilities, expanding operations through new construction or
development activities, expanding operations through acquisitions, or securing
additional long-term contracts. Thus, some MLPs or Other Natural Resources Companies may
be subject to construction risk, development risk, acquisition risk or other risks
arising from their specific business strategies. MLPs and Other Natural Resources
Companies that attempt to grow through acquisitions may not be able to effectively
integrate acquired operations with their existing operations. See Principal Risks of
the FundMLP and Other Natural Resources Company RisksRisks Relating to Expansions and
Acquisitions. |
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Competition Risk. The natural resources sector is highly competitive. To the extent
that the MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies in which the Fund will invest are
unable to compete effectively, their operating results, financial position, growth
potential and cash flows may be adversely affected, which could in turn adversely affect
the results of the Fund. See Principal Risks of the FundMLP and Other Natural
Resources Company RisksCompetition Risk. |
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Weather Risk. Extreme weather conditions, such as Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita in 2005 and Hurricane Ike in 2008, could result in substantial damage
to the facilities of certain MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies located in the
affected areas and significant volatility in the supply of natural resources, commodity
prices and the earnings of |
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MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies, and could
therefore adversely affect their securities. Principal Risks of the FundMLP and Other
Natural Resources Company RisksWeather Risk. |
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Interest Rate Risk. The prices of the equity and debt securities of the MLPs and Other
Natural Resources Companies the Fund expects to hold in its portfolio are susceptible in
the short term to a decline when interest rates rise. Rising interest rates could limit
the capital appreciation of securities of certain MLPs as a result of the increased
availability of alternative investments with yields comparable to those of MLPs. Rising
interest rates could adversely impact the financial performance of MLPs and Other
Natural Resources Companies by increasing their cost of capital. This may reduce their
ability to execute acquisitions or expansion projects in a cost effective manner.
Principal Risks of the FundMLP and Other Natural Resources Company RisksInterest Rate
Risk. |
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MLP Structure Risk. Holders of MLP units are subject to certain risks inherent in the
structure of MLPs, including (i) tax risks (described further below), (ii) the limited
ability to elect or remove management or the general partner or managing member
(iii) limited voting rights, except with respect to extraordinary transactions, and
(iv) conflicts of interest between the general partner or managing member and its
affiliates, on the one hand, and the limited partners or members, on the other hand,
including those arising from incentive distribution payments or corporate opportunities.
Principal Risks of the FundMLP and Other Natural Resources Company RisksMLP Structure
Risk. |
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Sub-Sector Specific Risk. MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies are also subject
to risks that are specific to the particular sub-sector of the natural resources sector
in which they operate. |
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Pipelines. Pipeline companies are subject to the demand for natural gas, natural gas
liquids, crude oil or refined products in the markets they serve, changes in the
availability of products for gathering, transportation, processing or sale due to
natural declines in reserves and production in the supply areas serviced by the
companies facilities, sharp decreases in crude oil or natural gas prices that cause
producers to curtail production or reduce capital spending for exploration activities,
and environmental regulation. Demand for gasoline, which accounts for a substantial
portion of refined product transportation, depends on price, prevailing economic
conditions in the markets served, and demographic and seasonal factors. See Principal
Risks of the FundMLP and Other Natural Resources Company RisksSub-Sector Specific
RiskPipelines. |
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Gathering and processing. Gathering and processing companies are subject to natural
declines in the production of oil and natural gas fields, which utilize their gathering
and processing facilities as a way to market their production, prolonged declines in the
price of natural gas or crude oil, which curtails drilling activity and therefore
production, and declines in the prices of natural gas liquids and refined petroleum
products, which cause lower processing margins. In addition, some gathering and
processing contracts subject the gathering or processing company to direct commodities
price risk. Principal Risks of the FundMLP and Other Natural Resources Company
RisksSub-Sector Specific RiskGathering and processing. |
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Exploration and production. Exploration, development and production companies are
particularly vulnerable to declines in the demand for and prices of crude oil and
natural gas. Reductions in prices for crude oil and natural gas can cause a given
reservoir to become uneconomic for continued production earlier than it would if prices
were higher, resulting in the plugging and abandonment of, and cessation of production
from, that reservoir. In addition, lower commodity prices not only reduce revenues but
also can result in substantial downward adjustments in reserve estimates. See
Principal Risks of the FundMLP and Other Natural Resources Company RisksSub-Sector
Specific RiskExploration and Production. |
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Propane. Propane companies are subject to earnings variability based upon weather
patterns in the locations where they operate and increases in the wholesale price of
propane which reduce profit margins. In addition, propane companies are facing increased
competition due to the growing availability of natural gas, fuel oil and alternative
energy sources for residential heating. Principal Risks of the FundMLP and Other
Natural Resources Company RisksSub-Sector Specific RiskPropane. |
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Coal. Coal companies are subject to declines in the demand for and prices of coal.
Demand variability can be based on weather conditions, the strength of the domestic
economy, the level of coal stockpiles in their customer base, and the prices of
competing sources of fuel for electric generation. They are also subject to supply
variability based on geological conditions that reduce the productivity of mining
operations, the availability of regulatory permits for mining activities and the
availability of coal that meets the standards of the federal Clean Air Act of 1990, as
amended (the Clean Air Act). See Principal Risks of the FundMLP and Other Natural
Resources Company RisksSub-Sector Specific RiskCoal. |
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Marine shipping. Marine shipping companies are subject to supply of and demand for,
and level of consumption of, natural gas, liquefied natural gas, crude oil, refined
petroleum products and liquefied petroleum gases in the supply and market areas they
serve, which affect the demand for marine shipping services and therefore charter rates.
Shipping companies vessels and cargoes are also subject to the risk of being damaged or
lost due to marine disasters, extreme weather, mechanical failures, grounding, fire,
explosions, collisions, human error, piracy, war and terrorism. See Principal Risks of
the FundMLP and Other Natural Resources Company RisksSub-Sector Specific RiskMarine
Shipping. |
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Cash Flow Risk. The Fund will derive substantially all of its cash flow from
investments in equity securities of MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies. The
amount of cash that the Fund has available to distribute to shareholders will depend on
the ability of the MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies in which the Fund has an
interest to make distributions or pay dividends to their investors and the tax character
of those distributions or dividends. The Fund will likely have no influence over the
actions of the MLPs in which it invests with respect to the payment of distributions or
dividends, and may only have limited influence over Other Natural Resources Companies in
that regard. See Principal Risks of the FundMLP and Other Natural Resources Company
RisksCash Flow Risk. |
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Regulatory Risk. The profitability of MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies could
be adversely affected by changes in the regulatory environment. MLPs and Other Natural
Resources Companies are subject to significant foreign, federal, state and local
regulation in virtually every aspect of their operations, including with respect to how
facilities are constructed, maintained and operated, environmental and safety controls,
and the prices they may charge for the products and services they provide. Such
regulation can change over time in both scope and intensity. See Principal Risks of
the FundMLP and Other Natural Resources Company RisksRegulatory Risk. |
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Affiliated Party Risk. Certain MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies are dependent
on their parents or sponsors for a majority of their revenues. Any failure by an MLPs
or an Other Natural Resources Companys parents or sponsors to satisfy their payments or
obligations would impact the MLPs or Other Natural Resources Companys revenues and
cash flows and ability to make distributions. Moreover, the terms of an MLPs or an
Other Natural Resources Companys transactions with its parent or sponsor are typically
not arrived at on an arms-length basis, and may not be as favorable to the MLP or Other
Natural Resources Company as a transaction with a non-affiliate. Principal Risks of the
FundMLP and Other Natural Resources Company RisksAffiliated Party Risk. |
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Catastrophe Risk. The operations of MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies are
subject to many hazards inherent in the exploration for, and development, production,
gathering, |
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transportation, processing, storage, refining, distribution, mining or
marketing of coal, natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, refined petroleum
products or other hydrocarbons, including: damage to production equipment, pipelines,
storage tanks or related equipment and surrounding properties caused by hurricanes,
tornadoes, floods, fires and other natural disasters or by acts of terrorism;
inadvertent damage from construction or other equipment; leaks of natural gas, natural
gas liquids, crude oil, refined petroleum products or other hydrocarbons; and fires and
explosions. If a significant accident or event occurs that is not fully insured, it
could adversely affect the MLPs or Other Natural Resources Companys operations and
financial condition. See Principal Risks of the FundMLP and Other Natural Resources
Company RisksCatastrophe Risk. |
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Risks Associated with an Investment in IPOs |
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Securities purchased in IPOs are often subject to the general risks associated with
investments in companies with small market capitalizations, and typically to a
heightened degree. Securities issued in IPOs have no trading history, and information
about the companies may be available for very limited periods. In addition, the prices
of securities sold in an IPO may be highly volatile, thus
the Fund cannot predict whether investments in IPOs
will be successful. As the Fund grows in size, the positive effect of IPO investments on
the Fund may decrease. See Principal Risks of the FundRisks Associated with an
Investment in IPOs. |
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Risks Associated with an Investment in PIPE Transactions |
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PIPE investors purchase securities directly from a publicly traded company in a private
placement transaction, typically at a discount to the market price of the companys
common stock. Because the sale of the securities is not registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), the securities are restricted and
cannot be immediately resold by the investors into the public markets. Accordingly, the
company typically agrees as part of the PIPE deal to register the restricted securities
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). PIPE securities may be deemed
illiquid. See Principal Risks of the FundRisks Associated with an Investment in PIPE
Transactions. |
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Privately Held Company Risk |
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Investing in privately held companies involves risk. For example, privately held
companies are not subject to SEC reporting requirements, are not required to maintain
their accounting records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
and are not required to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting.
As a result, the Investment Adviser may not have timely or accurate information about
the business, financial condition and results of operations of the privately held
companies in which the Fund invests. In addition, the securities of privately held
companies are generally illiquid, and entail the risks described under Principal Risks
of the FundLiquidity Risk. |
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Liquidity Risk |
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The investments made by the Fund, including investments in MLPs, may be illiquid and
consequently the Fund may not be able to sell such investments at prices that reflect
the Investment Advisers assessment of their value, the value at which the Fund is
carrying the securities on its books or the amount paid for such investments by the
Fund. Furthermore, the nature of the Funds investments may require a long holding
period prior to profitability. See Principal Risks of the FundLiquidity Risk. |
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Tax Risks |
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In addition to other risk considerations, an investment in the Funds common shares will
involve certain tax risks, including, but not limited to, the risks summarized below and
discussed in more detail elsewhere in this Prospectus. Tax matters are complicated, and
the foreign and U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences of the purchase and
ownership of the Funds |
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common shares will depend on the facts of each investors
situation. Prospective investors are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors
regarding the specific tax consequences that may affect such investors. |
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Tax Law Changes. Changes in tax laws, regulations or interpretations of those laws or
regulations in the future could adversely affect the Fund or the MLPs or Other Natural
Resources Companies in which the Fund will invest. Any such changes could negatively
impact the Funds common shareholders. Legislation could also negatively impact the
amount and tax characterization of dividends received by the Funds common shareholders.
Federal legislation has reduced the federal income tax rate on qualified dividend income
to the rate applicable to long-term capital gains, which is generally 15% for
individuals, provided a holding period requirement and certain other requirements are
met. This reduced rate of tax on dividends is currently scheduled to revert to ordinary
income tax rates for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010, and the 15%
federal income tax rate for long-term capital gains is scheduled to revert to 20% for
such taxable years. |
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Tax Risk of MLPs. The Funds ability to meet its investment objective will depend
partially on the amounts of taxable income, distributions and dividends it receives from
the securities in which it will invest, a factor over which it has no control. The
benefit the Fund will derive from its investment in MLPs is largely dependent on the
MLPs being treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. As a partnership,
an MLP has no federal income tax liability at the entity level. If, as a result of a
change in current law or a change in an MLPs business, an MLP were to be treated as a
corporation for federal income tax purposes, it would be subject to federal income tax
on its income at the graduated tax rates applicable to corporations (currently a maximum
rate of 35%). In addition, if an MLP were to be classified as a corporation for federal
income tax purposes, the amount of cash available for distribution by it would be
reduced and distributions received by the Fund from it would be taxed under federal
income tax laws applicable to corporate distributions (as dividend income, return of
capital, or capital gain). Therefore, treatment of MLPs as corporations for federal
income tax purposes would result in a reduction in the after-tax return to the Fund,
likely causing a reduction in the value of the Funds common shares. |
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Deferred Tax Risks of MLPs. As a limited partner or member in the MLPs in which the
Fund will invest, the Fund will be required to include in its taxable income its
allocable share of income, gains, losses, deductions, and credits from those MLPs,
regardless of whether they distribute any cash to the Fund. Historically, a significant
portion of the income from MLPs has been offset by tax deductions. The Fund will incur a
current tax liability on its allocable share of an MLPs income and gains that is not
offset by tax deductions, losses and credits, or its net operating loss carryforwards,
if any. The portion, if any, of a distribution received by the Fund from an MLP that is
offset by the MLPs tax deductions, losses or credits will be treated as a
tax-advantaged return of capital. However, those distributions will reduce the Funds
adjusted tax basis in the equity securities of the MLP, which will result in an increase
in the amount of gain (or decrease in the amount of loss) that will be recognized by the
Fund for tax purposes upon the sale of any such equity securities or upon subsequent
distributions in respect of such equity securities. The percentage of an MLPs income
and gains that is offset by tax deductions, losses and credits will fluctuate over time
for various reasons. A significant slowdown in acquisition activity or capital spending
by MLPs held in the Funds portfolio could result in a reduction of accelerated
depreciation generated by new acquisitions, which may result in increased current tax
liability for the Fund. |
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The Fund will accrue deferred income taxes for its future tax liability associated with
that portion of MLP distributions considered to be a tax-advantaged return of capital,
as well as for its future tax liability associated with the capital appreciation of its
investments. Upon the Funds sale of an MLP security, the Fund may be liable for
previously deferred taxes. The Fund will rely to some extent on information provided by
MLPs, which is not necessarily timely, to estimate deferred tax liability for purposes
of financial statement reporting and determining its net asset value. From time to time,
the Fund will modify its estimates or assumptions regarding its deferred tax |
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liability
as new information becomes available. |
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See Tax Matters. |
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Risks Associated with an Investment in Non-U.S. Companies |
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Non-U.S. Securities Risk. Investing in securities of non-U.S. issuers involves certain
risks not involved in domestic investments, including, but not limited to: fluctuations
in currency exchange rates; future foreign economic, financial, political and social
developments; different legal systems; the possible imposition of exchange controls or
other foreign governmental laws or restrictions; lower trading volume; greater price
volatility and illiquidity; different trading and settlement practices; less
governmental supervision; high and volatile rates of inflation; fluctuating interest
rates; less publicly available information; and different accounting, auditing and
financial recordkeeping standards and requirements. See Principal Risks of the
FundRisks Associated with an Investment in Non-U.S. Companies Non-U.S. Securities
Risk. |
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Non-U.S. Currency Risk. Because the Fund may invest in securities denominated or quoted
in non-U.S. currencies, changes in the non-U.S. currency/U.S. dollar exchange rate may
affect the value of the Funds securities and the unrealized appreciation or
depreciation of its investments. See Principal Risks of the FundRisks Associated with
an Investment in Non-U.S. Companies Non-U.S. Currency Risk. |
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Currency Hedging Risk. The Fund may in the future hedge against currency risk resulting
from investing in non-U.S. MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies valued in
non-U.S. currencies. Currency hedging transactions in which the Fund may engage include
buying or selling options or futures or entering into other foreign currency
transactions including forward foreign currency contracts, currency swaps or options on
currency and currency futures and other derivatives transactions. Hedging transactions
can be expensive and have risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value
of such instruments and the underlying assets, the possible default of the other party
to the transaction or the illiquidity of the derivative instruments. The use of hedging
transactions may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may require
the Fund to sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices
other than current market values, may limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can
realize on an investment, or may cause the Fund to hold a security that the Fund might
otherwise sell. The use of hedging transactions may result in the Funds incurring
losses as a result of matters beyond the Funds control. See Principal Risks of the
FundRisks Associated with an Investment in Non-U.S. CompaniesCurrency Hedging Risk. |
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Emerging Markets Risk. Emerging markets may be subject to economic, social and
political risks not applicable to instruments of developed market issuers, such as
repatriation, exchange control or other monetary restrictions, taxation risks, and
special considerations due to limited publicly available information, less stringent
regulatory standards, and lack of uniformity in accounting. See Principal Risks of the
FundRisks Associated with an Investment in Non-U.S. CompaniesEmerging Markets Risk. |
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Interest Rate Risk |
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The costs associated with any leverage used by the Fund are likely to increase when
interest rates rise. Accordingly, the market price of the Funds common shares may
decline when interest rates rise. See Principal Risks of the FundInterest Rate Risk. |
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Legal and Regulatory Risk |
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Legal and regulatory changes could occur during the term of the Fund that may adversely affect the Fund. See
Principal Risks of the FundLegal and Regulatory Risk. |
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Interest Rate Hedging Risk |
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The Fund may from time to time hedge against interest rate risk resulting from the Funds
portfolio holdings and any financial leverage it may incur. Interest rate transactions
the Fund may use for |
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hedging purposes will expose the Fund to certain risks that differ
from the risks associated with its portfolio holdings. There are economic costs of
hedging reflected in the price of interest rate swaps, caps and similar techniques, the
cost of which can be significant. In addition, the Funds success in using hedging
instruments is subject to the Investment Advisers ability to correctly predict changes
in the relationships of such hedging instruments to the Funds leverage risk, and there
can be no assurance that the Investment Advisers judgment in this respect will be
accurate. See Principal Risks of the FundInterest Rate Hedging Risk. |
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Arbitrage Risk |
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A part of the Investment Advisers investment operations may involve spread positions
between two or more securities, or derivatives positions including commodities hedging
positions, or a combination of the foregoing. The Investment Advisers trading
operations also may involve arbitraging between two securities or commodities, between
the security, commodity and related options or derivatives markets, between spot and
futures or forward markets, and/or any combination of the above. To the extent the price
relationships between such positions remain constant, no gain or loss on the positions
will occur. These offsetting positions entail substantial risk that the price
differential could change unfavorably, causing a loss to the position. See Principal
Risks of the FundArbitrage Risk. |
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Equity Securities Risk |
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Master limited partnership common units and other equity securities of MLPs and Other
Natural Resources Companies can be affected by macroeconomic, political, global and
other factors affecting the stock market in general, expectations of interest rates,
investor sentiment towards MLPs or the natural resources sector, changes in a particular
companys financial condition, or the unfavorable or unanticipated poor performance of a
particular MLP or Other Natural Resources Company (which, in the case of an MLP, is
generally measured in terms of distributable cash flow). Prices of common units and
other equity securities of individual MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies can
also be affected by fundamentals unique to the partnership or company, including
earnings power and coverage ratios. See Principal Risks of the FundEquity Securities
Risk. |
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MLP Subordinated Units. Master limited partnership subordinated units are not typically
listed on an exchange or publicly traded. Holders of MLP subordinated units are entitled
to receive a distribution only after the minimum quarterly distribution (the MQD) has
been paid to holders of common units, but prior to payment of incentive distributions to
the general partner or managing member. Master limited partnership subordinated units
generally do not provide arrearage rights. Most MLP subordinated units are convertible
into common units after the passage of a specified period of time or upon the
achievement by the MLP of specified financial goals. See Principal Risks of the
FundEquity Securities Risk MLP Subordinated Units. |
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General Partner and Managing Member Interests. General partner and managing member
interests are not publicly traded, though they may be owned by publicly traded entities
such as GP MLPs. A holder of general partner or managing member interests can be liable
in certain circumstances for amounts greater than the amount of the holders investment.
In addition, while a general partner or managing members incentive distribution rights
can mean that general partners and managing members have higher distribution growth
prospects than their underlying MLPs, these incentive distribution payments would
decline at a greater rate than the decline rate in quarterly distributions to common or
subordinated unit holders in the event of a reduction in the MLPs quarterly
distribution. A general partner or managing member interest can be redeemed by the MLP
if the MLP unit holders choose to remove the general partner, typically by a
supermajority vote of the limited partners or members. See Principal Risks of the
FundEquity Securities Risk General Partner and Managing Member Interest. |
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Small-Cap and Mid-Cap Company Risk |
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Certain of the MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies in which the Fund may invest
may have small or medium-sized market capitalizations (small-cap and mid-cap
companies, |
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respectively). Investing in the securities of small-cap or mid-cap MLPs and
Other Natural Resources Companies presents some particular investment risks. These MLPs
and Other Natural Resources Companies may have limited product lines and markets, as
well as shorter operating histories, less experienced management and more limited
financial resources than larger MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies, and may be
more vulnerable to adverse general market or economic developments. Stocks of these MLPs
and Other Natural Resources Companies may be less liquid than those of larger MLPs and
Other Natural Resources Companies, and may experience greater price fluctuations than
larger MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies. In addition, small-cap or mid-cap
company securities may not be widely followed by investors, which may result in reduced
demand. See Principal Risks of the FundSmall-Cap and Mid-Cap Company Risk. |
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Leverage Risk |
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The Fund may use leverage through the issuance of preferred shares, commercial paper or
notes, other forms of borrowing or both. The 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 shares, borrowing or other forms of market
exposure, magnifies both the favorable and unfavorable effects of price movements in the
investments made by the Fund. Insofar as the Fund employs leverage in its investment
operations, the Fund will be subject to increased risk of loss. See Principal Risks of
the FundLeverage Risk. |
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Fully-Collateralized Borrowing Risk. The Fund has entered into a fully-collateralized
borrowing arrangement with Credit Suisse in which the collateral maintained in a
segregated account exceeds the amount borrowed. If the Fund is unable to repay the
loan, the lender may realize upon the collateral. Such arrangements are also subject to
interest rate risk. See Principal Risks of the FundLeverage RiskFully-Collateralized
Borrowing Risk and Principal Risks of the Fund Interest Rate Risk. |
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Preferred Share Risk. Preferred share risk is the risk associated with the issuance of
preferred shares to leverage the common shares. If the Fund issues preferred shares, the
net asset value and market value of the common shares will be more volatile, and the
yield to the holders of common shares will tend to fluctuate with changes in the
shorter-term dividend rates on the preferred shares. |
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In addition, the Fund will pay (and the holders of common shares will bear) all costs
and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred shares,
including higher advisory fees. |
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Similarly, any decline in the net asset value of the Funds investments will be borne
entirely by the holders of common shares. 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 shares 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 shares. |
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See Principal Risks of the FundLeverage RiskPreferred Share Risk. |
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Preferred Shareholders May Have Disproportionate Influence over the Fund. If preferred
shares are issued, holders of preferred shares may have differing interests than holders
of common shares and holders of preferred shares may at times have disproportionate
influence over the Funds affairs. If preferred shares are issued, holders of preferred
shares, voting separately as a single class, would have the right to elect two members
of the Board of Trustees at all times. The remaining members of the Board of Trustees
would be elected by holders of common shares and preferred shares, voting as a single
class. See Principal Risks of the FundLeverage RiskPreferred Shareholders May Have
Disproportionate Influence over the Fund. |
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Credit Facility. The Fund may enter into definitive agreements with respect to a credit
facility. The Fund may negotiate with commercial banks to arrange a credit facility
pursuant to which the Fund would be entitled to borrow an amount equal to approximately
331/3% of the Funds |
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Managed Assets (i.e., 50% of the Funds net assets attributable to
the Funds common shares). Any such borrowings would constitute financial leverage. Such
a facility is not expected to be convertible into any other securities of the Fund. Any
outstanding amounts are expected to be prepayable by the Fund prior to final maturity
without significant penalty, and there are not expected to be any sinking fund or
mandatory retirement provisions. Outstanding amounts would be payable at maturity or
such earlier times as required by the agreement. The Fund may be required to prepay
outstanding amounts under a facility or incur a penalty rate of interest in the event of
the occurrence of certain events of default. The Fund would be expected to indemnify the
lenders under the facility against liabilities they may incur in connection with the
facility. The Fund may be required to pay commitment fees under the terms of any such
facility. With the use of borrowings, there is a risk that the interest rates paid by
the Fund on the amount it borrows will be higher than the return on the Funds
investments. |
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Portfolio Guidelines of Rating Agencies. In order to obtain and maintain the required
ratings of loans from a credit facility, the Fund will be required to comply with
investment quality, diversification and other guidelines established by Moodys and/or
S&P or the credit facility. See Principal Risks of the FundLeverage RiskPortfolio
Guidelines of Rating Agencies. |
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Securities Lending Risk |
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The Fund may lend its portfolio securities (up to a maximum of one-third of its Managed
Assets) to banks or dealers which meet the creditworthiness standards established by the
Board of Trustees of the Fund. Securities lending is subject to the risk that loaned
securities may not be available to the Fund on a timely basis and the Fund may,
therefore, lose the opportunity to sell the securities at a desirable price. Any loss in
the market price of securities loaned by the Fund that occurs during the term of the
loan would be borne by the Fund and would adversely affect the Funds performance. Also,
there may be delays in recovery, or no recovery, of securities loaned or even a loss of
rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially while
the loan is outstanding. These risks may be greater for non-U.S. securities. See
Principal Risks of the FundSecurities Lending Risk. |
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Non-Diversification Risk |
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The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the 1940
Act. The Fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a limited number
of issuers. To the extent the Fund invests a relatively high percentage of the Funds
assets in the securities of a limited number of issuers, the Fund may be more
susceptible than a more widely diversified investment company to any single economic,
political or regulatory occurrence. See Principal Risks of the FundNon-Diversification
Risk. |
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Valuation Risk |
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Market prices may not be readily available for certain of the Funds investments, and
the value of such investments will ordinarily be determined based on fair valuations
determined by the Board of Trustees or its designee pursuant to procedures adopted by
the Board of Trustees. Restrictions on resale or the absence of a liquid secondary
market may adversely affect the Funds ability to determine its net asset value. The
sale price of securities that are not readily marketable may be lower or higher than the
Funds most recent determination of their fair value. See Principal Risks of the
FundValuation Risk. |
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When determining the fair value of an asset, the Investment Adviser will seek to
determine the price that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive from the current
sale of that asset in an arms length transaction. Fair value pricing, however, involves
judgments that are inherently subjective and inexact, since fair valuation procedures
are used only when it is not possible to be sure what value should be attributed to a
particular asset or when an event will affect the market price of an asset and to what
extent. As a result, there can be no assurance that fair value pricing will reflect
actual market value and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security
will be materially different from the value that actually could be or is realized upon
the sale of that asset. See Net Asset Value. |
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Portfolio Turnover Risk |
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The Fund anticipates that its annual portfolio turnover rate will be approximately 25%,
but that rate may vary greatly from year to year. A higher portfolio turnover rate
results in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional
expenses that are borne by the Fund. Principal Risks of the FundPortfolio Turnover
Risk. |
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Strategic Transactions Risk |
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The Fund may, but is not required to, write, purchase or sell put or call options on
securities, equity or fixed-income indices or other instruments, write, purchase or sell
futures contracts or options on futures, or enter into various transactions such as
swaps, caps, floors or collars (collectively, Strategic Transactions). The Fund may
engage in Strategic Transactions, including the purchase and sale of derivative
investments such as exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on
securities, equity, fixed income and interest rate indices, and other financial
instruments, and may enter into various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps,
floors or collars or credit transactions and credit default swaps and invest in forward
contracts. The Fund also may purchase derivative investments that combine features of
these instruments. The use of derivatives has risks, including the imperfect correlation
between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets, the possible default of
the other party to the transaction or illiquidity of the derivative investments.
Furthermore, the ability to successfully use these techniques depends on the Funds
ability to predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. Thus, their use
may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may require the Fund to
sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than
current market values, may limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on an
investment or may cause the Fund to hold a security that it might otherwise sell.
Additionally, amounts paid by the Fund as premiums and cash, or other assets held in
margin accounts with respect to derivative transactions, are not otherwise available to
the Fund for investment purposes. |
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The Fund may write covered call options. As the writer of a covered call option, the
Fund gives up the opportunity during the options life to profit from increases in the
market value of the security covering the call option above the sum of the premium and
the strike price of the call, but the Fund retains the risk of loss should the price of
the underlying security decline. |
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The Fund may also write uncovered call options (i.e., where the Fund does not own the
underlying security or index) to a limited extent. Similar to a naked short sale,
writing an uncovered call creates the risk of an unlimited loss, in that the price of
the underlying security could theoretically increase without limit, thus increasing the
cost of buying those securities to cover the call option if it is exercised before it
expires. There can be no assurance that the securities necessary to cover the call
option will be available for purchase. Purchasing securities to cover an uncovered call
option can itself cause the price of the securities to rise, further exacerbating the
loss. |
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The writer of an option has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill
its obligation as a writer of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise
notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its
obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying security at the exercise
price. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to
close out an option position. If trading were suspended in an option purchased by the
Fund, the Fund would not be able to close out the option. If the Fund were unable to
close out a covered call option that the Fund had written on a security, the Fund would
not be able to sell the underlying security unless the option expired without exercise.
If the Fund were unable to close out an uncovered call option that the Fund had written
on a security, the Fund retains the risk of a price increase in the underlying security
until the Fund purchases the security or the option expires without exercise. |
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See Principal Risks of the FundStrategic Transactions Risk. |
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Convertible Instrument Risk |
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The Fund may invest in convertible instruments. A convertible instrument is a bond,
debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or
exchanged for a prescribed amount of common shares of the same or a different issuer
within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. Convertible debt
instruments have characteristics of both fixed income and equity investments.
Convertible instruments are subject both to the stock market risk associated with equity
securities and to the credit and interest rate risks associated with fixed-income
securities. As the market price of the equity security underlying a convertible
instrument falls, the convertible instrument tends to trade on the basis of its yield
and other fixed-income characteristics. As the market price of such equity security
rises, the convertible security tends to trade on the basis of its equity conversion
features. See Principal Risks of the FundConvertible Instrument Risk. |
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Short Sales Risk |
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Short selling involves selling securities which may or may not be owned and borrowing
the same securities for delivery to the purchaser, with an obligation to replace the
borrowed securities at a later date. Short selling allows the short seller to profit
from declines in market prices to the extent such declines exceed the transaction costs
and the costs of borrowing the securities. A naked short sale creates the risk of an
unlimited loss because the price of the underlying security could theoretically increase
without limit, thus increasing the cost of buying those securities to cover the short
position. There can be no assurance that the securities necessary to cover a short
position will be available for purchase. Purchasing securities to close out the short
position can itself cause the price of the securities to rise, further exacerbating the
loss. See Principal Risks of the FundShort Sales Risk. |
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Inflation Risk |
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Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investment will be
worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation
increases, the real value of the Funds common shares and dividends can decline. See
Principal Risks of the FundInflation Risk. |
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Debt Securities Risks |
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Debt securities are subject to many of the risks described elsewhere in this section. In
addition, they are subject to credit risk, prepayment risk and, depending on their
quality, other special risks. See Principal Risks of the
FundDebt Securities Risks. |
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Credit Risk. An issuer of a debt security may be unable to make interest payments and
repay principal. The Fund could lose money if the issuer of a debt obligation is, or is
perceived to be, unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments,
or to otherwise honor its obligations. The downgrade of a security may further decrease
its value. See Principal Risks of the FundDebt Securities Risks Credit Risk.
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Below Investment Grade and Unrated Debt Securities Risk. Below investment grade debt
securities in which the Fund may invest are rated from B3 to Ba1 by Moodys, from B- to
BB+ by Fitch or S&P, or comparably rated by another rating agency. Below investment
grade and unrated debt securities generally pay a premium above the yields of
U.S. government securities or debt securities of investment grade issuers because they
are subject to greater risks than these securities. These risks, which reflect their
speculative character, include the following: greater yield and price volatility;
greater credit risk and risk of default; potentially greater sensitivity to general
economic or industry conditions; potential lack of attractive resale opportunities
(illiquidity); and additional expenses to seek recovery from issuers who default. See
Principal Risks of the FundDebt Securities Risk Below Investment Grade and Unrated
Debt Securities Risk. |
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Reinvestment Risk. Certain debt instruments, particularly below investment grade
securities, may contain call or redemption provisions which would allow the issuer of
the debt instrument to |
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prepay principal prior to the debt instruments stated maturity.
This is also sometimes known as prepayment risk. Prepayment risk is greater during a
falling interest rate environment as issuers can reduce their cost of capital by
refinancing higher yielding debt instruments with lower yielding debt instruments. An
issuer may also elect to refinance its debt instruments with lower yielding debt
instruments if the credit standing of the issuer improves. To the extent debt securities
in the Funds portfolio are called or redeemed, the Fund may be forced to reinvest in
lower yielding securities. See Principal Risks of the FundDebt Securities Risks
Reinvestment Risk. |
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ETN and ETF Risk |
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An exchange traded note (ETN) or exchange traded fund (ETF) that is based on a
specific index may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and
relative weighting of securities in the index. An ETN or ETF also incurs certain
expenses not incurred by its applicable index. The market value of an ETN or ETF share
may differ from its net asset value; the share may trade at a premium or discount to its
net asset value, which may be due to, among other things, differences in the supply and
demand in the market for the share and the supply and demand in the market for the
underlying assets of the ETN or ETF. See Principal Risks of the FundETN and ETF
Risk. |
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Terrorism and Market Disruption Risk |
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The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 had a disruptive effect on the U.S. economy
and securities markets. United States military and related action in Iraq and
Afghanistan is ongoing and events in the Middle East could have significant, continuing
adverse effects on the U.S. economy in general and the natural resources sector in
particular. Global political and economic instability could affect an MLPs or an Other
Natural Resources Companys operations in unpredictable ways, including through
disruptions of natural resources supplies and markets and the resulting volatility in
commodity prices. The U.S. government has issued warnings that natural resources assets,
specifically pipeline infrastructure and production, transmission and distribution
facilities, may be future targets of terrorist activities. In addition, changes in the
insurance markets have made certain types of insurance more difficult, if not
impossible, to obtain and have generally resulted in increased premium costs. See
Principal Risks of the FundTerrorism and Market Disruption Risk. |
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Market Volatility |
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The residential housing sector in the United States has been under considerable pressure
during the past two years with home prices nationwide down 15% to 20% on average and
nearly twice that in certain regions. Residential mortgage delinquencies and
foreclosures have increased over this time and have, in turn, led to widespread selling
in the mortgage-related market and put downward pressure on the prices of many
securities, including many of our investments and the price of our common shares.
Additionally, the federal rescue of Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and American International
Group, as well as the filing of bankruptcy by Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. and the
concern that other financial institutions are also experiencing severe economic distress
and that the global financial system is under stress have led to significant market
volatility and thus further increase the illiquidity of our investment. See Principal
Risks of the FundMarket Volatility. |
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Investment Management Risk |
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The Funds portfolio is subject to investment management risk because it will be
actively managed. The Investment Adviser will apply investment techniques and risk
analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that
they will produce the desired results. See Principal Risks of the FundInvestment
Management Risk. |
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Dependence on Key Personnel of the Investment Adviser |
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The Fund is dependent upon the Investment Advisers key personnel for its future success
and upon their access to certain individuals and investments in the natural resources
industry. In |
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particular, the Fund will depend on the diligence, skill and network of
business contacts of the personnel of the Investment Adviser and its portfolio manager,
who will evaluate, negotiate, structure, close and monitor the Funds investments. The
portfolio manager does not have a long-term employment contract with the Investment
Adviser, although he does have an equity interest and other financial incentives to remain
with the firm. See Principal Risks of the Fund Dependence on Key Personnel of the
Investment Adviser. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conflicts of Interest with the Investment Adviser |
|
|
|
|
|
Conflicts of interest may arise because the Investment Adviser and its affiliates
generally will be carrying on substantial investment activities for other clients,
including, but not limited to, the Affiliated Funds, in which the Fund will have no
interest. The Investment Adviser or its affiliates may have financial incentives to
favor certain of such accounts over the Fund. Any of their proprietary accounts and
other customer accounts may compete with the Fund for specific trades. Notwithstanding
these potential conflicts of interest, the Funds Board of Trustees and officers have a
fiduciary obligation to act in the Funds best interest. See Principal Risks of the
FundConflicts of Interest with the Investment Adviser. |
|
|
|
Transfer Agent and
Dividend-Disbursing Agent
|
|
Under a transfer agency and service agreement among Computershare Trust Company, N.A.,
Computershare Inc. and the Fund, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. serves as the Funds
transfer agent, registrar and administrator of its dividend reinvestment plan, and
Computershare Inc. serves as dividend disbursing agent and may act on behalf of
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. in providing certain of the services covered by the
agreement. See Other Service Providers. |
|
|
|
Custodian
|
|
U.S. Bank National Association serves as the custodian of the Funds securities and
other assets. See Other Service Providers. |
20
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
The following table assumes the Fund has borrowed in the amount equal to 331/3% of the Funds
Managed Assets (i.e., 50% of its net assets attributable to the Funds common shares) and shows the
Funds expenses as a percentage of net assets attributable to its common shares.
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholder Transaction Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
Sales Load Paid by Investors (as a percentage of
offering price)(1) |
|
|
[ ] |
% |
Offering Expenses Borne by the Fund (as a percentage of offering price)(1) |
|
|
[ ] |
% |
Dividend Reinvestment Plan Fees(2) |
|
|
|
|
Percentage of Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares
(Assumes Leverage is Used)(3)(4)
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
Management Fees(5) |
|
|
1.50 |
% |
Interest Payments on Borrowed Funds(3) |
|
|
2.00 |
% |
Other Expenses (6) |
|
|
1.85 |
% |
Total Annual Expenses |
|
|
5.35 |
% |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
In the event that the common shares to which this Prospectus
relates are sold to or through underwriters, a corresponding
Prospectus Supplement will disclose these percentages. |
|
(2) |
|
Investors who hold shares in a dividend reinvestment account and
request a sale of shares through the dividend reinvestment plan agent
are subject to a $15.00 sales fee and pay a brokerage commission of
$0.12 per share sold. |
|
(3) |
|
Assumes a cost on leveraging of 4%. This rate is an estimate and may
differ based on varying market conditions that may exist when Leverage
Instruments are issued or other borrowing commences and depending on
the type of leverage used. If the Fund leverages in an amount greater
than 331/3% of Managed Assets, this amount could increase. |
|
(4) |
|
The table presented below in this footnote also shows the Funds
expenses as a percentage of the same amount of net assets attributable
to its common shares, but unlike the table above, assumes that the
Fund does not borrow money. Consequently, the table below does not
reflect any interest on borrowed funds or other costs and expenses of
borrowing. The footnotes used in the table below correspond to the
footnotes appearing below this footnote (4). In accordance with these
assumptions, the Funds expenses would be as follows: |
Percentage of Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares
(Assumes No Leverage is Used)
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
Management Fees(5) |
|
|
1.00 |
% |
Interest Payments on Borrowed Funds |
|
None |
Other Expenses (6) |
|
|
1.75 |
% |
Total Annual Expenses |
|
|
2.75 |
% |
|
|
|
(5) |
|
The Investment Adviser currently intends to reduce temporarily the management fee from 1.25% to 1.00% of the average weekly value of the Funds Managed Assets. The Investment Adviser
is not obligated to do so, however, and this waiver may be
discontinued at any time. Because holders of any Leverage Instruments
do not bear management fees, the cost to
shareholders increases as leverage increases. |
|
(6) |
|
The costs of this offering are not included as an Annual Expense in
the expenses shown in this table, but are included in the Shareholder
Transaction Expense table above. Other Expenses are based on
estimated amounts for the current fiscal year, and include the
following expenses associated with dividends paid on short sales:
0.0072% (assuming leverage is used) and 0.0048% (assuming no leverage
is used). Please see footnote (1) above. |
The purpose of the table and the example is to assist prospective investors in understanding
the various costs and expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear directly or indirectly.
Example
As required by relevant SEC regulations, the following example illustrates the expenses
that an investor would pay on a $1,000 investment in
the Funds common shares, assuming total annual expenses of 5.35% of net assets attributable to the
Funds common shares except as indicated above, a 5.00% sales load, the Fund issues Leverage Instruments in
an amount equal to 331/3% of Managed Assets (i.e., 50% of
net assets attributable to the Funds common shares), and a 5% annual return:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
3
Years |
|
5
Years |
|
10
Years |
$101 |
|
|
$202 |
|
|
|
$302 |
|
|
|
$549 |
|
THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF FUTURE EXPENSES OR RETURNS. ACTUAL
EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN. Moreover, the Funds actual rate of return may be
greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example. The example assumes that the
estimated Other Expenses set out in the Annual Expenses table are accurate and that all dividends
and distributions are reinvested at net asset value. In the event that the Fund does not use any
leverage, an investor would pay the following expenses based on the assumptions in the example and
total annual expenses of 2.75% of net assets attributable to the Funds Common Shares: 1 Year, $76;
3 Years, $131; 5 Years, $188; and 10 Years, $343.
21
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 from the Funds Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended November
30, 2007 and from the Funds Semi-Annual Report for the period ended May 31, 2008. The financial
information for the period from August 27, 2007 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 2007
has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Funds independent registered public accounting firm,
whose unqualified report on such Financial Statements is incorporated by reference into this
Prospectus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period from |
|
|
Period from |
|
|
|
December 1, 2007 |
|
|
August 27, 2007(1) |
|
|
|
through |
|
|
through |
|
|
|
May 31, 2008 |
|
|
November 30, |
|
|
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
2007 |
|
Per Common Share Data(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
18.17 |
|
|
$ |
19.06 |
|
Income from Investment Operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
|
|
0.56 |
|
|
|
0.30 |
|
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments |
|
|
(0.70 |
) |
|
|
(0.89 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total decrease from investment operations |
|
|
(0.14 |
) |
|
|
(0.59 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less Distributions to Common Shareholders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Investment income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return of capital |
|
|
(0.63 |
) |
|
|
(0.30 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total dividends to common stockholders |
|
|
(0.63 |
) |
|
|
(0.30 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value, end of period |
|
$ |
17.40 |
|
|
$ |
18.17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per common share market value, end of period |
|
$ |
17.68 |
|
|
$ |
16.71 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investment Return Based on Market Value(3) |
|
|
9.88 |
% |
|
|
(14.84 |
)% |
Supplemental Data and Ratios |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets applicable to common stockholders, end of period (000s) |
|
$ |
164,679 |
|
|
$ |
159,103 |
|
Ratio of expenses (including current and deferred income tax benefit) to
average net assets before waiver(4)(5) |
|
|
1.60 |
% |
|
|
(4.53 |
)% |
Ratio of expenses (including current and deferred income tax benefit) to
average net assets after waiver(4)(5) |
|
|
1.32 |
% |
|
|
(5.18 |
)% |
Ratio of expenses (excluding current and deferred income tax benefit) to
average net assets before waiver(4)(5)(6) |
|
|
2.54 |
% |
|
|
2.69 |
% |
Ratio of expenses (excluding current and deferred income tax benefit) to
average net assets after waiver(4)(5)(6) |
|
|
2.26 |
% |
|
|
2.04 |
% |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets before waiver(4)(5)(6) |
|
|
(1.55 |
%) |
|
|
(0.48 |
)% |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets after waiver(4)(5)(6) |
|
|
(1.27 |
%) |
|
|
0.17 |
% |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets after current and
deferred income tax benefit, before waiver(4)(5) |
|
|
(0.61 |
%) |
|
|
6.74 |
% |
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period from |
|
|
Period from |
|
|
|
December 1, 2007 |
|
|
August 27, 2007(1) |
|
|
|
through |
|
|
through |
|
|
|
May 31, 2008 |
|
|
November 30, |
|
|
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
2007 |
|
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets after current and
deferred income tax benefit, after waiver(4)(5) |
|
|
(0.33 |
%) |
|
|
7.39 |
% |
Portfolio turnover rate |
|
|
30.06 |
% |
|
|
15.15 |
% |
Average commission rate paid |
|
|
0.037791 |
|
|
|
0.035150 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Commencement of Operations. |
|
(2) |
|
Information presented relates to a common share outstanding for the entire period. |
|
(3) |
|
Not Annualized. Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common stock at
the initial public offering price and a sale at the closing price on the last day of the
period reported. The calculation also assumes reinvestment of dividends at actual prices
pursuant to the Funds dividend reinvestment plan. Total investment return does not reflect
brokerage commissions. |
|
(4) |
|
Annualized for periods less than one full year. |
|
|
(5) |
|
For the period from December 1, 2007 through May 31, 2008, the Fund accrued $725,993 in net
current and deferred tax benefit. For the period from August 27, 2007 through November 30,
2007, the Fund accrued $3,153,649 in net deferred income tax benefit. |
|
|
(6) |
|
This ratio excludes current and deferred income tax benefit on net investment income. |
THE FUND
The Cushing MLP Total Return Fund was formed as a Delaware statutory trust on May 23, 2007 and
is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The
Funds principal office is located at 3300 Oak Lawn Avenue, Suite 650, Dallas, TX 75219, and its
telephone number is (214) 692-6334. You may call toll-free (800) 662-7232 to request information or
make shareholder inquiries.
The Cushing name originates from a city in Oklahoma of the same name that was a center for the
exploration, production and storage of crude oil during the early 20th century. Cushing, Oklahoma,
with its large amount of energy infrastructure assets, is currently a major storage and trading
clearing hub for crude oil and refined products in the United States.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Fund anticipates that it will be able to invest substantially all of the net proceeds of
an offering in accordance with its investment objective and policies within approximately two weeks
after completion of an offering. Prior to the time the Fund is fully invested, the proceeds of the
offering may temporarily be invested in cash, cash equivalents, or in debt securities that are
rated AA or higher. Income received by the Fund from these temporary investments would likely be
less than returns sought pursuant to the Funds investment objective and policies.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Funds investment objective is to obtain a high after-tax total return from a combination
of capital appreciation and current income. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by
investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for
investment purposes, in MLP investments (the 80% policy). There can be no assurance that the
Funds investment objective will be achieved. The Fund intends to focus its investments in MLPs
with operations in the development, production, processing, refining, transportation, storage and
marketing of natural resources.
The Fund will generally seek to invest in 20 to 30 issuers with generally no more than 10% of
Managed Assets in any one issue, and no more than 15% of Managed Assets in any one issuer (for
purposes of this limitation, the issuer includes both the MLP or limited liability company, as
well as its controlling general partner or managing member), in each case, determined at the time
of investment. Among other things, the Investment Adviser will use fundamental and proprietary
research to seek to identify the most attractive MLPs and will seek to invest in MLPs that have
distribution growth prospects that, in the Investment Advisers view, are high relative to
comparable MLPs and which are not fully reflected in current pricing. The Investment Adviser
believes that the MLPs most likely to offer such attractive investment characteristics are those
that are relatively small and have proven and motivated management teams that are able to develop
projects organically (greenfield or internally developed) and/or to successfully find, acquire
and integrate assets and companies that enhance value to shareholders. As part of the Funds 80%
policy, the Investment Adviser will also seek to invest in GP MLPs. The Investment Adviser believes
the distribution growth prospects of many GP MLPs are high relative to many other MLPs and the
Investment Adviser will seek to invest in GP MLPs in which the Investment Adviser believes that
such growth is not fully reflected in current pricing. Like MLPs with strong distribution growth
prospects, GP MLPs with
23
strong growth prospects often trade at prices that result in relatively low current yields.
Since the Investment Adviser will seek to maximize total return through a focus on MLPs and GP MLPs
with strong distribution growth prospects, the Investment Adviser believes the current yield of the
Fund will be lower than it would be under a more diversified investment approach. The Investment
Adviser will seek to invest in IPOs and secondary market issuances, PIPE transactions and private
transactions, including pre-acquisition and pre-IPO equity issuances and investments in private
companies.
|
|
|
|
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal market
conditions, at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in
MLP investments. Entities commonly referred to as MLPs are taxed as partnerships for
federal income tax purposes and are generally organized under state law as limited
partnerships or limited liability companies. If publicly traded, MLPs must derive at least
90% of their gross income from qualifying sources as described in Section 7704 of the Code.
For purposes of the Funds 80% policy, MLP investments are investments that offer
economic exposure to public and private MLPs in the form of common or subordinated units
issued by MLPs, securities of entities holding primarily general partner or managing member
interests in MLPs, debt securities of MLPs, and securities that are derivatives of
interests in MLPs, which are
I-Shares and other MLP derivative securities. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Fund may invest up to 50% of its Managed Assets in securities of MLPs and Other
Natural Resources Companies that are not publicly traded, or that are otherwise restricted
securities. For purposes of this limitation, restricted securities include (i) registered
securities of public companies subject to a lock-up period greater than 30 days,
(ii) unregistered securities of public companies with registration rights until such
securities are registered for resale by the Fund or until they become freely tradable with
the passage of time, and (iii) securities of companies that have no class of registered or
publicly offered securities (privately held companies). The Fund does not intend to
invest more than 25% of its Managed Assets in securities of privately held companies. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of companies that are
not MLPs, including Other Natural Resources Companies, and U.S. and non-U.S. issuers that
may not constitute Other Natural Resources Companies. These investments may include
securities such as partnership interests, limited liability company interests or units,
trust units, common stock, preferred stock, convertible securities, warrants and depositary
receipts, debt securities, ETNs (typically, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities that
trade on a securities exchange and are designed to replicate the returns of market
benchmarks minus applicable fees), and securities issued by investment companies registered
under the 1940 Act including ETFs. The Investment Adviser anticipates that the Fund will
generally invest in ETFs or ETNs that focus their investments on the energy, natural
resources, utility, real estate or banking industries. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in debt securities of MLPs, Other
Natural Resources Companies and other issuers. Any securities issued by MLPs, including
debt securities, will count towards the Funds 80% policy. |
Each percentage limitation applicable to the Funds portfolio described in this Prospectus
applies only at the time of investment in the asset to which the percentage limitation applies, and
the Fund will not be required to sell securities due to subsequent changes in the value of the
securities it owns. The Fund may invest in companies of any market capitalization.
At the time of this offering, the Fund does not intend to invest directly in commodities,
although the Funds investments in some MLPs will expose it to risks similar to risks arising from
investing in commodities.
The Fund may, but is not required to, write, purchase or sell put or call options on
securities, equity or fixed-income indices or other instruments, write, purchase or sell futures
contracts or options on futures, or enter into other Strategic Transactions.
The Fund may also engage in short sales to generate additional return. This practice
allows the short seller to profit from declines in market prices to the extent such declines
exceed the transaction costs and the costs of borrowing the securities.
The Funds investment objective and percentage parameters, including its 80% policy, are not
fundamental policies of the Fund and may be changed without shareholder approval. Shareholders,
however, will be notified in writing of any change at least 60 days prior to effecting any such
change.
THE FUNDS INVESTMENTS
The Funds Investments
24
Description of MLPs
Master limited partnerships are formed as limited partnerships or limited liability companies
and taxed as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. The securities issued by many MLPs are
listed and traded on a U.S. exchange. An MLP typically issues general partner and limited partner
interests, or managing member and member interests. The general partner or managing member manages
and often controls, has an ownership stake in, and is normally eligible to receive incentive
distribution payments from, the MLP. To be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, an MLP must derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from specified
qualifying sources as described in Section 7704 of the Code.
These qualifying sources include natural resources-based activities such as the exploration,
development, mining, production, processing, refining, transportation, storage and certain
marketing of mineral or natural resources. The general partner or managing member may be structured
as a private or publicly traded corporation or other entity. The general partner or managing member
typically control the operations and management of the entity through an up to 2% general partner
or managing member interest in the entity plus, in many cases, ownership of some percentage of the
outstanding limited partner or member interests. The limited partners or members, through their
ownership of limited partner or member interests, provide capital to the entity, are intended to
have no role in the operation and management of the entity and receive cash distributions. Due to
their structure as partnerships for federal income tax purposes and the expected character of their
income, MLPs generally do not pay federal income taxes. Thus, unlike investors in corporate
securities, direct MLP investors are generally not subject to double taxation (i.e., corporate
level tax and tax on corporate dividends). Currently, most MLPs operate in the energy and
midstream, natural resources, shipping or real estate sectors.
MLPs are typically structured such that common units and general partner interests have first
priority to receive the MQD. Common and general partner interests also accrue arrearages in
distributions to the extent the MQD is not paid. Once common units and general partner interests
have been paid, subordinated units generally receive distributions; however, subordinated units
generally do not accrue arrearages. The subordinated units are normally owned by the owners or
affiliates of the general partner and convert on a one for one basis into common units, generally
in three to five years after the MLPs initial public offering or after certain distribution levels
have been exceeded. Distributable cash in excess of the MQD is distributed to both common and
subordinated units generally on a pro rata basis. The general partner is also normally eligible to
receive incentive distributions if the general partner operates the business in a manner which
results in payment of per unit distributions that exceed threshold levels above the MQD. As the
general partner increases cash distributions to the limited partners, the general partner receives
an increasingly higher percentage of the incremental cash distributions. A common arrangement
provides that the general partner can reach a tier where it receives 50% of every incremental
dollar distributed by the MLP. These incentive distributions encourage the general partner to
increase the partnerships cash flow and raise the quarterly cash distribution by pursuing steady
cash flow investment opportunities, streamlining costs and acquiring assets. Such results benefit
all security holders of the MLP.
Sector Outlook
General. The Investment Adviser believes that MLPs play a vital role in the movement of
energy resources. Many MLPs own midstream energy infrastructure assets used to transport, process,
and store natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, and refined petroleum products. Crude oil is
gathered, shipped, or trucked from producers (suppliers) and transported through pipelines to
storage/terminal facilities, refined into petroleum products, and ultimately to end users. While
there are a number of contract structures with varying degrees of commodity price sensitivity in
the Investment Advisers experience, these activities are usually fee-based in nature, in which
case revenues are simply a function of throughput and a dollar rate per unit. Consequently, cash
flows typically have minimal direct commodity price sensitivity, although they may frequently be
exposed to indirect commodity risk. See Principal Risks of the Fund MLP and Other Natural
Resources Company Risks Commodity Price Risk. Generally, in the natural gas and natural gas
liquids value chain, natural gas is gathered in the field and transported via pipelines to a
central processing facility where the natural gas liquids are separated from the residue natural
gas. The residue gas is then shipped to end users, and the raw natural gas liquids go to a
fractionation facility. The raw natural gas liquids mix is separated into its different components
(ethane, propane, butane, etc.) and then delivered to end use markets.
MLP operations are often referred to in the context of the following business segments or
subsectors:
|
|
|
Pipeline MLPs. Pipeline MLPs are common carrier transporters of natural gas, natural
gas liquids (primarily propane, ethane, butane and natural gasoline), crude oil or refined
petroleum products (gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel). Pipeline MLPs may also operate
ancillary businesses such as storage and marketing of such products. Revenue is derived
from capacity and transportation fees. Historically, in the Investment Advisers view,
pipeline output has been less exposed to cyclical economic |
25
|
|
|
forces due in large part to its
low cost structure and government-regulated nature. In addition, pipeline MLPs do not have
much direct commodity price exposure (as opposed to indirect exposure) because they do not
own the product being shipped. |
|
|
|
Processing MLPs. Processing MLPs include gatherers and processors of natural gas as
well as providers of natural gas liquid transportation, fractionation and storage services.
Revenue is typically derived from providing services to natural gas producers, which
require treatment or processing before their natural gas commodity can be marketed to
utilities and other end user markets. Revenue for the processor is often fee based,
although it is not uncommon to have some participation in the prices of the natural gas and
natural gas liquids commodities for a portion of revenue. |
|
|
|
|
Exploration and Production MLPs (E&P MLPs). E&P MLPs include MLPs that are engaged in
the exploration, development, production and acquisition of crude oil and natural gas
properties. E&P MLP cash flows generally depend on the volume of crude oil and natural gas
produced and the realized prices received for crude oil and natural gas sales. |
|
|
|
|
Propane MLPs. Propane MLPs include MLPs that are distributors of propane to end-users
for space and water heating. Revenue is typically derived from the resale of the commodity
at a margin over wholesale cost. The ability to maintain margin is often a key to
profitability. Propane serves approximately 3% of the household energy needs in the United
States, largely for homes beyond the geographic reach of natural gas distribution
pipelines. Approximately 70% of annual cash flow can be earned during the winter heating
season (October through March). |
|
|
|
|
Coal MLPs. Coal MLPs include MLPs that own, lease and manage coal reserves. Revenue is
typically derived from production and sale of coal or from royalty payments related to
leases to coal producers. Electricity generation is the primary use of coal in the United
States. Demand for electricity and supply of alternative fuels to generators are usually
the primary drivers of coal demand. Coal MLPs are subject to operating and production
risks, such as: the MLP or a lessee meeting necessary production volumes; federal, state
and local laws and regulations that may limit the ability to produce coal; the MLPs
ability to manage production costs and pay mining reclamation costs; and the effect on
demand that the EPAs standards set in the Clean Air Act have on coal end-users. |
|
|
|
|
Marine Shipping MLPs. Marine Shipping MLPs include MLPs that are primarily marine
transporters of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil or refined petroleum products.
Marine shipping MLPs typically derive revenue from charging customers for the
transportation of these products utilizing the MLPs vessels. Transportation services are
typically provided pursuant to a charter or contract, the terms of which vary depending on,
for example, the length of use of a particular vessel, the amount of cargo transported, the
number of voyages made, the parties operating a vessel or other factors. |
Investment Characteristics. The Investment Adviser believes that the following are
characteristics of MLPs that make them attractive investments:
|
|
|
Many MLPs are utility-like in nature and have relatively stable, predictable cash
flows. |
|
|
|
|
MLPs provide services which help meet the largely inelastic demand of U.S. energy
consumers. In its International Energy Outlook 2008, the U.S. Energy Information
Administration projects 1.6% annual growth for worldwide energy demand through 2030. |
|
|
|
|
Transportation assets in the interstate and intrastate pipeline sector are typically
backed by relatively long-term contracts and stable transportation rates (or tariffs) that
are regulated by FERC or by state regulatory commissions. |
|
|
|
|
High barriers to entry may protect the business model of some MLPs, since construction
of the physical assets typically owned by these MLPs generally requires significant capital
expenditures and long lead times. |
|
|
|
|
As the location and quality of natural resources supplies change, new midstream
infrastructure such as gathering and transportation pipelines, treating and processing
facilities, and storage facilities is needed to meet these new logistical needs. Similarly,
as the demographics of demand centers change, new infrastructure is often needed. MLPs are
integral providers of these midstream needs. |
|
|
|
|
Requirements for new and additional transportation fuel compositions (e.g., reduced
sulfur diesel and ethanol blends) require additional logistical assets. MLPs are integral
providers of these logistical needs. |
|
|
|
|
Midstream assets are typically long-lived and tend to retain their economic value, and
the risk of technological obsolescence is low. |
|
|
|
|
Master limited partnerships are pass-through entities and do not pay federal income
taxes at the entity level. In general, a portion of their distribution payments is treated
as a return of capital. |
26
|
|
|
In addition to their growth potential, MLP investments are currently offering higher
yields than some investments, such as utilities and REITs. Of course, there can be no
guarantee that the MLP investments in the Funds portfolio will generate higher yields than
these other asset classes, and since the Investment Adviser will seek to maximize total
return through a
focus on MLPs and GP MLPs with strong distribution growth prospects, the Investment Adviser
believes the distribution yield of the Fund will be lower than it would be under a more
diversified investment approach. |
Sector Growth. Historically, MLP cash flow and distribution growth has come primarily from
two sources, acquisitions and organic (internal) expansion projects, which have also contributed to
growth in market capitalization. Much of this growth came from MLPs acquiring midstream assets from
utilities, natural gas pipeline companies, and major integrated oil companies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market Cap ($MM) |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
2003 |
Midstream |
|
|
60,861 |
|
|
|
50,844 |
|
|
|
34,772 |
|
|
|
29,021 |
|
|
|
21,361 |
|
Propane |
|
|
6,882 |
|
|
|
5,783 |
|
|
|
4,684 |
|
|
|
4,642 |
|
|
|
3,819 |
|
Coal |
|
|
4,588 |
|
|
|
3,924 |
|
|
|
3,786 |
|
|
|
3,744 |
|
|
|
2,173 |
|
Shipping |
|
|
3,027 |
|
|
|
2,820 |
|
|
|
1,955 |
|
|
|
921 |
|
|
|
218 |
|
Exploration & Production |
|
|
5,450 |
|
|
|
7,638 |
|
|
|
719 |
|
|
|
647 |
|
|
|
525 |
|
G.P. Equity |
|
|
19,537 |
|
|
|
15,624 |
|
|
|
3,353 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Other(1) |
|
|
24,808 |
|
|
|
20,636 |
|
|
|
13,593 |
|
|
|
11,580 |
|
|
|
9,938 |
|
Total |
|
|
125,153 |
|
|
|
107,268 |
|
|
|
62,861 |
|
|
|
50,555 |
|
|
|
38,034 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes compression, crude oil and petroleum products |
Source: Factset, December 2007
The Investment Adviser believes that acquisitions will continue to play an important role in
driving growth. It estimates that less than one third of all MLP-qualifying midstream assets in the
U.S. are currently owned by public MLPs. However, the Investment Adviser believes organic (or
internally developed) growth projects, which generally are more visible and predictable, will play
an increasingly important role in driving future growth.
A basic macro driver for organic growth has been the changing dynamic of natural gas and oil
supply and demand in North America. As shown below, the growth of natural gas production in the
United States is largely occurring in unconventional gas basins. As a result, the Investment
Adviser believes that investment options for MLPs involved in the natural gas gathering,
processing, storage and transportation businesses continue to be abundant.
Annual Energy Outlook 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Growth Rate (base year 2005) |
|
|
10 Year |
|
5 Year |
|
3 Year |
|
1 Year |
US Natural Gas Production |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United States Total |
|
|
7.98 |
% |
|
|
6.74 |
% |
|
|
6.12 |
% |
|
|
2.39 |
% |
Lower 48 Onshore |
|
|
4.00 |
% |
|
|
7.16 |
% |
|
|
8.74 |
% |
|
|
5.58 |
% |
Conventional |
|
|
(20.85 |
%) |
|
|
(3.87 |
%) |
|
|
1.62 |
% |
|
|
2.75 |
% |
Unconventional |
|
|
19.79 |
% |
|
|
14.56 |
% |
|
|
13.99 |
% |
|
|
7.39 |
% |
Lower 48 Offshore |
|
|
28.19 |
% |
|
|
7.14 |
% |
|
|
(2.72 |
%) |
|
|
(9.60 |
%) |
Alaska |
|
|
(17.03 |
%) |
|
|
(9.04 |
%) |
|
|
(10.40 |
%) |
|
|
(8.29 |
%) |
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, June 2008
The Investment Adviser believes that the current energy infrastructure shortage in the
United States may drive pipeline and midstream MLP expansion projects and maintain competitive
pricing for pipeline throughput capacity. Several major new pipeline projects are planned through
2010, with key projects targeting new natural gas production from the Rockies and the northern and
eastern parts of Texas as well as imported liquefied natural gas from the Gulf Coast. In addition,
the importation of more than one million barrels per day of Canadian oil from Albertas oil sands
has created the need for new oil pipelines and storage terminals from the Canadian border all the
way south to the Cushing, Oklahoma storage and trading hub. The Investment Adviser believes that
all of these new projects can provide multiple revenue opportunities for MLPs. The Investment
Adviser believes that these large multi-year infrastructure projects can give
27
MLPs an alternative
to growth through acquisitions and make future cash flow growth more predictable.
Largest 20 Planned Natural Gas Pipeline Projects for 2008, 2009, and 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional |
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
Capacity |
Year |
|
Region |
|
Projects |
|
Miles |
|
(MMcf/d) |
|
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Southwest |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
657 |
|
|
|
17,030 |
|
|
|
Central |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
889 |
|
|
|
4,900 |
|
|
|
Southeast |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
571 |
|
|
|
7.300 |
|
|
|
Northeast |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
161 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
Others |
|
|
76 |
|
|
|
2,129 |
|
|
|
16,689 |
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
96 |
|
|
|
4,407 |
|
|
|
47,419 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Southwest |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
766 |
|
|
|
15,095 |
|
|
|
Central |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
650 |
|
|
|
Southeast |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
1,140 |
|
|
|
6,768 |
|
|
|
Northeast |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
2,450 |
|
|
|
Midwest |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
393 |
|
|
|
1,800 |
|
|
|
Mexico |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
Others |
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
1,278 |
|
|
|
7,199 |
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
3,695 |
|
|
|
34,462 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Southwest |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
4,200 |
|
|
|
Central |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
175 |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
Southeast |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
361 |
|
|
|
5,977 |
|
|
|
Northeast |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
774 |
|
|
|
5,181 |
|
|
|
Midwest |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
240 |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
Western |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
1,300 |
|
|
|
Others |
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
279 |
|
|
|
2,612 |
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
1,955 |
|
|
|
21,270 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3-Year Total |
|
|
198 |
|
|
|
10,057 |
|
|
|
103,151 |
|
|
|
|
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, July 2008 |
Securities
MLP Equity Securities. Equity securities issued by MLPs typically consist of common and
subordinated units (which represent the limited partner or member interests) and a general partner
or managing member interest.
|
|
|
Common Units. The common units of many MLPs are listed and traded on national
securities exchanges, including the NYSE, the American Stock Exchange (the AMEX) and the
NASDAQ Stock Market (the NASDAQ). The Fund will typically purchase such common units
through open market transactions and underwritten offerings, but may also acquire common
units through direct placements and privately negotiated transactions. Holders of MLP
common units typically have very limited control and voting rights. Holders of such common
units are typically entitled to receive the MQD, including arrearage rights, from the
issuer. Generally, an MLP must pay (or set aside for payment) the MQD to holders of common
units before any distributions may be paid to subordinated unit holders. In addition,
incentive distributions are typically not paid to the general partner or managing member
unless the quarterly distributions on the common units exceed specified |
28
|
|
|
threshold levels
above the MQD. In the event of a liquidation, common unit holders are intended to have a
preference to the remaining assets of the issuer over holders of subordinated units. Master
limited partnerships also issue different classes of
common units that may have different voting, trading, and distribution rights. The Fund may
invest in different classes of common units. |
|
|
|
Subordinated Units. Subordinated units, which, like common units, represent limited
partner or member interests, are not typically listed on an exchange or publicly traded.
The Fund will typically purchase outstanding subordinated units through negotiated
transactions directly with holders of such units or newly-issued subordinated units
directly from the issuer. Holders of such subordinated units are generally entitled to
receive a distribution only after the MQD and any arrearages from prior quarters have been
paid to holders of common units. Holders of subordinated units typically have the right to
receive distributions before any incentive distributions are payable to the general partner
or managing member. Subordinated units generally do not provide arrearage rights. Most MLP
subordinated units are convertible into common units after the passage of a specified
period of time or upon the achievement by the issuer of specified financial goals. Master
limited partnerships also issue different classes of subordinated units that may have
different voting, trading, and distribution rights. The Fund may invest in different
classes of subordinated units. |
|
|
|
|
General Partner or Managing Member Interests. The general partner or managing member
interest in MLPs or limited liability companies is typically retained by the original
sponsors of an MLP or limited liability company, such as its founders, corporate partners
and entities that sell assets to the MLP or limited liability company. The holder of the
general partner or managing member interest can be liable in certain circumstances for
amounts greater than the amount of the holders investment in the general partner or
managing member. General partner or managing member interests often confer direct board
participation rights in, and in many cases control over the operations of, the MLP. General
partner or managing member interests can be privately held or owned by publicly traded
entities. General partner or managing member interests receive cash distributions,
typically in an amount of up to 2% of available cash, which is contractually defined in the
partnership or limited liability company agreement. In addition, holders of general partner
or managing member interests typically receive incentive distribution rights, which provide
them with an increasing share of the entitys aggregate cash distributions upon the payment
of per common unit distributions that exceed specified threshold levels above the MQD. Due
to the incentive distribution rights, GP MLPs have higher distribution growth prospects
than their underlying MLPs, but quarterly incentive distribution payments would also
decline at a greater rate than the decline rate in quarterly distributions to common and
subordinated unit holders in the event of a reduction in the MLPs quarterly distribution.
The ability of the limited partners or members to remove the general partner or managing
member without cause is typically very limited. In addition, some MLPs permit the holder of
incentive distribution rights to reset, under specified circumstances, the incentive
distribution levels and receive compensation in exchange for the distribution rights given
up in the reset. |
|
|
|
|
|
I-Shares. I-Shares represent an ownership interest issued by an MLP affiliate. The MLP
affiliate uses the proceeds from the sale of I-Shares to purchase limited partnership
interests in the MLP in the form of I-units. Thus, I-Shares represent an indirect limited
partner interest in the MLP. I-units have features similar to MLP common units in terms of
voting rights, liquidation preference and distribution. I-Shares differ from MLP common
units primarily in that instead of receiving cash distributions, holders of I-Shares will
receive distributions of additional I-Shares in an amount equal to the cash distributions
received by common unit holders. I-Shares are traded on the NYSE or the AMEX. For purposes
of the Funds 80% policy, securities that are derivatives of interests in MLPs are I-Shares
or other derivative securities that have economic characteristics of MLP securities. |
|
Other Equity Securities. The Fund may invest in equity securities of issuers other than MLPs,
including common stocks of Other Natural Resources Companies and issuers engaged in other sectors,
including the finance and real estate sectors. Such issuers may be organized and/or taxed as
corporations and therefore may not offer the advantageous tax characteristics of MLP units.
Debt Securities. The Fund may invest in debt securities rated, at the time of investment, at
least (i) B3 by Moodys, (ii) B- by S&P or Fitch, or (iii) a comparable rating by another rating
agency, provided, however, that the Fund may invest up to 5% of the Funds Managed Assets in lower
rated or unrated debt securities. Debt securities rated below investment grade are commonly known
as junk bonds and are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuers capacity
to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligations, and involve
major risk exposure to adverse conditions. See Appendix ARatings of Investments.
Non-U.S. Securities. The Fund may invest in non-U.S. securities, including, among other
things, non-U.S. securities represented by ADRs. ADRs are certificates evidencing ownership of
shares of a non-U.S. issuer that are issued by depositary banks and generally trade on an
established market in the United States or elsewhere.
29
Investment Practices
In addition to holding the portfolio investments described above, the Fund may, but is not
required to, use the following investment practices:
Use of Derivatives. The Fund may use derivative investments to hedge certain risks such as
overall market, interest rate and commodity price risks. The Fund may engage in various interest
rate and currency hedging transactions, including buying or selling options or futures, entering
into other transactions including forward contracts, swaps or options on futures and other
derivatives transactions. The Fund has claimed exclusion from the definition of the term commodity
pool operator adopted by the CFTC and the National Futures Association, which regulate trading in
the futures markets. Therefore, the Fund is not subject to commodity pool operator registration and
regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act.
The Fund may engage in Strategic Transactions. The Fund generally seeks to use these
transactions to manage its effective interest rate exposure, including the effective yield paid on
any leverage used by the Fund, protect against possible adverse changes in the market value of the
securities held in or to be purchased for its portfolio, or otherwise protect the value of its
portfolio. See Principal Risks of the Fund Strategic Transactions Risk for a more complete
discussion of these transactions and their risks.
In addition, the Fund may engage in transactions intended to hedge the currency risk to which
it may be exposed. Currency hedging transactions in which the Fund may engage include buying or
selling options or futures or entering into other foreign currency transactions including forward
foreign currency contracts, currency swaps or options on currency and currency futures and other
derivatives transactions. Hedging transactions can be expensive and have risks, including the
imperfect correlation between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets, the possible
default of the other party to the transaction or illiquidity of the derivative instruments.
Furthermore, the ability to successfully use hedging transactions depends on the Investment
Advisers ability to predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. See Principal
Risks of the Fund Risks Associated with an Investment in Non-U.S. Companies Currency Hedging
Risk.
The Fund may also sell short Treasury securities to hedge its interest rate exposure. When
shorting Treasury securities, the loss is limited to the principal amount that is contractually
required to be repaid at maturity and the interest expense that must be paid at the specified
times. See Principal Risks of the Fund Short Sales Risk.
Use of Arbitrage and Other Strategies. The Fund may use short sales, arbitrage and other
strategies to try to generate additional return. As part of such strategies, the Fund may engage in
paired long-short trades to arbitrage pricing disparities in securities issued by MLPs and Other
Natural Resources Companies, write (or sell) covered call options on the securities of MLPs and
Other Natural Resources Companies or other securities held in its portfolio, write (or sell)
uncovered call options on the securities of MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies, purchase
call options or enter into swap contracts to increase its exposure to MLPs and Other Natural
Resources Companies, or sell securities short. With a long position, the Fund purchases a stock
outright, but with a short position, it would sell a security that it does not own and must borrow
to meet its settlement obligations. The Fund will realize a profit or incur a loss from a short
position depending on whether the value of the underlying stock decreases or increases,
respectively, between the time the stock is sold and when the Fund replaces the borrowed security.
To increase its exposure to certain issuers, the Fund may purchase call options or use swap
agreements. The Fund expects to use these strategies on a limited basis. See Principal Risks of
the Fund Short Sales Risk and Principal Risks of the Fund Strategic Transactions Risk.
Portfolio Turnover. The Fund anticipates that its annual portfolio turnover rate will be
approximately 25%, but that rate may vary greatly from year to year. Portfolio turnover rate is not
considered a limiting factor in the Investment Advisers execution of investment decisions. A
higher portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other
transactional expenses that are borne by the Fund.
Use of Leverage
On October 19, 2007, the Fund entered into a fully-collateralized borrowing arrangement with
Credit Suisse. Proceeds from the borrowing arrangement are used to execute the Funds investment
objective. The borrowing arrangement is collateralized with investments held in a segregated
account for the benefit of Credit Suisse at the Funds custodian, which collateral exceeds the
amount borrowed.
The Fund may also seek to enhance its total returns through the issuance of preferred shares
and other Leverage Instruments, in each case within the applicable limits of the 1940 Act. The
Fund may leverage through borrowings in an aggregate amount of up to
30
approximately 331/3% of its
Managed Assets (i.e. 50% of its net assets attributable to the Funds common shares).
The Fund may leverage through the issuance of preferred shares or
other means, and at such times total leverage of the Fund is generally
expected to be in the range of 20% to
50% of the Funds Managed Assets (i.e., 25% to 100% of its net assets attributable to the Funds
common shares). The Fund may borrow from banks and other financial institutions.
The use of leverage creates risks and involves special considerations. See Principal Risks of
the Fund Leverage Risk, Interest Rate Risk and Fully-Collateralized Borrowing Risk. To
the extent that the Fund uses leverage, it expects to utilize hedging techniques such as swaps and
caps on a portion of its leverage to mitigate potential interest rate risk. See Principal Risks
of the Fund Interest Rate Hedging Risk.
Delaware trust law authorizes the Fund, without prior approval of its common shareholders, to
borrow money. In this regard, the Fund may issue notes or other evidence of indebtedness (including
bank borrowings or commercial paper) and may secure any such borrowings by mortgaging, pledging or
otherwise subjecting as security its assets. In connection with such borrowing, the Fund may be
required to maintain minimum average balances with the lender or to pay a commitment or other fee
to maintain a line of credit. Any such requirements will increase the cost of borrowing over the
stated interest rate. Except as set forth below, under the requirements of the 1940 Act the Fund,
immediately after any borrowings, must have asset coverage of at least 300% (331/3% of its Managed
Assets, or 50% of its net assets attributable to the Funds common shares). With respect to
borrowings, asset coverage means the ratio which the value of the Funds total assets, less all
liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act),
bears to the aggregate amount of such borrowing represented by senior securities issued by the
Fund.
The rights of the Funds lenders to receive interest on and repayment of principal of
borrowings will be senior to those of the Funds common shareholders, and the terms of any such
borrowings may contain provisions which limit certain of the Funds activities, including the
payment of dividends to the Funds common shareholders in certain circumstances. Under the 1940
Act, the Fund may not declare any dividend or other distribution on any class of its shares, or
purchase any such shares, unless its aggregate indebtedness has, at the time of the declaration of
any such dividend or distribution, or at the time of any such purchase, an asset coverage of at
least 300% after declaring the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case
may be. Further, the 1940 Act does (in certain circumstances) grant the Funds lenders certain
voting rights in the event of default in the payment of interest on or repayment of principal.
Subject to its ability to liquidate its relatively illiquid portfolio, the Fund intends to repay
borrowings. A borrowing will likely be ranked senior or equal to all of the Funds other existing
and future borrowings.
The following types of borrowings are not subject to the asset coverage limitation under the
1940 Act: fully-collateralized borrowings held in a segregated account by the Funds custodian,
temporary borrowings not exceeding 5% of the Funds total assets and any evidence of indebtedness
in consideration of a loan, extension or renewal thereof that is privately arranged and not
intended for public distribution.
Certain types of borrowings may result in the Funds being subject to covenants in credit
agreements relating to asset coverage and portfolio composition requirements. The Fund may be
subject to certain restrictions on investments imposed by guidelines of one or more rating
agencies, which may issue ratings for the Leverage Instruments issued by the Fund. These guidelines
may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those
imposed by the 1940 Act. It is not anticipated that these covenants or guidelines will impede the
Investment Adviser from managing the Funds portfolio in accordance with the Funds investment
objective and policies.
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue preferred shares unless immediately
after such issuance the value of its total assets is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the
outstanding preferred shares (i.e., the liquidation value may not exceed 50% of the Funds total
assets). In addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution
on its common shares unless, at the time of such declaration, the value of its total assets is at
least 200% of such liquidation value. If the Fund issues preferred shares, it intends, to the
extent possible, to purchase or redeem it from time to time to the extent necessary in order to
maintain asset coverage on such preferred shares of at least 200%. In addition, as a condition to
obtaining ratings on the preferred shares, the terms of any preferred shares issued are expected to
include asset coverage maintenance provisions which will require the redemption of the preferred
shares in the event of non-compliance by the Fund and may also prohibit dividends and other
distributions on the Funds common shares in such circumstances. In order to meet redemption
requirements, the Fund may have to liquidate portfolio securities. Such liquidations and
redemptions would cause the Fund to incur related transaction costs and could result in capital
losses to the Fund. If the Fund has preferred shares outstanding, two of its Trustees will be
elected by the holders of preferred shares as a class. The Funds remaining Trustees will be
elected by holders of its common shares and preferred shares voting together as a single class. In
the event the Fund fails to pay dividends on its preferred shares for two years, holders of
preferred shares would be
31
entitled to elect a majority of its Trustees.
The Fund may also borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes,
including the payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions that otherwise
might require untimely dispositions of its securities.
Credit Facility
The Fund may enter into definitive agreements with respect to a credit facility. The Fund may
negotiate with commercial banks to arrange a credit facility pursuant to which the Fund would be
entitled to borrow an amount equal to approximately one third 331/3% of its Managed Assets (i.e. 50%
of the Funds net assets attributable to the Funds common shares). Any such borrowings would
constitute financial leverage. Such a facility is not expected to be convertible into any other
securities of the Fund. Any outstanding amounts are expected to be prepayable by the Fund prior to
final maturity without significant penalty, and there are not expected to be any sinking fund or
mandatory retirement provisions. Outstanding amounts would be payable at maturity or such earlier
times as required by the agreement. The Fund may be required to prepay outstanding amounts under a
facility or incur a penalty rate of interest in the event of the occurrence of certain events of
default. The Fund would be expected to indemnify the lenders under the facility against liabilities
they may incur in connection with the facility. The Fund may be required to pay commitment fees
under the terms of any such facility. With the use of borrowings, there is a risk that the interest
rates paid by the Fund on the amount it borrows will be higher than the return on the Funds
investments.
In addition, the Fund expects that any such credit facility would contain covenants that,
among other things, likely will limit the Funds ability to: (i) pay distributions in certain
circumstances, (ii) incur additional debt, and (iii) change its fundamental investment policies and
engage in certain transactions, including mergers and consolidations. In addition, it may contain a
covenant requiring asset coverage ratios in addition to those required by the 1940 Act. The Fund
may be required to pledge its assets and to maintain a portion of its assets in cash or high-grade
securities as a reserve against interest or principal payments and expenses. The Fund expects that
any credit facility would have customary covenant, negative covenant and default provisions. There
can be no assurance that the Fund will enter into an agreement for a credit facility on terms and
conditions representative of the foregoing or that additional material terms will not apply. In
addition, any such credit facility may in the future be replaced or refinanced by one or more
credit facilities having substantially different terms or by the issuance of preferred shares.
Effects of Leverage
Assuming the utilization of Leverage Instruments in the amount of 331/3% of the Funds Managed
Assets (i.e., 50% of its net assets attributable to the Funds common shares) and an annual
interest rate of 5.00% on borrowings payable on such leverage based on market rates as of the date
of this Prospectus, the additional income that the Fund must earn (net of expenses) in order to
cover such distribution payments is 1.67%. The Funds actual cost of leverage will be based on
market rates at the time the Fund undertakes a leveraging strategy, and such actual costs of
leverage may be higher or lower than that assumed in the previous example.
The following table is designed to illustrate the effect on the return to a holder of the
Funds common shares of Leverage Instruments in the amount of approximately 331/3% of the Funds
Managed Assets (i.e., 50% of its net assets attributable to the Funds common shares), assuming
hypothetical annual returns of the Funds portfolio of minus 10% to plus 10%. As the table shows,
leverage generally increases the return to holders of common shares when portfolio return is
positive and greater than the cost of leverage and decreases the return when the portfolio return
is negative or less than the cost of leverage. The figures appearing in the table are hypothetical
and actual returns may be greater or less than those appearing in the table. See Principal Risks
of the Fund.
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assumed Portfolio Total Return (Net of Expenses) |
|
|
(10 |
)% |
|
|
(5 |
)% |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
5 |
% |
|
|
10 |
% |
Common Share Total Return |
|
|
(17.5 |
)% |
|
|
(10 |
)% |
|
|
(2.5 |
)% |
|
|
5 |
% |
|
|
12.5 |
% |
Common share total return is composed of two elements: common share dividends paid by the Fund
(the amount of which is largely determined by the Funds net investment income after paying
dividends or interest on its Leverage Instruments) and gains or losses on the value of the
securities the Fund owns. As required by SEC rules, the table above assumes that the Fund is more
likely to suffer capital losses than to enjoy capital appreciation. For example, to assume a total
return of 0%, the Fund must assume that the distributions it receives on its investments are
entirely offset by losses in the value of those securities.
32
Lending of Portfolio Securities
The Fund may lend its portfolio securities to broker-dealers and banks. Any such loan must be
continuously secured by collateral in cash or cash equivalents maintained on a current basis in an
amount at least equal to 102% of the value of the securities loaned. The Fund would continue to
receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned and
would also
receive an additional return that may be in the form of a fixed fee or a percentage of the
collateral. The Fund may pay reasonable fees for services in arranging these loans. The Fund would
have the right to call the loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice of not more
than five (5) business days. The Fund would not have the right to vote the securities during the
existence of the loan but would call the loan to permit voting of the securities, if, in the
Investment Advisers judgment, a material event requiring a shareholder vote would otherwise occur
before the loans were repaid. In the event of bankruptcy or other default of the borrower, the Fund
could experience both delays in liquidating the loan collateral or recovering the loaned securities
and losses, including (a) possible decline in the value of the collateral or in the value of the
securities loaned during the period while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights to the collateral or
loaned securities, (b) possible subnormal levels of income and lack of access to income during this
period, and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.
33
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF THE FUND
General
Risk is inherent in all investing. The following discussion summarizes some of the risks that
a potential investor should consider before deciding to purchase the Funds common shares.
Limited Operating and Trading History. The Fund was formed as a Delaware statutory trust on
May 23, 2007 and is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund
commenced operations on August 27, 2007. Being a recently organized company, the Fund is subject to
all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business, including the risk
that the Fund will not achieve its investment objective and that the value of an investment in the
Fund could decline substantially.
Investment and Market Risk. An investment in the Funds common shares is subject to
investment risk, including the possible loss of an investors entire investment. An investment in
the Funds common shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund,
some of which will be traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter markets.
The value of the securities in the Funds portfolio, like other market investments, may move up or
down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests
will affect the value of its common shares. The Funds common shares at any point in time may be
worth less than at the time of original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment
of the Funds dividends. The Fund is primarily a long-term investment vehicle and should not be
used for short-term trading. An investment in the Funds common shares is not intended to
constitute a complete investment program and should not be viewed as such.
Market Discount From Net Asset Value Risk. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at
discounts to their net asset value. This characteristic is a risk separate and distinct from the
risk that the Funds net asset value could decrease as a result of its investment activities and
may be greater for investors expecting to sell their shares in a relatively short period following
completion of this offering. The net asset value of the Funds common shares will be reduced
immediately following the offering as a result of the payment of certain offering costs. Although
the value of the Funds net assets is generally considered by market participants in determining
whether to purchase or sell shares, whether investors will realize gains or losses upon the sale of
the Funds common shares will depend entirely upon whether the market price of its common shares at
the time of sale is above or below the investors purchase price for the Funds common shares.
Because the market price of the Funds common shares will be affected by factors such as net asset
value, dividend or distribution levels (which are dependent, in part, on expenses), supply of and
demand for the Funds common shares, stability of dividends or distributions, trading volume of the
Funds common shares, general market and economic conditions, and other factors beyond the control
of the Fund, the Fund cannot predict whether its common shares will trade at, below or above net
asset value or at, below or above the initial public offering price. The Funds common shares have
in the past traded below their net asset value.
Sector Concentration Risk
Under normal market conditions, and once the proceeds of each offering are fully invested in
accordance with its investment objective, the Fund will have at least 80% of its net assets, plus
any borrowings for investment purposes, invested in MLP investments, which operate primarily in the
natural resources sector. There are risks inherent in the natural resources sector and the
businesses of MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies, including those described below.
MLP and Other Natural Resources Company Risks
Commodity Price Risk. The return on the Funds investments in MLPs and Other Natural
Resources Companies will be dependent on the operating margins received and cash flows generated by
those companies from the exploration for, and development, production, gathering, transportation,
processing, storage, refining, distribution, mining or marketing of, coal, natural gas, natural gas
liquids, crude oil, refined petroleum products or other hydrocarbons. These operating margins and
cash flows may fluctuate widely in response to a variety of factors, including global and domestic
economic conditions, weather conditions, natural disasters, the supply and price of imported
natural resources, political instability, conservation efforts and governmental regulation. Natural
resources commodity prices have been very volatile in the past and such volatility is expected to
continue. MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies engaged in crude oil and natural gas
exploration, development or production, natural gas gathering and processing, crude oil refining
and transportation and coal mining or sales may be directly affected by their respective natural
resources commodity prices. The volatility of, and interrelationships between, commodity prices can
also indirectly affect certain other MLPs and Other
34
Natural Resources Companies due to the potential impact on the volume of commodities
transported, processed, stored or distributed. Some MLPs or Other Natural Resources Companies that
own the underlying energy commodity may be unable to effectively mitigate or manage direct margin
exposure to commodity price levels. The prices of MLP and Other Natural Resources Companies
securities can be adversely affected by market perceptions that their performance and distributions
or dividends are directly tied to commodity prices.
Cyclicality Risk. The operating results of companies in the broader natural resources sector
are cyclical, with fluctuations in commodity prices and demand for commodities driven by a variety
of factors. The highly cyclical nature of the natural resources sector may adversely affect the
earnings or operating cash flows of the MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies in which the
Fund will invest.
Supply Risk. The profitability of MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies, particularly
those involved in processing, gathering and pipeline transportation, may be materially impacted by
the volume of natural gas or other energy commodities available for transportation, processing,
storage or distribution. A significant decrease in the production of natural gas, crude oil, coal
or other energy commodities, due to the decline of production from existing resources, import
supply disruption, depressed commodity prices or otherwise, would reduce the revenue, operating
income and operating cash flows of MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies and, therefore, their
ability to make distributions or pay dividends.
Demand Risk. A sustained decline in demand for coal, natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude
oil and refined petroleum products could adversely affect an MLPs or an Other Natural Resources
Companys revenues and cash flows. Factors that could lead to a sustained decrease in market demand
include a recession or other adverse economic conditions, an increase in the market price of the
underlying commodity that is not, or is not expected to be, merely a short-term increase, higher
taxes or other regulatory actions that increase costs, or a shift in consumer demand for such
products. Demand may also be adversely affected by consumer sentiment with respect to global
warming and by state or federal legislation intended to promote the use of alternative energy
sources.
Risks Relating to Expansions and Acquisitions. MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies
employ a variety of means to increase cash flow, including increasing utilization of existing
facilities, expanding operations through new construction or development activities, expanding
operations through acquisitions, or securing additional long-term contracts. Thus, some MLPs or
Other Natural Resources Companies may be subject to construction risk, development risk,
acquisition risk or other risks arising from their specific business strategies. MLPs and Other
Natural Resources Companies that attempt to grow through acquisitions may not be able to
effectively integrate acquired operations with their existing operations. In addition, acquisition
or expansion projects may not perform as anticipated. A significant slowdown in merger and
acquisition activity in the natural resources sector could reduce the growth rate of cash flows
received by the Fund from MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies that grow through
acquisitions.
Competition Risk. The natural resources sector is highly competitive. The MLPs and Other
Natural Resources Companies in which the Fund will invest will face substantial competition from
other companies, many of which will have greater financial, technological, human and other
resources, in acquiring natural resources assets, obtaining and retaining customers and contracts
and hiring and retaining qualified personnel. Larger companies may be able to pay more for assets
and may have a greater ability to continue their operations during periods of low commodity prices.
To the extent that the MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies in which the Fund will invest are
unable to compete effectively, their operating results, financial position, growth potential and
cash flows may be adversely affected, which could in turn adversely affect the results of the Fund.
Weather Risk. Extreme weather conditions, such as Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Hurricanes Katrina
and Rita in 2005 and Hurricane Ike in 2008, could result in substantial damage to the facilities of
certain MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies located in the affected areas and significant
volatility in the supply of natural resources, commodity prices and the earnings of MLPs and Other
Natural Resources Companies, and could therefore adversely affect their securities.
Interest Rate Risk. The prices of the equity and debt securities of the MLPs and Other
Natural Resources Companies the Fund expects to hold in its portfolio are susceptible in the short
term to a decline when interest rates rise. Rising interest rates could limit the capital
appreciation of securities of certain MLPs as a result of the increased availability of alternative
investments with yields comparable to those of MLPs. Rising interest rates could adversely impact
the financial performance of MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies by increasing their cost of
capital. This may reduce their ability to execute acquisitions or expansion projects in a cost
effective manner.
MLP Structure Risk. Holders of MLP units are subject to certain risks inherent in the
structure of MLPs, including (i) tax risks (described further below), (ii) the limited ability to
elect or remove management or the general partner or managing member
35
(iii) limited voting rights, except with respect to extraordinary transactions, and
(iv) conflicts of interest between the general partner or managing member and its affiliates, on
the one hand, and the limited partners or members, on the other hand, including those arising from
incentive distribution payments or corporate opportunities.
Sub-Sector Specific Risk. MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies are also subject to
risks that are specific to the particular sub-sector of the natural resources sector in which they
operate.
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|
Pipelines. Pipeline companies are subject to the demand for natural gas, natural gas
liquids, crude oil or refined products in the markets they serve, changes in the
availability of products for gathering, transportation, processing or sale due to natural
declines in reserves and production in the supply areas serviced by the companies
facilities, sharp decreases in crude oil or natural gas prices that cause producers to
curtail production or reduce capital spending for exploration activities, and environmental
regulation. Demand for gasoline, which accounts for a substantial portion of refined
product transportation, depends on price, prevailing economic conditions in the markets
served, and demographic and seasonal factors. Companies that own interstate pipelines that
transport natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil or refined petroleum products are
subject to regulation by FERC with respect to the tariff rates they may charge for
transportation services. An adverse determination by FERC with respect to the tariff rates
of such a company could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial
condition, results of operations and cash flows of those companies and their ability to pay
cash distributions or dividends. In addition, FERC has a tax allowance policy, which
permits such companies to include in their cost of service an income tax allowance to the
extent that their owners have an actual or potential tax liability on the income generated
by them. If FERCs income tax allowance policy were to change in the future to disallow a
material portion of the income tax allowance taken by such interstate pipeline companies,
it would adversely impact the maximum tariff rates that such companies are permitted to
charge for their transportation services, which would in turn adversely affect the results
of operations and cash flows of those companies and their ability to pay cash distributions
or dividends to their unit holders or shareholders. |
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|
Gathering and processing. Gathering and processing companies are subject to natural
declines in the production of oil and natural gas fields, which utilize their gathering and
processing facilities as a way to market their production, prolonged declines in the price
of natural gas or crude oil, which curtails drilling activity and therefore production, and
declines in the prices of natural gas liquids and refined petroleum products, which cause
lower processing margins. In addition, some gathering and processing contracts subject the
gathering or processing company to direct commodities price risk. |
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|
Exploration and production. Exploration, development and production companies are
particularly vulnerable to declines in the demand for and prices of crude oil and natural
gas. Reductions in prices for crude oil and natural gas can cause a given reservoir to
become uneconomic for continued production earlier than it would if prices were higher,
resulting in the plugging and abandonment of, and cessation of production from, that
reservoir. In addition, lower commodity prices not only reduce revenues but also can result
in substantial downward adjustments in reserve estimates. The accuracy of any reserve
estimate is a function of the quality of available data, the accuracy of assumptions
regarding future commodity prices and future exploration and development costs and
engineering and geological interpretations and judgments. Different reserve engineers may
make different estimates of reserve quantities and related revenue based on the same data.
Actual oil and gas prices, development expenditures and operating expenses will vary from
those assumed in reserve estimates, and these variances may be significant. Any significant
variance from the assumptions used could result in the actual quantity of reserves and
future net cash flow being materially different from those estimated in reserve reports. In
addition, results of drilling, testing and production and changes in prices after the date
of reserve estimates may result in downward revisions to such estimates. Substantial
downward adjustments in reserve estimates could have a material adverse effect on a given
exploration and production companys financial position and results of operations. In
addition, due to natural declines in reserves and production, exploration and production
companies must economically find or acquire and develop additional reserves in order to
maintain and grow their revenues and distributions. |
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|
Propane. Propane companies are subject to earnings variability based upon weather
patterns in the locations where they operate and increases in the wholesale price of
propane which reduce profit margins. In addition, propane companies are facing increased
competition due to the growing availability of natural gas, fuel oil and alternative energy
sources for residential heating. |
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Coal. Coal companies are subject to declines in the demand for and prices of coal.
Demand variability can be based on weather conditions, the strength of the domestic
economy, the level of coal stockpiles in their customer base, and the prices of competing
sources of fuel for electric generation. They are also subject to supply variability based
on geological conditions that reduce the productivity of mining operations, the
availability of regulatory permits for mining activities and the availability of coal that
meets the standards of the Clean Air Act. Demand and prices for coal may also be affected
by |
36
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|
|
current and proposed regulatory limitations on emissions from coal-fired power plants and the
facilities of other coal end users. Such limitations may reduce demand for the coal produced
and transported by coal companies. Certain coal companies could face declining revenues if
they are unable to acquire additional coal reserves or other mineral reserves that are
economically recoverable. |
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|
Marine shipping. Marine shipping companies are subject to supply of and demand for,
and level of consumption of, natural gas, liquefied natural gas, crude oil, refined
petroleum products and liquefied petroleum gases in the supply areas and market areas they
serve, which affect the demand for marine shipping services and therefore charter rates.
Shipping companies vessels and cargoes are also subject to the risk of being damaged or
lost due to marine disasters, extreme weather, mechanical failures, grounding, fire,
explosions, collisions, human error, piracy, war and terrorism. Some vessels may also
require replacement or significant capital improvements earlier than otherwise required due
to changing regulatory standards. Shipping companies or their ships may be chartered in any
country and the Funds investments in such issuers may be subject to risks similar to risks
related to investments in non-U.S. securities. |
Cash Flow Risk. The Fund will derive substantially all of its cash flow from investments in
equity securities of MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies. The amount of cash that the Fund
has available to distribute to shareholders will depend on the ability of the MLPs and Other
Natural Resources Companies in which the Fund has an interest to make distributions or pay
dividends to their investors and the tax character of those distributions or dividends. The Fund
will likely have no influence over the actions of the MLPs in which it invests with respect to the
payment of distributions or dividends, and may only have limited influence over Other Natural
Resources Companies in that regard. The amount of cash that any individual MLP or Other Natural
Resources Company can distribute to its investors, including the Fund, will depend on the amount of
cash it generates from operations, which will vary from quarter to quarter depending on factors
affecting the natural resources sector generally and the particular business lines of the issuer.
Available cash will also depend on the MLPs or Other Natural Resources Companys operating costs,
capital expenditures, debt service requirements, acquisition costs (if any), fluctuations in
working capital needs and other factors. The cash that an MLP will have available for distribution
will also depend on the incentive distributions payable to its general partner or managing member
in connection with distributions paid to its equity investors.
Regulatory Risk. The profitability of MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies could be
adversely affected by changes in the regulatory environment. MLPs and Other Natural Resources
Companies are subject to significant foreign, federal, state and local regulation in virtually
every aspect of their operations, including with respect to how facilities are constructed,
maintained and operated, environmental and safety controls, and the prices they may charge for the
products and services they provide. Such regulation can change over time in both scope and
intensity. For example, a particular by-product may be declared hazardous by a regulatory agency
and unexpectedly increase production costs. Various governmental authorities have the power to
enforce compliance with these regulations and the permits issued under them, and violators are
subject to administrative, civil and criminal penalties, including civil fines, injunctions or
both. Stricter laws, regulations or enforcement policies could be enacted in the future which would
likely increase compliance costs and may adversely affect the financial performance of MLPs and
Other Natural Resources Companies.
Specifically, the operations of wells, gathering systems, pipelines, refineries and other
facilities are subject to stringent and complex federal, state and local environmental laws and
regulations. These include, for example:
|
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|
the federal Clean Air Act and comparable state laws and regulations that impose
obligations related to air emissions; |
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the federal Clean Water Act and comparable state laws and regulations that impose
obligations related to discharges of pollutants into regulated bodies of water; |
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the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and comparable state laws
and regulations that impose requirements for the handling and disposal of waste from
facilities; and |
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|
the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of
1980 (CERCLA), also known as Superfund, and comparable state laws and regulations that
regulate the cleanup of hazardous substances that may have been released at properties
currently or previously owned or operated by MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies or
at locations to which they have sent waste for disposal. |
Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may trigger a variety of administrative,
civil and criminal enforcement measures, including the assessment of monetary penalties, the
imposition of remedial requirements, and the issuance of orders enjoining future operations.
Certain environmental statutes, including RCRA, CERCLA, the federal Oil Pollution Act and analogous
state laws and regulations, impose strict, joint and several liability for costs required to clean
up and restore sites where hazardous substances have been disposed of or otherwise released.
Moreover, it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file
37
claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the release of hazardous
substances or other waste products into the environment.
There is an inherent risk that MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies may incur
environmental costs and liabilities due to the nature of their businesses and the substances they
handle. For example, an accidental release from wells or gathering pipelines could subject them to
substantial liabilities for environmental cleanup and restoration costs, claims made by neighboring
landowners and other third parties for personal injury and property damage, and fines or penalties
for related violations of environmental laws or regulations. Moreover, the possibility exists that
stricter laws, regulations or enforcement policies could significantly increase the compliance
costs of MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies, and the cost of any remediation that may
become necessary. MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies may not be able to recover these costs
from insurance.
Proposals for voluntary initiatives and mandatory controls are being discussed both in the
United States and worldwide to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, a
by-product of burning fossil fuels, and methane, the major constituent of natural gas, which many
scientists and policymakers believe contribute to global climate change. These measures, if
adopted, could result in increased costs to certain companies in which the Fund may invest to
operate and maintain Natural Resources facilities and administer and manage a greenhouse gas
emissions program.
In the wake of a recent Supreme Court decision holding that the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) has some legal authority to deal with climate change under the Clean Air Act, the
federal government announced on May 14, 2007 that the EPA and the Departments of Transportation,
Energy, and Agriculture would jointly write regulations to cut gasoline use and control greenhouse
gas emissions from cars and trucks. These measures if adopted could reduce demand for energy or
raise prices, which may adversely affect the total return of certain of the Funds investments.
Affiliated Party Risk. Certain MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies are dependent on
their parents or sponsors for a majority of their revenues. Any failure by an MLPs or an Other
Natural Resources Companys parents or sponsors to satisfy their payments or obligations would
impact the MLPs or Other Natural Resources Companys revenues and cash flows and ability to make
distributions. Moreover, the terms of an MLPs or an Other Natural Resources Companys transactions
with its parent or sponsor are typically not arrived at on an arms-length basis, and may not be as
favorable to the MLP or Other Natural Resources Company as a transaction with a non-affiliate.
Catastrophe Risk. The operations of MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies are subject to
many hazards inherent in the exploration for, and development, production, gathering,
transportation, processing, storage, refining, distribution, mining or marketing of, coal, natural
gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, refined petroleum products or other hydrocarbons, including:
damage to production equipment, pipelines, storage tanks or related equipment and surrounding
properties caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires and other natural disasters or by acts of
terrorism; inadvertent damage from construction or other equipment; leaks of natural gas, natural
gas liquids, crude oil, refined petroleum products or other hydrocarbons; and fires and explosions.
These risks could result in substantial losses due to personal injury or loss of life, severe
damage to and destruction of property and equipment and pollution or other environmental damage,
and may result in the curtailment or suspension of their related operations. Not all MLPs or Other
Natural Resources Companies are fully insured against all risks inherent to their businesses. If a
significant accident or event occurs that is not fully insured, it could adversely affect the MLPs
or Other Natural Resources Companys operations and financial condition.
Risks Associated with an Investment in IPOs
Securities purchased in IPOs are often subject to the general risks associated with
investments in companies with small market capitalizations, and typically to a heightened degree.
Securities issued in IPOs have no trading history, and information about the companies may be
available for very limited periods. In addition, the prices of securities sold in an IPO may be
highly volatile. At any particular time or from time to time, the Fund may not be able to invest in
IPOs, or to invest to the extent desired, because, for example, only a small portion (if any) of
the securities being offered in an IPO may be available to the Fund. In addition, under certain
market conditions, a relatively small number of companies may issue securities in IPOs. The
investment performance of the Fund during periods when it is unable to invest significantly or at
all in IPOs may be lower than during periods when it is able to do so.
IPO securities may be volatile, and the Fund cannot predict whether investments in IPOs will
be successful. As the Fund grows in size, the positive effect of IPO investments on the Fund may
decrease.
38
Risks Associated with an Investment in PIPE Transactions
PIPE investors purchase securities directly from a publicly traded company in a private
placement transaction, typically at a discount to the market price of the companys common stock.
Because the sale of the securities is not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the Securities Act), the securities are restricted and cannot be immediately resold by the
investors into the public markets. Accordingly, the company typically agrees as part of the PIPE
deal to register the restricted securities with the SEC. PIPE securities may be deemed illiquid.
Privately Held Company Risk
Investing in privately held companies involves risk. For example, privately held companies are
not subject to SEC reporting requirements, are not required to maintain their accounting records in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and are not required to maintain
effective internal controls over financial reporting. As a result, the Investment Adviser may not
have timely or accurate information about the business, financial condition and results of
operations of the privately held companies in which the Fund invests. In addition, the securities
of privately held companies are generally illiquid, and entail the risks described under
Liquidity Risk below.
Liquidity Risk
The investments made by the Fund, including investments in MLPs, may be illiquid and
consequently the Fund may not be able to sell such investments at prices that reflect the
Investment Advisers assessment of their value, the amount paid for such investments by the Fund or
at prices approximating the value at which the Fund is carrying the securities on its books.
Furthermore, the nature of the Funds investments may require a long holding period prior to
profitability.
Although the equity securities of the MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies in which the
Fund invests generally trade on major stock exchanges, certain securities may trade less
frequently, particularly those with smaller capitalizations. Securities with limited trading
volumes may display volatile or erratic price movements. Investment of the Funds capital in
securities that are less actively traded or over time experience decreased trading volume may
restrict the Funds ability to take advantage of other market opportunities.
The Fund also expects to invest in unregistered or otherwise restricted securities.
Unregistered securities are securities that cannot be sold publicly in the United States without
registration under the Securities Act, unless an exemption from such registration is available.
Restricted securities may be more difficult to value and the Fund may have difficulty disposing of
such assets either in a timely manner or for a reasonable price. In order to dispose of an
unregistered security, the Fund, where it has contractual rights to do so, may have to cause such
security to be registered. A considerable period may elapse between the time the decision is made
to sell the security and the time the security is registered so that the Fund could sell it.
Contractual restrictions on the resale of securities vary in length and scope and are generally the
result of a negotiation between the issuer and acquiror of the securities. The Fund would, in
either case, bear the risks of any downward price fluctuation during that period. The difficulties
and delays associated with selling restricted securities could result in the Funds inability to
realize a favorable price upon disposition of such securities, and at times might make disposition
of such securities impossible.
Tax Risks
In addition to other risk considerations, an investment in the Funds common shares will
involve certain tax risks, including, but not limited to, the risks summarized below and discussed
in more detail elsewhere in this Prospectus. Tax matters are complicated, and the foreign and
U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences of the purchase and ownership of the Funds common
shares will depend on the facts of each investors situation. Prospective investors are encouraged
to consult their own tax advisors regarding the specific tax consequences that may affect such
investors.
Tax Law Changes. Changes in tax laws, regulations or interpretations of those laws or
regulations in the future could adversely affect the Fund or the MLPs or Other Natural Resources
Companies in which the Fund will invest. Any such changes could negatively impact the Funds common
shareholders. Legislation could also negatively impact the amount and tax characterization of
dividends received by the Funds common shareholders. Federal legislation has reduced the federal
income tax rate on qualified dividend income to the rate applicable to long-term capital gains,
which is generally 15% for individuals, provided a holding period requirement and certain other
requirements are met. This reduced rate of tax on dividends is currently scheduled to revert to
ordinary income tax rates for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010, and the 15% federal
income tax rate for long-term capital gains is scheduled to
39
revert to 20% for such taxable years.
Tax Risk of MLPs. The Funds ability to meet its investment objective will depend partially
on the amounts of taxable income, distributions and dividends it receives from the securities in
which it will invest, a factor over which it has no control. The benefit the Fund will derive from
its investment in MLPs is largely dependent on the MLPs being treated as partnerships for federal
income tax purposes. As a partnership, an MLP has no federal income tax liability at the entity
level. If, as a result of a change in current law or a change in an MLPs business, an MLP were to
be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, it would be subject to federal income
tax on its income at the graduated tax rates applicable to corporations (currently a maximum rate
of 35%). In addition, if an MLP were to be classified as a corporation for federal income tax
purposes, the amount of cash available for distribution by it would be reduced and distributions
received by the Fund from it would be taxed under federal income tax laws applicable to corporate
distributions (as dividend income, return of capital, or capital gain). Therefore, treatment of
MLPs as corporations for federal income tax purposes would result in a reduction in the after-tax
return to the Fund, likely causing a reduction in the value of the Funds common shares.
Deferred Tax Risks of MLPs. As a limited partner or member in the MLPs in which the Fund will
invest, the Fund will be required to include in its taxable income its allocable share of income,
gains, losses, deductions, and credits from those MLPs, regardless of whether they distribute any
cash to the Fund. Historically, a significant portion of the income from MLPs has been offset by
tax deductions. The Fund will incur a current tax liability on its allocable share of an MLPs
income and gains that is not offset by tax deductions, losses and credits, or its net operating
loss carryforwards, if any. The portion, if any, of a distribution received by the Fund from an MLP
that is offset by the MLPs tax deductions, losses or credits will be treated as a tax-advantaged
return of capital. However, those distributions will reduce the Funds adjusted tax basis in the
equity securities of the MLP, which will result in an increase in the amount of gain (or decrease
in the amount of loss) that will be recognized by the Fund for tax purposes upon the sale of any
such equity securities or upon subsequent distributions in respect of such equity securities. The
percentage of an MLPs income and gains that is offset by tax deductions, losses and credits will
fluctuate over time for various reasons. A significant slowdown in acquisition activity or capital
spending by MLPs held in the Funds portfolio could result in a reduction of accelerated
depreciation generated by new acquisitions, which may result in increased current tax liability for
the Fund.
The Fund will accrue deferred income taxes for its future tax liability associated with that
portion of MLP distributions considered to be a tax-advantaged return of capital, as well as for
its future tax liability associated with the capital appreciation of its investments. Upon the
Funds sale of an MLP security, the Fund may be liable for previously deferred taxes. The Fund will
rely to some extent on information provided by MLPs, which is not necessarily timely, to estimate
deferred tax liability for purposes of financial statement reporting and determining its net asset
value. From time to time, the Fund will modify its estimates or assumptions regarding its deferred
tax liability as new information becomes available.
Tax Risks of Corporations. The Fund also intends to invest in companies that are classified
as corporations for federal income tax purposes. Any distributions received by the Fund from these
companies will be taxed under federal income tax laws applicable to corporate distributions (as
dividend income, return of capital or capital gain). The amount of a corporate distribution taxable
to the Fund as a dividend will depend upon the earnings and profits of the company making the
distribution. Historically, the types of corporate Other Natural Resources Companies in which the
Fund intends to invest generally have paid dividends to their equity holders in excess of earnings
and profits. However, the earnings and profits of an Other Natural Resources Company will fluctuate
over time for a variety of reasons, including those discussed in this Prospectus. An increase in a
corporations earnings and profits may result in a greater proportion of its corporate
distributions being treated as a taxable dividend, resulting in an increased current tax liability
to the Fund. In addition, the Fund may invest in PFICs. As a result of an investment in a PFIC, the
Fund may be subject to an interest charge and additional taxes or, if it makes a certain election,
may be required to recognize taxable income related to such investment prior to its receipt of the
corresponding cash.
Deferred Tax Risks of Investing in the Funds Common Shares. A reduction in the percentage of
the distributions received by the Fund that are offset by tax deductions, losses or credits, or an
increase in its portfolio turnover, will reduce that portion of its common share dividend treated
as a tax-advantaged return of capital and increase that portion treated as dividend income,
resulting in lower after-tax dividends to its common shareholders.
See Tax Matters.
40
Risks Associated with an Investment in Non-U.S. Companies
Non-U.S. Securities Risk. Investing in securities of non-U.S. issuers involves certain risks
not involved in domestic investments,
including, but not limited to: fluctuations in currency exchange rates; future foreign
economic, financial, political and social developments; different legal systems; the possible
imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions; lower trading
volume; greater price volatility and illiquidity; different trading and settlement practices; less
governmental supervision; high and volatile rates of inflation; fluctuating interest rates; less
publicly available information; and different accounting, auditing and financial recordkeeping
standards and requirements.
Non-U.S. Currency Risk. Because the Fund may invest in securities denominated or quoted in
non-U.S. currencies, changes in the non-U.S. currency/U.S. dollar exchange rate may affect the
value of the Funds securities and the unrealized appreciation or depreciation of its investments.
Currency Hedging Risk. The Fund may in the future hedge against currency risk resulting from
investing in non-U.S. MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies valued in non-U.S. currencies.
Currency hedging transactions in which the Fund may engage include buying or selling options or
futures or entering into other foreign currency transactions including forward foreign currency
contracts, currency swaps or options on currency and currency futures and other derivatives
transactions. Hedging transactions can be expensive and have risks, including the imperfect
correlation between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets, the possible default
of the other party to the transaction or the illiquidity of the derivative instruments.
Furthermore, the ability to successfully use hedging transactions depends on the Investment
Advisers ability to predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. Thus, the use of
hedging transactions may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may require the
Fund to sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than current
market values, may limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on an investment, or may
cause the Fund to hold a security that the Fund might otherwise sell. The use of hedging
transactions may result in the Fund incurring losses as a result of matters beyond the Funds
control. For example losses may be incurred because of the imposition of exchange controls, the
suspension of settlements or the Funds inability to deliver or receive a specified currency.
Emerging Markets Risk. Investments in emerging markets instruments, while generally providing
greater potential opportunity for capital appreciation and higher yields than investments in more
developed market instruments, may also involve greater risk. Emerging markets may be subject to
economic, social and political risks not applicable to instruments of developed market issuers,
such as repatriation, exchange control or other monetary restrictions, taxation risks, and special
considerations due to limited publicly available information, less stringent regulatory standards,
and lack of uniformity in accounting.
With respect to certain countries, there is a possibility of expropriation, confiscatory
taxation, imposition of withholding or other taxes on dividends, interest, capital gains or other
income, limitations on the removal of funds or other assets of the Fund, political or social
instability or diplomatic developments that could affect investments in those countries. An issuer
of securities may be domiciled in a country other than the country in whose currency the instrument
is denominated. The values and relative yields of investments in the securities markets of
different countries, and their associated risks, are expected to change independently of each
other.
Interest Rate Risk
The costs associated with any leverage used by the Fund are likely to increase when interest
rates rise. Accordingly, the market price of the Funds common shares may decline when interest
rates rise.
Legal and Regulatory Risk
Legal, tax and regulatory changes could occur during the term of the Fund that may adversely
affect the Fund. The regulatory environment for closed-end funds is evolving, and changes in the
regulation of closed-end funds may adversely affect the value of investments held by the Fund and
the ability of the Fund to obtain the leverage it might otherwise obtain or to pursue its trading
strategy. In addition, the securities and futures markets are subject to comprehensive statutes,
regulations and margin requirements. The SEC, other regulators and self-regulatory organizations
and exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of market emergencies. The
regulation of derivatives transactions and funds that engage in such transactions is an evolving
area of law and is subject to modification by governmental and judicial action. The effect of any
future regulatory change on the Fund could be substantial and adverse.
41
Interest Rate Hedging Risk
The
Fund may from time to time hedge against interest rate risk resulting from the Funds
portfolio holdings and any financial leverage it may incur. Interest rate transactions the Fund may
use for hedging purposes will expose the Fund to certain risks that differ from the
risks associated with its portfolio holdings. There are economic costs of hedging reflected in
the price of interest rate swaps, caps and similar techniques, the cost of which can be
significant. In addition, the Funds success in using hedging instruments is subject to the
Investment Advisers ability to correctly predict changes in the relationships of such hedging
instruments to the Funds leverage risk, and there can be no assurance that the Investment
Advisers judgment in this respect will be accurate. Depending on the state of interest rates in
general, the Funds use of interest rate hedging instruments could enhance or decrease investment
company taxable income available to the holders of its common shares. To the extent there is a
decline in interest rates, the value of interest rate swaps or caps could decline, and result in a
decline in the net asset value of the Funds common shares. In addition, if the counterparty to an
interest rate swap or cap defaults, the Fund would not be able to use the anticipated net receipts
under the interest rate swap or cap to offset its cost of financial leverage.
Arbitrage Risk
A part of the Investment Advisers investment operations may involve spread positions between
two or more securities, or derivatives positions including commodities hedging positions, or a
combination of the foregoing. The Investment Advisers trading operations also may involve
arbitraging between two securities or commodities, between the security, commodity and related
options or derivatives markets, between spot and futures or forward markets, and/or any combination
of the above. To the extent the price relationships between such positions remain constant, no gain
or loss on the positions will occur. These offsetting positions entail substantial risk that the
price differential could change unfavorably, causing a loss to the position.
Equity Securities Risk
Master limited partnership common units and other equity securities of MLPs and Other Natural
Resources Companies can be affected by macroeconomic, political, global and other factors affecting
the stock market in general, expectations of interest rates, investor sentiment towards MLPs or the
natural resources sector, changes in a particular companys financial condition, or the unfavorable
or unanticipated poor performance of a particular MLP or Other Natural Resources Company (which, in
the case of an MLP, is generally measured in terms of distributable cash flow). Prices of common
units and other equity securities of individual MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies can also
be affected by fundamentals unique to the partnership or company, including earnings power and
coverage ratios.
MLP Subordinated Units. Master limited partnership subordinated units are not typically
listed on an exchange or publicly traded. Holders of MLP subordinated units are entitled to receive
a distribution only after the MQD has been paid to holders of common units, but prior to payment of
incentive distributions to the general partner or managing member. Master limited partnership
subordinated units generally do not provide arrearage rights. Most MLP subordinated units are
convertible into common units after the passage of a specified period of time or upon the
achievement by the MLP of specified financial goals.
General Partner and Managing Member Interests. General partner and managing member interests
are not publicly traded, though they may be owned by publicly traded entities such as GP MLPs. A
holder of general partner or managing member interests can be liable in certain circumstances for
amounts greater than the amount of the holders investment. In addition, while a general partner or
managing members incentive distribution rights can mean that general partners and managing members
have higher distribution growth prospects than their underlying MLPs, these incentive distribution
payments would decline at a greater rate than the decline rate in quarterly distributions to common
or subordinated unit holders in the event of a reduction in the MLPs quarterly distribution. A
general partner or managing member interest can be redeemed by the MLP if the MLP unit holders
choose to remove the general partner, typically by a supermajority vote of the limited partners or
members.
42
Small-Cap and Mid-Cap Company Risk
Certain of the MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies in which the Fund may invest may
have small or medium-sized market capitalizations (small-cap and mid-cap companies,
respectively). Investing in the securities of small-cap or mid-cap MLPs and Other Natural Resources
Companies presents some particular investment risks. These MLPs and Other Natural Resources
Companies may have limited product lines and markets, as well as shorter operating histories, less
experienced management and more limited financial resources than larger MLPs and Other Natural
Resources Companies, and may be more vulnerable to adverse general market or economic developments.
Stocks of these MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies may be less liquid than those of larger
MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies, and may experience greater price fluctuations than
larger MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies. In addition, small-cap or mid-cap company
securities may not be widely followed by investors, which may result in reduced demand.
Leverage Risk
The Fund may use leverage through fully-collateralized borrowing arrangements, the issuance of
preferred shares, commercial paper or notes, other forms of borrowing or both. The 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 shares, borrowing or other forms of market
exposure, magnifies both the favorable and unfavorable effects of price movements in the
investments made by the Fund. Insofar as the Fund employs leverage in its investment operations,
the Fund will be subject to increased risk of loss.
Leverage creates a greater risk of loss, as well as potential for more gain, for the Funds
common shares than if leverage is not used. Preferred shares or debt issued by the Fund would have
complete priority upon distribution of assets over common shares. Depending on the type of leverage
involved, the Funds use of financial leverage may require the approval of its Board of Trustees.
The Fund expects to invest the net proceeds derived from any leveraging according to the investment
objective and policies described in this Prospectus. So long as the Funds portfolio is invested
in securities that provide a higher rate of return than the dividend rate or interest rate of the
Leverage Instrument or other borrowing arrangements, after taking its related expenses into
consideration, the leverage will cause the Funds common shareholders to receive a higher rate of
income than if it were not leveraged. There is no assurance that the Fund will continue to utilize
leverage or, if leverage is utilized, that it will be successful in enhancing the level of the
Funds total return. The net asset value of the Funds common shares will be reduced by the fees
and issuance costs of any leverage.
Leverage creates risk for holders of the Funds common shares, including the likelihood of
greater volatility of net asset value and market price of the shares. Risk of fluctuations in
dividend rates or interest rates on Leverage Instruments or other borrowing arrangements may affect
the return to the holders of the Funds common shares. To the extent the return on securities
purchased with funds received from the use of leverage exceeds the cost of leverage (including
increased expenses to the Fund), the Funds total return will be greater than if leverage had not
been used. Conversely, if the return derived from such securities is less than the cost of leverage
(including increased expenses to the Fund), the Funds total return will be less than if leverage
had not been used, and therefore, the amount available for distribution to the Funds common
shareholders will be reduced. In the latter case, the Investment Adviser in its best judgment
nevertheless may determine to maintain the Funds leveraged position if it expects that the
benefits to the Funds common shareholders of so doing will outweigh the current reduced return.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund anticipates that it will be able to invest the proceeds
from leverage at a higher rate than the costs of leverage (including increased expenses to the
Fund), which would enhance returns to the Funds common shareholders. The fees paid to the
Investment Adviser will be calculated on the basis of the Funds Managed Assets, which include
proceeds from Leverage Instruments and other borrowings. During periods in which the Fund uses
financial leverage, the investment management fee payable to the Investment Adviser will be higher
than if the Fund did not use a leveraged capital structure. Consequently, the Fund and the
Investment Adviser may have differing interests in determining whether to leverage the Funds
assets. The Board of Trustees will monitor the Funds use of leverage and this potential conflict.
Fully-Collateralized Borrowing Risk. The Fund has entered into a fully-collateralized
borrowing arrangement with Credit Suisse. Proceeds from the borrowing arrangement are used to
execute the Funds investment objective. The borrowing arrangement is collateralized with
investments held in a segregated account for the benefit of Credit Suisse at the Funds custodian,
which collateral exceeds the amount borrowed. If the Fund is unable to repay the loan, the lender
may realize upon the collateral pledged by the Fund. Such arrangements are also subject to
interest rate risk. See Principal Risks of the Fund Interest Rate Risk.
Preferred Share Risk. Preferred share risk is the risk associated with the issuance of the
preferred shares to leverage the common shares. If the Fund issues preferred shares, the net asset
value and market value of the common shares will be more volatile, and the
43
yield to the holders of common shares will tend to fluctuate with changes in the shorter-term
dividend rates on the preferred shares. If the dividend rate on the preferred shares approaches the
net rate of return on the Funds investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the holders of
the common shares would be reduced. If the dividend rate on the preferred shares 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 shares than if the Fund had not issued preferred shares.
In addition, the Fund will pay (and the holders of common shares will bear) all costs and
expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred shares, including higher
advisory fees. Accordingly, the Fund cannot assure you that the issuance of preferred shares will
result in a higher yield or return to the holders of the common shares. Costs of the offering of
preferred shares will be borne immediately by the Funds common shareholders and result in a
reduction of net asset value of the common shares.
Similarly, any decline in the net asset value of the Funds investments will be borne entirely
by the holders of common shares. 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 shares
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 shares. The Fund might be in danger of failing
to maintain the required asset coverage of the preferred shares or of losing its ratings on the
preferred shares or, in an extreme case, the Funds current investment income might not be
sufficient to meet the dividend requirements on the preferred shares. In order to counteract such
an event, the Fund might need to liquidate investments in order to fund a redemption of some or all
of the preferred shares. Liquidation at times of low municipal bond prices may result in capital
loss and may reduce returns to the holders of common shares.
Preferred Shareholders May Have Disproportionate Influence over the Fund. If preferred shares
are issued, holders of preferred shares may have differing interests than holders of common shares
and holders of preferred shares may at times have disproportionate influence over the Funds
affairs. If preferred shares are issued, holders of preferred shares, voting separately as a single
class, would have the right to elect two members of the Board of Trustees at all times. The
remaining members of the Board of Trustees would be elected by holders of common shares and
preferred shares, voting as a single class. The 1940 Act also requires that, in addition to any
approval by shareholders that might otherwise be required, the approval of the holders of a
majority of any outstanding preferred shares, voting separately as a class, would be required to
(i) adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the preferred shares and (ii) take
any action requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, including,
among other things, changes in the Funds subclassification as a closed-end fund or changes in its
fundamental investment restrictions.
Credit Facility. The Fund may enter into definitive agreements with respect to a credit
facility. The Fund may negotiate with commercial banks to arrange a credit facility pursuant to
which the Fund would be entitled to borrow an amount equal to approximately 331/3% of the Funds
Managed Assets (i.e. 50% of the Funds net assets attributable to the Funds common shares). Any
such borrowings would constitute financial leverage. Such a facility is not expected to be
convertible into any other securities of the Fund. Any outstanding amounts are expected to be
prepayable by the Fund prior to final maturity without significant penalty, and there are not
expected to be any sinking fund or mandatory retirement provisions. Outstanding amounts would be
payable at maturity or such earlier times as required by the agreement. The Fund may be required to
prepay outstanding amounts under a facility or incur a penalty rate of interest in the event of the
occurrence of certain events of default. The Fund would be expected to indemnify the lenders under
the facility against liabilities they may incur in connection with the facility. The Fund may be
required to pay commitment fees under the terms of any such facility. With the use of borrowings,
there is a risk that the interest rates paid by the Fund on the amount it borrows will be higher
than the return on the Funds investments.
The Fund expects that such a credit facility would contain covenants that, among other things,
likely will limit the Funds ability to: (i) pay dividends in certain circumstances, (ii) incur
additional debt and (iii) change its fundamental investment policies and engage in certain
transactions, including mergers and consolidations. In addition, it may contain a covenant
requiring asset coverage ratios in addition to those required by the 1940 Act. The Fund may be
required to pledge its assets and to maintain a portion of its assets in cash or high-grade
securities as a reserve against interest or principal payments and expenses. The Fund expects that
any credit facility would have customary covenant, negative covenant and default provisions. There
can be no assurance that the Fund will enter into an agreement for a credit facility on terms and
conditions representative of the foregoing or that additional material terms will not apply. In
addition, if entered into, any such credit facility may in the future be replaced or refinanced by
one or more credit facilities having substantially different terms or by the issuance of preferred
shares.
Portfolio Guidelines of Rating Agencies. In order to obtain and maintain the required ratings
of loans from a credit facility, the Fund will be required to comply with investment quality,
diversification and other guidelines established by Moodys and/or S&P or the credit facility,
respectively. Such guidelines will likely be more restrictive than the restrictions otherwise
applicable to the Fund as
44
described in this Prospectus. The Fund does not anticipate that such guidelines would have a
material adverse effect on the Funds holders of common shares or its ability to achieve its
investment objective. No minimum rating is required for the issuance of preferred shares by the
Fund. Moodys and S&P would receive fees in connection with their ratings issuances.
Securities Lending Risk
The Fund may lend its portfolio securities (up to a maximum of one-third of its Managed
Assets) to banks or dealers which meet the creditworthiness standards established by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund. Securities lending is subject to the risk that loaned securities may not be
available to the Fund on a timely basis and the Fund may, therefore, lose the opportunity to sell
the securities at a desirable price. Any loss in the market price of securities loaned by the Fund
that occurs during the term of the loan would be borne by the Fund and would adversely affect the
Funds performance. Also, there may be delays in recovery, or no recovery, of securities loaned or
even a loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially
while the loan is outstanding. These risks may be greater for non-U.S. securities.
Non-Diversification Risk
The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act.
The Fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. To
the extent the Fund invests a relatively high percentage of the Funds assets in the securities of
a limited number of issuers, the Fund may be more susceptible than a more widely diversified
investment company to any single economic, political or regulatory occurrence.
Valuation Risk
Market prices may not be readily available for certain of the Funds investments, and the
value of such investments will ordinarily be determined based on fair valuations determined by the
Board of Trustees or its designee pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees.
Restrictions on resale or the absence of a liquid secondary market may adversely affect the Funds
ability to determine its net asset value. The sale price of securities that are not readily
marketable may be lower or higher than the Funds most recent determination of their fair value.
Additionally, the value of these securities typically requires more reliance on the judgment
of the Investment Adviser than that required for securities for which there is an active trading
market. Due to the difficulty in valuing these securities and the absence of an active trading
market for these investments, the Fund may not be able to realize these securities true value or
may have to delay their sale in order to do so.
When determining the fair value of an asset, the Investment Adviser will seek to determine the
price that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive from the current sale of that asset in an
arms length transaction. Fair value pricing, however, involves judgments that are inherently
subjective and inexact, since fair valuation procedures are used only when it is not possible to be
sure what value should be attributed to a particular asset or when an event will affect the market
price of an asset and to what extent. As a result, there can be no assurance that fair value
pricing will reflect actual market value and it is possible that the fair value determined for a
security will be materially different from the value that actually could be or is realized upon the
sale of that asset. See Net Asset Value.
Portfolio Turnover Risk
The Fund anticipates that its annual portfolio turnover rate will be approximately 25%, but
that rate may vary greatly from year to year. Portfolio turnover rate is not considered a limiting
factor in the Investment Advisers execution of investment decisions. A higher portfolio turnover
rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that
are borne by the Fund.
Strategic Transactions Risk
The Fund may engage in Strategic Transactions, including the purchase and sale of derivative
investments such as exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities,
equity, fixed income and interest rate indices, and other financial instruments, and may enter into
various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars or credit transactions
and credit default swaps and invest in forward contracts. The Fund also may purchase derivative
investments that combine features of these instruments. The use of derivatives has risks, including
the imperfect correlation between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets, the
possible default of the other party to the transaction or illiquidity of the derivative
investments. Furthermore, the ability to
45
successfully use these techniques depends on the Funds ability to predict pertinent market
movements, which cannot be assured. Thus, their use may result in losses greater than if they had
not been used, may require the Fund to sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times
or for prices other than current market values, may limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can
realize on an investment or may cause the Fund to hold a security that it might otherwise sell.
Additionally, amounts paid by the Fund as premiums and cash, or other assets held in margin
accounts with respect to derivative transactions, are not otherwise available to the Fund for
investment purposes.
The Fund may write covered call options. As the writer of a covered call option, the Fund
gives up the opportunity during the options life to profit from increases in the market value of
the security covering the call option above the sum of the premium and the strike price of the
call, but the Fund retains the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline.
The Fund may also write uncovered call options (i.e., where the Fund does not own the
underlying security or index) to a limited extent. Similar to a naked short sale, writing an
uncovered call creates the risk of an unlimited loss, in that the price of the underlying security
could theoretically increase without limit, thus increasing the cost of buying those securities to
cover the call option if it is exercised before it expires. There can be no assurance that the
securities necessary to cover the call option will be available for purchase. Purchasing securities
to cover an uncovered call option can itself cause the price of the securities to rise, further
exacerbating the loss.
The writer of an option has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its
obligation as a writer of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it
cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option
and must deliver the underlying security at the exercise price. There can be no assurance that a
liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to close out an option position. If trading were
suspended in an option purchased by the Fund, the Fund would not be able to close out the option.
If the Fund were unable to close out a covered call option that the Fund had written on a security,
the Fund would not be able to sell the underlying security unless the option expired without
exercise. If the Fund were unable to close out an uncovered call option that the Fund had written
on a security, the Fund retains the risk of a price increase in the underlying security until the
Fund purchases the security or the option expires without exercise.
Depending on whether the Fund would be entitled to receive net payments from the counterparty
on a swap or cap, which in turn would depend on the general state of short-term interest rates at
that point in time, a default by a counterparty could negatively impact the performance of the
Funds common shares. In addition, at the time an interest rate swap or cap transaction reaches its
scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Fund would not be able to obtain a replacement
transaction or that the terms of the replacement would not be as favorable as on the expiring
transaction. If this occurs, it could have a negative impact on the performance of the Funds
common shares. If the Fund fails to maintain any required asset coverage ratios in connection with
any use by the Fund of Leverage Instruments, the Fund may be required to redeem or prepay some or
all of the Leverage Instruments. Such redemption or prepayment would likely result in the Funds
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 or to the Fund. Early termination of a cap could
result in a termination payment to the Fund.
The Fund intends to segregate liquid assets against or otherwise cover its future obligations
under such swap or cap transactions, in order to provide that its future commitments for which the
Fund has not segregated liquid assets against or otherwise covered, together with any outstanding
Leverage Instruments, will not exceed the applicable limits of the 1940 Act. In addition, such
transactions and other use of Leverage Instruments by the Fund will be subject to the asset
coverage requirements of the 1940 Act.
The use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that involves
investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security
transactions. Depending on market conditions in general, the Funds use of swaps or caps could
enhance or harm the overall performance of its common shares. For example, the Fund may use
interest rate swaps and caps in connection with any use by the Fund of Leverage Instruments and
other borrowing arrangements. To the extent there is a decline in interest rates, the value of the
interest rate swap or cap could decline, and could result in a decline in the net asset value of
the Funds common shares. In addition, if short-term interest rates are lower than the Funds fixed
rate of payment on the interest rate swap, the swap will reduce common shares net earnings. Buying
interest rate caps could decrease the net earnings of the Funds common shares in the event that
the premium paid by the Fund to the counterparty exceeds the additional amount the Fund would have
been required to pay had the Fund not entered into the cap agreement.
Interest rate swaps and caps do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying
assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate swaps is limited
to the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the
counterparty defaults, the Fund would not be able to use the anticipated net receipts under the
swap or cap to offset any
46
declines in the value of the Funds portfolio assets being hedged or the increase in its cost
of financial leverage. Depending on whether the Fund would be entitled to receive net payments from
the counterparty on the swap or cap, which in turn would depend on the general state of the market
rates at that point in time, such a default could negatively impact the performance of the Funds
common shares.
The Fund may invest in forward contracts entered into directly with banks, financial
institutions and other dealers acting as principal. Forward contracts may not be liquid in all
circumstances, so that in volatile markets, the Fund to the extent it wishes to do so may not be
able to close out a position by taking another position equal and opposite to such position on a
timely basis or without incurring a sizeable loss. Closing transactions with respect to forward
contracts usually are effected with the counterparty who is a party to the original forward
contract and generally require the consent of such trader. There can be no assurance that the Fund
will be able to close out its obligations.
There are no limitations on daily price moves in forward contracts. Banks and other financial
institutions with which the Fund may maintain accounts may require the Fund to deposit margin with
respect to such trading. Banks are not required to continue to make markets in forward contracts.
There have been periods during which certain banks have refused to quote prices for such forward
contracts or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which the bank
is prepared to buy and that at which it is prepared to sell. Trading of forward contracts through
banks is not regulated by any U.S. governmental agency. The Fund will be subject to the risk of
bank failure and the inability of, or refusal by, a bank to perform with respect to such contracts.
Convertible Instrument Risk
The Fund may invest in convertible instruments. A convertible instrument is a bond, debenture,
note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed
amount of common shares of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a
specified price or formula. Convertible debt instruments have characteristics of both fixed income
and equity investments. Convertible instruments are subject both to the stock market risk
associated with equity securities and to the credit and interest rate risks associated with
fixed-income securities. As the market price of the equity security underlying a convertible
instrument falls, the convertible instrument tends to trade on the basis of its yield and other
fixed-income characteristics. As the market price of such equity security rises, the convertible
security tends to trade on the basis of its equity conversion features. The Fund may invest in
convertible instruments that have varying conversion values. Convertible instruments are typically
issued at prices that represent a premium to their conversion value. Accordingly, the value of a
convertible instruments increases (or decreases) as the price of the underlying equity security
increases (or decreases). If a convertible instrument held by the Fund is called for redemption,
the Fund will be required to permit the issuer to redeem the instrument, or convert it into the
underlying stock, and will hold the stock to the extent the Investment Adviser determines that such
equity investment is consistent with the investment objective of the Fund.
Short Sales Risk
Short selling involves selling securities which may or may not be owned and borrowing the same
securities for delivery to the purchaser, with an obligation to replace the borrowed securities at
a later date. Short selling allows the short seller to profit from declines in market prices to the
extent such declines exceed the transaction costs and the costs of borrowing the securities. A
naked short sale creates the risk of an unlimited loss because the price of the underlying security
could theoretically increase without limit, thus increasing the cost of buying those securities to
cover the short position. There can be no assurance that the securities necessary to cover a short
position will be available for purchase. Purchasing securities to close out the short position can
itself cause the price of the securities to rise, further exacerbating the loss.
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 liquid securities similar
to those borrowed. The Fund also will be required to segregate similar collateral to the extent, if
any, necessary so that the value of both collateral amounts in the aggregate is at all times equal
to at least 100% of the current market value of the security sold short. Depending on arrangements
made with the broker-dealer from which the Fund 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 the Funds collateral deposited with such broker-dealer.
Inflation Risk
Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investment will be worth
less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real
value of the Funds common shares and dividends can decline.
47
Debt Securities Risks
Debt securities are subject to many of the risks described elsewhere in this section. In
addition, they are subject to credit risk, prepayment risk and, depending on their quality, other
special risks.
Credit Risk. An issuer of a debt security may be unable to make interest payments and repay
principal. The Fund could lose money if the issuer of a debt obligation is, or is perceived to be,
unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its
obligations. The downgrade of a security may further decrease its value.
Below Investment Grade and Unrated Debt Securities Risk. Below investment grade debt
securities in which the Fund may invest are rated from B3 to Ba1 by Moodys, from B- to BB+ by
Fitch or S&P, or comparably rated by another rating agency. Below investment grade and unrated debt
securities generally pay a premium above the yields of U.S. government securities or debt
securities of investment grade issuers because they are subject to greater risks than these
securities. These risks, which reflect their speculative character, include the following: greater
yield and price volatility; greater credit risk and risk of default; potentially greater
sensitivity to general economic or industry conditions; potential lack of attractive resale
opportunities (illiquidity); and additional expenses to seek recovery from issuers who default.
In addition, the prices of these below investment grade and unrated debt securities are more
sensitive to negative developments, such as a decline in the issuers revenues, downturns in
profitability in the natural resources industry or a general economic downturn, than are the prices
of higher-grade securities. Below investment grade and unrated debt securities tend to be less
liquid than investment grade securities and the market for below investment grade and unrated debt
securities could contract further under adverse market or economic conditions. In such a scenario,
it may be more difficult for the Fund to sell these securities in a timely manner or for as high a
price as could be realized if such securities were more widely traded. The market value of below
investment grade and unrated debt securities may be more volatile than the market value of
investment grade securities and generally tends to reflect the markets perception of the
creditworthiness of the issuer and short-term market developments to a greater extent than
investment grade securities, which primarily reflect fluctuations in general levels of interest
rates. In the event of a default by a below investment grade or unrated debt security held in the
Funds portfolio in the payment of principal or interest, the Fund may incur additional expense to
the extent the Fund is required to seek recovery of such principal or interest.
For a description of the ratings categories of certain rating agencies, see Appendix A to this
Prospectus.
Reinvestment Risk. Certain debt instruments, particularly below investment grade securities,
may contain call or redemption provisions which would allow the issuer of the debt instrument to
prepay principal prior to the debt instruments stated maturity. This is also sometimes known as
prepayment risk. Prepayment risk is greater during a falling interest rate environment as issuers
can reduce their cost of capital by refinancing higher yielding debt instruments with lower
yielding debt instruments. An issuer may also elect to refinance its debt instruments with lower
yielding debt instruments if the credit standing of the issuer improves. To the extent debt
securities in the Funds portfolio are called or redeemed, the Fund may be forced to reinvest in
lower yielding securities.
ETN and ETF Risk
An ETN or ETF that is based on a specific index may not be able to replicate and maintain
exactly the composition and relative weighting of securities in the index. An ETN or ETF also
incurs certain expenses not incurred by its applicable index. The market value of an ETN or ETF
share may differ from its net asset value; the share may trade at a premium or discount to its net
asset value, which may be due to, among other things, differences in the supply and demand in the
market for the share and the supply and demand in the market for the underlying assets of the ETN
or ETF. In addition, certain securities that are part of the index tracked by an ETN or ETF may, at
times, be unavailable, which may impede the ETNs or ETFs ability to track its index. An ETF that
uses leverage can, at times, be relatively illiquid, which can affect whether its share price
approximates net asset value. As a result of using leverage, an ETF is subject to the risk of
failure in the futures and options markets it uses to obtain leverage and the risk that a
counterparty will default on its obligations, which can result in a loss to the Fund. Although an
ETN is a debt security, it is unlike a typical bond, in that there are no periodic interest
payments and principal is not protected.
Terrorism and Market Disruption Risk
The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 had a disruptive effect on the U.S. economy and
securities markets. United States military and related action in Iraq and Afghanistan is ongoing
and events in the Middle East could have significant, continuing adverse effects on the
U.S. economy in general and the natural resources sector in particular. Global political and
economic instability could
48
affect an MLPs or an Other Natural Resources Companys operations in
unpredictable ways, including through disruptions of natural resources supplies and markets and the resulting volatility in commodity prices. The
U.S. government has issued warnings that natural resources assets, specifically pipeline
infrastructure and production, transmission and distribution facilities, may be future targets of
terrorist activities. In addition, changes in the insurance markets have made certain types of
insurance more difficult, if not impossible, to obtain and have generally resulted in increased
premium costs.
Market Volatility
The residential housing sector in the United States has been under considerable pressure
during the past two years with home prices nationwide down 15% to 20% on average and nearly twice
that in certain regions. Residential mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures have increased over
this time and have, in turn, led to widespread selling in the mortgage-related market and put
downward pressure on the prices of many securities, including many of our investments and the price
of our common shares. Additionally, the federal rescue of Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and American
International Group, as well as the filing of bankruptcy by Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. and the
concern that other financial institutions are also experiencing severe economic distress and that
the global financial system is under stress have led to significant market volatility and thus
further increase the illiquidity of our investments, particularly our thinly-capitalized
investments. The current financial market situation, as well as various social, political, and
psychological tensions in the United States and around the world, may continue to contribute to
increased market volatility, may have long-term effects on the U.S. and worldwide financial markets
(and in particular the housing and mortgage markets); and may cause further economic uncertainties
or deterioration in the United States and worldwide. The Investment Adviser does not know how long
the financial markets will continue to be affected by these events and cannot predict the effects
of these or similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets in our
portfolio. Given the risks described above, an investment in our common shares may not be
appropriate for all prospective investors. A prospective investor should carefully consider his or
her ability to assume these risks before making an investment in the Fund.
Investment Management Risk
The Funds portfolio is subject to investment management risk because it will be actively
managed. The Investment Adviser will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making
investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that they will produce the desired
results.
The decisions with respect to the management of the Fund are made exclusively by the
Investment Adviser, subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees. Investors have no right or
power to take part in the management of the Fund. The Investment Adviser also is responsible for
all of the trading and investment decisions of the Fund. In the event of the withdrawal or
bankruptcy of the Investment Adviser, generally the affairs of the Fund will be wound-up and its
assets will be liquidated.
Dependence on Key Personnel of the Investment Adviser
The Fund is dependent upon the Investment Advisers key personnel for its future success and
upon their access to certain individuals and investments in the natural resources industry. In
particular, the Fund will depend on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of the
personnel of the Investment Adviser and its portfolio managers, who will evaluate, negotiate,
structure, close and monitor the Funds investments. The portfolio managers do not have long-term
employment contracts with the Investment Adviser, although they do have equity interests and other
financial incentives to remain with the firm. For a description of the Investment Adviser, see
Management of the Fund Investment Adviser. The Fund will also depend on the senior management
of the Investment Adviser, including particularly Jerry V. Swank. The departure of Mr. Swank or
another of the Investment Advisers senior management could have a material adverse effect on the
Funds ability to achieve its investment objective. In addition, the Fund can offer no assurance
that the Investment Adviser will remain its investment adviser, or that the Fund will continue to
have access to the Investment Advisers industry contacts and deal flow.
Conflicts of Interest with the Investment Adviser
Conflicts of interest may arise because the Investment Adviser and its affiliates generally
will be carrying on substantial investment activities for other clients, including, but not limited
to, the Affiliated Funds, in which the Fund will have no interest. The Investment Adviser or its
affiliates may have financial incentives to favor certain of such accounts over the Fund. Any of
their proprietary accounts and other customer accounts may compete with the Fund for specific
trades. The Investment Adviser or its affiliates may buy or sell securities for the Fund which
differ from securities bought or sold for other accounts and customers, even though their
investment objectives and policies may be similar to the Funds. Situations may occur when the Fund
could be disadvantaged because
49
of the investment activities conducted by the Investment Adviser and
its affiliates for their other accounts. Such situations may be
based on, among other things, legal or internal restrictions on the combined size of positions
that may be taken for the Fund and the other accounts, limiting the size of the Funds position, or
the difficulty of liquidating an investment for the Fund and the other accounts where the market
cannot absorb the sale of the combined position. Notwithstanding these potential conflicts of
interest, the Funds Board of Trustees and officers have a fiduciary obligation to act in the
Funds best interest.
The Funds investment opportunities may be limited by affiliations of the Investment Adviser
or its affiliates with MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies. Additionally, to the extent that
the Investment Adviser sources and structures private investments in MLPs and Other Natural
Resources Companies, certain employees of the Investment Adviser may become aware of actions
planned by MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies, such as acquisitions that may not be
announced to the public. It is possible that the Fund could be precluded from investing in an MLP
or an Other Natural Resources Company about which the Investment Adviser has material non-public
information; however, it is the Investment Advisers intention to ensure that any material
non-public information available to certain of the Investment Advisers employees not be shared
with those employees responsible for the purchase and sale of publicly traded MLP or Other Natural
Resources Company securities.
The Investment Adviser manages several Affiliated Funds. Some of the Affiliated Funds have
investment objectives that are similar to or overlap with the Fund. Further, the Investment Adviser
may at some time in the future manage other investment funds with the same investment objective as
the Fund.
The Investment Adviser and its affiliates generally will be carrying on substantial investment
activities for other clients, including, but not limited to, the Affiliated Funds, in which the
Fund will have no interest. Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of
such other clients; however, from time to time, the same investment decision may be made for more
than one fund or account. When two or more clients advised by the Investment Adviser or its
affiliates seek to purchase or sell the same publicly traded securities, the securities actually
purchased or sold will be allocated among the clients on a good faith equitable basis by the
Investment Adviser in its discretion in accordance with the clients various investment objectives
and procedures adopted by the Investment Adviser and approved by the Funds Board of Trustees. In
some cases, this system may adversely affect the price or size of the position the Fund may obtain.
The Funds investment opportunities may be limited by investment opportunities in the MLPs and
Other Natural Resources Companies that the Investment Adviser is evaluating for the Affiliated
Funds. To the extent a potential investment is appropriate for the Fund and one or more of the
Affiliated Funds, the Investment Adviser will need to fairly allocate that investment to the Fund
or an Affiliated Fund, or both, depending on its allocation procedures and applicable law related
to combined or joint transactions. There may occur an attractive limited investment opportunity
suitable for the Fund in which the Fund cannot invest under the particular allocation method being
used for that investment.
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund and its Affiliated Funds may be precluded from co-investing in
certain private placements of securities. Except as permitted by law or positions of the staff of
the SEC, the Investment Adviser will not co-invest its other clients assets in private
transactions in which the Fund invests. To the extent the Fund is precluded from co-investing, the
Investment Adviser will allocate private investment opportunities among its clients, including but
not limited to the Fund and the Affiliated Funds, based on allocation policies that take into
account several suitability factors, including the size of the investment opportunity, the amount
each client has available for investment and the clients investment objectives. These allocation
policies may result in the allocation of investment opportunities to an Affiliated Fund rather than
to the Fund.
The management fee payable to the Investment Adviser is based on the value of the Funds
Managed Assets, as periodically determined. A significant percentage of the Funds Managed Assets
may be illiquid securities acquired in private transactions for which market quotations will not be
readily available. Although the Fund will adopt valuation procedures designed to determine
valuations of illiquid securities in a manner that reflects their fair value, there typically is a
range of possible prices that may be established for each individual security. Senior management of
the Investment Adviser, the Funds Board of Trustees and its Valuation Committee will participate
in the valuation of its securities. See Net Asset Value.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel to the Fund in this offering, also
represents the Investment Adviser. Such counsel does not purport to represent the separate
interests of the investors and has assumed no obligation to do so. Accordingly, the investors have
not had the benefit of independent counsel in the structuring of the Fund or determination of the
relative interests, rights and obligations of the Funds investment adviser and the investors.
50
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Except as described below, the Fund, as a fundamental policy, may not, without the approval of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund:
(1) Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or
other instruments, provided that this restriction does not prevent the Fund from investing in
issuers which invest, deal, or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or interests in real
estate, or investing in securities that are secured by real estate or interests in real estate.
(2) Concentrate the Funds investments in a particular industry, as that term is used in the
1940 Act, and as interpreted, modified or otherwise permitted by regulatory authority having
jurisdiction from time to time; provided, however, that the Fund will, in normal circumstances,
invest more than 25% of its assets in the natural resources industry, including MLPs operating in
such industry, and may invest to an unlimited degree in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.
(3) Borrow money or issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act,
or any rules, exemptions or interpretations under the 1940 Act that may be adopted, granted or
issued by the SEC or its staff. See The Funds Investments Use of Leverage and Principal Risks
of the Fund Leverage Risk.
(4) Make loans to other persons except (a) through the lending of the Funds portfolio
securities, (b) through the purchase of debt obligations, loan participations and/or engaging in
direct corporate loans in accordance with the Funds investment objective and policies, and (c) to
the extent the entry into a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan. The Fund may also make
loans to other investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, or any rules,
exemptions or interpretations under the 1940 Act that may be adopted, granted or issued by the SEC
or its staff.
(5) Act as an underwriter except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of
portfolio securities, the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under applicable securities laws.
(6) Purchase or sell physical commodities and commodity contracts, except that it may:
(i) enter into futures contracts and options on commodities in accordance with applicable law; and
(ii) purchase or sell physical commodities that it acquires as a result of ownership of securities
or other instruments. The Fund will not consider stock index, currency and other financial futures
contracts, swaps, or hybrid instruments to be commodities for purposes of this investment policy.
The rest of the Funds investment policies, including its investment objective described under
Investment Objective and Policies, are considered non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board
of Trustees without the approval of the holders of a majority of voting securities, provided that
common shareholders receive at least 60 days prior written notice of any change.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Board of Trustees of the Fund
The Board of Trustees of the Fund provides broad oversight over the operations and affairs of
the Fund and protects the interests of shareholders. The Board of Trustees has overall
responsibility to manage and control the business affairs of the Fund, including the complete and
exclusive authority to establish policies regarding the management, conduct and operation of the
Funds business. The names and ages of the Trustees and officers of the Fund, the year each was
first elected or appointed to office, their principal business occupations during the last five
years, the number of funds overseen by each Trustee and other directorships or trusteeships they
hold
51
are shown below. The business address of the Fund, its Trustees and officers is 3300 Oak Lawn
Avenue, Suite 650, Dallas, Texas 75219.
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Number of |
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Term of |
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Portfolios |
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Office and |
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Principal |
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in Fund |
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Length of |
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Occupation(s) |
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Complex |
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Other |
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Time |
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During Past |
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Overseen |
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Directorships/ |
Name and Year of Birth |
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Position with Fund |
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Served(1) |
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Five Years |
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by Trustee |
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Trusteeships Held |
INTERESTED TRUSTEE
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Jerry V. Swank (1951) *
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Trustee, Chairman of
the Board, Chief
Executive Officer,
and President
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Trustee since 2007
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Managing Partner of
the Investment
Adviser and
portfolio manager
of the Fund (2007
to present).
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1 |
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None |
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES
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Brian R. Bruce (1955)
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Trustee and Chairman
of the Audit
Committee
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Trustee since 2007
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Director of
Southern Methodist
Universitys Cox
School of Business
Finance Institute
(2006 to present);
and Chief
Investment Officer
of Panagora Asset
Management (1999 to
2007) (investment
management
company).
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1 |
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Two Funds within
the CM Advisers
Family of Funds |
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Ronald P. Trout (1939)
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Trustee and Chairman
of the Nominating,
Corporate Governance
and Compensation
Committee.
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Trustee since 2007
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Retired. A founding
partner and Senior
Vice President of
Hourglass Capital
Management, Inc.
(1989 to 2002)
(investment
management
company).
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1 |
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Dorchester Minerals LP
(acquisition, ownership and administration of natural gas and crude
oil royalty, net profits and leasehold interests in the U.S.) |
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Edward N. McMillan (1947)
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Lead Non-Interested
Trustee
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Trustee since 2007
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Retired.
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1 |
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None |
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(1) |
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After a Trustees initial term, each Trustee is expected to serve a three-year term
concurrent with the class of Trustees for which he serves. Mr. Bruce was re-elected in 2008
and is expected to stand for re-election in 2011. Messrs. McMillan and Swank are expected to
stand for re-election in 2009, and Mr. Trout in 2010. |
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* |
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Mr. Swank is an interested person of the Fund, as defined under the 1940 Act, by virtue of
his position as Managing Partner of the Investment Adviser. |
52
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Term of Office |
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and Length of |
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Principal Occupation(s) |
Name and Year of Birth |
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Position with Fund |
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Time Served |
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During Past Five Years |
OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT TRUSTEES
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Mark W. Fordyce CPA (1966)
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Chief Financial Officer, Principal
Accounting Officer, Treasurer and
Secretary
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Officer since 2007
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Chief Financial
Officer (CFO) of the
Investment Adviser;
CFO of Caprock Capital
Partners, L.P.
(2005-2006); CFO of
Hercules Security
Investments, L.P.
(2006); CFO and Chief
Operating Officer
(COO) of Durango
Partners, L.P.
(2001-2004). |
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Michael S. Minces (1974)
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Chief Compliance Officer
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Officer
since 2007
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General Counsel and
Chief Compliance
Officer (CCO) at the
Investment Adviser
(2007 to present); CCO
and Associate General
Counsel of Highland
Capital Management,
L.P. (2004 2007);
Associate at Akin Gump
Strauss Hauer & Feld
LLP (2003 2004);
Associate at Skadden,
Arps, Slate, Meagher &
Flom LLP (2000 -
2003). |
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As
of December 31, 2008, each non-interested Trustee of the Fund and his immediate family
members did not beneficially or of record own securities in (1) the Investment Adviser or (2) a
person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled
by, or under common control with the Investment Adviser.
Committees
In connection with the Board of Trustees responsibility for the overall management and
supervision of the Funds affairs, the Trustees meet periodically throughout the year to oversee
the Funds activities, review contractual arrangements with service providers for the Fund and
review the Funds performance. To fulfill these duties, the Board has established two standing
committees of the Trustees: an Audit Committee and a Nominating, Corporate Governance and
Compensation Committee. Under the Funds valuation procedures, the Board has appointed personnel of
the Investment Adviser to serve on a valuation committee for the Fund.
The purposes of the Audit Committee, which meets at least twice annually, are to oversee the
Funds processes for accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and related internal controls and
compliance with applicable laws and regulations. It also makes recommendations regarding the
selection of an independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund, reviews the
independence of such firm, reviews the scope of audit and internal controls, considers and reports
to the Board on matters relating to the Funds accounting and financial reporting practices, and
performs such other tasks as the full Board deems necessary or appropriate. The members of the
Audit Committee include Brian R. Bruce (Chairman), Edward N. McMillan and Ronald P. Trout.
The purposes of the Nominating, Corporate Governance and Compensation Committee are to review
and make recommendations on the composition of the Board, develop and make recommendations to the
Board regarding corporate governance matters and practices, and review and make recommendations to
the Board with respect to any compensation to be paid to certain persons including the chief
compliance officer of the Fund and the non-interested Trustees. The committee will consider
nominees recommended by shareholders under the terms of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and
the Bylaws. The members of the Nominating, Corporate Governance and Compensation Committee include
Ronald P. Trout (Chairman), Brian R. Bruce and Edward N. McMillan.
53
Shareholder Communications
Shareholders may send communications to the Funds Board of Trustees. Shareholders should send
communications intended for the Funds Board by addressing the communications directly to the Board
(or individual Board member(s)) and/or otherwise clearly indicating in the salutation that the
communication is for the Board (or individual Board members) and by sending the communication
to either the Funds office or directly to such Board member(s) at the address specified above
for each Trustee. Other shareholder communications received by the Fund not directly addressed and
sent to the Board will be reviewed and generally responded to by management and will be forwarded
to the Board only at managements discretion based on the matters contained in those
communications.
Compensation of Trustees
The fees and expenses of the non-interested Trustees of the Fund are paid by the Fund. Each
non-interested Trustee will receive from the Fund an annual retainer of $25,000 and a fee of $2,000
for each regularly-scheduled Board meeting attended and will be reimbursed for all out-of-pocket expenses related to
attendance at Board or committee meetings. The Trustees who are interested persons, as that term
is defined in the 1940 Act, of the Investment Adviser (including its affiliates) or the Fund
receive no compensation from the Fund.
The Trustees received from the Fund, for services as a Trustee of the
Fund, the amounts set out below for the Funds fiscal year ended November 30, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retirement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate |
|
Benefits Accrued |
|
Estimated Annual |
|
Total Compensation |
|
|
Compensation |
|
as Part of |
|
Benefits Upon |
|
from the Fund and |
|
|
from the Fund |
|
Fund Expenses |
|
Retirement |
|
Fund Complex |
Non- Interested Trustees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brian R. Bruce |
|
$ |
33,000 |
|
|
None |
|
None |
|
$ |
33,000 |
|
Edward N. McMillan |
|
$ |
33,000 |
|
|
None |
|
None |
|
$ |
33,000 |
|
Ronald P. Trout |
|
$ |
33,000 |
|
|
None |
|
None |
|
$ |
33,000 |
|
|
Interested Trustee |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jerry V. Swank |
|
None |
|
None |
|
None |
|
None |
Investment Adviser
The Funds investments are managed by its Investment Adviser, Swank Energy Income Advisors,
LP. The Investment Adviser is also investment adviser to the Affiliated Funds, which invest
primarily in securities of MLPs and Other Natural Resources Companies and global commodities. Since
2003, the Investment Adviser has managed the Affiliated Funds with a focus on achieving a high
after-tax total return from a combination of capital appreciation and current income (as opposed to
relative performance against a benchmark index). The Investment Adviser seeks to identify and
exploit investment niches it believes are generally less understood and less followed by the
broader investor community. The Investment Adviser is indirectly controlled by Jerry V. Swank.
Key Personnel of Investment Adviser
Jerry V. Swank. Mr. Swank is the sole portfolio manager of the Fund.
Mr. Swank formed Swank Capital, LLC in 2000 to provide proprietary energy research to a select
group of institutional investors, emphasizing in-depth independent research. Prior to forming Swank
Capital, LLC, Mr. Swank spent five years with John S. Herold, Inc. (Herold). Herold is an
independent oil & gas research and consulting company. He joined Herold in 1995 and served as
Managing Director heading up its sales and new product development team until May 1998, when he
assumed the position of President. During this period, Mr. Swank developed an in-depth knowledge of
the worldwide energy industry, sector profitability, global growth prospects and supply/demand
dynamics. Prior to joining Herold, Mr. Swank spent 14 years with Credit Suisse First Boston
Corporation in Institutional Equity and Fixed Income Sales in its Dallas office from 1980 to 1995.
From 1985 to 1995 he was a Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation Director and Southwestern
Regional Sales Manager. Prior to Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, Mr. Swank worked from 1976
to 1980 on the buy side as an analyst and portfolio manager with Mercantile Texas Corp. Mr. Swank
received a B.A. from the University of Missouri (Economics) in 1973 and an M.B.A. from the
University of North Texas in 1978.
54
Mr. Swank has served on the Board of Directors of John S. Herold, Inc., Matador Petroleum
Corporation and Advantage Acceptance, Inc. and currently serves on the board of directors of The
Cushing Fund (Offshore), Ltd. and The Dalrymple Global Resources Offshore Fund, Ltd.
Mark W. Fordyce. In addition to his function as CFO and COO of the Investment Adviser,
Mr. Fordyce is spearheading the efforts in fund formation, accounting and other operational areas
for several new offerings at the Investment Adviser. Mr. Fordyce is also contributing in the
oversight of risk management in the portfolio and trading areas. Prior to joining the Investment
Adviser, Mr. Fordyce was involved, over the past six years, with the launch and operation of four
hedge fund structures serving in CFO and COO roles. Mr. Fordyce is a CPA and has 12 years of public
accounting experience with PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG.
Mr. Fordyce received his Bachelors of Accountancy degree from New Mexico State University.
Daniel L. Spears. Prior to joining the Investment Adviser in 2006, Mr. Spears was an
investment banker with Banc of America Securities, LLC within the Natural Resources Group from 1998
to 2006. Mr. Spears was an investment banker with Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. in the Global Energy
and Power Group from 1995 to 1998. Mr. Spears has over 12 years of experience providing financial
and strategic advice to public and private companies in all sectors of the natural resources
industry. Mr. Spears is a director of Quest Midstream Partners, L.P. and Lonestar Midstream, L.P.
Mr. Spears received his B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of
Pennsylvania in 1995.
G. Paul Ferguson. Prior to joining the Investment Adviser in 2002, Mr. Ferguson was an equity
research analyst in the energy group at Frost Securities, Inc. from 2001 to 2002. Mr. Fergusons
focus at Frost Securities, Inc. was on the midstream energy services sector. Mr. Ferguson also has
ten years of experience in various sectors of the energy industry. Mr. Ferguson served as product
manager of energy risk management from 1999 to 2001 with Allegro Development. His industry
experience also includes serving from 1996 to 1999 as an operations engineer with Koch Gateway
Pipeline Company and Delhi Gas Pipeline Corporation and from 1991 to 1995 as a petroleum engineer
with Kerr-McGee Corporation.
Mr. Ferguson received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in
1991 and an M.B.A in Finance from Southern Methodist University in 2001. Mr. Ferguson obtained his
NASD Series 7 and 63 securities licenses and is also a registered professional engineer in
mechanical engineering.
Mr. Ferguson currently serves on the board of directors of Royalty Income Fund of North
America (Offshore), Ltd., The Cushing Fund (Offshore), Ltd. and The Dalrymple Global Resources
Offshore Fund, Ltd.
Kevin P. Gallagher, CFA. Mr. Gallagher joined the Investment Adviser in 2006. For the five
years prior to that, Mr. Gallagher was a senior research associate with RBC Capital Markets
covering the Diversified Energy and MLP sectors from 2000 to 2006. Mr. Gallaghers career in the
investment business also includes 4 years at GMAC-RFC, where he helped manage a portfolio of cash
and investments.
Mr. Gallagher earned a BS in Economics with Finance, a minor in Philosophy, and an MBA from
Southern Methodist University. In 2004, he received his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
designation.
Michael S. Minces. Prior to joining the Investment Adviser in 2007, Mr. Minces was the Chief
Compliance Officer and Associate General Counsel for Highland Capital Management, L.P., an
alternative asset manager in Dallas, Texas with over $40 billion in assets under management. Mr.
Minces held these positions with Highland from August 2004 to July 2007 and was responsible for,
among other duties, the design, implementation and maintenance of Highlands firmwide regulatory
compliance platform. In addition to his
55
positions held at Highland, Mr. Minces also served as the
Chief Compliance Officer for each of Highlands 12 registered investment company clients, with
direct reporting responsibility to the Funds independent directors. Prior to joining Highland in
August 2004, Mr. Minces was an Associate from 2003 to 2004 in the Dallas office of the law firm of
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. Prior to working at Akin Gump, Mr. Minces was an Associate in
the New York office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP from 2000 to 2003.
Mr. Minces received a Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law and a
Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin.
Investment Management Agreement
The Investment Adviser acts as the investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an investment
management agreement (the Investment Management Agreement). Pursuant to the Investment Management
Agreement, the Fund has agreed to pay the Investment Adviser a fee, payable at the end of each
calendar month, at an annual rate equal to 1.25% of the average weekly value of the Funds Managed
Assets during such month (the Management Fee) for the services and facilities provided by the
Investment Adviser to the Fund.
Until
December 19, 2008, the Investment Adviser had been reimbursing the Funds expenses to the extent that
total annual Fund operating expenses, not including interest payments or other expenses on borrowed
funds, exceeded 1.50% of average weekly Managed Assets. Commencing
December 20, 2008 the Investment Adviser has agreed to reduce
temporarily the management fee from 1.25% to 1.00% of the average
weekly value of the Funds Managed Assets. The Investment Adviser is not obligated to do
so, however, and this waiver may be discontinued at any time.
Because the Management Fee is based upon a percentage of the Funds Managed Assets, the
Management Fee will be higher if the Fund employs leverage. Therefore, the Investment Adviser will
have a financial incentive to use leverage, which may create a conflict of interest between the
Investment Adviser and the Funds common shareholders.
In addition to the Management Fee, the Fund pays all other costs and expenses of its
operations, including the compensation of its Trustees (other than those affiliated with the
Investment Adviser); the fees and expenses of the Funds administrator, the custodian and transfer
and dividend disbursing agent; legal fees; leverage expenses (if any); rating agency fees (if any);
listing fees and expenses; fees of independent auditors; expenses of repurchasing shares; expenses
of preparing, printing and distributing shareholder reports, notices, proxy statements and reports
to governmental agencies; and taxes, if any.
A discussion regarding the basis for approval by the Funds Board of Trustees of its
Investment Management Agreement with the Investment Adviser is available in the Funds annual
report to shareholders for the period ended November 30, 2007.
The Investment Management Agreement will continue in effect from year to year after its
initial two-year term so long as its continuation is approved at least annually by the Trustees
including a majority of non-interested Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Fund. The Investment Management Agreement
may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon 60 days written notice by
either party. The Fund may terminate by action of the Board of Trustees or by a vote of a majority
of the Funds outstanding voting securities (accompanied by appropriate notice), and the agreement
will terminate automatically upon assignment. The Investment Management Agreement may also be
terminated, at any time, without payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a
majority of outstanding voting securities, in the event that it is established by a court of
competent jurisdiction that the Investment Adviser or any principal, officer or employee of the
Investment Adviser has taken any action that results in a breach of the covenants of the Investment
Adviser set out in the Investment Management Agreement. The Investment Management Agreement will
provide that the Investment Adviser will not be liable for any loss sustained by reason of the
purchase, sale or retention of any security, whether or not such purchase, sale or retention will
have been based upon the investigation and research made by any other individual, firm or
corporation, if such recommendation will have been selected with due care and in good faith, except
loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the
Investment Adviser in performance of its obligations and duties, or by reason of its reckless
disregard of its obligations and duties under the Investment Management Agreement.
Although the Investment Adviser intends to devote such time and effort to the business of the
Fund as is reasonably necessary to perform its duties to the Fund, the services of the Investment
Adviser are not exclusive, and the Investment Adviser provides similar services to other clients
and may engage in other activities.
56
Portfolio Manager
Jerry
V. Swank (the portfolio manager) is primarily
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio. The following section discusses
the accounts managed by the portfolio manager, the structure and
method of his compensation and
potential conflicts of interest. This information is shown as of
November 30, 2008.
Other
Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Manager. The following table reflects information
regarding accounts for which the
portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities (other than the Fund). Accounts
are grouped into three categories: (a) registered investment companies, (b) other pooled investment
accounts, and (c) other accounts. To the extent that any of these accounts pay advisory fees that
are based on account performance, this information will be reflected in a separate table below.
Asset amounts are approximate and have been rounded.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered Investment |
|
|
|
|
Companies (excluding |
|
Other Pooled |
|
|
the Fund) |
|
Investment Vehicles |
|
Other Accounts |
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
Number |
|
Assets in |
|
Number |
|
Assets in |
|
Number |
|
Assets in |
of |
|
the |
|
of |
|
the |
|
of |
|
the |
Accounts |
|
Accounts |
|
Accounts |
|
Accounts |
|
Accounts |
|
Accounts |
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
$ |
435,000,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Other
Accounts That Pay Performance-Based Advisory Fees Managed by the Portfolio Manager. The
following table reflects information regarding accounts for which the
portfolio manager has
day-to-day management responsibilities (other than the Fund) and with respect to which the advisory
fee is based on account performance. Asset amounts are approximate and have been rounded.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered Investment |
|
|
|
|
Companies (excluding |
|
Other Pooled |
|
|
the Fund) |
|
Investment Vehicles |
|
Other Accounts |
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
Number |
|
Assets in |
|
Number |
|
Assets in |
|
Number |
|
Assets in |
of |
|
the |
|
of |
|
the |
|
of |
|
the |
Accounts |
|
Accounts |
|
Accounts |
|
Accounts |
|
Accounts |
|
Accounts |
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
$ |
435,000,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Compensation
and Potential Conflicts of Interest. Mr. Swank is compensated by
the Investment Adviser. Mr. Swank is a principal of the Investment Adviser and is compensated
through partnership distributions that are based primarily on the profits and losses of the
Investment Adviser. The partnership distributions are affected by the amount of assets the
Investment Adviser manages and the appreciation of those assets, particularly over the long-term,
but are not determined with specific reference to any particular performance benchmark or time
period. Some of
the other accounts managed by Mr. Swank, including the Affiliated Funds, have
investment strategies that are similar to the Funds investment strategy. However, the Investment
Adviser manages potential material conflicts of interest by allocating investment opportunities in
accordance with its allocation policies and procedures.
57
Ownership of Securities
As
of December 31, 2008, the Trustees and portfolio manager of the Fund owned common shares
of the Fund in the following amounts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of |
|
|
|
|
Equity Securities in All Funds |
|
|
Dollar Range of |
|
Overseen by Trustees in |
|
|
Equity |
|
Family of |
Name of Trustee or |
|
Securities |
|
Registered Investment |
Portfolio Manager |
|
in the Fund |
|
Companies(1) |
Brian R. Bruce
|
|
None.
|
|
N/A |
Ronald P. Trout
|
|
$1 $10,000
|
|
N/A |
Edward N. McMillan
|
|
$10,001 $50,000
|
|
N/A |
Jerry V. Swank(2)
|
|
$10,001 $50,000
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
1 |
|
No other registered investment companies share the same investment adviser or principal
underwriter as the Fund and hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of
investment and investor services. |
|
2 |
|
Portfolio manager of the Fund. |
As
of December 31, 2008, the Trustees and officers of the Fund as a group owned less than 1% of
the outstanding common shares of the Fund. There are no control persons of the Fund.
Administrator
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services LLC, the Administrator, which is located at 615 East Michigan
Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202, serves as the Funds administrator pursuant to a fund administration
servicing agreement. Pursuant to this agreement, the Administrator provides the Fund with, among
other things, compliance oversight, financial reporting oversight and tax reporting. The Fund pays
the Administrator a monthly fee computed at an annual rate of 0.08% of the first $100 million of
Managed Assets, 0.05% on the next $200 million of Managed Assets and 0.04% on the balance of
Managed Assets, subject to a minimum annual fee of $45,000. The Fund will also pay for the
Administrators out-of-pocket expenses. The Administrator also serves as fund accountant pursuant
to a
fund accounting servicing agreement.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
Subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees, the Investment Adviser is responsible for
decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund, the negotiation of the commissions to be paid on
brokerage transactions, the prices for principal trades in securities, and the allocation of
portfolio brokerage and principal business. It is the policy of the Investment Adviser to seek the
best execution at the best security price available with respect to each transaction in light of
the overall quality of brokerage and research services provided to the Investment Adviser. In
selecting broker/dealers and in negotiating commissions, the Investment Adviser will consider,
among other things, the firms reliability, the quality of its execution services on a continuing
basis and its financial condition.
Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), permits an
investment adviser, under certain circumstances, to cause an account to pay a broker or dealer who
supplies brokerage and research services a commission for effecting a transaction in excess of the
amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting the transaction.
Brokerage and research services include (a) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the
advisability of investing, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or
purchasers or sellers of securities; (b) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers,
industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of
accounts; and (c) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental to those
transactions (such as clearance, settlement, and custody).
In light of the above, in selecting brokers, the Investment Adviser may consider investment
and market information and other research, such as economic, securities and performance measurement
research, provided by such brokers, and the quality and
58
reliability of brokerage services,
including execution capability, performance, and financial responsibility. Accordingly, the
commissions charged by any such broker may be greater than the amount another firm might charge if
the Investment Adviser determines in good faith that the amount of such commissions is reasonable
in relation to the value of the research information and brokerage services provided by such broker
to the Investment Adviser or to the Fund. The Investment Adviser believes that the research
information received in this manner provides the Fund with benefits by supplementing the research
otherwise available to the Investment Adviser.
The Investment Adviser seeks to allocate portfolio transactions equitably whenever concurrent
decisions are made to purchase or sell securities on behalf of the Fund and another advisory
account. In some cases, this procedure could have an adverse effect on the price or the amount of
securities available to the Fund. In making such allocations between the Fund and other advisory
accounts, the main factors considered by the Investment Adviser are the investment objective, the
relative size of portfolio holding of the same or comparable securities, the availability of cash
for investment and the size of investment commitments generally held, and the views of the persons
responsible for recommending investments to the Fund and such other accounts and funds.
NET ASSET VALUE
The Fund will determine the net asset value of its common shares as of the close of regular
session trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. eastern time) no less frequently
than weekly on Wednesday of each week and the last business day in each of November and May. The
Fund calculates net asset value per common share by subtracting liabilities (including accrued
expenses or dividends) from the total assets of the Fund (the value of the securities plus
cash or other assets, including interest accrued but not yet received) and dividing the result by
the total number of outstanding common shares of the Fund. The Fund will rely to some extent on
information provided by the MLPs, which is not necessarily timely, to estimate taxable income
allocable to the MLP units held in the Funds portfolio and to estimate the associated deferred tax
liability. From time to time the Fund will modify its estimates and/or assumptions regarding its
deferred tax liability as new information becomes available. To the extent the Fund modifies its
estimates and/or assumptions, the net asset value of the Fund would likely fluctuate.
Valuations
The Fund will use the following valuation methods to determine either current market value for
investments for which market quotations are available, or if not available, the fair value, as
determined in good faith pursuant to such policies and procedures as may be approved by the Board
of Trustees from time to time. The valuation of the portfolio securities of the Fund currently
includes the following processes:
(i) The market value of each security listed or traded on any recognized securities exchange
or automated quotation system will be the last reported sale price at the relevant valuation date
on the composite tape or on the principal exchange on which such
security is traded. If no sale is reported on that date, the Investment Adviser utilizes,
when available, pricing quotations from principal market makers. Such quotations may be obtained
from third-party pricing services or directly from investment brokers and dealers in the
secondary market. Generally, the Funds loan and bond positions are not traded on exchanges and
consequently are valued based on market prices received from third-party pricing services or
broker-dealer sources.
(ii) Dividends declared but not yet received, and rights in respect of securities which are
quoted ex-dividend or ex-rights, will be recorded at the fair value of those dividends or rights,
as determined by the Investment Adviser, which may (but need not) be the value so determined on
the day such securities are first quoted ex-dividend or ex-rights.
(iii) Listed options, or over-the-counter options for which representative brokers
quotations are available, will be valued in the same manner as listed or over-the-counter
securities. Premiums for the sale of such options written by the Fund will be included in the
assets of the Fund, and the market value of such options will be included as a liability.
(iv) The Funds non-marketable investments will generally be valued in such manner as the
Investment Adviser determines in good faith to reflect their fair values under procedures
established by, and under the general supervision and responsibility of, the Board of Trustees.
The pricing of all assets that are fair valued in this manner will be subsequently reported to
and ratified by the Board of Trustees.
When determining the fair value of an asset, the Investment Adviser will seek to determine the
price that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive from the current sale of that asset in an
arms length transaction. Fair value determinations will be based upon all available factors that
the Investment Adviser deems relevant.
59
DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund intends to make regular quarterly cash distributions of all or a portion of its
income to its common shareholders. The Fund may pay capital gain distributions annually, if
available.
The Fund anticipates that, due to the tax characterization of cash distributions made by MLPs,
a significant portion of the Funds distributions to common shareholders will consist of
tax-advantaged return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, a distribution
will constitute a return of capital to a common shareholder, rather than a dividend, to the extent
such distribution exceeds the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits. The portion of
any distribution treated as a return of capital will not be subject to tax currently, but will
result in a corresponding reduction in a shareholders basis in our common shares and in the
shareholders recognizing more gain or less loss (that is, will result in an increase of a
shareholders tax liability) when the shareholder later sells or exchanges our common shares.
Dividends in excess of a shareholders adjusted tax basis in its shares are generally treated as
capital gains. To permit it to maintain a more stable quarterly distribution rate, the Fund may
distribute less or more than the entire amount of cash it receives from its investments in a
particular period. Any undistributed cash would be available to supplement future distributions,
and until distributed would add to the Funds net asset value. Correspondingly, such amounts, once
distributed, will be deducted from the Funds net asset value. Shareholders will automatically have
all distributions reinvested in common shares issued by the Fund or common shares of the Fund
purchased on the open market in accordance with the Funds dividend reinvestment plan
unless an election is made to receive cash. Common shareholders who receive dividends in the
form of additional common shares will be subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax
consequences as common shareholders who elect to receive their dividends in cash. See Dividend
Reinvestment Plan.
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
Unless the registered owner of common shares elects to receive cash by contacting the Plan
Agent, all dividends declared for your common shares of the Fund will be automatically reinvested
by Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and/or Computershare Inc. (together, the Plan Agent), agent
for shareholders in administering the Funds Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the Plan), in additional
common shares of the Fund. If a registered owner of common shares elects not to participate in the
Plan, you will receive all dividends in cash paid by check mailed directly to you (or, if the
shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee) by the Plan Agent, as
dividend disbursing agent. You may elect not to participate in the Plan and to receive all
dividends in cash by sending written instructions or by contacting the Plan Agent, as dividend
disbursing agent, at the address set out below. Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary
and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by contacting the Plan Agent before
the dividend record date; otherwise such termination or resumption will be effective with respect
to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution. Some brokers may automatically elect
to receive cash on your behalf and may reinvest that cash in additional
common shares of the Fund for you.
The Plan Agent will open an account for each common shareholder under the Plan in the same
name in which such common shareholders common shares are registered. Whenever the Fund declares a
dividend or other distribution (for purposes of this section, together, a dividend) payable in
cash, non-participants in the Plan will receive cash and participants in the Plan will receive the
equivalent in common shares. The common shares will be acquired by the Plan Agent for the
participants accounts, depending upon the circumstances described below, either (i) through
receipt of additional unissued but authorized common shares from the Fund (newly-issued common
shares) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding common shares on the open market (open-market
purchases) on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere.
If, on the payment date for any dividend, the market price per common share plus estimated
brokerage commissions is greater than the net asset value per common share (such condition being
referred to in this Prospectus as market premium), the Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount
in newly-issued common shares, including fractions, on behalf of the participants. The number of
newly-issued common shares to be credited to each participants account will be determined by
dividing the dollar amount of the dividend by the net asset value per common share on the payment
date; provided that, if the net asset value per common share is less than 95% of the market price
per common share on the payment date, the dollar amount of the dividend will be divided by 95% of
the market price per common share on the payment date.
If, on the payment date for any dividend, the net asset value per common share is greater than
the market value per common share plus estimated brokerage commissions (such condition being
referred to in this Prospectus as market discount), the Plan Agent will invest the dividend
amount in common shares acquired on behalf of the participants in open-market purchases.
60
In the event of a market discount on the payment date for any dividend, the Plan Agent will
have until the last business day before the next date on which the common shares trade on an
ex-dividend basis or 120 days after the payment date for such dividend, whichever is sooner (the
last purchase date), to invest the dividend amount in common shares acquired in open-market
purchases. It is contemplated that the Fund will pay quarterly dividends. Therefore, the period
during which open-market purchases can be made will exist only from the payment date of each
dividend through the date before the ex-dividend date of the third month of the quarter. If,
before the Plan Agent has completed its open-market purchases, the market price of a common share
exceeds the net asset value per common share, the average per common share purchase price paid by
the Plan Agent may exceed the net asset value of the common shares, resulting in the acquisition of
fewer common shares than if the dividend had been paid in newly-issued common shares on the
dividend payment date. Because of the foregoing difficulty with respect to open market purchases,
if the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full dividend amount in open market purchases during the
purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period,
the Plan Agent may cease making open-market purchases and may invest the uninvested portion of the
dividend amount in newly-issued common shares at the net asset value per common share at the close
of business on the last purchase date; provided that, if the net asset value per common share is
less than 95% of the market price per common share on the payment date, the dollar amount of the
dividend will be divided by 95% of the market price per common share on the payment date.
The Plan Agent maintains all shareholders accounts in the Plan and furnishes written
confirmation of all transactions in the accounts, including information needed by shareholders for
tax records. Common shares in the account of each Plan participant will
be held by the Plan Agent on behalf of the Plan participant, and each shareholder proxy will
include those shares purchased or received pursuant to the Plan. The Plan Agent will forward all
proxy solicitation materials to participants and vote proxies for shares held under the Plan in
accordance with the instructions of the participants.
In the case of shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees which hold shares for others
who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number
of common shares certified from time to time by the record shareholders name and held for the
account of beneficial owners who participate in the Plan.
There will be no brokerage charges with respect to common shares issued directly by the Fund.
However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred in connection
with open-market purchases. The automatic reinvestment of dividends will not relieve participants
of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such
dividends. Accordingly, any taxable dividend received by a participant that is reinvested in
additional common shares will be subject to federal (and possibly state and local) income tax even
though such participant will not receive a corresponding amount of cash with which to pay such
taxes. See Tax Matters. Participants who request a sale of shares through the Plan Agent are
subject to a $15.00 sales fee and pay a brokerage commission of $0.12 per share sold.
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan. There is no direct service charge
to participants in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a
service charge payable by the participants.
For more information about the plan you may contact the Plan Agent in writing at PO Box 43078,
Providence, RI 02940-3078, or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-800-662-7232.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
Common Shares
The Fund is a statutory trust organized under the laws of Delaware pursuant to a Declaration
of Trust dated as of May 23, 2007. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common
shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share. The number of common shares outstanding
as of November 30, 2008 was 9,483,351. Each common share has one vote and, when issued and paid for
in accordance with the terms of this offering, will be fully paid and non-assessable, except that
the Board of Trustees will have the power to cause shareholders to pay expenses of the Fund by
setting off charges due from shareholders from declared but unpaid distributions owed the
shareholders and/or by reducing the number of common shares owned by each respective shareholder.
The Fund currently is not aware of any expenses that will be paid pursuant to this provision,
except to the extent fees payable under its Dividend Reinvestment Plan are deemed to be paid
pursuant to this provision.
The Fund intends to hold annual meetings of shareholders so long as the common shares are
listed on a national securities exchange and such meetings are required as a condition to such
listing. All common shares are equal as to distributions, assets and voting
61
privileges and have no
conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights. The Fund will send annual and semi-annual
reports, including financial statements, to all holders of its shares.
The Fund has no present intention of offering any additional shares and common shares issued
under the Funds Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Any additional offerings of shares will require
approval by the Board of Trustees. Any additional offering of common shares will be subject to the
requirements of the 1940 Act, which provides that shares may not be issued at a price below the
then current net asset value, except in connection with an offering to existing holders of common
shares or with the consent of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting securities.
The Funds common shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol SRV. Net asset value will
be reduced immediately following the offering of common shares by the amount of the offering costs
paid by the Fund. See Summary of Fund Expenses.
Unlike open-end funds, closed-end funds like the Fund do not continuously offer shares and do
not provide daily redemptions. Rather, if a shareholder determines to buy additional common shares
or sell shares already held, the shareholder may do so by trading through a broker on the NYSE or
otherwise. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade on an exchange at prices lower than net
asset value. Because the market value of the common shares may be influenced by such factors as
distribution levels (which are in turn affected by expenses), distribution stability, net asset
value, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, general market and economic
conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Fund, the Fund cannot assure you that common
shares will trade at a price equal to or higher than net asset value in the future. The common
shares are designed primarily for long-term
investors and you should not purchase the common shares if you intend to sell them soon after
purchase. See Price Range of Common Shares.
The
following information regarding the Funds authorized shares is
as of November 30, 2008.
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Amount Outstanding |
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Amount |
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Amount Held by Fund or for its |
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Exclusive of Amount held by |
Title of Class |
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Authorized |
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Account |
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Fund |
Common Stock
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Unlimited |
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None |
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9,483,352 |
Preferred Shares
The Funds Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust) provides that the Board of Trustees may authorize and issue preferred shares
with rights as determined by the Board of Trustees, by action of the Board of Trustees without the
approval of the holders of the common shares. Holders of common shares have no preemptive right to
purchase any preferred shares that might be issued pursuant to such provision. Whenever preferred
shares are outstanding, the holders of common shares will not be entitled to receive any
distributions from the Fund unless all accrued distributions on preferred shares have been paid,
unless asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to preferred shares would be at
least 200% after giving effect to the distributions and unless certain other requirements imposed
by any rating agencies rating the preferred shares have been met. As of the date of this
Prospectus, the Fund has not issued any preferred shares, and the Board of Trustees has no present
intention to issue preferred shares.
Liquidation Preference. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution
or winding up of the Fund, the holders of preferred shares will be entitled to receive a
preferential liquidating distribution, which is expected to equal the original purchase price per
preferred share plus accrued and unpaid distributions, whether or not declared, before any
distribution of assets is made to holders of common shares. After payment of the full amount of the
liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of preferred shares will not be
entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund.
Voting Rights. The 1940 Act requires that the holders of any preferred shares, voting
separately as a single class, have the right to elect at least two trustees at all times. The
remaining trustees will be elected by holders of common shares and preferred shares, voting
together as a single class. In addition, subject to the prior rights, if any, of the holders of any
other class of senior securities outstanding, the holders of any preferred shares have the right to
elect a majority of the trustees of the Fund at any time two years of distributions on any
preferred shares are unpaid. The 1940 Act also requires that, in addition to any approval by
shareholders that
62
might otherwise be required, the approval of the holders of a majority of any
outstanding preferred shares, voting separately as a class, would be required to (i) adopt any plan
of reorganization that would adversely affect the preferred shares, and (ii) take any action
requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, including, among other
things, changes in the Funds subclassification as a closed-end fund or changes in its fundamental
investment restrictions. As a result of these voting rights, the Funds ability to take any such
actions may be impeded to the extent that there are any preferred shares outstanding. The Board of
Trustees presently intends that, except as otherwise indicated in this Prospectus and except as
otherwise required by applicable law, holders of preferred shares will have equal voting rights
with holders of common shares (one vote per share, unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act) and
will vote together with holders of common shares as a single class.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding preferred shares, voting
as a separate class, will be required to amend, alter or repeal any of the preferences, rights or
powers of holders of preferred shares so as to affect materially and adversely such preferences,
rights or powers, or to increase or decrease the authorized number of preferred shares. The class
vote of holders of preferred shares described above will in each case be in addition to any other
vote required to authorize the action in question.
Redemption, Purchase and Sale of preferred shares by the Fund. The terms of the preferred
shares are expected to provide that (i) they are redeemable by the Fund in whole or in part at the
original purchase price per share plus accrued distributions per share, (ii) the Fund may tender
for or purchase preferred shares and (iii) the Fund may subsequently resell any shares so tendered
for or purchased. Any redemption or purchase of preferred shares by the Fund will reduce the
leverage applicable to the common shares, while any resale of shares by the Fund will increase that
leverage.
The discussion above describes the possible offering of preferred shares by the Fund. If the
Board of Trustees determines to proceed with such an offering, the terms of the preferred shares
may be the same as, or different from, the terms described above, subject to applicable law and the
Agreement and Declaration of Trust. The Board of Trustees, without the approval of the holders of
common shares, may authorize an offering of preferred shares or may determine not to authorize such
an offering and may fix the terms of the preferred shares to be offered.
Other Shares
The Board of Trustees (subject to applicable law and the Agreement and Declaration of Trust)
may authorize an offering, without the approval of the holders of either common shares or preferred
shares, of other classes of shares, or other classes or series of shares, as they determine to be
necessary, desirable or appropriate, having such terms, rights, preferences, privileges,
limitations and restrictions as the Board of Trustees see fit. The Fund currently does not expect
to issue any other classes of shares, or series of shares, except for the common shares.
63
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES
The following table sets forth for the quarters indicated, the high and low sale prices on the
NYSE per share of our common shares and the net asset value and the premium or discount from net
asset value per share at which the common shares were trading, expressed as a percentage of net
asset value, at each of the high and low sale prices provided.
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Corresponding |
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Corresponding |
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Net Asset Value |
|
Premium or Discount |
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|
Market Price |
|
(NAV) Per Share |
|
as a % of NAV |
Quarter Ended |
|
High |
|
Low |
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High |
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Low |
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High |
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Low |
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Fiscal
Year Ended |
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November 30, 2008 |
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First Fiscal Quarter |
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$ |
17.65 |
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|
$ |
15.00 |
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$ |
18.00 |
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$ |
17.88 |
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(1.94 |
)% |
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(16.11 |
)% |
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Second Fiscal Quarter |
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$ |
17.98 |
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|
$ |
15.49 |
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$ |
17.25 |
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$ |
17.34 |
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|
4.23 |
% |
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(10.67 |
)% |
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|
Third Fiscal Quarter |
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$ |
17.96 |
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|
$ |
15.94 |
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|
$ |
17.40 |
|
|
$ |
16.80 |
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|
|
3.22 |
% |
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(5.12 |
)% |
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|
Fourth
Fiscal Quarter |
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$ |
17.02 |
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$ |
8.34 |
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$ |
15.58 |
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$ |
10.23 |
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|
9.24 |
% |
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(18.48 |
)% |
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Fiscal Year Ended |
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November 30, 2007 |
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|
Fourth
Fiscal Quarter (period |
|
$ |
19.79 |
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|
$ |
15.55 |
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$ |
19.18 |
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|
$ |
18.53 |
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|
3.18 |
% |
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|
(16.08 |
)% |
from
August 27,
2007(1)
to November 30,
2007) |
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(1) |
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Commencement of operations. |
On
January 14, 2009, the
last reported price for our common shares was $5.31 per share and the NAV
of the Funds common shares was $4.31 per share. The Fund cannot determine the reasons why the
Funds shares trade at a premium to or discount from NAV, nor can the Fund predict whether its
shares will trade in the future at a premium to or discount from NAV, or the level of any premium
or discount. Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount from NAV.
The Funds common shares have in the past traded below their NAV.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell our common 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 common 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 common 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 common share must equal or exceed the NAV per share,
exclusive of any underwriting commissions or discounts, of our common shares.
We may sell our common shares directly to, and solicit offers from, institutional investors or
others who may be deemed to be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act for any resale of the
securities. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may use electronic
media, including the Internet, to sell offered securities directly.
64
In connection with the sale of our common shares, underwriters or agents may receive
compensation from us in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell
our common 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 common shares may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act, and
any discounts and commissions they receive from us and any profit realized by them on the resale of
our common shares may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities
Act. Any such underwriter or agent will be identified and any such compensation received from us
will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
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 a predetermined number of days from the date of the Prospectus Supplement, to cover any
overallotments.
To facilitate an offering of common shares in an underwritten transaction and in accordance
with industry practice, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain, or
otherwise affect the market price of the common shares. Those transactions may include
overallotment, entering stabilizing bids, effecting syndicate covering transactions, and reclaiming
selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer.
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|
An overallotment in connection with an offering creates a short position in the
common shares for the underwriters own account. |
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|
An underwriter may place a stabilizing bid to purchase the common shares for the
purpose of pegging, fixing, or maintaining the price of the shares. |
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|
Underwriters may engage in syndicate covering transactions to cover overallotments or
to stabilize the price of the common shares subject to the offering by bidding for, and
purchasing, the shares or any other securities in the open market in order to reduce a
short position created in connection with the offering. |
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|
The managing underwriter may impose a penalty bid on a syndicate member to reclaim a
selling concession in connection with an offering when the common shares originally sold
by the syndicate member are purchased in syndicate covering transactions or otherwise. |
Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above
independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and
may end any of these activities at any time.
Any underwriters to whom the offered securities are sold for offering and sale may make a
market in the offered securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may
discontinue any market-making at any time without notice.
Common shares sold pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement will likely be listed on the NYSE. We
cannot assure you that there will be a liquid trading market for the common shares offered.
Under agreements into which we may enter, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in
the distribution of our common shares may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities 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 common 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
common 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.
65
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.
The 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
common shares for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Such allocations of common
shares for Internet distributions will be made on the same basis as other allocations. In
addition, common shares 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 common
shares offered hereby will be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed
brokers or dealers.
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS IN THE AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust includes provisions that could have the effect of
limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to change the
composition of its Board of Trustees. This could have the effect of depriving shareholders of an
opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third
party from seeking to obtain control over the Fund. Such attempts could have the effect of
increasing the expenses of the Fund and disrupting the normal operation of the Fund. The Board of
Trustees is divided into three classes, with the terms of one class expiring at each annual meeting
of shareholders. At each annual meeting, one class of Trustees is elected to a three-year term.
This provision could delay for up to two years the replacement of a majority of the Board of
Trustees. A Trustee may be removed from office (with or without cause) by the action of a majority
of the remaining Trustees followed by a vote of the holders of at least 75% of the shares then
entitled to vote for the election of the respective Trustee.
In addition, the Agreement and Declaration of Trust requires the favorable vote of a majority
of the Funds Board of Trustees followed by the favorable vote of the holders of at least 75% of
the outstanding shares of each affected class or series of the Fund, voting separately as a class
or series, to approve, adopt or authorize certain transactions with 5% or greater holders of a
class or series of shares and their associates, unless the transaction has been approved by at
least 75% of the Trustees, in which case a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund will be required. For purposes of these provisions, a 5% or
greater holder of a class or series of shares (a Principal Shareholder) refers to any person who,
whether directly or indirectly and whether alone or together with its affiliates and associates,
beneficially owns 5% or more of the outstanding shares of all outstanding classes or series of
shares of beneficial interest of the Fund.
The 5% holder transactions subject to these special approval requirements are: the merger or
consolidation of the Fund or any subsidiary of the Fund with or into any Principal Shareholder; the
issuance of any securities of the Fund to any Principal Shareholder for cash, except pursuant to
any automatic dividend reinvestment plan; the sale, lease or exchange of any assets of the Fund to
any Principal Shareholder, except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than
$1,000,000, aggregating for the purpose of such computation all assets sold, leased or exchanged in
any series of similar transactions within a twelve-month period; or the sale, lease or exchange to
the Fund or any subsidiary of the Fund, in exchange for securities of the Fund, of any assets of
any Principal Shareholder, except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than
$1,000,000, aggregating for purposes of such computation all assets sold, leased or exchanged in
any series of similar transactions within a twelve-month period.
To convert the Fund to an open-end investment company, the Agreement and Declaration of Trust
requires the favorable vote of a majority of the board of the Trustees followed by the favorable
vote of the holders of at least 75% of the outstanding shares of each affected class or series of
shares of the Fund, voting separately as a class or series, unless such amendment has been approved
by 75% of the Trustees, in which case a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined
in the 1940 Act) of the Fund will be required. The foregoing vote would satisfy a separate
requirement in the 1940 Act that any conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company be
approved by the shareholders. If approved in the foregoing manner, conversion of the Fund to an
open-end investment company could not occur until 90 days after the shareholders meeting at which
such conversion was approved and would also require at least 30 days prior notice to all
shareholders. Following any such conversion, it is possible that certain of the Funds investment
policies and strategies would have to be modified to assure sufficient portfolio liquidity. In the
event of conversion, the common shares would cease to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange or
other national securities exchanges or market systems. Shareholders of an open-end investment
company may require the company to redeem their shares at any time, except in certain circumstances
as authorized by or under the 1940 Act, at their net asset value, less such redemption charge, if
any, as might be in
66
effect at the time of a redemption. The Fund expects to pay all such redemption requests in
cash, but reserves the right to pay redemption requests in a combination of cash or securities. If
such partial payment in securities were made, investors may incur brokerage costs in converting
such securities to cash. If the Fund were converted to an open-end fund, it is likely that new
shares would be sold at net asset value plus a sales load. The Board of Trustees believes, however,
that the closed-end structure is desirable in light of the Funds investment objective and its
policies and strategies. Therefore, you should assume that it is not likely that the Board of
Trustees would vote to convert the Fund to an open-end fund.
For the purposes of calculating a majority of the outstanding voting securities under the
Agreement and Declaration of Trust, each class and series of the Fund will vote together as a
single class, except to the extent required by the 1940 Act or the Agreement and Declaration of
Trust, with respect to any class or series of shares. If a separate class vote is required, the
applicable proportion of shares of the class or series, voting as a separate class or series, also
will be required.
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust also provides that the Fund may be dissolved and
terminated upon the approval of 75% of the Trustees.
The Board of Trustees has determined that provisions with respect to the Board of Trustees and
the shareholder voting requirements described above, which voting requirements are greater than the
minimum requirements under Delaware law or the 1940 Act, are in the best interest of shareholders
generally. Reference should be made to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, on file with the
Commission for the full text of these provisions.
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF DELAWARE LAW, THE AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST AND BYLAWS
Classified Board of Trustees. The Funds Board of Trustees is divided into three classes of
trustees serving staggered three-year terms. Upon expiration of their current terms, Trustees of
each class will be elected to serve for three-year terms and until their successors are duly
elected and qualify and each year one class of Trustees will be elected by the shareholders.
Trustees of Classes I, II and III will expire in 2011, 2009 and 2010, respectively. A classified
board may render a change in control of the Fund or removal of the Funds incumbent management more
difficult. The Fund believes, however, that the longer time required to elect a majority of a
classified Board of Trustees will help to ensure the continuity and stability of its management and
policies.
Election of Trustees. The Funds Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that the
affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the outstanding shares entitled to vote in the
election of Trustees will be required to elect a Trustee.
Number of Trustees; Vacancies; Removal. The Funds Agreement and Declaration of Trust
provides that the number of Trustees will be set by the Board of Trustees. The Funds Agreement and
Declaration of Trust provides that a majority of the Funds Trustees then in office may at any time
increase or decrease the number of Trustees provided there will be at least one Trustee. As soon as
any such Trustee has accepted his appointment in writing, the trust estate will vest in the new
Trustee, together with the continuing Trustees, without any further act or conveyance, and he will
be deemed a Trustee thereunder. The Trustees power of appointment is subject to Section 16(a) of
the 1940 Act. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Trustees will occur, until such vacancy is filled
as provided, the Trustees in office, regardless of their number, will have all the powers granted
to the Trustees and will discharge all the duties imposed upon the Trustees by the Declaration.
Action by Shareholders. Shareholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting
of shareholders or by written consent in lieu of a meeting.
Advance Notice Provisions for Shareholder Nominations and Shareholder Proposals. The Funds
Bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of shareholders, nominations of persons for
election to the Board of Trustees and the proposal of business to be considered by shareholders may
be made only (1) pursuant to the Funds notice of the meeting, (2) by the Board of Trustees or
(3) by a shareholder of record both at the time of giving of notice and at the time of the annual
meeting who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice
procedures of the Bylaws. With respect to special meetings of shareholders, only the business
specified in the Funds notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of
persons for election to the Board of Trustees at a special meeting may be made only (1) pursuant to
the Funds notice of the meeting, (2) by the Board of Trustees or (3) provided that the Board of
Trustees has determined that Trustees will be elected at the meeting, by a shareholder of record
both at the time of giving of notice and at the time of the annual meeting who is entitled to vote
at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of the Bylaws.
Calling of Special Meetings of Shareholders. The Funds Bylaws provide that special meetings
of shareholders may be called at
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any time by the Chairman, the President or the Trustees. By following certain procedures, a
special meeting of shareholders will also be called by the Secretary of the Trust upon the written
request of the Shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to
be cast at such meeting.
CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE
Closed-end funds differ from open-end management investment companies (commonly referred to as
mutual funds). Closed-end funds generally list their shares for trading on a securities exchange
and do not redeem their shares at the option of the shareholder. In contrast, mutual funds issue
securities redeemable at net asset value at the option of the shareholder and typically engage in a
continuous offering of their shares. Although mutual funds are subject to continuous asset in-flows
and out-flows that can complicate portfolio management, closed-end funds generally can stay more
fully invested in securities consistent with the closed-end funds investment objective and
policies. Accordingly, closed-end funds have greater flexibility than open-end funds to make
certain types of investments, including investments in illiquid securities.
Shares of closed-end funds listed for trading on a securities exchange frequently trade at
discounts to their net asset value, but in some cases trade at a premium. The market price may be
affected by net asset value, dividend or distribution levels (which are dependent, in part, on
expenses), supply of and demand for the shares, stability of dividends or distributions, trading
volume of the shares, general market and economic conditions and other factors beyond the control
of the closed-end fund. The foregoing factors may result in the market price of the Funds common
shares being greater than, less than or equal to net asset value. The Board of Trustees has
reviewed the Funds structure in light of its investment objective and policies and has determined
that the closed-end structure is in the best interests of the Funds shareholders. However, the
Board of Trustees may periodically review the trading range and activity of the Funds shares with
respect to their net asset value and may take certain actions to seek to reduce or eliminate any
such discount. Such actions may include open market repurchases or tender offers for the Funds
common shares at net asset value or the Funds possible conversion to an open-end mutual fund.
There can be no assurance that the Board of Trustees will decide to undertake any of these actions
or that, if undertaken, such actions would result in the Funds common shares trading at a price
equal to or close to net asset value per share of its common shares. Based on the determination of
the Board of Trustees in connection with this initial offering of the Funds common shares that the
closed-end structure is desirable in light of the Funds investment objective and policies, it is
highly unlikely that the Board of Trustees would vote to convert the Fund to an open-end investment
company.
Delaware trust law provides that any proposal for the Funds conversion from a closed-end fund
to an open-end investment company requires the approval of its Board of Trustees and the
shareholders entitled to cast at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter.
However, if such proposal is also approved by at least 80% of the Funds continuing Trustees (in
addition to the approval by the Funds Board of Trustees), such proposal may be approved by a
majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. See Description of Shares for a
discussion of voting requirements applicable to the Funds conversion to an open-end investment
company. If the Fund converted to an open-end investment company, it would be required to redeem
all preferred shares then outstanding (requiring in turn that it liquidate a portion of its
investment portfolio) and its common shares would not be eligible to be listed on the NYSE.
Conversion to open-end status could also require the Fund to modify certain investment restrictions
and policies. Shareholders of an open-end investment company may require the investment company to
redeem their shares at any time (except in certain circumstances as authorized by or permitted
under the 1940 Act) at their net asset value, less such redemption charge, if any, as might be in
effect at the time of redemption. In order to avoid maintaining large cash positions or liquidating
favorable investments to meet redemptions, open-end investment companies typically engage in a
continuous offering of their shares. Open-end investment companies are thus subject to periodic
asset in-flows and out-flows that can complicate portfolio management. The Funds Board of Trustees
may at any time propose the Funds conversion to open-end status, depending upon its judgment
regarding the advisability of such action in light of circumstances then prevailing.
REPURCHASE OF COMMON SHARES
In recognition of the possibility that the Funds common shares might trade at a discount to
net asset value and that any such discount may not be in the interest of the Funds common
shareholders, the Board of Trustees, in consultation with the Investment Adviser, from time to time
may, but is not required to, review possible actions to reduce any such discount. The Board of
Trustees also may, but is not required to, consider from time to time open market repurchases of
and/or tender offers for the Funds common shares, as well as other potential actions, to seek to
reduce any market discount from net asset value that may develop. After any consideration of
potential actions to seek to reduce any significant market discount, the Board of Trustees may,
subject to its applicable duties and compliance with applicable U.S. state and federal laws,
authorize the commencement of a share-repurchase program or tender offer. The size and timing of
any such share repurchase program or tender offer will be determined by the Board of Trustees in
light of the market discount of the Funds common shares, trading volume of the Funds common
shares, information
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presented to the Board of Trustees regarding the potential impact of any such share repurchase
program or tender offer, general market and economic conditions and applicable law. There can be no
assurance that the Fund will in fact effect repurchases of or tender offers for any of its common
shares. The Fund may, subject to its investment limitation with respect to borrowings, incur debt
to finance such repurchases or a tender offer or for other valid purposes. Interest on any such
borrowings would increase the Funds expenses and reduce its net income.
There can be no assurance that repurchases of the Funds common shares or tender offers, if
any, will cause share of its common shares to trade at a price equal to or in excess of their net
asset value. Nevertheless, the possibility that a portion of the Funds outstanding common shares
may be the subject of repurchases or tender offers may reduce the spread between market price and
net asset value that might otherwise exist. Sellers may be less inclined to accept a significant
discount in the sale of their common shares if they have a reasonable expectation of being able to
receive a price of net asset value for a portion of their common shares in conjunction with an
announced repurchase program or tender offer for the Funds common shares.
Although the Board of Trustees believes that repurchases or tender offers generally would have
a favorable effect on the market price of the Funds common shares, the acquisition of common
shares by the Fund will decrease its total assets and therefore will have the effect of increasing
its expense ratio and decreasing the asset coverage with respect to any preferred shares
outstanding. Because of the nature of the Funds investment objective, policies and portfolio,
particularly its investment in illiquid or otherwise restricted securities, it is possible that
repurchases of common shares or tender offers could interfere with the Funds ability to manage its
investments in order to seek its investment objective. Further, it is possible that the Fund could
experience difficulty in borrowing money or be required to dispose of portfolio securities to
consummate repurchases of or tender offers for common shares.
TAX MATTERS
Tax matters are complicated, and the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences
of an investment in and holding of the Funds common shares will depend on the facts of each
investors situation. Investors are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the
specific tax consequences that may affect such investors.
The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations generally
applicable to U.S. Shareholders (as defined below) that acquire common shares pursuant to this
offering and that hold such shares as capital assets (generally, for investment). The discussion is
based upon the Code, Treasury Regulations, judicial authorities, published positions of the
Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) and other applicable authorities, all as in effect on the date
of this Prospectus and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations (possibly
with retroactive effect). This summary does not address all of the potential U.S. federal income
tax consequences that may be applicable to the Fund or to all categories of investors, some of
which may be subject to special tax rules. No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS
regarding any matter discussed in this Prospectus. Counsel to the Fund has not rendered any legal
opinion to the Fund regarding any tax consequences relating to the Fund or an investment in the
Fund. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain a
position contrary to any of the tax aspects set out below.
Prospective investors must consult their own tax advisors as to the U.S. federal income tax
consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of common shares, as well as the effects of state,
local and foreign tax laws.
For purposes of this summary, the term U.S. Shareholder means a beneficial owner of common
shares that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is one of the following:
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an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
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a corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation created in or organized under the
laws of the United States or any state of the United States; |
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an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of
its source; or |
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a trust (x) if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the
administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all
substantial decisions of such trust or (y) that has a valid election in effect under
applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
If a partnership holds shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in such
partnership generally will depend upon the
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status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partners of partnerships that
hold shares should consult their tax advisors.
The Fund
The Fund will be treated as a regular corporation, or C corporation, for U.S. federal income
tax purposes. Accordingly, the Fund generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its
taxable income at the graduated rates applicable to corporations (currently at a maximum rate of
35%). In addition, as a regular corporation, the Fund may be subject to state income tax by reason
of its investments in equity securities of MLPs. The Fund may be subject to alternative minimum tax
on its alternative minimum taxable income to the extent that the alternative minimum tax exceeds
the Funds regular income tax liability. The Funds payment of U.S. corporate income tax or
alternative minimum tax could materially reduce the amount of cash available for the Fund to make
distributions on the shares. In addition, distributions to shareholders of the Fund will be taxed
under federal income tax laws applicable to corporate distributions, and thus the Funds taxable
income will be subject to a double layer of taxation.
Certain Fund Investments
MLP Equity Securities. MLPs differ from corporations in the way they are treated for U.S.
federal income tax purposes. A corporation is required to pay U.S. federal income tax on its
income, and, to the extent the corporation makes distributions to its shareholders in the form of
dividends from earnings and profits, its shareholders are required to pay U.S. federal income tax
on such dividends. For this reason, it is said that corporate income is taxed at two levels. An MLP
is instead generally treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which means no
U.S. federal income tax is imposed at the partnership entity level. A partnerships items of
taxable income, gain, loss and deductions are generally allocated among all the partners in
proportion to their interests in the partnership. Each partner is required to include in income its
allocable shares of these tax items. Partnership income is thus said to be taxed only at one
level at the partner level.
The Code generally requires all publicly traded partnerships to be treated as corporations for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. If, however, a publicly traded partnership satisfies specific
requirements, the publicly traded partnership will be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. Such publicly traded partnerships are referred to in this Tax Matters
discussion as MLPs. Under these requirements, an MLP is required to derive at least 90% of its
gross income for each taxable year from specified sources of qualifying income, such as interest,
dividends, real estate rents, gain from the sale or disposition of real property, gains on sales of
certain capital assets, and in certain limited circumstances, income and gain from commodities or
futures, forwards and options with respect to commodities. Qualifying income also includes income
and gain from mineral or natural resources activities, including exploration, development,
production, mining, refining, certain marketing and transportation (including pipelines) of oil and
gas, minerals, fertilizer, geothermal energy, or timber. Most MLPs today are in natural resources,
timber or real estate related (including mortgage securities) businesses.
Although distributions from MLPs resemble corporate dividends, they are treated differently
for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A distribution from an MLP is treated as a tax-free return of
capital to the extent of the partners tax basis in its MLP interest and as gain from the sale or
exchange of the MLP interest to the extent the distribution exceeds the partners tax basis in its
MLP interest.
When the Fund invests in the equity securities of an MLP, the Fund will be a partner in such
MLP. Accordingly, the Fund will be required to include in its taxable income the Funds allocable
share of the income, gains, losses and deductions recognized by each such MLP, whether or not the
MLP distributes cash to the Fund. Based upon a review of the historic results of the type of MLPs
in which the Fund intends to invest, the Fund expects that the cash distributions it will receive
with respect its investments in equity securities of MLPs will exceed the taxable income allocated
to the Fund from such MLPs. No assurance, however, can be given in this regard. If this expectation
is not realized, the Fund will have a larger corporate income tax expense than expected, which will
result in less cash available to distribute to shareholders.
The Fund will recognize gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of an
equity security of an MLP equal to the difference between the amount realized by the Fund on the
sale, exchange or other taxable disposition and the Funds adjusted tax basis in such equity
security. Any such gain will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular graduated
corporate rates (currently at a maximum rate of 35%), regardless of how long the Fund has held such
equity security. The amount realized by the Fund generally will be the amount paid by the purchaser
of the equity security plus the portion of the Funds allocable share, if any, of the MLPs debt
that will be allocated to the purchaser as a result of the sale, exchange or other taxable
disposition. The Funds adjusted tax basis in its equity securities in an MLP is generally equal to
the amount the Fund paid for the equity securities, (x) increased by the Funds allocable share of
the MLPs net taxable income and the Funds allocable share of the MLPs debt, if any, and
(y) decreased by the Funds allocable share of the MLPs net losses, reductions in the Funds
allocable share of the MLPs debt, if any, and any
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distributions received by the Fund from the MLP. Although any distribution by an MLP to the
Fund in excess of the Funds allocable share of such MLPs net taxable income generally will not be
taxable to the extent the distribution does not exceed the Funds tax basis in the MLP, such
distribution will reduce the Funds tax basis and thus increase the amount of gain (or decrease the
amount of loss) that will be recognized on the sale of an equity security in the MLP by the Fund or
on a subsequent distribution by the MLP to the Fund.
The Funds allocable share of certain percentage-depletion deductions and intangible drilling
costs of the MLPs in which the Fund invests may be treated as items of tax preference for purposes
of calculating the Funds alternative minimum taxable income. Such items will increase the Funds
alternative minimum taxable income and increase the likelihood that the Fund may be subject to the
alternative minimum tax.
Other Investments. The Funds transactions in foreign currencies, forward contracts, options
and futures contracts (including options and futures contracts on foreign currencies), to the
extent permitted, will be subject to special provisions of the Code (including provisions relating
to hedging transactions and straddles) that, among other things, may affect the character of
gains and losses realized by the Fund (i.e., may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or
capital or short-term versus long-term), accelerate recognition of income to the Fund and defer
Fund losses. These provisions also (a) will require the Fund to mark-to-market certain types of the
positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out at the end of each year)
and (b) may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving a corresponding amount cash.
If the Fund invests in debt obligations having original issue discount, the Fund may recognize
taxable income from such investments in excess of any cash received from the investments.
Foreign Investments. Dividends or other income (including, in some cases, capital gains)
received by the Fund from investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to withholding and
other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United
States may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. Foreign taxes paid by the Fund will reduce
the return from the Funds investments. Shareholders will not be entitled to claim credits or
deductions on their own tax returns for foreign taxes paid by the Fund.
The Fund may invest in PFICs. As a result of an investment in a PFIC, the Fund may be subject
to additional taxes or, if it makes one of the elections described below, may be required to
recognize taxable income related to such investment prior to its receipt of the corresponding cash.
If the Fund were to invest in a PFIC and elect to treat the PFIC as a qualified electing
fund under the Code, the Fund would be required to include in income each year a portion of the
ordinary earnings and net capital gains of the qualified electing fund, even if not distributed to
the Fund. In order to make this election, the Fund would be required to obtain certain annual
information from the PFICs in which it invests, which may be difficult or impossible to obtain.
Alternatively, the Fund may make a mark-to-market election with respect to an interest in a
PFIC that is marketable stock as defined in the PFIC rules. This election will result in the
Funds being treated as if it had sold and repurchased its PFIC stock at the end of each year. In
such case, the Fund would report any such gains as ordinary income and would deduct any such losses
as ordinary losses to the extent of previously recognized gains. The election must be made
separately for each PFIC owned by the Fund and, once made, would be effective for all subsequent
taxable years, unless revoked with the consent of IRS.
U.S. Shareholders
Distributions. Distributions by the Fund of cash or property in respect of the common shares
will be treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from the
Funds current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax
principles) and will be includible in gross income by a U.S. Shareholder upon receipt. Any such
dividend will be eligible for the dividends received deduction if received by an otherwise
qualifying corporate U.S. Shareholder that meets the holding period and other requirements for the
dividends received deduction. Dividends paid by the Fund to certain non-corporate U.S. Shareholders
(including individuals), with respect to taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010,
will be eligible for U.S. federal income taxation at the rates generally applicable to long-term
capital gains for individuals (currently at a maximum tax rate of 15%), provided that the U.S.
Shareholder receiving the dividend satisfies applicable holding period and other requirements.
If the amount of a Fund distribution exceeds the Funds current and accumulated earnings and
profits, such excess will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the
U.S. Shareholders tax basis in the common shares, and then as capital gain. Any such capital gain
will be long-term capital gain if such U.S. Shareholder has held the applicable common shares for
more than one
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year. The Funds earnings and profits are generally calculated by making certain adjustments
to the Funds taxable income. Based upon the Funds review of the historic results of the type of
MLPs in which the Fund intends to invest, the Fund expects that the cash distributions it will
receive with respect to its investments in equity securities of MLPs will exceed the Funds
earnings and profits. Accordingly, the Fund expects that only a portion of its distributions to its
shareholders with respect to the common shares will be treated as dividends for U.S. federal income
tax purposes. No assurance, however, can be given in this regard.
Because the Fund will invest a substantial portion of its assets in natural resources-related
MLPs, special rules will apply to the calculation of the Funds earnings and profits. For example,
the Funds earnings and profits will be calculated using the straight-line depreciation method
rather than the accelerated depreciation method. This difference in treatment may, for example,
result in the Funds earnings and profits being higher than the Funds taxable income in a
particular year if the MLPs in which the Fund invests calculate their income using accelerated
depreciation. Because of these differences, the Fund may make distributions in a particular year
out of earnings and profits (treated as dividends) in excess of the amount of the Funds taxable
income for such year.
U.S. Shareholders that participate in the Funds dividend reinvestment plan will be treated
for U.S. federal income tax purposes as having (i) received a distribution equal to the reinvested
amount (taxable as described immediately above) and (ii) reinvested such amount in common shares.
Sales of Shares. Upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of common shares, a
U.S. Shareholder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the
amount realized on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition and the U.S. Shareholders
adjusted tax basis in the common shares. Any such capital gain or loss will be a long-term capital
gain or loss if the U.S. Shareholder has held the common shares for more than one year at the time
of disposition. Long-term capital gains of certain non-corporate U.S. Shareholders (including
individuals) are currently subject to U.S. federal income taxation at a maximum rate of 15%
(scheduled to increase to 20% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010). The
deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations under the Code.
A redemption of common shares will be treated as a sale or exchange of such common shares
provided the redemption is not essentially equivalent to a dividend, is a substantially
disproportionate redemption, is a complete redemption of an shareholders interest in the Fund, or
is in partial liquidation of the Fund. A redemption treated as a sale or exchange of common shares
will be subject to U.S. federal income tax as described immediately above. Redemptions that do not
qualify for sale or exchange treatment will be treated as dividends to the extent paid from the
Funds current or accumulated earnings and profits. To the extent the Fund does not have sufficient
earnings and profits, the redemption proceeds will constitute a return of capital and will first be
applied against and reduce a shareholders adjusted basis in his or her common shares, but not
below zero, and then the excess, if any, will be treated as gain from the sale of the common
shares. If the Fund redeems common shares, there is a risk that the non-tendering shareholders
would be considered to have received a deemed distribution as a result of the Funds purchase of
the tendered common shares, and all or a portion of that deemed distribution may be taxable as a
dividend.
A U.S. Shareholders adjusted tax basis in its common shares may be less than the price paid
for the common shares as a result of distributions by the Fund in excess of the Funds earnings and
profits (i.e., returns of capital).
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Requirements. In general, distributions on the
common shares, and payments of the proceeds from a sale, exchange or other disposition of the
common shares paid to a U.S. Shareholder are subject to information reporting on Form 1099 and may
be subject to backup withholding (currently at a maximum rate of 28%) unless the U.S. Shareholder
(i) is a corporation or other exempt recipient or (ii) provides an accurate taxpayer identification
number and certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an
additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a U.S.
Shareholder may be refunded or credited against the U.S. Shareholders U.S. federal income tax
liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS. Each U.S.
Shareholder will receive, if appropriate, various written notices after the close of the Funds
taxable year describing the amount and the U.S. federal income tax status of distributions that
were paid (or that are treated as having been paid) by the Fund to the U.S. Shareholder, and the
amount of any U.S. federal taxes withheld, during the preceding taxable year.
Non-U.S. Shareholders
For purposes of this summary, the term Non-U.S. Shareholder means a beneficial owner of
common shares that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is one of the following:
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a non-resident alien individual, other than certain former citizens and residents of the
United States subject to tax as expatriates, |
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a foreign corporation or |
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a foreign estate or trust. |
If a partnership holds shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in such
partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the
partnership. Partners of partnerships that hold shares should consult their tax advisors.
A Non-U.S. Shareholder does not include (i) an individual who is present in the United
States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and is not otherwise a resident of
the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes or (ii) any person who owns at any time,
actually or constructively, more than 5% of the Funds common shares. Any such person is urged to
consult his, her or its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the
sale, exchange or other disposition of common shares.
This summary assumes that the Non-U.S. Shareholders investment in the Fund is not effectively
connected with the conduct by such Non-U.S. Shareholder of a trade or business in the United
States. Any Non-U.S. Shareholder whose investment in the Fund is effectively connected with such
Non-U.S. Shareholders conduct of a trade or business in the United States should consult its own
tax advisor.
Distributions. Distributions by the Fund of cash or property in respect of the common shares
will be treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from the
Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax
principles). Dividends paid by the Fund to a Non-U.S. Shareholder generally will be subject to
withholding tax at a 30% rate or a reduced rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty. In
order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding tax, a Non-U.S. Shareholder will be required to
provide an IRS Form W-8BEN certifying its entitlement to benefits under a treaty.
If the amount of a Fund distribution exceeds the Funds current and accumulated earnings and
profits, such excess will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes first as a tax-free
return of capital to the extent of the Non-U.S. Shareholders tax basis in the common shares, and
then as capital gain. As discussed above, the Fund expects that only a portion of its distributions
to its shareholders with respect to the common shares will be treated as dividends for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. To the extent that any distribution by the Fund is not treated as a dividend,
such distribution will not be subject to U.S. withholding tax, unless the Fund is or has been a
U.S. real property holding corporation, as defined below, at any time within the five-year period
preceding the distribution or the Non-U.S. Shareholders holding period, whichever is shorter, and
the common shares have ceased to be traded on an established securities market prior to the
beginning of the calendar year in which the distribution occurs. Gain recognized by a Non-U.S.
Shareholder as a consequence of a distribution by the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal
income tax, except as described below under Sale of Shares.
Sale of Shares. A Non-U.S. Shareholder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income
tax on gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of common shares unless:
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the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of the Non-U.S. Shareholder in
the United States, subject to an applicable treaty providing otherwise, or |
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the Fund is or has been a U.S. real property holding corporation, as defined below, at
any time within the five-year period preceding the disposition or the Non-U.S. Shareholders
holding period, whichever is shorter, and the common shares have ceased to be traded on an
established securities market prior to the beginning of the calendar year in which the sale,
exchange or other disposition occurs. |
Generally, a corporation is a U.S. real property holding corporation if the fair market value
of its U.S. real property interests, as defined in the Code and applicable regulations, equals or
exceeds 50% of the aggregate fair market value of its worldwide real property interests and its
other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. The Fund may be, or may prior to a
Non-U.S. Shareholders disposition of common shares become, a U.S. real property holding
corporation.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Information returns will be filed with the
Internal Revenue Service in connection with payments of dividends and the proceeds from a sale or
other disposition of common shares. A Non-U.S. Shareholder may have to comply with certification
procedures to establish that it is not a United States person in order to avoid backup withholding
tax requirements. The certification procedures required to claim a reduced rate of withholding
under a treaty will satisfy the certification
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requirements necessary to avoid the backup withholding tax as well. The amount of any backup
withholding from a payment to a Non-U.S. Shareholder may entitle such holder to a refund, provided
that the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
Computershare Inc. and its fully owned subsidiary Computershare Trust Company, N.A., which are
located at 250 Royall Street, Canton, MA 02021, have entered into a transfer agency and service
agreement with the Fund. Under this agreement, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. serves as the
Funds transfer agent, registrar and administrator of its dividend reinvestment plan, and
Computershare Inc. serves as dividend disbursing agent and may act on behalf of Computershare Trust
Company, N.A. in providing certain of the services covered by the agreement.
U.S. Bank National Association, which is located at 1555 N. Rivercenter Dr., Suite 302,
Milwaukee, WI 53212, acts as custodian of the Funds securities and other assets.
The Administrator acts as the Funds fund accountant. The Administrator will assist in the
calculation of the Funds net asset value. The Administrator will also maintain and keep current
the accounts, books, records and other documents relating to the Funds financial and portfolio
transactions.
CODE OF ETHICS
The
Fund and the Investment Adviser have adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940
Act. This code permits personnel subject to the code to invest in securities, including
securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. This code of ethics can be reviewed and
copied at the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the
Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at
1-202-551-8090. The code of ethics is
available on the EDGAR Database on the SECs web site
(http://www.sec.gov), and copies of this
code 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 Section, Washington,
D.C. 20549-0102.
PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROXY VOTING RECORD
The Board of Trustees of the Fund has delegated the voting of proxies for Fund securities to
the Investment Adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisers proxy voting policies and procedures.
Under these policies and procedures, the Investment Adviser will vote proxies related to Fund
securities in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. A summary of the Investment
Advisers proxy voting policies and procedures is attached as Appendix B to this Prospectus.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the Funds common shares will be passed upon for the
Fund by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Fund has selected Deloitte & Touche LLP as its independent registered public accounting
firm. Deloitte & Touche LLPs principal business address is
located at 2200 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75201.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Fund is subject to the informational requirements of the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and in
accordance with those requirements is required to file reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any such reports and other information,
including the Fund and Investment Advisers code of ethics, can be inspected and copied at the Securities and Exchange
Commissions Public Reference Room, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. Information on the operation of
such public reference facilities may be obtained by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission
at (202) 551-8090. Copies of such materials can be obtained from the Securities and Exchange
Commissions Public Reference Room, at prescribed rates, or by electronic request at
publicinfo@sec.gov. The Securities and Exchange Commission maintains a website at
www.sec.gov containing reports and information statements and
74
other information regarding registrants, including the Fund, that file electronically with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the
Fund can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New
York, New York 10005. Copies of the Funds annual and semi-annual reports may be obtained, without charge, upon
request mailed to Jerry Swank, the Cushing MLP Total Return Fund,
3300 Oak Lawn Avenue, Suite 650, Dallas, Texas 75219 or by calling him toll free at (800) 662-7232 and also are made available on the
Funds website at www.swankcapital.com. You may also call this toll-free telephone number to
request other information about the Fund or to make shareholder inquiries. Information on, or
accessible through, the Funds website is not a part of, and is not incorporated into, this
Prospectus.
Additional information regarding the Fund is contained in the registration statement on
Form N-2, including amendments, exhibits and schedules to the registration statement relating to
such shares filed by the Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. This
Prospectus does not contain all of the information set out in the registration statement, including
any amendments, exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information with
respect to the Fund and the shares offered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement.
Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document
referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such
contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each such statement
being qualified in all respects by such reference. A copy of the registration statement may be
inspected without charge at the Securities and Exchange Commissions principal office in
Washington, D.C., and copies of all or any part of the registration statement may be obtained from
the Securities and Exchange Commission upon the payment of certain fees prescribed by the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Financial Statements of the Fund and Notes thereto from the Funds Annual Report to
Shareholders for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2007 and from the Funds Semi-Annual Report for
the six months ended May 31, 2008 were filed with the SEC and are each incorporated by reference into
this Prospectus.
75
APPENDIX A
RATINGS OF INVESTMENTS
S&Ps Bond Ratings
AAA. Debt rated AAA had the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay interest and repay
principal is extremely strong.
AA. Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs
from the higher rated issues only in small degree.
A. Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although it is
somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic
conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB. Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay
principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions
or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay
principal for debt in this category than in higher rated categories.
BB, B, CCC, CC and C. Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C is regarded, on balance, as
predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in
accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation and C
the highest degree of speculation. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective
characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse
conditions.
CI. The rating CI is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.
D. Debt rated D is in default, and payment of interest and/or repayment of principal is in
arrears.
Moodys Bond Ratings
AAA. Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest
degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as gilt-edge. Interest payments are
protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the
various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most
unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa. Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with
the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than
the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or
fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A. Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be
considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are
considered adequate but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment
sometime in the future.
Baa. Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e., they are
neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear
adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be
characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment
characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba. Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be
considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very
moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future.
Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.
B. Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment.
Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over
any long period of time may be small.
76
Caa. Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there
may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.
Ca. Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree.
Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C. Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so rated can be
regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
Fitch Long-Term Debt Ratings
AAA. Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They
are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial
commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA. Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk. They
indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not
significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A. High credit quality. A ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for
timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be
more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher
ratings.
BBB. Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that there is currently a low expectation of
credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but
adverse changes in circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely to impair this
capacity. This is the lowest investment-grade category.
BB. Speculative. BB ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing,
particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial
alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this
category are not investment grade.
B. Highly speculative. B ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a
limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity
for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
CCC, CC, C. High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial
commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments. A CC
rating indicates that default of some kind appears probable. C ratings signal imminent default.
DDD, DD, D. Default. The ratings of obligations in this category are based on their prospects
for achieving partial or full recovery in a reorganization or liquidation of the obligor. While
expected recovery values are highly speculative and cannot be estimated with any precision, the
following serve as general guidelines. DDD obligations have the highest potential for recovery,
around 90%-100% of outstanding amounts and accrued interest. DD indicates potential recoveries in
the range of 50%-90%, and D the lowest recovery potential, i.e., below 50%.
Entities rated in this category have defaulted on some or all of their obligations. Entities
rated DDD have the highest prospect for resumption of performance or continued operation with or
without a formal reorganization process. Entities rated DD and D are generally undergoing a
formal reorganization or liquidation process; those rated DD are likely to satisfy a higher
portion of their outstanding obligations, while entities rated D have a poor prospect for
repaying all obligations.
Commercial Paper Ratings
Commercial paper rated by S&P has the following characteristics: Liquidity ratios are adequate
to meet cash requirements. Long-term senior debt is rated A or better. The issuer has access to
at least two additional channels of borrowing. Basic earnings and cash flow have an upward trend
with allowance made for unusual circumstances. Typically, the issuers industry is well established
and the issuer has a strong position within the industry. The reliability and quality of management
are unquestioned. Relative strength or weakness of the above factors determine whether the issuers
commercial paper is rated A-1 or A-2.
77
The ratings Prime-1 and Prime-2 are the two highest commercial paper ratings assigned by
Moodys. Among the factors considered by it in assigning ratings are the following: (1) evaluation
of the management of the issuer; (2) economic evaluation of the issuers industry or industries and
an appraisal of speculative-type risks which may be inherent in certain areas; (3) evaluation of
the issuers products in relation to competition and customer acceptance; (4) liquidity; (5) amount
and quality of long-term debt; (6) trend of earnings over a period of ten years; (7) financial
strength of a parent company and the relationships which exist with the issuer; and (8) recognition
by the management of obligations which may be present or may arise as a result of public interest
questions and preparations to meet such obligations. Relative strength or weakness of the above
factors determines whether the issuers commercial paper is rated Prime-1 or 2.
78
APPENDIX B
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
SWANK ENERGY INCOME ADVISORS, LP
Proxy Voting Policy
Swank Energy Income Advisors, LP (the Investment Manager) serves as the investment adviser
and general partner, respectively, of certain investment vehicles and other clients (each a
Client and collectively, the Clients). Through these relationships the Investment Manager is
sometimes delegated the right to vote, on behalf of the Clients, proxies received from companies,
the securities of which are owned by the Clients.
Purpose
The Investment Manager follows this proxy voting policy (the Policy) to ensure that proxies
the Investment Manager votes, on behalf of each Client, are voted to further the best interest of
that Client. The Policy establishes a mechanism to address any conflicts of interests between the
Investment Manager and the Client. Further, the Policy establishes how Clients may obtain
information on how the proxies have been voted.
Determination of Vote
The Investment Manager determines how to vote after studying the proxy materials and any other
materials that may be necessary or beneficial to voting. The Investment Manager votes in a manner
that the Investment Manager believes reasonably furthers the best interests of the Client and is
consistent with the Investment Philosophy as set forth in the relevant investment management
documents.
The major proxy-related issues generally fall within five categories: corporate governance,
takeover defenses, compensation plans, capital structure, and social responsibility. The Investment
Manager will cast votes for these matters on a case-by-case basis. The Investment Manager will
generally vote in favor of matters which follow an agreeable corporate strategic direction, support
an ownership structure that enhances shareholder value without diluting managements accountability
to shareholders and/or present compensation plans that are commensurate with enhanced manager
performance and market practices.
Resolution of any Conflicts of Interest
If a proxy vote creates a material conflict between the interests of the Investment Manager
and a Client, the Investment Manager will resolve the conflict before voting the proxies. The
Investment Manager will either disclose the conflict to the Client and obtain a consent or take
other steps designed to ensure that a decision to vote the proxy was based on the Investment
Managers determination of the Clients best interest and was not the product of the conflict.
Records
The Investment Manager maintains records of (i) all proxy statements and materials the
Investment Manager receives on behalf of Clients; (ii) all proxy votes that are made on behalf of
the Clients; (iii) all documents that were material to a proxy vote; (iv) all written requests from
Clients regarding voting history; and (v) all responses (written and oral) to Clients requests.
Such records are available to the Clients (and owners of a Client that is an investment vehicle)
upon request.
79
[LOGO]
The Cushing MLP Total Return Fund
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest
PRELIMINARY BASE PROSPECTUS
January 15, 2009
The information in this Prospectus Supplement 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 Supplement is not an offer to sell these securities and
is not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not
permitted.
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated January 15, 2009)
Subject to completion, dated January 15, 2009
Common Shares
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest
We
are offering for sale shares of our common shares. Our common shares are traded
on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SRV. The last reported sale price for our common
shares on , ___was $ per share.
You should review the information set forth under Principal Risks of the Fund on
page 34 of the accompanying Prospectus before investing in our common shares.
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Per Share |
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Total (1) |
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Public offering price |
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$ |
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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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$ |
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(1) |
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The aggregate expenses of the offering are estimated to be $ , which represents
approximately $ per share. |
The underwriters may also purchase up to an additional common shares from us at
the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions, to cover over-allotments,
if any, within 30 days after the date of this Prospectus Supplement. If the over-allotment option
is exercised in full, the total proceeds, before expenses, to the Fund would be $ and the
total underwriting discounts and commissions would be $ . The common shares 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 common shares 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 [ ] 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.
, ____
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus. We have not authorized any other person to
provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent
information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any
jurisdiction in which the offer or sale is not permitted. In this Prospectus Supplement and in the
accompanying Prospectus, unless otherwise indicated, Fund, us, our and we refer to The
Cushing MLP Total Return Fund. This Prospectus Supplement also includes trademarks owned by other
persons.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Supplement
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Page |
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S-1 |
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S-2 |
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S-2 |
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S-3 |
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S-3 |
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S-4 |
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Prospectus
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY |
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1 |
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SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES |
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21 |
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS |
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22 |
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THE FUND |
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23 |
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USE OF PROCEEDS |
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23 |
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES |
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23 |
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THE FUNDS INVESTMENTS |
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24 |
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PRINCIPAL RISKS OF THE FUND |
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34 |
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INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS |
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51 |
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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND |
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51 |
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PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE |
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58 |
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NET ASSET VALUE |
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59 |
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DISTRIBUTIONS |
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60 |
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DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN |
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60 |
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DESCRIPTION OF SHARES |
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61 |
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PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES |
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64 |
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION |
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64 |
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ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS IN THE AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST |
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66 |
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CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF DELAWARE LAW, THE AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST AND BYLAWS |
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CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE |
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68 |
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REPURCHASE OF COMMON SHARES |
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TAX MATTERS |
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OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS |
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74 |
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CODE OF ETHICS |
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PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROXY VOTING RECORD |
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LEGAL MATTERS |
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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM |
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
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75 |
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S-ii
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
The
following tables are intended to assist you in understanding the various costs and
expenses directly or indirectly associated with investing in our common shares as a
percentage of
net assets attributable to common shares. Amounts are for the current fiscal year after
giving
effect to anticipated net proceeds of the offering, assuming that we incur the estimated
offering
expenses.
The
following table assumes the Fund has borrowed in the amount equal to 331/3% of the Funds
Managed Assets (i.e., 50% of its net assets attributable to the Funds common
shares) and shows the
Funds expenses as a percentage of net assets attributable to its common shares.
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Shareholder Transaction
Expenses: |
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Sales Load Paid by Investors (as a
percentage of offering price) |
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% |
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Offering Expenses Borne by the Fund
(as a percentage of offering price)(1) |
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% |
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Dividend Reinvestment Plan
Fees(2) |
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Percentage of Net Assets
Attributable to Common Shares
(Assumes Leverage is Used)(3)(4)
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Annual Expenses: |
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Management Fees(5) |
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Interest Payments on Borrowed
Funds(3) |
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Other Expenses [(exclusive of
current and deferred income tax expenses)](6) |
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[Annual Expenses (exclusive of
current and deferred income tax expenses)(5)] |
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[Current Income Tax
Expense] |
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% |
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[Deferred Income Tax
Expense] |
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Total Annual Expenses
[(including current and deferred income tax expenses)] |
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% |
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(1) |
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Amount reflects estimated offering expenses of $[
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Fund. |
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(2) |
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Investors who hold shares in a dividend reinvestment account and request a
sale of shares through the dividend reinvestment plan agent are subject to a
$15.00 sales fee and pay a brokerage commission of $0.12 per share sold. |
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(3) |
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Assumes a cost on leveraging of [ ]%. This rate is an estimate and may
differ based on varying market conditions that may exist when Leverage
Instruments are issued or other borrowing commences and depending on the type
of leverage used. If the Fund leverages in an amount greater than 331/3% of
Managed Assets, this amount could increase. |
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(4) |
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The table presented below in this footnote also shows the Funds expenses as
a percentage of the same amount of net assets attributable to its common
shares, but unlike the table above, assumes that the Fund does not borrow
money. Consequently, the table below does not reflect any interest on
borrowed funds or other costs and expenses of borrowing. The footnotes used
in the table below correspond to the footnotes appearing below this footnote
(4). In accordance with these assumptions, the Funds expenses would be as
follows: |
Percentage of Net Assets
Attributable to Common Shares
(Assumes No Leverage is Used)
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Annual
Expenses: |
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Management
Fees(5) |
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% |
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Interest Payments on Borrowed
Funds |
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None |
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Other Expenses [(exclusive
of current and deferred income tax expenses)](6) |
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% |
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[Annual Expenses (exclusive
of current and deferred income tax expenses)(5)] |
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% |
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[Current Income Tax
Expense] |
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% |
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[Deferred Income Tax
Expense] |
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( |
% |
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Total Annual Expenses
[(including current and deferred income tax expenses)] |
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% |
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(5) |
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The Investment Adviser currently intends to reduce temperarily the management fee from 1.25% to 1.00% of the average weekly value of the Funds Managed Assets. The Investment Adviser
is not obligated to do so, however, and reimbursement may be
discontinued at any time. Because holders of any Leverage Instruments
do not bear management fees, the cost to
shareholders increases as leverage increases. |
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(6) |
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The costs of this offering are not included as an Annual Expense in
the expenses shown in this table, but are included in the Shareholder
Transaction Expense table above. Other Expenses are based on
estimated amounts for the current fiscal year, and include the
following expenses associated with dividends paid on short sales:
[ ]%
(assuming leverage is used) and
[ ]% (assuming no
leverage is used). Please see footnote (1) above. |
S-1
The purpose
of the table and the example is to assist prospective investors in understanding
the various costs and expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear directly or indirectly.
Example
As
required by relevant SEC regulations, the following example illustrates the expenses
(including the estimated offering expenses) that an investor would pay on a $1,000
investment in
the Funds common shares, assuming total annual expenses of [ ]% of net
assets attributable to
the Funds common shares, a [ ]% sales load, the Fund issues Leverage Instruments in an amount equal to 331/3% of Managed
Assets (i.e.,
50% of net assets attributable to the Funds common shares), and a 5% annual return:
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1 Year |
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3
Years |
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5
Years |
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10
Years |
$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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THE
EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF FUTURE EXPENSES OR RETURNS. ACTUAL
EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN. Moreover, the Funds actual rate of
return may be
greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example. The example assumes
that the
estimated Other Expenses set out in the Annual Expenses table are accurate and
that all dividends
and distributions are reinvested at net asset value. In the event that the Fund does not use
any
leverage, an investor would pay the following expenses based on the assumptions in the
example and
total annual expenses of [ ]% of net assets attributable to the Funds Common
Shares: 1 Year,
$[ ]; 3 Years, $[ ]; 5 Years, $[ ]; and 10 Years, $[
].
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate the total net proceeds of the offering to be $ ($ if the
over-allotment option is exercised in full), based on the public offering price of $ per share
and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable
by us.
The Fund anticipates that it will be able to invest substantially all of the net proceeds of
this offering in accordance with its investment objective and policies within approximately two
weeks after completion of an offering. Prior to the time the Fund is fully invested, the proceeds
of the offering may temporarily be invested in cash, cash equivalents, or in debt securities that
are rated AA or higher. Income received by the Fund from these temporary investments would likely
be less than returns sought pursuant to the Funds investment objective and policies.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
[To be provided.]
S-2
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES
The following table sets forth for the quarters indicated, the high and low sale prices on the
NYSE per share of our common shares and the net asset value and the premium or discount from net
asset value per share at which the common shares were trading, expressed as a percentage of net
asset value, at each of the high and low sale prices provided.
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Corresponding |
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Corresponding |
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Net Asset Value |
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Premium or Discount |
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|
Market Price |
|
(NAV) Per Share |
|
as a % of NAV |
Quarter Ended |
|
High |
|
Low |
|
High |
|
Low |
|
High |
|
Low |
|
Fiscal Year Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 30, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Fiscal Quarter |
|
$ |
17.65 |
|
|
$ |
15.00 |
|
|
$ |
18.00 |
|
|
$ |
17.88 |
|
|
|
(1.94 |
)% |
|
|
(16.11 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Fiscal Quarter |
|
$ |
17.98 |
|
|
$ |
15.49 |
|
|
$ |
17.25 |
|
|
$ |
17.34 |
|
|
|
4.23 |
% |
|
|
(10.67 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Third Fiscal Quarter |
|
$ |
17.96 |
|
|
$ |
15.94 |
|
|
$ |
17.40 |
|
|
$ |
16.80 |
|
|
|
3.22 |
% |
|
|
(5.12 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth Fiscal
Quarter |
|
$ |
17.02 |
|
|
$ |
8.34 |
|
|
$ |
15.58 |
|
|
$ |
10.23 |
|
|
|
9.24 |
% |
|
|
(18.48 |
%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 30, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth Fiscal
Quarter
(period from
August 27,
2007(1)
to
November 30,
2007) |
|
$ |
19.79 |
|
|
$ |
15.55 |
|
|
$ |
19.18 |
|
|
$ |
18.53 |
|
|
|
3.18 |
% |
|
|
(16.08 |
)% |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Commencement of operations. |
The last reported price for our common shares on , was $ per share. The Funds
common shares have in the past traded below their net asset value.
UNDERWRITING
[To be provided.]
S-3
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters will be passed on by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New
York, counsel to the Fund, in connection with the offering of the common shares. Certain legal
matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by
.
S-4
PART C OTHER INFORMATION
Item 25. Financial Statements and Exhibits
|
|
(1) |
|
The following information is incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement from the Funds Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal
year ended November 30, 2007 and from the
Funds Semi-Annual Report for the six months ended May 31, 2008. |
|
|
(a) |
|
Audited Financial Statements for the period August 27, 2007 (commencement of operations)
through November 30, 2007. |
Schedule of Investments
Statement of Assets & Liabilities
Statement of Operations
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Statement of Cash Flows
Financial Highlights
Notes to Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
(b) |
|
Financial Statements for the six-months ended May 31, 2008. |
Schedule of Investments (Unaudited)
Statement of Assets & Liabilities (Unaudited)
Statement of Operations (Unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited)
Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
Financial Highlights (Unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
|
(a)(1) |
|
Declaration of Trust(1) |
|
|
|
(a)(2) |
|
Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust(2) |
|
|
|
|
(b) |
|
Amended and Restated By-Laws of Registrant(2) |
|
|
|
(c) |
|
Voting Trust Agreement none. |
|
|
|
(d) |
|
Specimen Stock Certificate(3) |
|
|
|
|
(e) |
|
Form of Dividend Reinvestment Plan(4) |
|
|
|
(f) |
|
Long-Term Debt Instruments none. |
|
|
|
(g) |
|
Investment Management Agreement between Registrant and Swank Energy Income Advisors,
LP(2) |
|
|
|
|
(h) |
|
Form of Underwriting Agreement(5) |
|
|
|
(i) |
|
Bonus, Profit Sharing, Pension Plans not applicable. |
|
|
|
(j) |
|
Custody Agreement(2) |
|
|
|
(k) |
|
Other Material Contracts |
|
|
(1) |
|
Fund Administration Servicing Agreement(2) |
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Transfer Agency and Service Agreement(2) |
|
|
|
|
(3) |
|
Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement(2) |
|
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Special Custody Agreement(3) |
|
C-1
|
|
(l) |
|
Opinion and Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &
Flom LLP (3) |
|
|
|
(m) |
|
Non-Resident Officers/Trustees none. |
|
|
|
(n) |
|
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm(3) |
|
|
(o) |
|
Omitted Financial Statements none. |
|
|
|
(p) |
|
Initial Capital Agreement not applicable to this
Registration Statement. |
|
|
|
|
(q) |
|
Model Retirement Plans none. |
|
|
|
|
(r) |
|
Amended Code of Ethics of Registrant and Swank Energy Income Advisors,
LP(3) |
|
|
|
(s) |
|
Power of attorney and certified resolution authorizing same.(6) |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Incorporated by reference to the Funds Registration Statement on Form N-2 Nos. 333-143305 and
811-22072, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 25, 2007. |
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Incorporated by reference to the Funds Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-2 Nos. 333-143305 and 811-22072, as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on August 23, 2007. |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
Filed herewith. |
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Incorporated by reference to the Funds Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-2 Nos. 333-143305 and 811-22072, as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on July 20, 2007. |
|
|
|
(5) |
|
To be filed by post-effective amendment, as applicable or necessary. |
|
|
|
(6) |
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2(r) in the Funds Registration
Statement on Form N-2 Nos. 333-154880 and 811-22072, as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 30, 2008. |
|
Item 26. Marketing Arrangements
The
information contained under the heading Plan of
Distribution in this Registration Statement is incorporated
herein by reference and any information concerning any underwriters
for a particular offering will be contained in the Prospectus
Supplement related to that offering.
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:
|
|
|
|
|
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fees |
|
$ |
11,601 |
|
FINRA Fees |
|
|
8,500 |
|
Printing and Engraving Expenses |
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
Legal Fees |
|
$ |
200,000 |
|
Listing Fees |
|
$ |
280,000 |
|
Accounting Expenses |
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
Miscellaneous Expenses |
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
Total |
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
520,101 |
|
Item 28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant
None.
C-2
Item 29. Number of Holders of Securities as of December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
Title of Class |
|
Number of Record Holders |
Common Shares, $0.001 par value per share |
|
|
3 |
|
Item 30. Indemnification
Article IV of the Registrants Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust
provides as follows:
Section 2. Limitation of Liability. All persons contracting with or having any
claim against the Trust or a particular Series will look only to the assets of the Trust or, as
applicable, all Series or such particular Series for payment under such contract or claim; and
neither the Trustees nor, when acting in such capacity, any of the Trusts officers, employees or
agents, whether past, present or future, will be personally liable therefor. Every written
instrument or obligation on behalf of the Trust or any Series will contain a statement to the
foregoing effect, but the absence of such statement will not operate to make any Trustee or officer
of the Trust liable thereunder. Provided they have exercised reasonable care and have acted under
the reasonable belief that their actions are in the best interest of the Trust, the Trustees and
officers of the Trust will not be responsible or liable for any act or omission or for neglect or
wrongdoing of them or any officer, agent, employee, investment adviser or independent contractor of
the Trust, but nothing contained in this Declaration or in the Delaware Act will protect any
Trustee or officer of the Trust against liability to the Trust or to Shareholders to which he would
otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.
Section 3. Indemnification. (a) Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained
in subsection (b) below: every person who is, or has been, a Trustee or an officer, employee or
agent of the Trust (including any individual who serves at its request as director, officer,
partner, employee, trustee, agent or the like of another organization in which it has any interest
as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise) (Covered Person) will be indemnified by the Trust or the
appropriate Series to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all
expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or
proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having
been a Covered Person and against amounts paid or incurred by him in the settlement thereof; and as
used herein, the words claim, action, suit, or proceeding will apply to all claims,
actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, arbitration or
other, including appeals), actual or threatened, and the words liability and expenses will
include, without limitation, attorneys fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines,
penalties and other liabilities.
(b) No indemnification will be provided hereunder to a Covered Person: (i) who will have been
adjudicated by a court or body before which the proceeding was brought (A) to be liable to the
Trust or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office, or (B) not to have acted in good
faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests
of the Trust; or (ii) in the event of a settlement, unless there has been a determination that such
Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office; (A) by the court or other body
approving the settlement; (B) by at least a majority of those Trustees who are neither Interested
Persons of the Trust nor are parties to the matter based upon a review of readily available facts
(as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry); (C) by written opinion of independent legal counsel
based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry) or (D) by
a vote of a majority of the Outstanding Shares entitled to vote (excluding any Outstanding Shares
owned of record or beneficially by such individual).
(c) The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies
maintained by the Trust, will be severable, will not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to
which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, and will inure to the benefit of the
heirs, executors and administrators of a Covered Person.
(d) To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, expenses in connection with the
preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding of the character
described in subsection (a) of this Section may be paid by the Trust or applicable Series from time
to time prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such
Covered Person that such amount will be paid over by him to the Trust or applicable Series if it is
ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under this Section; provided,
however, that either (i) such Covered Person will have provided appropriate security for such
undertaking, (ii) the Trust is insured against losses arising out of any such advance payments or
(iii) either a majority of a quorum of the Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust
nor parties to the matter, or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, will have determined,
based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry) that there
is reason to believe that such Covered Person will not be disqualified from indemnification under
this Section. Independent counsel
C-3
retained for the purpose of rendering an opinion regarding
advancement of expenses and/or a majority of a quorum of the Trustees
who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust nor parties to the matter, may proceed under a
rebuttable presumption that the Covered Person has not engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard of the Covered Persons duties to the Trust and were based
on the Covered Persons determination that those actions were in the best interests of the Trust
and its Shareholders; provided that the Covered Person is not an Interested Person (or is an
Interested Person solely by reason of being an officer of the Trust).
(e) Any repeal or modification of this Article IV by the Shareholders, or adoption or
modification of any other provision of the Declaration or By-Laws inconsistent with this Article,
will be prospective only, to the extent that such repeal, or modification would, if applied
retrospectively, adversely affect any limitation on the liability of any Covered Person or
indemnification available to any Covered Person with respect to any act or omission which occurred
prior to such repeal, modification or adoption. Any such repeal or modification by the Shareholders
will require a vote of at least two-thirds of the Outstanding Shares entitled to vote and present
in person or by proxy at any meeting of the Shareholders.
Section 4. Indemnification of Shareholders. (a) If any Shareholder or former
Shareholder of the Trust (as opposed to a Shareholder or former Shareholder of any Series) will be
held personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder and not because
of his acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his
heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or in the case of any entity, its
general successor) will be entitled out of the assets belonging to the Trust to be held harmless
from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust will, upon
request by such Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against such Shareholder for any
act or obligation of the Trust and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets of the Series.
(b) If any Shareholder or former Shareholder of any Series will be held personally liable
solely by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder and not because of his acts or omissions
or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his heirs, executors,
administrators or other legal representatives or in the case of any entity, its general successor)
will be entitled out of the assets belonging to the applicable Series to be held harmless from and
indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust, on behalf of the
affected Series, will, upon request by such Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made
against such Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Series and satisfy any judgment thereon
from the assets of the Series.
Section 5. No Bond Required of Trustees. No Trustee will be obligated to give any
bond or other security for the performance of any of his duties hereunder.
Section 6. No Duty of Investigation; Notice in Trust Instruments, Etc. No
purchaser, lender, transfer agent or other Person dealing with the Trustees or any officer,
employee or agent of the Trust or a Series thereof will be bound to make any inquiry concerning the
validity of any transaction purporting to be made by the Trustees or by said officer, employee or
agent or be liable for the application of money or property paid, loaned, or delivered to or on the
order of the Trustees or of said officer, employee or agent. Every obligation, contract,
instrument, certificate, Share, other security of the Trust or a Series thereof or undertaking, and
every other act or thing whatsoever executed in connection with the Trust will be conclusively
presumed to have been executed or done by the executors thereof only in their capacity as Trustees
under this Declaration or in their capacity as officers, employees or agents of the Trust or a
Series thereof. Every written obligation, contract, instrument, certificate, Share, other security
of the Trust or a Series thereof or undertaking made or issued by the Trustees may recite that the
same is executed or made by them not individually, but as Trustees under the Declaration, and that
the obligations of the Trust or a Series thereof under any such instrument are not binding upon any
of the Trustees or Shareholders individually, but bind only the Trust Property or the
Trust Property of the applicable Series, and may contain any further recital which they may deem
appropriate, but the omission of such recital will not operate to bind the Trustees individually.
The Trustees may maintain insurance for the protection of the Trust Property or the Trust Property
of the applicable Series, its Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents in such amount
as the Trustees will deem adequate to cover possible tort liability, and such other insurance as
the Trustees in their sole judgment will deem advisable.
Section 7. Reliance on Experts, Etc. Each Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust
or a Series thereof will, in the performance of his duties, powers and discretions hereunder be
fully and completely justified and protected with regard to any act or any failure to act resulting
from reliance in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Trust or a Series
thereof, upon an opinion of counsel, or upon reports made to the Trust or a Series thereof by any
of its officers or employees or by the Investment Adviser, the Administrator, the Distributor, the
Principal Underwriter, Transfer Agent, selected dealers, accountants, appraisers or other experts
or consultants selected with reasonable care by the Trustees, officers or employees of the Trust,
regardless of whether such counsel or expert may also be a Trustee.
C-4
Section 18 of the Investment Management Agreement between Registrant and Swank Energy Income
Advisors, LP provides as follows:
18. Limitation of Liability of the Fund and the Shareholders
None of the Trustees, officers, agents or shareholders of the Fund will be personally liable
under this Agreement. The name The Cushing MLP Total Return Fund is the designation of the Fund
for the time being under the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust and all
persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of the Fund for the enforcement of
any claims against the Fund, as none of the Trustees, officers, agents or shareholders assume any
personal liability for obligations entered into on behalf of the Fund.
Reference is made to Section ___of the form of underwriting agreement attached as Exhibit (h),
which is incorporated herein by reference and discusses the rights, responsibilities and
limitations with respect to indemnity and contribution.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, may be
permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Fund, pursuant to the foregoing
provisions or otherwise, the Fund has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by the Fund of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or
controlling person of the Fund in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Fund will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
The
Investment Adviser is not engaged in any other business, profession,
vocation or employment of a substantial nature. A description of any
other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial
nature in which each limited partner or executive officer of the
Investment Adviser is or has been during the past two fiscal years
engaged in for his or her own account or in his or her capacity as
trustee, officer, or portfolio manager of the Fund, is set forth in
Part A of this Registration Statement in the section entitled
Management of the Fund or in the Investment
Advisers Form ADV, as filed with the SEC (SEC File No.
801-63255), and which Form ADV is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 32. Location of Accounts and Records
The accounts, books or other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940
Act, and the rules promulgated under the 1940 Act, are kept by the Registrant or its custodian,
transfer agent, administrator and fund accountant. The Registrant is located at the following
address: The Cushing MLP Total Return Fund, 3300 Oak Lawn Avenue, Suite 650, Dallas, TX 75219.
The Funds custodian is located at the following address: U.S. Bank National Association, 1555 N.
Rivercenter Dr., Suite 302, Milwaukee, WI 53212. The Funds transfer agent, registrar and
administrator is located at the following address: Computershare Trust Company, N.A., 250 Royall
Street, Canton, MA 02021.
Item 33. Management Services
None.
Item 34. Undertakings
1. |
|
Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of common 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 hereby undertakes: |
C-5
|
(a) |
|
to file, during and period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: |
|
(1) |
|
to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act); |
|
|
(2) |
|
to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events after the effective date
of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof)
which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the Registration Statement; and |
|
|
(3) |
|
to include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material
change to such information in the Registration Statement. |
|
(b) |
|
that for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 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; |
|
|
(c) |
|
to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering; and |
|
|
(d) |
|
that, for the purpose of determining liability under the 1933 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 1933 Act as part of a registration statement
relating to an offering, other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A under
the 1933 Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as
of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement
made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration 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. |
|
|
(e) |
|
that for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the 1933
Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities: |
|
|
|
|
The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the
undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the
underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are
offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the
undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer
or sell such securities to the purchaser: |
|
(1) |
|
any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant
relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933
Act. |
|
|
(2) |
|
the portion of any advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the 1933 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 |
|
|
(3) |
|
any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the
undersigned Registrant to the purchaser. |
5. Registrant undertakes that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933
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.
Registrant undertakes that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 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. Not applicable.
C-6
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Dallas, and the
State of Texas, on the 15th day of January 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE CUSHING MLP TOTAL RETURN FUND
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ JERRY V. SWANK*
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Jerry V. Swank |
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Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer |
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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 indicated on the 15th day of January 2009:
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Signature |
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Title |
/s/ BRIAN R. BRUCE *
Brian R. Bruce
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Trustee |
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Trustee |
Edward N. McMillan |
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/s/ JERRY V. SWANK*
Jerry V. Swank
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Trustee, President and Chief Executive
Officer |
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/s/ RONALD P. TROUT *
Ronald P. Trout
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Trustee |
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/s/ MARK W. FORDYCE
Mark W. Fordyce
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Treasurer, Secretary, Chief Financial Officer
and Principal Accounting Officer |
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*By: |
/s/ MARK. W. FORDYCE
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Mark W. Fordyce |
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As Attorney-In-Fact |
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
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Exhibit |
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Exhibit Name |
Ex.
99(d)
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Specimen Stock Certificate |
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Ex. 99(k)(4) |
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Special Custody Agreement |
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Ex.
99(l)
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Opinion and Consent of Skadden,
Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP |
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Ex. 99(n)
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Consent of Independent Accounting
Firm |
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Ex. 99(r)
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Amended Code of Ethics of
Registrant and Swank Energy Income Advisors, LP |