gabn_2.htm
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on _____ __, 2008
Securities
Act File No. 333-[ ]
Investment
Company Act File No. 811-[ ]
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
N-2
(Check
Appropriate Box or Boxes)
[X] REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
[ ] Pre-Effective
Amendment No.
[ ] Post-Effective
Amendment No.
and/or
[X] REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
[ ] Amendment
No. __
THE
GABELLI NATURAL RESOURCES, GOLD & INCOME TRUST
(Exact
Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
One
Corporate Center
Rye,
New York 10580-1422
(Address
of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrant’s
Telephone Number, including Area Code: (800) 422-3554
Agnes
Mullady
The
Gabelli Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust
One
Corporate Center
Rye,
New York 10580-1422
(914)
921-5100
(Name
and Address of Agent for Service)
Copies
to:
Richard
T. Prins, Esq.
|
Christopher
J. Michailoff, Esq.
|
Skadden,
Arps, Slate, Meagher &
|
The
Gabelli Natural Resources,
|
Flom
LLP
|
Gold
& Income Trust
|
4
Times Square
|
One
Corporate Center
|
New
York, New York 10036
|
Rye,
New York 10580-1422
|
(212)
735-3000
|
(914)
921-5100
|
Approximate date of proposed public offering: From time to time after the
effective date of this Registration Statement.
If
any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or
continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend
reinvestment plan, check the following box. [ ]
It
is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate
box)
[X]
When declared effective pursuant to section 8(c).
If
appropriate, check the following box:
[ ]
This [post-effective] amendment designates a new effective date for a previously
filed [post-effective amendment] [registration statement].
[ ]
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
Title
of Securities
|
Amount
Being
Registered
|
Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price Per Share
|
Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price(1)
|
Amount
of
Registration
Fee
|
Common
Shares of Beneficial Interest
|
100,000 Shares
|
$20.00
|
$2,000,000
|
$78.60
|
(1)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration
fee. In no event will the aggregate initial offering price of all
shares offered from time to time pursuant to the prospectus included as a part
of this Registration Statement exceed $_________.
THE
REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS
MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A
FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
|
Page
|
|
|
PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
|
1
|
SUMMARY
OF FUND EXPENSES
|
13
|
USE
OF PROCEEDS
|
14
|
THE
FUND
|
14
|
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
|
14
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RISK
FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
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24
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MANAGEMENT
OF THE FUND
|
33
|
PORTFOLIO
TRANSACTIONS
|
36
|
DISTRIBUTIONS
AND DIVIDENDS
|
36
|
DESCRIPTION
OF THE SHARES
|
38
|
ANTI-TAKEOVER
PROVISIONS OF THE FUND’S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS
|
41
|
CLOSED-END
FUND STRUCTURE
|
42
|
REPURCHASE
OF COMMON SHARES
|
43
|
NET
ASSET VALUE
|
43
|
TAXATION
|
44
|
CUSTODIAN,
TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
|
46
|
UNDERWRITING
|
46
|
LEGAL
MATTERS
|
47
|
INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
|
47
|
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
|
47
|
PRIVACY
PRINCIPLES OF THE FUND
|
47
|
TABLE
OF CONTENTS OF SAI
|
49
|
|
|
Subject
to Completion
Dated
_________, 2008
PROSPECTUS
The
Gabelli Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust
Common
Shares of Beneficial Interest
Investment
Objective.
|
The Gabelli
Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust (the “Fund”) is a newly
organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940
Act”). The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a
high level of current income. The Fund’s secondary investment
objective is to seek capital appreciation consistent with the Fund’s
strategy and its primary objective. An investment in the Fund is not
appropriate for all investors. We cannot assure you that the
Fund’s objectives will be achieved.
|
Investment
Adviser. Gabelli Funds, LLC serves as “Investment
Adviser” to the Fund. See “Management of the Fund.”
Investment Policies and
Strategy. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will
attempt to achieve its objectives by investing at least 80% of its assets in
securities of companies principally engaged in the natural resources and gold
industries and in income-producing securities. The Fund will invest
at least 25% of its assets in the securities of companies principally engaged in
the exploration, production or distribution of natural resources, such as base
metals, metals, paper, food and agriculture, forestry products, gas, oil and
other commodities as well as related transportation companies and equipment
manufacturers. The Fund will invest at least 25% of its assets in the
securities of companies principally engaged in the exploration, mining,
fabrication, processing, distribution or trading of gold or the financing,
managing, controlling or operating of companies engaged in “gold-related”
activities. The Fund may invest in the securities of companies
located anywhere in the world. As part of its investment strategy,
the Fund intends to earn income through an option strategy of writing (selling)
covered call options covering amounts up to between 90% to 100% of the assets on
equity securities in its portfolio and uncovered call options on related indices
and securities not in its portfolio. When the Fund sells a covered
call option, it receives income in the form of the premium paid by the buyer of
the call option, but the Fund forgoes the opportunity to participate in any
increase in the value of the underlying equity security above the exercise price
of the option. See “Investment Objective and Policies.”
No Prior
History. The Fund’s shares have no history of public
trading. Shares of
closed–end funds often trade at a discount from net asset value. If
our shares trade at a discount to our net asset value, it may increase the risk
of loss for purchasers in this offering. We expect the common
shares to be approved for listing on the
[ (“ ”)],
under the symbol [ ], subject to notice of
issuance.
Investing
in the Fund’s common shares involves
risks. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations” on page
[ ] for factors that should be considered before
investing in common shares of the Fund.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined
if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the
contrary is a criminal offense.
|
|
|
|
Public
offering price
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
Sales
load
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
Estimated
offering expenses (2)
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
Proceeds
after expenses to the Fund
|
$
|
|
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$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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(1)
|
The
Fund has granted the Underwriters an option to purchase up to
[ ]
additional common shares at the public offering price, less the sales
load, within [ ] days of the date of this prospectus solely to
cover overallotments, if any. If such option is exercised in
full, the total public offering price, sales load, estimated offering
expenses and proceeds, after expenses, to the Fund will be
$[ ],
$[ ],
$[ ] and
$[ ],
respectively. See
“Underwriting.”
|
(2)
|
The
Fund will pay offering expenses of the Fund (other than the sales load) up
to an aggregate of $[ ] per
share of the Fund’s common shares. This
$[ ] per common share amount includes the
$[ ] per share partial
reimbursement of expenses to the underwriters. Gabelli Funds,
LLC has agreed to pay such offering expenses of the Fund to the extent
those expenses exceed $[ ]
per share of the Fund’s common
shares.
|
The
Fund expects to sell up to [ ] common shares to its
trustees, officers, its Investment Adviser or affiliates and their employees at
a price of $[ ] per share. No underwriting
discounts or commissions will be paid in respect to the sale of these shares,
and the Fund will receive all proceeds.
This
prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Fund that a
prospective investor should know before investing. You should read
this prospectus, which contains important information about the Fund, before
deciding whether to invest in the common shares, and retain it for future
reference. A Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”), dated
__________, 2008, containing additional information about the Fund, has been
filed with the Commission and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into
this prospectus. You may request a free copy of our annual and
semi-annual reports, request a free copy of the SAI, the table of contents of
which is on page [ ] of this prospectus, request other
information about us and make shareholder inquiries by calling (800) GABELLI
(422-3554) or by writing to the Fund, or obtain a copy (and other information
regarding the Fund) from the Commission’s website
(http://www.sec.gov).
The
Fund’s common shares do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and are not
guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution, and
are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the
Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.
You
should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in
this prospectus. The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you
with different information. The Fund is not, and the underwriters are
not, making an offer to sell these securities in any state where the offer or
sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information
contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of
this prospectus.
PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
This
is only a summary. This summary may not contain all of the
information that you should consider before investing in our
shares. You should review the more detailed information contained in
this prospectus and the SAI.
The
Fund
|
The
Gabelli Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust is a newly organized,
non-diversified, closed-end management investment company organized under
the laws of the State of Delaware. Throughout this prospectus,
we refer to The Gabelli Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust as the
“Fund” or as “we,” “us” or “our.” See “The Fund.”
|
The
Offering
|
The
Fund is offering common shares of beneficial interest at an initial
offering price of $[ ] per share
through a group of underwriters (the “Underwriters”) led by
[ ]. The
common shares of beneficial interest are called “common shares” in the
rest of this prospectus. You must purchase at least
[ ] common shares in order to participate in this
offering. The Fund has given the Underwriters an option to
purchase up to
[ ]
additional common shares at the public offering price, less the sales
load, within [ ] days from the date of this prospectus to
cover orders in excess of
[ ] common
shares. The Investment Adviser has agreed to pay offering
expenses (other than the sales load) that exceed
$[ ] per common
share. See “Underwriting.”
We
expect to sell up to
[ ] common shares to our
trustees, officers, our Investment Adviser or affiliates and their
employees at a price of $[ ] per share. No
underwriting discounts or commissions will be paid in respect to the sale
of these shares, and the Fund will receive all
proceeds.
|
Investment
Objective and Policies
|
The
Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current
income. The Fund’s secondary investment objective is to seek
capital appreciation consistent with the Fund’s strategy and its primary
objective.
|
|
Under
normal market conditions, the Fund will attempt to achieve its objectives
by investing at least 80% of its assets in securities of companies
principally engaged in the natural resources and gold industries and
income-producing securities. The Fund will invest at least 25%
of its assets in the securities of companies principally engaged in the
exploration, production or distribution of natural resources, such as base
metals, metals, paper, food, agriculture, forestry products, gas, oil and
other commodities as well as related transportation companies and
equipment manufacturers (“Natural Resources Companies”). The
Fund will invest at least 25% of its assets in the securities of companies
principally engaged in the exploration, mining, fabrication, processing,
distribution or trading of gold or the financing, managing, controlling or
operating of companies engaged in “gold-related” activities (“Gold
Companies”).
The
Fund may invest without limitation in the securities of domestic and
foreign issuers. The Fund expects that its assets will usually
be invested in several countries. [To the extent that the
natural resources and gold industries are concentrated in any given
geographic region, such as Europe, North America or Asia, a relatively
high proportion of the Fund’s assets may be invested in that particular
region.] See “Investment Objective and
Policies.”
|
|
Principally
engaged, as used in this prospectus, means a company that derives at least
50% of its revenues or earnings from or devotes at least 50% of its assets
to the indicated businesses. Equity securities may include
common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants,
depository receipts and equity interests in trusts and other
entities. Other Fund investments may include investment
companies, including exchange traded funds, securities of issuers subject
to reorganization, derivative instruments, debt (including obligations of
the U.S. government) and money market instruments. As part of
its investment strategy, the Fund intends to earn income through an option
strategy which will normally consist of writing (selling) call options on
equity securities in its portfolio (“covered calls”), but may, in amounts
up to 15% of the Fund’s assets, consist of writing uncovered call options
on securities not held by the Fund, indices comprised of Natural Resources
Companies or Gold Companies or exchange-traded funds comprised of such
issuers and put options on securities in its portfolio. When
the Fund sells a call option, it receives income in the form of the
premium paid by the buyer of the call option, but the Fund forgoes the
opportunity to participate in any increase in the value of the underlying
equity security above the exercise price of the option. When
the Fund sells a put option, it receives income in the form of the premium
paid by the buyer of the put option, but the Fund will have the obligation
to buy the underlying security at the exercise price if the price of the
security decreases below the exercise price of the option. See
“Investment Objective and Policies.”
|
|
The
Fund may invest [up to 20%] of its assets in "convertible
securities,"
i.e., securities (bonds, debentures, notes, stocks and other
similar securities) that are convertible into common stock or other equity
securities, and "income securities," i.e., nonconvertible
debt or equity securities having a history of regular payments or accrual
of income to holders. The Fund may invest up to 25% of
its assets in "junk bonds" such as convertible debt securities (which
generally are rated lower than investment grade) and fixed-income
securities that are rated lower than investment grade, or not rated but of
similar quality.
|
|
The
Fund is not intended for those who which to exploit short-term swings in
the stock market.
|
|
The
Investment Adviser’s investment philosophy with respect to selecting
investments in the natural resources and gold industries is to emphasize
quality, value and favorable prospects for growth, as determined by such
factors as asset quality, balance sheet leverage, management ability,
reserve life, cash flow, and commodity hedging exposure. In
addition, in making stock selections, the Investment Adviser looks for
securities that it believes may provide attractive yields as well as
capital gains potential and that allow the Fund to earn income from
writing covered calls on such stocks.
|
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Leverage
|
The
Fund does not currently anticipate borrowing from banks or other financial
institutions, issuing preferred shares or otherwise leveraging the common
shares. However, the Fund will monitor interest rates and
market conditions and anticipates that it will leverage the common shares
at some point in the future if the Board of Trustees determines that it is
in the best interest of the common shareholders. The use of
borrowing techniques or preferred shares to leverage the common shares may
involve greater risk to common shareholders. The use of
leverage may magnify the impact of changes in net asset value on the
holders of common shares. In addition, the cost of leverage
could exceed the return on the securities acquired with the proceeds of
the leverage, thereby diminishing returns to the holders of the common
shares.
|
|
The
Fund may also engage in investment management techniques which will not be
considered senior securities if the Fund segregates cash or other liquid
securities equal to the Fund’s obligations in respect of such
techniques.
|
Distributions
and Dividends
|
The
Fund intends to make regular monthly cash distributions of all or a
portion of its investment company taxable income (which includes ordinary
income and realized short-term capital gains) to common
shareholders. The Fund also intends to make annual
distributions of its realized capital gains (which is the excess of net
long-term capital gains over net short-term capital
losses). Various factors will affect the level of the Fund’s
income, such as its asset mix, and use of covered call
strategies. To permit the Fund to maintain more stable monthly
distributions, the Fund may from time to time distribute less than the
entire amount of income earned in a particular period, which would be
available to supplement future distributions. As a result, the
distributions paid by the Fund for any particular monthly period may be
more or less than the amount of income actually earned by the Fund during
that period. Because the Fund’s income will fluctuate and the
Fund’s distribution policy may be changed by the Board of Trustees at any
time, there can be no assurance that the Fund will pay distributions or
dividends at a particular rate. See “Distributions and
Dividends.”
|
|
Investment
company taxable income (including dividend income) and capital gain
distributions paid by the Fund are automatically reinvested in additional
shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects to receive cash or the
shareholder’s broker does not provide reinvestment
services. See “Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Voluntary
Cash Purchase Plan.”
|
Use
of Proceeds
|
The
Fund will use the net proceeds from the offering to purchase portfolio
securities in accordance with its investment objective and
policies. The investment of proceeds is expected to be
substantially completed within three months; however, changes
in market conditions could result in the Fund's anticipated investment
period extending to as long as six months. See “Use of
Proceeds.”
|
Exchange
Listing
|
We
expect the common shares to be approved for listing on the
[ ], under the trading or
“ticker” symbol [ ]. See “Description of the
Shares.”
|
Market
Price of Shares
|
Common
shares of closed-end investment companies often trade at prices lower than
their net asset value. Common shares of closed-end investment
companies may trade during some periods at prices higher than their net
asset value and during other periods at prices lower than their net asset
value. The Fund cannot assure you that its common shares will
trade at a price higher than or equal to net asset value. The
Fund’s net asset value will be reduced immediately following this offering
by the sales load and the amount of the offering expenses paid by the
Fund. See “Use of Proceeds.”
|
|
In
addition to net asset value, the market price of the Fund’s common shares
may be affected by such factors as the Fund’s dividend and distribution
levels (which are affected by expenses) and stability, market liquidity,
market supply and demand, unrealized gains, general market and economic
conditions and other factors. See “Risk Factors and Special
Considerations,” “Description of the Shares” and “Repurchase of Common
Shares.”
|
|
The
common shares are designed primarily for long-term investors, and you
should not purchase common shares of the Fund if you intend to sell them
shortly after purchase.
|
Risk
Factors and Special Considerations
|
Risk
is inherent in all investing. Therefore, before investing in
common shares of the Fund you should consider the risks
carefully.
|
|
Industry
Risks. The Fund’s investments will be concentrated in
the natural resources industries and in the gold
industries. Because the Fund is concentrated in these
industries, it may present more risks than if it were broadly diversified
over numerous industries and sectors of the economy. A downturn
in the natural resources or the gold industries would have a larger impact
on the Fund than on an investment company that does not concentrate in
such industries.
|
|
Under
normal market conditions the Fund will invest at least 25% of its assets
in securities of Natural Resources Companies. A downturn in the
indicated natural resources industries would have a larger impact on the
Fund than on an investment company that does not invest significantly in
such industries. Such industries can be significantly affected
by supply and demand for the indicated commodities and related services,
exploration and production spending, government regulations, world events
and economic conditions. The base metals, metals, paper, food
and agriculture, forestry products, gas, oil and other commodities
industries can be significantly affected by events relating to
international political developments, the success of exploration projects,
commodity prices, and tax and government regulations. The stock
prices of Natural Resources Companies, some of which have experienced
substantial price increases in recent periods, may also experience greater
price volatility than other types of common stocks. Securities
issued by Natural Resources Companies are sensitive to changes in the
prices of, and in supply and demand for, the indicated
commodities. The value of securities issued by Natural
Resources Companies may be affected by changes in overall market
movements, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular
industry or commodity, such as weather, embargoes, tariffs, policies of
commodity cartels and international economic, political and regulatory
developments. The Investment Adviser’s judgments about trends
in the prices of these securities and commodities may prove to be
incorrect. It is possible that the performance of securities of
Natural Resources Companies may lag the performance of other industries or
the broader market as a whole.
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|
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Under
normal market conditions the Fund will invest at least 25% of its assets
in securities of Gold Companies. Securities of Gold Companies
may experience greater volatility than companies not involved in the
gold industries. Investments related to gold are
considered speculative and are affected by a variety of worldwide
economic, financial and political factors. The price of gold,
which has experienced substantial increases in recent periods, may
fluctuate sharply, including substantial decreases, over short periods of
time due to changes in inflation or expectations regarding inflation in
various countries, the availability of supplies of gold, changes in
industrial and commercial demand, gold sales by governments, central banks
or international agencies, investment speculation, monetary and other
economic policies of various governments and government restrictions on
private ownership of gold. The Investment Adviser’s judgments
about trends in the prices of securities of Gold Companies may prove to be
incorrect. It is possible that the performance of securities of
Gold Companies may lag the performance of other industries or the broader
market as a whole. |
|
See
“Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Industry Risks.”
|
|
Supply and Demand
Risk. A decrease in the production of, or exploration
of, gold, base metals, metals, paper, food and agriculture, forestry
products, gas, oil and other commodities or a decrease in the volume of
such commodities available for transportation, mining, processing, storage
or distribution may adversely impact the financial performance of the
Fund’s investments. Production declines and volume decreases
could be caused by various factors, including catastrophic events
affecting production, depletion of resources, labor difficulties,
environmental proceedings, increased regulations, equipment failures and
unexpected maintenance problems, import supply disruption, increased
competition from alternative energy sources or commodity
prices. Sustained declines in demand for the indicated
commodities could also adversely affect the financial performance of
Natural Resources Companies and Gold Companies over the
long-term. Factors which could lead to a decline in demand
include economic recession or other adverse economic conditions, higher
fuel taxes or governmental regulations, increases in fuel economy,
consumer shifts to the use of alternative fuel sources, changes in
commodity prices, or weather.
|
|
Depletion and Exploration
Risk. Many Natural Resources Companies and Gold
Companies are either engaged in the production or exploration of the
particular commodities or are engaged in transporting, storing,
distributing and processing such commodities. To maintain or
increase their revenue level, these companies or their customers need to
maintain or expand their reserves through exploration of new sources of
supply, the development of existing sources, acquisitions, or long-term
contracts to acquire reserves. The financial performance of
Natural Resources Companies and Gold Companies may be adversely affected
if they, or the companies to whom they provide products or services, are
unable to cost effectively acquire additional products or reserves
sufficient to replace the natural decline.
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|
Regulatory
Risk. Natural Resources Companies and Gold Companies may
be subject to extensive government regulation in virtually every aspect of
their operations, including how facilities are constructed, maintained and
operated, environmental and safety controls, and in some cases the prices
they may charge for the products and services they
provide. 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.
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|
|
|
Commodity Pricing
Risk. The operations and financial performance of
Natural Resources Companies and Gold Companies may be directly affected by
the prices of the indicated commodities, especially those Natural
Resources Companies and Gold Companies for whom the commodities they own
are significant assets. Commodity prices fluctuate for several
reasons, including changes in market and economic conditions, levels of
domestic production, impact of governmental regulation and taxation, the
availability of transportation systems and, in the case of oil and gas
companies in particular, conservation measures and the impact of
weather. Volatility of commodity prices which may lead to a
reduction in production or supply, may also negatively affect the
performance of Natural Resources Companies and Gold Companies which are
solely involved in the transportation, processing, storing, distribution
or marketing of commodities. Volatility of
|
|
commodity
prices may also make it more difficult for Natural Resources Companies and
Gold Companies to raise capital to the extent the market perceives that
their performance may be directly or indirectly tied to commodity
prices.
|
|
Risks Associated with Covered
Calls and Other Option Transactions. There are several
risks associated with writing covered calls and entering into other types
of option transactions. For example, there are significant
differences between the securities and options markets that could result
in an imperfect correlation between these markets, resulting in a given
transaction not achieving its objectives. In addition, a
decision as to whether, when and how to use covered call options involves
the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction
may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected
events. As the writer of a covered call option, the Fund
forgoes, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from
increases in the market value of the security covering the call option
above the exercise price of the call option, but has retained the risk of
loss should the price of the underlying security decline. As
the writer of an uncovered call option, the Fund has no risk of loss
should the price of the underlying security decline but bears unlimited
risk of loss should the price of the underlying security increase above
the exercise price until the Fund covers its exposure.
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|
There
can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to
close out an option position. If the Fund were unable to close
out a covered call option that it had written on a security, it would not
be able to sell the underlying security unless the option expired without
exercise. Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market
for exchange-traded options include the following: (i) there may be
insufficient trading interest; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an
exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii)
trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with
respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual or
unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange;
(v) the trading facilities may not be adequate to handle current trading
volume; or (vi) the relevant exchange could discontinue the trading of
options. In addition, the Fund’s ability to terminate
over-the-counter options may be more limited than with exchange-traded
options and may involve the risk that counterparties participating in such
transactions will not fulfill their obligations. See “Risk
Factors and Special Considerations — Risks Associated with Covered Calls
and Other Option Transactions.”
|
|
Limitation on Covered Call
Writing Risk. The number of covered call options the
Fund can write is limited by the number of shares of the corresponding
common stock the Fund holds. Furthermore, the Fund’s covered
call options and other options transactions will be subject to limitations
established by the exchanges on which such options are
traded. As a result, the number of covered call options that
the Fund may write or purchase may be affected by options written or
purchased by it and other investment advisory clients of the Investment
Adviser. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Risks
Associated with Covered Calls and Other Option Transactions — Limitation
on Covered Call Writing Risk.”
|
|
|
|
Common Stock
Risk. Common stock of an issuer in the Fund’s portfolio
may decline in price for a variety of reasons including if the issuer
fails to make anticipated dividend payments. Common stock is
structurally subordinated as to income and residual value to preferred
stock and debt in a company’s |
|
capital
structure and therefore will be subject to greater dividend risk than
preferred stock or debt instruments of such issuers. While
common stock has historically generated higher average returns over long
measurement periods than fixed income securities, common stock has also
experienced significantly more volatility in those returns. See
“Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Common Stock
Risk.”
|
|
Convertible Securities
Risk. Convertible securities generally offer lower
interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar
quality. The market values of convertible securities tend to
decline as interest rates increase and conversely, to increase as interest
rates decline. In the absence of adequate anti-dilutive
provisions in a convertible security, dilution in the value of the Fund’s
holding may occur in the event the underlying stock is subdivided,
additional equity securities are issued for below market value, a stock
dividend is declared, or the issuer enters into another type of corporate
transaction that has a similar effect. See “Risk Factors and
Special Considerations — Convertible Securities Risk.”
|
|
Interest Rate
Risk. Rising interest rates generally adversely affect
the financial performance of Natural Resources Companies and Gold
Companies by increasing their costs of capital. This may reduce
their ability to execute acquisitions or expansion projects in a
cost-effective manner.
|
|
During
periods of declining interest rates, the issuer of a preferred stock or
fixed income security may be able to exercise an option to prepay
principal earlier than scheduled, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower
yielding securities. This is known as call or prepayment
risk. During periods of rising interest rates, the average life
of certain types of securities may be extended because of slower than
expected principal payments. This may prolong the length of
time the security pays a below market interest rate, increase the
security’s duration and reduce the value of the security. This
is known as extension risk. See “Risk Factors and Special
Considerations — Interest Rate Risk.”
|
|
Foreign
Securities. Because many of the world’s Natural
Resources Companies and Gold Companies are located outside of the U.S.,
the Fund may have a significant portion of its investments in securities
that are traded in foreign markets and that are not subject to the
requirements of the U.S. securities laws, markets and accounting
requirements (“Foreign Securities”). Investments in Foreign
Securities involve certain considerations and risks not ordinarily
associated with investments in securities of domestic
issuers. Foreign companies are not generally subject to the
same accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements as
those applicable to U.S. companies. Foreign Securities
exchanges, brokers and listed companies may be subject to less government
supervision and regulation than exists in the U.S. Dividend and
interest income may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes,
which may adversely affect the net return on such
investments. There may be difficulty in obtaining or enforcing
a court judgment abroad, and it may be difficult to effect repatriation of
capital invested in certain countries. In addition, with
respect to certain countries, there are risks of expropriation,
confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic
developments that could affect assets of the Fund held in foreign
countries. See "Risk Factors and Special Considerations –
Foreign Securities."
|
|
|
|
Lower Grade
Securities. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets
in fixed income and convertible securities rated in the lower rating
categories of |
|
recognized
statistical rating agencies, such as securities rated “CCC” or lower by
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”) or “Caa” by Moody’s
Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), or non-rated securities of comparable
quality. These high yield securities, also sometimes referred
to as “junk bonds,” 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. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations —
Lower Grade Securities.”
|
|
Emerging Markets
Risk. The Fund may invest without limit in securities of
issuers whose primary operations or principal trading market is in an
“emerging market.” An “emerging market” country is any country that is
considered to be an emerging or developing country by the International
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “World
Bank”). Investing in securities of companies in emerging
markets may entail special risks relating to potential political and
economic instability and the risks of expropriation, nationalization,
confiscation or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investment, the
lack of hedging instruments and restrictions on repatriation of capital
invested. Emerging securities markets are substantially
smaller, less developed, less liquid and more volatile than the major
securities markets. The limited size of emerging securities
markets and limited trading value compared to the volume of trading in
U.S. securities could cause prices to be erratic for reasons apart from
factors that affect the quality of the securities. For example,
limited market size may cause prices to be unduly influenced by traders
who control large positions. Adverse publicity and investors’
perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease
the value and liquidity of portfolio securities, especially in these
markets. Other risks include high concentration of market
capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers
representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high
concentration of investors and financial intermediaries; overdependence on
exports, including natural resources and gold exports, making these
economies vulnerable to changes in commodity prices; overburdened
infrastructure and obsolete or unseasoned financial systems; environmental
problems; less developed legal systems; and less reliable securities
custodial services and settlement
practices.
|
|
Foreign Currency
Risk. The Fund expects to invest in companies whose
securities are denominated or quoted in currencies other than U.S. dollars
or have significant operations or markets outside of the
U.S. In such instances, the Fund will be exposed to currency
risk, including the risk of fluctuations in the exchange rate between U.S.
dollars (in which the Fund’s shares are denominated) and such foreign
currencies and the risk of currency devaluations. Certain
non-U.S. currencies, primarily in developing countries, have been devalued
in the past and might face devaluation in the future. Currency
devaluations generally have a significant and adverse impact on the
devaluing country’s economy in the short and intermediate term and on the
financial condition and results of companies’ operations in that
country. Currency devaluations may also be accompanied by
significant declines in the values and liquidity of equity and debt
securities of affected governmental and private sector entities
generally. To the extent that affected companies have
obligations denominated in currencies other than the devalued currency,
those companies may also have difficulty in meeting those obligations
under such circumstances, which in turn could have an adverse effect upon
the value of the Fund’s investments in such companies. There
can be no assurance that current or future developments with respect to
foreign currency devaluations will not impair the Fund’s investment
|
|
flexibility,
its ability to achieve its investment objective or the value of certain of
its foreign currency denominated investments. See “Risk Factors
and Special Considerations — Foreign Currency Risk.” |
|
|
|
Income
Risk. The income shareholders receive from the Fund is
expected to be based primarily on income the Fund earns from its
investment strategy of writing covered calls and dividends and other
distributions received from its investments. If the Fund’s
covered call strategy fails to generate sufficient income or the
distribution rates or yields of the Fund’s holdings decrease,
shareholders’ income from the Fund could decline. See “Risk
Factors and Special Considerations — Income Risk.”
|
|
Distribution Risk for Equity
Income Portfolio Securities. The Fund intends to invest
in the shares of issuers that pay dividends or other
distributions. Such dividends or other distributions are not
guaranteed and an issuer may forgo paying dividends or other distributions
at any time and for any reason. See “Risk Factors and Special
Considerations — Distribution Risk for Equity Income Portfolio
Securities.”
|
|
Special Risks Related to
Preferred Securities. Special risks associated with
investing in preferred securities include deferral of distributions or
dividend payments, in some cases the right of an issuer never to pay
missed dividends, subordination to debt and other liabilities,
illiquidity, limited voting rights and redemption by the
issuer. Because the Fund has no limit on its investment in
non-cumulative preferred securities, the amount of dividends the Fund pays
may be adversely affected if an issuer of a non-cumulative preferred stock
held by the Fund determines not to pay dividends on such
stock. There is no assurance that distributions or dividends on
preferred stock in which the Fund invests will be declared or otherwise
made payable. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations —
Special Risks Related to Preferred Securities.”
|
|
Inflation
Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of
assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as
inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases,
the real value of the Fund’s shares and distributions thereon can
decline. In addition, during any periods of rising inflation,
dividend rates of any variable rate preferred shares or debt securities
issued by the Fund would likely increase, which would tend to further
reduce returns to common shareholders. See “Risk Factors and
Special Considerations — Inflation
Risk.”
|
|
Illiquid
Investments. The Fund may invest in unregistered
securities and otherwise illiquid investments. Unregistered
securities are securities that cannot be sold publicly in the United
States without registration under the Securities Act of
1933. An illiquid investment is a security or other investment
that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of
business at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the
investment. Unregistered securities often can be resold only in
privately negotiated transactions with a limited number of purchasers or
in a public offering registered under the Securities Act of
1933. Considerable delay could be encountered in either event
and, unless otherwise contractually provided for, the Fund’s proceeds upon
sale may be reduced by the costs of registration or underwriting
discounts. The difficulties and delays associated with such
transactions could result in the Fund’s inability to realize a favorable
price upon disposition of unregistered securities, and at times might make
disposition of such securities impossible. In addition, the
Fund may be unable to sell other illiquid investments when it desires to
do so,
|
|
resulting
in the Fund obtaining a lower price or being required to retain the
investment. Illiquid investments generally must be valued at
fair value, which is inherently less precise than utilizing market values
for liquid investments, and may lead to differences between the price a
security is valued for determining the Fund’s net asset value and the
price the Fund actually receives upon sale. See “Risk Factors
and Special Considerations — Illiquid Investments.”
|
|
Investment
Companies. The Fund may invest in the securities of
other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds. To
the extent the Fund invests in the common equity of investment companies,
the Fund will bear its ratable share of any such investment company’s
expenses, including management fees. The Fund will also remain
obligated to pay management fees to the Investment Adviser with respect to
the assets invested in the securities of other investment
companies. In these circumstances, holders of the Fund’s common
shares will be in effect subject to duplicative investment
expenses. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations —
Investment Companies.”
|
|
Special Risks of Derivative
Transactions. The Fund may participate in derivative
transactions. Such transactions entail certain execution,
market, liquidity, hedging and tax risks. Participation in the
options or futures markets and in currency exchange transactions involves
investment risks and transaction costs to which the Fund would not be
subject absent the use of these strategies. If the Investment
Adviser’s prediction of movements in the direction of the securities,
foreign currency and interest rate markets is inaccurate, the consequences
to the Fund may leave the Fund in a worse position than if it had not used
such strategies. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations —
Special Risks of Derivative Transactions.”
|
|
Market Discount
Risk. Whether investors will realize gains or losses
upon the sale of common shares of the Fund will depend upon the market
price of the shares at the time of sale, which may be less or more than
the Fund’s net asset value per share. Since the market price of
the common shares will be affected by such factors as the Fund’s dividend
and distribution levels (which are in turn affected by expenses) and
stability, net asset value, market liquidity, the relative demand for and
supply of the common shares in the market, unrealized gains, general
market and economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the
Fund, the Fund cannot predict whether the common shares will trade at,
below or above net asset value or at, below or above the public offering
price. Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount
from their net asset value and the Fund’s shares may trade at such a
discount. This risk may be greater for investors expecting to
sell their common shares of the Fund soon after the completion of the
public offering. The common shares of the Fund are designed
primarily for long-term investors, and investors in the common shares
should not view the Fund as a vehicle for trading purposes. See
“Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Market Discount
Risk.”
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|
Swaps. The
Fund may enter into total rate of return, credit default or other types of
swaps and related derivatives for the purpose of hedging and risk
management. These transactions generally provide for the
transfer from one counterparty to another of certain risks inherent in the
ownership of a financial asset such as a common stock or debt
instrument. Such risks include, among other things, the risk of
default and insolvency of the obligor of such asset, the risk that the
credit of the obligor or the underlying collateral will decline or the
risk that the common stock of the underlying
|
|
issuer
will decline in value. The transfer of risk pursuant to a
derivative of this type may be complete or partial, and may be for the
life of the related asset or for a shorter period. These
derivatives may be used as a risk management tool for a pool of financial
assets, providing the Fund with the opportunity to gain or reduce exposure
to one or more reference securities or other financial assets (each, a
“Reference Asset”) without actually owning or selling such assets in
order, for example, to increase or reduce a concentration risk or to
diversify a portfolio. Conversely, these derivatives may be
used by the Fund to reduce exposure to an owned asset without selling
it. See "Risk Factors and Special Considerations –
Swaps." |
|
|
|
Dependence on Key
Personnel. The Investment Adviser is dependent upon the
expertise of Mr. Mario J. Gabelli. If the Investment Adviser
were to lose the services of Mr. Gabelli, it could be adversely
affected. There can be no assurance that a suitable replacement
could be found for Mr. Gabelli in the event of his death, resignation,
retirement or inability to act on behalf of the Investment
Adviser. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations —
Dependence on Key Personnel.”
|
|
Long-Term Objective; Not a
Complete Investment Program. The Fund is intended for
investors seeking a high level of current income. The Fund is
not meant to provide a vehicle for those who wish to exploit short-term
swings in the stock market. An investment in shares of the Fund
should not be considered a complete investment program. Each
shareholder should take into account the Fund’s investment objective as
well as the shareholder’s other investments when considering an investment
in the Fund. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations —
Long-Term Objective; Not a Complete Investment Program.”
|
|
Management
Risk. The Fund is subject to management risk because its
portfolio 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 these will
produce the desired results. See “Risk Factors and Special
Considerations — Management Risk.”
|
|
No operating history.
The Fund is
a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company with no
operating history.
|
|
Non-Diversified
Status. As a non-diversified investment company under
the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest a greater portion of its assets in a
more limited number of issuers than may a diversified fund, and
accordingly, an investment in the Fund may present greater risk to an
investor than an investment in a diversified company. See “Risk
Factors and Special Considerations — Non-Diversified
Status.”
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|
|
|
Current
Developments. As a result of the terrorist attacks on
the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, some of the
U.S. securities markets were closed for a four-day
period. These terrorists attacks, the war in Iraq and its
aftermath and other geopolitical events have led to, and may in the future
lead to, increased short-term market volatility and may have long-term
effects on U.S. and world economies and markets. The nature,
scope and duration of the war and occupation cannot be predicted with any
certainty. Similar events in the future or other disruptions of
financial markets could affect interest rates, securities exchanges,
auctions, secondary trading, ratings, credit risk, inflation, energy
prices and other factors relating to the common shares. See
“Risk Factors and Special |
|
Considerations
— Current Developments.”
|
|
Anti-Takeover
Provisions. The Fund’s governing documents include
provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to
acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to an open-end
fund. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations —
Anti-Takeover Provisions” and “Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s
Governing Documents.”
|
Management
and Fees
|
Gabelli
Funds, LLC serves as the Fund’s Investment Adviser and is compensated for
its services and its related expenses at an annual rate of 1.00% of the
Fund’s average weekly managed assets payable monthly in
arrears. Managed assets consist of all the assets of the Fund
without deduction for borrowings, repurchase transactions and other
leveraging techniques, the liquidation value of any outstanding preferred
shares or other liabilities except for certain ordinary course
expenses. The Investment Adviser is responsible for
administration of the Fund and currently utilizes and pays the fees of a
third party sub-administrator. See “Management of the
Fund.”
|
Repurchase
of Common Shares and Anti-takeover
Provisions
|
The
Fund’s Board of Trustees has authorized the Fund to consider the
repurchase of its common shares in the open market when the common shares
are trading at a discount of [7.5]% or more from net asset value (or such
other percentage as the Board of Trustees may determine from time to
time). Although the Board of Trustees has authorized such
repurchases, the Fund is not required to repurchase its common
shares. Such repurchases are subject to certain notice and
other requirements under the 1940 Act. See “Repurchase of
Common Shares.”
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|
Certain
provisions of the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws
(collectively, the “Governing Documents”) may be regarded as
“anti-takeover” provisions. Pursuant to these provisions, only
one of three classes of Trustees is elected each year, and the affirmative
vote of the holders of 75% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are
necessary to authorize the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an
open-end investment company or to authorize certain transactions between
the Fund and a beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of the Fund’s
capital stock. The overall effect of these provisions is to
render more difficult the accomplishment of a merger with, or the
assumption of control by, a principal shareholder. These
provisions may have the effect of depriving Fund’s common shareholders of
an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium to the prevailing market
price. The issuance of preferred shares could make it more
difficult for the holders of common shares to avoid the effect of these
provisions. See “Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s
Governing Documents.”
|
Custodian,
Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent
|
[ ],
serves as the custodian (the “Custodian”) of the Fund’s assets pursuant to
a custody agreement. Under the custody agreement, the Custodian
holds the Fund’s assets in compliance with the 1940 Act. For
its services, the Custodian will receive a monthly fee paid by the Fund
based upon, among other things, the average value of the total assets of
the Fund, plus certain charges for securities transactions and out of
pocket expenses.
|
|
[ ],
serves as the Fund’s distribution disbursing agent, as agent under the
Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan
(the “Plan”), and as transfer agent and registrar with respect to the
common shares of the Fund.
|
SUMMARY
OF FUND EXPENSES
The
following table shows Fund expenses as a percentage of net assets attributable
to common shares. Because the Fund has no operating history, the
following tables are based on the assumption that the Fund has issued
[ ] common
shares.
Shareholder
Transaction Expenses
|
|
Sales Load Paid By You (as a
percentage of offering price)
|
%
|
Offering Expenses Borne by the Fund (as a percentage of offering
price)
|
(*)
|
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
Fees
|
None(**)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage
of Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares
|
Annual
Expenses
|
|
Management Fees
|
—%
|
Other Expenses
|
|
Total Annual
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
_____________________
(*)
|
Gabelli
Funds, LLC, the Fund’s Investment Adviser, has agreed to pay the amount of
the Fund’s offering expenses (other than the sales load) that exceed $0.04
per common share (0.20% of the offering
price).
|
(**)
|
You
will be charged a $1.00 service charge and pay brokerage charges if you
direct the plan agent to sell your common shares held in a dividend
reinvestment account.
|
The
purpose of the table above and the example below is to help you understand all
fees and expenses that you, as a holder of common shares, would bear directly or
indirectly. The expenses shown in the table under “Other Expenses” and “Total
Annual Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the Fund’s first year of
operations and assumes that the Fund issues [ ]
common shares. If the Fund issues fewer common shares, all other
things being equal, these expenses would increase.
The
following example illustrates the expenses (including the sales load of
$[ ] and estimated expenses of this offering of $[ ] that
an investor would pay on a $1,000 investment in common shares, assuming (1) net
annual expenses of [ ] of net assets attributable to common
shares and (2) a 5% annual portfolio total return. *
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Expenses Incurred
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
_________________
*
|
The example should not be
considered a representation of future expenses. The
example assumes that the amounts set forth in the Shareholder Transaction
Expenses and Annual Expenses table are accurate and that all distributions
are reinvested at net asset value. Actual expenses may be
greater or less than those assumed. Moreover, the Fund’s actual
rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return
shown in the example.
|
USE
OF PROCEEDS
The
Investment Adviser expects that it will initially invest the proceeds of the
offering in high quality short-term debt securities and
instruments. The Investment Adviser anticipates that the investment
of the proceeds will be made in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective
and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is
expected to substantially be completed within three months; however, changes in
market conditions could result in the Fund’s anticipated investment period
extending to as long as six months.
THE
FUND
The
Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment
company registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund was organized as a
Delaware statutory trust on _______, 2008, pursuant to an Agreement and
Declaration of Trust governed by the laws of the State of
Delaware. The Fund’s principal office is located at One Corporate
Center, Rye, New York, 10580-1422 and its telephone number is (800) GABELLI
(422-3554).
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
Investment
Objective
The
Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current
income. The Fund’s secondary investment objective is to seek capital
appreciation consistent with the Fund’s strategy and its primary
objective. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will attempt to
achieve its objectives by investing at least 80% of its assets in securities of
companies principally engaged in the natural resources and gold industries and
in income-producing securities. The Fund will invest at least 25% of
its assets in the securities of companies principally engaged in the
exploration, production or distribution of natural resources, such as base
metals, metals, paper, food and agriculture, forestry products, gas, oil and
other commodities as well as related transportation companies and equipment
manufacturers. The Fund will invest at least 25% of its assets in the
securities of companies principally engaged in the exploration, mining,
fabrication, processing, distribution or trading of gold or the financing,
managing, controlling or operating of companies engaged in “gold-related”
activities. The Fund may invest without limitation in the securities
of domestic and foreign issuers. The Fund expects that its assets
will usually be invested in several countries. [To the extent that
the natural resources and gold industries are concentrated in any given
geographic region, such as Europe, North America or Asia, a relatively high
proportion of the Fund’s assets may be invested in that particular
region.] Equity securities may include common stocks, preferred
stocks, convertible securities, warrants, depository receipts and equity
interests in trusts and other entities. Other Fund investments may
include investment companies, securities of issuers subject to reorganization or
other risk arbitrage investments, certain derivative instruments, debt
(including obligations of the U.S. government) and money market
instruments.
As
part of its investment strategy, the Fund intends to earn income through an
option strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on equity securities
in its portfolio. When the Fund sells a covered call option, it
receives income in the form of the premium paid by the buyer of the call option,
but the Fund forgoes the opportunity to participate in any increase in the value
of the underlying equity security above the exercise price of the
option.
Investment
Methodology of the Fund
In
selecting securities for the Fund, the Investment Adviser normally will consider
the following factors, among others:
|
·
|
the
industry of the issuer of a
security;
|
|
·
|
the
ability of the Fund to earn income from writing covered call options on
such securities;
|
|
·
|
the
interest or dividend income generated by the
securities;
|
|
·
|
the
potential for capital appreciation of the
securities;
|
|
·
|
the
prices of the securities relative to other comparable
securities;
|
|
·
|
whether
the securities are entitled to the benefits of call protection or other
protective covenants;
|
|
·
|
the
existence of any anti-dilution protections or guarantees of the security;
and
|
|
·
|
The
number and size of investments of the portfolio as to
issuers.
|
The
Investment Adviser’s investment philosophy with respect to selecting investments
in the gold industry and the natural resources industries is to emphasize
quality and value, as determined by such factors as asset quality, balance sheet
leverage, management ability, reserve life, cash flow, and commodity hedging
exposure. In addition, in making stock selections, the Investment
Adviser looks for securities that it believes may have a superior yield as well
as capital gains potential.
Certain
Investment Practices
Natural Resources
Industries Concentration. Under normal market conditions, the
Fund will invest at least 25% of its assets in securities of Natural Resources
Companies. “Natural Resources Companies” are those that are
principally engaged in the exploration, production or distribution of natural
resources, such as base metals, metals, paper, food and agriculture, forestry
products, gas, oil and other commodities as well as related transportation
companies and equipment manufacturers.
Principally
engaged, as used in this prospectus, means a company that derives at least 50%
of its revenues or earnings or devotes at least 50% of its assets to natural
resources or gold related activities, as the case may be.
Gold Industry
Concentration. Under normal market conditions the Fund will
invest at least 25% of its assets in the securities of Gold
Companies. “Gold Companies” are those that are principally engaged in
the exploration, mining, fabrication, processing, distribution or trading of
gold, or the financing, managing, controlling or operating of companies engaged
in “gold-related” activities. The Fund’s investments in Gold
Companies will generally be in the common equity of Gold Companies, but the Fund
may also invest in preferred stocks, securities convertible into common stocks,
and securities such as rights and warrants that have common stock
characteristics.
In
selecting investments in Gold Companies for the Fund, the Investment Adviser
focuses on stocks that are undervalued, but which appear to have favorable
prospects for growth. Factors considered in this determination
include capitalization per ounce of gold production, capitalization per ounce of
recoverable reserves, quality of management and ability to create shareholder
wealth. Because most of the world’s gold production is outside of the
United States, the Fund may have a significant portion of its investments in
Gold Companies in securities of foreign issuers, including those located in
developed as well as emerging markets. The percentage of Fund assets
invested in particular countries or regions will change from time to time based
on the Investment Adviser’s judgment. Among other things, the
Investment Adviser will consider the economic stability and economic outlook of
these countries and regions. See “Risk Factors and Special
Considerations — Industry Risks.”
Covered Calls and
Other Option Transactions. The Fund intends to earn income
through an option strategy which will normally consist of writing (selling) call
options on equity securities in its portfolio (“covered calls”), but may, in
amounts up to 15% of the Fund’s assets, consist of writing uncovered call
options on additional amounts of such securities beyond the amounts held in its
portfolio, on other securities not held in its portfolio, on indices comprised
of Natural Resources Companies or Gold Companies or on exchange traded funds
comprised of such issuers and also may consist of writing put options on
securities in its portfolio. Writing a covered call is the selling of
an option contract entitling the buyer to purchase an underlying security that
the Fund owns, while writing an uncovered call is the selling of such a contract
entitling the buyer to purchase a security the Fund does not own or in an amount
in excess of the amount the Fund owns. When the Fund sells a call
option, it receives income in the form of the premium paid by the buyer of the
call option, but the Fund forgoes the opportunity to participate in any increase
in the value of the underlying equity security above the exercise price of the
option. The writer of the call option has the obligation, upon
exercise of the option, to deliver the underlying security or currency upon
payment of the exercise price during the option period.
A
put option is the reverse of a call option, giving the buyer the right, in
return for a premium, to sell the underlying security to the writer, at a
specified price, and obligating the writer to purchase the underlying security
from the holder at that price. When the Fund sells a put option, it
receives income in the form of the premium paid by the buyer of the put option,
but the Fund will have the obligation to buy the underlying security at the
exercise price if the price of the security decreases below the exercise price
of the option.
If
the Fund has written a call option, it may terminate its obligation by effecting
a closing purchase transaction. This is accomplished by purchasing a
call option with the same terms as the option previously
written. However, once the Fund has been assigned an exercise notice,
the Fund will be unable to effect a closing purchase
transaction. Similarly, if the Fund is the holder of an option, it
may liquidate its position by effecting a closing sale
transaction. This is accomplished by selling an option with the same
terms as the option previously purchased. There can be no assurance
that either a closing purchase or sale transaction can be effected when the Fund
so desires.
The
Fund will realize a profit from a closing transaction if the price of the
transaction is less than the premium it received from writing the option or is
more than the premium it paid to purchase the option; the Fund will realize a
loss from a closing transaction if the price of the transaction is more than the
premium it received from writing the option or is less than the premium it paid
to purchase the option. Since call option prices generally reflect
increases in the price of the underlying security, any loss resulting from the
repurchase of a call option may also be wholly or partially offset by unrealized
appreciation of the underlying security. Other principal factors
affecting the market value of a put or a call option include supply and demand,
interest rates, the current market price and price volatility of the underlying
security and the time remaining until the expiration date. Gains and
losses on investments in options depend, in part, on the ability of the
Investment Adviser to predict correctly the effect of these
factors. The use of options cannot serve as a complete hedge since
the price movement of securities underlying the options will not necessarily
follow the price movements of the portfolio securities subject to the
hedge.
An
option position may be closed out only on an exchange that provides a secondary
market for an option with the same terms or in a private
transaction. Although the Fund will generally purchase or write
options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no
assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any
particular option. In such event, it might not be possible to effect
closing transactions in particular options, so that the Fund would have to
exercise its options in order to realize any profit and would incur brokerage
commissions upon the exercise of call options and upon the subsequent
disposition of underlying securities for the exercise of put
options.
Although
the Investment Adviser will attempt to take appropriate measures to minimize the
risks relating to the Fund’s writing and purchasing of put and call options,
there can be no assurance that the Fund will succeed in any option-writing
program it undertakes.
When
the Fund writes an uncovered call option or put option, it will segregate liquid
assets with its custodian in an amount equal to the amount, adjusted daily, by
which such option is in the money or will treat the unsegregated amount as
borrowings.
Foreign
Securities. Because many of the world’s Natural Resources
Companies and Gold Companies are located outside of the U.S., the Fund may have
a significant portion of its investments in securities of foreign issuers, which
are generally denominated in foreign currencies. See “Risk Factors
and Special Considerations — Foreign Securities Risk.”
The
Fund may also purchase sponsored American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”) or U.S.
dollar denominated securities of foreign issuers. ADRs are receipts
issued by U.S. banks or trust companies in respect of securities of foreign
issuers held on deposit for use in the U.S. securities markets.
Emerging
Markets. The Fund may invest without limit in securities of
emerging market issuers. These securities may be U.S. dollar
denominated or non-U.S. dollar denominated, including emerging market country
currency denominated. An “emerging market” country is any country
that is considered to be an emerging or developing country by the International
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “World Bank”). Emerging
market countries generally include every nation in the world except the U.S.,
Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and most countries located in Western
Europe.
Illiquid
Investments. The Fund may invest in securities for which there
is no readily available trading market or are otherwise
illiquid. Illiquid securities include, among other things, securities
legally restricted as to resale such as commercial paper issued pursuant to
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, 144A securities, written over-the-counter
options, repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days, certain
loan participation interests, fixed time deposits which are not subject to
prepayment or provide for withdrawal penalties upon prepayment (other than
overnight deposits), and other securities whose disposition is restricted under
the federal securities laws. Section 4(2) and Rule 144A securities
may, however, be treated as liquid by the Investment Adviser pursuant to
procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees (each member of the Board of
Trustees individually a “Trustee”), which require consideration of factors such
as trading activity, availability of market quotations and number of dealers
willing to purchase the security. If the Fund invests in Rule 144A
securities, the level of portfolio illiquidity may be increased to the extent
that eligible buyers become uninterested in purchasing such
securities.
It
may be more difficult to sell illiquid securities at an attractive price until
such time as such securities may be sold publicly. Where registration
is desired, a considerable period may elapse between a decision to sell the
securities and the time when registration is complete. Thus, the Fund
may not be able to obtain as favorable a price as that prevailing at the time of
the decision to sell. The Fund may also acquire securities with
contractual restrictions on the resale of such securities. Such
restrictions might prevent their sale at a time when such sale would otherwise
be desirable.
Income
Securities. The Fund may invest in other equity securities
that are expected to periodically accrue or generate income for their holders
such as common and preferred stocks of issuers that have historically paid
periodic dividends or otherwise made distributions to
stockholders. Unlike fixed income securities, dividend payments
generally are not guaranteed and so may be discontinued by the issuer at its
discretion or because of the issuer’s inability to satisfy its
liabilities. Further, an issuer’s history of paying dividends does
not guarantee that it will continue to pay dividends in the
future. In addition to dividends, under certain circumstances the
holders of common stock may benefit from the capital appreciation of the
issuer.
In
addition, the Fund also may invest in fixed income securities such as
convertible securities, bonds, debentures, notes, stock, short-term discounted
Treasury Bills or certain securities of the U.S. government sponsored
instrumentalities, as well as affiliated or unaffiliated money market mutual
funds that invest in those securities. Fixed income securities
obligate the issuer to pay to the holder of the security a specified return,
which may be either fixed or reset periodically in accordance with the terms of
the security. Fixed income securities generally are senior to an
issuer’s common stock and their holders generally are entitled to receive
amounts due before any distributions are made to common
stockholders. Common stocks, on the other hand, generally do not
obligate an issuer to make periodic distributions to holders.
The
market value of fixed income securities, especially those that provide a fixed
rate of return, may be expected to rise and fall inversely with interest rates
and in general is affected by the credit rating of the issuer, the issuer's
performance and perceptions of the issuer in the market place. The
market value of callable or redeemable fixed income securities may also be
affected by the issuer's call and redemption rights. In addition, it is possible
that the issuer of fixed income securities may not be able to meet its interest
or principal obligations to holders. Further, holders of non-convertible fixed
income securities do not participate in any capital appreciation of the
issuer.
The
Fund may also invest in obligations of government sponsored
instrumentalities. Unlike non-U.S. government securities, obligations
of certain agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government, such as the
Government National Mortgage Association, are supported by the “full faith and
credit” of the U.S. government; others, such as those of the Export-Import Bank
of the U.S., are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S.
Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal National Mortgage Association,
are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase
the agency’s obligations; and still others, such as those of the Student Loan
Marketing Association, are supported only by the credit of the
instrumentality. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government
would provide financial support to U.S. government sponsored instrumentalities
if it is not obligated to do so by law. Although the Fund may invest
in all types of obligations of agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S.
government, the Fund currently intends to invest only in obligations of
government sponsored instrumentalities that are supported by the “full faith and
credit” of the U.S. government.
Convertible
Securities. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note,
stock or other similar security that may be converted into or exchanged for a
prescribed amount of common stock or other equity security of the same
or
a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or
formula. Before conversion, convertible securities have
characteristics similar to non-convertible debt securities in that they
ordinarily provide a stream of income with generally higher yields than those of
common stock of the same or similar issuers. Convertible securities
are senior in rank to common stock in an issuer’s capital structure and,
therefore, generally entail less risk than the issuer’s common stock, although
the extent to which such risk is reduced depends in large measure upon the
degree to which the convertible security sells above its value as a fixed income
security.
The
Fund believes that the characteristics of convertible securities make them
appropriate investments for an investment company seeking a high level of total
return on its assets. These characteristics include the potential for capital
appreciation if the value of the underlying common stock increases, the
relatively high yield received from dividend or interest payments as compared to
common stock dividends and decreased risks of decline in value, relative to the
underlying common stock due to their fixed income nature. As a result of the
conversion feature, however, the interest rate or dividend preference on a
convertible security is generally less than would be the case if the securities
were not convertible. During periods of rising interest rates, it is possible
that the potential for capital gain on a convertible security may be less than
that of a common stock equivalent if the yield on the convertible security is at
a level that causes it to sell at a discount.
Every
convertible security may be valued, on a theoretical basis, as if it did not
have a conversion privilege. This theoretical value is determined by the yield
it provides in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable
character and quality that do not have a conversion privilege. This theoretical
value, which may change with prevailing interest rates, the credit rating of the
issuer and other pertinent factors, often referred to as the "investment value,"
represents the security's theoretical price support level.
"Conversion
value" is the amount a convertible security would be worth in market value if it
were to be exchanged for the underlying equity security pursuant to its
conversion privilege. Conversion value fluctuates directly with the price of the
underlying equity security, usually common stock. If, because of low prices for
the common stock, the conversion value is substantially below the investment
value, the price of the convertible security is governed principally by the
factors described in the preceding paragraph. If the conversion value rises near
or above its investment value, the price of the convertible security generally
will rise above its investment value and, in addition, will sell at some premium
over its conversion value. This premium represents the price investors are
willing to pay for the privilege of purchasing a fixed-income security with a
possibility of capital appreciation due to the conversion privilege.
Accordingly, the conversion value of a convertible security is subject to equity
risk, that is, the risk that the price of an equity security will fall due to
general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industry in
which the issuer participates or the issuing company's particular circumstances.
If the appreciation potential of a convertible security is not realized, its
conversion value premium may not be recovered.
In
its selection of convertible securities for the Fund, the Investment Adviser
will not emphasize either investment value or conversion value, but will
consider both in light of the Fund's overall investment objective.
The
Fund may convert a convertible security that it holds:
• when
necessary to permit orderly disposition of the investment when a convertible
security approaches maturity or has been called for redemption;
• to
facilitate a sale of the position;
• if
the dividend rate on the underlying common stock increases above the yield on
the convertible security;
or
• whenever
the Investment Adviser believes it is otherwise in the best interests of the
Fund.
Convertible
securities are generally not investment grade, that is, not rated within the
four highest categories by S&P and Moody's. To the extent that such
convertible securities and other nonconvertible debt securities, which are
acquired by the Fund consistent with the factors considered by the Investment
Adviser as described in this prospectus, are rated lower than investment grade
or are not rated, there would be a greater risk as to the timely repayment of
the principal of, and timely payment of interest or dividends on, those
securities. It is expected that not
more
than 25% of the Fund's portfolio will consist of securities rated CCC or lower
by S&P or Caa or lower by Moody's or, if unrated, are of comparable quality
as determined by the Investment Adviser. Those securities and securities rated
BB or lower by S&P or Ba or lower by Moody's are often referred to in the
financial press as "junk bonds" and may include securities of issuers in
default. "Junk bonds" are considered by the rating agencies to be predominantly
speculative and may involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions.
Securities rated BBB by S&P or Baa by Moody's, in the opinion of the rating
agencies, also have speculative characteristics. Securities need not meet a
minimum rating standard in order to be acceptable for investment by the
Fund.
The
Fund's investments in securities of issuers in default at the time of investment
will be limited to not more than [5%] of the total assets of the Fund. Further,
the Fund will invest in securities of issuers in default only when the
Investment Adviser believes that such issuers will emerge from bankruptcy and
the value of such securities will appreciate. By investing in securities of
issuers in default the Fund bears the risk that such issuers will not emerge
from bankruptcy or that the value of such securities will not
appreciate.
The
Fund has no independent limit on the amount of its net assets it may invest in
unregistered and otherwise illiquid securities and other investments. The
current intention of the Investment Adviser is not to invest in excess of [15%]
of the Fund's net assets in illiquid convertible securities or income
securities. Shareholders will be notified if the Investment Adviser changes its
intention. Investments in unregistered or otherwise illiquid securities entail
certain risks related to the fact that they cannot be sold publicly in the
United States without registration under the Securities Act of
1933. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Convertible
Securities Risk.”
Lower Grade
Securities. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in
fixed income and convertible securities rated in the lower rating categories of
recognized statistical rating agencies, generally securities rated “CCC” or
lower by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”) or “Caa” by Moody’s
Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), or non-rated securities of comparable
quality. These debt securities are predominantly speculative and
involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions. Debt securities
that are not rated or rated lower than “BBB” by S&P or lower than “Baa” by
Moody’s (or unrated securities of comparable quality) are referred to in the
financial press as “junk bonds.”
Generally,
such lower grade securities and unrated securities of comparable quality offer a
higher current yield than is offered by higher rated securities, but also (i)
will likely have some quality and protective characteristics that, in the
judgment of the rating organizations, are outweighed by large uncertainties or
major risk exposures to adverse conditions and (ii) are predominantly
speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay
principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. The market
values of certain of these securities also tend to be more sensitive to
individual corporate developments and changes in economic conditions than higher
quality bonds. In addition, such lower grade securities and
comparable unrated securities generally present a higher degree of credit
risk. The risk of loss due to default by these issuers is
significantly greater because such lower grade securities and unrated securities
of comparable quality generally are unsecured and frequently are subordinated to
the prior payment of senior indebtedness. In light of these risks,
the Investment Adviser, in evaluating the creditworthiness of an issue, whether
rated or unrated, will take various factors into consideration, which may
include, as applicable, the issuer’s operating history, financial resources and
its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, the market support for the
facility financed by the issue, the perceived ability and integrity of the
issuer’s management and regulatory matters.
In
addition, the market value of securities in lower grade categories is more
volatile than that of higher quality securities, and the markets in which such
lower grade or unrated securities are traded are more limited than those in
which higher rated securities are traded. The existence of limited
markets may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market
quotations for purposes of valuing its portfolio and calculating its net asset
value. Moreover, the lack of a liquid trading market may restrict the
availability of securities for the Fund to purchase and may also have the effect
of limiting the ability of the Fund to sell securities at their fair value to
respond to changes in the economy or the financial markets.
Lower
rated debt obligations also present risks based on payment
expectations. If an issuer calls the obligation for redemption (often
a feature of fixed income securities), the Fund may have to replace the security
with a lower yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for
investors. Also, as the principal value of bonds moves inversely with
movements in interest rates, in the event of rising interest rates the value of
the securities held by the Fund may decline proportionately more than a
portfolio consisting of higher rated securities. Investments in zero
coupon
bonds
may be more speculative and subject to greater fluctuations in value due to
changes in interest rates than bonds that pay interest
currently. Interest rates are at historical lows and, therefore, it
is likely that they will rise in the future.
As
part of its investments in lower grade securities, the Fund may invest not more
than [5%] of the total assets of the Fund in securities of issuers in
default. The Fund will make an investment in securities of issuers in
default only when the Investment Adviser believes that such issuers will honor
their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection and the value of these
securities will appreciate. By investing in securities of issuers in
default, the Fund bears the risk that these issuers will not continue to honor
their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection or that the value of the
securities will not appreciate.
In
addition to using recognized rating agencies and other sources, the Investment
Adviser also performs its own analysis of issues in seeking investments that it
believes to be underrated (and thus higher yielding) in light of the financial
condition of the issuer. Its analysis of issuers may include, among
other things, current and anticipated cash flow and borrowing requirements,
value of assets in relation to historical cost, strength of management,
responsiveness to business conditions, credit standing and current anticipated
results of operations. In selecting investments for the Fund, the
Investment Adviser may also consider general business conditions, anticipated
changes in interest rates and the outlook for specific industries.
Subsequent
to its purchase by the Fund, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its
rating may be reduced. In addition, it is possible that statistical
rating agencies might change their ratings of a particular issue to reflect
subsequent events on a timely basis. Moreover, such ratings do not
assess the risk of a decline in market value. None of these events
will require the sale of the securities by the Fund, although the Investment
Adviser will consider these events in determining whether the Fund should
continue to hold the securities.
Fixed
income securities, including lower grade securities and comparable unrated
securities, frequently have call or buy-back features that permit their issuers
to call or repurchase the securities from their holders, such as the
Fund. If an issuer exercises these rights during periods of declining
interest rates, the Fund may have to replace the security with a lower yielding
security, thus resulting in a decreased return for the Fund.
The
market for lower grade and comparable unrated securities has at various times,
particularly during times of economic recession, experienced substantial
reductions in market value and liquidity. Past recessions have
adversely affected the ability of certain issuers of such securities to repay
principal and pay interest thereon. The market for those securities
could react in a similar fashion in the event of any future economic
recession.
Other Derivative
Instruments. The Fund may also utilize other types of
derivative instruments, primarily for hedging or risk management
purposes. These instruments include futures, forward contracts,
options on such contracts and interest rate, total return and other kinds of
swaps. These investment management techniques generally will not be
considered senior securities if the Fund establishes in a segregated account
cash or other liquid securities equal to the Fund’s obligations in respect of
such techniques. For a further description of such derivative
instruments, see “Investment Objective and Policies — Additional Investment
Policies” in the SAI.
Risk
Arbitrage.
The Fund may invest up to [15%] of its assets at the time of investment in
securities pursuant to “risk arbitrage” strategies or in other investment funds
managed pursuant to such strategies. Risk arbitrage investments are
made in securities of companies for which a tender or exchange offer has been
made or announced and in securities of companies for which a merger,
consolidation, liquidation or reorganization proposal has been announced if, in
the judgment of the Investment Adviser, there is a reasonable prospect of total
return significantly greater than the brokerage and other transaction expenses
involved. Risk arbitrage strategies attempt to exploit merger
activity to capture the spread between current market values of securities and
their values after successful completion of a merger, restructuring or similar
corporate transaction. Transactions associated with risk arbitrage
strategies typically involve the purchases or sales of securities in connection
with announced corporate actions which may include, but are not limited to,
mergers, consolidations, acquisitions, transfers of assets, tender offers,
exchange offers, re-capitalizations, liquidations, divestitures, spin-offs and
similar transactions. However, a merger or other restructuring or
tender or exchange offer anticipated by the Fund and in which it holds an
arbitrage position may not be completed on the terms contemplated or within the
time frame anticipated, resulting in losses to the Fund.
In
general, securities which are the subject of such an offer or proposal sell at a
premium to their historic market price immediately prior to the announcement of
the offer but may trade at a discount or premium to what the stated or appraised
value of the security would be if the contemplated transaction were approved or
consummated. Such investments may be advantageous when the discount
significantly overstates the risk of the contingencies involved; significantly
undervalues the securities, assets or cash to be received by shareholders as a
result of the contemplated transaction; or fails adequately to recognize the
possibility that the offer or proposal may be replaced or superseded by an offer
or proposal of greater value. The evaluation of such contingencies
requires unusually broad knowledge and experience on the part of the Investment
Adviser which must appraise not only the value of the issuer and its component
businesses as well as the assets or securities to be received as a result of the
contemplated transaction but also the financial resources and business
motivation behind the offer and/or the dynamics and business climate when the
offer or proposal is in process. Since such investments are
ordinarily short-term in nature, they will tend to increase the turnover ratio
of the Fund, thereby increasing its brokerage and other transaction
expenses. Risk arbitrage strategies may also involve short selling,
options hedging and other arbitrage techniques to capture price
differentials.
When Issued,
Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments. The Fund may
enter into forward commitments for the purchase or sale of securities, including
on a “when issued” or “delayed delivery” basis, in excess of customary
settlement periods for the type of security involved. In some cases,
a forward commitment may be conditioned upon the occurrence of a subsequent
event, such as approval and consummation of a merger, corporate reorganization
or debt restructuring (i.e., a when, as and if issued security). When
such transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the time of the
commitment, with payment and delivery taking place in the future, generally a
month or more after the date of the commitment. While it will only
enter into a forward commitment with the intention of actually acquiring the
security, the Fund may sell the security before the settlement date if it is
deemed advisable.
Securities
purchased under a forward commitment are subject to market fluctuation, and no
interest (or dividends) accrues to the Fund prior to the settlement
date. The Fund will segregate with its custodian cash or liquid
securities in an aggregate amount at least equal to the amount of its
outstanding forward commitments.
Short
Sales. The Fund may make short sales as a form of hedging to
offset potential declines in long positions in the same or similar securities,
including short sales against the box. The short sale of a security
is considered a speculative investment technique. At the time of the
sale, the Fund will own, or have the immediate and unconditional right to
acquire at no additional cost, identical or similar securities or establish a
hedge against a security of the same issuer which may involve additional cost,
such as an “in the money” warrant.
Short
sales “against the box” are subject to special tax rules, one of the effects of
which may be to accelerate the recognition of income by the
Fund. Other than with respect to short sales against the box, the
Fund will limit short sales of securities to not more than [5%] of the Fund’s
assets. When the Fund makes a short sale, it must deliver the
security to the broker-dealer through which it made the short sale in order to
satisfy its obligation to deliver the security upon conclusion of the
sale.
Repurchase
Agreements. Repurchase agreements may be seen as loans by the
Fund collateralized by underlying debt securities. Under the terms of
a typical repurchase agreement, the Fund would acquire an underlying debt
obligation for a relatively short period (usually not more than one week)
subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase, and the Fund to resell,
the obligation at an agreed price and time. This arrangement results
in a fixed rate of return to the Fund that is not subject to market fluctuations
during the holding period. The Fund bears a risk of loss in the event
that the other party to a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligations and
the Fund is delayed in or prevented from exercising its rights to dispose of the
collateral securities, including the risk of a possible decline in the value of
the underlying securities during the period in which it seeks to assert these
rights. The Investment Adviser, acting under the supervision of the
Board of Trustees, reviews the creditworthiness of those banks and dealers with
which the Fund enters into repurchase agreements to evaluate these risks and
monitors on an ongoing basis the value of the securities subject to repurchase
agreements to ensure that the value is maintained at the required
level. The Fund will not enter into repurchase agreements with the
Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates.
Registered
Investment Companies. The Fund may invest in registered
investment companies in accordance with the 1940 Act to the extent consistent
with the Fund’s investment objective, including exchange traded funds
that
concentrate in investments in securities of companies in the natural resources
or gold industries. The 1940 Act generally prohibits the Fund from
investing more than 5% of its assets in any one other investment company or more
than 10% of its assets in all other investment companies. However,
many exchange-traded funds are exempt from these limitations.
Borrowings and
Issuance of Preferred Shares. The Fund may, with the approval
of the Board of Trustees, borrow money or issue preferred shares in an effort to
earn incremental total return for the holders of the Fund’s common
shares. The 1940 Act permits the Fund to issue a single class of debt
and a single class of preferred stock. Under the 1940 Act, such debt
or preferred shares may be issued only if immediately after such issuance the
value of the Fund’s total assets (less ordinary course liabilities) is at least
300% of the amount of any debt outstanding and at least 200% of the amount of
any preferred stock and debt outstanding. Under the 1940 Act the
holders of any such debt or preferred stock have certain mandatory voting rights
and other protections of their senior rights to the assets of the
Fund.
Temporary
Defensive Investments. Although under normal market conditions
the Fund intends to invest at least 80% of its assets in securities of companies
principally engaged in the natural resources and gold industries, when a
temporary defensive posture is believed by the Investment Adviser to be
warranted (“temporary defensive periods”), the Fund may without limitation hold
cash or invest its assets in money market instruments and repurchase agreements
in respect of those instruments. The money market instruments in
which the Fund may invest are obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies
or instrumentalities; commercial paper rated A-1 or higher by S&P or Prime-1
by Moody’s; and certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances issued by
domestic branches of U.S. banks that are members of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation. During temporary defensive periods, the Fund
may also invest to the extent permitted by applicable law in shares of money
market mutual funds. Money market mutual funds are investment
companies and the investments in those companies by the Fund are in some cases
subject to applicable law. See “Investment Restrictions” in the
SAI. The Fund may find it more difficult to achieve the long-term
growth of capital component of its investment objective during temporary
defensive periods.
Portfolio
Turnover. The Fund will buy and sell securities to accomplish
its investment objective. The investment policies of the Fund,
including its strategy of writing covered call options on securities in its
portfolio, is expected to result in portfolio turnover that is higher than that
of other investment companies, and is expected to be higher than
100%.
Portfolio
turnover generally involves expense to the Fund, including brokerage commissions
or dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of securities and
reinvestment in other securities. The portfolio turnover rate is
computed by dividing the lesser of the amount of the securities purchased or
securities sold by the average monthly value of securities owned during the year
(excluding securities whose maturities at acquisition were one year or
less). Higher portfolio turnover may decrease the after-tax return to
individual investors in the Fund to the extent it results in a decrease in the
portion of the Fund’s distributions that is attributable to long-term capital
gain.
Interest
Rate Transactions
If
the Fund borrows money or issues variable rate preferred shares, the Fund may
enter into interest rate swap or cap transactions in relation to all or a
portion of such borrowings or shares in order to manage the impact on its
portfolio of changes in the interest or dividend rate of such borrowings or
shares. Through these transactions the Fund may, for example, obtain
the equivalent of a fixed rate for such variable rate preferred shares that is
lower than the Fund would have to pay if it issued fixed rate preferred
shares.
The
use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that
involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with
ordinary portfolio security transactions. In an interest rate swap,
the Fund would agree to pay to the other party to the interest rate swap (which
is known as the “counterparty”) periodically a fixed rate payment in exchange
for the counterparty agreeing to pay to the fund periodically a variable rate
payment that is intended to approximate the Fund’s variable rate payment
obligation on its borrowings auction rate preferred shares. In an
interest rate cap, the Fund would pay a premium to the counterparty to the
interest rate cap and, to the extent that a specified variable rate index
exceeds a predetermined fixed rate, would receive from the counterparty payments
of the difference based on the notional amount of such cap. Interest
rate swap and cap transactions introduce additional risk because the Fund would
remain obligated to pay interest or preferred shares dividends
when
due even if the counterparty defaulted. Depending on the general
state of short-term interest rates and the returns on the Fund’s portfolio
securities at that point in time, such a default could negatively affect the
Fund’s ability to make interest payments or dividend payments on the preferred
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 will not be able to be as favorable as on the expiring
transaction. If this occurs, it could have a negative impact on the
Fund’s ability to make interest payments or dividend payments on the preferred
shares. To the extent there is a decline in interest rates, the value
of the interest rate swap or cap could decline, resulting in a decline in the
asset coverage for the borrowings or preferred shares. A sudden and
dramatic decline in interest rates may result in a significant decline in the
asset coverage. If the Fund fails to maintain the required asset
coverage on any outstanding preferred shares or fails to comply with other
covenants, the Fund may be required to redeem some or all of these
shares. Any redemption would likely result in the Fund seeking to
terminate early all or a portion of any swap or cap
transactions. Early termination of a swap could result in a
termination payment by the Fund to the counterparty, while early termination of
a cap could result in a termination payment to the Fund.
The
Fund will usually enter into swaps or caps on a net basis; that is, the two
payment streams will be netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or
dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the
case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The Fund
intends to segregate cash or liquid securities having a value at least equal to
the value of the Fund’s net payment obligations under any swap transaction,
marked to market daily. The Fund will monitor any such swap with a
view to ensuring that the Fund remains in compliance with all applicable
regulatory investment policy and tax requirements.
RISK
FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Investors
should consider the following risk factors and special considerations associated
with investing in the Fund:
Industry
Risks
Industry
Risks. The Fund’s investments will be concentrated in each of
the natural resources and gold industries. Because the Fund is
concentrated in these industries, it may present more risks than if it were
broadly diversified over numerous industries and sectors of the
economy. A downturn in the natural resources or gold industries would
have a larger impact on the Fund than on an investment company that does not
concentrate in such industries.
Under
normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 25% of its assets in
securities of Natural Resources Companies. A downturn in the
indicated natural resources industries would have a larger impact on the Fund
than on an investment company that does not invest significantly in such
industries. Such industries can be significantly affected by the
supply of and demand for the indicated commodities and related services,
exploration and production spending, government regulation, world events and
economic conditions. The base metals, metals, paper, food and
agriculture, forestry products, gas, oil and other commodities industries can be
significantly affected by events relating to international political
developments, the success of exploration projects, commodity prices, and tax and
government regulations. The stock prices of Natural Resources
Companies, some of which have recently experienced substantial price increases
in recent periods, may also experience greater price volatility than other types
of common stocks. Securities issued by Natural Resources Companies
are sensitive to changes in the prices of, and in supply and demand for, the
indicated commodities. The value of securities issued by Natural
Resources Companies may be affected by changes in overall market movements,
changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or
commodity, such as weather, embargoes, tariffs, policies of commodity cartels
and international economic, political and regulatory
developments. The Investment Adviser’s judgments about trends in the
prices of these securities and commodities may prove to be
incorrect. It is possible that the performance of securities of
Natural Resources Companies may lag the performance of other industries or the
broader market as a whole.
Under
normal market conditions the Fund will invest at least 25% of its assets in
securities of Gold Companies. Securities of Gold Companies may
experience greater volatility than companies not involved in the gold
industries. Investments related to gold are considered speculative
and are affected by a variety of worldwide economic, financial and political
factors. The price of gold, which has experienced substantial
increases in recent periods, may fluctuate sharply, including substantial
decreases, over short periods of time due to changes in inflation or
expectations regarding inflation in various countries, the availability of
supplies of gold, changes in industrial and commercial demand, gold sales by
governments, central banks or international agencies, investment speculation,
monetary and other economic policies of various governments and government
restrictions on private ownership of gold. In times of significant
inflation or great economic uncertainty, Gold Companies have historically
outperformed securities markets generally. However, in times of
stable economic growth, traditional equity and debt investments could offer
greater appreciation potential and the value of gold and the prices of
securities of Gold Companies may be adversely affected, which could in turn
affect the Fund’s returns. Some Gold Companies hedge, to varying
degrees, their exposure to declines in the price of gold. Such
hedging limits a Gold Company’s ability to benefit from future rises in the
price of gold. The Investment Adviser’s judgments about trends in the
prices of securities of Gold Companies may prove to be incorrect. It
is possible that the performance of securities of Gold Companies may lag the
performance of other industries or the broader market as a whole.
Supply and Demand
Risk. A decrease in the production of or exploration of, gold,
base metals, metals, paper, food and agriculture, forestry products, gas, oil
and other commodities or a decrease in the volume of such commodities available
for transportation, mining, processing, storage or distribution may adversely
impact the financial performance of the Fund’s
investments. Production declines and volume decreases could be caused
by various factors, including catastrophic events affecting production,
depletion of resources, labor difficulties, environmental proceedings, increased
regulations, equipment failures and unexpected maintenance problems, import
supply disruption, increased competition from alternative energy sources or
commodity prices. Sustained declines
in
demand for the indicated commodities could also adversely affect the financial
performance of Natural Resources Companies and Gold Companies over the
long-term. Factors which could lead to a decline in demand include
economic recession or other adverse economic conditions, higher fuel taxes or
governmental regulations, increases in fuel economy, consumer shifts to the use
of alternative fuel sources, changes in commodity prices, or
weather.
Depletion and
Exploration Risk. Many Natural Resources Companies and Gold
Companies are either engaged in the production or exploration of the particular
commodities or are engaged in transporting, storing, distributing and processing
such commodities. To maintain or increase their revenue level, these
companies or their customers need to maintain or expand their reserves through
exploration of new sources of supply, through the development of existing
sources, through acquisitions, or through long-term contracts to acquire
reserves. The financial performance of Natural Resources Companies
and Gold Companies may be adversely affected if they, or the companies to whom
they provide products or services, are unable to cost effectively acquire
additional products or reserves sufficient to replace the natural
decline.
Regulatory
Risk. Natural Resources Companies and Gold Companies may be
subject to extensive government regulation in virtually every aspect of their
operations, including how facilities are constructed, maintained and operated,
environmental and safety controls, and in some cases the prices they may charge
for the products and services they provide. 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 Natural Resources Companies and
Gold Companies.
Commodity Pricing
Risk. The operations and financial performance of Natural
Resources Companies and Gold Companies may be directly affected by the prices of
the indicated commodities, especially those Natural Resources Companies and Gold
Companies for whom the commodities they own are significant
assets. Commodity prices fluctuate for several reasons, including
changes in market and economic conditions, levels of domestic production, impact
of governmental regulation and taxation, the availability of transportation
systems and, in the case of oil and gas companies in particular, conservation
measures and the impact of weather. Volatility of commodity prices,
which may lead to a reduction in production or supply, may also negatively
affect the performance of Natural Resources Companies and Gold Companies which
are solely involved in the transportation, processing, storing, distribution or
marketing of commodities. Volatility of commodity prices may also
make it more difficult for Natural Resources Companies and Gold Companies to
raise capital to the extent the market perceives that their performance may be
directly or indirectly tied to commodity prices.
Risks
Associated with Covered Calls and Other Option Transactions
There
are several risks associated with transactions in options on
securities. For example, there are significant differences between
the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation
between these markets, causing a given covered call option transaction not to
achieve its objectives. A decision as to whether, when and how to use
covered calls (or other options) involves the exercise of skill and judgment,
and even a well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful because of market
behavior or unexpected events. As the writer of a covered call
option, the Fund forgoes, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit
from increases in the market value of the security covering the call option
above the exercise price of the call option, but has retained the risk of loss
should the price of the underlying security decline, although such loss would be
offset in part by the option premium received. 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. As the writer of an
uncovered call option, the Fund has no risk of loss should the price of the
underlying security decline but bears unlimited risk of loss should the price of
the underlying security increase above the exercise price until the Fund covers
its exposure.
There
can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to close
out a covered call position. Reasons for the absence of a liquid
secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be
insufficient trading interest; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange
on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts,
suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular
classes or series of options; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may
interrupt normal operations on an
exchange;
(v) the trading facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation
(the “OCC”) may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume;
or (vi) the relevant exchange could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be
compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a
particular class or series of options). If trading were discontinued,
the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options)
would cease to exist. However, outstanding options on that exchange
that had been issued by the OCC as a result of trades on that exchange would
continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms. The Fund’s
ability to terminate over-the-counter options may be more limited than with
exchange-traded options and may involve the risk that counterparties
participating in such transactions will not fulfill their
obligations. If the Fund were unable to close out a covered call
option that it had written on a security, it would not be able to sell the
underlying security unless the option expired without exercise.
The
hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the
underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options
markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant
price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be
reflected in the options markets. Call options are marked to market
daily and their value will be affected by changes in the value of and dividend
rates of the underlying common stocks, an increase in interest rates, changes in
the actual or perceived volatility of the stock market and the underlying common
stocks and the remaining time to the options’
expiration. Additionally, the exercise price of an option may be
adjusted downward before the option’s expiration as a result of the occurrence
of certain corporate events affecting the underlying equity security, such as
extraordinary dividends, stock splits, merger or other extraordinary
distributions or events. A reduction in the exercise price of an
option would reduce the Fund’s capital appreciation potential on the underlying
security.
Limitation on
Covered Call Writing Risk. The number of covered call options
the Fund can write is limited by the number of shares of the corresponding
common stock the Fund holds. Furthermore, the Fund’s covered options
transactions will be subject to limitations established by each of the
exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities on which such options are
traded. These limitations govern the maximum number of options in
each class which may be written or purchased by a single investor or group of
investors acting in concert, regardless of whether the options are written or
purchased on the same or different exchanges, boards of trade or other trading
facilities or are held or written in one or more accounts or through one or more
brokers. Thus, the number of covered call options that the Fund may
write may be affected by options written or purchased by other investment
advisory clients of the Investment Adviser. An exchange, board of
trade or other trading facility may order the liquidation of positions found to
be in excess of these limits, and it may impose certain other
sanctions.
Common
Stock Risk
Common
stock of an issuer in the Fund’s portfolio may decline in price for a variety of
reasons, including if the issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments
because, among other reasons, the issuer of the security experiences a decline
in its financial condition. Common stock in which the Fund will
invest is structurally subordinated to preferred stock, bonds and other debt
instruments in a company’s capital structure, in terms of priority to corporate
income, and therefore will be subject to greater dividend risk than preferred
stock or debt instruments of such issuers. In addition, while common
stock has historically generated higher average returns than fixed income
securities, common stock has also experienced significantly more volatility in
those returns.
Foreign
Securities Risk
Because
many of the world’s Natural Resources Companies and Gold Companies are located
outside of the U.S., the Fund may have a significant portion of its investments
in securities that are traded in foreign markets and that are not subject to the
requirements of the U.S. securities laws, markets and accounting requirements
(“Foreign Securities”). Investments in Foreign Securities involve
certain considerations and risks not ordinarily associated with investments in
securities of domestic issuers. Foreign companies are not generally
subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial standards and
requirements as those applicable to U.S. companies. Foreign
Securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies may be subject to less
government supervision and regulation than exists in the
U.S. Dividend and interest income may be subject to withholding and
other foreign taxes, which may adversely affect the net return on such
investments. There may be difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a
court judgment abroad, and it may be difficult to effect repatriation of capital
invested in certain countries. In addition, with respect to certain
countries, there are risks of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, political or
social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect assets of the
Fund held in foreign countries.
There
may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than a U.S.
company. Foreign Securities markets may have substantially less
volume than U.S. securities markets and some foreign company securities are less
liquid than securities of otherwise comparable U.S. companies. A
portfolio of Foreign Securities may also be adversely affected by fluctuations
in the rates of exchange between the currencies of different nations and by
exchange control regulations. Foreign markets also have different
clearance and settlement procedures that could cause the Fund to encounter
difficulties in purchasing and selling securities on such markets and may result
in the Fund missing attractive investment opportunities or experiencing
loss. In addition, a portfolio that includes Foreign Securities can
expect to have a higher expense ratio because of the increased transaction costs
on non-U.S. securities markets and the increased costs of maintaining the
custody of Foreign Securities.
Investments
in Foreign Securities will expose the Fund to the direct or indirect
consequences of political, social or economic changes in the countries that
issue the securities or in which the issuers are located. Certain
countries in which the Fund may invest have historically experienced, and may
continue to experience, high rates of inflation, high interest rates, exchange
rate fluctuations, large amounts of external debt, balance of payments and trade
difficulties and extreme poverty and unemployment. Many of these
countries are also characterized by political uncertainty and
instability. The cost of servicing external debt will generally be
adversely affected by rising international interest rates because many external
debt obligations bear interest at rates which are adjusted based upon
international interest rates.
The
Fund also may purchase sponsored ADRs or U.S. dollar denominated securities of
foreign issuers. ADRs are receipts issued by U.S. banks or trust
companies in respect of securities of foreign issuers held on deposit for use in
the U.S. securities markets. While ADRs may not necessarily be
denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be
converted, many of the risks associated with Foreign Securities may also apply
to ADRs. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary
receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are
under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of
such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the
deposited securities.
Convertible
Securities Risk
Convertible
securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than
non-convertible securities of similar quality. The market values of
convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and,
conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In the absence of
adequate anti-dilutive provisions in a convertible security, dilution in the
value of the Fund’s holding may occur in the event the underlying stock is
subdivided, additional equity securities are issued for below market value, a
stock dividend is declared or the issuer enters into another type of corporate
transaction that has a similar effect.
Income
Risk
The
income shareholders receive from the Fund is expected to be based primarily on
income the Fund earns from its investment strategy of writing covered calls and
dividends and other distributions received from its investments. If
the Fund’s covered call strategy fails to generate sufficient income or the
distribution rates or yields of the Fund’s holdings decrease, shareholders’
income from the Fund could decline.
Dilution
Risk for Convertible Securities.
In
the absence of adequate anti-dilution provisions in a convertible security,
dilution in the value of the Fund's holding may occur in the event the
underlying stock is subdivided, additional equity securities are issued for
below market value, a stock dividend is declared, or the issuer enters into
another type of corporate transaction that has a similar effect.
Lower
Grade Securities
The
Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in fixed income and convertible
securities rated in the lower rating categories of recognized statistical rating
agencies or unrated securities of comparable quality. These high
yield securities, also sometimes referred to as “junk bonds,” 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:
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·
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greater
credit risk and risk of default;
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|
·
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potentially
greater sensitivity to general economic or industry
conditions;
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·
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potential
lack of attractive resale opportunities (illiquidity);
and
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additional
expenses to seek recovery from issuers who
default.
|
In
addition, the prices of these lower grade securities are more sensitive to
negative developments, such as a decline in the issuer’s revenues or a general
economic downturn, than are the prices of higher grade
securities. Lower grade securities tend to be less liquid than
investment grade securities. The market value of lower grade
securities may be more volatile than the market value of investment grade
securities and generally tends to reflect the market’s 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.
Ratings
are relative, subjective and not absolute standards of
quality. Securities ratings are based largely on the issuer’s
historical financial condition and the rating agencies’ analysis at the time of
rating. Consequently, the rating assigned to any particular security
is not necessarily a reflection of the issuer’s current financial
condition.
As
a part of its investments in lower grade securities, the Fund may invest in
securities of issuers in default. The Fund will invest in securities
of issuers in default only when the Investment Adviser believes that such
issuers will honor their obligations, emerge from bankruptcy protection and the
value of these securities will appreciate. By investing in the
securities of issuers in default, the Fund bears the risk that these issuers
will not continue to honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy
protection or that the value of these securities will not otherwise
appreciate.
Emerging
Markets Risk
The
Fund may invest in securities of issuers located or having significant
operations in “emerging markets.” An “emerging market” country is any country
that is considered to be an emerging or developing country by the World
Bank. Investing in securities of companies in emerging markets may
entail special risks relating to potential political and economic instability
and the risks of expropriation, nationalization, confiscation or the imposition
of restrictions on foreign investment, the lack of hedging instruments and
restrictions on repatriation of capital invested. Emerging securities
markets are substantially smaller, less developed, less liquid and more volatile
than the major securities markets. The limited size of emerging
securities markets and limited trading value compared to the volume of trading
in U.S. securities could cause prices to be erratic for reasons apart from
factors that affect the quality of the securities. For example,
limited market size may cause prices to be unduly influenced by traders who
control large positions. Adverse publicity and investors’
perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the
value and liquidity of portfolio securities, especially in these
markets. Other risks include high concentration of market
capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a
limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of investors and
financial intermediaries; over-dependence on exports, including natural
resources and gold exports, making these economies vulnerable to changes in
commodity prices; overburdened infrastructure and obsolete or unseasoned
financial systems; environmental problems; less developed legal systems; and
less reliable securities custodial services and settlement
practices.
Foreign
Currency Risk
The
Fund expects to invest in companies whose securities are denominated or quoted
in currencies other than U.S. dollars or have significant operations or markets
outside of the U.S. In such instances, the Fund will be exposed to
currency risk, including the risk of fluctuations in the exchange rate between
U.S. dollars (in which the Fund’s shares are denominated) and such foreign
currencies, the risk of currency devaluations and the risks of
non-exchangeability and blockage. As non-U.S. securities may be
purchased with and payable in currencies of countries other than the U.S.
dollar, the value of these assets measured in U.S. dollars may be affected
favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and exchange control
regulations. Fluctuations in currency rates may
adversely
affect the ability of the Investment Adviser to acquire such securities at
advantageous prices and may also adversely affect the performance of such
assets.
Certain
non-U.S. currencies, primarily in developing countries, have been devalued in
the past and might face devaluation in the future. Currency
devaluations generally have a significant and adverse impact on the devaluing
country’s economy in the short and intermediate term and on the financial
condition and results of companies’ operations in that
country. Currency devaluations may also be accompanied by significant
declines in the values and liquidity of equity and debt securities of affected
governmental and private sector entities generally. To the extent
that affected companies have obligations denominated in currencies other than
the devalued currency, those companies may also have difficulty in meeting those
obligations under such circumstances, which in turn could have an adverse effect
upon the value of the Fund’s investments in such companies. There can
be no assurance that current or future developments with respect to foreign
currency devaluations will not impair the Fund’s investment flexibility, its
ability to achieve its investment objective or the value of certain of its
foreign currency denominated investments.
Market
Discount Risk
Whether
investors will realize gains or losses upon the sale of common shares of the
Fund will depend upon the market price of the shares at the time of sale, which
may be less or more than the Fund’s net asset value per share. Since
the market price of the common shares will be affected by such factors as the
Fund’s dividend and distribution levels (which are in turn affected by
expenses), dividend and distribution stability, net asset value, market
liquidity, the relative demand for and supply of the shares in the market,
general market and economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of
the Fund, we cannot predict whether the common shares will trade at, below or
above net asset value or at, below or above the public offering
price. Common shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount to
their net asset values and the Fund’s common shares may trade at such a
discount. This risk may be greater for investors expecting to sell
their common shares of the Fund soon after completion of the public
offering. The common shares of the Fund are designed primarily for
long-term investors, and investors in the shares should not view the Fund as a
vehicle for trading purposes.
Equity
Risk
Investing
in the Fund involves equity risk, which is the risk that the securities held by
the Fund will fall in market value due to adverse market and economic
conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of
securities held by the Fund participate and the particular circumstances and
performance of particular companies whose securities the Fund
holds. An investment in the Fund represents an indirect economic
stake in the securities owned by the Fund, which are for the most part traded on
securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. The market
value of these securities, like other market investments, may move up or down,
sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The net asset value of the Fund
may at any point in time be worth less than the amount at the time the
shareholder invested in the Fund, even after taking into account any
reinvestment of distributions.
Commodities-Linked
Equity Derivative Instrument Risk
The
Fund may invest in structured notes that are linked to one or more underlying
commodities. Such structured notes provide exposure to the investment
returns of physical commodities without actually investing directly in physical
commodities. Such structured notes in which the Fund may invest are
hybrid instruments that have substantial risks, including risk of loss of all or
a significant portion of their principal value. Because the payments
on these notes are linked to the price change of the underlying commodities,
these investments are subject to market risks that relate to the movement of
prices in the commodities markets. They may also be subject to
additional special risks that do not affect traditional equity and debt
securities that may be greater than or in addition to the risks of derivatives
in general, including risk of loss of interest, risk of loss of principal, lack
of liquidity and risk of greater volatility.
Distribution
Risk for Equity Income Portfolio Securities
In
selecting equity income securities in which the Fund will invest, the Investment
Adviser will consider the issuer’s history of making regular periodic
distributions (i.e.,
dividends) to its equity holders. An issuer’s history of paying
dividends or other distributions, however, does not guarantee that the issuer
will continue to pay dividends or
other
distributions in the future. The dividend income stream associated
with equity income securities generally is not guaranteed and will be
subordinate to payment obligations of the issuer on its debt and other
liabilities. Accordingly, an issuer may forgo paying dividends on its
equity securities. In addition, because in most instances issuers are
not obligated to make periodic distributions to the holders of their equity
securities, such distributions or dividends generally may be discontinued at the
issuer’s discretion.
Interest
Rate Risk
Rising
interest rates generally adversely affect the financial performance of Natural
Resources and Gold Companies by increasing their costs of
capital. This may reduce their ability to execute acquisitions or
expansion projects in a cost effective manner.
During
periods of declining interest rates, the issuer of a preferred stock or fixed
income security may be able to exercise an option to prepay principal earlier
than scheduled, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower yielding
securities. This is known as call or prepayment
risk. Preferred stock and debt securities frequently have call
features that allow the issuer to redeem the securities prior to their stated
maturities. An issuer may redeem such a security if the issuer can
refinance it at a lower cost due to declining interest rates or an improvement
in the credit standing of the issuer. During periods of rising
interest rates, the average life of certain types of securities may be extended
because of slower than expected principal payments. This may prolong
the length of time the security pays a below market interest rate, increase the
security’s duration and reduce the value of the security. This is
known as extension risk.
Interest
Rate Risk for Fixed Income Securities
The
primary risk associated with fixed income securities is interest rate risk. A
decrease in interest rates will generally result in an increase in the value of
a fixed income security, while increases in interest rates will generally result
in a decline in its value. This effect is generally more pronounced for fixed
rate securities than for securities whose income rate is periodically
reset.
Further,
while longer term fixed rate securities may pay higher interest rates than
shorter term securities, longer term fixed rate securities, like fixed rate
securities, also tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes and,
accordingly, tend to experience larger changes in value as a result of interest
rate changes.
Inflation
Risk
Inflation
risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be
worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of
money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s shares
and distributions thereon can decline. In addition, during any
periods of rising inflation, dividend rates of any variable rate preferred
shares or debt securities issued by the Fund would likely increase, which would
tend to further reduce returns to common shareholders.
Illiquid
Investments
The
Fund may invest in unregistered securities and otherwise illiquid
investments. Unregistered securities are securities that cannot be
sold publicly in the United States without registration under the Securities Act
of 1933. An illiquid investment is a security or other investment
that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business
at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the
securities. Unregistered and illiquid securities often can be resold
only in privately negotiated transactions with a limited number of purchasers or
in a public offering registered under the Securities Act of
1933. Considerable delay could be encountered in either event and,
unless otherwise contractually provided for, the Fund’s proceeds upon sale may
be reduced by the costs of registration or underwriting
discounts. The difficulties and delays associated with such
transactions could result in the Fund’s inability to realize a favorable price
upon disposition of unregistered securities, and at times might make disposition
of such securities impossible. In addition, the Fund may be unable to
sell other illiquid investments when it desires to do so, resulting in the Fund
obtaining a lower price or being required to retain the
investment. Illiquid investments generally must be valued at fair
value, which is inherently less precise than utilizing market values for liquid
investments, and may lead to differences between the price a security is valued
for determining the Fund’s net asset value and the price the Fund actually
receives upon sale.
Investment
Companies
The
Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies, including
exchange traded funds, to the extent permitted by law. To the extent
the Fund invests in the common equity of investment companies, the Fund will
bear its ratable share of any such investment company’s expenses, including
management fees. The Fund will also remain obligated to pay
management fees to the Investment Adviser with respect to the assets invested in
the securities of other investment companies. In these circumstances
holders of the Fund’s common shares will be in effect subject to duplicative
investment expenses.
Special
Risks of Derivative Transactions
Participation
in the options or futures markets, in currency exchange transactions and in
other derivatives transactions involves investment risks and transaction costs
to which the Fund would not be subject absent the use of these
strategies. If the Investment Adviser’s prediction of movements in
the direction of the securities, foreign currency, interest rate or other
referenced instruments or markets is inaccurate, the consequences to the Fund
may leave the Fund in a worse position than if it had not used such
strategies. Risks inherent in the use of options, foreign currency,
futures contracts and options on futures contracts, securities indices and
foreign currencies include:
|
·
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dependence
on the Investment Adviser’s ability to predict correctly movements in the
direction of the relevant measure;
|
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·
|
imperfect
correlation between the price of the derivative instrument and movements
in the prices of the referenced
assets;
|
|
·
|
the
fact that skills needed to use these strategies are different from those
needed to select portfolio
securities;
|
|
·
|
the
possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular
instrument at any time;
|
|
·
|
the
possible need to defer closing out certain hedged positions to avoid
adverse tax consequences;
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·
|
the
possible inability of the Fund to purchase or sell a security or
instrument at a time that otherwise would be favorable for it to do so, or
the possible need for the Fund to sell a security or instrument at a
disadvantageous time due to a need for the Fund to maintain “cover” or to
segregate securities in connection with the hedging techniques;
and
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·
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the
creditworthiness of counterparties.
|
Forward Currency
Exchange Contracts. There is no independent limit on the
Fund’s ability to invest in foreign currency exchange contracts. The
use of forward currency contracts may involve certain risks, including the
failure of the counterparty to perform its obligations under the contract and
that the use of forward contracts may not serve as a complete hedge because of
an imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the contracts and
the prices of the currencies hedged or used for cover.
Counterparty
Risk. The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to
the counterparties to the derivative contracts purchased by the
Fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to
perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial
difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any
recovery under the derivative contract in bankruptcy or other reorganization
proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain
no recovery in such circumstances.
Swaps
and Related Derivatives
The
Fund may enter into total rate of return, credit default or other types of swaps
and related derivatives for the purpose of hedging risk management and
investment. These transactions generally provide for the transfer
from one counterparty to another of certain risks inherent in the ownership of a
financial asset such as a common stock or debt instrument. Such risks
include, among other things, the risk of default and insolvency of the obligor
of such asset, the risk that the credit of the obligor or the underlying
collateral will decline or the risk that the common stock of the
underlying
issuer will decline in value. The transfer of risk pursuant to a
derivative of this type may be complete or partial, and may be for the life of
the related asset or for a shorter period. These derivatives may be
used for investment purposes or as a risk management tool for a pool of
financial assets, providing the Fund with the opportunity to gain or reduce
exposure to one or more reference securities or other financial assets (each, a
“Reference Asset”) without actually owning or selling such assets in order, for
example, to increase or reduce a concentration risk or to diversify a
portfolio. Conversely, these derivatives may be used by the Fund to
reduce exposure to an owned asset without selling it.
Because
the Fund would not own the Reference Assets, the Fund may not have any voting
rights with respect to the Reference Assets, and in such cases all decisions
related to the obligors or issuers of the Reference Assets, including whether to
exercise certain remedies, will be controlled by those who do hold the Reference
Assets.
Total
rate of return swaps and similar derivatives are subject to many risks,
including the possibility that the market will move in a manner or direction
that would have resulted in gain for the Fund had the swap or other derivative
not been utilized (in which case it would have been better had the Fund not
engaged in the interest rate hedging transactions), the risk of imperfect
correlation between the risk sought to be hedged and the derivative transactions
utilized, the possible inability of the counterparty to fulfill its obligations
under the swap and potential illiquidity of the derivative instrument utilized,
which may make it difficult for the Fund to close out or unwind one or more swap
or related transactions.
Total
rate of return swaps and related derivatives are a relatively recent development
in the financial markets. Consequently, there are certain legal, tax
and market uncertainties that present risks in entering into such
arrangements. There is currently little or no case law or litigation
characterizing total rate of return swaps or related derivatives, interpreting
their provisions, or characterizing their tax treatment. In addition,
additional regulations and laws may apply to these types of derivatives that
have not previously been applied. There can be no assurance that
future decisions construing similar provisions to those in any swap agreement or
other related documents or additional regulations and laws will not have an
adverse effect on the Fund that utilizes these instruments.
Dependence
on Key Personnel
The
Investment Adviser is dependent upon the expertise of Mr. Mario J.
Gabelli. If the Investment Adviser were to lose the services of Mr.
Gabelli, it could be adversely affected. There can be no assurance
that a suitable replacement could be found for Mr. Gabelli in the event of his
death, resignation, retirement or inability to act on behalf of the Investment
Adviser.
Long-Term
Objective; Not a Complete Investment Program
The
Fund is intended for investors seeking a high level of current
income. The Fund is not meant to provide a vehicle for those who wish
to exploit short-term swings in the stock market. An investment in
shares of the Fund should not be considered a complete investment
program. Each shareholder should take into account the Fund’s
investment objective as well as the shareholder’s other investments when
considering an investment in the Fund.
Portfolio
Turnover Risk
The
investment policies of the Fund, including its strategy of writing covered call
options on securities in its portfolio, is expected to result in portfolio
turnover that is higher than that of other investment companies, and is expected
to be higher than 100%. Increased portfolio turnover rates will
result in higher costs from brokerage commissions, dealer-mark-ups and other
transaction costs and may also may decrease the after-tax return to individual
investors in the Fund to the extent it results in a decrease in the portion of
the Fund’s distributions that is attributable to long-term capital
gain.
Management
Risk
The
Fund is subject to management risk because its portfolio 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 these will produce the desired results.
Non-Diversified
Status
The
Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act,
which means the Fund is not limited by the 1940 Act in the proportion of its
assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. As
a non-diversified investment company, the Fund may invest in the securities of
individual issuers to a greater degree than a diversified investment
company. As a result, the Fund may be more vulnerable to events
affecting a single issuer and therefore, subject to greater volatility than a
fund that is more broadly diversified. Accordingly, an investment in
the Fund may present greater risk to an investor than an investment in a
diversified company.
Current
Developments
As
a result of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on
September 11, 2001, some of the U.S. securities markets were closed for a
four-day period. These terrorists attacks, the war in Iraq and its
aftermath and other geopolitical events have led to, and may in the future lead
to, increased short-term market volatility and may have long-term effects on
U.S. and world economies and markets. The nature, scope and duration
of the war and occupation cannot be predicted with any
certainty. Similar events in the future or other disruptions of
financial markets could affect interest rates, securities exchanges, auctions,
secondary trading, ratings, credit risk, inflation, energy prices and other
factors relating to the common shares.
Anti-Takeover
Provisions
The
Fund’s governing documents include provisions that could limit the ability of
other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to
an open-end fund. See “Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s
Governing Documents.”
Investment
Restrictions
The
Fund has adopted certain investment limitations designed to limit investment
risk and maintain portfolio diversification. These limitations are
fundamental and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a
majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding common shares and
preferred shares, if any, voting together as a single class. See
“Investment Restrictions” in the SAI for a complete list of the fundamental
investment policies of the Fund. Should the Fund decide to issue
preferred shares in the future, it may become subject to rating agency
guidelines that are more limiting than its fundamental investment restrictions
in order to obtain and maintain a desired rating on its preferred
shares.
MANAGEMENT
OF THE FUND
General
The
Fund’s Board of Trustees (who, with its officers, are described in the SAI) has
overall responsibility for the management of the Fund. The Board of
Trustees decides upon matters of general policy and reviews the actions of the
Investment Adviser, Gabelli Funds, LLC, located at One Corporate Center, Rye,
New York 10580-1422, and the Sub-Administrator (as defined
below). Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Fund,
the Investment Adviser, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, provides
a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio; provides investment
research and makes and executes recommendations for the purchase and sale of
securities; and provides all facilities and personnel, including officers
required for its administrative management.
The
Investment Adviser
Gabelli
Funds, LLC serves as the Fund’s Investment Adviser pursuant to the Investment
Advisory Agreement with the Fund. The Investment Adviser is a New
York limited liability company with principal offices located at One Corporate
Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422. The Investment Adviser was
organized in 1999 and is the successor to Gabelli Funds, Inc., which was
organized in 1980. As of March 31, 2008, the Investment Adviser acts
as registered investment adviser to 26 management investment companies with
aggregate net assets of $16.2 billion. The Investment Adviser,
together with the other affiliated investment advisers noted below had assets
under management totaling approximately $28.7 billion as of March 31,
2008. GAMCO Asset Management Inc., an affiliate of the Investment
Adviser, acts as investment adviser for individuals, pension trusts, profit
sharing trusts
and
endowments, and as a sub-adviser to management investment companies having
aggregate assets of $11.6 billion under management as of March 31,
2008. Gabelli Securities, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment
Adviser, acts as investment adviser for investment partnerships and entities
having aggregate assets of approximately $396 million as of March 31,
2008. Gabelli Fixed Income LLC, an affiliate of the Investment
Adviser, acts as investment adviser for separate accounts having aggregate
assets of approximately $2 million under management as of March 31,
2008. Teton Advisors, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser,
acts as investment manager to the GAMCO Westwood Funds having aggregate assets
of approximately $441 million under management as of March 31,
2008.
The
Investment Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAMCO Investors, Inc., a New
York corporation, whose Class A Common Stock is traded on the NYSE under the
symbol “GBL.” Mr. Mario J. Gabelli may be deemed a “controlling
person” of the Investment Adviser on the basis of his indirect ownership of a
majority of the stock of GGCP, Inc., which owns a majority of the capital stock
of GAMCO Investors, Inc.
Fees
of the Investment Adviser
Gabelli
Funds, LLC serves as the Fund’s investment adviser at an annual rate of 1.00% of
the Fund’s average weekly managed assets payable monthly in
arrears. Managed assets consist of all of the assets of the Fund
without deduction for borrowings, repurchase transactions and other leveraging
techniques, the liquidation value of any outstanding preferred shares or other
liabilities except for certain ordinary course expenses.
Payment
of Expenses
The
Investment Adviser is obligated to pay expenses associated with providing the
services contemplated by the Advisory Agreement including compensation of and
office space for its officers and employees connected with investment and
economic research, trading and investment management and administration of the
Fund but excluding costs associated with the calculation of the net asset value
and allocated costs of the chief compliance officer function and officers of the
Fund that are employed by the Fund and are not employed by the Investment
Adviser (although the officers may receive incentive-based compensation from
affiliates of the Investment Adviser), as well as the fees of all Trustees of
the Fund who are officers or employees of the Investment Adviser or its
affiliates.
In
addition to the fees of the Investment Adviser, the Fund is responsible for the
payment of all its other expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, which
include, among other things, expenses for legal and the Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm’s services, stock exchange listing fees, costs of
printing proxies, share certificates and shareholder reports, charges of the
Fund’s custodian, charges of the transfer agent and distribution disbursing
agent, Commission fees, fees and expenses of Trustees who are not officers or
employees of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates, accounting and printing
costs, the Fund’s pro rata portion of membership fees in trade organizations,
the Fund’s pro rata portion of the Chief Compliance Officer’s compensation,
fidelity bond coverage for the Fund’s officers and employees, Trustees and
officers liability policy, interest, brokerage costs, taxes, expenses of
qualifying the Fund for sale in various states, expenses of personnel performing
shareholder servicing functions, litigation and other extraordinary or
non-recurring expenses and other expenses properly payable by the
Fund.
Selection
of Securities Intermediaries
The
Advisory Agreement contains provisions relating to the selection of securities
brokers to effect the portfolio transactions of the Fund. Under those
provisions, the Investment Adviser may (i) direct Fund portfolio brokerage to
Gabelli & Company, Inc. (“Gabelli & Company”) or other broker-dealer
affiliates of the Investment Adviser and (ii) pay commissions to brokers other
than Gabelli & Company that are higher than might be charged by another
qualified broker to obtain brokerage and/or research services considered by the
Investment Adviser to be useful or desirable for its investment management of
the Fund and/or its other investment advisory accounts or those of any
investment adviser affiliated with it. The SAI contains further
information about the Advisory Agreement, including a more complete description
of the investment advisory and expense arrangements, exculpatory and brokerage
provisions, as well as information on the brokerage practices of the
Fund.
Portfolio
Management
Vincent
Hugonnard-Roche serves as a Co-Lead Portfolio Manager for the Fund and is
primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s option
strategy. Mr. Roche currently serves as Co-Lead Portfolio Manager for
The Gabelli Global Gold, Natural Resources & Income Trust, a registered
closed-end investment company, since 2005. Mr. Roche joined GAMCO
Investors, Inc. in 2000 as Director of Quantitative Strategies and Head of Risk
Management. Prior thereto, Mr. Roche worked at Credit Lyonnais in New
York as a proprietary equity analyst focused on Risk Arbitrage.
Caesar
M.P. Bryan serves as a Co-Lead Portfolio Manager for the Fund and is primarily
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Gold Companies portion of the
Fund’s portfolio. Mr. Bryan joined GAMCO Investors, Inc. in 1994 and
has been primarily responsible for the day-to-day investment management of the
GAMCO Gold Fund, Inc. a registered open-end investment company, since its
inception in 1994. Mr. Bryan has been Portfolio Manager of the GAMCO
International Growth Fund, Inc. a registered open-end investment company, since
1995 and Co-Portfolio Manager of The GAMCO Global Opportunity Fund, a registered
open-end investment company, since 1998. Mr. Bryan is also a
Portfolio Manager for The GAMCO Global Growth Fund a registered open-end
investment company and The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. and Co-Lead Portfolio
Manager for The Gabelli Global Gold, Natural Resources & Income Trust
registered closed-end investment companies.
Barbara
G. Marcin serves as a Co-Lead Portfolio Manager for the Fund and is primarily
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Natural Resources Companies
portion of the Fund’s portfolio. Ms.
Marcin joined GAMCO Investors, Inc. in 1999 to manage larger capitalization
value style portfolios. Ms. Marcin currently serves as the Portfolio
Manager for The Gabelli Blue Chip Value Fund and The GAMCO Westwood Income Fund,
registered open-end investment companies, and as a Portfolio Manager for The
Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust and a Co-Lead Portfolio Manager for The
Gabelli Global, Gold Natural Resources & Income Trust, registered closed-end
investment companies. Prior thereto, she worked at Citibank Global
Asset Management where she was head of value investments and was a member of the
Global Investment Policy Committee and co-Chair of the U.S. Equity Policy
Committee.
The
SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation,
other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, and the Portfolio Managers’
ownership of securities of the Fund.
Non-Resident
Trustees
[ ]
are not U.S. residents and substantially all of each of their assets may be
located outside of the United
States. [ ]
do not have agents for service of process in the United States. As a
result, it may be difficult for U.S. investors to effect service of process upon
[ ]
within the United States or to realize judgments of courts of the United States
predicated upon civil liabilities under the federal securities laws of the
United States. In addition, it is not certain that civil liabilities
predicated upon the federal securities laws on which a valid judgment of a court
in the United States is obtained would be enforceable in the courts of the
jurisdictions in which
[ ]
reside.
Sub-Administrator
The
Investment Adviser has entered into a sub-administration agreement with PNC
Global Investment Servicing (the “Sub-Administrator”) pursuant to which the
Sub-Administrator provides certain administrative services necessary for the
Fund’s operations, which do not include the investment and portfolio management
services provided by the Investment Adviser. For these services and
the related expenses borne by the Sub-Administrator, the Investment Adviser pays
a prorated monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.0275% of the first $10 billion of
the aggregate average net assets of the Fund and all other funds advised by the
Investment Adviser and Teton Advisors, Inc., and administered by the
Sub-Administrator, 0.0125% of the aggregate average net assets exceeding $10
billion and 0.01% of the aggregate average net assets in excess of $15
billion. The Sub-Administrator has its principal office at 400
Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809.
Regulatory
Matters
On
April 24, 2008, the Investment Adviser entered into an administrative settlement
with the Commission to resolve the Commission’s inquiry regarding prior frequent
trading activity in shares of the GAMCO Global Growth Fund (the “Global Growth
Fund”) by one investor who was banned from the Global Growth Fund in August
2002. In the settlement, the Commission found that the
Investment Adviser had violated Section 206(2) of the Investment Advisers Act,
Section 17(d) of the 1940 Act and Rule 17d-1 thereunder, and had aided and
abetted and caused violations of Section 12(d)(1)(B)(i) of the 1940
Act. Under the terms of the settlement, the Investment Adviser, while
neither admitting nor denying the Commission’s findings and allegations, agreed,
among other things, to pay the previously reserved total of $16 million
(including a $5 million penalty), of which at least $11 million will be
distributed to shareholders of the Global Growth Fund in accordance with a plan
to be developed by an independent distribution consultant and approved by the
independent directors of the Global Growth Fund and the staff of the Commission,
and to cease and desist from future violations of the above referenced federal
securities laws. The settlement will not have a material adverse
impact on the Investment Adviser or its ability to fulfill its obligations under
the Advisory Agreement. On the same day, the Commission filed a civil
action against the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the
Investment Adviser, alleging violations of certain federal securities laws
arising from the same matter. The officer is also an officer of the
Fund, the Global Growth Fund and other funds in the Gabelli/GAMCO fund
complex. The officer denies the allegations and is continuing in his
positions with the Investment Adviser and the funds. The Investment
Adviser currently expects that any resolution of the action against the officer
will not have a material adverse impact on the Investment Adviser or its ability
to fulfill its obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement.
On
a separate matter, in September 2005, the Investment Adviser was informed by the
staff of the Commission that the staff may recommend to the Commission that an
administrative remedy and a monetary penalty be sought from the Investment
Adviser in connection with the actions of two of nine closed-end funds managed
by the Investment Adviser relating to Section 19(a) and Rule 19a-1 of the 1940
Act. These provisions require registered investment companies to provide written
statements to shareholders when a dividend is made from a source other than net
investment income. While the two closed-end funds sent annual statements and
provided other materials containing this information, the funds did not send
written statements to shareholders with each distribution in 2002 and
2003. The Investment Adviser believes that all of the funds are now
in compliance. The Investment Adviser believes that these matters would have no
effect on the Fund or any material adverse effect on the Investment Adviser or
its ability to manage the Fund.
PORTFOLIO
TRANSACTIONS
Principal
transactions are not entered into with affiliates of the
Fund. However, Gabelli & Company, an affiliate of the Investment
Adviser, may execute portfolio transactions on stock exchanges and in the
over-the-counter markets on an agency basis and receive a stated commission
therefor. For a more detailed discussion of the Fund’s brokerage
allocation practices, see “Portfolio Transactions” in the SAI.
DISTRIBUTIONS
AND DIVIDENDS
The
Fund intends to make regular monthly cash distributions of all or a portion of
its investment company taxable income (which includes ordinary income and
realized short-term capital gains) to common shareholders. The Fund
also intends to make annual distributions of its realized capital gains (which
is the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital
losses). The Fund will pay common shareholders at least annually all,
or at least 90%, of its investment company taxable income. Various
factors will affect the level of the Fund’s income, such as its asset mix and
use of option strategies. To permit the Fund to maintain more stable
monthly distributions, the Fund may from time to time distribute less than the
entire amount of income earned in a particular period, which would be available
to supplement future distributions. As a result, the distributions
paid by the Fund for any particular monthly period may be more or less than the
amount of income actually earned by the Fund during that
period. However, as the Fund is covered by an exemption from the 1940
Act which allows the Board of Trustees to implement a managed distribution
policy, the Board of Trustees in the future may determine to cause the Fund to
distribute a fixed percentage of the Fund’s average net asset value or market
price per common share over a specified period of time at or about the time of
distribution or to distribute a fixed dollar amount. The Board of
Trustees has no present intention to implement such a policy. Because
the Fund’s income will fluctuate and the
Fund’s
distribution policy may be changed by the Board of Trustees at any time, there
can be no assurance that the Fund will pay distributions or dividends at a
particular rate. See “Distributions and Dividends” in the
SAI.
Shareholders
will automatically have all distributions and dividends reinvested in common
shares of the Fund issued by the Fund or purchased in the open market in
accordance with the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan unless an election is made
to receive cash. See “Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Voluntary
Cash Purchase Plan.”
AUTOMATIC
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT
AND
VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLAN
Under
the Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan
(the "Plan"), a shareholder whose common shares are registered in his or her own
name will have all distributions reinvested automatically by the transfer agent,
which is agent under the Plan, unless the shareholder elects to receive
cash. Distributions with respect to shares registered in the name of
a broker-dealer or other nominee (that is, in “street name”) will be reinvested
by the broker or nominee in additional shares under the Plan, unless the service
is not provided by the broker or nominee or the shareholder elects to receive
distributions in cash. Investors who own common shares registered in
street name should consult their broker-dealers for details regarding
reinvestment. All distributions to investors who do not participate
in the Plan will be paid by check mailed directly to the record holder by the
transfer agent as dividend disbursing agent.
Under
the Plan, whenever the market price of the common shares is equal to or exceeds
net asset value at the time shares are valued for purposes of determining the
number of shares equivalent to the cash distribution, participants in the Plan
will receive newly issued common shares. The number of shares to be
issued will be computed at a per share rate equal to the greater of (i) the net
asset value as most recently determined or (ii) 95% of the then-current market
price of the common shares. The valuation date is the distribution
payment date or, if that date is not a trading day on the
[ ], the next trading day. If the net
asset value of the common shares at the time of valuation exceeds the market
price of the common shares, participants will receive shares purchased by the
Plan agent in the open market. If the Fund should declare a
distribution payable only in cash, the Plan agent will buy the common shares for
such Plan in the open market, on the [ ] or elsewhere,
for the participants’ accounts, except that the Plan agent will terminate
purchases in the open market and instead the Fund will distribute newly issued
shares at a per share rate equal to the greater of net asset value or 95% of
market value if, following the commencement of such purchases, the market value
of the common shares plus estimated brokerage commissions exceeds net asset
value.
Participants
in the Plan have the option of making additional cash payments to the Plan
agent, semi-monthly, for investment in the shares at the then current market
price. Such payments may be made in any amount from $250 to
$10,000. The Plan agent will use all funds received from participants
to purchase shares of the Fund in the open market on or about the 1st or 15th of
each month. The Plan agent will charge each shareholder who
participates $1.00, plus a pro rata share of the brokerage
commissions. Brokerage charges for such purchases are expected to be
less than the usual brokerage charge for such transactions. It is
suggested that participants send voluntary cash payments to the Plan agent in a
manner that ensures that the Plan agent will receive these payments
approximately ten days before the investment date. A participant may
without charge withdraw a voluntary cash payment by written notice, if the
notice is received by the Plan agent at least 48 hours before such payment is to
be invested.
The
Plan agent maintains all shareholder accounts in the Plan and furnishes written
confirmations of all transactions in the account, including information needed
by shareholders for personal and tax records. Shares in the account
of each Plan participant will be held by the Plan agent in noncertificated form
in the name of the participant. A Plan participant may send its share
certificates to the Plan agent so that the shares represented by such
certificates will be held by the Plan agent in the participant’s shareholder
account under the Plan.
In
the case of shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees, that hold shares
for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan agent will administer the
Plan on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by the
shareholder as representing the total amount registered in the shareholder’s
name and held for the account of beneficial owners who participate in the
Plan.
The
Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate its Plan as applied to any
voluntary cash payments made and any distribution paid subsequent to written
notice of the change sent to the members of such Plan at least 90 days before
the record date for such distribution. The Plan also may be amended
or terminated by the Plan agent on at least 90 days written notice to the
participants in such Plan. All correspondence concerning the Plan
should be directed to the transfer agent.
DESCRIPTION
OF THE SHARES
The
following is a brief description of the terms of the common
shares. This description does not purport to be complete and is
qualified by reference to the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and its
By-Laws. For complete terms of the common shares, please refer to the
actual terms of such series, which are set forth in the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust.
Common
Shares
The
Fund is an unincorporated statutory trust organized under the laws of Delaware
pursuant to a Certificate of Trust dated as of ____________,
2008. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common
shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share. 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. Though
the Fund expects to pay distributions monthly on the common shares, it is not
obligated to do so. All common shares are equal as to distributions,
assets and voting 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.
Any
additional offering of common shares will be subject to the requirements of the
1940 Act, which provides that common shares may not be issued at a price below
the then current net asset value, exclusive of sales load, except in connection
with an offering to existing holders of common shares or with the consent of a
majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities.
The
Fund’s common shares are expected to be approved for listing on the
[ ], subject to notice of issuance, under the symbol
[ ].
The
Fund’s net asset value per share will be reduced immediately following the
offering of common shares by the amount of the sales load and offering expenses
paid by the Fund. See “Use of Proceeds.” 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 [ ] or
otherwise.
Shares
of closed-end investment companies often 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 dividend and distribution levels (which are
in turn affected by expenses), dividend and distribution stability, net asset
value, market liquidity, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the
market, unrealized gains, 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.
The
Fund’s common shareholders will vote as a single class to elect the Board of
Trustees and on additional matters with respect to which the 1940 Act, the
Fund’s Declaration of Trust, By-Laws or resolutions adopted by the Board of
Trustees provide for a vote of the Fund’s common shareholders. See
“Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents.”
Book
Entry
The
common shares will initially be held in the name of Cede & Co. as nominee
for the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). The Fund will treat Cede
& Co. as the holder of record of the common shares for all
purposes. In accordance with the procedures of DTC, however,
purchasers of common shares will be deemed the beneficial
owners
of shares purchased for purposes of distributions, voting and liquidation
rights. Purchasers of common shares may obtain registered
certificates by contacting the transfer agent.
Leverage
As
provided in the 1940 Act and subject to certain exceptions, the Fund may issue
debt or preferred shares with the condition that immediately after issuance the
value of its total assets, less certain ordinary course liabilities, exceed 300%
of the amount of the debt outstanding and exceed 200% of the sum of the amount
of debt and preferred shares outstanding. Any such debt or preferred
shares may be convertible in accordance with Commission guidelines, which may
permit each fund to obtain leverage at attractive rates.
The
Fund does not currently anticipate borrowing from banks or other financial
institutions, issuing preferred shares or otherwise levering the common
shares. However, the Fund will monitor interest rates and market
conditions and anticipates that it will leverage the common shares at some point
in the future if the Board of Trustees determines that it is in the best
interest of the common shareholders. Subject to market conditions,
the Fund may issue preferred shares in an aggregate amount of up to 33% of the
Fund's assets under management. There can be no assurance that
preferred shares representing such percentage, or any percentage, of the managed
assets of the Fund will actually be issued.
The
concept of leveraging is based on the premise that so long as the cost of the
leverage on the assets to be obtained by the leverage is lower than the return
earned by the Fund on these leveraged assets, the common shareholders will
benefit from the incremental return. Should the differential between
the return produced by the underlying assets and the cost of leverage narrow,
the incremental return will be reduced.
Furthermore,
if the cost of the leverage on the leveraged assets exceeds the return earned by
the Fund on these leveraged assets, the net asset value of the Fund will be
diminished. See "Risk Factors and Special Considerations – Leverage
Risk."
An
issuance of preferred shares may subject the Fund to certain restrictions on
investments imposed by guidelines of one or more rating agencies that may issue
ratings for any preferred shares issued by the Fund.
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 dividends, 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 Board
of Trustees at any time dividends on any preferred shares are unpaid for two
years. 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 (1) adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely
affect the preferred shares, and (2) take any action requiring a vote of
security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, including, among other
things, changes in the Fund’s classification as a closed-end investment company
or changes in its fundamental investment restrictions. As a result of these
voting rights, the Fund’s 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.
Mandatory Redemption Relating to
Asset Coverage Requirements. The Fund will be mandatorily required to
redeem preferred shares within a specified time frame in the event
that:
• the
Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage requirements specified under the 1940
Act on a quarterly valuation date and such failure is not cured within a
specified time frame following such failure; or
• the
Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage requirements as calculated in
accordance with the applicable rating agency guidelines as of any monthly
valuation date, and such failure is not cured within a specified time
frame.
The
redemption price for preferred shares subject to mandatory redemption will be
the liquidation preference plus an amount equal to any accumulated but unpaid
distributions (whether or not earned or declared) to the date fixed for
redemption, plus (in the case of fixed rate preferred shares or variable rate
preferred shares having a dividend period of more than one year) any applicable
redemption premium determined by the Board of Trustees and included in the
Statement of Preferences.
The
number of preferred shares that will be redeemed in the case of a mandatory
redemption will equal the minimum number of outstanding preferred shares, the
redemption of which, if such redemption had occurred immediately prior to the
opening of business on the applicable cure date, would have resulted in the
relevant asset coverage requirement having been met or, if the required asset
coverage cannot be so restored, all of the preferred shares. In the event that
preferred shares are redeemed due to a failure to satisfy the 1940 Act asset
coverage requirements, the Fund may, but is not required to, redeem a sufficient
number of preferred shares so that the Fund’s assets exceed the asset coverage
requirements under the 1940 Act after the redemption by 10% (that is, 220% asset
coverage). In the event that preferred shares are redeemed due to a failure to
satisfy applicable rating agency guidelines, the Fund may, but is not required
to, redeem a sufficient number of preferred shares so that the Fund’s discounted
portfolio value (as determined in accordance with the applicable rating agency
guidelines) after redemption exceeds the asset coverage requirements of each
applicable rating agency by up to 10% (that is, 110% rating agency asset
coverage). In addition, as discussed under “ — Optional Redemption of the
preferred shares” below, the Fund generally may redeem variable rate preferred
shares subject to a variable rate, in whole or in part, at its option at any
time (usually on a dividend or distribution payment date), other than during a
non-call period.
If
the Fund does not have funds legally available for the redemption of, or is
otherwise unable to redeem, all the preferred shares to be redeemed on any
redemption date, the Fund will redeem on such redemption date that number of
shares for which it has legally available funds, or is otherwise able to redeem,
from the holders whose shares are to be redeemed ratably on the basis of the
redemption price of such shares, and the remainder of those shares to be
redeemed will be redeemed on the earliest practicable date on which the Fund
will have funds legally available for the redemption of, or is otherwise able to
redeem, such shares upon written notice of redemption.
If
fewer than all of the Fund’s outstanding preferred shares are to be redeemed,
the Fund, at its discretion and subject to the limitations of the Governing
Documents and 1940 Act, will select the one or more series of preferred shares
from which shares will be redeemed and the amount of preferred shares to be
redeemed from each such series. If less than all preferred shares of a series
are to be redeemed, such redemption will be made as among the holders of that
series pro rata in accordance with the respective number of shares of such
series held by each such holder on the record date for such redemption (or by
such other equitable method as the Fund may determine). If fewer than all the
preferred shares held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption
mailed to such holder will specify the number of shares to be redeemed from such
holder, which may be expressed as a percentage of shares held on the applicable
record date.
Optional Redemption of fixed rate
preferred shares. Fixed rate preferred shares will not be
subject to optional redemption by the Fund until the date, if any, specified in
the terms of such preferred shares. Commencing on such date and
thereafter, the Fund may at any time redeem such fixed rate preferred shares in
whole or in part for cash at a redemption price per share equal to the initial
liquidation preference per share plus accumulated and unpaid distributions
(whether or not earned or declared) to the redemption date.
Optional Redemption of variable rate
preferred shares. The Fund generally may redeem variable rate
preferred shares, if issued, in whole or in part, at its option at any time
(usually on a dividend or distribution payment date), other than during a
non-call period. The Fund may designate a non-call period in certain
circumstances. In the case of such preferred shares having a dividend
period of one year or less, the redemption price per share will equal the
initial liquidation preference plus an amount equal to any accumulated but
unpaid distributions thereon (whether or not earned or declared) to the
redemption date, and in the case of such preferred shares having a dividend
period of more than one year, the redemption price per share will equal the
initial liquidation preference plus any redemption premium applicable during
such dividend period.
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 Fund’s 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.
In
the event the Fund issues preferred shares, the Fund intends to apply for
ratings for any preferred shares from Moody’s and/or S&P. In order to obtain
and maintain the required ratings, the Fund will be required to comply with
investment quality, diversification and other guidelines established by Moody’s
and/or S&P. Such guidelines will likely be more restrictive than the
restrictions set forth above. The Fund does not anticipate that such guidelines
would have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s holders of common shares or
its ability to achieve its investment objective. The Fund presently anticipates
that any preferred shares that it intends to issue would be initially given the
highest ratings by Moody’s (Aaa) or by S&P (AAA), but no assurance can be
given that such ratings will be obtained. No minimum rating is required for the
issuance of preferred shares by the Fund. Moody’s and S&P receive fees in
connection with their ratings issuances.
ANTI-TAKEOVER
PROVISIONS OF THE FUND’S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS
The
Fund presently has provisions in its Governing Documents which could have the
effect of limiting, in each case, (i) the ability of other entities or persons
to acquire control of the Fund, (ii) the Fund’s freedom to engage in certain
transactions or (iii) the ability of the Fund’s Trustees or shareholders to
amend the Governing Documents or effectuate changes in the Fund’s
management. These provisions of the Governing Documents of the Fund
may be regarded as “anti-takeover” provisions. The Board of Trustees
is divided into three classes, each having a term of no more than three years
(except, to ensure that the term of a class of the Fund’s Trustees expires each
year, one class of the Fund’s Trustees will serve an initial one-year term and
three-year terms thereafter and another class of its Trustees will serve an
initial two-year term and three-year terms thereafter). Each year the
term of one class of Trustees will expire. Accordingly, only those
Trustees in one class may be changed in any one year, and it would require a
minimum of two years to change a majority of the Board of
Trustees. Such system of electing Trustees may have the effect of
maintaining the continuity of management and, thus, make it more difficult for
the shareholders of the Fund to change the majority of Trustees. See
“Management of the Fund — Trustees and Officers” in the SAI. A
trustee of the Fund may be removed with or without cause by two-thirds of the
remaining Trustees and, without cause, by 66 2/3% of the votes entitled to be
cast for the election of such Trustees. Special voting requirements
of 75% of the outstanding voting shares (in addition to any required class
votes) apply to certain mergers or a sale of all or substantially all of the
Fund’s assets, liquidation, conversion of the Fund into an open-end fund or
interval fund and amendments to several provisions of the Declaration of Trust,
including the foregoing provisions. In addition, after completion of
the offering, 80% of the holders of the outstanding voting securities of the
Fund voting as a class is generally required in order to authorize any of the
following transactions:
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·
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merger
or consolidation of the Fund with or into any other
entity;
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·
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issuance
of any securities of the Fund to any person or entity for cash, other than
pursuant to the Plan or any offering if such person or entity acquires no
greater percentage of the securities offered than the percentage
beneficially owned by such person or entity immediately prior to such
offering or, in the case of
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a
class or series not then beneficially owned by such person or entity, the
percentage of common shares beneficially owned by such person or entity
immediately prior to such offering; |
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·
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sale,
lease or exchange of all or any substantial part of the assets of the Fund
to any entity or person (except assets having an aggregate fair market
value of less than $5,000,000);
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·
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sale,
lease or exchange to the Fund, in exchange for securities of the Fund, of
any assets of any entity or person (except assets having an aggregate fair
market value of less than $5,000,000);
or
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·
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the
purchase of the Fund’s common shares by the Fund from any person or entity
other than pursuant to a tender offer equally available to other
shareholders in which such person or entity tenders no greater percentage
of common shares than are tendered by all other
shareholders.
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If
such person or entity is directly, or indirectly through affiliates, the
beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund, however,
such vote would not be required when, under certain conditions, the Board of
Trustees approves the transaction.
In
addition, shareholders have no authority to adopt, amend or repeal the Fund’s
By-Laws. The Trustees have authority to adopt, amend and repeal the
Fund’s By-Laws consistent with the Declaration of Trust (including to require
approval by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares for the election
of Trustees).
The
provisions of the Governing Documents described above could have the effect of
depriving the owners of shares in the Fund of opportunities to sell their shares
at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from
seeking to obtain control of the Fund in a tender offer or similar
transaction. The overall effect of these provisions is to render more
difficult the accomplishment of a merger or the assumption of control by a
principal shareholder.
The
Governing Documents of the Fund are on file with the Commission. For
the full text of these provisions see “Additional Information.”
CLOSED-END
FUND STRUCTURE
The
Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment
company (commonly referred to as a closed-end fund). Closed-end funds
differ from open-end funds (which are generally referred to as mutual funds) in
that closed-end funds generally list their shares for trading on a stock
exchange and do not redeem their shares at the request of the
shareholder. This means that if you wish to sell your shares of a
closed-end fund you must trade them on the market like any other stock at the
prevailing market price at that time. In a mutual fund, if the
shareholder wishes to sell shares of the fund, the mutual fund will redeem or
buy back the shares at “net asset value.” Also, mutual funds generally offer new
shares on a continuous basis to new investors, and closed-end funds generally do
not. The continuous inflows and outflows of assets in a mutual fund
can make it difficult to manage the fund’s investments. By
comparison, closed-end funds are generally able to stay more fully invested in
securities that are consistent with their investment objective, to have greater
flexibility to make certain types of investments and to use certain investment
strategies such as financial leverage and investments in illiquid
securities.
Shares
of closed-end funds often trade at a discount to their net asset
value. Because of this possibility and the recognition that any such
discount may not be in the interest of shareholders, the Board of Trustees might
consider from time to time engaging in open-market repurchases, tender offers
for shares or other programs intended to reduce a discount. We cannot
guarantee or assure, however, that the Board of Trustees will decide to engage
in any of these actions. Nor is there any guarantee or assurance that
such actions, if undertaken, would result in the shares trading at a price equal
or close to net asset value per share. The Board of Trustees might
also consider converting the Fund to an open-end mutual fund, which would also
require a supermajority vote of the shareholders of the Fund and a separate vote
of any outstanding preferred shares. We cannot assure you that the
Fund’s common shares will not trade at a discount.
REPURCHASE
OF COMMON SHARES
The
Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment
company and as such its shareholders do not, and will not, have the right to
require the Fund to repurchase their shares. The Fund, however, may
repurchase its common shares from time to time as and when it deems such a
repurchase advisable. The Board of Trustees has authorized the
consideration of such repurchases to be made when the Fund’s common shares are
trading at a discount from net asset value of [7.5]% or more (or such other
percentage as the Board of Trustees may determine from time to
time). Pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Fund may repurchase its common
shares on a securities exchange (provided that the Fund has informed its
shareholders within the preceding six months of its intention to repurchase such
shares) or pursuant to tenders and may also repurchase shares privately if the
Fund meets certain conditions regarding, among other things, distribution of net
income for the preceding fiscal year, status of the seller, price paid,
brokerage commissions, prior notice to shareholders of an intention to purchase
shares and purchasing in a manner and on a basis that does not discriminate
against the other shareholders through their interest in the Fund.
When
the Fund repurchases its common shares for a price below net asset value, the
net asset value of the common shares that remain outstanding shares will be
enhanced, but this does not necessarily mean that the market price of the
outstanding common shares will be affected, either positively or
negatively. The repurchase of common shares will reduce the total
assets of the Fund available for investment and may increase the Fund’s expense
ratio.
NET
ASSET VALUE
For
purposes of determining the Fund’s net asset value per share, portfolio
securities listed or traded on a nationally recognized securities exchange or
traded in the U.S. over-the-counter market for which market quotations are
readily available are valued at the last quoted sale price or a market’s
official closing price as of the close of business on the day the securities are
being valued. If there were no sales that day, the security is valued
at the average of the closing bid and asked prices, or, if there were no asked
prices quoted on such day, the security is valued at the most recently available
price or, if the Board of Trustees so determines, by such other method as the
Board of Trustees shall determine in good faith to reflect its fair market
value. Portfolio securities traded on more than one national
securities exchange or market are valued according to the broadest and most
representative market, as determined by the Investment Adviser.
Portfolio
securities primarily traded on a foreign market are generally valued at the
preceding closing values of such securities on the relevant market, but may be
fair valued pursuant to procedures established by the Board of Trustees if
market conditions change significantly after the close of the foreign market but
prior to the close of business on the day the securities are being
valued. Debt instruments with remaining maturities of 60 days or less
that are not credit impaired are valued at amortized cost, unless the Board of
Trustees determines such amount does not reflect fair value, in which case these
securities will be valued at their fair value as determined by the Board of
Trustees. Debt instruments having a maturity greater than 60 days for
which market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest average
of the bid and asked prices. If there were no asked prices quoted on
such day, the security is valued using the closing bid price. Futures
contracts are valued at the closing settlement price of the exchange or board of
trade on which the applicable contract is traded.
Securities
and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at
their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and
under the general supervision of the Board of Trustees. Fair
valuation methodologies and procedures may include, but are not limited to:
analysis and review of available financial and non-financial information about
the company; comparisons to the valuation and changes in valuation of similar
securities, including a comparison of foreign securities to the equivalent U.S.
dollar value ADR securities at the close of the U.S. exchange; and evaluation of
any other information that could be indicative of the value of the
security.
The
Fund obtains valuations on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service
approved by the Board of Trustees. All other investment assets,
including restricted and not readily marketable securities, are valued in good
faith at fair value under procedures established by and under the general
supervision and responsibility of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
In
addition, whenever developments in one or more securities markets after the
close of the principal markets for one or more portfolio securities and before
the time as of which the Fund determines its net asset value would, if
such
developments had been reflected in such principal markets, likely have more than
a minimal effect on the Fund’s net asset value per share, the Fund may fair
value such portfolio securities based on available market information as of the
time the Fund determines its net asset value.
[ ]
Closings. The holidays (as observed) on which the
[ ] is closed, and therefore days upon which shareholders
cannot purchase or sell shares, currently are: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day and on the preceding Friday or
subsequent Monday when a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday,
respectively.
TAXATION
The
following discussion is a brief summary of certain U.S. federal income tax
considerations affecting the Fund and its shareholders. A more
complete discussion of the tax rules applicable to the Fund and its shareholders
can be found in the SAI that is incorporated by reference into this
prospectus. This discussion assumes you are a U.S. person and that
you hold your common shares as capital assets. This discussion is
based upon current provisions of the Code, the regulations promulgated
thereunder and judicial and administrative authorities, all of which are subject
to change or differing interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue
Service (the “IRS”), possibly with retroactive effect. No attempt is
made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal tax concerns
affecting the Fund and its shareholders (including shareholders owning large
positions in the Fund).
The
discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice and potential
investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine the tax
consequences to them of investing in the Fund.
Taxation
of the Fund
The
Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify annually as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. Accordingly, the
Fund must, among other things, meet the following requirements regarding the
source of its income and the diversification of its assets:
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(i)
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derive
in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from the following
sources, which are referred to herein as “Qualifying Income”: (a)
dividends, interest (including tax-exempt interest), payments with respect
to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition
of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but
not limited to gain from options, futures and forward contracts) derived
with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or
foreign currencies; and (b) interests in publicly traded partnerships that
are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that
derive less than 90% of their gross income from the items described in (a)
above (each a “Qualified Publicly Traded Partnership”).
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(ii)
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diversify
its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year (a)
at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets is represented
by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, the securities of
other regulated investment companies and other securities, with such other
securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater
than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not more than 10% of
the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (b) not more than 25%
of the market value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the
securities (other than U.S. government securities and the securities of
other regulated investment companies) of (I) any one issuer, (II) any two
or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are determined to be
engaged in the same business or similar or related trades or businesses or
(III) any one or more Qualified Publicly Traded
Partnerships.
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Income
from the Fund’s investments in grantor trusts that are not Qualified Publicly
Traded Partnerships (if any) will be Qualifying Income to the extent it is
attributable to items of income of such trust that would be Qualifying Income if
earned directly by the Fund.
The
Fund’s investments in partnerships, including in Qualified Publicly Trades
Partnerships, may result in the Funds being subject to state, local or foreign
income, franchise or withholding tax liabilities.
As
a regulated investment company, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S.
federal income tax on income and gains that the Fund distributes to its
shareholders, provided that it distributes each taxable year at least
the
sum of (i) 90% of the Fund’s investment company taxable income (which includes,
among other items, dividends, interest and the excess of any net short-term
capital gain over net long-term capital loss and other taxable income, other
than any net long-term capital gain, reduced by deductible expenses) determined
without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and (ii) 90% of the Fund’s
net tax-exempt interest (the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest over
certain disallowed deductions). The Fund intends to distribute
substantially all of such income at least annually. The Fund will be
subject to income tax at regular corporation rates on any taxable income or
gains that it does not distribute to its shareholders.
The
Code imposes a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the Fund to the extent the Fund
does not distribute by the end of any calendar year an amount at least equal to
the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital
gain or loss) for the calendar year and (ii) 98% of its capital gain in excess
of its capital loss (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for a one-year period
generally ending on October 31 of the calendar year (unless an election is made
to use the Fund’s fiscal year). In addition, the minimum amounts that
must be distributed in any year to avoid the excise tax will be increased or
decreased to reflect any under-distribution or over-distribution, as the case
may be, from the previous year. While the Fund intends to distribute
any income and capital gain in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of
the 4% excise tax, there can be no assurance that sufficient amounts of the
Fund’s taxable income and capital gain will be distributed to entirely avoid the
imposition of the excise tax. In that event, the Fund will be liable
for the excise tax only on the amount by which it does not meet the foregoing
distribution requirement.
If
for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment
company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) will be
subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for
distributions to shareholders.
Taxation
of Shareholders
Distributions
paid to you by the Fund from its net realized long-term capital gains, if any,
that the Fund designates as capital gains dividends (“capital gain dividends”)
are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held
your common shares. All other dividends paid to you by the Fund
(including dividends from short-term capital gains) from its current or
accumulated earnings and profits (“ordinary income dividends”) are generally
subject to tax as ordinary income.
Special
rules apply, however, to ordinary income dividends paid to individuals with
respect to taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010. If
you are an individual, any such ordinary income dividend that you receive from
the Fund generally will be eligible for taxation at the Federal rates applicable
to long-term capital gains (currently at a maximum rate of 15%) to the extent
that (i) the ordinary income dividend is attributable to “qualified dividend
income” (i.e., generally dividends paid by U.S. corporations and certain foreign
corporations) received by the Fund, (ii) the Fund satisfies certain holding
period and other requirements with respect to the stock on which such qualified
dividend income was paid and (iii) you satisfy certain holding period and other
requirements with respect to your common shares. There can be no
assurance as to what portion of the Fund’s ordinary income dividends will
constitute qualified dividend income.
Any
distributions you receive that are in excess of the Fund’s current or
accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a tax-free return of capital
to the extent of your adjusted tax basis in your common shares, and thereafter
as capital gain from the sale of common shares. The amount of any
Fund distribution that is treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce
your adjusted tax basis in your common shares, thereby increasing your potential
gain or reducing your potential loss on any subsequent sale or other disposition
of your common shares.
Dividends
and other taxable distributions are taxable to you even though they are
reinvested in additional common shares of the Fund. Dividends and
other distributions paid by the Fund are generally treated under the Code as
received by you at the time the dividend or distribution is made. If,
however, the Fund pays you a dividend in January that was declared in the
previous October, November or December and you were the shareholder of record on
a specified date in one of such months, then such dividend will be treated for
tax purposes as being paid by the Fund and received by you on December 31 of the
year in which the dividend was declared.
The
Fund will send you information after the end of each year setting forth the
amount and tax status of any distributions paid to you by the Fund.
The
sale or other disposition of common shares of the Fund will generally result in
capital gain or loss to you, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if you
have held such common shares for more than one year at the time of
sale. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of common shares held for
six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of
any capital gain dividends received (including amounts credited as an
undistributed capital gain dividend) by you with respect to such common
shares. Any loss you realize on a sale or exchange of common shares
will be disallowed if you acquire other common shares (whether through the
automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period
beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after your sale or exchange of the
common shares. In such case, your tax basis in the common shares
acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
The
Fund may be required to withhold, for federal backup withholding tax purposes, a
portion of the dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds payable to
shareholders who fail to provide the Fund (or its agent) with their correct
taxpayer identification number (in the case of individuals, generally, their
social security number) or to make required certifications, or who have been
notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup
withholding. Certain shareholders are exempt from backup
withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any
amount withheld may be refunded or credited against your federal income tax
liability, if any, provided that you furnish the required information to the
IRS.
CUSTODIAN,
TRANSFER AGENT
AND
DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
[ ],
serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a custody
agreement. Under the custody agreement, the Custodian holds the
Fund’s assets in compliance with the 1940 Act. For its services, the
Custodian will receive a monthly fee paid by the Fund based upon, among other
things, the average value of the total assets of the Fund, plus certain charges
for securities transactions and out of pocket expenses.
[ ],
serves as the Fund’s dividend disbursing agent, as agent under the Fund’s Plan
and as transfer agent and registrar for the common shares of the
Fund.
UNDERWRITING
[ ]
are acting as representatives of the Underwriters named
below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting
agreement dated the date hereof, each underwriter named below has severally
agreed to purchase, and the Fund has agreed to sell to such underwriter, the
number of common shares set forth opposite the name of such
underwriter.
The
following table shows the sales load that the Fund will pay to the Underwriters
in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming
both no exercise and full exercise of the Underwriters’ option to purchase
additional common shares.
[Additional
Plan of Distribution information to be provided by underwriters.]
LEGAL
MATTERS
Certain
legal matters will be passed on by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP,
counsel to the Fund in connection with the offering of the common shares, and by
[ ], counsel to the
Underwriters.
INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
[ ]
serves as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund and will
annually audit the financial statements of the
Fund. [ ]
is located at
[ ].
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
The
Fund is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, and the 1940 Act and in accordance therewith files reports
and other information with the Commission. Reports, proxy statements
and other information filed by the Fund with the Commission pursuant to the
informational requirements of such Acts can be inspected and copied at the
public reference facilities maintained by the Commission, 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. The Commission maintains a web site at
http://www.sec.gov containing reports, proxy and information statements and
other information regarding registrants, including the Fund, that file
electronically with the Commission.
We
expect the common shares to be approved for listing on the [ ],
under the symbol [ ], subject to notice of
issuance. Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning
the Fund and filed with the
[ ]
by the Fund will be available for inspection at the
[ ].
This
prospectus constitutes part of a Registration Statement filed by the Fund with
the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940
Act. This prospectus omits certain of the information contained in
the Registration Statement, and reference is hereby made to the Registration
Statement and related exhibits for further information with respect to the Fund
and the common shares offered hereby. Any statements contained herein
concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in
each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the
Commission. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such
reference. The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from
the Commission upon payment of the fee prescribed by its rules and regulations
or free of charge through the Commission’s web site
(http://www.sec.gov).
PRIVACY
PRINCIPLES OF THE FUND
What
kind of non-public information do we collect about you if you become a
shareholder?
When
you purchase shares of the Fund on the __________, you have the option of
registering directly with our transfer agent in order, for example, to
participate in our dividend reinvestment plan. If you do so, we will
collect certain non-public information about you.
|
·
|
Information you give us on
your application form. This could include your name,
address, telephone number, social security number, bank account number,
and other information.
|
|
·
|
Information about your
transactions with us. This would include information
about the shares that you buy or sell; it may also include information
about whether you sell or exercise rights that we have issued from time to
time. If we hire someone else to provide services – like a
transfer agent – we will also have information about the transactions in
our shares that you conduct through
them.
|
What
information do we disclose and to whom to we disclose it?
We
do not disclose any non-public personal information about you except to the
people who need to know that information in order to provide services to you or
the Fund and to ensure that we are complying with the laws governing the
securities business. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural
safeguards to keep your personal information confidential.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS OF SAI
An
SAI dated as of _____________, 2008, has been filed with the Commission and is
incorporated by reference in this prospectus. An SAI may be obtained
without charge by writing to the Fund at its address at One Corporate Center,
Rye, New York 10580-1422 or by calling the Fund toll-free at (800) GABELLI
(422-3554). The Table of Contents of the SAI is as
follows:
|
Page
|
|
|
THE
FUND
|
3
|
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
|
3
|
INVESTMENT
RESTRICTIONS
|
13
|
MANAGEMENT
OF THE FUND
|
14
|
DISTRIBUTIONS
AND DIVIDENDS
|
|
PORTFOLIO
TRANSACTIONS
|
21
|
PORTFOLIO
TURNOVER
|
22
|
TAXATION
|
22
|
GENERAL
INFORMATION
|
28
|
Appendix
A - Proxy Voting Policy
|
A-1
|
No
person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations in connection with this offering other than those contained in
this prospectus in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given or
made, such other information or representations must not be relied upon as
having been authorized by the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the
Underwriters. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale
made hereunder will, under any circumstances, create any implication that there
has been no change in the affairs of the Fund since the date hereof or that the
information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to its
date. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a
solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to
which it relates. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to
sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstance
in which such an offer or solicitation is unlawful.
Shares
The
Gabelli Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust
Common
Shares of Beneficial Interest
$
[ ] per Share
PROSPECTUS
________,
2008
STATEMENT
OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
THE
INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY
BE CHANGED. THE FUND MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS
EFFECTIVE. THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT AN OFFER
TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
The
Gabelli Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust, (the “Fund”) is a newly
organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940
Act”). The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a high
level of current income. The Fund’s secondary investment objective is
to seek capital appreciation consistent with the Fund’s strategy and its primary
objective. An investment in the Fund is not appropriate for all
investors. We cannot assure you that the Fund’s objectives will be
achieved. Gabelli Funds, LLC serves as “Investment Adviser” to the
Fund. See “Management of the Fund.”
This
Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) does not constitute a
prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s prospectus
relating thereto dated _______, 2008, and as it may be supplemented (the
“Prospectus”). This SAI does not include all information that a
prospective investor should consider before investing in the Fund’s common
shares, and investors should obtain and read the prospectus prior to purchasing
such shares. A copy of the Fund’s Registration Statement, including
the prospectus and any supplement, may be obtained from the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) upon payment of the fee prescribed, or
inspected at the Commission’s office or via its website (http://www.sec.gov) at
no charge.
This
Statement of Additional Information is dated ________, 2008.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
|
Page |
|
|
THE
FUND
|
3
|
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
|
3
|
INVESTMENT
RESTRICTIONS
|
13
|
MANAGEMENT
OF THE FUND
|
14
|
DISTRIBUTIONS
AND DIVIDENDS
|
|
PORTFOLIO
TRANSACTIONS
|
21
|
PORTFOLIO
TURNOVER
|
22
|
TAXATION
|
22
|
GENERAL
INFORMATION
|
28
|
|
|
Appendix
A - Proxy Voting Policy
|
A-1
|
THE
FUND
The
Gabelli Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust is a newly organized,
non-diversified, closed-end management investment company organized under the
laws of the State of Delaware. We expect the Fund’s common shares of
beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share, to be approved for listing on
the [ ] under the symbol
[ ], subject to notice of issuance.
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
Investment
Objective and Policies
The
Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current
income. The Fund’s secondary investment objective is to seek capital
appreciation consistent with the Fund’s strategy and its primary
objective. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will attempt to
achieve its objectives by investing at least 80% of its assets in securities of
companies principally engaged in the natural resources and gold industries and
in income-producing securities. The Fund will invest at least 25% of
its assets in the securities of companies principally engaged in the
exploration, production or distribution of natural resources, such as base
metals, metals, paper, food and agriculture, forestry products, gas, oil and
other commodities as well as related transportation companies and equipment
manufacturers. The Fund will invest at least 25% of its assets in the
securities of companies principally engaged in the exploration, mining,
fabrication, processing, distribution or trading of gold or the financing,
managing, controlling or operating of companies engaged in “gold-related”
activities. The Fund may invest without limitation in the securities
of domestic and foreign issuers. The Fund expects that its assets
will usually be invested in several countries. [To the extent that
the natural resources and gold industries are concentrated in any given
geographic region, such as Europe, North America or Asia, a relatively high
proportion of the Fund’s assets may be invested in that particular
region.]
Principally
engaged, as used in this SAI, means a company that derives at least 50% of its
revenues or earnings or devotes at least 50% of its assets to the indicated
businesses. Equity securities may include common stocks, preferred
stocks, convertible securities, warrants, depository receipts and equity
interests in trusts and other entities. Other Fund investments may
include investment companies, including exchange-traded funds, securities of
issuers subject to reorganization or other risk arbitrage investments,
derivative instruments, debt (including obligations of the U.S. government) and
money market instruments. As part of its investment strategy, the
Fund intends to earn income through an option strategy of writing (selling)
covered call options on equity securities in its portfolio. When the
Fund sells a covered call option, it receives income in the form of the premium
paid by the buyer of the call option, but the Fund forgoes the opportunity to
participate in any increase in the value of the underlying equity security above
the exercise price of the option.
The
Fund is not intended for those who wish to exploit short-term swings in the
stock market.
The
Investment Adviser’s investment philosophy with respect to selecting investments
in the gold industry and the natural resources industries is to emphasize
quality, value and favorable prospects for growth, as determined by such factors
as asset quality, balance sheet leverage, management ability, reserve life, cash
flow and commodity hedging exposure. In addition, in making stock
selections, the Investment Adviser looks for securities that it believes may
provide attractive yields, as well as capital gains potential and that allow the
Fund to earn income from writing covered calls on such stocks.
Additional
Investment Policies
Canadian Royalty
Trusts. The Fund may invest in equity interests in Canadian
Royalty Trusts. A Canadian Royalty Trust is a royalty trust whose
securities are generally listed on a Canadian securities exchange and which
controls an underlying company whose business is the acquisition, exploitation,
production and sale of oil and natural gas. These trusts generally
pay out to unitholders the majority of the cash flow that they receive from the
production and sale of underlying oil and natural gas reserves. The
amount of distributions paid on a Canadian Royalty Trust’s units will vary from
time to time based on production levels, commodity prices, royalty rates and
certain expenses, deductions and costs, as well as on the distribution payout
ratio policy adopted. As a result of distributing the bulk of its
cash flow to unitholders, the ability of a Canadian Royalty Trust to finance
internal growth through exploration is limited. Therefore, Canadian
Royalty Trusts typically grow through acquisition of
additional
oil and gas properties or producing companies with proven reserves of oil and
gas, funded through the issuance of additional equity or, where the trust is
able, additional debt.
Canadian
Royalty Trusts, like other types of Natural Resources Companies, are exposed to
pricing risk, supply and demand risk and depletion and exploration risk with
respect to their underlying commodities, among other risks. An
investment in units of Canadian Royalty Trusts involves some risks that differ
from an investment in common stock of a corporation, including increased
liability for the obligations of the trust. There are certain
regulatory and tax risks associated with an investment in Canadian Royalty
Trusts resulting from reliance on beneficial Canadian incentive programs and tax
laws that may be changed in the future. In addition, securities of
certain Canadian Royalty Trusts may not be qualifying assets for the Fund’s
asset diversification requirements.
Derivative
Instruments
Options. The Fund
may, from time to time, subject to guidelines of the Board of Trustees and the
limitations set forth in the Prospectus, purchase or sell (i.e., write) options
on securities, securities indices and foreign currencies which are listed on a
national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market, as a
means of achieving additional return or of hedging the value of the Fund’s
portfolio.
A
call option is a contract that gives the holder of the option the right to buy
from the writer of the call option, in return for a premium, the security or
currency underlying the option at a specified exercise price at any time during
the term of the option. The writer of the call option has the
obligation, upon exercise of the option, to deliver the underlying security or
currency upon payment of the exercise price during the option
period.
A
put option is a contract that gives the holder of the option the right, in
return for a premium, to sell to the seller the underlying security at a
specified price. The seller of the put option has the obligation to
buy the underlying security upon exercise at the exercise price.
A
call option is “covered” if the Fund owns the underlying instrument covered by
the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that instrument
without additional cash consideration (or for additional cash consideration held
in a segregated account by its custodian) upon conversion or exchange of other
instruments held in its portfolio. A call option is also covered if
the Fund holds a call option on the same instrument as the call option written
where the exercise price of the call option held is (i) equal to or less than
the exercise price of the call option written or (ii) greater than the exercise
price of the call option written if the difference is maintained by the Fund in
cash, U.S. government securities or other high-grade short-term obligations in a
segregated account with its custodian. A put option is “covered” if
the Fund maintains cash or other liquid securities with a value equal to the
exercise price in a segregated account with its custodian, or else holds a put
option on the same instrument as the put option written where the exercise price
of the put option held is equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put
option written.
If
the Fund has written an option, it may terminate its obligation by effecting a
closing purchase transaction. This is accomplished by purchasing an
option of the same series as the option previously written. However,
once the Fund has been assigned an exercise notice, the Fund will be unable to
effect a closing purchase transaction. Similarly, if the Fund is the
holder of an option it may liquidate its position by effecting a closing sale
transaction. This is accomplished by selling an option of the same
series as the option previously purchased. There can be no assurance
that either a closing purchase or sale transaction can be effected when the Fund
so desires.
The
Fund will realize a profit from a closing transaction if the price of the
transaction is less than the premium received from writing the option or is more
than the premium paid to purchase the option; the Fund will realize a loss from
a closing transaction if the price of the transaction is more than the premium
received from writing the option or is less than the premium paid to purchase
the option. Since call option prices generally reflect increases in
the price of the underlying security, any loss resulting from the repurchase of
a call option may also be wholly or partially offset by unrealized appreciation
of the underlying security. Other principal factors affecting the
market value of a put or a call option include supply and demand, interest
rates, the current market price and price volatility of the underlying security
and the time remaining until the expiration date. Gains and losses on
investments in options depend, in part, on the ability of the Investment Adviser
to predict correctly the effect of these factors. The use of options
cannot serve as a complete hedge since the price movement of securities
underlying the options will not necessarily follow the price movements of the
portfolio securities subject to the hedge.
An
option position may be closed out only on an exchange that provides a secondary
market for an option of the same series or in a private
transaction. Although the Fund will generally purchase or write only
those options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is
no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any
particular option. In such event it might not be possible to effect
closing transactions in particular options, so that the Fund would have to
exercise its options in order to realize any profit and would incur brokerage
commissions upon the exercise of call options and upon the subsequent
disposition of underlying securities for the exercise of put
options. If the Fund, as a covered call option writer, is unable to
effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able
to sell the underlying security until the option expires or it delivers the
underlying security upon exercise or otherwise covers the position.
To
the extent that the Fund purchases options pursuant to a hedging strategy, the
Fund will be subject to the following additional risks. If a put or
call option purchased by the Fund is not sold when it has remaining value, and
if the market price of the underlying security remains equal to or greater than
the exercise price (in the case of a put), or remains less than or equal to the
exercise price (in the case of a call), the Fund will lose its entire investment
in the option.
Where
a put or call option on a particular security is purchased to hedge against
price movements in that or a related security, the price of the put or call
option may move more or less than the price of the security. If
restrictions on exercise are imposed, the Fund may be unable to exercise an
option it has purchased. If the Fund is unable to close out an option
that it has purchased on a security, it will have to exercise the option in
order to realize any profit or the option may expire worthless.
Options on Securities
Indices. The Fund may purchase and sell securities index
options. One effect of such transactions may be to hedge all or part
of the Fund’s securities holdings against a general decline in the securities
market or a segment of the securities market. Options on securities
indices are similar to options on stocks except that, rather than the right to
take or make delivery of stock at a specified price, an option on a securities
index gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an
amount of cash if the closing level of the securities index upon which the
option is based is greater than, in the case of a call option, or less than, in
the case of a put option, the exercise price of the option.
The
Fund’s successful use of options on indices depends upon its ability to predict
the direction of the market and is subject to various additional
risks. The correlation between movements in the index and the price
of the securities being hedged against is imperfect and the risk from imperfect
correlation increases as the composition of the Fund diverges from the
composition of the relevant index. Accordingly, a decrease in the
value of the securities being hedged against may not be wholly offset by a gain
on the exercise or sale of a securities index put option held by the
Fund.
Options on Foreign
Currencies. Instead of purchasing or selling currency futures
(as described below), the Fund may attempt to accomplish similar objectives by
purchasing put or call options on currencies or by writing put options or call
options on currencies either on exchanges or in OTC markets. A put
option gives the Fund the right to sell a currency at the exercise price until
the option expires. A call option gives the Fund the right to
purchase a currency at the exercise price until the option
expires. Both types of options serve to insure against adverse
currency price movements in the underlying portfolio assets designated in a
given currency. The Fund’s use of options on currencies will be
subject to the same limitations as its use of options on securities, described
above and in the Prospectus. Currency options may be subject to
position limits that may limit the ability of the Fund to fully hedge its
positions by purchasing the options.
As
in the case of interest rate futures contracts and options thereon, described
below, the Fund may hedge against the risk of a decrease or increase in the U.S.
dollar value of a foreign currency denominated debt security that the Fund owns
or intends to acquire by purchasing or selling options contracts, futures
contracts or options thereon with respect to a foreign currency other than the
foreign currency in which such debt security is denominated, where the values of
such different currencies (vis-à-vis the U.S. dollar) historically have a high
degree of positive correlation.
Futures Contracts and Options on
Futures. The Fund may purchase and sell financial futures
contracts and options thereon which are traded on a commodities exchange or
board of trade for certain hedging, yield enhancement and risk management
purposes. A financial futures contract is an agreement to purchase or
sell an
agreed
amount of securities or currencies at a set price for delivery in the
future. These futures contracts and related options may be on debt
securities, financial indices, securities indices, U.S. government securities
and foreign currencies. The Investment Adviser has claimed an
exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the
Commodity Exchange Act and therefore is not subject to registration under the
Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Fund’s investments in
derivative instruments described in this prospectus and the SAI are not limited
by or subject to regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act or otherwise
regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
The
Fund will not enter into futures contracts or options on futures contracts
unless (i) the aggregate initial margins and premiums do not exceed 5% of the
fair market value of its assets and (ii) the aggregate market value of its
outstanding futures contracts and the market value of the currencies and futures
contracts subject to outstanding options written by the Fund, as the case may
be, do not exceed 50% of its total assets. It is anticipated that
these investments, if any, will be made by the Fund solely for the purpose of
hedging against changes in the value of its portfolio securities and in the
value of securities it intends to purchase. Such investments will
only be made if they are economically appropriate to the reduction of risks
involved in the management of the Fund. In this regard, the Fund may
enter into futures contracts or options on futures for the purchase or sale of
securities indices or other financial instruments including but not limited to
U.S. government securities.
A
“sale” of a futures contract (or a “short” futures position) means the
assumption of a contractual obligation to deliver the securities underlying the
contract at a specified price at a specified future time. A
“purchase” of a futures contract (or a “long” futures position) means the
assumption of a contractual obligation to acquire the securities underlying the
contract at a specified price at a specified future time. Certain
futures contracts, including stock and bond index futures, are settled on a net
cash payment basis rather than by the sale and delivery of the securities
underlying the futures contracts.
No
consideration will be paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of
a futures contract. Initially, the Fund will be required to deposit
with the broker an amount of cash or cash equivalents equal to approximately 1%
to 10% of the contract amount (this amount is subject to change by the exchange
or board of trade on which the contract is traded and brokers or members of such
board of trade may charge a higher amount). This amount is known as
the “initial margin” and is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith
deposit on the contract. Subsequent payments, known as “variation
margin,” to and from the broker will be made daily as the price of the index or
security underlying the futures contract fluctuates. At any time
prior to the expiration of the futures contract, the Fund may elect to close the
position by taking an opposite position, which will operate to terminate its
existing position in the contract.
An
option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the
premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise
price at any time prior to the expiration of the option. Upon
exercise of an option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the
option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the
accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account attributable to that
contract, which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures
contract exceeds, in the case of a call option, or is less than, in the case of
a put option, the exercise price of the option on the futures
contract. The potential loss related to the purchase of an option on
a futures contract is limited to the premium paid for the option (plus
transaction costs). Because the value of the option purchased is
fixed at the point of sale, there are no daily cash payments by the purchaser to
reflect changes in the value of the underlying contract; however, the value of
the option does change daily and that change would be reflected in the net
assets of the Fund.
Futures
and options on futures entail certain risks, including but not limited to the
following: no assurance that futures contracts or options on futures can be
offset at favorable prices, possible reduction of the yield of the Fund due to
the use of hedging, possible reduction in value of both the securities hedged
and the hedging instrument, possible lack of liquidity due to daily limits on
price fluctuations, imperfect correlation between the contracts and the
securities being hedged, losses from investing in futures transactions that are
potentially unlimited and the segregation requirements described
below.
In
the event the Fund sells a put option or enters into long futures contracts,
under current interpretations of the 1940 Act, an amount of cash, U.S.
government securities or other liquid securities equal to the market value of
the contract must be deposited and maintained in a segregated account with the
Fund’s custodian (the “Custodian”) to collateralize the positions, in order for
the Fund to avoid being treated as having issued a senior security in the
amount
of its obligations. For short positions in futures contracts and
sales of call options, the Fund may establish a segregated account (not with a
futures commission merchant or broker) with cash, U.S. government securities or
other high grade debt securities that, when added to amounts deposited with a
futures commission merchant or a broker as margin, equal the market value of the
instruments or currency underlying the futures contracts or call options,
respectively (but are no less than the stock price of the call option or the
market price at which the short positions were established).
Interest Rate Futures Contracts and
Options Thereon. The Fund may purchase or sell interest rate
futures contracts to take advantage of or to protect the Fund against
fluctuations in interest rates affecting the value of debt securities that the
Fund holds or intends to acquire. For example, if interest rates are
expected to increase, the Fund might sell futures contracts on debt securities,
the values of which historically have a high degree of positive correlation to
the values of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Such a sale would have
an effect similar to selling an equivalent value of the Fund’s portfolio
securities. If interest rates increase, the value of the Fund’s
portfolio securities will decline, but the value of the futures contracts to the
Fund will increase at approximately an equivalent rate thereby keeping the net
asset value of the Fund from declining as much as it otherwise would
have. The Fund could accomplish similar results by selling debt
securities with longer maturities and investing in debt securities with shorter
maturities when interest rates are expected to increase. However,
since the futures market may be more liquid than the cash market, the use of
futures contracts as a risk management technique allows the Fund to maintain a
defensive position without having to sell its portfolio securities.
Similarly,
the Fund may purchase interest rate futures contracts when it is expected that
interest rates may decline. The purchase of futures contracts for
this purpose constitutes a hedge against increases in the price of debt
securities (caused by declining interest rates), which the Fund intends to
acquire. Since fluctuations in the value of appropriately selected
futures contracts should approximate that of the debt securities that will be
purchased, the Fund can take advantage of the anticipated rise in the cost of
the debt securities without actually buying them. Subsequently, the
Fund can make its intended purchase of the debt securities in the cash market
and currently liquidate its futures position. To the extent the Fund
enters into futures contracts for this purpose, it will maintain in a segregated
asset account with the Fund’s Custodian, assets sufficient to cover the Fund’s
obligations with respect to such futures contracts, which will consist of cash
or other liquid securities from its portfolio in an amount equal to the
difference between the fluctuating market value of such futures contracts and
the aggregate value of the initial margin deposited by the Fund with its
Custodian with respect to such futures contracts.
The
purchase of a call option on a futures contract is similar in some respects to
the purchase of a call option on an individual security. Depending on
the pricing of the option compared to either the price of the futures contract
upon which it is based or the price of the underlying debt securities, it may or
may not be less risky than ownership of the futures contract or underlying debt
securities. As with the purchase of futures contracts, when the Fund
is not fully invested it may purchase a call option on a futures contract to
hedge against a market advance due to declining interest rates.
The
purchase of a put option on a futures contract is similar to the purchase of
protective put options on portfolio securities. The Fund will
purchase a put option on a futures contract to hedge the Fund’s portfolio
against the risk of rising interest rates and a consequent reduction in the
value of portfolio securities.
The
writing of a call option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge
against declining prices of the securities that are deliverable upon exercise of
the futures contract. If the futures price at expiration of the
option is below the exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the
option premium, which provides a partial hedge against any decline that may have
occurred in the Fund’s portfolio holdings. The writing of a put
option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against increasing
prices of the securities that are deliverable upon exercise of the futures
contract. If the futures price at expiration of the option is higher
than the exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the option
premium, which provides a partial hedge against any increase in the price of
debt securities that the Fund intends to purchase. If a put or call
option the Fund has written is exercised, the Fund will incur a loss which will
be reduced by the amount of the premium it received. Depending on the
degree of correlation between changes in the value of its portfolio securities
and changes in the value of its futures positions, the Fund’s losses from
options on futures it has written may to some extent be reduced or increased by
changes in the value of its portfolio securities.
Currency Futures and Options
Thereon. Generally, foreign currency futures contracts and
options thereon are similar to the interest rate futures contracts and options
thereon discussed previously. By entering into currency futures and
options thereon, the Fund will seek to establish the rate at which it will be
entitled to exchange U.S. dollars for another currency at a future
time. By selling currency futures, the Fund will seek to establish
the number of dollars it will receive at delivery for a certain amount of a
foreign currency. In this way, whenever the Fund anticipates a
decline in the value of a foreign currency against the U.S. dollar, the Fund can
attempt to “lock in” the U.S. dollar value of some or all of the securities held
in its portfolio that are denominated in that currency. By purchasing
currency futures, the Fund can establish the number of dollars it will be
required to pay for a specified amount of a foreign currency in a future
month. Thus, if the Fund intends to buy securities in the future and
expects the U.S. dollar to decline against the relevant foreign currency during
the period before the purchase is effected, the Fund can attempt to “lock in”
the price in U.S. dollars of the securities it intends to acquire.
The
purchase of options on currency futures will allow the Fund, for the price of
the premium and related transaction costs it must pay for the option, to decide
whether or not to buy (in the case of a call option) or to sell (in the case of
a put option) a futures contract at a specified price at any time during the
period before the option expires. If the Investment Adviser, in
purchasing an option, has been correct in its judgment concerning the direction
in which the price of a foreign currency would move against the U.S. dollar, the
Fund may exercise the option and thereby take a futures position to hedge
against the risk it had correctly anticipated or close out the option position
at a gain that will offset, to some extent, currency exchange losses otherwise
suffered by the Fund. If exchange rates move in a way the Fund did
not anticipate, however, the Fund will have incurred the expense of the option
without obtaining the expected benefit; any such movement in exchange rates may
also thereby reduce rather than enhance the Fund’s profits on its underlying
securities transactions.
Securities Index Futures Contracts
and Options Thereon. Purchases or sales of securities index
futures contracts are used for hedging purposes to attempt to protect the Fund’s
current or intended investments from broad fluctuations in stock or bond
prices. For example, the Fund may sell securities index futures
contracts in anticipation of or during a market decline to attempt to offset the
decrease in market value of the Fund’s securities portfolio that might otherwise
result. If such decline occurs, the loss in value of portfolio
securities may be offset, in whole or part, by gains on the futures
position. When the Fund is not fully invested in the securities
market and anticipates a significant market advance, it may purchase securities
index futures contracts in order to gain rapid market exposure that may, in part
or entirely, offset increases in the cost of securities that the Fund intends to
purchase. As such purchases are made, the corresponding positions in
securities index futures contracts will be closed out. The Fund may
write put and call options on securities index futures contracts for hedging
purposes.
Forward Currency Exchange
Contracts. Subject to guidelines of the Board of Trustees, the
Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to protect the
value of its portfolio against uncertainty in the level of future currency
exchange rates between a particular foreign currency and the U.S. dollar or
between foreign currencies in which its securities are or may be
denominated. The Fund may enter into such contracts on a spot (i.e.,
cash) basis at the rate then prevailing in the currency exchange market or on a
forward basis, by entering into a forward contract to purchase or sell
currency. A forward contract on foreign currency is an obligation to
purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed
number of days agreed upon by the parties from the date of the contract at a
price set on the date of the contract. Forward currency contracts (i)
are traded in a market conducted directly between currency traders (typically,
commercial banks or other financial institutions) and their customers, (ii)
generally have no deposit requirements and (iii) are typically consummated
without payment of any commissions. The Fund, however, may enter into
forward currency contracts requiring deposits or involving the payment of
commissions. To assure that its forward currency contracts are not
used to achieve investment leverage, the Fund will segregate liquid assets
consisting of cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid securities with
its Custodian, or a designated sub-custodian, in an amount at all times equal to
or exceeding its commitment with respect to the contracts.
The
dealings of the Fund in forward foreign currency exchange are limited to hedging
involving either specific transactions or portfolio
positions. Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of one forward
foreign currency for another currency with respect to specific receivables or
payables of the Fund accruing in connection with the purchase and sale of its
portfolio securities or its payment of distributions and
dividends. Position hedging is the purchase or sale of one forward
foreign currency for another currency with respect to portfolio security
positions denominated or quoted in the foreign currency to offset the effect of
an anticipated substantial appreciation or
depreciation,
respectively, in the value of the currency relative to the U.S.
dollar. In this situation, the Fund also may, for example, enter into
a forward contract to sell or purchase a different foreign currency for a fixed
U.S. dollar amount where it is believed that the U.S. dollar value of the
currency to be sold or bought pursuant to the forward contract will fall or
rise, as the case may be, whenever there is a decline or increase, respectively,
in the U.S. dollar value of the currency in which its portfolio securities are
denominated (this practice being referred to as a “cross-hedge”).
In
hedging a specific transaction, the Fund may enter into a forward contract with
respect to either the currency in which the transaction is denominated or
another currency deemed appropriate by the Investment Adviser. The
amount the Fund may invest in forward currency contracts is limited to the
amount of its aggregate investments in foreign currencies.
The
use of forward currency contracts may involve certain risks, including the
failure of the counterparty to perform its obligations under the contract, and
such use may not serve as a complete hedge because of an imperfect correlation
between movements in the prices of the contracts and the prices of the
currencies hedged or used for cover. The Fund will only enter into
forward currency contracts with parties that the Investment Adviser believes to
be creditworthy institutions.
Special Risk Considerations Relating
to Futures and Options Thereon. The Fund’s ability to
establish and close out positions in futures contracts and options thereon will
be subject to the development and maintenance of liquid
markets. Although the Fund generally will purchase or sell only those
futures contracts and options thereon for which there appears to be a liquid
market, there is no assurance that a liquid market on an exchange will exist for
any particular futures contract or option thereon at any particular
time. In the event no liquid market exists for a particular futures
contract or option thereon in which the Fund maintains a position, it will not
be possible to effect a closing transaction in that contract or to do so at a
satisfactory price and the Fund would have to either make or take delivery under
the futures contract or, in the case of a written option, wait to sell the
underlying securities until the option expires or is exercised or, in the case
of a purchased option, exercise the option. In the case of a futures
contract or an option thereon which the Fund has written and which the Fund is
unable to close, the Fund would be required to maintain margin deposits on the
futures contract or option thereon and to make variation margin payments until
the contract is closed.
Successful
use of futures contracts and options thereon and forward contracts by the Fund
is subject to the ability of the Investment Adviser to predict correctly
movements in the direction of interest and foreign currency rates. If
the Investment Adviser’s expectations are not met, the Fund will be in a worse
position than if a hedging strategy had not been pursued. For
example, if the Fund has hedged against the possibility of an increase in
interest rates that would adversely affect the price of securities in its
portfolio and the price of such securities increases instead, the Fund will lose
part or all of the benefit of the increased value of its securities because it
will have offsetting losses in its futures positions. In addition, in
such situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily variation
margin requirements, it may have to sell securities to meet the
requirements. These sales may be, but will not necessarily be, at
increased prices that reflect the rising market. The Fund may have to
sell securities at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so.
Additional Risks of Foreign Options,
Futures Contracts, Options on Futures Contracts and Forward
Contracts. Options, futures contracts and options thereon and
forward contracts on securities and currencies may be traded on foreign
exchanges. Such transactions may not be regulated as effectively as
similar transactions in the U.S., may not involve a clearing mechanism and
related guarantees, and are subject to the risk of governmental actions
affecting trading in, or the prices of, securities of foreign issuers (“Foreign
Securities”). The value of such positions also could be adversely
affected by (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors,
(ii) lesser availability than in the U.S. of data on which to make trading
decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund’s ability to act upon economic events
occurring in the foreign markets during non-business hours in the U.S., (iv) the
imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin
requirements than in the U.S. and (v) less trading volume.
Exchanges
on which options, futures and options on futures are traded may impose limits on
the positions that the Fund may take in certain circumstances.
The Investment Adviser is Not
Registered as a Commodity Pool Operator. The Investment
Adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool
operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act.
Accordingly,
the Fund’s investments in derivative instruments described in the Prospectus and
this SAI are not limited by or subject to regulation under the Commodity
Exchange Act or otherwise regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission.
Risks of Currency
Transactions. Currency transactions are also subject to risks
different from those of other portfolio transactions. Because
currency control is of great importance to the issuing governments and
influences economic planning and policy, purchases and sales of currency and
related instruments can be adversely affected by government exchange controls,
limitations or restrictions on repatriation of currency, and manipulation, or
exchange restrictions imposed by governments. These forms of
governmental action can result in losses to the Fund if it is unable to deliver
or receive currency or monies in settlement of obligations and could also cause
hedges it has entered into to be rendered useless, resulting in full currency
exposure as well as incurring transaction costs.
Repurchase
Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase
agreements. A repurchase agreement is an instrument under which the
purchaser (i.e., the Fund) acquires a debt security and the seller agrees, at
the time of the sale, to repurchase the obligation at a mutually agreed upon
time and price, thereby determining the yield during the purchaser’s holding
period. This results in a fixed rate of return insulated from market
fluctuations during such period. The underlying securities are
ordinarily U.S. Treasury or other government obligations or high quality money
market instruments. The Fund will require that the value of such
underlying securities, together with any other collateral held by the Fund,
always equals or exceeds the amount of the repurchase obligations of the
counterparty. The Fund’s risk is primarily that, if the seller
defaults, the proceeds from the disposition of the underlying securities and
other collateral for the seller’s obligation are less than the repurchase
price. If the seller becomes insolvent, the Fund might be delayed in
or prevented from selling the collateral. In the event of a default
or bankruptcy by a seller, the Fund will promptly seek to liquidate the
collateral. To the extent that the proceeds from any sale of such
collateral upon a default in the obligation to repurchase are less than the
repurchase price, the Fund will experience a loss.
The
Investment Adviser, acting under the supervision of the Board of Trustees,
reviews the creditworthiness of those banks and dealers with which the Fund
enters into repurchase agreements to evaluate these risks and monitors on an
ongoing basis the value of the securities subject to repurchase agreements to
ensure that the value is maintained at the required level. The Fund
will not enter into repurchase agreements with the Investment Adviser or any of
its affiliates.
If
the financial institution which is a party to the repurchase agreement petitions
for bankruptcy or becomes subject to the United States Bankruptcy Code, the law
regarding the rights of the Fund is unsettled. As a result, under
extreme circumstances, there may be a restriction on the Fund’s ability to sell
the collateral and the Fund would suffer a loss.
Loans of Portfolio
Securities. Consistent with applicable regulatory requirements
and the Fund’s investment restrictions, the Fund may lend its portfolio
securities to securities broker-dealers or financial institutions, provided that
such loans are callable at any time by the Fund (subject to notice provisions
described below), and are at all times secured by cash, cash equivalents or
other liquid securities which are maintained in a segregated account pursuant to
applicable regulations and that are at least equal to the market value,
determined daily, of the loaned securities. The advantage of such
loans is that the Fund continues to receive the income on the loaned securities
while at the same time earns interest on the cash amounts deposited as
collateral, which will be invested in short-term obligations. The
Fund will not lend its portfolio securities if such loans are not permitted by
the laws or regulations of any state in which its shares are qualified for
sale. The Fund’s loans of portfolio securities will be collateralized
in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and no loan will cause the
value of all loaned securities to exceed 20% of the value of the Fund’s total
assets. The Fund’s ability to lend portfolio securities may be
limited by rating agency guidelines.
A
loan generally may be terminated by the borrower on one business day notice, or
by the Fund on five business days notice. If the borrower fails to
deliver the loaned securities within five days after receipt of notice, the Fund
could use the collateral to replace the securities while holding the borrower
liable for any excess of replacement cost over collateral. As with
any extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in some cases
even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail
financially. However, these loans of portfolio securities will only
be made to firms deemed by the Investment Adviser to be creditworthy and when
the income that can be earned from such loans justifies the attendant
risks. The Board of Trustees will oversee the
creditworthiness
of the contracting parties on an ongoing basis. Upon termination of
the loan, the borrower is required to return the securities to the
Fund. Any gain or loss in the market price during the loan period
would inure to the Fund. The risks associated with loans of portfolio
securities are substantially similar to those associated with repurchase
agreements. Thus, if the counter party to the loan petitions for
bankruptcy or becomes subject to the United States Bankruptcy Code, the law
regarding the rights of the Fund is unsettled. As a result, under
extreme circumstances, there may be a restriction on the Fund’s ability to sell
the collateral and the Fund would suffer a loss. When voting or
consent rights which accompany loaned securities pass to the borrower, the Fund
will follow the policy of calling the loaned securities, to be delivered within
one day after notice, to permit the exercise of such rights if the matters
involved would have a material effect on the Fund’s investment in such loaned
securities. The Fund will pay reasonable finders, administrative and
custodial fees in connection with a loan of its securities.
When Issued, Delayed Delivery
Securities and Forward Commitments. The Fund may enter into
forward commitments for the purchase or sale of securities, including on a “when
issued” or “delayed delivery” basis, in excess of customary settlement periods
for the type of security involved. In some cases, a forward
commitment may be conditioned upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as
approval and consummation of a merger, corporate reorganization or debt
restructuring (i.e., a when, as and if issued security). When such
transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the time of the commitment,
with payment and delivery taking place in the future, generally a month or more
after the date of the commitment. While it will only enter into a
forward commitment with the intention of actually acquiring the security, the
Fund may sell the security before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable
by the Investment Adviser.
Securities
purchased under a forward commitment are subject to market fluctuation, and no
interest (or dividends) accrues to the Fund prior to the settlement
date. The Fund will segregate with its Custodian cash or other liquid
securities in an aggregate amount at least equal to the amount of its
outstanding forward commitments.
Leverage. The Fund
has no present intention to issue senior securities or borrow
money. However, the Fund may incur leverage through the use of
certain investment management techniques (e.g., purchasing “when-issued”
securities, the entering into of firm or standby commitment agreements, the use
of reverse repurchase agreements and selling short, “uncovered” sales of put and
call options, among others). Upon the use of such techniques, the
Fund will establish in a segregated account cash or other liquid securities
equal to the Fund’s obligations in respect of such techniques. Such
investment management techniques are speculative and involve certain risks,
including the possibility of higher volatility of the net asset value of the
common shares and potentially more volatility in the market value of the common
shares. During periods in which leverage results in greater total
Fund assets, the fees paid to the Investment Adviser for advisory services will
be higher than if the Fund did not incur such leverage because the fees paid
will be calculated on any assets attributable to the incurrence of
leverage. So long as the rate of return, net of applicable Fund
expenses, on the investments exceeds amounts paid to implement such techniques,
the usage of such techniques will generate more income than will be needed to
pay any resulting payments. The Fund reserves the right to borrow
money or issue senior securities in the future. The Board of Trustees
may determine that the use of leverage or issuance of preferred shares is
appropriate and the Fund may do so in the future.
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. To the extent the Fund determines to employ leverage in its
investment operations, the Fund will be subject to substantial risks of
loss. The Fund cannot assure that borrowings or the issuance of
preferred shares will result in a higher yield or return to the holders of the
common shares.
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·
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Preferred Share
Risk. The issuance of preferred shares causes the net
asset value and market value of the common shares to become more
volatile. If the dividend rate on the preferred shares
approaches the net rate of return on the Fund’s 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 Fund’s 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.
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Any
decline in the net asset value of the Fund’s investments would be borne entirely
by the holders of common shares. Therefore, if the market value of
the Fund’s 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 Fund’s 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.
In
addition, the Fund would 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.
Holders
of preferred shares may have different interests than holders of common shares
and may at times have disproportionate influence over the Fund’s
affairs. 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 and in the event dividends become two full years in arrears would have the
right to elect a majority of the trustees until such arrearage is completely
eliminated. In addition, preferred shareholders have class voting
rights on certain matters including changes in fundamental investment
restrictions and conversion of the fund to open-end status and accordingly can
veto any such changes.
Restrictions
imposed on the declarations and payment of dividends or other distributions to
the holders of the Fund’s common shares and preferred shares, both by the 1940
Act and by requirements imposed by rating agencies, might impair the Funds
ability to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company for
federal income tax purposes. While the Fund intends to redeem its
preferred shares to the extent necessary to enable the Fund to distribute its
income as required to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment
company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), there
can be no assurance that such actions can be effected in time to meet the Code
requirements.
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Portfolio Guidelines of Rating
Agencies for Preferred Shares and/or Credit Facility. In
order to obtain and maintain attractive credit quality ratings for
preferred shares or borrowings, the Fund must comply with investment
quality, diversification and other guidelines established by the relevant
rating agencies. These guidelines could affect portfolio
decisions and may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940
Act.
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Impact on Common
Shares. The following table is furnished in response to
requirements of the Commission. It is designed to illustrate the
effect of leverage on common share total return, assuming investment portfolio
total returns (comprised of net investment income of the Fund, realized gains or
losses of the Fund and changes in the value of the securities held in the Fund’s
portfolio) of –10%, –5%, 0%, 5% and 10%. These assumed investment
portfolio returns are hypothetical figures and are not necessarily indicative of
the investment portfolio returns experienced or expected to be experience by the
Fund. See “Risks.” The table further reflects leverage
representing [ ]% of the Fund’s total assets and the
Fund’s current projected blended annual average leverage dividend or interest
rate of [ %].
Assumed
Portfolio Total Return (Net of Expenses)
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(10)%
|
(5)%
|
0%
|
5%
|
10%
|
Common
Share Total
Return
|
(–)%
|
(–)%
|
(–)%
|
(–)%
|
(–)%
|
Common
share total return is composed of two elements—the common share distributions
paid by the Fund (the amount of which is largely determined by the taxable
income of the Fund (including realized gains or losses) after paying interest on
any debt and/or dividends on any preferred shares) and unrealized gains or
losses on the value of the securities the Fund owns. As required by
the Commission rules, the table assumes that the Fund is more likely to suffer
capital losses than to enjoy total return. For example, to assume a
total return of 0% the Fund must assume that the income it receives on its
investments is entirely offset by expenses and losses in the value of those
investments.
Until
the Fund borrows or issues preferred shares, the Fund’s common shares will not
be leveraged, and the risks and special considerations related to leverage
described in this prospectus will not apply. Such leveraging of
the
common shares cannot be fully achieved until the proceeds resulting from the use
of leverage have been invested in accordance with the Fund’s investment
objective and policies.
Master Limited
Partnerships. MLPs in which the Fund may to invest will be
limited partnerships (or limited liability companies taxable as partnerships),
the units of which will generally be listed and traded on a U.S. securities
exchange. MLPs normally derive income and gains from the exploration,
development, mining or production, processing, refining, transportation
(including pipeline transporting gas, oil, or products thereof), or the
marketing of mineral or natural resources. MLPs generally have two
classes of owners, the general partner and limited partners. When
investing in an MLP, the Fund intends to purchase publicly traded common units
issued to limited partners of the MLP. The general partner typically
controls the operations and management of the MLP. MLPs are typically
structured such that common units and general partner interests have first
priority to receive quarterly cash distributions up to an established minimum
amount (“minimum quarterly distributions” or “MQD”). Common and
general partner interests also accrue arrearages in distributions to the extent
the MQD is not paid. Once common and general partner interests have
been paid, subordinated units receive distributions of up to the MQD; however,
subordinated units do not accrue arrearages. Distributable cash in
excess of the MQD paid to both common and subordinated units is distributed to
both common and subordinated units generally on a pro rata basis. The
general partner is also eligible to receive incentive distributions if the
general partner operates the business in a manner that results in distributions
paid per common unit surpassing specified target levels.
MLPs,
like other types of Natural Resources Companies, are exposed to pricing risk,
supply and demand risk and depletion and exploration risk with respect to their
underlying commodities, among other risks. An investment in MLP units
involves some risks that differ from an investment in the common stock of a
corporation. Holders of MLP units have limited control and voting
rights on matters affecting the partnership. In addition, there are
certain tax risks associated with an investment in MLP units and conflicts of
interest may exist between common unit holders and the general partner,
including those arising from incentive distribution payments.
INVESTMENT
RESTRICTIONS
The
Fund operates under the following restrictions that constitute fundamental
policies that, except as otherwise noted, cannot be changed without the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund voting together as a single class. In the
event the Fund were to issue any preferred shares, the approval of a majority of
such shares voting as a separate class would also be required. Such
majority vote requires the lesser of (i) 67% of the Fund’s applicable shares
represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the applicable shares
outstanding are represented, whether in person or by proxy, or (ii) more than
50% of the Fund’s applicable shares outstanding. Except as otherwise
noted, all percentage limitations set forth below apply after a purchase or
initial investment and any subsequent change in any applicable percentage
resulting from market fluctuations does not require any action. The
Fund may not:
(1)
|
other
than with respect to its concentrations in Natural Resources Companies and
Gold Companies, invest more than 25% of its total assets, taken at market
value at the time of each investment, in the securities of issuers in any
particular industry. This restriction does not apply to
investments in U.S. government securities and investments in the gold and
base industries and the natural resources
industries;
|
(2)
|
purchase
commodities or commodity contracts if such purchase would result in
regulation of the Fund as a commodity pool
operator;
|
(3)
|
purchase
or sell real estate, provided the Fund may invest in securities and other
instruments secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by
companies that invest in real estate or interests
therein;
|
(4)
|
make
loans of money or other property, except that (i) the Fund may acquire
debt obligations of any type (including through extensions of credit),
enter into repurchase agreements and lend portfolio assets and (ii) the
Fund may, up to 20% of the Fund’s total assets, lend money or other
property to other investment companies advised by the Investment Adviser
pursuant to a common lending program to the extent permitted by applicable
law;
|
(5)
|
borrow
money, except to the extent permitted by applicable
law;
|
(6)
|
issue
senior securities, except to the extent permitted by applicable law;
or
|
(7)
|
underwrite
securities of other issuers, except insofar as the Fund may be deemed an
underwriter under applicable law in selling portfolio securities;
provided, however, this restriction shall not apply to securities of any
investment company organized by the Fund that are to be distributed pro
rata as a dividend to its
shareholders.
|
In
addition, the Fund’s Investment Objective and its policies of investing at least
25% of its assets in normal circumstances in Natural Resources Companies and in
Gold Companies are fundamental policies. Unless specifically stated
as such, no policy of the Fund is fundamental and each policy may be changed by
the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval.
MANAGEMENT
OF THE FUND
Trustees
and Officers
Overall
responsibility for management and supervision of the Fund rests with its Board
of Trustees. The Board of Trustees approves all significant
agreements between the Fund and the companies that furnish the Fund with
services, including agreements with the Investment Adviser, the Fund’s custodian
and the Fund’s transfer agent. The day-to-day operations of the Fund
are delegated to the Investment Adviser.
The
names and business addresses of the Trustees and principal officers of the Fund
are set forth in the following table, together with their positions and their
principal occupations during the past five years and, in the case of the
Trustees, their positions with certain other organizations and
companies.
Name
(and Age), Position
with
the Fund and
Business
Address(1)
|
|
Term
of Office
and
Length of
Time
Served(2)
|
|
Principal
Occupation(s)
During
Past
Five Years
|
|
Other
Directorships
Held
by
Trustee
|
|
Number
of Portfolios
in
Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee
|
Interested
Trustee:(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Independent
Trustee:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
(and Age), Position
with
the Fund and
Business
Address(1)
|
|
|
|
Principal
Occupation
During
Past
Five Years
|
Officers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
_________________
(1)
|
Address:
One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422, unless otherwise
noted.
|
(2)
|
The
Fund’s Board of Trustees is divided into three classes, each class having
a term of three years. Each year the term of office of one
class expires and the successor or successors elected to such class serve
for a three year term.
|
(3)
|
“Interested
person” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940
Act.
|
(4)
|
Trustees
who are not considered to be “interested persons” of the Fund as defined
in the 1940 Act are considered to be “Independent”
Trustees.
|
(5)
|
Each
officer will hold office for an indefinite term until the date he or she
resigns or retires or until his or her successor is elected and
qualified.
|
*
|
Term
continues until the Fund’s 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until
their successors are duly elected and
qualified.
|
**
|
Term
continues until the Fund’s 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until
their successors are duly elected and
qualified.
|
***
|
Term
continues until the Fund’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until
their successors are duly elected and
qualified.
|
|
|
Dollar
Range of
Equity
Securities
Held in the
Fund
|
|
Aggregate
Dollar Range of Equity
Securities
Held in All Registered Investment
Companies
in the Gabelli Fund Complex
|
Interested
Trustee:
|
|
|
|
Independent
Trustee:
|
|
|
|
____________________
All
shares were valued as of ____________, 2008.
(1)
|
This
information has been furnished by each Trustee as of
__________. “Beneficial Ownership” is determined in
accordance with Section 16a-1(a)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”).
|
(2)
|
The
“Fund Complex” includes all the funds that are considered part of the same
fund complex as the Fund because they have common or affiliated investment
advisers.
|
The
Trustees serving on the Fund’s Nominating Committee are
[ ]. The
Nominating Committee is responsible for recommending qualified candidates to the
Board of Trustees in the event that a position is vacated or
created. The Nominating Committee would consider recommendations by
shareholders if a vacancy were to exist. Such recommendations should
be forwarded to the Secretary of the Fund. The Fund does not have a
standing compensation committee.
[ ],
who are not “interested persons” of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act, serve
on the Fund’s Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is generally
responsible for reviewing and evaluating issues related to the accounting and
financial reporting policies and internal controls of the Fund and, as
appropriate, the internal controls of certain service providers, overseeing the
quality and objectivity of the Fund’s financial statements and the audit thereof
and to act as a liaison between the Board of Trustees and the Fund’s independent
registered public accounting firm.
The
Fund also has a Proxy Voting Committee, which, if so determined by the Board of
Trustees, is authorized to exercise voting power and/or dispositive power over
specific securities held in the Fund's portfolio for such period as the Board of
Trustees may determine. The Trustees serving on the Proxy Voting
Committee are
[ ].
Remuneration
of Trustees and Officers
The
Fund pays each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Investment Adviser or its
affiliates an annual retainer of
$[ ] plus
$[ ] for each Board of
Trustees meeting attended in person ($___ if attended telephonically) together
with each Trustee's actual out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at such
meetings. All Board of Trustees committee members receive
$[ ] per committee meeting attended.
The
following table shows the compensation that is anticipated the Trustees will
earn in their capacity as Trustees during the year ended December 31,
2008. The table also shows, for the year ended December 31, 2007, the
compensation Trustees earned in their capacity as trustees for other funds in
the Gabelli Fund Complex.
COMPENSATION
TABLE
|
|
Estimated
Compensation
From
the Fund
|
|
Total
Compensation
from
the Fund and
Fund
Complex
Paid
to Trustees*
|
Interested
Trustee:
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
Independent
Trustee:
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
* Represents
the total compensation paid to such persons during the calendar year 2007 by
investment companies (including the Fund) or portfolios thereof from which such
person receives compensation that are considered part of the same fund complex
as the Fund because they have common or affiliated investment
advisers. The total does not include, among other things, out of
pocket Trustee expenses.
Indemnification
of Officers and Trustees; Limitations on Liability
The
Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Fund provides that the Fund will
indemnify its Trustees and officers and may indemnify its employees or agents
against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with litigation in which
they may be involved because of their positions with the Fund to the fullest
extent permitted by law. However, nothing in the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust of the Fund protects or indemnifies a trustee, officer,
employee or agent of the Fund against any liability to which such person would
otherwise be subject in the event of such person’s willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of his or her position.
Investment
Advisory and Administrative Arrangements
Gabelli
Funds, LLC serves as the Fund’s Investment Adviser pursuant to an investment
advisory agreement between the Fund and the Investment Adviser (the “Investment
Advisory Agreement”). Affiliates of the Investment Adviser may, in
the ordinary course of their business, acquire for their own account or for the
accounts of their investment advisory clients, significant (and possibly
controlling) positions in the securities of companies that may also be suitable
for investment by the Fund. The securities in which the Fund might
invest may thereby be limited to some extent. For instance, many
companies have adopted so-called “poison pill” or other defensive measures
designed to discourage or prevent the completion of non-negotiated offers for
control of the company. Such defensive measures may have the effect
of limiting the shares of the company which might otherwise be acquired by the
Fund if the affiliates of the Investment Adviser or their investment advisory
accounts have or acquire a significant position in the same
securities. However, the Investment Adviser does not believe that the
investment activities of its affiliates will have a material adverse effect upon
the Fund in seeking to achieve its investment objective. Securities
purchased or sold pursuant to contemporaneous orders entered on behalf of the
investment company accounts of the Investment Adviser or the investment advisory
accounts managed by its affiliates for their unaffiliated clients are allocated
pursuant to procedures, approved by the Board of Trustees, believed to be fair
and not disadvantageous to any such accounts. In addition, all such
orders are accorded priority of execution over orders entered on behalf of
accounts in which the Investment Adviser or its affiliates have a substantial
pecuniary interest. The Investment Adviser may on occasion give
advice or take action with respect to other clients that differs from the
actions taken with respect to the Fund. The Fund may invest in the
securities of companies that are investment management clients of GAMCO Asset
Management Inc. In addition, portfolio companies or their officers or
trustees may be minority shareholders of the Investment Adviser or its
affiliates.
The
Investment Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAMCO Investors, Inc., a New
York corporation, whose Class A Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol "GBL." Mr. Mario J. Gabelli may be deemed a
"controlling person" of the Investment Adviser on the basis of his ownership of
a majority of the stock and voting power of GGCP, Inc., which owns a majority of
the capital stock and voting power of GAMCO Investors, Inc.
Under
the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser furnishes
a continuous investment program for the Fund's portfolio, makes the day-to-day
investment decisions for the Fund, arranges the portfolio transactions of the
Fund, and generally manages the Fund's investments in accordance with the stated
policies of the Fund, subject to the general supervision of the Board Trustees
of the Fund.
Under
the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser also (i) provides the
Fund with the services of persons competent to perform such supervisory,
administrative, and clerical functions as are necessary to provide effective
administration of the Fund, including maintaining certain books and records and
overseeing the activities of the Fund's Custodian and Transfer Agent; (ii)
oversees the performance of administrative and professional services to the Fund
by others, including the Fund's Sub-Administrator,
Custodian, Transfer Agent, and Dividend Disbursing Agent, as well as
accounting, auditing, and other services performed for the Fund; (iii) provides
the Fund with adequate office space and facilities; (iv) supervises the
preparation of, but does not pay for, the Fund's tax returns, and reports to the
Fund's shareholders and the SEC; (v) supervises, but does not pay for, the
calculation of net asset value of the Fund; (vi) supervises the preparation of,
but does not pay for, all filings under the securities or “Blue Sky” laws which
may be required to register or qualify, or continue the registration of
qualification, of the Fund and/or its shares under such law; and (vii) prepares
notices and agendas for meetings of the Fund's Board of Trustees and minutes of
such meetings in all matters required by applicable law to be acted upon by the
Board of Trustees.
The
Investment Advisory Agreement combines investment advisory and administrative
responsibilities in one agreement. For services rendered by the
Investment Adviser on behalf of the Fund under the Investment Advisory
Agreement, the Fund pays the Investment Adviser an annual rate of 1.00% of the
Fund's average weekly managed assets payable monthly in
arrears. Managed assets consist of all of the assets of the Fund
without deduction for borrowings, repurchase transactions and other leveraging
techniques, the liquidation value of any outstanding preferred shares or other
liabilities except for certain ordinary course expenses.
The
Investment Advisory Agreement provides that in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard for its
obligations and duties thereunder, the Investment Adviser is not liable for any
error or judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the
Fund. As part of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund has
agreed that the name “Gabelli” is the Investment Adviser’s property, and that in
the event the Investment Adviser ceases to act as an investment adviser to the
Fund, the Fund will change its name to one not including “Gabelli.”
Pursuant
to its terms, the Investment Advisory Agreement will remain in effect with
respect into the Fund from year to year if approved annually (i) by the Board of
Trustees or by the holders of a majority of its outstanding voting securities
and (ii) by a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to the Investment Advisory Agreement, by
vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval. There is no deduction for the liquidation preference of any
outstanding preferred shares.
The
Investment Advisory Agreement was approved by a majority of the Board of
Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons as
that term is defined in the 1940 Act, at an in person meeting of the Board of
Trustees held on
[ ].
The
Investment Advisory Agreement terminates automatically on its assignment and may
be terminated without penalty on 60 days written notice at the option of either
party thereto or by a vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
Fund’s outstanding shares.
Portfolio
Manager Information
Other
Accounts Managed
The
information below lists the number of other accounts for which each portfolio
manager was primarily responsible for the day-to-day management as of the year
ended December 31, 2007.
Name
of Portfolio
Manager
or
Team
Member
|
|
|
|
Total
Number
of Accounts
Managed
|
|
|
|
Number
of
Accounts
Managed
with
Advisory
Fee
Based
on
Performance
|
|
Total
Assets
with
Advisory
Fee
Based
on
Performance
|
1.
Vincent Hugonnard-Roche
|
|
Registered
Investment Companies:
|
|
1
|
|
$ 645.8M
|
|
0
|
|
$ 0
|
|
|
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicles:
|
|
1
|
|
$ 23.0M
|
|
1
|
|
$ 23.0M
|
|
|
Other
Accounts:
|
|
0
|
|
$ 0
|
|
0
|
|
$ 0
|
2.
Caesar M.P. Bryan
|
|
Registered
Investment Companies:
|
|
5
|
|
$ 3.2B
|
|
1
|
|
$ 2.0B
|
|
|
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicles:
|
|
2
|
|
$ 6.3M
|
|
2
|
|
$ 6.3M
|
|
|
Other
Accounts:
|
|
5
|
|
$ 57.0M
|
|
0
|
|
$ 0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Barbara G. Marcin
|
|
Registered
Investment Companies:
|
|
4
|
|
$ 3.2B
|
|
1
|
|
$ 2.5B
|
|
|
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicles:
|
|
1
|
|
$ 6.4M
|
|
1
|
|
$ 6.4M
|
|
|
Other
Accounts:
|
|
21
|
|
$ 137.7M
|
|
0
|
|
$ 0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Represents
the portion of assets for which the portfolio manager has primary responsibility
in the accounts indicated. The accounts indicated may contain
additional assets under the primary responsibility of other portfolio
managers.
Potential
Conflicts of Interest
Actual
or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager for a fund
also has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to one or more
other funds or accounts. These potential conflicts
include:
Allocation of Limited Time and
Attention. A portfolio manager who is responsible for managing
multiple funds or other accounts may devote unequal time and attention to the
management of those funds or accounts. As a result, the portfolio
manager may not be able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally
attractive investment opportunities for each of those accounts as might be the
case if he or she were to devote substantially more attention to the management
of a single fund.
Allocation of Limited Investment
Opportunities. If a portfolio manager identifies an investment
opportunity that may be suitable for multiple funds or other accounts, a fund
may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity because the
opportunity may be allocated among several of these funds or
accounts.
Pursuit of Differing
Strategies. At times, a portfolio manager may determine that
an investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some of the funds or
accounts for which he or she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide
that certain of the funds or accounts should take differing positions with
respect to a particular security. In these cases, the portfolio
manager may place separate transactions for one or more funds or accounts which
may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction,
or both, to the detriment of one or more other funds or accounts.
Selection of
Broker/Dealers. A portfolio manager may be able to select or
influence the selection of the brokers and dealers that are used to execute
securities transactions for the funds or accounts that they
supervise. In addition to providing execution of trades, some brokers
and dealers provide portfolio managers with brokerage and research services
which may result in the payment of higher brokerage fees than might otherwise be
available. These
services
may be more beneficial to certain funds or accounts of the Investment Adviser
and its affiliates than to others. Although the payment of brokerage
commissions is subject to the requirement that the Investment Adviser determines
in good faith that the commissions are reasonable in relation to the value of
the brokerage and research services provided to the fund, a portfolio manager’s
decision as to the selection of brokers and dealers could yield disproportionate
costs and benefits among the funds or other accounts that the Investment Adviser
and its affiliates manage. In addition, with respect to certain types
of accounts (such as pooled investment vehicles and other accounts managed for
organizations and individuals) the Investment Adviser may be limited by the
client concerning the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades
to particular brokers. In these cases, the Investment Adviser or its
affiliates may place separate, non-simultaneous transactions in the same
security for the Fund and another account that may temporarily affect the market
price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the
detriment of the Fund or the other account.
Variation in
Compensation. A conflict of interest may arise where the
financial or other benefits available to the portfolio manager differ among the
funds or accounts that he or she manages. If the structure of the
Investment Adviser’s management fee or the portfolio manager’s compensation
differs among funds or accounts (such as where certain funds or accounts pay
higher management fees or performance-based management fees), the portfolio
manager may be motivated to favor certain funds or accounts over
others. The portfolio manager also may be motivated to favor funds or
accounts in which he or she has an investment interest, or in which the
Investment Adviser or its affiliates have investment
interests. Similarly, the desire to maintain assets under management
or to enhance a portfolio manager’s performance record or to derive other
rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the portfolio manager in
affording preferential treatment to those funds or other accounts that could
most significantly benefit the portfolio manager.
The
Investment Adviser and the Fund have adopted compliance policies and procedures
that are designed to address the various conflicts of interest that may arise
for the Investment Adviser and its staff members. However, there is
no guarantee that such policies and procedures will be able to detect and
prevent every situation in which an actual or potential conflict may
arise.
Compensation
Structure
The
compensation of the portfolio managers is reviewed annually and structured to
enable the Investment Adviser to attract and retain highly qualified
professionals in a competitive environment. The portfolio managers
named above receive a compensation package that includes a minimum draw or base
salary, equity-based incentive compensation via awards of stock options, and
incentive based variable compensation based on a percentage of net revenues
received by the Investment Adviser for managing the Fund to the extent that it
exceeds a minimum level of compensation. This method of compensation
is based on the premise that superior long-term performance in managing a
portfolio will be rewarded through growth of assets through appreciation and
cash flow. Incentive based equity compensation is based on an
evaluation of quantitative and qualitative performance evaluation
criteria. [Ms. Marcin, Mr. Bryan and] Mr. Roche also may receive
discretionary bonuses based primarily on qualitative performance evaluation
criteria.
Compensation
for managing other accounts is based on a percentage of net revenues received by
the Investment Adviser for managing the account. Compensation for
managing the pooled investment vehicles and other accounts that have a
performance-based fee will have two components. One component of the
fee is based on a percentage of net revenues received by the Investment Adviser
for managing the account or pooled investment vehicle. The second
component of the fee is based on absolute performance from which a percentage of
such fee is paid to the portfolio manager.
Portfolio
Holdings Information
Employees
of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates will often have access to
information concerning the portfolio holdings of the Fund. The Fund and the
Investment Adviser have adopted policies and procedures that require all
employees to safeguard proprietary information of the Fund, which includes
information relating to the Fund’s portfolio holdings as well as portfolio
trading activity of the Investment Adviser with respect to the Fund
(collectively, “Portfolio Holdings Information”). In addition, the Fund and the
Investment Adviser have adopted policies and procedures providing that Portfolio
Holdings Information may not be disclosed except to the extent that it is (a)
made available to the general public by posting on the Fund’s website or filed
as a part of a required filing
on
Form N-Q or N-CSR or (b) provided to a third party for legitimate business
purposes or regulatory purposes, that has agreed to keep such data confidential
under terms approved by the Investment Adviser’s legal department or outside
counsel, as described below. The Investment Adviser will examine each situation
under (b) with a view to determine that release of the information is in the
best interest of the Fund and its shareholders and, if a potential conflict
between the Investment Adviser’s interests and the Fund’s interests arises, to
have such conflict resolved by the Chief Compliance Officer or those Trustees
who are not considered to be “interested persons,” as defined in the 1940 Act
(the “Independent Trustees”). These policies further provide that no officer of
the Fund or employee of the Investment Adviser shall communicate with the media
about the Fund without obtaining the advance consent of the Chief Executive
Officer, Chief Operating Officer, or General Counsel of the Investment
Adviser.
Under
the foregoing policies, the Fund currently may disclose Portfolio Holdings
Information in the circumstances outlined below. Disclosure generally may be
either on a monthly or quarterly basis with no time lag in some cases and with a
time lag of up to 60 days in other cases (with the exception of proxy voting
services which require a regular download of data):
(1) To
regulatory authorities in response to requests for such information and with the
approval of the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund;
(2) To
mutual fund rating and statistical agencies and to persons performing similar
functions where there is a legitimate business purpose for such disclosure and
such entity has agreed to keep such data confidential at least until it has been
made public by the Investment Adviser;
(3) To
service providers of the Fund, as necessary for the performance of their
services to the Fund and to the Board of Trustees, when such entity has agreed
to keep such data confidential until at least it has been made public by the
Investment Adviser. The Fund’s current service providers that may
receive such information are its administrator, sub-administrator, custodian,
independent registered public accounting firm, legal counsel and financial
printers;
(4) To
firms providing proxy voting and other proxy services provided such entity has
agreed to keep such data confidential until at least it has been made public by
the Investment Adviser;
(5) To
certain broker dealers, investment advisers, and other financial intermediaries
for purposes of their performing due diligence on the Fund and not for
dissemination of this information to their clients or use of this information to
conduct trading for their clients. Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings Information
in these circumstances requires the broker, dealer, investment adviser, or
financial intermediary to agree to keep such information confidential until at
least it has been made public by the Investment Adviser and is further subject
to prior approval of the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund and shall be
reported to the Board of Trustees at the next quarterly meeting;
and
(6) To
consultants for purposes of performing analysis of the Fund, which analysis may
be used by the consultant with its clients or disseminated to the public,
provided that such entity shall have agreed to keep such information
confidential at least until it has been made public by the Investment
Adviser.
As of the date of this SAI, the Fund
makes information about its portfolio securities available to its administrator,
sub-administrator, custodian, and proxy voting service on a daily basis, with no
time lag, to its typesetter on a quarterly basis with a ten day time lag, to its
financial printers on a quarterly basis with a forty-five day time lag, and to
its independent registered public accounting firm and legal counsel on an as
needed basis with no time lag. The names of the Fund’s administrator,
custodian, independent registered public accounting firm and legal counsel are
set forth in this SAI. The Fund’s proxy service is ADP Investor
Communication Services. GCom2 provides typesetting services for the
Fund, and the Fund selects from a number of financial printers who have agreed
to keep such information confidential until at least it has been made public by
the Investment Adviser.
Other
than these arrangements with the Fund’s service providers and proxy voting
service, the Fund does not have any ongoing arrangements to make available
information about the Fund’s portfolio securities prior to such information
being disclosed in a publicly available filing with the Commission that is
required to include this information.
Disclosures
made pursuant to a confidentiality agreement are subject to periodic
confirmation by the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund that the recipient has
utilized such information solely in accordance with the terms of the
agreement. Neither the Fund, nor the Investment Adviser, nor any of
the Investment Adviser’s affiliates, will accept on behalf of itself, its
affiliates, or the Fund any compensation or other consideration in connection
with the disclosure of portfolio holdings of the Fund. The Board of
Trustees will review such arrangements annually with the Fund’s Chief Compliance
Officer.
Ownership
of Securities
As
of the date of this SAI, the portfolio managers of the Fund own no equity
securities of the Fund.
DISTRIBUTIONS
AND DIVIDENDS
The
Fund, along with other closed-end registered investment companies advised by the
Investment Adviser, is covered by an exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940
Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder permitting the Fund to make periodic distributions
of long-term capital gains provided that any distribution policy of the Fund
with respect to its common shares calls for periodic (e.g., quarterly or
semi-annually, but in no event more frequently than monthly) distributions in an
amount equal to a fixed percentage of the Fund’s average net asset value or
market price per common share over a specified period of time at or about the
time of distribution or the distribution of a fixed dollar
amount. The exemption also permits the Fund to make such
distributions with respect to its senior securities, if any, in accordance with
such shares’ terms. As of the date of this SAI, the Fund has not
adopted a distribution policy that would subject it to such
exemption.
Were
such a policy adopted, to the extent the Fund’s total distributions for a year
exceed its net investment company taxable income (interest, dividends and net
short-term capital gains in excess of expenses) and net realized long-term
capital gains for that year, the excess would generally constitute a tax-free
return of capital up to the amount of a shareholder’s tax basis in the common
shares. Any distributions which (based upon the Fund’s full year
performance) constitute a tax-free return of capital would reduce a
shareholder’s tax basis in the common shares, thereby increasing such
shareholder’s potential gain or reducing his or her potential loss on the sale
of the common shares. Any amounts distributed to a shareholder in
excess of the basis in the common shares would generally be taxable to the
shareholder as capital gain. See “Taxation.” Distribution notices
provided by the Fund to its shareholders will clearly indicate what portion of
the periodic distributions would constitute net income, net capital gains, and
return of capital. The final determination of the source of such
distributions for federal income tax purposes will be made shortly after year
end based on the Fund’s actual net investment company taxable income and net
capital gain for that year and would be communicated to shareholders
promptly. In the event that the Fund distributes amounts in excess of
its investment company taxable income and net capital gain, such distributions
will decrease the Fund’s total assets and, therefore, have the likely effect of
increasing the Fund’s expense ratio as the Fund’s fixed expenses will become a
larger percentage of the Fund’s average net assets. In addition, in
order to make such distributions, the Fund may have to sell a portion of its
investment portfolio at a time when independent investment judgment may not
dictate such action.
PORTFOLIO
TRANSACTIONS
Subject
to policies established by the Board of Trustees, the Investment Adviser is
responsible for placing purchase and sale orders and the allocation of brokerage
on behalf of the Fund. Transactions in securities are in most cases
effected on U.S. stock exchanges and involve the payment of negotiated brokerage
commissions. There may be no stated commission in the case of
securities traded in over-the-counter markets, but the prices of those
securities may include undisclosed commissions or mark-ups. Principal
transactions are not entered into with affiliates of the
Fund. However, Gabelli & Company, may execute transactions in the
over-the-counter markets on an agency basis and receive a stated commission
therefrom. To the extent consistent with applicable provisions of the
1940 Act and the rules and exemptions adopted by the Commission thereunder, as
well as other regulatory requirements, the Board of Trustees has determined that
portfolio transactions may be executed through Gabelli &
Company,
and its broker-dealer affiliates if, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser,
the use of those broker-dealers is likely to result in price and execution at
least as favorable as those of other qualified broker-dealers, and if, in
particular transactions, the affiliated broker-dealers charge the Fund a rate
consistent with that charged to comparable unaffiliated customers in similar
transactions and comparable to rates charged by other broker-dealers for similar
transactions. The Fund has no obligations to deal with any broker or
group of brokers in executing transactions in portfolio
securities. In executing transactions, the Investment Adviser seeks
to obtain the best price and execution for the Fund, taking into account such
factors as price, size of order, difficulty of execution and operational
facilities of the firm involved and the firm’s risk in positioning a block of
securities. While the Investment Adviser generally seeks reasonably
competitive commission rates, the Fund does not necessarily pay the lowest
commission available.
Subject
to obtaining the best price and execution, brokers who provide supplemental
research, market and statistical information, or other services (e.g., wire
services) to the Investment Adviser or its affiliates may receive orders for
transactions by the Fund. The term “research, market and statistical
information” includes advice as to the value of securities, and advisability of
investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of
securities or purchasers or sellers of securities, and furnishing analyses and
reports concerning issues, industries, securities, economic factors and trends,
portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts. Information so
received will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be
performed by the Investment Adviser under the Investment Advisory Agreement and
the expenses of the Investment Adviser will not necessarily be reduced as a
result of the receipt of such supplemental information. Such
information may be useful to the Investment Adviser and its affiliates in
providing services to clients other than the Fund, and not all such information
is used by the Investment Adviser in connection with the
Fund. Conversely, such information provided to the Investment Adviser
and its affiliates by brokers and dealers through whom other clients of the
Investment Adviser and its affiliates effect securities transactions may be
useful to the Investment Adviser in providing services to the Fund.
Although
investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those for the
other accounts managed by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, investments
of the kind made by the Fund may also be made for those other
accounts. When the same securities are purchased for or sold by the
Fund and any of such other accounts, it is the policy of the Investment Adviser
and its affiliates to allocate such purchases and sales in a manner deemed fair
and equitable over time to all of the accounts, including the Fund.
PORTFOLIO
TURNOVER
Portfolio
turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of an investment company’s
annual sales or purchases of portfolio securities by the monthly average value
of securities in its portfolio during the year, excluding portfolio securities
the maturities of which at the time of acquisition were one year or
less. A high rate of portfolio turnover involves correspondingly
greater brokerage commission expense than a lower rate, which expense must be
borne by the Fund and indirectly by its shareholders. The portfolio
turnover rate may vary from year to year and will not be a factor when the
Investment Adviser determines that portfolio changes are
appropriate. For example, an increase in the Fund’s participation in
risk arbitrage situations would increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover
rate. A higher rate of portfolio turnover may also result in taxable
gains being passed to shareholders sooner than would otherwise be the
case. The investment policies of the Fund, including its strategy of
writing covered call options on securities in its portfolio, is expected to
result in portfolio turnover that is higher than that of other investment
companies, and is expected to be higher than 100%.
TAXATION
The
following discussion is a brief summary of certain U.S. federal income tax
considerations affecting the Fund and its shareholders. This
discussion assumes you are a U.S. person and that you hold your common shares as
capital assets. This discussion is based upon current provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the regulations
promulgated thereunder and judicial and administrative authorities, all of which
are subject to change or differing interpretations by the courts or the Internal
Revenue Service (the “IRS”), possibly with retroactive effect. No
attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all federal tax concerns
affecting the Fund and its shareholders (including shareholders owning large
positions in the Fund).
The
discussions set forth herein and in the Prospectus do not constitute tax advice
and potential investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine
the specific tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund.
Taxation
of the Fund
A
distribution will be treated as paid during the calendar year if it is paid
during the calendar year or declared by the Fund in October, November or
December of the year, payable to shareholders or record on a date during such a
month and paid by the Fund during January of the following year. Any
such distributions paid during January of the following year will be deemed to
be received by the Fund’s shareholders on December of the year the distributions
are declared, rather than when the distributions are actually
received.
If
for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment
company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) will be
subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for
distributions to shareholders, and such distributions will be taxable to the
shareholders as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current or
accumulated earnings and profits. Such dividends, however, would be
eligible (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of
shareholders taxed as individuals and (ii) for the dividends received deduction
in the case of corporate shareholders. The Fund could be required to
recognize unrealized gains, pay taxes and make distributions (which could be
subject to interest charges) before requalifying for taxation as a regulated
investment company. If the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated
investment company in any year, it must pay out its earnings and profits
accumulated in that year in order to qualify again as a regulated investment
company. If the Fund failed to qualify as a regulated investment
company for a period greater than two taxable years, the Fund may be required to
recognize and pay tax on any net built-in gains with respect to certain of its
assets (i.e., the excess of the aggregate gains, including items of income, over
aggregate losses that would have been realized with respect to such assets if
the Fund had been liquidated) or, alternatively, to elect to be subject to
taxation on such built-in gain recognized for a period of ten years, in order to
qualify as a regulated investment company in a subsequent year.
Certain
of the Fund’s investment practices are subject to special and complex United
Sates federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i) disallow,
suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (ii)
convert lower taxed long-term capital gains an qualified dividend income into
higher taxes short-term capital gains or ordinary income, (iii) convert ordinary
loss or a deduction into capital loss (the deductibility of which is more
limited), (iv) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a
corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the time as to when a
purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (vii) produce income
that will not qualify as good income for purposes of the 90% annual gross income
requirement described above. The Fund will monitor it transactions
and may make certain tax elections and may be required to borrow money or
dispose of securities to mitigate the effect of these rules and prevent
disqualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company.
The
MLPs in which the Fund may invest are expected to be treated as partnerships for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. The cash distributions received by
the Fund from an MLP may not correspond to the amount of income allocated to the
Fund by the MLP in any given taxable year. If the amount of income
allocated by an MLP to the Fund exceeds the amount of cash received by the Fund
from such MLP, the Fund may have difficulty making distributions to its
shareholders in the amounts necessary to satisfy the requirements for
maintaining its status as a regulated investment company or avoiding U.S.
federal income or excise taxes. Accordingly, the Fund may have to
dispose of securities under disadvantageous circumstances in order to generate
sufficient cash to satisfy the distribution requirements.
The
Fund expects that the income derived by the Fund from the MLPs in which it
invests will be Qualifying Income. If, however, an MLP in which the
Fund invests is not a Qualified Publicly Traded Partnership, the income derived
by the Fund from such investment may not be Qualifying Income and, therefore,
could adversely affect the Fund’s status as a regulated investment
company. The Fund intends to monitor its investments in MLPs to
prevent the disqualification of the Fund as a regulated investment
company.
The
U.S. tax classification of the Canadian Royalty Trusts in which the Fund invest,
and the types of income that the Fund receives may have an impact on the Fund’s
ability to qualify as a regulated investment company. In particular,
securities issued by certain Canadian Royalty Trusts (such as Canadian Royalty
Trusts which are grantor
trusts)
may not produce “qualified” income for purpose of determining the Fund’s
compliance with the tax rules applicable to regulated investment
companies. Additionally, the Fund may be deemed to directly own the
asset of each Canadian Royalty Trust, and would need to look to such assets when
determining the Fund's compliance with the asset diversification rules
applicable to regulated investment companies. To the extent that the
Fund holds such securities indirectly through investments in a taxable
subsidiary formed by the Fund, those securities may produce “qualified”
income. However, the net return to the Fund on such investments would
be reduced to the extent that the subsidiary is subject to corporate income
taxes. The Fund shall monitor it investments in the Canadian Royalty
Trust with the objective of maintaining its continued qualifications as a
regulated investment company.
Gain
of loss on the sales of securities by the Fund will generally be long-term,
capital gain or loss if the securities have been held by the Fund for more than
one year. Gain or loss on the sale of securities held for one year or
less will be short-term capital gain or loss.
The
premium received by the Fund for writing a call option is not included in income
at the time of receipt. If the option expires, the premium is
short-term capital gain to the Fund. If the Fund enters into a
closing transaction, the difference between the amount paid to close out its
position and the premium received is short-term capital gain or
loss. If a call option written by the Fund is exercised, thereby
requiring the Fund to sell the underlying security, the premium will increase
the amount realized upon the sale of the security and any resulting gain or loss
will be long-term or short-term, depending upon the holding period of the
security. With respect to a put or call option that is purchased by
the Fund, if the option is sold, any resulting gain or loss will be a capital
gain or loss, and will be short-term or long-term, depending upon the holding
period for the option. If the option expires, the resulting loss is a
capital loss and is short-term or long-term, depending upon the holding period
for the option. If the option is exercised, the cost of the option,
in the case of a call option, is added to the basis of the purchased security
and, in the case of a put option, reduces the amount realized on the underlying
security in determining gain or loss. Because the Fund does not have
control over the exercise of the call options it writes, such exercises or other
required sales of the underlying securities may cause the Fund to realize
capital gains or losses at inopportune times.
The
Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies, forward contracts, options, futures
contracts (including options and futures contracts on foreign currencies) and
short sales, to the extent permitted, will be subject to special provisions of
the Code (including provisions relating to “hedging transactions,” “straddles”
and “constructive sales”) that may, among other things, affect the character of
gains and losses realized by the Fund (i.e., may affect whether gains or losses
are ordinary or capital), accelerate recognition of income to the Fund and defer
Fund losses. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount
and timing of distributions to common shareholders. Certain of these
provisions may also (a) 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), (b) cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash
with which to pay dividends or make distributions in amounts necessary to
satisfy the distribution requirements for avoiding income and excise taxes, (c)
treat dividends that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income as
non-qualified dividend income and (d) treat dividends that would otherwise be
eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction as ineligible for such
treatment.
The
Fund’s investment in so-called “section 1256 contracts,” such as regulated
futures contracts, most foreign currency forward contracts traded in the
interbank market and options on most stock indices, are subject to special tax
rules. All section 1256 contracts held by the Fund at the end of its
taxable year are required to be marked to their market value, and any unrealized
gain or loss on those positions will be included in the Fund’s income as if each
position had been sold for its fair market value at the end of the taxable
year. The resulting gain or loss will be combined with any gain or
loss realized by the Fund from positions in section 1256 contracts closed during
the taxable year. Provided such positions were held as capital assets
and were not part of a “hedging transaction” nor part of a “straddle,” 60% of
the resulting net gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or
loss, and 40% of such net gain or loss will be treated as short-term capital
gain or loss, regardless of the period of time the positions were actually held
by the Fund.
If
the Fund purchases shares in certain foreign investment entities, called passive
foreign investment companies (“PFICs”), the Fund may be subject to federal
income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the
disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable
dividend by the Fund to the shareholders. Additional charges in the
nature of interest may be imposed on the Fund in respect of deferred taxes
arising from such distributions or gains. Elections may be available
to the Fund to mitigate the effect of this tax, but such
elections
generally accelerate the recognition of income without the receipt of
cash. Dividends paid by PFICs are not treated as qualified dividend
income, as discussed below under “Taxation of Shareholders.”
If
the Fund invests in the stock of a PFIC, or any other investment that produces
income that is not matched by a corresponding cash distribution to the Fund, the
Fund could be required to recognize income that it has not yet
received. Any such income would be treated as income earned by the
Fund and therefore would be subject to the distribution requirements of the
Code. This might prevent the Fund from distributing 90% of its net
investment income as is required in order to avoid Fund-level U.S. federal
income taxation on all of its income, or might prevent the Fund from
distributing enough ordinary income and capital gain net income to avoid
completely the imposition of the excise tax. To avoid this result,
the Fund may be required to borrow money or dispose of securities to be able to
make required distributions to the shareholders.
The
Fund may invest in debt obligations purchased at a discount with the result that
the Fund may be required to accrue income for U.S. federal income tax purposes
before amounts due under the obligations are paid. The Fund may also
invest in securities rated in the medium to lower rating categories of
nationally recognized rating organizations, and in unrated securities (“high
yield securities”). A portion of the interest payments on such high
yield securities may be treated as dividends for certain U.S. federal income tax
purposes.
Under
Section 988 of the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in
exchange rates between the time the Fund accrues income or receivables or
expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the
Fund actually collects such income or receivables or pays such liabilities are
generally treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, gains or
losses on foreign currency forward contacts and the disposition of debt
securities denominated in a foreign currency, to the extent attributable to
fluctuations in exchange rates between the acquisition and disposition dates,
are also treated as ordinary income or loss.
Dividends
or other income (including, in some cases, capital gains) received by the Fund
from investments in foreign securities may be subject to withholding and other
taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain
countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some
cases. If more than 50% of the Fund’s total assets at the close of
its taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the
Fund may elect for U.S. federal income tax purposes to treat foreign income
taxes paid by it as paid by its shareholders. The Fund may qualify
for and make this election in some, but not necessarily all, of its taxable
years. If the Fund were to make such an election, shareholders of the
Fund would be required to take into account an amount equal to their pro rata
portions of such foreign taxes in computing their taxable income and then treat
an amount equal to those foreign taxes as a U.S. federal income tax deduction or
as a foreign tax credit against their U.S. federal income
liability. Shortly after any year for which it makes such an
election, the Fund will report to its shareholders the amount per share of such
foreign income tax that must be included in each shareholder’s gross income and
the amount that may be available for the deduction or credit.
Taxation
of Shareholders
The
Fund will either distribute or retain for reinvestment all or part of its net
capital gain. If any such gain is retained, the Fund will be subject to a tax of
35% of such amount. In that event, the Fund expects to designate the retained
amount as undistributed capital gain in a notice to its shareholders, each of
whom (i) will be required to include in income for tax purposes as long-term
capital gain its share of such undistributed amounts, (ii) will be entitled to
credit its proportionate share of the tax paid by the Fund against its federal
income tax liability and to claim refunds to the extent that the credit exceeds
such liability and (iii) will increase its basis in its common shares of the
Fund by an amount equal to 65% of the amount of undistributed capital gain
included in such shareholder’s gross income.
Distributions
paid by the Fund from its investment company taxable income, which includes net
short-term capital gain, generally are taxable as ordinary income to the extent
of the Fund’s earnings and profits. Such distributions (if designated by the
Fund) may, however, qualify (provided holding period and other requirements are
met by both the Fund and the shareholder) (i) for the dividends received
deduction available to corporations, but only to the extent that the Fund’s
income consists of dividend income from U.S. corporations and (ii) in the case
of individual shareholders, as qualified dividend income eligible to be taxed at
a maximum rate of generally 15% (5% for individuals in lower tax brackets) to
the extent that the Fund receives qualified dividend income. If the Fund’s
qualified dividend income is less than 95% of its gross income, a shareholder of
the Fund may only include as
qualified
dividend income that portion of the dividends that may be and are so designated
by the Fund as qualified dividend income. These special rules
relating to the taxation of ordinary income dividends paid by regulated
investment companies to individual taxpayers generally apply to taxable years
beginning on or before December 31, 2010. Thereafter, the Fund’s
dividends, other than capital gains dividends, will be fully taxable at ordinary
income rates unless further Congressional action is taken. There can
be no assurance as to what portion of the Fund’s distributions will qualify for
favorable treatment as qualified dividend income.
Qualified
dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic
corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations (e.g., generally,
foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United States or in
certain countries with a qualifying comprehensive tax treaty with the United
States, or whose stock with respect to which such dividend is paid is readily
tradable on an established securities market in the United States). A qualified
foreign corporation does not include a foreign corporation that for the taxable
year of the corporation in which the dividend was paid, or the preceding taxable
year, is a “passive foreign investment company,” as defined in the Code. If the
Fund lends portfolio securities, the amount received by the Fund that is the
equivalent of the dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned will not
be eligible for qualified dividend income treatment.
Distributions
of net capital gain designated as capital gain distributions, if any, are
taxable to shareholders at rates applicable to long-term capital gain, whether
paid in cash or in stock, and regardless of how long the shareholder has held
the Fund’s common shares. Capital gain distributions are not eligible for the
dividends received deduction. The maximum U.S. federal tax rate on
net long-term capital gain of individuals is generally 15% (5% for individuals
in lower brackets) for such gain realized before January 1,
2011. Unrecaptured Section 1250 gain distributions, if any, will be
subject to a 25% tax. For non-corporate taxpayers, investment company taxable
income (other than qualified dividend income) will currently be taxed at a
maximum rate of 35%, while net capital gain generally will be taxed at a maximum
rate of 15%. For corporate taxpayers, both investment company taxable income and
net capital gain are taxed at a maximum rate of 35%.
If,
for any calendar year, the total distributions exceed both current earnings and
profits and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will generally be
treated as a tax-free return of capital up to the amount of a shareholder’s tax
basis in the common shares. The amount treated as a tax-free return of capital
will reduce a shareholder’s tax basis in the common shares, thereby increasing
such shareholder’s potential gain or reducing his or her potential loss on the
sale of the common shares. Any amounts distributed to a shareholder in excess of
his or her basis in the common shares will be taxable to the shareholder as
capital gain (assuming your common shares are held as a capital
asset).
Shareholders
may be entitled to offset their capital gain distributions (but not
distributions eligible for qualified dividend income treatment) with capital
loss. There are a number of statutory provisions affecting when
capital loss may be offset against capital gain, and limiting the use of loss
from certain investments and activities. Accordingly, shareholders with capital
loss are urged to consult their tax advisers.
An
investor should be aware that if Fund common shares are purchased shortly before
the record date for any taxable distribution (including a capital gain
dividend), the purchase price likely will reflect the value of the distribution
and the investor then would receive a taxable distribution that is likely to
reduce the trading value of such Fund common shares, in effect resulting in a
taxable return of some of the purchase price.
Certain
types of income received by the Fund from real estate investment trusts
(“REITs”), real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”), taxable mortgage
pools or other investments may cause the Fund to designate some or all of its
distributions as “excess inclusion income.” To Fund shareholders such excess
inclusion income will (i) constitute taxable income, as “unrelated business
taxable income” (“UBTI”) for those shareholders who would otherwise be
tax-exempt such as individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, Keogh plans,
pension plans and certain charitable entities; (ii) not be offset against net
operating losses for tax purposes; (iii) not be eligible for reduced U.S.
withholding for non-U.S. shareholders even from tax treaty countries; and (iv)
cause the Fund to be subject to tax if certain “disqualified organizations,” as
defined by the Code (such as certain governments or governmental agencies and
charitable remainder trusts), are Fund shareholders.
Upon
a sale, exchange or other disposition of common shares, a shareholder will
generally realize a taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the
amount of cash and the fair market value of other property received and the
shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares. Such gain or loss will be
treated as long-term capital gain
or
loss if the common shares have been held for more than one year. Any loss
realized on a sale or exchange of common shares of the Fund will be disallowed
to the extent the common shares disposed of are replaced by substantially
identical common shares within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and
ending 30 days after the date that the common shares are disposed of. In such a
case, the basis of the common shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the
disallowed loss.
Any
loss realized by a shareholder on the sale of Fund common shares held by the
shareholder for six months or less will be treated for tax purposes as a
long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions received
by the shareholder (or amounts credited to the shareholder as an undistributed
capital gain) with respect to such common shares.
Ordinary
income distributions and capital gain distributions also may be subject to state
and local taxes. Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers
regarding specific questions about U.S. federal (including the application of
the alternative minimum tax rules), state, local or foreign tax consequences to
them of investing in the Fund.
A
shareholder that is a nonresident alien individual or a foreign corporation (a
“foreign investor”) generally will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the
rate of 30% (or possibly a lower rate provided by an applicable tax treaty) on
ordinary income dividends (except as discussed below). Different tax
consequences may result if the foreign investor is engaged in a trade or
business in the United States or, in the case of an individual, is present in
the United States for 183 days or more during a taxable year and certain other
conditions are met. Foreign investors should consult their tax advisers
regarding the tax consequences of investing in the Fund’s common
shares.
In
general, U.S. federal withholding tax will not apply to any gain or income
realized by a foreign investor in respect of any distributions of net long-term
capital gains over net short-term capital losses, exempt-interest dividends, or
upon the sale or other disposition of common shares of the Fund.
For
taxable years beginning before January 1, 2008, properly-designated dividends
are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax where they (i) are paid
in respect of the Fund’s “qualified net interest income” (generally, the Fund’s
U.S. source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest
from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which the Fund is at least a
10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income) or (ii)
are paid in respect of the Fund’s “qualified short-term capital gains”
(generally, the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital gain over the Fund’s
long-term capital loss for such taxable year). However, depending on its
circumstances, the Fund may designate all, some or none of its potentially
eligible dividends as such qualified net interest income or as qualified
short-term capital gains, and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as
ineligible for this exemption from withholding. In order to qualify for this
exemption from withholding, a foreign investor will need to comply with
applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status
(including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W 8BEN or substitute form). In
the case of common shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may
withhold even if the Fund designates the payment as qualified net interest
income or qualified short-term capital gain.
Foreign
investors should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of
these rules to their accounts. There can be no assurance as to what portion of
the Fund’s distributions will qualify for favorable treatment as qualified net
interest income or qualified short-term capital gains.
Backup
Withholding
The
Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax on all taxable
distributions and redemption proceeds payable to non-corporate shareholders who
fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or to
make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are
subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any
amounts withheld may be refunded or credited against such shareholder’s U.S.
federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is
furnished to the IRS.
The
foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable provisions of
the Code and Treasury regulations presently in effect. For the complete
provisions, reference should be made to the pertinent Code sections and the
Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder. The Code and the Treasury
regulations are
subject
to change by legislative, judicial or administrative action, either
prospectively or retroactively. Persons considering an investment in common
shares of the Fund should consult their own tax advisers regarding the purchase,
ownership and disposition of Fund common shares.
GENERAL
INFORMATION
Book-Entry-Only
Issuance
The
Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) will act as securities depository for the
common shares offered pursuant to the Prospectus. The information in
this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system is based upon
information obtained from DTC. The securities offered hereby
initially will be issued only as fully-registered securities registered in the
name of Cede & Co. (as nominee for DTC). One or more
fully-registered global security certificates initially will be issued,
representing in the aggregate the total number of securities, and deposited with
DTC.
DTC
is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a
“banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member
of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of
the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant
to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with
DTC. DTC also facilities the settlement among participants of
securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities
through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts,
thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities
certificates. Direct DTC participants include securities brokers and
dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other
organizations. Access to the DTC system is also available to others
such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear
through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either
directly or indirectly through other entities.
Purchases
of securities within the DTC system must be made by or through direct
participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC’s
records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of a
security, a beneficial owner, is in turn to be recorded on the direct or
indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners will not receive
written confirmation from DTC of their purchases, but beneficial owners are
expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transactions,
as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect
participants through which the beneficial owners purchased
securities. Transfers of ownership interests in securities are to be
accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of
beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates
representing their ownership interests in securities, except as provided
herein.
DTC
has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities being offered
pursuant to the Prospectus; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the
direct participants to whose accounts such securities are credited, which may or
may not be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain
responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their
customers.
Conveyance
of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct
participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect
participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them,
subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from
time to time.
Payments
on the securities will be made to DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit
direct participants’ accounts on the relevant payment date in accordance with
their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records unless DTC has reason to
believe that it will not receive payments on such payment
date. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed
by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility
of such participant and not of DTC or the Fund, subject to any statutory or
regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to
time. Payment of distributions to DTC is the responsibility of the
Fund, disbursement of such payments to direct participants is the responsibility
of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the beneficial owners is the
responsibility of direct and indirect participants. Furthermore each
beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC to exercise any rights under
the securities.
DTC
may discontinue providing its services as securities depository with respect to
the securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to the
Fund. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor
securities depository is not obtained, certificates representing the securities
will be printed and delivered.
Proxy
Voting Procedures
The
Fund has adopted the proxy voting procedures of the Investment Adviser and has
directed the Investment Adviser to vote all proxies relating to the Fund’s
voting securities in accordance with such procedures. The proxy
voting procedures are attached. They are also on file with the
Commission and can be reviewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange
Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the
operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Commission
at 202-551-8090. The proxy voting procedures are also available on
the EDGAR Database on the Commission’s Internet site (http://www.sec.gov) and
copies of the proxy voting procedures may be obtained, after paying a
duplicating fee, by electronic request at the follow E-mail
address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Securities and
Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C.
20549-0102.
The
Fund and the Investment Adviser have adopted a code of ethics. This code of
ethics sets forth restrictions on the trading activities of Trustees/directors,
officers and employees of the Fund, the Investment Adviser and their affiliates.
For example, such persons may not purchase any security for which the Fund has a
purchase or sale order pending, or for which such trade is under consideration.
In addition, those trustees/directors, officers and employees that are
principally involved in investment decisions for client accounts are prohibited
from purchasing or selling for their own account for a period of seven days a
security that has been traded for a client’s account, unless such trade is
executed on more favorable terms for the client’s account and it is determined
that such trade will not adversely affect the client’s account. Short-term
trading by such Trustee/directors, officers and employees for their own accounts
in securities held by a Fund client’s account is also restricted. The above
examples are subject to certain exceptions and they do not represent all of the
trading restrictions and policies set forth by the code of ethics. The code of
ethics is on file with the Commission and can be reviewed and copied at the
Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C.,
and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by
calling the Commission at (202) 942-8090. The code of ethics is also available
on the EDGAR Database on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Internet site
(http://www.sec.gov), and copies of the code of ethics may be obtained, after
paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address:
publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Securities and Exchange Commission’s
Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102
Code
of Conduct for Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers
The
Fund and the Investment Adviser have adopted a joint code of conduct that serves
as a code of conduct. The code of conduct sets forth policies to
guide the chief executive and senior financial officers in the performance of
their duties. The code of conduct is on file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and can be reviewed and copied at the Securities and
Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information
on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the
Securities and Exchange Commission at 202-551-8090. The Code of
Ethics is also available on the EDGAR Database on the Securities and Exchange
Commission’s Internet site (http://www.sec.gov), and copies of the code of
conduct may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request
at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the
Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C.
20549-0102.
APPENDIX
A
GAMCO
INVESTORS, INC. and AFFILIATES
The
Voting of Proxies on Behalf of Clients
Rules
204(4)-2 and 204-2 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Rule 30b 1-4
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 require investment advisers to adopt
written policies and procedures governing the voting of proxies on behalf of
their clients.
These
procedures will be used by GAMCO Asset Management Inc., Gabelli Funds, LLC,
Gabelli Securities, Inc., and Gabelli Advisers, Inc. (collectively, the
“Advisers”) to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities
held by their clients, including the procedures that the Advisers use when a
vote presents a conflict between the interests of the shareholders of an
investment company managed by one of the Advisers, on the one hand, and those of
the Advisers the principal underwriter, or any affiliated person of the
investment company, the Advisers, or the principal underwriter. These procedures
will not apply where the Advisers do not have voting discretion or where the
Advisers have agreed to with a client to vote the client’s proxies in accordance
with specific guidelines or procedures supplied by the client (to the extent
permitted by ERISA).
I. Proxy
Voting Committee
The
Proxy Voting Committee was originally formed in April 1989 for the purpose of
formulating guidelines and reviewing proxy statements within the parameters set
by the substantive proxy voting guidelines originally published by GAMCO
Investors, Inc. in 1988 and updated periodically, a copy of which are appended
as Exhibit A. The Committee will include representatives of Research,
Administration, Legal, and the Advisers. Additional or replacement members of
the Committee will be nominated by the Chairman and voted upon by the entire
Committee.
Meetings
are held on an as needed basis to form views on the manner in which the Advisers
should vote proxies on behalf of their clients.
In
general, the Director of Proxy Voting Services, using the Proxy Guidelines,
recommendations of Institutional Shareholder Corporate Governance Service
(“ISS”), other third-party services, and the analysts of Gabelli & Company,
Inc. ("Gabelli & Company"), will determine how to vote on each issue. For
non-controversial matters, the Director of Proxy Voting Services may vote the
proxy if the vote is (1) consistent with the recommendations of the issuer’s
Board of Directors and not contrary to the Proxy Guidelines; (2) consistent with
the recommendations of the issuer’s Board of Directors and is a
non-controversial issue not covered by the Proxy Guidelines; or (3) the vote is
contrary to the recommendations of the Board of Directors but is consistent with
the Proxy Guidelines. In those instances, the Director of Proxy Voting Services
or the Chairman of the Committee may sign and date the proxy statement
indicating how each issue will be voted.
All
matters identified by the Chairman of the Committee, the Director of Proxy
Voting Services or the Legal Department as controversial, taking into account
the recommendations of ISS or other third party services and the analysts of
Gabelli & Company, will be presented to the Proxy Voting Committee. If the
Chairman of the Committee, the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Legal
Department has identified the matter as one that (1) is controversial; (2) would
benefit from deliberation by the Proxy Voting Committee; or (3) may give rise to
a conflict of interest between the Advisers and their clients, the Chairman of
the Committee will initially determine what vote to recommend that the Advisers
should cast and the matter will go before the Committee.
A. Conflicts
of Interest.
The
Advisers have implemented these proxy voting procedures in order to prevent
conflicts of interest from influencing their proxy voting decisions. By
following the Proxy Guidelines, as well as the recommendations of ISS, other
third-party services and the analysts of Gabelli & Company, the Advisers are
able to avoid, wherever possible, the influence of potential conflicts of
interest. Nevertheless, circumstances may arise in which one or more of the
Advisers are faced with a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict
of interest in connection with its vote. In general, a conflict of interest may
arise when an Adviser knowingly does business with an issuer, and may appear to
have a material conflict between its own interests and the interests of the
shareholders of an investment company managed by one of the Advisers regarding
how the proxy is to be voted. A conflict also may exist when an Adviser has
actual knowledge of a material business arrangement between an issuer and an
affiliate of the Adviser.
In
practical terms, a conflict of interest may arise, for example, when a proxy is
voted for a company that is a client of one of the Advisers, such as GAMCO Asset
Management Inc. A conflict also may arise when a client of one of the Advisers
has made a shareholder proposal in a proxy to be voted upon by one or more of
the Advisers. The Director of Proxy Voting Services, together with the Legal
Department, will scrutinize all proxies for these or other situations that may
give rise to a conflict of interest with respect to the voting of
proxies.
B. Operation
of Proxy Voting Committee
For
matters submitted to the Committee, each member of the Committee will receive,
prior to the meeting, a copy of the proxy statement, any relevant third party
research, a summary of any views provided by the Chief Investment Officer and
any recommendations by Gabelli & Company, analysts. The Chief Investment
Officer or the Gabelli & Company, analysts may be invited to present their
viewpoints. If the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Legal Department
believe that the matter before the committee is one with respect to which a
conflict of interest may exist between the Advisers and their clients, counsel
will provide an opinion to the Committee concerning the conflict. If the matter
is one in which the interests of the clients of one or more of Advisers may
diverge, counsel will so advise and the Committee may make different
recommendations as to different clients. For any matters where the
recommendation may trigger appraisal rights, counsel will provide an opinion
concerning the likely risks and merits of such an appraisal action.
Each
matter submitted to the Committee will be determined by the vote of a majority
of the members present at the meeting. Should the vote concerning one or more
recommendations be tied in a vote of the Committee, the Chairman of the
Committee will cast the deciding vote. The Committee will notify the proxy
department of its decisions and the proxies will be voted
accordingly.
Although
the Proxy Guidelines express the normal preferences for the voting of any shares
not covered by a contrary investment guideline provided by the client, the
Committee is not bound by the preferences set forth in the Proxy Guidelines and
will review each matter on its own merits. Written minutes of all Proxy Voting
Committee meetings will be maintained. The Advisers subscribe to ISS, which
supplies current information on companies, matters being voted on, regulations,
trends in proxy voting and information on corporate governance
issues.
If
the vote cast either by the analyst or as a result of the deliberations of the
Proxy Voting Committee runs contrary to the recommendation of the Board of
Directors of the issuer, the matter will be referred to legal counsel to
determine whether an amendment to the most recently filed Schedule 13D is
appropriate.
II. Social
Issues and Other Client Guidelines
If
a client has provided special instructions relating to the voting of proxies,
they should be noted in the client’s account file and forwarded to the Proxy
Department. This is the responsibility of the investment professional or sales
assistant for the client. In accordance with Department of Labor guidelines, the
Advisers’ policy is to vote on behalf of ERISA accounts in the best interest of
the plan participants with regard to social issues that carry an economic
impact. Where an account is not governed by ERISA, the Advisers will vote shares
held on behalf of the client in a manner consistent with any individual
investment/voting guidelines provided by the client. Otherwise the Advisers will
abstain with respect to those shares.
III. Client
Retention of Voting Rights
If
a client chooses to retain the right to vote proxies or if there is any change
in voting authority, the following should be notified by the investment
professional or sales assistant for the client.
-
Operations
-
Legal Department
-
Proxy Department
-
Investment professional assigned to the account
In
the event that the Board of Directors (or a Committee thereof) of one or more of
the investment companies managed by one of the Advisers has retained direct
voting control over any security, the Proxy Voting Department will provide each
Board Member (or Committee member) with a copy of the proxy statement together
with any other relevant information including recommendations of ISS or other
third-party services.
IV.
Voting Records
The
Proxy Voting Department will retain a record of matters voted upon by the
Advisers for their clients. The Advisers’ staff may request proxy-voting records
for use in presentations to current or prospective clients. Requests for proxy
voting records should be made at least ten days prior to client
meetings.
If
a client wishes to receive a proxy voting record on a quarterly, semi-annual or
annual basis, please notify the Proxy Voting Department. The reports will be
available for mailing approximately ten days after the quarter end of the
period. First quarter reports may be delayed since the end of the quarter falls
during the height of the proxy season.
A
letter is sent to the custodians for all clients for which the Advisers have
voting responsibility instructing them to forward all proxy materials
to:
[Adviser
name]
Attn:
Proxy Voting Department
One
Corporate Center
Rye,
New York 10580-1433
The
sales assistant sends the letters to the custodians along with the trading/DTC
instructions. Proxy voting records will be retained in compliance with Rule
204-2 under the Investment Advisers Act.
V. Voting
Procedures
1. Custodian
banks, outside brokerage firms and First Clearing Corporation are responsible
for forwarding proxies directly to GAMCO.
Proxies
are received in one of two forms:
|
·
|
Shareholder
Vote Authorization Forms (VAFs) - Issued by ADP. VAFs must be voted
through the issuing institution causing a time lag. ADP is an outside
service contracted by the various institutions to issue proxy
materials.
|
|
·
|
Proxy
cards which may be voted directly.
|
2. Upon
receipt of the proxy, the number of shares each form represents is logged into
the proxy system according to security.
3. In
the case of a discrepancy such as an incorrect number of shares, an improperly
signed or dated card, wrong class of security, etc., the issuing custodian is
notified by phone. A corrected proxy is requested. Arrangements are
made to insure that a proper proxy is received in time to be voted (overnight
delivery, fax, etc.). When securities are out on loan on record date, the
custodian is requested to supply written verification.
4. Upon
receipt of instructions from the proxy committee (see Administrative), the votes
are cast and recorded for each account on an individual basis.
Since
January 1, 1992, records have been maintained on the Proxy Edge system. The
system is backed up regularly. From 1990 through 1991, records were maintained
on the PROXY VOTER system and in hardcopy format. Prior to 1990, records were
maintained on diskette and in hardcopy format.
PROXY
EDGE records include:
Security
Name and Cusip Number
Date
and Type of Meeting (Annual, Special, Contest)
Client
Name
Adviser
or Fund Account Number
Directors’
Recommendation
How
GAMCO voted for the client on each issue
The
rationale for the vote when it is appropriate
Records
prior to the institution of the PROXY EDGE system include:
Security
name
Type
of Meeting (Annual, Special, Contest)
Date
of Meeting
Name
of Custodian
Name
of Client
Custodian
Account Number
Adviser
or Fund Account Number
Directors’
recommendation
How
the Adviser voted for the client on each issue
Date
the proxy statement was received and by whom
Name
of person posting the vote
Date
and method by which the vote was cast
|
·
|
From
these records individual client proxy voting records are compiled. It is
our policy to provide institutional clients with a proxy voting record
during client reviews. In addition, we will supply a proxy voting record
at the request of the client on a quarterly, semi-annual or annual
basis.
|
5. VAFs
are kept alphabetically by security. Records for the current proxy season are
located in the Proxy Voting Department office. In preparation for the upcoming
season, files are transferred to an offsite storage facility during
January/February.
6. Shareholder
vote authorization forms issued by ADP are always sent directly to a specific
individual at ADP.
7. If
a proxy card or VAF is received too late to be voted in the conventional matter,
every attempt is made to vote on one of the following ways:
|
·
|
VAFs
can be faxed to ADP up until the time of the meeting. This is followed up
by the mailing of the original
form.
|
|
·
|
When
a solicitor has been retained, that person is called. At the solicitor’s
direction, the proxy is faxed.
|
8. In
the case of a proxy contest, records are maintained for each opposing
entity.
9. Voting
in Person
a) At
times it may be necessary to vote the shares in person. In this case, a “legal
proxy” is obtained in the following manner:
|
·
|
Banks
and brokerage firms using the services at
ADP:
|
The
back of the VAF is stamped indicating that we wish to vote in person. The forms
are then sent overnight to ADP. ADP issues individual legal proxies and sends
them back via overnight (or the Adviser can pay messenger charges). Lead time of
at least two weeks prior to the meeting is needed to do this. Alternatively, the
procedures detailed below for banks not using ADP may be
implemented.
|
·
|
Banks
and brokerage firms issuing proxies
directly:
|
The
bank is called and/or faxed and a legal proxy is requested. All legal proxies
should appoint:
“Representative
of [Adviser name] with full power of substitution.”
b)
The legal proxies are given to the person attending the meeting along with the
following supplemental material:
|
·
|
A
limited Power of Attorney appointing the attendee an Adviser
representative.
|
|
·
|
A
list of all shares being voted by custodian only. Client names and account
numbers are not included. This list must be presented, along with the
proxies, to the Inspectors of Elections and/or tabulator at least one-half
hour prior to the scheduled start of the meeting. The tabulator must
“qualify” the votes (i.e. determine if the votes have previously been
cast, if the votes have been rescinded,
etc.).
|
|
·
|
A
sample ERISA and Individual
contract.
|
|
·
|
A
sample of the annual authorization to vote proxies
form.
|
|
·
|
A
copy of our most recent Schedule 13D filing (if
applicable).
|
Exhibit
A
Proxy
Guidelines
PROXY
VOTING GUIDELINES
GENERAL
POLICY STATEMENT
It
is the policy of GAMCO
Investors, Inc. to vote in the best economic interests of our clients. As
we state in our Magna Carta of Shareholders Rights, established in May 1988, we
are neither for nor
against management. We
are for shareholders.
At
our first proxy committee meeting in 1989, it was decided that each proxy
statement should be evaluated on its own merits within the framework first
established by our Magna Carta of Shareholders Rights. The attached
guidelines serve to enhance that broad framework.
We
do not consider any issue routine. We take into consideration all of our
research on the company, its directors, and their short and long-term goals for
the company. In cases where issues that we generally do not approve of are
combined with other issues, the negative aspects of the issues will be factored
into the evaluation of the overall proposals but will not necessitate a vote in
opposition to the overall proposals.
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
The
Advisers do not consider the election of the Board of Directors a routine issue.
Each slate of directors is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Factors
taken into consideration include:
·
|
Historical
responsiveness to shareholders
|
This
may include such areas as:
- Paying
greenmail
- Failure
to adopt shareholder resolutions receiving a majority of shareholder
votes
·
|
Nominating
committee in place
|
·
|
Number
of outside directors on the board
|
SELECTION
OF AUDITORS
In
general, we support the Board of Directors’ recommendation for
auditors.
BLANK
CHECK PREFERRED STOCK
We
oppose the issuance of blank check preferred stock.
Blank
check preferred stock allows the company to issue stock and establish dividends,
voting rights, etc. without further shareholder approval.
CLASSIFIED
BOARD
A
classified board is one where the directors are divided into classes with
overlapping terms. A different class is elected at each annual
meeting.
While
a classified board promotes continuity of directors facilitating long range
planning, we feel directors should be accountable to shareholders on an annual
basis. We will look at this proposal on a case-by-case basis taking into
consideration the board’s historical responsiveness to the rights of
shareholders.
Where
a classified board is in place we will generally not support attempts to change
to an annually elected board.
When
an annually elected board is in place, we generally will not support attempts to
classify the board.
INCREASE
AUTHORIZED COMMON STOCK
The
request to increase the amount of authorized shares is considered on a
case-by-case basis.
Factors
taken into consideration include:
·
|
Future
use of additional shares
|
-Stock
split
-Stock
option or other executive compensation plan
-Finance
growth of company/strengthen balance sheet
-Aid
in restructuring
-Improve
credit rating
-Implement
a poison pill or other takeover defense
·
|
Amount
of stock currently authorized but not yet issued or reserved for stock
option plans
|
·
|
Amount
of additional stock to be authorized and its dilutive
effect
|
We
will support this proposal if a detailed and verifiable plan for the use of the
additional shares is contained in the proxy statement.
CONFIDENTIAL
BALLOT
We
support the idea that a shareholder’s identity and vote should be treated with
confidentiality. However, we look at this issue on a case-by-case
basis. In order to promote confidentiality in the voting process, we
endorse the use of independent Inspectors of Election.
CUMULATIVE
VOTING
In
general, we support cumulative voting.
Cumulative
voting is a process by which a shareholder may multiply the number of directors
being elected by the number of shares held on record date and cast the total
number for one candidate or allocate the voting among two or more
candidates.
Where
cumulative voting is in place, we will vote against any proposal to rescind this
shareholder right.
Cumulative
voting may result in a minority block of stock gaining representation on the
board. When a proposal is made to institute cumulative voting, the proposal will
be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. While we feel that each board member should
represent all shareholders, cumulative voting provides minority shareholders an
opportunity to have their views represented.
DIRECTOR
LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
We
support efforts to attract the best possible directors by limiting the liability
and increasing the indemnification of directors, except in the case of insider
dealing.
EQUAL
ACCESS TO THE PROXY
The
SEC’s rules provide for shareholder resolutions. However, the resolutions are
limited in scope and there is a 500 word limit on proponents’ written arguments.
Management has no such limitations. While we support equal access to the proxy,
we would look at such variables as length of time required to respond,
percentage of ownership, etc.
FAIR
PRICE PROVISIONS
Charter
provisions requiring a bidder to pay all shareholders a fair price are intended
to prevent two-tier tender offers that may be abusive. Typically, these
provisions do not apply to board-approved transactions.
We
support fair price provisions because we feel all shareholders should be
entitled to receive the same benefits.
Reviewed
on a case-by-case basis.
GOLDEN
PARACHUTES
Golden
parachutes are severance payments to top executives who are terminated or
demoted after a takeover.
We
support any proposal that would assure management of its own welfare so that
they may continue to make decisions in the best interest of the company and
shareholders even if the decision results in them losing their job. We do not,
however, support excessive golden parachutes. Therefore, each proposal will be
decided on a case-by- case basis.
Note:
Congress has imposed a tax on any parachute that is more than three times the
executive’s average annual compensation.
ANTI-GREENMAIL
PROPOSALS
We
do not support greenmail. An offer extended to one shareholder should be
extended to all shareholders equally across the board.
LIMIT
SHAREHOLDERS’ RIGHTS TO CALL SPECIAL MEETINGS
We
support the right of shareholders to call a special meeting.
CONSIDERATION
OF NONFINANCIAL EFFECTS OF A MERGER
This
proposal releases the directors from only looking at the financial effects of a
merger and allows them the opportunity to consider the merger’s effects on
employees, the community, and consumers.
As
a fiduciary, we are obligated to vote in the best economic interests of our
clients. In general, this proposal does not allow us to do that. Therefore, we
generally cannot support this proposal.
Reviewed
on a case-by-case basis.
MERGERS,
BUYOUTS, SPIN-OFFS, RESTRUCTURINGS
Each
of the above is considered on a case-by-case basis. According to the Department
of Labor, we are not required to vote for a proposal simply because the offering
price is at a premium to the current market price. We may take into
consideration the long term interests of the shareholders.
MILITARY
ISSUES
Shareholder
proposals regarding military production must be evaluated on a purely economic
set of criteria for our ERISA clients. As such,
decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
In
voting on this proposal for our non-ERISA clients, we will vote
according to the client’s direction when applicable. Where no direction has been
given, we will vote in the best economic interests of our clients. It is not our
duty to impose our social judgment on others.
NORTHERN
IRELAND
Shareholder
proposals requesting the signing of the MacBride principles for the purpose of
countering the discrimination of Catholics in hiring practices must be evaluated
on a purely economic set of criteria for our ERISA clients. As such,
decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
In
voting on this proposal for our non-ERISA clients, we will vote
according to client direction when applicable. Where no direction has been
given, we will vote in the best economic interests of our clients. It is not our
duty to impose our social judgment on others.
OPT
OUT OF STATE ANTI-TAKEOVER LAW
This
shareholder proposal requests that a company opt out of the coverage of the
state’s anti-takeover statutes. Example: Delaware law requires that a buyer must
acquire at least 85% of the company’s stock before the buyer can exercise
control unless the board approves.
We
consider this on a case-by-case basis. Our decision will be based on the
following:
·
|
Management
history of responsiveness to
shareholders
|
·
|
Other
mitigating factors
|
POISON
PILL
In
general, we do not endorse poison pills.
In
certain cases where management has a history of being responsive to the needs of
shareholders and the stock is very liquid, we will reconsider this
position.
REINCORPORATION
Generally,
we support reincorporation for well-defined business reasons. We oppose
reincorporation if proposed solely for the purpose of reincorporating in a state
with more stringent anti-takeover statutes that may negatively impact the value
of the stock.
STOCK
OPTION PLANS
Stock
option plans are an excellent way to attract, hold and motivate directors and
employees. However, each stock option plan must be evaluated on its own merits,
taking into consideration the following:
·
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Dilution
of voting power or earnings per share by more than
10%
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·
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Kind
of stock to be awarded, to whom, when and how
much
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·
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Amount
of stock already authorized but not yet issued under existing stock option
plans
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SUPERMAJORITY
VOTE REQUIREMENTS
Supermajority
vote requirements in a company’s charter or bylaws require a level of voting
approval in excess of a simple majority of the outstanding shares. In general,
we oppose supermajority-voting requirements. Supermajority requirements often
exceed the average level of shareholder participation. We support proposals’
approvals by a simple majority of the shares voting.
LIMIT
SHAREHOLDERS RIGHT TO ACT BY WRITTEN CONSENT
Written
consent allows shareholders to initiate and carry on a shareholder action
without having to wait until the next annual meeting or to call a special
meeting. It permits action to be taken by the written consent of the same
percentage of the shares that would be required to effect proposed action at a
shareholder meeting.
Reviewed
on a case-by-case basis.
PART
C
OTHER
INFORMATION
Item
25. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(1) Financial
Statements
Part
A
Part
B
(2) Exhibits
(a) Agreement
and Declaration of Trust of Registrant (2)
(b) By-Laws
of Registrant (2)
(c) Not
applicable
(d) Form
of Specimen Common Share Certificate (2)
(e) Automatic
Dividend Reinvestment and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan of Registrant
(2)
(f) Not
applicable
(g) Form
of Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Gabelli Funds, LLC
(2)
(h) Form
of Underwriting Agreement (2)
(i)
Not applicable
(j)
Form of Custodian Agreement (2)
(k) Form
of Registrar, Transfer Agency and Service Agreement (2)
(l) Opinion
and Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP with respect to
legality (2)
(m) Not
applicable
(n) (i)
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (2)
(ii) Powers of Attorney (2)
(o) Not
applicable
(p) Form
of Initial Subscription Agreement (2)
(q) Not
applicable
(r)
(i) Code of Ethics of the Fund and the Investment Adviser
(2)
(ii) Joint Code of Ethics for Chief Executive and Senior Financial
Officers (2)
__________________________
(2)
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To
be filed by amendment.
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Item
26. Marketing Arrangements
The
information contained under the heading “Plan of Distribution” on page
[ ] of the Prospectus is incorporated by
reference.
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:
Exchange
listing
fee
|
[ ]
|
SEC
registration
fees
|
[ ]
|
Printing
expenses
|
[ ]
|
Accounting
fees
|
[ ]
|
Legal
fees
|
[ ]
|
FINRA
fee
|
[ ]
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Blue
Sky
fees
|
[ ]
|
Miscellaneous
|
[ ]
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Total
|
[ ]
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Item
28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with
Registrant
NONE
Item
29. Number of Holders of Securities as of
[ ], 2008
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|
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Common
Shares of Beneficial Interest
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[ ]
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Item
30. Indemnification
Article
IV of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides as
follows:
[4.1
No Personal Liability of Shareholders, Trustees, etc. No Shareholder of the
Trust shall be subject in such capacity to any personal liability whatsoever to
any Person in connection with Trust Property or the acts, obligations or affairs
of the Trust. Shareholders shall have the same limitation of personal
liability as is extended to stockholders of a private corporation for profit
incorporated under the general corporation law of the State of
Delaware. No Trustee or officer of the Trust shall be subject in such
capacity to any personal liability whatsoever to any Person, other than the
Trust or its Shareholders, in connection with Trust Property or the affairs of
the Trust, save only liability to the Trust or its Shareholders arising from bad
faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard for his duty
to such Person; and, subject to the foregoing exception, all such Persons shall
look solely to the Trust Property for satisfaction of claims of any nature
arising in connection with the affairs of the Trust. If any
Shareholder, Trustee or officer, as such, of the Trust, is made a party to any
suit or proceeding to enforce any such liability, subject to the foregoing
exception, he shall not, on account thereof, be held to any personal
liability.
4.2
Mandatory Indemnification. (a) The Trust shall indemnify the Trustees and
officers of the Trust (each such person being an “indemnitee”) against any
liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments,
in compromise or as fines and penalties, and reasonable counsel fees reasonably
incurred by such indemnitee in connection with the defense or disposition of any
action, suit or other
proceeding,
whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or investigative
body in which he may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise (other
than, except as authorized by the Trustees, as the plaintiff or complainant) or
with which he may be or may have been threatened, while acting in any capacity
set forth above in this Section 4.2 by reason of his having acted in any such
capacity, except with respect to any matter as to which he shall not have acted
in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest
of the Trust or, in the case of any criminal proceeding, as to which he shall
have had reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful, provided,
however, that no indemnitee shall be indemnified hereunder against any liability
to any person or any expense of such indemnitee arising by reason of (i) willful
misfeasance, (ii) bad faith, (iii) gross negligence (negligence in the case of
Affiliated Indemnitees), or (iv) reckless disregard of the duties involved in
the conduct of his position (the conduct referred to in such clauses (i) through
(iv) being sometimes referred to herein as “disabling
conduct”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any
action, suit or other proceeding voluntarily prosecuted by any indemnitee as
plaintiff, indemnification shall be mandatory only if the prosecution of such
action, suit or other proceeding by such indemnitee was authorized by a majority
of the Trustees.
(b)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no indemnification shall be made hereunder unless
there has been a determination (1) by a final decision on the merits by a court
or other body of competent jurisdiction before whom the issue of entitlement to
indemnification hereunder was brought that such indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification hereunder or, (2) in the absence of such a decision, by (i) a
majority vote of a quorum of those Trustees who are neither Interested Persons
of the Trust nor parties to the proceeding (“Disinterested Non-Party Trustees”),
that the indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder, or (ii) if such
quorum is not obtainable or even if obtainable, if such majority so directs,
independent legal counsel in a written opinion conclude that the indemnitee
should be entitled to indemnification hereunder. All determinations to make
advance payments in connection with the expense of defending any proceeding
shall be authorized and made in accordance with the immediately succeeding
paragraph (c) below.
(c)
The Trust shall make advance payments in connection with the expenses of
defending any action with respect to which indemnification might be sought
hereunder if the Trust receives a written affirmation by the indemnitee of the
indemnitee’s good faith belief that the standards of conduct necessary for
indemnification have been met and a written undertaking to reimburse the Trust
unless it is subsequently determined that he is entitled to such indemnification
and if a majority of the Trustees determine that the applicable standards of
conduct necessary for indemnification appear to have been met. In addition, at
least one of the following conditions must be met: (1) the indemnitee
shall provide adequate security for his undertaking, (2) the Trust shall be
insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or (3) a
majority of a quorum of the Disinterested Non-Party Trustees, or if a majority
vote of such quorum so directs, independent legal counsel in a written opinion,
shall conclude, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a
full trial-type inquiry), that there is substantial reason to believe that the
indemnitee ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
(d)
The rights accruing to any indemnitee under these provisions shall not exclude
any other right to which he may be lawfully entitled.
(e)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to any limitations provided by the 1940
Act and this Declaration, the Trust shall have the power and authority to
indemnify Persons providing services to the Trust to the full extent provided by
law as if the Trust were a corporation organized under the Delaware General
Corporation Law provided that such indemnification has been approved by a
majority of the Trustees.
4.3
No Duty of Investigation; Notice in Trust Instruments, etc. No purchaser,
lender, transfer agent or other person dealing with the Trustees or with any
officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall 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, undertaking,
instrument, certificate, Share, other security of the Trust, and every other act
or thing whatsoever executed in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively
taken 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. The Trustees may maintain insurance for the
protection of the Trust Property, its Shareholders,
Trustees,
officers, employees and agents in such amount as the Trustees shall deem
adequate to cover possible liability, and such other insurance as the Trustees
in their sole judgment shall deem advisable or is required by the 1940
Act.
4.4
Reliance on Experts, etc. Each Trustee and officer or employee of the Trust
shall, in the performance of its duties, 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, upon an
opinion of counsel, or upon reports made to the Trust by any of the Trust’s
officers or employees or by any advisor, administrator, manager, distributor,
selected dealer, accountant, appraiser or other expert or consultant selected
with reasonable care by the Trustees, officers or employees of the Trust,
regardless of whether such counsel or other person may also be a
Trustee.]
Investment
Advisory Agreement indemnification provisions to be filed by
Amendment.
Underwriter
indemnification provisions to be filed by Amendment.
Item
31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
The
Investment Adviser, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the
State of New York, acts as investment adviser to the Registrant. The Registrant
is fulfilling the requirement of this Item 30 to provide a list of the officers
and Trustees of the Investment Adviser, together with information as to any
other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature
engaged in by the Investment Adviser or those officers and Trustees during the
past two years, by incorporating by reference the information contained in the
Form ADV of the Investment Adviser filed with the commission pursuant to the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Commission File No. 801-26202).
Item
32. Location of Accounts and Records
The
accounts and records of the Registrant are maintained in part at the office of
the Investment Adviser at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422, in
part at the offices of the Custodian,
[ ],
in part at the offices of the Fund’s sub-administrator,
[ ],
and in part at the offices of
[ ].
Item
33. Management Services
Not
applicable.
Item
34. Undertakings
1. Registrant
undertakes to suspend the offering of shares until the prospectus is amended, if
(1) 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 this Registration Statement; or (2) its net asset value
increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the
prospectus.
2. Not
applicable.
3. Not
applicable.
4. Not
applicable.
5.
Registrant undertakes that,
(a) For the purpose of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”), the information
omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this 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.
(b) 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. Registrant
undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally
prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt of a written or oral
request, any Statement of Additional Information constituting Part B of this
Registration Statement.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, this Registrant has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto
duly authorized, in the City of Rye, State of New York, on the 18th day
of July, 2008.
|
THE GABELLI
NATURAL RESOURCES, GOLD & INCOME TRUST |
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By: |
/s/ Agnes
Mullady |
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|
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Name: Agnes
Mullady |
|
|
Title: Sole
Initial Trustee, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer
|
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company act
of 1940, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in their capacities and on the dates set forth below.
NAME
|
TITLE
|
DATE
|
/s/
Agnes Mullady |
Sole
Initial Trustee, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer |
July 18, 2008 |
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EXHIBIT
INDEX
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
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DESCRIPTION OF
EXHIBIT
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C-7