SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by
the Registrant ☒ Filed by a Party other than the
Registrant ☐
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Sec. 240.14a-12 |
Highland Income Fund
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than Registrant)
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
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HIGHLAND INCOME FUND
300 Crescent Court
Suite 700
Dallas, Texas
75201
(800) 357-9167
May 2, 2023
Dear Shareholder:
Enclosed you will find the proxy materials for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Highland Income Fund (the Fund) to be held at 300
Crescent Court, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75201, on Friday, June 16, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. Central Time (the Annual Meeting). Details regarding the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting are more fully described in the
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement.
In addition to voting on the Proposal described in the Notice of Annual
Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement, you will have an opportunity to hear a report on the Fund and to discuss other matters of interest to you as a shareholder.
It is very important that your shares be represented at the Annual Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend, please complete, date, sign and mail the
enclosed proxy card, which provides options for voting, to assure that your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting.
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Sincerely, |
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/s/ Frank Waterhouse |
Frank Waterhouse Principal Executive Officer,
Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer |
HIGHLAND INCOME FUND
300 Crescent Court
Suite 700
Dallas, Texas
75201
(800) 357-9167
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 16, 2023
The
Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Highland Income Fund, a Massachusetts business trust (the Fund), will be held at 300 Crescent Court Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75201, on Friday, June 16, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. Central Time (the
Annual Meeting), for the following purposes:
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To elect each of Dr. Bob Froehlich and Dorri McWhorter as a Class II Trustee of the Fund, to serve
for a three-year term expiring at the 2026 Annual Meeting or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies (the Proposal); and |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or
postponements thereof. |
The Board of Trustees recommends a vote FOR the Proposal. The close of business on April 24, 2023
has been fixed as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponements thereof. Please call Morrow Sodali Fund Solutions at (833) 892-6620 for directions on how to attend the Annual Meeting.
Important Notice Regarding Availability of Proxy
Materials for the Shareholder Meeting to be held on June 16, 2023: Copies of these proxy materials, including the Funds annual shareholder report, the Notice for the Annual Meeting, the Proxy Statement and the form of proxy, are available
to you on the Internet at https:// proxyvotinginfo.com/p/hfro2023.
Copies of the proxy materials are available upon request, without charge, by
calling Morrow Sodali Fund Solutions at (833) 892-6620 or by sending an e-mail to msfs-meetinginfo@morrowsodali.com, subject line: Highland Income Fund 100158
Fulfillment.
Shareholders are encouraged to read all of the proxy materials before voting as the proxy materials contain important information
necessary to make an informed decision.
The Board of Trustees is requesting your vote. Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares
that you own. Please complete and sign the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed envelope, which needs no postage if mailed in the United States. If you desire to vote in person at the Annual Meeting you may revoke your proxy at
any time before it is exercised.
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By Order of the Board of Trustees, |
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/s/ Stephanie Vitiello |
Stephanie Vitiello Secretary |
May 2, 2023
Dallas,
Texas
HIGHLAND INCOME FUND
300 Crescent Court
Suite 700
Dallas, Texas
75201
(800) 357-9167
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL
MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
JUNE 16, 2023
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Trustees of Highland Income Fund, a Massachusetts
business trust (the Fund or HFRO), for use at the Funds Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 300 Crescent Court Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75201, on Friday, June 16, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. Central Time, and at
any and all adjournments or postponements thereof (the Annual Meeting), for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders dated May 2, 2023. The Fund is a
closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act).
NexPoint Asset Management, L.P. (formerly Highland Capital Management Fund Advisors L.P.), a Delaware limited partnership (NexPoint or the
Adviser), with its principal office at 300 Crescent Court, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75201, serves as the investment adviser and the administrator to the Fund. The Funds principal executive office is located at 300 Crescent Court,
Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75201.
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and form of proxy are being provided
to shareholders on or about May 2, 2023. The Board of Trustees (the Board) has fixed the close of business on April 24, 2023 as the record date (the Record Date) for the determination of shareholders entitled to
receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, 68,161,276 shares of the Funds common shares (Common Shares), par value $0.001 per share, were issued and outstanding, and 5,800,000 5.375% Series A
Cumulative Preferred Shares (Preferred Shares), with a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, were issued and outstanding. Shareholders of the Fund are entitled to one vote for each Fund share held and fractional votes for each
fractional Fund share held. Holders of the Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, are entitled to vote for the election of Dr. Bob Froehlich as a Class II Trustee. Holders of both the Common Shares and the Preferred Shares, voting
as a single class, are entitled to vote for the election of Dorri McWhorter as a Class II Trustee.
If the form of proxy is properly executed and
returned in time to be voted at the Annual Meeting, the shares covered thereby will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions marked thereon. All properly executed proxies received by the Board that do not specify how shares
should be voted will be voted (i) FOR the election as a Trustee of each of the nominees listed in the Proposal; and (ii) in the discretion of the persons named as proxies in connection with any other matter which may properly
come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponements thereof.
The Board does not know of any matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting
other than the election of the Trustees referred to in this Proxy Statement. A shareholder may revoke his or her proxy any time before it is exercised by (i) voting in person at the Annual Meeting, (ii) giving written notice of such
revocation to the Secretary of the Fund or (iii) returning a later-dated proxy before the Annual Meeting.
The presence in person or by proxy of the
holders of 33 1/3% of the Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, shall constitute a quorum (Quorum) for the Funds Annual Meeting with respect to the election of Dr. Bob Froehlich.
1
The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of 33 1/3% of the aggregate Common Shares and Preferred Shares,
voting as a single class, shall constitute a Quorum for the Funds Annual Meeting with respect to the election of Dorri McWhorter.
If a Quorum is
not present at the Annual Meeting, or if a Quorum is present but sufficient votes to approve the Proposal are not received, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting to permit further
solicitation of proxies. Any adjournment or postponement will require the affirmative vote of a majority of those shares that are represented at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy, whether or not a Quorum is present.
Shares represented by properly executed proxies with respect to which (i) a vote is withheld, (ii) the shareholder abstains, or (iii) a broker
does not vote (i.e., broker non-votes) will be treated as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a Quorum. Assuming the presence of a Quorum, abstentions and
broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on the Proposal.
In addition to
soliciting proxies by mail, the Funds officers and employees of the Adviser may solicit proxies by internet or by telephone. Copies of the Notice for the Annual Meeting, the Proxy Statement and the form of proxy are available at
https://proxyvoting.com/p/hfro2023. The Fund has engaged Morrow Sodali Fund Solutions, at Morrow Sodali Fund Solutions, 333 Ludlow Street, 5th Floor, South Tower, Stamford, CT 06902 for inquiries, to provide shareholder meeting services,
including the distribution of this Proxy Statement and related materials to shareholders as well as assisting the Fund in soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting at an approximate cost of $76,900. The costs of proxy solicitation and expenses
incurred in connection with preparing this Proxy Statement and its enclosures will be paid by the Fund.
HOW TO VOTE
You can vote in advance in one of three ways:
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via the internet
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The web address and instructions for voting VIA THE INTERNET can be found on the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction form. You will be required to provide your control number located on the proxy card. |
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by phone
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The toll-free number for voting BY TELEPHONE voting can be found on the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction form. You will be required to provide your control number located on the proxy card. |
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by mail
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Sign, date and return your proxy card if you are a shareholder of record or voting instruction form if you are a beneficial owner to authorize a proxy BY MAIL. |
If the Annual Meeting is postponed or adjourned, these times will be extended to 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on the day
before the reconvened meeting.
2
PROPOSAL
ELECTION OF TRUSTEES
The Funds
Board is currently composed of five Trustees, four of whom are not interested persons of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) (the Independent Trustees). The Independent Trustees of the Board are Bryan A. Ward, Ethan Powell,
Dr. Bob Froehlich and Dorri McWhorter. Mr. John Honis is treated as an Interested Trustee of the Fund in light of certain relationships between Mr. Honis and historically affiliated entities of the Adviser.
At the Annual Meeting, the holders of the Funds Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, are being asked to
re-elect Dr. Bob Froehlich as a Class II Trustee of the Fund, to serve for a three-year term until the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders or until his respective successor is duly elected and
qualified.
At the Annual Meeting, the holders of the Funds Common and Preferred Shares, voting as a single class, are being asked to elect Dorri
McWhorter as a Class II Trustee of the Fund, to serve for a three-year term until the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders or until her respective successor is duly elected and qualified.
Dr. Bob Froehlich and Ms. McWhorter are currently serving as Class II Trustees of the Fund and have agreed to continue to serve as
Class II Trustees, if re-elected and elected, respectively. If Dr. Bob Froehlich or Ms. McWhorter are not available for re-election and election,
respectively, at the time of the Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies will vote for such substitute nominee(s) as the Funds Governance and Compliance Committee may select.
The Funds Board is divided into three classes with the term of office of one class expiring each year. Dr. Bob Froehlich is currently serving as a
Class II Trustee and was last elected to serve until the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders at the annual meeting of shareholders held on June 12, 2020. Dorri McWhorter was appointed to serve as a Trustee of the Fund at a Meeting of the
Board held on April 13, 2022, and, effective May 1, 2022, is currently serving as a Class II Trustee. John Honis is currently serving as a Class III Trustee. Mr. Honis was last elected to serve until the 2024 annual meeting
of shareholders at the Funds annual meeting of shareholders held on July 8, 2021. Ethan Powell and Bryan A. Ward are currently serving as Class I Trustees. Messrs. Powell and Ward were last elected to serve until the 2025 annual
meeting of shareholders at the Funds annual meeting of shareholders held on June 14, 2022. Dr. Bob Froehlich and Ms. McWhorter will each continue to serve as a Class II Trustee if
re-elected and elected, respectively, at the Annual Meeting until the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders or until his or her respective successor is duly elected and qualifies. The Funds Trustees are
not required to attend the Funds annual shareholder meetings.
Vote Required for Election of Trustees
The election of Dr. Froehlich requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the Preferred Shares of the Fund, voting as a separate class,
and represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote for the election of a Trustee.
The election of Ms. McWhorter
requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the Common and Preferred Shares of the Fund, voting as a single class, and represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote for the election of a Trustee.
Abstentions and broker non-votes (i.e., shares held in street name by brokers or nominees
that indicate on their proxies that they do not have discretionary authority to vote such shares as to the election of a Trustee) are counted as present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining a Quorum, but, assuming the presence of a
Quorum, will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on the Proposal.
3
Under the Funds Declaration of Trust, Statement of Preferences for the Preferred Shares and the 1940 Act,
the holders of the Funds Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, to the exclusion of holders of all other securities and classes of capital shares of the Fund, are entitled to elect two of the Funds Trustees. The holders of the
Funds Preferred Shares are entitled to elect the minimum number of additional Trustees that would represent a majority of the Trustees in the event that dividends on the Funds Preferred Shares become in arrears for two full years and
until all arrearages are eliminated. No dividend arrearages exist as of the date of this Proxy Statement.
Dr. Froehlich and Mr. Powell have
been designated as the trustees representing the holders of the Preferred Shares. This means that Dr. Froehlich, as a Class II Trustee, will be re-elected solely by the holders of the Preferred
Shares at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders this year in 2023 and Mr. Powell, as a Class I Trustee, will be re-elected solely by the holders of the Preferred Shares at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders in 2025. The holders of the outstanding capital shares of the Fund, including the holders of the Preferred Shares, voting as a single class, elect the balance of the Trustees.
THE BOARD, INCLUDING ALL OF THE INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES, UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE
RE-ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES AS A TRUSTEE.
Qualifications and Additional Information about the
Nominees for Trustee and the Continuing Trustees
The following provides an overview of the considerations that led the Board to conclude that the
nominees for Trustee or the individuals serving as continuing Trustees of the Fund should be nominated or so serve, as well as the nominees and each Trustees name and certain biographical information as reported by them to the Fund.
Among the factors the Board considered when concluding that an individual should be a nominee for Trustee or serve on the Board were the following: the individuals experience, skills, expertise, education, knowledge, diversity, personal and
professional integrity, character, business judgment, time availability in light of other commitments, dedication, the candidates ability to qualify as an Independent Trustee and the existence of any other relationships that might give rise to
a conflict of interest and other relevant factors that the Funds Governance and Compliance Committee considers appropriate in the context of the needs of the Board (e.g., whether a candidate is an audit committee financial
expert under the federal securities laws). Additional information regarding the qualification requirements applicable to Trustees is outlined in the Funds Bylaws.
In respect of the Trustee nominees and each continuing Trustee, the individuals professional accomplishments and prior experience, including, in some
cases, in fields related to the operations of the Fund, were a significant factor in the determination that each of the individuals should be a nominee for Trustee or serve as a Trustee of the Fund. The Trustee nominees and each continuing
Trustees professional experience and additional considerations that contributed to the Boards conclusion that an individual should serve on the Board are summarized in the table below.
The Fund Complex, as referred to herein consists of: the Fund, each series of NexPoint Funds I (NFI), each series of NexPoint Funds II
(NFII), Highland Global Allocation Fund (GAF), NexPoint Real Estate Strategies Fund (NRESF) and NexPoint Capital, Inc. (the BDC), a closed-end management
investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act.
4
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Name, Date of Birth, Position(s) with the Fund and Length of
Time Served, Term of Office1 and Number of Portfolios in the Fund Complex Overseen by the Trustee |
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Principal Occupations(s) During the Past Five Years and
Other Directorships/Trusteeships Held During the Past
Five Years |
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Experience, Qualifications,
Attributes, Skills for Board Membership |
Independent Trustees |
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Dr. Bob Froehlich (4/28/1953)
Trustee since August 2017;
3 year term (expiring at 2023 annual meeting).
8 funds |
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Retired.
Director of KC Concessions, Inc. (since January 2013); Director of American Sports Enterprise, Inc. (since January 2013); Chairman and owner, Kane County
Cougars Baseball Club (since January 2013); Director of The Midwest League of Professional Baseball Clubs, Inc. (from January 2013 to December 2021); Director of Kane County Cougars Foundation, Inc. (since January 2013); Chairman of the Board (since
April 2023) and Independent Director and Audit Committee Chairman, Compensation Committee Chairman and Nominating Committee member of Galen Robotics, Inc. (since August 2016); Chairman; Director of FC Global Realty, Inc. (from May 2017 to June
2018); and Chairman and Director of First Capital Investment Corp. (from March 2017 to March 2018); Director and Special Advisor to Vault Data, LLC (since February 2018); and Director of American Association of Professional Baseball, Inc. (since
February 2021). |
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Significant experience in the financial industry; significant managerial and executive experience; significant experience on other boards of directors, including as a member of several audit committees. |
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Ethan Powell (6/20/1975)
Trustee since August 2017; Chairman of the Board since August 2017; 3 year term
(expiring at 2025 annual meeting). 8 funds |
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Principal and CIO of Brookmont Capital Management, LLC since May 2020; CEO, Chairman and Founder of Impact Shares LLC since December 2015;
Trustee of the Fund Complex from June 2012 until July 2013 and since December 2013; and Director of Kelly Strategic Management since August 2021.
Trustee of Impact Shares Funds I Trust |
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Significant experience in the financial industry; significant executive experience including past service as an officer of funds in the Fund Complex; significant administrative and managerial experience. |
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Bryan A. Ward (2/4/1955)
Trustee since August 2017
3 year term (expiring at 2025 annual meeting).
8 funds |
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Business Development Banker, CrossFirst Bank since January 2023 (President-Dallas from October 2020 until January 2023 and Senior Advisor from April 2019 until October 2022); Private Investor, BW Consulting, LLC since 2014; and
Anderson Consulting/Accenture 1991- 2013. |
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Significant experience on this and/or other boards of directors/trustees, Audit Committee Chair; significant managerial and executive experience; significant experience as a management
consultant. |
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Name, Date of Birth, Position(s) with the Fund and Length of
Time Served, Term of Office1 and Number of Portfolios in the Fund Complex Overseen by the Trustee |
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Principal Occupations(s) During the Past Five Years and
Other Directorships/Trusteeships Held During the Past
Five Years |
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Experience, Qualifications,
Attributes, Skills for Board Membership |
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Dorri McWhorter2
(6/30/1973)
Trustee since May 2022; 3 year term (expiring at 2023 annual
meeting). 8 funds |
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President & CEO, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago (2021-Present); Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago (2013-2021).
Board Director of William Blair Funds (since 2019); Board Director of Skyway Concession
Company, LLC (since 2018); Board Director of Illinois CPA Society (2017-2022); Board Director of Lifeway Foods, Inc. (since 2020); Board Director of Green Thumb Industries, Inc. (February 2022 to October 2022); Member of Financial Accounting
Standards Advisory Council (since 2021); Board Director of LanzaTech Global, Inc. (since 2023). |
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Significant managerial and executive experience, including experience as president and chief executive officer; significant background and experience in financial accounting; significant experience on other boards of directors,
including for other registered investment companies. |
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Interested Trustee |
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John Honis3
(6/16/1958)
Trustee since August 2017;
3 year term (expiring at 2024 annual meeting).
8 funds |
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President of Rand Advisors, LLC (August 2013 August 2022); Manager of Turtle Bay Resort, LLC (August 2011 December 2018); and President of Valience Group, LLC since July 2021. |
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Significant experience in the financial industry; significant managerial and executive experience, including experience as president, chief executive officer or chief restructuring officer of five telecommunication firms;
experience on other boards of directors. |
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On an annual basis, as a matter of Board policy, the Governance and Compliance Committee reviews each
Trustees performance and determines whether to extend each such Trustees service for another year. The Board adopted a retirement policy wherein the Governance and Compliance Committee shall not recommend the continued service as a
Trustee of a Board member who is older than 80 years of age at the time the Governance and Compliance Committee reports its findings to the Board. |
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Effective May 1, 2022, Dorri McWhorter was appointed as an Independent Trustee by the Board.
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In light of certain relationships between Mr. Honis and historically affiliated entities of the Adviser,
including HCMLP, arising out of HCMLPs pending Chapter 11 proceedings, Mr. Honis is treated as an Interested Trustee of the Trust effective January 28, 2020. |
Information about the Funds Executive Officers
Set
forth below are the names and certain information regarding the Funds executive officers. Such officers serve at the pleasure of the Trustees or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. The Trustees may fill any vacancy in
office or add any additional officers at any time.
6
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Name, Date of Birth, Position(s) held with the Fund and Length of
Time Served, Term of Office |
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Principal Occupations(s) During the Past Five
Years |
Dustin Norris (1/6/1984)
Executive Vice President since April 2019; Indefinite Term |
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Head of Distribution and Chief Product Strategist at NexPoint Advisors, L.P. since March 2019; President of NexPoint Securities, Inc. since April 2018; Head of Distribution at NexPoint from November 2017 until March 2019; Chief
Product Strategist at NexPoint from September 2015 to March 2019; Officer of the Fund Complex since November 2012. |
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Frank Waterhouse (4/14/1971)
Treasurer since May 2015; Principal Accounting Officer since October 2017; Principal
Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer since April 2021; Indefinite Term |
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Chief Financial Officer of Skyview Group since February 2021; Chief Financial Officer and Partner of HCMLP from December 2011 and March 2015, respectively, to February 2021; Treasurer of the Fund Complex since May 2015; Principal
Financial Officer of HCMLP from October 2017 to February 2021; Principal Executive Officer of HCMLP from February 2018 to February 2021. |
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Stephanie Vitiello (6/21/1983)
Secretary since April 2021; Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Officer
since November 2021; Indefinite Term |
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Chief Compliance Officer and Counsel of Skyview Group since February 2021. Prior to her current role at Skyview Group, Ms. Vitiello served as Managing Director Distressed, Assistant General Counsel, Associate General
Counsel and In-House Counsel for HCMLP. |
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Will Mabry (7/2/1986)
Assistant Treasurer since April 2021; Indefinite Term |
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Director, Fund Analysis of Skyview Group since February 2021. Prior to his current role at Skyview Group, Mr. Mabry served as Senior Manager Fund Analysis, Manager Fund Analysis, and Senior Fund Analyst for
HCMLP. |
1 |
The address for each officer is c/o NexPoint Asset Management, L.P., 300 Crescent Court, Suite 700, Dallas,
Texas 75201. |
Beneficial Ownership of Shares
Set forth in the table below is the dollar range of shares of the Fund and the aggregate dollar range of shares beneficially owned by each Trustee of the Fund.
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Name of Trustee |
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Dollar Range of Shares of the Fund1 |
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Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities1 Owned in All
Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in the Fund Complex |
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Independent Trustees |
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Ethan Powell |
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$ |
10,001-$50,000 |
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$10,001-$50,000 |
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Dr. Bob Froehlich |
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$ |
10,001-$50,000 |
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Over $100,000 |
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Bryan A. Ward |
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None |
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$50,001-$100,000 |
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Dorri McWhorter |
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None |
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None |
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Interested Trustee |
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John Honis |
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None |
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None |
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Based on market value as of February 28, 2023. |
7
As of February 28, 2023, the Trustees and officers of the Fund as a group owned less than 0.01% of the
Funds outstanding shares.
As of February 28, 2023, none of the Independent Trustees or their immediate family members owned beneficially or of
record any securities issued by the Adviser, the principal underwriter, or any person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser or principal underwriter.
Role of the Board of Trustees, Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight
The Role of the Board
The Board oversees the
management and operations of the Fund. Like most registered investment companies, the day-to-day management and operation of the Fund is performed by various service
providers to the Fund, such as the Adviser, and the distributor, administrator, custodian, and transfer agent. The Board has appointed senior employees of certain of these service providers as officers of the Fund, with responsibility to monitor and
report to the Board on the Funds operations. The Board receives regular reports from these officers and service providers regarding the Funds operations. For example, the Treasurer provides reports as to financial reporting matters and
investment personnel report on the performance of the Fund. The Board has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer who administers the Funds compliance program and regularly reports to the Board as to compliance matters. Some of these reports are
provided as part of formal Board meetings, which are typically held quarterly, and involve the Boards review of, among other items, recent Fund operations. The Board also periodically holds telephonic meetings as part of its review of the
Funds activities. From time to time one or more members of the Board may also meet with management in less formal settings, between scheduled Board meetings, to discuss various topics. In all cases, however, the role of the Board and of any
individual Trustee is one of oversight and not of management of the day-to-day affairs of the Fund and its oversight role does not make the Board a guarantor of the
Funds investments, operations or activities.
Board Structure and Leadership
The Board has structured itself in a manner that it believes allows it to perform its oversight function effectively. The Board consists of five Trustees, four
of whom are not interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act and are independent as defined in Rule 303A.02 of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual. The remaining Trustee, Mr. Honis, is currently treated
as an interested person of the Fund (an Interested Trustee). Mr. Powell serves as Chairman of the Board. The Trustees meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the Funds activities, review contractual
arrangements with service providers for the Fund and review the Funds performance. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Board convened nine times. Each Trustee attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of
meetings of the Board and Committees on which he or she served during the periods that he or she served. The Fund encourages, but does not require, Trustees to attend the Annual Meeting.
The Board periodically reviews its leadership structure, including the role of the Chairman. The Board also completes an annual self-assessment during which
it reviews its leadership and Committee structure and considers whether its structure remains appropriate in light of the Funds current operations. The Board believes that its leadership structure, including the current percentage of the Board
who are Independent Trustees is appropriate given its specific characteristics. These characteristics include: (i) the extent to which the work of the Board is conducted through the standing committees, and that the Audit and Qualified Legal
Compliance Committee (the Audit Committee) and the Governance and Compliance Committee meetings are each chaired by an Independent Trustee; (ii) the extent to which the Independent Trustees meet as needed, together with their
independent legal counsel, in the absence of members of management and any member of the Board who is considered an interested person of the Fund; and (iii) Mr. Powells and Mr. Honis previous positions with the
Adviser and historical affiliates of the Adviser, which enhances the Boards understanding of the operations of the Adviser.
Board Oversight
of Risk Management. The Boards role is one of oversight, rather than active management. This oversight extends to the Funds risk management processes. These processes are embedded in the
8
responsibilities of officers of, and service providers to, the Fund. For example, the Adviser and other service providers to the Fund are primarily responsible for the management of the
Funds investment risks. The Board has not established a formal risk oversight committee; however, much of the regular work of the Board and its standing Committees addresses aspects of risk oversight. For example, the Trustees seek to
understand the key risks facing the Fund, including those involving conflicts of interest; how management identifies and monitors these risks on an ongoing basis; how management develops and implements controls to mitigate these risks; and how
management tests the effectiveness of those controls.
In the course of providing that oversight, the Board receives a wide range of reports on the
Funds activities from the Adviser and other service providers, including reports regarding the Funds investment portfolio, the compliance of the Fund with applicable laws, and the Funds financial accounting and reporting. The Board
also meets periodically with the Funds Chief Compliance Officer to receive reports regarding the compliance of the Fund with the federal securities laws and the Funds internal compliance policies and procedures and meets with the
Funds Chief Compliance Officer periodically, including at least annually, to review the Chief Compliance Officers annual report, including the Chief Compliance Officers risk-based analysis for the Fund. The Boards Audit
Committee also meets regularly with the Treasurer and the Funds independent registered public accounting firm to discuss, among other things, the internal control structure of the Funds financial reporting function. The Board also meets
periodically with the portfolio managers of the Fund to receive reports regarding the management of the Fund, including its investment risks.
The Board
recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Fund can be identified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to
achieve the Funds goals, that reports received by the Trustees with respect to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant information, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address risks may be
limited in their effectiveness. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, risk management oversight by the Board and by the Committees is subject to substantial limitations.
Committees of the Board
The Board conducts much of its
work through certain standing Committees. The Board has three Committees, the Audit Committee, the Governance and Compliance Committee, and the Distribution and Alternatives Oversight Committee, each of which are discussed in greater detail below.
The Board has adopted charters for each of these committees.
The Audit and Qualified Legal Compliance Committee. The members of the Audit
Committee are Dr. Froehlich, Messrs. Ward and Powell and Ms. McWhorter, each of whom is independent for purposes of the 1940 Act. The Audit Committee is responsible for (i) approving the Funds independent accountants,
(ii) reviewing with the Funds independent accountants the plans and results of the audit engagement and the adequacy of the Funds internal accounting controls and (iii) approving professional services provided by the
Funds independent accountants. The Audit Committee is charged with compliance with Rules 205.2(k) and 205.3(c) of Title 17 of the Code of Federal Regulations regarding alternative reporting procedures for attorneys representing the Fund who
appear and practice before the SEC on behalf of the Fund. The Audit Committee also oversees valuations determined by the Adviser, who pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, has been designated by the Board
as the Funds valuation designee to perform the fair valuation determination for securities and other assets held by the Fund in accordance with valuation policies and procedures established by the Adviser and approved by the Board. In
addition, each member of the Audit Committee meets the current independence and experience requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act). The Audit
Committee met five times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. Mr. Ward acts as the Chairman of the Audit Committee and as the audit committee financial expert.
The Governance and Compliance Committee. The Funds Governance and Compliance Committees function is to oversee and make
recommendations to the full Board or the Independent Trustees, as applicable, with respect to the governance of the Fund, selection and nomination of Trustees, compensation of Trustees, and related matters, as well as to oversee and assist Board
oversight of the Funds compliance with legal and regulatory
9
requirements and to seek to address any potential conflicts of interest between the Fund and NexPoint in connection with any potential or existing litigation or other legal proceeding related to
securities held by the Fund and the Adviser or another client of the Adviser. The Governance and Compliance Committee is also responsible for evaluating each Trustee and determining whether to recommend each Trustees continued service in that
capacity. The Governance and Compliance Committee will consider recommendations for Trustee nominees from shareholders sent to the Secretary of the Fund, 300 Crescent Court, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75201. A nomination submission must include all
information relating to the recommended nominee that is required to be disclosed in solicitations or proxy statements for the election of Trustees, as well as information sufficient to evaluate the recommended nominees ability to meet the
responsibilities of a Trustee of the Fund. Nomination submissions must be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated by the Board and to serve if elected by the shareholders, and such additional information
must be provided regarding the recommended nominee as reasonably requested by the Governance and Compliance Committee. The Governance and Compliance Committee is currently comprised of Dr. Froehlich, Messrs. Ward and Powell and
Ms. McWhorter, each of whom is independent for purposes of the 1940 Act. Dr. Froehlich serves as the Chairman of the Governance and Compliance Committee. The Governance and Compliance Committee met five times during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2022.
The Distribution and Alternatives Oversight Committee. The members of the Distribution and Alternatives
Oversight Committee are Dr. Froehlich, Messrs. Honis, Ward and Powell and Ms. McWhorter. The Distribution and Alternatives Oversight Committee is responsible for reviewing arrangements with financial intermediaries who provide service to
the Fund, including Fund payments to financial intermediaries, and for overseeing any funds that, in the Boards determination, employ alternative investment strategies. Mr. Honis serves as Chairman of the Distribution and Alternatives
Oversight Committee. The Distribution and Alternatives Oversight Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
Remuneration of Trustees and Executive Officers
The
executive officers of the Fund receive no direct remuneration from the Fund. Each Trustee who oversees all of the funds in the Fund Complex receives an annual retainer of $150,000 payable in quarterly installments and allocated among each portfolio
in the Fund Complex based upon relative net assets. The Trustees are reimbursed for actual out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. The Trustees do not
receive any separate compensation in connection with service on Committees or for attending Board or Committee Meetings; however, the Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of the Audit Committee each receive an additional payment of $10,000 payable
in quarterly installments and allocated among each portfolio in the Fund Complex based on relative net assets. The Trustees do not have any pension or retirement plan.
The following table summarizes the compensation paid by the Fund to its Trustees and the aggregate compensation paid by the Fund Complex to the Trustees for
services rendered in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Trustee |
|
Aggregate Compensation From the Fund |
|
|
Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of the Funds Expense |
|
|
Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement |
|
|
Aggregate Compensation from the Fund Complex |
|
Independent Trustees* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bryan A. Ward |
|
$ |
41,089 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
160,000 |
|
Dr. Bob Froehlich |
|
$ |
38,521 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
150,000 |
|
Ethan Powell |
|
$ |
41,089 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
160,000 |
|
Dorri McWhorter1 |
|
$ |
25,751 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
100,274 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interested Trustee |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John Honis |
|
$ |
38,521 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
150,000 |
|
* |
Former trustee Pamela Corrie received $38,415 from the Fund during the period. |
1 |
Effective May 1, 2022, Dorri McWhorter was appointed as an Independent Trustee by the Board.
|
10
Share Ownership and Certain Beneficial Owners
To the knowledge of management of the Fund and the Board, the following shareholder(s) or groups, as the term is defined in Section 13(d) of
the 1934 Act, beneficially owned, or were owners of record of, more than 5% of the Funds outstanding Common Shares as of February 28, 2023:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title of Class |
|
Name and Address of
Beneficial Owner |
|
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership* |
|
Percentage of Class |
Common Shares |
|
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC P.O. Box
703 New York, NY 10014 |
|
11,450,054 |
|
17.04% |
|
|
|
|
Common Shares |
|
National Financial Services LLC For Exclusive
Benefit of Our Customers 499 Washington Boulevard Attn:
Mutual Fund Dept., 4th Floor Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
|
8,821,891 |
|
13.13% |
|
|
|
|
Common Shares |
|
Charles Schwab 211 Main St
San Francisco, CA |
|
6,797,018 |
|
10.12% |
|
|
|
|
Common Shares |
|
Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC P.O. Box
5268 Sioux Falls, SD 57117 |
|
4,782,667 |
|
7.12% |
|
|
|
|
Common Shares |
|
LPL Financial, LLC 1055 LPL Way
Fort Mill, SC 29715 |
|
3,966,728 |
|
5.90% |
|
|
|
|
Common Shares |
|
RBC Capital Markets, LLC 3 World Financial
Center 200 Vesey St. New York, NY 10281 |
|
3,754,642 |
|
5.59% |
|
|
|
|
Common Shares |
|
TD Ameritrade, Inc. 200 South 108th Ave. Omaha, NE 68154 |
|
3,578,908 |
|
5.33% |
|
|
|
|
Common Shares |
|
Raymond James 880 Carrillon Parkway
St. Petersburg, FL 33716 |
|
3,558,433 |
|
5.30% |
* |
Each owner owned shares as a nominee. |
To the knowledge of management of the Fund and the Board, the following Preferred Shares shareholder(s) or groups, as the term is defined in
Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act, beneficially owned, or were owners of record of, more than 5% of the Funds outstanding Preferred Shares as of February 28, 2023:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title of Class |
|
Name and Address of
Beneficial Owner |
|
Amount and Nature of Beneficial
Ownership |
|
Percentage of Class |
Preferred Shares |
|
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC P.O. Box
703 New York, NY 10014 |
|
14,876,430 |
|
20.84% |
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title of Class |
|
Name and Address of
Beneficial Owner |
|
Amount and Nature of Beneficial
Ownership |
|
Percentage of Class |
Preferred Shares |
|
National Financial Services LLC For Exclusive
Benefit of Our Customers 499 Washington Boulevard Attn:
Mutual Fund Dept., 4th Floor Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
|
9,356,739 |
|
13.11% |
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions
Members of senior management also serve as officers of other investment managers affiliated with the Adviser that do and may in the future manage investment
funds, accounts or other investment vehicles with investment objectives similar to those of the Fund. In addition, the Funds executive officers and trustees and the members of the Adviser serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals
of entities that operate in the same, or related, lines of business as the Fund does or of investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles managed by the Funds affiliates. These investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles
may have investment objectives similar to the Funds investment objective.
As a result, the Fund may not be given the opportunity to participate in
certain investments made by investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles managed by the Adviser or its affiliates. However, in order to fulfill its fiduciary duties to each of its clients, the Adviser intends to allocate investment
opportunities in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and is consistent with the Advisers allocation policy, investment objective and strategies so that the Fund is not disadvantaged in relation to any other client. Where the Fund is
able to co-invest consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act, if sufficient securities or loan amounts are available to satisfy the Funds and each such accounts proposed demand, the
opportunity will be allocated in accordance
with the Advisers pre-transaction determination. If there is an
insufficient amount of an investment opportunity to satisfy the Funds demand and that of other accounts sponsored or managed by the Adviser or its affiliates, the allocation policy provides that allocations among the Fund and such other
accounts will generally be made pro rata based on the amount that each such party would have invested if sufficient securities or loan amounts were available. Where the Fund is unable to co-invest consistent
with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Advisers allocation policy further provides for investments to be allocated on a random or rotational basis to assure that all clients have fair and equitable access to such investment opportunities.
The Board, in consultation with the Funds Chief Executive Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and legal counsel, may review potential related party
transactions and, during these reviews, it may also consider any conflicts of interest brought to its attention pursuant to the Funds Code of Conduct or the Funds or the Advisers
Rule 17j-1 Code of Ethics.
The Fund has entered into an investment advisory agreement with the Adviser
pursuant to which the Adviser has agreed to provide investment advisory services to the Fund. In exchange for these services, the Fund will pay the Adviser a fee for investment management services. The Funds contractual advisory fee for the
year ended December 31, 2022 was 0.65% for assets up to $1 billion, 0.60% for assets between $1 billion and $2 billion and 0.55% for assets above $2 billion.
The Fund has entered into an administration agreement with the Adviser. For its services, the Adviser receives an annual fee, payable monthly, in an amount
equal to 0.20% of the average weekly value of the Funds Managed Assets.
Under a separate
sub-administration agreement, the Adviser delegates certain administrative functions to SEI Investments Global Funds Services (SEI). The Adviser pays SEI directly for these sub-administration services.
12
The Adviser has entered into a Services Agreement with Skyview Group (Skyview), effective
February 25, 2021, pursuant to which the Adviser will receive administrative and operational support services to enable it to provide the required advisory services to the Fund. The Adviser will compensate all Adviser and Skyview personnel who
provide services to the Fund.
Effective July 12, 2022, certain Skyview personnel became dual-employees of NexPoint Services, Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Adviser. The same services are being performed by the dual-employees. The Adviser, and not the Fund, will compensate all Adviser, Skyview, and dual-employee personnel who provide services to the Fund.
In the future, the Fund may engage the Adviser or certain of its affiliates to provide services other than those discussed above. Any arrangements would be
subject to approval by the Board prior to the Adviser or its affiliates being engaged to provide services to the Fund.
Delinquent Section 16(a)
Reports
Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act and Section 30(h) of the 1940 Act, and the rules thereunder, require that the Funds Trustees and
officers, the Adviser, certain persons affiliated with the Adviser, and persons who own beneficially, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the Funds outstanding interests (collectively, Section 16 reporting persons), file
initial reports of beneficial ownership and reports of changes in beneficial ownership of Fund interests with the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange. Section 16 reporting persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish to the Fund copies of
all Section 16(a) forms they file with respect to shares of the Fund. The Fund believes that during the past fiscal year, the Officers, Trustees and greater than 10% beneficial holders of the Fund complied with all applicable filing
requirements.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Cohen & Company, Ltd. (Cohen), an independent registered public accounting firm located at 1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 800, Cleveland, OH
44115, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm. Representatives of Cohen will not be present at the Annual Meeting, but have been given the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available should any
matter arise requiring their presence. After reviewing the Funds audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Funds Audit Committee recommended to the Funds Board that such statements be
included in the Funds Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. A copy of the Audit Committees report appears below. On September 25, 2017, the Fund acquired the assets of Highland Floating Rate
Opportunities Fund (the Predecessor Fund), a series of NexPoint Funds I, a Delaware statutory trust. The Fund is the successor to the accounting and performance information of the Predecessor Fund.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees and Services
The following chart reflects fees paid to Cohen in the Funds last two fiscal years. One hundred percent (100%) of all services provided by Cohen to
the Fund in each year were pre-approved and no fees were subject to pre-approval by the Audit Committee pursuant to Rule
2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X. The audit services are approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to an audit engagement letter, and, in accordance with the
Funds pre-approval policies and procedures, the Audit Committee of the Fund must pre-approve all non-audit services
provided by Cohen, and all non-audit services provided by Cohen to the Adviser, or any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Fund
that are related to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. In some circumstances, when certain services were not recognized at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services, the pre-approval requirement may be waived if the aggregate amount of the fees for such non-audit services constitutes less than five percent of the total amount of revenues paid
to Cohen by the Fund during the fiscal year in which the non-audit services are
13
provided. Cohen provided non-audit services to the Adviser during the Funds last two fiscal years, but these services did not relate directly to the
operations and financial reporting of the Fund, and therefore were not subject to pre-approval pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X. Cohen did not provide any non-audit services to any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Fund.
The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the Adviser was compatible with maintaining Cohens independence.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal year Ended December 31, 2021 |
|
|
Fiscal year Ended December 31, 2022 |
|
Audit Fees paid by Fund |
|
$ |
155,000 |
|
|
$ |
162,750 |
|
Audit-Related Fees paid by Fund1 |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Tax Fees paid by Fund2 |
|
$ |
14,000 |
|
|
$ |
14,000 |
|
All Other Fees paid by Fund |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Aggregate Non-Audit Fees paid by Fund and Adviser |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
1 |
The nature of the services related to agreed-upon procedures, performed on the Funds semi-annual
financial statements. |
2 |
The nature of the services related to assistance on the Funds tax returns and excise tax calculations.
|
Audit Fees. Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of the Funds year-end consolidated financial statements and reviews of the interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports and services that are normally provided by the auditor in connection with
statutory and regulatory filings. These services also include the required audits of the Funds internal controls over financial reporting.
Audit-Related Fees. Audit-related fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the
performance of the audit or review of the Funds consolidated financial statements and are not reported under Audit Fees. These services include attestation services that are not required by statute or regulation, consultations
concerning financial accounting and reporting standards, and fees related to requests for documentation and information from regulatory and other government agencies.
Tax Fees. Tax fees consist of fees billed for professional services for tax compliance. These services include assistance regarding
federal, state, and local tax compliance.
All Other Fees. All other fees include fees for products and services other than the
services reported above.
Report of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee oversees the Funds accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the Funds financial statements. Management is
responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Funds financial statements, the Funds accounting and financial and reporting principles, and internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with
accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. The Audit Committee reviewed the audited financial statements in the Annual Report dated December 31, 2022 with management and discussed the quality of the accounting principles, the
reasonableness of significant judgments and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements.
The Audit Committee has considered and discussed the
above described December 31, 2022 audited financial statements with management and with Cohen. The Audit Committee has also discussed with Cohen the matters required to be discussed by the statement on Auditing Standards No. 1301, as
amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1. AU section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) in Rule 3200T, The Auditors Communication With Those Charged With Governance. The Audit
Committee reviewed with Cohen, who is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial
14
statements with generally accepted accounting principles, their judgment as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Funds accounting principles and such other matters as are
required to be discussed with the Audit Committee under generally accepted auditing standards. Finally, the Audit Committee reviewed the written disclosures and the letters from Cohen required by PCAOB Rule 3526, Communication with Audit
Committees Concerning Independence, as currently in effect, has considered whether the provision of other non-audit services by Cohen to the Fund are compatible with maintaining Cohens independence,
and has discussed with Cohen its independence of the Fund.
The Audit Committee discussed with Cohen the overall scope and plans for the audit. The Audit
Committee met with Cohen to discuss the results of their audit, their evaluations of the Funds internal controls and the overall quality of the Funds financial reporting.
Based upon the reports and discussions described in this report, and subject to the limitations on the role and responsibilities of the Audit Committee
referred to in this proxy statement and in the Audit Committees Charter, the Funds Audit Committee recommended to the Funds Board (and the Funds Board has approved) that the Funds audited financial statements be
included in the Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and filed with the SEC.
Shareholders are reminded,
however, that the members of the Audit Committee are not professionally engaged in the practice of auditing or accounting. Members of the Audit Committee rely, without independent verification, on the information provided to them and on the
representations made by management and Cohen. Accordingly, the Audit Committees oversight does not provide an independent basis to determine that management has maintained appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles or
appropriate internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, the Audit Committees considerations and discussions, referred to above, do not assure that
the audit of the Funds financial statements has been carried out in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB, that the financial statements are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America or that the Funds independent registered public accounting firm is, in fact, independent.
Bryan A. Ward, Audit Committee Chair
Dr. Bob Froehlich, Audit Committee Member
Ethan
Powell, Audit Committee Member
Dorri McWhorter, Audit Committee Member
OTHER MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING
The
Trustees do not intend to present any other business at the Annual Meeting nor are they aware that any shareholder intends to do so. If, however, any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying
proxy will vote thereon in accordance with their judgment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Shareholder Proposals
Any proposals of shareholders
intended to be presented at the Funds 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received at the Funds principal executive office no later than January 3, 2024 for inclusion in the Funds proxy statement and proxy card
relating to the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and must comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act and all other legal requirements. Such proposals must also comply with the
requirements as to form and substance established by the SEC if such proposals are to be included in the proxy statement and form of proxy. The submission by a shareholder of a proposal for inclusion in the proxy materials does not guarantee that it
will be included. Any proposals submitted after such date will
15
not be included in the Funds proxy statement and proxy card relating to the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Proxies solicited by the Fund will confer discretionary voting authority
with respect to these proposals if the proposals are not received by the Fund, in good order and complying with all applicable legal requirements, by January 3, 2024, and may confer discretionary voting authority with respect to proposals
received before such date, in each case subject to SEC rules governing the exercise of this authority.
Delivery Requirements
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries such as brokers to satisfy delivery requirements for proxy statements with respect to two or
more shareholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (Notice) addressed to those shareholders or by sending separate Notices for each household account in
a single envelope. This process, which is commonly referred to as householding, potentially provides extra convenience for shareholders and cost savings for companies. The Fund and some brokers household proxy materials or Notices,
delivering a single proxy statement or Notice to multiple shareholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected shareholders. Once a shareholder has received notice from a broker or the Fund that they will
be householding materials to the shareholders address, householding will continue until the shareholder is notified otherwise or until the shareholder revokes consent.
We will deliver promptly, upon request, a separate copy of any of these documents to shareholders at a shared address to which a single copy of such
document(s) was delivered. Shareholders who wish to receive a separate copy of any of these documents, or to receive a single copy of such documents if multiple copies were delivered, now or in the future, should submit their request by writing to
the Fund c/o NexPoint Asset Management, L.P., 300 Crescent Court, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75201 or calling the Fund at (800) 357-9167.
Communications with Trustees
Shareholders of the Fund
who wish to communicate with Trustees (or to the Independent Trustees as a group) should send communications to the attention of the Secretary of the Fund, c/o NexPoint Asset Management, L.P., 300 Crescent Court, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75201, and
all communications will be directed to the Trustee or Trustees indicated in the communication or, if no Trustee or Trustees are indicated, to all Trustees.
COPIES OF THE FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT DATED DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND THE FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT DATED JUNE 30, 2022 TO SHAREHOLDERS ARE
AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, WITHOUT CHARGE, BY WRITING THE FUND AT 6201 15TH AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11219, OR BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800) 357-9167.
It is important that proxies be returned promptly. You are urged to complete and sign the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed stamped,
self-addressed envelope.
Dallas, Texas
May 2, 2023
HFRO-PS-2023
16
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