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As filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on September 29, 2023
Securities Act File No. 333-260484
1940 Act File No. 811-23481
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-2
|
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 |
[X] |
Pre-Effective Amendment No.
Post-Effective Amendment No. 2
[X] [ ]
|
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF
1940 |
[X] |
Amendment No. 11
[X]
RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income
Fund, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified
in Charter)
360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(561) 484-7185
(Registrant’s Telephone Number)
Marcus L. Collins, Esq.
RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC
360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
Joshua B. Deringer, Esq.
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
One Logan Square, Ste. 2000
Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996
215-988-2700
APPROXIMATE
DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING:
AS
SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE
OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being
offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box [ ]
If any securities being registered on this Form will be offered
on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”),
other than securities offered in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box [X]
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General
Instruction A.2 or a post-effective amendment thereto, check the following box [ ]
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General
Instruction B or a post-effective amendment thereto that will become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule
462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration
statement filed pursuant to General Instruction B to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant
to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, 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)
Check each box that appropriately characterizes the Registrant:
[X] Registered Closed-End Fund (closed-end company that is registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”)).
[ ] Business Development Company (closed-end company that intends
or has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act.
[ ] Interval Fund (Registered Closed-End Fund or a Business
Development Company that makes periodic repurchase offers under Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act).
[ ] A.2 Qualified (qualified to register securities pursuant
to General Instruction A.2 of this Form).
[ ] Well-Known Seasoned Issuer (as defined by Rule 405 under
the Securities Act).
[ ] Emerging Growth Company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 under
the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934).
[ ] If an Emerging Growth Company, indicate by check mark if
the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting
standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.
[ ] New Registrant (registered or regulated under the Investment
Company Act for less than 12 calendar months preceding this filing).
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 SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
The information in this prospectus
is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer
to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject
to Completion, Dated September 29, 2023
BASE PROSPECTUS
$150,000,000
RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income
Fund, Inc.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Subscription Rights for Common Stock
Subscription Rights for Preferred Stock
Subscription Rights for Common and Preferred Stock
The Fund. RiverNorth
Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company.
Investment Objectives.
The Fund’s primary investment objective is current income exempt from regular U.S. federal income taxes (but which may
be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax). The Fund’s secondary investment objective
is total return. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.
Principal Investment
Strategies. Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing, directly
or indirectly, at least 80% of its Managed Assets (as defined below) in municipal bonds, the interest on which is, in the opinion
of bond counsel to the issuers, generally excludable from gross income for regular U.S. federal income tax purposes, except that
the interest may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax (“Municipal Bonds”).
In order to qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends, which are items of interest excludable from gross income for federal income
tax purposes, the Fund seeks to invest at least 50% of its Managed Assets either directly (and indirectly through tender option
bond transactions) in such Municipal Bonds or in other funds that are taxed as regulated investment companies.
The Fund seeks
to allocate its assets between the two principal investment strategies described below:
Tactical Municipal
Closed-End Fund Strategy (25% - 65% of Managed Assets): This strategy seeks to (i) generate returns through investments in
closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds and other investment companies (collectively, the “Underlying Funds”) that
invest, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of their net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes,
in Municipal Bonds, and (ii) derive value from the discount and premium spreads associated with closed-end funds that invest,
under normal market conditions, at least 80% of their net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in
Municipal Bonds. The term “tactical” is used to indicate that this strategy seeks to take advantage of pricing discrepancies
in the closed-end fund market (e.g., the difference between a closed-end fund’s market value and its net asset value
(“NAV”)).
Municipal Bond
Income Strategy (35% - 75% of Managed Assets): This strategy seeks to capitalize on inefficiencies in the tax-exempt and tax-advantaged
securities markets through investments in Municipal Bonds. Under normal market conditions, the Fund may not directly invest more
than 25% of the Managed Assets allocated to this strategy in Municipal Bonds in any one industry or in any one state of origin,
and the Fund may not directly invest more than 5% of the Managed Assets allocated to this strategy in the Municipal Bonds of any
one issuer, except that the foregoing industry and issuer restrictions shall not apply to general obligation bonds and the Fund
will consider the obligor or borrower underlying the Municipal Bond to be the “issuer.” The Fund may invest up to
30% of the Managed Assets allocated to this strategy in Municipal Bonds that pay interest that may be includable in taxable income
for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax. The Fund can invest, directly or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in
bonds of any maturity; however, under this strategy, it will generally invest in Municipal Bonds that have a maturity of five
years or longer at the time of purchase.
The Fund may offer,
from time to time, up to $150,000,000 aggregate initial offering price of (i) shares of its common stock, $0.0001 par value per
share (“Common Shares”), (ii) shares of its preferred stock (“Preferred Shares”) and/or (iii) subscription
rights to purchase Common Shares, Preferred Shares or both (“Rights” and together with the Common Shares and Preferred
Shares, “Securities”), in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms set forth in a supplement to this
Prospectus. See “Description of the Fund’s Securities” beginning on page 66.
The Fund may offer
Securities directly to one or more purchasers, including existing common shareholders and/or preferred shareholders in a Rights
offering, through agents that the Fund or the purchasers designate from time to time, or to or through underwriters or dealers.
The prospectus supplement relating to the particular offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of
the Fund’s Securities, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between
the Fund and such agents or underwriters or among the underwriters or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. The
prospectus supplement relating to any sale of preferred stock will set forth the liquidation preference and information about
the dividend period, dividend rate, any call protection or non-call period and other matters, including the terms, if any, on
which the preferred stock may be exchanged for or converted into shares of common stock or any other security and, if applicable,
the conversion or exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and the conversion or exchange period. A supplement to this Prospectus
relating to any offering of subscription rights will set forth the number of shares (common or preferred) issuable upon the exercise
of each right and the other terms of such rights offering, including whether the Preferred Shares issuable upon the exercise of
such rights are convertible into Common Shares. The Fund may not sell Securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without
delivery of this Prospectus and a prospectus supplement. For more information about the manner in which the Fund may offer shares
of its common stock, see “Plan of Distribution.”
The currently outstanding
shares of the Fund’s common stock are, and the shares of the Fund’s common stock offered in this Prospectus will be,
subject to notice of issuance, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the trading or “ticker”
symbol “RFM.” The NAV of the Fund’s common stock on September 18, 2023 was $16.21 per share, and the last sale
price of the Fund’s common stock on the NYSE on such date was $14.99. Shares of common stock of closed-end funds, like the
Fund, frequently trade at discounts to their NAVs. If the shares of the Fund’s common stock trade at a discount to NAV,
the risk of loss may increase for purchasers in an offering under this prospectus, especially for those investors who expect to
sell their shares in a relatively short period after purchasing shares in such an offering. Following a Rights offering, a shareholder
may experience dilution in NAV per share of stock if the subscription price per share is below the NAV per share on the expiration
date.
The applicable prospectus
supplement will set forth whether or not the Preferred Shares offered in this Prospectus will be listed or traded on any securities
exchange. If the Fund’s Preferred Shares are not listed on a securities exchange, there may be no active secondary trading
market for such shares and an investment in such shares may be illiquid.
The Fund, or the
Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests, may invest in securities of any credit quality, including, without limit, securities
that are rated below investment grade, except as further set forth under “Investment Objectives, Strategies and Policies”
below. Below investment grade securities are commonly referred to as “junk” and “high yield” securities
and are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. See “Risks—Investment-Related
Risks—Credit and Below Investment Grade Securities Risk.”
“Managed Assets”
means the total assets of the Fund, including assets attributable to leverage, minus liabilities (other than debt representing
leverage and any preferred stock that may be outstanding). Such assets attributable to leverage include the portion of assets
in tender option bond trusts of which the Fund owns TOB Residuals (as defined below) that has been effectively financed by the
trust’s issuance of TOB Floaters (as defined below). See “Use of Leverage —Tender Option Bonds.”
Investment Adviser
and Subadviser. The Fund’s investment adviser is RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”)
and the Fund’s subadviser is MacKay Shields LLC (the “Subadviser”). The Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day
management of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy. The Subadviser is
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy.
See “Management of the Fund.”
Limited Term
and Eligible Tender Offer. The Fund will terminate on or before March 26, 2035 (the “Termination Date”); provided,
that if the Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Board of Directors”) believes that, under then-current market conditions,
it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so, the Fund may extend the Termination Date: (i) once for up to one year (i.e.,
up to March 26, 2036), and (ii) once for up to an additional six months (i.e., up to September 26, 2036), in each case upon the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors and without the approval of the holders of the Common Shares of the Fund
(the “Common Shareholders”).
In addition, as
of a date within twelve months preceding the Termination Date, the Board of Directors may cause the Fund to conduct a tender offer
to all Common Shareholders to purchase Common Shares of the Fund at a price equal to the NAV per Common Share on the expiration
date of the tender offer (an “Eligible Tender Offer”). The Board of Directors has established that, following an Eligible
Tender Offer, the Fund must have at least $100 million of net assets to ensure the continued viability of the Fund (the “Termination
Threshold”). In an Eligible Tender Offer, the Fund will offer to purchase all Common Shares held by each Common Shareholder;
provided, that if the number of properly tendered Common Shares would result in the Fund’s net assets totaling less than
the Termination Threshold, the Eligible Tender Offer will be terminated and no Common Shares will be repurchased pursuant to the
Eligible Tender Offer. Instead, the Fund will begin (or continue) liquidating its portfolio and proceed to terminate on or before
the Termination Date. Following the completion of an Eligible Tender Offer, the Board of Directors may eliminate the limited term
structure of the Fund upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors and without the approval of Common Shareholders.
The Fund is not a so
called “target date” or “life cycle” fund whose asset allocation becomes more conservative over time as its target
date, often associated with retirement, approaches. In addition, the Fund is not a “target term” fund whose investment objective
is to return its original NAV on the termination date. See “Limited Term and Eligible Tender Offer” and “Risks—Structural
Risks—Limited Term and Eligible Tender Offer Risk” below.
Dividends
and Distributions. The Fund has implemented a level distribution policy. Under the level distribution policy, the Fund
intends to distribute to holders of the Common Shares regular monthly cash distributions of all or a portion of its net investment
income. There is no assurance the Fund will make regular monthly distributions or that it will do so at a particular rate. If
the Fund’s investments do not generate sufficient income, the Fund may be required to liquidate a portion of its portfolio
to fund these distributions, and therefore these payments may represent a reduction of a shareholder’s principal investment.
From time to time,
portions of the Fund’s distributions may constitute a return of capital. A return of capital would reduce a Common Shareholder’s
tax basis in its Common Shares, which could result in higher taxes when the Common Shareholder sells such Common Shares. This
may cause the Common Shareholder to owe taxes even if it sells Common Shares for less than the original purchase price of such
Common Shares. See “Dividends and Distributions.”
Leverage. The
Fund may borrow money and/or issue preferred stock, notes or debt securities for investment purposes. These practices are known
as leveraging. In addition, the Fund may enter into derivative and other transactions that have the effect of leverage. Such other
transactions may include tender option bond transactions (as described herein). As of the time immediately after it enters into
any of the foregoing transactions, the Fund will seek to limit its overall effective leverage to 45% of its Managed Assets. The
Fund currently anticipates that leverage will be obtained through borrowings from banks or other financial institutions and the
use of proceeds received from tender option bond transactions. See “Use of Leverage—Tender Option Bonds.” Since
the holders of common stock pay all expenses related to the use of leverage, such use of leverage would create a greater risk
of loss for the Fund’s Common Shares than if leverage is not used. See “Risks—Structural Risk—Leverage
Risk.”
The Prospectus sets
forth concisely the information about the Fund and the Securities that a prospective investor ought to know before investing in
the Fund. You should read this Prospectus and the related prospectus supplement, which contain important information about the
Fund, before deciding whether to invest in the Fund’s Securities, and retain them for future reference. A Statement of Additional
Information, dated [] (the “SAI”), containing additional information about the Fund, has been filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus. You may
request a free copy of the Prospectus, the SAI, annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders and other information about the
Fund, or make shareholder inquiries, by calling (855) 862-6092, by writing to the Fund at 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420,
West Palm Beach, FL 33401, or by visiting the Fund’s and the Adviser’s website at www.rivernorth.com (information
included on the website does not form a part of this Prospectus), or from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Investing in the Fund
involves certain risks. See “Risks” beginning on page 31 of this Prospectus.
Neither the SEC
nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful
or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The Fund’s
Securities do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and are not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depositary
institution, and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other
government agency.
Prospectus dated [ ],
2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
Page |
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY |
1 |
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES |
14 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS |
17 |
SENIOR SECURITIES |
17 |
MARKET AND NET ASSET VALUE INFORMATION |
18 |
THE FUND |
19 |
THE OFFERING |
19 |
USE OF PROCEEDS |
20 |
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES AND POLICIES |
20 |
INVESTMENT PHILOSOPHY AND PROCESS |
26 |
USE OF LEVERAGE |
27 |
RISKS |
31 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND |
59 |
NET ASSET VALUE |
63 |
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS |
63 |
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN |
65 |
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND’S SECURITIES |
66 |
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE FUND’S CHARTER AND BYLAWS AND OF MARYLAND LAW |
70 |
REPURCHASE OF SHARES |
77 |
RIGHTS OFFERINGS |
78 |
CONVERSION TO OPEN-END FUND |
78 |
LIMITED TERM AND ELIGIBLE TENDER OFFER |
79 |
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS |
81 |
CALIFORNIA TAX MATTERS |
85 |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION |
86 |
ADMINISTRATOR, FUND ACCOUNTANT, TRANSFER AGENT, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND CUSTODIAN |
89 |
LEGAL MATTERS |
90 |
CONTROL PERSONS |
90 |
THE FUND’S PRIVACY POLICY |
90 |
You should rely
only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and any related prospectus supplement. The Fund
has not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent
information, you should not rely on it. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the
offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information provided by this Prospectus and any related prospectus
supplement is accurate as of any date other than the respective dates on the front covers. The Fund’s business, financial
condition and results of operations may have changed since that date.
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This is only a
summary of information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should
consider before investing in the Fund’s securities offered by this Prospectus. You should review the more detailed information
contained in this Prospectus, and any related prospectus supplement and the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”),
including the documents incorporated by reference. In particular, you should carefully read the section entitled “Risks”
in this Prospectus.
The Fund |
RiverNorth Flexible Municipal
Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is a Maryland corporation registered as a diversified, closed-end management
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund will have
a limited term unless otherwise determined by the Fund’s Board of Directors (“Board of Directors”).
See “Limited Term” and “Risks—Structural Risks—Limited Term and Eligible Tender Offer Risk.”
The Fund commenced operations
and completed its initial public offering of common stock in March 2020, raising approximately $122 million in equity
after payment of offering expenses (and including the exercise of the overallotment option). As of September 18, 2023,
the Fund had 6,114,699 shares of its common stock outstanding and net assets applicable to such shares of $99,105,277. The shares of
the Fund’s common stock offered by this Prospectus are called “Common Shares” and the holders of Common
Shares are called “Common Shareholders.” As used hereinafter in this Prospectus, unless the context otherwise
requires, “common shares” refer to the shares of the Fund’s common stock currently outstanding as well
as those Common Shares offered by this Prospectus and the holders of common shares are called “common shareholders.”
As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund had not issued any shares of preferred stock (“Preferred Shares”).
An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors.
|
Investment Adviser and Subadviser |
The Fund’s investment adviser is RiverNorth Capital
Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) and the Fund’s subadviser is MacKay Shields LLC (the “Subadviser”).
The Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s Managed Assets (as defined below) allocated to
the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy (as described below). The Subadviser is responsible for the day-to-day management
of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy (as described below). Subject to the ranges
noted below under “—Principal Investment Strategies and Policies—Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy”
and “—Principal Investment Strategies and Policies—Municipal Bond Income Strategy,” the Adviser determines
the portion of the Fund’s Managed Assets to allocate to each strategy and may, from time to time, adjust the allocations.
See “Management of the Fund.” |
The Offering |
The Fund may offer Securities
directly to one or more purchasers, including existing common shareholders and/or preferred shareholders in a Rights offering,
through agents that the Fund or the purchasers designate from time to time, or to or through underwriters or dealers.
The prospectus supplement relating to the offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of the
Securities, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between the Fund
and such agents or underwriters or among underwriters or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. The prospectus
supplement relating to any sale of preferred stock will set forth the liquidation preference and information about the
dividend period, dividend rate, any call protection or non-call period and other matters, including the terms, if any,
on which the preferred stock may be exchanged for or converted into shares of common stock or any other security and,
if applicable, the conversion or exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and the conversion or exchange period.
A supplement to this Prospectus relating to any offering of subscription rights will set forth the number of shares (common
or preferred) issuable upon the exercise of each right and the other terms of such rights offering, including whether
the Preferred Shares issuable upon the exercise of such right are convertible into Common Shares. The Fund may not sell
Securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of this Prospectus and a prospectus supplement describing
the method and terms of the offering of the Securities. See “Plan of Distribution.”
Offerings of Shares will be
subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, which generally require that the public offering price of common shares of
a closed-end investment company (exclusive of distribution commissions and discounts) must equal the net asset value (“NAV”)
per share of the company’s common stock (calculated within 48 hours of pricing), absent shareholder approval or
under certain other circumstances. The Fund may, however, issue Common Shares pursuant to exercises of Rights at prices
below NAV.
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Investment Objectives |
The Fund’s primary investment objective is current
income exempt from regular U.S. federal income taxes (but which may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal
alternative minimum tax). The Fund’s secondary investment objective is total return. There is no assurance that the
Fund will achieve its investment objectives. |
Principal Investment Strategies and Policies |
Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve
its investment objectives by investing, directly or indirectly, at least 80% of its Managed Assets in municipal bonds, the
interest on which is, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuers, generally excludable from gross income for regular U.S.
federal income tax purposes, except that the interest may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative
minimum tax (“Municipal Bonds”). In order to qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends, which are items of interest
excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes, the Fund seeks to invest at least 50% of its Managed Assets
either directly (and indirectly through tender option bond transactions) in such Municipal Bonds or in other funds that are
taxed as regulated investment companies. See “Risks—Investment-Related Risks—Tax Risks.” |
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Municipal Bonds are debt obligations, which may have a variety
of issuers, including governmental entities or other qualifying issuers. Issuers may be states, territories
and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions,
agencies and instrumentalities. See “Risks—Investment-Related Risks—Municipal Bond
Risks” and “Risks—Investment-Related Risks—Market Disruption, Geopolitical,
Pandemic and Climate Change Risks.” Such territories of the United States include Puerto Rico.
See “Risks—Investment-Related Risks—Puerto Rico Municipal Bond Risks” for a
discussion of the risks associated with an investment in Puerto Rico Municipal Bonds. Municipal Bonds
include, among other instruments, general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, municipal leases, certificates
of participation, private activity bonds, moral obligation bonds, and tobacco settlement bonds, as
well as short-term, tax-exempt obligations such as municipal notes and variable rate demand obligations.
See “Investment Objectives, Strategies and Policies—Portfolio Composition” for a
description of the types of Municipal Bonds in which the Fund may invest.
The Fund seeks to allocate its assets between the two principal strategies
described below. The Adviser determines the portion of the Fund’s Managed Assets to allocate to each strategy and
may, from time to time, adjust the allocations. See “Risks—Structural Risks—Asset Allocation Risk.”
Under normal market conditions, the Fund may allocate between 25% and 65% of its Managed Assets to the Tactical Municipal
Closed-End Fund Strategy and 35% to 75% of its Managed Assets to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy.
Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy (25%-65%
of Managed Assets). This strategy seeks to (i) generate returns through investments in closed-end funds (“CEFs”),
exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and other investment companies (collectively, the “Underlying Funds”)
that invest, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of their net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment
purposes, in Municipal Bonds, and (ii) derive value from the discount and premium spreads associated with CEFs that invest,
under normal market conditions, at least 80% of their net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes,
in Municipal Bonds. See “Risks—Investment-Related Risks—Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy
Risk.” All Underlying Funds will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”).
Under normal market conditions, the Fund limits its
investments in CEFs that have been in operation for less than one year to no more than 10% of the Fund’s Managed
Assets allocated to the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy. The Fund will not invest in inverse ETFs or leveraged
ETFs. Under normal market conditions, the Fund may not invest more than 30% of its Managed Assets in the Tactical Municipal
Closed-End Fund Strategy in single state municipal CEFs. The Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear the expenses,
including the management fees, of the Underlying Funds. See “Risks—Investment-Related Risks—Underlying
Fund Risks.” |
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Under Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act, the Fund may hold securities of an Underlying Fund in amounts
which (i) do not exceed 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of the Underlying Fund, (ii) do not exceed 5% of the value
of the Fund’s total assets and (iii) when added to all other Underlying Fund securities held by the Fund, do not exceed
10% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. These limits may be exceeded when permitted under Rule 12d1-4. The Fund
intends to rely on either Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act, which provides that the provisions of Section 12(d)(1)(A) shall
not apply to securities purchased or otherwise acquired by the Fund if (i) immediately after such purchase or acquisition
not more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of such Underlying Fund is owned by the Fund and all affiliated persons of
the Fund, and (ii) certain requirements are met with respect to sales charges, or Rule 12d1-4.
The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds that invest in securities that are rated below investment grade, including those receiving
the lowest ratings from S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”), Fitch Ratings, a part of the Fitch Group (“Fitch”),
or Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”), or comparably rated by another nationally recognized
statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) or, if unrated, determined by the Adviser or Subadviser to be of comparable
credit quality, which indicates that the security is in default or has little prospect for full recovery of principal or interest.
See “Risks—Investment-Related Risks—Defaulted and Distressed Securities Risk.” Below investment grade
securities (such as securities rated below BBB- by S&P or Fitch or below Baa3 by Moody’s) are commonly referred
to as “junk” and “high yield” securities. Below investment grade securities are considered speculative
with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests
may invest in securities receiving the lowest ratings from the NRSROs, including securities rated C by Moody’s or D-
by S&P. Lower rated below investment grade securities are considered more vulnerable to nonpayment than other below investment
grade securities and their issuers are more dependent on favorable business, financial and economic conditions to meet their
financial commitments. The lowest rated below investment grade securities are typically already in default. See “Risks—Investment-Related
Risks—Credit and Below Investment Grade Securities Risk.”
The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests will not include those that are advised or subadvised by the Adviser, the Subadviser
or their affiliates.
Municipal Bond Income Strategy (35%-75% of Managed Assets). This strategy seeks to capitalize on inefficiencies in
the tax-exempt and tax-advantaged securities markets through investments in Municipal Bonds. Under normal market conditions,
the Fund may not directly invest more than 25% of the Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy in Municipal
Bonds in any one industry or in any one state of origin, and the Fund may not directly invest more than 5% of the Managed
Assets allocated to this strategy in the Municipal Bonds of any one issuer, except that the foregoing industry and issuer
restrictions shall not apply to general obligation bonds and the Fund will consider the obligor or borrower underlying the
Municipal Bond to be the “issuer.” See “Risks—Investment-Related Risks—State Specific and Industry
Risks.” The Fund may invest up to 30% of the Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy in Municipal
Bonds that pay interest that may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax. The
Fund can invest, directly or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in bonds of any maturity; however, under this strategy,
it will generally invest in Municipal Bonds that have a maturity of five years or longer at the time of purchase. |
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Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least
60% of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy directly in
investment grade Municipal Bonds. The Subadviser invests no more than 20% of the Managed Assets allocated
to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy in Municipal Bonds rated at or below Caa1 by Moody’s or
CCC+ by S&P or Fitch, or comparably rated by another NRSRO, including unrated bonds judged to be
of equivalent quality as determined by the Adviser or Subadviser, as applicable. Investment grade securities
are those rated Baa or higher by Moody’s (although Moody’s considers securities rated Baa
to have speculative characteristics) or BBB or higher by S&P or rated similarly by another NRSRO
or, if unrated, judged to be of equivalent quality as determined by the Adviser or Subadviser, as applicable.
If the independent ratings agencies assign different ratings to the same security, the Fund will use
the higher rating for purposes of determining the security’s credit quality. Subject to the foregoing
limitations, the Fund may invest in securities receiving the lowest ratings from the NRSROs, including
securities rated C by Moody’s or D- by S&P, which indicates that the security is in default
or has little prospect for full recovery of principal or interest. See “Risks—Investment-Related
Risks—Credit and Below Investment Grade Securities Risk.”
Under normal market conditions, the Fund, or the Underlying Funds in which
the Fund invests, invests at least 50% of its Managed Assets, directly or indirectly in investment grade Municipal
Bonds.
“Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund, including
assets attributable to leverage, minus liabilities (other than debt representing leverage and any preferred stock that
may be outstanding). Such assets attributable to leverage include the portion of assets in tender option bond trusts of
which the Fund owns TOB Residuals (as defined below) that has been effectively financed by the trust’s issuance
of TOB Floaters (as defined below). See “Use of Leverage—Tender Option Bonds.”
Other Investments. The Fund may invest, directly or indirectly, up to
20% of its Managed Assets in taxable municipal securities. Any portion of the Fund’s assets invested in taxable
municipal securities does not count toward the 35%-75% of the Fund’s assets allocated to Municipal Bonds.
The Fund may at times establish hedging positions,
which may include short sales and derivatives, such as options, futures and swaps (“Hedging Positions”). Such
Hedging Positions may be used to attempt to protect against possible changes in the value of securities held in or to
be purchased for the Fund’s portfolio and to manage the effective maturity or duration of the Fund’s portfolio.
The Fund’s Hedging Positions may, however, result in income or gain to the Fund that is not exempt from regular
U.S. federal income taxes. See “Risks—Investment-Related Risks—Derivatives Risks” and “Risks—Investment-Related
Risks—Options and Futures Risks.” |
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A short sale is a transaction
in which the Fund sells a security that it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market price of the security.
The Fund may benefit from a short position when the shorted security decreases in value by more than the cost of the transaction
but will suffer a loss on a short sale if the security’s value does not decline or increases. The Fund will not
engage in any short sales of securities issued by CEFs. See “Investment Objectives, Strategies and Policies—Principal
Investment Strategies—Other Investments” and “Risks—Investment-Related Risks—Short Sale
Risks.”
The Fund also may attempt to
enhance the return on the cash portion of its portfolio by investing in total return swap agreements. A total return swap
agreement provides the Fund with a return based on the performance of an underlying asset, in exchange for fee payments
to a counterparty based on a specific rate. The difference in the value of these income streams is recorded daily by the
Fund, and is typically settled in cash at least monthly. If the underlying asset declines in value over the term of the
swap, the Fund would be required to pay the dollar value of that decline plus any applicable fees to the counterparty.
The Fund may use its own NAV or any other reference asset that the Adviser or Subadviser chooses as the underlying asset
in a total return swap. The Fund limits the notional amount of all total return swaps in the aggregate to 15% of the Fund’s
Managed Assets. See “Investment Objectives, Strategies and Policies—Principal Investment Strategies—Other
Investments” and “Risks—Investment-Related Risks—Swap Risks.”.
In addition to the foregoing principal
investment strategies of the Fund, the Adviser also may allocate the Fund’s Managed Assets among cash and short-term
investments. See “Investment Policies and Techniques—Temporary Investments and Defensive Position” in
the SAI. There are no limits on the Fund’s portfolio turnover, and the Fund may buy and sell securities to take
advantage of potential short-term trading opportunities without regard to length of time and when the Adviser or Subadviser
believes investment considerations warrant such action. High portfolio turnover may result in the realization of net short-term
capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed to Common Shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income. In addition,
a higher portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses
that are borne by the Fund. See “Risks—Structural Risks—Portfolio Turnover Risk.”
All percentage limitations described
in this Prospectus are measured at the time of investment and may be exceeded on a going-forward basis as a result of
credit rating downgrades or market value fluctuations of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Unless otherwise specified
herein, the Fund may count its holdings in Underlying Funds towards various guideline tests, including the 80% policy
so long as the earnings on the underlying holdings of such Underlying Funds are exempt from regular U.S. federal income
taxes (but which may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax). |
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Unless otherwise specified, the investment policies
and limitations of the Fund are not considered to be fundamental by the Fund and can be changed without a vote of the
Common Shareholders. The Fund’s primary investment objective, 80% policy and certain investment restrictions specifically
identified as such in the SAI are considered fundamental and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, which includes Common Shares
and Preferred Shares, if any, voting together as a single class, and the holders of the outstanding Preferred Shares,
if any, voting as a single class. See “Investment Restrictions” in the SAI.
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Investment Philosophy and Process |
The Adviser
allocates the Fund’s assets between the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy and the Municipal
Bond Income Strategy (as described above). The amount allocated to each of the principal strategies
may change depending on the Adviser’s assessment of market risk, security valuations, market
volatility, and the prospects for earning income and capital appreciation.
Tactical Municipal Closed-End
Fund Strategy. The Adviser considers a number of factors when selecting Underlying Funds, including fundamental and
technical analysis to assess the relative risk and reward potential throughout the financial markets. The term “tactical”
is used to indicate that the portion of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to this strategy invest in CEFs to take
advantage of pricing discrepancies in the CEF market.
In selecting CEFs, the Adviser
opportunistically utilizes a combination of short-term and longer-term trading strategies to seek to derive value from
the discount and premium spreads associated with CEFs by identifying pricing aberrations. The Adviser employs both a quantitative
and qualitative approach in its selection of CEFs and has developed proprietary screening models and algorithms to trade
CEFs. The Adviser’s mean reversion investing looks to capitalize on changes within the pricing of a CEF and, based
upon its research and analysis, a view that it will revert to historical pricing. The Adviser employs the following trading
strategies, among others:
Statistical Analysis (Mean Reversion)
● Using
proprietary quantitative models, the Adviser seeks to identify CEFs that are trading at compelling absolute and/or relative
discounts.
● The
Adviser attempts to capitalize on the perceived mispricing if the Adviser believes that the discount widening is irrational
and expects the discount to narrow to longer-term mean valuations.
Corporate Actions
● The
Adviser pursues investments in CEFs that have announced, or the Adviser believes are likely to announce, certain corporate
actions that may drive value for their shareholders. |
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● The
Adviser has developed trading strategies that focus on CEF tender offers, rights offerings, shareholder distributions,
open-endings and liquidations.
Shareholder Activism
● The
Adviser assesses activism opportunities by determining a CEF’s susceptibility to dissident activity and analyzing
the composition of the fund’s shareholder register. The Fund, in seeking to achieve its investment objectives, will
not take activist positions in the Underlying Funds.
In employing its trading strategies,
the Adviser conducts an extensive amount of due diligence on various fund sponsors, investment managers and funds, including
actively monitoring regulatory filings, analyzing a fund’s registration statements, financial statements and organizational
documents, as well as conducting proprietary research, such as speaking with fund sponsors, underwriters, sell-side brokers
and investors.
See “Investment Philosophy
and Process—Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy.
Municipal Bond Income Strategy.
The Subadviser believes inefficiencies exist in the tax-exempt and tax-advantaged securities markets. In order to
capitalize on these opportunities, the Subadviser applies both a top-down and bottom-up research investment process. The
Subadviser’s top-down analysis considers the economic, interest rate, inflation outlook and other economic variables
to guide overall portfolio structure. The Subadviser employs a value-oriented security selection process to invest in
securities it believes to be mispriced which offer a yield advantage. In choosing investments, the Subadviser analyzes
the credit quality of issuers and considers the yields available on municipal bonds with different maturities. In addition,
the Subadviser reviews macroeconomic events, technical characteristics in the municipal bond market, tax policies, as
well as analyzing individual municipal securities and sectors. The Subadviser seeks to reduce volatility through its disciplined
investment process and investment risk management.
The Subadviser may sell a security
if it no longer believes the security will contribute to meeting the investment objectives of the Fund. In considering
whether to sell a security, the Subadviser may evaluate, among other things, the condition of the economy and meaningful
changes in the issuer’s financial condition.
See “Investment Philosophy
and Process—Municipal Bond Income Strategy.”
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Limited Term Fund
Structure and Eligible
Tender Offer |
The Fund will terminate on or before March 26, 2035 (the “Termination Date”); provided, that if the Board
of Directors believes that, under then-current market conditions, it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so, the Fund
may extend the Termination Date: (i) once for up to one year (i.e., up to March 26, 2036), and (ii) once for up to an additional
six months (i.e., up to September 26, 2036), in each case upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors
and without the approval of Common Shareholders. In determining whether to extend the Termination Date, the Board of Directors
may consider the inability to sell the Fund’s assets in a time frame consistent with the termination due to lack of
market liquidity or other extenuating circumstances. Additionally, the Board of Directors may determine that market conditions
are such that it is reasonable to believe that, with an extension, the Fund’s remaining assets will appreciate and generate
income in an amount that, in the aggregate, is meaningful relative to the cost and expense of continuing the operation of
the Fund. |
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In anticipation of the Termination
Date (such period of time, the “wind-down period”), the Fund may begin liquidating all or a portion of the
Fund’s portfolio, and may deviate from its investment policies and may not achieve its investment objective. During
the wind-down period (or in anticipation of an Eligible Tender Offer), the Fund’s portfolio composition may change
as more of its portfolio holdings are called or sold and portfolio holdings are disposed of in anticipation of liquidation.
Rather than reinvesting the proceeds of matured, called or sold securities in accordance with the investment program described
above, the Fund may invest such proceeds in short term or other lower yielding securities or hold the proceeds in cash,
which may adversely affect its performance.
In addition, within twelve months
preceding the Termination Date, the Board of Directors may cause the Fund to conduct an Eligible Tender Offer. An Eligible
Tender Offer would consist of a tender offer to all Common Shareholders to purchase Common Shares of the Fund at a price
equal to the NAV per Common Share on the expiration date of the tender offer. The Board of Directors has established that,
following an Eligible Tender Offer, the Fund must have at least $100 million of net assets to ensure the continued viability
of the Fund (the “Termination Threshold”).
In an Eligible Tender Offer, the
Fund will offer to purchase all Common Shares held by each Common Shareholder; provided, that if the number of properly
tendered Common Shares would result in the Fund’s net assets totaling less than the Termination Threshold, the Eligible
Tender Offer will be terminated and no Common Shares will be repurchased pursuant to the Eligible Tender Offer. Instead,
the Fund will begin (or continue) liquidating its portfolio and proceed to terminate on or before the Termination Date.
The Adviser will pay all costs and expenses associated with the making of an Eligible Tender Offer, other than brokerage
and related transaction costs associated with the disposition of portfolio investments in connection with the Eligible
Tender Offer, which will be borne by the Fund and its Shareholders. An Eligible Tender Offer would be made, and Shareholders
would be notified thereof, in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
“Exchange Act”) and the applicable tender offer rules thereunder (including Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E
under the Exchange Act). |
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If the number of properly tendered
Common Shares would result in the Fund’s net assets equaling or totaling greater than the Termination Threshold,
all Common Shares properly tendered and not withdrawn will be purchased by the Fund pursuant to the terms of the Eligible
Tender Offer. The Fund’s purchase of tendered Common Shares pursuant to a tender offer will have tax consequences
for tendering Common Shareholders and may have tax consequences for non-tendering Common Shareholders. In addition, the
Fund would continue to be subject to its obligations with respect to its issued and outstanding preferred stock or debt
securities, if any.
All Common Shareholders remaining
after a tender offer will be subject to proportionately higher expenses due to the reduction in the Fund’s total
assets resulting from payment for the tendered Common Shares. A reduction in net assets, and the corresponding increase
in the Fund’s expense ratio, could result in lower returns and put the Fund at a disadvantage relative to its peers
and potentially cause the Fund to trade at a wider discount to NAV than it otherwise would. Such reduction in the Fund’s
total assets may also result in less investment flexibility, reduced diversification and greater volatility for the Fund,
and may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s investment performance. Moreover, the resulting reduction in the number
of outstanding Common Shares could cause the Common Shares to become thinly traded or otherwise adversely impact the secondary
market trading of such shares. See “Risks—Structural Risks—Limited Term and Eligible Tender Offer Risk.”
Following the completion of an
Eligible Tender Offer, the Board of Directors may eliminate the limited term structure of the Fund upon the affirmative
vote of a majority of the Board of Directors and without the approval of Common Shareholders. In making such decision,
the Board of Directors will take such actions with respect to the continued operations of the Fund as it deems to be in
the best interests of the Fund, based on market conditions at such time, the extent of Common Shareholder participation
in the Eligible Tender Offer and all other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors in consultation with the
Adviser and Subadviser, taking into account that the Adviser and Subadviser may have a potential conflict of interest
in seeking to convert to a perpetual fund (or in seeking to extend the Termination Date). The Fund is not required to
conduct additional tender offers following an Eligible Tender Offer and conversion to a perpetual structure. Therefore,
remaining Common Shareholders may not have another opportunity to participate in a tender offer or exchange their Common
Shares for the then-existing NAV per Common Share.
The Fund is not a so called
“target date” or “life cycle” fund whose asset allocation becomes more conservative over time
as its target date, often associated with retirement, approaches. In addition, the Fund is not a “target term”
fund whose investment objective is to return its original NAV on the termination date. See “Certain Provisions of
the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws and Of Maryland Law” and “Risks—Structural Risks—Limited Term
and Eligible Tender Offer Risk.”
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Use of Leverage |
The Fund may borrow money and/or issue Preferred Shares, notes or debt securities for investment
purposes. These practices are known as leveraging. In addition, the Fund may enter into derivative and other transactions
that have the effect of leverage. Such other transactions may include tender option bond transactions (as described herein).
The Adviser determines whether or not to engage in leverage based on its assessment of conditions in the debt and credit markets.
As of the time immediately after it enters into any of the foregoing transactions, the Fund will seek to limit its overall
effective leverage to 45% of its Managed Assets. On May 29, 2020, the Fund entered into a credit agreement for margin financing
with Pershing LLC (the “Pershing Facility”). The Pershing Facility permits the Fund to borrow funds that are collateralized
by assets held in a special custody account held at State Street Bank & Trust Co. pursuant to a Special Custody and Pledge
Agreement. Through March 28, 2022, borrowings under the Pershing Facility bore interest at the overnight bank funding rate
plus 90 basis points for a term of 60 calendar days. On March 28, 2022, the Fund entered into an amendment to the Pershing
Facility that revised the interest rate to the overnight bank funding rate plus 80 basis points. The average principal balance
and interest rate for the period during which the credit facility was utilized for the year ended June 30, 2023 was approximately
$9,173,000 and 4.32%, respectively. At September 18, 2022, there was no principal balance outstanding under the Pershing Facility. |
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The Fund currently anticipates
that leverage will be obtained through borrowings from banks or other financial institutions and the use of proceeds received
from tender option bond transactions. See “—Tender Option Bonds.” To date, the Fund has not issued any
Preferred Shares or debt securities.
The provisions of the 1940 Act
provide that the Fund may borrow or issue notes or debt securities in an amount up to 33 1/3% of its total assets or may
issue Preferred Shares in an amount up to 50% of the Fund’s total assets (including the proceeds from leverage).
With respect to the Fund’s anticipated investments in TOB Residuals issued by a tender option bond trust (as further
discussed below under “—Tender Option Bonds”), the Fund will treat such instruments as derivatives in
compliance with Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act. See “Risks—Investment-Related Risks—Legislation and Regulatory
Risks.”
The use of leverage by the Fund
can magnify the effect of any losses. If the income and gains earned on the securities and investments purchased with
leverage proceeds are greater than the cost of the leverage, returns will be greater than if leverage had not been used.
Conversely, if the income and gains from the securities and investments purchased with such proceeds do not cover the
cost of leverage, returns will be less than if leverage had not been used. The use of leverage magnifies gains and losses
to Common Shareholders. Since the holders of common stock pay all expenses related to the issuance of debt or use of leverage,
any use of leverage would create a greater risk of loss for the Common Shares than if leverage is not used. There can
be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed. See “Use
of Leverage” and “Risks—Structural Risk—Leverage Risk.”
Tender Option Bonds. The
Fund may leverage its assets through the use of proceeds received from tender option bond transactions. In a tender option
bond transaction, a tender option bond trust (a “TOB Issuer”) is typically established by forming a special
purpose trust into which the Fund, or an agent on behalf of the Fund, transfers municipal bonds or other municipal securities.
A TOB Issuer typically issues two classes of beneficial interests: short-term floating rate notes (“TOB Floaters”),
which are sold to third party investors, and residual interest municipal tender option bonds (“TOB Residuals”),
which are generally issued to the Fund. The Fund may invest in both TOB Floaters and TOB Residuals, including TOB Floaters
and TOB Residuals issued by the same TOB Issuer. The Fund may not invest more than 5% of its Managed Assets in any single
TOB Issuer. The Fund does not currently intend to invest in TOB Residuals issued by a TOB Issuer that was not formed for
the Fund, although it reserves the right to do so in the future. |
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Under accounting rules, securities
of the Fund that are deposited into a TOB Issuer are treated as investments of the Fund, and are presented on the Fund’s
Schedule of Investments and outstanding TOB Floaters issued by a TOB Issuer are presented as liabilities in the Fund’s
Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Interest income from the underlying security is recorded by the Fund on an accrual
basis. Interest expense incurred on the TOB Floaters and other expenses related to remarketing, administration and trustee
services to a TOB Issuer are reported as expenses of the Fund.
For TOB Floaters, generally, the
interest rate earned will be based upon the market rates for municipal securities with maturities or remarketing provisions
that are comparable in duration to the periodic interval of the tender option, which may vary from weekly, to monthly,
to extended periods of one year or multiple years. Since the option feature has a shorter term than the final maturity
or first call date of the underlying securities deposited in the TOB Issuer, the Fund, if it is the holder of the TOB
Floaters, relies upon the terms of the agreement with the financial institution furnishing the option as well as the credit
strength of that institution. As further assurance of liquidity, the terms of the TOB Issuer provide for a liquidation
of the municipal security deposited in the TOB Issuer and the application of the proceeds to pay off the TOB Floaters.
There are inherent risks with
respect to investing in a TOB Issuer. These risks include, among others, the bankruptcy or default of the issuer of the
securities deposited in the TOB Issuer, a substantial downgrade in the credit quality of the issuer of the securities
deposited in the TOB Issuer, the inability of the TOB Issuer to obtain liquidity support for the TOB Floaters, a substantial
decline in the market value of the securities deposited in the TOB Issuer, or the inability of the sponsor to remarket
any TOB Floaters tendered to it by holders of the TOB Floaters. See “Risks—Investment-Related Risks—Tender
Option Bonds Risk.”
|
Dividends and Distributions |
The Fund has implemented a level distribution policy (the “Level Distribution Policy”). Under the Level Distribution
Policy, the Fund intends to make monthly distributions to common shareholders at a constant and fixed (but not guaranteed)
rate (which is annually reset) equal to 6.25% of the average of the Fund’s NAV per share as reported for the final five
trading days of the preceding calendar year. |
|
Under the Level Distribution Policy,
to the extent that sufficient investment income is not available on a monthly basis, the Fund’s distributions could
consist of return of capital in order to maintain the distribution rate. The amount treated as a return of capital will
reduce a shareholder’s adjusted basis in the shareholder’s shares, thereby increasing the potential gain or
reducing the potential loss on the sale of shares. Investors should not make any conclusions about the Fund’s investment
performance from the amount of the Fund’s distributions or from the terms of the Fund’s Level Distribution
Policy. Dividends and distributions may be payable in cash or common shares, with shareholders having the option to receive
additional common shares in lieu of cash. The Fund may at times, in its discretion, pay out less than the entire amount
of net investment income earned in any particular period and may at times pay out such accumulated undistributed income
in addition to net investment income earned in other periods in order to permit the Fund to maintain a more stable level
of distributions. As a result, the dividend paid by the Fund to common shareholders for any particular period may be more
or less than the amount of net investment income earned by the Fund during such period. The Fund’s ability to maintain
a stable level of distributions to shareholders will depend on a number of factors, including the stability of income
received from its investments. The amount of monthly distributions could vary depending on a number of factors, including
the costs of any leverage. As portfolio and market conditions change, the amount of dividends on the Fund’s common
shares could change. For federal income tax purposes, the Fund is required to distribute substantially all of its net
investment income each year to both reduce its federal income tax liability and to avoid a potential federal excise tax.
The Fund intends to distribute all realized net capital gains, if any, at least annually. See “Dividends and Distributions.”
|
Dividend Reinvestment Plan |
The Fund has an automatic dividend
reinvestment plan (the “Plan”) commonly referred to as an “opt-out” plan. Each Common Shareholder
who participates in the Plan will have all distributions of dividends and capital gains automatically reinvested in additional
Common Shares. The automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions in Common Shares will not relieve participants
of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such dividends and distributions,
even though such participants have not received any cash with which to pay the resulting tax.
Common Shareholders who elect
not to participate in the Plan will receive all distributions in cash. All correspondence or questions concerning the
Plan, including how a Common Shareholder may opt out of the Plan, should be directed to DST Systems, Inc., (844) 569-4750
(the “Plan Administrator”). Beneficial owners of Common Shares who hold their Common Shares in the name of
a broker or nominee should contact the broker or nominee to determine whether and how they may participate in, or opt
out of, the Plan. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”
|
Listing of Common Shares |
The Fund’s currently outstanding common shares
are, and the Common Shares offered in this Prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement will be, subject to notice
of issuance, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the trading or “ticker” symbol “RFM.”
The NAV of the Fund’s common shares at the close of business on September 18, 2023 was $16.21,
and the last sale price of the common shares on the NYSE on such date was $14.99. |
Risk Considerations |
Risk is inherent in all investing.
Investing in any investment company security involves risks, including the risk that you may receive little or no
return on your investment or even that you may lose part or all of your investment. Therefore, before investing in the Fund,
you should consider the risks more fully set forth under “Risks” beginning on page 31 (as well as the other
information in this Prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and the SAI), which provides a discussion of the principal
risk factors associated with an investment in the Fund specifically, as well as those factors generally associated with an
investment in a company with investment objectives, investment policies, capital structure or trading markets similar to the
Fund. Given the nature of the Fund’s investment strategies, these principal risks include risks associated with investments
in municipal bonds, other investment companies and below investment grade-rated securities; risks associated with the use
of leverage, including the use of tender option bond transactions and derivatives; and risks related to interest rates and
tax matters. |
Administrator, Fund Accountant, Transfer Agent, Dividend Disbursing Agent and Custodian |
ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“AFS”) is the Fund’s administrator.
Under an Administration, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”), AFS is responsible
for calculating NAVs, providing additional fund accounting and tax services, and providing fund administration and compliance-related
services. State Street Bank & Trust Co. serves as the Fund’s custodian. DST Systems, Inc. serves as the Fund’s
transfer agent, registrar, Plan Administrator and dividend disbursing agent. See “Administrator, Fund Accountant, Transfer
Agent, Dividend Disbursing Agent and Custodian.” |
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
The following table
shows estimated Fund expenses as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares. The purpose of the following table
and the example below is to help you understand the fees and expenses that you, as a Common Shareholder, would bear directly or
indirectly. The expenses shown in the table and related footnotes, along with the example, are based on the Fund’s capital
structure as of June 30, 2023. Actual expenses may be greater or less than
those shown below.
Shareholder Transaction Expenses |
As a Percentage of Offering
Price |
Sales Load |
--%* |
Offering Expenses Borne by the Fund |
--%* |
Dividend Reinvestment Plan Fees(1) |
--* |
Preferred Shares Offering Expenses Borne by the Fund (as a percentage of net assets attributable
to Common Shares) |
--%* |
|
As a Percentage of Net Assets Attributable
to Common Shares (Assuming the Use of Leverage Equal to 41.00% of the Fund’s Managed Assets) |
Annual Expenses |
|
Management fee(2) |
2.37% |
Leverage costs (3)(4)(5) |
2.25% |
Dividends on Preferred Shares(6) |
--% |
Other expenses |
0.23% |
Acquired fund fees and expenses(7) |
1.51% |
Total annual expenses |
6.36% |
The purpose of
the table above and the example below is to help you understand the fees and expenses that you, as a Common Shareholder, would
bear directly or indirectly. The expenses shown in the table under “Other Expenses” and “Total annual expenses”
are based in part on estimated amounts for the Fund’s 12 months of operations after June 30, 2023 unless otherwise
indicated and assumes that the Fund has not issued any additional Common Shares.
Example(8)
The example illustrates
the expenses you would pay on a $1,000 investment in Common Shares, assuming (1) “Total annual expenses” of 6.36% of net
assets attributable to Common Shares, and (2) a 5% annual return.
|
|
1 year |
|
3 years |
|
5 years |
|
10 years |
Total Expenses Incurred |
|
$63 |
|
$187 |
|
$307 |
|
$594 |
The example should
not be considered a representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those assumed.
| (2) | The management fee paid
by the Fund to the Adviser is essentially an all-in fee structure (the “unified
management fee”), including the fee paid to the Adviser for advisory, supervisory,
administrative, shareholder servicing and other services. However, the Fund (and not
the Adviser) will be responsible for certain additional fees and expenses, which are
reflected in the table above, that are not covered by the unified management fee. The
unified management fee also includes fees payable by the Adviser to the Subadviser for
advisory services. The unified management fee is charged as a percentage of the Fund’s
average daily Managed Assets, as opposed to net assets. With leverage, Managed Assets
are greater in amount than net assets, because Managed Assets include assets attributable
to the Fund’s use of leverage created by its borrowings and tender option bond
transactions. In addition, the mark-to-market value of the Fund’s derivatives will
be used for purposes of calculating Managed Assets. The management fee of 1.40%
of the Fund’s Managed Assets represents 2.37% of net assets
attributable to Common Shares assuming the use of leverage in an amount of 41.00%
of the Fund’s Managed Assets. The Fund's average Managed Assets for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 (which includes the use of leverage discussed in footnote (5))
were multiplied by the annual advisory fee rate and then divided by the Fund's average net assets for the same period to calculate the
management fee as a percentage of the Fund's net assets attributable to common shares. See “Management of the Fund—Investment
Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements.” |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The Fund’s
“Financial Highlights” and the report of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, Cohen &
Company, Ltd., thereon, contained in the following document filed by the Fund with the SEC, is hereby incorporated by reference
into this Prospectus: the annual report for the year ended June 30, 2023 contained in the Fund’s Form N-CSR, as amended and filed with the SEC on September 7, 2023.
SENIOR SECURITIES
The following table
sets forth certain information regarding the Fund’s senior securities as of the end of the Fund’s prior fiscal years
since the Fund’s inception and for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. Audited information regarding the Fund’s
senior securities is incorporated by reference from the Fund’s Form N-CSR. The Fund’s senior securities during this
time period are comprised of outstanding indebtedness, which constitutes a “senior security” as defined in the 1940
Act.
Senior Securities Representing Indebtedness
Period/Fiscal Year Ended |
Principal Amount Outstanding1 |
Asset Coverage Per $1,0002 |
June 30, 2023 |
$-- |
$-- |
June 30, 2022 |
$13,000,000 |
$9,537 |
June 30, 2021 |
$10,000,000 |
$16,124 |
June 30, 20203 |
$15,000,000 |
$9,785 |
MARKET AND NET ASSET VALUE INFORMATION
The Fund’s currently
outstanding common shares are, and any Common Shares offered by this Prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement will
be, subject to notice of issuance, listed on the NYSE. The Fund’s common shares commenced trading on the NYSE on March 27,
2020.
The Fund’s
common shares have traded both at a premium and at a discount in relation to NAV. Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently
trade at a discount from NAV. The Fund’s issuance of the Common Shares may have an adverse effect on prices in the secondary
market for the Fund’s common shares by increasing the number of common shares available, which may put downward pressure
on the market price for the Fund’s common shares.
The Fund may (but
is not obligated to) take action to repurchase shares in the open market or make tender offers for its shares at or near NAV.
During the pendency of any tender offer, the Fund will publish how common shareholders may readily ascertain the NAV. Repurchase
of the common shares may have the effect of reducing any market discount to NAV. There is no assurance that, if action is undertaken
to repurchase or tender for shares, such action will result in the shares trading at a price which approximates their NAV. Please
see “Repurchase of Shares” for more information.
The following table
sets forth for each of the periods indicated the high and low closing market prices for common shares of the Fund on the NYSE,
the NAV per share and the premium or discount to NAV per share at which the Fund’s common shares were trading. NAV is determined
daily as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). See “Net Asset Value” for
information as to the determination of the Fund’s NAV.
|
MARKET PRICE(1) |
NET ASSET VALUE (2) |
PREMIUM/(DISCOUNT)
TO NET ASSET
VALUE(3) |
Quarter Ended |
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
June 30, 2020 |
$20.24 |
$18.76 |
$19.82 |
$20.44 |
2.12% |
-8.22% |
September 30, 2020 |
$20.78 |
$19.62 |
$22.82 |
$21.72 |
-8.94% |
-9.66% |
December 31, 2020 |
$21.99 |
$20.00 |
$23.41 |
$21.98 |
-6.07% |
-9.01% |
March 31, 2021 |
$23.40 |
$20.95 |
$24.15 |
$23.33 |
-3.11% |
-10.20% |
June 30, 2021 |
$24.41 |
$22.25 |
$24.85 |
$24.06 |
-1.77% |
-7.54% |
September 30, 2021 |
$24.63 |
$23.25 |
$24.81 |
$24.16 |
-0.71% |
-3.77% |
December 31, 2021 |
$23.64 |
$21.65 |
$23.94 |
$23.15 |
-1.25% |
-6.48% |
March 31, 2022 |
$22.45 |
$18.29 |
$22.98 |
$20.04 |
-2.32% |
-8.73% |
June 30, 2022 |
$18.74 |
$15.95 |
$20.29 |
$17.64 |
-7.64% |
-9.58% |
September 30, 2022 |
$17.94 |
$15.60 |
$19.20 |
$17.17 |
-6.56% |
-9.16% |
December 31, 2022 |
$17.00 |
$14.68 |
$17.76 |
$16.45 |
-4.28% |
-10.76% |
March 31, 2023 |
$16.70 |
$15.10 |
$18.24 |
$17.16 |
-8.44% |
-12.00% |
June 30, 2023 |
$15.94 |
$14.85 |
$17.75 |
$16.54 |
-10.20% |
-10.22% |
The last reported
sale price, NAV per share and percentage discount to NAV per share of the common shares as of September 18, 2023 were $14.99, $16.21 and -7.53%, respectively. As of that same date, the Fund had 6,114,699 common shares outstanding and net
assets of the Fund were $99,105,277.
THE FUND
RiverNorth Flexible
Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund was organized as a Maryland corporation
on October 1, 2019. The Fund will have an approximate 15-year limited term unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors.
On March 26, 2020, 5,505,000 shares of common stock were issued in connection with the Fund’s initial public offering. An
additional 609,699 shares of common stock were issued on May 11, 2020 in connection with the underwriter’s over-allotment
option. The Fund’s currently outstanding common stock is, and common stock offered in this Prospectus and any applicable
prospectus supplement will be, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “RFM.”
The Fund’s principal office is located at 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, and its telephone
number is (561) 484-7185. The shares of the Fund’s common stock offered by this Prospectus and any applicable prospectus
supplement are hereinafter called “Common Shares” and the holders of Common Shares are called “Common Shareholders.”
As used in this Prospectus, unless the context requires otherwise, “common shares” refers to the shares of the Fund’s
common stock currently outstanding as well as those Common Shares offered by this Prospectus and the holders of common shares
are called “common shareholders.”
The following table
provides information about the Fund’s outstanding securities as of September 18, 2023:
Title of Class |
Amount Authorized |
Amount Held by the Fund or for its Account |
Amount Outstanding |
Common Shares |
50,000,000 |
0 |
6,114,699 |
THE OFFERING
The Fund may offer,
from time to time, up to $150,000,000 aggregate initial offering price of (i) Common Shares, (ii) shares of its preferred stock
(“Preferred Shares”), and/or (iii) subscription rights to purchase Common Shares, Preferred Shares or both (“Rights”
and, together with the Common Shares and the Preferred Shares, “Securities) in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices
and on terms set forth in one or more supplements to this Prospectus. See “Description of the Fund’s Securities.”
The Fund may offer
Securities directly to one or more purchasers, including existing common shareholders and/or preferred shareholders in a Rights
offering, through agents that the Fund or the purchasers designate from time to time, or to or through underwriters or dealers.
The prospectus supplement relating to the offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of the Securities,
and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between the Fund and such agents or
underwriters or among underwriters or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. The prospectus supplement relating to
any sale of preferred stock will set forth the liquidation preference and information about the dividend period, dividend rate,
any call protection or non-call period and other matters, including the terms, if any, on which the preferred stock may be exchanged
for or converted into shares of common stock or any other security and, if applicable, the conversion or exchange price, or how
it will be calculated, and the conversion or exchange period. A supplement to this Prospectus relating to any offering of subscription
rights will set forth the number of shares (common or preferred) issuable upon the exercise of each right and the other terms
of such Rights offering, including whether the Preferred Shares issuable upon the exercise of such right are convertible into
Common Shares. The Fund may not sell Securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of this Prospectus and
a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of the Securities. See “Plan of Distribution.”
The Fund may offer
Common Shares or Preferred Shares on an immediate, continuous or delayed basis. Offerings of Shares will be subject to the provisions
of the 1940 Act, which generally require that the public offering price of common shares of a closed-end investment company (exclusive
of distribution commissions and discounts) must equal or exceed the NAV per share of the company’s common stock (calculated
within 48 hours of pricing), absent shareholder approval or under certain other circumstances. The Fund may, however, issue Common
Shares pursuant to exercises of Rights at prices below NAV.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise specified
in a prospectus supplement, the Fund expects to invest the net proceeds from any sales of Securities in accordance with the Fund’s
investment objective and policies as stated below, or use such proceeds for other general corporate purposes within approximately
three months of receipt of such proceeds. Pending any such use, the proceeds may be invested in cash, cash equivalents, short-term
debt securities or U.S. government securities. A delay in the anticipated use of proceeds could lower returns and reduce the Fund’s
distributions to common shareholders.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES
AND POLICIES
Investment Objectives
The Fund’s
primary investment objective is current income exempt from regular U.S. federal income taxes (but which may be includable in taxable
income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax). The Fund’s secondary investment objective is total return.
There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.
Principal Investment Strategies and Policies
Under normal market
conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing, directly or indirectly, at least 80% of its Managed
Assets in municipal bonds, the interest on which is, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuers, generally excludable from
gross income for regular U.S. federal income tax purposes, except that the interest may be includable in taxable income for purposes
of the Federal alternative minimum tax (“Municipal Bonds”). In order to qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends,
which are items of interest excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes, the Fund seeks to invest at least 50%
of its Managed Assets either directly (and indirectly through tender option bond transactions) in such Municipal Bonds or in other
funds that are taxed as regulated investment companies.
Municipal Bonds are
debt obligations, which may have a variety of issuers, including governmental entities or other qualifying issuers. Issuers may
be states, territories and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies
and instrumentalities. Such territories of the United States include Puerto Rico. Municipal Bonds include, among other instruments,
general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, municipal leases, certificates of participation, private activity bonds, moral obligation
bonds, and tobacco settlement bonds, as well as short-term, tax-exempt obligations such as municipal notes and variable rate demand
obligations. The Fund seeks to allocate its assets between the two principal strategies described below. The Adviser determines
the portion of the Fund’s Managed Assets to allocate to each strategy and may, from time to time, adjust the allocations.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund may allocate between 25% and 65% of its Managed Assets to the Tactical Municipal CEF
Strategy and 35% to 75% of its Managed Assets to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy.
Tactical Municipal
Closed-End Fund Strategy (25%-65% of Managed Assets). This strategy seeks to (i) generate returns through investments
in CEFs, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and other investment companies (collectively, the “Underlying Funds”)
that invest, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of their net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment
purposes, in Municipal Bonds, and (ii) derive value from the discount and premium spreads associated with CEFs that invest, under
normal market conditions, at least 80% of their net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in Municipal
Bonds. All Underlying Funds will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
Under normal market
conditions, the Fund limits its investments in CEFs that have been in operation for less than one year to no more than 10% of
the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to the Tactical Municipal CEF Strategy. The Fund will not invest in inverse ETFs or
leveraged ETFs. Under normal market conditions, the Fund may not invest more than 20% of its Managed Assets in the Tactical Municipal
CEF Strategy in single state municipal CEFs. The Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear the expenses, including the management
fees, of the Underlying Funds.
Under Section 12(d)(1)(A)
of the 1940 Act, the Fund may hold securities of an Underlying Fund in amounts which (i) do not exceed 3% of the total outstanding
voting stock of the Underlying Fund, (ii) do not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and (iii) when added
to all other Underlying Fund securities held by the Fund, do not exceed 10% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. These
limits may be exceeded when permitted under Rule 12d1-4. The Fund intends to rely on either Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act,
which provides that the provisions of Section 12(d)(1)(A) shall not apply to securities purchased or otherwise acquired by the
Fund if (i) immediately after such purchase or acquisition not more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of such Underlying
Fund is owned by the Fund and all affiliated persons of the Fund, and (ii) certain requirements are met with respect to sales
charges, or Rule 12d1-4.
The Fund may invest
in Underlying Funds that invest in securities that are rated below investment grade, including those receiving the lowest ratings
from S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”), Fitch Ratings, a part of the Fitch Group (“Fitch”), or Moody’s
Investor Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”), or comparably rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating
organization (“NRSRO”) or, if unrated, determined by the Adviser or the Subadviser to be of comparable credit quality,
which indicates that the security is in default or has little prospect for full recovery of principal or interest. Below investment
grade securities (such as securities rated below BBB- by S&P or Fitch or below Baa3 by Moody’s) are commonly referred
to as “junk” and “high yield” securities. Below investment grade securities are considered speculative
with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests
may invest in securities receiving the lowest ratings from the NRSROs, including securities rated C by Moody’s or D- by
S&P. Lower rated below investment grade securities are considered more vulnerable to nonpayment than other below investment
grade securities and their issuers are more dependent on favorable business, financial and economic conditions to meet their financial
commitments. The lowest rated below investment grade securities are typically already in default.
The Underlying Funds
in which the Fund invests will not include those that are advised or subadvised by the Adviser, the Subadviser or their affiliates.
Municipal Bond
Income Strategy (35%-75% of Managed Assets). This strategy seeks to capitalize on inefficiencies in the tax-exempt
and tax-advantaged securities markets through investments in Municipal Bonds. Under normal market conditions, the Fund may not
directly invest more than 25% of the Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy in Municipal Bonds in any
one industry or in any one state of origin, and the Fund may not directly invest more than 5% of the Managed Assets allocated
to this strategy in the Municipal Bonds of any one issuer, except that the foregoing industry and issuer restrictions shall not
apply to general obligation bonds and the Fund will consider the obligor or borrower underlying the Municipal Bond to be the “issuer.”
The Fund may invest up to 30% of the Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy in Municipal Bonds that pay
interest that may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax. The Fund can invest, directly
or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in bonds of any maturity; however, under this strategy, it will generally invest in Municipal
Bonds that have a maturity of five years or longer at the time of purchase.
Under normal market
conditions, the Fund invests at least 60% of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy directly
in investment grade Municipal Bonds. The Subadviser invests no more than 20% of the Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal
Bond Income Strategy in Municipal Bonds rated at or below Caa1 by Moody’s or CCC+ by S&P or Fitch, or comparably rated
by another NRSRO, including unrated bonds judged to be of equivalent quality as determined by the Adviser or Subadviser, as applicable.
Investment grade securities are those rated Baa or higher by Moody’s (although Moody’s considers securities rated
Baa to have speculative characteristics) or BBB or higher by S&P or rated similarly by another NRSRO or, if unrated, judged
to be of equivalent quality as determined by the Adviser or Subadviser, as applicable. If the independent ratings agencies assign
different ratings to the same security, the Fund will use the higher rating for purposes of determining the security’s credit
quality. Subject to the foregoing limitations, the Fund may invest in securities receiving the lowest ratings from the NRSROs,
including securities rated C by Moody’s or D- by S&P, which indicates that the security is in default or has little
prospect for full recovery of principal or interest.
Under normal market
conditions, the Fund, or the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests, invests at least 50% of its Managed Assets, directly
or indirectly in investment grade Municipal Bonds.
“Managed Assets”
means the total assets of the Fund, including assets attributable to leverage, minus liabilities (other than debt representing
leverage and any preferred stock that may be outstanding). Such assets attributable to leverage include the portion of assets
in tender option bond trusts of which the Fund owns TOB Residuals (as defined below) that has been effectively financed by the
trust’s issuance of TOB Floaters (as defined below).
Other Investments.
The Fund may invest, directly or indirectly, up to 20% of its Managed Assets in taxable municipal securities. Any portion
of the Fund’s assets invested in taxable municipal securities do not count toward the 35%-75% of the Fund’s assets
allocated to Municipal Bonds.
The Fund may at times
establish hedging positions, which may include short sales and derivatives, such as options, futures and swaps (“Hedging
Positions”). Such Hedging Positions may be used to attempt to protect against possible changes in the value of securities
held in or to be purchased for the Fund’s portfolio and to manage the effective maturity or duration of the Fund’s
portfolio. The Fund’s Hedging Positions may, however, result in income or gain to the Fund that is not exempt from regular
U.S. federal income taxes.
A short sale is a
transaction in which the Fund sells a security that it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market price of the security.
The Fund may benefit from a short position when the shorted security decreases in value by more than the cost of the transaction
but will suffer a loss on a short sale if the security’s value does not decline or increase. The Fund will not engage in
any short sales of securities issued by CEFs.
The Fund also may
attempt to enhance the return on the cash portion of its portfolio by investing in total return swap agreements. A total return
swap agreement provides the Fund with a return based on the performance of an underlying asset, in exchange for fee payments to
a counterparty based on a specific rate. The difference in the value of these income streams is recorded daily by the Fund, and
is typically settled in cash at least monthly. If the underlying asset declines in value over the term of the swap, the Fund would
be required to pay the dollar value of that decline plus any applicable fees to the counterparty. The Fund may use its own NAV
or any other reference asset that the Adviser or Subadviser chooses as the underlying asset in a total return swap. The Fund limits
the notional amount of all total return swaps in the aggregate to 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets.
In addition to the
foregoing principal investment strategies of the Fund, the Adviser also may allocate the Fund’s Managed Assets among cash
and short-term investments. There are no limits on the Fund’s portfolio turnover, and the Fund may buy and sell securities
to take advantage of potential short-term trading opportunities without regard to length of time and when the Adviser or Subadviser
believes investment considerations warrant such action. High portfolio turnover may result in the realization of net short-term
capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed to common shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income. In addition, a higher
portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that are borne
by the Fund.
All percentage limitations
are measured at the time of investment and may be exceeded on a going-forward basis as a result of credit rating downgrades or
market value fluctuations of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Unless otherwise specified herein, the Fund may count its
holdings in Underlying Funds towards various guideline tests, including the 80% policy so long as the earnings on the underlying
holdings of such Underlying Funds are exempt from regular U.S. federal income taxes (but which may be includable in taxable income
for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax).
Unless otherwise specified,
the investment policies and limitations of the Fund are not considered to be fundamental by the Fund and can be changed without
a vote of the common shareholders. The Fund’s primary investment objective, 80% policy and certain investment restrictions
specifically identified as such in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information are considered fundamental and may not
be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, as defined in the
1940 Act, which includes common shares and Preferred Shares, if any, voting together as a single class, and the holders of the
outstanding Preferred Shares, if any, voting as a single class.
Portfolio Composition
Set forth below is
a description of the various types of Municipal Bonds in which the Fund may invest. Obligations are included within the term “Municipal
Bonds” if the interest paid thereon is excluded from gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the opinion of
bond counsel to the issuer.
Municipal Bonds are
either general obligation or revenue bonds and typically are issued to finance public projects, such as roads or public buildings,
to pay general operating expenses or to refinance outstanding debt. Municipal Bonds may also be issued for private activities,
such as housing, medical and educational facility construction or for privately owned industrial development and pollution control
projects. General obligation bonds are backed by the full faith and credit and taxing authority of the issuer and may be repaid
from any revenue source. Revenue bonds may be repaid only from the revenues of a specific facility or source. The Fund also may
purchase Municipal Bonds that represent lease obligations. These carry special risks because the issuer of the bonds may not be
obligated to appropriate money annually to make payments under the lease.
The Municipal Bonds
in which the Fund primarily invests pay interest or income that, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, is exempt from
regular U.S. federal income tax. The Adviser and the Subadviser will not conduct their own analysis of the tax status of the interest
paid by Municipal Bonds held by the Fund, but will rely on the opinion of counsel to the issuer of each such instrument. The Fund
may also invest in Municipal Bonds issued by United States Territories (such as Puerto Rico or Guam) that are exempt from regular
U.S. federal income tax. In addition, the Fund may invest in other securities that pay interest or income that is, or make other
distributions that are, exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax and/or state and local taxes, regardless of the technical
structure of the issuer of the instrument. The Fund treats all of such tax-exempt securities as Municipal Bonds.
The yields on Municipal
Bonds are dependent on a variety of factors, including prevailing interest rates and the condition of the general money market
and the municipal bond market, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issuer.
The market value of Municipal Bonds will vary with changes in interest rate levels and as a result of changing evaluations of
the ability of bond issuers to meet interest and principal payments.
General Obligation Bonds. General
obligation bonds are backed by the issuer’s full faith and credit and taxing authority for the payment of principal and
interest. The taxing authority of any governmental entity may be limited, however, by provisions of its state constitution or
laws, and an entity’s creditworthiness will depend on many factors, including potential erosion of its tax base due to population
declines, natural disasters, declines in the state’s industrial base or inability to attract new industries, economic limits
on the ability to tax without eroding the tax base, state legislative proposals or voter initiatives to limit ad valorem real
property taxes (i.e., taxes based upon an assessed value of the property) and the extent to which the entity relies on federal
or state aid, access to capital markets or other factors beyond the state’s or entity’s control. Accordingly, the
capacity of the issuer of a general obligation bond as to the timely payment of interest and the repayment of principal when due
is affected by the issuer’s maintenance of its tax base.
Revenue Bonds. Revenue bonds are
payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds
of a special excise tax or other specific revenue sources such as payments from the user of the facility being financed. Accordingly,
the timely payment of interest and the repayment of principal in accordance with the terms of the revenue or special obligation
bond is a function of the economic viability of such facility or such revenue source.
Private Activity Bonds. Private
activity bonds are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide privately operated housing facilities,
airport, mass transit or port facilities, sewage disposal, solid waste disposal or hazardous waste treatment or disposal facilities
and certain local facilities for water supply, gas or electricity. Other types of private activity bonds, the proceeds of which
are used for the construction, equipping, repair or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial facilities, may
constitute Municipal Bonds, although the current U.S. federal income tax laws place substantial limitations on the size of such
issues.
Private activity bonds
are secured primarily by revenues derived from loan repayments or lease payments due from the entity, which may or may not be
guaranteed by a parent company or otherwise secured. Private activity bonds generally are not secured by a pledge of the taxing
power of the issuer of such bonds. Therefore, an investor should be aware that repayment of such bonds generally depends on the
revenues of a private entity and be aware of the risks that such an investment may entail. Continued ability of an entity to generate
sufficient revenues for the payment of principal and interest on such bonds will be affected by many factors including the size
of the entity, capital structure, demand for its products or services, competition, general economic conditions, government regulation
and the entity’s dependence on revenues for the operation of the particular facility being financed. The Fund expects that,
due to investments in private activity bonds, a portion of the distributions it makes on the common shares will be includable
in the federal alternative minimum taxable income.
Moral Obligation Bonds. The Fund
also may invest in “moral obligation” bonds, which are normally issued by special purpose public authorities. If an
issuer of moral obligation bonds is unable to meet its obligations, the repayment of such bonds becomes a moral commitment but
not a legal obligation of the state or municipality in question.
Municipal Lease Obligations and
Certificates of Participation. Also included within the general category of Municipal Bonds are participations in lease obligations
or installment purchase contract obligations of municipal authorities or entities (hereinafter collectively called “Municipal
Lease Obligations”). Although a Municipal Lease Obligation does not constitute a general obligation of the municipality
for which the municipality’s taxing power is pledged, a Municipal Lease Obligation is ordinarily backed by the municipality’s
covenant to budget for, appropriate and make the payments due under the Municipal Lease Obligation. However, certain Municipal
Lease Obligations contain “non-appropriation” clauses which provide that the municipality has no obligation to make
lease or installment purchase payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis. In the
case of a “non-appropriation” lease, the Fund’s ability to recover under the lease in the event of non-appropriation
or default will be limited solely to the repossession of the leased property, without recourse to the general credit of the lessee,
and the disposition or re-leasing of the property might prove difficult. A certificate of participation represents an undivided
interest in an unmanaged pool of municipal leases, an installment purchase agreement or other instruments. The certificates are
typically issued by a municipal agency, a trust or other entity that has received an assignment of the payments to be made by
the state or political subdivision under such leases or installment purchase agreements. In addition, such participations generally
provide the Fund with the right to demand payment, on not more than seven days’ notice, of all or any part of the Fund’s
participation interest in the underlying leases, plus accrued interest.
Tobacco Settlement Bonds. Included
in the general category of Municipal Bonds in which the Fund may invest are “tobacco settlement bonds.” The Fund may
invest in tobacco settlement bonds, which are municipal securities that are backed solely by expected revenues to be derived from
lawsuits involving tobacco related deaths and illnesses which were settled between certain states and American tobacco companies.
Tobacco settlement bonds are secured by an issuing state’s proportionate share in the Master Settlement Agreement (“MSA”).
The MSA is an agreement, reached out of court in November 1998 between 46 states and nearly all of the U.S. tobacco manufacturers.
The MSA provides for annual payments in perpetuity by the manufacturers to the states in exchange for releasing all claims against
the manufacturers and a pledge of no further litigation. Tobacco manufacturers pay into a master escrow trust based on their market
share, and each state receives a fixed percentage of the payment as set forth in the MSA. A number of states have securitized
the future flow of those payments by selling bonds pursuant to indentures or through distinct governmental entities created for
such purpose. The principal and interest payments on the bonds are backed by the future revenue flow related to the MSA. Annual
payments on the bonds, and thus risk to the Fund, are highly dependent on the receipt of future settlement payments to the state
or its governmental entity.
Zero Coupon Bonds. The Fund may
invest in zero-coupon bonds. A zero coupon bond is a bond that does not pay interest either for the entire life of the obligation
or for an initial period after the issuance of the obligation. When held to its maturity, its return comes from the difference
between the purchase price and its maturity value. A zero coupon bond is normally issued and traded at a deep discount from face
value. Zero coupon bonds allow an issuer to avoid or delay the need to generate cash to meet current interest payments and, as
a result, may involve greater credit risk than bonds that pay interest currently or in cash. The market prices of zero coupon
bonds are affected to a greater extent by changes in prevailing levels of interest rates and thereby tend to be more volatile
in price than securities that pay interest periodically. In addition, the Fund would be required to distribute the income on any
of these instruments as it accrues, even though the Fund will not receive all of the income on a current basis or in cash. Thus,
the Fund may have to sell other investments, including when it may not be advisable to do so, to make income distributions to
its common shareholders.
INVESTMENT PHILOSOPHY AND PROCESS
The Adviser allocates
the Fund’s assets between the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy and the Municipal Bond Income Strategy (as described
above). The amount allocated to each of the principal strategies may change depending on the Adviser’s assessment of market
risk, security valuations, market volatility, and the prospects for earning income and capital appreciation. See “Risks—Structural
Risks—Multi-Manager Risk.”
Tactical Municipal
Closed-End Fund Strategy. The Adviser considers a number of factors when selecting Underlying Funds, including fundamental
and technical analysis to assess the relative risk and reward potential throughout the financial markets. The term “tactical”
is used to indicate that the portion of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to this strategy that invests in CEFs to take
advantage of pricing discrepancies in the CEF market.
In selecting CEFs,
the Adviser opportunistically utilizes a combination of short-term and longer-term trading strategies to seek to derive value
from the discount and premium spreads associated with CEFs by identifying pricing aberrations. The Adviser employs both a quantitative
and qualitative approach in its selection of CEFs and has developed proprietary screening models and algorithms to trade CEFs.
The Adviser’s mean reversion investing looks to capitalize on changes within the pricing of a CEF and, based upon its research
and analysis, a view that it will revert to historical pricing. The Adviser employs the following trading strategies, among others:
Statistical Analysis
(Mean Reversion)
| ● | Using proprietary
quantitative models, the Adviser seeks to identify CEFs that are trading at compelling
absolute and/or relative discounts. |
| ● | The Adviser will attempt to
capitalize on the perceived mispricing if the Adviser believes that the discount widening
is irrational and expects the discount to narrow to longer-term mean valuations. |
Corporate Actions
| ● | The Adviser pursues
investments in CEFs that have announced, or the Adviser believes are likely to announce,
certain corporate actions that may drive value for their shareholders. |
| ● | The Adviser has
developed trading strategies that focus on CEF tender offers, rights offerings, shareholder
distributions, open-endings and liquidations. |
Shareholder Activism
| ● | The Adviser assesses
activism opportunities by determining a CEF’s susceptibility to dissident activity
and analyzing the composition of the fund’s shareholder register. The Fund, in
seeking to achieve its investment objectives, will not take activist positions in the
Underlying Funds. |
In employing its trading
strategies, the Adviser conducts an extensive amount of due diligence on various fund sponsors, investment managers and funds,
including actively monitoring regulatory filings, analyzing a fund’s registration statements, financial statements and organizational
documents, as well as conducting proprietary research, such as speaking with fund sponsors, underwriters, sell-side brokers and
investors.
Municipal Bond
Income Strategy. The Subadviser believes inefficiencies exist in the tax-exempt and tax-advantaged securities markets. In
order to capitalize on these opportunities, the Subadviser applies both a top-down and bottom-up research investment process.
The Subadviser’s top-down analysis considers the economic, interest rate, inflation outlook and other economic variables
to guide overall portfolio structure. The Subadviser employs a value-oriented security selection process to invest in securities
it believes to be mispriced which offer a yield advantage. In choosing investments, the Subadviser analyzes the credit quality
of issuers and considers the yields available on municipal bonds with different maturities. In addition, the Subadviser reviews
macroeconomic events, technical characteristics in the municipal bond market, tax policies, as well as analyzing individual municipal
securities and sectors. The Subadviser seeks to reduce volatility through its disciplined investment process and investment risk
management.
The Subadviser may
sell a security if it no longer believes the security will contribute to meeting the investment objectives of the Fund. In considering
whether to sell a security, the Subadviser may evaluate, among other things, the condition of the economy and meaningful changes
in the issuer’s financial condition.
USE OF LEVERAGE
The Fund may borrow
money and/or issue preferred shares, notes or debt securities for investment purposes. These practices are known as leveraging.
In addition, the Fund may enter into derivative and other transactions that have the effect of leverage. Such other transactions
may include tender option bond transactions (as described herein). The Adviser determines whether or not to engage in leverage
based on its assessment of conditions in the debt and credit markets. As of the time immediately after it enters into any of the
foregoing transactions, the Fund will seek to limit its overall effective leverage to 45% of its Managed Assets.
The Fund currently
utilizes leverage obtained through borrowings from banks or other financial institutions and the use of proceeds received from
tender option bond transactions and from a credit agreement for margin financing with Pershing LLC (“Pershing Facility”).
The Pershing Facility permits the Fund to borrow funds that are collateralized by assets held in a special custody account held
at State Street Bank pursuant to a Special Custody and Pledge Agreement. Through March 28, 2022, borrowings under this arrangement
bore interest at the overnight bank funding rate plus 90 basis points for a term of 60 calendar days. On March 28, 2022, the Fund
entered into an amendment to the Pershing Facility that revised the interest rate to the overnight back funding rate plus 80 basis
points. The average principal balance and interest rate for the period during which the credit facility was utilized for the year
ended June 30, 2023 was approximately $0 and 0%, respectively. At September 18, 2023, there was no principal balance outstanding under the Pershing Facility.
Under the 1940
Act, the Fund is not permitted to incur indebtedness unless immediately after doing so the Fund has an asset coverage of at least
300% of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of indebtedness (i.e., such indebtedness may not exceed 33 1/3% of the value
of the Fund’s total assets including the amount borrowed). Additionally, under the 1940 Act, the Fund may not declare any
dividend or other distribution upon any class of its shares, or purchase any such shares, unless the aggregate indebtedness of
the Fund has, at the time of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution or at the time of any such purchase, asset coverage
of at least 300% after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution, or purchase price, as the case may be. Under the 1940
Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue Preferred Shares unless immediately after such issuance the total asset value of the Fund’s
portfolio is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding Preferred Shares (i.e., such liquidation value may not
exceed 50% of the Fund’s Managed Assets). In addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution
on its common shares unless, at the time of such declaration, the NAV of the Fund’s portfolio (determined after deducting
the amount of such dividend or other distribution) is at least 200% of such liquidation value of the Preferred Shares. However,
certain short-term borrowings (such as for cash management purposes) are not subject to the 33 1/3% limitation if (i) repaid within
60 days, (ii) not extended or renewed and (iii) not in excess of 5% of the total assets of the Fund. Normally, holders of common
shares will elect the directors of the Fund except that the holders of any Preferred Shares will elect two directors. In the event
the Fund failed to pay dividends on its Preferred Shares for two years, holders of Preferred Shares would be entitled to elect
a majority of the directors until the dividends are paid.
The Fund may be subject
to certain restrictions on investments imposed by lenders or by one or more rating agencies that may issue ratings for any senior
securities issued by the Fund. Borrowing covenants or rating agency guidelines may impose asset coverage or Fund composition requirements
that are more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act. Since the holders of common stock pay all expenses related
to the use of leverage, such use of leverage would create a greater risk of loss for the Fund’s shareholders than if leverage
is not used.
The Fund may enter
into derivatives or other transactions (e.g., total return swaps) that may provide leverage (other than through borrowings or
the issuance of preferred shares). The Fund may also invest in reverse repurchase agreements, total return swaps and derivatives
or other transactions with leverage embedded in them in a limited manner or subject to a limit on leverage risk calculated based
on value-at-risk, as required by Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act. These transactions will not cause the Fund to pay higher advisory
or administration fee rates than it would pay in the absence of such transactions.
However, these transactions
entail additional expenses (e.g., transaction costs) which are borne by the Fund. These types of transactions have the potential
to increase returns to common shareholders, but they also involve additional risks. This additional leverage will increase the
volatility of the Fund’s investment portfolio and could result in larger losses than if the transactions were not entered
into. However, to the extent that the Fund enters into offsetting transactions or owns positions covering its obligations, the
leveraging effect is expected to be reduced or eliminated.
Tender Option Bonds. The Fund leverages
its assets through the use of proceeds received from tender option bond transactions. In a tender option bond transaction, a tender
option bond trust (a “TOB Issuer”) is typically established by forming a special purpose trust into which the Fund,
or an agent on behalf of the Fund, transfers municipal bonds or other municipal securities. A TOB Issuer typically issues two
classes of beneficial interests: short-term floating rate notes (“TOB Floaters”), which are sold to third party investors,
and residual interest municipal tender option bonds (“TOB Residuals”), which are generally issued to the Fund. The
Fund may invest in both TOB Floaters and TOB Residuals, including TOB Floaters and TOB Residuals issued by the same TOB Issuer.
The Fund may not invest more than 5% of its Managed Assets in any single TOB Issuer. The Fund does not currently intend to invest
in TOB Residuals issued by a TOB Issuer that was not formed for the Fund, although it reserves the right to do so in the future.
The TOB Issuer receives
Municipal Bonds or other municipal securities and then issues TOB Floaters to third party investors and a TOB Residual to the
Fund. The Fund is paid the cash (less transaction expenses, which are borne by the Fund and therefore the holders of the common
shares indirectly) received by the TOB Issuer from the sale of the TOB Floaters and typically will invest the cash in additional
Municipal Bonds or other investments permitted by its investment policies. TOB Floaters may have first priority on the cash flow
from the securities held by the TOB Issuer and are enhanced with a liquidity support arrangement from a third-party bank or other
financial institution (the “liquidity provider”), which allows holders to tender their position at par (plus accrued
interest). The Fund, in addition to receiving cash from the sale of the TOB Floaters, also receives the TOB Residual. The TOB
Residual provides the Fund with the right to (1) cause the holders of the TOB Floaters to tender their notes to the TOB Issuer
at par (plus accrued interest), and (2) acquire the underlying Municipal Bonds or other municipal securities from the TOB Issuer.
In addition, all voting rights and decisions to be made with respect to any other rights relating to the underlying securities
deposited in the TOB Issuer are passed through to the Fund, as the holder of the TOB Residual. Such a transaction, in effect,
creates exposure for the Fund to the entire return of the securities deposited in the TOB Issuer, with a net cash investment by
the Fund that is less than the value of the underlying securities deposited in the TOB Issuer. This multiplies the positive or
negative impact of the underlying securities’ return within the Fund (thereby creating leverage).
The TOB Issuer may
be terminated without the consent of the Fund upon the occurrence of certain events, such as the bankruptcy or default of the
issuer of the underlying securities deposited in the TOB Issuer, a substantial downgrade in the credit quality of the issuer of
the securities deposited in the TOB Issuer, the inability of the TOB Issuer to obtain liquidity support for the TOB Floaters,
a substantial decline in the market value of the underlying securities deposited in the TOB Issuer, or the inability of the sponsor
or remarketing agent to remarket any TOB Floaters tendered by holders of the TOB Floaters. In such an event, the TOB Floaters
would be redeemed by the TOB Issuer at par (plus accrued interest) out of the proceeds from a sale of the underlying securities
deposited in the TOB Issuer. If this happens, the Fund would be entitled to the assets of the TOB Issuer, if any, that remain
after the TOB Floaters have been redeemed at par (plus accrued interest). If there are insufficient proceeds from the sale of
these securities to redeem all of the TOB Floaters at par (plus accrued interest), the liquidity provider or holders of the TOB
Floaters would bear the losses on those securities and there would be no recourse to the Fund’s assets (unless the Fund
held a recourse TOB Residual). A recourse TOB Residual is generally a TOB Residual issued by a TOB Issuer in which the TOB Floaters
represent greater than 75% of the market value of the securities at the time they are deposited in the TOB Issuer. If the Fund
were to invest in a recourse TOB Residual to leverage its portfolio, it would typically be required to enter into an agreement
pursuant to which the Fund is required to pay to the liquidity provider the difference between the purchase price of any TOB Floaters
put to the liquidity provider by holders of the TOB Floaters and the proceeds realized from the remarketing of those TOB Floaters
or the sale of the assets in the TOB Issuer. The Fund currently does not intend to use recourse TOB Residuals to leverage the
Fund’s portfolio, but reserves the right to do so depending on future market conditions.
Under accounting rules,
securities of the Fund that are deposited into a TOB Issuer are treated as investments of the Fund, and are presented on the Fund’s
Schedule of Investments and outstanding TOB Floaters issued by a TOB Issuer are presented as liabilities in the Fund’s Statement
of Assets and Liabilities. Interest income from the underlying security is recorded by the Fund on an accrual basis. Interest
expense incurred on the TOB Floaters and other expenses related to remarketing, administration and trustee services to a TOB Issuer
are reported as expenses of the Fund.
For TOB Floaters,
generally, the interest rate earned will be based upon the market rates for municipal securities with maturities or remarketing
provisions that are comparable in duration to the periodic interval of the tender option, which may vary from weekly, to monthly,
to extended periods of one year or multiple years. Since the option feature has a shorter term than the final maturity or first
call date of the underlying securities deposited in the TOB Issuer, the Fund, if it is the holder of the TOB Floaters, relies
upon the terms of the agreement with the financial institution furnishing the option as well as the credit strength of that institution.
As further assurance of liquidity, the terms of the TOB Issuer provide for a liquidation of the municipal security deposited in
the TOB Issuer and the application of the proceeds to pay off the TOB Floaters.
There are inherent
risks with respect to investing in a TOB Issuer. These risks include, among others, the bankruptcy or default of the issuer of
the securities deposited in the TOB Issuer, a substantial downgrade in the credit quality of the issuer of the securities deposited
in the TOB Issuer, the inability of the TOB Issuer to obtain liquidity support for the TOB Floaters, a substantial decline in
the market value of the securities deposited in the TOB Issuer, or the inability of the sponsor or remarketing agent to remarket
any TOB Floaters tendered to it by holders of the TOB Floaters.
Effects of Leverage.
The aggregate principal amount of borrowings under the Pershing Facility and the use of proceeds from tender option bond transactions
represented approximately 40.44% of Managed Assets as of June 30, 2023. Asset coverage with respect to tender option bond transactions
was 247%. Through March 28, 2022, borrowings under the Pershing Facility bore interest at the overnight bank funding rate plus
90 basis points for a term of 60 calendar days. On March 28, 2022, the Fund entered into an amendment to the Pershing Facility
that revised the interest rate to the overnight bank funding rate plus 80 basis points As of June 30, 2023, total annual interest
rate on the Pershing Facility was 5.87% of the principal amount outstanding, while the average daily weighted interest rate applicable
to the leverage attended through the use of tender option bond transactions during the period ending June 30, 2023 was 3.14% of
the note obligation outstanding. The total weighted average cost of the leverage outstanding as of June 30, 2023 (inclusive of
the Pershing facility and leverage attended through the use of tender option bond transactions) was 3.14% of the principal amount
outstanding. Assuming that the Fund’s leverage costs remain as described above (at an assumed annual cost of 3.14% of the
principal amount outstanding) the annual return that the Fund’s portfolio must experience (net of expenses) in order to
cover its leverage costs would be 1.27%.
The following table is furnished in
response to requirements of the SEC. It is designed to illustrate the effect of leverage on total return on common shares, assuming
investment portfolio total returns (comprised of income, net expenses and changes in the value of investments 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 what the Fund’s investment portfolio returns will be. In other words, the Fund’s actual returns may
be greater or less than those appearing in the table below. The table further reflects the use of leverage representing approximately
40.44% of the Fund’s Managed Assets and the Fund’s assumed annual leverage costs rate of 3.14% of the principal amounts
outstanding.
Assumed Portfolio Return |
-10.00% |
-5.00% |
0.00% |
5.00% |
10.00% |
Common Share Total Return |
-18.92% |
-10.53% |
-2.13% |
6.26% |
14.66% |
Total return is composed of two elements—the
dividends on common shares paid by the Fund (the amount of which is largely determined by the Fund’s net investment income
after paying the cost of leverage) and realized and unrealized gains or losses on the value of the securities the Fund owns. As
the table shows, leverage generally increases the return to common shareholders when portfolio return is positive or greater than
the costs of leverage and decreases return when the portfolio return is negative or less than the costs of leverage.
During the time in which the Fund is using
leverage, the amount of the fees paid to the Adviser (and from the Adviser to the Subadviser) for investment management services
(and subadvisory services) is higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid are calculated based on the Fund’s
Managed Assets. This may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser and the Subadviser, on the one hand, and the common
shareholders, on the other. Also, because the leverage costs will be borne by the Fund at a specified interest rate, only the
Fund’s common shareholders will bear the cost of the Fund’s management fees and other expenses. There can be no assurance
that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed.
RISKS
Investing in any
investment company security involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment or even
that you may lose part or all of your investment. This section discusses the principal risk factors. You should carefully consider
these risks and uncertainties as well as the other information described in this Prospectus and in any applicable prospectus supplement
before you decide whether to invest in the Fund. In addition, the SAI contains further information regarding the risks associated
with an investment in the Fund. The risks in these documents are not the only risks that the Fund may face, and the Fund may face
other risks that we have not yet identified, which we do not currently deem material or which are not yet predictable. If any
of these risks occur, the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
In such case, the Fund’s NAV and the trading price of its securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your
investment.
Investment-Related Risks:
With the exception
of Underlying Fund risk (and except as otherwise noted below), the following risks apply to the direct investments the Fund may
make, and generally apply to the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds. That said, each risk described below may not apply
to each Underlying Fund.
Investment and Market Risks
An investment in
the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount invested. An investment in
Common Shares represents an indirect investment in the Underlying Funds owned by the Fund. The value of the Fund or the Underlying
Funds, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Overall stock market risks may
also affect the NAV of the Fund or the Underlying Funds. Factors such as economic growth and market conditions, interest rate
levels and political events affect the securities markets. The Common Shares at any point in time may be worth less than the original
investment, even after taking into account any reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
Management Risks
The Adviser’s
and the Subadviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of a particular asset class or
individual security in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and there is no guarantee that the Adviser’s or
the Subadviser’s judgment, as applicable, will produce the desired results. Similarly, the Fund’s investments in Underlying
Funds are subject to the judgment of the Underlying Funds’ managers which may prove to be incorrect. In addition, the Adviser
and Subadviser will have limited information as to the portfolio holdings of the Underlying Funds at any given time. This may
result in the Adviser and Subadviser having less ability to respond to changing market conditions. The Fund may allocate its assets
so as to under-emphasize or over-emphasize its investments under the wrong market conditions, in which case the Fund’s NAV
may be adversely affected.
In addition, the Fund
depends on the diligence, skill and business contacts of the investment professionals of the Adviser and the Subadviser to achieve
the Fund’s investment objectives. In particular, the Adviser and Subadviser are dependent upon the expertise of their respective
portfolio management teams to implement the Fund’s strategies. If the Adviser or the Subadviser were to lose the services
of one or more key individuals, including members of their portfolio management teams, each may not be able to hire qualified
replacements or may require an extended time to do so. This could prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objectives and
could have an adverse effect on an investment in the Fund.
The Adviser and
the Subadviser each manage several registered open-end funds and CEFs, and the portfolio managers have previous experience managing
CEFs. As with any managed fund, the Adviser and Subadviser may not be successful in selecting the best performing securities,
leverage strategy or investment techniques, and the Fund’s performance may lag behind that of similar funds as a result.
Securities Risks
The value of the Fund
or an Underlying Fund may decrease in response to the activities and financial prospects of individual securities in the fund’s
portfolio.
Municipal Bond Risks
Economic exposure
to Municipal Bonds involves certain risks. The Fund’s economic exposure to Municipal Bonds includes Municipal Bonds in the
Fund’s portfolio and Municipal Bonds to which the Fund is exposed through Underlying Funds and the ownership of TOB Residuals.
The municipal market is one in which dealer firms make markets in bonds on a principal basis using their proprietary capital,
and at times these firms’ capital may be severely constrained. In such event, some firms may be unwilling to commit their
capital to purchase and to serve as a dealer for Municipal Bonds. Municipal Bonds typically are not registered with the SEC or
any state securities commission and will not be listed on any national securities exchange. The amount of public information available
about the Municipal Bonds to which the Fund is economically exposed is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds,
and the investment performance of the Fund may therefore be more dependent on the analytical abilities of the Adviser and the
Subadviser than would be a stock fund or taxable bond fund. The secondary market for Municipal Bonds, particularly non-investment
grade bonds, also tends to be less well-developed or liquid than many other securities markets, which may adversely affect the
ability to sell such bonds at attractive prices or at prices approximating those at which the Fund and Underlying Funds currently
value them.
In addition, many state
and municipal governments that issue securities are under significant economic and financial stress and may not be able to satisfy their
obligations. The ability of municipal issuers to make timely payments of interest and principal may be diminished during general economic
downturns and as governmental cost burdens are reallocated among Federal, state and local governments. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly
stressed the financial resources of many municipalities and other issuers of municipal securities, which may impair their ability to
meet their financial obligations and may harm the value or liquidity of the Fund’s investments in municipal securities. In particular,
responses by municipalities to the COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in business activities. These and other effects of the COVID-19
pandemic, such as increased unemployment levels, impacted tax and other revenues of municipalities and other issuers of municipal securities
and the financial conditions of such issuers. As a result, there is increased budgetary and financial pressure on municipalities and
heightened risk of default or other adverse credit or similar events for issuers of municipal securities, which would adversely impact
the Fund’s investments. See “—Market Disruption, Geopolitical, Pandemic and Climate Change Risks.” In addition,
the taxing power of any governmental entity may be limited by provisions of state constitutions or other laws, and an entity’s
credit generally will depend on many factors, including the entity’s tax base, the extent to which the entity relies on Federal
or state aid, and other factors which are beyond the entity’s control. In addition, laws enacted in the future by Congress or state
legislatures or referenda could extend the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or impose other constraints on enforcement
of such obligations, or on the ability of municipalities to levy taxes or could limit the tax exemption of certain types of Municipal
Bonds that the Fund and Underlying Funds may invest in. Issuers of Municipal Bonds might seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. In
the event of bankruptcy of such an issuer, holders of Municipal Bonds could experience delays in collecting principal and interest and
such holders may not, in all circumstances, be able to collect all principal and interest to which they are entitled. To enforce its
rights in the event of a default in the payment of interest or repayment of principal, or both, the Fund may, in certain circumstances,
take possession of and manage the assets securing the issuer’s obligations on such securities, which may increase the Fund’s
operating expenses. Any income derived from the Fund’s ownership or operation of such assets may not be tax-exempt.
General obligation
bonds are obligations involving the credit of an issuer possessing taxing power and are payable from such issuer’s general
revenues and not from any particular source. Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax
revenues and the ability to maintain an adequate tax base. The timely payments may also be influenced by any unfunded pension
liabilities or other post-employee benefit plan liabilities.
Revenue bonds involve
special risks, including that the underlying facilities may not generate sufficient income to pay expenses and interest costs.
In the case of revenue bonds issued by state and local agencies to finance the development of low-income, multi-family housing,
such bonds are generally non-recourse against the property owner, may be junior to the rights of others with an interest in the
properties, may pay interest that changes based in part on the financial performance of the property, may be prepayable without
penalty and may be used to finance the construction of housing developments which, until completed and rented, do not generate
income to pay interest. Increases in interest rates payable on senior obligations may make it more difficult for issuers to meet
payment obligations on subordinated bonds.
The Fund may be more
sensitive to adverse economic, business or political developments if it invests a substantial portion of its assets in the bonds
of specific projects (such as those relating to education, health care, housing, transportation, and utilities), industrial development
bonds, or general obligation bonds, particularly if there is a large concentration from issuers in a single state. This is because
the value of Municipal Bonds can be significantly affected by the political, economic, legal, and legislative realities of the
particular issuer’s locality or municipal sector events. Similarly, changes to state or federal regulation tied to a specific
sector, such as the hospital sector, could have an impact on the revenue stream for a given subset of the market.
Municipal leases and
certificates of participation involve special risks not normally associated with general obligation or revenue bonds. Leases and
installment purchase or conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for title to the leased asset to pass eventually to
the governmental issuer) have evolved as a means for governmental issuers to acquire property and equipment without meeting the
constitutional and statutory requirements for the issuance of debt. The debt issuance limitations are deemed to be inapplicable
because of the inclusion in many leases or contracts of “non-appropriation” clauses that relieve the governmental
issuer of any obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such purpose by
the appropriate legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis. In addition, such leases or contracts may be subject to
the temporary abatement of payments in the event that the governmental issuer is prevented from maintaining occupancy of the lease
premises or utilizing the leased equipment. Although the obligations may be secured by the leased equipment or facilities, the
disposition of the property in the event of non-appropriation or foreclosure might prove difficult, time consuming and costly,
and may result in a delay in recovering or the failure to fully recover ownership of the assets.
Certificates of participation,
which represent interests in unmanaged pools of municipal leases or installment contracts, involve the same risks as the underlying
municipal leases. In addition, the Fund may be dependent upon the municipal authority issuing the certificate of participation
to exercise remedies with respect to the underlying securities. Certificates of participation also entail a risk of default or
bankruptcy, both of the issuer of the municipal lease and also the municipal agency issuing the certificate of participation.
Municipalities and
other public authorities issue private activity bonds to finance development of facilities for use by a private enterprise, which
is solely responsible for paying the principal and interest on the bond. Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special
purpose public authorities of a state or municipality. If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds
becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality.
To be tax-exempt,
Municipal Bonds must meet certain regulatory requirements. If a Municipal Bond fails to meet such requirements, the interest received
by the Fund from its investment in such bonds and distributed to shareholders may be taxable. It is possible that interest on
a Municipal Bond may be declared taxable after the issuance of the bond, and this determination may apply retroactively to the
date of the issuance of the bond, which could cause a portion of prior distributions made by the Fund to be taxable to shareholders
in the year of receipt.
Municipal bonds are
also subject to interest rate, credit, and liquidity risk, which are discussed generally elsewhere in this section.
State Specific and Industry Risk
The Fund may not
directly invest more than 25% of its Managed Assets in Municipal Bonds in any one industry or in any one state of origin. However,
the Fund’s overall exposure to a single industry or a single state of origin may be greater after factoring in the investments
of the Underlying Funds, in which case the Fund may be more susceptible to adverse economic, political or regulatory occurrences
affecting that particular state or industry. For example, the Fund may invest, under normal market conditions, up to 20% of the
Managed Assets allocated to the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy in single state municipal CEFs and such investments
could increase the Fund’s overall exposure to a particular single state. To the extent that the Fund is aware of the investments
held by the Underlying Funds, the Fund will consider such information when determining compliance with its fundamental policy
relating to industry concentration as described in the SAI. See “Investment Restrictions” in the Fund’s SAI.
Puerto Rico Municipal Bond Risks
The Fund may invest
directly, without limit, in Puerto Rico Municipal Bonds, subject to the industry, issuer and below investment grade investment
restrictions under the Municipal Bond Income Strategy, as applicable. Municipal obligations issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico or its political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities, or public corporations may be affected by economic, market, political,
and social conditions in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico currently is experiencing significant fiscal and economic challenges, including
substantial debt service obligations, high levels of unemployment, underfunded public retirement systems, and persistent government
budget deficits. These challenges may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments in Puerto Rico Municipal Bonds.
Major ratings agencies have downgraded the general obligation debt of Puerto Rico to below investment grade and continue to maintain
a negative outlook for this debt, which increases the likelihood that the rating will be lowered further. In both August 2015
and January 2016, Puerto Rico defaulted on its debt by failing to make full payment due on its outstanding bonds, and there can
be no assurance that Puerto Rico will be able to satisfy its future debt obligations. Further downgrades or defaults may place
additional strain on the Puerto Rico economy and may negatively affect the value, liquidity, and volatility of the Fund’s
investments in Puerto Rico Municipal Bonds. Legislation could also impact the value of the Fund’s investments in Puerto
Rico Municipal Bonds.
These challenges and
uncertainties have been exacerbated by Hurricane Maria, and subsequent hurricanes and storms, and the resulting natural disaster
in Puerto Rico. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, causing major damage across the Commonwealth, including
damage to its water, power, and telecommunications infrastructure. The length of time needed to rebuild Puerto Rico’s infrastructure
is unclear, but could amount to years, during which the Commonwealth is likely to be in an even more uncertain economic state.
The full extent of the natural disaster’s impact on Puerto Rico’s economy and foreign investment in Puerto Rico is
difficult to estimate.
Tobacco Settlement Bond Risks
The Fund may invest
directly, without limit, in tobacco settlement bonds, subject to the industry, issuer and below investment grade investment restrictions
under the Municipal Bond Income Strategy, as applicable. Annual payments on tobacco settlement bonds, and thus risk to the Fund,
are highly dependent on the receipt of future settlement payments to the state or its governmental entity pursuant to the MSA.
The actual amount of future settlement payments is further dependent on many factors, including, but not limited to, annual domestic
cigarette shipments, reduced cigarette consumption, increased taxes on cigarettes, inflation, financial capability of tobacco
companies, continuing litigation and the possibility of tobacco manufacturer bankruptcy. The initial and annual payments made
by the tobacco companies will be adjusted based on a number of factors, the most important of which is domestic cigarette consumption.
If the volume of cigarettes shipped in the U.S. by manufacturers participating in the settlement decreases significantly, payments
due from them will also decrease. Demand for cigarettes in the U.S. could continue to decline due to price increases needed to
recoup the cost of payments by tobacco companies. Demand could also be affected by: anti-smoking campaigns, tax increases, reduced
advertising, enforcement of laws prohibiting sales to minors; elimination of certain sales venues such as vending machines; the
spread of local ordinances restricting smoking in public places, and competition from e-cigarettes. As a result, payments made
by tobacco manufacturers could be negatively impacted if the decrease in tobacco consumption is significantly greater than the
forecasted decline. A market share loss by the MSA companies to non-MSA participating tobacco manufacturers would cause a downward
adjustment in the payment amounts. A participating manufacturer filing for bankruptcy also could cause delays or reductions in
bond payments. The MSA itself has been subject to legal challenges and has, to date, withstood those challenges.
Credit and Below Investment Grade Securities Risks
Credit risk is the
risk that an issuer of a security may be unable or unwilling to make dividend, interest and principal payments when due and the
related risk that the value of a security may decline because of concerns about the issuer’s ability or willingness to make
such payments. Credit risk may be heightened for the Fund because it and the Underlying Funds may invest in below investment grade
securities, which are commonly referred to as “junk” and “high yield” securities; such securities, while
generally offering the potential for higher yields than investment grade securities with similar maturities, involve greater risks,
including the possibility of dividend or interest deferral, default or bankruptcy, and are regarded as predominantly speculative
with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay dividends or interest and repay principal. The below investment grade securities
receiving the lowest rating from an NRSRO are typically already in default. In addition, below investment grade securities are
generally susceptible to decline in market value due to adverse economic and business developments and are often unsecured and
subordinated to other creditors of the issuer. The market values for below investment grade securities tend to be very volatile,
and these securities are generally less liquid than investment grade securities. Because of the substantial risks associated with
below investment grade securities, among other factors, you could lose money on your investment in Common Shares, both in the
short term and the long term. See “Investment Policies and Techniques—Below Investment Grade Securities” in
the SAI for additional discussion of below investment grade securities risks. See also “—Defaulted and Distressed
Securities Risk.”
Interest Rate Risk
Generally, when market
interest rates rise, bond prices fall, and vice versa. Interest rate risk is the risk that the municipal securities in the Fund’s
portfolio will decline in value because of increases in market interest rates. As interest rates decline, issuers of municipal
securities may prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower-yielding securities and potentially
reducing the Fund’s income. As interest rates increase, slower than expected principal payments may extend the average life
of securities, potentially locking in a below-market interest rate and reducing the Fund’s value. In typical market interest
rate environments, the prices of longer-term municipal securities generally fluctuate more than prices of shorter-term municipal
securities as interest rates change.
To the extent the
Fund is primarily exposed to longer-term Municipal Bonds, the Common Share NAV and market price per Common Share will fluctuate
more in response to changes in market interest rates than if the Fund invested primarily in shorter-term Municipal Bonds.
In comparison to maturity
(which is the date on which a debt instrument ceases and the issuer is obligated to repay the principal amount), duration is a
measure of the price volatility of a debt instrument as a result of changes in market rates of interest, based on the weighted
average timing of the instrument’s expected principal and interest payments. Duration differs from maturity in that it considers
a security’s yield, coupon payments, principal payments and call features, in addition to the amount of time until the security
finally matures. As the value of a security changes over time, so will its duration. Prices of securities with longer durations
tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with shorter durations. In general, a portfolio of securities
with a longer duration can be expected to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than a portfolio with a shorter duration.
For example, the price of a bond with an effective duration of two years will rise (fall) two percent for every one percent decrease
(increase) in its yield, and the price of a five-year duration bond will rise (fall) five percent for a one percent decrease (increase)
in its yield.
If increasing interest
rates slow principal payments and thus extend the average life of securities held by the Fund, this increase in duration will
make the Fund more sensitive to the effect of rising rates and may cause the principal value of the Fund’s holdings to decline
more than they would in the absence of such an increase in duration.
Yield curve risk is
the risk associated with either a flattening or steepening of the yield curve, which is a result of changing yields among comparable
bonds with different maturities. When market interest rates, or yields, increase, the price of a bond will decrease and vice versa.
When the yield curve shifts, the price of the bond, which was initially priced based on the initial yield curve, will change in
price. If the yield curve flattens, then the yield spread between long- and short-term interest rates narrows, and the price of
the bond will change accordingly. If the bond is short-term and the yield decreases, the price of this bond will increase. If
the yield curve steepens, this means that the spread between long- and short-term interest rates increases. Therefore, long-term
bond prices will decrease relative to short-term bonds. Changes in the yield curve are based on bond risk premiums and expectations
of future interest rates.
The Common Share NAV
and market price per Common Share will fluctuate more in response to changes in market interest rates when the Fund has higher
exposure to long-term Municipal Bonds than short-term Municipal Bonds. Because the values of lower-rated and comparable unrated
debt securities are affected both by credit risk and interest rate risk, the price movements of such lower grade securities in
response to changes in interest rates typically have not been highly correlated to the fluctuations of the prices of investment
grade quality securities in response to changes in market interest rates.
Interest rates
in the United States and many other countries have risen in recent periods and may continue to rise in the future. Additionally,
as a result of increasing interest rates, reserves held by banks and other financial institutions in bonds and other debt securities
could face a significant decline in value relative to deposits and liabilities, which coupled with general economic headwinds
resulting from a changing interest rate environment, creates liquidity pressures at such institutions, as evidenced by the bank
run on the Silicon Valley Bank Financial Group (“SVB”) causing it to be placed into receivership. As a result, certain
sectors of the credit markets could experience significant declines in liquidity, and it is possible that the Fund (or an Investment
Fund) will not be able to manage this risk effectively. It is yet to be determined how the bank run on SVB will fully impact the
overall performance of the Fund or one or more of its portfolio investments and how similar events may affect the ability of the
Fund to execute its investment strategy.
LIBOR Risk
Certain of the
Fund’s or Underlying Funds’ investments, payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates, such
as LIBOR, Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates. In July of 2017, the head of the United Kingdom
Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR at the end of 2021. Most LIBOR
settings are no longer published as of December 31, 2021. Overnight and 12-month U.S. dollar LIBOR settings permanently ceased
after publication on June 30, 2023. 1-, 3- and 6-month U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will continue to be published using a synthetic
methodology until September 2024. Neither the effect of the LIBOR transition process nor its ultimate success can yet be known.
Although the transition away from LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined, any potential effects of the transition away from
LIBOR and other benchmark rates on financial markets, a fund or the financial instruments in which a fund invests can be difficult
to ascertain. Not all existing LIBOR-based instruments may have alternative rate-setting provisions and there remains uncertainty
regarding the willingness and ability of issuers to add alternative rate-setting provisions in certain existing instruments. Global
regulators have advised market participants to cease entering into new contracts using LIBOR as a reference rate, and it is possible
that investments in LIBOR-based instruments could invite regulatory scrutiny. In addition, a liquid market for newly-issued instruments
that use a reference rate other than LIBOR still may be developing.All of the aforementioned may adversely affect the Fund’s
or an Underlying Fund’s performance or NAV.
SOFR Risk
SOFR is intended
to be a broad measure of the cost of borrowing funds overnight in transactions that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities.
SOFR is calculated based on transaction-level repo data collected from various sources. For each trading day, SOFR is calculated
as a volume-weighted median rate derived from such data. SOFR is calculated and published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
(“FRBNY”). If data from a given source required by the FRBNY to calculate SOFR is unavailable for any day, then the
most recently available data for that segment will be used, with certain adjustments. If errors are discovered in the transaction
data or the calculations underlying SOFR after its initial publication on a given day, SOFR may be republished at a later time
that day. Rate revisions will be effected only on the day of initial publication and will be republished only if the change in
the rate exceeds one basis point.
Because SOFR is a financing rate
based on overnight secured funding transactions, it differs fundamentally from LIBOR. LIBOR was intended to be an unsecured rate
that represents interbank funding costs for different short-term maturities or tenors. It was a forward-looking rate reflecting
expectations regarding interest rates for the applicable tenor. Thus, LIBOR was intended to be sensitive, in certain respects,
to bank credit risk and to term interest rate risk. In contrast, SOFR is a secured overnight rate reflecting the credit of U.S.
Treasury securities as collateral. Thus, it is largely insensitive to credit-risk considerations and to short-term interest rate
risks. SOFR is a transaction-based rate, and it has been more volatile than other benchmark or market rates, such as three-month
LIBOR, during certain periods. For these reasons, among others, there is no assurance that SOFR, or rates derived from SOFR, will
perform in the same or similar way as LIBOR would have performed at any time, and there is no assurance that SOFR-based rates
will be a suitable substitute for LIBOR. SOFR has a limited history, having been first published in April 2018. The future performance
of SOFR, and SOFR-based reference rates, cannot be predicted based on SOFR’s history or otherwise. Levels of SOFR in the
future, including following the discontinuation of LIBOR, may bear little or no relation to historical levels of SOFR, LIBOR or
other rates.
Inflation/Deflation 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 Common Shares and distributions can decline. In addition, during any period
of rising inflation, interest rates on borrowings would likely increase, which would tend to further reduce returns to Common
Shareholders. Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time–the opposite of inflation.
Deflation may have an adverse effect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer defaults more likely, which may result
in a decline in the value of the Fund’s portfolio.
Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy Risk
The Fund invests
in CEFs as a principal part of the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy. Shares of CEFs listed for trading on a securities
exchange frequently trade at a price per share that is less than the NAV per share, the difference representing the “market
discount” of such shares. The market price of such shares may be affected by factors such as NAV, dividend or distribution
levels and their stability (which will in turn be affected by levels of dividend and interest payments by the CEF’s portfolio
holdings, the timing and success of the CEF’s investment strategies, regulations affecting the timing and character of fund
distributions, fund expenses and other factors), supply of and demand for the shares, trading volume of the shares, general market,
interest rate and economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the CEF.
In addition, a
market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many CEFs, as well
as to the fact that the shares of CEFs are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined NAV but,
rather, are subject to supply and demand in the secondary market.
The Fund may invest
in shares of CEFs that are trading at a discount to NAV or at a premium to NAV. There can be no assurance that the market discount
on shares of any CEF purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase
and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of
such CEFs, thereby adversely affecting the NAV of the Fund’s Common Shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any
shares of a CEF purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent
to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.
Underlying Fund Risks
The Fund will incur
higher and additional expenses when it invests in Underlying Funds. There is also the risk that the Fund may suffer losses due
to the investment practices or operations of the Underlying Funds. To the extent that the Fund invests in one or more Underlying
Funds that concentrate in a particular industry or state, the Fund would be vulnerable to factors affecting that industry or state
and the concentrating Underlying Funds’ performance, and that of the Fund, may be more volatile than Underlying Funds that
do not concentrate.
As the Fund will
invest at least a portion of its Managed Assets in CEFs and ETFs, the Fund’s performance will depend to a greater extent
on the overall performance of investment companies generally, in addition to the performance of the specific Underlying Funds
(and other assets) in which the Fund invests. The use of leverage by Underlying Funds magnifies gains and losses on amounts invested
and increases the risks associated with investing in Underlying Funds. Further, the Underlying Funds are not subject to the Fund’s
investment policies and restrictions. The Fund generally receives information regarding the portfolio holdings of Underlying Funds
only when that information is made available to the public. The Fund cannot dictate how the Underlying Funds invest their assets.
In addition, one Underlying Fund may purchase a security that another Underlying Fund is selling. The Underlying Funds may invest
their assets in securities and other instruments, and may use investment techniques and strategies, that are not described in
this Prospectus, and there is risk that the Underlying Funds may not be in compliance with their investment policies and strategies,
including their policy to invest at least 80% of their assets in Municipal Bonds which, in turn, could result in the Fund’s
non-compliance with its own investment policies. Because the Fund expects that most of the Underlying Funds will publish their
portfolio holdings only at intervals, and then only after some delay, the Fund will generally not know for certain the current
holdings of the Underlying Funds.
Common Shareholders
will bear two layers of fees and expenses with respect to the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds because each of the
Fund and the Underlying Fund will charge fees and incur separate expenses. If those Underlying Funds use leverage, that will likely
increase the amount of fees that the Fund, as an investor in the Underlying Funds, will pay. See “Summary of Fund Expenses”
for a further description of such fees and their impact on the expenses of the Fund. In addition, subject to applicable 1940 Act
limitations, the Underlying Funds themselves may purchase securities issued by registered and unregistered funds (e.g.,
common stock and preferred stock), and those investments would be subject to the risks associated with Underlying Funds and unregistered
funds (including a third layer of fees and expenses, i.e., the Underlying Fund will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged
by the funds in which the Underlying Fund invests, in addition to the Underlying Fund’s own fees and expenses). The Fund’s
investment in an Underlying Fund also may result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the Underlying Fund’s
earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, the distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for
federal income tax purposes but may be characterized as a dividend if the Fund has earnings from other sources. As a result of
these factors, the use of the fund of funds structure by the Fund could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions
to shareholders.
As may be the case
with the Fund, the shares of many CEFs in which the Fund may invest frequently trade after their initial public offering at a
price per share that is less than the NAV per share, the difference representing the “market discount” of such shares.
This market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many CEFs, as
well as to the fact that the shares of CEFs are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined
NAV, but rather, are subject to supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of CEF
shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their NAV.
The Fund may invest
in shares of CEFs that are trading at a discount to NAV or at a premium to NAV. There can be no assurance that the market discount
on shares of any CEF purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase
and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of
such CEFs, thereby adversely affecting the NAV of the Fund’s shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares
of a CEF purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent
to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.
CEFs may issue
senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the CEF’s common shares
in an attempt to enhance the current return to such CEF’s common shareholders. The Fund’s investment in the common
shares of CEFs that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but in a down
market may increase the size and speed of losses. Thus, leveraged funds may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price
and NAV than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure. Since the Fund may use leverage
to invest in other funds that are leveraged, the effect of gains and losses in the other funds may be compounded, especially when
events occur that may broadly affect the market for municipal securities. In addition, the Fund may invest in such senior securities
issued by CEFs, including auction rate municipal securities and auction rate preferred securities. In recent market environments,
auctions have failed, which adversely affects the liquidity and price of auction rate securities, and are unlikely to resume.
Provided that the auction mechanism is successful, auction rate securities usually permit the holder to sell the securities in
an auction at par value at specified intervals. The dividend is reset by “Dutch” auction in which bids are made by
broker-dealers and other institutions for a certain amount of securities at a specified minimum yield. The dividend rate set by
the auction is the lowest interest or dividend rate that covers all securities offered for sale. While this process is designed
to permit auction rate securities to be traded at par value, there is a risk that an auction will fail due to insufficient demand
for the securities. Moreover, between auctions, there may be no secondary market for these securities, and sales conducted on
a secondary market may not be on terms favorable to the seller. Auction rate securities may be called by the issuer. Thus, with
respect to liquidity and price stability, auction rate securities may differ substantially from cash equivalents, notwithstanding
the frequency of auctions and the credit quality of the security. The Fund’s investments in auction rate securities of CEFs
are subject to the limitations prescribed by the 1940 Act.
ETFs may trade at
a price above (premium) or below (discount) their NAV, especially during periods of significant market volatility or stress, which
could cause investors to pay significantly more or less for ETF shares than the value of the ETF’s underlying portfolio.
Certain ETFs traded on exchanges may be thinly traded and experience large spreads between the “ask” price quoted
by a seller and the “bid” price offered by a buyer. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely
that ETF shares normally will trade close to their NAVs, market prices are not expected to correlate exactly to the shares’
NAVs due to timing reasons, supply and demand imbalances and other factors. In addition, disruptions to creations and redemptions,
adverse developments impacting market makers, authorized participants or other market participants, high market volatility or
lack of an active trading market for an ETF’s shares (including through a trading halt) may result in market prices that
differ significantly from an ETF’s NAV or to the intraday value of the ETF’s holdings. An active trading market for
shares of an ETF may not develop or be maintained. When all or a portion of an ETF’s underlying securities trade in a foreign
market that is closed during the time the domestic market in which the ETF’s shares are listed and traded is open, there
may be changes between the last quote from the closed foreign market and the value of such underlying security during the ETF’s
trading day. In times of market stress, market makers or authorized participants may step away from their respective roles in
making a market in shares of the ETF and in executing purchase or redemption orders. During such times, the ETF’s shares
may trade at a wider than normal discount or premium and may possibly face trading halts. Additionally, the underlying securities
of an ETF may be traded outside of a collateralized settlement system, such as the National Securities Clearing Corporation, a
clearing agency that is registered with the SEC. There are a limited number of financial institutions that may act as authorized
participants that post collateral for certain trades on an agency basis. To the extent that these authorized participants exit
the business or are unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with the ETF, and no other authorized participant
is able to step forward, ETF shares may trade at a discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting. Additionally,
in stressed market conditions, the market for ETF shares may become less liquid in response to deteriorating liquidity in the
markets for such ETF’s underlying portfolio holdings, which may cause the shares of the ETF to trade at a wider than normal
discount or premium. Furthermore, purchases and redemptions of creation units primarily in cash rather than in-kind may cause
an ETF to incur certain costs, such as brokerage costs, taxable gains or other losses that it may not have incurred with an in-kind
purchase or redemption. These costs may be borne by the ETF and decrease the ETF’s NAV to the extent they are not offset
by a transaction fee payable by an authorized participant.
Index-based ETFs (and
other index funds) in which the Fund may invest may not be able to replicate exactly the performance of the indices they track
due to transaction costs and other expenses of the ETFs. The Fund may also invest in actively managed ETFs that are subject to
management risk as the ETF’s investment adviser will apply certain investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment
decisions. There can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results.
The Fund’s investments
in Underlying Funds may be restricted by certain provisions of the 1940 Act. Under Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act, the Fund
may hold securities of an Underlying Fund in amounts which (i) do not exceed 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of the Underlying
Fund, (ii) do not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and (iii) when added to all other Underlying Fund securities
held by the Fund, do not exceed 10% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. Under Section 12(d)(1)(C) of the 1940 Act,
the Fund, together with any other investment companies for which the Adviser acts as an investment adviser, may not, in the aggregate,
own more than 10% of the total outstanding voting stock of a registered closed-end investment company. Section 12(d)(1)(F) of
the 1940 Act provides that the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) described above shall not apply to securities purchased or otherwise
acquired by the Fund if (i) immediately after such purchase or acquisition not more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of
such Underlying Fund is owned by the Fund and all affiliated persons of the Fund, and (ii) certain requirements are met with respect
to sales charges. In addition, Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act (“Rule 12d1-4”), effective as of January 19, 2022, permits
the Fund to invest in Underlying Funds beyond the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) described above, subject to various conditions,
including that the Fund enter into an investment agreement with the Underlying Fund (which agreements may impose additional conditions
on the Fund). In matters upon which the Fund is solicited to vote as a shareholder of an Underlying Fund, the Adviser may be required
to vote Underlying Fund shares in the same proportion as shares held by other shareholders of the Underlying Fund.
Defaulted and Distressed Securities Risks
The Fund and the
Underlying Funds may invest in defaulted and distressed securities. Legal difficulties and negotiations with creditors and other
claimants are common when dealing with defaulted or distressed issuers. Defaulted or distressed issuers may be insolvent, in bankruptcy
or undergoing some other form of financial restructuring. In the event of a default, the Fund or an Underlying Fund may incur
additional expenses to seek recovery. The repayment of defaulted bonds is subject to significant uncertainties, and in some cases,
there may be delayed, or there may be partial or no recovery of payment. Defaulted bonds might be repaid only after lengthy workout
or bankruptcy proceedings, during which the issuer might not make any interest or other payments. Because of the relative illiquidity
of defaulted or distressed debt and equity securities, short sales are difficult, and the Fund and most Underlying Funds primarily
maintain long positions. Some relative value trades are possible, where an investor sells short one class of a defaulted or distressed
issuer’s capital structure and purchases another. With distressed investing, often there is a time lag between when the
Fund and an Underlying Fund makes an investment and when the Fund and the Underlying Fund realizes the value of the investment.
In addition, the Fund and an Underlying Fund may incur legal and other monitoring costs in protecting the value of the Fund’s
and the Underlying Fund’s claims.
Illiquid Securities Risks
The Fund and the Underlying
Funds may invest in illiquid securities. It may not be possible to sell or otherwise dispose of illiquid securities both at the
price and within the time period deemed desirable by a fund. Illiquid securities also may be difficult to value. Liquidity may
sometimes be impaired in the municipal market and, because the Fund principally invests in Municipal Bonds, it may find it difficult
to purchase or sell such securities at opportune times. Liquidity can be impaired due to interest rate concerns, credit events,
or general supply and demand imbalances. Depending on the particular issuer and current economic conditions, Municipal Bonds could
be deemed more volatile investments.
Valuation Risk
Unlike publicly traded
common stock which trades on national exchanges, there is no central place or exchange for fixed-income securities trading. Fixed-income
securities generally trade on an “over-the-counter” market which may be anywhere in the world where the buyer and
seller can settle on a price. Due to the lack of centralized information and trading, the valuation of fixed-income securities
may carry more risk than that of common stock. Uncertainties in the conditions of the financial market, unreliable reference data,
lack of transparency and inconsistency of valuation models and processes may lead to inaccurate asset pricing. As a result, the
Fund may be subject to risk that when a fixed-income security is sold in the market, the amount received by the Fund is less than
the value of such fixed-income security carried on the Fund’s books.
Tender Option Bonds Risks
TOB Residuals are
derivative municipal securities that have embedded in them the risk of economic leverage. There is no assurance that the Fund’s
strategy of using the proceeds received from tender option bond transactions to leverage its assets will be successful. TOB transactions
expose the Fund to leverage and credit risk, and generally involve greater risk than investment in fixed rate Municipal Bonds,
including the loss of principal.
Distributions on TOB
Residuals will bear an inverse relationship to short-term municipal bond interest rates. Distributions on the TOB Residuals paid
to the Fund will be reduced or, in the extreme, eliminated as short-term municipal interest rates rise and will increase when
short-term municipal interest rates fall. The amount of such reduction or increase is a function, in part, of the amount of TOB
Floaters sold by the TOB Issuer of these securities relative to the amount of the TOB Residuals that it sells. The greater the
amount of TOB Floaters sold relative to the TOB Residuals, the more volatile the distributions on the TOB Residuals will be. The
value of TOB Residuals may decline rapidly in times of rising interest rates.
The Fund’s use
of proceeds received from tender option bond transactions will create economic leverage. Any economic leverage achieved through
the Fund’s investment in TOB Residuals will create an opportunity for increased Common Share net income and returns, but
will also create the possibility that Common Share long-term returns will be diminished if the cost of the TOB Floaters exceeds
the return on the securities deposited in the TOB Issuer. If the income and gains earned on Municipal Bonds deposited in a TOB
Issuer that issues TOB Residuals to the Fund are greater than the payments due on the TOB Floaters, the Fund’s returns will
be greater than if it had not invested in the TOB Residuals.
The Fund has no current
intention of investing in recourse TOB Residuals. However, circumstances may change and it is possible that in the future the
Fund may elect to invest in recourse TOB Residuals to leverage its portfolio. If the Fund uses recourse TOB Residuals, the liquidity
provider may seek recourse against assets of the Fund, and the Fund may have to pay the liquidity provider the difference between
the purchase price of any TOB Floaters put to the liquidity provider by third party investors and the proceeds realized by the
liquidity provider from the remarketing of those TOB Floaters or the sale of the assets in the TOB Issuer, which could cause the
Fund to lose money in excess of its investment in a TOB Issuer.
Although the Fund
generally would unwind a tender option bond transaction rather than try to sell a TOB Residual, if it did try to sell a TOB Residual,
its ability to do so would depend on the liquidity of the TOB Residual. TOB Residuals have varying degrees of liquidity based,
among other things, upon the liquidity of the underlying securities deposited in the TOB Issuer. The market price of TOB Residuals
are more volatile than the underlying securities due to leverage. The leverage attributable to TOB Residuals may be “called
away” on relatively short notice and therefore may be less permanent than more traditional forms of leverage. In certain
circumstances, the likelihood of an increase in the volatility of NAV and market price of the Common Shares may be greater for
a fund that relies primarily on tender option bond transactions to achieve a desired effective leverage ratio. The Fund may be
required to sell its TOB Residuals at less than favorable prices, or liquidate other Fund portfolio holdings in certain circumstances,
including, but not limited to, the following:
| ● | If the Fund has a need for cash
and the securities deposited in the TOB Issuer are not actively trading due to adverse
market conditions; |
| ● | If the sponsors of TOB Issuers
(as a collective group or individually) experience financial hardship and consequently
seek to terminate their sponsorship of TOB Issuers; and |
| ● | If the value of an underlying
security deposited in the TOB Issuer declines significantly (to a level below the notional
value of the TOB Floaters issued by the TOB Issuer) and if additional collateral has
not been posted by the Fund. |
The Fund may invest
in taxable TOB Residuals, issued by TOB Issuers formed with taxable municipal securities. There may be a limited number of counterparties
for such transactions, which may increase the credit risks, counterparty risks, liquidity risks and other risks of investing in
taxable TOB Residuals. The Fund may not invest more than 20% of its Managed Assets in any single third party sponsor that establishes
a TOB Issuer. See also “Risks—Investment-Related Risks—Legislation and Regulatory Risks.”
Insurance Risks
The Fund may purchase
Municipal Bonds that are secured by insurance, bank credit agreements or escrow accounts. The credit quality of the companies
that provide such credit enhancements will generally affect the value of those securities. Certain significant providers of insurance
for Municipal Bonds have at times incurred significant losses as a result of exposure to sub-prime mortgages and other lower credit
quality investments that have experienced defaults or otherwise suffered credit deterioration. Such losses may reduce the insurers’
capital and may call into question their continued ability to perform their obligations under such insurance if called upon in
the future. While an insured Municipal Bond will typically be deemed to have the rating of its insurer, if the insurer of a Municipal
Bond suffers a downgrade in its credit rating or the market discounts the value of the insurance provided, the rating of the underlying
Municipal Bond will generally be more relevant and the value of the Municipal Bond would more closely, if not entirely, reflect
such rating. In such a case, the value of insurance associated with a Municipal Bond would decline and may not add any value.
The insurance feature of a Municipal Bond does not guarantee the full payment of principal and interest through the life of an
insured obligation, the market value of the insured obligation or the NAV of the Common Shares represented by such insured obligation.
Because there is no limit on the percentage of Managed Assets that may be insured by any one insurance firm other than the tax
diversification rules, there is a risk that a significant portion of the Fund’s holdings may experience a ratings downgrade
and lose value if such an insurance company suffers financial or reputational adversity. Some IRS authority treats a guaranty
as a separate security subject to the diversification rules, which limit the value of securities issued by any one issuer to not
more than 25% of the portfolio.
Tax Risks
To qualify for the
favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally accorded to regulated investment companies, among other things, the Fund
must derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from certain prescribed sources and satisfy a diversification
test on a quarterly basis. If the Fund fails to satisfy the qualifying income or diversification requirements in any taxable year,
the Fund may be eligible for relief provisions if the failures are due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and if a penalty
tax is paid with respect to each failure to satisfy the applicable requirements. Additionally, relief is provided for certain
de minimis failures of the diversification requirements where the Fund corrects the failure within a specified period. In order
to be eligible for the relief provisions with respect to a failure to meet the diversification requirements, the Fund may be required
to dispose of certain assets. If these relief provisions were not available to the Fund and it were to fail to qualify for treatment
as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) for a taxable year, all of its taxable income (including its net capital
gain) would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates (currently 21%) without any deduction for distributions to shareholders,
and such distributions would be taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings
and profits.
The Fund may qualify
to pay exempt-interest dividends, which are treated as items of interest excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes,
if at least 50% of the value of the total assets of the Fund consists of obligations exempt from regular income tax as of the
close of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year. Under this approach, if the proportion of taxable investments held by
the Fund exceeded 50% of the Fund’s total assets as of the close of any quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, the Fund
would not, for that taxable year, satisfy the general eligibility test that would otherwise permit it to pay exempt-interest dividends
for that taxable year. As an alternative, the Fund may qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends if it is a qualified fund-of-funds,
i.e., if at least 50% of the value of its total assets are invested in the shares of underlying RICs as of the close of
each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year.
The Fund may enter
into various types of derivatives transactions, including swap contracts, among others. The use of such derivatives may generate
taxable income. The Fund’s use of derivatives may also affect the amount, timing, and character of distributions to shareholders
and, therefore, may increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders.
The value of the Fund’s
investments and its NAV may be adversely affected by changes in tax rates and policies. Because interest income from Municipal
Bonds is normally not subject to regular federal income taxation, the attractiveness of Municipal Bonds in relation to other investment
alternatives is affected by changes in federal income tax rates or changes in the tax-exempt status of interest income from Municipal
Bonds. Any proposed or actual changes in such rates or exempt status, therefore, can significantly affect the demand for and supply,
liquidity and marketability of Municipal Bonds. This could in turn affect the Fund’s NAV and ability to acquire and dispose
of Municipal Bonds at desirable yield and price levels. Additionally, the Fund is not a suitable investment for individual retirement
accounts, for other tax-exempt or tax-deferred accounts or for investors who are not sensitive to the federal income tax consequences
of their investments.
The Fund will invest
in Municipal Bonds in reliance at the time of purchase on an opinion of bond counsel to the issuer that the interest paid on those
securities will be excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes, and the Adviser and Subadviser will not independently
verify that opinion. Subsequent to the Fund’s acquisition of such a Municipal Bond, however, the security may be determined
to pay, or to have paid, taxable income. As a result, the treatment of dividends previously paid or to be paid by the Fund as
“exempt-interest dividends” could be adversely affected, subjecting the Fund’s shareholders to increased federal
income tax liabilities.
Distributions of ordinary
taxable income (including any net short-term capital gain) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (and not eligible
for favorable taxation as “qualified dividend income”), and capital gain dividends will be taxable as long-term capital
gains. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”
Derivatives Risks
The Fund and the Underlying
Funds may enter into derivatives. Derivative transactions involve investment techniques and risks different from those associated
with the Fund’s other investments. Generally, a derivative is a financial contract the value of which depends upon, or is
derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or index, and may relate to individual debt or equity instruments,
interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates, commodities, related indexes and other assets. Derivatives can be volatile
and involve various types and degrees of risk, depending upon the characteristics of a particular derivative. Derivatives may
entail investment exposures that are greater than their cost would suggest, meaning that a small investment in a derivative could
have a large potential impact on the performance of the Fund or an Underlying Fund. The Fund or an Underlying Fund could experience
a loss if derivatives do not perform as anticipated, if they are not correlated with the performance of other investments which
they are used to hedge or if the fund is unable to liquidate a position because of an illiquid secondary market. The market for
many derivatives is, or can suddenly become, illiquid. Changes in liquidity may result in significant, rapid and unpredictable
changes in the prices of derivatives. Except with respect to the Fund’s investments in total return swaps, the Fund expects
its use of derivative instruments will be for hedging purposes. When used for speculative purposes, derivatives will produce enhanced
investment exposure, which will magnify gains and losses. Certain derivatives transactions may give rise to a form of leverage.
Leverage may cause a fund to be more volatile than if it had not been leveraged. This is because leverage tends to exaggerate
the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the fund’s portfolio securities. Further, using derivatives may include
the risk of mispricing or improper valuation of derivatives and the inability of derivatives to correlate perfectly, or at all,
with the value of the assets, reference rates or indexes they are designed to closely track. The Fund and the Underlying Funds
also will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivatives contracts purchased by such fund. If
a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties,
the Fund or an Underlying Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in a
bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund or an Underlying Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain
no recovery in such circumstances. See “—Option and Futures Risks” and “—Swap Risks.” The
Adviser has claimed an exclusion from registration as a commodity pool operator with respect to the Fund pursuant to Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) Rule 4.5. See “Investment Policies and Techniques—Derivatives—Regulation
as a ‘Commodity Pool’” in the SAI.
On October 28,
2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act relating to a registered
investment company’s use of derivatives and related instruments. Rule 18f-4 prescribes specific value-at-risk leverage limits
for certain derivatives users and requires certain derivatives users to adopt and implement a derivatives risk management program
(including the appointment of a derivatives risk manager and the implementation of certain testing requirements), and prescribes
reporting requirements in respect of derivatives. Subject to certain conditions, if a fund qualifies as a “limited derivatives
user,” as defined in Rule 18f-4, it is not subject to the full requirements of Rule 18f-4. In connection with the adoption
of Rule 18f-4, the SEC rescinded certain of its prior guidance regarding asset segregation and coverage requirements in respect
of derivatives transactions and related instruments. With respect to reverse repurchase agreements, tender option bonds or other
similar financing transactions in particular, Rule 18f-4 permits a fund to enter into such transactions if the fund either (i)
complies with the asset coverage requirements of Section 18 of the 1940 Act, and combines the aggregate amount of indebtedness
associated with all tender option bonds or similar financing with the aggregate amount of any other senior securities representing
indebtedness when calculating the relevant asset coverage ratio, or (ii) treats all tender option bonds or similar financing transactions
as derivatives transactions for all purposes under Rule 18f-4. The Fund was required to comply with Rule 18f-4 beginning August
19, 2022 and has adopted procedures for investing in derivatives and other transactions in compliance with Rule 18f-4.
Options and Futures Risks
The Fund and the Underlying
Funds may invest in options and futures contracts and such contracts are expected to be utilized by the Fund, if at all, for hedging
purposes. The use of futures and options transactions entails certain special risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation
between price movements of futures contracts and price movements in the related securities position of a fund could create the
possibility that losses on the hedging instrument are greater than gains in the value of a fund’s position. In addition,
futures and options markets could be illiquid in some circumstances and certain over-the-counter options could have no markets.
As a result, in certain markets, a fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring substantial losses. Although
a fund’s use of futures and options transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in
the value of the hedged position, at the same time it will tend to limit any potential gain to a fund that might result from an
increase in value of the position. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts create a greater ongoing
potential financial risk than would purchases of options, in which case the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium.
However, because option premiums paid by the Fund or an Underlying Fund are small in relation to the market value of the investments
underlying the options, buying options can result in large amounts of leverage. This leverage offered by trading in options could
cause the Fund’s or an Underlying Fund’s NAV to be subject to more frequent and wider fluctuation than would be the
case if the Fund or an Underlying Fund did not invest in options.
Options transactions
may be effected on securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. When options are purchased over-the-counter, the Fund
or an Underlying Fund bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations
under the option contract. The counterparties to these transactions typically will be major international banks, broker-dealers
and financial institutions. Such options may also be illiquid, and in such cases, the Fund or an Underlying Fund may have difficulty
closing out its position. Banks, broker-dealers or other financial institutions participating in such transactions may fail to
settle a transaction in accordance with the terms of the option as written. In the event of default or insolvency of the counterparty,
the Fund or an Underlying Fund may be unable to liquidate an over-the-counter option position.
An Underlying Fund
may purchase and sell call and put options with respect to specific securities, and may write and sell covered or uncovered call
and put options. A call option gives the purchaser of the call option, in return for a premium paid, the right to buy the security
underlying the option from the writer of the call option at a specified exercise price within a specified time frame. A put option
gives the purchaser of the put option, in return for a premium paid, the right to sell the underlying security to the writer of
the put option at a specified price within a specified time frame. A covered call option is a call option with respect to an underlying
security that a fund owns. The purchaser of a put or call option runs the risk of losing the purchaser’s entire investment,
paid as the premium, in a relatively short period of time if the option is not sold at a gain or cannot be exercised at a gain
prior to expiration. In selling put options, there is a risk that the Underlying Fund may be required to buy the underlying security
at a disadvantageous price above the market price. The un-covered writer of a call option is subject to a risk of loss if the
price of the underlying security should increase, and the un-covered writer of a put option is subject to a risk of loss if the
price of the underlying security should decrease.
The Fund may invest
a significant portion of its total assets in Underlying Funds that write covered call options. To the extent that an Underlying
Fund writes a covered call option, it 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 sum of the premium and the strike price of the call, but has retained
the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. As the writer of the option, the Underlying Fund bears the
market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying a written option. As an Underlying Fund writes covered
calls over more of its portfolio, its ability to benefit from capital appreciation becomes more limited and the risk of NAV erosion
increases. To the extent an Underlying Fund experiences NAV erosion (which itself may have an indirect negative effect on the
market price of interests in the Underlying Fund, the Underlying Fund will have a reduced asset base over which to write covered
calls, which may eventually lead to reduced distributions to shareholders such as the Fund. 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.
To the extent that
an Underlying Fund engages in selling options that trade in over-the-counter markets, the Underlying Fund may be subject to additional
risks. Participants in these markets are typically not subject to the same credit evaluation and regulatory oversight as members
of “exchange-based” markets. By engaging in option transactions in these markets, an Underlying Fund may take credit
risk with regard to parties with which it trades and also may bear the risk of settlement default. These risks may differ materially
from those involved in exchange-traded transactions, which generally are characterized by clearing organization guarantees, daily
marking-to-market and settlement, and segregation and minimum capital requirements applicable to intermediaries. Transactions
entered into directly between two counterparties generally do not benefit from these protections, which may subject an Underlying
Fund to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with agreed terms and conditions because of a
dispute over the terms of the contract or because of a credit or liquidity problem. Such “counterparty risk” is increased
for contracts with longer maturities when events may intervene to prevent settlement.
There can be no assurance
that a liquid market will exist for any particular futures contract at any particular time. Many futures exchanges and boards
of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit
has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day of a price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended
for specified periods during the trading day.
Swap Risks
The Fund and the Underlying
Funds may enter into various swap agreements and, other than total return swap agreements (as discussed herein), such agreements
are expected to be utilized by the Fund, if at all, for hedging purposes. All of these agreements are considered derivatives.
Swap agreements are two-party contracts under which the fund and a counterparty, such as a broker or dealer, agree to exchange
the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on an agreed-upon underlying asset or investment over the
term of the swap. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity which involves strategies and risks different
from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. If the Adviser, Subadviser or an Underlying Fund’s
investment adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of default risks, market spreads, liquidity or other applicable factors or events,
the investment performance of the Fund or Underlying Fund would diminish compared with what it would have been if these techniques
were not used. Swaps and swap options can be used for a variety of purposes, including: to manage fund exposure to changes in
interest rates and credit quality; as an efficient means of adjusting fund overall exposure to certain markets; in an effort to
enhance income or total return or protect the value of portfolio securities; to serve as a cash management tool; and to adjust
portfolio duration.
Swaps could result
in losses if interest rates or credit quality changes are not correctly anticipated by the Adviser, Subadviser or Underlying Fund
manager. Total return swaps could result in losses if the reference index, security, or investments do not perform as anticipated.
Total return swaps involve an enhanced risk that the issuer or counterparty will fail to perform its contractual obligations,
which could turn an expected gain into a loss. Total return swaps may effectively add leverage to the Fund’s portfolio because
the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the full notional amount of the swap. To the extent the Fund or an Underlying
Fund enters into a total return swap on equity securities, the Fund or the Underlying Fund will receive the positive performance
of a notional amount of such securities underlying the total return swap. In exchange, the Fund or the Underlying Fund will be
obligated to pay the negative performance of such notional amount of securities. Therefore, the Fund or the Underlying Fund assumes
the risk of a substantial decrease in the market value of the equity securities. The use of swaps may not always be successful;
using them could lower Fund or Underlying Fund total return, their prices can be highly volatile, and the potential loss from
the use of swaps can exceed the Fund’s or an Underlying Fund’s initial investment in such instruments.
Some, but not all,
swaps may be cleared, in which case a central clearing counterparty stands between each buyer and seller and effectively guarantees
performance of each contract, to the extent of its available resources for such purposes. As a result, the counterparty risk is
now shifted from bilateral risk between the parties to the individual credit risk of the central clearing counterparty. Even in
such case, there can be no assurance that a clearing house, or its members, will satisfy the clearing house’s obligations
to the Fund or an Underlying Fund or that the fund’s use of swaps will be advantageous.
Short Sale Risks
The Fund and the
Underlying Funds may engage in short sales. However, the Fund will not engage in any short sales of securities issued by CEFs.
Short sales are expected to be utilized by the Fund, if at all, for hedging purposes. A short sale is a transaction in which a
fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline. Positions in shorted
securities are speculative and riskier than long positions (purchases) in securities because the maximum sustainable loss on a
security purchased is limited to the amount paid for the security plus the transaction costs, whereas there is no maximum attainable
price of the shorted security. Therefore, in theory, securities sold short have unlimited risk. Short selling will also result
in higher transaction costs (such as interest and dividends), and may result in higher taxes, which reduce a fund’s return.
If a security sold
short increases in price, a fund may have to cover its short position at a higher price than the short sale price, resulting in
a loss. With respect to a fund’s short positions, the fund must borrow those securities to make delivery to the buyer.
A fund may not be able to borrow a security that it needs to deliver or it may not be able to close out a short position at an
acceptable price and may have to sell related long positions before it had intended to do so. As a result, a fund may not be able
to successfully implement its short sale strategy due to the limited availability of desired securities or for other reasons.
When borrowing a security
for delivery to a buyer, a fund also may be required to pay a premium and other transaction costs, which would increase the cost
of the security sold short. A fund must normally repay to the lender an amount equal to any dividends or interest earned while
the loan is outstanding. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased, by the amount of the
premium, dividends, interest or expenses a fund may be required to pay in connection with the short sale. Also, the lender of
a security may terminate the loan at a time when a fund is unable to borrow the same security for delivery. In that case, a fund
would need to purchase a replacement security at the then current market price or “buy in” by paying the lender an
amount equal to the costs of purchasing the security.
Because a fund’s
loss on a short sale arises from increases in the value of the security sold short, the loss is theoretically unlimited. In certain
cases, purchasing a security to cover a short position can itself cause the price of the security to rise further, which would
exacerbate the loss. Conversely, gains on short sales, after transaction and related costs, are generally the difference between
the price at which a fund sold the borrowed security and the price it paid to purchase the security for delivery to the buyer.
By contrast, a fund’s loss on a long position arises from decreases in the value of the security and is limited by the fact
that a security’s value cannot drop below zero.
By investing the proceeds
received from selling securities short, a fund is using a form of leverage, which creates special risks. The use of leverage may
increase a fund’s exposure to long equity positions and make any change in a fund’s NAV greater than it would be without
the use of leverage. This could result in increased volatility of returns. There is no guarantee that the Fund or an Underlying
Fund will leverage its portfolio, or if it does, that the leveraging strategy will be successful. The Fund also cannot guarantee
that the use of leverage by the Fund or an Underlying Fund will produce a higher return on an investment.
Rating Agency Risk
Ratings agencies such
as S&P, Fitch, Moody’s or other NRSROs provide ratings on debt securities based on their analyses of information they
deem relevant. Ratings are opinions or judgments of the credit quality of an issuer and may prove to be inaccurate. In addition,
there may be a delay between events or circumstances adversely affecting the ability of an issuer to pay interest and/or repay
principal and an NRSRO’s decision to downgrade a security. Further, a rating agency may have a conflict of interest with
respect to a security for which it assigns a particular rating if, for example, the issuer or sponsor of the security pays the
rating agency for the analysis of its security, which could affect the reliability of the rating.
United States Credit Rating Downgrade Risk
On August 5, 2011,
S&P lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating on the United States to “AA+” from “AAA.” In general,
a lower rating could increase the volatility in both stock and bond markets, result in higher interest rates and lower Treasury
prices and increase the costs of all kinds of debt. These events and similar events in other areas of the world could have significant
adverse impacts on issuers of securities held by the Fund and the Fund itself. The Adviser and the Subadviser cannot predict the
effects of these or similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets or on the Fund’s portfolio.
The Adviser and the Subadviser may not timely anticipate or manage existing, new or additional risks, contingencies or developments.
Legislation and Regulatory Risks
At any time after
the date of this Prospectus, legislation or additional regulations may be enacted that could negatively affect the assets of the
Fund or the issuers of such assets. Changing approaches to regulation may have a negative impact on the entities and/or securities
in which the Fund or an Underlying Fund invests. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund or an Underlying
Fund is regulated. New or amended regulations may be imposed by the CFTC, the SEC, the Federal Reserve or other financial regulators,
other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that supervise the financial markets that could adversely
affect the Fund or the Underlying Funds. There can be no assurance that future legislation, regulation or deregulation will not
have a material adverse effect on the Fund or will not impair the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objectives. The
Fund and the Underlying Funds also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes
and rules by these governmental authorities or self-regulatory organizations.
Market Disruption, Geopolitical, and Climate Change
Risks
The Fund and Underlying
Funds may be adversely affected by uncertainties and events around the world, such as terrorism, political developments, and changes
in government policies, taxation, restrictions on foreign investment and currency repatriation, currency fluctuations and other
developments in the laws and regulations of the countries in which they are invested. Assets of issuers including those held in
the Fund’s or an Underlying Fund’s portfolio, could be direct targets, or indirect casualties, of an act of terrorism.
In
February 2022, Russia commenced a military attack on Ukraine. The outbreak of hostilities between the two countries and the threat
of wider-spread hostilities could have a severe adverse effect on the region and global economies, including significant negative
impacts on the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas. In addition, sanctions imposed on
Russia by the United States and other countries, and any sanctions imposed in the future, could have a significant adverse impact
on the Russian economy and related markets. The price and liquidity of investments may fluctuate widely as a result of the conflict
and related events. How long the armed conflict and related events will last cannot be predicted. These tensions and any related
events could have a significant impact on Fund performance and the value of Fund investments.
Climate change poses
long-term threats to physical and biological systems. Potential hazards and risks related to climate change for a State or municipality
include, among other things, wildfires, rising sea levels, more severe coastal flooding and erosion hazards, and more intense
storms. Storms in recent years have demonstrated vulnerabilities in a State’s or municipality’s infrastructure to
extreme weather events. Climate change risks, if they materialize, can adversely impact a State’s or municipality’s
financial plan in current or future years. In addition, economists and others have expressed increasing concern about the potential
effects of global climate change on property and security values. A rise in sea levels, an increase in powerful windstorms and/or
a climate-driven increase in sea levels or flooding could cause coastal properties to lose value or become unmarketable altogether.
Economists warn that, unlike previous declines in the real estate market, properties in affected coastal zones may not ever recover
their value. Large wildfires driven by high winds and prolonged drought may devastate businesses and entire communities and may
be very costly to any business found to be responsible for the fire. Regulatory changes and divestment movements tied to concerns
about climate change could adversely affect the value of certain land and the viability of industries whose activities or products
are seen as accelerating climate change.
These losses could
adversely affect the bonds of municipalities that depend on tax or other revenues and tourist dollars generated by affected properties,
and insurers of the property and/or of municipal securities. Since property and security values are driven largely by buyers’
perceptions, it is difficult to know the time period over which these market effects might unfold.
Pandemic Risk
In
early 2020, an outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged globally. The outbreak of COVID-19 and its variants
resulted in closing international borders, enhanced health screenings, healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines,
cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general public concern and uncertainty. This outbreak
negatively affected the worldwide economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial health of individual
companies and the market in general in significant and unforeseen ways. On May 5, 2023, the World Health Organization declared
the end of the global emergency status for COVID-19. The United States subsequently ended the federal COVID-19 public health emergency
declaration effective May 11, 2023. Although vaccines for COVID-19 are widely available, it is unknown how long certain circumstances
related to the pandemic will persist, whether they will reoccur in the future and what additional implications may follow from
the pandemic. The impact of these events and other epidemics or pandemics in the future could adversely affect Fund performance.
Defensive Measures
The Fund may invest
up to 100% of its assets in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as a defensive measure in response to adverse market
conditions or opportunistically at the discretion of the Adviser or Subadviser. During these periods, the Fund may not be pursuing
its investment objectives.
Structural Risks:
Market Discount
Common stock of
CEFs frequently trades at a discount from its NAV. This risk may be greater for investors selling their shares in a relatively
short period of time after completion of the initial offering. The Fund’s Common Shares may trade at a price that is less
than the initial offering price. This risk would also apply to the Fund’s investments in CEFs.
Limited Term and Eligible Tender Offer Risk
The Fund is scheduled
to terminate on or about the Termination Date (unless it is converted to a perpetual fund). The Fund is not a so called “target
date” or “life cycle” fund whose asset allocation becomes more conservative over time as its target date, often
associated with retirement, approaches. In addition, the Fund is not a “target term” fund whose investment objective
is to return its original NAV on the termination date.
The Fund is not required
to conduct an Eligible Tender Offer. If the Fund conducts an Eligible Tender Offer, there can be no assurance that the number
of tendered Common Shares would not result in the Fund’s net assets totaling less than the Termination Threshold, in which
case the Eligible Tender Offer will be terminated, no Common Shares will be repurchased pursuant to the Eligible Tender Offer
and the Fund will terminate on or before the Termination Date (subject to possible extensions). Following the completion of an
Eligible Tender Offer in which the number of tendered Common Shares would result in the Fund’s net assets equaling or totaling
greater than the Termination Threshold, the Board of Directors may eliminate the limited term structure of the Fund upon the affirmative
vote of a majority of the Board of Directors and without a vote of Common Shareholders. Thereafter, the Fund will have a perpetual
existence. The Fund is not required to conduct additional tender offers following an Eligible Tender Offer and conversion to a
perpetual structure. Therefore, remaining Common Shareholders may not have another opportunity to participate in a tender offer
or exchange their Common Shares for the then-existing NAV per Common Share. Common Shares of closed-end management investment
companies frequently trade at a discount from their NAV and as a result remaining Common Shareholders may only be able to sell
their Common Shares at a discount to NAV. See “—Market Discount.” The Adviser may have a conflict of interest
in recommending to the Board of Directors that the limited term structure be eliminated and the Fund have a perpetual existence.
In order to pay for
Common Shares to be purchased in an Eligible Tender Offer or to liquidate the portfolio in connection with the Fund’s termination,
the Fund will be required to sell its assets. As a result, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio securities when it otherwise
would not, including at times when market conditions are not favorable, which may cause the Fund to lose money. The Fund may receive
proceeds from the disposition of portfolio investments that are less than the valuations of such investments by the Fund and,
in particular, losses from the disposition of illiquid securities may be significant. The disposition of portfolio investments
by the Fund could also cause market prices of such instruments, and hence the NAV and market price of the Common Shares, to decline.
In addition, disposition of portfolio investments will cause the Fund to incur increased brokerage and related transaction expenses.
Moreover, in conducting
such portfolio transactions, the Fund may need to deviate from its investment policies and may not achieve its investment objectives.
The Fund’s portfolio composition may change as its portfolio holdings mature or are called or sold in anticipation of an
Eligible Tender Offer or the Termination Date. During such period(s), it is possible that the Fund will hold a greater percentage
of its total assets in shorter term and lower yielding securities and cash and cash equivalents than it would otherwise, which
may impede the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objectives and adversely impact the Fund’s performance and
distributions to Common Shareholders, which may in turn adversely impact the market value of the Common Shares. In addition, the
Fund may be required to reduce its leverage, which could also adversely impact its performance. The additional cash or cash equivalents
held by the Fund could be obtained through reducing the Fund’s distributions to Common Shareholders and/or holding cash
in lieu of reinvesting, which could limit the ability of the Fund to participate in new investment opportunities. The Fund does
not limit its investments to securities having a maturity date prior to or around the Termination Date, which may exacerbate the
foregoing risks and considerations. A Common Shareholder may be subject to the foregoing risks over an extended period of time,
particularly if the Fund conducts an Eligible Tender Offer and is also subsequently terminated by or around the Termination Date.
If the Fund’s tax
basis for the investments sold is less than the sale proceeds, the Fund will recognize capital gains, which the Fund will be required
to distribute in order to avoid paying Fund-level tax and potentially excise tax on its undistributed capital gains. In addition, the
Fund’s purchase of tendered Common Shares pursuant to a tender offer will have tax consequences for tendering Common Shareholders
and may have tax consequences for non-tendering Common Shareholders. The purchase of Common Shares by the Fund pursuant to a tender offer
will have the effect of increasing the proportionate interest in the Fund of non-tendering Common Shareholders. All Common Shareholders
remaining after a tender offer will be subject to proportionately higher expenses due to the reduction in the Fund’s total assets
resulting from payment for the tendered Common Shares. A reduction in net assets, and the corresponding increase in the Fund’s
expense ratio, could result in lower returns and put the Fund at a disadvantage relative to its peers and potentially cause the Fund
to trade at a wider discount to NAV than it otherwise would. Such reduction in the Fund’s total assets may also result in less
investment flexibility, reduced diversification and greater volatility for the Fund, and may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s
investment performance. Moreover, the resulting reduction in the number of outstanding Common Shares could cause the Common Shares to
become thinly traded or otherwise adversely impact the secondary market trading of such shares. Furthermore, the portfolio of the Fund
following an Eligible Tender Offer could be significantly different and, therefore, Common Shareholders retaining an investment in the
Fund could be subject to greater risk. For example, the Fund may be required to sell its more liquid, higher quality portfolio investments
to purchase Common Shares that are tendered in an Eligible Tender Offer, which would leave a less liquid, lower quality portfolio for
remaining shareholders. The prospects of an Eligible Tender Offer may attract arbitrageurs who would purchase the Common Shares prior
to the tender offer for the sole purpose of tendering those shares which could have the effect of exacerbating the risks described herein
for shareholders retaining an investment in the Fund following an Eligible Tender Offer.
In connection with
its termination, the Fund may distribute the proceeds from the disposition of portfolio securities in one or more liquidating
distributions prior to the final liquidation, which may cause fixed expenses to increase when expressed as a percentage of assets
under management. Upon a termination, it is anticipated that the Fund will have distributed substantially all of its net assets
to Common Shareholders, although securities for which no market exists, securities trading at depressed prices, if any, and assets
recovered following termination may be placed in a liquidating trust. Common Shareholders will bear the costs associated with
establishing and maintaining a liquidating trust, if necessary. Securities placed in a liquidating trust may be held for an indefinite
period of time until they can be sold or pay out all of their cash flows. The Fund cannot predict the amount, if any, of securities
that will be required to be placed in a liquidating trust.
Investment Style Risk
The Fund is managed
by allocating the Fund’s assets to two different strategies as described in this Prospectus. This may cause the Fund to
underperform funds that do not limit their investments to these two strategies during periods when these strategies underperform
other types of investments.
Not a Complete Investment Program
The Fund is intended
for investors seeking current income and overall total return over the long-term, and is not intended to be a short-term trading
vehicle. An investment in the Common Shares of the Fund should not be considered a complete investment program. Each investor
should take into account the Fund’s investment objectives and other characteristics as well as the investor’s other
investments when considering an investment in the Common Shares. An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors.
Multi-Manager Risk
Fund performance is
dependent upon the success of the Adviser and the Subadviser in implementing the Fund’s investment strategies in pursuit
of its investment objectives. To a significant extent, the Fund’s performance will depend on the success of the Adviser’s
methodology in allocating the Fund’s assets between each of the principal investment strategies. The Adviser’s and
the Subadviser’s investment styles may not always be complementary, which could adversely affect the performance of the
Fund. Because the Adviser and the Subadviser each makes investment decisions independently, it is possible that the Adviser and
the Subadviser may, at any time, take positions that in effect may be opposite of positions taken by each other. In such cases,
the Fund will incur brokerage and other transaction costs without accomplishing any net investment results. The multi-manager
approach could increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rates, which may result in higher levels of realized capital gains
or losses with respect to the Fund’s portfolio securities, and higher broker commissions and other transaction costs. The
trading costs and tax consequences associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance. See “—Investment
Style Risk.”
In addition, the Subadviser’s
implementation of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy means that, at any point in time, the Subadviser will manage 35-75% of the
Fund’s Managed Assets. To the extent the Subadvisory Agreement with the Subadviser is terminated or not renewed, Fund performance
will become dependent on the Adviser or a new subadviser successfully implementing the Municipal Bond Income Strategy. There is
no assurance that a suitable replacement to the Subadviser could be found if the Subadvisory Agreement is terminated or not renewed.
Any such termination or non-renewal of the Subadvisory Agreement can have an adverse effect on an investment in the Fund. In addition,
to the extent the Adviser retains the responsibility of implementing the Municipal Bond Income Strategy of the Fund following
the termination or non-renewal of the Subadvisory Agreement, the approval of the Fund’s stockholders will likely not be
required.
Asset Allocation Risk
To the extent that
the Adviser’s asset allocation between the Fund’s principal investment strategies may fail to produce the intended
result, the Fund’s return may suffer. Additionally, the potentially active asset allocation style of the Fund may lead to
changing allocations over time and represent a risk to investors who target fixed asset allocations.
Leverage Risks
Leverage is a speculative
technique that exposes the Fund to greater risk and increased costs than if it were not implemented. Increases and decreases in
the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. As a result, leverage may cause greater
changes in the Fund’s NAV. The leverage costs may be greater than the Fund’s return on the underlying investments
made from the proceeds of leverage. The Fund’s leveraging strategy may not be successful. See “Use of Leverage.”
If the Fund were to
utilize leverage in the form of borrowing, it anticipates that the money borrowed for investment purposes will incur interest
based on shorter-term interest rates that would be periodically reset. So long as the Fund’s portfolio provides a higher
rate of return, net of expenses, than the interest rate on borrowed money, as reset periodically, the leverage may cause the holders
of Common Shares to receive a higher current rate of return than if the Fund were not leveraged. If, however, long-term and/or
short-term rates rise, the interest rate on borrowed money could exceed the rate of return on securities held by the Fund, reducing
return to the holders of Common Shares. Developments in the credit markets may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to borrow
money for investment purposes and may increase the costs of such borrowings, which would reduce returns to the holders of Common
Shares.
In addition to the
foregoing, the use of leverage involves risks and special considerations for Common Shareholders, including:
| ● | the likelihood of greater volatility
of NAV, market price and dividend rate of the Common Shares than a comparable portfolio
without leverage; |
| ● | the risk that fluctuations in
interest rates on borrowings or on short-term debt or in the interest or dividend rates
on any debt securities or Preferred Shares that the Fund must pay will reduce the return
to the Common Shareholders; |
| ● | the effect of leverage in a declining
market, which is likely to cause a greater decline in the NAV of the Common Shares than
if the Fund were not leveraged, may result in a greater decline in the market price of
the Common Shares; |
| ● | when the Fund uses financial
leverage, the investment management fees payable to the Adviser and the subadvisory fees
payable by the Adviser to the Subadviser will be higher than if the Fund did not use
leverage. This may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser and the Subadviser,
on the one hand, and the holders of Common Shares, on the other; and |
| ● | leverage may increase operating
costs, which may reduce total return. |
The use of leverage
may limit the Fund’s flexibility and may require that the Fund sell other portfolio investments to pay Fund expenses, to
maintain assets in an amount sufficient to cover the Fund’s leveraged exposure or to meet other obligations at a time when
it may be disadvantageous to sell such assets.
Certain types of borrowings
by the Fund may result in the Fund being subject to covenants in credit agreements relating to asset coverage and portfolio composition
requirements. The Fund may be subject to certain restrictions on investments imposed by guidelines of one or more rating agencies,
which may issue ratings for the short-term debt securities or Preferred Shares issued by the Fund. These guidelines may impose
asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. The Adviser does
not believe that these covenants or guidelines will impede it from managing the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the
Fund’s investment objectives and policies if the Fund were to utilize such leverage.
Leverage risk would
also apply to the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds to the extent an Underlying Fund uses leverage. To the extent the
Fund uses leverage and invests in Underlying Funds that also use leverage, the risks associated with leverage will be magnified,
potentially significantly.
The Fund currently
anticipates that leverage will be obtained through the use of proceeds received from tender option bond transactions. See “—Investment-Related
Risks—Tender Option Bonds Risks.”
Portfolio Turnover Risk
The Fund’s annual
portfolio turnover rate may vary greatly from year to year. High portfolio turnover may result in the realization of net short-term
capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed to holders of Common Shares, will be taxable as ordinary income. In addition,
a higher portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that
are borne by the Fund. However, portfolio turnover rate is not considered a limiting factor in the execution of investment decisions
for the Fund. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”
Potential Conflicts of Interest Risk
The Adviser, the Subadviser
and the portfolio managers of the Fund have interests which may conflict with the interests of the Fund. In particular, the Adviser
and the Subadviser each manages and/or advises other investment funds or accounts with the same or similar investment objectives
and strategies as the Fund. As a result, the Adviser, the Subadviser and the Fund’s portfolio managers may devote unequal
time and attention to the management of the Fund and those other funds and accounts, and may not be able to formulate as complete
a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities as might be the case if they were to devote substantially more
attention to the management of the Fund. The Adviser, the Subadviser and the Fund’s portfolio managers may identify a limited
investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple funds and accounts, and the opportunity may be allocated among these
several funds and accounts, which may limit the Fund’s ability to take full advantage of the investment opportunity. Additionally,
transaction orders may be aggregated for multiple accounts for purpose of execution, which may cause the price or brokerage costs
to be less favorable to the Fund than if similar transactions were not being executed concurrently for other accounts. Furthermore,
it is theoretically possible that a portfolio manager could use the information obtained from managing a fund or account to the
advantage of other funds or accounts under management, and also theoretically possible that actions could be taken (or not taken)
to the detriment of the Fund. At times, a portfolio manager may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for
only some of the funds and accounts for which he or she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the
funds and 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 or benefit of one or more other funds and accounts. For example, a portfolio manager
may determine that it would be in the interest of another account to sell a security that the Fund holds, potentially resulting
in a decrease in the market value of the security held by the Fund.
Conflicts potentially
limiting the Fund’s investment opportunities may also arise when the Fund and other clients of the Adviser or Subadviser
invest in, or even conduct research relating to, different parts of an issuer’s capital structure, such as when the Fund
owns senior debt obligations of an issuer and other clients own junior tranches of the same issuer. In such circumstances, decisions
over whether to trigger an event of default, over the terms of any workout, or how to exit an investment may result in conflicts
of interest. In order to minimize such conflicts, a portfolio manager may avoid certain investment opportunities that would potentially
give rise to conflicts with other clients of the Adviser or Subadviser (as applicable) or result in the Adviser or Subadviser
receiving material, non-public information, or the Adviser and Subadviser may enact internal procedures designed to minimize such
conflicts, which could have the effect of limiting the Fund’s investment opportunities. Additionally, if the Adviser or
Subadviser acquires material non-public confidential information in connection with its business activities for other clients,
a portfolio manager or other investment personnel may be restricted from purchasing securities or selling certain securities for
the Fund or other clients.
The portfolio managers
also may engage in cross trades between funds and accounts, may select brokers or dealers to execute securities transactions based
in part on brokerage and research services provided to the Adviser or the Subadviser which may not benefit all funds and accounts
equally and may receive different amounts of financial or other benefits for managing different funds and accounts. The Adviser,
the Subadviser and their affiliates may provide more services to some types of funds and accounts than others.
The Fund, Adviser
and/or Subadviser (as applicable) have adopted policies and procedures that address the foregoing potential conflicts of interest,
including policies and procedures to address the allocation of investment opportunities, execution of portfolio transactions,
personal trading by employees and other potential conflicts of interest that are designed to ensure that all accounts of the Adviser
and Subadviser are treated equitably. There is no guarantee that the policies and procedures adopted by the Adviser, the Subadviser
and the Fund will be able to identify or mitigate the conflicts of interest that arise between the Fund and any other investment
funds or accounts that the Adviser and/or the Subadviser may manage or advise from time to time. For further information on potential
conflicts of interest, see “Management of the Fund—Conflicts of Interest” in the SAI.
In addition, while
the Fund is using leverage, the amount of the fees paid to the Adviser (and by the Adviser to the Subadviser) for investment advisory
and management services are higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid are calculated based on the Fund’s
Managed Assets, which include assets purchased with leverage. Therefore, the Adviser and the Subadviser have a financial incentive
to leverage the Fund, which creates a conflict of interest between the Adviser and the Subadviser on the one hand and the Common
Shareholders of the Fund on the other.
Stockholder Activism
Stockholder activism,
which could take many forms, including making public demands that the Fund consider certain strategic alternatives, engaging in
public campaigns to attempt to influence the Fund’s corporate governance and/or management, and commencing proxy contests
to attempt to elect the activists’ representatives or others to the Fund’s Board of Directors, or arise in a variety
of situations, has been increasing in the CEF space recently. While the Fund is currently not subject to any stockholder activism,
due to the potential volatility of the Fund’s stock price and for a variety of other reasons, the Fund may in the future
become the target of stockholder activism. Stockholder activism could result in substantial costs and divert management’s
and the Board of Director’s attention and resources from its business. Also, the Fund may be required to incur significant
legal and other expenses related to any activist stockholder matters. Further, the Fund’s stock price could be subject to
significant fluctuation or otherwise be adversely affected by the events, risks and uncertainties of any stockholder activism.
Cyber Security Risk
With the increased
use of the Internet and because information technology (“IT”) systems and digital data underlie most of the Fund’s
operations, the Fund and the Adviser, Subadviser, transfer agent, and other service providers and the vendors of each (collectively
“Service Providers”) are exposed to the risk that their operations and data may be compromised as a result of internal
and external cyber-failures, breaches or attacks (“Cyber Risk”). This could occur as a result of malicious or criminal
cyber-attacks. Cyber-attacks include actions taken to: (i) steal or corrupt data maintained online or digitally, (ii) gain unauthorized
access to or release confidential information, (iii) shut down the Fund or Service Provider website through denial-of-service
attacks, or (iv) otherwise disrupt normal business operations. However, events arising from human error, faulty or inadequately
implemented policies and procedures or other systems failures unrelated to any external cyber-threat may have effects similar
to those caused by deliberate cyber-attacks.
Successful cyber-attacks
or other cyber-failures or events affecting the Fund or its Service Providers may adversely impact the Fund or its shareholders
or cause an investment in the Fund to lose value. For instance, such attacks, failures or other events may interfere with the
processing of shareholder transactions, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, cause the release of private shareholder
information or confidential Fund information, impede trading, or cause reputational damage. Because the Fund does not offer to
redeem its Common Shares at NAV, damage to the reputation of the Fund or its service providers could cause a decline in the value
of the Fund’s Common Shares, perhaps suddenly. Such attacks, failures or other events could also subject the Fund or its
Service Providers to regulatory fines, penalties or financial losses, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional
compliance costs. Insurance protection and contractual indemnification provisions may be insufficient to cover these losses. The
Fund or its Service Providers may also incur significant costs to manage and control Cyber Risk. While the Fund and its Service
Providers have established IT and data security programs and have in place business continuity plans and other systems designed
to prevent losses and mitigate Cyber Risk, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including the possibility
that certain risks have not been identified or that cyber-attacks may be highly sophisticated.
Cyber Risk is also
present for issuers of securities or other instruments in which the Fund invests, which could result in material adverse consequences
for such issuers, and may cause the Fund’s investment in such issuers to lose value.
Secondary Market for the Common Shares
The issuance of Common
Shares through the Plan may have an adverse effect on the secondary market for the Common Shares. The increase in the number of
outstanding Common Shares resulting from the issuances pursuant to the Plan and the discount to the market price at which such
Common Shares may be issued, may put downward pressure on the market price for the Common Shares. When the Common Shares are trading
at a premium, the Fund may also issue Common Shares that may be sold through private transactions effected on the NYSE or through
broker-dealers. The increase in the number of outstanding Common Shares resulting from these offerings may put downward pressure
on the market price for Common Shares.
Anti-Takeover Provisions
Maryland law and the
Fund’s Charter and Bylaws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control
of the Fund or to convert the Fund to open-end status, including the adoption of a staggered Board of Directors and the supermajority
voting requirements discussed herein. These provisions could deprive the holders of Common Shares of opportunities to sell their
Common Shares at a premium over the then current market price of the Common Shares or at NAV. See “Certain Provisions of
the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws and of Maryland Law.” This risk would also apply to many of the Fund’s investments
in Underlying Funds.
Risks Associated
with Additional Offerings. There are risks associated with offerings of additional common or preferred shares of the Fund.
The voting power of current shareholders will be diluted to the extent that current shareholders do not purchase shares in any
future offerings of shares or do not purchase sufficient shares to maintain their percentage interest. In addition, the sale of
shares in an offering may have an adverse effect on prices in the secondary market for the Fund’s shares by increasing the
number of shares available, which may put downward pressure on the market price of the Fund’s Shares. These sales also might
make it more difficult for the Fund to sell additional equity securities in the future at a time and price the Fund deems appropriate.
In the event any additional
series of fixed rate preferred shares are issued and such shares are intended to be listed on an exchange, prior application will
have been made to list such shares. During an initial period, which is not expected to exceed 30 days after the date of its initial
issuance, such shares may not be listed on any securities exchange. During such period, the underwriters may make a market in
such shares, although they will have no obligation to do so. Consequently, an investment in such shares may be illiquid during
such period. Fixed rate preferred shares may trade at a premium to or discount from liquidation value.
There are risks
associated with an offering of Rights (in addition to the risks discussed herein related to the offering of shares and preferred
shares). Shareholders who do not exercise their rights may, at the completion of such an offering, own a smaller proportional
interest in the Fund than if they exercised their rights. As a result of such an offering, a shareholder may experience dilution
in NAV per share if the subscription price per share is below the NAV per share on the expiration date. In addition to the economic
dilution described above, if a shareholder does not exercise all of their Rights, the shareholder will incur voting dilution as
a result of the Rights offering. This voting dilution will occur because the shareholder will own a smaller proportionate interest
in the Fund after the rights offering than prior to the Rights offering.
There is a risk that
changes in market conditions may result in the underlying common shares or preferred shares purchasable upon exercise of Rights
being less attractive to investors at the conclusion of the subscription period. This may reduce or eliminate the value of the
Rights. If investors exercise only a portion of the rights, the number of shares issued may be reduced, and the shares may trade
at less favorable prices than larger offerings for similar securities. Rights issued by the Fund may be transferable or non-transferable
rights.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Board of Directors
The Fund’s Board
of Directors has overall responsibility for management of the Fund. The Board of Directors decides upon matters of general policy
and generally oversees the actions of the Adviser, the Subadviser and the other service providers of the Fund. The name and business
address of the Board of Directors and officers of the Fund, and their principal occupations and other affiliations during the
past five years, are set forth under “Board Members and Officers” in the SAI.
Investment Adviser
RiverNorth Capital
Management, LLC (“RiverNorth” or the “Adviser”), a registered investment adviser, is the Fund’s
investment adviser and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to the Tactical
Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy, managing the Fund’s business affairs and providing certain administrative services.
The Adviser is also responsible for determining the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing its implementation.
Subject to the ranges noted above, the Adviser determines the portion of the Fund’s Managed Assets to allocate to each strategy
and may, from time to time, adjust the allocations.
RiverNorth, founded
in 2000, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of RiverNorth Financial Holdings LLC and is located at 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite
1420, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. As of May 31, 2023, RiverNorth managed approximately $5.0 billion for registered open-end management
investment companies, registered closed-end management investment companies and private investment vehicles. See “Management
of the Fund” in the SAI.
Subadviser
MacKay Shields
LLC is the Fund’s subadviser and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated
to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy. The Subadviser is located at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 43rd Floor, New York,
New York 10105. The Subadviser is registered with the SEC, and as of May 31, 2023, had approximately $132.5 billion in assets
under management. The Subadviser was incorporated in 1969 as an independent investment advisory firm and was privately held until
1984 when it was acquired by New York Life Insurance Company. The Subadviser is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of New York
Life Insurance Company.
Portfolio Management
Patrick W. Galley,
CFA has been a co-portfolio manager of the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy for the Fund since its inception on March
26, 2020. Mr. Galley is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer for the Adviser. Mr. Galley heads the Adviser’s
research and investment team and oversees all portfolio management activities at the Adviser. Mr. Galley also serves as the President
and Chairman of the RiverNorth Funds, a mutual fund complex for which RiverNorth serves as the investment adviser. Prior to joining
the Adviser in 2004, he was most recently a Vice President at Bank of America in the Global Investment Bank’s Portfolio
Management group, where he specialized in analyzing and structuring corporate transactions for investment management firms in
addition to closed-end and open-end funds, hedge funds, funds of funds, structured investment vehicles and insurance/reinsurance
companies. Mr. Galley graduated with honors from Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Finance. He has received the
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, is a member of the CFA Institute and is a member of the CFA Society of Chicago.
Stephen O’Neill,
CFA has been a co-portfolio manager of the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. O’Neill
conducts qualitative and quantitative analysis of CEFs and their respective asset classes at RiverNorth. Prior to joining RiverNorth
Capital in 2007, Mr. O’Neill was most recently an Assistant Vice President at Bank of America in the Global Investment Bank’s
Portfolio Management group. At Bank of America, he specialized in the corporate real estate, asset management, and structured
finance industries. Mr. O’Neill graduated magna cum laude from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a B.S. in Finance.
Mr. O’Neill has received the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, is a member of the CFA Institute, and is a member
of the CFA Society of Chicago.
Robert DiMella,
CFA has been a co-portfolio manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. DiMella is an
Executive Managing Director of the Subadviser. He has managed the MainStay Tax Free Bond Fund since 2009, the MainStay High Yield
Municipal Bond Fund since 2010, the MainStay New York Tax Free Opportunities Fund since May 2012, the MainStay Defined Term Municipal
Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay California Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2013 and the MainStay Tax Advantaged
Short Term Bond Fund since June 2015. Previously, he co-founded Mariner Municipal Managers LLC (2007 to 2009). Prior to BlackRock’s
merger with Merrill Lynch Investment Managers (“MLIM”), he served as a Senior Portfolio Manager and Managing Director
of the Municipal Products Group. Mr. DiMella earned his Master’s degree at Rutgers University Business School and a Bachelors
Degree at the University of Connecticut, and he has received the CFA designation.
John Loffredo, CFA
has been a co-portfolio manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Loffredo is an Executive
Managing Director of the Subadviser. Mr. Loffredo has managed the MainStay Tax Free Bond Fund since 2009, the MainStay High Yield
Municipal Bond Fund since 2010, the MainStay New York Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay Defined Term Municipal
Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay California Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2013 and the MainStay Tax Advantaged
Short Term Bond Fund since June 2015. He has been a municipal portfolio manager and/or municipal analyst on Wall Street since
1990, with a broad range of portfolio management and analytic experience in the municipal markets. He previously co-founded Mariner
Municipal Managers LLC (2007 to 2009). Prior to BlackRock’s merger with MLIM, he served as Chief Investment Officer of the
Municipal Products Group of MLIM. Mr. Loffredo graduated cum laude with an MBA from Utah State University where he was a Harry
S. Truman Scholar. He also has a Certificate of Public Management from Boston University, and he has received the CFA designation.
Michael Petty has
been a co-portfolio manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Petty is a Senior Managing
Director of the Subadviser. Mr. Petty has managed the MainStay High Yield Municipal Bond Fund since 2010, the MainStay Tax Free
Bond Fund since 2011, the MainStay New York Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities
Fund since 2012, the MainStay California Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2013 and the MainStay Tax Advantaged Short Term Bond
Fund since June 2015. Before joining the Subadviser in 2009, he was a Portfolio Manager for Mariner Municipal Managers. He has
been a portfolio manager on Wall Street since 1992, and has worked in the municipal products market since 1985. Mr. Petty has
a broad array of trading, portfolio management, and sales experience. Prior to joining Mariner Municipal Managers, he was a Senior
Portfolio Manager at Dreyfus Corporation from 1997 to 2009. From 1992 to 1997, he served as a Portfolio Manager for Merrill Lynch
Investment Managers. Mr. Petty graduated from Hobart College with a B.S. in Mathematics and Economics.
Scott Sprauer has
been a co-portfolio manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Sprauer is a Senior Managing
Director of the Subadviser. He joined the Subadviser in 2009 as a Portfolio Manager in the Municipal Bond Division. He has managed
the MainStay New York Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities Fund since 2012,
the MainStay California Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2013, the MainStay High Yield Municipal Bond Fund and MainStay Tax Free
Bond Fund since February 2014 and the MainStay Tax Advantaged Short Term Bond Fund since June 2015. Prior to joining the Subadviser,
he was the Head Trader, Fixed Income at Financial Guaranty Insurance Company from 2006 to 2009. He has a BSBA from Villanova University,
and has been in the investment management industry since 1991.
David Dowden has been
a co-portfolio manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Dowden is a Managing Director
of the Subadviser. He joined the Subadviser in 2009 as a Portfolio Manager in the Municipal Bond Division. He has managed the
MainStay New York Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities Fund since 2012, the
MainStay California Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2013, the MainStay High Yield Municipal Bond Fund and MainStay Tax Free
Bond Fund since February 2014 and the MainStay Tax Advantaged Short Term Bond Fund since June 2015. Prior to joining the Subadviser,
he was the Chief Investment Officer at Financial Guaranty Insurance Company from 2006 to 2009. He has a BA from Brown University
and an MBA from Columbia University. He has been in the investment management industry since 1989.
Robert Burke has been
a co-portfolio manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Burke is a Managing Director
of the Subadviser. He joined the Subadviser in July 2017. Before joining the Subadviser, Mr. Burke held various leadership roles
in capital markets, spending the majority of his time in the municipal markets. In his last role working for Bank of America Merrill
Lynch, Mr. Burke managed the Global Futures, Derivatives Clearing and Foreign Exchange Prime Brokerage businesses. Mr. Burke started
his career at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in the municipal bond department covering insurance, hedge fund, and asset management
clients. He holds a Masters of Business Administration from the Gabelli School at Fordham University, and a Bachelor of Arts with
High Honors in Economics from Colgate University. Mr. Burke has received the CFA designation. He has been in the investment management
industry since 1985.
John Lawlor has
been a co-portfolio manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. He is a Managing Director
of the Subadviser. Mr. Lawlor joined MacKay Shields in 2016. Before joining the firm, he was Vice President Equity Sales at Deutsche
Bank and was previously at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. From 1997-2011, he was a senior trader on the floor of the New York
Stock Exchange. Mr. Lawlor has a broad and diverse set of skills in sales, trading, and electronic trading platforms. He earned
a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Lehigh University. Mr. Lawlor graduated college in 1997. He has 20 years in the financial
services industry.
The Fund’s SAI
provides information about the compensation received by the portfolio managers of the Fund, other accounts that they manage and
their ownership of the Fund’s equity securities.
Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements
Pursuant to an Investment
Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is responsible for managing the Fund’s affairs, subject at all times to the general oversight
of the Fund’s Board of Directors. The Fund has agreed to pay the Adviser a management fee payable on a monthly basis at
the annual rate of 1.40% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets for the services it provides. This management fee paid
by the Fund to the Adviser is essentially an all-in fee structure (the “unified management fee”) and, as part of the
unified management fee, the Adviser provides or causes to be furnished all supervisory and administrative and other services reasonably
necessary for the operation of the Fund, except (unless otherwise described in this Prospectus or otherwise agreed to in writing),
the Fund pays, in addition to the unified management fee, taxes and governmental fees, if any, levied against the Fund; brokerage
fees and commissions and other portfolio transaction expenses incurred by or for the Fund; costs, including interest expenses,
of borrowing money or engaging in other types of leverage financing including, without limit, through the use by the Fund of tender
option bond transactions; costs, including dividend and/or interest expenses and other costs (including, without limit, offering
and related legal costs, fees to brokers, fees to auction agents, fees to transfer agents, fees to ratings agencies and fees to
auditors associated with satisfying ratings agency requirements for preferred shares or other securities issued by the Fund and
other related requirements in the Fund’s organizational documents) associated with the Fund’s issuance, offering,
redemption and maintenance of preferred shares or other instruments (such as the use of tender option bond transactions) for the
purpose of incurring leverage; fees and expenses of any Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests; dividend and interest expenses
on short positions taken by the Fund; fees and expenses, including travel expenses and fees and expenses of legal counsel retained
for their benefit, of directors of the Fund who are not officers, employees, partners, shareholders or members of the Adviser
or its affiliates; fees and expenses associated with and incident to shareholder meetings and proxy solicitations involving contested
elections of directors, shareholder proposals or other non-routine matters that are not initiated or proposed by the Adviser;
legal, marketing, printing, accounting and other expenses associated with any future share offerings, such as rights offerings
and shelf offerings, following the Fund’s initial offering; expenses associated with tender offers (other than any Eligible
Tender Offer) and other share repurchases and redemptions; and other extraordinary expenses, including extraordinary legal expenses,
as may arise, including, without limit, expenses incurred in connection with litigation, proceedings, other claims and the legal
obligations of the Fund to indemnify its directors, officers, employees, shareholders, distributors and agents with respect thereto.
Pursuant to a Subadvisory
Agreement, the Adviser has delegated daily management of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income
Strategy to the Subadviser, who is paid by the Adviser from the unified management fee and not the Fund. The Adviser (and not
the Fund) has agreed to pay the Subadviser a subadvisory fee payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.20% of the Fund’s
average daily Managed Assets for the service it provides.
Because the fees received
by the Adviser and the Subadviser are based on the Managed Assets of the Fund, the Adviser and the Subadviser have a financial
incentive for the Fund to use leverage, which may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser and the Subadviser, on the
one hand, and the common shareholders, on the other. Because leverage costs will be borne by the Fund at a specified interest
rate, the Fund’s investment management fee and other expenses, including expenses incurred as a result of any leverage,
are paid only by the common shareholders and not by holders of Preferred Shares or through borrowings. See “Use of Leverage.”
A discussion of
the basis for the Board of Directors’ approval of the Fund’s Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements is available
in the Fund’s semi-annual report dated December 31, 2022. The basis for subsequent continuations of these agreements will
be provided in annual or semi-annual reports to shareholders for the periods during which such continuations occur.
NET ASSET VALUE
NAV is determined
daily as of the close of the regular trading session on the NYSE (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). NAV is calculated by dividing
the value of all of the securities and other assets of the Fund, less the liabilities (including accrued expenses and indebtedness)
and the aggregate liquidation value of any outstanding Preferred Shares, by the total number of common shares outstanding.
The Fund utilizes
an independent pricing service approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors to value its Municipal Bond investments. The Fund’s
Underlying Fund investments are generally valued at their market value using market quotations. The Fund may use independent pricing
services to provide market quotations. Prices obtained from independent pricing services use various observable inputs and assumptions,
including, but not limited to, information provided by broker-dealers, pricing formulas, such as dividend discount models, option
valuation formulas, estimates of market values obtained from yield data relating to investments or securities with similar characteristics
and discounted cash flow models that might be applicable. In valuing Municipal Bonds, the pricing services may consider, among
other factors, the yields or prices of municipal securities of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating
and the obligor’s credit characteristics considered relevant by the pricing service of the Board of Directors. If a market
valuation for a security is unavailable or deemed to be an unreliable indicator of current market value, the Fund will seek to
obtain a broker quote from an external data vendor or directly from broker-dealers. Certain fixed income securities purchased
on a delayed delivery basis are marked-to-market daily until settlement at the forward settlement date. Short-term investments
having a maturity of 60 days or less are generally valued at amortized cost; however, securities with a demand feature exercisable
within seven days are generally valued at par. Exchange-traded options, futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement
price determined by the relevant exchange. If market quotations are not available or, in the Adviser’s opinion, market quotations
do not reflect market value, or if an event occurs after the close of trading on the domestic or foreign exchange or market on
which the security is principally traded (but prior to the time as of which the NAV is calculated) that materially affects market
value, the security will be valued at fair value by the Adviser, as the valuation designee, according to policies approved by
the Board of Directors. For example, if trading in a portfolio security is halted and does not resume before the Fund calculates
its NAV, the security may need to be fair valued using the Fund’s fair value pricing policies. Fair valuation involves subjective
judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security may differ materially from the value that could be
realized upon the sale of the security. The Fund invests in Underlying Funds. The Fund’s NAV is calculated based, in part,
upon the market prices of the Underlying Funds in its portfolio, and the prospectuses of those companies explain the circumstances
under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of doing so.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund has implemented
a level distribution policy (the “Level Distribution Policy). Under the Level Distribution Policy, the Fund intends to make
monthly distributions to common shareholders at a constant and fixed (but not guaranteed) rate (which is annually reset) equal
to 6.25% of the average of the Fund’s NAV per share (the “Distribution Amount”) as reported for the final five
trading days of the preceding calendar year. The Board of Directors may amend the Level Distribution Policy, the Distribution
Amount or distribution intervals, or the Fund may cease distributions entirely, at any time, without prior notice to common shareholders.
The Fund’s intention under the Level Distribution Policy is that monthly distributions paid to common shareholders throughout
a calendar year will be at least equal to the Distribution Amount (plus any additional amounts that may be required to be included
in a distribution for federal or excise tax purposes).
Under the Level Distribution
Policy, to the extent that sufficient investment income is not available on a monthly basis, the Fund’s distributions could
consist of return of capital in order to maintain the distribution rate. The amount treated as a return of capital will reduce
a shareholder’s adjusted basis in the shareholder’s shares, thereby increasing the potential gain or reducing the
potential loss on the sale of shares. Investors should not make any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance
from the amount of the Fund’s distributions or from the terms of the Fund’s Level Distribution Policy.
It is expected that
the Fund’s distributions will generally be treated as tax-exempt income for purposes of regular U.S. federal income tax;
however, a portion of the Fund’s distributions may (i) be subject to U.S. federal income tax and such distributions will
generally be subject to state and local taxes, (ii) be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum
tax, and (iii) constitute a return of capital. For example, the Fund may invest up to 30% of the Managed Assets allocated to the
Municipal Bond Income Strategy in Municipal Bonds that pay interest that may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the
Federal alternative minimum tax. Moreover, the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests pursuant to the Tactical Municipal Closed-End
Fund Strategy may themselves invest in municipal bonds that pay interest that may be includable in taxable income for purposes
of the Federal alternative minimum tax.
The Fund will distribute
to common shareholders at least annually all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net exempt interest
income after the payment of dividends and interest, if any, owed with respect to any outstanding Preferred Shares or other forms
of leverage utilized by the Fund. The Fund intends to pay any capital gains distributions at least annually. If the Fund realizes
a long-term capital gain, it will be required to allocate such gain between the common shares and any Preferred Shares issued
by the Fund in proportion to the total dividends paid to each class for the year in which the income is realized. A distribution
of an amount in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated by a common shareholder
as a return of capital which is applied against and reduces the common shareholder’s tax basis in his or her common shares.
To the extent that the amount of any distribution exceeds the common shareholder’s basis in his or her shares, the excess
will be treated by the common shareholder as gain from a sale or exchange of the common shares.
Under the 1940 Act,
the Fund may not declare any dividend or other distribution upon any class of its capital shares, or purchase any such capital
shares, unless the aggregate indebtedness of the Fund has, at the time of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution
or at the time of any such purchase, an asset coverage of at least 300% after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution,
or purchase price, as the case may be.
While any Preferred
Shares are outstanding, the Fund may not declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its common shares, unless at the time
of such declaration, (i) all accumulated preferred dividends have been paid and (ii) the NAV of the Fund’s portfolio (determined
after deducting the amount of such dividend or other distribution) is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding
Preferred Shares (expected to be equal to the original purchase price per share plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon).
In addition to the
limitations imposed by the 1940 Act described above, certain lenders may impose additional restrictions on the payment of dividends
or distributions on the common shares in the event of a default on the Fund’s borrowings. If the Fund’s ability to
make distributions on its common shares is limited, such limitations could, under certain circumstances, impair the ability of
the Fund to maintain its qualification for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company, which would have adverse
tax consequences for shareholders. See “Use of Leverage” and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
The Fund has an automatic
dividend reinvestment plan (the “Plan”) commonly referred to as an “opt-out” plan. Unless the registered
owner of common shares elects to receive cash by contacting DST Systems, Inc. (the “Plan Administrator”), all dividends
declared on common shares will be automatically reinvested by the Plan Administrator for shareholders in the Fund’s Plan,
in additional common shares. Common shareholders who elect not to participate in the Plan will receive all dividends and other
distributions in cash paid by check mailed directly to the shareholder of record (or, if the common shares are held in street
or other nominee name, then to such nominee) by the Plan Administrator as dividend disbursing agent. Participation in the Plan
is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by notice if received and processed by the
Plan Administrator prior to the dividend record date; otherwise such termination or resumption will be effective with respect
to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution. Such notice will be effective with respect to a particular dividend
or other distribution (together, a “Dividend”). Some brokers may automatically elect to receive cash on behalf of
common shareholders and may re-invest that cash in additional common shares. Reinvested Dividends will increase the Fund’s
Managed Assets on which the management fee is payable to the Adviser (and by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser).
Whenever the Fund
declares a Dividend payable in cash, non-participants in the Plan will receive cash and participants in the Plan will receive
the equivalent in common shares. The common shares will be acquired by the Plan Administrator for the participants’ accounts,
depending upon the circumstances described below, either (i) through receipt of additional unissued but authorized common shares
from the Fund (“Newly Issued Common Shares”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding common shares on the open market (“Open-Market
Purchases”) on the NYSE or elsewhere. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the closing market price plus estimated
brokerage commissions per common share is equal to or greater than the NAV per common share, the Plan Administrator will invest
the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Common Shares on behalf of the participants. The number of Newly Issued Common Shares to be
credited to each participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the Dividend by the Fund’s
NAV per common share on the payment date. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the NAV per common share is greater than the
closing market value plus estimated brokerage commissions (i.e., the Fund’s common shares are trading at a discount),
the Plan Administrator will invest the Dividend amount in common shares acquired on behalf of the participants in Open-Market
Purchases.
In the event of a
market discount on the payment date for any Dividend, the Plan Administrator will have until the last business day before the
next date on which the common shares trade on an “ex-dividend” basis or 30 days after the payment date for such Dividend,
whichever is sooner (the “Last Purchase Date”), to invest the Dividend amount in common shares acquired in Open-Market
Purchases. It is contemplated that the Fund will pay monthly income Dividends. If, before the Plan Administrator has completed
its Open-Market Purchases, the market price per common share exceeds the NAV per common share, the average per common share purchase
price paid by the Plan Administrator may exceed the NAV of the common shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer common shares
than if the Dividend had been paid in Newly Issued Common Shares on the Dividend payment date. Because of the foregoing difficulty
with respect to Open-Market Purchases, the Plan provides that if the Plan Administrator is unable to invest the full Dividend
amount in Open-Market Purchases during the purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase
period, the Plan Administrator may cease making Open-Market Purchases and may invest the uninvested portion of the Dividend amount
in Newly Issued Common Shares at the NAV per common share at the close of business on the Last Purchase Date.
The Plan Administrator
maintains all shareholders’ accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmation of all transactions in the accounts,
including information needed by shareholders for tax records. Common shares in the account of each Plan participant will be held
by the Plan Administrator on behalf of the Plan participant, and each shareholder proxy will include those shares purchased or
received pursuant to the Plan. The Plan Administrator will forward all proxy solicitation materials to participants and vote proxies
for shares held under the Plan in accordance with the instructions of the participants.
Beneficial owners
of common shares who hold their common shares in the name of a broker or nominee should contact the broker or nominee to determine
whether and how they may participate in the Plan. In the case of common shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees which
hold shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Administrator will administer the Plan on the basis of the number
of common shares certified from time to time by the record shareholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners
who participate in the Plan.
There will be no brokerage
charges with respect to common shares issued directly by the Fund. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage
commissions incurred in connection with Open-Market Purchases. The automatic reinvestment of Dividends will not relieve participants
of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such Dividends, even though such
participants have not received any cash with which to pay the resulting tax. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters”
below. Participants that request a sale of common shares through the Plan Administrator are subject to brokerage commissions.
The Fund reserves
the right to amend or terminate the Plan. There is no direct service charge to participants with regard to purchases in the Plan;
however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants. All correspondence
or questions concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Administrator at (844) 569-4750.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND’S SECURITIES
The following summary
of the terms of the common shares of the Fund does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety
by reference to the Maryland General Corporation Law, and to the Fund’s Charter and the Fund’s Bylaws, copies of which
are filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement.
The Fund’s
authorized capital stock consists of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, all of which is classified
as common shares. The Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board of Directors, but without any action
by the shareholders of the Fund, may amend the Fund’s Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number
of shares of stock of the Fund or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Fund has authority to issue.
In general, shareholders
or subscribers for the Fund’s stock have no personal liability for the debts and obligations of the Fund because of their
status as shareholders or subscribers, except to the extent that the subscription price or other agreed consideration for the
stock has not been paid.
Common Stock
The Fund’s
common shares have no preemptive, conversion, exchange, appraisal or redemption rights, and each share has equal voting, dividend,
distribution and liquidation rights.
Common shareholders
are entitled to receive dividends if and when the Board of Directors declares dividends from funds legally available. Whenever
Fund Preferred Shares or borrowings are outstanding, common shareholders will not be entitled to receive any distributions from
the Fund unless all accrued dividends on the Preferred Shares and interest and principal payments on borrowings have been paid,
and unless the applicable asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act would be satisfied after giving effect to the distribution
as described above.
In the event of the
Fund’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, common shares would be entitled to share ratably in all of the Fund’s
assets that are legally available for distribution after the Fund pays all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential
rights of holders of Preferred Shares, if any Preferred Shares are outstanding at such time.
Common shareholders
are entitled to one vote per share. All voting rights for the election of directors are noncumulative, which means that, assuming
there are no Preferred Shares outstanding, the holders of more than 50% of the common shares will elect 100% of the directors
then nominated for election if they choose to do so and, in such event, the holders of the remaining common shares will not be
able to elect any Directors.
The Fund’s Charter
authorizes the Board of Directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of common stock into other classes or series
of stock. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, the Board of Directors is required by Maryland law and by the Fund’s
Charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or
other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Thus, the Board of Directors
could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring
or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of the Fund’s common shares
or otherwise be in their best interest. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has no plans to classify or reclassify any
unissued shares of common stock.
The Fund’s
currently outstanding common shares are, and the Common Shares offered in this Prospectus will be, subject to notice of issuance,
listed on the NYSE under the trading or “ticker” symbol “RFM.” Under the rules of the NYSE applicable
to listed companies, the Fund is required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders in each year.
The provisions
of the 1940 Act generally require that the public offering price (less underwriting commissions and discounts) of common shares
sold by a closed-end investment company must equal or exceed the NAV of such company’s common shares (calculated within
48 hours of the pricing of such offering), unless such a sale is made in connection with an offering to existing holders of shares
of common stock or with the consent of a majority of its common stockholders. The Fund may, from time to time, seek the consent
of common shareholders to permit the issuance and sale by the Fund of Common Shares at a price below the Fund’s then-current
NAV, subject to certain conditions. If such consent is obtained, the Fund may, contemporaneous with and in no event more than
one year following the receipt of such consent, sell Common Shares at a price below NAV in accordance with any conditions adopted
in connection with the giving of such consent. Additional information regarding any consent of common shareholders obtained by
the Fund and the applicable conditions imposed on the issuance and sale by the Fund of Common Shares at a price below NAV will
be disclosed in the prospectus supplement relating to any such offering of Common Shares at a price below NAV. See also “—Subscription
Rights” below.
Preferred Stock
The Fund’s Charter
authorizes the Board of Directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock,
including Preferred Shares, without the approval of common shareholders. Prior to issuance of any shares of Preferred Shares,
the Board of Directors is required by Maryland law and by the Fund’s Charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion and
other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions
of redemption for such shares. Thus, the Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of Preferred Shares with terms and conditions
that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium
price for common shareholders or otherwise be in their best interest. The prospectus supplement for any potential offering of
preferred shares will describe the terms and conditions of those shares, including information regarding the liquidation preference,
distribution rate, any optional or mandatory redemption provisions and whether the preferred shares are convertible into common
shares. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has not issued any Preferred Shares.
Any issuance of Preferred
Shares must comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. Specifically, the Fund is not permitted under the 1940 Act to issue
Preferred Shares unless immediately after such issuance the total asset value of the Fund’s portfolio is at least 200% of
the liquidation value of the outstanding Preferred Shares. Among other requirements, including other 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 directors
at all times. 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 would have the right to elect a majority of the Fund’s directors at any time two years’
dividends on any Preferred Shares are unpaid.
Preferred Shares of
the Fund would be senior to the common shares with respect to the payment of dividends and the distributions of the assets of
the Fund upon liquidation. In addition, all Preferred Shares of the Fund would be pari passu (or on equal footing) with one another
and junior to the Fund’s senior securities representing indebtedness. See “Use of Leverage”.
The applicable prospectus
supplement will set forth whether or not the shares of the Fund’s preferred stock offered in this Prospectus will be listed
or traded on any securities exchange. If the shares of the Fund’s preferred stock are not listed on a securities exchange,
there may be no active secondary trading market for such shares and an investment in such shares may be illiquid.
The terms, if any,
on which the preferred stock may be exchanged for or converted into shares of common stock or any other security and, if applicable,
the conversion or exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and the conversion or exchange period will also be set forth in
the applicable prospectus supplement.
Subscription Rights
The Fund may issue
Rights to (i) common shareholders to purchase Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares or (ii) preferred shareholders to purchase
Preferred Shares (subject to applicable law). Rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered Security and
may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the Rights. In connection with a Rights offering to common
and/or preferred shareholders, the Fund would distribute certificates evidencing the Rights and a prospectus supplement, containing
all of the material terms of the Rights agreement relating to such Rights (the “Subscription Rights Agreement”), to
the Fund’s common or preferred shareholders, as applicable, as of the record date that the Fund sets for determining the
shareholders eligible to receive Rights in such Rights offering.
The applicable prospectus
supplement would describe the following terms of Rights in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered:
| ● | the period of time the offering
would remain open (which will be open a minimum number of days such that all record holders
would be eligible to participate in the offering and will not be open longer than 120
days); |
| ● | the title of such subscription
Rights; |
| ● | the exercise price for such Rights
(or method of calculation thereof); |
| ● | the number of such Rights issued
in respect of each common share; |
| ● | the number of Rights required
to purchase a single preferred share; |
| ● | the extent to which such Rights
are transferable and the market on which they may be traded if they are transferable; |
| ● | if applicable, a discussion of
the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise
of such Rights; |
| ● | the date on which the right to
exercise such Rights will commence, and the date on which such right will expire (subject
to any extension); |
| ● | the extent to which such Rights
include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities and the
terms of such over-subscription privilege; |
| ● | any termination right the Fund
may have in connection with such Rights offering; |
| ● | the expected trading market,
if any, for Rights; and |
| ● | any other terms of such Rights,
including exercise, settlement and other procedures and limitations relating to the transfer
and exercise of such Rights. |
Exercise of Rights.
Each Right would entitle the holder of the Right to purchase for cash such number of shares at such exercise price as in each
case is set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the Rights offered thereby. Rights
would be exercisable at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for such Rights set forth in the prospectus
supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised Rights would become void.
Upon expiration of
the Rights offering and the receipt of payment and the Rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate
trust office of the Rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, the Fund would issue, as soon as
practicable, the shares purchased as a result of such exercise. To the extent permissible under applicable law, the Fund may determine
to offer any unsubscribed offered Securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or
dealers or through a combination of such methods, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Subscription Rights
to Purchase Common and Preferred Stock
The Fund may issue
Rights, which would entitle holders to purchase both Common Shares and Preferred Shares in a ratio to be set forth in the applicable
prospectus supplement. In accordance with the 1940 Act, at least three subscription rights to purchase Common Shares would be
required to subscribe for one Common Share. It is expected that Rights to purchase both Common Shares and Preferred Shares would
require holders to purchase an equal number of Common Shares and Preferred Shares, and would not permit holders to purchase an
unequal number of Common Shares or Preferred Shares, or purchase only Common Shares or only Preferred Shares. For example, such
an offering might be structured such that three Rights would entitle an investor to purchase one Common Share and one Preferred
Share, and such investor would not be able to choose to purchase only a Common Share or only a Preferred Share upon the exercise
of his, her or its Rights.
The Common Shares
and Preferred Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of any such Rights, however, would at all times be separately tradeable securities.
Such Common Shares and Preferred Shares would not be issued as a “unit” or “combination” and would not
be listed or traded as a “unit” or “combination” on a securities exchange, such as the NYSE, at any time.
The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth additional details regarding an offering of Rights to purchase Common Shares
and Preferred Shares.
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE FUND’S
CHARTER AND BYLAWS AND OF MARYLAND LAW
The following is a
summary of certain provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) and of the Charter and Bylaws of
the Fund.
General
The MGCL and the Fund’s
Charter and Bylaws contain provisions that could have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire
control of the Fund, to cause it to engage in certain transactions or to modify its structure.
These provisions could
have the effect of depriving common shareholders of an opportunity to sell their common shares by discouraging a third party from
seeking to obtain control of the Fund in a tender offer or similar transaction. On the other hand, these provisions may require
persons seeking control of the Fund to negotiate with the Fund’s management regarding the price to be paid for the common
shares required to obtain such control, promote continuity and stability and enhance the Fund’s ability to pursue long-term
strategies that are consistent with its investment objectives.
The Board of Directors
has concluded that the potential benefits of these provisions outweigh their possible disadvantages.
Classified Board of Directors
The Board of Directors
is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. The initial terms of the first, second and third
classes will expire at the first, second and third annual meetings of shareholders, respectively, and, in each case, until their
successors are duly elected and qualify. Upon expiration of their terms, directors of each class will be elected to serve for
three-year terms and until their successors are duly elected and qualify and at each annual meeting one class of directors will
be elected by the shareholders. A classified Board of Directors promotes continuity and stability of management but makes it more
difficult for shareholders to change a majority of the directors because it generally takes at least two annual elections of directors
for this to occur. The Fund believes that classification of the Board of Directors will help to assure the continuity and stability
of the Fund’s strategies and policies as determined by the Board of Directors.
Election of Directors
The MGCL provides
that, unless the charter or bylaws of a corporation provide otherwise, which the Fund’s Charter and the Fund’s Bylaws
do not, a plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is sufficient to elect a director.
Number of Directors; Vacancies
The Fund’s Charter
provides that the number of directors will be set only by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Bylaws. The Bylaws provide
that a majority of the Fund’s entire Board of Directors may at any time increase or decrease the number of directors, provided
that there may be no fewer than three directors and no more than 12 directors.
The Fund’s Charter
provides that the Fund elects, at such time as the Fund becomes eligible to make such an election (i.e., when the Fund
has at least three independent directors and the Common Shares are registered under the Exchange Act), to be subject to the provision
of Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL regarding the filling of vacancies on the Board of Directors. Accordingly, at such time,
except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of Preferred Shares, any and all
vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office,
and any director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy
occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies, subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act.
Removal of Directors
The Fund’s Charter
provides that, subject to the rights of the holders of one or more class or series of Preferred Shares to elect or remove directors,
a director may be removed from office only for cause (as defined in the Charter) and then only by the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.
Absence of Cumulative Voting
There is no cumulative
voting in the election of the Fund’s directors. Cumulative voting means that holders of stock of a corporation are entitled,
in the election of directors, to cast a number of votes equal to the number of shares that they own multiplied by the number of
directors to be elected. Because a shareholder entitled to cumulative voting may cast all of his or her votes for one nominee
or disperse his or her votes among nominees as he or she chooses, cumulative voting is generally considered to increase the ability
of minority shareholders to elect nominees to a corporation’s Board of Directors. In general, the absence of cumulative
voting means that the holders of a majority of the Fund’s shares can elect all of the directors then standing for election
and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.
Approval of Extraordinary Corporate Actions
The Fund’s Charter
requires the favorable vote of at least two-thirds of the Common Shares and Preferred Shares (if any) entitled to be voted on
the matter, voting together as a single class, to advise, approve, adopt or authorize the following:
| ● | a “Business Combination,”
which includes the following: |
| ○ | a merger, consolidation or statutory
share exchange of the Fund with or into another person; |
| ○ | an issuance or transfer by the
Fund (in one or a series of transactions in any 12-month period) of any securities of
the Fund to any person or entity for cash, securities or other property (or combination
thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, excluding issuances
or transfers of debt securities of the Fund, sales of securities of the Fund in connection
with a public offering, issuances of securities of the Fund pursuant to a dividend reinvestment
plan adopted by the Fund, issuances of securities of the Fund upon the exercise of any
stock subscription rights distributed by the Fund and portfolio transactions effected
by the Fund in the ordinary course of business; or |
| ○ | a sale, lease, exchange, mortgage,
pledge, transfer or other disposition by the Fund (in one or a series of transactions
in any 12-month period) to or with any person or entity of any assets of the Fund having
an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more except for portfolio transactions
(including pledges of portfolio securities in connection with borrowings) effected by
the Fund in the ordinary course of its business; |
| ● | the voluntary liquidation or
dissolution of the Fund or charter amendment to terminate the Fund’s existence; |
| ● | the conversion of the Fund from
a closed-end company to an open-end company, and any amendments necessary to effect the
conversion; or |
| ● | unless the 1940 Act or federal
law requires a lesser vote, any shareholder proposal as to specific investment decisions
made or to be made with respect to the Fund’s assets as to which shareholder approval
is required under federal or Maryland law. |
However, unless shareholder
approval is required under federal or Maryland law, the common shareholder vote described above will not be required with respect
to the foregoing transactions if they are approved by a vote of two-thirds of the Continuing Directors (as defined below). If
Maryland law or the 1940 Act requires common shareholder approval (and two-thirds of the Continuing Directors have approved the
transaction), the affirmative vote by common shareholders, at a meeting of such shareholders, of the lesser of (a) 67% or more
of the voting securities present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the
Fund are present or represented by proxy; or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, will be required.
In addition, if the Fund has any Preferred Shares outstanding, the holders of a majority of the outstanding Preferred Shares voting
separately as a class, would be required under the 1940 Act to adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the
holders of the Preferred Shares, to convert the Fund to an open-end investment company or to deviate from any of the Fund’s
fundamental investment policies.
In no event will the
foregoing provisions affect shareholder rights under the 1940 Act to approve or terminate an advisory contract of the Fund (either
of which may be effectuated by Fund shareholders without the need for approval of any Continuing Director or other member of the
Board of Directors).
“Continuing
Director” means any member of the Board of Directors who is not an Interested Party (as defined below) or an affiliate of
an Interested Party and has been a member of the Board of Directors for a period of at least 12 months, or has been a member of
the Board of Directors since February 21, 2020, or is a successor of a Continuing Director who is unaffiliated with an Interested
Party and is recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a majority of the Continuing Directors then on the Board of Directors.
“Interested
Party” means any person, other than an investment company advised by the Adviser or any of its affiliates, which enters,
or proposes to enter, into a Business Combination with the Fund.
In addition, the Fund’s
Charter requires the favorable vote of two-thirds of the entire Board of Directors to advise, approve, adopt or authorize any
of the following:
| ● | the election and removal of officers; |
| ● | the creation of and delegation
of authority and appointment of members to committees of the Board of Directors; |
| ● | amendments to the Fund’s
Bylaws (which may only be effected by the Board of Directors, not the common shareholders);
and |
| ● | Charter amendments not requiring
shareholder approval under the 1940 Act. |
The Board of Directors
has determined that the foregoing supermajority requirements applicable to certain votes of the directors and the common shareholders,
which are greater than the minimum requirements permitted under Maryland law or the 1940 Act, are in the best interests of the
Fund. Reference should be made to the Charter on file with the SEC for the full text of these provisions. See also “Conversion
to Open-End Fund.”
Action by Shareholders
Under the MGCL, common
shareholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of common shareholders or, unless the charter provides for
common shareholder action by less than unanimous written consent (which is not the case in the Fund’s Charter), by unanimous
written consent in lieu of a meeting. These provisions, combined with the requirements of the Fund’s Bylaws regarding the
calling of a common shareholder-requested special meeting, as discussed below, may have the effect of delaying consideration of
a common shareholder proposal until the next annual meeting.
Procedures for Shareholder Nominations and Proposals
The Fund’s Bylaws
provide that any common shareholder desiring to make a nomination for the election of directors or a proposal for new business
at a meeting of common shareholders must comply with the advance notice provisions of the Bylaws. Nominations and proposals that
fail to follow the prescribed procedures will not be considered. The Board of Directors believes that it is in the Fund’s
best interests to provide sufficient time to enable management to disclose to common shareholders information about a slate of
nominations for directors or proposals for new business. This advance notice requirement also may give management time to solicit
its own proxies in an attempt to defeat any slate of nominations should management determine that doing so is in the best interest
of common shareholders generally. Similarly, adequate advance notice of common shareholder proposals will give management time
to study such proposals and to determine whether to recommend to the common shareholders that such proposals be adopted. For common
shareholder proposals to be included in the Fund’s proxy materials, the common shareholder must comply with all timing and
information requirements of the Exchange Act.
Calling of Special Meetings of Shareholders
The Fund’s Bylaws
provide that special meetings of common shareholders may be called by the Board of Directors or by certain of its officers. Additionally,
the Fund’s Bylaws provide that, subject to the satisfaction of certain procedural and informational requirements by the
common shareholders requesting the meeting, a special meeting of common shareholders will be called by the Fund’s Secretary
upon the written request of common shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast
at such meeting.
No Appraisal Rights
As permitted by the
MGCL, the Fund’s Charter provides that common shareholders will not be entitled to exercise appraisal rights, unless the
Fund’s Board of Directors determines that such rights apply.
Limitations on Liabilities
The Fund’s Charter
provides that the personal liability of the Fund’s directors and officers for monetary damages is eliminated to the fullest
extent permitted by Maryland law. Maryland law currently provides that directors and officers of corporations that have adopted
such a provision will generally not be so liable, except to the extent that (i) it is proven that the person actually received
an improper benefit or profit in money, property, or services for the amount of the benefit or profit in money, property, or services
actually received; and (ii) a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the person is entered in a proceeding based on a
finding in the proceeding that the person’s action, or failure to act, was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty
and was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding.
The Fund’s
Charter permits the Fund, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and the 1940 Act, to indemnify and advance expenses
to the Fund’s directors and officers. The Fund’s Bylaws provide that the Fund will indemnify its officers and directors
against liabilities to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law and the 1940 Act, and that it shall advance expenses to such
persons prior to a final disposition of an action. The rights of indemnification provided in the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws
are not exclusive of any other rights which may be available under any insurance or other agreement, by resolution of common shareholders
or directors or otherwise.
Authorized Shares
The Fund’s
Charter authorizes the issuance of 50,000,000 common shares, and authorizes a majority of the Fund’s Board of Directors,
without common shareholder approval, to increase the number of authorized common shares and to classify and reclassify any unissued
shares into one or more classes or series of stock and set the terms thereof. The issuance of capital stock or any class or series
thereof without common shareholder approval may be used by the Fund’s Board of Directors consistent with its duties to deter
attempts to gain control of the Fund. Further, the Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of Preferred Shares with terms
and conditions that could have the effect of discouraging a takeover or other transaction that some of the Fund’s shareholders
might believe to be in their best interests.
Anti-Takeover Provisions of Maryland Law
Maryland Unsolicited Takeovers Act
Subtitle 8 of Title
3 of the Maryland General Corporation Law permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the
Exchange Act and at least three independent directors to elect to be subject, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution
of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any or all of five provisions:
| ● | a two-thirds vote requirement
for removing a director; |
| ● | a requirement that the number
of directors be fixed only by vote of directors; |
| ● | a requirement that a vacancy
on the board be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full
term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred; and |
| ● | a majority requirement for the
calling of a special meeting of shareholders. |
The Fund has elected
to be subject to a requirement that a vacancy on the Board of Directors be filled only by the remaining directors and for the
remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred and, otherwise, retains its right to opt into
any of the other provisions. The charter of a corporation may contain a provision or the board of directors may adopt a provision
that prohibits the corporation from electing to be subject to any or all of the provisions of Subtitle 8.
Maryland Business Combination Act
The provisions of
the Maryland Business Combination Act (the “MBCA”) do not apply to a closed-end investment company, such as the Fund,
unless the Board of Directors has affirmatively elected to be subject to the MBCA by a resolution. To date, the Fund has not made
such an election but may make such an election under Maryland law at any time. Any such election, however, could be subject to
certain of the 1940 Act limitations discussed below under “Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act” and would not apply
to any person who had become an interested shareholder (as defined below) before the time that the resolution was adopted.
Under the MBCA, “business
combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested shareholder or an affiliate of an interested shareholder
are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder.
These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the MBCA, an asset
transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested shareholder is defined as:
| ● | any person who beneficially owns
ten percent or more of the voting power of the corporation’s shares; or |
| ● | an affiliate or associate of
the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question,
was the beneficial owner of ten percent or more of the voting power of the then outstanding
voting stock of the corporation. |
A person is not an
interested shareholder under the MBCA if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which he otherwise would
have become an interested shareholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval
is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.
After the five-year
prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested shareholder generally must be recommended
by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:
| ● | 80% of the votes entitled to
be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and |
| ● | two-thirds of the votes entitled
to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the
interested shareholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is
to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested shareholder. |
These super-majority
vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s common shareholders receive a minimum price, as defined in the MBCA,
for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested shareholder
for its shares.
The MBCA permits various
exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors before the time that
the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder.
Maryland Control Share Acquisition
Act
The Fund, in its Charter,
has exempted all of its shares from the application of the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act (the “MCSAA”). In
order to avail itself of the provisions of this Act, the Charter would have to be amended (which would require the approval of
the holders of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast) and the Board of Directors would have to affirmatively elect
to be subject to the MCSAA by a resolution. Any such election, however, would not apply to any person who had become a holder
of control shares (as defined below) before the time that the resolution was adopted.
The MCSAA provides
that control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent
approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquirer, by officers of
the acquirer or by an employee of the acquirer who is also a director of the acquirer are excluded from shares entitled to vote
on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquirer
or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable
proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting
power:
| ● | one-tenth or more but less than
one-third, |
| ● | one-third or more but less than
a majority, or |
| ● | a majority or more of all voting
power. |
Control shares do
not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained shareholder approval.
A control share acquisition means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.
A person who has made
or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting
of shareholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling
of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the
meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any shareholders meeting.
If voting rights are
not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the MCSAA,
then the corporation may redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously
been approved. The right of the corporation to redeem control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations. Fair value
is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share
acquisition by the acquirer or of any meeting of shareholders at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not
approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a shareholders meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote
a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other shareholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares
as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquirer in the control
share acquisition.
Potentially inhibiting
a closed-end investment company’s ability to utilize the MCSAA is Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act which provides that “every
share of stock . . . issued by a registered management company . . . shall be a voting stock and have equal voting rights with
every other outstanding voting stock,” thereby preventing the Fund from issuing a class of shares with voting rights that
vary within that class. There are currently different views, however, on whether or not the MCSAA conflicts with Section 18(i)
of the 1940 Act. One view is that implementation of the MCSAA would conflict with the 1940 Act because it would deprive certain
shares of their voting rights. Another view is that implementation of the MCSAA would not conflict with the 1940 Act because it
would limit the voting rights of shareholders who choose to acquire shares of stock that put them within the specified percentages
of ownership rather than limiting the voting rights of the shares themselves.
The Fund exempted
its shares from the MCSAA in light of a November 15, 2010 letter from the staff of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management
that took the position that a closed-end fund, by opting in to the MCSAA, would be acting in a manner inconsistent with Section
18(i) of the 1940 Act, which generally requires that shares of the fund have equal voting rights. However, on May 27, 2020, the
staff of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management published an updated statement (the “2020 Control Share Statute
Relief”) withdrawing the November 15, 2010 letter and replacing it with a new no-action position allowing a closed-end fund
under Section 18(i) to opt-in to the MCSAA, provided that the decision to do so was taken with reasonable care in light of (1)
the board’s fiduciary duties, (2) applicable federal and state law, and (3) the particular facts and circumstances surrounding
the action. The 2020 Control Share Statute Relief reflects only the views of the Staff and is not binding on the SEC or any court,
however, the limited judicial precedent that exists supports closed-end funds’ ability to utilize control share statutes.
If the Fund were to
amend its Charter and subsequently elect to be subject to the MCSAA, it would not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation
or share exchange if the Fund is a party to the transaction or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the Fund’s Charter
or the Fund’s Bylaws.
REPURCHASE OF SHARES
Shares of CEFs
often trade at a discount to NAV, and the Fund’s shares may also trade at a discount to their NAV, although it is possible
that they may trade at a premium above NAV. The market price of the common shares will be determined by such factors as relative
demand for and supply of shares in the market, the Fund’s NAV, general market and economic conditions and other factors
beyond the control of the Fund.
Although common shareholders
will not have the right to redeem their shares, the Fund may (but is not obligated to) take action to repurchase shares in the
open market or make tender offers for its shares at or near NAV. During the pendency of any tender offer, the Fund will publish
how common shareholders may readily ascertain the NAV. Repurchase of the common shares may have the effect of reducing any market
discount to NAV.
There is no assurance
that, if action is undertaken to repurchase or tender for shares, such action will result in the shares trading at a price which
approximates their NAV. Although share repurchases and tenders could have a favorable effect on the market price of the shares,
you should be aware that the acquisition of shares by the Fund will decrease the total assets of the Fund and, therefore, have
the effect of increasing the Fund’s expense ratio and may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to pursue its investment
objectives. To the extent the Fund may need to liquidate investments to fund repurchases of shares, this may result in portfolio
turnover which will result in additional expenses being borne by the Fund and its shareholders. The Board of Directors currently
considers the following factors to be relevant to a potential decision to repurchase shares: the extent and duration of the discount,
the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio, and the impact of any action on the Fund and market considerations. Such a decision
is a matter on which the Board of Directors would exercise its fiduciary judgment, and the Board of Directors will consider other
factors that may be relevant at the time it considers the matter. Any share repurchases or tender offers will be made in accordance
with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the 1940 Act.
RIGHTS OFFERINGS
The Fund may in
the future, and at its discretion, choose to make offerings of Rights to (i) common shareholders to purchase Common Shares and/or
Preferred Shares and/or (ii) preferred shareholders to purchase Preferred Shares (subject to applicable law). A future Rights
offering may be transferable or non-transferable. Any such future Rights offering will be made in accordance with the 1940 Act.
Under the laws of Maryland, the Board of Directors is authorized to approve rights offerings without obtaining shareholder approval.
The staff of the SEC has interpreted the 1940 Act as not requiring shareholder approval of a transferable rights offering to purchase
common stock at a price below the then current NAV so long as certain conditions are met, including: (i) a good faith determination
by a fund’s board that such offering would result in a net benefit to existing shareholders; (ii) the offering fully protects
shareholders’ preemptive rights and does not discriminate among shareholders (except for the possible effect of not offering
fractional rights); (iii) management uses its best efforts to ensure an adequate trading market in the rights for use by shareholders
who do not exercise such rights; and (iv) the ratio of a transferable rights offering does not exceed one new share for each three
rights held.
CONVERSION TO OPEN-END FUND
The Fund may be converted
to an open-end investment company at any time if approved by the Board of Directors and the shareholders. See “Certain Provisions
of the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws and of Maryland Law” for a discussion of the voting requirements applicable to conversion
of the Fund to an open-end investment company and any related Charter amendments. If the Fund converted to an open-end investment
company, it would be required to redeem all Preferred Shares then outstanding (possibly requiring in turn that it liquidate a
portion of its investment portfolio). Conversion to open-end status could also require the Fund to modify certain investment restrictions
and policies. Shareholders of an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem their shares at any time (except
in certain circumstances as authorized by or permitted under the 1940 Act) at their NAV, less such redemption charge, if any,
as might be in effect at the time of redemption. In order to avoid maintaining large cash positions or liquidating favorable investments
to meet redemptions, open-end investment companies typically engage in a continuous offering of their shares. Open-end investment
companies are thus subject to periodic asset in-flows and out-flows that can complicate portfolio management. The Board of Directors
may at any time (but is not required to) propose conversion of the Fund to open-end status, depending upon its judgment regarding
the advisability of such action in light of circumstances then prevailing. Before deciding whether to make such a proposal, the
Board of Directors would consider all relevant factors, including the extent and duration of the discount, the liquidity of the
Fund’s portfolio, the impact of the conversion on the Fund or its shareholders, and market considerations. Based on these
considerations, even if the Fund’s shares should trade at a discount, the Board of Directors may determine that, in the
interest of the Fund and its shareholders, no action should be taken.
LIMITED TERM AND ELIGIBLE TENDER OFFER
The Fund will terminate
on or before the Termination Date; provided, that if the Board of Directors believes that under then-current market conditions
it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so, the Fund may extend the Termination Date (i) once for up to one year (i.e.,
up to March 26, 2036), and (ii) once for up to an additional six months (i.e., up to September 26, 2036), in each case upon the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors and without a vote of common shareholders. In addition, as of a date
within twelve months preceding the Termination Date, the Board of Directors may cause the Fund to conduct an Eligible Tender Offer,
which is a tender offer by the Fund to all common shareholders to purchase common shares of the Fund at a price equal to the NAV
per common share on the expiration date of the tender offer. Following the completion of an Eligible Tender Offer, the Board of
Directors may eliminate the limited term structure of the Fund and convert the Fund to a perpetual fund upon the affirmative vote
of a majority of the Board of Directors and without a vote of common shareholders.
The Fund is not
a so called “target date” or “life cycle” fund whose asset allocation becomes more conservative over time
as its target date, often associated with retirement, approaches. In addition, the Fund is not a “target term” fund
whose investment objective is to return its original NAV on the termination date.
Upon its termination,
the Fund will distribute substantially all of its net assets to common shareholders, after paying or otherwise providing for all
charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities, whether due or accrued or anticipated, of the Fund, as may be determined by the Board
of Directors. In anticipation of an Eligible Tender Offer or the Termination Date, the Fund may begin liquidating all or a portion
of the Fund’s portfolio, and may deviate from its investment policies, including its policy of investing at least 80% of
the value of its Managed Assets in municipal bonds and may not achieve its investment objective. During such period(s), the Fund’s
portfolio composition may change as more of its portfolio holdings are called or sold and portfolio holdings are disposed of in
anticipation of liquidation or an Eligible Tender Offer. Rather than reinvesting the proceeds of matured, called or sold securities
in accordance with the investment program described above, the Fund may invest such proceeds in short term or other lower yielding
securities or hold the proceeds in cash, which may adversely affect its performance. The Fund’s distributions during the
wind-down period may decrease, and such distributions may include a return of capital. The Fund may distribute the proceeds in
one or more liquidating distributions prior to the final liquidation, which may cause fixed expenses to increase when expressed
as a percentage of assets under management. It is expected that common shareholders will receive cash in any liquidating distribution
from the Fund, regardless of their participation in the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan. However, if on the Termination
Date the Fund owns securities for which no market exists or securities trading at depressed prices, such securities may be placed
in a liquidating trust. Common shareholders generally will realize capital gain or loss upon the termination of the Fund in an
amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash or other property received by the common shareholder (including any
property deemed received by reason of its being placed in a liquidating trust) and the common shareholder’s adjusted tax
basis in the common shares of the Fund for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If the Board of Directors
believes that under then-current market conditions it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so, the Fund may extend the Termination
Date (i) once for up to one year (i.e., up to September 26, 2036), and (ii) once for up to an additional six months (i.e. up to
March 26, 2036), in each case upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors and without a vote of common shareholders.
In determining whether to extend the Termination Date, the Board of Directors may consider the inability to sell the Fund’s
assets in a time frame consistent with termination due to lack of market liquidity or other extenuating circumstances. Additionally,
the Board of Directors may determine that market conditions are such that it is reasonable to believe that, with an extension,
the Fund’s remaining assets will appreciate and generate income in an amount that, in the aggregate, is meaningful relative
to the cost and expense of continuing the operation of the Fund.
The Board of Directors
may cause the Fund to conduct an Eligible Tender Offer. An Eligible Tender Offer would consist of a tender offer to all common
shareholder to purchase common shares of the Fund at a price equal to the NAV per common share on the expiration date of the tender
offer, which shall be as of a date within twelve months preceding the Termination Date. The Board of Directors has established
that, following an Eligible Tender Offer, the Fund must have at least $100 million of net assets to ensure the continued viability
of the Fund (the “Termination Threshold”). In an Eligible Tender Offer, the Fund will offer to purchase all common
shares held by each common shareholder; provided, that if the number of properly tendered common shares would result in the Fund’s
net assets totaling less than the Termination Threshold, the Eligible Tender Offer will be terminated and no common shares will
be repurchased pursuant to the Eligible Tender Offer. Instead, the Fund will begin (or continue) liquidating its portfolio and
proceed to terminate on or before the Termination Date.
If the number of properly
tendered common shares would result in the Fund’s net assets equaling or totaling greater than the Termination Threshold,
all common shares properly tendered and not withdrawn will be purchased by the Fund pursuant to the terms of the Eligible Tender
Offer. The Fund’s purchase of tendered common shares pursuant to a tender offer will have tax consequences for tendering
common shareholders and may have tax consequences for non-tendering common shareholders. In addition, the Fund would continue
to be subject to its obligations with respect to its issued and outstanding preferred stock or debt securities, if any. Following
the completion of an Eligible Tender Offer, the Board of Directors may eliminate the limited term structure of the Fund upon the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors and without the approval of common shareholders. In making a decision
to do so to provide for the Fund’s perpetual existence, the Board of Directors will take such actions with respect to the
continued operations of the Fund as it deems to be in the best interests of the Fund, based on market conditions at such time,
the extent of common shareholder participation in the Eligible Tender Offer and all other factors deemed relevant by the Board
of Directors in consultation with the Adviser, taking into account that the Adviser may have a potential conflict of interest
in recommending to the Board of Directors that the limited term structure be eliminated and the Fund have a perpetual existence
(or that the Termination Date be extended). The Fund is not required to conduct additional tender offers following an Eligible
Tender Offer and conversion to a perpetual structure. Therefore, remaining common shareholders may not have another opportunity
to participate in a tender offer or exchange their common shares for the then-existing NAV per common share.
An Eligible Tender
Offer would be made, and common shareholders would be notified thereof, in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the
Exchange Act and the applicable tender offer rules thereunder (including Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E under the Exchange Act
or successor rules to the same general effect). The repurchase of tendered common shares by the Fund in a tender offer would be
a taxable event to common shareholders. The Adviser will pay all costs and expenses associated with the making of an Eligible
Tender Offer, other than brokerage and related transaction costs associated with the disposition of portfolio investments in connection
with the Eligible Tender Offer, which will be borne by the Fund and its common shareholders.
An Eligible Tender
Offer may be commenced upon approval of a majority of the Board of Directors, without a vote of common shareholders. The Fund
is not required to conduct an Eligible Tender Offer. If no Eligible Tender Offer is conducted, the Fund will liquidate on or before
the Termination Date (subject to extension as described above), unless the limited term provisions of the Articles of Incorporation
are amended with the vote of common shareholders, as described above. See “Certain Provisions of the Fund’s Charter
and Bylaws and of Maryland Law.”
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
The following is a
summary discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a shareholder that acquires, holds
and/or disposes of common shares of the Fund. This discussion only addresses U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. shareholders
who hold their shares as capital assets and does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant
to particular shareholders in light of their individual circumstances. This discussion also does not address the tax consequences
to shareholders who are subject to special rules, including, without limitation, banks or other financial institutions, insurance
companies, dealers in securities or foreign currencies, traders in securities that have elected to mark-to-market their securities
holdings, foreign holders, persons who hold their shares as or in a hedge against currency risk, or as part of a constructive
sale, straddle or conversion transaction, or tax-exempt or tax-deferred plans, accounts, or entities. In addition, the discussion
does not address any state, local, or foreign tax consequences. The discussion reflects applicable income tax laws of the United
States as of the date hereof, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue
Service (“IRS”) retroactively or prospectively, which could affect the continued validity of this summary. No attempt
is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal income tax concerns affecting the Fund and its shareholders, and
the discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors before making
an investment in the Fund to determine the specific tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund, including the applicable
federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences as well as the effect of possible changes in tax laws. See “California
Tax Matters.”
The tax legislation
commonly referred to as Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) made significant changes to the U.S. federal income
tax rules for taxation of individuals and corporations, generally effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.
Many of the changes applicable to individuals are temporary and would apply only to taxable years beginning after December 31,
2017 and before January 1, 2026. There are only minor changes with respect to the specific rules only applicable to a RIC, such
as the Fund. The Tax Act, however, made numerous other changes to the tax rules that may affect shareholders and the Fund. You
are urged to consult with your own tax advisor regarding how the Tax Act affects your investment in the Fund.
The Fund has elected
to be treated, and intends to qualify each year, as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Code,
so that it will generally not pay U.S. federal income tax on income and capital gains timely distributed (or treated as being
distributed, as described below) to shareholders. If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company and distributes to its
shareholders at least 90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company taxable income” as that term is defined in the
Code (which includes, among other things, dividends, taxable interest, the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net
long-term capital losses and certain net foreign exchange gains as reduced by certain deductible expenses) without regard to the
deduction for dividends paid, and (ii) the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest, if any, over certain disallowed deductions,
the Fund will be relieved of U.S. federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including long-term capital gains, distributed
to shareholders. However, if the Fund retains any investment company taxable income or “net capital gain” (i.e.,
the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), it will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular
corporate federal income tax rates (currently at a maximum rate of 21%) on the amount retained. The Fund intends to distribute
at least annually all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction
for dividends paid), net tax-exempt interest, if any, and net capital gain. Under the Code, the Fund will generally be subject
to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on the portion of its undistributed ordinary income and capital gains if it fails to
meet certain distribution requirements with respect to each calendar year. In order to avoid the 4% federal excise tax, the required
minimum distribution is generally equal to the sum of 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income (computed on a calendar year basis,
and taking into account certain deferrals and elections), plus 98.2% of the Fund’s capital gain net income (generally computed
for the one-year period ending on October 31) plus undistributed amounts from prior years on which the Fund paid no federal income
tax. The Fund generally intends to make distributions in a timely manner in an amount at least equal to the required minimum distribution
and therefore, under normal circumstances, does not expect to be subject to this excise tax. However, the Fund may also decide
to distribute less and pay the federal excise taxes.
If, for any taxable
year, the Fund did not qualify as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would be treated as
a U.S. corporation subject to U.S. federal income tax, and possibly state and local income tax, and distributions to its shareholders
would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income.
A Common Shareholder
will have all dividends and distributions automatically reinvested in shares of common stock of the Fund (unless the shareholder
“opts out” of the Plan). For shareholders subject to U.S. federal income tax, Fund dividends that are not “exempt-interest”
dividends will generally be taxable regardless of whether the shareholder takes them in cash or they are reinvested in additional
shares of the Fund. Distributions of the Fund’s investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction
for dividends paid) will generally be taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings
and profits. The Fund does not generally expect to pay dividends that qualify for either the dividends received deduction available
to corporate shareholders under Section 243 of the Code or the reduced rates of U.S. federal income taxation for “qualified
dividend income” available to non-corporate shareholders under Section 1(h)(11) of the Code. Distributions of net capital
gain, if any, that are properly reported by the Fund are generally taxable as long-term capital gain for U.S. federal income tax
purposes without regard to the length of time a shareholder has held shares of the Fund. If the Fund received dividends from an
Underlying Fund that qualifies as a regulated investment company, and the Underlying Fund designates such dividends as qualified
dividend income or as eligible for the dividends received deduction, then the Fund is permitted in turn to designate a portion
of its distributions as qualified dividend income and/or as eligible for the dividends received deduction, provided the Fund meets
holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the Underlying Fund.
A distribution of
an amount in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, if any, will be treated by a shareholder
as a tax-free return of capital, which is applied against and reduces the shareholder’s basis in his, her or its shares.
To the extent that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the shareholder’s basis in his, her, or its shares, the excess
will be treated by the shareholder as gain from the sale or exchange of such shares. The U.S. federal income tax status of all
dividends and distributions will be designated by the Fund and reported to shareholders annually. The Fund can provide no assurance
regarding the portion of its dividends that will qualify for the dividends received deduction or for qualified dividend income
treatment. As long as the Fund qualifies as a RIC under the Code, it is not expected that any significant part of its distributions
to Common Shareholders from its investments will so qualify.
The Fund intends to
distribute all realized net capital gains, if any, at least annually. If, however, the Fund were to retain any net capital gain,
the Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to shareholders who, if subject to U.S.
federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income as long-term capital gain, their proportionate
share of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate share of the federal income tax paid
by the Fund on the undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the
extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If such an event occurs, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund
will, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, generally be increased by the difference between the amount of undistributed net capital
gain included in the shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder.
Any dividend declared
by the Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid during the following January will be
treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as paid by the Fund and received by shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year
in which it is declared.
If a shareholder’s
distributions are automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the shareholder
will be treated as having received a distribution in the amount of the cash dividend that the shareholder would have received
if the shareholder had elected to receive cash, unless the distribution is in newly issued shares of the Fund that are trading
at or above NAV, in which case the shareholder will be treated as receiving a distribution equal to the fair market value of the
stock the shareholder receives.
Certain of the investment
practices of the Fund or an Underlying Fund are subject to special and complex federal income tax provisions that may, among other
things, (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (ii) convert tax-advantaged, long-term
capital gains and qualified dividend income into higher taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (iii) convert an ordinary
loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause the Fund or an Underlying Fund
to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the timing as to when a purchase or
sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (vi) produce income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 90%
income test and (vii) adversely alter the intended characterization of certain complex financial transactions. These rules could
therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. The Fund will monitor its investments and
transactions and may make certain federal income tax elections where applicable in order to mitigate the effect of these provisions,
if possible.
The Fund will not
be able to offset gains distributed by one Underlying Fund in which it invests against losses realized by another Underlying Fund
in which the Fund invests. Redemptions of shares in an Underlying Fund, including those resulting from changes in the allocation
among Underlying Funds, could also cause additional distributable gains to shareholders of the Fund. A portion of any such gains
may be short-term capital gains that would be distributable as ordinary income to shareholders of the Fund. Further, a portion
of losses on redemptions of shares in the Underlying Funds may be deferred under the wash sale rules. Additionally, the Fund’s
investment in an Underlying Fund may result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the Underlying Fund’s earnings;
if the Fund distributes these amounts, the distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for federal
income tax purposes. As a result of these factors, the use of the fund of funds structure by the Fund could therefore affect the
amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.
Investments in distressed
debt obligations that are at risk of or in default may present special federal income tax issues for the Fund. The federal income
tax consequences to a holder of such securities are not entirely certain. If the Fund’s characterization of such investments
were successfully challenged by the IRS or the IRS issues guidance regarding investments in such securities, it may affect whether
the Fund has made sufficient distributions or otherwise satisfied the requirements to maintain its qualification as a regulated
investment company and avoid federal income and excise taxes.
The Fund may qualify
to pay “exempt-interest” dividends, as defined in the Code, on its Common Shares by satisfying the requirement that,
at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets consists of municipal securities.
Exempt-interest dividends are dividends or any part thereof (other than a capital gain dividend) paid by the Fund which are attributable
to interest on municipal securities and which are so reported by the Fund. As an alternative, the Fund may qualify to pay exempt-interest
dividends if it is a qualified fund-of-funds, i.e., if at least 50% of the value of its total assets are invested in the shares
of Underlying RICs at the close of each quarter of its taxable year. Exempt-interest dividends will be exempt from federal income
tax, subject to the possible application of the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to individuals.
The Fund or an Underlying
Fund may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries, including taxes on interest, dividends and capital
gains with respect to its investments in those countries, which would, if imposed, reduce the yield on or return from those investments.
Tax treaties between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases.
Sales, exchanges and
other dispositions of the Fund’s shares generally are taxable events for shareholders that are subject to U.S. federal income
tax. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors with reference to their individual circumstances to determine whether
any particular transaction in the Fund’s shares is properly treated as a sale or exchange for federal income tax purposes,
as the following discussion assumes, and the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in such transactions. Gain or loss
will generally be 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 shares sold or exchanged. Such gain or loss will generally be characterized
as capital gain or loss and will be long-term if the shareholder’s holding period for the shares is more than one year and
short-term if it is one year or less. However, any loss realized by a shareholder upon the sale or other disposition of shares
with a tax holding period of six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated
as distributions of long-term capital gain with respect to such shares. Additionally, any loss realized by a shareholder of the
Fund upon the sale of shares held for six months or less may be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends received
with respect to such shares. For the purposes of calculating the six-month period, the holding period is suspended for any periods
during which the shareholder’s risk of loss is diminished as a result of holding one or more other positions in substantially
similar or related property or through certain options, short sales or contractual obligations to sell. The ability to deduct
capital losses may be limited. In addition, losses on sales or other dispositions of shares may be disallowed under the “wash
sale” rules in the event that substantially identical stock or securities are acquired (including those made pursuant to
reinvestment of dividends) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after a sale or other disposition
of shares. In such a case, the disallowed portion of any loss generally would be included in the U.S. federal income tax basis
of the shares acquired.
An additional 3.8%
Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received
from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts
to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted
gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.
The Fund is required
in certain circumstances to backup withhold at a current rate of 24% on reportable payments including dividends, capital gain
distributions, and proceeds of sales or other dispositions of the Fund’s shares paid to certain holders of the Fund’s
shares who do not furnish the Fund with their correct social security number or other taxpayer identification number and certain
certifications, or who are otherwise subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld
from payments made to a shareholder may be refunded or credited against such shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability,
if any, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
This Prospectus does
not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a non-U.S. shareholder of an investment in common stock. Non-U.S. shareholders
should consult their tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of ownership of shares of the Fund, including the possibility
that distributions may be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax (or a reduced rate of withholding provided by an applicable treaty
if the investor provides proper certification of its non-U.S. status).
A separate U.S. withholding
tax may apply in the case of distributions to (i) certain non-U.S. financial institutions that have not agreed to collect and
disclose certain account holder information and are not resident in a jurisdiction that has entered into such an agreement with
the U.S. Treasury and (ii) certain other non-U.S. entities that do not provide certain certifications and information about the
entity’s U.S. owners.
The foregoing is a
general and abbreviated summary of the provisions of the Code and the Treasury regulations thereunder currently in effect as they
directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its shareholders. These provisions are subject to change by legislative or administrative
action, and any such change may be retroactive. A more complete discussion of the federal income tax rules applicable to the Fund
can be found in the SAI, which is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax
advisors regarding specific questions as to U.S. federal, foreign, state, and local income or other taxes before making an investment
in the Fund.
CALIFORNIA TAX MATTERS
The assets of the
Fund may consist of one or more of the following: (i) interest bearing obligations issued by or on behalf of a state or a local
government (the “Bonds”), and (ii) shares (the “RIC Shares”) in funds qualifying as regulated
investment companies (“RICs”) that are treated as interests in regulated investment companies for federal income
tax purposes. A portion of the Bonds may be issued by the State of California or a local government in California (the “California
Bonds”). The discussion in this section is based on the assumption that: (i) the California Bonds were validly issued
by the State of California or a local government in California, and (ii) the interest on the Bonds is excludable from gross income
for federal income tax purposes. This portion of the disclosure does not address the taxation of taxpayers other than individuals
who are full-time residents of the State of California and corporations that are subject to California corporate income or franchise
tax.
If you are an individual,
you may be able to exclude from taxable income for purposes of the California personal income tax dividends received from the
Fund that are properly reported by the Fund as exempt-interest dividends for California personal income tax purposes in written
statements furnished to you. The portion of the Fund’s dividends reported as California exempt-interest dividends may not
exceed the amount of interest the Fund receives during its taxable year on obligations the interest on which, if held by an individual,
is exempt from taxation by the State of California and the amount of California exempt-interest dividends the Fund receives from
the RIC Shares, reduced by certain non-deductible expenses. The Fund may designate California exempt-interest dividends only if
the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company under the Code, and, if at the close of each quarter of its taxable year,
(i) at least 50 percent of the value of the total assets of the Fund consists of obligations the interest on which, when held
by an individual, is exempt from taxation by the State of California or (ii) at least 50 percent of the value of the total assets
of the Fund consists of interests in other entities qualifying as regulated investment companies for federal income tax purposes
in a taxable year. It is not anticipated that at least 50 percent of the value of the total assets of the Fund will consist of
obligations the interest on which, when held by an individual, is exempt from taxation by the State of California. However, at
least 50 percent of the value of the total assets of the Fund may consist of interests in other entities qualifying as regulated
investment companies for federal income tax purposes. Depending upon the nature and source of the income from the Bonds and the
RICs, the Fund may be eligible to distribute dividends that are properly reported by the Fund as exempt-interest dividends for
purposes of the California personal income tax.
Distributions from
the Fund, other than those properly reported by the Fund as exempt-interest dividends for California personal income tax purposes,
will generally be subject to the California personal income tax. Please note that all distributions from the Fund, including California
exempt-interest dividends, received by taxpayers subject to the California corporation tax laws may be subject to the California
corporate franchise tax or the California corporate income tax. If a taxpayer is subject to California personal income tax, corporate
franchise tax or corporate income tax, any gain recognized on the sale or redemption of shares of the Fund generally will be taxable
for purposes of such taxes. Interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry shares of the Fund, if the Fund
distributes California exempt-interest dividends during a tax year, is generally not deductible for purposes of the California
personal income tax.
Fund counsel has not
independently examined the RIC Shares, the Bonds or the opinions of bond counsel rendered in connection with the issuance of the
Bonds. Ownership of shares in the Fund may result in other California tax consequences to certain taxpayers, and prospective investors
should consult their tax advisors.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Fund may sell
up to $150,000,000 in aggregate initial offering price of (i) Common Shares, (ii) Preferred Shares, and/or (iii) Rights, from
time to time under this Prospectus and any related prospectus supplement in any one or more of the following ways: (1) directly
to one or more purchasers; (2) through agents; (3) to or through underwriters; or (4) through dealers. See also “Dividend
Reinvestment Plan” above.
Each prospectus supplement
relating to an offering of the Securities will state the terms of the offering, including as applicable:
| ● | the names of any agents, underwriters
or dealers; |
| ● | any sales loads or other items
constituting underwriters’ compensation; |
| ● | any discounts, commissions, fees
or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers or agents; |
| ● | the public offering or purchase
price of the offered Securities and the estimated net proceeds the Fund will receive
from the sale; and |
| ● | any securities exchange on which
the offered Securities may be listed. |
Any public offering
price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
In the case of a Rights
offering, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the number of Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares issuable upon
the exercise of each Right and the other terms of such Rights offering. The transferable Rights offered by means of this Prospectus
and applicable prospectus supplement, including any related over-subscription privilege and any follow-on offering, if applicable,
may be convertible or exchangeable into Common Shares at a ratio not to exceed one Common Share received for every three subscription
rights to purchase Common Shares converted, exercised or exchanged on an aggregate basis such that the exercise of all subscription
rights to purchase Common Shares in any transferable subscription Rights offering will not cumulatively result in more than a
33 1/3 percentage increase in the outstanding common shares of the Fund.
Direct Sales
The Fund may sell
Securities directly to, and solicit offers from, purchasers, including institutional investors or others who may be deemed to
be underwriters as defined in the 1933 Act for any resales of the Securities. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be
involved. In addition to cash purchases, the Fund may allow Securities to be purchased by tendering payment in-kind in the form
of shares of stock, bonds or other securities, including shares of other investment companies. Any securities used to buy the
Fund’s Securities must be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and otherwise acceptable to the Adviser
and the Board. The Fund may use electronic media, including the Internet, to sell Securities directly. The terms of any of those
sales will be described in a prospectus supplement.
By Agents
The Fund may offer
Securities through agents that the Fund designates. Any agent involved in the offer and sale will be named and any commissions
payable by the Fund will be described in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the
agents will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of their appointment.
The Fund may engage
in at-the-market offerings to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise, in accordance
with Rule 415(a)(4). An at-the-market offering may be through one or more underwriters or dealers acting as principal or agent
for the Fund.
By Underwriters
The Fund may offer
and sell Securities from time to time to one or more underwriters who would purchase the Securities as principal for resale to
the public, either on a firm commitment or best efforts basis. If the Fund sells Securities to underwriters, the Fund will execute
an underwriting agreement with them at the time of the sale and will name them in the prospectus supplement. In connection with
these sales, the underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from the Fund in the form of underwriting discounts
and commissions. The underwriters also may receive commissions from purchasers of Securities for whom they may act as agent. Unless
otherwise stated in the prospectus supplement, the underwriters will not be obligated to purchase the Securities unless the conditions
set forth in the underwriting agreement are satisfied, and if the underwriters purchase any of the Securities, they will be required
to purchase all of the offered Securities. In the event of default by any underwriter, in certain circumstances, the purchase
commitments may be increased among the non-defaulting underwriters or the underwriting agreement may be terminated. The underwriters
may sell the offered Securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive discounts, concessions or commissions from
the underwriters as well as from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent. Any public offering price and any discounts or
concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
In connection with
an offering of Common Shares, if a prospectus supplement so indicates, the Fund may grant the underwriters an option to purchase
additional Common Shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, within a specified number
of days from the date of the prospectus supplement, to cover any overallotments.
By Dealers
The Fund may offer
and sell Securities from time to time to one or more dealers who would purchase the Securities as principal. The dealers then
may resell the offered Securities to the public at fixed or varying prices to be determined by those dealers at the time of resale.
The names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the prospectus supplement.
General Information
Agents, underwriters,
or dealers participating in an offering of Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commission received
by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the offered Securities for whom they may act as agent may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions under the 1933 Act.
The Fund may offer
to sell Securities either at a fixed price or at prices that may vary, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices
related to prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices. In addition to cash purchases, the Fund may allow Securities to
be purchased by tendering payment in-kind in the form of shares of stock, bonds or other securities. Any securities used to buy
the Fund’s Securities must be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and otherwise acceptable to the Adviser
and the Board.
To facilitate an
offering of Securities in an underwritten transaction and in accordance with industry practice, the underwriters may engage in
transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the market price of the Common Shares or other Security. Those transactions
may include overallotment, entering stabilizing bids, effecting syndicate covering transactions, and reclaiming selling concessions
allowed to an underwriter or a dealer.
| ● | An overallotment in connection
with an offering creates a short position in the Common Shares for the underwriters’
own account. |
| ● | An underwriter
may place a stabilizing bid to purchase the Common Shares or other Security for the purpose
of pegging, fixing, or maintaining the price of the Common Shares or other Security. |
| ● | Underwriters may engage
in syndicate covering transactions to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price
of the Securities by bidding for, and purchasing, the Common Shares or any other Securities
in the open market in order to reduce a short position created in connection with the
offering. |
| ● | The managing underwriter
may impose a penalty bid on a syndicate member to reclaim a selling concession in connection
with an offering when the Common Shares or other Securities originally sold by the syndicate
member are purchased in syndicate covering transactions or otherwise. |
Any of these activities
may stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required
to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.
In connection with
any Rights offering, the Fund may also enter into a standby underwriting agreement with one or more underwriters pursuant to which
the underwriter(s) will purchase Common Shares and/or other Securities remaining unsubscribed for after the Rights offering.
Any underwriters to
whom the offered Securities are sold for offering and sale may make a market in the offered Securities, but the underwriters will
not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making at any time without notice. There can be no assurance that there
will be a liquid trading market for the offered Securities.
Under agreements entered
into with the Fund, underwriters and agents may be entitled to indemnification by the Fund against certain civil liabilities,
including liabilities under the 1933 Act, or to contribution for payments the underwriters or agents may be required to make.
The underwriters, agents, and their affiliates may engage in financial or other business transactions with the Fund and its subsidiaries,
if any, in the ordinary course of business.
The aggregate offering
price specified on the cover of this Prospectus relates to the offering of the Securities not yet issued as of the date of this
Prospectus.
To the extent permitted
under the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the underwriters may from time to time act as a broker
or dealer and receive fees in connection with the execution of our portfolio transactions after the underwriters have ceased to
be underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, each may act as a broker while it is an underwriter.
The Prospectus and
accompanying prospectus supplement in electronic form may be made available on the website maintained by the underwriters. The
underwriters may agree to allocate a number of Securities for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Such allocations
of Securities for internet distributions will be made on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, Securities may be sold
by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell Securities to online brokerage account holders.
ADMINISTRATOR, FUND ACCOUNTANT, TRANSFER
AGENT, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND CUSTODIAN
The Fund’s administrator
is ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“AFS”), an affiliate of the Fund’s transfer agent. AFS is a service company and
SEC-registered transfer agent. Under the Administration, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement, AFS is responsible for calculating
NAVs, providing additional fund accounting and tax services, and providing fund administration and compliance-related services.
The address of AFS is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80203. For its services, the Fund pays AFS customary fees based on
the Fund’s net assets plus out of pocket expenses.
State Street Bank & Trust Co., located at State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, serves as the Fund’s custodian
and maintains custody of the securities and cash of the Fund. For its services, the custodian receives a monthly fee based upon,
among other things, the average value of the net assets of the Fund, plus certain charges for securities transactions.
DST Systems, Inc.,
an affiliate of the Fund’s administrator, located at 333 West 9th Street, 2nd floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105, serves
as the Fund’s transfer agent, registrar, Plan Administrator and dividend disbursing agent.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters
in connection with the Common Shares will be passed upon for the Fund by Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. Faegre Drinker
Biddle & Reath LLP may rely as to certain matters of Maryland law on the opinion of Shapiro Sher Guinot & Sandler, P.A.
CONTROL PERSONS
Based on a review
of Schedule 13D and Schedule 13G filings as of the date of this Prospectus, there are no persons who control the Fund. For purposes
of the foregoing statement, “control” means (1) the beneficial ownership, either directly or through one or more controlled
companies, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a company; (2) the acknowledgement or assertion by either the controlled
or controlling party of the existence of control; or (3) an adjudication under Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act, which has become
final, that control exists.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Fund is subject
to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and the 1940 Act and in accordance therewith files reports and other information
with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov containing reports, proxy and information statements and other
information regarding registrants, including the Fund (when available), that file electronically with the SEC.
This Prospectus constitutes
part of a Registration Statement filed by the Fund with the SEC under the Securities Act and the 1940 Act. This Prospectus omits
certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement, and reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement
and related exhibits for further information with respect to the Fund and the 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. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such
reference. The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the fee prescribed by its rules and
regulations or free of charge through the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov).
THE FUND’S PRIVACY POLICY
The Fund is committed
to ensuring your financial privacy. This notice is being sent to comply with privacy regulations of the SEC. The Fund has in effect
the following policy with respect to nonpublic personal information about its customers:
| ● | Only such information received
from you, through application forms or otherwise, and information about your Fund transactions
will be collected. |
| ● | None of such information about
you (or former customers) will be disclosed to anyone, except as permitted by law (which
includes disclosure to employees necessary to service your account). |
| ● | Policies and procedures (including
physical, electronic and procedural safeguards) are in place that are designed to protect
the confidentiality of such information. |
| ● | The Fund does not currently obtain
consumer information. If the Fund were to obtain consumer information at any time in
the future, it would employ appropriate procedural safeguards that comply with federal
standards to protect against unauthorized access to and properly dispose of consumer
information. |
For more information
about the Fund’s privacy policies call (855) 830-1222 (toll-free).
The Fund does not
control the safeguarding, use or disposition of the personal and financial information about investors that is in the possession
of the Underwriters and dealers. Investors should look to the privacy policies of those entities for information about how they
treat investors’ personal and financial information.
91
The
information in this Statement of Additional Information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until
the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Statement of Additional Information
is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state or other jurisdiction
where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT
TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
RIVERNORTH
FLEXIBLE MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND, INC.
STATEMENT
OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
RiverNorth
Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is a Maryland corporation that is registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The
Fund’s primary investment objective is current income exempt from regular U.S. Federal income taxes (but which may be includable
in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax). The Fund’s secondary investment objective is total
return. RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC, the investment adviser of the Fund (“RiverNorth” or the “Adviser”),
and MacKay Shields LLC, the subadviser of the Fund (“MacKay Shields” or the “Subadviser”), attempt to
achieve the Fund’s investment objectives by allocating the Fund’s assets between two principal investment strategies:
Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy and Municipal Bond Income Strategy. See “Investment Objectives, Strategies and
Policies—Principal Investment Strategies” in the Fund’s Prospectus (as defined below). There is no assurance
that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.
This
Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) relates to the Fund’s (i) shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value
per share (the “Common Shares” and holders of such Common Shares, “Common Shareholders”), (ii) shares
of preferred stock (the “Preferred Shares”) and (iii) subscription rights to purchase Common Shares (“Rights”
and, together with the Common Shares and Preferred Shares, “Securities”). This SAI is not a prospectus, but should
be read in conjunction with the Prospectus dated [ ], 2023 (the “Prospectus”) and the applicable prospectus supplement.
This SAI does not include all of the information that a prospective investor should consider before purchasing Securities. Investors
should obtain and read the Prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement prior to purchasing Securities. A copy of the Prospectus
may be obtained without charge by calling the Fund at (844) 569-4750.
The
Prospectus and this SAI omit certain of the information contained in the registration statement filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”), Washington, D.C. The Fund’s filings with the SEC are available to the public on
the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of these filings may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic
request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed
to them in the Prospectus.
This
Statement of Additional Information is dated [ ], 2023.
*
* *
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
INVESTMENT
RESTRICTIONS |
1 |
INVESTMENT POLICIES
AND TECHNIQUES |
3 |
MANAGEMENT OF THE
FUND |
24 |
Investment Adviser
|
24 |
Investment Subadviser
|
24 |
Investment Advisory
Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement |
24 |
Portfolio Managers
|
26 |
Compensation of
Portfolio Managers |
28 |
Portfolio Manager
Ownership of Fund Shares |
29 |
Conflicts of Interest
|
29 |
Other Accounts
Managed |
31 |
Administrator
|
31 |
Codes of Ethics
|
32 |
FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS
|
32 |
Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm |
32 |
Legal Counsel
|
32 |
Custodian and
Transfer Agent |
32 |
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
|
33 |
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME
TAX MATTERS |
34 |
Fund Taxation
|
34 |
Common Shareholder
Taxation |
37 |
Preferred Shareholder
Taxation |
42 |
Other Taxes |
42 |
BOARD MEMBERS AND
OFFICERS |
43 |
Director Ownership
in the Fund |
55 |
Securities Beneficially
Owned |
56 |
PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
|
56 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
|
56 |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
57 |
APPENDIX A –
PROXY VOTING POLICY OF THE ADVISER |
A-1 |
APPENDIX B –
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES |
B-1 |
INVESTMENT
RESTRICTIONS
Except
as otherwise indicated, the Fund’s investment policies are not fundamental and may be changed without a vote of Common Shareholders.
There can be no assurance the Fund’s investment objectives will be met.
Any
investment restrictions herein that involve a maximum percentage of securities or assets shall not be considered to be violated
unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after and is caused by an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or
assets of, or borrowings by, the Fund. However, the asset coverage requirement applicable to borrowings will be maintained as
required under the 1940 Act.
The
Fund’s primary investment objective and 80% policy (as set forth in the Prospectus) are considered fundamental. In addition,
as a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund will not:
(1)
with respect to 75% of its total assets, purchase any securities (other than Government securities (as defined in the 1940 Act)
and securities issued by other investment companies), if, as a result, more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would then
be invested in securities of any single issuer or if, as a result, the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of any single issuer;
(2)
borrow money, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as it may be amended, interpreted or modified from time to time by Congress
or regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, including, for the avoidance of doubt, SEC staff interpretations;
(3)
issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as it may be amended, interpreted or modified from time to time
by Congress or regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, including, for the avoidance of doubt, SEC staff interpretations;
(4)
purchase any security if, as a result, 25% or more of the Fund’s total assets (taken at current value) would be invested
in any single industry or group of industries, except that the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds shall not be deemed
to be investments in a single industry or group of industries, and except that this limitation shall not apply to municipal securities
other than those municipal securities backed principally by the assets and revenues of non-governmental users. (For purposes of
this restriction, governments and their political subdivisions are not members of any industry.);
(5)
engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an
underwriter in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities;
(6)
purchase or sell real estate; provided that this restriction shall not prevent the Fund from investing in municipal securities
secured by real estate or interests therein or foreclosing upon and selling such real estate or from managing and maintaining
it in the interim;
(7)
purchase or sell commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments; provided that
this restriction shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing or selling options, futures contracts and related options thereon,
forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars and any other financial instruments or from investing in securities or other instruments
backed by physical commodities or as otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act, as amended, interpreted or modified from time to time
by Congress or regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, including, for the avoidance of doubt, SEC staff interpretations, or
pursuant to an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time;
or
(8)
make loans, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as it may be amended, interpreted or modified from time to time by Congress
or regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, including, for the avoidance of doubt, SEC staff interpretations, or except as
may be permitted by exemptive orders granted under the 1940 Act.
A
fundamental policy may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund which,
under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder and as used in this SAI, means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the voting securities
present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented
by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
Fundamental
Investment Restriction (1)
For
the purpose of applying the limitation in fundamental investment restriction (1), an issuer shall be deemed the sole issuer of
a security when its assets and revenues are separate from other governmental entities and its securities are backed only by its
assets and revenues. Similarly, in the case of a non-governmental issuer, such as an industrial corporation or a privately owned
or operated hospital, if the security is backed only by the assets and revenues of the non-governmental issuer, then such non-governmental
issuer would be deemed to be the sole issuer. Where a security is also backed by the enforceable obligation of a superior or unrelated
governmental or other entity (other than a bond insurer), it shall also be included in the computation of securities owned that
are issued by such governmental or other entity. Where a security is guaranteed by a governmental entity or some other facility,
such as a bank guarantee or letter of credit, such a guarantee or letter of credit would be considered a separate security and
would be treated as an issue of such government, other entity or bank. When a municipal bond is insured by bond insurance, it
shall not be considered a security that is issued or guaranteed by the insurer; instead, the issuer of such municipal bond will
be determined in accordance with the principles set forth above. The foregoing restrictions do not limit the percentage of the
Fund’s assets that may be invested in municipal securities insured by any given insurer.
Fundamental
Investment Restriction (2)
The
1940 Act permits the Fund to borrow money in an amount up to one-third of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less
its liabilities (not including any borrowings but including the fair market value at the time of computation of any other senior
securities then outstanding). The Fund may also borrow an additional 5% of its total assets without regard to the foregoing limitation
for temporary purposes such as clearance of portfolio transactions.
Practices
and investments that may involve leverage but are not considered to be borrowings are not subject to the policy. For more information
on leverage and the risks relating thereto, see “Risks—Structural Risk—Leverage Risk” in the Prospectus.
Fundamental
Investment Restriction (3)
The
ability of a closed-end fund (“CEF”) to issue senior securities is severely circumscribed by complex regulatory constraints
under the 1940 Act that restrict, for instance, the amount, timing, and form of senior securities that may be issued. Certain
portfolio management techniques, such as reverse repurchase agreements, tender option bonds, credit default swaps, futures contracts,
the purchase of securities on margin, short sales, or the writing of puts on portfolio securities, may be considered senior securities.
Under
the 1940 Act, the issuance by the Fund of a senior security representing an indebtedness is subject to a requirement that provision
is made that, (i) if on the last business day of each of 12 consecutive calendar months the asset coverage with respect to the
senior security is less than 100%, the holders of such securities voting as a class shall be entitled to elect at least a majority
of the Board with such voting right to continue until the asset coverage for such class of senior security is at least 110% on
the last business day of each of 3 consecutive calendar months or, (ii) if on the last business day of each of 24 consecutive
calendar months the asset coverage for such class of senior security is less than 100%, an event of default shall be deemed to
have occurred.
Fundamental
Investment Restriction (4)
The
limitation in fundamental investment restriction (4) will apply to municipal securities if the payment of principal and interest
for such securities is derived principally from a specific project associated with an issuer that is not a governmental entity
or a political subdivision of a government, and in that situation the Fund will consider such municipal securities to be in an
industry associated with the project. Although the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds are not deemed to be investments
in a particular industry, to the extent that the Fund is aware of the investments held by the Underlying Funds, the Fund will
consider such information when determining compliance with fundamental investment restriction (4).
Fundamental
Investment Restriction (7)
The
ability of the Fund to invest directly in commodities, and in certain commodity-related securities and other instruments, is subject
to significant limitations in order to enable the Fund to maintain its status as a regulated investment company under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
Fundamental
Investment Restriction (8)
The
1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from making loans; however, SEC staff interpretations currently prohibit funds from lending
more than one-third of their total assets, except through the purchase of debt obligations or the use of repurchase agreements.
A repurchase agreement is an agreement to purchase a security, coupled with an agreement to sell that security back to the original
seller on an agreed-upon date at a price that reflects current interest rates. The SEC frequently treats repurchase agreements
as loans.
INVESTMENT
POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES
The
following describes certain investment practices and techniques in which the Fund may engage, and certain of the risks associated
with such practices and techniques, and includes a discussion of the spectrum of investments that the Adviser and the Subadviser
in their discretion may, but are not required to, use in managing the Fund’s assets. Certain risks may only apply to a particular
investment strategy of the Fund, or may apply to both investment strategies. The following descriptions supplement the descriptions
of the investment objectives, policies, strategies and risks as set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus.
These
same investment practices or techniques may be used by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests (as described in the Prospectus)
and, therefore, the risks described below may apply to the Underlying Funds as well. The Underlying Funds are not subject to the
Fund’s investment policies and restrictions, and the Underlying Funds may invest their assets in securities and other instruments,
and may use investment techniques and strategies, that are not described in the Prospectus.
Furthermore,
it is possible that certain types of financial instruments or investment techniques described herein may not be available, permissible,
economically feasible or effective for their intended purposes in all markets. Certain practices, techniques or instruments may
not be principal activities of the Fund but, to the extent employed, could from time to time have a material impact on the Fund’s
performance.
Municipal
Securities. Municipal securities are either general obligation or revenue bonds and typically are issued to finance public
projects (such as roads or public buildings), to pay general operating expenses or to refinance outstanding debt.
Municipal
securities may also be issued on behalf of private entities or for private activities, such as housing, medical and educational
facility construction, or for privately owned industrial development and pollution control projects. General obligation bonds
are backed by the full faith and credit, or taxing authority, of the issuer and may be repaid from any revenue source; revenue
bonds may be repaid only from the revenues of a specific facility or source. The Fund and the Underlying Funds may also purchase
municipal securities that represent lease obligations, municipal notes, pre-refunded municipal bonds, private activity bonds,
tender option bonds and other forms of municipal bonds and securities.
Municipal
securities of below investment grade quality (Ba/BB or below) are commonly referred to as junk bonds. Issuers of securities rated
Ba/BB or B are regarded as having current capacity to make principal and interest payments but are subject to business, financial
or economic conditions which could adversely affect such payment capacity. Municipal securities rated Baa or BBB or above are
considered “investment grade” securities; municipal securities rated Baa are considered medium grade obligations that
lack outstanding investment characteristics and have speculative characteristics, while municipal securities rated BBB are regarded
as having adequate capacity to pay principal and interest. Municipal securities rated Aaa or AAA in which the Fund may invest
may have been so rated on the basis of the existence of insurance guaranteeing the timely payment, when due, of all principal
and interest. Municipal securities rated below investment grade quality are obligations of issuers that are considered predominately
speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal according to the terms of the obligation
and, therefore, carry greater investment risk, including the possibility of issuer default and bankruptcy and increased market
price volatility. Municipal securities rated below investment grade tend to be less marketable than higher-quality securities
because the market for them is less broad. The market for municipal securities unrated by any NRSRO is even narrower. During periods
of thin trading in these markets, the spread between bid and asked prices is likely to increase significantly and the Fund may
have greater difficulty selling its portfolio securities. The Fund will be more dependent on the Adviser’s and the Subadviser’s
research and analysis when investing in these securities.
The
Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in distressed securities which are securities of issuers that may be experiencing financial
difficulties, such as being in default on their obligations to pay principal or interest thereon when due or that are involved
in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings. The issuers of such securities may be in transition, out of favor, financially leveraged
or troubled, or potentially troubled, and may be or have recently been involved in major strategic actions, restructurings, bankruptcy,
reorganization or liquidation. These characteristics of these issuers can cause their securities to be particularly risky, although
they also may offer the potential for high returns. These issuers’ securities may be considered speculative, and the ability
of the issuers to pay their debts on schedule could be affected by adverse interest rate movements, changes in the general economic
climate, economic factors affecting a particular industry or specific developments within the issuers. Distressed securities frequently
do not produce income while they are outstanding and may require the Fund to bear certain extraordinary expenses in order to protect
and recover its investment. See “—Below Investment Grade Securities Risk.”
Investments
in lower rated or unrated securities may present special tax issues for the Fund to the extent that the issuers of these securities
default on their obligations pertaining thereto, and the federal income tax consequences to the Fund as a holder of such distressed
securities may not be clear.
The
ratings of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch represent their opinions as to the quality of the municipal securities they rate.
It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, municipal
securities with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while obligations of the same maturity and coupon
with different ratings may have the same yield.
During
temporary defensive periods (e.g., times when, in the Adviser’s or the Subadviser’s opinion, temporary imbalances
of supply and demand or other temporary dislocations in the tax-exempt securities market adversely affect the price at which long-term
or intermediate-term Municipal Bonds are available), and in order to keep the Fund’s cash fully invested, including the
period during which the net proceeds of an offering are being invested, the Fund may invest any percentage of its net assets in
short-term investments including high quality, short-term securities that may be either tax-exempt or taxable. Tax-exempt short-term
investments include various obligations issued by state and local governmental issuers, such as tax-exempt notes (bond anticipation
notes, tax anticipation notes and revenue anticipation notes or other such Municipal Bonds maturing in three years or less from
the date of issuance) and municipal commercial paper. Taxable short-term investments of the Fund may include certificates of deposit
issued by U.S. banks with assets of at least $1 billion, or commercial paper or corporate notes, bonds or debentures with a remaining
maturity of one year or less, or repurchase agreements. To the extent the Fund invests in taxable investments, the Fund will not
at such times be in a position to achieve its investment objective of tax-exempt income.
The
Fund may also invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in municipal bonds
of the types in which the Fund may invest directly. See “—Investment Company Securities.”
Obligations
of issuers of municipal securities are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights
and remedies of creditors. In addition, the obligations of such issuers may become subject to the laws enacted in the future by
Congress, state legislatures or referenda extending the time for payment of principal or interest, or both, or imposing other
constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or upon municipalities to levy taxes. There is also the possibility that, as
a result of legislation or other conditions, the power or ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of, and interest
on, its municipal securities may be materially affected.
Subject
to the concentration limits of the Fund’s investment policies and guidelines, the Fund may invest a significant portion
of its total assets in certain sectors of the municipal securities market, such as hospitals and other health care facilities,
charter schools and other private educational facilities, special taxing districts and start-up utility districts and private
activity bonds including industrial development bonds on behalf of transportation companies such as airline companies, whose credit
quality and performance may be more susceptible to economic, business, political, regulatory and other developments than other
sectors of municipal issuers. If the Fund invests a significant portion of its total assets in one or more particular sectors,
the Fund’s performance may be subject to additional risk and variability. To the extent that the Fund focuses its total
assets in the hospital and healthcare facilities sector, for example, the Fund will be subject to risks associated with such sector,
including adverse government regulation and reduction in reimbursement rates, as well as government approval of products and services
and intense competition. Securities issued with respect to special taxing districts will be subject to various risks, including
real-estate development related risks and taxpayer concentration risk. Further, the fees, special taxes or tax allocations and
other revenues established to secure the obligations of securities issued with respect to special taxing districts are generally
limited as to the rate or amount that may be levied or assessed and are not subject to increase pursuant to rate covenants or
municipal or corporate guarantees. Charter schools and other private educational facilities will be subject to various risks,
including the reversal of legislation authorizing or funding charter schools, the failure to renew or secure a charter, the failure
of a funding entity to appropriate necessary funds and competition from alternatives such as voucher programs. Issuers of municipal
utility securities can be significantly affected by government regulation, financing difficulties, supply and demand of services
or fuel and natural resource conservation. The transportation sector, including airports, airlines, ports and other transportation
facilities, can be significantly affected by changes in the economy, fuel prices, labor relations, insurance costs and government
regulation.
Municipal
Leases and Certificates of Participation. Also included within the general category of municipal securities are municipal
leases, certificates of participation in such lease obligations or installment purchase contract obligations (collectively, “Municipal
Lease Obligations”) of municipal authorities or entities. Although a Municipal Lease Obligation does not constitute a general
obligation of the municipality for which the municipality’s taxing power is pledged, a Municipal Lease Obligation is ordinarily
backed by the municipality’s covenant to budget for, appropriate and make the payments due under the Municipal Lease Obligation.
However, certain Municipal Lease Obligations contain “nonappropriation” clauses which provide that the municipality
has no obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose
on a yearly basis. In the case of a “non-appropriation” lease, the Fund’s ability to recover under the lease
in the event of non-appropriation or default will be limited solely to the repossession of the leased property, without recourse
to the general credit of the lessee, and disposition or releasing of the property might prove difficult. To the extent that the
Fund invests directly in unrated municipal leases or participates in such leases, the credit quality rating and risk of cancellation
of such unrated leases will be monitored on an ongoing basis. In order to reduce this risk, the Fund will only purchase Municipal
Lease Obligations where the Adviser or Subadviser believes the issuer has a strong incentive to continue making appropriations
until maturity.
Below
Investment Grade Securities. The Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in below investment grade securities, which are
commonly referred to as “junk” or “high yield” securities. These securities are considered to be high-risk
investments. The risks include the following:
Greater
Risk of Loss. These securities are regarded as predominately speculative. There is a greater risk that issuers of lower-rated
securities will default than issuers of higher-rated securities. Issuers of lower-rated securities generally are less creditworthy
and may be highly indebted, financially distressed or bankrupt. These issuers are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic
changes, political changes or adverse industry developments. In addition, below investment grade securities are frequently subordinated
to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. If an issuer fails to pay principal or interest, the Fund would experience a decrease
in income and a decline in the market value of its investments. The Fund also may incur additional expenses in seeking recovery
from the issuer.
Sensitivity
to Interest Rate and Economic Changes. The income and market value of lower-rated securities may fluctuate more than higher-rated
securities. Although certain below investment grade securities may be less sensitive to interest rate changes than investment
grade securities, below investment grade securities generally are more sensitive to short-term corporate, economic and market
developments. During periods of economic uncertainty and change, the market price of the investments in lower-rated securities
may be volatile. The default rate for high yield bonds tends to be cyclical, with defaults rising in periods of economic downturn.
Valuation
Difficulties. It is often more difficult to value lower-rated securities than higher-rated securities. If an issuer’s
financial condition deteriorates, accurate financial and business information may be limited or unavailable. In addition, the
lower-rated investments may be thinly traded and there may be no established secondary market. Because of the lack of market pricing
and current information for investments in lower-rated securities, valuation of such investments is much more dependent on judgment
than is the case with higher-rated securities.
Liquidity.
There may be no established secondary or public market for investments in lower-rated securities. Such securities are frequently
traded in markets that may be relatively less liquid than the market for higher-rated securities. In addition, relatively few
institutional purchasers may hold a major portion of an issue of lower-rated securities at times. As a result, lower-rated securities
may be required to be sold at substantial losses or retained indefinitely even where an issuer’s financial condition is
deteriorating.
Credit
Quality. Credit quality of below investment grade securities can change suddenly and unexpectedly, and even recently-issued
credit ratings may not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particular below investment grade security.
New
Legislation. Future legislation may have a possible negative impact on the market for below investment grade securities.
Borrowing.
The Fund may borrow funds and/or issue preferred stock, notes or other debt securities to the extent permitted by the 1940
Act for investment and other purposes, such as for providing the Fund with liquidity. The Fund’s use of leverage may include
borrowing through a line of credit with a bank or other financial institution. In addition, the Fund may enter into derivative
and other transactions that have the effect of leverage. Such other transactions may include investing in inverse floating rate
securities issued by tender option bond trusts. Under the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund, immediately after any borrowing,
must have an “asset coverage” of at least 300% (i.e., such indebtedness may not exceed 33-1/3% of the value
of the Fund’s total assets including the amount borrowed). With respect to such borrowing, asset coverage means the ratio
which the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities (as
defined in the 1940 Act), bears to the aggregate amount of such borrowing represented by senior securities issued by the Fund.
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is also not permitted to issue preferred stock unless immediately after such issuance the total asset
value of the Fund’s portfolio is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding preferred stock (i.e.,
such liquidation value may not exceed 50% of the Fund’s total assets).
The
use of borrowing and other leverage by the Fund involves special risk considerations that may not be associated with other funds
having similar policies. Because substantially all of the Fund’s assets fluctuate in value, whereas the interest obligation
resulting from a borrowing may be fixed by the terms of the Fund’s agreement with its lender, the net asset value (“NAV”)
per share of Common Shares of the Fund will tend to increase more when its portfolio securities increase in value and decrease
more when its portfolio securities decrease in value than would otherwise be the case if the Fund did not use leverage. In addition,
interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the return
earned on borrowed funds. Under adverse market conditions, the Fund might have to sell portfolio securities to meet interest or
principal payments at a time when investment considerations would not favor such sales. The interest that the Fund must pay on
borrowed money, together with any additional fees to establish and maintain a borrowing facility, are additional costs that will
reduce or eliminate any net investment income and may also offset any potential capital gains. Unless appreciation and income,
if any, on assets acquired with borrowed funds exceed the costs of borrowing, the use of leverage will diminish the investment
performance of the Fund compared with what it would have been without leverage. See “Use of Leverage” and “Risks—Structural
Risk—Leverage Risk” in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Closed-End
Funds. The Fund may invest in shares of CEFs offered in initial or secondary offerings or through purchasing shares in the
secondary market. An initial public offering of CEF shares is typically distributed by a group of underwriters who retain a spread
or underwriting commission based on the initial public offering price. Such shares are then listed for trading on an exchange
and, in some cases, may be traded in other over-the-counter markets. Because the shares of CEFs cannot be redeemed upon demand
to the issuer like the shares of an open-end fund, investors seek to buy and sell shares of CEFs in the secondary market. The
Fund will incur normal brokerage costs on its secondary purchases similar to the expenses the Fund would incur for the purchase
of securities of any other type of issuer in the secondary market.
The
shares of many CEFs, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share that is less than the NAV per
share, the difference representing the “market discount” of such shares. This market discount may be due in part to
the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many CEFs, as well as to the fact that the shares of CEFs
are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined NAV but, rather, are subject to supply and demand
in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of CEF shares also may contribute to such shares trading
at a discount to their NAV.
The
Fund may invest in shares of CEFs that are trading at a discount to NAV or at a premium to NAV. There can be no assurance that
the market discount on shares of any CEF purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount
may increase and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities
of such CEFs, thereby adversely affecting the NAV of the Common Shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares of
a CEF purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent
to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.
CEFs
may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the CEF’s common
shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such CEF’s common shareholders. The Fund’s investment in the
common shares of CEFs that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but
in a down market may also lose money at a faster rate. In general, leveraged funds may be expected to exhibit more volatility
in market price and NAV than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure.
Derivatives.
The Fund may utilize various other investment strategies as described below for a variety of purposes, such as hedging various
market risks or enhancing return. These strategies may be executed through the use of derivative contracts. The Underlying Funds
may also utilize derivative contracts and are thus subject to the same risks described below.
In
the course of pursuing these investment strategies, the Fund may purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and
call options on securities, equity and fixed-income indices and other instruments, purchase and sell futures contracts and options
thereon, enter into various transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, (collectively, all the above are called “Derivative
Transactions”). In addition, Derivative Transactions may also include new techniques, instruments or strategies that are
permitted as regulatory changes occur. Derivative Transactions may be used without limit (subject to certain limits imposed by
the 1940 Act) to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market value of securities held in or to be purchased for
the Fund’s portfolio resulting from securities markets fluctuations, to protect the Fund’s unrealized gains in the
value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of such securities for investment purposes, to manage the effective
maturity or duration of the Fund’s portfolio, or to establish a position in the derivatives markets as a substitute for
purchasing or selling particular securities. Some Derivative Transactions may also be used to enhance potential gain. Any or all
of these investment techniques may be used at any time and in any combination, and there is no particular strategy that dictates
the use of one technique rather than another, as use of any Derivative Transaction is a function of numerous variables including,
but not limited to, market conditions. The ability of the Fund to utilize these Derivative Transactions successfully will depend
on the Adviser’s or Subadviser’s ability to predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. The Fund’s
use of Derivative Transactions may also be limited by the requirements of the Code for qualification as a regulated investment
company for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Fund will comply with applicable regulatory requirements when implementing these
strategies, techniques and instruments. Derivative Transactions will not be used to alter fundamental investment purposes and
characteristics of the Fund, and the Fund will cover its obligations under options, futures and swaps to limit leveraging of the
Fund to the extent described in the Prospectus, the applicable Prospectus supplement and this SAI.
Derivative
Transactions, including derivative contracts, have risks associated with them including, but not limited to, possible default
by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent the Adviser’s or Subadviser’s view as to certain
market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of such Derivative Transactions could result in losses greater than if they
had not been used. Use of Derivative Transactions may result in losses to the Fund, force the sale or purchase of portfolio securities
at inopportune times or for prices higher than or lower than current market values, limit the amount of appreciation the Fund
can realize on its investments or cause the Fund to hold a security it might otherwise sell.
The
use of options and futures transactions entails certain other risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation between
price movements of futures contracts and price movements in the related portfolio position of the Fund creates the possibility
that losses on the hedging instrument may be greater than gains in the value of the position the Fund is attempting to hedge.
In addition, futures and options markets may not be liquid in all circumstances and certain over-the-counter options may have
no markets. As a result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring substantial
losses, if at all. Although the use of futures and options transactions for hedging should tend to reduce the risk of loss due
to a decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same time they tend to limit any potential gain which might result from
an increase in value of such position. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts would create a greater
ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of options, where the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium.
Losses resulting from the use of Derivative Transactions would reduce NAV, and possibly income, and such losses can be greater
than if the Derivative Transactions had not been utilized.
On
October 28, 2020, the SEC adopted Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act relating to a registered investment company’s use of derivatives
and related instruments. Rule 18f-4 prescribes specific value-at-risk leverage limits for certain derivatives users and requires
certain derivatives users to adopt and implement a derivatives risk management program (including the appointment of a derivatives
risk manager and the implementation of certain testing requirements), and prescribes reporting requirements in respect of derivatives.
Subject to certain conditions, if a fund qualifies as a “limited derivatives user,” as defined in Rule 18f-4, it is
not subject to the full requirements of Rule 18f-4. In connection with the adoption of Rule 18f-4, the SEC rescinded certain of
its prior guidance regarding asset segregation and coverage requirements in respect of derivatives transactions and related instruments.
With respect to reverse repurchase agreements, tender option bonds or other similar financing transactions in particular, Rule
18f-4 permits a fund to enter into such transactions if the fund either (i) complies with the asset coverage requirements of Section
18 of the 1940 Act, and combines the aggregate amount of indebtedness associated with all tender option bonds or similar financing
with the aggregate amount of any other senior securities representing indebtedness when calculating the relevant asset coverage
ratio, or (ii) treats all tender option bonds or similar financing transactions as derivatives transactions for all purposes under
Rule 18f-4. The Fund was required to comply with Rule 18f-4 beginning August 19, 2022 and has adopted procedures for investing
in derivatives and other transactions in compliance with Rule 18f-4.
General
Characteristics of Options. Put options and call options typically have similar structural characteristics and operational
mechanics regardless of the underlying instrument on which they are purchased or sold. Thus, the following general discussion
relates to each of the particular types of options discussed in greater detail below.
A
put option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to sell, and the writer the obligation to buy,
the underlying security, commodity, index or other instrument at the exercise price. For instance, the Fund’s purchase of
a put option on a security might be designed to protect its holdings in the underlying instrument (or, in some cases, a similar
instrument) against a substantial decline in the market value by giving the Fund the right to sell such instrument at the option
exercise price. A call option, upon payment of a premium, gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the seller the
obligation to sell, the underlying instrument at the exercise price. The Fund’s purchase of a call option on a security,
financial future, index or other instrument might be intended to protect the Fund against an increase in the price of the underlying
instrument that it intends to purchase in the future by fixing the price at which it may purchase such instrument. An American
style put or call option may be exercised at any time during the option period while a European style put or call option may be
exercised only upon expiration or during a fixed period prior thereto. The Fund is authorized to purchase and sell exchange listed
options and over-the-counter options (“OTC options”). Exchange listed options are issued by a regulated intermediary
such as the Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”), which guarantees the performance of the obligations of the parties
to such options. The discussion below uses the OCC as an example, but is also applicable to other financial intermediaries.
With
certain exceptions, OCC issued and exchange listed options generally settle by physical delivery of the underlying security, although
in the future cash settlement may become available. Index options are cash settled for the net amount, if any, by which the option
is “in-the-money” (i.e., where the value of the underlying instrument 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) at the time the option is exercised. Frequently,
rather than taking or making delivery of the underlying instrument through the process of exercising the option, listed options
are closed by entering into offsetting purchase or sale transactions that do not result in ownership of the new option.
The
Fund’s ability to close out its position as a purchaser or seller of an OCC or exchange listed put or call option is dependent,
in part, upon the liquidity of the option market. Among the possible reasons for the absence of a liquid option market on an exchange
are: (i) insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions on transactions imposed by an exchange; (iii) trading
halts, suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities
including reaching daily price limits; (iv) interruption of the normal operations of the OCC or an exchange; (v) inadequacy of
the facilities of an exchange or OCC to handle current trading volume; or (vi) a decision by one or more exchanges to discontinue
the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the relevant market for that option on that
exchange would cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange would generally continue to be exercisable in accordance
with their terms.
The
hours of trading for listed options may not coincide with the hours during which the underlying financial instruments are traded.
To the extent that the option markets close before the markets for the underlying financial instruments, significant price and
rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the option markets.
OTC
options are purchased from or sold to securities dealers, financial institutions or other parties (“Counterparties”)
through direct bilateral agreement with the Counterparty. In contrast to exchange listed options, which generally have standardized
terms and performance mechanics, all the terms of an OTC option, including such terms as method of settlement, term, exercise
price, premium, guarantees and security, are set by negotiation of the parties. The Fund will only sell OTC options that are subject
to a buy-back provision permitting the Fund to require the Counterparty to sell the option back to the Fund at a formula price
within seven days. The Fund expects generally to enter into OTC options that have cash settlement provisions, although it is not
required to do so.
Unless
the parties provide for it, there is no central clearing or guaranty function in an OTC option. As a result, if the Counterparty
fails to make or take delivery of the security or other instrument underlying an OTC option it has entered into with the Fund
or fails to make a cash settlement payment due in accordance with the terms of that option, the Fund will lose any premium it
paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction. Accordingly, the Adviser or Subadviser, as applicable,
must assess the creditworthiness of each such Counterparty or any guarantor or credit enhancement of the Counterparty’s
credit to determine the likelihood that the terms of the OTC option will be satisfied. The Fund will engage in OTC option transactions
only with U.S. government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as “primary dealers”
or broker/dealers, domestic or foreign banks or other financial institutions which have received (or the guarantors of the obligation
of which have received) a short-term credit rating of “A-1” from S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or
“P-1” from Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or an equivalent rating from any nationally
recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) or, in the case of OTC currency options, are determined to be
of equivalent credit quality by the Adviser or Subadviser, as applicable. The staff of the SEC currently takes the position that
OTC options purchased by the Fund, and portfolio securities “covering” the amount of the Fund’s obligation pursuant
to an OTC option sold by it (the cost of the sell-back plus the in-the-money amount, if any) are illiquid.
If
the Fund sells a call option, the premium that it receives may serve as a partial hedge, to the extent of the option premium,
against a decrease in the value of the underlying securities or instruments in its portfolio or will increase the Fund’s
income. The sale of put options can also provide income.
The
Fund may purchase and sell call options on securities including U.S. Treasury and agency securities, corporate debt securities
and equity securities (including convertible securities) that are traded on U.S. securities exchanges and in the over-the-counter
markets, and on securities indices and futures contracts. All calls sold by the Fund must be “covered” (i.e.,
the Fund must own the securities or futures contract subject to the call) Even though the Fund will receive the option premium
to help protect it against loss, a call sold by the Fund exposes the Fund during the term of the option to possible loss of opportunity
to realize appreciation in the market price of the underlying security or instrument and may require the Fund to hold a security
or instrument which it might otherwise have sold.
The
Fund may purchase and sell put options on securities including U.S. Treasury and agency securities, corporate debt securities
and equity securities (including convertible securities), whether or not it holds the above securities in its portfolio, and on
securities indices and futures contracts other than futures on individual corporate debt and individual equity securities. In
selling put options, there is a risk that the Fund may be required to buy the underlying security at a disadvantageous price above
the market price.
General
Characteristics of Futures. The Fund may enter into futures contracts or purchase or sell put and call options on such futures
as a hedge against anticipated interest rate or equity market changes or to enhance returns. Futures are generally bought and
sold on the commodities exchanges where they are listed with payment of initial and variation margin as described below. The sale
of a futures contract creates a firm obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver to the buyer the specific type of financial
instrument called for in the contract at a specific future time for a specified price (or, with respect to index futures, the
net cash amount). Options on futures contracts are similar to options on securities except that 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 and obligates the seller
to deliver such position.
Typically,
maintaining a futures contract or selling an option thereon requires the Fund to deposit with a financial intermediary as security
for its obligations an amount of cash or other specified assets (initial margin), which initially is typically 1% to 10% of the
face amount of the contract (but may be higher in some circumstances). Additional cash or assets (variation margin) may be required
to be deposited thereafter on a daily basis as the mark-to-market value of the contract fluctuates. The purchase of an option
on financial futures involves payment of a premium for the option without any further obligation on the part of the Fund. If the
Fund exercises an option on a futures contract it will be obligated to post initial margin (and potential subsequent variation
margin) for the resulting futures position just as it would for any position. Futures contracts and options thereon are generally
settled by entering into an offsetting transaction but there can be no assurance that the position can be offset prior to settlement
at an advantageous price, nor that delivery will occur.
Options
on Securities Indices and Other Financial Indices. The Fund also may purchase and sell call and put options on securities
indices and other financial indices and in so doing can achieve many of the same objectives it would achieve through the sale
or purchase of options on individual securities or other instruments. Options on securities indices and other financial indices
are similar to options on a security or other instrument except that, rather than settling by physical delivery of the underlying
instrument, they settle by cash settlement, i.e., an option on an index gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise
of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the option is based exceeds, in the case of a call,
or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option (except if, in the case of an OTC option, physical delivery
is specified). This amount of cash is equal to the excess of the closing price of the index over the exercise price of the option,
which also may be multiplied by a formula value. The seller of the option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to
make delivery of this amount. The gain or loss on an option on an index depends on price movements in the instruments making up
the market, market segment, industry or other composite on which the underlying index is based, rather than price movements in
individual securities, as is the case with respect to options on securities.
Swaps,
Caps, Floors and Collars. Among the Derivative Transactions into which the Fund may enter are interest rate, index and other
swaps and the purchase or sale of related caps, floors and collars. The Fund expects to enter into these transactions primarily
to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, as a duration management technique or to
protect against any increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Fund will not sell
interest rate caps or floors where it does not own securities or other instruments providing the income stream the Fund may be
obligated to pay. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay
or receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments with respect to a notional amount
of principal. An index swap is an agreement to swap cash flows on a notional amount based on changes in the values of the reference
indices. The purchase of a cap entitles the purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount from the party selling
such cap to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate or amount. The purchase of a floor entitles
the purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount from the party selling such floor to the extent that a specified
index falls below a predetermined interest rate or amount. A collar is a combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain
return within a predetermined range of interest rates or values.
The
Fund will usually enter into swaps on a net basis, i.e., the two payment streams are 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 believes such obligations do not, as of the date of this SAI, constitute senior securities under
the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to its borrowing restrictions. If there is a default by the
Counterparty, the Fund may have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction.
Credit
Default Swap Agreements. The Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements. The “buyer” in a credit default
contract is obligated to pay the “seller” a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided
that no event of default on an underlying reference obligation has occurred. If an event of default occurs, the seller must
pay the buyer the full notional value, or “par value,” of the reference obligation. Credit default swap transactions
are either “physical delivery” settled or “cash” settled. Physical delivery entails the actual delivery
of the reference asset to the seller in exchange for the payment of the full par value of the reference asset. Cash settled entails
a net cash payment from the seller to the buyer based on the difference of the par value of the reference asset and the current
value of the reference asset that may have, through default, lost some, most or all of its value. The Fund may be either the buyer
or seller in a credit default swap transaction. If the Fund is a buyer and no event of default occurs, the Fund will have made
a series of periodic payments and recover nothing of monetary value. However, if an event of default occurs, the Fund (if the
buyer) will receive the full notional value of the reference obligation either through a cash payment in exchange for the asset
or a cash payment in addition to owning the reference assets. As a seller, the Fund receives a fixed rate of income throughout
the term of the contract, which typically is between six months and five years, provided that there is no event of default.
If an event of default occurs, the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value of the reference obligation.
Credit
default swap transactions involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly. In addition
to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to liquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risks, each as further
described below. Moreover, if the Fund is a buyer, it will lose its investment and recover nothing should no event of default
occur. If an event of default were to occur, the value of the reference obligation received by the seller, coupled with the periodic
payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the
Fund. When the Fund acts as a seller of a credit default swap agreement it is exposed to the risks of leverage since if an event
of default occurs the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value of the reference obligation.
A
credit default index swap is a swap on an index of credit default swaps. Credit default index swaps allow an investor to manage
credit risk or to take a position on a basket of credit default swaps (or other instruments) in a more efficient manner than transacting
in single name credit default swaps. If a credit event occurs in one of the underlying companies, the protection is paid out via
the delivery of the defaulted bond by the buyer of protection in return for payment of the notional value of the defaulted bond
by the seller of protection or it may be settled through a cash settlement between the two parties. The underlying company is
then removed from the index.
Structured
Notes. Structured notes are derivative debt securities, the interest rate or principal of which is determined by reference
to changes in value of a specific security, reference rate, or index. Indexed securities, similar to structured notes, are typically,
but not always, debt securities whose value at maturity or coupon rate is determined by reference to other securities. The performance
of a structured note or indexed security is based upon the performance of the underlying instrument, but may involve a formula
that multiplies the effect of certain aspects of the performance of that instrument, so that the performance of the derivative
is more or less volatile than that of the underlying instrument, but may involve a formula that multiplies the effect of certain
aspects of the performance of that instrument, so that the performance of the derivative is more or less volatile than that of
the underlying instrument.
The
terms of a structured note may provide that, in certain circumstances, no principal is due on maturity and, therefore, may result
in loss of investment. Structured notes may be indexed positively or negatively to the performance of the underlying instrument
such that the appreciation or deprecation of the underlying instrument will move in the same direction as the value of the structured
note at maturity or of any coupon payment. In addition, changes in the interest rate and value of the principal at maturity may
be fixed at a specific multiple of the change in value of the underlying instrument, making the value of the structured note more
volatile than the underlying instrument. In addition, structured notes may be less liquid and more difficult to price accurately
than less complex securities or traditional debt securities.
Commodity-Linked
Derivatives. The Fund may invest in instruments with principal and/or coupon payments linked to the value of commodities,
commodity futures contracts, or the performance of commodity indices such as “commodity-linked” or “index-linked”
notes. These instruments are sometimes referred to as “structured notes” because the terms of the instrument may be
structured by the issuer of the note and the purchaser of the note, such as the Fund.
The
values of these notes will rise and fall in response to changes in the underlying commodity or related index or investment. These
notes expose the Fund economically to movements in commodity prices, but a particular note has many features of a debt obligation.
These notes also are subject to credit and interest rate risks that in general affect the value of debt securities. Therefore,
at the maturity of the note, the Fund may receive more or less principal than it originally invested. The Fund might receive interest
payments on the note that are more or less than the stated coupon interest rate payments.
Structured
notes may involve leverage, meaning that the value of the instrument will be calculated as a multiple of the upward or downward
price movement of the underlying commodity future or index. The prices of commodity-linked instruments may move in different directions
than investments in traditional equity and debt securities in periods of rising inflation, which may provide the Fund with a desired
degree of diversity. Of course, there can be no guarantee that the Fund’s commodity-linked investments would not be correlated
with traditional financial assets under any particular market conditions.
Commodity-linked
notes may be issued by U.S. and foreign banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies and other corporations. These notes, in addition
to fluctuating in response to changes in the underlying commodity assets, will be subject to credit and interest rate risks that
typically affect debt securities.
The
commodity-linked instruments may be wholly principal protected, partially principal protected or offer no principal protection.
With a wholly principal protected instrument, the Fund will receive at maturity the greater of the par value of the note or the
increase in value of the underlying index. Partially protected instruments may suffer some loss of principal up to a specified
limit if the underlying index declines in value during the term of the instrument. For instruments without principal protection,
there is a risk that the instrument could lose all of its value if the index declines sufficiently. The Adviser’s or Subadviser’s
decision on whether and to what extent to use principal protection depends in part on the cost of the protection. In addition,
the ability of the Fund to take advantage of any protection feature depends on the creditworthiness of the issuer of the instrument.
Commodity-linked
derivatives are generally hybrid instruments which are excluded from regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act (the “CEA”)
and the rules thereunder. Additionally, from time to time the Fund may invest in other hybrid instruments that do not qualify
for exemption from regulation under the CEA.
Combined
Transactions. The Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including multiple options transactions, multiple futures transactions,
multiple currency transactions (including forward currency contracts) and multiple interest rate transactions and any combination
of futures, options, currency and interest rate transactions (“component” transactions), instead of a single Derivative
Transaction, as part of a single or combined strategy when, in the opinion of the Adviser or Subadviser, it is in the best interests
of the Fund to do so. A combined transaction will usually contain elements of risk that are present in each of its component transactions.
Although combined transactions are normally entered into based on the Adviser’s or Subadviser’s judgment that the
combined strategies will reduce risk or otherwise more effectively achieve the desired portfolio management goal, it is possible
that the combination will instead increase such risks or hinder achievement of the portfolio management objectives.
Regulation
as a “Commodity Pool.” CFTC Rule 4.5 requires operators of registered investment companies to either limit such
investment companies’ use of futures, options on futures and swaps or register as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”)
and submit to dual regulation by the CFTC and the SEC. In order to be able to comply with the exclusion from the CPO definition
pursuant to CFTC Rule 4.5 with respect to the Fund, the Adviser must limit the Fund’s transactions in commodity futures,
commodity option contracts and swaps for non-hedging purposes by either (a) limiting the aggregate initial margin and premiums
required to establish non-hedging commodities positions to not more than 5% of the liquidation value of the Fund’s portfolio
after taking into account unrealized profits and losses on any such contract or (b) limiting the aggregate net notional value
of non-hedging commodities positions to not more than 100% of the liquidation value of the Fund’s portfolio after taking
into account unrealized profits and losses on such positions. In the event that the Fund’s investments in such instruments
exceed such thresholds, the Adviser would no longer be excluded from the CPO definition and may be required to register as a CPO,
and the Subadviser may be required to register as a commodity trading advisor (“CTA”). In the event the Adviser or
Subadviser is required to register as a CPO or CTA, as applicable, it will become subject to additional recordkeeping and reporting
requirements with respect to the Fund. The Adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of a CPO with respect to the Fund
under the amended rules. The Fund reserves the right to engage in transactions involving futures, options thereon and swaps in
accordance with the Fund’s policies. The Fund does not anticipate that it will invest in commodity futures, commodity options
contracts and swaps to an extent or in a manner that would require the Adviser and the Subadviser to register as a CPO or CTA
(as applicable) in connection with their management of the Fund.
Exchange-Traded
Funds. To the extent the Fund invests a portion of its Managed Assets (as defined below) in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”),
those assets will be subject to the risks of the purchased funds’ portfolio securities, and a Common Shareholder will bear
not only his or her proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, but also indirectly the expenses of the purchased funds.
Common Shareholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other funds. The Fund’s
investments in other funds also are subject to the ability of the managers of those funds to achieve the funds’ investment
objective(s).
Risks
associated with investments in ETFs may generally include the risks described in the Prospectus associated with the Fund’s
structure as a CEF, including market risk. Most ETFs are investment companies that aim to track or replicate a desired index,
such as a sector, market or global segment. Most ETFs are passively managed and their shares are traded on a national exchange.
ETFs do not sell individual shares directly to investors and only issue their shares in large blocks known as “creation
units.” The investor purchasing a creation unit may sell the individual shares on a secondary market. Therefore, the liquidity
of ETFs depends on the adequacy of the secondary market. There can be no assurance that an ETF’s investment objective(s)
will be achieved, as ETFs based on an index may not replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weightings of
securities in the index. ETFs are subject to the risks of investing in the underlying securities. ETF shares may trade at a premium
or discount to their NAV. As ETFs trade on an exchange, they are subject to the risks of any exchange-traded instrument, including:
(i) an active trading market for its shares may not develop or be maintained, (ii) trading of its shares may be halted by the
exchange, and (iii) its shares may be delisted from the exchange. Some ETFs are highly leveraged and therefore will expose the
Fund to risks posed by leverage, including the risk that the use of leverage by an ETF can magnify the effect of any of its losses.
The
Fund may invest in a range of ETFs. When the Fund invests in sector ETFs, there is a risk that securities within the same group
of industries will decline in price due to sector-specific market or economic developments. If the Fund invests more heavily in
a particular sector, the value of its Common Shares may be especially sensitive to factors and economic risks that specifically
affect that sector. As a result, the Fund’s Common Share price may fluctuate more widely than the value of shares of a mutual
fund that invests in a broader range of industries. Additionally, some sectors could be subject to greater government regulation
than other sectors. Therefore, changes in regulatory policies for those sectors may have a material effect on the value of securities
issued by companies in those sectors. The sectors in which the Fund may be more heavily invested will vary.
There
is a risk that the underlying ETFs in which the Fund invests may terminate due to extraordinary events that may cause any of the
service providers to the ETFs, such as the trustee or sponsor, to close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the
ETF. Also, because the ETFs in which the Fund may invest may be granted licenses by agreement to use the indices as a basis for
determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names, the ETFs may terminate if such license agreements
are terminated. In addition, an ETF may terminate if its entire NAV falls below a certain amount. Although the Fund believes that,
in the event of the termination of an underlying ETF they will be able to invest instead in shares of an alternate ETF tracking
the same market index or another market index with the same general market, there is no guarantee that shares of an alternate
ETF would be available for investment at that time. To the extent the Fund invests in a sector product, the Fund will be subject
to the risks associated with that sector.
High
Yield Securities. The Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in high yield securities. High yield, high risk bonds are securities
that are generally rated below investment grade by the primary rating agencies (BB+ or lower by S&P and Ba1 or lower by Moody’s).
Other terms used to describe such securities include “lower rated bonds,” “non-investment grade bonds,”
“below investment grade bonds,” and “junk bonds.” These securities are considered to be high-risk investments.
Illiquid
Securities and Restricted Securities. Certain securities may be subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale (“restricted
securities”). Generally speaking, restricted securities may be sold: (i) only to qualified institutional buyers; (ii) in
a privately negotiated transaction to a limited number of purchasers; (iii) in limited quantities after they have been held for
a specified period of time and other conditions are met pursuant to an exemption from registration; or (iv) in a public offering
for which a registration statement is in effect under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”). Issuers
of restricted securities may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements that would be applicable
if their securities were publicly traded.
Restricted
securities are often illiquid, but they may also be liquid. For example, restricted securities that are eligible for resale under
Rule 144A are often deemed to be liquid. The Fund and Underlying Funds may also purchase securities that are not subject to legal
or contractual restrictions on resale, but that are deemed illiquid. Such securities may be illiquid, for example, because there
is a limited trading market for them.
The
Fund or an Underlying Fund may be unable to sell a restricted or illiquid security. In addition, it may be more difficult to determine
a market value for restricted or illiquid securities. Moreover, if adverse market conditions were to develop during the period
between the Fund’s or an Underlying Fund’s decision to sell a restricted or illiquid security and the point at which
the Fund or an Underlying Fund is permitted or able to sell such security, the Fund or an Underlying Fund might obtain a price
less favorable than the price that prevailed when it decided to sell.
Investment
Company Securities. The Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in the securities of other investment companies, including
CEFs, open-end funds, ETFs, unit investment trusts and BDCs registered under the 1940 Act (collectively, the “Investment
Companies”), to the extent permitted under applicable law and subject to certain restrictions.
Under
Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act, the Fund may hold securities of an Investment Company in amounts which (i) do not exceed
3% of the total outstanding voting stock of the Investment Company, (ii) do not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total
assets and (iii) when added to all other Investment Company securities held by the Fund, do not exceed 10% of the value of the
Fund’s total assets. These limits may be exceeded when permitted under Rule 12d1-4. The Fund intends to rely on Section
12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act, which provides that the provisions of paragraph 12(d)(1)(A) shall not apply to securities purchased
or otherwise acquired by the Fund if (i) immediately after such purchase or acquisition not more than 3% of the total outstanding
stock of such Investment Company is owned by the Fund and all affiliated persons of the Fund, and (ii) certain requirements are
met with respect to sales charges, or Rule 12d1-4.
In
addition, to comply with provisions of the 1940 Act, in any matter upon which Investment Company stockholders are solicited to
vote, the Adviser or Subadviser, as applicable, may be required to vote Investment Company shares in the same proportion as shares
held by other stockholders of the Investment Company.
Acquired
funds typically incur fees that are separate from those fees incurred directly by the Fund or an Underlying Fund. The Fund’s
or an Underlying Fund’s purchase of Investment Company securities results in the layering of expenses as Common Shareholders
would indirectly bear a proportionate share of the operating expenses of such Investment Companies, including advisory fees, in
addition to paying Fund or Underlying Fund expenses. In addition, the securities of Investment Companies may also be leveraged
and will therefore be subject to certain leverage risks. The NAV and market value of leveraged securities will be more volatile
and the yield to Common Shareholders will tend to fluctuate more than the yield generated by unleveraged securities. Investment
Companies may also have investment policies that differ from those of the Fund or an Underlying Fund.
Under
certain circumstances an open-end investment company in which the Fund or an Underlying Fund invests may determine to make a payment
of a redemption by the Fund or an Underlying Fund wholly or in part by a distribution in kind of securities from its portfolio,
instead of in cash. As a result, the Fund or an Underlying Fund may hold such securities until the Adviser, Subadviser or manager
of the Underlying Fund, as applicable, determines it is appropriate to dispose of them. Such disposition will impose additional
costs on the Fund or an Underlying Fund.
Investment
decisions by the investment advisers to the registered investment companies in which the Fund invests are made independently of
the Fund. At any particular time, an Underlying Fund may be purchasing shares of an issuer whose shares are being sold by another
Underlying Fund. As a result, under these circumstances the Fund indirectly would incur certain transactional costs without accomplishing
any investment purpose. See also “—Exchange Traded Funds.”
Investment
Grade Debt Securities. Investment grade securities are those rated “Baa” or higher by Moody’s or “BBB”
or higher by S&P or rated similarly by another NRSRO or, if unrated, judged to be of equivalent quality as determined by the
Adviser or Subadviser, as applicable. Moody’s considers bonds it rates “Baa” to have speculative elements as
well as investment-grade characteristics. To the extent that the Fund invests in higher-grade securities, the Fund will not be
able to avail itself of opportunities for higher income which may be available at lower grades.
Inverse
Floating Rate Securities. Inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as “inverse floaters”) are securities
whose interest rates bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. Generally,
inverse floating rate securities represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust formed for the purpose of holding municipal
bonds. The special purpose trust typically sells two classes of beneficial interests or securities: floating rate securities (sometimes
referred to as short-term floaters or tender option bonds) and inverse floating rate securities (sometimes referred to as inverse
floaters). Both classes of beneficial interests are represented by certificates. The short-term floating rate securities have
first priority on the cash flow from the municipal bonds held by the special purpose trust. Typically, a third party, such as
a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, grants the floating rate security holders the option, at periodic intervals,
to tender their securities to the institution and receive the face value thereof. As consideration for providing the option, the
financial institution receives periodic fees. The holder of the short-term floater effectively holds a demand obligation that
bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rate. However, the institution granting the tender option will not be
obligated to accept tendered short-term floaters in the event of certain defaults or a significant downgrade in the credit rating
assigned to the bond issuer. For its inverse floating rate investment, the Fund receives the residual cash flow from the special
purpose trust. Because the holder of the short-term floater is generally assured liquidity at the face value of the security,
the Fund as the holder of the inverse floater assumes the interest rate cash flow risk and the market value risk associated with
the municipal security deposited into the special purpose trust. The volatility of the interest cash flow and the residual market
value will vary with the degree to which the trust is leveraged. This is expressed in the ratio of the total face value of the
short-term floaters in relation to the value of the residual inverse floaters that are issued by the special purpose trust. In
addition, all voting rights and decisions to be made with respect to any other rights relating to the municipal bonds held in
the special purpose trust are passed through to the Fund, as the holder of the residual inverse floating rate securities.
Because
increases in the interest rate on the short-term floaters reduce the residual interest paid on inverse floaters, and because fluctuations
in the value of the municipal bond deposited in the special purpose trust affect the value of the inverse floater only, and not
the value of the short-term floater issued by the trust, inverse floaters’ value is generally more volatile than that of
fixed rate bonds. The market price of inverse floating rate securities is generally more volatile than the underlying securities
due to the leveraging effect of this ownership structure. These securities generally will underperform the market of fixed rate
bonds in a rising interest rate environment (i.e., when bond values are falling), but tend to outperform the market of fixed rate
bonds when interest rates decline or remain relatively stable. Although volatile, inverse floaters typically offer the potential
for yields exceeding the yields available on fixed rate bonds with comparable credit quality, coupon, call provisions and maturity.
Inverse floaters have varying degrees of liquidity based upon, among other things, the liquidity of the underlying securities
deposited in a special purpose trust.
The
Fund may invest in TOB Residuals that have recourse to the Fund. In the Adviser’s or Subadviser’s discretion, the
Fund may enter into a separate shortfall and forbearance agreement with the third party granting liquidity to the floating rate
security holders of the special purpose trust. The Fund may enter into such recourse agreements (i) when the liquidity provider
to the special purpose trust requires such an agreement because the level of leverage in the special purpose trust exceeds the
level that the liquidity provider is willing to support absent such an agreement; and/or (ii) to seek to prevent the liquidity
provider from collapsing the special purpose trust in the event that the municipal obligation held in the trust has declined in
value. Such an agreement would require the Fund to reimburse the third party granting liquidity to the floating rate security
holders of the special purpose trust, upon termination of the trust issuing the inverse floater, the difference between the liquidation
value of the bonds held in the trust and the principal amount due to the holders of floating rate interests. In such instances,
the Fund may be at risk of loss that exceeds its investment in the inverse floating rate securities. Absent a shortfall and forbearance
agreement, the Fund would not be required to make such a reimbursement. If the Fund chooses not to enter into such an agreement,
the special purpose trust could be liquidated and the Fund could incur a loss.
The
Fund may invest in both inverse floating rate securities and floating rate securities (as discussed below) issued by the same
special purpose trust.
Investments
in inverse floating rate securities have the economic effect of leverage. The use of leverage creates special risks for Common
Shareholders. See the Prospectus under “Risks—Structural Risk—Leverage Risks.”
Floating
Rate Securities. The Fund may also invest in floating rate securities, as described above, issued by special purpose trusts.
Floating rate securities may take the form of short-term floating rate securities or the option period may be substantially longer.
Generally, the interest rate earned will be based upon the market rates for municipal securities with maturities or remarketing
provisions that are comparable in duration to the periodic interval of the tender option, which may vary from weekly, to monthly,
to extended periods of one year or multiple years. Since the option feature has a shorter term than the final maturity or first
call date of the underlying bond deposited in the trust, the Fund as the holder of the floating rate security relies upon the
terms of the agreement with the financial institution furnishing the option as well as the credit strength of that institution.
As further assurance of liquidity, the terms of the trust provide for a liquidation of the municipal security deposited in the
trust and the application of the proceeds to pay off the floating rate security. The trusts that are organized to issue both short-term
floating rate securities and inverse floaters generally include liquidation triggers to protect the investor in the floating rate
security.
Auction
Rate Securities. Municipal securities also include auction rate municipal securities and auction rate preferred securities
issued by closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in municipal securities (collectively, “auction rate securities”).
In recent market environments, auctions have failed, which adversely affects the liquidity and price of auction rate securities,
and are unlikely to resume. Provided that the auction mechanism is successful, auction rate securities usually permit the holder
to sell the securities in an auction at par value at specified intervals. The dividend is reset by “Dutch” auction
in which bids are made by broker-dealers and other institutions for a certain amount of securities at a specified minimum yield.
The dividend rate set by the auction is the lowest interest or dividend rate that covers all securities offered for sale. While
this process is designed to permit auction rate securities to be traded at par value, there is a risk that an auction will fail
due to insufficient demand for the securities. Moreover, between auctions, there may be no secondary market for these securities,
and sales conducted on a secondary market may not be on terms favorable to the seller. Auction rate securities may be called by
the issuer. Thus, with respect to liquidity and price stability, auction rate securities may differ substantially from cash equivalents,
notwithstanding the frequency of auctions and the credit quality of the security. The Fund’s investments in auction rate
securities of CEFs are subject to the limitations prescribed by the 1940 Act. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate
share of any management and other fees paid by such CEFs in addition to the advisory fees payable directly by the Fund.
Taxable
Municipal Securities. The Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in taxable municipal securities, which include obligations
issued pursuant to the legislation providing for the issuance of taxable municipal debt on which the issuer receives federal support.
The Fund’s investments in taxable municipal bonds will result in taxable income, and the Fund may elect to pass through
to Common Shareholders the corresponding tax credits. The tax credits can generally be used to offset federal income taxes and
the alternative minimum tax, but such credits are generally not refundable. Taxable municipal bonds involve similar risks as tax-exempt
municipal bonds. See “Risks—Investment-Related Risks—Municipal Bond Risks” in the Prospectus and —Municipal
Securities” in this SAI.
Temporary
Investments and Defensive Position. During the period where the net proceeds of an offering of Securities are being
invested or during periods in which the Adviser or Subadviser determines that it is temporarily unable to follow the Fund’s
investment strategy or that it is impractical to do so, the Fund may deviate from its investment strategy and invest all or any
portion of its net assets in cash, cash equivalents or other securities. The Adviser’s or Subadviser’s determination
that it is temporarily unable to follow the Fund’s investment strategy or that it is impracticable to do so generally will
occur only in situations in which a market disruption event has occurred and where trading in the securities selected through
application of the Fund’s investment strategy is extremely limited or absent. In such a case, the Fund may not pursue or
achieve its investment objectives.
Cash
and cash equivalents are defined to include, without limitation, the following:
(1)
U.S. Government securities, including bills, notes and bonds differing as to maturity and rates of interest that are either issued
or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Government agency securities include
securities issued by: (a) the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States,
Small Business Administration, and the Government National Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by the full faith
and credit of the United States; (b) the Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, and the Tennessee Valley
Authority, whose securities are supported by the right of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (c) the Federal National
Mortgage Association; and (d) the Student Loan Marketing Association. While the U.S. Government typically provides financial support
to such U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it always will do so since it
is not so obligated by law. The U.S. Government, its agencies, and instrumentalities do not guarantee the market value of their
securities. Consequently, the value of such securities may fluctuate.
(2)
Certificates of deposit issued against funds deposited in a bank or a savings and loan association. Such certificates are for
a definite period of time, earn a specified rate of return, and are normally negotiable. The issuer of a certificate of deposit
agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the certificate on the date specified thereon. Under current
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) regulations, the maximum insurance payable as to any one certificate
of deposit is $250,000, therefore, certificates of deposit purchased by the Fund may not be fully insured.
(3)
Repurchase agreements, which involve purchases of debt securities. At the time the Fund purchases securities pursuant to a repurchase
agreement, it simultaneously agrees to resell and redeliver such securities to the seller, who also simultaneously agrees to buy
back the securities at a fixed price and time. This assures a predetermined yield for the Fund during its holding period, since
the resale price is always greater than the purchase price and reflects an agreed-upon market rate. Such actions afford an opportunity
for the Fund to invest temporarily available cash. Pursuant to the Fund’s policies and procedures, the Fund may enter into
repurchase agreements only with respect to obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; certificates
of deposit; or bankers’ acceptances in which the Fund may invest. Repurchase agreements may be considered loans to the seller,
collateralized by the underlying securities. The risk to the Fund is limited to the ability of the seller to pay the agreed-upon
sum on the repurchase date; in the event of default, the repurchase agreement provides that the Fund is entitled to sell the underlying
collateral. If the seller defaults under a repurchase agreement when the value of the underlying collateral is less than the repurchase
price, the Fund could incur a loss of both principal and interest. The Adviser or Subadviser, as applicable, monitors the value
of the collateral at the time the action is entered into and at all times during the term of the repurchase agreement. The Adviser
or Subadviser does so in an effort to determine that the value of the collateral always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase
price to be paid to the Fund. If the seller were to be subject to a federal bankruptcy proceeding, the ability of the Fund to
liquidate the collateral could be delayed or impaired because of certain provisions of the bankruptcy laws.
(4)
Commercial paper, which consists of short-term unsecured promissory notes, including variable rate master demand notes issued
by corporations to finance their current operations. Master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and
a corporation. There is no secondary market for such notes. However, they are redeemable by the Fund at any time. The Adviser
or Subadviser, as applicable, will consider the financial condition of the corporation (e.g., earning power, cash flow,
and other liquidity measures) and will continuously monitor the corporation’s ability to meet all its financial obligations,
because the Fund’s liquidity might be impaired if the corporation were unable to pay principal and interest on demand. Investments
in commercial paper will be limited to commercial paper rated in the highest categories by a NRSRO and which mature within one
year of the date of purchase or carry a variable or floating rate of interest.
(5)
The Fund may invest in bankers’ acceptances which are short-term credit instruments used to finance commercial transactions.
Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay
for specific merchandise. The draft is then “accepted” by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay
the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an asset or it
may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of interest for a specific maturity.
(6)
The Fund may invest in bank time deposits, which are monies kept on deposit with banks or savings and loan associations for a
stated period of time at a fixed rate of interest. There may be penalties for the early withdrawal of such time deposits, in which
case the yields of these investments will be reduced.
(7)
The Fund may invest in shares of money market funds in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act.
Zero
Coupon Bonds. A zero coupon bond is a bond that typically does not pay interest either for the entire life of the obligation
or for an initial period after the issuance of the obligation. When held to its maturity, the holder receives the par value of
the zero coupon bond, which generates a return equal to the difference between the purchase price and its maturity value. A zero
coupon bond is normally issued and traded at a deep discount from face value. This original issue discount (“OID”)
approximates the total amount of interest the security will accrue and compound prior to its maturity and reflects the payment
deferral and credit risk associated with the instrument. Because zero coupon securities and other OID instruments do not pay cash
interest at regular intervals, the instruments’ ongoing accruals require ongoing judgments concerning the collectability
of deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral. As a result, these securities may be subject to greater value
fluctuations and less liquidity in the event of adverse market conditions than comparably rated securities that pay cash on a
current basis. Because zero coupon bonds, and OID instruments generally, allow an issuer to avoid or delay the need to generate
cash to meet current interest payments, they may involve greater payment deferral and credit risk than coupon loans and bonds
that pay interest currently or in cash. The Fund generally will be required to distribute dividends to Common Shareholders representing
the income of these instruments as it accrues, even though the Fund will not receive all of the income on a current basis or in
cash. Thus, the Fund may have to sell other investments, including when it may not be advisable to do so, and use the cash proceeds
to make income distributions to Common Shareholders. For accounting purposes, these cash distributions to Common Shareholders
will not be treated as a return of capital.
Further,
the Adviser collects management fees on the value of a zero coupon bond or OID instrument attributable to the ongoing non-cash
accrual of interest over the life of the bond or other instrument. As a result, the Adviser receives non-refundable cash payments
based on such non-cash accruals while investors incur the risk that such non-cash accruals ultimately may not be realized.
Additional
Risks of Investing in the Fund
Below
Investment Grade Securities Risk. The Fund or the Underlying Funds may invest in below investment grade securities, which
are commonly referred to as “junk” or “high yield” securities. These securities are considered to be high-risk
investments. The risks include the following:
These
securities are regarded as predominately speculative. There is a greater risk that issuers of lower-rated securities will default
than issuers of higher-rated securities. Issuers of lower-rated securities generally are less creditworthy and may be highly indebted,
financially distressed or bankrupt. These issuers are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political changes
or adverse industry developments. In addition, below investment grade securities are frequently subordinated to the prior payment
of senior indebtedness. If an issuer fails to pay principal or interest, the Fund would experience a decrease in income and a
decline in the market value of its investments. The Fund or the Underlying Funds also may incur additional expenses in seeking
recovery from the issuer.
The
income and market value of lower-rated securities may fluctuate more than higher-rated securities. Although certain below investment
grade securities may be less sensitive to interest rate changes than investment grade securities, below investment grade securities
generally are more sensitive to short-term corporate, economic and market developments. During periods of economic uncertainty
and change, the market price of the investments in lower-rated securities may be volatile. The default rate for high yield bonds
tends to be cyclical, with defaults rising in periods of economic downturn.
It
is often more difficult to value lower-rated securities than higher-rated securities. If an issuer’s financial condition
deteriorates, accurate financial and business information may be limited or unavailable. In addition, the lower-rated investments
may be thinly traded and there may be no established secondary market. Because of the lack of market pricing and current information
for investments in lower-rated securities, valuation of such investments is much more dependent on judgment than is the case with
higher-rated securities.
There
may be no established secondary or public market for investments in lower-rated securities. Such securities are frequently traded
in markets that may be relatively less liquid than the market for higher-rated securities. In addition, relatively few institutional
purchasers may hold a major portion of an issue of lower-rated securities at times. As a result, lower-rated securities may be
required to be sold at substantial losses or retained indefinitely even where an issuer’s financial condition is deteriorating.
Credit
quality of below investment grade securities can change suddenly and unexpectedly, and even recently-issued credit ratings may
not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particular below investment grade security.
Future
legislation may have a possible negative impact on the market for below investment grade securities. Because of the substantial
risks associated with below investment grade securities, you could lose money on your investment in Common Shares, both in the
short term and the long term.
Call
Risk. If interest rates fall, it is possible that issuers of securities with high interest rates will prepay or “call”
their securities before their maturity dates. In this event, the proceeds from the called securities would likely be reinvested
by the Fund in securities bearing the new, lower interest rates, resulting in a possible decline in the Fund’s income and
distributions to Common Shareholders.
Deflation
Risk. Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time, which may have an adverse effect on
the market valuation of companies, their assets and revenues. In addition, deflation may have an adverse effect on the creditworthiness
of issuers and may make issuer default more likely, which may result in a decline in the value of the Fund’s portfolio.
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 Common Shares and distributions can decline.
Interest
Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of the debt securities held by the Fund will decline because of rising
market interest rates. Interest rate risk is generally lower for shorter-term investments and higher for longer-term investments.
Duration is a common measure of interest rate risk, which measures a bond’s expected life on a present value basis, taking
into account the bond’s yield, interest payments and final maturity. Duration is a reasonably accurate measure of a bond’s
price sensitivity to changes in interest rates. The longer the duration of a bond, the greater the bond’s price sensitivity
is to changes in interest rates.
Reinvestment
Risk. Reinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Fund’s portfolio will decline if and when the Fund invests
the proceeds from matured, traded or called bonds at market interest rates that are below the portfolio’s current earnings
rate. A decline in income could affect the Common Shares’ market price or their overall returns.
Legislation
and Regulatory Risks. The Fund and the Underlying Funds are subject to legislation and regulatory risks. On July 21, 2010,
the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was enacted. The Dodd-Frank Act,
among other things, grants regulatory authorities such as the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”)
and the SEC broad rulemaking authority to promulgate rules under the Dodd-Frank Act, including comprehensive regulation of the
over-the-counter derivatives market. It is unclear to what extent these regulators will exercise these revised and expanded powers
and whether they will undertake rulemaking, supervisory or enforcement actions that would adversely affect the Fund or Underlying
Funds or investments made by the Fund or Underlying Funds. Possible regulatory actions taken under these revised and expanded
powers may include actions related to financial consumer protection, proprietary trading and derivatives.
While
some rules have been promulgated by the CFTC and the SEC, a number of important rulemakings have not yet been finalized and there
can be no assurance that future regulatory actions authorized by the Dodd-Frank Act will not significantly reduce the returns
of the Fund. The implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act could adversely affect the Fund by increasing transaction and/or regulatory
compliance costs and may affect the availability, liquidity and cost of entering into derivatives, including potentially limiting
or restricting the ability of the Fund to use certain derivatives or certain counterparties as a part of its investment strategy,
increasing the costs of using these instruments or making these instruments less effective. In addition, greater regulatory scrutiny
may increase the Fund’s, the Adviser’s or Subadviser’s exposure to potential liabilities. Increased regulatory
oversight can also impose administrative burdens on the Fund, the Adviser and Subadviser, including, without limitation, responding
to examinations or investigations and implementing new policies and procedures.
At
any time after the date of this SAI, legislation by U.S. and foreign governments may be enacted that could negatively affect the
assets of the Fund or the issuers of such assets. Changing approaches to regulation may have a negative impact on the entities
in which the Fund invests. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. There can
be no assurance that future legislation, regulation or deregulation will not have a material adverse effect on the Fund or Underlying
Funds or will not impair the ability of the Fund or Underlying Funds to achieve its investment objective.
MANAGEMENT
OF THE FUND
Investment
Adviser
RiverNorth
Capital Management, LLC (“RiverNorth” or the “Adviser”) is the investment adviser for the Fund pursuant
to an Investment Advisory Agreement. RiverNorth is headquartered at 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420, West Palm Beach, FL
33401. Under the oversight of the Board of Directors, the Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s
portfolio, managing the Fund’s business affairs and providing certain clerical, bookkeeping and other administrative services.
The Adviser is also responsible for determining the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing its implementation.
Subject to the ranges noted above, the Adviser determines the portion of the Fund’s Managed Assets to allocate to each strategy
and may, from time to time, adjust the allocations. Founded in 2000, RiverNorth is registered with the SEC and as of May 31, 2023
managed approximately $5.0 billion for registered open-end management investment companies, registered closed-end management investment
companies and private investment vehicles. Patrick W. Galley, a portfolio manager of the Fund, and Brian H. Schmucker, each own,
directly or indirectly, more than 25% of RiverNorth Holding Co., the indirect parent company of the Adviser and each is deemed
to control the Adviser.
Investment
Subadviser
MacKay
Shields LLC (“MacKay” or the “Subadviser”) is the Fund’s subadviser and is responsible for the day-to-day
management of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy. The Subadviser is registered with
the SEC and as of May 31, 2023 had approximately $132.5 billion in assets under management. The Subadviser was incorporated in
1969 as an independent investment advisory firm and was privately held until 1984 when it was acquired by New York Life Insurance
Company. The Subadviser is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company.
Investment
Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement
For
its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly management fee computed at the annual
rate of 1.40% of the average daily Managed Assets. Pursuant to a Subadvisory Agreement, the Adviser has delegated daily management
of the Fund’s Municipal Bond Income Strategy to the Subadviser, who is paid by the Adviser and not the Fund. The Adviser
(and not the Fund) has agreed to pay the Subadviser a subadvisory fee payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.20% of
the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets for the service it provides. “Managed Assets” means the total assets
of the Fund, including assets attributable to leverage, minus liabilities (other than debt representing leverage and any preferred
stock that may be outstanding). The Fund pays, in addition to the unified management fee, taxes and governmental fees, if any,
levied against the Fund; brokerage fees and commissions and other portfolio transaction expenses incurred by or for the Fund;
costs, including interest expenses, of borrowing money or engaging in other types of leverage financing including, without limit,
through the use by the Fund of tender option bond transactions; costs, including dividend and/or interest expenses and other costs
(including, without limit, offering and related legal costs, fees to brokers, fees to auction agents, fees to transfer agents,
fees to ratings agencies and fees to auditors associated with satisfying ratings agency requirements for preferred shares or other
securities issued by the Fund and other related requirements in the Fund’s organizational documents) associated with the
Fund’s issuance, offering, redemption and maintenance of preferred shares or other instruments (such as the use of tender
option bond transactions) for the purpose of incurring leverage; fees and expenses of any Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests;
dividend and interest expenses on short positions taken by the Fund; fees and expenses, including travel expenses and fees and
expenses of legal counsel retained for their benefit, of directors of the Fund who are not officers, employees, partners, shareholders
or members of the Adviser or its affiliates; fees and expenses associated with and incident to shareholder meetings and proxy
solicitations involving contested elections of directors, shareholder proposals or other non-routine matters that are not initiated
or proposed by the Adviser; legal, marketing, printing, accounting and other expenses associated with any future share offerings,
such as rights offerings and shelf offerings, following the Fund’s initial offering; expenses associated with tender offers
(other than any Eligible Tender Offer) and other share repurchases and redemptions; and other extraordinary expenses, including
extraordinary legal expenses, as may arise, including, without limit, expenses incurred in connection with litigation, proceedings,
other claims and the legal obligations of the Fund to indemnify its directors, officers, employees, shareholders, distributors
and agents with respect thereto.
When
the Fund utilizes leverage, the fees paid to the Adviser and Subadviser for investment management services will be higher than
if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid will be calculated based on Managed Assets, which would include assets
attributable to leverage. Because the fees paid to the Adviser and Subadviser are determined on the basis of Managed Assets, this
creates a conflict of interest for the Adviser and Subadviser. The Board of Directors monitors the Fund’s use of leverage
and in doing so monitors this potential conflict.
The
Investment Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be liable for any act or omission connected with or arising
out of any services to be rendered under such agreement, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence
on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by the Adviser of its obligations and duties
under such agreement.
The
Adviser will make available, without additional expense to the Fund, the services of such of its officers, directors and employees
as may be duly elected as officers or directors of the Fund, subject to the individual consent of such persons to serve and to
any limitations imposed by law. The Adviser pays all expenses incurred in performing its services under the Investment Advisory
Agreement, including compensation of and office space for directors, officers and employees of the Adviser connected with management
of the Fund. The Fund pays brokerage and other expenses of executing the Fund’s portfolio transactions; taxes or governmental
fees; interest charges and other costs of borrowing funds; litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses
not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business.
The
Investment Advisory Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement were in effect for an initial term ending two years from the effective
date of the respective agreement. The Investment Advisory Agreement continues in effect from year to year thereafter if approved
annually (i) by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by a vote of the Fund’s Board of Directors,
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Board of
Directors who are not parties to the Investment Advisory Agreement, or “interested persons” of any party to the Investment
Advisory Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Subadvisory Agreement continues
in effect from year to year after its initial two year term if approved annually by the Fund’s Board of Directors or a vote
of the lesser of (x) 67% of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting if Common Shareholders of more than 50% of the outstanding
shares of the Fund are present in person or by proxy or (y) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund; provided that
in either event its continuance is also approved by a majority of the Fund’s directors who are not “interested persons”
of any party to the Subadvisory Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
Information regarding the Board of Directors’ approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement
is available in the Fund’s semi-annual report to Common Shareholders for the period ended December 31, 2022. The Investment
Advisory Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement will terminate upon assignment by any party and is terminable, without penalty,
on 60 days’ written notice by the Board of Directors or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined
in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or upon 60 days’ written notice by the Adviser or, as applicable, the Subadviser.
The
total dollar amounts paid by the Fund to the Adviser for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023, June 30, 2022, and June 30, 2021
were $2,550,970, $2,890,722 and $3,067,251, respectively. The total dollar amounts paid by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser for the fiscal
years ended June 30, 2023, June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021 were $364,781, $412,988 and $439,838, respectively. The Adviser (and not
the Fund) pays all sub-advisory fees to the Sub-Adviser. See “Summary Of Fund Expenses” in the Prospectus.
Portfolio
Managers
Patrick
W. Galley, CFA has been a co-portfolio manager of the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy for the Fund since its inception.
Mr. Galley is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer for the Adviser. Mr. Galley heads the Adviser’s research
and investment team and oversees all portfolio management activities at the Adviser. Mr. Galley also serves as the President and
Chairman of the RiverNorth Funds, a mutual fund complex for which RiverNorth serves as the investment adviser. Prior to joining
the Adviser in 2004, he was most recently a Vice President at Bank of America in the Global Investment Bank’s Portfolio
Management group, where he specialized in analyzing and structuring corporate transactions for investment management firms in
addition to closed-end and open-end funds, hedge funds, funds of funds, structured investment vehicles and insurance/reinsurance
companies. Mr. Galley graduated with honors from Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Finance. He has received the
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, is a member of the CFA Institute and is a member of the CFA Society of Chicago.
Stephen
O’Neill, CFA has been a co-portfolio manager of the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy for the Fund since its inception.
Mr. O’Neill conducts qualitative and quantitative analysis of CEFs and their respective asset classes at RiverNorth. Prior
to joining RiverNorth in 2007, Mr. O’Neill was most recently an Assistant Vice President at Bank of America in the Global
Investment Bank’s Portfolio Management group. At Bank of America, he specialized in the corporate real estate, asset management,
and structured finance industries. Mr. O’Neill graduated magna cum laude from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a B.S.
in Finance. Mr. O’Neill has received the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, is a member of the CFA Institute,
and is a member of the CFA Society of Chicago.
Robert
DiMella, CFA has been a co-portfolio manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. DiMella
is an Executive Managing Director of the Subadviser. He has managed the MainStay Tax Free Bond Fund since 2009, the MainStay High
Yield Municipal Bond Fund since 2010, the MainStay New York Tax Free Opportunities Fund since May 2012, the MainStay Defined Term
Municipal Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay California Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2013 and the MainStay Tax Advantaged
Short Term Bond Fund since June 2015. Previously, he co-founded Mariner Municipal Managers LLC (2007 to 2009). Prior to BlackRock’s
merger with Merrill Lynch Investment Managers (“MLIM”), he served as a Senior Portfolio Manager and Managing Director
of the Municipal Products Group. Mr. DiMella earned his Master’s degree at Rutgers University Business School and a Bachelors
Degree at the University of Connecticut, and he has received the CFA designation.
John
Loffredo, CFA has been a co-portfolio manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Loffredo
is an Executive Managing Director of the Subadviser. Mr. Loffredo has managed the MainStay Tax Free Bond Fund since 2009, the
MainStay High Yield Municipal Bond Fund since 2010, the MainStay New York Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay
Defined Term Municipal Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay California Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2013 and the MainStay
Tax Advantaged Short Term Bond Fund since June 2015. He has been a municipal portfolio manager and/or municipal analyst on Wall
Street since 1990, with a broad range of portfolio management and analytic experience in the municipal markets. He previously
co-founded Mariner Municipal Managers LLC (2007 to 2009). Prior to BlackRock’s merger with MLIM, he served as Chief Investment
Officer of the Municipal Products Group of MLIM. Mr. Loffredo graduated cum laude with an MBA from Utah State University where
he was a Harry S. Truman Scholar. He also has a Certificate of Public Management from Boston University, and he has received the
CFA designation.
Michael
Petty has been a co-portfolio manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Petty is a Senior
Managing Director of the Subadviser. Mr. Petty has managed the MainStay High Yield Municipal Bond Fund since 2010, the MainStay
Tax Free Bond Fund since 2011, the MainStay New York Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay Defined Term Municipal
Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay California Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2013 and the MainStay Tax Advantaged
Short Term Bond Fund since June 2015. Before joining the Subadviser in 2009, he was a Portfolio Manager for Mariner Municipal
Managers. He has been a portfolio manager on Wall Street since 1992, and has worked in the municipal products market since 1985.
Mr. Petty has a broad array of trading, portfolio management, and sales experience. Prior to joining Mariner Municipal Managers,
he was a Senior Portfolio Manager at Dreyfus Corporation from 1997 to 2009. From 1992 to 1997, he served as a Portfolio Manager
for Merrill Lynch Investment Managers. Mr. Petty graduated from Hobart College with a B.S. in Mathematics and Economics.
Scott
Sprauer has been a co-portfolio manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Sprauer is
a Senior Managing Director of the Subadviser. He joined the Subadviser in 2009 as a Portfolio Manager in the Municipal Bond Division.
He has managed the MainStay New York Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities
Fund since 2012, the MainStay California Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2013, the MainStay High Yield Municipal Bond Fund and
MainStay Tax Free Bond Fund since February 2014 and the MainStay Tax Advantaged Short Term Bond Fund since June 2015. Prior to
joining the Subadviser, he was the Head Trader, Fixed Income at Financial Guaranty Insurance Company from 2006 to 2009. He has
a BSBA from Villanova University, and has been in the investment management industry since 1991.
David
Dowden has been a co-portfolio manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Dowden is a
Managing Director of the Subadviser. He joined the Subadviser in 2009 as a Portfolio Manager in the Municipal Bond Division. He
has managed the MainStay New York Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2012, the MainStay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities Fund
since 2012, the MainStay California Tax Free Opportunities Fund since 2013, the MainStay High Yield Municipal Bond Fund and MainStay
Tax Free Bond Fund since February 2014 and the MainStay Tax Advantaged Short Term Bond Fund since June 2015. Prior to joining
the Subadviser, he was the Chief Investment Officer at Financial Guaranty Insurance Company from 2006 to 2009. He has a BA from
Brown University and an MBA from Columbia University. He has been in the investment management industry since 1989.
Robert
Burke has been a co-portfolio manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Burke is a Managing
Director of the Subadviser. He joined the Subadviser in July 2017. Before joining the Subadviser, Mr. Burke held various leadership
roles in capital markets, spending the majority of his time in the municipal markets. In his last role working for Bank of America
Merrill Lynch, Mr. Burke managed the Global Futures, Derivatives Clearing and Foreign Exchange Prime Brokerage businesses. Mr.
Burke started his career at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in the municipal bond department covering insurance, hedge fund, and
asset management clients. He holds a Masters of Business Administration from the Gabelli School at Fordham University, and a Bachelor
of Arts with High Honors in Economics from Colgate University. Mr. Burke has received the CFA designation. He has been in the
investment management industry since 1985.
John
Lawlor has been a co-portfolio manager of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy for the Fund since its inception. He is a Managing
Director of the Subadviser. Mr. Lawlor joined MacKay Shields in 2016. Before joining the firm, he was Vice President Equity Sales
at Deutsche Bank and was previously at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. From 1997-2011, he was a senior trader on the floor of the
New York Stock Exchange. Mr. Lawlor has a broad and diverse set of skills in sales, trading, and electronic trading platforms.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Lehigh University. Mr. Lawlor graduated college in 1997. He has been in the
financial services industry since 1997.
Compensation
of Portfolio Managers
RiverNorth
Capital Management, LLC
Mr.
Galley’s and Mr. O’Neill’s total compensation package, like others in the Adviser’s business, is a package
designed to attract and retain investment professionals. The compensation package includes a base salary fixed from year to year.
The amount of the base salary is assessed for its competitiveness in the industry and geographic location of the Adviser. The
compensation package also provides for an annual but variable performance bonus. The performance bonus reflects individual performance
of the portfolio manager in his or her allocated duties and responsibilities. While performance of the funds managed by the portfolio
managers is considered in determining the annual performance bonus, it is but one factor. The overall success of the Adviser in
its business objectives and the performance of the Adviser’s business as a whole are more important factors than the investment
performance of a particular fund or account. Mr. Galley and Mr. O’Neill also participate in a 401K program on the same basis
as other officers of the Adviser, which includes matching of employee contributions up to a certain percent of the portfolio managers
base salary. Those portfolio managers that are also equity stakeholders in the Adviser or its affiliates may also receive periodic
distribution of profits from business operations.
MacKay
Shields LLC
The
Subadviser establishes salaries at competitive levels, verified through industry surveys, to attract and maintain the best professional
talent. Incentives are paid annually to the firm’s employees based upon an individual’s performance and the profitability
of the firm, and in some instances may be fixed and guaranteed for a period of time. Incentive bonuses (both cash and deferred)
are an integral portion of total compensation at MacKay Shields and vary based upon an individual’s role, responsibility
and performance. A significant percentage of the compensation program for the Fund’s portfolio managers is incentive based.
The
Subadviser has a phantom equity program and awards are an integral component of the firm’s compensation structure. Awards
vest and pay out after several years. Thus, eligible professionals share in the results and success of the firm.
The
compensation received by portfolio managers is generally based on both quantitative and qualitative factors. The quantitative
factors may include: (i) investment performance; (ii) assets under management; (iii) revenues and profitability; and (iv) industry
benchmarks. The qualitative factors may include, among others, leadership, adherence to the firm’s policies and procedures,
and contribution to the firm’s goals and objectives.
To
the extent that an increase in the size of the Fund or another account managed by a portfolio manager has a positive impact on
revenues/profitability, a portfolio manager’s compensation may also increase. There is no difference between the method
used in determining portfolio managers’ compensation with respect to the Fund and other accounts they manage. The Subadviser
does not believe the compensation structure provides an incentive for an employee who provides services to the Fund to take undue
risks in managing the assets of the Fund.
Portfolio
Manager Ownership of Fund Shares
The
following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities in the Fund beneficially owned, as of June 30, 2023, by each
of the portfolio managers identified above.
Name of Portfolio Manager |
Dollar
Range of Equity Securities of the Fund1 |
Patrick W. Galley |
$10,001-$50,000 |
Stephen A. O’Neill |
$0 |
Robert DiMella |
$0 |
John Loffredo |
$0 |
Michael Petty |
$0 |
Scott Sprauer |
$0 |
David Dowden |
$0 |
Robert Burke |
$0 |
John Lawlor |
$0 |
(1) |
“Beneficial
Ownership” is determined in accordance with section 16a-1(a)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
Conflicts
of Interest
Actual
or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to
more than one fund or other accounts. More specifically, portfolio managers who manage multiple funds are presented with the following
potential conflicts, among others:
The
management of multiple accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each
account. The management of multiple funds and accounts also may give rise to potential conflicts of interest if the funds and
accounts have different objectives, benchmarks, time horizons and fees as the portfolio manager must allocate his time and investment
ideas across multiple funds and accounts. Another potential conflict of interest may arise where another account has the same
or similar investment objective as the Fund, whereby the portfolio manager could favor one account over another.
With
respect to securities transactions for the Fund, the Adviser or Subadviser determines which broker to use to execute each order,
consistent with the duty to seek best execution of the transaction. A portfolio manager may execute transactions for another fund
or account that may adversely impact the value of securities held by the Fund. Securities selected for funds or accounts other
than the Fund may outperform the securities selected for the Fund. Further, a potential conflict could include a portfolio manager’s
knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby they could use this information to the advantage
of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Fund. These potential conflicts of interest could create the appearance that
a portfolio manager is favoring one investment vehicle over another.
The
management of personal accounts also may give rise to potential conflicts of interest. Although a portfolio manager generally
does not trade securities in his or her own personal account, the Adviser, the Subadviser and the Fund have each adopted a code
of ethics that, among other things, permits personal trading by employees (including trading in securities that can be purchased,
sold or held by the Fund) under conditions where it has been determined that such trades would not adversely impact client accounts.
Nevertheless, the management of personal accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest, and there is no assurance
that these codes of ethics will adequately address such conflicts.
Conflicts
potentially limiting the Fund’s investment opportunities may also arise when the Fund and other clients of the Adviser or
Subadviser invest in, or even conduct research relating to, different parts of an issuer’s capital structure, such as when
the Fund owns senior debt obligations of an issuer and other clients own junior tranches of the same issuer. In such circumstances,
decisions over whether to trigger an event of default, over the terms of any workout, or how to exit an investment may result
in conflicts of interest. In order to minimize such conflicts, a portfolio manager may avoid certain investment opportunities
that would potentially give rise to conflicts with other clients of the Adviser or Subadviser or result in the Adviser or Subadviser
receiving material, non-public information, or the Adviser or Subadviser may enact internal procedures designed to minimize such
conflicts, which could have the effect of limiting the Fund’s investment opportunities. Additionally, if the Adviser or
Subadviser acquires material non-public confidential information in connection with its business activities for other clients,
a portfolio manager or other investment personnel may be restricted from purchasing securities or selling certain securities for
the Fund or other clients. When making investment decisions where a conflict of interest may arise, the Adviser and Subadviser
will endeavor to act in a fair and equitable manner between the Fund and other clients; however, in certain instances the resolution
of the conflict may result in the Adviser or Subadviser acting on behalf of another client in a manner that may not be in the
best interest, or may be opposed to the best interest, of the Fund.
The
Adviser and Subadviser have adopted certain compliance procedures which are designed to address these types of conflicts. However,
there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.
The
Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests will not include those that are advised or subadvised by the Adviser, the Subadviser
or their affiliates.
Other
Accounts Managed
As
of June 30, 2023, the portfolio managers of the Fund were responsible for the management of the following other accounts (in addition
to the Fund):
Number
of Other Accounts Managed and Assets by Account Type
As of June 30, 2023 |
Portfolio
Manager |
Registered
Investment
Companies
(other than the Fund) |
Registered
Investment Companies Subject to Performance-Based Advisory Fees |
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicles Subject to Performance-Based Advisory Fees |
Other
Accounts |
Other
Accounts Subject to Performance-Based Advisory Fees |
Patrick
W. Galley |
13
$3.83B |
0
$0 |
4
$951M |
4
$951M |
10
$91.2M |
10
$91.2M |
Stephen
O’Neill |
11
$3.82B |
0
$0 |
4
$951M |
4
$951M |
10
$91.2M |
10
$91.2M |
Robert
DiMella |
17
$29,769,881,645 |
0
$0 |
9
$10,861,287,343 |
2
$793,711,988 |
85
$25,169,751,601 |
2
$604,085,337 |
John
Loffredo |
15
$27,836,710,981 |
0
$0 |
9
$10,861,287,343 |
2
$793,711,988 |
85
$25,169,751,601 |
2
$604,085,337 |
Michael
Petty |
18
$28,741,678,370 |
0
$0 |
9
$10,861,287,343 |
2
$793,711,988 |
85
$25,169,751,601 |
2
$604,085,337 |
Scott
Sprauer |
18
$27,113,944,060 |
0
$0 |
9
$10,861,287,343 |
2
$793,711,988 |
85
$25,169,751,601 |
2
$604,085,337 |
David
Dowden |
18
$32,299,885,327 |
0
$0 |
9
$10,861,287,343 |
2
$793,711,988 |
85
$25,169,751,601 |
2
$604,085,337 |
Robert
Burke |
7
$5,673,431,258 |
0
$0 |
9
$10,861,287,343 |
2
$793,711,988 |
85
$25,169,751,601 |
2
$604,085,337 |
John
Lawlor |
13
$8,756,887,311 |
0
$0 |
9
$10,861,287,343 |
2
$793,711,988 |
85
$25,169,751,601 |
2
$604,085,337 |
Administrator
Under
the Administration, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”), subject to the supervision
of the Board of Directors, ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“AFS” or the “Administrator”) is responsible for
calculating NAVs, providing additional fund accounting and tax services, and providing fund administration and compliance-related
services. AFS will bear all expenses in connection with the performance of its services under the Administration Agreement, except
for certain out-of-pocket expenses described therein. AFS will not bear any expenses incurred by the Fund, including but not limited
to, initial organization and offering expenses; litigation expenses; costs of preferred shares (if any); expenses of conducting
repurchase offers for the purpose of repurchasing Fund shares; transfer agency and custodial expenses; taxes; interest; Fund directors’
fees; compensation and expenses of Fund officers who are not associated with AFS or its affiliates; brokerage fees and commissions;
state and federal registration fees; advisory fees; insurance premiums; fidelity bond premiums; Fund legal and audit fees and
expenses; costs of maintenance of Fund existence; printing and delivery of materials in connection with meetings of the Fund’s
directors; printing and mailing shareholder reports, offering documents, and proxy materials; securities pricing and data services;
and expenses in connection with electronic filings with the SEC.
AFS,
an affiliate of the Fund’s transfer agent, is entitled to receive a monthly fee based on the Fund’s net assets plus
certain out of pocket expenses. See “Summary of Fund Expenses” in the prospectus.
Codes
of Ethics
The
Fund, Adviser and Subadviser have each adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. These codes permit personnel
subject to the code to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. The codes of ethics
are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov), and copies of these codes may be obtained,
after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
FUND
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
Cohen & Company, Ltd. (“Cohen”), located at 1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 800, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, serves as the independent
registered public accounting firm for the Fund. Cohen audits the financial statements of the Fund and provides other audit, tax
and related services.
Legal
Counsel
Faegre
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP serves as legal counsel to the Fund and legal counsel to the independent directors. Faegre Drinker
Biddle & Reath LLP may rely as to certain matters of Maryland law on the opinion of Shapiro Sher Guinot & Sandler, P.A.
Custodian
and Transfer Agent
State
Street Bank and Trust Company, located at State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, serves as the Fund’s
custodian and maintains custody of the securities and cash of the Fund 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 receives a monthly
fee based upon, among other things, the average value of the total assets of the Fund, plus certain charges for securities transactions.
DST
Systems, Inc., located at 333 West 9th Street, 2nd Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105, and an affiliate of the Administrator,
serves as the transfer agent and registrar for the Fund.
PORTFOLIO
TRANSACTIONS
Subject
to policies established by the Board of Directors of the Fund, the Adviser or Subadviser is responsible for the Fund’s portfolio
decisions and the placing of the Fund’s portfolio transactions. In placing portfolio transactions, the Adviser or Subadviser
seeks the best qualitative execution for the Fund, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage
commission or dealer spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and
the brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer. The Adviser or Subadviser generally seeks favorable prices
and commission rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received under the circumstances under which that particular
trade is placed.
The
Adviser or Subadviser is specifically authorized to select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage and research services
to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which the Adviser or Subadviser exercises investment discretion, and to pay such brokers
or dealers a commission in excess of the commission another broker or dealer would charge if the Adviser or Subadviser determines
in good faith that the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. The
determination may be viewed in terms of a particular transaction or the Adviser’s or Subadviser’s overall responsibilities
with respect to the Fund and to other accounts over which it exercises investment discretion. The Adviser or Subadviser may not
give consideration to sales of Common Shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers to execute portfolio
transactions. However, the Adviser or Subadviser may place portfolio transactions with brokers or dealers that promote or sell
the Fund’s Common Shares so long as such placements are made pursuant to policies approved by the Board of Directors that
are designed to ensure that the selection is based on the quality of the broker’s execution and not on its sales efforts.
Research
services include supplemental research, securities and economic analyses, statistical services and information with respect to
the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities and analyses of reports concerning performance of accounts.
Much, if not all, of this information is the usual and customary research provided to the Adviser and Subadviser irrespective
of any trading activity effected with that broker. The research services and other information furnished by brokers through whom
the Fund effects securities transactions may also be used by the Adviser or Subadviser in servicing other accounts. Similarly,
research and information provided by brokers or dealers when serving other clients may be useful to the Adviser or Subadviser
in connection with its services to the Fund. Although research services and other information are useful to the Fund and the Adviser
or Subadviser, it is not possible to place a dollar value on the research and other information received. It is the opinion of
the Board of Directors and the Adviser or Subadviser that the review and study of the research and other information will not
increase or reduce the overall cost to the Adviser or Subadviser of performing its duties to the Fund under the Agreement.
Over-the-counter
transactions will be placed either directly with principal market makers or with broker-dealers, if the same or a better price,
including commissions and executions, is available. Fixed income securities are normally purchased directly from the issuer, an
underwriter or a market maker. Purchases include a concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and the purchase price paid
to a market maker may include the spread between the bid and asked prices.
When
the Fund and another of the Adviser’s or Subadviser’s clients seek to purchase or sell the same security at or about
the same time, the Adviser or Subadviser may execute the transaction on a combined (“blocked”) basis. Blocked transactions
can produce better execution for the Fund because of the increased volume of the transaction. If the entire blocked order is not
filled, the Fund may not be able to acquire as large a position in such security as it desires or it may have to pay a higher
price for the security. Similarly, the Fund may not be able to obtain as large an execution of an order to sell or as high a price
for any particular portfolio security if the other client desires to sell the same portfolio security at the same time. In the
event that the entire blocked order is not filled, the purchase or sale will normally be allocated on a pro rata basis. The Adviser
or Subadviser may adjust the allocation when, taking into account such factors as the size of the individual orders and transaction
costs, the Adviser or Subadviser believes an adjustment is reasonable.
The
Fund paid brokerage commissions in the aggregate amounts of $54,162, $16,550 and $15,230 during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023,
June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021, respectively, not including the gross underwriting spread on securities purchased in underwritten
public offerings.
The
Fund did not pay any brokerage commissions during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023, June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021 to any
broker that (1) is an affiliated person of the Fund, (2) is an affiliated person of an affiliated person of the Fund or (3) has
an affiliated person that is an affiliated person of the Fund or the investment adviser.r
U.S.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
The
following is a summary discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a shareholder that acquires,
holds and/or disposes of Securities of the Fund. This discussion only addresses U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Common
Shareholders who hold their Securities as capital assets and does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences
that may be relevant to particular shareholders in light of their individual circumstances. This discussion also does not address
the tax consequences to shareholders who are subject to special rules, including, without limitation, banks and other financial
institutions, insurance companies, dealers in securities or foreign currencies, traders in securities that have elected to mark-to-market
their securities holdings, foreign holders, persons who hold their Common Shares as or in a hedge against currency risk, or as
part of a constructive sale, straddle or conversion transaction, or tax-exempt or tax-deferred plans, accounts, or entities. In
addition, the discussion does not address any state, local, or foreign tax consequences. The discussion reflects applicable income
tax laws of the United States as of the date hereof, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts
or the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) retroactively or prospectively, which could affect the continued validity
of this summary. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal income tax concerns affecting the Fund
and its shareholders, and the discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their
own tax advisors before making an investment in the Fund to determine the specific tax consequences to them of investing in the
Fund, including the applicable federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences as well as the effect of possible changes in
tax laws.
The
tax legislation commonly referred to as Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) made significant changes to the U.S.
federal income tax rules for taxation of individuals and corporations, generally effective for taxable years beginning after December
31, 2017. Many of the changes applicable to individuals are temporary and would apply only to taxable years beginning after December
31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026. There are only minor changes with respect to the specific rules only applicable to a RIC,
such as the Fund. The Tax Act, however, made numerous other changes to the tax rules that may affect Common Shareholders and the
Fund. You are urged to consult with your own tax advisor regarding how the Tax Act affects your investment in the Fund.
Fund
Taxation
The
Fund has elected to be treated, and intends to qualify each year, as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter
M of the Code, so that it will generally not pay U.S. federal income tax on income and capital gains timely distributed (or treated
as being distributed, as described below) to Common Shareholders. If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company and
distributes to its Common Shareholders at least 90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company taxable income” as that
term is defined in the Code (which includes, among other things, dividends, taxable interest, the excess of any net short-term
capital gains over net long-term capital losses and certain net foreign exchange gains as reduced by certain deductible expenses)
without regard to the deduction for dividends paid, and (ii) the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest, if any, over certain
disallowed deductions, the Fund will be relieved of U.S. federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including long-term capital
gains, distributed to Common Shareholders. However, if the Fund retains any investment company taxable income or “net capital
gain” (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), it will be subject to U.S.
federal income tax at regular corporate federal income tax rates (currently at a maximum rate of 21%) on the amount retained.
The Fund intends to distribute at least annually all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (determined
without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), net tax-exempt interest, if any, and net capital gain. Under the Code, the
Fund will generally be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on the portion of its undistributed ordinary income and
capital gains if it fails to meet certain distribution requirements with respect to each calendar year. In order to avoid the
4% federal excise tax, the required minimum distribution is generally equal to the sum of 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income
(computed on a calendar year basis, and taking into account certain deferrals and elections), plus 98.2% of the Fund’s capital
gain net income (generally computed for the one-year period ending on October 31) plus undistributed amounts from prior years
on which the Fund paid no federal income tax. The Fund generally intends to make distributions in a timely manner in an amount
at least equal to the required minimum distribution and therefore, under normal circumstances, does not expect to be subject to
this excise tax. However, the Fund may also decide to distribute less and pay the federal excise taxes.
If
for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would
be treated as a U.S. corporation subject to U.S. federal income tax, and possibly state and local income tax, and distributions
to its Common Shareholders would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In such event, the Fund’s
distributions, to the extent derived from the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, would generally constitute
ordinary dividends, which generally would be eligible for the dividends received deduction available to corporate Common Shareholders
under Section 243 of the Code, discussed below, and non-corporate Common Shareholders of the Fund generally would be able to treat
such distributions as qualified dividend income eligible for reduced rates of U.S. federal income taxation, as discussed below,
provided in each case that certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.
If
the Fund or an Underlying Fund invests in certain positions such as pay-in-kind securities, zero coupon securities, deferred interest
securities or, in general, any other securities with original issue discount (or with market discount if the Fund or Underlying
Fund elects to include market discount in income currently), the Fund or Underlying Fund must accrue income on such investments
for each taxable year, which generally will be prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments. However, the Fund must
distribute, at least annually, all or substantially all of its net investment income, including such accrued income, to Common
Shareholders to avoid U.S. federal income and excise taxes. Therefore, the Fund may have to dispose of its portfolio securities
under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash, or may have to leverage itself by borrowing the cash, to satisfy distribution
requirements.
The
Fund or an Underlying Fund may also acquire market discount bonds. A market discount bond is a security acquired in the secondary
market at a price below its stated redemption price at maturity (or its adjusted issue price if it is also an original issue discount
bond). If the Fund or an Underlying Fund invests in a market discount bond, it will be required for federal income tax purposes
to treat any gain recognized on the disposition of such market discount bond as ordinary income (instead of capital gain) to the
extent of the accrued market discount unless the Fund or Underlying Fund elects to include the market discount in income as it
accrues.
The
Fund or an Underlying Fund may invest in debt obligations that are in the lowest rating categories or are unrated, including debt
obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or who are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of
or in default present special tax issues. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund or an Underlying
Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken
for bad debts or worthless securities, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and
income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. These and other related issues
will be addressed by the Fund when, as and if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient
income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise taxes.
The
Fund will not be able to offset gains distributed by one Underlying Fund in which it invests against losses realized by another
Underlying Fund in which the Fund invests. Redemptions of shares in an Underlying Fund, including those resulting from changes
in the allocation among Underlying Funds, could also cause additional distributable gains to Common Shareholders. A portion of
any such gains may be short-term capital gains that would be distributable as ordinary income to Common Shareholders. Further,
a portion of losses on redemptions of shares in the Underlying Funds may be deferred under the wash sale rules. Additionally,
the Fund’s investment in an Underlying Fund may result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the Underlying Fund’s
earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, the distributions could constitute a return of capital to Common Shareholders
for federal income tax purposes. As a result of these factors, the use of the fund of funds structure by the Fund could therefore
affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to Common Shareholders.
The
Fund or an Underlying Fund may engage in various transactions utilizing options, futures contracts, forward contracts, hedge instruments,
straddles, and other similar transactions. Such transactions may be subject to special provisions of the Code that, among other
things, affect the character of any income realized by the Fund from such investments, accelerate recognition of income to the
Fund, defer Fund losses and affect the determination of whether capital gain or loss is characterized as long-term or short-term
capital gain or loss. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to Common Shareholders.
These provisions may also require the Fund to mark-to-market certain positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat them as if
they were closed out), which may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in
amounts necessary to satisfy the distribution requirements for avoiding U.S. federal income and excise taxes. In addition, certain
Fund investments may produce income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% income test. The Fund will monitor
its investments and transactions, will make the appropriate tax elections, and will make the appropriate entries in its books
and records when it acquires an option, futures contract, forward contract, hedge instrument or other similar investment in order
to mitigate the effect of these rules, prevent disqualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company and minimize the
imposition of U.S. federal income and excise taxes, if possible.
The
Fund’s transactions in broad based equity index futures contracts, exchange-traded options on such indices and certain other
futures contracts (if any) are generally considered “Section 1256 contracts” for federal income tax purposes. Any
unrealized gains or losses on such Section 1256 contracts are treated as though they were realized at the end of each taxable
year. The resulting gain or loss is treated as sixty percent long-term capital gain or loss and forty percent short-term capital
gain or loss. Gain or loss recognized on actual sales of Section 1256 contracts is treated in the same manner. As noted below,
distributions of net short-term capital gain are taxable to Common Shareholders as ordinary income while distributions of net
long-term capital gain are generally taxable to Common Shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long the Common
Shareholder has held Common Shares of the Fund.
The
Fund’s entry into a short sale transaction, an option or certain other contracts (if any) could be treated as the constructive
sale of an appreciated financial position, causing the Fund to realize gain, but not loss, on the position.
If
the Fund utilizes leverage through borrowing, asset coverage limitations imposed by the 1940 Act as well as additional restrictions
that may be imposed by certain lenders on the payment of dividends or distributions could potentially limit or eliminate the Fund’s
ability to make distributions on its common stock until the asset coverage is restored. These limitations could prevent the Fund
from distributing at least 90% of its investment company taxable income as is required under the Code and therefore might jeopardize
the Fund’s qualification as a regulated investment company and/or might subject the Fund to the nondeductible 4% federal
excise tax discussed above. Upon any failure to meet the asset coverage requirements imposed by the 1940 Act, the Fund may, in
its sole discretion and to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, purchase or redeem shares of preferred stock, if any, in order
to maintain or restore the requisite asset coverage and avoid the adverse consequences to the Fund and its Common Shareholders
of failing to meet the distribution requirements. There can be no assurance, however, that any such action would achieve these
objectives. The Fund generally will endeavor to avoid restrictions on its ability to distribute dividends.
Common
Shareholder Taxation
Distributions
of investment company taxable income are generally taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated
earnings and profits. Distributions of net investment income designated by the Fund as derived from qualified dividend income
will be taxed in the hands of individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain,
provided certain holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Fund levels. A dividend will not be
treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (i) if the dividend is received with respect to
any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date
on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during
the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (ii) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether
pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related
property, (iii) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation
on deductibility of investment interest, or (iv) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible
for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the U.S. which the IRS has approved for these purposes (with the exception
of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S.)
or (b) treated as a passive foreign investment company. If the Fund received dividends from an Underlying Fund that qualifies
as a regulated investment company, and the Underlying Fund designates such dividends as qualified dividend income, then the Fund
is permitted in turn to designate a portion of its distributions as qualified dividend income, provided the Fund meets holding
period and other requirements with respect to shares of the Underlying Fund. Qualified dividend income does not include interest
from fixed income securities and generally does not include income from REITs. If the Fund lends portfolio securities, amounts
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. The Fund can provide no assurance regarding the portion of its dividends that will qualify
for qualified dividend income treatment.
Distributions
of net capital gain, if any, that are properly reported by the Fund are taxable at long-term capital gain rates for U.S. federal
income tax purposes without regard to the length of time the Common Shareholder has held Common Shares of the Fund. A distribution
of an amount in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, if any, will be treated by a Common Shareholder
as a tax-free return of capital, which is applied against and reduces the Common Shareholder’s basis in his, her or its
Common Shares. To the extent that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the Common Shareholder’s basis in his, her
or its Common Shares, the excess will be treated by the Common Shareholder as gain from the sale or exchange of such Common Shares.
The U.S. federal income tax status of all distributions will be designated by the Fund and reported to Common Shareholders annually.
The
Fund may qualify to pay “exempt-interest” dividends, as defined in the Code, on its Common Shares by satisfying the
requirement that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets consists of
municipal securities. As an alternative, the Fund may qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends if it is a qualified fund-of-funds,
i.e., if at least 50% of the value of its total assets are invested in the shares of underlying RICs at the close of each quarter
of its taxable year. Exempt-interest dividends are dividends or any part thereof (other than a capital gain dividend) paid by
the Fund which are attributable to interest on municipal securities and which are so reported by the Fund. Exempt-interest dividends
will be exempt from federal income tax, subject to the possible application of the federal alternative minimum tax applicable
to individuals. Under the Tax Act, interest paid on a municipal bond issued after December 31, 2017 to advance refund another
municipal bond is subject to federal income tax. Insurance proceeds received by the Fund under any insurance policies in respect
of scheduled interest payments on defaulted municipal bonds, as described herein, will generally be correspondingly excludable
from federal gross income. In the case of non-appropriation by a political subdivision, however, there can be no assurance that
payments made by the issuer representing interest on municipal lease obligations will be excludable from gross income for federal
income tax purposes. Any gains of the Fund that are attributable to market discount on municipal securities are treated as ordinary
income to the extent of accrued market discount on those securities.
A
portion of the Fund’s expenditures that would otherwise be deductible may not be allowed as deductions by reason of the
Fund’s investment in municipal securities (such disallowed portion, in general, being the same percentage of the Fund’s
aggregate expenses as the percentage of the Fund’s aggregate gross income that constitutes exempt interest income from municipal
securities). A similar disallowance rule also applies to interest expense paid or incurred by the Fund, if any. Any such disallowed
deductions will offset the Fund’s gross exempt-interest income for purposes of calculating the dividends that the Fund can
report as exempt-interest dividends. Interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry the Fund’s shares
is not deductible to the extent the interest relates to exempt-interest dividends. Under rules used by the IRS for determining
when borrowed funds are considered used for the purpose of purchasing or carrying particular assets, the purchase or ownership
of shares may be considered to have been made with borrowed funds even though such funds are not directly used for the purchase
or ownership of such shares.
Distributions
to Common Shareholders of net investment income received by the Fund from taxable investments, if any, including temporary taxable
investments, and of net short-term capital gains realized by the Fund, if any, will be taxable to Common Shareholders as ordinary
income. Distributions by the Fund of net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital
loss), if any, are taxable as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time the Common Shareholder has owned the shares
with respect to which such distributions are made. The amount of taxable income allocable to the Fund’s shares will depend
upon the amount of such income realized by the Fund. Distributions, if any, in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits
will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a Common Shareholder’s shares and, after that basis has been reduced to zero,
will constitute capital gain to the Common Shareholder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset). As long as the Fund
qualifies as a RIC under the Code, it is not expected that any part of its distributions to Common Shareholders from its investments
will qualify as “qualified dividend income” taxable to non-corporate Common Shareholders at reduced rates.
The
interest on private activity bonds in most instances is not federally tax-exempt to a person who is a “substantial user”
of a facility financed by such bonds or a “related person” of such “substantial user.” As a result, the
Fund may not be an appropriate investment for a Common Shareholder who is considered either a “substantial user” or
a “related person” within the meaning of the Code. In general, a “substantial user” of a facility includes
a “nonexempt person who regularly uses a part of such facility in his trade or business.” “Related persons”
are in general defined to include persons among whom there exists a relationship, either by family or business, which would result
in a disallowance of losses in transactions among them under various provisions of the Code (or if they are members of the same
controlled group of corporations under the Code), including a partnership and each of its partners (and certain members of their
families), an S corporation and each of its shareholders (and certain members of their families) and various combinations of these
and other relationships. The foregoing is not a complete description of all of the provisions of the Code covering the definitions
of “substantial user” and “related person.”
Federal
income tax law imposes an alternative minimum tax with respect to individuals, trusts, and estates. Interest on certain municipal
securities, such as bonds issued to make loans for housing purposes or to private entities (but not to certain tax-exempt organizations
such as universities and non-profit hospitals), is included as an item of tax preference in determining the amount of a taxpayer’s
alternative minimum taxable income. To the extent that the Fund receives income from such municipal securities, a portion of the
dividends paid by the Fund, although otherwise exempt from federal income tax, will be taxable to Common Shareholders whose tax
liabilities are determined under the federal alternative minimum tax. The Fund will annually provide a report indicating the percentage
of the Fund’s income attributable to municipal securities and the portion thereof the interest on which is a tax preference
item.
The
Fund may invest in municipal securities that pay interest that is taxable under the federal alternative minimum tax applicable
to individuals. If you are, or as a result of investment in the Fund would become, subject to the federal alternative minimum
tax, the Fund may not be a suitable investment for you. In addition, distributions of taxable ordinary income (including any net
short-term capital gain) will be taxable to Common Shareholders as ordinary income (and not eligible for favorable taxation as
“qualified dividend income”), and capital gain dividends will be taxable as long-term capital gains.
Any
loss realized by a shareholder of the Fund upon the sale of shares held for six months or less may be disallowed to the extent
of any exempt-interest dividends received with respect to such shares.
Certain
distributions by the Fund may qualify for the dividends received deduction available to corporate Common Shareholders under Section
243 of the Code, subject to certain holding period and other requirements, but generally only to the extent the Fund earned dividend
income from stock investments in U.S. domestic corporations (but not including real estate investment trusts). Additionally, if
the Fund received dividends from an Underlying Fund that qualifies as a regulated investment company, and the Underlying Fund
designates such dividends as eligible for the dividends received deduction, then the Fund is permitted in turn to designate a
portion of its distributions as eligible for the dividends received deduction, provided the Fund meets holding period and other
requirements with respect to shares of the Underlying Fund. As long as the Fund qualifies as a RIC under the Code, it is not expected
that any significant part of its distributions to Common Shareholders from its investments will qualify for the dividends-received
deduction available to corporate Common Shareholders.
A
Common Shareholder may elect to have all dividends and distributions automatically reinvested in Common Shares of the Fund. For
U.S. federal income tax purposes, all dividends are generally taxable regardless of whether a Common Shareholder takes them in
cash or they are reinvested in additional Common Shares of the Fund.
If
a Common Shareholder’s distributions are automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares, for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, the Common Shareholder will be treated as having received a distribution in the amount of the cash dividend that the
Common Shareholder would have received if the Common Shareholder had elected to receive cash, unless the distribution is in newly
issued Common Shares of the Fund that are trading at or above NAV, in which case the Common Shareholder will be treated as receiving
a distribution equal to the fair market value of the stock the Common Shareholder receives.
The
Fund intends to distribute all realized net capital gains, if any, at least annually. If, however, the Fund were to retain any
net capital gain, the Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to Common Shareholders
who, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income, as long-term
capital gain, their proportionate share of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate
share of the federal income tax paid by the Fund on the undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities,
if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax
basis of Common Shares owned by a Common Shareholder will be increased by the difference between the amount of undistributed net
capital gain included in the Common Shareholder’s gross income and the federal income tax deemed paid by the Common Shareholder.
Any
dividend declared by the Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid during the following
January will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as paid by the Fund and received by Common Shareholders on December
31 of the calendar year in which it is declared.
At
the time of an investor’s purchase of the Fund’s Common Shares, a portion of the purchase price may be attributable
to realized or unrealized appreciation in the Fund’s portfolio or undistributed taxable income of the Fund. Consequently,
subsequent distributions by the Fund with respect to these Common Shares from such appreciation or income may be taxable to such
investor even if the NAV of the investor’s Common Shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the investor’s
cost for such Common Shares and the distributions economically represent a return of a portion of the investment. Investors should
consider the tax implications of purchasing Common Shares just prior to a distribution.
The
IRS has taken the position that if a regulated investment company has two or more classes of shares, it must designate distributions
made to each class in any year as consisting of no more than such class’ proportionate share of particular types of income
(e.g., ordinary income and net capital gains). Consequently, if both common stock and preferred stock are outstanding,
the Fund intends to designate distributions made to each class of particular types of income in accordance with each class’
proportionate share of such income. Thus, the Fund will designate to the extent applicable, dividends qualifying for the corporate
dividends received deduction (if any), income not qualifying for the dividends received deduction, qualified dividend income,
ordinary income, exempt interest and net capital gain in a manner that allocates such income between the holders of common stock
and preferred stock in proportion to the total dividends paid to each class during or for the taxable year, or otherwise as required
by applicable law. However, for purposes of determining whether distributions are out of the Fund’s current or accumulated
earnings and profits, the Fund’s earnings and profits will be allocated first to the Fund’s preferred stock, if any,
and then to the Fund’s common stock. In such a case, since the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits
will first be used to pay dividends on the preferred stock, distributions in excess of such earnings and profits, if any, will
be made disproportionately to holders of common stock.
In
addition, solely for the purpose of satisfying the 90% distribution requirement and the distribution requirement for avoiding
federal income taxes, certain distributions made after the close of a taxable year of the Fund may be “spilled back”
and treated as paid during such taxable year. In such case, Common Shareholders will be treated as having received such dividends
in the taxable year in which the distribution was actually made.
Sales,
exchanges and other dispositions of the Fund’s Common Shares generally are taxable events for Common Shareholders that are
subject to federal income tax. Common Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their individual circumstances
to determine whether any particular transaction in the Fund’s Common Shares is properly treated as a sale or exchange for
federal income tax purposes (as the following discussion assumes) and the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in such
transactions. Generally, gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of
other property received (including securities distributed by the Fund) and the Common Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in
the Common Shares sold or exchanged. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Common Shares will be
treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Common Shares have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, the gain or loss
on the taxable disposition of the Fund’s Common Shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any
loss realized by a Common Shareholder upon the sale or other disposition of Common Shares with a tax holding period of six months
or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital
gain with respect to such Common Shares. For the purposes of calculating the six-month period, the holding period is suspended
for any periods during which the Common Shareholder’s risk of loss is diminished as a result of holding one or more other
positions in substantially similar or related property or through certain options, short sales or contractual obligations to sell.
The maximum individual rate applicable to long-term capital gains is generally either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual’s
income exceeds certain threshold amounts. The ability to deduct capital losses may be subject to limitations. In addition, losses
on sales or other dispositions of Common Shares may be disallowed under the “wash sale” rules in the event a Common
Shareholder acquires substantially identical stock or securities (including those made pursuant to reinvestment of dividends)
within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after a sale or other disposition of Common Shares. In
such a case, the disallowed portion of any loss generally would be included in the U.S. federal income tax basis of the Common
Shares acquired.
An
additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions
received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Common Shares) of U.S. individuals, estates
and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual)
or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.
From
time to time, the Fund may repurchase its Common Shares. Common Shareholders who tender all Common Shares held, and those considered
to be held (through attribution rules contained in the Code), by them will be treated as having sold their Common Shares and generally
will realize a capital gain or loss. If a Common Shareholder tenders fewer than all of his, her or its Common Shares (including
those considered held through attribution), such Common Shareholder may be treated as having received a taxable dividend upon
the tender of its Common Shares. If a tender offer is made, there is a risk that non-tendering Common Shareholders will be treated
as having received taxable distributions from the Fund. To the extent that the Fund recognizes net gains on the liquidation of
portfolio securities to meet such tenders of Common Shares, the Fund will be required to make additional distributions to its
Common Shareholders. If the Board of Directors determines that a tender offer will be made by the Fund, the federal income tax
consequences of such offer will be discussed in materials that will be available at such time in connection with the specific
tender offer, if any.
The
Code requires that the Fund withhold, as “backup withholding,” 24% of reportable payments, including dividends, capital
gain distributions and the proceeds of sales or other dispositions of the Fund’s stock paid to Common Shareholders who have
not complied with IRS regulations. In order to avoid this withholding requirement, Common Shareholders must certify on their account
applications, or on a separate IRS Form W-9, that the social security number or other taxpayer identification number they provide
is their correct number and that they are not currently subject to backup withholding, or that they are exempt from backup withholding.
The Fund may nevertheless be required to withhold if it receives notice from the IRS or a broker that the number provided is incorrect
or backup withholding is applicable. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld may be allowed as a refund
or a credit against the Common Shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability if the appropriate information (such as the
timely filing of the appropriate federal income tax return) is provided to the IRS.
Under
Treasury regulations, if a Common Shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to Common Shares of $2 million or more in a single
taxable year (or $4 million or more in any combination of taxable years) for an individual Common Shareholder, S corporation or
trust or $10 million or more in a single taxable year (or $20 million or more in any combination of years) for a Common Shareholder
who is a C corporation, such Common Shareholder will generally be required to file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form
8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are generally excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance,
shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting
requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations
does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Common Shareholders should
consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Preferred
Shareholder Taxation
The
IRS has taken the position that if a regulated investment company has two or more classes of shares, it must designate distributions
made to each class in any year as consisting of no more than such class’ proportionate share of particular types of income
(e.g., ordinary income and net capital gains). Consequently, if both Common Shares and Preferred Shares are outstanding,
the Fund intends to designate distributions made to each class of particular types of income in accordance with each class’
proportionate share of such income. Thus, the Fund will designate to the extent applicable, dividends qualifying for the corporate
dividends received deduction (if any), income not qualifying for the dividends received deduction, qualified dividend income,
Section 199A dividends, ordinary income and net capital gain in a manner that allocates such income between the holders of Common
Shares and Preferred Shares in proportion to the total dividends paid to each class during or for the taxable year, or otherwise
as required by applicable law. However, for purposes of determining whether distributions are out of the Fund’s current
or accumulated earnings and profits, the Fund’s earnings and profits will be allocated first to the Fund’s Preferred
Shares, if any, and then to the Fund’s Common Shares. In such a case, since the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings
and profits will first be used to pay dividends on the Preferred Shares, distributions in excess of such earnings and profits,
if any, will be made disproportionately to holders of Common Shares.
Other
Taxes
The
description of certain U.S. federal income tax provisions above relates only to U.S. federal income tax consequences for Common
Shareholders who are U.S. persons (i.e., U.S. citizens or residents or U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts or estates).
Non-U.S. Common Shareholders should consult their tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of ownership of Common Shares of
the Fund, including the possibility that distributions may be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax (or a reduced rate of withholding
provided by an applicable treaty if the investor provides proper certification of its non-U.S. status).
A
separate U.S. withholding tax may apply in the case of distributions to (i) certain non-U.S. financial institutions that have
not agreed to collect and disclose certain account holder information and are not resident in a jurisdiction that has entered
into such an agreement with the U.S. Treasury and (ii) certain other non-U.S. entities that do not provide certain certifications
and information about the entity’s U.S. owners.
Shareholders
should consult their own tax advisors on these matters and on any specific question of U.S. federal, state, local, foreign and
other applicable tax laws before making an investment in the Fund.
BOARD
MEMBERS AND OFFICERS
The
following table presents certain information regarding the members of the Board of Directors (each, a “Board Member”).
Each Board Member’s year of birth is set forth in parentheses after his or her name. The Board of Directors is divided into
three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms and, upon expiration of their initial terms, directors of each class
will be elected to serve for three-year terms and until their successor are duly elected and qualify, and at each annual meeting
one class of directors will be elected by the Common Shareholders. If there are Preferred Shares outstanding, two of the Fund’s
directors would be elected by the holders of Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class, and the remaining directors of the
Fund would be elected by holders of Common Shares and Preferred Shares, voting together as a class.
Except
as otherwise noted, the address for all directors and officers is 360 S. Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
The “independent directors” consist of those directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as
that term is defined under the 1940 Act (each, an “Independent Director” and collectively, the “Independent
Directors”).
Name,
Address
and Year of Birth |
Position(s)
Held with
the Fund |
Term
of
Office and
Length of
Time Served |
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years |
Number
of
Funds in
Fund
Complex(1)
Overseen
by Director |
Other
Directorships
Held by the
Director During the
Past 5 Years (2) |
Independent Directors |
|
|
|
John K. Carter
(1961) |
Director |
Current term expires in 2024. Has served
since 2020. |
Founder, Special Counsel, Law Office of John
K. Carter, P.A. (a general practice and corporate law firm) (2015 to present). |
11 |
Carillon Mutual Funds (16 funds) (2016 to
present); RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc. (1 fund) (2016 to present); RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Opportunity
Fund, Inc. (1 fund) (2016 to present); RiverNorth Funds (3 funds) (2013 to present); RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (1
fund)(2013 to present); RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (1 fund) (2018 to present); RiverNorth Managed
Duration Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (1 fund)(2019 to present); RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. (1 fund)(2021
to present); RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund II, Inc.(1 fund) (2022 to present). |
J. Wayne Hutchens
(1944) |
Director |
Current term expires in
2025. Has served since 2020. |
Currently retired; Trustee
of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (2000 to 2020); Director of AMG National Trust Bank (June 2012 to present); Trustee
of Children’s Hospital Colorado (May 2012 to 2020). |
11 |
RiverNorth Opportunities
Fund, Inc. (1 fund)(2013 to present), RiverNorth/ DoubleLine Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc. (1 fund)(2016 to present), RiverNorth
Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (1 fund)(2018 to present), RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
(1 fund)(2019 to present), RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc. (1 fund)(2016 to present), RiverNorth Flexible Municipal
Income Fund II, Inc. (1 fund)(2021 to present), RiverNorth Funds (three funds), and ALPS Series Trust (11 funds)(2012 to present),
RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. (1 fund)(2022 to present). |
Lisa B. Mougin (1972) |
Director |
Initial term expires in
2024. Has served since 2022. |
Chief Investment Officer
of Capital Sisters International (a non-profit) (2023 to present); President & Chief Operating Officer of TIFIN (a fintech
software company) (2020 to 2022); Senior Vice President of ALPS Fund Services, LLC (1998 to 2017). |
8 |
RiverNorth Capital and
Income Fund, Inc. (1 fund) (2022 to present); RiverNorth/Doubl eLine Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc. (1 fund) (2022 to present);
RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (1 fund)(2022 to present); RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (1 fund)
(2022 to present); RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (1 fund)(2022 to present); RiverNorth Flexible
Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. (1 fund)(2022 to present); RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. (1 fund)(2022
to present). |
David M. Swanson
(1957) |
Director |
Current term expires in
2025. Has served since 2020. |
Founder & Managing
Partner, SwanDog Strategic Marketing (2006 to present). |
11 |
RiverNorth Opportunities
Fund, Inc. (1 fund)(2013 to present), RiverNorth/ DoubleLine Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc. (1 fund)(2016 to present), RiverNorth
Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (1 fund)(2018 to present), RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
(1 fund)(2019 to present), RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc. (1 fund)(2016 to present), RiverNorth Funds (3 funds)(2019
to present) ; ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds) (2006 to present); RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund II, Inc.
(1 fund)(2021 to present); RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. (1 fund)(2022 to present); and Managed
Portfolio Series (31 funds) (2011 to present). |
Interested
Directors |
|
|
|
|
Patrick W. Galley3
(1975) |
Interested Director, Chairman
and President |
Current term expires in
2026. Has served since inception. |
Chief Executive Officer,
RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (2020 to present); Chief Investment Officer, RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (2004 to
present). |
11 |
RiverNorth Capital and
Income Fund, Inc. (1 fund) (2016 to present); RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc. (1 fund) (2016 to present);
RiverNorth Funds (3 funds) (2006 to present); RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (1 fund)(2013 to present); RiverNorth Opportunistic
Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (1 fund) (2018 to present); RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (2019 to present)(1
fund); RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. (2021 to present)(1 fund); RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal
Income Fund II, Inc. (2022 to present) (1 fund). |
Jerry
Raio
(1964)4 |
Interested
Director |
Current term expires in
2026. Has served since inception. |
President, Arbor Lane
Advisors, Inc. (Since 2018); Advisory Board Member of each of FLX Distribution, (2020 to present); Quantify Crypto (2021 to
present); ETF Action (2022 to present); Qudos Technologies (2019 to 2022); Head of Capital Markets, ClickIPO (2018-2019);
Managing Director, Head of Retail Origination, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (2005 to 2018). |
11 |
RiverNorth Capital and
Income Fund, Inc. (1 fund) (2018 to present); RiverNorth/Doubl eLine Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc. (1 fund) (2018 to present);
RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. (1 fund)(2013 to present); RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (1 fund)
(2018 to present); RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (2019 to present)(1 fund); RiverNorth Flexible
Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. (2021 to present)(1 Fund); RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. (2022
to present) (1 fund); RiverNorth Funds (3 Funds) (2022 to present). |
Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
Jonathan M. Mohrhardt
(1974) |
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
Indefinite. Has served since inception. |
President, RiverNorth Capital Management,
LLC (since 2020); Chief Operating Officer, RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (2011 to present). |
N/A |
N/A |
Marcus L. Collins
(1968) |
Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary |
Indefinite. Has served since inception. |
General Counsel, RiverNorth Capital Management,
LLC (2012 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (2012 to present). |
N/A |
N/A |
1 | For
all Directors other than Ms. Mougin, the Fund Complex consists of the RiverNorth Core
Opportunity Fund, the RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Income Fund, and the RiverNorth/Oaktree
High Income Fund, each a series of the RiverNorth Funds, RiverNorth Opportunities Fund,
Inc., RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Opportunistic
Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund, Inc.,
RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund II, Inc., RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal
Income Fund II, Inc., RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc. and the Fund. For Ms.
Mougin, the Fund Complex consists of the RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., RiverNorth/DoubleLine
Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc.,
RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Flexible Municipal
Income Fund II, Inc., RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund II, Inc., RiverNorth
Capital and Income Fund, Inc. and the Fund. |
2 | The
number enclosed in parentheticals represent the number of funds overseen in each respective
directorship held by the director. |
3 | Patrick
W. Galley is considered an “Interested” Director as defined in the 1940 Act
because he is an officer of the Fund and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment
Officer of the Adviser. |
4 | Jerry
Raio is considered an “Interested” Director as defined in the 1940 Act because
of his current position as an advisory board member of FLX Distribution, which the Adviser is an investor
in and Mr. Galley is a Director of; and because of his prior position as Managing Director
– Head of Retail Origination at Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, which had previously
served as a broker and principal underwriter for certain funds advised by the Adviser. |
Board
Leadership Structure. The Board of Directors, which has overall responsibility for the oversight of the Fund’s investment
programs and business affairs, believes that it has structured itself in a manner that allows it to effectively perform its oversight
obligations. Mr. Patrick W. Galley, the Chairman of the Board of Directors (“Chairman”), is not an Independent Director.
The
Board of Directors believes that the use of an interested director as Chairman is the appropriate leadership structure for the
Fund given (i) Mr. Patrick Galley’s role in the day to day operations of the Adviser, (ii) the extent to which the work
of the Board of Directors is conducted through the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee”)
and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee”), each of whose meetings is chaired by an Independent Director, (iii) the frequency that Independent Directors
meet with their independent legal counsel and auditors in the absence of members of the Board of Directors who are interested
directors of the Fund and management, and (iv) the overall sophistication of the Independent Directors, both individually and
collectively. The members of the Board of Directors also complete an annual self-assessment during which the directors review
their overall structure and consider where and how their structure remains appropriate in light of the Fund’s current circumstances.
The Chairman’s role is to preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and in between meetings of the Board of Directors
to generally act as the liaison between the Board of Directors and the Fund’s officers, attorneys and various other service
providers, including but not limited to the Adviser and other such third parties servicing the Fund. The Board of Directors believes
that having an interested person serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors enables Mr. Galley to more effectively carry out
these liaison activities. The Board of Directors also believes that it benefits during its meetings from having a person intimately
familiar with the operation of the Fund to set the agenda for meetings of the Board of Directors to ensure that important matters
are brought to the attention of and considered by the Board of Directors.
The
Fund has two standing committees, each of which enhances the leadership structure of the Board of Directors: the Audit Committee
and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Audit Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are
each chaired by, and composed of, members who are Independent Directors.
The
Audit Committee is comprised of Ms. Mougin and Messrs. Carter, Swanson and Hutchens, all of whom are “independent”
as defined in the listing standard of the New York Stock Exchange. Mr. Hutchens is the Chair of the Audit Committee and has been
determined to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined in Form N-CSR. The role of
the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in its oversight of (i) the quality and integrity of the Fund’s
financial statements, reporting process and the independent registered public accounting firm (the “independent accountants”)
and reviews thereof, (ii) the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, its internal controls and,
as appropriate, the internal controls of certain service providers, (iii) the Fund’s compliance with certain legal and regulatory
requirements, and (iv) the independent accountants’ qualifications, independence and performance. The Audit Committee is
also required to prepare an audit committee report pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)
for inclusion in the Fund’s annual proxy statement. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter
that is reviewed and approved annually. As set forth in the Audit Committee Charter, management is responsible for maintaining
appropriate systems for accounting and internal controls, and the Fund’s independent accountants are responsible for planning
and carrying out proper audits and reviews. The independent accountants are ultimately accountable to the Board of Directors and
to the Audit Committee, as representatives of the stockholders. The independent accountants for the Fund reports directly to the
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee met three times during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023.
The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of Ms. Mougin and Messrs. Carter, Hutchens, and Swanson. Mr. Swanson
is the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible
for identifying and recommending to the Board of Directors individuals believed to be qualified to become members of the Board
of Directors in the event that a position is vacated or created. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider
director candidates recommended by stockholders. In considering candidates submitted by stockholders, the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee will take into consideration the needs of the Board of Directors, the qualifications of the candidate and
the interests of stockholders. Stockholders wishing to recommend candidates to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
should submit such recommendations to the Secretary of the Fund at the principal executive office of the Fund, who will forward
the recommendations to the committee for consideration. The submission must include: (i) whether the shareholder proposing such
nominee believes the proposed nominee is, or is not, an “interested person”, (ii) the name and address, as they appear
on the Fund’s books, of the shareholder proposing such business or nomination, (iii) a representation that the shareholder
is a holder of record of Shares entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to
present such nomination; (iv) whether the shareholder plans to deliver or solicit proxies from other stockholders; (v) the class
and number of Shares of the capital stock of the Fund, which are beneficially owned by the shareholder and the proposed nominee
to the Board; (vi) any material interest of the shareholder or nominee in such business; (vii) the extent to which such shareholder
(including such shareholder’s principals) or the proposed nominee to the Board has entered into any hedging transaction
or other arrangement with the effect or intent of mitigating or otherwise managing profit, loss or risk of changes in the value
of the Shares or the daily quoted market price of the Fund held by such shareholder (including the shareholder’s principals)
or the proposed nominee, including independently verifiable information in support of the foregoing; (viii) any substantial interest,
direct or indirect, of such shareholder or the proposed nominee in the Fund other than interest arising from ownership of Common
Shares; (ix) to the extent known by such shareholder, the name and address of any other shareholder supporting the proposed nominee;
(x) the nominee holder for, and number of, Common Shares owned beneficially but not of record by such shareholder; (xi) the investment
strategy or objective, if any, of such shareholder who is not an individual and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum,
or similar document, if any; and (xii) such other information regarding such nominee proposed by such shareholder as would be
required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the “Exchange Act”). Each eligible shareholder or shareholder group may submit no more than one Independent Director
nominee each calendar year. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not determined any minimum qualifications necessary
to serve as a director of the Fund. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates pursuant to the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee Charter that is reviewed and approved annually. TheNominating and Governance Committee met three
times during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023.
Director
Qualifications.
Interested
Directors
Mr.
Patrick Galley is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer for the Adviser. He is also the President and a portfolio
manager of the Fund. His knowledge regarding the investment strategy of the Fund, more specifically the CEF industry, makes him
uniquely qualified to serve as the Fund’s President.
Mr.
Raio has many years of experience in the securities industry, including management roles in the banking and investment management
industries. He has more than 15 years of experience in equity capital markets, having worked on the retail syndicate desks at
both Citigroup and Morgan Stanley. Since 2018, he has served as President and CEO of Arbor Lane Advisors, Inc. He served as the
Managing Director and Head of Retail Origination for Wells Fargo Securities, LLC from 2005 to 2018. Prior to working at Wells
Fargo, he served as Director and Head of Closed-End Funds for Citigroup Asset Management. He also serves on the Board of each
of FLX Distribution; Qudos Technologies; and Quantify Crypto. He was selected to serve as a Director of the Fund based on his
business, financial services and investment management experience.
Independent
Directors
Mr.
John K. Carter possesses extensive mutual fund industry experience. Mr. Carter served as a Business Unit Head at Transamerica
Asset Management, a subsidiary of Aegon, N.V. Mr. Carter oversaw the mutual fund servicing, operations and advisory services for
Transamerica’s approximately 120 mutual funds. He also served as a compliance officer. Mr. Carter brings experience managing
a large mutual fund complex, including experience overseeing multiple sub-advisers. Mr. Carter is currently an attorney in private
practice and was previously an investment management attorney with experience as in-house counsel, serving with the SEC and in
private practice with a large law firm. The Board of Directors feels Mr. Carter’s industry-specific experience, including
as a chairman of another fund complex, as a compliance officer and as an experienced investment management attorney will be valuable
to the Board of Directors, particularly when dealing with complex legal issues.
Ms.
Mougin is an experienced senior executive with many years of investment management industry experience in sales, client relationship
and operations. Ms. Mougin is the Chief Investment Officer of Capital Sisters International, a non-profit that helps women entrepreneurs
by providing investments and small business loans. Before joining Capital Sisters International, Ms. Mougin was the President
and Chief Operating Officer of the TIFIN affiliated Positivly and Louise platforms. Prior to that, Ms. Mougin was a member of
the executive team that built ALPS Fund Services Inc. into a leader in the mutual fund and hedge fund industries.
Mr.
Hutchens was President and CEO of the University of Colorado (CU) Foundation from April 2006 to December 2012 and Executive Director
for the CU Real Estate Foundation from April 2009 to December 2012. Prior to these positions, Mr. Hutchens spent over 30 years
in the banking industry, retiring as Chairman of Chase Bank Colorado. Mr. Hutchens is a graduate of the University of Colorado
Boulder’s School of Business and has done graduate study at Syracuse University and the University of Colorado. He was selected
to serve as a Director of the Fund based on his business and financial services experience.
Mr.
Swanson founded SwanDog Marketing, a marketing consulting firm to asset managers, in 2006. He currently serves as SwanDog’s
Managing Partner. He has over 30 years of senior management and marketing experience, with approximately 20 years in financial
services. Before joining SwanDog, Mr. Swanson most recently served as Executive Vice President and Head of Distribution for Calamos
Investments, an investment management firm. He previously held positions as Chief Operating Officer of Van Kampen Investments,
President and CEO of Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Canada, Ltd. And Managing Director and Head of Global Investment Products at
Morgan Stanley. Mr. Swanson holds a Master of Management from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University
and a Bachelors in Journalism from Southern Illinois University. He was selected to serve as a Director of the Fund based on his
business, financial services and investment management experience.
Risk
Oversight. The Fund is confronted with a multitude of risks, such as investment risk, counterparty risk, valuation risk, political
risk, risk of operational failures, business continuity risk, regulatory risk, legal risk and other risks not listed here. The
Board of Directors recognizes that not all risk that may affect the Fund can be known, eliminated or even mitigated. In addition,
there are some risks that may not be cost effective or an efficient use of the Fund’s limited resources to moderate. As
a result of these realities, the Board of Directors, through its oversight and leadership, has and will continue to deem it necessary
for Common Shareholders to bear certain and undeniable risks, such as investment risk, in order for the Fund to operate in accordance
with its Prospectus, SAI and other related documents.
However,
the Board of Directors has adopted on the Fund’s behalf a vigorous risk program that mandates the Fund’s various service
providers, including the Adviser and Subadviser, to adopt a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify various
risks, mitigate the likelihood of adverse events from occurring and/or attempt to limit the effects of such adverse events on
the Fund. The Board of Directors fulfills its leadership role by receiving a variety of quarterly written reports prepared by
the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) that (i) evaluate the operation, policies and procedures of the
Fund’s service providers, (ii) make known any material changes to the policies and procedures adopted by the Fund or its
service providers since the CCO’s last report, and (iii) disclose any material compliance matters that occurred since the
date of the last CCO report. In addition, the Independent Directors meet quarterly in executive sessions without the presence
of any interested directors, the Adviser or Subadviser, or any of their affiliates. This configuration permits the Independent
Directors to effectively receive the information and have private discussions necessary to perform their risk oversight role,
exercise independent judgment and allocate areas of responsibility between the full Board of Directors, its committees and certain
officers of the Fund. Furthermore, the Independent Directors have engaged independent legal counsel and auditors to assist the
Independent Directors in performing their oversight responsibilities. As discussed above and in consideration of other factors
not referenced herein, the Board of Directors has determined its leadership role concerning risk management as one of oversight
and not active management of the Fund’s day-to-day risk management operations.
Compensation.
The Fund pays no salaries or compensation to their officers or to any interested Director employed by the Adviser or Subadviser,
and the Fund has no employees. In addition, the Adviser (not the Fund) is responsible for paying the Director compensation out
of its unified management fee. For their services, the Directors of the Fund who are not employed by the Adviser or Subadviser
receive an annual retainer in the amount of $16,500, and an additional $1,500 for attending each quarterly meeting of the Board.
In addition, the lead Independent Director receives $250 annually, the Chair of the Audit Committee receives $500 annually and
the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee receives $250 annually. The Directors who are not employed by the
Adviser are also reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings of the Board. The following
tables show compensation with respect to the Fund and the Fund Complex for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. Patrick W. Galley
is an interested person of the Fund and employed by the Adviser and does not receive any compensation from the Fund.
Name
of Director |
Aggregate
Compensation
with respect to the Fund (1) |
Aggregate
Total
Compensation
with respect to the
Funds and
Fund Complex(2) |
John K. Carter |
$22,750 |
$231,375 |
John S. Oakes
(3) |
$11,375 |
$118,250 |
J. Wayne Hutchens |
$23,000 |
$229,000 |
David M. Swanson |
$22,625 |
$225,375 |
Lisa B. Mougin
(4) |
$11,250 |
$91,250 |
Jerry R. Raio |
$22,500 |
$203,500 |
(1) | The
Adviser, not the Fund, paid all compensation to the Directors described above out of
its unified management fee. |
(2) | For
all Directors other than Ms. Mougin, the Fund Complex consists of the RiverNorth Core
Opportunity Fund, the RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Income Fund, and the RiverNorth/Oaktree
High Income Fund, each a series of the RiverNorth Funds, RiverNorth Opportunities Fund,
Inc., RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Opportunistic
Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund, Inc.,
RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund II, Inc., RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal
Income Fund II, Inc., RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc. and the Fund. For Ms.
Mougin, the Fund Complex consists of the RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., RiverNorth/DoubleLine
Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc.,
RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Managed Duration
Municipal Income Fund II, Inc., RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc. and the Fund. |
(3) | Mr.
Oakes retired as a Director as of November 8, 2022. |
(4) | Ms.
Mougin became a Director effective November 8, 2022. |
Director
Ownership in the Fund
The
following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Director in the Fund and Fund Complex as
of December 31, 2022.
Name
of Director |
Dollar
Range of Beneficial Ownership in Fund |
Aggregate
Dollar Range
of Ownership in all
Funds Overseen by
Director in the Fund Complex (1) |
Independent Directors |
|
John K. Carter |
None |
$50,001-$100,000 |
J. Wayne Hutchens |
None |
Over $100,000 |
David M. Swanson |
$1-$10,000 |
$50,001-$100,000 |
Lisa B. Mougin
(2) |
None |
None |
Interested Directors |
|
Patrick W. Galley |
$10,001-$50,000 |
Over
$100,000 |
Jerry R. Raio |
$10,001-$50,000 |
Over
$100,000 |
(1) | For
all Directors other than Ms. Mougin, the Fund Complex consists of the RiverNorth Core
Opportunity Fund, the RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Income Fund, and the RiverNorth/Oaktree
High Income Fund, each a series of the RiverNorth Funds, RiverNorth Opportunities Fund,
Inc., RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Opportunistic
Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund, Inc.,
RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal
Income Fund II, Inc., RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc. and the Fund. For Ms.
Mougin, the Fund Complex consists of the RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., RiverNorth/DoubleLine
Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc.,
RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Flexible Municipal
Income Fund II, Inc., RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund II, Inc., RiverNorth
Capital and Income Fund, Inc. and the Fund. |
(2) | Ms.
Mougin became a Director effective November 8, 2022. |
As
of the date of this SAI, the Independent Directors of the Fund and immediate family members do not own beneficially or of record
any class of securities of the investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Fund or any person directly or indirectly controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Fund.
As
of the date of this SAI, the directors and officers of the Fund owned, as a group, less than 1% of the outstanding Common Shares
of the Fund.
Securities
Beneficially Owned
To
the knowledge of the Fund, as of September 18, 2023, no single shareholder or “group” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)
of the Exchange Act beneficially owned more than 5% of the Fund’s outstanding Common Shares. A control person is one who
owns, either directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund or acknowledges the existence of control.
PROXY
VOTING GUIDELINES
The
Board of Directors of the Fund has delegated responsibilities for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the
Fund to the Adviser or Subadviser. The Adviser or Subadviser will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and
procedures. In some instances, the Adviser or Subadviser may be asked to cast a proxy vote that presents a conflict between the
interests of the Fund’s shareholders, and those of the Adviser or Subadviser or an affiliated person of the Adviser or Subadviser.
In such a case, the Adviser or Subadviser will abstain from making a voting decision and will forward all necessary proxy voting
materials to the Fund to enable the Board of Directors to make a voting decision. The Adviser or Subadviser shall make a written
recommendation of the voting decision to the Board of Directors, which shall include: (i) an explanation of why it has a conflict
of interest; (ii) the reasons for its recommendation; and (iii) an explanation of why the recommendation is consistent with the
Adviser’s (or Subadviser’s) proxy voting policies. The Board of Directors shall make the proxy voting decision that
in its judgment, after reviewing the recommendation of the Adviser or Subadviser, is most consistent with the Adviser’s
or Subadviser’s proxy voting policies and in the best interests of shareholders. When the Board of Directors of the Fund
is required to make a proxy voting decision, only the directors without a conflict of interest with regard to the security in
question or the matter to be voted upon shall be permitted to participate in the decision of how the Fund’s vote will be
cast. The Adviser and Subadviser vote proxies pursuant to the proxy voting policies and guidelines set forth in Appendix A and
B, respectively, to this SAI.
You
may also obtain information about how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended
June 30 by visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by visiting the Fund’s website at www.rivernorth.com (this
reference to the Fund’s website does not incorporate the contents of the website into this SAI).
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
A
Registration Statement on Form N-2, including amendments thereto, relating to the Securities offered hereby, has been filed by
the Fund with the SEC. The Fund’s Prospectus and this SAI do not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration
Statement, including any exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Fund and the Securities offered
hereby, reference is made to the Fund’s Registration Statement. Statements contained in the Fund’s Prospectus and
this SAI as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference
is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement
being qualified in all respects by such reference.
The
Registration Statement is available on the Edgar Database on the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov, or may be obtained,
after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request to publicinfo@sec.gov.
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
The
audited financial statements and financial highlights included in the annual report to the Fund’s shareholders for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2023 (the “2023 Annual Report”), together with the report of Cohen & Company, Ltd., the Fund’s
independent registered public accounting firm, on the financial statements and financial highlights included in the Fund’s
2023 Annual Report are incorporated herein.
APPENDIX
A
PROXY VOTING POLICY OF THE ADVISER
Proxy
Voting
RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC
PROXY
VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Pursuant
to the recent adoption by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of Rule 206(4)-6 (17 CFR 275.206(4)-6)
and amendments to Rule 204-2 (17 CFR 275.204-2) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Act”), it is a fraudulent,
deceptive, or manipulative act, practice or course of business, within the meaning of Section 206(4) of the Act, for an investment
adviser to exercise voting authority with respect to client securities, unless (i) the adviser has adopted and implemented written
policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the adviser votes proxies in the best interests of its clients,
(ii) the adviser describes its proxy voting procedures to its clients and provides copies on request, and (iii) the adviser discloses
to clients how they may obtain information on how the adviser voted their proxies.
In
its standard investment advisory agreement, RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (RiverNorth Capital) specifically states that it
does not vote proxies and the client, including clients governed by ERISA, is responsible for voting proxies. Therefore, RiverNorth
Capital will not vote proxies for these clients. However, RiverNorth Capital will vote proxies on behalf of investment company
clients (“Funds”). RiverNorth Capital has instructed all custodians, other than Fund custodians, to forward proxies
directly to its clients, and if RiverNorth Capital accidentally receives a proxy for any non-Fund client, current or former, the
Chief Compliance Officer will promptly forward the proxy to the client. In order to fulfill its responsibilities to Funds, RiverNorth
Capital Management, LLC (hereinafter “we” or “our”) has adopted the following policies and procedures
for proxy voting with regard to companies in any Fund’s investment portfolios.
KEY
OBJECTIVES
The
key objectives of these policies and procedures recognize that a company’s management is entrusted with the day-to-day operations
and longer term strategic planning of the company, subject to the oversight of the company’s board of directors. While “ordinary
business matters” are primarily the responsibility of management and should be approved solely by the corporation’s
board of directors, these objectives also recognize that the company’s shareholders must have final say over how management
and directors are performing, and how shareholders’ rights and ownership interests are handled, especially when matters
could have substantial economic implications to the shareholders.
Therefore,
we will pay particular attention to the following matters in exercising our proxy voting responsibilities as a fiduciary for our
clients:
Accountability.
Each company should have effective means in place to hold those entrusted with running a company’s business accountable
for their actions. Management of a company should be accountable to its board of directors and the board should be accountable
to shareholders.
Alignment
of Management and Shareholder Interests. Each company should endeavor to align the interests of management and the board of
directors with the interests of the company’s shareholders. For example, we generally believe that compensation should be
designed to reward management for doing a good job of creating value for the shareholders of the company.
Transparency.
Promotion of timely disclosure of important information about a company’s business operations and financial performance
enables investors to evaluate the performance of a company and to make informed decisions about the purchase and sale of a company’s
securities.
DECISION
METHODS
We
generally believe that the individual portfolio managers that invest in and track particular companies are the most knowledgeable
and best suited to make decisions with regard to proxy votes. Therefore, we rely on those individuals to make the final decisions
on how to cast proxy votes.
No
set of proxy voting guidelines can anticipate all situations that may arise. In special cases, we may seek insight from our managers
and analysts on how a particular proxy proposal will impact the financial prospects of a company, and vote accordingly.
In
some instances, a proxy vote may present a conflict between the interests of a client, on the one hand, and our interests or the
interests of a person affiliated with us, on the other. In such a case, we will abstain from making a voting decision and will
forward all of the necessary proxy voting materials to the client to enable the client to cast the votes.
Notwithstanding
the forgoing, the following policies will apply to investment company shares owned by a Fund. Under Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”), a fund may only invest up to 5% of its total assets in the securities
of any one investment company, but may not own more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company or invest
more than 10% of its total assets in the securities of other investment companies. However, Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act
provides that the provisions of paragraph 12(d)(1) shall not apply to securities purchased or otherwise acquired by a fund if
(i) immediately after such purchase or acquisition not more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of such registered investment
company is owned by the fund and all affiliated persons of the fund; and (ii) the fund is not proposing to offer or sell any security
issued by it through a principal underwriter or otherwise at a public or offering price which includes a sales load of more than
1½% percent. Therefore, each Fund (or the Adviser acting on behalf of the Fund) must comply with the following voting restrictions
unless it is determined that the Fund is not relying on Section 12(d)(1)(F):
–when
the Fund exercises voting rights, by proxy or otherwise, with respect to any investment company owned by the Fund, the Fund will
either
–seek
instruction from the Fund’s shareholders with regard to the voting of all proxies and vote in accordance with such instructions,
or
–vote
the shares held by the Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such security.
PROXY
VOTING GUIDELINES
Election
of the Board of Directors
We
believe that good corporate governance generally starts with a board composed primarily of independent directors, unfettered by
significant ties to management, all of whose members are elected annually. We also believe that turnover in board composition
promotes independent board action, fresh approaches to governance, and generally has a positive impact on shareholder value. We
will generally vote in favor of non-incumbent independent directors.
The
election of a company’s board of directors is one of the most fundamental rights held by shareholders. Because a classified
board structure prevents shareholders from electing a full slate of directors annually, we will generally support efforts to declassify
boards or other measures that permit shareholders to remove a majority of directors at any time, and will generally oppose efforts
to adopt classified board structures.
Approval
of Independent Auditors
We
believe that the relationship between a company and its auditors should be limited primarily to the audit engagement, although
it may include certain closely related activities that do not raise an appearance of impaired independence.
We
will evaluate on a case-by-case basis instances in which the audit firm has a substantial non-audit relationship with a company
to determine whether we believe independence has been, or could be, compromised.
Equity-based
compensation plans
We
believe that appropriately designed equity-based compensation plans, approved by shareholders, can be an effective way to align
the interests of shareholders and the interests of directors, management, and employees by providing incentives to increase shareholder
value. Conversely, we are opposed to plans that substantially dilute ownership interests in the company, provide participants
with excessive awards, or have inherently objectionable structural features.
We
will generally support measures intended to increase stock ownership by executives and the use of employee stock purchase plans
to increase company stock ownership by employees. These may include:
1.
Requiring senior executives to hold stock in a company.
2.
Requiring stock acquired through option exercise to be held for a certain period of time.
These
are guidelines, and we consider other factors, such as the nature of the industry and size of the company, when assessing a plan’s
impact on ownership interests.
Corporate
Structure
We
view the exercise of shareholders’ rights, including the rights to act by written consent, to call special meetings and
to remove directors, to be fundamental to good corporate governance.
Because
classes of common stock with unequal voting rights limit the rights of certain shareholders, we generally believe that shareholders
should have voting power equal to their equity interest in the company and should be able to approve or reject changes to a company’s
by-laws by a simple majority vote.
We
will generally support the ability of shareholders to cumulate their votes for the election of directors.
Shareholder
Rights Plans
While
we recognize that there are arguments both in favor of and against shareholder rights plans, also known as poison pills, such
measures may tend to entrench current management, which we generally consider to have a negative impact on shareholder value.
Therefore, while we will evaluate such plans on a case by case basis, we will generally oppose such plans.
CLIENT
INFORMATION
A
copy of these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures is available to our clients, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-646-0148.
We will send a copy of these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures within three business days of receipt of a request, by first-class
mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.
In
addition, we will provide each client, without charge, upon request, information regarding the proxy votes cast by us with regard
to the client’s securities.
APPENDIX
B
MacKay
Shields LLC
Proxy
Voting Policies and Procedures
Revised
January 2022
MacKay
Shields LLC (“MacKay Shields” or the “Firm”), has adopted these “Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures”
(the “Policy”) to ensure the Firm’s compliance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940,
as amended (the “Advisers Act”) and other applicable fiduciary obligations. The Policy applies to proxies relating
to securities held by clients of MacKay Shields who have delegated the responsibility of voting proxies to the Firm. The Policy
is designed to assist Firm employees in meeting their specific responsibilities in this area and to reasonably ensure that proxies
are voted in the best interests of the Firm’s clients.
2.1
It is the policy of MacKay Shields that where the Firm has voting authority, all proxies are to be voted in the best interest
of the client without regard to the interests of MacKay Shields or other related parties. Specifically, MacKay Shields shall not
subordinate the interests of clients to unrelated objectives, including MacKay Shields’ interests. MacKay Shields shall
act with the care, skill, prudence and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent person acting in a like
capacity and familiar with such matters would use in the conduct of an enterprise of a like character and with like aims. For
purposes of the Policy, the “best interests of clients” shall mean, unless otherwise specified by the client, the
clients’ best economic interests over the long term as determined by MacKay Shields – that is, the common interest
that all MacKay Shields clients share in seeing the value of a common investment increase over time. It is further the policy
of the Firm that complete and accurate disclosure concerning its proxy voting policies and procedures and proxy voting records
as required by the Advisers Act, be made available to its clients.
2.2
When proxies with respect to securities held by clients of MacKay Shields have not been received by MacKay Shields or its
proxy voting service provider, MacKay Shields will make reasonable efforts to obtain missing proxies. MacKay Shields is not responsible
for voting proxies it or its proxy voting service provider does not receive.
2.3
MacKay Shields may choose not to vote proxies when it believes that it is appropriate. This may occur, without limitation,
under the following circumstances:
| ● | If
the effect on the client’s economic interests or the value of the portfolio holding
is indeterminable or insignificant; |
| ● | If
the cost of voting the proxy outweighs the possible benefit to the client; or |
| ● | If
a jurisdiction imposes share blocking restrictions which prevent the Firm from trading
shares. |
| 3. | Use
of Third Party Proxy Voting Service Provider |
To
discharge its responsibility, MacKay Shields has examined third-party services that assist in the researching and voting of proxies
and the development of voting guidelines. After such review, the Firm has selected Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc., (“ISS”),
to research voting proposals, analyze the financial implications of voting proposals and vote proxies. MacKay Shields utilizes
the research and analytical services, operational implementation, administration, record-keeping and reporting services provided
by ISS.
| 4. | Proxy
Voting Guidelines |
4.1
To the extent that a client has authorized Mackay Shields to vote proxies on its behalf, and except as set forth Sections
6 & 7 of this Policy or at otherwise directed by a client in writing, MacKay has determined to adopt the following proxy voting
guidelines:
4.1.a
Proxies for non-union clients will generally be voted in accordance with the voting recommendations contained in the applicable
ISS non-union domestic or global proxy voting guidelines, as in effect from time-to-time (“Non-Union Guidelines”).
Refer to Exhibit A for the current U.S. Summary Proxy Voting Guidelines.
4.1.b
Proxies for union or Taft-Hartley clients will generally be voted in accordance with the voting recommendations contained
in the applicable ISS Taft- Hartley domestic or international proxy voting guidelines, as in effect from time- to-time (“Union
Guidelines”). Refer to Exhibit B for the current U.S. and International Taft-Hartley Proxy Voting Guidelines.
4.1.c
Notwithstanding Section 4.1.a of this Policy, proxies for non-union clients whose investment strategy directs MacKay Shields
to invest primarily in assets that satisfy Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) criteria, as determined by
MacKay Shields, in its discretion, will be voted in accordance with the voting recommendations contained in the applicable ISS
Sustainability U.S. or International proxy voting guidelines, as in effect from time-to-time (“Sustainability Guidelines”).
Refer to Exhibit C for the current U.S. and International Sustainability Proxy Voting Guidelines.
4.2
For purposes of the Policy, the Non-Union Guidelines, Union Guidelines, and Sustainability Guidelines are collectively referred
to as the “Standard Guidelines.”
4.3
A client may choose to use proxy voting guidelines different from the Standard Guidelines (“Custom Guidelines”).
Any Custom Guidelines must be furnished by the client to MacKay Shields in writing and MacKay Shields will general vote proxies
for any such client in accordance with the applicable Custom Guidelines.
4.4
In the event the Standard Guidelines or any client’s Custom Guidelines do not address how a proxy should be voted or
state that the vote is to be determined on a “case- by-case” basis, the proxy will be voted in accordance with ISS
recommendations, subject to Section 6. In the event that ISS has not made a recommendation, MacKay Shields will follow the procedure
set forth in Section 7.
4.5
For clients using the Standard Guidelines, the Firm will instruct ISS to cast votes in accordance with the Standard Guidelines.
For clients using Custom Guidelines, the Firm will provide ISS with a copy of such Custom Guidelines and will instruct ISS to
cast votes in accordance with such Custom Guidelines. ISS will cast votes in accordance with the Standard Guidelines or Custom
Guidelines, as the case may be, unless instructed otherwise by MacKay Shields as set forth in Sections 6 and 7. Upon receipt of
a specific request from a client pursuant to Section 4.6, the Firm will instruct ISS to cast such client’s proxy in accordance
with such request.
4.6
Notwithstanding the foregoing, MacKay Shields will vote a proxy with respect to a particular security held by a client in
accordance with such client’s specific request even if it is in a manner inconsistent with the Standard Guidelines or the
client’s Custom Guidelines, as the case may be. Any such specific requests must be furnished to MacKay Shields by the client
in writing and must be received by MacKay on a timely basis for instructing ISS how to cast the vote.
4.7
In an effort to avoid possible conflicts of interest, MacKay Shields has determined to generally vote proxies based on the
Standard Guidelines or a client’s Custom Guidelines, as the case may be. For the avoidance of doubt, however, it is recognized
that the Firm’s portfolio management teams have the ultimate responsibility for determining how to vote proxies in the best
interest of a client voting.
| 5. | Client
Account Set-up and Review |
5.1
Initially, MacKay Shields must verify whether the client has duly authorized MacKay Shields to vote proxies on its behalf,
or if the client has retained the responsibility of voting proxies. The Marketing and Client Services departments, in conjunction
with the Legal and/or Compliance Department, will have primary responsibility for making that determination. MacKay’s Compliance
Department will be responsible for ensuring that a record of each client’s proxy voting status and, to the extent applicable,
the type of proxy voting guidelines in maintained. In its sole discretion, the Firm may decline to accept authority to vote a
client’s proxies. Any such refusal shall be in writing.
5.2
In most cases, the delegation of voting authority to MacKay Shields, and the Firm’s use of a third-party proxy voting
service provider shall be memorialized in the client’s investment management agreement.
5.3
MacKay Shields shall notify ISS of new client accounts using such form as ISS shall specify from time to time. Designated
personnel within the Firm will be responsible for ensuring that each new client’s account for which the Firm has proxy voting
authority is established on the appropriate systems and that each such account is properly coded for voting under the appropriate
Non-Union Guidelines, Union Guidelines or Custom Guidelines, as the case may be.
A
portfolio manager may propose that a particular proxy vote be cast in a manner different from the Standard Guidelines or an ISS
voting recommendation, or may propose an abstention from voting, if they believe that to do so, based on all facts and circumstances,
is in the best interest of the Firm’s clients as a whole. Any portfolio manager who proposes to override the Standard Guidelines
or an ISS voting recommendation on a particular vote or to abstain from voting must complete a Proxy Vote Override/Decision Form,
which is set forth in Schedule D.
| 7. | Referral
of Voting Decision by ISS to MacKay Shields |
7.1
In the event that the Standard Guidelines or a client’s Custom Guidelines do not address how a proxy should be voted
on a specific proposal for an issuer and ISS has not made a recommendation as to how such proxy should be voted, ISS will so advise
MacKay Shields. In that event, the Legal and/or Compliance Departments will request that the appropriate portfolio manager makes
a voting recommendation and complete a Proxy Vote Override/Decision Form.
7.2
In the event that the Standard Guidelines or a client’s Custom Guidelines require a “case-by-case” determination
on a particular proxy vote and ISS has not made a recommendation as to how such proxy should be voted, ISS will so advise MacKay
Shields. In that event, the Legal and/or Compliance Departments will request that the appropriate portfolio manager make a voting
recommendation and complete a Proxy Vote Override/Decision Form.
7.3
In the event that ISS determines that a conflict of interest exists as a result of which ISS is precluded from making a recommendation
as to how a proxy should be voted on a specific proposal for an issuer, ISS will so advise MacKay Shields. In that event, the
Legal and/or Compliance Departments will request that the appropriate portfolio manager make a voting recommendation and complete
a Proxy Vote Override/Decision Form.
8.1
The Firm’s portfolio managers may make proxy voting decisions in connection with (i) overriding the Standard Guidelines
or an ISS voting recommendation pursuant to Section 6, or (ii) deciding on a vote pursuant to Section 7. In such event, the portfolio
managers have an affirmative duty to disclose to the Legal and/or Compliance Departments any potential conflict of interest known
to them that exists between the Firm and the client on whose behalf the proxy is to be voted (“Conflict”).
8.2.
By way of example, Conflicts may exist in situations where the Firm is called to vote on a proxy involving an issuer or proponent
of a proxy proposal regarding the issuer where MacKay Shields or an affiliated person of the Firm also:
| ● | Manages
the issuer’s or proponent’s pension plan; |
| ● | Administers
the issuer’s or proponent’s employee benefit plan; |
| ● | Provided
brokerage, underwriting, insurance or banking services to the issuer or proponent; or |
| ● | Manages
money for an employee group. |
Additional
Conflicts may exist, among others, if an executive of the Firm or its control affiliates is a close relative of, or has a personal
or business relationship with:
| ● | An
executive of the issuer or proponent; |
| ● | A
director of the issuer or proponent; |
| ● | A
person who is a candidate to be a director of the issuer; |
| ● | A
participant in the proxy contest; or |
| ● | A
proponent of a proxy proposal. |
8.3
Whether a relationship creates a Conflict will depend on the facts and circumstances. Even if these parties do not attempt
to influence the Firm with respect to voting, the value of the relationship to MacKay Shields or an affiliate can create a Conflict.
8.4
After a Proxy Vote Override/Decision Form is completed pursuant to Sections 6 or 7, such Form, which elicits information as
to whether a potential Conflict exists, must be submitted to the Legal and/or Compliance Departments for review. If the Firm’s
General Counsel (“GC”), Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) or their designee determines that there is no
potential Conflict, the GC, CCO or their designee, may instruct ISS to vote the proxy issue as set forth in the completed Form.
8.5
If the GC, CCO or their designee determines that there exists or may exist a Conflict, he or she will refer the issue to the
Compliance Committee for consideration by convening (in person or via telephone) an emergency meeting of the Compliance Committee.
For purposes of this Policy, a majority vote of those members present shall resolve any Conflict. The Compliance Committee will
consider the facts and circumstances of the pending proxy vote and the potential or actual Conflict and make a determination as
to how to vote the proxy – i.e., whether to permit or deny the recommendation of the portfolio manager, or whether to take
other action, such as delegating the proxy vote to an independent third party or obtaining voting instructions from clients.
8.6
In considering the proxy vote and potential Conflict, the Compliance Committee may review the following factors, including
but not limited to:
| ● | The
percentage of outstanding securities of the issuer held on behalf of clients by the Firm. |
| ● | The
nature of the relationship of the issuer or proponent with the Firm, its affiliates or
its executive officers. |
| ● | Whether
there has been any attempt to directly or indirectly influence the portfolio manager’s
decision. |
| ● | Whether
the direction (for or against) of the proposed vote would appear to benefit the Firm
or a related party. |
| ● | Whether
an objective decision to vote in a certain way will still create a strong appearance
of a Conflict. |
MacKay
Shields may not abstain from voting any such proxy for the purpose of avoiding Conflict.
If
MacKay Shields portfolio managers or their designees become aware of an upcoming shareholder meeting where there is an important
vote to be taken, or become aware of a request for consent of security holders on a material matter affecting the investment,
MacKay Shields will consider whether to request that clients call back securities loans, if applicable. In determining whether
to request that clients call back securities loans, the relevant portfolio manager(s) shall consider whether the benefit to the
client in voting the matter or giving or withholding consent outweighs the benefit to the client in keeping the security on loan.
There may be instances when MacKay Shields may not be aware of the upcoming shareholder meeting or request for consent with sufficient
time in advance to make such a request, or when MacKay Shields’ request that a client call back a securities loan in sufficient
time to vote or give or withhold consent may not be successful.
Upon
request, MacKay Shields shall report annually (or more frequently if specifically requested) to its clients on proxy votes cast
on their behalf. MacKay Shields will provide any client who makes a written or verbal request with a copy of a report disclosing
how MacKay Shields voted securities held in that client’s portfolio. The report will generally contain the following information:
| ● | The
name of the issuer of the security; |
| ● | The
security’s exchange ticker symbol; |
| ● | The
security’s CUSIP number; |
| ● | The
shareholder meeting date; |
| ● | A
brief identification of the matter voted on; |
| ● | Whether
the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder; |
| ● | Whether
MacKay Shields cast its vote on the matter on behalf of the client; |
| ● | How
MacKay Shields voted on behalf of the client; and |
| ● | Whether
MacKay Shields voted for or against management on behalf of the client. |
Either
MacKay Shields or ISS as indicated below will maintain the following records:
| ● | A
copy of the Policy and MacKay’s Standard Guidelines and Custom Guidelines; |
| ● | A
copy of each proxy statement received by MacKay Shields or forwarded to ISS by the client’s
custodian regarding client securities; |
| ● | A
record of each vote cast by MacKay Shields on behalf of a client; |
| ● | A
copy of all documents created by MacKay Shields that were material to making a decision on
the proxy voting (or abstaining from voting) of client securities or that memorialize the
basis for that decision including the resolution of any Conflict, a copy of all guideline
override requests and all supporting documents; an |
| ● | A
copy of each written request by a client for information on how MacKay Shields voted
proxies on behalf of the client, as well as a copy of any written response by MacKay
Shields to any request by a client for information on how MacKay Shields voted proxies
on behalf of the client; records of oral requests for information or oral responses will
not be kept. |
Such
records must be maintained for at least eight years, the first two years in an appropriate office of MacKay Shields.
| 12. | Review
of Voting and Guidelines |
As
part of its periodic reviews, MacKay Shields’ Compliance Department will conduct an annual review of the prior year’s
proxy voting as well as the guidelines established for proxy voting. Documentation shall be maintained of this review and a report
setting forth the results of the review will be presented annually to the Compliance Committee. In addition, MacKay Shields’
Compliance Department maintains a list of non-voting accounts.
| 13. | How
to Request Information On How the Firm Voted Proxies |
Clients
may, at anytime, request and receive information from MacKay Shields as to how the Firm voted proxies for securities held in their
account. Any such proxy information request should be in writing to:
MacKay
Shields LLC
1345 Avenue of the Americas New
York, NY 10105
43rd Floor
Attention: Head of Client Services
Exhibits:
Exhibit
A - |
2021 U.S. Summary
Proxy Voting Guidelines (Standard Guidelines for non-union clients) – published November 19, 2020. Effective for Meetings
on or after February 1, 2021 |
Exhibit
B (Part I and II) - |
2021 U.S. Taft-Hartley
Proxy Voting Guidelines and 2021 International Taft-Hartley Proxy Voting Guidelines (Standard Guidelines for union clients
(Taft-Hartley) (US and International)) – published December 27, 2020 |
Exhibit
C (Part I and II) - |
2021 U.S. Sustainability
Proxy Voting Guidelines and 2021 International Sustainability Proxy Voting Guidelines (Standard Guidelines for ESG investment
objective mandates) – Effective for meetings on or after September 1, 2021 |
Schedule
D- |
Proxy Vote Override/Decision
Form |
Access
to the ISS Voting Guidelines mentioned above and other ISS Voting Guidelines are available at https://www.issgovernance.com/policy-gateway/voting-policies/
B-7
PART
C - OTHER INFORMATION
Item
25: Financial Statements and Exhibits
1. |
Financial Statements:
The Registrant's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 have been incorporated by reference into Part B of the Registration Statement by reference to the Registrant's annual report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. |
|
(1) |
Filed on October
7, 2019 with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-234122) and incorporated herein by reference. |
|
(2) |
Filed on February
18, 2020 with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333- 234122) and incorporated herein by reference. |
|
(3) |
Filed on February
24, 2020 with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333- 234122) and incorporated herein by reference. |
|
(4) |
Filed on March 25,
2020 with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-234122) and incorporated herein by reference. |
|
(5) |
Filed on March 26,
2020 with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-234122) and incorporated herein by reference. |
|
(6) |
Filed on August
9, 2022 with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-260484) and incorporated herein by reference. |
|
|
|
|
(7) |
Filed on October
7, 2022 with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-260484) and incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
|
|
|
(8) |
Filed on August
24, 2023 with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-260484) and incorporated herein by reference. |
|
|
|
|
(9) |
Filed herewith. |
Item
26: Marketing Arrangements
The
information contained under the heading “Plan of Distribution” on page 85 of the Prospectus is incorporated by reference.
Please also see the Distribution Agreement incorporated by reference as exhibit (h)(1) hereto.
Item
27: Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The
following table sets forth estimated expenses payable by us in connection with all offerings described in this Registration Statement
(excluding any placement fees):
Securities
and Exchange Commission Fees |
$19,500 |
Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. Fees |
$23,000 |
Legal
Fees |
$443,000 |
Listing
Fees |
$26,300 |
Accounting
Expenses |
$2,300 |
Rating
Fees |
$-- |
Printing
and Miscellaneous Expenses |
$25,000 |
Total |
$539,100 |
Item
28: Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant
Not
applicable.
Item
29: Number of Holders of Securities
At
August 2, 2023
Title
of Class |
Number
of Record Holders |
Common
Shares, $0.0001 par value |
1 |
Item
30: Indemnification
Section
7.2 of the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Registrant provides as follows:
Any
person who is made a party or is threatened to be made a party in any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is a current or former director
or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving while a director or officer of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner,
trustee, employee, agent, or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise, or employee benefit
plan, shall be indemnified by the Corporation against judgments, penalties, fines, excise taxes, settlements, and reasonable expenses
(including attorneys’ fees) actually incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding to the
fullest extent permissible under Maryland law, the Securities Act, and the 1940 Act, as such statutes are now or hereinafter in
force. In addition, the Corporation shall advance expenses to its current and former directors and officers who are made, or are
threatened to be made, parties to any action, suit, or proceeding described above to the fullest extent that advancement of expenses
is permitted by Maryland law, the Securities Act and the 1940 Act. The Board of Directors, by Bylaw, resolution, or agreement,
may make further provision for indemnification of directors, officers, employees, and agents to the fullest extent permitted by
Maryland law. No provision of this Article VII shall be effective to protect or purport to protect any director or officer of
the Corporation against any liability to the Corporation or its security holders to which she or he would otherwise be subject
by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of
her or his office. Upon the direction of the Board of Directors, an advancement-of-costs agreement may be required in order to
require the repayment of reimbursed expenses in the event that the foregoing exclusion was later determined to apply.
Please
also see the Distribution Agreement incorporated by reference as exhibit (h)(1) hereto.
Item
31: Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisers
RiverNorth
Capital Management, LLC
The
information in the Statement of Additional Information under the captions “Board Members and Officers” is hereby incorporated
by reference.
The
principal occupation of the directors and officers of RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) are their
services as directors and officers of the Adviser. The address of the Adviser is 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420, West Palm
Beach, FL 33401.
Set
forth below is information as to any other business, profession, vocation and employment of a substantial nature in which each
officer of the Adviser is, or at any during the last two fiscal years has been, engaged for their own account or in the capacity
of director, officer, employee partner or trustee:
Name* |
Positions
with RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC |
Other
Business Connections |
Type
of Business |
Patrick
W. Galley |
Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Board of Managers |
President
and Trustee/Director, RiverNorth Funds and RiverNorth advised Closed-End Funds; Director, RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.,
Board of Directors, RiverNorth Holdings, Co.; Board of Managers, RiverNorth Financial Holdings, LLC. |
Investments |
Jonathan
M. Mohrhardt |
President,
Chief Operating Officer and Board of Managers |
Treasurer,
RiverNorth Funds and RiverNorth advised Closed-End Funds; Board of Directors, RiverNorth Holdings, Co.; Board of Managers,
RiverNorth Financial Holdings, LLC |
Investments |
Marcus
L. Collins |
Secretary,
General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer |
Chief
Compliance Officer, Secretary, RiverNorth Funds and RiverNorth advised Closed-End Funds |
Investments |
Stephen
A. O’Neill |
Portfolio
Manager |
Portfolio
Manager, RiverNorth Funds and RiverNorth advised Closed-End Funds, RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc. |
Investments |
* |
The address for
each of the named is 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. |
Mackay
Shields LLC
The
Registrant’s sub-adviser, Mackay Shields LLC (the “Subadviser”), is a Delaware limited liability company. The
list required by this Item 31 of officers and trustees of the Subadviser, together with information as to any other business,
profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by the Subadviser and such officers and trustees during
the past two years, is incorporated by reference to Form ADV (SEC File No. 801-5594) filed by the Subadviser pursuant to the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
Item
32: Location of Accounts and Records.
RiverNorth
Capital Management, LLC maintains the Charter, By-Laws, minutes of directors and shareholders meetings and contracts of the Registrant,
all advisory material of the investment adviser, all general and subsidiary ledgers, journals, trial balances, records of all
portfolio purchases and sales, and all other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the Rules
thereunder.
Item
33: Management Services
Not
applicable.
Item
34: Undertakings
|
1. |
The
Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of shares until the prospectus is amended if (1) subsequent to the effective
date of its registration statement, the net asset value declines more than ten percent from its net asset value as of the
effective date of the registration statement or (2) the net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds
as stated in the prospectus. |
|
|
|
|
3. |
The Registrant hereby
undertakes: |
|
(a) |
to
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement: |
|
(1) |
to
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act. |
|
|
|
|
(2) |
to
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in
the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high
end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule
424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering
price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement. |
|
|
|
|
(3) |
to
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement
or any material change to such information in the registration statement. |
|
|
|
|
|
Provided,
however, that paragraphs (a)(1), (2), and (3) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included
in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant
pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference into the registration
statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement. |
|
(b) |
that,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of those securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; |
|
|
|
|
(c) |
to
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold
at the termination of the offering; |
|
|
|
|
(d) |
that,
for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser: |
|
(1) |
if
the Registrant is relying on Rule 430B: |
|
(A) |
Each
prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as
of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and |
|
(B) |
Each
prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance
on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (x), or (xi) for the purpose of providing the information
required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as
of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of
sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer
and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration
statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that
no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document
incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration
statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement
that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such
document immediately prior to such effective date; or |
|
|
|
|
(2) |
if
the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C: each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act as part of
a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses
filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it
is first used after effectiveness; Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus
that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the
registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract
of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus
that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use; |
|
|
|
|
(e) |
that,
for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to
any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities:
The
undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration
statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or
sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser
and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to the purchaser: |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
any
preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant
to Rule 424 under the Securities Act; |
|
|
|
|
(2) |
any
free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred
to by the undersigned Registrant; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3) |
the
portion of any other free writing prospectus or advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the Securities Act relating to the
offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the
undersigned Registrant; and |
|
(4)
|
any
other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser. |
|
4. |
The
Registrant undertakes that: |
|
(a) |
for
the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form prospectus filed
as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant
under Rule 424(b)(1) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it
was declared effective; and |
|
|
|
|
(b) |
for
the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
|
5. |
The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933,
each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 934 that is incorporated by reference into the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof. |
|
|
|
|
6. |
Insofar as indemnification
for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction
the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed
by the final adjudication of such issue. |
|
|
|
|
7. |
The Registrant hereby
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 prospectus or Statement of Additional Information. |
|
|
|
|
8. |
The
Registrant undertakes to only offer rights to purchase common and preferred shares together after a post-effective amendment to
the Registration Statement relating to such rights has been declared effective. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in this City of West Palm Beach,
and State of Florida, on the 29th day of September, 2023.
|
RiverNorth
Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Patrick
W. Galley |
|
|
|
Patrick W. Galley, President |
|
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons
in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
By: |
/s/
Patrick W. Galley |
|
President (Principal
Executive Officer) |
|
September
29, 2023 |
|
|
Patrick
W. Galley |
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/
Jonathan M Mohrhardt |
|
Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer/Principal Accounting Officer) |
|
September
29, 2023 |
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Jonathan
M Mohrhardt |
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By: |
/s/
Patrick W. Galley |
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Chairman of the
Board and Director |
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September
29, 2023 |
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Patrick
W. Galley |
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John
K. Carter(1) |
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Director |
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By: |
/s/
Patrick W. Galley |
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Lisa
B. Mougin(2) |
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Director |
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Patrick W. Galley |
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J. Wayne
Hutchens(1) |
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Director |
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Attorney-In-Fact |
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David
M. Swanson(1) |
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Director |
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September 29,
2023 |
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Jerry
Raio(1) |
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Director |
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(1) |
Original powers
of attorney authorizing Joshua B. Deringer, David L. Williams and Patrick W. Galley to execute Registrant’s Registration
Statement, and Amendments thereto, for the directors of the Registrant on whose behalf this Registration Statement is filed,
were previously filed on August 9, 2022 as Exhibit t to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No.
333-260484). |
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(2) |
Original power of
attorney authorizing Joshua B. Deringer, David L. Williams and Patrick W. Galley to execute Registrant’s Registration
Statement, and Amendments thereto, for the directors of the Registrant on whose behalf this Registration Statement is filed,
was previously executed and was filed on August 24, 2023 as Exhibit t.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on
Form N-2 (File No. 333-260484). |
INDEX
TO EXHIBITS
CONSENT
OF COUNSEL
We
hereby consent to the use of our name and to the references to our Firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus
and the caption “Legal Counsel” in the Statement of Additional Information included in the Registration Statement
on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), of RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income
Fund, Inc. (File No. 811-23481). In giving such consent, however, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose
consent is required under Section 7 of the 1933 Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
|
/s/
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP |
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Faegre
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP |
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Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
September
29, 2023
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference
in this Registration Statement on Form N-2 of our report dated August 25, 2023, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights
of RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc., for the year ended June 30, 2023, and to the references to our firm under the headings
“Financial Highlights” in the Prospectus and “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and “Financial
Statements” in the Statement of Additional Information.
COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.
Cleveland, Ohio
September 29, 2023
v3.23.3
N-2 - USD ($)
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3 Months Ended |
12 Months Ended |
Sep. 29, 2023 |
Sep. 18, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Mar. 31, 2023 |
Dec. 31, 2022 |
Sep. 30, 2022 |
Jun. 30, 2022 |
Mar. 31, 2022 |
Dec. 31, 2021 |
Sep. 30, 2021 |
Jun. 30, 2021 |
Mar. 31, 2021 |
Dec. 31, 2020 |
Sep. 30, 2020 |
Jun. 30, 2020 |
Jun. 30, 2023 |
Jun. 30, 2022 |
Jun. 30, 2021 |
Jun. 30, 2020 |
[13] |
Cover [Abstract] |
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Entity Central Index Key |
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0001790177
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Amendment Flag |
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false
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Entity Inv Company Type |
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N-2
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Securities Act File Number |
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333-260484
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Investment Company Act File Number |
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811-23481
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Document Type |
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N-2
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Document Registration Statement |
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true
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Pre-Effective Amendment |
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false
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Post-Effective Amendment |
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true
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Post-Effective Amendment Number |
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2
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Investment Company Act Registration |
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Investment Company Registration Amendment |
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true
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Investment Company Registration Amendment Number |
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11
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Entity Registrant Name |
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RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income
Fund, Inc.
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Entity Address, Address Line One |
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360 South Rosemary Avenue
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Entity Address, Address Line Two |
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Suite 1420
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Entity Address, City or Town |
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West Palm Beach
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Entity Address, State or Province |
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FL
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Entity Address, Postal Zip Code |
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33401
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City Area Code |
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(561)
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Local Phone Number |
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484-7185
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Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Sale to Public |
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As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement
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Dividend or Interest Reinvestment Plan Only |
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false
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Delayed or Continuous Offering |
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true
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Primary Shelf [Flag] |
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false
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Effective Upon Filing, 462(e) |
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false
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Additional Securities Effective, 413(b) |
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false
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Effective when Declared, Section 8(c) |
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true
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Registered Closed-End Fund [Flag] |
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true
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Business Development Company [Flag] |
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Interval Fund [Flag] |
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false
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Primary Shelf Qualified [Flag] |
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Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer |
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No
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Entity Emerging Growth Company |
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false
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New CEF or BDC Registrant [Flag] |
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false
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Fee Table [Abstract] |
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Shareholder Transaction Expenses [Table Text Block] |
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Shareholder Transaction Expenses |
As a Percentage of Offering
Price |
Sales Load |
--%* |
Offering Expenses Borne by the Fund |
--%* |
Dividend Reinvestment Plan Fees(1) |
--* |
Preferred Shares Offering Expenses Borne by the Fund (as a percentage of net assets attributable
to Common Shares) |
--%* |
| * | The applicable prospectus supplement
to be used in connection with any sales of Common Shares or Preferred Shares will set
forth any applicable sales load and the estimated offering expenses borne by the Fund
under an Offering. |
| (1) | There will be no brokerage charges
with respect to common shares issued directly by the Fund under the dividend reinvestment
plan. You will pay brokerage charges in connection with open market purchases or if you
direct the plan agent to sell your common shares held in a dividend reinvestment account. |
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Other Transaction Expenses [Abstract] |
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Annual Expenses [Table Text Block] |
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As a Percentage of Net Assets Attributable
to Common Shares (Assuming the Use of Leverage Equal to 41.00% of the Fund’s Managed Assets) |
Annual Expenses |
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Management fee(2) |
2.37% |
Leverage costs (3)(4)(5) |
2.25% |
Dividends on Preferred Shares(6) |
--% |
Other expenses |
0.23% |
Acquired fund fees and expenses(7) |
1.51% |
Total annual expenses |
6.36% |
| (2) | The management fee paid
by the Fund to the Adviser is essentially an all-in fee structure (the “unified
management fee”), including the fee paid to the Adviser for advisory, supervisory,
administrative, shareholder servicing and other services. However, the Fund (and not
the Adviser) will be responsible for certain additional fees and expenses, which are
reflected in the table above, that are not covered by the unified management fee. The
unified management fee also includes fees payable by the Adviser to the Subadviser for
advisory services. The unified management fee is charged as a percentage of the Fund’s
average daily Managed Assets, as opposed to net assets. With leverage, Managed Assets
are greater in amount than net assets, because Managed Assets include assets attributable
to the Fund’s use of leverage created by its borrowings and tender option bond
transactions. In addition, the mark-to-market value of the Fund’s derivatives will
be used for purposes of calculating Managed Assets. The management fee of 1.40%
of the Fund’s Managed Assets represents 2.37% of net assets
attributable to Common Shares assuming the use of leverage in an amount of 41.00%
of the Fund’s Managed Assets. The Fund's average Managed Assets for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 (which includes the use of leverage discussed in footnote (5))
were multiplied by the annual advisory fee rate and then divided by the Fund's average net assets for the same period to calculate the
management fee as a percentage of the Fund's net assets attributable to common shares. See “Management of the Fund—Investment
Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements.” |
| (3) | The actual amount of interest expense
borne by the Fund will vary over time in accordance with the level of the Fund’s
use of leverage and variations in market interest rates. See “Use of Leverage.” |
| (4) | The “Leverage Costs” include
the expenses associated with the Fund’s tender option bond transactions, including
remarketing, administration and trustee services to a TOB issuer. |
| (5) | Interest and fees on leverage
in the table reflect the cost to the Fund of borrowings and tender option bond transactions,
expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets as of June 30, 2023, based on
interest rates in effect as of June 30, 2023. The table assumes the use of leverage from
borrowings and the proceeds of tender option bond transactions representing, in the aggregate,
41.00% of Managed Assets, which reflects approximately the percentage of the Fund's total average Managed Assets attributable to such leverage averaged over the
year ended June 30, 2023, at a weighted average annual expense to the Fund
of 3.14%. |
| (6) | As of the date of this Prospectus,
the Fund has not issued any Preferred Shares. The applicable prospectus supplement will
set forth the expense related to any Preferred Shares issued in the future. |
| (7) | The “Acquired fund
fees and expenses” disclosed above are based on the expense ratios for the most
recent fiscal year of the Underlying Funds in which the Fund has invested, which may
change substantially over time and, therefore, significantly affect “Acquired fund
fees and expenses.” These amounts are based on the total expense ratio disclosed
in each Underlying Fund’s most recent shareholder report. “Acquired fund
fees and expenses” are not charged directly to the Fund, but rather reflect the
estimated pro rata portion of the Underlying Funds’ fees attributable to the Fund’s
investments in shares of the Underlying Funds. The 1.51% shown as “Acquired
fund fees and expenses” reflects estimated operating expenses of the Underlying
Funds and transaction-related fees. Certain Underlying Funds in which the Fund intends
to invest generally charge a management fee of 1.00% to 2.00%, which are included in
“Acquired fund fees and expenses,” as applicable. Acquired fund fees and
expenses are borne indirectly by the Fund, but they are not reflected in the Fund’s
financial statements; and the information presented in the table will differ from that
presented in the Fund’s financial highlights. |
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Other Annual Expenses [Abstract] |
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Expense Example [Table Text Block] |
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Example(8)
The example illustrates
the expenses you would pay on a $1,000 investment in Common Shares, assuming (1) “Total annual expenses” of 6.36% of net
assets attributable to Common Shares, and (2) a 5% annual return.
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1 year |
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3 years |
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5 years |
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10 years |
Total Expenses Incurred |
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$63 |
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$187 |
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$307 |
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$594 |
The example should
not be considered a representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those assumed.
| (8) | The example does not include
sales load or estimated offering costs. The example should not be considered a representation
of future expenses. The example assumes that the estimated “Other expenses”
set forth in the table are accurate and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested
at NAV and that the Fund is engaged in leverage of 41.00% of Managed Assets,
assuming interest and fees on leverage of 3.14%. The interest and fees
on leverage is expressed as an interest rate and represents interest and fees payable
on the Pershing Facility, as well as interest and fees payable for the Fund’s tender
option bond transactions. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. Moreover,
the Fund’s actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5%
annual return shown in the example. |
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Expense Example, Year 01 |
[1] |
$ 63
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Expense Example, Years 1 to 3 |
[1] |
187
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Expense Example, Years 1 to 5 |
[1] |
307
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Expense Example, Years 1 to 10 |
[1] |
$ 594
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Purpose of Fee Table , Note [Text Block] |
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The purpose of
the table above and the example below is to help you understand the fees and expenses that you, as a Common Shareholder, would
bear directly or indirectly. The expenses shown in the table under “Other Expenses” and “Total annual expenses”
are based in part on estimated amounts for the Fund’s 12 months of operations after June 30, 2023 unless otherwise
indicated and assumes that the Fund has not issued any additional Common Shares.
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Financial Highlights [Abstract] |
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Senior Securities [Table Text Block] |
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Senior Securities Representing Indebtedness
Period/Fiscal Year Ended |
Principal Amount Outstanding1 |
Asset Coverage Per $1,0002 |
June 30, 2023 |
$-- |
$-- |
June 30, 2022 |
$13,000,000 |
$9,537 |
June 30, 2021 |
$10,000,000 |
$16,124 |
June 30, 20203 |
$15,000,000 |
$9,785 |
| (1) | Principal amount outstanding represents the principal
amount owed by the Fund to lenders under credit facility arrangements in place at the
time. |
| (2) | The asset coverage ratio is calculated by subtracting
the Fund’s total liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities
from the Fund’s total assets, dividing the result by the aggregate amount of the
Fund’s senior securities representing indebtedness then outstanding, and then multiplying
by $1,000. |
| (3) | For the period March 26, 2020, commencement of operations,
to June 30, 2020. |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Investment Objectives and Practices [Text Block] |
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES
AND POLICIES
Investment Objectives
The Fund’s
primary investment objective is current income exempt from regular U.S. federal income taxes (but which may be includable in taxable
income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax). The Fund’s secondary investment objective is total return.
There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.
Principal Investment Strategies and Policies
Under normal market
conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing, directly or indirectly, at least 80% of its Managed
Assets in municipal bonds, the interest on which is, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuers, generally excludable from
gross income for regular U.S. federal income tax purposes, except that the interest may be includable in taxable income for purposes
of the Federal alternative minimum tax (“Municipal Bonds”). In order to qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends,
which are items of interest excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes, the Fund seeks to invest at least 50%
of its Managed Assets either directly (and indirectly through tender option bond transactions) in such Municipal Bonds or in other
funds that are taxed as regulated investment companies.
Municipal Bonds are
debt obligations, which may have a variety of issuers, including governmental entities or other qualifying issuers. Issuers may
be states, territories and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies
and instrumentalities. Such territories of the United States include Puerto Rico. Municipal Bonds include, among other instruments,
general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, municipal leases, certificates of participation, private activity bonds, moral obligation
bonds, and tobacco settlement bonds, as well as short-term, tax-exempt obligations such as municipal notes and variable rate demand
obligations. The Fund seeks to allocate its assets between the two principal strategies described below. The Adviser determines
the portion of the Fund’s Managed Assets to allocate to each strategy and may, from time to time, adjust the allocations.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund may allocate between 25% and 65% of its Managed Assets to the Tactical Municipal CEF
Strategy and 35% to 75% of its Managed Assets to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy.
Tactical Municipal
Closed-End Fund Strategy (25%-65% of Managed Assets). This strategy seeks to (i) generate returns through investments
in CEFs, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and other investment companies (collectively, the “Underlying Funds”)
that invest, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of their net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment
purposes, in Municipal Bonds, and (ii) derive value from the discount and premium spreads associated with CEFs that invest, under
normal market conditions, at least 80% of their net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in Municipal
Bonds. All Underlying Funds will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
Under normal market
conditions, the Fund limits its investments in CEFs that have been in operation for less than one year to no more than 10% of
the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to the Tactical Municipal CEF Strategy. The Fund will not invest in inverse ETFs or
leveraged ETFs. Under normal market conditions, the Fund may not invest more than 20% of its Managed Assets in the Tactical Municipal
CEF Strategy in single state municipal CEFs. The Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear the expenses, including the management
fees, of the Underlying Funds.
Under Section 12(d)(1)(A)
of the 1940 Act, the Fund may hold securities of an Underlying Fund in amounts which (i) do not exceed 3% of the total outstanding
voting stock of the Underlying Fund, (ii) do not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and (iii) when added
to all other Underlying Fund securities held by the Fund, do not exceed 10% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. These
limits may be exceeded when permitted under Rule 12d1-4. The Fund intends to rely on either Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act,
which provides that the provisions of Section 12(d)(1)(A) shall not apply to securities purchased or otherwise acquired by the
Fund if (i) immediately after such purchase or acquisition not more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of such Underlying
Fund is owned by the Fund and all affiliated persons of the Fund, and (ii) certain requirements are met with respect to sales
charges, or Rule 12d1-4.
The Fund may invest
in Underlying Funds that invest in securities that are rated below investment grade, including those receiving the lowest ratings
from S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”), Fitch Ratings, a part of the Fitch Group (“Fitch”), or Moody’s
Investor Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”), or comparably rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating
organization (“NRSRO”) or, if unrated, determined by the Adviser or the Subadviser to be of comparable credit quality,
which indicates that the security is in default or has little prospect for full recovery of principal or interest. Below investment
grade securities (such as securities rated below BBB- by S&P or Fitch or below Baa3 by Moody’s) are commonly referred
to as “junk” and “high yield” securities. Below investment grade securities are considered speculative
with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests
may invest in securities receiving the lowest ratings from the NRSROs, including securities rated C by Moody’s or D- by
S&P. Lower rated below investment grade securities are considered more vulnerable to nonpayment than other below investment
grade securities and their issuers are more dependent on favorable business, financial and economic conditions to meet their financial
commitments. The lowest rated below investment grade securities are typically already in default.
The Underlying Funds
in which the Fund invests will not include those that are advised or subadvised by the Adviser, the Subadviser or their affiliates.
Municipal Bond
Income Strategy (35%-75% of Managed Assets). This strategy seeks to capitalize on inefficiencies in the tax-exempt
and tax-advantaged securities markets through investments in Municipal Bonds. Under normal market conditions, the Fund may not
directly invest more than 25% of the Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy in Municipal Bonds in any
one industry or in any one state of origin, and the Fund may not directly invest more than 5% of the Managed Assets allocated
to this strategy in the Municipal Bonds of any one issuer, except that the foregoing industry and issuer restrictions shall not
apply to general obligation bonds and the Fund will consider the obligor or borrower underlying the Municipal Bond to be the “issuer.”
The Fund may invest up to 30% of the Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy in Municipal Bonds that pay
interest that may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax. The Fund can invest, directly
or indirectly through Underlying Funds, in bonds of any maturity; however, under this strategy, it will generally invest in Municipal
Bonds that have a maturity of five years or longer at the time of purchase.
Under normal market
conditions, the Fund invests at least 60% of the Fund’s Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal Bond Income Strategy directly
in investment grade Municipal Bonds. The Subadviser invests no more than 20% of the Managed Assets allocated to the Municipal
Bond Income Strategy in Municipal Bonds rated at or below Caa1 by Moody’s or CCC+ by S&P or Fitch, or comparably rated
by another NRSRO, including unrated bonds judged to be of equivalent quality as determined by the Adviser or Subadviser, as applicable.
Investment grade securities are those rated Baa or higher by Moody’s (although Moody’s considers securities rated
Baa to have speculative characteristics) or BBB or higher by S&P or rated similarly by another NRSRO or, if unrated, judged
to be of equivalent quality as determined by the Adviser or Subadviser, as applicable. If the independent ratings agencies assign
different ratings to the same security, the Fund will use the higher rating for purposes of determining the security’s credit
quality. Subject to the foregoing limitations, the Fund may invest in securities receiving the lowest ratings from the NRSROs,
including securities rated C by Moody’s or D- by S&P, which indicates that the security is in default or has little
prospect for full recovery of principal or interest.
Under normal market
conditions, the Fund, or the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests, invests at least 50% of its Managed Assets, directly
or indirectly in investment grade Municipal Bonds.
“Managed Assets”
means the total assets of the Fund, including assets attributable to leverage, minus liabilities (other than debt representing
leverage and any preferred stock that may be outstanding). Such assets attributable to leverage include the portion of assets
in tender option bond trusts of which the Fund owns TOB Residuals (as defined below) that has been effectively financed by the
trust’s issuance of TOB Floaters (as defined below).
Other Investments.
The Fund may invest, directly or indirectly, up to 20% of its Managed Assets in taxable municipal securities. Any portion
of the Fund’s assets invested in taxable municipal securities do not count toward the 35%-75% of the Fund’s assets
allocated to Municipal Bonds.
The Fund may at times
establish hedging positions, which may include short sales and derivatives, such as options, futures and swaps (“Hedging
Positions”). Such Hedging Positions may be used to attempt to protect against possible changes in the value of securities
held in or to be purchased for the Fund’s portfolio and to manage the effective maturity or duration of the Fund’s
portfolio. The Fund’s Hedging Positions may, however, result in income or gain to the Fund that is not exempt from regular
U.S. federal income taxes.
A short sale is a
transaction in which the Fund sells a security that it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market price of the security.
The Fund may benefit from a short position when the shorted security decreases in value by more than the cost of the transaction
but will suffer a loss on a short sale if the security’s value does not decline or increase. The Fund will not engage in
any short sales of securities issued by CEFs.
The Fund also may
attempt to enhance the return on the cash portion of its portfolio by investing in total return swap agreements. A total return
swap agreement provides the Fund with a return based on the performance of an underlying asset, in exchange for fee payments to
a counterparty based on a specific rate. The difference in the value of these income streams is recorded daily by the Fund, and
is typically settled in cash at least monthly. If the underlying asset declines in value over the term of the swap, the Fund would
be required to pay the dollar value of that decline plus any applicable fees to the counterparty. The Fund may use its own NAV
or any other reference asset that the Adviser or Subadviser chooses as the underlying asset in a total return swap. The Fund limits
the notional amount of all total return swaps in the aggregate to 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets.
In addition to the
foregoing principal investment strategies of the Fund, the Adviser also may allocate the Fund’s Managed Assets among cash
and short-term investments. There are no limits on the Fund’s portfolio turnover, and the Fund may buy and sell securities
to take advantage of potential short-term trading opportunities without regard to length of time and when the Adviser or Subadviser
believes investment considerations warrant such action. High portfolio turnover may result in the realization of net short-term
capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed to common shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income. In addition, a higher
portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that are borne
by the Fund.
All percentage limitations
are measured at the time of investment and may be exceeded on a going-forward basis as a result of credit rating downgrades or
market value fluctuations of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Unless otherwise specified herein, the Fund may count its
holdings in Underlying Funds towards various guideline tests, including the 80% policy so long as the earnings on the underlying
holdings of such Underlying Funds are exempt from regular U.S. federal income taxes (but which may be includable in taxable income
for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax).
Unless otherwise specified,
the investment policies and limitations of the Fund are not considered to be fundamental by the Fund and can be changed without
a vote of the common shareholders. The Fund’s primary investment objective, 80% policy and certain investment restrictions
specifically identified as such in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information are considered fundamental and may not
be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, as defined in the
1940 Act, which includes common shares and Preferred Shares, if any, voting together as a single class, and the holders of the
outstanding Preferred Shares, if any, voting as a single class.
Portfolio Composition
Set forth below is
a description of the various types of Municipal Bonds in which the Fund may invest. Obligations are included within the term “Municipal
Bonds” if the interest paid thereon is excluded from gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the opinion of
bond counsel to the issuer.
Municipal Bonds are
either general obligation or revenue bonds and typically are issued to finance public projects, such as roads or public buildings,
to pay general operating expenses or to refinance outstanding debt. Municipal Bonds may also be issued for private activities,
such as housing, medical and educational facility construction or for privately owned industrial development and pollution control
projects. General obligation bonds are backed by the full faith and credit and taxing authority of the issuer and may be repaid
from any revenue source. Revenue bonds may be repaid only from the revenues of a specific facility or source. The Fund also may
purchase Municipal Bonds that represent lease obligations. These carry special risks because the issuer of the bonds may not be
obligated to appropriate money annually to make payments under the lease.
The Municipal Bonds
in which the Fund primarily invests pay interest or income that, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, is exempt from
regular U.S. federal income tax. The Adviser and the Subadviser will not conduct their own analysis of the tax status of the interest
paid by Municipal Bonds held by the Fund, but will rely on the opinion of counsel to the issuer of each such instrument. The Fund
may also invest in Municipal Bonds issued by United States Territories (such as Puerto Rico or Guam) that are exempt from regular
U.S. federal income tax. In addition, the Fund may invest in other securities that pay interest or income that is, or make other
distributions that are, exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax and/or state and local taxes, regardless of the technical
structure of the issuer of the instrument. The Fund treats all of such tax-exempt securities as Municipal Bonds.
The yields on Municipal
Bonds are dependent on a variety of factors, including prevailing interest rates and the condition of the general money market
and the municipal bond market, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issuer.
The market value of Municipal Bonds will vary with changes in interest rate levels and as a result of changing evaluations of
the ability of bond issuers to meet interest and principal payments.
General Obligation Bonds. General
obligation bonds are backed by the issuer’s full faith and credit and taxing authority for the payment of principal and
interest. The taxing authority of any governmental entity may be limited, however, by provisions of its state constitution or
laws, and an entity’s creditworthiness will depend on many factors, including potential erosion of its tax base due to population
declines, natural disasters, declines in the state’s industrial base or inability to attract new industries, economic limits
on the ability to tax without eroding the tax base, state legislative proposals or voter initiatives to limit ad valorem real
property taxes (i.e., taxes based upon an assessed value of the property) and the extent to which the entity relies on federal
or state aid, access to capital markets or other factors beyond the state’s or entity’s control. Accordingly, the
capacity of the issuer of a general obligation bond as to the timely payment of interest and the repayment of principal when due
is affected by the issuer’s maintenance of its tax base.
Revenue Bonds. Revenue bonds are
payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds
of a special excise tax or other specific revenue sources such as payments from the user of the facility being financed. Accordingly,
the timely payment of interest and the repayment of principal in accordance with the terms of the revenue or special obligation
bond is a function of the economic viability of such facility or such revenue source.
Private Activity Bonds. Private
activity bonds are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide privately operated housing facilities,
airport, mass transit or port facilities, sewage disposal, solid waste disposal or hazardous waste treatment or disposal facilities
and certain local facilities for water supply, gas or electricity. Other types of private activity bonds, the proceeds of which
are used for the construction, equipping, repair or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial facilities, may
constitute Municipal Bonds, although the current U.S. federal income tax laws place substantial limitations on the size of such
issues.
Private activity bonds
are secured primarily by revenues derived from loan repayments or lease payments due from the entity, which may or may not be
guaranteed by a parent company or otherwise secured. Private activity bonds generally are not secured by a pledge of the taxing
power of the issuer of such bonds. Therefore, an investor should be aware that repayment of such bonds generally depends on the
revenues of a private entity and be aware of the risks that such an investment may entail. Continued ability of an entity to generate
sufficient revenues for the payment of principal and interest on such bonds will be affected by many factors including the size
of the entity, capital structure, demand for its products or services, competition, general economic conditions, government regulation
and the entity’s dependence on revenues for the operation of the particular facility being financed. The Fund expects that,
due to investments in private activity bonds, a portion of the distributions it makes on the common shares will be includable
in the federal alternative minimum taxable income.
Moral Obligation Bonds. The Fund
also may invest in “moral obligation” bonds, which are normally issued by special purpose public authorities. If an
issuer of moral obligation bonds is unable to meet its obligations, the repayment of such bonds becomes a moral commitment but
not a legal obligation of the state or municipality in question.
Municipal Lease Obligations and
Certificates of Participation. Also included within the general category of Municipal Bonds are participations in lease obligations
or installment purchase contract obligations of municipal authorities or entities (hereinafter collectively called “Municipal
Lease Obligations”). Although a Municipal Lease Obligation does not constitute a general obligation of the municipality
for which the municipality’s taxing power is pledged, a Municipal Lease Obligation is ordinarily backed by the municipality’s
covenant to budget for, appropriate and make the payments due under the Municipal Lease Obligation. However, certain Municipal
Lease Obligations contain “non-appropriation” clauses which provide that the municipality has no obligation to make
lease or installment purchase payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis. In the
case of a “non-appropriation” lease, the Fund’s ability to recover under the lease in the event of non-appropriation
or default will be limited solely to the repossession of the leased property, without recourse to the general credit of the lessee,
and the disposition or re-leasing of the property might prove difficult. A certificate of participation represents an undivided
interest in an unmanaged pool of municipal leases, an installment purchase agreement or other instruments. The certificates are
typically issued by a municipal agency, a trust or other entity that has received an assignment of the payments to be made by
the state or political subdivision under such leases or installment purchase agreements. In addition, such participations generally
provide the Fund with the right to demand payment, on not more than seven days’ notice, of all or any part of the Fund’s
participation interest in the underlying leases, plus accrued interest.
Tobacco Settlement Bonds. Included
in the general category of Municipal Bonds in which the Fund may invest are “tobacco settlement bonds.” The Fund may
invest in tobacco settlement bonds, which are municipal securities that are backed solely by expected revenues to be derived from
lawsuits involving tobacco related deaths and illnesses which were settled between certain states and American tobacco companies.
Tobacco settlement bonds are secured by an issuing state’s proportionate share in the Master Settlement Agreement (“MSA”).
The MSA is an agreement, reached out of court in November 1998 between 46 states and nearly all of the U.S. tobacco manufacturers.
The MSA provides for annual payments in perpetuity by the manufacturers to the states in exchange for releasing all claims against
the manufacturers and a pledge of no further litigation. Tobacco manufacturers pay into a master escrow trust based on their market
share, and each state receives a fixed percentage of the payment as set forth in the MSA. A number of states have securitized
the future flow of those payments by selling bonds pursuant to indentures or through distinct governmental entities created for
such purpose. The principal and interest payments on the bonds are backed by the future revenue flow related to the MSA. Annual
payments on the bonds, and thus risk to the Fund, are highly dependent on the receipt of future settlement payments to the state
or its governmental entity.
Zero Coupon Bonds. The Fund may
invest in zero-coupon bonds. A zero coupon bond is a bond that does not pay interest either for the entire life of the obligation
or for an initial period after the issuance of the obligation. When held to its maturity, its return comes from the difference
between the purchase price and its maturity value. A zero coupon bond is normally issued and traded at a deep discount from face
value. Zero coupon bonds allow an issuer to avoid or delay the need to generate cash to meet current interest payments and, as
a result, may involve greater credit risk than bonds that pay interest currently or in cash. The market prices of zero coupon
bonds are affected to a greater extent by changes in prevailing levels of interest rates and thereby tend to be more volatile
in price than securities that pay interest periodically. In addition, the Fund would be required to distribute the income on any
of these instruments as it accrues, even though the Fund will not receive all of the income on a current basis or in cash. Thus,
the Fund may have to sell other investments, including when it may not be advisable to do so, to make income distributions to
its common shareholders.
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Risk Factors [Table Text Block] |
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RISKS
Investing in any
investment company security involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment or even
that you may lose part or all of your investment. This section discusses the principal risk factors. You should carefully consider
these risks and uncertainties as well as the other information described in this Prospectus and in any applicable prospectus supplement
before you decide whether to invest in the Fund. In addition, the SAI contains further information regarding the risks associated
with an investment in the Fund. The risks in these documents are not the only risks that the Fund may face, and the Fund may face
other risks that we have not yet identified, which we do not currently deem material or which are not yet predictable. If any
of these risks occur, the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
In such case, the Fund’s NAV and the trading price of its securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your
investment.
Investment-Related Risks:
With the exception
of Underlying Fund risk (and except as otherwise noted below), the following risks apply to the direct investments the Fund may
make, and generally apply to the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds. That said, each risk described below may not apply
to each Underlying Fund.
Investment and Market Risks
An investment in
the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount invested. An investment in
Common Shares represents an indirect investment in the Underlying Funds owned by the Fund. The value of the Fund or the Underlying
Funds, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Overall stock market risks may
also affect the NAV of the Fund or the Underlying Funds. Factors such as economic growth and market conditions, interest rate
levels and political events affect the securities markets. The Common Shares at any point in time may be worth less than the original
investment, even after taking into account any reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
Management Risks
The Adviser’s
and the Subadviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of a particular asset class or
individual security in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and there is no guarantee that the Adviser’s or
the Subadviser’s judgment, as applicable, will produce the desired results. Similarly, the Fund’s investments in Underlying
Funds are subject to the judgment of the Underlying Funds’ managers which may prove to be incorrect. In addition, the Adviser
and Subadviser will have limited information as to the portfolio holdings of the Underlying Funds at any given time. This may
result in the Adviser and Subadviser having less ability to respond to changing market conditions. The Fund may allocate its assets
so as to under-emphasize or over-emphasize its investments under the wrong market conditions, in which case the Fund’s NAV
may be adversely affected.
In addition, the Fund
depends on the diligence, skill and business contacts of the investment professionals of the Adviser and the Subadviser to achieve
the Fund’s investment objectives. In particular, the Adviser and Subadviser are dependent upon the expertise of their respective
portfolio management teams to implement the Fund’s strategies. If the Adviser or the Subadviser were to lose the services
of one or more key individuals, including members of their portfolio management teams, each may not be able to hire qualified
replacements or may require an extended time to do so. This could prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objectives and
could have an adverse effect on an investment in the Fund.
The Adviser and
the Subadviser each manage several registered open-end funds and CEFs, and the portfolio managers have previous experience managing
CEFs. As with any managed fund, the Adviser and Subadviser may not be successful in selecting the best performing securities,
leverage strategy or investment techniques, and the Fund’s performance may lag behind that of similar funds as a result.
Securities Risks
The value of the Fund
or an Underlying Fund may decrease in response to the activities and financial prospects of individual securities in the fund’s
portfolio.
Municipal Bond Risks
Economic exposure
to Municipal Bonds involves certain risks. The Fund’s economic exposure to Municipal Bonds includes Municipal Bonds in the
Fund’s portfolio and Municipal Bonds to which the Fund is exposed through Underlying Funds and the ownership of TOB Residuals.
The municipal market is one in which dealer firms make markets in bonds on a principal basis using their proprietary capital,
and at times these firms’ capital may be severely constrained. In such event, some firms may be unwilling to commit their
capital to purchase and to serve as a dealer for Municipal Bonds. Municipal Bonds typically are not registered with the SEC or
any state securities commission and will not be listed on any national securities exchange. The amount of public information available
about the Municipal Bonds to which the Fund is economically exposed is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds,
and the investment performance of the Fund may therefore be more dependent on the analytical abilities of the Adviser and the
Subadviser than would be a stock fund or taxable bond fund. The secondary market for Municipal Bonds, particularly non-investment
grade bonds, also tends to be less well-developed or liquid than many other securities markets, which may adversely affect the
ability to sell such bonds at attractive prices or at prices approximating those at which the Fund and Underlying Funds currently
value them.
In addition, many state
and municipal governments that issue securities are under significant economic and financial stress and may not be able to satisfy their
obligations. The ability of municipal issuers to make timely payments of interest and principal may be diminished during general economic
downturns and as governmental cost burdens are reallocated among Federal, state and local governments. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly
stressed the financial resources of many municipalities and other issuers of municipal securities, which may impair their ability to
meet their financial obligations and may harm the value or liquidity of the Fund’s investments in municipal securities. In particular,
responses by municipalities to the COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in business activities. These and other effects of the COVID-19
pandemic, such as increased unemployment levels, impacted tax and other revenues of municipalities and other issuers of municipal securities
and the financial conditions of such issuers. As a result, there is increased budgetary and financial pressure on municipalities and
heightened risk of default or other adverse credit or similar events for issuers of municipal securities, which would adversely impact
the Fund’s investments. See “—Market Disruption, Geopolitical, Pandemic and Climate Change Risks.” In addition,
the taxing power of any governmental entity may be limited by provisions of state constitutions or other laws, and an entity’s
credit generally will depend on many factors, including the entity’s tax base, the extent to which the entity relies on Federal
or state aid, and other factors which are beyond the entity’s control. In addition, laws enacted in the future by Congress or state
legislatures or referenda could extend the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or impose other constraints on enforcement
of such obligations, or on the ability of municipalities to levy taxes or could limit the tax exemption of certain types of Municipal
Bonds that the Fund and Underlying Funds may invest in. Issuers of Municipal Bonds might seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. In
the event of bankruptcy of such an issuer, holders of Municipal Bonds could experience delays in collecting principal and interest and
such holders may not, in all circumstances, be able to collect all principal and interest to which they are entitled. To enforce its
rights in the event of a default in the payment of interest or repayment of principal, or both, the Fund may, in certain circumstances,
take possession of and manage the assets securing the issuer’s obligations on such securities, which may increase the Fund’s
operating expenses. Any income derived from the Fund’s ownership or operation of such assets may not be tax-exempt.
General obligation
bonds are obligations involving the credit of an issuer possessing taxing power and are payable from such issuer’s general
revenues and not from any particular source. Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax
revenues and the ability to maintain an adequate tax base. The timely payments may also be influenced by any unfunded pension
liabilities or other post-employee benefit plan liabilities.
Revenue bonds involve
special risks, including that the underlying facilities may not generate sufficient income to pay expenses and interest costs.
In the case of revenue bonds issued by state and local agencies to finance the development of low-income, multi-family housing,
such bonds are generally non-recourse against the property owner, may be junior to the rights of others with an interest in the
properties, may pay interest that changes based in part on the financial performance of the property, may be prepayable without
penalty and may be used to finance the construction of housing developments which, until completed and rented, do not generate
income to pay interest. Increases in interest rates payable on senior obligations may make it more difficult for issuers to meet
payment obligations on subordinated bonds.
The Fund may be more
sensitive to adverse economic, business or political developments if it invests a substantial portion of its assets in the bonds
of specific projects (such as those relating to education, health care, housing, transportation, and utilities), industrial development
bonds, or general obligation bonds, particularly if there is a large concentration from issuers in a single state. This is because
the value of Municipal Bonds can be significantly affected by the political, economic, legal, and legislative realities of the
particular issuer’s locality or municipal sector events. Similarly, changes to state or federal regulation tied to a specific
sector, such as the hospital sector, could have an impact on the revenue stream for a given subset of the market.
Municipal leases and
certificates of participation involve special risks not normally associated with general obligation or revenue bonds. Leases and
installment purchase or conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for title to the leased asset to pass eventually to
the governmental issuer) have evolved as a means for governmental issuers to acquire property and equipment without meeting the
constitutional and statutory requirements for the issuance of debt. The debt issuance limitations are deemed to be inapplicable
because of the inclusion in many leases or contracts of “non-appropriation” clauses that relieve the governmental
issuer of any obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such purpose by
the appropriate legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis. In addition, such leases or contracts may be subject to
the temporary abatement of payments in the event that the governmental issuer is prevented from maintaining occupancy of the lease
premises or utilizing the leased equipment. Although the obligations may be secured by the leased equipment or facilities, the
disposition of the property in the event of non-appropriation or foreclosure might prove difficult, time consuming and costly,
and may result in a delay in recovering or the failure to fully recover ownership of the assets.
Certificates of participation,
which represent interests in unmanaged pools of municipal leases or installment contracts, involve the same risks as the underlying
municipal leases. In addition, the Fund may be dependent upon the municipal authority issuing the certificate of participation
to exercise remedies with respect to the underlying securities. Certificates of participation also entail a risk of default or
bankruptcy, both of the issuer of the municipal lease and also the municipal agency issuing the certificate of participation.
Municipalities and
other public authorities issue private activity bonds to finance development of facilities for use by a private enterprise, which
is solely responsible for paying the principal and interest on the bond. Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special
purpose public authorities of a state or municipality. If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds
becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality.
To be tax-exempt,
Municipal Bonds must meet certain regulatory requirements. If a Municipal Bond fails to meet such requirements, the interest received
by the Fund from its investment in such bonds and distributed to shareholders may be taxable. It is possible that interest on
a Municipal Bond may be declared taxable after the issuance of the bond, and this determination may apply retroactively to the
date of the issuance of the bond, which could cause a portion of prior distributions made by the Fund to be taxable to shareholders
in the year of receipt.
Municipal bonds are
also subject to interest rate, credit, and liquidity risk, which are discussed generally elsewhere in this section.
State Specific and Industry Risk
The Fund may not
directly invest more than 25% of its Managed Assets in Municipal Bonds in any one industry or in any one state of origin. However,
the Fund’s overall exposure to a single industry or a single state of origin may be greater after factoring in the investments
of the Underlying Funds, in which case the Fund may be more susceptible to adverse economic, political or regulatory occurrences
affecting that particular state or industry. For example, the Fund may invest, under normal market conditions, up to 20% of the
Managed Assets allocated to the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy in single state municipal CEFs and such investments
could increase the Fund’s overall exposure to a particular single state. To the extent that the Fund is aware of the investments
held by the Underlying Funds, the Fund will consider such information when determining compliance with its fundamental policy
relating to industry concentration as described in the SAI. See “Investment Restrictions” in the Fund’s SAI.
Puerto Rico Municipal Bond Risks
The Fund may invest
directly, without limit, in Puerto Rico Municipal Bonds, subject to the industry, issuer and below investment grade investment
restrictions under the Municipal Bond Income Strategy, as applicable. Municipal obligations issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico or its political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities, or public corporations may be affected by economic, market, political,
and social conditions in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico currently is experiencing significant fiscal and economic challenges, including
substantial debt service obligations, high levels of unemployment, underfunded public retirement systems, and persistent government
budget deficits. These challenges may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments in Puerto Rico Municipal Bonds.
Major ratings agencies have downgraded the general obligation debt of Puerto Rico to below investment grade and continue to maintain
a negative outlook for this debt, which increases the likelihood that the rating will be lowered further. In both August 2015
and January 2016, Puerto Rico defaulted on its debt by failing to make full payment due on its outstanding bonds, and there can
be no assurance that Puerto Rico will be able to satisfy its future debt obligations. Further downgrades or defaults may place
additional strain on the Puerto Rico economy and may negatively affect the value, liquidity, and volatility of the Fund’s
investments in Puerto Rico Municipal Bonds. Legislation could also impact the value of the Fund’s investments in Puerto
Rico Municipal Bonds.
These challenges and
uncertainties have been exacerbated by Hurricane Maria, and subsequent hurricanes and storms, and the resulting natural disaster
in Puerto Rico. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, causing major damage across the Commonwealth, including
damage to its water, power, and telecommunications infrastructure. The length of time needed to rebuild Puerto Rico’s infrastructure
is unclear, but could amount to years, during which the Commonwealth is likely to be in an even more uncertain economic state.
The full extent of the natural disaster’s impact on Puerto Rico’s economy and foreign investment in Puerto Rico is
difficult to estimate.
Tobacco Settlement Bond Risks
The Fund may invest
directly, without limit, in tobacco settlement bonds, subject to the industry, issuer and below investment grade investment restrictions
under the Municipal Bond Income Strategy, as applicable. Annual payments on tobacco settlement bonds, and thus risk to the Fund,
are highly dependent on the receipt of future settlement payments to the state or its governmental entity pursuant to the MSA.
The actual amount of future settlement payments is further dependent on many factors, including, but not limited to, annual domestic
cigarette shipments, reduced cigarette consumption, increased taxes on cigarettes, inflation, financial capability of tobacco
companies, continuing litigation and the possibility of tobacco manufacturer bankruptcy. The initial and annual payments made
by the tobacco companies will be adjusted based on a number of factors, the most important of which is domestic cigarette consumption.
If the volume of cigarettes shipped in the U.S. by manufacturers participating in the settlement decreases significantly, payments
due from them will also decrease. Demand for cigarettes in the U.S. could continue to decline due to price increases needed to
recoup the cost of payments by tobacco companies. Demand could also be affected by: anti-smoking campaigns, tax increases, reduced
advertising, enforcement of laws prohibiting sales to minors; elimination of certain sales venues such as vending machines; the
spread of local ordinances restricting smoking in public places, and competition from e-cigarettes. As a result, payments made
by tobacco manufacturers could be negatively impacted if the decrease in tobacco consumption is significantly greater than the
forecasted decline. A market share loss by the MSA companies to non-MSA participating tobacco manufacturers would cause a downward
adjustment in the payment amounts. A participating manufacturer filing for bankruptcy also could cause delays or reductions in
bond payments. The MSA itself has been subject to legal challenges and has, to date, withstood those challenges.
Credit and Below Investment Grade Securities Risks
Credit risk is the
risk that an issuer of a security may be unable or unwilling to make dividend, interest and principal payments when due and the
related risk that the value of a security may decline because of concerns about the issuer’s ability or willingness to make
such payments. Credit risk may be heightened for the Fund because it and the Underlying Funds may invest in below investment grade
securities, which are commonly referred to as “junk” and “high yield” securities; such securities, while
generally offering the potential for higher yields than investment grade securities with similar maturities, involve greater risks,
including the possibility of dividend or interest deferral, default or bankruptcy, and are regarded as predominantly speculative
with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay dividends or interest and repay principal. The below investment grade securities
receiving the lowest rating from an NRSRO are typically already in default. In addition, below investment grade securities are
generally susceptible to decline in market value due to adverse economic and business developments and are often unsecured and
subordinated to other creditors of the issuer. The market values for below investment grade securities tend to be very volatile,
and these securities are generally less liquid than investment grade securities. Because of the substantial risks associated with
below investment grade securities, among other factors, you could lose money on your investment in Common Shares, both in the
short term and the long term. See “Investment Policies and Techniques—Below Investment Grade Securities” in
the SAI for additional discussion of below investment grade securities risks. See also “—Defaulted and Distressed
Securities Risk.”
Interest Rate Risk
Generally, when market
interest rates rise, bond prices fall, and vice versa. Interest rate risk is the risk that the municipal securities in the Fund’s
portfolio will decline in value because of increases in market interest rates. As interest rates decline, issuers of municipal
securities may prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower-yielding securities and potentially
reducing the Fund’s income. As interest rates increase, slower than expected principal payments may extend the average life
of securities, potentially locking in a below-market interest rate and reducing the Fund’s value. In typical market interest
rate environments, the prices of longer-term municipal securities generally fluctuate more than prices of shorter-term municipal
securities as interest rates change.
To the extent the
Fund is primarily exposed to longer-term Municipal Bonds, the Common Share NAV and market price per Common Share will fluctuate
more in response to changes in market interest rates than if the Fund invested primarily in shorter-term Municipal Bonds.
In comparison to maturity
(which is the date on which a debt instrument ceases and the issuer is obligated to repay the principal amount), duration is a
measure of the price volatility of a debt instrument as a result of changes in market rates of interest, based on the weighted
average timing of the instrument’s expected principal and interest payments. Duration differs from maturity in that it considers
a security’s yield, coupon payments, principal payments and call features, in addition to the amount of time until the security
finally matures. As the value of a security changes over time, so will its duration. Prices of securities with longer durations
tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with shorter durations. In general, a portfolio of securities
with a longer duration can be expected to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than a portfolio with a shorter duration.
For example, the price of a bond with an effective duration of two years will rise (fall) two percent for every one percent decrease
(increase) in its yield, and the price of a five-year duration bond will rise (fall) five percent for a one percent decrease (increase)
in its yield.
If increasing interest
rates slow principal payments and thus extend the average life of securities held by the Fund, this increase in duration will
make the Fund more sensitive to the effect of rising rates and may cause the principal value of the Fund’s holdings to decline
more than they would in the absence of such an increase in duration.
Yield curve risk is
the risk associated with either a flattening or steepening of the yield curve, which is a result of changing yields among comparable
bonds with different maturities. When market interest rates, or yields, increase, the price of a bond will decrease and vice versa.
When the yield curve shifts, the price of the bond, which was initially priced based on the initial yield curve, will change in
price. If the yield curve flattens, then the yield spread between long- and short-term interest rates narrows, and the price of
the bond will change accordingly. If the bond is short-term and the yield decreases, the price of this bond will increase. If
the yield curve steepens, this means that the spread between long- and short-term interest rates increases. Therefore, long-term
bond prices will decrease relative to short-term bonds. Changes in the yield curve are based on bond risk premiums and expectations
of future interest rates.
The Common Share NAV
and market price per Common Share will fluctuate more in response to changes in market interest rates when the Fund has higher
exposure to long-term Municipal Bonds than short-term Municipal Bonds. Because the values of lower-rated and comparable unrated
debt securities are affected both by credit risk and interest rate risk, the price movements of such lower grade securities in
response to changes in interest rates typically have not been highly correlated to the fluctuations of the prices of investment
grade quality securities in response to changes in market interest rates.
Interest rates
in the United States and many other countries have risen in recent periods and may continue to rise in the future. Additionally,
as a result of increasing interest rates, reserves held by banks and other financial institutions in bonds and other debt securities
could face a significant decline in value relative to deposits and liabilities, which coupled with general economic headwinds
resulting from a changing interest rate environment, creates liquidity pressures at such institutions, as evidenced by the bank
run on the Silicon Valley Bank Financial Group (“SVB”) causing it to be placed into receivership. As a result, certain
sectors of the credit markets could experience significant declines in liquidity, and it is possible that the Fund (or an Investment
Fund) will not be able to manage this risk effectively. It is yet to be determined how the bank run on SVB will fully impact the
overall performance of the Fund or one or more of its portfolio investments and how similar events may affect the ability of the
Fund to execute its investment strategy.
LIBOR Risk
Certain of the
Fund’s or Underlying Funds’ investments, payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates, such
as LIBOR, Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates. In July of 2017, the head of the United Kingdom
Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR at the end of 2021. Most LIBOR
settings are no longer published as of December 31, 2021. Overnight and 12-month U.S. dollar LIBOR settings permanently ceased
after publication on June 30, 2023. 1-, 3- and 6-month U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will continue to be published using a synthetic
methodology until September 2024. Neither the effect of the LIBOR transition process nor its ultimate success can yet be known.
Although the transition away from LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined, any potential effects of the transition away from
LIBOR and other benchmark rates on financial markets, a fund or the financial instruments in which a fund invests can be difficult
to ascertain. Not all existing LIBOR-based instruments may have alternative rate-setting provisions and there remains uncertainty
regarding the willingness and ability of issuers to add alternative rate-setting provisions in certain existing instruments. Global
regulators have advised market participants to cease entering into new contracts using LIBOR as a reference rate, and it is possible
that investments in LIBOR-based instruments could invite regulatory scrutiny. In addition, a liquid market for newly-issued instruments
that use a reference rate other than LIBOR still may be developing.All of the aforementioned may adversely affect the Fund’s
or an Underlying Fund’s performance or NAV.
SOFR Risk
SOFR is intended
to be a broad measure of the cost of borrowing funds overnight in transactions that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities.
SOFR is calculated based on transaction-level repo data collected from various sources. For each trading day, SOFR is calculated
as a volume-weighted median rate derived from such data. SOFR is calculated and published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
(“FRBNY”). If data from a given source required by the FRBNY to calculate SOFR is unavailable for any day, then the
most recently available data for that segment will be used, with certain adjustments. If errors are discovered in the transaction
data or the calculations underlying SOFR after its initial publication on a given day, SOFR may be republished at a later time
that day. Rate revisions will be effected only on the day of initial publication and will be republished only if the change in
the rate exceeds one basis point.
Because SOFR is a financing rate
based on overnight secured funding transactions, it differs fundamentally from LIBOR. LIBOR was intended to be an unsecured rate
that represents interbank funding costs for different short-term maturities or tenors. It was a forward-looking rate reflecting
expectations regarding interest rates for the applicable tenor. Thus, LIBOR was intended to be sensitive, in certain respects,
to bank credit risk and to term interest rate risk. In contrast, SOFR is a secured overnight rate reflecting the credit of U.S.
Treasury securities as collateral. Thus, it is largely insensitive to credit-risk considerations and to short-term interest rate
risks. SOFR is a transaction-based rate, and it has been more volatile than other benchmark or market rates, such as three-month
LIBOR, during certain periods. For these reasons, among others, there is no assurance that SOFR, or rates derived from SOFR, will
perform in the same or similar way as LIBOR would have performed at any time, and there is no assurance that SOFR-based rates
will be a suitable substitute for LIBOR. SOFR has a limited history, having been first published in April 2018. The future performance
of SOFR, and SOFR-based reference rates, cannot be predicted based on SOFR’s history or otherwise. Levels of SOFR in the
future, including following the discontinuation of LIBOR, may bear little or no relation to historical levels of SOFR, LIBOR or
other rates.
Inflation/Deflation 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 Common Shares and distributions can decline. In addition, during any period
of rising inflation, interest rates on borrowings would likely increase, which would tend to further reduce returns to Common
Shareholders. Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time–the opposite of inflation.
Deflation may have an adverse effect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer defaults more likely, which may result
in a decline in the value of the Fund’s portfolio.
Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy Risk
The Fund invests
in CEFs as a principal part of the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy. Shares of CEFs listed for trading on a securities
exchange frequently trade at a price per share that is less than the NAV per share, the difference representing the “market
discount” of such shares. The market price of such shares may be affected by factors such as NAV, dividend or distribution
levels and their stability (which will in turn be affected by levels of dividend and interest payments by the CEF’s portfolio
holdings, the timing and success of the CEF’s investment strategies, regulations affecting the timing and character of fund
distributions, fund expenses and other factors), supply of and demand for the shares, trading volume of the shares, general market,
interest rate and economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the CEF.
In addition, a
market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many CEFs, as well
as to the fact that the shares of CEFs are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined NAV but,
rather, are subject to supply and demand in the secondary market.
The Fund may invest
in shares of CEFs that are trading at a discount to NAV or at a premium to NAV. There can be no assurance that the market discount
on shares of any CEF purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase
and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of
such CEFs, thereby adversely affecting the NAV of the Fund’s Common Shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any
shares of a CEF purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent
to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.
Underlying Fund Risks
The Fund will incur
higher and additional expenses when it invests in Underlying Funds. There is also the risk that the Fund may suffer losses due
to the investment practices or operations of the Underlying Funds. To the extent that the Fund invests in one or more Underlying
Funds that concentrate in a particular industry or state, the Fund would be vulnerable to factors affecting that industry or state
and the concentrating Underlying Funds’ performance, and that of the Fund, may be more volatile than Underlying Funds that
do not concentrate.
As the Fund will
invest at least a portion of its Managed Assets in CEFs and ETFs, the Fund’s performance will depend to a greater extent
on the overall performance of investment companies generally, in addition to the performance of the specific Underlying Funds
(and other assets) in which the Fund invests. The use of leverage by Underlying Funds magnifies gains and losses on amounts invested
and increases the risks associated with investing in Underlying Funds. Further, the Underlying Funds are not subject to the Fund’s
investment policies and restrictions. The Fund generally receives information regarding the portfolio holdings of Underlying Funds
only when that information is made available to the public. The Fund cannot dictate how the Underlying Funds invest their assets.
In addition, one Underlying Fund may purchase a security that another Underlying Fund is selling. The Underlying Funds may invest
their assets in securities and other instruments, and may use investment techniques and strategies, that are not described in
this Prospectus, and there is risk that the Underlying Funds may not be in compliance with their investment policies and strategies,
including their policy to invest at least 80% of their assets in Municipal Bonds which, in turn, could result in the Fund’s
non-compliance with its own investment policies. Because the Fund expects that most of the Underlying Funds will publish their
portfolio holdings only at intervals, and then only after some delay, the Fund will generally not know for certain the current
holdings of the Underlying Funds.
Common Shareholders
will bear two layers of fees and expenses with respect to the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds because each of the
Fund and the Underlying Fund will charge fees and incur separate expenses. If those Underlying Funds use leverage, that will likely
increase the amount of fees that the Fund, as an investor in the Underlying Funds, will pay. See “Summary of Fund Expenses”
for a further description of such fees and their impact on the expenses of the Fund. In addition, subject to applicable 1940 Act
limitations, the Underlying Funds themselves may purchase securities issued by registered and unregistered funds (e.g.,
common stock and preferred stock), and those investments would be subject to the risks associated with Underlying Funds and unregistered
funds (including a third layer of fees and expenses, i.e., the Underlying Fund will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged
by the funds in which the Underlying Fund invests, in addition to the Underlying Fund’s own fees and expenses). The Fund’s
investment in an Underlying Fund also may result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the Underlying Fund’s
earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, the distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for
federal income tax purposes but may be characterized as a dividend if the Fund has earnings from other sources. As a result of
these factors, the use of the fund of funds structure by the Fund could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions
to shareholders.
As may be the case
with the Fund, the shares of many CEFs in which the Fund may invest frequently trade after their initial public offering at a
price per share that is less than the NAV per share, the difference representing the “market discount” of such shares.
This market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many CEFs, as
well as to the fact that the shares of CEFs are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined
NAV, but rather, are subject to supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of CEF
shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their NAV.
The Fund may invest
in shares of CEFs that are trading at a discount to NAV or at a premium to NAV. There can be no assurance that the market discount
on shares of any CEF purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase
and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of
such CEFs, thereby adversely affecting the NAV of the Fund’s shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares
of a CEF purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent
to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.
CEFs may issue
senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the CEF’s common shares
in an attempt to enhance the current return to such CEF’s common shareholders. The Fund’s investment in the common
shares of CEFs that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but in a down
market may increase the size and speed of losses. Thus, leveraged funds may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price
and NAV than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure. Since the Fund may use leverage
to invest in other funds that are leveraged, the effect of gains and losses in the other funds may be compounded, especially when
events occur that may broadly affect the market for municipal securities. In addition, the Fund may invest in such senior securities
issued by CEFs, including auction rate municipal securities and auction rate preferred securities. In recent market environments,
auctions have failed, which adversely affects the liquidity and price of auction rate securities, and are unlikely to resume.
Provided that the auction mechanism is successful, auction rate securities usually permit the holder to sell the securities in
an auction at par value at specified intervals. The dividend is reset by “Dutch” auction in which bids are made by
broker-dealers and other institutions for a certain amount of securities at a specified minimum yield. The dividend rate set by
the auction is the lowest interest or dividend rate that covers all securities offered for sale. While this process is designed
to permit auction rate securities to be traded at par value, there is a risk that an auction will fail due to insufficient demand
for the securities. Moreover, between auctions, there may be no secondary market for these securities, and sales conducted on
a secondary market may not be on terms favorable to the seller. Auction rate securities may be called by the issuer. Thus, with
respect to liquidity and price stability, auction rate securities may differ substantially from cash equivalents, notwithstanding
the frequency of auctions and the credit quality of the security. The Fund’s investments in auction rate securities of CEFs
are subject to the limitations prescribed by the 1940 Act.
ETFs may trade at
a price above (premium) or below (discount) their NAV, especially during periods of significant market volatility or stress, which
could cause investors to pay significantly more or less for ETF shares than the value of the ETF’s underlying portfolio.
Certain ETFs traded on exchanges may be thinly traded and experience large spreads between the “ask” price quoted
by a seller and the “bid” price offered by a buyer. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely
that ETF shares normally will trade close to their NAVs, market prices are not expected to correlate exactly to the shares’
NAVs due to timing reasons, supply and demand imbalances and other factors. In addition, disruptions to creations and redemptions,
adverse developments impacting market makers, authorized participants or other market participants, high market volatility or
lack of an active trading market for an ETF’s shares (including through a trading halt) may result in market prices that
differ significantly from an ETF’s NAV or to the intraday value of the ETF’s holdings. An active trading market for
shares of an ETF may not develop or be maintained. When all or a portion of an ETF’s underlying securities trade in a foreign
market that is closed during the time the domestic market in which the ETF’s shares are listed and traded is open, there
may be changes between the last quote from the closed foreign market and the value of such underlying security during the ETF’s
trading day. In times of market stress, market makers or authorized participants may step away from their respective roles in
making a market in shares of the ETF and in executing purchase or redemption orders. During such times, the ETF’s shares
may trade at a wider than normal discount or premium and may possibly face trading halts. Additionally, the underlying securities
of an ETF may be traded outside of a collateralized settlement system, such as the National Securities Clearing Corporation, a
clearing agency that is registered with the SEC. There are a limited number of financial institutions that may act as authorized
participants that post collateral for certain trades on an agency basis. To the extent that these authorized participants exit
the business or are unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with the ETF, and no other authorized participant
is able to step forward, ETF shares may trade at a discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting. Additionally,
in stressed market conditions, the market for ETF shares may become less liquid in response to deteriorating liquidity in the
markets for such ETF’s underlying portfolio holdings, which may cause the shares of the ETF to trade at a wider than normal
discount or premium. Furthermore, purchases and redemptions of creation units primarily in cash rather than in-kind may cause
an ETF to incur certain costs, such as brokerage costs, taxable gains or other losses that it may not have incurred with an in-kind
purchase or redemption. These costs may be borne by the ETF and decrease the ETF’s NAV to the extent they are not offset
by a transaction fee payable by an authorized participant.
Index-based ETFs (and
other index funds) in which the Fund may invest may not be able to replicate exactly the performance of the indices they track
due to transaction costs and other expenses of the ETFs. The Fund may also invest in actively managed ETFs that are subject to
management risk as the ETF’s investment adviser will apply certain investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment
decisions. There can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results.
The Fund’s investments
in Underlying Funds may be restricted by certain provisions of the 1940 Act. Under Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act, the Fund
may hold securities of an Underlying Fund in amounts which (i) do not exceed 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of the Underlying
Fund, (ii) do not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and (iii) when added to all other Underlying Fund securities
held by the Fund, do not exceed 10% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. Under Section 12(d)(1)(C) of the 1940 Act,
the Fund, together with any other investment companies for which the Adviser acts as an investment adviser, may not, in the aggregate,
own more than 10% of the total outstanding voting stock of a registered closed-end investment company. Section 12(d)(1)(F) of
the 1940 Act provides that the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) described above shall not apply to securities purchased or otherwise
acquired by the Fund if (i) immediately after such purchase or acquisition not more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of
such Underlying Fund is owned by the Fund and all affiliated persons of the Fund, and (ii) certain requirements are met with respect
to sales charges. In addition, Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act (“Rule 12d1-4”), effective as of January 19, 2022, permits
the Fund to invest in Underlying Funds beyond the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) described above, subject to various conditions,
including that the Fund enter into an investment agreement with the Underlying Fund (which agreements may impose additional conditions
on the Fund). In matters upon which the Fund is solicited to vote as a shareholder of an Underlying Fund, the Adviser may be required
to vote Underlying Fund shares in the same proportion as shares held by other shareholders of the Underlying Fund.
Defaulted and Distressed Securities Risks
The Fund and the
Underlying Funds may invest in defaulted and distressed securities. Legal difficulties and negotiations with creditors and other
claimants are common when dealing with defaulted or distressed issuers. Defaulted or distressed issuers may be insolvent, in bankruptcy
or undergoing some other form of financial restructuring. In the event of a default, the Fund or an Underlying Fund may incur
additional expenses to seek recovery. The repayment of defaulted bonds is subject to significant uncertainties, and in some cases,
there may be delayed, or there may be partial or no recovery of payment. Defaulted bonds might be repaid only after lengthy workout
or bankruptcy proceedings, during which the issuer might not make any interest or other payments. Because of the relative illiquidity
of defaulted or distressed debt and equity securities, short sales are difficult, and the Fund and most Underlying Funds primarily
maintain long positions. Some relative value trades are possible, where an investor sells short one class of a defaulted or distressed
issuer’s capital structure and purchases another. With distressed investing, often there is a time lag between when the
Fund and an Underlying Fund makes an investment and when the Fund and the Underlying Fund realizes the value of the investment.
In addition, the Fund and an Underlying Fund may incur legal and other monitoring costs in protecting the value of the Fund’s
and the Underlying Fund’s claims.
Illiquid Securities Risks
The Fund and the Underlying
Funds may invest in illiquid securities. It may not be possible to sell or otherwise dispose of illiquid securities both at the
price and within the time period deemed desirable by a fund. Illiquid securities also may be difficult to value. Liquidity may
sometimes be impaired in the municipal market and, because the Fund principally invests in Municipal Bonds, it may find it difficult
to purchase or sell such securities at opportune times. Liquidity can be impaired due to interest rate concerns, credit events,
or general supply and demand imbalances. Depending on the particular issuer and current economic conditions, Municipal Bonds could
be deemed more volatile investments.
Valuation Risk
Unlike publicly traded
common stock which trades on national exchanges, there is no central place or exchange for fixed-income securities trading. Fixed-income
securities generally trade on an “over-the-counter” market which may be anywhere in the world where the buyer and
seller can settle on a price. Due to the lack of centralized information and trading, the valuation of fixed-income securities
may carry more risk than that of common stock. Uncertainties in the conditions of the financial market, unreliable reference data,
lack of transparency and inconsistency of valuation models and processes may lead to inaccurate asset pricing. As a result, the
Fund may be subject to risk that when a fixed-income security is sold in the market, the amount received by the Fund is less than
the value of such fixed-income security carried on the Fund’s books.
Tender Option Bonds Risks
TOB Residuals are
derivative municipal securities that have embedded in them the risk of economic leverage. There is no assurance that the Fund’s
strategy of using the proceeds received from tender option bond transactions to leverage its assets will be successful. TOB transactions
expose the Fund to leverage and credit risk, and generally involve greater risk than investment in fixed rate Municipal Bonds,
including the loss of principal.
Distributions on TOB
Residuals will bear an inverse relationship to short-term municipal bond interest rates. Distributions on the TOB Residuals paid
to the Fund will be reduced or, in the extreme, eliminated as short-term municipal interest rates rise and will increase when
short-term municipal interest rates fall. The amount of such reduction or increase is a function, in part, of the amount of TOB
Floaters sold by the TOB Issuer of these securities relative to the amount of the TOB Residuals that it sells. The greater the
amount of TOB Floaters sold relative to the TOB Residuals, the more volatile the distributions on the TOB Residuals will be. The
value of TOB Residuals may decline rapidly in times of rising interest rates.
The Fund’s use
of proceeds received from tender option bond transactions will create economic leverage. Any economic leverage achieved through
the Fund’s investment in TOB Residuals will create an opportunity for increased Common Share net income and returns, but
will also create the possibility that Common Share long-term returns will be diminished if the cost of the TOB Floaters exceeds
the return on the securities deposited in the TOB Issuer. If the income and gains earned on Municipal Bonds deposited in a TOB
Issuer that issues TOB Residuals to the Fund are greater than the payments due on the TOB Floaters, the Fund’s returns will
be greater than if it had not invested in the TOB Residuals.
The Fund has no current
intention of investing in recourse TOB Residuals. However, circumstances may change and it is possible that in the future the
Fund may elect to invest in recourse TOB Residuals to leverage its portfolio. If the Fund uses recourse TOB Residuals, the liquidity
provider may seek recourse against assets of the Fund, and the Fund may have to pay the liquidity provider the difference between
the purchase price of any TOB Floaters put to the liquidity provider by third party investors and the proceeds realized by the
liquidity provider from the remarketing of those TOB Floaters or the sale of the assets in the TOB Issuer, which could cause the
Fund to lose money in excess of its investment in a TOB Issuer.
Although the Fund
generally would unwind a tender option bond transaction rather than try to sell a TOB Residual, if it did try to sell a TOB Residual,
its ability to do so would depend on the liquidity of the TOB Residual. TOB Residuals have varying degrees of liquidity based,
among other things, upon the liquidity of the underlying securities deposited in the TOB Issuer. The market price of TOB Residuals
are more volatile than the underlying securities due to leverage. The leverage attributable to TOB Residuals may be “called
away” on relatively short notice and therefore may be less permanent than more traditional forms of leverage. In certain
circumstances, the likelihood of an increase in the volatility of NAV and market price of the Common Shares may be greater for
a fund that relies primarily on tender option bond transactions to achieve a desired effective leverage ratio. The Fund may be
required to sell its TOB Residuals at less than favorable prices, or liquidate other Fund portfolio holdings in certain circumstances,
including, but not limited to, the following:
| ● | If the Fund has a need for cash
and the securities deposited in the TOB Issuer are not actively trading due to adverse
market conditions; |
| ● | If the sponsors of TOB Issuers
(as a collective group or individually) experience financial hardship and consequently
seek to terminate their sponsorship of TOB Issuers; and |
| ● | If the value of an underlying
security deposited in the TOB Issuer declines significantly (to a level below the notional
value of the TOB Floaters issued by the TOB Issuer) and if additional collateral has
not been posted by the Fund. |
The Fund may invest
in taxable TOB Residuals, issued by TOB Issuers formed with taxable municipal securities. There may be a limited number of counterparties
for such transactions, which may increase the credit risks, counterparty risks, liquidity risks and other risks of investing in
taxable TOB Residuals. The Fund may not invest more than 20% of its Managed Assets in any single third party sponsor that establishes
a TOB Issuer. See also “Risks—Investment-Related Risks—Legislation and Regulatory Risks.”
Insurance Risks
The Fund may purchase
Municipal Bonds that are secured by insurance, bank credit agreements or escrow accounts. The credit quality of the companies
that provide such credit enhancements will generally affect the value of those securities. Certain significant providers of insurance
for Municipal Bonds have at times incurred significant losses as a result of exposure to sub-prime mortgages and other lower credit
quality investments that have experienced defaults or otherwise suffered credit deterioration. Such losses may reduce the insurers’
capital and may call into question their continued ability to perform their obligations under such insurance if called upon in
the future. While an insured Municipal Bond will typically be deemed to have the rating of its insurer, if the insurer of a Municipal
Bond suffers a downgrade in its credit rating or the market discounts the value of the insurance provided, the rating of the underlying
Municipal Bond will generally be more relevant and the value of the Municipal Bond would more closely, if not entirely, reflect
such rating. In such a case, the value of insurance associated with a Municipal Bond would decline and may not add any value.
The insurance feature of a Municipal Bond does not guarantee the full payment of principal and interest through the life of an
insured obligation, the market value of the insured obligation or the NAV of the Common Shares represented by such insured obligation.
Because there is no limit on the percentage of Managed Assets that may be insured by any one insurance firm other than the tax
diversification rules, there is a risk that a significant portion of the Fund’s holdings may experience a ratings downgrade
and lose value if such an insurance company suffers financial or reputational adversity. Some IRS authority treats a guaranty
as a separate security subject to the diversification rules, which limit the value of securities issued by any one issuer to not
more than 25% of the portfolio.
Tax Risks
To qualify for the
favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally accorded to regulated investment companies, among other things, the Fund
must derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from certain prescribed sources and satisfy a diversification
test on a quarterly basis. If the Fund fails to satisfy the qualifying income or diversification requirements in any taxable year,
the Fund may be eligible for relief provisions if the failures are due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and if a penalty
tax is paid with respect to each failure to satisfy the applicable requirements. Additionally, relief is provided for certain
de minimis failures of the diversification requirements where the Fund corrects the failure within a specified period. In order
to be eligible for the relief provisions with respect to a failure to meet the diversification requirements, the Fund may be required
to dispose of certain assets. If these relief provisions were not available to the Fund and it were to fail to qualify for treatment
as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) for a taxable year, all of its taxable income (including its net capital
gain) would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates (currently 21%) without any deduction for distributions to shareholders,
and such distributions would be taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings
and profits.
The Fund may qualify
to pay exempt-interest dividends, which are treated as items of interest excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes,
if at least 50% of the value of the total assets of the Fund consists of obligations exempt from regular income tax as of the
close of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year. Under this approach, if the proportion of taxable investments held by
the Fund exceeded 50% of the Fund’s total assets as of the close of any quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, the Fund
would not, for that taxable year, satisfy the general eligibility test that would otherwise permit it to pay exempt-interest dividends
for that taxable year. As an alternative, the Fund may qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends if it is a qualified fund-of-funds,
i.e., if at least 50% of the value of its total assets are invested in the shares of underlying RICs as of the close of
each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year.
The Fund may enter
into various types of derivatives transactions, including swap contracts, among others. The use of such derivatives may generate
taxable income. The Fund’s use of derivatives may also affect the amount, timing, and character of distributions to shareholders
and, therefore, may increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders.
The value of the Fund’s
investments and its NAV may be adversely affected by changes in tax rates and policies. Because interest income from Municipal
Bonds is normally not subject to regular federal income taxation, the attractiveness of Municipal Bonds in relation to other investment
alternatives is affected by changes in federal income tax rates or changes in the tax-exempt status of interest income from Municipal
Bonds. Any proposed or actual changes in such rates or exempt status, therefore, can significantly affect the demand for and supply,
liquidity and marketability of Municipal Bonds. This could in turn affect the Fund’s NAV and ability to acquire and dispose
of Municipal Bonds at desirable yield and price levels. Additionally, the Fund is not a suitable investment for individual retirement
accounts, for other tax-exempt or tax-deferred accounts or for investors who are not sensitive to the federal income tax consequences
of their investments.
The Fund will invest
in Municipal Bonds in reliance at the time of purchase on an opinion of bond counsel to the issuer that the interest paid on those
securities will be excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes, and the Adviser and Subadviser will not independently
verify that opinion. Subsequent to the Fund’s acquisition of such a Municipal Bond, however, the security may be determined
to pay, or to have paid, taxable income. As a result, the treatment of dividends previously paid or to be paid by the Fund as
“exempt-interest dividends” could be adversely affected, subjecting the Fund’s shareholders to increased federal
income tax liabilities.
Distributions of ordinary
taxable income (including any net short-term capital gain) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (and not eligible
for favorable taxation as “qualified dividend income”), and capital gain dividends will be taxable as long-term capital
gains. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”
Derivatives Risks
The Fund and the Underlying
Funds may enter into derivatives. Derivative transactions involve investment techniques and risks different from those associated
with the Fund’s other investments. Generally, a derivative is a financial contract the value of which depends upon, or is
derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or index, and may relate to individual debt or equity instruments,
interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates, commodities, related indexes and other assets. Derivatives can be volatile
and involve various types and degrees of risk, depending upon the characteristics of a particular derivative. Derivatives may
entail investment exposures that are greater than their cost would suggest, meaning that a small investment in a derivative could
have a large potential impact on the performance of the Fund or an Underlying Fund. The Fund or an Underlying Fund could experience
a loss if derivatives do not perform as anticipated, if they are not correlated with the performance of other investments which
they are used to hedge or if the fund is unable to liquidate a position because of an illiquid secondary market. The market for
many derivatives is, or can suddenly become, illiquid. Changes in liquidity may result in significant, rapid and unpredictable
changes in the prices of derivatives. Except with respect to the Fund’s investments in total return swaps, the Fund expects
its use of derivative instruments will be for hedging purposes. When used for speculative purposes, derivatives will produce enhanced
investment exposure, which will magnify gains and losses. Certain derivatives transactions may give rise to a form of leverage.
Leverage may cause a fund to be more volatile than if it had not been leveraged. This is because leverage tends to exaggerate
the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the fund’s portfolio securities. Further, using derivatives may include
the risk of mispricing or improper valuation of derivatives and the inability of derivatives to correlate perfectly, or at all,
with the value of the assets, reference rates or indexes they are designed to closely track. The Fund and the Underlying Funds
also will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivatives contracts purchased by such fund. If
a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties,
the Fund or an Underlying Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in a
bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund or an Underlying Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain
no recovery in such circumstances. See “—Option and Futures Risks” and “—Swap Risks.” The
Adviser has claimed an exclusion from registration as a commodity pool operator with respect to the Fund pursuant to Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) Rule 4.5. See “Investment Policies and Techniques—Derivatives—Regulation
as a ‘Commodity Pool’” in the SAI.
On October 28,
2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act relating to a registered
investment company’s use of derivatives and related instruments. Rule 18f-4 prescribes specific value-at-risk leverage limits
for certain derivatives users and requires certain derivatives users to adopt and implement a derivatives risk management program
(including the appointment of a derivatives risk manager and the implementation of certain testing requirements), and prescribes
reporting requirements in respect of derivatives. Subject to certain conditions, if a fund qualifies as a “limited derivatives
user,” as defined in Rule 18f-4, it is not subject to the full requirements of Rule 18f-4. In connection with the adoption
of Rule 18f-4, the SEC rescinded certain of its prior guidance regarding asset segregation and coverage requirements in respect
of derivatives transactions and related instruments. With respect to reverse repurchase agreements, tender option bonds or other
similar financing transactions in particular, Rule 18f-4 permits a fund to enter into such transactions if the fund either (i)
complies with the asset coverage requirements of Section 18 of the 1940 Act, and combines the aggregate amount of indebtedness
associated with all tender option bonds or similar financing with the aggregate amount of any other senior securities representing
indebtedness when calculating the relevant asset coverage ratio, or (ii) treats all tender option bonds or similar financing transactions
as derivatives transactions for all purposes under Rule 18f-4. The Fund was required to comply with Rule 18f-4 beginning August
19, 2022 and has adopted procedures for investing in derivatives and other transactions in compliance with Rule 18f-4.
Options and Futures Risks
The Fund and the Underlying
Funds may invest in options and futures contracts and such contracts are expected to be utilized by the Fund, if at all, for hedging
purposes. The use of futures and options transactions entails certain special risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation
between price movements of futures contracts and price movements in the related securities position of a fund could create the
possibility that losses on the hedging instrument are greater than gains in the value of a fund’s position. In addition,
futures and options markets could be illiquid in some circumstances and certain over-the-counter options could have no markets.
As a result, in certain markets, a fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring substantial losses. Although
a fund’s use of futures and options transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in
the value of the hedged position, at the same time it will tend to limit any potential gain to a fund that might result from an
increase in value of the position. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts create a greater ongoing
potential financial risk than would purchases of options, in which case the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium.
However, because option premiums paid by the Fund or an Underlying Fund are small in relation to the market value of the investments
underlying the options, buying options can result in large amounts of leverage. This leverage offered by trading in options could
cause the Fund’s or an Underlying Fund’s NAV to be subject to more frequent and wider fluctuation than would be the
case if the Fund or an Underlying Fund did not invest in options.
Options transactions
may be effected on securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. When options are purchased over-the-counter, the Fund
or an Underlying Fund bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations
under the option contract. The counterparties to these transactions typically will be major international banks, broker-dealers
and financial institutions. Such options may also be illiquid, and in such cases, the Fund or an Underlying Fund may have difficulty
closing out its position. Banks, broker-dealers or other financial institutions participating in such transactions may fail to
settle a transaction in accordance with the terms of the option as written. In the event of default or insolvency of the counterparty,
the Fund or an Underlying Fund may be unable to liquidate an over-the-counter option position.
An Underlying Fund
may purchase and sell call and put options with respect to specific securities, and may write and sell covered or uncovered call
and put options. A call option gives the purchaser of the call option, in return for a premium paid, the right to buy the security
underlying the option from the writer of the call option at a specified exercise price within a specified time frame. A put option
gives the purchaser of the put option, in return for a premium paid, the right to sell the underlying security to the writer of
the put option at a specified price within a specified time frame. A covered call option is a call option with respect to an underlying
security that a fund owns. The purchaser of a put or call option runs the risk of losing the purchaser’s entire investment,
paid as the premium, in a relatively short period of time if the option is not sold at a gain or cannot be exercised at a gain
prior to expiration. In selling put options, there is a risk that the Underlying Fund may be required to buy the underlying security
at a disadvantageous price above the market price. The un-covered writer of a call option is subject to a risk of loss if the
price of the underlying security should increase, and the un-covered writer of a put option is subject to a risk of loss if the
price of the underlying security should decrease.
The Fund may invest
a significant portion of its total assets in Underlying Funds that write covered call options. To the extent that an Underlying
Fund writes a covered call option, it 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 sum of the premium and the strike price of the call, but has retained
the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. As the writer of the option, the Underlying Fund bears the
market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying a written option. As an Underlying Fund writes covered
calls over more of its portfolio, its ability to benefit from capital appreciation becomes more limited and the risk of NAV erosion
increases. To the extent an Underlying Fund experiences NAV erosion (which itself may have an indirect negative effect on the
market price of interests in the Underlying Fund, the Underlying Fund will have a reduced asset base over which to write covered
calls, which may eventually lead to reduced distributions to shareholders such as the Fund. 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.
To the extent that
an Underlying Fund engages in selling options that trade in over-the-counter markets, the Underlying Fund may be subject to additional
risks. Participants in these markets are typically not subject to the same credit evaluation and regulatory oversight as members
of “exchange-based” markets. By engaging in option transactions in these markets, an Underlying Fund may take credit
risk with regard to parties with which it trades and also may bear the risk of settlement default. These risks may differ materially
from those involved in exchange-traded transactions, which generally are characterized by clearing organization guarantees, daily
marking-to-market and settlement, and segregation and minimum capital requirements applicable to intermediaries. Transactions
entered into directly between two counterparties generally do not benefit from these protections, which may subject an Underlying
Fund to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with agreed terms and conditions because of a
dispute over the terms of the contract or because of a credit or liquidity problem. Such “counterparty risk” is increased
for contracts with longer maturities when events may intervene to prevent settlement.
There can be no assurance
that a liquid market will exist for any particular futures contract at any particular time. Many futures exchanges and boards
of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit
has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day of a price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended
for specified periods during the trading day.
Swap Risks
The Fund and the Underlying
Funds may enter into various swap agreements and, other than total return swap agreements (as discussed herein), such agreements
are expected to be utilized by the Fund, if at all, for hedging purposes. All of these agreements are considered derivatives.
Swap agreements are two-party contracts under which the fund and a counterparty, such as a broker or dealer, agree to exchange
the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on an agreed-upon underlying asset or investment over the
term of the swap. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity which involves strategies and risks different
from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. If the Adviser, Subadviser or an Underlying Fund’s
investment adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of default risks, market spreads, liquidity or other applicable factors or events,
the investment performance of the Fund or Underlying Fund would diminish compared with what it would have been if these techniques
were not used. Swaps and swap options can be used for a variety of purposes, including: to manage fund exposure to changes in
interest rates and credit quality; as an efficient means of adjusting fund overall exposure to certain markets; in an effort to
enhance income or total return or protect the value of portfolio securities; to serve as a cash management tool; and to adjust
portfolio duration.
Swaps could result
in losses if interest rates or credit quality changes are not correctly anticipated by the Adviser, Subadviser or Underlying Fund
manager. Total return swaps could result in losses if the reference index, security, or investments do not perform as anticipated.
Total return swaps involve an enhanced risk that the issuer or counterparty will fail to perform its contractual obligations,
which could turn an expected gain into a loss. Total return swaps may effectively add leverage to the Fund’s portfolio because
the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the full notional amount of the swap. To the extent the Fund or an Underlying
Fund enters into a total return swap on equity securities, the Fund or the Underlying Fund will receive the positive performance
of a notional amount of such securities underlying the total return swap. In exchange, the Fund or the Underlying Fund will be
obligated to pay the negative performance of such notional amount of securities. Therefore, the Fund or the Underlying Fund assumes
the risk of a substantial decrease in the market value of the equity securities. The use of swaps may not always be successful;
using them could lower Fund or Underlying Fund total return, their prices can be highly volatile, and the potential loss from
the use of swaps can exceed the Fund’s or an Underlying Fund’s initial investment in such instruments.
Some, but not all,
swaps may be cleared, in which case a central clearing counterparty stands between each buyer and seller and effectively guarantees
performance of each contract, to the extent of its available resources for such purposes. As a result, the counterparty risk is
now shifted from bilateral risk between the parties to the individual credit risk of the central clearing counterparty. Even in
such case, there can be no assurance that a clearing house, or its members, will satisfy the clearing house’s obligations
to the Fund or an Underlying Fund or that the fund’s use of swaps will be advantageous.
Short Sale Risks
The Fund and the
Underlying Funds may engage in short sales. However, the Fund will not engage in any short sales of securities issued by CEFs.
Short sales are expected to be utilized by the Fund, if at all, for hedging purposes. A short sale is a transaction in which a
fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline. Positions in shorted
securities are speculative and riskier than long positions (purchases) in securities because the maximum sustainable loss on a
security purchased is limited to the amount paid for the security plus the transaction costs, whereas there is no maximum attainable
price of the shorted security. Therefore, in theory, securities sold short have unlimited risk. Short selling will also result
in higher transaction costs (such as interest and dividends), and may result in higher taxes, which reduce a fund’s return.
If a security sold
short increases in price, a fund may have to cover its short position at a higher price than the short sale price, resulting in
a loss. With respect to a fund’s short positions, the fund must borrow those securities to make delivery to the buyer.
A fund may not be able to borrow a security that it needs to deliver or it may not be able to close out a short position at an
acceptable price and may have to sell related long positions before it had intended to do so. As a result, a fund may not be able
to successfully implement its short sale strategy due to the limited availability of desired securities or for other reasons.
When borrowing a security
for delivery to a buyer, a fund also may be required to pay a premium and other transaction costs, which would increase the cost
of the security sold short. A fund must normally repay to the lender an amount equal to any dividends or interest earned while
the loan is outstanding. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased, by the amount of the
premium, dividends, interest or expenses a fund may be required to pay in connection with the short sale. Also, the lender of
a security may terminate the loan at a time when a fund is unable to borrow the same security for delivery. In that case, a fund
would need to purchase a replacement security at the then current market price or “buy in” by paying the lender an
amount equal to the costs of purchasing the security.
Because a fund’s
loss on a short sale arises from increases in the value of the security sold short, the loss is theoretically unlimited. In certain
cases, purchasing a security to cover a short position can itself cause the price of the security to rise further, which would
exacerbate the loss. Conversely, gains on short sales, after transaction and related costs, are generally the difference between
the price at which a fund sold the borrowed security and the price it paid to purchase the security for delivery to the buyer.
By contrast, a fund’s loss on a long position arises from decreases in the value of the security and is limited by the fact
that a security’s value cannot drop below zero.
By investing the proceeds
received from selling securities short, a fund is using a form of leverage, which creates special risks. The use of leverage may
increase a fund’s exposure to long equity positions and make any change in a fund’s NAV greater than it would be without
the use of leverage. This could result in increased volatility of returns. There is no guarantee that the Fund or an Underlying
Fund will leverage its portfolio, or if it does, that the leveraging strategy will be successful. The Fund also cannot guarantee
that the use of leverage by the Fund or an Underlying Fund will produce a higher return on an investment.
Rating Agency Risk
Ratings agencies such
as S&P, Fitch, Moody’s or other NRSROs provide ratings on debt securities based on their analyses of information they
deem relevant. Ratings are opinions or judgments of the credit quality of an issuer and may prove to be inaccurate. In addition,
there may be a delay between events or circumstances adversely affecting the ability of an issuer to pay interest and/or repay
principal and an NRSRO’s decision to downgrade a security. Further, a rating agency may have a conflict of interest with
respect to a security for which it assigns a particular rating if, for example, the issuer or sponsor of the security pays the
rating agency for the analysis of its security, which could affect the reliability of the rating.
United States Credit Rating Downgrade Risk
On August 5, 2011,
S&P lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating on the United States to “AA+” from “AAA.” In general,
a lower rating could increase the volatility in both stock and bond markets, result in higher interest rates and lower Treasury
prices and increase the costs of all kinds of debt. These events and similar events in other areas of the world could have significant
adverse impacts on issuers of securities held by the Fund and the Fund itself. The Adviser and the Subadviser cannot predict the
effects of these or similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets or on the Fund’s portfolio.
The Adviser and the Subadviser may not timely anticipate or manage existing, new or additional risks, contingencies or developments.
Legislation and Regulatory Risks
At any time after
the date of this Prospectus, legislation or additional regulations may be enacted that could negatively affect the assets of the
Fund or the issuers of such assets. Changing approaches to regulation may have a negative impact on the entities and/or securities
in which the Fund or an Underlying Fund invests. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund or an Underlying
Fund is regulated. New or amended regulations may be imposed by the CFTC, the SEC, the Federal Reserve or other financial regulators,
other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that supervise the financial markets that could adversely
affect the Fund or the Underlying Funds. There can be no assurance that future legislation, regulation or deregulation will not
have a material adverse effect on the Fund or will not impair the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objectives. The
Fund and the Underlying Funds also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes
and rules by these governmental authorities or self-regulatory organizations.
Market Disruption, Geopolitical, and Climate Change
Risks
The Fund and Underlying
Funds may be adversely affected by uncertainties and events around the world, such as terrorism, political developments, and changes
in government policies, taxation, restrictions on foreign investment and currency repatriation, currency fluctuations and other
developments in the laws and regulations of the countries in which they are invested. Assets of issuers including those held in
the Fund’s or an Underlying Fund’s portfolio, could be direct targets, or indirect casualties, of an act of terrorism.
In
February 2022, Russia commenced a military attack on Ukraine. The outbreak of hostilities between the two countries and the threat
of wider-spread hostilities could have a severe adverse effect on the region and global economies, including significant negative
impacts on the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas. In addition, sanctions imposed on
Russia by the United States and other countries, and any sanctions imposed in the future, could have a significant adverse impact
on the Russian economy and related markets. The price and liquidity of investments may fluctuate widely as a result of the conflict
and related events. How long the armed conflict and related events will last cannot be predicted. These tensions and any related
events could have a significant impact on Fund performance and the value of Fund investments.
Climate change poses
long-term threats to physical and biological systems. Potential hazards and risks related to climate change for a State or municipality
include, among other things, wildfires, rising sea levels, more severe coastal flooding and erosion hazards, and more intense
storms. Storms in recent years have demonstrated vulnerabilities in a State’s or municipality’s infrastructure to
extreme weather events. Climate change risks, if they materialize, can adversely impact a State’s or municipality’s
financial plan in current or future years. In addition, economists and others have expressed increasing concern about the potential
effects of global climate change on property and security values. A rise in sea levels, an increase in powerful windstorms and/or
a climate-driven increase in sea levels or flooding could cause coastal properties to lose value or become unmarketable altogether.
Economists warn that, unlike previous declines in the real estate market, properties in affected coastal zones may not ever recover
their value. Large wildfires driven by high winds and prolonged drought may devastate businesses and entire communities and may
be very costly to any business found to be responsible for the fire. Regulatory changes and divestment movements tied to concerns
about climate change could adversely affect the value of certain land and the viability of industries whose activities or products
are seen as accelerating climate change.
These losses could
adversely affect the bonds of municipalities that depend on tax or other revenues and tourist dollars generated by affected properties,
and insurers of the property and/or of municipal securities. Since property and security values are driven largely by buyers’
perceptions, it is difficult to know the time period over which these market effects might unfold.
Pandemic Risk
In
early 2020, an outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged globally. The outbreak of COVID-19 and its variants
resulted in closing international borders, enhanced health screenings, healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines,
cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general public concern and uncertainty. This outbreak
negatively affected the worldwide economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial health of individual
companies and the market in general in significant and unforeseen ways. On May 5, 2023, the World Health Organization declared
the end of the global emergency status for COVID-19. The United States subsequently ended the federal COVID-19 public health emergency
declaration effective May 11, 2023. Although vaccines for COVID-19 are widely available, it is unknown how long certain circumstances
related to the pandemic will persist, whether they will reoccur in the future and what additional implications may follow from
the pandemic. The impact of these events and other epidemics or pandemics in the future could adversely affect Fund performance.
Defensive Measures
The Fund may invest
up to 100% of its assets in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as a defensive measure in response to adverse market
conditions or opportunistically at the discretion of the Adviser or Subadviser. During these periods, the Fund may not be pursuing
its investment objectives.
Structural Risks:
Market Discount
Common stock of
CEFs frequently trades at a discount from its NAV. This risk may be greater for investors selling their shares in a relatively
short period of time after completion of the initial offering. The Fund’s Common Shares may trade at a price that is less
than the initial offering price. This risk would also apply to the Fund’s investments in CEFs.
Limited Term and Eligible Tender Offer Risk
The Fund is scheduled
to terminate on or about the Termination Date (unless it is converted to a perpetual fund). The Fund is not a so called “target
date” or “life cycle” fund whose asset allocation becomes more conservative over time as its target date, often
associated with retirement, approaches. In addition, the Fund is not a “target term” fund whose investment objective
is to return its original NAV on the termination date.
The Fund is not required
to conduct an Eligible Tender Offer. If the Fund conducts an Eligible Tender Offer, there can be no assurance that the number
of tendered Common Shares would not result in the Fund’s net assets totaling less than the Termination Threshold, in which
case the Eligible Tender Offer will be terminated, no Common Shares will be repurchased pursuant to the Eligible Tender Offer
and the Fund will terminate on or before the Termination Date (subject to possible extensions). Following the completion of an
Eligible Tender Offer in which the number of tendered Common Shares would result in the Fund’s net assets equaling or totaling
greater than the Termination Threshold, the Board of Directors may eliminate the limited term structure of the Fund upon the affirmative
vote of a majority of the Board of Directors and without a vote of Common Shareholders. Thereafter, the Fund will have a perpetual
existence. The Fund is not required to conduct additional tender offers following an Eligible Tender Offer and conversion to a
perpetual structure. Therefore, remaining Common Shareholders may not have another opportunity to participate in a tender offer
or exchange their Common Shares for the then-existing NAV per Common Share. Common Shares of closed-end management investment
companies frequently trade at a discount from their NAV and as a result remaining Common Shareholders may only be able to sell
their Common Shares at a discount to NAV. See “—Market Discount.” The Adviser may have a conflict of interest
in recommending to the Board of Directors that the limited term structure be eliminated and the Fund have a perpetual existence.
In order to pay for
Common Shares to be purchased in an Eligible Tender Offer or to liquidate the portfolio in connection with the Fund’s termination,
the Fund will be required to sell its assets. As a result, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio securities when it otherwise
would not, including at times when market conditions are not favorable, which may cause the Fund to lose money. The Fund may receive
proceeds from the disposition of portfolio investments that are less than the valuations of such investments by the Fund and,
in particular, losses from the disposition of illiquid securities may be significant. The disposition of portfolio investments
by the Fund could also cause market prices of such instruments, and hence the NAV and market price of the Common Shares, to decline.
In addition, disposition of portfolio investments will cause the Fund to incur increased brokerage and related transaction expenses.
Moreover, in conducting
such portfolio transactions, the Fund may need to deviate from its investment policies and may not achieve its investment objectives.
The Fund’s portfolio composition may change as its portfolio holdings mature or are called or sold in anticipation of an
Eligible Tender Offer or the Termination Date. During such period(s), it is possible that the Fund will hold a greater percentage
of its total assets in shorter term and lower yielding securities and cash and cash equivalents than it would otherwise, which
may impede the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objectives and adversely impact the Fund’s performance and
distributions to Common Shareholders, which may in turn adversely impact the market value of the Common Shares. In addition, the
Fund may be required to reduce its leverage, which could also adversely impact its performance. The additional cash or cash equivalents
held by the Fund could be obtained through reducing the Fund’s distributions to Common Shareholders and/or holding cash
in lieu of reinvesting, which could limit the ability of the Fund to participate in new investment opportunities. The Fund does
not limit its investments to securities having a maturity date prior to or around the Termination Date, which may exacerbate the
foregoing risks and considerations. A Common Shareholder may be subject to the foregoing risks over an extended period of time,
particularly if the Fund conducts an Eligible Tender Offer and is also subsequently terminated by or around the Termination Date.
If the Fund’s tax
basis for the investments sold is less than the sale proceeds, the Fund will recognize capital gains, which the Fund will be required
to distribute in order to avoid paying Fund-level tax and potentially excise tax on its undistributed capital gains. In addition, the
Fund’s purchase of tendered Common Shares pursuant to a tender offer will have tax consequences for tendering Common Shareholders
and may have tax consequences for non-tendering Common Shareholders. The purchase of Common Shares by the Fund pursuant to a tender offer
will have the effect of increasing the proportionate interest in the Fund of non-tendering Common Shareholders. All Common Shareholders
remaining after a tender offer will be subject to proportionately higher expenses due to the reduction in the Fund’s total assets
resulting from payment for the tendered Common Shares. A reduction in net assets, and the corresponding increase in the Fund’s
expense ratio, could result in lower returns and put the Fund at a disadvantage relative to its peers and potentially cause the Fund
to trade at a wider discount to NAV than it otherwise would. Such reduction in the Fund’s total assets may also result in less
investment flexibility, reduced diversification and greater volatility for the Fund, and may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s
investment performance. Moreover, the resulting reduction in the number of outstanding Common Shares could cause the Common Shares to
become thinly traded or otherwise adversely impact the secondary market trading of such shares. Furthermore, the portfolio of the Fund
following an Eligible Tender Offer could be significantly different and, therefore, Common Shareholders retaining an investment in the
Fund could be subject to greater risk. For example, the Fund may be required to sell its more liquid, higher quality portfolio investments
to purchase Common Shares that are tendered in an Eligible Tender Offer, which would leave a less liquid, lower quality portfolio for
remaining shareholders. The prospects of an Eligible Tender Offer may attract arbitrageurs who would purchase the Common Shares prior
to the tender offer for the sole purpose of tendering those shares which could have the effect of exacerbating the risks described herein
for shareholders retaining an investment in the Fund following an Eligible Tender Offer.
In connection with
its termination, the Fund may distribute the proceeds from the disposition of portfolio securities in one or more liquidating
distributions prior to the final liquidation, which may cause fixed expenses to increase when expressed as a percentage of assets
under management. Upon a termination, it is anticipated that the Fund will have distributed substantially all of its net assets
to Common Shareholders, although securities for which no market exists, securities trading at depressed prices, if any, and assets
recovered following termination may be placed in a liquidating trust. Common Shareholders will bear the costs associated with
establishing and maintaining a liquidating trust, if necessary. Securities placed in a liquidating trust may be held for an indefinite
period of time until they can be sold or pay out all of their cash flows. The Fund cannot predict the amount, if any, of securities
that will be required to be placed in a liquidating trust.
Investment Style Risk
The Fund is managed
by allocating the Fund’s assets to two different strategies as described in this Prospectus. This may cause the Fund to
underperform funds that do not limit their investments to these two strategies during periods when these strategies underperform
other types of investments.
Not a Complete Investment Program
The Fund is intended
for investors seeking current income and overall total return over the long-term, and is not intended to be a short-term trading
vehicle. An investment in the Common Shares of the Fund should not be considered a complete investment program. Each investor
should take into account the Fund’s investment objectives and other characteristics as well as the investor’s other
investments when considering an investment in the Common Shares. An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors.
Multi-Manager Risk
Fund performance is
dependent upon the success of the Adviser and the Subadviser in implementing the Fund’s investment strategies in pursuit
of its investment objectives. To a significant extent, the Fund’s performance will depend on the success of the Adviser’s
methodology in allocating the Fund’s assets between each of the principal investment strategies. The Adviser’s and
the Subadviser’s investment styles may not always be complementary, which could adversely affect the performance of the
Fund. Because the Adviser and the Subadviser each makes investment decisions independently, it is possible that the Adviser and
the Subadviser may, at any time, take positions that in effect may be opposite of positions taken by each other. In such cases,
the Fund will incur brokerage and other transaction costs without accomplishing any net investment results. The multi-manager
approach could increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rates, which may result in higher levels of realized capital gains
or losses with respect to the Fund’s portfolio securities, and higher broker commissions and other transaction costs. The
trading costs and tax consequences associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance. See “—Investment
Style Risk.”
In addition, the Subadviser’s
implementation of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy means that, at any point in time, the Subadviser will manage 35-75% of the
Fund’s Managed Assets. To the extent the Subadvisory Agreement with the Subadviser is terminated or not renewed, Fund performance
will become dependent on the Adviser or a new subadviser successfully implementing the Municipal Bond Income Strategy. There is
no assurance that a suitable replacement to the Subadviser could be found if the Subadvisory Agreement is terminated or not renewed.
Any such termination or non-renewal of the Subadvisory Agreement can have an adverse effect on an investment in the Fund. In addition,
to the extent the Adviser retains the responsibility of implementing the Municipal Bond Income Strategy of the Fund following
the termination or non-renewal of the Subadvisory Agreement, the approval of the Fund’s stockholders will likely not be
required.
Asset Allocation Risk
To the extent that
the Adviser’s asset allocation between the Fund’s principal investment strategies may fail to produce the intended
result, the Fund’s return may suffer. Additionally, the potentially active asset allocation style of the Fund may lead to
changing allocations over time and represent a risk to investors who target fixed asset allocations.
Leverage Risks
Leverage is a speculative
technique that exposes the Fund to greater risk and increased costs than if it were not implemented. Increases and decreases in
the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. As a result, leverage may cause greater
changes in the Fund’s NAV. The leverage costs may be greater than the Fund’s return on the underlying investments
made from the proceeds of leverage. The Fund’s leveraging strategy may not be successful. See “Use of Leverage.”
If the Fund were to
utilize leverage in the form of borrowing, it anticipates that the money borrowed for investment purposes will incur interest
based on shorter-term interest rates that would be periodically reset. So long as the Fund’s portfolio provides a higher
rate of return, net of expenses, than the interest rate on borrowed money, as reset periodically, the leverage may cause the holders
of Common Shares to receive a higher current rate of return than if the Fund were not leveraged. If, however, long-term and/or
short-term rates rise, the interest rate on borrowed money could exceed the rate of return on securities held by the Fund, reducing
return to the holders of Common Shares. Developments in the credit markets may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to borrow
money for investment purposes and may increase the costs of such borrowings, which would reduce returns to the holders of Common
Shares.
In addition to the
foregoing, the use of leverage involves risks and special considerations for Common Shareholders, including:
| ● | the likelihood of greater volatility
of NAV, market price and dividend rate of the Common Shares than a comparable portfolio
without leverage; |
| ● | the risk that fluctuations in
interest rates on borrowings or on short-term debt or in the interest or dividend rates
on any debt securities or Preferred Shares that the Fund must pay will reduce the return
to the Common Shareholders; |
| ● | the effect of leverage in a declining
market, which is likely to cause a greater decline in the NAV of the Common Shares than
if the Fund were not leveraged, may result in a greater decline in the market price of
the Common Shares; |
| ● | when the Fund uses financial
leverage, the investment management fees payable to the Adviser and the subadvisory fees
payable by the Adviser to the Subadviser will be higher than if the Fund did not use
leverage. This may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser and the Subadviser,
on the one hand, and the holders of Common Shares, on the other; and |
| ● | leverage may increase operating
costs, which may reduce total return. |
The use of leverage
may limit the Fund’s flexibility and may require that the Fund sell other portfolio investments to pay Fund expenses, to
maintain assets in an amount sufficient to cover the Fund’s leveraged exposure or to meet other obligations at a time when
it may be disadvantageous to sell such assets.
Certain types of borrowings
by the Fund may result in the Fund being subject to covenants in credit agreements relating to asset coverage and portfolio composition
requirements. The Fund may be subject to certain restrictions on investments imposed by guidelines of one or more rating agencies,
which may issue ratings for the short-term debt securities or Preferred Shares issued by the Fund. These guidelines may impose
asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. The Adviser does
not believe that these covenants or guidelines will impede it from managing the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the
Fund’s investment objectives and policies if the Fund were to utilize such leverage.
Leverage risk would
also apply to the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds to the extent an Underlying Fund uses leverage. To the extent the
Fund uses leverage and invests in Underlying Funds that also use leverage, the risks associated with leverage will be magnified,
potentially significantly.
The Fund currently
anticipates that leverage will be obtained through the use of proceeds received from tender option bond transactions. See “—Investment-Related
Risks—Tender Option Bonds Risks.”
Portfolio Turnover Risk
The Fund’s annual
portfolio turnover rate may vary greatly from year to year. High portfolio turnover may result in the realization of net short-term
capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed to holders of Common Shares, will be taxable as ordinary income. In addition,
a higher portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that
are borne by the Fund. However, portfolio turnover rate is not considered a limiting factor in the execution of investment decisions
for the Fund. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”
Potential Conflicts of Interest Risk
The Adviser, the Subadviser
and the portfolio managers of the Fund have interests which may conflict with the interests of the Fund. In particular, the Adviser
and the Subadviser each manages and/or advises other investment funds or accounts with the same or similar investment objectives
and strategies as the Fund. As a result, the Adviser, the Subadviser and the Fund’s portfolio managers may devote unequal
time and attention to the management of the Fund and those other funds and accounts, and may not be able to formulate as complete
a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities as might be the case if they were to devote substantially more
attention to the management of the Fund. The Adviser, the Subadviser and the Fund’s portfolio managers may identify a limited
investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple funds and accounts, and the opportunity may be allocated among these
several funds and accounts, which may limit the Fund’s ability to take full advantage of the investment opportunity. Additionally,
transaction orders may be aggregated for multiple accounts for purpose of execution, which may cause the price or brokerage costs
to be less favorable to the Fund than if similar transactions were not being executed concurrently for other accounts. Furthermore,
it is theoretically possible that a portfolio manager could use the information obtained from managing a fund or account to the
advantage of other funds or accounts under management, and also theoretically possible that actions could be taken (or not taken)
to the detriment of the Fund. At times, a portfolio manager may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for
only some of the funds and accounts for which he or she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the
funds and 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 or benefit of one or more other funds and accounts. For example, a portfolio manager
may determine that it would be in the interest of another account to sell a security that the Fund holds, potentially resulting
in a decrease in the market value of the security held by the Fund.
Conflicts potentially
limiting the Fund’s investment opportunities may also arise when the Fund and other clients of the Adviser or Subadviser
invest in, or even conduct research relating to, different parts of an issuer’s capital structure, such as when the Fund
owns senior debt obligations of an issuer and other clients own junior tranches of the same issuer. In such circumstances, decisions
over whether to trigger an event of default, over the terms of any workout, or how to exit an investment may result in conflicts
of interest. In order to minimize such conflicts, a portfolio manager may avoid certain investment opportunities that would potentially
give rise to conflicts with other clients of the Adviser or Subadviser (as applicable) or result in the Adviser or Subadviser
receiving material, non-public information, or the Adviser and Subadviser may enact internal procedures designed to minimize such
conflicts, which could have the effect of limiting the Fund’s investment opportunities. Additionally, if the Adviser or
Subadviser acquires material non-public confidential information in connection with its business activities for other clients,
a portfolio manager or other investment personnel may be restricted from purchasing securities or selling certain securities for
the Fund or other clients.
The portfolio managers
also may engage in cross trades between funds and accounts, may select brokers or dealers to execute securities transactions based
in part on brokerage and research services provided to the Adviser or the Subadviser which may not benefit all funds and accounts
equally and may receive different amounts of financial or other benefits for managing different funds and accounts. The Adviser,
the Subadviser and their affiliates may provide more services to some types of funds and accounts than others.
The Fund, Adviser
and/or Subadviser (as applicable) have adopted policies and procedures that address the foregoing potential conflicts of interest,
including policies and procedures to address the allocation of investment opportunities, execution of portfolio transactions,
personal trading by employees and other potential conflicts of interest that are designed to ensure that all accounts of the Adviser
and Subadviser are treated equitably. There is no guarantee that the policies and procedures adopted by the Adviser, the Subadviser
and the Fund will be able to identify or mitigate the conflicts of interest that arise between the Fund and any other investment
funds or accounts that the Adviser and/or the Subadviser may manage or advise from time to time. For further information on potential
conflicts of interest, see “Management of the Fund—Conflicts of Interest” in the SAI.
In addition, while
the Fund is using leverage, the amount of the fees paid to the Adviser (and by the Adviser to the Subadviser) for investment advisory
and management services are higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid are calculated based on the Fund’s
Managed Assets, which include assets purchased with leverage. Therefore, the Adviser and the Subadviser have a financial incentive
to leverage the Fund, which creates a conflict of interest between the Adviser and the Subadviser on the one hand and the Common
Shareholders of the Fund on the other.
Stockholder Activism
Stockholder activism,
which could take many forms, including making public demands that the Fund consider certain strategic alternatives, engaging in
public campaigns to attempt to influence the Fund’s corporate governance and/or management, and commencing proxy contests
to attempt to elect the activists’ representatives or others to the Fund’s Board of Directors, or arise in a variety
of situations, has been increasing in the CEF space recently. While the Fund is currently not subject to any stockholder activism,
due to the potential volatility of the Fund’s stock price and for a variety of other reasons, the Fund may in the future
become the target of stockholder activism. Stockholder activism could result in substantial costs and divert management’s
and the Board of Director’s attention and resources from its business. Also, the Fund may be required to incur significant
legal and other expenses related to any activist stockholder matters. Further, the Fund’s stock price could be subject to
significant fluctuation or otherwise be adversely affected by the events, risks and uncertainties of any stockholder activism.
Cyber Security Risk
With the increased
use of the Internet and because information technology (“IT”) systems and digital data underlie most of the Fund’s
operations, the Fund and the Adviser, Subadviser, transfer agent, and other service providers and the vendors of each (collectively
“Service Providers”) are exposed to the risk that their operations and data may be compromised as a result of internal
and external cyber-failures, breaches or attacks (“Cyber Risk”). This could occur as a result of malicious or criminal
cyber-attacks. Cyber-attacks include actions taken to: (i) steal or corrupt data maintained online or digitally, (ii) gain unauthorized
access to or release confidential information, (iii) shut down the Fund or Service Provider website through denial-of-service
attacks, or (iv) otherwise disrupt normal business operations. However, events arising from human error, faulty or inadequately
implemented policies and procedures or other systems failures unrelated to any external cyber-threat may have effects similar
to those caused by deliberate cyber-attacks.
Successful cyber-attacks
or other cyber-failures or events affecting the Fund or its Service Providers may adversely impact the Fund or its shareholders
or cause an investment in the Fund to lose value. For instance, such attacks, failures or other events may interfere with the
processing of shareholder transactions, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, cause the release of private shareholder
information or confidential Fund information, impede trading, or cause reputational damage. Because the Fund does not offer to
redeem its Common Shares at NAV, damage to the reputation of the Fund or its service providers could cause a decline in the value
of the Fund’s Common Shares, perhaps suddenly. Such attacks, failures or other events could also subject the Fund or its
Service Providers to regulatory fines, penalties or financial losses, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional
compliance costs. Insurance protection and contractual indemnification provisions may be insufficient to cover these losses. The
Fund or its Service Providers may also incur significant costs to manage and control Cyber Risk. While the Fund and its Service
Providers have established IT and data security programs and have in place business continuity plans and other systems designed
to prevent losses and mitigate Cyber Risk, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including the possibility
that certain risks have not been identified or that cyber-attacks may be highly sophisticated.
Cyber Risk is also
present for issuers of securities or other instruments in which the Fund invests, which could result in material adverse consequences
for such issuers, and may cause the Fund’s investment in such issuers to lose value.
Secondary Market for the Common Shares
The issuance of Common
Shares through the Plan may have an adverse effect on the secondary market for the Common Shares. The increase in the number of
outstanding Common Shares resulting from the issuances pursuant to the Plan and the discount to the market price at which such
Common Shares may be issued, may put downward pressure on the market price for the Common Shares. When the Common Shares are trading
at a premium, the Fund may also issue Common Shares that may be sold through private transactions effected on the NYSE or through
broker-dealers. The increase in the number of outstanding Common Shares resulting from these offerings may put downward pressure
on the market price for Common Shares.
Anti-Takeover Provisions
Maryland law and the
Fund’s Charter and Bylaws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control
of the Fund or to convert the Fund to open-end status, including the adoption of a staggered Board of Directors and the supermajority
voting requirements discussed herein. These provisions could deprive the holders of Common Shares of opportunities to sell their
Common Shares at a premium over the then current market price of the Common Shares or at NAV. See “Certain Provisions of
the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws and of Maryland Law.” This risk would also apply to many of the Fund’s investments
in Underlying Funds.
Risks Associated
with Additional Offerings. There are risks associated with offerings of additional common or preferred shares of the Fund.
The voting power of current shareholders will be diluted to the extent that current shareholders do not purchase shares in any
future offerings of shares or do not purchase sufficient shares to maintain their percentage interest. In addition, the sale of
shares in an offering may have an adverse effect on prices in the secondary market for the Fund’s shares by increasing the
number of shares available, which may put downward pressure on the market price of the Fund’s Shares. These sales also might
make it more difficult for the Fund to sell additional equity securities in the future at a time and price the Fund deems appropriate.
In the event any additional
series of fixed rate preferred shares are issued and such shares are intended to be listed on an exchange, prior application will
have been made to list such shares. During an initial period, which is not expected to exceed 30 days after the date of its initial
issuance, such shares may not be listed on any securities exchange. During such period, the underwriters may make a market in
such shares, although they will have no obligation to do so. Consequently, an investment in such shares may be illiquid during
such period. Fixed rate preferred shares may trade at a premium to or discount from liquidation value.
There are risks
associated with an offering of Rights (in addition to the risks discussed herein related to the offering of shares and preferred
shares). Shareholders who do not exercise their rights may, at the completion of such an offering, own a smaller proportional
interest in the Fund than if they exercised their rights. As a result of such an offering, a shareholder may experience dilution
in NAV per share if the subscription price per share is below the NAV per share on the expiration date. In addition to the economic
dilution described above, if a shareholder does not exercise all of their Rights, the shareholder will incur voting dilution as
a result of the Rights offering. This voting dilution will occur because the shareholder will own a smaller proportionate interest
in the Fund after the rights offering than prior to the Rights offering.
There is a risk that
changes in market conditions may result in the underlying common shares or preferred shares purchasable upon exercise of Rights
being less attractive to investors at the conclusion of the subscription period. This may reduce or eliminate the value of the
Rights. If investors exercise only a portion of the rights, the number of shares issued may be reduced, and the shares may trade
at less favorable prices than larger offerings for similar securities. Rights issued by the Fund may be transferable or non-transferable
rights.
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Effects of Leverage [Text Block] |
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Effects of Leverage.
The aggregate principal amount of borrowings under the Pershing Facility and the use of proceeds from tender option bond transactions
represented approximately 40.44% of Managed Assets as of June 30, 2023. Asset coverage with respect to tender option bond transactions
was 247%. Through March 28, 2022, borrowings under the Pershing Facility bore interest at the overnight bank funding rate plus
90 basis points for a term of 60 calendar days. On March 28, 2022, the Fund entered into an amendment to the Pershing Facility
that revised the interest rate to the overnight bank funding rate plus 80 basis points As of June 30, 2023, total annual interest
rate on the Pershing Facility was 5.87% of the principal amount outstanding, while the average daily weighted interest rate applicable
to the leverage attended through the use of tender option bond transactions during the period ending June 30, 2023 was 3.14% of
the note obligation outstanding. The total weighted average cost of the leverage outstanding as of June 30, 2023 (inclusive of
the Pershing facility and leverage attended through the use of tender option bond transactions) was 3.14% of the principal amount
outstanding. Assuming that the Fund’s leverage costs remain as described above (at an assumed annual cost of 3.14% of the
principal amount outstanding) the annual return that the Fund’s portfolio must experience (net of expenses) in order to
cover its leverage costs would be 1.27%.
The following table is furnished in
response to requirements of the SEC. It is designed to illustrate the effect of leverage on total return on common shares, assuming
investment portfolio total returns (comprised of income, net expenses and changes in the value of investments 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 what the Fund’s investment portfolio returns will be. In other words, the Fund’s actual returns may
be greater or less than those appearing in the table below. The table further reflects the use of leverage representing approximately
40.44% of the Fund’s Managed Assets and the Fund’s assumed annual leverage costs rate of 3.14% of the principal amounts
outstanding.
Assumed Portfolio Return |
-10.00% |
-5.00% |
0.00% |
5.00% |
10.00% |
Common Share Total Return |
-18.92% |
-10.53% |
-2.13% |
6.26% |
14.66% |
Total return is composed of two elements—the
dividends on common shares paid by the Fund (the amount of which is largely determined by the Fund’s net investment income
after paying the cost of leverage) and realized and unrealized gains or losses on the value of the securities the Fund owns. As
the table shows, leverage generally increases the return to common shareholders when portfolio return is positive or greater than
the costs of leverage and decreases return when the portfolio return is negative or less than the costs of leverage.
During the time in which the Fund is using
leverage, the amount of the fees paid to the Adviser (and from the Adviser to the Subadviser) for investment management services
(and subadvisory services) is higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid are calculated based on the Fund’s
Managed Assets. This may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser and the Subadviser, on the one hand, and the common
shareholders, on the other. Also, because the leverage costs will be borne by the Fund at a specified interest rate, only the
Fund’s common shareholders will bear the cost of the Fund’s management fees and other expenses. There can be no assurance
that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed.
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Effects of Leverage [Table Text Block] |
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Assumed Portfolio Return |
-10.00% |
-5.00% |
0.00% |
5.00% |
10.00% |
Common Share Total Return |
-18.92% |
-10.53% |
-2.13% |
6.26% |
14.66% |
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Effects of Leverage, Purpose [Text Block] |
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The following table is furnished in
response to requirements of the SEC. It is designed to illustrate the effect of leverage on total return on common shares, assuming
investment portfolio total returns (comprised of income, net expenses and changes in the value of investments 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 what the Fund’s investment portfolio returns will be. In other words, the Fund’s actual returns may
be greater or less than those appearing in the table below. The table further reflects the use of leverage representing approximately
40.44% of the Fund’s Managed Assets and the Fund’s assumed annual leverage costs rate of 3.14% of the principal amounts
outstanding.
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Share Price [Table Text Block] |
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MARKET PRICE(1) |
NET ASSET VALUE (2) |
PREMIUM/(DISCOUNT)
TO NET ASSET
VALUE(3) |
Quarter Ended |
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
June 30, 2020 |
$20.24 |
$18.76 |
$19.82 |
$20.44 |
2.12% |
-8.22% |
September 30, 2020 |
$20.78 |
$19.62 |
$22.82 |
$21.72 |
-8.94% |
-9.66% |
December 31, 2020 |
$21.99 |
$20.00 |
$23.41 |
$21.98 |
-6.07% |
-9.01% |
March 31, 2021 |
$23.40 |
$20.95 |
$24.15 |
$23.33 |
-3.11% |
-10.20% |
June 30, 2021 |
$24.41 |
$22.25 |
$24.85 |
$24.06 |
-1.77% |
-7.54% |
September 30, 2021 |
$24.63 |
$23.25 |
$24.81 |
$24.16 |
-0.71% |
-3.77% |
December 31, 2021 |
$23.64 |
$21.65 |
$23.94 |
$23.15 |
-1.25% |
-6.48% |
March 31, 2022 |
$22.45 |
$18.29 |
$22.98 |
$20.04 |
-2.32% |
-8.73% |
June 30, 2022 |
$18.74 |
$15.95 |
$20.29 |
$17.64 |
-7.64% |
-9.58% |
September 30, 2022 |
$17.94 |
$15.60 |
$19.20 |
$17.17 |
-6.56% |
-9.16% |
December 31, 2022 |
$17.00 |
$14.68 |
$17.76 |
$16.45 |
-4.28% |
-10.76% |
March 31, 2023 |
$16.70 |
$15.10 |
$18.24 |
$17.16 |
-8.44% |
-12.00% |
June 30, 2023 |
$15.94 |
$14.85 |
$17.75 |
$16.54 |
-10.20% |
-10.22% |
| (1) | Based on high and low closing market price for the
respective quarter. |
| (2) | Based on the NAV calculated on the day of
the high and low closing market prices, as applicable, as of the close of regular trading
on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). |
| (3) | Calculated based on the information presented. |
The last reported
sale price, NAV per share and percentage discount to NAV per share of the common shares as of September 18, 2023 were $14.99, $16.21 and -7.53%, respectively. As of that same date, the Fund had 6,114,699 common shares outstanding and net
assets of the Fund were $99,105,277.
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Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract] |
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Security Title [Text Block] |
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DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND’S SECURITIES
The following summary
of the terms of the common shares of the Fund does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety
by reference to the Maryland General Corporation Law, and to the Fund’s Charter and the Fund’s Bylaws, copies of which
are filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement.
The Fund’s
authorized capital stock consists of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, all of which is classified
as common shares. The Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board of Directors, but without any action
by the shareholders of the Fund, may amend the Fund’s Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number
of shares of stock of the Fund or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Fund has authority to issue.
In general, shareholders
or subscribers for the Fund’s stock have no personal liability for the debts and obligations of the Fund because of their
status as shareholders or subscribers, except to the extent that the subscription price or other agreed consideration for the
stock has not been paid.
Common Stock
The Fund’s
common shares have no preemptive, conversion, exchange, appraisal or redemption rights, and each share has equal voting, dividend,
distribution and liquidation rights.
Common shareholders
are entitled to receive dividends if and when the Board of Directors declares dividends from funds legally available. Whenever
Fund Preferred Shares or borrowings are outstanding, common shareholders will not be entitled to receive any distributions from
the Fund unless all accrued dividends on the Preferred Shares and interest and principal payments on borrowings have been paid,
and unless the applicable asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act would be satisfied after giving effect to the distribution
as described above.
In the event of the
Fund’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, common shares would be entitled to share ratably in all of the Fund’s
assets that are legally available for distribution after the Fund pays all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential
rights of holders of Preferred Shares, if any Preferred Shares are outstanding at such time.
Common shareholders
are entitled to one vote per share. All voting rights for the election of directors are noncumulative, which means that, assuming
there are no Preferred Shares outstanding, the holders of more than 50% of the common shares will elect 100% of the directors
then nominated for election if they choose to do so and, in such event, the holders of the remaining common shares will not be
able to elect any Directors.
The Fund’s Charter
authorizes the Board of Directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of common stock into other classes or series
of stock. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, the Board of Directors is required by Maryland law and by the Fund’s
Charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or
other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Thus, the Board of Directors
could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring
or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of the Fund’s common shares
or otherwise be in their best interest. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has no plans to classify or reclassify any
unissued shares of common stock.
The Fund’s
currently outstanding common shares are, and the Common Shares offered in this Prospectus will be, subject to notice of issuance,
listed on the NYSE under the trading or “ticker” symbol “RFM.” Under the rules of the NYSE applicable
to listed companies, the Fund is required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders in each year.
The provisions
of the 1940 Act generally require that the public offering price (less underwriting commissions and discounts) of common shares
sold by a closed-end investment company must equal or exceed the NAV of such company’s common shares (calculated within
48 hours of the pricing of such offering), unless such a sale is made in connection with an offering to existing holders of shares
of common stock or with the consent of a majority of its common stockholders. The Fund may, from time to time, seek the consent
of common shareholders to permit the issuance and sale by the Fund of Common Shares at a price below the Fund’s then-current
NAV, subject to certain conditions. If such consent is obtained, the Fund may, contemporaneous with and in no event more than
one year following the receipt of such consent, sell Common Shares at a price below NAV in accordance with any conditions adopted
in connection with the giving of such consent. Additional information regarding any consent of common shareholders obtained by
the Fund and the applicable conditions imposed on the issuance and sale by the Fund of Common Shares at a price below NAV will
be disclosed in the prospectus supplement relating to any such offering of Common Shares at a price below NAV. See also “—Subscription
Rights” below.
Preferred Stock
The Fund’s Charter
authorizes the Board of Directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock,
including Preferred Shares, without the approval of common shareholders. Prior to issuance of any shares of Preferred Shares,
the Board of Directors is required by Maryland law and by the Fund’s Charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion and
other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions
of redemption for such shares. Thus, the Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of Preferred Shares with terms and conditions
that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium
price for common shareholders or otherwise be in their best interest. The prospectus supplement for any potential offering of
preferred shares will describe the terms and conditions of those shares, including information regarding the liquidation preference,
distribution rate, any optional or mandatory redemption provisions and whether the preferred shares are convertible into common
shares. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has not issued any Preferred Shares.
Any issuance of Preferred
Shares must comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. Specifically, the Fund is not permitted under the 1940 Act to issue
Preferred Shares unless immediately after such issuance the total asset value of the Fund’s portfolio is at least 200% of
the liquidation value of the outstanding Preferred Shares. Among other requirements, including other 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 directors
at all times. 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 would have the right to elect a majority of the Fund’s directors at any time two years’
dividends on any Preferred Shares are unpaid.
Preferred Shares of
the Fund would be senior to the common shares with respect to the payment of dividends and the distributions of the assets of
the Fund upon liquidation. In addition, all Preferred Shares of the Fund would be pari passu (or on equal footing) with one another
and junior to the Fund’s senior securities representing indebtedness. See “Use of Leverage”.
The applicable prospectus
supplement will set forth whether or not the shares of the Fund’s preferred stock offered in this Prospectus will be listed
or traded on any securities exchange. If the shares of the Fund’s preferred stock are not listed on a securities exchange,
there may be no active secondary trading market for such shares and an investment in such shares may be illiquid.
The terms, if any,
on which the preferred stock may be exchanged for or converted into shares of common stock or any other security and, if applicable,
the conversion or exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and the conversion or exchange period will also be set forth in
the applicable prospectus supplement.
Subscription Rights
The Fund may issue
Rights to (i) common shareholders to purchase Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares or (ii) preferred shareholders to purchase
Preferred Shares (subject to applicable law). Rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered Security and
may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the Rights. In connection with a Rights offering to common
and/or preferred shareholders, the Fund would distribute certificates evidencing the Rights and a prospectus supplement, containing
all of the material terms of the Rights agreement relating to such Rights (the “Subscription Rights Agreement”), to
the Fund’s common or preferred shareholders, as applicable, as of the record date that the Fund sets for determining the
shareholders eligible to receive Rights in such Rights offering.
The applicable prospectus
supplement would describe the following terms of Rights in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered:
| ● | the period of time the offering
would remain open (which will be open a minimum number of days such that all record holders
would be eligible to participate in the offering and will not be open longer than 120
days); |
| ● | the title of such subscription
Rights; |
| ● | the exercise price for such Rights
(or method of calculation thereof); |
| ● | the number of such Rights issued
in respect of each common share; |
| ● | the number of Rights required
to purchase a single preferred share; |
| ● | the extent to which such Rights
are transferable and the market on which they may be traded if they are transferable; |
| ● | if applicable, a discussion of
the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise
of such Rights; |
| ● | the date on which the right to
exercise such Rights will commence, and the date on which such right will expire (subject
to any extension); |
| ● | the extent to which such Rights
include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities and the
terms of such over-subscription privilege; |
| ● | any termination right the Fund
may have in connection with such Rights offering; |
| ● | the expected trading market,
if any, for Rights; and |
| ● | any other terms of such Rights,
including exercise, settlement and other procedures and limitations relating to the transfer
and exercise of such Rights. |
Exercise of Rights.
Each Right would entitle the holder of the Right to purchase for cash such number of shares at such exercise price as in each
case is set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the Rights offered thereby. Rights
would be exercisable at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for such Rights set forth in the prospectus
supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised Rights would become void.
Upon expiration of
the Rights offering and the receipt of payment and the Rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate
trust office of the Rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, the Fund would issue, as soon as
practicable, the shares purchased as a result of such exercise. To the extent permissible under applicable law, the Fund may determine
to offer any unsubscribed offered Securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or
dealers or through a combination of such methods, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Subscription Rights
to Purchase Common and Preferred Stock
The Fund may issue
Rights, which would entitle holders to purchase both Common Shares and Preferred Shares in a ratio to be set forth in the applicable
prospectus supplement. In accordance with the 1940 Act, at least three subscription rights to purchase Common Shares would be
required to subscribe for one Common Share. It is expected that Rights to purchase both Common Shares and Preferred Shares would
require holders to purchase an equal number of Common Shares and Preferred Shares, and would not permit holders to purchase an
unequal number of Common Shares or Preferred Shares, or purchase only Common Shares or only Preferred Shares. For example, such
an offering might be structured such that three Rights would entitle an investor to purchase one Common Share and one Preferred
Share, and such investor would not be able to choose to purchase only a Common Share or only a Preferred Share upon the exercise
of his, her or its Rights.
The Common Shares
and Preferred Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of any such Rights, however, would at all times be separately tradeable securities.
Such Common Shares and Preferred Shares would not be issued as a “unit” or “combination” and would not
be listed or traded as a “unit” or “combination” on a securities exchange, such as the NYSE, at any time.
The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth additional details regarding an offering of Rights to purchase Common Shares
and Preferred Shares.
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Outstanding Securities [Table Text Block] |
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The following table
provides information about the Fund’s outstanding securities as of September 18, 2023:
Title of Class |
Amount Authorized |
Amount Held by the Fund or for its Account |
Amount Outstanding |
Common Shares |
50,000,000 |
0 |
6,114,699 |
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Investment Related Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Investment-Related Risks:
With the exception
of Underlying Fund risk (and except as otherwise noted below), the following risks apply to the direct investments the Fund may
make, and generally apply to the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds. That said, each risk described below may not apply
to each Underlying Fund.
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Investment And Market Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Investment and Market Risks
An investment in
the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount invested. An investment in
Common Shares represents an indirect investment in the Underlying Funds owned by the Fund. The value of the Fund or the Underlying
Funds, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Overall stock market risks may
also affect the NAV of the Fund or the Underlying Funds. Factors such as economic growth and market conditions, interest rate
levels and political events affect the securities markets. The Common Shares at any point in time may be worth less than the original
investment, even after taking into account any reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
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Management Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Management Risks
The Adviser’s
and the Subadviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of a particular asset class or
individual security in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and there is no guarantee that the Adviser’s or
the Subadviser’s judgment, as applicable, will produce the desired results. Similarly, the Fund’s investments in Underlying
Funds are subject to the judgment of the Underlying Funds’ managers which may prove to be incorrect. In addition, the Adviser
and Subadviser will have limited information as to the portfolio holdings of the Underlying Funds at any given time. This may
result in the Adviser and Subadviser having less ability to respond to changing market conditions. The Fund may allocate its assets
so as to under-emphasize or over-emphasize its investments under the wrong market conditions, in which case the Fund’s NAV
may be adversely affected.
In addition, the Fund
depends on the diligence, skill and business contacts of the investment professionals of the Adviser and the Subadviser to achieve
the Fund’s investment objectives. In particular, the Adviser and Subadviser are dependent upon the expertise of their respective
portfolio management teams to implement the Fund’s strategies. If the Adviser or the Subadviser were to lose the services
of one or more key individuals, including members of their portfolio management teams, each may not be able to hire qualified
replacements or may require an extended time to do so. This could prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objectives and
could have an adverse effect on an investment in the Fund.
The Adviser and
the Subadviser each manage several registered open-end funds and CEFs, and the portfolio managers have previous experience managing
CEFs. As with any managed fund, the Adviser and Subadviser may not be successful in selecting the best performing securities,
leverage strategy or investment techniques, and the Fund’s performance may lag behind that of similar funds as a result.
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Securities Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Securities Risks
The value of the Fund
or an Underlying Fund may decrease in response to the activities and financial prospects of individual securities in the fund’s
portfolio.
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Municipal Bond Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Municipal Bond Risks
Economic exposure
to Municipal Bonds involves certain risks. The Fund’s economic exposure to Municipal Bonds includes Municipal Bonds in the
Fund’s portfolio and Municipal Bonds to which the Fund is exposed through Underlying Funds and the ownership of TOB Residuals.
The municipal market is one in which dealer firms make markets in bonds on a principal basis using their proprietary capital,
and at times these firms’ capital may be severely constrained. In such event, some firms may be unwilling to commit their
capital to purchase and to serve as a dealer for Municipal Bonds. Municipal Bonds typically are not registered with the SEC or
any state securities commission and will not be listed on any national securities exchange. The amount of public information available
about the Municipal Bonds to which the Fund is economically exposed is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds,
and the investment performance of the Fund may therefore be more dependent on the analytical abilities of the Adviser and the
Subadviser than would be a stock fund or taxable bond fund. The secondary market for Municipal Bonds, particularly non-investment
grade bonds, also tends to be less well-developed or liquid than many other securities markets, which may adversely affect the
ability to sell such bonds at attractive prices or at prices approximating those at which the Fund and Underlying Funds currently
value them.
In addition, many state
and municipal governments that issue securities are under significant economic and financial stress and may not be able to satisfy their
obligations. The ability of municipal issuers to make timely payments of interest and principal may be diminished during general economic
downturns and as governmental cost burdens are reallocated among Federal, state and local governments. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly
stressed the financial resources of many municipalities and other issuers of municipal securities, which may impair their ability to
meet their financial obligations and may harm the value or liquidity of the Fund’s investments in municipal securities. In particular,
responses by municipalities to the COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in business activities. These and other effects of the COVID-19
pandemic, such as increased unemployment levels, impacted tax and other revenues of municipalities and other issuers of municipal securities
and the financial conditions of such issuers. As a result, there is increased budgetary and financial pressure on municipalities and
heightened risk of default or other adverse credit or similar events for issuers of municipal securities, which would adversely impact
the Fund’s investments. See “—Market Disruption, Geopolitical, Pandemic and Climate Change Risks.” In addition,
the taxing power of any governmental entity may be limited by provisions of state constitutions or other laws, and an entity’s
credit generally will depend on many factors, including the entity’s tax base, the extent to which the entity relies on Federal
or state aid, and other factors which are beyond the entity’s control. In addition, laws enacted in the future by Congress or state
legislatures or referenda could extend the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or impose other constraints on enforcement
of such obligations, or on the ability of municipalities to levy taxes or could limit the tax exemption of certain types of Municipal
Bonds that the Fund and Underlying Funds may invest in. Issuers of Municipal Bonds might seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. In
the event of bankruptcy of such an issuer, holders of Municipal Bonds could experience delays in collecting principal and interest and
such holders may not, in all circumstances, be able to collect all principal and interest to which they are entitled. To enforce its
rights in the event of a default in the payment of interest or repayment of principal, or both, the Fund may, in certain circumstances,
take possession of and manage the assets securing the issuer’s obligations on such securities, which may increase the Fund’s
operating expenses. Any income derived from the Fund’s ownership or operation of such assets may not be tax-exempt.
General obligation
bonds are obligations involving the credit of an issuer possessing taxing power and are payable from such issuer’s general
revenues and not from any particular source. Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax
revenues and the ability to maintain an adequate tax base. The timely payments may also be influenced by any unfunded pension
liabilities or other post-employee benefit plan liabilities.
Revenue bonds involve
special risks, including that the underlying facilities may not generate sufficient income to pay expenses and interest costs.
In the case of revenue bonds issued by state and local agencies to finance the development of low-income, multi-family housing,
such bonds are generally non-recourse against the property owner, may be junior to the rights of others with an interest in the
properties, may pay interest that changes based in part on the financial performance of the property, may be prepayable without
penalty and may be used to finance the construction of housing developments which, until completed and rented, do not generate
income to pay interest. Increases in interest rates payable on senior obligations may make it more difficult for issuers to meet
payment obligations on subordinated bonds.
The Fund may be more
sensitive to adverse economic, business or political developments if it invests a substantial portion of its assets in the bonds
of specific projects (such as those relating to education, health care, housing, transportation, and utilities), industrial development
bonds, or general obligation bonds, particularly if there is a large concentration from issuers in a single state. This is because
the value of Municipal Bonds can be significantly affected by the political, economic, legal, and legislative realities of the
particular issuer’s locality or municipal sector events. Similarly, changes to state or federal regulation tied to a specific
sector, such as the hospital sector, could have an impact on the revenue stream for a given subset of the market.
Municipal leases and
certificates of participation involve special risks not normally associated with general obligation or revenue bonds. Leases and
installment purchase or conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for title to the leased asset to pass eventually to
the governmental issuer) have evolved as a means for governmental issuers to acquire property and equipment without meeting the
constitutional and statutory requirements for the issuance of debt. The debt issuance limitations are deemed to be inapplicable
because of the inclusion in many leases or contracts of “non-appropriation” clauses that relieve the governmental
issuer of any obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such purpose by
the appropriate legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis. In addition, such leases or contracts may be subject to
the temporary abatement of payments in the event that the governmental issuer is prevented from maintaining occupancy of the lease
premises or utilizing the leased equipment. Although the obligations may be secured by the leased equipment or facilities, the
disposition of the property in the event of non-appropriation or foreclosure might prove difficult, time consuming and costly,
and may result in a delay in recovering or the failure to fully recover ownership of the assets.
Certificates of participation,
which represent interests in unmanaged pools of municipal leases or installment contracts, involve the same risks as the underlying
municipal leases. In addition, the Fund may be dependent upon the municipal authority issuing the certificate of participation
to exercise remedies with respect to the underlying securities. Certificates of participation also entail a risk of default or
bankruptcy, both of the issuer of the municipal lease and also the municipal agency issuing the certificate of participation.
Municipalities and
other public authorities issue private activity bonds to finance development of facilities for use by a private enterprise, which
is solely responsible for paying the principal and interest on the bond. Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special
purpose public authorities of a state or municipality. If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds
becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality.
To be tax-exempt,
Municipal Bonds must meet certain regulatory requirements. If a Municipal Bond fails to meet such requirements, the interest received
by the Fund from its investment in such bonds and distributed to shareholders may be taxable. It is possible that interest on
a Municipal Bond may be declared taxable after the issuance of the bond, and this determination may apply retroactively to the
date of the issuance of the bond, which could cause a portion of prior distributions made by the Fund to be taxable to shareholders
in the year of receipt.
Municipal bonds are
also subject to interest rate, credit, and liquidity risk, which are discussed generally elsewhere in this section.
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State Specific And Industry Risk [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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State Specific and Industry Risk
The Fund may not
directly invest more than 25% of its Managed Assets in Municipal Bonds in any one industry or in any one state of origin. However,
the Fund’s overall exposure to a single industry or a single state of origin may be greater after factoring in the investments
of the Underlying Funds, in which case the Fund may be more susceptible to adverse economic, political or regulatory occurrences
affecting that particular state or industry. For example, the Fund may invest, under normal market conditions, up to 20% of the
Managed Assets allocated to the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy in single state municipal CEFs and such investments
could increase the Fund’s overall exposure to a particular single state. To the extent that the Fund is aware of the investments
held by the Underlying Funds, the Fund will consider such information when determining compliance with its fundamental policy
relating to industry concentration as described in the SAI. See “Investment Restrictions” in the Fund’s SAI.
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Puerto Rico Municipal Bond Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Puerto Rico Municipal Bond Risks
The Fund may invest
directly, without limit, in Puerto Rico Municipal Bonds, subject to the industry, issuer and below investment grade investment
restrictions under the Municipal Bond Income Strategy, as applicable. Municipal obligations issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico or its political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities, or public corporations may be affected by economic, market, political,
and social conditions in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico currently is experiencing significant fiscal and economic challenges, including
substantial debt service obligations, high levels of unemployment, underfunded public retirement systems, and persistent government
budget deficits. These challenges may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments in Puerto Rico Municipal Bonds.
Major ratings agencies have downgraded the general obligation debt of Puerto Rico to below investment grade and continue to maintain
a negative outlook for this debt, which increases the likelihood that the rating will be lowered further. In both August 2015
and January 2016, Puerto Rico defaulted on its debt by failing to make full payment due on its outstanding bonds, and there can
be no assurance that Puerto Rico will be able to satisfy its future debt obligations. Further downgrades or defaults may place
additional strain on the Puerto Rico economy and may negatively affect the value, liquidity, and volatility of the Fund’s
investments in Puerto Rico Municipal Bonds. Legislation could also impact the value of the Fund’s investments in Puerto
Rico Municipal Bonds.
These challenges and
uncertainties have been exacerbated by Hurricane Maria, and subsequent hurricanes and storms, and the resulting natural disaster
in Puerto Rico. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, causing major damage across the Commonwealth, including
damage to its water, power, and telecommunications infrastructure. The length of time needed to rebuild Puerto Rico’s infrastructure
is unclear, but could amount to years, during which the Commonwealth is likely to be in an even more uncertain economic state.
The full extent of the natural disaster’s impact on Puerto Rico’s economy and foreign investment in Puerto Rico is
difficult to estimate.
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Tobacco Settlement Bond Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Tobacco Settlement Bond Risks
The Fund may invest
directly, without limit, in tobacco settlement bonds, subject to the industry, issuer and below investment grade investment restrictions
under the Municipal Bond Income Strategy, as applicable. Annual payments on tobacco settlement bonds, and thus risk to the Fund,
are highly dependent on the receipt of future settlement payments to the state or its governmental entity pursuant to the MSA.
The actual amount of future settlement payments is further dependent on many factors, including, but not limited to, annual domestic
cigarette shipments, reduced cigarette consumption, increased taxes on cigarettes, inflation, financial capability of tobacco
companies, continuing litigation and the possibility of tobacco manufacturer bankruptcy. The initial and annual payments made
by the tobacco companies will be adjusted based on a number of factors, the most important of which is domestic cigarette consumption.
If the volume of cigarettes shipped in the U.S. by manufacturers participating in the settlement decreases significantly, payments
due from them will also decrease. Demand for cigarettes in the U.S. could continue to decline due to price increases needed to
recoup the cost of payments by tobacco companies. Demand could also be affected by: anti-smoking campaigns, tax increases, reduced
advertising, enforcement of laws prohibiting sales to minors; elimination of certain sales venues such as vending machines; the
spread of local ordinances restricting smoking in public places, and competition from e-cigarettes. As a result, payments made
by tobacco manufacturers could be negatively impacted if the decrease in tobacco consumption is significantly greater than the
forecasted decline. A market share loss by the MSA companies to non-MSA participating tobacco manufacturers would cause a downward
adjustment in the payment amounts. A participating manufacturer filing for bankruptcy also could cause delays or reductions in
bond payments. The MSA itself has been subject to legal challenges and has, to date, withstood those challenges.
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Credit And Below Investment Grade Securities Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Credit and Below Investment Grade Securities Risks
Credit risk is the
risk that an issuer of a security may be unable or unwilling to make dividend, interest and principal payments when due and the
related risk that the value of a security may decline because of concerns about the issuer’s ability or willingness to make
such payments. Credit risk may be heightened for the Fund because it and the Underlying Funds may invest in below investment grade
securities, which are commonly referred to as “junk” and “high yield” securities; such securities, while
generally offering the potential for higher yields than investment grade securities with similar maturities, involve greater risks,
including the possibility of dividend or interest deferral, default or bankruptcy, and are regarded as predominantly speculative
with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay dividends or interest and repay principal. The below investment grade securities
receiving the lowest rating from an NRSRO are typically already in default. In addition, below investment grade securities are
generally susceptible to decline in market value due to adverse economic and business developments and are often unsecured and
subordinated to other creditors of the issuer. The market values for below investment grade securities tend to be very volatile,
and these securities are generally less liquid than investment grade securities. Because of the substantial risks associated with
below investment grade securities, among other factors, you could lose money on your investment in Common Shares, both in the
short term and the long term. See “Investment Policies and Techniques—Below Investment Grade Securities” in
the SAI for additional discussion of below investment grade securities risks. See also “—Defaulted and Distressed
Securities Risk.”
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Interest Rate Risk [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Interest Rate Risk
Generally, when market
interest rates rise, bond prices fall, and vice versa. Interest rate risk is the risk that the municipal securities in the Fund’s
portfolio will decline in value because of increases in market interest rates. As interest rates decline, issuers of municipal
securities may prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower-yielding securities and potentially
reducing the Fund’s income. As interest rates increase, slower than expected principal payments may extend the average life
of securities, potentially locking in a below-market interest rate and reducing the Fund’s value. In typical market interest
rate environments, the prices of longer-term municipal securities generally fluctuate more than prices of shorter-term municipal
securities as interest rates change.
To the extent the
Fund is primarily exposed to longer-term Municipal Bonds, the Common Share NAV and market price per Common Share will fluctuate
more in response to changes in market interest rates than if the Fund invested primarily in shorter-term Municipal Bonds.
In comparison to maturity
(which is the date on which a debt instrument ceases and the issuer is obligated to repay the principal amount), duration is a
measure of the price volatility of a debt instrument as a result of changes in market rates of interest, based on the weighted
average timing of the instrument’s expected principal and interest payments. Duration differs from maturity in that it considers
a security’s yield, coupon payments, principal payments and call features, in addition to the amount of time until the security
finally matures. As the value of a security changes over time, so will its duration. Prices of securities with longer durations
tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with shorter durations. In general, a portfolio of securities
with a longer duration can be expected to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than a portfolio with a shorter duration.
For example, the price of a bond with an effective duration of two years will rise (fall) two percent for every one percent decrease
(increase) in its yield, and the price of a five-year duration bond will rise (fall) five percent for a one percent decrease (increase)
in its yield.
If increasing interest
rates slow principal payments and thus extend the average life of securities held by the Fund, this increase in duration will
make the Fund more sensitive to the effect of rising rates and may cause the principal value of the Fund’s holdings to decline
more than they would in the absence of such an increase in duration.
Yield curve risk is
the risk associated with either a flattening or steepening of the yield curve, which is a result of changing yields among comparable
bonds with different maturities. When market interest rates, or yields, increase, the price of a bond will decrease and vice versa.
When the yield curve shifts, the price of the bond, which was initially priced based on the initial yield curve, will change in
price. If the yield curve flattens, then the yield spread between long- and short-term interest rates narrows, and the price of
the bond will change accordingly. If the bond is short-term and the yield decreases, the price of this bond will increase. If
the yield curve steepens, this means that the spread between long- and short-term interest rates increases. Therefore, long-term
bond prices will decrease relative to short-term bonds. Changes in the yield curve are based on bond risk premiums and expectations
of future interest rates.
The Common Share NAV
and market price per Common Share will fluctuate more in response to changes in market interest rates when the Fund has higher
exposure to long-term Municipal Bonds than short-term Municipal Bonds. Because the values of lower-rated and comparable unrated
debt securities are affected both by credit risk and interest rate risk, the price movements of such lower grade securities in
response to changes in interest rates typically have not been highly correlated to the fluctuations of the prices of investment
grade quality securities in response to changes in market interest rates.
Interest rates
in the United States and many other countries have risen in recent periods and may continue to rise in the future. Additionally,
as a result of increasing interest rates, reserves held by banks and other financial institutions in bonds and other debt securities
could face a significant decline in value relative to deposits and liabilities, which coupled with general economic headwinds
resulting from a changing interest rate environment, creates liquidity pressures at such institutions, as evidenced by the bank
run on the Silicon Valley Bank Financial Group (“SVB”) causing it to be placed into receivership. As a result, certain
sectors of the credit markets could experience significant declines in liquidity, and it is possible that the Fund (or an Investment
Fund) will not be able to manage this risk effectively. It is yet to be determined how the bank run on SVB will fully impact the
overall performance of the Fund or one or more of its portfolio investments and how similar events may affect the ability of the
Fund to execute its investment strategy.
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Libor Risk [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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LIBOR Risk
Certain of the
Fund’s or Underlying Funds’ investments, payment obligations and financing terms may be based on floating rates, such
as LIBOR, Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates. In July of 2017, the head of the United Kingdom
Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR at the end of 2021. Most LIBOR
settings are no longer published as of December 31, 2021. Overnight and 12-month U.S. dollar LIBOR settings permanently ceased
after publication on June 30, 2023. 1-, 3- and 6-month U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will continue to be published using a synthetic
methodology until September 2024. Neither the effect of the LIBOR transition process nor its ultimate success can yet be known.
Although the transition away from LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined, any potential effects of the transition away from
LIBOR and other benchmark rates on financial markets, a fund or the financial instruments in which a fund invests can be difficult
to ascertain. Not all existing LIBOR-based instruments may have alternative rate-setting provisions and there remains uncertainty
regarding the willingness and ability of issuers to add alternative rate-setting provisions in certain existing instruments. Global
regulators have advised market participants to cease entering into new contracts using LIBOR as a reference rate, and it is possible
that investments in LIBOR-based instruments could invite regulatory scrutiny. In addition, a liquid market for newly-issued instruments
that use a reference rate other than LIBOR still may be developing.All of the aforementioned may adversely affect the Fund’s
or an Underlying Fund’s performance or NAV.
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Sofr Risk [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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SOFR Risk
SOFR is intended
to be a broad measure of the cost of borrowing funds overnight in transactions that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities.
SOFR is calculated based on transaction-level repo data collected from various sources. For each trading day, SOFR is calculated
as a volume-weighted median rate derived from such data. SOFR is calculated and published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
(“FRBNY”). If data from a given source required by the FRBNY to calculate SOFR is unavailable for any day, then the
most recently available data for that segment will be used, with certain adjustments. If errors are discovered in the transaction
data or the calculations underlying SOFR after its initial publication on a given day, SOFR may be republished at a later time
that day. Rate revisions will be effected only on the day of initial publication and will be republished only if the change in
the rate exceeds one basis point.
Because SOFR is a financing rate
based on overnight secured funding transactions, it differs fundamentally from LIBOR. LIBOR was intended to be an unsecured rate
that represents interbank funding costs for different short-term maturities or tenors. It was a forward-looking rate reflecting
expectations regarding interest rates for the applicable tenor. Thus, LIBOR was intended to be sensitive, in certain respects,
to bank credit risk and to term interest rate risk. In contrast, SOFR is a secured overnight rate reflecting the credit of U.S.
Treasury securities as collateral. Thus, it is largely insensitive to credit-risk considerations and to short-term interest rate
risks. SOFR is a transaction-based rate, and it has been more volatile than other benchmark or market rates, such as three-month
LIBOR, during certain periods. For these reasons, among others, there is no assurance that SOFR, or rates derived from SOFR, will
perform in the same or similar way as LIBOR would have performed at any time, and there is no assurance that SOFR-based rates
will be a suitable substitute for LIBOR. SOFR has a limited history, having been first published in April 2018. The future performance
of SOFR, and SOFR-based reference rates, cannot be predicted based on SOFR’s history or otherwise. Levels of SOFR in the
future, including following the discontinuation of LIBOR, may bear little or no relation to historical levels of SOFR, LIBOR or
other rates.
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Inflation Deflation Risk [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Inflation/Deflation 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 Common Shares and distributions can decline. In addition, during any period
of rising inflation, interest rates on borrowings would likely increase, which would tend to further reduce returns to Common
Shareholders. Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time–the opposite of inflation.
Deflation may have an adverse effect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer defaults more likely, which may result
in a decline in the value of the Fund’s portfolio.
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Tactical Municipal Closed End Fund Strategy Risk [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy Risk
The Fund invests
in CEFs as a principal part of the Tactical Municipal Closed-End Fund Strategy. Shares of CEFs listed for trading on a securities
exchange frequently trade at a price per share that is less than the NAV per share, the difference representing the “market
discount” of such shares. The market price of such shares may be affected by factors such as NAV, dividend or distribution
levels and their stability (which will in turn be affected by levels of dividend and interest payments by the CEF’s portfolio
holdings, the timing and success of the CEF’s investment strategies, regulations affecting the timing and character of fund
distributions, fund expenses and other factors), supply of and demand for the shares, trading volume of the shares, general market,
interest rate and economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the CEF.
In addition, a
market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many CEFs, as well
as to the fact that the shares of CEFs are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined NAV but,
rather, are subject to supply and demand in the secondary market.
The Fund may invest
in shares of CEFs that are trading at a discount to NAV or at a premium to NAV. There can be no assurance that the market discount
on shares of any CEF purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase
and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of
such CEFs, thereby adversely affecting the NAV of the Fund’s Common Shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any
shares of a CEF purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent
to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.
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Underlying Fund Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Underlying Fund Risks
The Fund will incur
higher and additional expenses when it invests in Underlying Funds. There is also the risk that the Fund may suffer losses due
to the investment practices or operations of the Underlying Funds. To the extent that the Fund invests in one or more Underlying
Funds that concentrate in a particular industry or state, the Fund would be vulnerable to factors affecting that industry or state
and the concentrating Underlying Funds’ performance, and that of the Fund, may be more volatile than Underlying Funds that
do not concentrate.
As the Fund will
invest at least a portion of its Managed Assets in CEFs and ETFs, the Fund’s performance will depend to a greater extent
on the overall performance of investment companies generally, in addition to the performance of the specific Underlying Funds
(and other assets) in which the Fund invests. The use of leverage by Underlying Funds magnifies gains and losses on amounts invested
and increases the risks associated with investing in Underlying Funds. Further, the Underlying Funds are not subject to the Fund’s
investment policies and restrictions. The Fund generally receives information regarding the portfolio holdings of Underlying Funds
only when that information is made available to the public. The Fund cannot dictate how the Underlying Funds invest their assets.
In addition, one Underlying Fund may purchase a security that another Underlying Fund is selling. The Underlying Funds may invest
their assets in securities and other instruments, and may use investment techniques and strategies, that are not described in
this Prospectus, and there is risk that the Underlying Funds may not be in compliance with their investment policies and strategies,
including their policy to invest at least 80% of their assets in Municipal Bonds which, in turn, could result in the Fund’s
non-compliance with its own investment policies. Because the Fund expects that most of the Underlying Funds will publish their
portfolio holdings only at intervals, and then only after some delay, the Fund will generally not know for certain the current
holdings of the Underlying Funds.
Common Shareholders
will bear two layers of fees and expenses with respect to the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds because each of the
Fund and the Underlying Fund will charge fees and incur separate expenses. If those Underlying Funds use leverage, that will likely
increase the amount of fees that the Fund, as an investor in the Underlying Funds, will pay. See “Summary of Fund Expenses”
for a further description of such fees and their impact on the expenses of the Fund. In addition, subject to applicable 1940 Act
limitations, the Underlying Funds themselves may purchase securities issued by registered and unregistered funds (e.g.,
common stock and preferred stock), and those investments would be subject to the risks associated with Underlying Funds and unregistered
funds (including a third layer of fees and expenses, i.e., the Underlying Fund will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged
by the funds in which the Underlying Fund invests, in addition to the Underlying Fund’s own fees and expenses). The Fund’s
investment in an Underlying Fund also may result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the Underlying Fund’s
earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, the distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for
federal income tax purposes but may be characterized as a dividend if the Fund has earnings from other sources. As a result of
these factors, the use of the fund of funds structure by the Fund could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions
to shareholders.
As may be the case
with the Fund, the shares of many CEFs in which the Fund may invest frequently trade after their initial public offering at a
price per share that is less than the NAV per share, the difference representing the “market discount” of such shares.
This market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many CEFs, as
well as to the fact that the shares of CEFs are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined
NAV, but rather, are subject to supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of CEF
shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their NAV.
The Fund may invest
in shares of CEFs that are trading at a discount to NAV or at a premium to NAV. There can be no assurance that the market discount
on shares of any CEF purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase
and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of
such CEFs, thereby adversely affecting the NAV of the Fund’s shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares
of a CEF purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent
to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.
CEFs may issue
senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the CEF’s common shares
in an attempt to enhance the current return to such CEF’s common shareholders. The Fund’s investment in the common
shares of CEFs that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but in a down
market may increase the size and speed of losses. Thus, leveraged funds may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price
and NAV than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure. Since the Fund may use leverage
to invest in other funds that are leveraged, the effect of gains and losses in the other funds may be compounded, especially when
events occur that may broadly affect the market for municipal securities. In addition, the Fund may invest in such senior securities
issued by CEFs, including auction rate municipal securities and auction rate preferred securities. In recent market environments,
auctions have failed, which adversely affects the liquidity and price of auction rate securities, and are unlikely to resume.
Provided that the auction mechanism is successful, auction rate securities usually permit the holder to sell the securities in
an auction at par value at specified intervals. The dividend is reset by “Dutch” auction in which bids are made by
broker-dealers and other institutions for a certain amount of securities at a specified minimum yield. The dividend rate set by
the auction is the lowest interest or dividend rate that covers all securities offered for sale. While this process is designed
to permit auction rate securities to be traded at par value, there is a risk that an auction will fail due to insufficient demand
for the securities. Moreover, between auctions, there may be no secondary market for these securities, and sales conducted on
a secondary market may not be on terms favorable to the seller. Auction rate securities may be called by the issuer. Thus, with
respect to liquidity and price stability, auction rate securities may differ substantially from cash equivalents, notwithstanding
the frequency of auctions and the credit quality of the security. The Fund’s investments in auction rate securities of CEFs
are subject to the limitations prescribed by the 1940 Act.
ETFs may trade at
a price above (premium) or below (discount) their NAV, especially during periods of significant market volatility or stress, which
could cause investors to pay significantly more or less for ETF shares than the value of the ETF’s underlying portfolio.
Certain ETFs traded on exchanges may be thinly traded and experience large spreads between the “ask” price quoted
by a seller and the “bid” price offered by a buyer. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely
that ETF shares normally will trade close to their NAVs, market prices are not expected to correlate exactly to the shares’
NAVs due to timing reasons, supply and demand imbalances and other factors. In addition, disruptions to creations and redemptions,
adverse developments impacting market makers, authorized participants or other market participants, high market volatility or
lack of an active trading market for an ETF’s shares (including through a trading halt) may result in market prices that
differ significantly from an ETF’s NAV or to the intraday value of the ETF’s holdings. An active trading market for
shares of an ETF may not develop or be maintained. When all or a portion of an ETF’s underlying securities trade in a foreign
market that is closed during the time the domestic market in which the ETF’s shares are listed and traded is open, there
may be changes between the last quote from the closed foreign market and the value of such underlying security during the ETF’s
trading day. In times of market stress, market makers or authorized participants may step away from their respective roles in
making a market in shares of the ETF and in executing purchase or redemption orders. During such times, the ETF’s shares
may trade at a wider than normal discount or premium and may possibly face trading halts. Additionally, the underlying securities
of an ETF may be traded outside of a collateralized settlement system, such as the National Securities Clearing Corporation, a
clearing agency that is registered with the SEC. There are a limited number of financial institutions that may act as authorized
participants that post collateral for certain trades on an agency basis. To the extent that these authorized participants exit
the business or are unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with the ETF, and no other authorized participant
is able to step forward, ETF shares may trade at a discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting. Additionally,
in stressed market conditions, the market for ETF shares may become less liquid in response to deteriorating liquidity in the
markets for such ETF’s underlying portfolio holdings, which may cause the shares of the ETF to trade at a wider than normal
discount or premium. Furthermore, purchases and redemptions of creation units primarily in cash rather than in-kind may cause
an ETF to incur certain costs, such as brokerage costs, taxable gains or other losses that it may not have incurred with an in-kind
purchase or redemption. These costs may be borne by the ETF and decrease the ETF’s NAV to the extent they are not offset
by a transaction fee payable by an authorized participant.
Index-based ETFs (and
other index funds) in which the Fund may invest may not be able to replicate exactly the performance of the indices they track
due to transaction costs and other expenses of the ETFs. The Fund may also invest in actively managed ETFs that are subject to
management risk as the ETF’s investment adviser will apply certain investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment
decisions. There can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results.
The Fund’s investments
in Underlying Funds may be restricted by certain provisions of the 1940 Act. Under Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act, the Fund
may hold securities of an Underlying Fund in amounts which (i) do not exceed 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of the Underlying
Fund, (ii) do not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and (iii) when added to all other Underlying Fund securities
held by the Fund, do not exceed 10% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. Under Section 12(d)(1)(C) of the 1940 Act,
the Fund, together with any other investment companies for which the Adviser acts as an investment adviser, may not, in the aggregate,
own more than 10% of the total outstanding voting stock of a registered closed-end investment company. Section 12(d)(1)(F) of
the 1940 Act provides that the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) described above shall not apply to securities purchased or otherwise
acquired by the Fund if (i) immediately after such purchase or acquisition not more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of
such Underlying Fund is owned by the Fund and all affiliated persons of the Fund, and (ii) certain requirements are met with respect
to sales charges. In addition, Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act (“Rule 12d1-4”), effective as of January 19, 2022, permits
the Fund to invest in Underlying Funds beyond the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) described above, subject to various conditions,
including that the Fund enter into an investment agreement with the Underlying Fund (which agreements may impose additional conditions
on the Fund). In matters upon which the Fund is solicited to vote as a shareholder of an Underlying Fund, the Adviser may be required
to vote Underlying Fund shares in the same proportion as shares held by other shareholders of the Underlying Fund.
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Defaulted And Distressed Securities Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Defaulted and Distressed Securities Risks
The Fund and the
Underlying Funds may invest in defaulted and distressed securities. Legal difficulties and negotiations with creditors and other
claimants are common when dealing with defaulted or distressed issuers. Defaulted or distressed issuers may be insolvent, in bankruptcy
or undergoing some other form of financial restructuring. In the event of a default, the Fund or an Underlying Fund may incur
additional expenses to seek recovery. The repayment of defaulted bonds is subject to significant uncertainties, and in some cases,
there may be delayed, or there may be partial or no recovery of payment. Defaulted bonds might be repaid only after lengthy workout
or bankruptcy proceedings, during which the issuer might not make any interest or other payments. Because of the relative illiquidity
of defaulted or distressed debt and equity securities, short sales are difficult, and the Fund and most Underlying Funds primarily
maintain long positions. Some relative value trades are possible, where an investor sells short one class of a defaulted or distressed
issuer’s capital structure and purchases another. With distressed investing, often there is a time lag between when the
Fund and an Underlying Fund makes an investment and when the Fund and the Underlying Fund realizes the value of the investment.
In addition, the Fund and an Underlying Fund may incur legal and other monitoring costs in protecting the value of the Fund’s
and the Underlying Fund’s claims.
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Illiquid Securities Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Illiquid Securities Risks
The Fund and the Underlying
Funds may invest in illiquid securities. It may not be possible to sell or otherwise dispose of illiquid securities both at the
price and within the time period deemed desirable by a fund. Illiquid securities also may be difficult to value. Liquidity may
sometimes be impaired in the municipal market and, because the Fund principally invests in Municipal Bonds, it may find it difficult
to purchase or sell such securities at opportune times. Liquidity can be impaired due to interest rate concerns, credit events,
or general supply and demand imbalances. Depending on the particular issuer and current economic conditions, Municipal Bonds could
be deemed more volatile investments.
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Valuation Risk [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Valuation Risk
Unlike publicly traded
common stock which trades on national exchanges, there is no central place or exchange for fixed-income securities trading. Fixed-income
securities generally trade on an “over-the-counter” market which may be anywhere in the world where the buyer and
seller can settle on a price. Due to the lack of centralized information and trading, the valuation of fixed-income securities
may carry more risk than that of common stock. Uncertainties in the conditions of the financial market, unreliable reference data,
lack of transparency and inconsistency of valuation models and processes may lead to inaccurate asset pricing. As a result, the
Fund may be subject to risk that when a fixed-income security is sold in the market, the amount received by the Fund is less than
the value of such fixed-income security carried on the Fund’s books.
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Tender Option Bonds Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Tender Option Bonds Risks
TOB Residuals are
derivative municipal securities that have embedded in them the risk of economic leverage. There is no assurance that the Fund’s
strategy of using the proceeds received from tender option bond transactions to leverage its assets will be successful. TOB transactions
expose the Fund to leverage and credit risk, and generally involve greater risk than investment in fixed rate Municipal Bonds,
including the loss of principal.
Distributions on TOB
Residuals will bear an inverse relationship to short-term municipal bond interest rates. Distributions on the TOB Residuals paid
to the Fund will be reduced or, in the extreme, eliminated as short-term municipal interest rates rise and will increase when
short-term municipal interest rates fall. The amount of such reduction or increase is a function, in part, of the amount of TOB
Floaters sold by the TOB Issuer of these securities relative to the amount of the TOB Residuals that it sells. The greater the
amount of TOB Floaters sold relative to the TOB Residuals, the more volatile the distributions on the TOB Residuals will be. The
value of TOB Residuals may decline rapidly in times of rising interest rates.
The Fund’s use
of proceeds received from tender option bond transactions will create economic leverage. Any economic leverage achieved through
the Fund’s investment in TOB Residuals will create an opportunity for increased Common Share net income and returns, but
will also create the possibility that Common Share long-term returns will be diminished if the cost of the TOB Floaters exceeds
the return on the securities deposited in the TOB Issuer. If the income and gains earned on Municipal Bonds deposited in a TOB
Issuer that issues TOB Residuals to the Fund are greater than the payments due on the TOB Floaters, the Fund’s returns will
be greater than if it had not invested in the TOB Residuals.
The Fund has no current
intention of investing in recourse TOB Residuals. However, circumstances may change and it is possible that in the future the
Fund may elect to invest in recourse TOB Residuals to leverage its portfolio. If the Fund uses recourse TOB Residuals, the liquidity
provider may seek recourse against assets of the Fund, and the Fund may have to pay the liquidity provider the difference between
the purchase price of any TOB Floaters put to the liquidity provider by third party investors and the proceeds realized by the
liquidity provider from the remarketing of those TOB Floaters or the sale of the assets in the TOB Issuer, which could cause the
Fund to lose money in excess of its investment in a TOB Issuer.
Although the Fund
generally would unwind a tender option bond transaction rather than try to sell a TOB Residual, if it did try to sell a TOB Residual,
its ability to do so would depend on the liquidity of the TOB Residual. TOB Residuals have varying degrees of liquidity based,
among other things, upon the liquidity of the underlying securities deposited in the TOB Issuer. The market price of TOB Residuals
are more volatile than the underlying securities due to leverage. The leverage attributable to TOB Residuals may be “called
away” on relatively short notice and therefore may be less permanent than more traditional forms of leverage. In certain
circumstances, the likelihood of an increase in the volatility of NAV and market price of the Common Shares may be greater for
a fund that relies primarily on tender option bond transactions to achieve a desired effective leverage ratio. The Fund may be
required to sell its TOB Residuals at less than favorable prices, or liquidate other Fund portfolio holdings in certain circumstances,
including, but not limited to, the following:
| ● | If the Fund has a need for cash
and the securities deposited in the TOB Issuer are not actively trading due to adverse
market conditions; |
| ● | If the sponsors of TOB Issuers
(as a collective group or individually) experience financial hardship and consequently
seek to terminate their sponsorship of TOB Issuers; and |
| ● | If the value of an underlying
security deposited in the TOB Issuer declines significantly (to a level below the notional
value of the TOB Floaters issued by the TOB Issuer) and if additional collateral has
not been posted by the Fund. |
The Fund may invest
in taxable TOB Residuals, issued by TOB Issuers formed with taxable municipal securities. There may be a limited number of counterparties
for such transactions, which may increase the credit risks, counterparty risks, liquidity risks and other risks of investing in
taxable TOB Residuals. The Fund may not invest more than 20% of its Managed Assets in any single third party sponsor that establishes
a TOB Issuer. See also “Risks—Investment-Related Risks—Legislation and Regulatory Risks.”
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Insurance Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Insurance Risks
The Fund may purchase
Municipal Bonds that are secured by insurance, bank credit agreements or escrow accounts. The credit quality of the companies
that provide such credit enhancements will generally affect the value of those securities. Certain significant providers of insurance
for Municipal Bonds have at times incurred significant losses as a result of exposure to sub-prime mortgages and other lower credit
quality investments that have experienced defaults or otherwise suffered credit deterioration. Such losses may reduce the insurers’
capital and may call into question their continued ability to perform their obligations under such insurance if called upon in
the future. While an insured Municipal Bond will typically be deemed to have the rating of its insurer, if the insurer of a Municipal
Bond suffers a downgrade in its credit rating or the market discounts the value of the insurance provided, the rating of the underlying
Municipal Bond will generally be more relevant and the value of the Municipal Bond would more closely, if not entirely, reflect
such rating. In such a case, the value of insurance associated with a Municipal Bond would decline and may not add any value.
The insurance feature of a Municipal Bond does not guarantee the full payment of principal and interest through the life of an
insured obligation, the market value of the insured obligation or the NAV of the Common Shares represented by such insured obligation.
Because there is no limit on the percentage of Managed Assets that may be insured by any one insurance firm other than the tax
diversification rules, there is a risk that a significant portion of the Fund’s holdings may experience a ratings downgrade
and lose value if such an insurance company suffers financial or reputational adversity. Some IRS authority treats a guaranty
as a separate security subject to the diversification rules, which limit the value of securities issued by any one issuer to not
more than 25% of the portfolio.
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Tax Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Tax Risks
To qualify for the
favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally accorded to regulated investment companies, among other things, the Fund
must derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from certain prescribed sources and satisfy a diversification
test on a quarterly basis. If the Fund fails to satisfy the qualifying income or diversification requirements in any taxable year,
the Fund may be eligible for relief provisions if the failures are due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and if a penalty
tax is paid with respect to each failure to satisfy the applicable requirements. Additionally, relief is provided for certain
de minimis failures of the diversification requirements where the Fund corrects the failure within a specified period. In order
to be eligible for the relief provisions with respect to a failure to meet the diversification requirements, the Fund may be required
to dispose of certain assets. If these relief provisions were not available to the Fund and it were to fail to qualify for treatment
as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) for a taxable year, all of its taxable income (including its net capital
gain) would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates (currently 21%) without any deduction for distributions to shareholders,
and such distributions would be taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings
and profits.
The Fund may qualify
to pay exempt-interest dividends, which are treated as items of interest excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes,
if at least 50% of the value of the total assets of the Fund consists of obligations exempt from regular income tax as of the
close of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year. Under this approach, if the proportion of taxable investments held by
the Fund exceeded 50% of the Fund’s total assets as of the close of any quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, the Fund
would not, for that taxable year, satisfy the general eligibility test that would otherwise permit it to pay exempt-interest dividends
for that taxable year. As an alternative, the Fund may qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends if it is a qualified fund-of-funds,
i.e., if at least 50% of the value of its total assets are invested in the shares of underlying RICs as of the close of
each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year.
The Fund may enter
into various types of derivatives transactions, including swap contracts, among others. The use of such derivatives may generate
taxable income. The Fund’s use of derivatives may also affect the amount, timing, and character of distributions to shareholders
and, therefore, may increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders.
The value of the Fund’s
investments and its NAV may be adversely affected by changes in tax rates and policies. Because interest income from Municipal
Bonds is normally not subject to regular federal income taxation, the attractiveness of Municipal Bonds in relation to other investment
alternatives is affected by changes in federal income tax rates or changes in the tax-exempt status of interest income from Municipal
Bonds. Any proposed or actual changes in such rates or exempt status, therefore, can significantly affect the demand for and supply,
liquidity and marketability of Municipal Bonds. This could in turn affect the Fund’s NAV and ability to acquire and dispose
of Municipal Bonds at desirable yield and price levels. Additionally, the Fund is not a suitable investment for individual retirement
accounts, for other tax-exempt or tax-deferred accounts or for investors who are not sensitive to the federal income tax consequences
of their investments.
The Fund will invest
in Municipal Bonds in reliance at the time of purchase on an opinion of bond counsel to the issuer that the interest paid on those
securities will be excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes, and the Adviser and Subadviser will not independently
verify that opinion. Subsequent to the Fund’s acquisition of such a Municipal Bond, however, the security may be determined
to pay, or to have paid, taxable income. As a result, the treatment of dividends previously paid or to be paid by the Fund as
“exempt-interest dividends” could be adversely affected, subjecting the Fund’s shareholders to increased federal
income tax liabilities.
Distributions of ordinary
taxable income (including any net short-term capital gain) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (and not eligible
for favorable taxation as “qualified dividend income”), and capital gain dividends will be taxable as long-term capital
gains. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”
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Derivatives Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Derivatives Risks
The Fund and the Underlying
Funds may enter into derivatives. Derivative transactions involve investment techniques and risks different from those associated
with the Fund’s other investments. Generally, a derivative is a financial contract the value of which depends upon, or is
derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or index, and may relate to individual debt or equity instruments,
interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates, commodities, related indexes and other assets. Derivatives can be volatile
and involve various types and degrees of risk, depending upon the characteristics of a particular derivative. Derivatives may
entail investment exposures that are greater than their cost would suggest, meaning that a small investment in a derivative could
have a large potential impact on the performance of the Fund or an Underlying Fund. The Fund or an Underlying Fund could experience
a loss if derivatives do not perform as anticipated, if they are not correlated with the performance of other investments which
they are used to hedge or if the fund is unable to liquidate a position because of an illiquid secondary market. The market for
many derivatives is, or can suddenly become, illiquid. Changes in liquidity may result in significant, rapid and unpredictable
changes in the prices of derivatives. Except with respect to the Fund’s investments in total return swaps, the Fund expects
its use of derivative instruments will be for hedging purposes. When used for speculative purposes, derivatives will produce enhanced
investment exposure, which will magnify gains and losses. Certain derivatives transactions may give rise to a form of leverage.
Leverage may cause a fund to be more volatile than if it had not been leveraged. This is because leverage tends to exaggerate
the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the fund’s portfolio securities. Further, using derivatives may include
the risk of mispricing or improper valuation of derivatives and the inability of derivatives to correlate perfectly, or at all,
with the value of the assets, reference rates or indexes they are designed to closely track. The Fund and the Underlying Funds
also will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivatives contracts purchased by such fund. If
a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties,
the Fund or an Underlying Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in a
bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund or an Underlying Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain
no recovery in such circumstances. See “—Option and Futures Risks” and “—Swap Risks.” The
Adviser has claimed an exclusion from registration as a commodity pool operator with respect to the Fund pursuant to Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) Rule 4.5. See “Investment Policies and Techniques—Derivatives—Regulation
as a ‘Commodity Pool’” in the SAI.
On October 28,
2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act relating to a registered
investment company’s use of derivatives and related instruments. Rule 18f-4 prescribes specific value-at-risk leverage limits
for certain derivatives users and requires certain derivatives users to adopt and implement a derivatives risk management program
(including the appointment of a derivatives risk manager and the implementation of certain testing requirements), and prescribes
reporting requirements in respect of derivatives. Subject to certain conditions, if a fund qualifies as a “limited derivatives
user,” as defined in Rule 18f-4, it is not subject to the full requirements of Rule 18f-4. In connection with the adoption
of Rule 18f-4, the SEC rescinded certain of its prior guidance regarding asset segregation and coverage requirements in respect
of derivatives transactions and related instruments. With respect to reverse repurchase agreements, tender option bonds or other
similar financing transactions in particular, Rule 18f-4 permits a fund to enter into such transactions if the fund either (i)
complies with the asset coverage requirements of Section 18 of the 1940 Act, and combines the aggregate amount of indebtedness
associated with all tender option bonds or similar financing with the aggregate amount of any other senior securities representing
indebtedness when calculating the relevant asset coverage ratio, or (ii) treats all tender option bonds or similar financing transactions
as derivatives transactions for all purposes under Rule 18f-4. The Fund was required to comply with Rule 18f-4 beginning August
19, 2022 and has adopted procedures for investing in derivatives and other transactions in compliance with Rule 18f-4.
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Options And Futures Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Options and Futures Risks
The Fund and the Underlying
Funds may invest in options and futures contracts and such contracts are expected to be utilized by the Fund, if at all, for hedging
purposes. The use of futures and options transactions entails certain special risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation
between price movements of futures contracts and price movements in the related securities position of a fund could create the
possibility that losses on the hedging instrument are greater than gains in the value of a fund’s position. In addition,
futures and options markets could be illiquid in some circumstances and certain over-the-counter options could have no markets.
As a result, in certain markets, a fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring substantial losses. Although
a fund’s use of futures and options transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in
the value of the hedged position, at the same time it will tend to limit any potential gain to a fund that might result from an
increase in value of the position. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts create a greater ongoing
potential financial risk than would purchases of options, in which case the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium.
However, because option premiums paid by the Fund or an Underlying Fund are small in relation to the market value of the investments
underlying the options, buying options can result in large amounts of leverage. This leverage offered by trading in options could
cause the Fund’s or an Underlying Fund’s NAV to be subject to more frequent and wider fluctuation than would be the
case if the Fund or an Underlying Fund did not invest in options.
Options transactions
may be effected on securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. When options are purchased over-the-counter, the Fund
or an Underlying Fund bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations
under the option contract. The counterparties to these transactions typically will be major international banks, broker-dealers
and financial institutions. Such options may also be illiquid, and in such cases, the Fund or an Underlying Fund may have difficulty
closing out its position. Banks, broker-dealers or other financial institutions participating in such transactions may fail to
settle a transaction in accordance with the terms of the option as written. In the event of default or insolvency of the counterparty,
the Fund or an Underlying Fund may be unable to liquidate an over-the-counter option position.
An Underlying Fund
may purchase and sell call and put options with respect to specific securities, and may write and sell covered or uncovered call
and put options. A call option gives the purchaser of the call option, in return for a premium paid, the right to buy the security
underlying the option from the writer of the call option at a specified exercise price within a specified time frame. A put option
gives the purchaser of the put option, in return for a premium paid, the right to sell the underlying security to the writer of
the put option at a specified price within a specified time frame. A covered call option is a call option with respect to an underlying
security that a fund owns. The purchaser of a put or call option runs the risk of losing the purchaser’s entire investment,
paid as the premium, in a relatively short period of time if the option is not sold at a gain or cannot be exercised at a gain
prior to expiration. In selling put options, there is a risk that the Underlying Fund may be required to buy the underlying security
at a disadvantageous price above the market price. The un-covered writer of a call option is subject to a risk of loss if the
price of the underlying security should increase, and the un-covered writer of a put option is subject to a risk of loss if the
price of the underlying security should decrease.
The Fund may invest
a significant portion of its total assets in Underlying Funds that write covered call options. To the extent that an Underlying
Fund writes a covered call option, it 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 sum of the premium and the strike price of the call, but has retained
the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. As the writer of the option, the Underlying Fund bears the
market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying a written option. As an Underlying Fund writes covered
calls over more of its portfolio, its ability to benefit from capital appreciation becomes more limited and the risk of NAV erosion
increases. To the extent an Underlying Fund experiences NAV erosion (which itself may have an indirect negative effect on the
market price of interests in the Underlying Fund, the Underlying Fund will have a reduced asset base over which to write covered
calls, which may eventually lead to reduced distributions to shareholders such as the Fund. 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.
To the extent that
an Underlying Fund engages in selling options that trade in over-the-counter markets, the Underlying Fund may be subject to additional
risks. Participants in these markets are typically not subject to the same credit evaluation and regulatory oversight as members
of “exchange-based” markets. By engaging in option transactions in these markets, an Underlying Fund may take credit
risk with regard to parties with which it trades and also may bear the risk of settlement default. These risks may differ materially
from those involved in exchange-traded transactions, which generally are characterized by clearing organization guarantees, daily
marking-to-market and settlement, and segregation and minimum capital requirements applicable to intermediaries. Transactions
entered into directly between two counterparties generally do not benefit from these protections, which may subject an Underlying
Fund to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with agreed terms and conditions because of a
dispute over the terms of the contract or because of a credit or liquidity problem. Such “counterparty risk” is increased
for contracts with longer maturities when events may intervene to prevent settlement.
There can be no assurance
that a liquid market will exist for any particular futures contract at any particular time. Many futures exchanges and boards
of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit
has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day of a price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended
for specified periods during the trading day.
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Swap Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Swap Risks
The Fund and the Underlying
Funds may enter into various swap agreements and, other than total return swap agreements (as discussed herein), such agreements
are expected to be utilized by the Fund, if at all, for hedging purposes. All of these agreements are considered derivatives.
Swap agreements are two-party contracts under which the fund and a counterparty, such as a broker or dealer, agree to exchange
the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on an agreed-upon underlying asset or investment over the
term of the swap. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity which involves strategies and risks different
from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. If the Adviser, Subadviser or an Underlying Fund’s
investment adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of default risks, market spreads, liquidity or other applicable factors or events,
the investment performance of the Fund or Underlying Fund would diminish compared with what it would have been if these techniques
were not used. Swaps and swap options can be used for a variety of purposes, including: to manage fund exposure to changes in
interest rates and credit quality; as an efficient means of adjusting fund overall exposure to certain markets; in an effort to
enhance income or total return or protect the value of portfolio securities; to serve as a cash management tool; and to adjust
portfolio duration.
Swaps could result
in losses if interest rates or credit quality changes are not correctly anticipated by the Adviser, Subadviser or Underlying Fund
manager. Total return swaps could result in losses if the reference index, security, or investments do not perform as anticipated.
Total return swaps involve an enhanced risk that the issuer or counterparty will fail to perform its contractual obligations,
which could turn an expected gain into a loss. Total return swaps may effectively add leverage to the Fund’s portfolio because
the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the full notional amount of the swap. To the extent the Fund or an Underlying
Fund enters into a total return swap on equity securities, the Fund or the Underlying Fund will receive the positive performance
of a notional amount of such securities underlying the total return swap. In exchange, the Fund or the Underlying Fund will be
obligated to pay the negative performance of such notional amount of securities. Therefore, the Fund or the Underlying Fund assumes
the risk of a substantial decrease in the market value of the equity securities. The use of swaps may not always be successful;
using them could lower Fund or Underlying Fund total return, their prices can be highly volatile, and the potential loss from
the use of swaps can exceed the Fund’s or an Underlying Fund’s initial investment in such instruments.
Some, but not all,
swaps may be cleared, in which case a central clearing counterparty stands between each buyer and seller and effectively guarantees
performance of each contract, to the extent of its available resources for such purposes. As a result, the counterparty risk is
now shifted from bilateral risk between the parties to the individual credit risk of the central clearing counterparty. Even in
such case, there can be no assurance that a clearing house, or its members, will satisfy the clearing house’s obligations
to the Fund or an Underlying Fund or that the fund’s use of swaps will be advantageous.
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Short Sale Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Short Sale Risks
The Fund and the
Underlying Funds may engage in short sales. However, the Fund will not engage in any short sales of securities issued by CEFs.
Short sales are expected to be utilized by the Fund, if at all, for hedging purposes. A short sale is a transaction in which a
fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline. Positions in shorted
securities are speculative and riskier than long positions (purchases) in securities because the maximum sustainable loss on a
security purchased is limited to the amount paid for the security plus the transaction costs, whereas there is no maximum attainable
price of the shorted security. Therefore, in theory, securities sold short have unlimited risk. Short selling will also result
in higher transaction costs (such as interest and dividends), and may result in higher taxes, which reduce a fund’s return.
If a security sold
short increases in price, a fund may have to cover its short position at a higher price than the short sale price, resulting in
a loss. With respect to a fund’s short positions, the fund must borrow those securities to make delivery to the buyer.
A fund may not be able to borrow a security that it needs to deliver or it may not be able to close out a short position at an
acceptable price and may have to sell related long positions before it had intended to do so. As a result, a fund may not be able
to successfully implement its short sale strategy due to the limited availability of desired securities or for other reasons.
When borrowing a security
for delivery to a buyer, a fund also may be required to pay a premium and other transaction costs, which would increase the cost
of the security sold short. A fund must normally repay to the lender an amount equal to any dividends or interest earned while
the loan is outstanding. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased, by the amount of the
premium, dividends, interest or expenses a fund may be required to pay in connection with the short sale. Also, the lender of
a security may terminate the loan at a time when a fund is unable to borrow the same security for delivery. In that case, a fund
would need to purchase a replacement security at the then current market price or “buy in” by paying the lender an
amount equal to the costs of purchasing the security.
Because a fund’s
loss on a short sale arises from increases in the value of the security sold short, the loss is theoretically unlimited. In certain
cases, purchasing a security to cover a short position can itself cause the price of the security to rise further, which would
exacerbate the loss. Conversely, gains on short sales, after transaction and related costs, are generally the difference between
the price at which a fund sold the borrowed security and the price it paid to purchase the security for delivery to the buyer.
By contrast, a fund’s loss on a long position arises from decreases in the value of the security and is limited by the fact
that a security’s value cannot drop below zero.
By investing the proceeds
received from selling securities short, a fund is using a form of leverage, which creates special risks. The use of leverage may
increase a fund’s exposure to long equity positions and make any change in a fund’s NAV greater than it would be without
the use of leverage. This could result in increased volatility of returns. There is no guarantee that the Fund or an Underlying
Fund will leverage its portfolio, or if it does, that the leveraging strategy will be successful. The Fund also cannot guarantee
that the use of leverage by the Fund or an Underlying Fund will produce a higher return on an investment.
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Rating Agency Risk [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Rating Agency Risk
Ratings agencies such
as S&P, Fitch, Moody’s or other NRSROs provide ratings on debt securities based on their analyses of information they
deem relevant. Ratings are opinions or judgments of the credit quality of an issuer and may prove to be inaccurate. In addition,
there may be a delay between events or circumstances adversely affecting the ability of an issuer to pay interest and/or repay
principal and an NRSRO’s decision to downgrade a security. Further, a rating agency may have a conflict of interest with
respect to a security for which it assigns a particular rating if, for example, the issuer or sponsor of the security pays the
rating agency for the analysis of its security, which could affect the reliability of the rating.
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United States Credit Rating Downgrade Risk [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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United States Credit Rating Downgrade Risk
On August 5, 2011,
S&P lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating on the United States to “AA+” from “AAA.” In general,
a lower rating could increase the volatility in both stock and bond markets, result in higher interest rates and lower Treasury
prices and increase the costs of all kinds of debt. These events and similar events in other areas of the world could have significant
adverse impacts on issuers of securities held by the Fund and the Fund itself. The Adviser and the Subadviser cannot predict the
effects of these or similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets or on the Fund’s portfolio.
The Adviser and the Subadviser may not timely anticipate or manage existing, new or additional risks, contingencies or developments.
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Legislation And Regulatory Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Legislation and Regulatory Risks
At any time after
the date of this Prospectus, legislation or additional regulations may be enacted that could negatively affect the assets of the
Fund or the issuers of such assets. Changing approaches to regulation may have a negative impact on the entities and/or securities
in which the Fund or an Underlying Fund invests. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund or an Underlying
Fund is regulated. New or amended regulations may be imposed by the CFTC, the SEC, the Federal Reserve or other financial regulators,
other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that supervise the financial markets that could adversely
affect the Fund or the Underlying Funds. There can be no assurance that future legislation, regulation or deregulation will not
have a material adverse effect on the Fund or will not impair the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objectives. The
Fund and the Underlying Funds also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes
and rules by these governmental authorities or self-regulatory organizations.
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Market Disruption Geopolitical And Climate Change Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Market Disruption, Geopolitical, and Climate Change
Risks
The Fund and Underlying
Funds may be adversely affected by uncertainties and events around the world, such as terrorism, political developments, and changes
in government policies, taxation, restrictions on foreign investment and currency repatriation, currency fluctuations and other
developments in the laws and regulations of the countries in which they are invested. Assets of issuers including those held in
the Fund’s or an Underlying Fund’s portfolio, could be direct targets, or indirect casualties, of an act of terrorism.
In
February 2022, Russia commenced a military attack on Ukraine. The outbreak of hostilities between the two countries and the threat
of wider-spread hostilities could have a severe adverse effect on the region and global economies, including significant negative
impacts on the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas. In addition, sanctions imposed on
Russia by the United States and other countries, and any sanctions imposed in the future, could have a significant adverse impact
on the Russian economy and related markets. The price and liquidity of investments may fluctuate widely as a result of the conflict
and related events. How long the armed conflict and related events will last cannot be predicted. These tensions and any related
events could have a significant impact on Fund performance and the value of Fund investments.
Climate change poses
long-term threats to physical and biological systems. Potential hazards and risks related to climate change for a State or municipality
include, among other things, wildfires, rising sea levels, more severe coastal flooding and erosion hazards, and more intense
storms. Storms in recent years have demonstrated vulnerabilities in a State’s or municipality’s infrastructure to
extreme weather events. Climate change risks, if they materialize, can adversely impact a State’s or municipality’s
financial plan in current or future years. In addition, economists and others have expressed increasing concern about the potential
effects of global climate change on property and security values. A rise in sea levels, an increase in powerful windstorms and/or
a climate-driven increase in sea levels or flooding could cause coastal properties to lose value or become unmarketable altogether.
Economists warn that, unlike previous declines in the real estate market, properties in affected coastal zones may not ever recover
their value. Large wildfires driven by high winds and prolonged drought may devastate businesses and entire communities and may
be very costly to any business found to be responsible for the fire. Regulatory changes and divestment movements tied to concerns
about climate change could adversely affect the value of certain land and the viability of industries whose activities or products
are seen as accelerating climate change.
These losses could
adversely affect the bonds of municipalities that depend on tax or other revenues and tourist dollars generated by affected properties,
and insurers of the property and/or of municipal securities. Since property and security values are driven largely by buyers’
perceptions, it is difficult to know the time period over which these market effects might unfold.
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Pandemic Risk [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Pandemic Risk
In
early 2020, an outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged globally. The outbreak of COVID-19 and its variants
resulted in closing international borders, enhanced health screenings, healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines,
cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general public concern and uncertainty. This outbreak
negatively affected the worldwide economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial health of individual
companies and the market in general in significant and unforeseen ways. On May 5, 2023, the World Health Organization declared
the end of the global emergency status for COVID-19. The United States subsequently ended the federal COVID-19 public health emergency
declaration effective May 11, 2023. Although vaccines for COVID-19 are widely available, it is unknown how long certain circumstances
related to the pandemic will persist, whether they will reoccur in the future and what additional implications may follow from
the pandemic. The impact of these events and other epidemics or pandemics in the future could adversely affect Fund performance.
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Defensive Measures [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Defensive Measures
The Fund may invest
up to 100% of its assets in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as a defensive measure in response to adverse market
conditions or opportunistically at the discretion of the Adviser or Subadviser. During these periods, the Fund may not be pursuing
its investment objectives.
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Market Discount [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Market Discount
Common stock of
CEFs frequently trades at a discount from its NAV. This risk may be greater for investors selling their shares in a relatively
short period of time after completion of the initial offering. The Fund’s Common Shares may trade at a price that is less
than the initial offering price. This risk would also apply to the Fund’s investments in CEFs.
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Limited Term And Eligible Tender Offer Risk [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Limited Term and Eligible Tender Offer Risk
The Fund is scheduled
to terminate on or about the Termination Date (unless it is converted to a perpetual fund). The Fund is not a so called “target
date” or “life cycle” fund whose asset allocation becomes more conservative over time as its target date, often
associated with retirement, approaches. In addition, the Fund is not a “target term” fund whose investment objective
is to return its original NAV on the termination date.
The Fund is not required
to conduct an Eligible Tender Offer. If the Fund conducts an Eligible Tender Offer, there can be no assurance that the number
of tendered Common Shares would not result in the Fund’s net assets totaling less than the Termination Threshold, in which
case the Eligible Tender Offer will be terminated, no Common Shares will be repurchased pursuant to the Eligible Tender Offer
and the Fund will terminate on or before the Termination Date (subject to possible extensions). Following the completion of an
Eligible Tender Offer in which the number of tendered Common Shares would result in the Fund’s net assets equaling or totaling
greater than the Termination Threshold, the Board of Directors may eliminate the limited term structure of the Fund upon the affirmative
vote of a majority of the Board of Directors and without a vote of Common Shareholders. Thereafter, the Fund will have a perpetual
existence. The Fund is not required to conduct additional tender offers following an Eligible Tender Offer and conversion to a
perpetual structure. Therefore, remaining Common Shareholders may not have another opportunity to participate in a tender offer
or exchange their Common Shares for the then-existing NAV per Common Share. Common Shares of closed-end management investment
companies frequently trade at a discount from their NAV and as a result remaining Common Shareholders may only be able to sell
their Common Shares at a discount to NAV. See “—Market Discount.” The Adviser may have a conflict of interest
in recommending to the Board of Directors that the limited term structure be eliminated and the Fund have a perpetual existence.
In order to pay for
Common Shares to be purchased in an Eligible Tender Offer or to liquidate the portfolio in connection with the Fund’s termination,
the Fund will be required to sell its assets. As a result, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio securities when it otherwise
would not, including at times when market conditions are not favorable, which may cause the Fund to lose money. The Fund may receive
proceeds from the disposition of portfolio investments that are less than the valuations of such investments by the Fund and,
in particular, losses from the disposition of illiquid securities may be significant. The disposition of portfolio investments
by the Fund could also cause market prices of such instruments, and hence the NAV and market price of the Common Shares, to decline.
In addition, disposition of portfolio investments will cause the Fund to incur increased brokerage and related transaction expenses.
Moreover, in conducting
such portfolio transactions, the Fund may need to deviate from its investment policies and may not achieve its investment objectives.
The Fund’s portfolio composition may change as its portfolio holdings mature or are called or sold in anticipation of an
Eligible Tender Offer or the Termination Date. During such period(s), it is possible that the Fund will hold a greater percentage
of its total assets in shorter term and lower yielding securities and cash and cash equivalents than it would otherwise, which
may impede the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objectives and adversely impact the Fund’s performance and
distributions to Common Shareholders, which may in turn adversely impact the market value of the Common Shares. In addition, the
Fund may be required to reduce its leverage, which could also adversely impact its performance. The additional cash or cash equivalents
held by the Fund could be obtained through reducing the Fund’s distributions to Common Shareholders and/or holding cash
in lieu of reinvesting, which could limit the ability of the Fund to participate in new investment opportunities. The Fund does
not limit its investments to securities having a maturity date prior to or around the Termination Date, which may exacerbate the
foregoing risks and considerations. A Common Shareholder may be subject to the foregoing risks over an extended period of time,
particularly if the Fund conducts an Eligible Tender Offer and is also subsequently terminated by or around the Termination Date.
If the Fund’s tax
basis for the investments sold is less than the sale proceeds, the Fund will recognize capital gains, which the Fund will be required
to distribute in order to avoid paying Fund-level tax and potentially excise tax on its undistributed capital gains. In addition, the
Fund’s purchase of tendered Common Shares pursuant to a tender offer will have tax consequences for tendering Common Shareholders
and may have tax consequences for non-tendering Common Shareholders. The purchase of Common Shares by the Fund pursuant to a tender offer
will have the effect of increasing the proportionate interest in the Fund of non-tendering Common Shareholders. All Common Shareholders
remaining after a tender offer will be subject to proportionately higher expenses due to the reduction in the Fund’s total assets
resulting from payment for the tendered Common Shares. A reduction in net assets, and the corresponding increase in the Fund’s
expense ratio, could result in lower returns and put the Fund at a disadvantage relative to its peers and potentially cause the Fund
to trade at a wider discount to NAV than it otherwise would. Such reduction in the Fund’s total assets may also result in less
investment flexibility, reduced diversification and greater volatility for the Fund, and may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s
investment performance. Moreover, the resulting reduction in the number of outstanding Common Shares could cause the Common Shares to
become thinly traded or otherwise adversely impact the secondary market trading of such shares. Furthermore, the portfolio of the Fund
following an Eligible Tender Offer could be significantly different and, therefore, Common Shareholders retaining an investment in the
Fund could be subject to greater risk. For example, the Fund may be required to sell its more liquid, higher quality portfolio investments
to purchase Common Shares that are tendered in an Eligible Tender Offer, which would leave a less liquid, lower quality portfolio for
remaining shareholders. The prospects of an Eligible Tender Offer may attract arbitrageurs who would purchase the Common Shares prior
to the tender offer for the sole purpose of tendering those shares which could have the effect of exacerbating the risks described herein
for shareholders retaining an investment in the Fund following an Eligible Tender Offer.
In connection with
its termination, the Fund may distribute the proceeds from the disposition of portfolio securities in one or more liquidating
distributions prior to the final liquidation, which may cause fixed expenses to increase when expressed as a percentage of assets
under management. Upon a termination, it is anticipated that the Fund will have distributed substantially all of its net assets
to Common Shareholders, although securities for which no market exists, securities trading at depressed prices, if any, and assets
recovered following termination may be placed in a liquidating trust. Common Shareholders will bear the costs associated with
establishing and maintaining a liquidating trust, if necessary. Securities placed in a liquidating trust may be held for an indefinite
period of time until they can be sold or pay out all of their cash flows. The Fund cannot predict the amount, if any, of securities
that will be required to be placed in a liquidating trust.
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Investment Style Risk [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Investment Style Risk
The Fund is managed
by allocating the Fund’s assets to two different strategies as described in this Prospectus. This may cause the Fund to
underperform funds that do not limit their investments to these two strategies during periods when these strategies underperform
other types of investments.
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Not A Complete Investment Program [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Not a Complete Investment Program
The Fund is intended
for investors seeking current income and overall total return over the long-term, and is not intended to be a short-term trading
vehicle. An investment in the Common Shares of the Fund should not be considered a complete investment program. Each investor
should take into account the Fund’s investment objectives and other characteristics as well as the investor’s other
investments when considering an investment in the Common Shares. An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors.
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Multi Manager Risk [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Multi-Manager Risk
Fund performance is
dependent upon the success of the Adviser and the Subadviser in implementing the Fund’s investment strategies in pursuit
of its investment objectives. To a significant extent, the Fund’s performance will depend on the success of the Adviser’s
methodology in allocating the Fund’s assets between each of the principal investment strategies. The Adviser’s and
the Subadviser’s investment styles may not always be complementary, which could adversely affect the performance of the
Fund. Because the Adviser and the Subadviser each makes investment decisions independently, it is possible that the Adviser and
the Subadviser may, at any time, take positions that in effect may be opposite of positions taken by each other. In such cases,
the Fund will incur brokerage and other transaction costs without accomplishing any net investment results. The multi-manager
approach could increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rates, which may result in higher levels of realized capital gains
or losses with respect to the Fund’s portfolio securities, and higher broker commissions and other transaction costs. The
trading costs and tax consequences associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance. See “—Investment
Style Risk.”
In addition, the Subadviser’s
implementation of the Municipal Bond Income Strategy means that, at any point in time, the Subadviser will manage 35-75% of the
Fund’s Managed Assets. To the extent the Subadvisory Agreement with the Subadviser is terminated or not renewed, Fund performance
will become dependent on the Adviser or a new subadviser successfully implementing the Municipal Bond Income Strategy. There is
no assurance that a suitable replacement to the Subadviser could be found if the Subadvisory Agreement is terminated or not renewed.
Any such termination or non-renewal of the Subadvisory Agreement can have an adverse effect on an investment in the Fund. In addition,
to the extent the Adviser retains the responsibility of implementing the Municipal Bond Income Strategy of the Fund following
the termination or non-renewal of the Subadvisory Agreement, the approval of the Fund’s stockholders will likely not be
required.
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Asset Allocation Risk [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Asset Allocation Risk
To the extent that
the Adviser’s asset allocation between the Fund’s principal investment strategies may fail to produce the intended
result, the Fund’s return may suffer. Additionally, the potentially active asset allocation style of the Fund may lead to
changing allocations over time and represent a risk to investors who target fixed asset allocations.
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Leverage Risks [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Leverage Risks
Leverage is a speculative
technique that exposes the Fund to greater risk and increased costs than if it were not implemented. Increases and decreases in
the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. As a result, leverage may cause greater
changes in the Fund’s NAV. The leverage costs may be greater than the Fund’s return on the underlying investments
made from the proceeds of leverage. The Fund’s leveraging strategy may not be successful. See “Use of Leverage.”
If the Fund were to
utilize leverage in the form of borrowing, it anticipates that the money borrowed for investment purposes will incur interest
based on shorter-term interest rates that would be periodically reset. So long as the Fund’s portfolio provides a higher
rate of return, net of expenses, than the interest rate on borrowed money, as reset periodically, the leverage may cause the holders
of Common Shares to receive a higher current rate of return than if the Fund were not leveraged. If, however, long-term and/or
short-term rates rise, the interest rate on borrowed money could exceed the rate of return on securities held by the Fund, reducing
return to the holders of Common Shares. Developments in the credit markets may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to borrow
money for investment purposes and may increase the costs of such borrowings, which would reduce returns to the holders of Common
Shares.
In addition to the
foregoing, the use of leverage involves risks and special considerations for Common Shareholders, including:
| ● | the likelihood of greater volatility
of NAV, market price and dividend rate of the Common Shares than a comparable portfolio
without leverage; |
| ● | the risk that fluctuations in
interest rates on borrowings or on short-term debt or in the interest or dividend rates
on any debt securities or Preferred Shares that the Fund must pay will reduce the return
to the Common Shareholders; |
| ● | the effect of leverage in a declining
market, which is likely to cause a greater decline in the NAV of the Common Shares than
if the Fund were not leveraged, may result in a greater decline in the market price of
the Common Shares; |
| ● | when the Fund uses financial
leverage, the investment management fees payable to the Adviser and the subadvisory fees
payable by the Adviser to the Subadviser will be higher than if the Fund did not use
leverage. This may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser and the Subadviser,
on the one hand, and the holders of Common Shares, on the other; and |
| ● | leverage may increase operating
costs, which may reduce total return. |
The use of leverage
may limit the Fund’s flexibility and may require that the Fund sell other portfolio investments to pay Fund expenses, to
maintain assets in an amount sufficient to cover the Fund’s leveraged exposure or to meet other obligations at a time when
it may be disadvantageous to sell such assets.
Certain types of borrowings
by the Fund may result in the Fund being subject to covenants in credit agreements relating to asset coverage and portfolio composition
requirements. The Fund may be subject to certain restrictions on investments imposed by guidelines of one or more rating agencies,
which may issue ratings for the short-term debt securities or Preferred Shares issued by the Fund. These guidelines may impose
asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. The Adviser does
not believe that these covenants or guidelines will impede it from managing the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the
Fund’s investment objectives and policies if the Fund were to utilize such leverage.
Leverage risk would
also apply to the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds to the extent an Underlying Fund uses leverage. To the extent the
Fund uses leverage and invests in Underlying Funds that also use leverage, the risks associated with leverage will be magnified,
potentially significantly.
The Fund currently
anticipates that leverage will be obtained through the use of proceeds received from tender option bond transactions. See “—Investment-Related
Risks—Tender Option Bonds Risks.”
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Portfolio Turnover Risk [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Portfolio Turnover Risk
The Fund’s annual
portfolio turnover rate may vary greatly from year to year. High portfolio turnover may result in the realization of net short-term
capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed to holders of Common Shares, will be taxable as ordinary income. In addition,
a higher portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that
are borne by the Fund. However, portfolio turnover rate is not considered a limiting factor in the execution of investment decisions
for the Fund. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”
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Potential Conflicts Of Interest Risk [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Potential Conflicts of Interest Risk
The Adviser, the Subadviser
and the portfolio managers of the Fund have interests which may conflict with the interests of the Fund. In particular, the Adviser
and the Subadviser each manages and/or advises other investment funds or accounts with the same or similar investment objectives
and strategies as the Fund. As a result, the Adviser, the Subadviser and the Fund’s portfolio managers may devote unequal
time and attention to the management of the Fund and those other funds and accounts, and may not be able to formulate as complete
a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities as might be the case if they were to devote substantially more
attention to the management of the Fund. The Adviser, the Subadviser and the Fund’s portfolio managers may identify a limited
investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple funds and accounts, and the opportunity may be allocated among these
several funds and accounts, which may limit the Fund’s ability to take full advantage of the investment opportunity. Additionally,
transaction orders may be aggregated for multiple accounts for purpose of execution, which may cause the price or brokerage costs
to be less favorable to the Fund than if similar transactions were not being executed concurrently for other accounts. Furthermore,
it is theoretically possible that a portfolio manager could use the information obtained from managing a fund or account to the
advantage of other funds or accounts under management, and also theoretically possible that actions could be taken (or not taken)
to the detriment of the Fund. At times, a portfolio manager may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for
only some of the funds and accounts for which he or she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the
funds and 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 or benefit of one or more other funds and accounts. For example, a portfolio manager
may determine that it would be in the interest of another account to sell a security that the Fund holds, potentially resulting
in a decrease in the market value of the security held by the Fund.
Conflicts potentially
limiting the Fund’s investment opportunities may also arise when the Fund and other clients of the Adviser or Subadviser
invest in, or even conduct research relating to, different parts of an issuer’s capital structure, such as when the Fund
owns senior debt obligations of an issuer and other clients own junior tranches of the same issuer. In such circumstances, decisions
over whether to trigger an event of default, over the terms of any workout, or how to exit an investment may result in conflicts
of interest. In order to minimize such conflicts, a portfolio manager may avoid certain investment opportunities that would potentially
give rise to conflicts with other clients of the Adviser or Subadviser (as applicable) or result in the Adviser or Subadviser
receiving material, non-public information, or the Adviser and Subadviser may enact internal procedures designed to minimize such
conflicts, which could have the effect of limiting the Fund’s investment opportunities. Additionally, if the Adviser or
Subadviser acquires material non-public confidential information in connection with its business activities for other clients,
a portfolio manager or other investment personnel may be restricted from purchasing securities or selling certain securities for
the Fund or other clients.
The portfolio managers
also may engage in cross trades between funds and accounts, may select brokers or dealers to execute securities transactions based
in part on brokerage and research services provided to the Adviser or the Subadviser which may not benefit all funds and accounts
equally and may receive different amounts of financial or other benefits for managing different funds and accounts. The Adviser,
the Subadviser and their affiliates may provide more services to some types of funds and accounts than others.
The Fund, Adviser
and/or Subadviser (as applicable) have adopted policies and procedures that address the foregoing potential conflicts of interest,
including policies and procedures to address the allocation of investment opportunities, execution of portfolio transactions,
personal trading by employees and other potential conflicts of interest that are designed to ensure that all accounts of the Adviser
and Subadviser are treated equitably. There is no guarantee that the policies and procedures adopted by the Adviser, the Subadviser
and the Fund will be able to identify or mitigate the conflicts of interest that arise between the Fund and any other investment
funds or accounts that the Adviser and/or the Subadviser may manage or advise from time to time. For further information on potential
conflicts of interest, see “Management of the Fund—Conflicts of Interest” in the SAI.
In addition, while
the Fund is using leverage, the amount of the fees paid to the Adviser (and by the Adviser to the Subadviser) for investment advisory
and management services are higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid are calculated based on the Fund’s
Managed Assets, which include assets purchased with leverage. Therefore, the Adviser and the Subadviser have a financial incentive
to leverage the Fund, which creates a conflict of interest between the Adviser and the Subadviser on the one hand and the Common
Shareholders of the Fund on the other.
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Stockholder Activism [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Stockholder Activism
Stockholder activism,
which could take many forms, including making public demands that the Fund consider certain strategic alternatives, engaging in
public campaigns to attempt to influence the Fund’s corporate governance and/or management, and commencing proxy contests
to attempt to elect the activists’ representatives or others to the Fund’s Board of Directors, or arise in a variety
of situations, has been increasing in the CEF space recently. While the Fund is currently not subject to any stockholder activism,
due to the potential volatility of the Fund’s stock price and for a variety of other reasons, the Fund may in the future
become the target of stockholder activism. Stockholder activism could result in substantial costs and divert management’s
and the Board of Director’s attention and resources from its business. Also, the Fund may be required to incur significant
legal and other expenses related to any activist stockholder matters. Further, the Fund’s stock price could be subject to
significant fluctuation or otherwise be adversely affected by the events, risks and uncertainties of any stockholder activism.
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Cyber Security Risk [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Cyber Security Risk
With the increased
use of the Internet and because information technology (“IT”) systems and digital data underlie most of the Fund’s
operations, the Fund and the Adviser, Subadviser, transfer agent, and other service providers and the vendors of each (collectively
“Service Providers”) are exposed to the risk that their operations and data may be compromised as a result of internal
and external cyber-failures, breaches or attacks (“Cyber Risk”). This could occur as a result of malicious or criminal
cyber-attacks. Cyber-attacks include actions taken to: (i) steal or corrupt data maintained online or digitally, (ii) gain unauthorized
access to or release confidential information, (iii) shut down the Fund or Service Provider website through denial-of-service
attacks, or (iv) otherwise disrupt normal business operations. However, events arising from human error, faulty or inadequately
implemented policies and procedures or other systems failures unrelated to any external cyber-threat may have effects similar
to those caused by deliberate cyber-attacks.
Successful cyber-attacks
or other cyber-failures or events affecting the Fund or its Service Providers may adversely impact the Fund or its shareholders
or cause an investment in the Fund to lose value. For instance, such attacks, failures or other events may interfere with the
processing of shareholder transactions, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, cause the release of private shareholder
information or confidential Fund information, impede trading, or cause reputational damage. Because the Fund does not offer to
redeem its Common Shares at NAV, damage to the reputation of the Fund or its service providers could cause a decline in the value
of the Fund’s Common Shares, perhaps suddenly. Such attacks, failures or other events could also subject the Fund or its
Service Providers to regulatory fines, penalties or financial losses, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional
compliance costs. Insurance protection and contractual indemnification provisions may be insufficient to cover these losses. The
Fund or its Service Providers may also incur significant costs to manage and control Cyber Risk. While the Fund and its Service
Providers have established IT and data security programs and have in place business continuity plans and other systems designed
to prevent losses and mitigate Cyber Risk, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including the possibility
that certain risks have not been identified or that cyber-attacks may be highly sophisticated.
Cyber Risk is also
present for issuers of securities or other instruments in which the Fund invests, which could result in material adverse consequences
for such issuers, and may cause the Fund’s investment in such issuers to lose value.
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Secondary Market For The Common Shares [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Secondary Market for the Common Shares
The issuance of Common
Shares through the Plan may have an adverse effect on the secondary market for the Common Shares. The increase in the number of
outstanding Common Shares resulting from the issuances pursuant to the Plan and the discount to the market price at which such
Common Shares may be issued, may put downward pressure on the market price for the Common Shares. When the Common Shares are trading
at a premium, the Fund may also issue Common Shares that may be sold through private transactions effected on the NYSE or through
broker-dealers. The increase in the number of outstanding Common Shares resulting from these offerings may put downward pressure
on the market price for Common Shares.
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Anti Takeover Provisions [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Anti-Takeover Provisions
Maryland law and the
Fund’s Charter and Bylaws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control
of the Fund or to convert the Fund to open-end status, including the adoption of a staggered Board of Directors and the supermajority
voting requirements discussed herein. These provisions could deprive the holders of Common Shares of opportunities to sell their
Common Shares at a premium over the then current market price of the Common Shares or at NAV. See “Certain Provisions of
the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws and of Maryland Law.” This risk would also apply to many of the Fund’s investments
in Underlying Funds.
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Risks Associated With Additional Offerings [Member] |
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Risk [Text Block] |
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Risks Associated
with Additional Offerings. There are risks associated with offerings of additional common or preferred shares of the Fund.
The voting power of current shareholders will be diluted to the extent that current shareholders do not purchase shares in any
future offerings of shares or do not purchase sufficient shares to maintain their percentage interest. In addition, the sale of
shares in an offering may have an adverse effect on prices in the secondary market for the Fund’s shares by increasing the
number of shares available, which may put downward pressure on the market price of the Fund’s Shares. These sales also might
make it more difficult for the Fund to sell additional equity securities in the future at a time and price the Fund deems appropriate.
In the event any additional
series of fixed rate preferred shares are issued and such shares are intended to be listed on an exchange, prior application will
have been made to list such shares. During an initial period, which is not expected to exceed 30 days after the date of its initial
issuance, such shares may not be listed on any securities exchange. During such period, the underwriters may make a market in
such shares, although they will have no obligation to do so. Consequently, an investment in such shares may be illiquid during
such period. Fixed rate preferred shares may trade at a premium to or discount from liquidation value.
There are risks
associated with an offering of Rights (in addition to the risks discussed herein related to the offering of shares and preferred
shares). Shareholders who do not exercise their rights may, at the completion of such an offering, own a smaller proportional
interest in the Fund than if they exercised their rights. As a result of such an offering, a shareholder may experience dilution
in NAV per share if the subscription price per share is below the NAV per share on the expiration date. In addition to the economic
dilution described above, if a shareholder does not exercise all of their Rights, the shareholder will incur voting dilution as
a result of the Rights offering. This voting dilution will occur because the shareholder will own a smaller proportionate interest
in the Fund after the rights offering than prior to the Rights offering.
There is a risk that
changes in market conditions may result in the underlying common shares or preferred shares purchasable upon exercise of Rights
being less attractive to investors at the conclusion of the subscription period. This may reduce or eliminate the value of the
Rights. If investors exercise only a portion of the rights, the number of shares issued may be reduced, and the shares may trade
at less favorable prices than larger offerings for similar securities. Rights issued by the Fund may be transferable or non-transferable
rights.
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Business Contact [Member] |
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Cover [Abstract] |
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Entity Address, Address Line One |
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360 South Rosemary Avenue
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Entity Address, Address Line Two |
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Suite 1420
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Entity Address, City or Town |
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West Palm Beach
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Entity Address, State or Province |
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FL
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Entity Address, Postal Zip Code |
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33401
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Contact Personnel Name |
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Marcus L. Collins, Esq.
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Common Shares [Member] |
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Fee Table [Abstract] |
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Sales Load [Percent] |
[2] |
(0.00%)
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Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Fees |
[2],[3] |
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Other Transaction Expenses [Abstract] |
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Other Transaction Expense 1 [Percent] |
[2] |
(0.00%)
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Other Transaction Expenses [Percent] |
[2] |
(0.00%)
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Management Fees [Percent] |
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2.37%
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Dividend Expenses on Preferred Shares [Percent] |
[4] |
(0.00%)
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Other Feeder Fund Expenses [Percent] |
[5],[6],[7] |
2.25%
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Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses [Percent] |
[8] |
1.51%
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Other Annual Expenses [Abstract] |
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Other Annual Expense 1 [Percent] |
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0.23%
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Total Annual Expenses [Percent] |
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6.36%
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Basis of Transaction Fees, Note [Text Block] |
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As a Percentage of Offering
Price
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Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Note [Text Block] |
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The “Acquired fund
fees and expenses” disclosed above are based on the expense ratios for the most
recent fiscal year of the Underlying Funds in which the Fund has invested, which may
change substantially over time and, therefore, significantly affect “Acquired fund
fees and expenses.” These amounts are based on the total expense ratio disclosed
in each Underlying Fund’s most recent shareholder report. “Acquired fund
fees and expenses” are not charged directly to the Fund, but rather reflect the
estimated pro rata portion of the Underlying Funds’ fees attributable to the Fund’s
investments in shares of the Underlying Funds. The 1.51% shown as “Acquired
fund fees and expenses” reflects estimated operating expenses of the Underlying
Funds and transaction-related fees. Certain Underlying Funds in which the Fund intends
to invest generally charge a management fee of 1.00% to 2.00%, which are included in
“Acquired fund fees and expenses,” as applicable. Acquired fund fees and
expenses are borne indirectly by the Fund, but they are not reflected in the Fund’s
financial statements; and the information presented in the table will differ from that
presented in the Fund’s financial highlights.
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General Description of Registrant [Abstract] |
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Return at Minus Ten [Percent] |
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(18.92%)
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Return at Minus Five [Percent] |
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(10.53%)
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Return at Zero [Percent] |
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(2.13%)
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Return at Plus Five [Percent] |
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6.26%
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Return at Plus Ten [Percent] |
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14.66%
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Lowest Price or Bid |
[9] |
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$ 14.85
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$ 15.10
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$ 14.68
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$ 15.60
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$ 15.95
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$ 18.29
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$ 21.65
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$ 23.25
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$ 22.25
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$ 20.95
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$ 20.00
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$ 19.62
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$ 18.76
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Highest Price or Bid |
[9] |
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15.94
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16.70
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17.00
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17.94
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18.74
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22.45
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23.64
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24.63
|
24.41
|
23.40
|
21.99
|
20.78
|
20.24
|
|
|
|
|
Lowest Price or Bid, NAV |
[10] |
|
|
16.54
|
17.16
|
16.45
|
17.17
|
17.64
|
20.04
|
23.15
|
24.16
|
24.06
|
23.33
|
21.98
|
21.72
|
20.44
|
|
|
|
|
Highest Price or Bid, NAV |
[10] |
|
|
$ 17.75
|
$ 18.24
|
$ 17.76
|
$ 19.20
|
$ 20.29
|
$ 22.98
|
$ 23.94
|
$ 24.81
|
$ 24.85
|
$ 24.15
|
$ 23.41
|
$ 22.82
|
$ 19.82
|
|
|
|
|
Highest Price or Bid, Premium (Discount) to NAV [Percent] |
[11] |
|
|
(10.20%)
|
(8.44%)
|
(4.28%)
|
(6.56%)
|
(7.64%)
|
(2.32%)
|
(1.25%)
|
(0.71%)
|
(1.77%)
|
(3.11%)
|
(6.07%)
|
(8.94%)
|
2.12%
|
|
|
|
|
Lowest Price or Bid, Premium (Discount) to NAV [Percent] |
[11] |
|
|
(10.22%)
|
(12.00%)
|
(10.76%)
|
(9.16%)
|
(9.58%)
|
(8.73%)
|
(6.48%)
|
(3.77%)
|
(7.54%)
|
(10.20%)
|
(9.01%)
|
(9.66%)
|
(8.22%)
|
|
|
|
|
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security Title [Text Block] |
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security Voting Rights [Text Block] |
|
Common shareholders
are entitled to one vote per share.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security Preemptive and Other Rights [Text Block] |
|
The Fund’s
common shares have no preemptive, conversion, exchange, appraisal or redemption rights, and each share has equal voting, dividend,
distribution and liquidation rights.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security Obligations of Ownership [Text Block] |
|
In general, shareholders
or subscribers for the Fund’s stock have no personal liability for the debts and obligations of the Fund because of their
status as shareholders or subscribers, except to the extent that the subscription price or other agreed consideration for the
stock has not been paid.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding Security, Title [Text Block] |
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding Security, Authorized [Shares] |
|
|
50,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding Security, Held [Shares] |
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding Security, Not Held [Shares] |
|
|
6,114,699
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Securities [Member] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Highlights [Abstract] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Securities Amount |
[12] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ 13,000,000
|
$ 10,000,000
|
$ 15,000,000
|
Senior Securities Coverage per Unit |
[14] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ 9,537
|
$ 16,124
|
$ 9,785
|
Preferred Shares [Member] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt, and Other Securities [Abstract] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security Title [Text Block] |
|
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security Voting Rights [Text Block] |
|
Prior to issuance of any shares of Preferred Shares,
the Board of Directors is required by Maryland law and by the Fund’s Charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion and
other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions
of redemption for such shares.
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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RiverNorth Flexible Muni... (NYSE:RFM)
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From Oct 2024 to Nov 2024
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