FORM N-2/A
As filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 28,
2009
Securities
Act Registration
No. 333-145105
Investment Company Act Registration
No. 811-22106
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
Form N-2
|
|
|
þ
|
|
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
|
þ
|
|
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 6
|
o
|
|
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.
|
|
|
and/or
|
þ
|
|
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF
1940
|
þ
|
|
AMENDMENT NO. 6
|
Tortoise Power and Energy
Infrastructure Fund, Inc.
11550 Ash Street, Suite 300
Leawood, Kansas 66211
(913) 981-1020
AGENT FOR SERVICE
David J. Schulte
11550 Ash Street, Suite 300
Leawood, Kansas 66211
Copies of Communications to:
|
|
|
Steven F. Carman, Esq.
Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP
4801 Main Street, Suite 1000
Kansas City, MO 64112
(816) 983-8000
|
|
Joseph A. Hall, Esq.
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
(212) 450-4000
|
Approximate Date of Proposed Public
Offering: As soon as practicable after the
effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this form will be
offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on
Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than
securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment
plan, check the following
box. o
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check
appropriate box):
o when
declared effective pursuant to Section 8(c).
CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposed Maximum
|
|
|
Proposed Maximum
|
|
|
Amount of
|
Title of Securities
|
|
|
Amount to be
|
|
|
Offering
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
|
Registration
|
being Registered
|
|
|
Registered(1)
|
|
|
Price per Share(1)
|
|
|
Offering Price(1)
|
|
|
Fee
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
|
7,500,000
|
|
|
|
$
|
20.00
|
|
|
|
$
|
150,000,000
|
|
|
|
$
|
8,370.00
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration
fee. |
|
|
|
(2) |
|
The registration fees have increased since the Funds
initial filing of this Registration Statement on
Form N-2,
File
No. 333-145105
on August 3, 2007. The Fund has previously paid a filing
fee of $6,975.00 in connection with this offering. Accordingly,
pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, the Fund is offsetting $6,975.00 of that fee against
the $8,370.00 that would otherwise be due as the registration
fee. The remaining $1,395.00 is being paid herewith. |
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 dates as the Securities
and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said
Section 8(a), may determine.
The information
in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be
changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration
statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is
effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell
nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any
jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
|
|
|
SUBJECT TO
COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 25, 2009
|
|
Common
Shares
Tortoise
Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc.
$20.00 per
share
The
Fund. Tortoise
Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (the
Fund, we, us or
our) is a Maryland corporation registered as a
non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under
the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act).
We intend to elect to be treated and to qualify as a regulated
investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the Code). We will be managed by Tortoise
Capital Advisors, L.L.C. (the Advisor), an
investment adviser specializing in managing portfolios of
securities of master limited partnerships and other energy
companies. As of May 31, 2009, our Advisor managed
investments of approximately $2.0 billion.
Investment
Objectives. Our
primary investment objective is to provide a high level of
current income, with a secondary objective of capital
appreciation. There can be no assurance that we will achieve our
investment objectives.
Investment
Strategy. We
seek to provide stockholders a vehicle to invest in a portfolio
consisting primarily of securities issued by power and energy
infrastructure companies. The securities in which we will invest
include income-producing fixed income and equity securities.
Under normal circumstances, we plan to invest at least 80% of
our total assets (including any assets obtained through
leverage) in securities of companies that derive more than 50%
of their revenue from power or energy infrastructure operations.
Power infrastructure operations use asset systems to provide
electric power generation (including renewable energy),
transmission and distribution. Energy infrastructure operations
use a network of pipeline assets to transport, store, gather
and/or
process crude oil, refined petroleum products (including
biodiesel and ethanol), natural gas or natural gas liquids. We
will not invest more than 15% of our total assets in restricted
securities, all of which may be illiquid securities, with
certain exceptions as described more fully herein.
We seek to invest in a portfolio of
companies focused solely on the power and energy infrastructure
sectors. We believe this sector provides stable and defensive
characteristics throughout economic cycles. We anticipate that a
significant portion of our portfolio will initially include
investment grade fixed income securities, as well as
dividend-paying equity securities.
No Prior Trading
History. Prior
to this offering, there has been no public or private market for
our common shares. Shares of closed-end management investment
companies frequently trade at prices lower than their net asset
value (often referred to as a discount), which may
increase investor risk of loss.
The risk of loss due to
this discount may be greater for initial investors expecting to
sell their shares in a relatively short period after completion
of this initial public offering.
Our strategy of investing
primarily in securities issued by power or energy infrastructure
companies, a portion of which may be restricted securities as
described more fully herein, involves a high degree of risk. You
could lose some or all of your investment. An investment in this
fund may be considered speculative. See Risks
beginning on page 55 of this prospectus. You should
consider carefully these risks together with all of the other
information contained in this prospectus before making a
decision to purchase our common shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per Share
|
|
|
Total(1)
|
|
|
Public Offering Price
|
|
$
|
20.00
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Sales Load(2)
|
|
$
|
0.90
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Proceeds, before expenses, to the Fund(3)
|
|
$
|
19.10
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
The underwriters
named in this prospectus have the option to purchase up
to additional
common shares at the public offering price, less the sales load,
within 45 days from the date of this prospectus to cover
over-allotments. If the over-allotment option is exercised in
full, the public offering price, sales load and proceeds, before
expenses, to us will
be , ,
and ,
respectively.
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
The Advisor (not
the Fund) has agreed to pay from its own assets a structuring
fee to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, UBS Securities LLC, and
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated. See
Underwriting.
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
In addition to the
sales load, the Fund will pay offering costs of up to $0.04 per
share, estimated to total
approximately , which will reduce
the Proceeds, before expenses, to the Fund. The
Advisor has agreed to pay the amount by which the aggregate of
all of the Funds offering costs (other than the sales
load) exceeds $0.04 per share.
|
Neither the Securities and
Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if
this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to
the contrary is a criminal offense.
The underwriters expect to
deliver the common shares to purchasers on or
about ,
2009.
|
|
|
Wells
Fargo Securities |
UBS Investment Bank |
Stifel Nicolaus |
|
|
|
|
Barclays
Capital
|
Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.
|
Oppenheimer & Co.
|
RBC
Capital Markets
|
|
|
|
J.J.B.
Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC
|
Janney Montgomery Scott
|
Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.
|
|
|
Maxim
Group LLC
|
Southwest Securities, Inc.
|
|
|
Wedbush
Morgan Securities Inc.
|
Wunderlich Securities,
Inc.
|
The date of this
prospectus
is ,
2009
Tortoise Power and Energy
Infrastructure Fund, Inc.
We seek to provide stockholders an investment portfolio consisting primarily of
fixed income and equity securities issued by power and energy infrastructure
companies. We will seek to provide a high level of current income,
with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. |
(continued from the front cover)
Exchange Listing. Our common shares are
expected to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
trading or ticker symbol TPZ.
Leverage. We may incur leverage to the
extent permitted by the 1940 Act. Under normal circumstances, we
will not employ leverage above 20% of our total assets at time
of incurrence. We anticipate that such leverage may initially
include, although not be limited to, revolving credit facilities
or senior notes. We may also issue preferred shares, however, we
will not utilize leverage in the form of what historically has
been known as auction rate preferred securities.
Leverage creates an opportunity for increased income and capital
appreciation for common stockholders, but, at the same time, it
gives rise to special risks that may adversely affect common
stockholders. If we utilize leverage, the common shares sold in
this offering will be junior in liquidation and distribution
rights to senior securities, such as preferred shares or debt
securities, that we may issue. Because our Advisors fee is
based on total assets (including any assets acquired with the
proceeds of leverage), our Advisors fee will be higher if
we utilize leverage. There can be no assurance that a leveraged
strategy will be successful during any period in which it is
used. See Leverage and Risks Risks
Related to Our Operation Leverage Risk.
This prospectus sets forth information about us that a
prospective investor should know before investing. You should
read this prospectus and retain it for future reference. A
Statement of Additional Information,
dated ,
2009, containing additional information about us, has been filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated
by reference in its entirety into this prospectus. You may
request a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information,
the table of contents of which is on the next page of this
prospectus, by calling toll-free 1-866-362-9331 or by writing to
us at 11550 Ash Street, Suite 300, Leawood, Kansas 66211.
You can also obtain a copy of our Statement of Additional
Information and our future annual and semi-annual reports to
stockholders on our Advisors website
(http://www.tortoiseadvisors.com).
Information included on our Advisors website is not
incorporated into this prospectus. You can review and copy
documents we have filed at the SECs Public Reference Room
in Washington, D.C. Call 1-202-551-5850 for information.
The SEC charges a fee for copies. You can obtain the same
information free from the SECs website
(http://www.sec.gov)
on which you may view our Statement of Additional Information,
all materials incorporated by reference, and other information
about us. You may also
e-mail
requests for these documents to publicinfo@sec.gov or make a
request in writing to the SECs Public Reference Section,
100 F Street N.E., Room 1580,
Washington, D.C. 20549.
Our common shares do not represent a deposit or obligation of,
and are not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured
depository institution and are not federally insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board
or any other government agency.
The power and energy infrastructure
assets pictured on the opposite page are not owned by the Fund,
but are the type of assets operated by companies in which the
Fund intends to invest.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
You should rely only on the information contained or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The Fund has not,
and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to
provide you with any different information. If anyone provides
you with different or inconsistent information, you should not
rely on it. The Fund is not, and the underwriters are not,
making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction
where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that
the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as
of the date of this prospectus. The Funds business,
financial condition and prospects may have changed since that
date. The Fund will amend or supplement this prospectus to
reflect material changes to the information contained in this
prospectus to the extent required by applicable law.
Until ,
2009 (25 days after the date of this prospectus) all
dealers that buy, sell or trade our common shares, whether or
not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a
prospectus. This is in addition to each dealers obligation
to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with
respect to its unsold allotments or subscriptions.
PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
This section is only a summary. It is not complete and may
not contain all of the information you may want to consider
before investing in our common shares. You should review the
more detailed information contained in this prospectus,
including under the heading Risks beginning on
page 55. Unless indicated otherwise in this prospectus or
the context requires otherwise, all references in this
prospectus to the Fund, we,
our or us are to Tortoise Power and
Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc.
The
Fund
We are a Maryland corporation registered as a non-diversified,
closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act. We
intend to elect to be treated and to qualify as a regulated
investment company (RIC) under the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the Code).
Investment
Objectives
Our primary investment objective is to provide a high level of
current income, with a secondary objective of capital
appreciation. There can be no assurance that we will achieve our
investment objectives.
Our
Advisor
We will be managed by Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C., an
investment adviser specializing in managing portfolios of
securities of master limited partnerships (MLPs) and
other energy companies. As of May 31, 2009, our Advisor
managed investments of approximately $2.0 billion in the
energy sector, including the assets of four publicly traded
closed-end management investment companies. Each of our
Advisors investment decisions will be reviewed and
approved for us by its investment committee of five managing
directors. The managing directors have an average of over
23 years of investment experience and three of the five
managing directors have significant experience in managing
portfolios of fixed income securities that include the
securities of issuers in the power and energy infrastructure
sectors.
Investment
Strategy
We seek to provide stockholders a vehicle to invest in a
portfolio consisting primarily of securities issued by power and
energy infrastructure companies. The securities in which we will
invest include income-producing fixed income and equity
securities. Under normal circumstances, we plan to invest at
least 80% of our total assets (including any assets obtained
through leverage) in securities of companies that derive more
than 50% of their revenue from power or energy infrastructure
operations. We define power and energy infrastructure operations
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Power Infrastructure The ownership and
operation of asset systems that provide electric power
generation (including renewable energy), transmission and
distribution.
|
|
|
|
Energy Infrastructure The ownership
and operation of a network of pipeline assets to transport,
store, gather
and/or
process crude oil, refined petroleum products (including
biodiesel and ethanol), natural gas or natural gas liquids.
|
Market
Opportunity
We seek to invest in a portfolio of companies focused solely on
the power and energy infrastructure sectors and that provide
stable and defensive characteristics throughout economic cycles.
We believe that the current market conditions provide a
favorable entry point for our strategy, with yield spreads above
historical averages. Over time, we will seek to capitalize on
relative value opportunities, with the ability to invest across
the capital structure.
We will focus on minimizing risk and volatility using our
Advisors disciplined investment screening process,
including proprietary risk and financial analysis. We anticipate
that a significant portion of our portfolio will initially
include investment grade fixed income securities, as well as
dividend-paying equity securities. We intend to build a
portfolio with companies that generally (i) have assets in
diverse geographic locations across the U.S.,
(ii) transport, process, or distribute diverse energy
products, or (iii) serve different end
1
users. Among other things, under normal circumstances, our
non-fundamental policies (i) limit our investment in
non-investment grade fixed income securities to no more than 25%
of our total assets, (ii) limit our ability to incur
leverage so that our leverage is not in excess of 20% of our
total assets at time of incurrence, and (iii) require that
we maintain at least 60% of our total assets in fixed income
securities.
Targeted
Investment Characteristics
Our investment strategy will be anchored in our Advisors
fundamental principles of yield, quality and growth. We
anticipate that our targeted investments will generally have the
following characteristics:
|
|
|
|
|
Essential Infrastructure Assets
Companies that operate critical tangible
assets that connect sources of energy supply to areas of energy
demand. These businesses are essential to economic productivity
and experience relatively inelastic demand.
|
|
|
|
High Current Yield Companies that
generate a current cash return at the time of investment. We do
not intend to invest in
start-up
companies or companies with speculative business plans.
|
|
|
|
Predictable Revenues Companies with
stable and predictable revenue streams, often linked to areas
experiencing demographic growth and with low commodity price
risk.
|
|
|
|
Stable Cost Structures Companies with
relatively low maintenance expenditures and economies of scale
due to operating leverage.
|
|
|
|
High Barriers to Entry Companies with
operating assets that are difficult to replicate due to
regulation, natural monopolies, availability of land or high
costs of new development.
|
|
|
|
Long-Lived Assets Companies that
operate tangible assets with long economic useful lives.
|
|
|
|
Experienced, Operations-Focused Management Teams
Companies with management teams possessing
successful track records and who have substantial knowledge,
experience, and focus in their particular segments of the power
and energy infrastructure sectors.
|
Power and
Energy Infrastructure Investment
We believe that power and energy infrastructure companies will
provide attractive investment opportunities for the following
reasons:
The International Energy Administration (IEA)
projects that North American energy and electricity consumption
will increase annually by 0.6% and 1.1%, respectively, from 2006
through 2030. This increase results in an overall energy and
electricity consumption increase of approximately 15% and 30%,
respectively, by 2030.
The power and energy infrastructure sectors have a growing need
for capital to update and expand infrastructure assets. In
particular, these companies need capital to facilitate the
construction of additional infrastructure assets, to modernize
or maintain existing infrastructure assets, and to finance
industry consolidation. Power infrastructure investment has
fallen short of demand growth for nearly 30 years, leading
to inadequate capacity. The U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE) estimates that 70% of transmission lines and
power transformers and 60% of circuit breakers are over
25 years old, which we understand to be well into their
useful lives. Companies in the energy infrastructure sector
expect to construct over 5,000 miles of natural gas
pipelines and 2,000 miles of crude oil pipelines to support
new sources of energy supply as well as replace
and/or
maintain existing infrastructure. The Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) has created incentives to spur
investment in power and energy infrastructure assets.
The IEA estimates that $3.4 trillion will need to be invested in
such power and energy infrastructure internal growth projects
from 2007 to 2030 in North America. We expect such spending to
finance upgrades and expansion of electric power infrastructure;
pipeline infrastructure projects to support growing population
centers; pipeline and storage terminal projects to increase the
movement of crude oil across North America; and natural gas
projects to develop infrastructure that efficiently connects new
2
areas of supply to growing areas of demand. This investment
should help alleviate congestion, upgrade or replace aged
infrastructure and meet growing North American demand.
Experience
of the Advisor
|
|
|
|
|
Experience Across Power and Energy Infrastructure Value
Chain. Our Advisor has significant expertise
working with energy infrastructure companies and managed
investments of approximately $2.0 billion in the energy
sector as of May 31, 2009. The five members of our
Advisors investment committee have, on average, over
23 years of investment experience. In addition to their
experience at the Advisor, three of the five members of our
Advisors investment committee came from Fountain Capital
Management (Fountain Capital) and have significant
experience in managing portfolios of fixed income securities
that included the securities of issuers in the power and energy
infrastructure sectors. Fountain Capital was formed in 1990 and
focuses primarily on providing investment advisory services to
institutional investors in the non-investment grade rated fixed
income market. The Advisors philosophy places extensive
focus on quality through proprietary models, including risk,
valuation and financial models.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Strong Reputation, Deep Relationships and Access to Deal
Flow. Our Advisor has developed a strong
reputation and deep relationships with issuers, underwriters and
sponsors that we believe will afford us competitive advantages
in evaluating and managing investment opportunities. Our
Advisor, a pioneer in institutional direct placements with MLPs
and other energy infrastructure companies, has participated in
over 90 direct placements, private company investments and
initial public offerings in which it has invested over
$1.3 billion since 2002 through its publicly traded funds
and other specialty vehicles.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital Markets Innovation. Our Advisor
is a leader in providing investment, financing and structuring
opportunities through its publicly traded funds and through its
private funds. Our Advisor believes its innovation includes the
following highlights:
|
|
|
|
|
|
First publicly traded, closed-end management investment company
focused primarily on investing in energy MLPs;
|
|
|
|
Led development of institutional MLP direct placements to fund
acquisitions, capital projects and sponsor liquidity;
|
|
|
|
Completed the first follow-on common stock offering in a decade
for a closed-end, management investment company; and
|
|
|
|
Established one of the first registered closed-end fund
universal shelf registration statements and completed the first
registered direct offering from a universal shelf registration
statement for a closed-end fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Disciplined Investment Philosophy. In
making its investment decisions, our Advisor intends to continue
the disciplined investment approach that it has utilized since
its founding. That investment approach will emphasize current
income, low volatility and minimization of downside risk. Our
Advisors investment process involves an assessment of the
overall attractiveness of the specific segment in which a power
or energy infrastructure company is involved, the companys
specific competitive position within that segment, potential
commodity price risk, supply and demand, regulatory
considerations, the stability and potential growth of the
companys cash flows, and the companys management
track record.
|
Portfolio
Securities
Targeted Investments. We may invest in
a wide range of securities expected to generate for us regularly
recurring income. The securities in which we invest will
primarily include the following securities issued by power and
energy infrastructure companies:
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed income securities (primarily rated investment grade)
|
|
|
|
Dividend-paying equity securities
|
3
Up to 25% of the securities listed above may be securities
issued by MLPs.
Temporary Investments and Defensive
Investments. Pending investment of the
proceeds of this offering, we expect to invest substantially all
of the net offering proceeds in cash, cash equivalents,
securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or
its instrumentalities or agencies, short-term money market
instruments, short-term fixed income securities, certificates of
deposit, bankers acceptances and other bank obligations,
commercial paper or other liquid fixed income securities. We may
also invest in these instruments on a temporary basis to meet
working capital needs, including, but not limited to, holding a
reserve pending payment of distributions or facilitating the
payment of expenses and settlement of trades. In addition,
although inconsistent with our investment objectives, under
adverse market or economic conditions, we may invest 100% of our
total assets in these securities. The yield on these securities
may be lower than the returns on the securities in which we will
otherwise invest or yields on lower-rated, fixed income
securities. To the extent we invest in these securities on a
temporary basis or for defensive purposes, we may not achieve
our investment objectives.
Principal
Investment Strategies
As a nonfundamental investment policy, under normal
circumstances we plan to invest at least 80% of our total assets
(including assets we obtain through leverage) in the securities
of companies that derive more than 50% of their revenue from
power or energy infrastructure operations.
We have adopted the following additional nonfundamental
investment policies, that will be followed under normal
circumstances:
|
|
|
|
|
We will invest a minimum of 60% of our total assets in fixed
income securities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
We will not employ leverage above 20% of our total assets at
time of incurrence.
|
|
|
|
|
|
We will not invest more than 25% of our total assets in
non-investment grade rated fixed income securities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
We will not invest more than 15% of our total assets in
restricted securities that are ineligible for resale under
Rule 144A (Rule 144A) under the Securities
Act of 1933 (1933 Act), all of which may be
illiquid securities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
We may invest up to 10% of our total assets in securities issued
by
non-U.S. issuers
(including Canadian issuers).
|
|
|
|
We will not engage in short sales.
|
As used for the purpose of each nonfundamental investment policy
above, the term total assets includes any assets
obtained through leverage. Our Board of Directors may change our
nonfundamental investment policies without stockholder approval
and will provide notice to stockholders of material changes in
such policies (including notice through stockholder reports).
Any change in the policy of investing under normal circumstances
at least 80% of our total assets (including assets we obtain
through leverage) in the securities of companies that derive
more than 50% of their revenue from power or energy
infrastructure operations requires at least 60 days
prior written notice to stockholders. Unless otherwise stated,
the investment restrictions described above apply at the time of
purchase, and we will not be required to reduce a position due
solely to market value fluctuations. See The Fund
for more detailed information.
In addition, to comply with federal tax requirements for
qualification as a RIC, our investments will be limited so that
at the close of each quarter of each taxable year (i) at
least 50% of the value of our total assets is represented by
cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, the
securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other
securities limited for purposes of such calculation, in respect
of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value
of our total assets and not more than 10% outstanding
voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than
25% of the value of our total assets is invested in the
securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government
securities or the securities of other RICs), the securities
(other than the securities of other RICs) of any two or more
issuers that we control and that are determined to be engaged in
the same
4
business or similar or related trades or businesses, or the
securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships
(which includes MLPs). These tax-related limitations may be
changed by the Board of Directors to the extent appropriate in
light of changes to applicable tax requirements.
Leverage
Once the proceeds of this offering have been fully invested in
securities that meet our investment objectives, we may fund
continued investment activities through the borrowing of money
that represents the leveraging of our common shares. The
issuance of additional common shares will enable us to increase
the aggregate amount of our leverage. Under normal
circumstances, we will not employ leverage above 20% of our
total assets at time of incurrence. We anticipate that such
leverage may initially include, although not be limited to,
revolving credit facilities or senior notes. We may also issue
preferred shares, however, we will not utilize leverage in the
form of what historically has been known as auction rate
preferred securities.
The use of leverage creates an opportunity for increased income
and capital appreciation for common stockholders, but at the
same time creates special risks that may adversely affect common
stockholders. Because our Advisors fee is based upon a
percentage of our Managed Assets, our Advisors
fee will be higher when we are leveraged. Managed Assets is
defined as our total assets (including any assets attributable
to any leverage that may be outstanding) minus the sum of
accrued liabilities (other than debt representing financial
leverage and the aggregate liquidation preference of any
outstanding preferred shares). Therefore, our Advisor has a
financial incentive to use leverage, which will create a
conflict of interest between our Advisor and our common
stockholders, who will bear the costs and risks of our leverage.
There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be
successful during any period in which it is used. The use of
leverage involves risks, which can be significant. See
Leverage and Risks Risks Related
to Our Operations Leverage Risk.
We may in the future use interest rate transactions, for hedging
purposes only, in an attempt to reduce the interest rate risk
arising from our leveraged capital structure. Interest rate
transactions that we may use for hedging purposes may expose us
to certain risks that differ from the risks associated with our
portfolio holdings. See Leverage Hedging
Transactions and Risks Risks Related to
Our Operations Hedging Strategy Risk.
Conflicts
of Interest
Conflicts of interest may arise from the fact that our Advisor
and its affiliates carry on substantial investment activities
for other clients in which we have no interest. Our Advisor or
its affiliates may have financial incentives to favor certain of
these accounts over us. Any of their proprietary accounts or
other customer accounts may compete with us for specific trades.
Our Advisor or its affiliates may give advice and recommend
securities to, or buy or sell securities for, other accounts and
customers, which advice or securities recommended may differ
from advice given to, or securities recommended or bought or
sold for, us, although their investment objectives may be the
same as, or similar to, ours.
Our Advisor has written allocation policies and procedures that
it will follow in addressing any conflicts. When two or more
clients advised by our Advisor or its affiliates seek to
purchase or sell the same securities, the securities actually
purchased or sold will be allocated among the clients on a good
faith equitable basis by our Advisor in its discretion and in
accordance with each clients investment objectives and our
Advisors procedures.
Situations may occur when we could be disadvantaged because of
the investment activities conducted by our Advisor and its
affiliates for their other accounts. Such situations may be
based on, among other things, the following: (1) legal or
internal restrictions on the combined size of positions that may
be taken for us or their other accounts, thereby limiting the
size of our position; (2) the difficulty of liquidating an
investment for us or their other accounts where the market
cannot absorb the sale of the combined position; or
(3) limits on co-investing in private placement securities
under the 1940 Act. Our investment opportunities may be limited
by
5
affiliations of our Advisor or its affiliates with power and
energy infrastructure companies. See Management of the
Company Conflicts of Interest.
Advisor
Information
The offices of our Advisor are located at 11550 Ash Street,
Suite 300, Leawood, Kansas 66211. The telephone number for
our Advisor is
(913) 981-1020
and our Advisors website is www.tortoiseadvisors.com.
Information posted to our Advisors website should not be
considered part of this prospectus.
Who May
Want to Invest
Investors should consider their investment goals, time horizons
and risk tolerance before investing in the Fund. An investment
in the Fund is not appropriate for all investors, and the Fund
is not intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund is
designed as a long-term investment and not as a trading vehicle.
The Fund may be an appropriate investment for investors who are
seeking:
|
|
|
|
|
potential high current income;
|
|
|
|
a fund focused primarily on the power and energy infrastructure
sectors;
|
|
|
|
a fund whose capital structure will not be significantly
leveraged;
|
|
|
|
a fund that will initially invest primarily in investment grade
securities;
|
|
|
|
|
|
a fund that may be suitable for retirement or other tax exempt
accounts; and
|
|
|
|
|
|
professional securities selection and active management by an
experienced advisor.
|
An investment in the Fund involves a high degree of risk.
Investors could lose some or all of their investment.
6
THE
OFFERING
|
|
|
Common Shares Offered |
|
of
our common shares,
excluding
of our common shares issuable pursuant to the overallotment
option granted to the underwriters. |
|
|
|
Price Per Common Share |
|
$20.00 |
|
Common Shares Outstanding After the Offering |
|
of
our common shares,
excluding
of our common shares issuable pursuant to the overallotment
option granted to the underwriters. |
|
Listing and Symbol |
|
Our common shares are expected to be listed on the New York
Stock Exchange under the trading or ticker symbol
TPZ. |
|
Use of Proceeds |
|
We expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of our common
shares to invest in accordance with our investment objectives
and policies and for working capital purposes. Pending
investment, we expect the net proceeds of this offering will be
invested in cash, cash equivalents, securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. government or its instrumentalities or
agencies, short-term money market instruments, short-term fixed
income securities, certificates of deposit, bankers
acceptances and other bank obligations, commercial paper or
other liquid fixed income securities. See Use of
Proceeds. |
|
|
|
Fees |
|
Pursuant to our investment advisory agreement, we will pay our
Advisor a fee for its investment management services equal to an
annual rate of 0.95% of our average monthly Managed Assets. The
Advisor has agreed to a fee waiver of 0.15% of Managed Assets
for year 1, 0.10% of Managed Assets for year 2 and 0.05% of
Managed Assets for year 3, which will become effective as of the
close of this offering. The fee will be calculated and accrued
daily and paid quarterly in arrears. See Management of the
Fund Investment Advisory Agreement
Management Fee. |
|
|
|
Regulatory Status |
|
We are registered as a non-diversified, closed-end management
investment company under the 1940 Act. See Closed-End
Fund Structure. |
|
Tax Status |
|
We intend to elect to be treated, and to qualify each year, as a
RIC under the Code. Assuming that we qualify as a RIC, we
generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on
income and gains that we distribute each taxable year to
stockholders if we meet certain minimum distribution
requirements. To qualify as a RIC, we will be required to meet
asset diversification tests and to meet an annual qualifying
income test. See Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax
Considerations. |
|
Distributions |
|
We intend to make monthly cash distributions of our investment
company taxable income to common stockholders. We expect to
declare the initial distribution approximately 45 to
60 days, and to pay such distribution approximately 60 to
90 days, from the completion of this offering, depending
upon market conditions. In addition, on an annual basis, we
intend to distribute capital gains realized during the fiscal
year in the last fiscal quarter. |
7
|
|
|
|
|
Various factors will affect the level of our income, such as our
asset mix. We may not be able to make distributions in certain
circumstances. To permit us to maintain a more stable
distribution, our Board of Directors may from time to time cause
us to distribute less than the entire amount of income earned in
a particular period. The undistributed income would be available
to supplement future distributions. As a result, the
distributions paid by us for any particular period may be more
or less than the amount of income actually earned by us during
that period. Undistributed income will add to our net asset
value, and, correspondingly, distributions from undistributed
income will deduct from our net asset value. See
Distributions and Risks Risks
Related to Our Operations Performance Risk. |
|
Dividend Reinvestment Plan |
|
We intend to have a dividend reinvestment plan for our
stockholders that will be effective after completion of this
offering. Our plan will be an opt out dividend
reinvestment plan. As a result, if we declare a distribution
after the plan is effective, a stockholders cash
distribution will be automatically reinvested in additional
common shares, unless the stockholder specifically opts
out of the dividend reinvestment plan so as to receive
cash distributions. Stockholders who receive distributions in
the form of common shares will generally be subject to the same
federal, state and local tax consequences as stockholders who
elect to receive their distributions in cash. See Dividend
Reinvestment Plan and Certain U.S. Federal Income
Tax Considerations. |
|
Risks |
|
Investing in our common shares 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.
Therefore, before investing in our common shares you should
consider carefully the following risks. We are designed
primarily as a long-term investment vehicle, and our common
shares are not an appropriate investment for a short-term
trading strategy. An investment in our common shares should not
constitute a complete investment program for any investor and
involves a high degree of risk. Due to the uncertainty in all
investments, there can be no assurance that we will achieve our
investment objectives. |
Risks
Related to Our Operations
No Operating History. We are a Maryland
corporation registered as a non-diversified, closed-end
management investment company under the 1940 Act. We are subject
to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with
any new business, including the risk that we will not achieve
our investment objectives and that the value of an investment in
our common shares could decline substantially and cause you to
lose some or all of your investment.
General Securities Risk. We expect to
invest in securities that may be subject to certain risks,
including:
Issuer Risk. The value of the
securities may decline for a number of reasons that directly
relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial
leverage and reduced demand for the issuers products and
services.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk
that a security in our portfolio will decline in price or the
issuer will fail to make dividend, interest or principal
payments when due because the issuer of the security experiences
a decline in its financial status. We may invest up to 25% of
our assets in fixed income
8
securities that are rated non-investment grade. Securities rated
non-investment grade are regarded as having predominately
speculative characteristics with respect to the issuers
capacity to pay interest and repay principal, and these bonds
are commonly referred to as junk bonds. These
securities are subject to a greater risk of default.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk
is the risk that securities will decline in value because of
changes in market interest rates. When market interest rates
rise, the market value of certain income-generating securities
generally will fall.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk is
the risk that income from our portfolio will decline if we
invest the proceeds from matured or traded securities at market
interest rates that are below our portfolios current
earnings rate. A decline in income could affect the net asset
value (NAV) of our common shares or our overall
return.
Call or Prepayment Risk. During periods
of declining interest rates, borrowers may exercise their option
to call or prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing us
to reinvest in lower yielding securities.
Valuation of Certain
Securities. Certain investments with limited
secondary markets may be difficult to value. Where market
quotations are not readily available, valuation may require more
research than for more liquid investments. In addition, elements
of judgment may play a greater role in valuation in such cases
than for investments with a more active secondary market because
there is less reliable objective data available. Please see
Valuation Risk.
Duration and Maturity Risk. We have no
set policy regarding the maturity or duration of any or all of
our securities. Holding long duration and long maturity
investments will magnify certain risks. These risks include
interest rate risk, credit risk and liquidity risks as discussed
above.
Current Capital Markets Environment
Risk. Global financial markets and economic
conditions have been, and continue to be, volatile due to a
variety of factors, including significant write-offs in the
financial services sector. The capital markets have experienced
periods of significant volatility since the latter half of 2007.
General market uncertainty has resulted in declines in
valuation, greater volatility and less liquidity for a variety
of securities. During times of increased market volatility, we
may not be able to sell portfolio securities readily at prices
reflecting the values at which the securities are carried on our
books. Sales of large blocks of securities by market
participants that are seeking liquidity can further reduce
prices in an illiquid market.
These market conditions have also resulted in widening credit
spreads and a lack of price transparency in a variety of credit
instruments, including fixed income securities. In such
conditions, valuation of certain fixed income portfolio
securities may be uncertain
and/or
result in sudden and significant valuation changes in our
holdings. Illiquidity and volatility in the credit markets may
directly and adversely affect the setting of distribution rates
on the common shares.
The cost of raising capital in the fixed income and equity
capital markets has increased substantially while the ability to
raise capital from those markets has diminished significantly.
In particular, as a result of concerns about the general
stability of financial markets and specifically the solvency of
lending counterparties, the cost of raising capital from the
credit markets generally has increased as many lenders and
institutional investors have increased interest rates, enacted
tighter lending standards, refused to refinance debt on existing
terms or at all and reduced, or in some cases ceased to provide,
funding to borrowers. In addition, lending counterparties under
existing revolving credit facilities and other fixed income
instruments may be unwilling or unable to meet their funding
obligations. Due to these factors, companies may be unable to
obtain new fixed income or equity financing on acceptable terms.
If funding is not available when needed, or is available only on
unfavorable terms, companies may not be able to meet their
obligations as they come due. Moreover, without adequate
funding, companies may be unable to execute their maintenance
and growth strategies, complete future acquisitions, take
advantage of other business opportunities or respond to
competitive pressures, any of which could have a material
adverse effect on their revenues and results of operations.
9
The prolonged continuation or further deterioration of current
market conditions could adversely impact our portfolio.
Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities
Risk. We intend to invest a portion of our
assets in fixed income securities rated investment
grade by nationally recognized statistical rating
organizations (NRSROs) or judged by our Advisor to
be of comparable credit quality. Although we do not intend to do
so, we may invest up to 100% in such securities. Investment
grade fixed income securities are rated Baa3 or higher by
Moodys Investors Service (Moodys), BBB-
or higher by Standard & Poors Ratings Services
(S&P), or BBB- or higher by Fitch, Inc.
(Fitch). Investment grade fixed income securities
generally pay yields above those of otherwise-comparable
U.S. government securities because they are subject to
greater risks than U.S. government securities, and yields
that are below those of non-investment grade fixed income
securities, commonly referred to as junk bonds,
because they are considered to be subject to fewer risks than
non-investment grade fixed income securities. Despite being
considered to be subject to fewer risks than junk bonds,
investment grade fixed income securities are, in fact, subject
to risks, including volatility, credit risk and risk of default,
sensitivity to general economic or industry conditions,
potential lack of resale opportunities (illiquidity), and
additional expenses to seek recovery from issuers who default.
In addition, ratings are relative and subjective and not
absolute standards of quality, and ratings do not assess the
risk of a decline in market value. Securities ratings are based
largely on an issuers historical financial condition and
the NRSROs analysis at the time of rating. Consequently,
the rating assigned to any particular fixed income security or
instrument is not necessarily a reflection of an issuers
current financial condition. In addition, NRSROs may make
assumptions when rating a fixed income security that turn out
not to be correct, or may base their ratings on information that
is not correct, either of which can result in a rating that is
higher than would otherwise be the case. It is also possible
that NRSROs might not change their ratings of a particular fixed
income security to reflect subsequent events on a timely basis.
Subsequent to our purchase of a fixed income security that is
rated investment grade, the fixed income security may cease to
be rated or its rating may be reduced, resulting in investment
grade fixed income securities becoming junk bonds. None of these
events will require our sale of such securities, although our
Advisor will consider these events in determining whether we
should continue to hold the securities.
MLP Risks. An investment in MLP
securities involves some risks that differ from the risks
involved in an investment in the common stock of a corporation.
Holders of MLP units have limited control and voting rights on
matters affecting the partnership. Holders of units issued by an
MLP are exposed to a remote possibility of liability for all of
the obligations of that MLP in the event that a court determines
that the rights of the holders of MLP units to vote to remove or
replace the general partner of that MLP, to approve amendments
to that MLPs partnership agreement, or to take other
action under the partnership agreement of that MLP would
constitute control of the business of that MLP, or a
court or governmental agency determines that the MLP is
conducting business in a state without complying with the
partnership statute of that state.
Holders of MLP units are also exposed to the risk that they will
be required to repay amounts to the MLP that are wrongfully
distributed to them. In addition, the value of our investment in
an MLP will depend largely on the MLPs treatment as a
partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If an MLP
does not meet current legal requirements to maintain partnership
status, or if it is unable to do so because of tax law changes,
it would be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. In that case, the MLP would be obligated to
pay income tax at the entity level and distributions received by
us generally would be taxed as dividend income. As a result,
there could be a material reduction in our cash flow and there
could be a material decrease in the value of our common shares.
Restricted Securities Risk. We will not
invest more than 15% of our total assets in restricted
securities that are ineligible for resale under Rule 144A,
all of which may be illiquid securities. Restricted securities
(including Rule 144A securities) are less liquid than
freely tradable securities because of statutory and contractual
restrictions on resale. Such securities are, therefore, unlike
freely tradable securities, which can be expected to be sold
immediately if the market is adequate. The illiquidity of these
investments may make it difficult for us to sell such
investments at advantageous times and prices or in a timely
manner. In addition, if for any reason we are required to
liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may
realize significantly less than the fair value at which we
previously have recorded our investments. To enable us to sell
our holdings of a restricted security not registered under the
1933 Act, in limited circumstances we may have the right to
cause
10
some of those securities to be registered. If we have the right
to cause such registration, the expenses of registering
restricted securities may not be determined at the time we buy
the securities. When we must arrange registration because we
wish to sell the security, a considerable period may elapse
between the time the decision is made to sell a security and the
time the security is registered so that we could sell it. We
would bear the risks of any downward price fluctuation during
that period.
Rule 144A Securities Risk. The
Fund may purchase Rule 144A securities. Rule 144A
provides an exemption from the registration requirements of the
1933 Act for the resale of certain restricted securities to
qualified institutional buyers, such as the Fund. Securities
saleable among qualified institutional buyers pursuant to
Rule 144A will not be counted towards the 15% limitation on
restricted securities.
An insufficient number of qualified institutional buyers
interested in purchasing
Rule 144A-eligible
securities held by us, however, could affect adversely the
marketability of certain Rule 144A securities, and we might
be unable to dispose of such securities promptly or at
reasonable prices. To the extent that liquid Rule 144A
securities that the Fund holds become illiquid, due to the lack
of sufficient qualified institutional buyers or market or other
conditions, the percentage of the Funds assets invested in
illiquid assets would increase and the fair value of such
investments may become not readily determinable. In addition, if
for any reason we are required to liquidate all or a portion of
our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than
the fair value at which we previously recorded these investments.
Tax Risk. We intend to elect to be
treated, and to qualify each year, as a regulated
investment company (RIC) under the Code. To
maintain our qualification for federal income tax purposes as a
regulated investment company under the Code, we must meet
certain source-of-income, asset diversification and annual
distribution requirements, as discussed in detail below under
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.
If for any taxable year we fail to qualify for the special
federal income tax treatment afforded to regulated investment
companies, all of our taxable income will be subject to federal
income tax at regular corporate rates (without any deduction for
distributions to our stockholders) and our income available for
distribution will be reduced. For additional information on the
requirements imposed on regulated investment companies and the
consequences of a failure to qualify, see Certain
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations below.
Equity Securities Risk. Equity
securities of entities that operate in the power and energy
infrastructure sectors can be affected by macroeconomic and
other factors affecting the stock market in general,
expectations about changes in interest rates, investor sentiment
towards such entities, changes in a particular issuers
financial condition, or unfavorable or unanticipated poor
performance of a particular issuer (in the case of MLPs,
generally measured in terms of distributions). Prices of equity
securities of individual entities also can be affected by
fundamentals unique to the company or partnership, including
earnings power and coverage ratios.
Power and energy infrastructure company equity prices are
primarily influenced by distribution growth rates and prospects
for distribution growth. Any of the foregoing risks could
substantially impact the ability of such an entity to grow its
distributions.
Non-investment Grade Fixed Income Securities
Risk. We will not invest more than 25% of our
total assets in fixed income securities rated non-investment
grade by NRSROs or unrated securities of comparable quality.
Non-investment grade securities are rated Ba1 or lower by
Moodys, BB+ or lower by S&P or BB or lower by Fitch
or, if unrated are determined by our Advisor to be of comparable
credit quality. Non-investment grade securities, also sometimes
referred to as junk bonds, generally pay a premium
above the yields of U.S. government securities or fixed
income securities of investment grade issuers because they are
subject to greater risks than these securities. These risks,
which reflect their speculative character, include the
following: greater volatility; greater credit risk and risk of
default; potentially greater sensitivity to general economic or
industry conditions; potential lack of attractive resale
opportunities (illiquidity); and additional expenses to seek
recovery from issuers who default.
In addition, the prices of these non-investment grade fixed
income securities are more sensitive to negative developments,
such as a decline in the issuers revenues or a general
economic downturn, than are the prices of higher grade
securities. Non-investment grade securities tend to be less
liquid than investment grade securities. The market value of
non-investment grade securities may be more volatile than the
market value of
11
investment grade securities and generally tends to reflect the
markets perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer
and short-term market developments to a greater extent than
investment grade securities, which primarily reflect
fluctuations in general levels of interest rates.
Securities ratings are based largely on an issuers
historical financial condition and the NRSROs analysis at
the time of rating. Consequently, the rating assigned to any
particular fixed income security or instrument is not
necessarily a reflection of an issuers current financial
condition. In addition, NRSROs may make assumptions when rating
a fixed income security that turn out not to be correct, or may
base their ratings on information that is not correct, either of
which can result in a rating that is higher than would otherwise
be the case. It is also possible that NRSROs might not change
their ratings of a particular fixed income security to reflect
subsequent events on a timely basis. Subsequent to our purchase
of a fixed income security that is rated investment grade, the
fixed income security may cease to be rated or its rating may be
reduced, resulting in investment grade fixed income securities
becoming junk bonds. None of these events will require our sale
of such securities, although our Advisor will consider these
events in determining whether we should continue to hold the
securities.
The market for non-investment grade and comparable unrated
securities has experienced periods of significantly adverse
prices and liquidity several times, particularly at or around
times of economic recession. Past market recessions have
adversely affected the value of such securities as well as the
ability of certain issuers of such securities to repay principal
and to pay interest thereon or to refinance such securities. The
market for these securities may react in a similar fashion in
the future.
Non-U.S. Securities
Risk. We may invest up to 10% of our total
assets in securities issued by
non-U.S. issuers
(including Canadian issuers) and that otherwise meet our
investment objectives. This may include investments in the
securities of
non-U.S. issuers
that involve risks not ordinarily associated with investments in
securities and instruments of U.S. issuers. For example,
non-U.S. companies
are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and
financial standards and requirements comparable to those
applicable to U.S. companies.
Non-U.S. securities
exchanges, brokers and companies may be subject to less
government supervision and regulation than exists in the
U.S. Dividend and interest income may be subject to
withholding and other
non-U.S. taxes,
which may adversely affect the net return on such investments.
Because one of our non-fundamental policies does not permit us
to invest more than 10% of our total assets in securities issued
by
non-U.S. issuers
(including Canadian issuers), we will not be able to pass
through to our stockholders any foreign income tax credits as a
result of any foreign income taxes we pay. There may be
difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment abroad. In
addition, it may be difficult to effect repatriation of capital
invested in certain countries. In addition, with respect to
certain countries, there are risks of expropriation,
confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or
diplomatic developments that could affect our assets held in
non-U.S. countries.
There may be less publicly available information about a
non-U.S. company
than there is regarding a U.S. company.
Non-U.S. securities
markets may have substantially less volume than
U.S. securities markets and some
non-U.S. company
securities are less liquid than securities of otherwise
comparable U.S. companies.
Non-U.S. markets
also have different clearance and settlement procedures that
could cause us to encounter difficulties in purchasing and
selling securities on such markets and may result in our missing
attractive investment opportunities or experiencing a loss. In
addition, a portfolio that includes securities issued by
non-U.S. issuers
(including Canadian issuers) can expect to have a higher expense
ratio because of the increased transaction costs in
non-U.S. markets
and the increased costs of maintaining the custody of such
non-U.S. securities.
When investing in securities issued by
non-U.S. issuers
(including Canadian issuers), there is also the risk that the
value of such an investment, measured in U.S. dollars, will
decrease because of unfavorable changes in currency exchange
rates. We do not currently intend to reduce or hedge our
exposure to
non-U.S. currencies.
Such a decrease in the value of our investments when leverage is
outstanding may result in our having to reduce the amount of
leverage if our statutory or other asset coverage ratios fall
below required amounts. Such reduction of leverage may cause us
to recognize a loss on transactions undertaken to reduce our
leverage, resulting in a further decrease in our value.
12
Valuation Risk. The fair value of
certain of our investments may not be readily determinable. The
fair value of these securities will be determined pursuant to
methodologies established by our Board of Directors. While the
fair value of securities we acquire through direct placements
generally will be based on a discount from quoted market prices,
other factors may adversely affect our ability to determine the
fair value of such a security. Fair value pricing involves
judgments that are inherently subjective and inexact. Our
determination of fair value may differ materially from the
values that would have been used if a ready market for these
securities had existed. As a result, we may not be able to
dispose of our holdings at a price equal to or greater than the
fair value, which could have a negative impact on our NAV.
Fair value pricing involves judgments that are inherently
subjective and inexact. Our Advisor is subject to a conflict of
interest in determining the fair value of securities in our
portfolio, as the management fees we pay our Advisor are based
on the value of our average monthly Managed Assets. See
Management of the Fund Conflicts of
Interest.
Quarterly Results Risk. We could
experience fluctuations in our operating results due to a number
of factors, including the return on our investments, the level
of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition
of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which
we encounter competition in our markets and general economic
conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any period
should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in
future periods.
Leverage Risk. Our use of leverage
through borrowings or the issuance of preferred stock or fixed
income securities, and any other transactions involving
indebtedness (other than for temporary or emergency purposes)
would be considered senior securities for purposes
of the 1940 Act. Under normal circumstances, we will not employ
leverage above 20% of our total assets at time of incurrence.
Leverage is a speculative technique that may adversely affect
common stockholders. If the return on securities acquired with
borrowed funds or other leverage proceeds does not exceed the
cost of the leverage, the use of leverage could cause us to lose
money. Because our Advisors fee is based upon a percentage
of our Managed Assets, our Advisors fee is higher when we
are leveraged. Therefore, our Advisor has a financial incentive
to use leverage, which will create a conflict of interest
between our Advisor and our common stockholders, who will bear
the costs of our leverage. Successful use of leverage depends on
our Advisors ability to predict or to hedge correctly
interest rates and market movements, and there is no assurance
that the use of a leveraging strategy will be successful during
any period in which it is used.
We will pay (and the holders of our common shares will bear) all
costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing
maintenance of the senior securities, including higher advisory
fees. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that the issuance of
senior securities will result in a higher yield or return to the
holders of our common shares. Costs of the offering of senior
securities will be borne immediately by our common stockholders
and result in a reduction of net asset value of our common
shares. See Leverage.
Hedging Strategy Risk. We may in the
future use interest rate swap transactions, for hedging purposes
only, in an attempt to reduce the interest rate risk arising
from our leveraged capital structure. Interest rate swap
transactions that we may use for hedging purposes will expose us
to certain risks that differ from the risks associated with our
portfolio holdings. Economic costs of hedging are reflected in
the price of interest rate swaps, floors, caps and similar
techniques, the costs of which can be significant, particularly
when long-term interest rates are substantially above short-term
interest rates. In addition, our success in using hedging
instruments is subject to our Advisors ability correctly
to predict changes in the relationships of such hedging
instruments to our leverage risk, and there can be no assurance
that our Advisors judgment in this respect will be
accurate. Consequently, the use of hedging transactions might
result in reduced overall performance, whether or not adjusted
for risk, than if we had not engaged in such transactions.
Depending on the state of interest rates in general, our use of
interest rate swap transactions could increase or decrease the
cash available to us for payment of dividends or interest, as
the case may be. We will, however, accrue the amount of our
obligations under any interest rate transactions and designate
on our books and records with our custodian, an amount of cash
or liquid high grade securities having an aggregate net asset
value at all times at least equal to that amount. To the extent
there is a decline in interest rates, the value of interest rate
13
swaps or caps could decline and result in a decline in the NAV
of our common shares. In addition, if the counterparty to an
interest rate swap transaction defaults, we would not be able to
use the anticipated net receipts under the interest rate swap or
cap to offset our cost of financial leverage.
Liquidity Risk. Although some of the
securities in which we invest may trade on the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE), NYSE Alternext US and the NASDAQ
Market, certain of those securities may trade less frequently
than those of larger companies that have larger market
capitalizations. Additionally, certain securities may not trade
on such exchanges (e.g., Rule 144A securities for which
there generally is a secondary market of qualified institutional
buyers) or may be unregistered
and/or
subject to
lock-up
periods (e.g., securities purchased in direct placements). The
potential illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult
for us to sell such investments at advantageous times and prices
or in a timely manner. In the event certain securities
experience limited trading volumes, the prices of such
securities may display abrupt or erratic movements at times. In
addition, it may be more difficult for us to buy and sell
significant amounts of such securities without an unfavorable
impact on prevailing market prices. As a result, these
securities may be difficult to sell at a favorable price at the
times when we believe it is desirable to do so. Investment of
our capital in securities that are less actively traded (or over
time experience decreased trading volume) may restrict our
ability to take advantage of other market opportunities or to
sell those securities. This also may affect adversely our
ability to make required interest payments on our debt
securities and distributions on any of our preferred stock, to
redeem such securities, or to meet asset coverage requirements.
Non-Diversification Risk. We are
registered as a non-diversified, closed-end management
investment company under the 1940 Act. Accordingly, there are no
regulatory limits under the 1940 Act on the number or size of
securities that we hold, and we may invest more assets in fewer
issuers compared to a diversified fund. However, in order to
qualify as a RIC for federal income tax purposes, we must
diversify our holdings so that, at the end of each quarter
(i) at least 50% of the value of our total assets is
represented by cash and cash items, U.S. Government
securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities,
with such other securities limited for purposes of such
calculation, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not
greater than 5% of the value of our total assets and not more
than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer,
and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of our total assets
is invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than
U.S. Government securities or the securities of other
RICs), the securities (other than the securities of other RICs)
of any two or more issuers that we control and that are engaged
in the same trade or business or similar or related trades or
businesses, or the securities of one or more qualified publicly
traded partnerships (which includes MLPs). An inherent risk
associated with any investment concentration is that we may be
adversely affected if one or two of our investments perform
poorly. Financial difficulty on the part of any single portfolio
company would then expose us to a greater risk of loss than
would be the case if we were a diversified company
holding numerous investments.
Given our contemplated investments in MLPs and other entities
that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income
tax purposes, compliance with the qualifying income and asset
diversification tests applicable to RICs presents unusual
challenges and will require careful, ongoing monitoring. The
Advisor has experience monitoring such investments and will
apply that experience to our investment portfolio. There can be
no assurance, however, that the Advisor will succeed under all
circumstances in ensuring that we meet the requirements for RIC
status, particularly given that certain determinations, such as
whether a security in which we invest constitutes debt or equity
for tax purposes, may not be free from doubt.
Unidentified Investments Risk. We have
not entered into definitive agreements for any specific
investments in which we will invest the net proceeds of this
offering. As a result, you will not be able to evaluate the
economic merits of investments we make with the net proceeds of
this offering prior to your purchase of common shares in this
offering. We will have significant flexibility in investing the
net proceeds of this offering and may make investments with
which you do not agree or do not believe are consistent with our
targeted investment characteristics.
Competition Risk. There are a number of
alternatives to us as vehicles for investment in a portfolio of
companies operating primarily in the power and energy
infrastructure sectors, including publicly traded investment
companies and private equity funds. In addition, recent tax law
changes have increased the ability of
14
RICs or other institutions to invest in MLPs. These competitive
conditions may adversely impact our ability to meet our
investment objectives, which in turn could adversely impact our
ability to make interest or distribution payments on any
securities we may issue. Some of our competitors may have a
lower cost of borrowing funds than we have, greater access to
funding sources not available to us, or a less stringent set of
regulatory constraints than those applicable to us.
Performance Risk. We intend to make
regular cash distributions, no less than monthly, of all or
substantially all of our investment income (other than long-term
capital gains) to common stockholders. We intend to pay common
stockholders, at least annually, all or substantially all of our
long-term capital gains. We may not be able to achieve operating
results that will allow us to make distributions at a specific
level or to increase the amount of these distributions from time
to time. In addition, the 1940 Act may limit our ability to make
distributions in certain circumstances. See
Distributions. Restrictions and provisions in any
future credit facilities and fixed income securities may also
limit our ability to make distributions. For federal income tax
purposes, we are required to distribute substantially all of our
net investment income each year both to reduce our federal
income tax liability and to avoid a potential excise tax. If our
ability to make distributions on our common shares is limited,
such limitations could, under certain circumstances, impair our
ability to maintain our qualification for taxation as a RIC,
which would have adverse consequences for our stockholders. See
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.
We cannot assure you that you will receive distributions at a
particular level or at all. The equity securities in which we
invest may not appreciate or may decline in value. The fixed
income or preferred equity securities in which we invest may not
make all required payments. Any gains that we do realize on the
disposition of any securities may not be sufficient to offset
losses on other securities. A significant decline in the value
of the securities in which we invest may negatively impact our
ability to pay distributions or cause you to lose all or a part
of your investment.
Legal and Regulatory Change Risks. The
regulatory environment for closed-end companies is evolving, and
changes in the regulation of closed-end companies may adversely
affect the value of our investments, our ability to obtain the
leverage that we might otherwise obtain, or to pursue our
trading strategy. In addition, the securities markets are
subject to comprehensive statutes and regulations. The
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), other
regulators and self-regulatory organizations and exchanges are
authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of market
emergencies. The effect of any future regulatory change on us
could be substantial and adverse.
Management Risk. Our Advisor was formed
in October 2002 to provide portfolio management services to
institutional and
high-net
worth investors seeking professional management of their MLP
investments. Our Advisor has been managing investments in
portfolios of MLPs and other energy infrastructure companies
since that time, including management of the investments of four
publicly traded closed-end management investment companies, one
of which has elected to be regulated as a business development
company (BDC) under the 1940 Act, and the management
of the investments of two privately-held funds. Our investments
and those of the other funds managed by our Advisor are managed
by our Advisors investment committee and we share many of
the same officers as those funds.
Concentration Risk. The Funds
strategy of concentrating in power and energy infrastructure
investments means that the performance of the Fund will be
closely tied to the performance of these particular market
sectors. The Funds concentrations in these investments may
present more risk than if it were broadly diversified over
numerous industries and sectors of the economy. A downturn in
these investments would have a greater impact on the Fund than
on a fund that does not concentrate in such investments. At
times, the performance of these investments may lag the
performance of other industries or the market as a whole.
Conflicts Risk. Conflicts of interest
may arise because our Advisor and its affiliates generally will
be carrying on substantial investment activities for other
clients in which we will have no interest. Our Advisor may have
financial incentives to favor certain of such accounts over us.
Any of its proprietary accounts and other customer accounts may
compete with us for specific trades. Our Advisor may buy or sell
securities for us that differ from securities bought or sold for
other accounts and customers, although their investment
objectives and policies may be similar to ours. Situations may
occur in which we could be disadvantaged because of the
investment activities conducted by our Advisor for its other
accounts. Such situations may be based on, among
15
other things, legal or internal restrictions on the combined
size of positions that may be taken for us and the other
accounts, thereby limiting the size of our position, or the
difficulty of liquidating an investment for us and the other
accounts where the market cannot absorb the sale of the combined
position. Our Advisor may also have an incentive to make
investments in one fund, having the effect of increasing the
value of a security in the same issuer held by another fund,
which in turn may result in an incentive fee being paid to our
Advisor by that other fund.
Our investment opportunities may be limited by affiliations of
our Advisor or its affiliates with power or energy
infrastructure companies. In addition, to the extent our Advisor
sources, contemplates, structures, or makes private investments
in power or energy infrastructure companies, certain employees
of our Advisor may become aware of actions planned by such
companies, such as acquisitions, that may not be announced to
the public. It is possible that we could be precluded from
investing in a power or energy infrastructure company about
which our Advisor has material nonpublic information.
Our investment opportunities may be limited by investment
opportunities in companies that our Advisor is evaluating for
other clients. To the extent a potential investment is
appropriate for us and one or more other clients, our Advisor
will need to fairly allocate that investment to us or the other
client, or both, depending on its allocation procedures and
applicable law related to combined or joint transactions. There
may arise an attractive limited investment opportunity suitable
for us in which we cannot invest under the particular allocation
method being used for that investment.
Under the 1940 Act, we and our affiliated companies are
generally precluded from co-investing in negotiated private
placements of securities. Except as permitted by law, our
Advisor will not co-invest its other clients assets in
negotiated private transactions in which we invest. To the
extent we are precluded from co-investing, our Advisor will
allocate private investment opportunities among its clients,
including but not limited to us and our affiliated companies,
based on allocation policies that take into account several
suitability factors, including the size of the investment
opportunity, the amount each client has available for investment
and the clients investment objectives. These allocation
policies may result in the allocation of investment
opportunities to an affiliated company rather than to us.
The Advisor and its principals, officers, employees, and
affiliates may buy and sell securities or other investments for
their own accounts and may have actual or potential conflicts of
interest with respect to investments made on our behalf. As a
result of differing trading and investment strategies or
constraints, positions may be taken by principals, officers,
employees, and affiliates of the Advisor that are the same as,
different from, or made at a different time than positions taken
for us. Further, the Advisor may at some time in the future,
manage other investment funds with the same investment objective
as ours.
Risks
Related to Investing in the Power and Energy Infrastructure
Sectors
Under normal circumstances, we plan to invest at least 80% of
our total assets (including assets we obtain through leverage)
in the securities of companies that derive more than 50% of
their revenue from power or energy infrastructure operations.
Our focus on the power and energy infrastructure sectors may
present more risks than if it were broadly diversified over
numerous sectors of the economy. Therefore, a downturn in the
power and energy infrastructure sectors would have a larger
impact on us than on an investment company that does not
concentrate in these sectors. Specific risks of investing in the
power and energy infrastructure sectors include the following:
Interest Rate Risk. A rising interest
rate environment could adversely impact the performance of
companies in the power and energy infrastructure sectors. Rising
interest rates may increase the cost of capital for companies
operating in these sectors. A higher cost of capital could limit
growth from acquisition or expansion projects, limit the ability
of such entities to make or grow distributions or meet debt
obligations, and adversely affect the prices of their securities.
Credit Rating Downgrade Risk. Power and
energy infrastructure companies rely on access to capital
markets as a source of liquidity for capital requirements not
satisfied by operating cash flows. Credit
16
downgrades in the companies in which we invest may impact their
ability to raise capital on favorable terms and increase their
borrowing costs.
Terrorism and Natural Disasters
Risk. Power and energy infrastructure
companies, and the market for their securities, are subject to
disruption as a result of terrorist activities, such as the
terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on
September 11, 2001; war, such as the war in Iraq and its
aftermath; and other geopolitical events, including upheaval in
the Middle East or other energy producing regions. The
U.S. government has issued warnings that energy assets,
specifically those related to pipeline infrastructure,
production facilities, and transmission and distribution
facilities, might be specific targets of terrorist activity.
Such events have led, and in the future may lead, to short-term
market volatility and may have long-term effects on the power
and energy infrastructure sectors and markets. Such events may
also adversely affect our business and financial condition.
Natural risks, such as earthquakes, flood, lighting, hurricane
and wind, are inherent risks in power and energy infrastructure
company operations. For example, extreme weather patterns, such
as Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in
2005, or the threat thereof, could result in substantial damage
to the facilities of certain companies located in the affected
areas and significant volatility in the supply of power and
energy and could adversely impact the prices of the securities
in which we invest. This volatility may create fluctuations in
commodity prices and earnings of companies in the power and
energy infrastructure sectors.
Power Infrastructure Company
Risk. Companies operating in the power
infrastructure sector also are subject to additional risks,
including those discussed below. To the extent that any of these
risks materialize for a company whose securities are in our
portfolio, the value of these securities could decline and our
net asset value and share price could be adversely affected.
Operating Risk. The operation of asset
systems that provide electric power generation (including
renewable energy), transmission and distribution involves many
risks, including:
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment failure causing outages;
|
|
|
|
Transmission or transportation constraints, inoperability or
inefficiencies;
|
|
|
|
Dependence on a specified fuel source, including the
transportation of fuel;
|
|
|
|
Changes in electricity and fuel usage;
|
|
|
|
Availability of competitively priced alternative energy sources;
|
|
|
|
Changes in generation efficiency and market heat rates;
|
|
|
|
Lack of sufficient capital to maintain facilities;
|
|
|
|
Seasonality;
|
|
|
|
Changes in supply and demand for energy commodities;
|
|
|
|
Catastrophic events such as fires, explosions, floods,
earthquakes, hurricanes and similar occurrences;
|
|
|
|
Structural, maintenance, impairment and safety problems and
storage, handling, disposal and decommissioning costs associated
with operating nuclear generating facilities; and
|
|
|
|
Environmental compliance.
|
Any of these risks could have an adverse effect on a company
with power infrastructure operations and its securities.
Additionally, older generating equipment may require significant
capital expenditures to keep them operating at peak efficiency.
This equipment is more likely to require periodic upgrading and
improvement. Breakdown or failure of an operating facility may
prevent the facility from performing under applicable power
sales agreements, which in certain situations, could result in
termination of the agreement or incurring a liability for
liquidated damages. A companys ability to successfully and
timely complete capital improvements to existing facilities or
other capital projects is contingent upon many variables. Should
any such efforts be unsuccessful, a power infrastructure company
could be subject to
17
additional costs and / or the write-off of its
investment in the project or improvement. Any of these costs
could adversely affect the value of securities in our portfolio.
As a result of the above risks and other potential hazards
associated with the power infrastructure sector, certain
companies may become exposed to significant liabilities for
which they may not have adequate insurance coverage.
Regulatory Risk. Issuers in the power
infrastructure sector may be subject to regulation by various
governmental authorities in various jurisdictions and may be
affected by the imposition of special tariffs and changes in tax
laws, regulatory policies and accounting standards. Power
infrastructure companies inability to predict, influence
or respond appropriately to changes in law or regulatory
schemes, including any inability to obtain expected or
contracted increases in electricity tariff rates or tariff
adjustments for increased expenses, could adversely impact their
results of operations. Furthermore, changes in laws or
regulations or changes in the application or interpretation of
regulatory provisions in jurisdictions where power
infrastructure companies operate, particularly utilities where
electricity tariffs are subject to regulatory review or
approval, could adversely affect their business, including, but
not limited to:
|
|
|
|
|
changes in the determination, definition or classification of
costs to be included as reimbursable or pass-through costs;
|
|
|
|
changes in the definition or determination of controllable or
non-controllable costs;
|
|
|
|
changes in the definition of events which may or may not qualify
as changes in economic equilibrium;
|
|
|
|
changes in the timing of tariff increases; or
|
|
|
|
other changes in the regulatory determinations under the
relevant concessions.
|
Any of the above events may result in lower margins for the
affected businesses, which can adversely affect the operations
of a power infrastructure company and hence the value of
securities in our portfolio.
Prices for certain power infrastructure companies are regulated
in the U.S. with the intention of protecting the public
while ensuring that the rate of return earned by such companies
is sufficient to allow them to attract capital in order to grow
and continue to provide appropriate services. The rates assessed
for these rate-regulated power infrastructure companies by state
and certain city regulators are generally subject to
cost-of-service regulation and annual earnings oversight. This
regulatory treatment does not provide any assurance as to
achievement of earnings levels. Such rates are generally
regulated based on an analysis of a companys costs and
capital structure, as reviewed and approved in a regulatory
proceeding. While rate regulation is premised on the full
recovery of prudently incurred costs and a reasonable rate of
return on invested capital, there can be no assurance that the
regulators will judge all of a power infrastructure
companys costs to have been prudently incurred, that the
regulators will not reduce the amount of invested capital
included in the capital structure that the power infrastructure
companys rates are based upon or that the regulatory
process in which rates are determined will always result in
rates that will produce full recovery of a power infrastructure
companys costs, including regulatory assets reported in
the balance sheet, and the return on invested capital allowed by
the regulators.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Risk. FERC ruled in 2008 that it has
jurisdiction under the Federal Power Act (FPA) over
the acquisition of certain power infrastructure company
securities by investment advisers that are themselves public
utility holding companies as defined under the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 2005 (PUHCA 2005). The Fund
could become subject to FERCs jurisdiction if it is deemed
to be a holding company of a public utility company or of a
holding company of a public utility company, and the Fund may be
required to aggregate securities held by the Fund or other funds
and accounts managed by our Advisor and its affiliates. A
company is a holding company within the meaning of PUHCA 2005
and the FPA if it directly or indirectly owns, controls, or
holds, with power to vote, 10 percent or more of the
outstanding voting securities of a public utility company or of
a holding company of any public utility company. In general, a
holding company under the FPA may not purchase,
18
acquire or take a security or securities valued in excess of
$10 million of any other public utility company or of a
public utility holding company unless FERC has approved the
transaction or an exemption or waiver is available. Accordingly,
the Fund may be prohibited from buying securities of a public
utility company or of a holding company of any public utility
company or may be forced to divest itself of such securities
because of other holdings by the Fund or other funds or accounts
managed by our Advisor and its affiliates.
Environmental Risk. Power
infrastructure company activities are subject to stringent
environmental laws and regulation by many federal, state, local
authorities, international treaties and foreign governmental
authorities. These regulations generally involve emissions into
the air, effluents into the water, use of water, wetlands
preservation, waste disposal, endangered species and noise
regulation, among others. Failure to comply with such laws and
regulations or to obtain any necessary environmental permits
pursuant to such laws and regulations could result in fines or
other sanctions. Environmental laws and regulations affecting
power generation and distribution are complex and have tended to
become more stringent over time. Congress and other domestic and
foreign governmental authorities have either considered or
implemented various laws and regulations to restrict or tax
certain emissions, particularly those involving air and water
emissions. Existing environmental regulations could be revised
or reinterpreted, new laws and regulations could be adopted or
become applicable, and future changes in environmental laws and
regulations could occur, including potential regulatory and
enforcement developments related to air emissions.
These laws and regulations have imposed, and proposed laws and
regulations could impose in the future, additional costs on the
operation of power plants. Power infrastructure companies have
made and will likely continue to make significant capital and
other expenditures to comply with these and other environmental
laws and regulations. Changes in, or new, environmental
restrictions may force power infrastructure companies to incur
significant expenses or expenses that may exceed their
estimates. There can be no assurance that such companies would
be able to recover all or any increased environmental costs from
their customers or that their business, financial condition or
results of operations would not be materially and adversely
affected by such expenditures or any changes in domestic or
foreign environmental laws and regulations, in which case the
value of these companies securities in our portfolio could
be adversely affected.
Power infrastructure companies may not be able to obtain or
maintain all required environmental regulatory approvals. If
there is a delay in obtaining any required environmental
regulatory approvals or if a power infrastructure company fails
to obtain, maintain or comply with any such approval, the
operation of its facilities could be stopped or become subject
to additional costs. In addition, a power infrastructure company
may be responsible for any
on-site
liabilities associated with the environmental condition of
facilities that it has acquired, leased or developed, regardless
of when the liabilities arose and whether they are known or
unknown.
Competition Risk. The power
infrastructure sector is characterized by numerous strong and
capable competitors, many of which may have extensive and
diversified developmental or operating experience (including
both domestic and international experience) and financial
resources. Further, in recent years, the power infrastructure
sector has been characterized by strong and increasing
competition with respect to both obtaining power sales
agreements and acquiring existing power generation assets. In
certain markets these factors have caused reductions in prices
contained in new power sales agreements and, in many cases, have
caused higher acquisition prices for existing assets through
competitive bidding practices. The evolution of competitive
electricity markets and the development of highly efficient
gas-fired power plants have also caused, or are anticipated to
cause, price pressure in certain power markets.
Energy Infrastructure Company
Risk. Companies operating in the energy
infrastructure sector also are subject to additional risks,
including those described below. To the extent that any of these
risks materialize for a company whose securities are in our
portfolio, the value of these securities could decline and our
net asset value and share price would be adversely affected.
19
Pipeline Company Risk. Pipeline
companies are subject to many risks, including varying demand
for crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids or refined
products in the markets served by the pipeline; changes in the
availability of products for gathering, transportation,
processing or sale due to natural declines in reserves and
production in the supply areas serviced by the companies
facilities; sharp decreases in crude oil or natural gas prices
that cause producers to curtail production or reduce capital
spending for exploration activities; and environmental
regulation. Demand for gasoline, which accounts for a
substantial portion of refined product transportation, depends
on price, prevailing economic conditions in the markets served,
and demographic and seasonal factors.
Gathering and Processing Company
Risk. Gathering and processing companies are
subject to many risks, including declines in production of crude
oil and natural gas fields, which utilize their gathering and
processing facilities as a way to market the gas, prolonged
depression in the price of natural gas or crude oil refining,
which curtails production due to lack of drilling activity, and
declines in the prices of natural gas liquids and refined
petroleum products, resulting in lower processing margins.
Propane Company Risk. Propane companies
are subject to many risks, including earnings variability based
upon weather patterns in the locations where the company
operates and the wholesale cost of propane sold to end
customers. Midstream propane companies unit prices are
largely based on safety in distribution coverage ratios, the
interest rate environment and, to a lesser extent, distribution
growth. In addition, propane companies are facing increased
competition due to the growing availability of natural gas, fuel
oil and alternative energy sources for residential heating.
Supply and Demand Risk. A decrease in
the production of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil,
coal, refined petroleum products or other energy commodities, or
a decrease in the volume of such commodities available for
transportation, processing, storage or distribution, may
adversely impact the financial performance of companies in the
energy infrastructure sector. Production declines and volume
decreases could be caused by various factors, including
catastrophic events affecting production, depletion of
resources, labor difficulties, political events, OPEC actions,
environmental proceedings, increased regulations, equipment
failures and unexpected maintenance problems, failure to obtain
necessary permits, unscheduled outages, unanticipated expenses,
inability to successfully carry out new construction or
acquisitions, import supply disruption, increased competition
from alternative energy sources or related commodity prices.
Alternatively, a sustained decline in demand for such
commodities could also adversely affect the financial
performance of companies in the energy infrastructure sector.
Factors that could lead to a decline in demand include economic
recession or other adverse economic conditions, higher fuel
taxes or governmental regulations, increases in fuel economy,
consumer shifts to the use of alternative fuel sources, changes
in commodity prices or weather. The length and severity of the
current recession and its impact on companies in the energy
infrastructure sector, cannot be determined.
The profitability of companies engaged in processing and
pipeline activities may be materially impacted by the volume of
natural gas or other energy commodities available for
transporting, processing, storing or distributing. A significant
decrease in the production of natural gas, oil, coal or other
energy commodities, due to a decline in production from existing
facilities, import supply disruption, depressed commodity prices
or otherwise, would reduce revenue and operating income of such
entities.
Price Volatility Risk. The volatility
of energy commodity prices can indirectly affect certain
entities that operate in the midstream segment of the energy
infrastructure sector due to the impact of prices on the volume
of commodities transported, processed, stored or distributed.
Most energy infrastructure entities are not subject to direct
commodity price exposure because they do not own the underlying
energy commodity. Nonetheless, the price of an energy
infrastructure security can be adversely affected by the
perception that the performance of all such entities is directly
tied to commodity prices.
Competition Risk. Even if reserves
exist in areas accessed by the facilities of transporting and
processing energy infrastructure companies, they may not be
chosen by producers to gather, transport, process, fractionate,
store or otherwise handle the natural gas, natural gas liquids,
crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal that are produced.
They compete with others on the basis of many factors,
20
including but not limited to geographic proximity to the
production, costs of connection, available capacity, rates and
access to markets.
Regulatory Risk. Energy infrastructure
companies are subject to significant federal, state and local
government regulation in virtually every aspect of their
operations, including how facilities are constructed, maintained
and operated, environmental and safety controls, and the prices
they may charge for the products and services they provide.
Various governmental authorities have the power to enforce
compliance with these regulations and the permits issued under
them, and violators are subject to administrative, civil and
criminal penalties, including fines, injunctions or both.
Stricter laws, regulations or enforcement policies could be
enacted in the future which would likely increase compliance
costs and may adversely affect the financial performance of
energy infrastructure companies.
Energy infrastructure companies engaged in interstate pipeline
transportation of natural gas, refined petroleum products and
other products are subject to regulation by the FERC with
respect to tariff rates these companies may charge for pipeline
transportation services. An adverse determination by the FERC
with respect to the tariff rates of an energy infrastructure
company could have a material adverse effect on its business,
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and
its ability to make cash distributions to its equity owners. In
May 2005, FERC issued a policy statement that pipelines,
including those organized as partnerships, can include in
computing their cost of service a tax allowance to reflect
actual or potential tax liability on their public utility income
attributable to all entities or individuals owning public
utility assets, if the pipeline establishes that the entities or
individuals have an actual or potential income tax liability on
such income. Whether a pipelines owners have such actual
or potential income tax liability will be reviewed by FERC on a
case-by-case
basis. If an MLP is unable to establish that its unitholders are
subject to U.S. federal income taxation on the income
generated by the MLP, FERC could disallow a substantial portion
of the MLPs income tax allowance. If FERC were to disallow
a substantial portion of the MLPs income tax allowance,
the level of maximum tariff rates the MLP could lawfully charge
could be lower than the MLP had been charging prior to such
ruling or could be lower than the MLPs actual costs to
operate the pipeline. In either case, the MLP would be adversely
affected.
Risks
Related to this Offering
Share Price Volatility Risk. The
trading price of our common shares following this offering may
fluctuate substantially. The price of the common shares that
will prevail in the market after this offering may be higher or
lower than the price you pay and the liquidity of our common
shares may be limited, in each case depending on many factors,
some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly
related to our operating performance. These factors include the
following:
|
|
|
|
|
changes in the value of our portfolio of investments;
|
|
|
|
price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from
time to time;
|
|
|
|
significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of
securities of similar investment companies;
|
|
|
|
our dependence on the power and energy infrastructure sectors;
|
|
|
|
our inability to deploy or invest our capital;
|
|
|
|
fluctuations in interest rates;
|
|
|
|
any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses
from levels expected by investors or securities analysts;
|
|
|
|
operating performance of companies comparable to us;
|
|
|
|
changes in regulatory policies with respect to investment
companies;
|
|
|
|
our ability to borrow money or obtain additional capital;
|
|
|
|
losing RIC status under the Code;
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
actual or anticipated changes in our earnings or fluctuations in
our operating results or changes in the expectations of
securities analysts;
|
|
|
|
general economic conditions and trends; or
|
|
|
|
departures of key personnel.
|
Market Risk. Before this offering,
there was no public trading market for our common shares. We
cannot predict the prices at which our common shares will trade.
The initial public offering (IPO) price for our
common shares will be determined through our negotiations with
the underwriters and may not bear any relationship to the market
price at which it will trade after this offering or to any other
established criteria of our value. Shares of companies offered
in an IPO often trade at a discount to the IPO price due to
sales load (underwriting discount) and related offering expenses.
In addition, shares of closed-end investment companies have in
the past frequently traded at discounts to their NAV and our
stock may also be discounted in the market. This characteristic
is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that our NAV could
decrease as a result of our investment activities and may be
greater for investors expecting to sell their shares in a
relatively short period following completion of this offering.
We cannot assure you whether our common shares will trade above,
at or below our NAV. Whether investors will realize gains or
losses upon the sale of our common shares will depend entirely
upon whether the market price of our common shares at the time
of sale is above or below the investors purchase price for
our common shares. Because the market price of our common shares
is affected by factors such as NAV, distribution levels (which
are dependant, in part, on expenses), supply of and demand for
our common shares, stability of distributions, trading volume of
our common shares, general market and economic conditions, and
other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict whether our
common shares will trade at, below or above NAV or at, below or
above the offering price. In addition, if our common shares
trade below their NAV, we will generally not be able to issue
additional common shares at their market price without first
obtaining the approval of our stockholders and our independent
directors to such issuance.
Dilution Risk. If you purchase our
common shares in this offering, the price that you pay will be
greater than the NAV per common share immediately following this
offering. This is in large part due to the expenses incurred by
us in connection with the consummation of this offering. The
voting power of current stockholders will be diluted to the
extent that such stockholders do not purchase shares in any
future common stock offerings or do not purchase sufficient
shares to maintain their percentage interest. In addition, if we
sell shares of common stock below NAV, our NAV will fall
immediately after such issuance.
Takeover Risk. The Maryland General
Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws contain provisions
that may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or making
difficult a change in control of the Fund or the removal of our
incumbent directors. We will be covered by the Business
Combination Act of the Maryland General Corporation Law to the
extent that such statute is not superseded by applicable
requirements of the 1940 Act. However, our Board of Directors
has adopted a resolution exempting us from the Business
Combination Act for any business combination between us and any
person to the extent that such business combination receives the
prior approval of our Board of Directors, including a majority
of our directors who are not interested persons as defined in
the 1940 Act.
Under our charter, our Board of Directors is divided into three
classes serving staggered terms, which will make it more
difficult for a hostile bidder to acquire control of us. In
addition, our Board of Directors may, without stockholder
action, authorize the issuance of shares of stock in one or more
classes or series, including preferred stock. See
Description of Capital Stock. Subject to compliance
with the 1940 Act, our Board of Directors may, without
stockholder action, amend our charter to increase the number of
shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to
issue. The existence of these provisions, among others, may have
a negative impact on the price of our common shares and may
discourage third-party bids for ownership of our Fund. These
provisions may prevent any premiums being offered to you for our
common shares.
22
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
The matters discussed in this prospectus, as well as in future
oral and written statements by our management, that are
forward-looking statements are based on current management
expectations that involve substantial risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from the
results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements relate to future events
or our future financial performance. We generally identify
forward-looking statements by terminology such as
may, will, should,
expects, plans, anticipates,
could, intends, targets,
projects, contemplates,
believes, estimates,
predicts, potential or
continue or the negative of these terms or other
similar words. Important assumptions include our ability to
originate new investments, achieve certain levels of return, the
availability to us of additional capital and the ability to
maintain certain debt to asset ratios. In light of these and
other uncertainties, the inclusion of a forward-looking
statement in this prospectus should not be regarded as a
representation by us that our plans or objectives will be
achieved. The forward-looking statements contained in this
prospectus include statements as to:
|
|
|
|
|
our future operating results;
|
|
|
|
our business prospects and the prospects of our prospective
investments;
|
|
|
|
the impact of investments that we expect to make;
|
|
|
|
the timing of distribution payments;
|
|
|
|
our informal relationships with third parties;
|
|
|
|
the dependence of our future success on the general economy and
its impact on power and energy infrastructure companies;
|
|
|
|
the ability of our investments to achieve their objectives;
|
|
|
|
our expected financings and investments;
|
|
|
|
our regulatory structure and tax status;
|
|
|
|
our ability to operate as an investment company;
|
|
|
|
the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital;
|
|
|
|
the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our
investments; and
|
|
|
|
the size or growth prospects of all companies with power and
energy infrastructure operations.
|
For a discussion of factors that could cause our actual results
to differ from forward-looking statements contained in this
prospectus, please see the discussion under the heading
Risks. You should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made
in this prospectus relate only to events as of the date on which
the statements are made. Except for our ongoing obligations
under the federal securities laws, we do not intend, and we
undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking
statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this
prospectus are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided
by Section 27A of the 1933 Act.
23
SUMMARY
OF FUND EXPENSES
The purpose of the table and example below is to assist you in
understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in
this offering will bear directly or indirectly. The following
table shows the Funds expenses as a percentage of net
assets attributable to common shares. We caution you that
certain of the indicated percentages in the table below
indicating annual expenses are estimates and may vary.
Stockholder Transaction Expense (as a percentage of offering
price):
|
|
|
|
|
Sales Load
|
|
|
4.50
|
%(1)
|
Offering Expenses Borne by the Fund
|
|
|
0.20
|
%(2)
|
Dividend Reinvestment Plan Expenses(3)
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholder transaction expenses paid
|
|
|
4.70
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable
to common shares)(4):
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fee (payable under investment advisory agreement)(5)
|
|
|
1.19
|
%
|
Interest Payments on Borrowed Funds(6)
|
|
|
1.13
|
%
|
Other Expenses(7)
|
|
|
0.37
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Expenses(8)
|
|
|
2.69
|
%
|
Less Fee and Expense Reimbursement(9)
|
|
|
(0.19
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Annual Expenses(8)
|
|
|
2.50
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Example
The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount
of total cumulative expenses that would be incurred over various
periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common
shares. These amounts are based upon assumed offering expenses
of % and our payment of annual
operating expenses at the levels set forth in the table above.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
10 Years
|
|
|
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment,
assuming a 5% annual return
|
|
$
|
71
|
|
|
$
|
123
|
|
|
$
|
179
|
|
|
$
|
331
|
|
The example and the expenses in the tables above should not
be considered a representation of our future expenses, and
actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown.
Moreover, while the example assumes, as required by the
applicable rules of the SEC, a 5% annual return, our performance
will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5%. In
addition, while the example assumes reinvestment of all
distributions at net asset value, participants in our dividend
reinvestment plan may receive common shares valued at the market
price in effect at that time. This price may be at, above or
below net asset value. See Dividend Reinvestment
Plan for additional information regarding our dividend
reinvestment plan.
|
|
|
(1) |
|
For a description of the sales load and of other compensation
paid to the underwriters by the Fund, see
Underwriting. The Advisor (not the Fund) has agreed
to pay from its own assets structuring fees to Wells Fargo
Securities, LLC, UBS Securities LLC, and Stifel, Nicolaus &
Company, Incorporated. See Underwriting. |
|
|
|
(2) |
|
The Fund will pay offering costs of up to $0.04 per share,
estimated to total approximately
$ . The Advisor has agreed to pay
the amount by which the aggregate of all of the Funds
offering costs (other than the sales load) exceed $0.04 per
share. |
|
(3) |
|
The expenses associated with the administration of our dividend
reinvestment plan are included in Other Expenses.
The participants in our dividend reinvestment plan will pay a
pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to
open market purchases, if any, made by the plan agent under the
plan. For more details about the plan, see Dividend
Reinvestment Plan. |
|
(4) |
|
Assumes leverage of approximately $48 million determined
using the assumptions set forth in footnote (6) below. |
|
(5) |
|
Although our management fee is 0.95% (annualized) of our average
monthly Managed Assets, the table above reflects expenses as a
percentage of net assets. Managed Assets means our total assets
(including any |
24
|
|
|
|
|
assets purchased with any borrowed funds) minus the sum of
accrued liabilities other than debt entered into for the purpose
of leverage and the aggregate liquidation preference of any
outstanding preferred shares. Net assets is defined as Managed
Assets minus debt entered into for the purposes of leverage and
the aggregate liquidation preference of any outstanding
preferred shares. See Management of the Fund
Investment Advisory Agreement Management Fee. |
|
(6) |
|
We may borrow money or issue debt securities and/or preferred
stock to provide us with additional funds to invest. The
borrowing of money and the issuance of preferred stock and debt
securities represent the leveraging of our common stock. The
table above assumes we borrow for investment purposes
approximately $48 million, which reflects leverage in an
amount representing 20% of our total assets (including such
borrowed funds) assuming an annual interest rate of 4.5% on the
amount borrowed and assuming we issue 10 million common
shares. |
|
(7) |
|
Other Expenses includes our estimated overhead
expenses, including payments to our transfer agent, our
administrator and legal and accounting expenses. The holders of
our common shares indirectly bear the cost associated with such
other expenses. |
|
(8) |
|
The table presented above estimates what our annual expenses
would be, stated as a percentage of our net assets attributable
to our common shares. The table presented below, unlike the
table presented above, estimates what our annual expenses would
be stated as a percentage of our Managed Assets. As a result,
our estimated total annual expenses would be as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fee
|
|
|
0.95
|
%
|
Interest Payments on Borrowed Funds
|
|
|
0.90
|
%
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
0.30
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Annual Expenses
|
|
|
2.15
|
%
|
Less Fee and Expense Reimbursement
|
|
|
(0.15
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Annual Expenses
|
|
|
2.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9) |
|
The Advisor has agreed to a fee waiver of 0.15% of Managed
Assets for year 1, 0.10% of Managed Assets for year 2 and 0.05%
of Managed Assets for year 3, which will become effective as of
the close of this offering. |
As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has not commenced
investment operations. The Other Expenses shown in
the table and related footnote above are based on estimated
amounts for the Funds first year of operation unless
otherwise indicated and assume that the Fund issues
approximately 10 million common shares. If the Fund issues
fewer common shares, all other things being equal, certain of
these percentages would increase. For additional information
with respect to the Funds expenses, see Management
of the Fund and Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
25
USE OF
PROCEEDS
The net proceeds of this offering will be approximately
$ after deducting both the sales
load (underwriting discount) and estimated offering expenses of
approximately $ paid by us. We
expect to use the net proceeds from this offering to invest in
accordance with our investment objectives and strategies and for
working capital purposes. We currently anticipate that we will
be able to invest substantially all of the net proceeds in
accordance with our investment objectives and policies by
approximately three months after the completion of the offering,
depending on market conditions. Pending investment as described
under the heading The Fund, we expect the net
proceeds of this offering will be invested in cash, cash
equivalents, securities issued or guaranteed by the
U.S. government or its instrumentalities or agencies,
short-term money market instruments, short-term fixed income
securities, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances
and other bank obligations, commercial paper or other liquid
fixed income securities. Until we are fully invested, the return
on our common shares is expected to be lower than that realized
after full investment in accordance with our investment
objectives.
26
THE
FUND
We are registered as a non-diversified, closed-end management
investment company under the 1940 Act. Although we were
organized as a corporation on July 5, 2007 under the laws
of the State of Maryland, we have not commenced operations and
intend to commence operations immediately following the closing
of this offering. We seek to provide our stockholders a vehicle
to invest in a portfolio consisting primarily of securities
issued by power and energy infrastructure companies. We intend
to elect to be treated and to qualify as a RIC under the Code.
Our primary investment objective is to provide a high level of
current income, with a secondary objective of capital
appreciation. There can be no assurance that we will achieve our
investment objectives.
Investment
Strategy
We seek to provide stockholders a vehicle to invest in a
portfolio consisting primarily of securities issued by power and
energy infrastructure companies. The securities in which we will
invest include income-producing fixed income and equity
securities. Under normal circumstances, we plan to invest at
least 80% of our total assets (including any assets obtained
through leverage) in securities of companies that derive more
than 50% of their revenue from power or energy infrastructure
operations. We define power and energy infrastructure operations
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Power Infrastructure The ownership and
operation of asset systems that provide electric power
generation (including renewable energy), transmission and
distribution.
|
|
|
|
Energy Infrastructure The ownership
and operation of a network of pipeline assets to transport,
store, gather
and/or
process crude oil, refined petroleum products (including
biodiesel and ethanol), natural gas or natural gas liquids.
|
Market
Opportunity
We seek to invest in a portfolio of companies focused solely on
the power and energy infrastructure sectors and that provide
stable and defensive characteristics throughout economic cycles.
We believe that the current market conditions provide a
favorable entry point for our strategy, with yield spreads above
historical averages. Over time, we will seek to capitalize on
relative value opportunities, with the ability to invest across
the capital structure.
We will focus on minimizing risk and volatility using our
Advisors disciplined investment screening process,
including proprietary risk and financial analysis. We anticipate
that a significant portion of our portfolio will initially
include investment grade fixed income securities, as well as
dividend-paying equity securities. We intend to build a
portfolio with companies that generally (i) have assets in
diverse geographic locations across the U.S.,
(ii) transport, process, or distribute diverse energy
products, or (iii) serve different end users. Among other
things, under normal circumstances, our non-fundamental policies
(i) limit our investment in non-investment grade rated
fixed income securities to no more than 25% of our total assets,
(ii) limit our ability to incur leverage so that our
leverage is not in excess of 20% of our total assets at time of
incurrence, and (iii) require that we maintain at least 60%
of our assets in fixed income securities.
Targeted
Investment Characteristics
Our investment strategy will be anchored in our Advisors
fundamental principles of yield, quality and growth. We
anticipate that our targeted investments will generally have the
following characteristics:
|
|
|
|
|
Essential Infrastructure Assets
Companies that operate critical tangible
assets that connect sources of energy supply to areas of energy
demand. These businesses are essential to economic productivity
and experience relatively inelastic demand.
|
|
|
|
High Current Yield Companies that
generate a current cash return at the time of investment. We do
not intend to invest in
start-up
companies or companies with speculative business plans.
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
Predictable Revenues Companies with
stable and predictable revenue streams, often linked to areas
experiencing demographic growth and with low commodity price
risk.
|
|
|
|
Stable Cost Structures Companies with
relatively low maintenance expenditures and economies of scale
due to operating leverage.
|
|
|
|
High Barriers to Entry Companies with
operating assets that are difficult to replicate due to
regulation, natural monopolies, availability of land or high
costs of new development.
|
|
|
|
Long-Lived Assets Companies that
operate tangible assets with long economic useful lives.
|
|
|
|
Experienced, Operations-Focused Management Teams
Companies with management teams possessing
successful track records and who have substantial knowledge,
experience, and focus in their particular segments of the power
and energy infrastructure sectors.
|
Power and
Energy Infrastructure Investment
We believe that power and energy infrastructure companies will
provide attractive investment opportunities for the following
reasons:
The International Energy Administration (IEA)
projects that North American energy and electricity consumption
will increase annually by 0.6% and 1.1%, respectively, from 2006
through 2030. This increase results in an overall energy and
electricity consumption increase of approximately 15% and 30%,
respectively by 2030.
The power and energy infrastructure sectors have a growing need
for capital to update and expand infrastructure assets. In
particular, these companies need financing to facilitate the
construction of additional infrastructure assets, to modernize
or maintain existing infrastructure assets, and to finance
industry consolidation. Power infrastructure investment has
fallen short of demand growth for nearly 30 years, leading
to inadequate capacity. The U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE) estimates that 70% of transmission lines and
power transformers and 60% of circuit breakers are over
25 years old, which we understand to be well into their
useful lives. Companies in the energy infrastructure sector
expect to construct over 5,000 miles of natural gas
pipelines and 2,000 miles of crude oil pipelines to support
new sources of energy supply as well as replace
and/or
maintain existing infrastructure. FERC has created incentives to
spur investment in power and energy infrastructure assets.
The IEA estimates that $3.4 trillion will need to be invested in
such power and energy infrastructure internal growth projects
from 2007 to 2030 in North America. We expect such spending to
finance upgrades and expansion of electric power infrastructure;
pipeline infrastructure projects to support growing population
centers; pipeline and storage terminal projects to increase the
movement of crude oil across North America; and natural gas
projects to develop infrastructure that efficiently connects new
areas of supply to growing areas of demand. This investment
should help alleviate congestion, upgrade or replace aged
infrastructure and meet growing North American demand.
Experience
of the Advisor
|
|
|
|
|
Experience Across Energy and Power Infrastructure Value
Chain. Our Advisor has significant expertise
working with energy infrastructure companies and managed
investments of approximately $2.0 billion in the energy
sector as of May 31, 2009. The five members of our
Advisors investment committee have, on average, over
23 years of investment experience. In addition to their
experience at the Advisor, three of the five members of our
Advisors investment committee came from Fountain Capital
and have significant experience in managing portfolios of fixed
income securities that included the securities of issuers in the
power and energy infrastructure sectors. Fountain Capital was
formed in 1990 and focuses primarily on providing investment
advisory services to institutional investors in the
non-investment grade rated fixed income market. The
Advisors philosophy places extensive focus on quality
through proprietary models, including risk, valuation and
financial models.
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
Strong Reputation, Deep Relationships and Access to Deal
Flow. Our Advisor has developed a strong
reputation and deep relationships with issuers, underwriters and
sponsors that we believe will afford us competitive advantages
in evaluating and managing investment opportunities. Our
Advisor, a pioneer in institutional direct placements with MLPs
and other energy infrastructure companies, has participated in
over 90 direct placements, private company investments and
initial public offerings in which it has invested over
$1.3 billion since 2002 through its publicly traded funds
and other specialty vehicles.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital Markets Innovation. Our Advisor
is a leader in providing investment, financing and structuring
opportunities through its publicly traded funds and through its
private funds. Our Advisor believes its innovation includes the
following highlights:
|
|
|
|
|
|
First publicly traded, closed-end management investment company
focused primarily on investing in energy MLPs;
|
|
|
|
Led development of institutional MLP direct placements to fund
acquisitions, capital projects and sponsor liquidity;
|
|
|
|
Completed the first follow-on common stock offering in a decade
for a closed-end, management investment company; and
|
|
|
|
Established one of the first registered closed-end fund
universal shelf registration statements and completed the first
registered direct offering from a universal shelf registration
statement for a closed-end fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Disciplined Investment Philosophy. In
making its investment decisions, our Advisor intends to continue
the disciplined investment approach that it has utilized since
its founding. That investment approach will emphasize current
income, low volatility and minimization of downside risk. Our
Advisors investment process involves an assessment of the
overall attractiveness of the specific segment in which a power
or energy infrastructure company is involved, the companys
specific competitive position within that segment, potential
commodity price risk, supply and demand, regulatory
considerations, the stability and potential growth of the
companys cash flows and the companys management
track record.
|
Portfolio
Securities
We will seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing
in a wide range of securities that generate income, including,
but not limited to, fixed income securities and dividend-paying
equity securities. Up to 25% of these securities may be
securities issued by MLPs. Securities that generate income in
which we may invest include, but are not limited to, the
following types of securities:
Power and Energy Infrastructure Fixed Income
Securities. We may invest in fixed income
securities, including bonds, debentures or other fixed income
instruments, which are expected to provide a high level of
current income. Our investments in securities that generate
income may have fixed or variable principal payments and various
interest rate and dividend payment and reset terms, including
fixed rate, floating rate, adjustable rate, and payment in kind
features. Our investments may have extended or no maturities.
Securities that generate income also may be subject to call
features and redemption provisions. We may invest in securities
that generate income of any credit quality, including up to 25%
of our total assets in fixed income securities rated
non-investment grade (commonly referred to as junk
bonds), that are considered speculative as to the
issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Please see Risks Non-investment Grade Fixed
Income Securities Risk.
These securities may be senior or junior positions in the
capital structure of a borrower, may be secured (with specific
collateral or have a claim on the assets
and/or stock
of the borrower that is senior to that held by subordinated debt
holders and stockholders of the borrower) or unsecured, and may
be used to finance leveraged buy-outs, recapitalizations,
mergers, acquisitions, stock repurchases or internal growth of
the borrower. These loans may have fixed rates of interest or
variable rates of interest that are reset either daily, monthly,
quarterly or semi-annually by reference to a base lending rate,
plus a premium. The base lending rate
29
may be the London Inter-Bank Offer Rate (LIBOR), the
prime rate offered by one or more major U.S. banks or some
other base rate varying over time. Certain of the bonds in which
we may invest may have an extended or no maturity or may be zero
coupon bonds. We may invest in fixed income securities that are
not rated or securities that are non-investment grade. Certain
of these securities may be securities issued by MLPs.
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Grade Securities. We may
invest in a wide variety of income-generating securities that
are rated or determined by the Advisor to be investment grade
quality and that are issued by corporations and other
non-governmental entities and issuers. Investment grade quality
securities are those that, at the time of investment, are either
rated by one of the NRSROs that rate such securities within the
four highest letter grades (including BBB- or higher by S&P
or Fitch or Baa3 or higher by Moodys), or if unrated are
determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality to the
securities in which the Fund may otherwise invest. Investment
grade securities may include securities that, at the time of
investment, are rated non-investment grade by S&P,
Moodys or Fitch, so long as at least one NRSRO rates such
securities within the four highest grades (such securities are
commonly referred to as split-rated securities).
|
Investment grade securities that generate income are subject to
market and credit risk. Investment grade securities that
generate income have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in
interest rates and varying degrees of credit quality. The values
of investment grade income-generating securities may be affected
by changes in the credit rating or financial condition of an
issuer.
|
|
|
|
|
Non-investment Grade Securities. We may
invest up to 25% of our total assets in fixed income securities
rated non-investment grade securities by NRSROS or unrated of
comparable quality. Non-investment grade securities are rated
below Ba1 or lower by Moodys, BB+ or lower by S&P, BB
or lower by Fitch or, if unrated, determined by the Advisor to
be of comparable quality. The ratings of Moodys, S&P
and Fitch represent their opinions as to the quality of the
obligations which they undertake to rate. Ratings are relative
and subjective and, although ratings may be useful in evaluating
the safety of interest and principal payments, they do not
evaluate the market value risk of such obligations. Although
these ratings may be an initial criterion for selection of
portfolio investments, the Advisor also will independently
evaluate these securities and the ability of the issuers of such
securities to pay interest and principal.
|
Securities rated non-investment grade are regarded as having
predominately speculative characteristics with respect to the
issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal, and
are commonly referred to as junk bonds or
high-yield bonds. The credit quality of most
non-investment grade securities reflects a greater-than-average
possibility that adverse changes in the financial condition of
an issuer, or in general economic conditions, or both, may
impair the ability of the issuer to make payments of interest
and principal. The inability (or perceived inability) of issuers
to make timely payments of interest and principal would likely
make the values of non-investment grade securities held by us
more volatile and could limit our ability to sell such
securities at favorable prices. In the absence of a liquid
trading market for non-investment grade securities, we may have
difficulties determining the fair market value of such
investments. To the extent we invest in unrated securities, our
ability to achieve our investment objectives will be more
dependent on our Advisors credit analysis than would be
the case when we invest in rated securities.
Because the risk of default is higher for non-investment grade
securities than for investment grade securities, our
Advisors research and credit analysis is an especially
important part of managing securities of this type. Our Advisor
will attempt to identify those issuers of non-investment grade
securities whose financial condition our Advisor believes are
adequate to meet future obligations or have improved or are
expected to improve in the future. Our Advisors analysis
will focus on relative values based on such factors as interest
or dividend coverage, asset coverage, earnings prospects and the
experience and managerial strength of the issuer.
Power and Energy Infrastructure Equity
Securities. We may invest in a wide range of
equity securities issued by power and energy infrastructure
companies that are expected to pay dividends on a current basis.
30
We expect that such equity investments will primarily include
MLP common units, MLP I-Shares and common stock. However, such
equity investments may also include limited partner interests,
limited liability company interests, general partner interests,
convertible securities, preferred equity, warrants and
depository receipts of companies that are organized as
corporations, limited partnerships or limited liability
companies. Equity investments generally represent an equity
ownership interest in an issuer. An adverse event, such as
unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of a
particular equity investment we hold. Also, prices of equity
investments are sensitive to general movements in the stock
market and a drop in the stock market may depress the price of
equity investments we own. Equity investment prices fluctuate
for several reasons, including changes in investors
perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or rising
interest rates, which increases borrowing costs and the costs of
capital.
The following is a more detailed description of each such
security.
|
|
|
|
|
MLP Common Units. MLP common units
represent a limited partner interest in a limited partnership
that entitles the holder to an equity ownership share of the
companys success through distributions
and/or
capital appreciation. In the event of liquidation, MLP common
unitholders have first rights to the partnerships
remaining assets after bondholders, other debt holders, and
preferred unitholders have been paid in full. MLPs are typically
managed by a general partner, and holders of MLP common units
generally do not have the right to vote upon the election of
directors of the general partner. MLP common units trade on a
national securities exchange or over-the-counter.
|
|
|
|
MLP I-Shares. I-Shares represent an
indirect investment in MLP
I-units.
I-units are
equity securities issued to an affiliate of an MLP, typically an
LLC, that owns an interest in and manages the MLP. The I-Shares
issuer has management rights but is not entitled to incentive
distributions. The I-Share issuers assets consist
exclusively of MLP
I-units.
Distributions by MLPs to
I-unitholders
are made in the form of additional
I-units,
generally equal in amount to the cash received by common
unitholders of MLPs. Distributions to I-Share holders are made
in the form of additional I-Shares, generally equal in amount to
the I-units
received by the I-Share issuer and such shares are generally
freely tradeable in the open market. The issuer of the I-Shares
is taxed as a corporation. However, the MLP does not allocate
income or loss to the I-Share issuer. Accordingly, investors
receive a Form 1099, are not allocated their proportionate
share of income of the MLPs and are not subject to state filing
obligations.
|
|
|
|
Common Stock. Common stock represents
an ownership interest in the profits and losses of a
corporation, after payment of amounts owed to bondholders, other
debt holders, and holders of preferred stock. Holders of common
stock generally have voting rights, but we do not expect to have
voting control in any of the companies in which we invest. The
common stock in which we invest will generally be traded on a
national securities exchange.
|
Restricted Securities. We may invest up
to 15% of our total assets in restricted securities that are
ineligible for resale under Rule 144A, all of which may be
illiquid securities. Restricted securities (including
Rule 144A securities) are less liquid than freely tradable
securities because of statutory
and/or
contractual restrictions on resale. Such securities are not
freely tradeable in the open market. This lack of liquidity
creates special risks for us. However, we could sell such
securities in private transactions with a limited number of
purchasers or in public offerings under the 1933 Act if we
have registration rights for the resale of such securities.
Certain restricted securities generally become freely tradable
upon the passage of time and satisfaction of other applicable
conditions.
Rule 144A Securities. The Fund may
purchase Rule 144A securities, which are generally traded
on a secondary market accessible to certain qualified
institutional buyers. Rule 144A provides an exemption from
the registration requirements of the 1933 Act for the
resale of certain restricted securities to qualified
institutional buyers, such as the Fund. There is no limit to our
investment in Rule 144A securities and Rule 144A
securities will not be counted towards the Funds 15%
limitation on investing in restricted securities.
Institutional markets for securities that exist or may develop
as a result of Rule 144A may provide both readily
ascertainable fair values for those Rule 144A securities as
well as the ability to liquidate investments in those
securities. An insufficient number of qualified institutional
buyers interested in purchasing
31
Rule 144A-eligible
securities held by us, however, could affect adversely the
marketability of certain Rule 144A securities, and we might
be unable to dispose of such securities promptly or at
reasonable prices. To the extent that liquid Rule 144A
securities that the Fund holds become illiquid, due to the lack
of sufficient qualified institutional buyers or market or other
conditions, the percentage of the Funds assets invested in
illiquid assets would increase.
Non-U.S. Securities. We
may invest up to 10% of our total assets in securities issued by
non-U.S. issuers
(including Canadian issuers). These securities may be issued by
companies organized
and/or
having securities traded on an exchange outside the U.S. or
may be securities of U.S. companies that are denominated in
the currency of a different country. See Risks
Risks Related to Our Operations
Non-U.S. Securities
Risk.
Temporary Investments and Defensive
Investments. Pending investment of the
proceeds of this offering, we expect to invest substantially all
of the net offering proceeds in cash, cash equivalents,
securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or
its instrumentalities or agencies, short-term money market
instruments, short-term fixed income securities, certificates of
deposit, bankers acceptances and other bank obligations,
commercial paper or other liquid fixed income securities. We may
also invest in these instruments on a temporary basis to meet
working capital needs, including, but not limited to, holding a
reserve pending payment of distributions or facilitating the
payment of expenses and settlement of trades.
In addition, and although inconsistent with our investment
objectives, under adverse market or economic conditions, we may
invest 100% of our total assets in these securities. The yield
on these securities may be lower than the returns on the
securities in which we will otherwise invest or yields on
lower-rated, fixed-income securities. To the extent we invest in
these securities on a temporary basis or for defensive purposes,
we may not achieve our investment objectives.
Investment
Process
Our Advisors securities selection process includes a
comparison of quantitative, qualitative, and relative value
factors. Although our Advisor uses research provided by broker
dealers and investment firms when available, primary emphasis is
placed on proprietary analysis and risk, financial and valuation
models conducted and maintained by our Advisors in-house
investment professionals. To determine whether a company meets
its investment criteria, our Advisor will generally look for the
targeted investment characteristics as described herein.
All decisions to invest in a company must be approved by the
unanimous decision of our Advisors investment committee.
Investment
Policies
We seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing in
income-producing fixed income and equity securities of companies
that our Advisor believes offer attractive distribution rates.
The following are our fundamental investment limitations set
forth in their entirety. We may not:
|
|
|
|
|
issue senior securities, except as permitted by the 1940 Act and
the rules and interpretive positions of the SEC thereunder;
|
|
|
|
borrow money, except as permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules
and interpretive positions of the SEC thereunder;
|
|
|
|
make loans, except by the purchase of debt obligations, by
entering into repurchase agreements or through the lending of
portfolio securities and as otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act
and the rules and interpretive positions of the SEC thereunder;
|
|
|
|
invest 25% or more of our total assets in any particular
industry, except that we will concentrate our assets in the
group of industries constituting the power and energy
infrastructure sectors;
|
|
|
|
underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent
that we may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of
the 1933 Act in the disposition of restricted securities
held in our portfolio;
|
32
|
|
|
|
|
purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of
ownership of securities or other instruments, except that we may
invest in securities or other instruments backed by real estate
or securities of companies that invest in real estate or
interests therein; and
|
|
|
|
purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a
result of ownership of securities or other instruments, except
that we may purchase or sell options and futures contracts or
invest in securities or other instruments backed by physical
commodities.
|
As a nonfundamental investment policy, under normal
circumstances, we will invest at least 80% of our total assets
(including assets we obtain through leverage) in the securities
of companies that derive more than 50% of their revenue from
power or energy infrastructure operations.
We also have adopted the following additional nonfundamental
policies, that will be followed under normal circumstances:
|
|
|
|
|
We will invest a minimum of 60% of our total assets in fixed
income securities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
We will not employ leverage above 20% of our total assets at
time of incurrence.
|
|
|
|
|
|
We will not invest more than 25% of our total assets in
non-investment grade rated fixed income securities.
|
|
|
|
We will not invest more than 15% of our total assets in
restricted securities that are ineligible for resale pursuant to
Rule 144A, all of which may be illiquid securities.
|
|
|
|
We may invest up to 10% of our total assets in securities issued
by
non-U.S. issuers
(including Canadian issuers).
|
|
|
|
We will not engage in short sales.
|
As used for the purpose of each nonfundamental investment policy
above, the term total assets includes any assets
obtained through leverage. Our Board of Directors may change our
nonfundamental investment policies without stockholder approval
and will provide notice to stockholders of material changes in
such policies (including notice through stockholder reports).
Any change in the policy of investing under normal circumstances
at least 80% of our total assets (including assets obtained
through leverage) in the securities of companies that derive
more than 50% of their revenue from power or energy
infrastructure operations requires at least 60 days
prior written notice to stockholders. Unless otherwise stated,
these investment restrictions apply at the time of purchase, and
we will not be required to reduce a position due solely to
market value fluctuations.
In addition, to comply with federal tax requirements for
qualification as a RIC, our investments will be limited so that
at the close of each quarter of each taxable year (i) at
least 50% of the value of our total assets is represented by
cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, the
securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other
securities limited for purposes of such calculation, in respect
of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value
of our total assets and not more than 10% outstanding
voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than
25% of the value of our total assets is invested in the
securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government
securities or the securities of other RICs), the securities
(other than the securities of other RICs) of any two or more
issuers that we control and that are determined to be engaged in
the same business or similar or related trades or businesses, or
the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded
partnerships (which includes MLPs). These tax-related
limitations may be changed by the Board of Directors to the
extent appropriate in light of changes to applicable tax
requirements.
Portfolio
Turnover
Our annual portfolio turnover rate may vary greatly from year to
year. Although we cannot accurately predict our annual portfolio
turnover rate, it is not expected to exceed 30% under normal
circumstances. Portfolio turnover rate is not considered a
limiting factor in the execution of investment decisions for us.
A higher turnover rate results in correspondingly greater
brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that we
bear.
33
Brokerage
Allocation and Other Practices
Subject to policies established by our Advisor and approved by
our Board of Directors, we do not expect to execute transactions
through any particular broker or dealer, but we will seek to
obtain the best net results for us, taking into account such
factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission
or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution and
operational facilities of the firm and the firms risk and
skill in positioning blocks of securities. While we will
generally seek reasonably competitive trade execution costs, we
will not necessarily pay the lowest spread or commission
available. Subject to applicable legal requirements, we may
select a broker based partly on brokerage or research services
provided to us. In return for such services, we may pay a higher
commission than other brokers would charge if our Advisor
determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in
relation to the services provided.
Proxy
Voting Policies
We, along with our Advisor, have adopted proxy voting policies
and procedures (Proxy Policy) that we believe are
reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in our best
interests and the best interests of our stockholders. Subject to
its oversight, our Board of Directors has delegated
responsibility for implementing the Proxy Policy to our Advisor.
In the event requests for proxies are received to vote equity
securities on routine matters, such as election of directors or
ratification of auditors, the proxies usually will be voted in
accordance with the recommendation of the companys
management unless our Advisor determines it has a conflict or
our Advisor determines there are other reasons not to vote in
accordance with the recommendation of the companys
management. On non-routine matters, such as amendments to
governing instruments, proposals relating to compensation and
equity compensation plans, corporate governance proposals and
stockholder proposals, our Advisor will vote, or abstain from
voting if deemed appropriate, on a
case-by-case
basis in a manner it believes to be in the best economic
interest of our stockholders. In the event requests for proxies
are received with respect to fixed income securities, our
Advisor will vote on a
case-by-case
basis in a manner it believes to be in the best economic
interest of our stockholders.
Our Chief Executive Officer will be responsible for monitoring
our actions and ensuring that (i) proxies are received and
forwarded to the appropriate decisionmakers, and
(ii) proxies are voted in a timely manner upon receipt of
voting instructions. We are not responsible for voting proxies
we do not receive, but we will make reasonable efforts to obtain
missing proxies. Our Chief Executive Officer will implement
procedures to identify and monitor potential conflicts of
interest that could affect the proxy voting process, including
(i) significant client relationships, (ii) other
potential material business relationships, and
(iii) material personal and family relationships. All
decisions regarding proxy voting will be determined by our
Advisors investment committee and will be executed by our
Chief Executive Officer. Every effort will be made to consult
with the portfolio manager
and/or
analyst covering the security. We may determine not to vote a
particular proxy if the costs and burdens exceed the benefits of
voting (e.g., when securities are subject to loan or to share
blocking restrictions).
If a request for proxy presents a conflict of interest between
our stockholders, on one hand, and our Advisor, the
underwriters, or any affiliated persons of ours, on the other
hand, our management may (i) disclose the potential
conflict to the Board of Directors and obtain consent, or
(ii) establish an ethical wall or other informational
barrier between the persons involved in the conflict and the
persons making the voting decisions.
Staffing
We do not currently have, nor do we expect in the future to
have, any employees. Services necessary for our business will be
provided by individuals who are employees of our Advisor,
pursuant to the terms of the investment advisory agreement. See
Management of the Fund Investment Advisory
Agreement.
34
Properties
Our office is located at 11550 Ash Street, Suite 300,
Leawood, Kansas 66211.
Legal
Proceedings
Neither we nor our Advisor are currently subject to any material
legal proceedings.
35
LEVERAGE
Use of
Leverage
Under normal circumstances, we will not employ leverage above
20% of our total assets at time of incurrence. We anticipate
that such leverage may initially include, although not be
limited to, revolving credit facilities or senior notes. We may
also issue preferred shares, however, we will not utilize
leverage in the form of what historically has been known as
auction rate preferred securities.
The borrowing of money and the issuance of such securities
represent the leveraging of our common stock. We generally will
not use leverage unless our Board of Directors believes that
leverage will serve the best interests of our stockholders. The
principal factor used in making this determination is whether
the potential return is likely to exceed the cost of leverage.
We do not anticipate using leverage where the estimated costs of
using such leverage and the on-going cost of servicing the
payment obligations on such leverage exceed the estimated return
on the proceeds of such leverage. However, in making the
determination whether to use leverage, we must rely on estimates
of leverage costs and expected returns. Actual costs of leverage
vary over time depending on interest rates and other factors,
and actual returns vary depending on many factors. Our Board of
Directors will also consider other factors, including whether
the current investment opportunities will help us achieve our
investment objectives and strategies.
Leverage creates a greater risk of loss, as well as potential
for more gain, for our common shares than if leverage is not
used. Leverage capital would have complete priority upon
distribution of assets over common shares. We expect to invest
the net proceeds derived from any use or issuance of leverage
capital according to the investment objectives and strategies
described in this prospectus. As long as our portfolio is
invested in securities that provide a higher rate of return than
the dividend rate or interest rate of the leverage capital after
taking its related expenses into consideration, the leverage
will cause our common stockholders to receive a higher rate of
income than if we were not leveraged. Conversely, if the return
derived from such securities is less than the cost of leverage
(including increased expenses to us), our total return will be
less than if leverage had not been used, and, therefore, the
amount available for distribution to our common stockholders
will be reduced. In the latter case, our Advisor in its best
judgment nevertheless may determine to maintain our leveraged
position if it expects that the long term benefits to our common
stockholders of so doing will outweigh the current reduced
return. There is no assurance that we will utilize leverage
capital or, if leverage capital is utilized, that those
instruments will be successful in enhancing the level of our
total return. The NAV of our common shares will be reduced by
the fees and issuance costs of any leverage capital. We do not
intend to use leverage capital until the proceeds of this
offering are fully invested in accordance with our investment
objectives.
There is no assurance that outstanding amounts we borrow may be
prepayable by us prior to final maturity without significant
penalty, but we do not expect any sinking fund or mandatory
retirement provisions. Outstanding amounts would be payable at
maturity or such earlier times as we may agree. We may be
required to prepay outstanding amounts or incur a penalty rate
of interest in the event of the occurrence of certain events of
default. We may be expected to indemnify our lenders,
particularly any banks, against liabilities they may incur
related to their loan to us. We may also be required to secure
any amounts borrowed from a bank by pledging our investments as
collateral.
Leverage creates risk for holders of our common shares,
including the likelihood of greater volatility of our NAV and
the value of our shares, and the risk of fluctuations in
interest rates on leverage capital, which may affect the return
to the holders of our common shares or cause fluctuations in the
distributions paid on our common shares. The fee paid to our
Advisor will be calculated on the basis of our Managed Assets,
including proceeds from leverage capital. During periods in
which we use leverage, the fee payable to our Advisor will be
higher than if we did not use leverage. Consequently, we and our
Advisor may have differing interests in determining whether to
leverage our assets. Our Board of Directors will monitor our use
of leverage and this potential conflict.
Under the 1940 Act, we are not permitted to issue preferred
stock unless immediately after such issuance, the value of our
total assets (including the proceeds of such issuance) less all
liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior
securities is at least equal to 200% of the total of the
aggregate amount of senior securities
36
representing indebtedness plus the aggregate liquidation value
of the outstanding preferred stock. Stated another way, we may
not issue preferred stock that, together with outstanding
preferred stock and debt securities, has a total aggregate
liquidation value and outstanding principal amount of more than
50% of the amount of our total assets, including the proceeds of
such issuance, less liabilities and indebtedness not represented
by senior securities. In addition, we are not permitted to
declare any cash dividend or other distribution on our common
stock, or purchase any of our shares of common stock (through
tender offers or otherwise), unless we would satisfy this 200%
asset coverage after deducting the amount of such dividend,
distribution or share purchase price, as the case may be. We
may, as a result of market conditions or otherwise, be required
to purchase or redeem preferred stock, or sell a portion of our
investments when it may be disadvantageous to do so, in order to
maintain the required asset coverage. Common stockholders would
bear the costs of issuing preferred stock, which may include
offering expenses and the ongoing payment of dividends. Under
the 1940 Act, we may only issue one class of preferred stock.
Under the 1940 Act, we are not permitted to issue debt
securities or incur other indebtedness constituting senior
securities unless immediately thereafter, the value of our total
assets (including the proceeds of the indebtedness) less all
liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior
securities is at least equal to 300% of the amount of the
outstanding indebtedness. Stated another way, we may not issue
debt securities in a principal amount of more than 33.33% of the
amount of our total assets, including the amount borrowed, less
all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior
securities. We also must maintain this 300% asset coverage for
as long as the indebtedness is outstanding. The 1940 Act
provides that we may not declare any cash dividend or other
distribution on common or preferred stock, or purchase any of
our shares of stock (through tender offers or otherwise), unless
we would satisfy this 300% asset coverage after deducting the
amount of the dividend, other distribution or share purchase
price, as the case may be. If the asset coverage for
indebtedness declines to less than 300% as a result of market
fluctuations or otherwise, we may be required to redeem debt
securities, or sell a portion of our investments when it may be
disadvantageous to do so. Under the 1940 Act, we may only issue
one class of senior securities representing indebtedness.
Effects
of Leverage
The following table is designed to illustrate the effect of
leverage on the return to a holder of our common shares in the
amount of approximately 20% of our total assets, assuming
hypothetical annual returns of our portfolio of minus 10% to
plus 10%. As the table shows, leverage generally increases the
return to holders of common shares when portfolio return is
positive and greater than the cost of leverage and decreases the
return when the portfolio return is negative or less than the
cost of leverage. The figures appearing in the table are
hypothetical and actual returns may be greater or less than
those appearing in the table. See Risks Risks
Related to Our Operations Leverage.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assumed Portfolio Return
|
|
|
|
(Net of Expenses)
|
|
|
|
(10)%
|
|
|
(5)%
|
|
|
0%
|
|
|
5%
|
|
|
10%
|
|
|
Corresponding Common Shares Return
|
|
|
(14.3
|
)%
|
|
|
(8.3
|
)%
|
|
|
(2.4
|
)%
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
|
|
9.5
|
%
|
Hedging
Transactions
In an attempt to reduce the interest rate risk arising from our
leveraged capital structure, we may use interest rate
transactions such as swaps, caps and floors. The use of interest
rate transactions is a highly specialized activity that involves
investment techniques and risks different from those associated
with ordinary portfolio security transactions. In an interest
rate swap, we would agree to pay to the other party to the
interest rate swap (known as the counterparty) a
fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty agreeing to
pay to us a variable rate payment intended to approximate our
variable rate payment obligation on any variable rate
borrowings. The payment obligations would be based on the
notional amount of the swap. In an interest rate cap, we would
pay a premium to the counterparty up to the interest rate cap
and, to the extent that a specified variable rate index exceeds
a predetermined fixed rate of interest, would receive from the
counterparty payments equal to the difference based on the
notional amount of such cap. In an interest rate floor, we would
be entitled to receive, to the extent that a specified index
falls below a predetermined interest rate, payments of
37
interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling
the interest rate floor. Depending on the state of interest
rates in general, our use of interest rate transactions could
affect our ability to make required interest payments on any
outstanding fixed income securities or preferred stock. We will,
however, accrue the amount of our obligations under any interest
rate transactions and designate on our books and records with
our custodian, an amount of cash or liquid high grade securities
having an aggregate net asset value at all times at least equal
to that amount. To the extent there is a decline in interest
rates, the value of the interest rate transactions could
decline. If the counterparty to an interest rate transaction
defaults, we would not be able to use the anticipated net
receipts under the interest rate transaction to offset our cost
of financial leverage. See Risks Risks Related
to Our Operations Hedging Strategy Risk.
38
MANAGEMENT
OF THE FUND
Directors
and Executive Officers
Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our
Board of Directors. Accordingly, our Board of Directors provides
broad supervision over our affairs, including supervision of the
duties performed by our Advisor. Certain employees of our
Advisor are responsible for our day-to-day operations. The names
and ages of our directors and executive officers, together with
their principal occupations and other affiliations during the
past five years, are set forth below. Each director and
executive officer will hold office for the term to which he is
elected and until his successor is duly elected and qualifies,
or until he resigns or is removed in the manner provided by law.
Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each director and
executive officer is 11550 Ash Street, Suite 300, Leawood,
Kansas 66211. Our Board of Directors consists of a majority of
directors who are not interested persons (as defined
in the 1940 Act) of our Advisor or its affiliates
(Independent Directors). The directors who are
interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) are
referred to as Interested Directors. Under our
Articles of Incorporation (the Charter), the Board
of Directors is divided into three classes. Each class of
directors will hold office for a three-year term. However, the
initial members of the three classes have initial terms of one,
two and three years, respectively. At each annual meeting of our
stockholders, the successors to the class of directors whose
terms expire at such meeting will be elected to hold office for
a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in
the third year following the year of their election and until
their successors are duly elected and qualify.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s)
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
Held with
|
|
|
|
Portfolios
|
|
Other Public
|
|
|
Fund, Term
|
|
Principal
|
|
in Fund
|
|
Company
|
|
|
of Office
|
|
Occupation
|
|
Complex
|
|
Directorships
|
|
|
and Length of
|
|
During Past
|
|
Overseen by
|
|
Held by
|
Name and Age
|
|
Time Served
|
|
Five Years
|
|
Director(1)
|
|
Director/Officer
|
|
Independent Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conrad S. Ciccotello
(Born 1960)
|
|
Class II Director,
Director since
inception
|
|
Tenured Associate Professor of Risk Management and Insurance,
Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University (faculty
member since 1999); Director of Graduate Personal Financial
Planning Programs; formerly, Editor, Financial Services
Review, (2001-2007) (an academic journal dedicated to the
study of individual financial management); formerly, faculty
member, Pennsylvania State University (1997-1999). Published
several academic and professional journal articles about energy
infrastructure and oil and gas MLPs.
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
None
|
39
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s)
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
Held with
|
|
|
|
Portfolios
|
|
Other Public
|
|
|
Fund, Term
|
|
Principal
|
|
in Fund
|
|
Company
|
|
|
of Office
|
|
Occupation
|
|
Complex
|
|
Directorships
|
|
|
and Length of
|
|
During Past
|
|
Overseen by
|
|
Held by
|
Name and Age
|
|
Time Served
|
|
Five Years
|
|
Director(1)
|
|
Director/Officer
|
|
John R. Graham
(Born 1945)
|
|
Class I Director,
Director since
inception
|
|
Executive-in-Residence and Professor of Finance (part-time),
College of Business Administration, Kansas State University (has
served as a professor or adjunct professor since 1970); Chairman
of the Board, President and CEO, Graham Capital Management, Inc.
(primarily a real estate development, investment and venture
capital company); Owner of Graham Ventures (a business services
and venture capital firm); Part-time Vice President Investments,
FB Capital Management, Inc. (a registered investment adviser),
since 2007. Formerly, CEO, Kansas Farm Bureau Financial
Services, including seven affiliated insurance or financial
service companies (1979-2000).
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
Kansas State Bank
|
Charles E. Heath
(Born 1944)
|
|
Class III Director,
Director since
inception
|
|
Retired in 1999. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, GE
Capitals Employers Reinsurance Corporation (1989-1999);
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation since
1974.
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
None
|
Interested Directors and Officers(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Kevin Birzer
(Born 1959)
|
|
Class I Director,
Director and
Chairman of the
Board since inception
|
|
Managing Director of the Advisor since 2002; Member, Fountain
Capital Management (Fountain Capital) (1990-June
2009); Director and Chairman of the Board of each of TYG, TYY,
TYN, TTO and the two private investment companies managed by the
Advisor since its inception; formerly, Vice President, Corporate
Finance Department, Drexel Burnham Lambert (1986-1989);
formerly, Vice President, F. Martin Koenig & Co., an
investment management firm (1983-1986); CFA designation since
1988.
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
None
|
40
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s)
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
Held with
|
|
|
|
Portfolios
|
|
Other Public
|
|
|
Fund, Term
|
|
Principal
|
|
in Fund
|
|
Company
|
|
|
of Office
|
|
Occupation
|
|
Complex
|
|
Directorships
|
|
|
and Length of
|
|
During Past
|
|
Overseen by
|
|
Held by
|
Name and Age
|
|
Time Served
|
|
Five Years
|
|
Director(1)
|
|
Director/Officer
|
|
Terry C. Matlack
(Born 1956)
|
|
Class III Director,
Director and Chief
Financial Officer
since inception
|
|
Managing Director of the Advisor since 2002; Full-time Managing
Director, Kansas City Equity Partners, L.C. (KCEP)
(2001-2002); formerly, President, GreenStreet Capital, a private
investment firm (1998-2001); Director and Chief Financial
Officer of each of TYG, TYY, TYN, TTO and the two privately held
investment companies managed by the Advisor since its inception;
Chief Compliance Officer of TYG from 2004 through May 2006 and
of each of TYY and TYN from their inception through May 2006;
Treasurer of each of TYG, TYY and TYN from their inception to
November 2005; Assistant Treasurer of TYG, TYY and TYN from
November 2005 to April 2008, of TTO and one of the two private
investment companies from their inception to April 2008, and of
the other private investment company since its inception; CFA
designation since 1985.
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
None
|
41
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s)
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
Held with
|
|
|
|
Portfolios
|
|
Other Public
|
|
|
Fund, Term
|
|
Principal
|
|
in Fund
|
|
Company
|
|
|
of Office
|
|
Occupation
|
|
Complex
|
|
Directorships
|
|
|
and Length of
|
|
During Past
|
|
Overseen by
|
|
Held by
|
Name and Age
|
|
Time Served
|
|
Five Years
|
|
Director(1)
|
|
Director/Officer
|
|
David J. Schulte
(Born 1961)
|
|
President and Chief
Executive Officer
since inception
|
|
Managing Director of the Advisor since 2002; Full-time Managing
Director, KCEP (1993-2002); President and Chief Executive
Officer of TYG since 2003 and of TYY since 2005; Chief Executive
Officer of TYN since 2005 and President of TYN from 2005 to
September 2008; Chief Executive Officer of TTO since 2005 and
President of TTO from 2005 to April 2007; President of one of
the two private investment companies since 2007 and of the other
private investment company from 2007 to June 2008; Chief
Executive Officer of one of the two private investment companies
since 2007 and of the other private investment company from 2007
to December 2008; CFA designation since 1992.
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
None
|
Zachary A. Hamel
(Born 1965)
|
|
Senior Vice President
since inception
|
|
Managing Director of the Advisor since 2002; Partner, Fountain
Capital (1997-present); Senior Vice President of TYY and TTO
since 2005 and of TYG, TYN and the two private investment
companies since 2007; Secretary of each of TYG, TYY, TYN and TTO
from their inception to April 2007; CFA designation since 1998.
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
None
|
42
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s)
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
Held with
|
|
|
|
Portfolios
|
|
Other Public
|
|
|
Fund, Term
|
|
Principal
|
|
in Fund
|
|
Company
|
|
|
of Office
|
|
Occupation
|
|
Complex
|
|
Directorships
|
|
|
and Length of
|
|
During Past
|
|
Overseen by
|
|
Held by
|
Name and Age
|
|
Time Served
|
|
Five Years
|
|
Director(1)
|
|
Director/Officer
|
|
Kenneth P. Malvey
(Born 1965)
|
|
Senior Vice President
and Treasurer since
inception
|
|
Managing Director of the Advisor since 2002; Partner, Fountain
Capital (2002-present); formerly, Investment Risk Manager and
member of the Global Office of Investments, GE Capitals
Employers Reinsurance Corporation (1996-2002); Treasurer of TYG,
TYY and TYN since November 2005, of TTO since September 2005,
and of the two private investment companies since 2007; Senior
Vice President of TYY and TTO since 2005, and of TYG, TYN and
the two private investment companies since 2007; Assistant
Treasurer of TYG, TYY and TYN from their inception to November
2005; Chief Executive Officer of one of the private investment
companies since December 2008; CFA designation since 1996.
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
This number includes four publicly
traded closed-end funds (Tortoise Energy Infrastructure
Corporation (TYG), Tortoise Energy Capital
Corporation (TYY), Tortoise North American Energy
Corporation (TYN) and Tortoise Capital Resources
Corporation (TTO), two privately held closed-end
funds and the Fund. Our Advisor also serves as the investment
adviser to these funds.
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
As a result of their respective
positions held with the Advisor or its affiliates, these
individuals are considered interested persons within
the meaning of the 1940 Act.
|
Other
Senior Investment Professionals
Rob Thummel joined the Advisor in 2004 as an Investment Analyst.
In September 2008, he was appointed President of TYN.
Previously, Mr. Thummel was Director of Finance at KLT
Inc., a subsidiary of Great Plains Energy from 1998 to 2004 and
a Senior Auditor at Ernst & Young from 1995 to 1998.
Mr. Thummel earned a master of Business Administration from
the University of Kansas and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting
from Kansas State University.
Bernard Colson joined the Advisor in 2007 as an Investment
Analyst. Previously, Mr. Colson was an Investment Analyst
at Waddell & Reed from 2004 to 2006 where he covered
the electric utilities and media industries. Prior to
Waddell & Reed, Mr. Colson was an Investment
Analyst at Citigroup Asset Management from 2001 to 2004, where
he covered the electric utilities and was a member of the Large
Cap Core portfolio management team. He received a Bachelor of
Arts degree in Sociology from Yale University and a Master of
Business Administration from the University of Michigan Business
School. Mr. Colson received his CFA designation in 2002.
43
Audit and
Valuation Committee
Our Board of Directors has a standing Audit and Valuation
Committee that consists of three Independent Directors of the
Fund: Mr. Ciccotello (Chairman), Mr. Graham, and
Mr. Heath. The Audit and Valuation Committees
function is to select an independent registered public
accounting firm to conduct the annual audit of our financial
statements, review with the independent registered public
accounting firm the outline, scope and results of this annual
audit, review the investment valuations proposed by our
Advisors investment committee and review the performance
and approval of all fees charged by the independent registered
public accounting firm for audit, audit-related and other
professional services. In addition, the Audit and Valuation
Committee meets with the independent registered public
accounting firm and representatives of management to review
accounting activities and areas of financial reporting and
control. The Audit and Valuation Committee has at least one
member who is deemed to be a financial expert and operates under
a written charter approved by the Board of Directors. The Audit
and Valuation Committee meets periodically, as necessary.
Nominating
and Governance Committee
We have a Nominating and Governance Committee that consists
exclusively of our three Independent Directors: Conrad S.
Ciccotello, John R. Graham (Chairman) and Charles E. Heath. The
Nominating and Governance Committees function is to:
(1) identify individuals qualified to become Board members,
consistent with criteria approved by our Board of Directors, and
to recommend to the Board of Directors the director nominees for
the next annual meeting of stockholders and to fill any
vacancies; (2) monitor the structure and membership of
Board committees; (3) review issues and developments
related to corporate governance issues and develop and recommend
to the Board of Directors corporate governance guidelines and
procedures to the extent necessary or desirable;
(4) evaluate and make recommendations to the Board of
Directors regarding director compensation; and (5) oversee
the evaluation of the Board of Directors. The Nominating and
Governance Committee will consider stockholder recommendations
for nominees for membership to the Board of Directors so long as
such recommendations are made in accordance with our Bylaws.
Compliance
Committee
We have a Compliance Committee that consists exclusively of our
three Independent Directors: Conrad S. Ciccotello, John R.
Graham and Charles E. Heath (Chairman). The Compliance
Committees function is to review and assess
managements compliance with applicable securities laws,
rules and regulations, monitor compliance with our Code of
Ethics, and handle other matters as the Board of Directors or
committee chair deems appropriate.
Board
Compensation
Our directors and officers who are interested persons will
receive no salary or fees from us. Each Independent Director
will receive from us a fee of $2,000 (and reimbursement for
related expenses) for each meeting of the Board of Directors or
Audit and Valuation Committee he or she attends in person (or
$1,000 for each Board of Directors or Audit and Valuation
Committee meeting attended telephonically, or for each Audit and
Valuation Committee meeting attended in person that is held on
the same day as a Board of Directors meeting). Independent
Directors also receive $1,000 for each other committee meeting
attended in person or telephonically (other than Audit and
Valuation Committee meetings). The annual retainer of each
Independent Director and for the chairman of the Audit and
Valuation Committee and other Committee Chairmen will be
determined by the Board of Directors after completion of this
offering.
We do not compensate our officers. No director or officer is
entitled to receive pension or retirement benefits from us and
no director receives any compensation from us other than in cash.
Our
Advisor
We have entered into an investment advisory agreement with
Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C., a registered investment
adviser, pursuant to which it will serve as our investment
adviser (the Initial Investment Advisory Agreement).
The Initial Investment Advisory Agreement will become effective
upon the closing of
44
this offering. Our Advisor was formed in October 2002 and has
been managing assets in portfolios of MLPs and other energy
infrastructure companies since that time. Our Advisor also
manages the investments of four publicly traded funds and two
privately held funds, all of which are non-diversified,
closed-end management investment companies and one of which has
elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act.
As of this date, our Advisor is controlled equally by FCM
Tortoise, L.L.C. (FCM), an affiliate of Fountain
Capital, and Kansas City Equity Partners, L.C.
(KCEP). KCEP has no operations and is a holding
company. FCM has no operations and serves as a holding company.
Fountain Capitals ownership in our Advisor was transferred
to FCM, an entity with the same principals as Fountain Capital,
effective as of August 2, 2007. The transfer did not result
in a change in control of our Advisor.
|
|
|
|
|
Our Advisor was formed in 2002 by Fountain Capital and KCEP to
provide portfolio management services exclusively with respect
to energy infrastructure investments.
|
|
|
|
Fountain Capital was formed in 1990 and focuses primarily on
providing investment advisory services to institutional
investors with respect to non-investment grade rated debt.
|
|
|
|
KCEP was formed in 1993 and managed KCEP Ventures II, L.P.
(KCEP II), a private equity fund with committed
capital of $55 million invested in a variety of companies
in diverse industries. KCEP II wound up its operations in late
2006, has no remaining portfolio investments and has distributed
proceeds to its partners. KCEP I, L.P. (KCEP
I), a
start-up and
early-stage venture capital fund launched in 1994 and previously
managed by KCEP, also recently completed the process of winding
down. As a part of that process, KCEP I entered into a
consensual order of receivership, which was necessary to allow
KCEP I to distribute its remaining $1.3 million of assets
to creditors and the Small Business Administration
(SBA). The consensual order acknowledged a capital
impairment condition and the resulting nonperformance by KCEP I
of its agreement with the SBA, both of which were violations of
the provisions requiring repayment of capital under the Small
Business Investment Act of 1958 and the regulations thereunder.
|
On June 3, 2009, our Advisor announced that senior
management of our Advisor entered into a definitive agreement to
acquire, along with Mariner Holdings, LLC (Mariner),
all of the ownership interests in our Advisor. As part of the
transaction, Mariner will purchase a majority stake in our
Advisor, with the intention to provide growth capital and
resources, and serve as a complementary strategic partner in the
asset management business (the Proposed
Transaction). Mariner is an independent investment firm
with affiliates focused on wealth and asset management. Mariner
was founded in 2006 by former A.G. Edwards investment
professionals and management staff led by Marty Bicknell, and
has grown to more than 50 employees with $1.3 billion
of assets under management as of April 30, 2009.
The portfolio management, investment objectives and policies,
and investment processes of the Fund will not change as a result
of the Proposed Transaction or entering into the proposed new
investment advisory agreement (the New Investment Advisory
Agreement) with our Advisor, as discussed below. The
current Managing Directors of our Advisor will continue to serve
as the investment committee of our Advisor responsible for the
investment management of the Funds portfolio. The Advisor
will retain its name and will remain located at 11550 Ash
Street, Suite 300, Leawood, Kansas 66211.
The business and affairs of our Advisor are currently managed by
David J. Schulte, Chief Executive Officer and President of the
Fund; Terry Matlack, a director and the Chief Financial Officer
of the Fund; H. Kevin Birzer, director and Chairman of the Board
of the Fund, Zachary A. Hamel, Senior Vice President of the
Fund, and Kenneth P. Malvey, Senior Vice President and Treasurer
of the Fund. Each of Messrs. Schulte, Matlack, Birzer,
Hamel and Malvey will continue to serve as Managing Directors of
our Advisor and will continue to own a portion of the Advisor
following the Proposed Transaction.
Our Advisor has 33 full-time employees, with a 20 member
investment team, including five members of the investment
committee of our Advisor.
45
Investment
Committee
Management of our portfolio is the responsibility of our
Advisor. Each of our Advisors investment decisions will be
reviewed and approved for us by its investment committee, which
also acts as the investment committee for the four publicly held
funds, and the two privately-held funds managed by our Advisor.
Our Advisors investment committee is comprised of its five
Managing Directors: H. Kevin Birzer, Zachary A. Hamel, Kenneth
P. Malvey, Terry C. Matlack and David J. Schulte. The members of
our Advisors investment committee have an average of over
23 years of investment experience. All decisions to invest
in a portfolio company must be approved by the unanimous
decision of our Advisors investment committee, and any one
member of our Advisors investment committee can require
our Advisor to sell a security. Biographical information about
each member of our Advisors investment committee is set
forth below.
Kevin
Birzer
Kevin Birzer has been a Managing Director of TCA since 2002.
Mr. Birzer has 28 years of investment experience, and
began his career in 1981 at KPMG Peat Marwick. His subsequent
experience includes three years working as a Vice President for
F. Martin Koenig & Co., focusing on equity and option
investments, and three years at Drexel Burnham Lambert, where he
was a Vice President in the Corporate Finance Department. In
1990, Mr. Birzer co-founded Fountain Capital, a high yield
bond management firm, where he remained a part owner until June
2009. He earned his CFA designation in 1988.
Zachary
Hamel
Zachary Hamel has been a Managing Director of our Advisor since
2002 and is also a Partner with Fountain Capital. Mr. Hamel
also serves as Senior Vice President of the four publicly traded
funds and the two privately-held funds managed by our Advisor.
Mr. Hamel joined Fountain Capital in 1997 and covered the
energy, chemicals and utilities sectors. Prior to joining
Fountain Capital, Mr. Hamel worked for the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corp. (FDIC) for eight years as a Bank
Examiner and a Regional Capital Markets Specialist. He earned
his CFA designation in 1998.
Ken
Malvey
Ken Malvey has been a Managing Director of TCA since 2002 and is
also Partner with Fountain Capital. Mr. Malvey also serves
as Senior Vice President and Treasurer of the four publicly
traded funds and the two privately held funds managed by our
Advisor and as the Chief Executive Officer of one of the
privately held funds. Prior to joining Fountain Capital in 2002,
Mr. Malvey was one of three members of the Global Office of
Investments for GE Capitals Employers Reinsurance
Corporation. Most recently, he was the Global Investment Risk
Manger for a portfolio of approximately $24 billion of
fixed-income, public equity and alternative investment assets.
Before joining GE Capital in 1996, he was a Bank Examiner and
Regional Capital Markets Specialist with the FDIC for nine
years. He earned his CFA designation in 1996.
Terry
Matlack
Terry Matlack has been a Managing Director of our Advisor since
2002 and serves as Chief Financial Officer and Director of the
four publicly traded funds and the two privately-held funds
managed by our Advisor. From 2001 to 2002, Mr. Matlack was
a full-time Managing Director at KCEP. Prior to joining KCEP,
Mr. Matlack was President of GreenStreet Capital and its
affiliates in the telecommunications service industry.
Mr. Matlack has also served as the Executive Vice President
and a board member of W.K. Communications, Inc., a cable
television acquisition company, and Chief Operating Officer of
W.K. Cellular, a cellular rural service area operator. He earned
his CFA designation in 1985.
David
Schulte
David Schulte has been a Managing Director of our Advisor since
2002 and serves as Chief Executive Officer and President of two
of the publicly traded funds, and as Chief Executive Officer of
the other two publicly traded funds and one of the
privately-held funds managed by our Advisor, and as President of
the other
46
privately-held fund. Previously, Mr. Schulte was a
full-time Managing Director at KCEP from 1993 to 2002, where he
led private financing for two growth MLPs. Mr. Schulte
served on the Board of Directors of Inergy, LP, a propane gas
MLP, from 2001 to 2004. Before joining KCEP, he spent five years
as an investment banker at the predecessor of
Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. He is a certified public
accountant (CPA) and also earned his CFA designation
in 1992.
The following table provides information about the other
accounts managed on a day-to-day basis by each member of our
Advisors investment committee as of December 31, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
|
|
|
of Accounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Paying a
|
|
|
Paying a
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Assets of
|
|
|
Performance
|
|
|
Performance
|
|
|
|
Accounts
|
|
|
Accounts
|
|
|
Fee
|
|
|
Fee
|
|
|
H. Kevin Birzer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered investment companies
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
$
|
1,109,317,225
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Other pooled investment vehicles
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
$
|
157,970,377
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
102,958,967
|
|
Other accounts
|
|
|
213
|
|
|
$
|
1,462,563,20
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Zachary A. Hamel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered investment companies
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
$
|
1,109,317,225
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Other pooled investment vehicles
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
$
|
157,970,377
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
102,958,967
|
|
Other accounts
|
|
|
213
|
|
|
$
|
1,462,563,20
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Kenneth P. Malvey
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered investment companies
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
$
|
1,109,317,225
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Other pooled investment vehicles
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
$
|
157,970,377
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
102,958,967
|
|
Other accounts
|
|
|
213
|
|
|
$
|
1,462,563,20
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Terry C. Matlack
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered investment companies
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
$
|
1,109,317,225
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Other pooled investment vehicles
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
102,958,967
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
102,958,967
|
|
Other accounts
|
|
|
200
|
|
|
$
|
227,767,796
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
David J. Schulte
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered investment companies
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
$
|
1,109,317,225
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Other pooled investment vehicles
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
102,958,967
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
102,958,967
|
|
Other accounts
|
|
|
200
|
|
|
$
|
227,767,796
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Messrs. Birzer, Hamel, Malvey, Matlack and Schulte will not
receive any direct compensation from us or any other of the
managed accounts reflected in the table above. All such accounts
are managed by our Advisor or Fountain Capital. All members of
our Advisors investment committee are full-time employees
of our Advisor and receive a fixed salary for the services they
provide. Each of Messrs. Birzer, Hamel, Malvey, Matlack and
Schulte own an equity interest in either KCEP or FCM Tortoise,
L.L.C., the two entities that control our Advisor, and each thus
benefits from increases in the net income of our Advisor.
Conflicts
of Interest
Our Advisor has a conflict of interest in allocating potentially
more favorable investment opportunities to other funds and
clients that pay our Advisor an incentive or performance fee.
Performance and incentive fees also create the incentive to
allocate potentially riskier, but potentially better performing,
investments to such funds and other clients in an effort to
increase the incentive fee. Our Advisor may also have an
incentive to make investments in one fund, having the effect of
increasing the value of a security in the same issuer held by
another fund, which in turn may result in an incentive fee being
paid to our Advisor by that other fund. Our Advisor has written
allocation policies and procedures that it will follow in
addressing any conflicts. When two or more clients advised by
our Advisor or its affiliates seek to purchase or sell the same
securities, the securities actually purchased or sold will be
allocated among the clients on a good faith equitable basis by
our Advisor in its discretion and in accordance with each
clients investment objectives and our Advisors
procedures. In some cases, this system may adversely affect the
price or size of the position we may obtain or sell. In other
cases, our ability to participate in large volume transactions
may produce better execution for us.
47
Our Advisor also serves as investment adviser for four other
publicly traded and two privately held closed-end management
investment companies, all of which invest in the energy sector.
See Management of the Fund Our Advisor.
Our Advisor will evaluate a variety of factors in determining
whether a particular investment opportunity or strategy is
appropriate and feasible for a relevant client account at a
particular time, including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) the nature of the investment opportunity taken in the
context of the other investments at the time; (ii) the
liquidity of the investment relative to the needs of the
particular entity or account; (iii) the availability of the
opportunity (i.e., size of obtainable position); (iv) the
transaction costs involved; and (v) the investment or
regulatory limitations applicable to the particular entity or
account. Because these considerations may differ when applied to
us and other relevant client accounts in the context of any
particular investment opportunity, our investment activities may
differ considerably from those of other clients of our Advisor.
Situations may occur when we could be disadvantaged because of
the investment activities conducted by our Advisor and its
affiliates for their other accounts. Such situations may be
based on, among other things, the following: (1) legal or
internal restrictions on the combined size of positions that may
be taken for us or the other accounts, thereby limiting the size
of our position; (2) the difficulty of liquidating an
investment for us or the other accounts where the market cannot
absorb the sale of the combined position; or (3) limits on
co-investing in private placement securities under the 1940 Act.
Our investment opportunities may be limited by affiliations of
our Advisor or its affiliates with power and energy
infrastructure companies.
Under the 1940 Act, we and our affiliated companies are
generally precluded from co-investing in negotiated private
placements of securities. Except as permitted by law, our
Advisor will not co-invest its other clients assets in
negotiated private transactions in which we invest. To the
extent we are precluded from such co-investing, our Advisor will
allocate non-negotiated private placement investment
opportunities among its clients, including but not limited to us
and our affiliated companies, based on allocation policies that
take into account several suitability factors, including the
size of the investment opportunity, the amount each client has
available for investment and the clients investment
objectives. These allocation policies may result in the
allocation of investment opportunities to an affiliated company
rather than to us.
The fair value of certain securities will be determined pursuant
to methodologies established by our Board of Directors. Fair
value pricing involves judgments that are inherently subjective
and inexact. Our Advisor is subject to a conflict of interest in
determining the fair value of securities in our portfolio, as
the management fees we pay our Advisor are based on the value of
our average monthly Managed Assets.
Investment
Advisory Agreement
The Proposed Transaction described above is subject to the
receipt of certain approvals and the fulfillment of certain
other conditions. The Proposed Transaction will result in a
change in control of the Advisor and will, therefore, constitute
an assignment of the Initial Investment Advisory
Agreement within the meaning of the 1940 Act. An investment
advisory agreement automatically terminates upon its
assignment under the applicable provisions of the
1940 Act. As of the closing date of the Proposed Transaction,
which is expected to be completed in the third calendar quarter
of 2009, the Initial Investment Advisory Agreement will
terminate.
The terms of the New Investment Advisory Agreement are identical
to the terms of the Initial Investment Advisory Agreement,
except for the effective and termination dates, and would simply
continue the relationship between the Fund and our Advisor. The
services provided by the Advisor and the amount of the advisory
fee paid to the Advisor by the Fund will not change.
In anticipation of the assignment and termination of the Initial
Investment Advisory Agreement, the New Investment Advisory
Agreement has been reviewed and approved by our Board of
Directors, see Board Approval of the
Investment Advisory Agreements, and our existing
stockholders and will become effective upon completion of the
Proposed Transaction and will continue in effect for an initial
period that runs through December 31, 2010. Thereafter, the
New Investment Advisory Agreement will continue annually,
provided that its continuance is approved by the Board of
Directors, including a majority of the Directors who are not
parties to the New Investment Advisory Agreement or
interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of
any such party
48
(the Independent Directors), at a meeting called for
that purpose, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares
of the Fund.
Management
Services
Pursuant to each investment advisory agreement, our Advisor will
be subject to the overall supervision and review of our Board of
Directors, will provide us with investment research, advice and
supervision and will furnish us continuously with an investment
program, consistent with our investment objectives and
strategies. Our Advisor also will determine from time to time
what securities we purchase, what securities will be held or
sold, and what portions of our assets will be held uninvested as
cash, short-duration securities or in other liquid assets, will
maintain books and records with respect to all of our
transactions, and will report to our Board of Directors on our
investments and performance.
Our Advisors services to us under each investment advisory
agreement will not be exclusive, and our Advisor is free to
furnish the same or similar services to other entities,
including businesses that may directly or indirectly compete
with us, so long as our Advisors services to us are not
impaired by the provision of such services to others.
Management
Fee
For the services, payments and facilities to be furnished by our
Advisor, we will pay our Advisor annual compensation in an
amount determined by reference to the average monthly value of
our Managed Assets. Managed Assets means
our total assets (including any assets attributable to any
leverage that may be outstanding) minus the sum of accrued
liabilities (other than debt representing financial leverage and
the aggregate liquidation preference of any outstanding
preferred shares). Accrued liabilities are expenses incurred in
the normal course of our operations. The compensation owed to
our Advisor following each calendar quarter will be determined
by multiplying the Managed Assets by 0.2375% (to provide an
annualized fee of 0.95%). Such compensation will be calculated
and accrued daily and paid quarterly within five (5) days
of the end of each calendar quarter. The Advisor has agreed to a
fee waiver of 0.15% of Managed Assets for year 1, 0.10% of
Managed Assets for year 2 and 0.05% of Managed Assets for year
3, which will become effective as of the close of this offering.
If either investment advisory agreement is initiated or
terminated during any month, the fee for that month will be
reduced proportionately on the basis of the number of calendar
days during which that agreement is in effect and the fee will
be computed based on the average Managed Assets for the business
days that agreement is in effect for that month.
Payment
of Our Expenses
We will bear all expenses not specifically assumed by our
Advisor and incurred in our operations, and we will bear the
expenses related to our formation and this offering. The
compensation and allocable routine overhead expenses of all
investment professionals of our Advisor and its staff, when and
to the extent engaged in providing us investment advisory
services, will be provided and paid for by our Advisor and not
us. In addition, the Advisor has agreed to pay certain offering
expenses, to the extent they exceed $0.04 per share sold in this
offering. Subject to that commitment, the compensation and
expenses borne by us include, but are not limited to, the
following:
|
|
|
|
|
other than as provided in the paragraph above, expenses of
maintaining and continuing our existence and related overhead,
including, to the extent such services are provided by personnel
of our Advisor or its affiliates, office space and facilities
and personnel compensation, training and benefits;
|
|
|
|
|
|
commissions, spreads, fees and other expenses connected with the
acquisition, holding and disposition of securities and other
investments, including placement and similar fees in connection
with direct placements entered into on our behalf;
|
|
|
|
|
|
auditing, accounting, tax and legal services expenses;
|
49
|
|
|
|
|
taxes and interest;
|
|
|
|
governmental fees;
|
|
|
|
expenses of listing our shares with a stock exchange, and
expenses of the issue, sale, repurchase and redemption (if any)
of our securities;
|
|
|
|
expenses of registering and qualifying us and our securities
under federal and state securities laws and of preparing and
filing registration statements and amendments for such purposes;
|
|
|
|
expenses of communicating with stockholders, including website
expenses and the expenses of preparing, printing and mailing
press releases, reports and other notices to stockholders and of
meetings of stockholders and proxy solicitations therefor;
|
|
|
|
expenses of reports to governmental officers and commissions;
|
|
|
|
insurance expenses;
|
|
|
|
association membership dues;
|
|
|
|
fees, expenses and disbursements of custodians and subcustodians
for all services to us (including, without limitation.
safekeeping of funds, securities and other investments, keeping
of books, accounts and records, and determination of net asset
values);
|
|
|
|
fees, expenses and disbursements of transfer agents, dividend
and interest paying agents, stockholder servicing agents,
registrars and administrator for all services to us;
|
|
|
|
compensation and expenses of our directors who are not members
of our Advisors organization;
|
|
|
|
pricing, valuation and other consulting or analytical services
employed in considering and valuing our actual or prospective
investments;
|
|
|
|
all expenses incurred in leveraging our assets through a line of
credit or other indebtedness or issuing and maintaining
preferred shares or notes;
|
|
|
|
|
|
all expenses incurred in connection with our organization and
the offering of our common shares, including this offering, but
not including the structuring fees to be paid by our Advisor to
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, UBS Securities LLC, and Stifel,
Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated; and
|
|
|
|
|
|
such non-recurring items as may arise, including expenses
incurred in litigation, proceedings and claims and our
obligation to indemnify our directors, officers and stockholders
with respect thereto.
|
Duration
and Termination
The Initial Investment Advisory Agreement was approved by our
Board of Directors on May 22, 2009. The Initial Investment
Advisory Agreement will become effective as of the close of this
offering. Unless terminated earlier as described below, it will
continue in effect for a period of two years from the effective
date and will remain in effect from year to year thereafter if
approved annually by our Board of Directors or by the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding
voting securities, and, in either case, upon approval by a
majority of our directors who are not interested persons or
parties to the investment advisory agreement. As discussed
above, the Initial Investment Advisory Agreement will terminate,
and the New Investment Advisory Agreement will become effective,
upon the closing of the Proposed Transaction.
The Initial Investment Advisory Agreement and the New Investment
Advisory Agreement provide that they may be terminated by us at
any time, without the payment of any penalty, by our Board of
Directors or by the vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of the Fund on 60 days written notice to
the Advisor. The Initial Investment Advisory Agreement and the
New Investment Advisory Agreement provide that they may be
terminated by the Advisor at any time, without the payment of
any penalty, upon 60 days written notice to the Fund. The
Initial Investment Advisory Agreement and the New Investment
Advisory Agreement also provide that they will automatically
terminate in the event of an assignment (as defined
in the 1940 Act), such as the Proposed Transaction.
50
Liability
of Advisor
Both the Initial Investment Advisory Agreement and the New
Investment Advisory Agreement provide that our Advisor will not
be liable to us in any way for any default, failure or defect in
any of the securities comprising our portfolio if it has
satisfied the duties and the standard of care, diligence and
skill set forth in each investment advisory agreement. However,
our Advisor will be liable to us for any loss, damage, claim,
cost, charge, expense or liability resulting from our
Advisors willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence
or disregard by our Advisor of its duties or standard of care,
diligence and skill set forth in each investment advisory
agreement or a material breach or default of our Advisors
obligations under that agreement.
Board
Approval of the Investment Advisory Agreements
Our Board of Directors, including a majority of the Independent
Directors, reviewed and approved the Initial Investment Advisory
Agreement on May 22, 2009. The Board of Directors,
including a majority of the Independent Directors, reviewed and
approved the New Investment Advisory Agreement on June 2,
2009.
Prior to our Board of Directors approval of the New
Investment Advisory Agreement, the Independent Directors, with
the assistance of counsel independent of the Advisor
(hereinafter independent legal counsel), requested
and evaluated extensive materials about the Proposed Transaction
and Mariner provided by the Advisor and Mariner, which also
included information from independent, third-party sources,
regarding the factors considered in their evaluation.
Our Independent Directors first learned of the potential
Proposed Transaction in January 2009. Prior to conducting due
diligence of the Proposed Transaction and of Mariner, each
Independent Director had a personal meeting with key officials
of Mariner. In February 2009, the Independent Directors
consulted with independent legal counsel regarding the role of
the Independent Directors in the Proposed Transaction. Also in
February 2009, the Independent Directors, in conjunction with
independent legal counsel, prepared and submitted their own due
diligence request list to Mariner, so that the Independent
Directors could better understand the effect the change of
control would have on our Advisor. In March 2009, the
Independent Directors, in conjunction with independent legal
counsel reviewed the written materials provided by Mariner. In
April and May 2009, the Independent Directors asked for
supplemental written due diligence information and were given
such
follow-up
information about Mariner and the Proposed Transaction.
In May 2009, our Independent Directors interviewed key Mariner
personnel and asked
follow-up
questions after having completed a review of all documents
provided in response to formal due diligence requests. In
particular, the
follow-up
questions focused on (i) the expected continuity of
management and employees at our Advisor, (ii) compliance
and regulatory experience of our Advisor, (iii) plans to
maintain our Advisors compliance and regulatory personnel
and (iv) benefit and incentive plans used to maintain our
Advisors current personnel. On May 22, 2009, our
Independent Directors and Mariner officials met to discuss the
Proposed Transaction. Our Independent Directors also met in
person with Mariner officials in May in the interest of better
getting to know key personnel at Mariner. Our Independent
Directors also discussed the Proposed Transaction and the
findings of the Mariner diligence investigation with independent
legal counsel in private sessions.
In approving the Initial Investment Advisory Agreement and the
New Investment Advisory Agreement, our Independent Directors
requested and received extensive data and information from our
Advisor concerning the Fund and the anticipated services to be
provided to it by our Advisor. The extensive data and
information reviewed, in conjunction with the results of the
diligence investigation of the Proposed Transaction and Mariner,
form the basis of the conclusions reached below.
Our Board of Directors, including the Independent Directors,
considered and evaluated all the information provided by our
Advisor. The Independent Directors did not identify any single
factor as being all-important or controlling, and each Director
may have attributed different levels of importance to different
factors. In deciding to approve the Initial Investment Advisory
Agreement and the New Investment Advisory Agreement, the
Independent Directors decision was based on the following
factors and what, if any, impact the Proposed Transaction would
have on such factors.
51
|
|
|
|
|
Services. Our Board of Directors
reviewed the nature, extent and quality of the investment
advisory and administrative services proposed to be provided to
us by our Advisor and found them sufficient to encompass the
range of services necessary for our operation. Our Independent
Directors considered information regarding the history,
qualification and background of our Advisor and the individuals
responsible for our Advisors investment program, the
adequacy of the number of the Advisor personnel and other
Advisor resources and plans for growth, use of affiliates of our
Advisor, and the particular expertise with respect to power and
energy infrastructure companies, MLP markets and financing. The
Independent Directors concluded that the unique nature of the
Fund and the specialized expertise of the Advisor in the niche
market of MLPs made it uniquely qualified to serve as the
advisor. Further, the Independent Directors recognized that the
Advisors commitment to a long-term investment horizon
correlated well to the investment strategy of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comparison of Management Fee to Other Firms
Management Fees. Our Board of Directors
reviewed and considered, to the extent publicly available, the
management fee arrangements of various groups of companies with
business models that are similar to different aspects of our
investment strategy. Our Independent Directors reviewed and
evaluated information regarding the performance of the other
Advisor accounts (including other investment companies), and
information regarding the nature of the markets during the
performance period. The Independent Directors considered and
evaluated information regarding fees charged to, and services
provided to, other investment companies advised by our Advisor
(including the impact of any fee waiver or reimbursement
arrangements and any expense reimbursement arrangements), fees
charged to separate institutional accounts by our Advisor, and
comparisons of fees of closed-end funds with similar investment
objectives and strategies to the Fund. The Independent Directors
concluded that the fees and expenses that the Fund will pay
under the initial and New Investment Advisory Agreements are
reasonable given the quality of services to be provided under
the initial and New Investment Advisory Agreements and that such
fees and expenses are comparable to, and in many cases lower
than, the fees charged by advisors to comparable funds.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Experience of Management Team and
Personnel. Our Board of Directors considered
the extensive experience of the members of our Advisors
investment committee with respect to the specific types of
investments we propose to make and their past experience with
similar kinds of investments. Our Board of Directors discussed
numerous aspects of our investment strategy with members of our
Advisors investment committee and also considered the
potential flow of investment opportunities resulting from the
numerous relationships of our Advisors investment
committee and investment professionals within the investment
community.
|
|
|
|
Provisions of Investment Advisory
Agreement. Our Board of Directors considered
the extent to which the provisions of the investment advisory
agreement were comparable to the investment advisory agreements
of various groups of companies with business models that are
similar to different aspects of our investment strategy,
including peer group companies, and concluded that its terms
were satisfactory and in line with market norms. In addition,
our Board of Directors concluded that the services to be
provided under the investment advisory agreement were reasonably
necessary for our operations, the services to be provided were
at least equal to the nature and quality of those provided by
others, and the payment terms were fair and reasonable in light
of usual and customary charges.
|
|
|
|
Payment of Expenses. Our Board of
Directors considered the manner in which our Advisor would be
reimbursed for its expenses at cost and the other expenses for
which it would be reimbursed under the investment advisory
agreement. Our Board of Directors discussed how this structure
was comparable to that of various groups of companies with
business models that are similar to different aspects of our
investment strategy.
|
|
|
|
Economies of Scale. Our Board of
Directors considered information from our Advisor concerning
whether economies of scale would be realized as the Fund grows,
and whether fee levels reflect any economies of scale for the
benefit of the Funds stockholders. Our Board of Directors
concluded that economies of scale are difficult to measure and
predict overall. Accordingly, our Independent Directors reviewed
other information, such as year-over-year profitability of the
Advisor generally and the fees of
|
52
|
|
|
|
|
competitive funds not managed by our Advisor over a range of
asset sizes. The Independent Directors concluded our Advisor is
appropriately sharing any economies of scale through its
competitive fee structure and through reinvestment in its
business to provide stockholders additional content and services.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Collateral Benefits Derived by our
Advisor. Our Board of Directors reviewed
information from our Advisor concerning collateral benefits it
receives as a result of its relationship with the Fund. They
concluded that our Advisor generally will not use the
Funds or stockholder information to generate profits in
other lines of business, and therefore will not derive any
significant collateral benefits from them.
|
The Independent Directors did not, with respect to their
deliberations concerning their approval of the Initial
Investment Advisory Agreement or the New Investment Advisory
Agreement, consider the benefits our Advisor may derive from
relationships our Advisor may have with brokers through soft
dollar arrangements because our Advisor will not employ any such
arrangements in rendering its advisory services to the Fund.
Although our Advisor may receive research from brokers with whom
it places trades on behalf of clients, our Advisor does not have
soft dollar arrangements or understandings with such brokers
regarding receipt of research in return for commissions.
Based on the information reviewed and the discussions among the
members of our Board of Directors, our Board of Directors,
including all of our Independent Directors, approved the Initial
Investment Advisory Agreement and concluded that the management
fee to be paid to our Advisor was reasonable in relation to the
services to be provided.
Our Board of Directors, including the Independent Directors,
assisted by the advice of legal counsel that is independent of
our Advisor, taking into account all of the factors discussed
above and the information provided by our Advisor, unanimously
concluded that the New Investment Advisory Agreement between the
Fund and our Advisor is fair and reasonable in light of the
services provided and should be approved.
Section 15(f)
of the 1940 Act
Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act provides that when a sale of
an interest in an investment adviser of a registered investment
company occurs that results in an assignment of an investment
advisory agreement, the investment adviser or any of its
affiliated persons may receive any amount or benefit in
connection with the sale so long as two conditions are
satisfied. The first condition of Section 15(f) is that
during the three-year period following the completion of the
transaction, at least 75% of the investment companys board
of directors must not be interested persons (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the investment adviser or
predecessor advisor. In order to meet this test it is expected
that Terry Matlack, one of the five members of our
Advisors investment committee, will resign from our Board
of Directors upon completion of the Proposed Transaction.
Second, an unfair burden (as defined in the 1940
Act) must not be imposed on the investment company as a result
of the transaction relating to the sale of such interest, or any
express or implied terms, conditions or understandings
applicable thereto. The term unfair burden includes
any arrangement during the two-year period after the transaction
whereby the investment adviser (or predecessor or successor
advisor), or any interested person (as defined in
the 1940 Act) of such an advisor, receives or is entitled to
receive any compensation, directly or indirectly, from the
investment company or its security holders (other than fees for
bona fide investment advisory or other services) or from any
person in connection with the purchase or sale of securities or
other property to, from or on behalf of the investment company
(other than bona fide ordinary compensation as principal
underwriter for the investment company). Our Board of Directors
has determined that the Proposed Transaction will not impose an
unfair burden on the Fund and that the Advisor will
not receive any compensation that will result in an unfair
burden under the 1940 Act definition.
53
License
Agreement
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, our Advisor has
consented to our use on a non-exclusive, royalty-free basis, of
the name Tortoise in our name. We will have the
right to use the Tortoise name so long as our
Advisor or one of its approved affiliates remains our investment
adviser. Other than with respect to this limited right, we will
have no legal right to the Tortoise name. This right
will remain in effect for so long as the investment advisory
agreement with our Advisor is in effect and will automatically
terminate if the investment advisory agreement were to terminate
for any reason, including upon its assignment.
54
RISKS
Investing in our common shares 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. Therefore, before investing in our common shares you
should consider carefully the following risks. We are designed
primarily as a long-term investment vehicle, and our common
shares are not an appropriate investment for a short-term
trading strategy. An investment in our common shares should not
constitute a complete investment program for any investor and
involves a high degree of risk. Due to the uncertainty in all
investments, there can be no assurance that we will achieve our
investment objectives.
Risks
Related to Our Operations
No Operating History. We are a Maryland
corporation registered as a non-diversified, closed-end
management investment company under the 1940 Act. We are subject
to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with
any new business, including the risk that we will not achieve
our investment objectives and that the value of an investment in
our common shares could decline substantially and cause you to
lose some or all of your investment.
General Securities Risk. We expect to
invest in securities that may be subject to certain risks,
including:
Issuer Risk. The value of the
securities may decline for a number of reasons that directly
relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial
leverage and reduced demand for the issuers products and
services.
Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk
that a security in our portfolio will decline in price or the
issuer will fail to make dividend, interest or principal
payments when due because the issuer of the security experiences
a decline in its financial status. We may invest up to 25% of
our assets in fixed income securities that are rated
non-investment grade. Securities rated non-investment grade are
regarded as having predominately speculative characteristics
with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest and
repay principal, and these bonds are commonly referred to as
junk bonds. These securities are subject to a
greater risk of default.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk
is the risk that securities will decline in value because of
changes in market interest rates. When market interest rates
rise, the market value of certain income-generating securities
generally will fall.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk is
the risk that income from our portfolio will decline if we
invest the proceeds from matured or traded securities at market
interest rates that are below our portfolios current
earnings rate. A decline in income could affect the NAV of our
common shares or our overall return.
Call or Prepayment Risk. During periods
of declining interest rates, borrowers may exercise their option
to call or prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing us
to reinvest in lower yielding securities.
Valuation of Certain
Securities. Certain investments with limited
secondary markets may be difficult to value. Where market
quotations are not readily available, valuation may require more
research than for more liquid investments. In addition, elements
of judgment may play a greater role in valuation in such cases
than for investments with a more active secondary market because
there is less reliable objective data available. Please see
Valuation Risk.
Duration and Maturity Risk. We have no
set policy regarding the maturity or duration of any or all of
our securities. Holding long duration and long maturity
investments will magnify certain risks. These risks include
interest rate risk, credit risk and liquidity risks as discussed
above.
Current Capital Markets Environment
Risk. Global financial markets and economic
conditions have been, and continue to be, volatile due to a
variety of factors, including significant write-offs in the
financial services sector. The capital markets have experienced
periods of significant volatility since the latter half of 2007.
General market uncertainty has resulted in declines in
valuation, greater volatility and
55
less liquidity for a variety of securities. During times of
increased market volatility, we may not be able to sell
portfolio securities readily at prices reflecting the values at
which the securities are carried on our books. Sales of large
blocks of securities by market participants that are seeking
liquidity can further reduce prices in an illiquid market.
These market conditions have also resulted in widening credit
spreads and a lack of price transparency in a variety of credit
instruments, including fixed income securities. In such
conditions, valuation of certain fixed income portfolio
securities may be uncertain
and/or
result in sudden and significant valuation changes in our
holdings. Illiquidity and volatility in the credit markets may
directly and adversely affect the setting of distribution rates
on the common shares.
The cost of raising capital in the fixed income and equity
capital markets has increased substantially while the ability to
raise capital from those markets has diminished significantly.
In particular, as a result of concerns about the general
stability of financial markets and specifically the solvency of
lending counterparties, the cost of raising capital from the
credit markets generally has increased as many lenders and
institutional investors have increased interest rates, enacted
tighter lending standards, refused to refinance debt on existing
terms or at all and reduced, or in some cases ceased to provide,
funding to borrowers. In addition, lending counterparties under
existing revolving credit facilities and other debt instruments
may be unwilling or unable to meet their funding obligations.
Due to these factors, companies may be unable to obtain new debt
or equity financing on acceptable terms. If funding is not
available when needed, or is available only on unfavorable
terms, companies may not be able to meet their obligations as
they come due. Moreover, without adequate funding, companies may
be unable to execute their maintenance and growth strategies,
complete future acquisitions, take advantage of other business
opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which
could have a material adverse effect on their revenues and
results of operations.
The prolonged continuation or further deterioration of current
market conditions could adversely impact our portfolio.
Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities
Risk. We intend to invest a portion of our
assets in fixed income securities rated investment
grade by NRSROs or judged by our Advisor to be of
comparable credit quality. Although we do not intend to do so,
we may invest up to 100% in such securities. Investment grade
fixed income securities are rated Baa3 or higher by
Moodys, BBB- or higher by S&P, or BBB- or higher by
Fitch. Investment grade fixed income securities generally pay
yields above those of otherwise-comparable U.S. government
securities because they are subject to greater risks than
U.S. government securities, and yields that are below those
of non-investment grade fixed income securities, commonly
referred to as junk bonds, because they are
considered to be subject to fewer risks than non-investment
grade fixed income securities. Despite being considered to be
subject to fewer risks than junk bonds, investment grade fixed
income securities are, in fact, subject to risks, including
volatility, credit risk and risk of default, sensitivity to
general economic or industry conditions, potential lack of
resale opportunities (illiquidity), and additional expenses to
seek recovery from issuers who default. In addition, ratings are
relative and subjective and not absolute standards of quality,
and ratings do not assess the risk of a decline in market value.
Securities ratings are based largely on an issuers
historical financial condition and the NRSROs analysis at
the time of rating. Consequently, the rating assigned to any
particular fixed income security or instrument is not
necessarily a reflection of an issuers current financial
condition. In addition, NRSROs may make assumptions when rating
a fixed income security that turn out not to be correct, or may
base their ratings on information that is not correct, either of
which can result in a rating that is higher than would otherwise
be the case. It is also possible that NRSROs might not change
their ratings of a particular fixed income security to reflect
subsequent events on a timely basis. Subsequent to our purchase
of a fixed income security that is rated investment grade, the
fixed income security may cease to be rated or its rating may be
reduced, resulting in investment grade fixed income securities
becoming junk bonds. None of these events will require our sale
of such securities, although our Advisor will consider these
events in determining whether we should continue to hold the
securities.
MLP Risks. An investment in MLP
securities involves some risks that differ from the risks
involved in an investment in the common stock of a corporation.
Holders of MLP units have limited control and voting rights
56
on matters affecting the partnership. Holders of units issued by
an MLP are exposed to a remote possibility of liability for all
of the obligations of that MLP in the event that a court
determines that the rights of the holders of MLP units to vote
to remove or replace the general partner of that MLP, to approve
amendments to that MLPs partnership agreement, or to take
other action under the partnership agreement of that MLP would
constitute control of the business of that MLP, or a
court or governmental agency determines that the MLP is
conducting business in a state without complying with the
partnership statute of that state.
Holders of MLP units are also exposed to the risk that they will
be required to repay amounts to the MLP that are wrongfully
distributed to them. In addition, the value of our investment in
an MLP will depend largely on the MLPs treatment as a
partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If an MLP
does not meet current legal requirements to maintain partnership
status, or if it is unable to do so because of tax law changes,
it would be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. In that case, the MLP would be obligated to
pay income tax at the entity level and distributions received by
us generally would be taxed as dividend income. As a result,
there could be a material reduction in our cash flow and there
could be a material decrease in the value of our common shares.
Restricted Securities Risk. We will not
invest more than 15% of our total assets in restricted
securities that are ineligible for resale under Rule 144A,
all of which may be illiquid securities. Restricted securities
(including Rule 144A securities) are less liquid than
freely tradable securities because of statutory and contractual
restrictions on resale. Such securities are, therefore, unlike
freely tradable securities, which can be expected to be sold
immediately if the market is adequate. The illiquidity of these
investments may make it difficult for us to sell such
investments at advantageous times and prices or in a timely
manner. In addition, if for any reason we are required to
liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may
realize significantly less than the fair value at which we
previously have recorded our investments. To enable us to sell
our holdings of a restricted security not registered under the
1933 Act, in limited circumstances we may have the right to
cause some of those securities to be registered. If we have the
right to cause such registration, the expenses of registering
restricted securities may not be determined at the time we buy
the securities. When we must arrange registration because we
wish to sell the security, a considerable period may elapse
between the time the decision is made to sell a security and the
time the security is registered so that we could sell it. We
would bear the risks of any downward price fluctuation during
that period.
Rule 144A Securities Risk. The
Fund may purchase Rule 144A securities. Rule 144A
provides an exemption from the registration requirements of the
1933 Act for the resale of certain restricted securities to
qualified institutional buyers, such as the Fund. Securities
saleable among qualified institutional buyers pursuant to
Rule 144A will not be counted towards the 15% limitation on
restricted securities.
An insufficient number of qualified institutional buyers
interested in purchasing
Rule 144A-eligible
securities held by us, however, could affect adversely the
marketability of certain Rule 144A securities, and we might
be unable to dispose of such securities promptly or at
reasonable prices. To the extent that liquid Rule 144A
securities that the Fund holds become illiquid, due to the lack
of sufficient qualified institutional buyers or market or other
conditions, the percentage of the Funds assets invested in
illiquid assets would increase and the fair value of such
investments may become not readily determinable. In addition, if
for any reason we are required to liquidate all or a portion of
our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than
the fair value at which we previously recorded these investments.
Tax Risk. We intend to elect to be
treated, and to qualify each year, as a regulated
investment company under the Code. To maintain our
qualification for federal income tax purposes as a regulated
investment company under the Code, we must meet certain
source-of-income, asset diversification and annual distribution
requirements, as discussed in detail below under Certain
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations. If for any
taxable year we fail to qualify for the special federal income
tax treatment afforded to regulated investment companies, all of
our taxable income will be subject to federal income tax at
regular corporate rates (without any deduction for distributions
to our stockholders) and our income available for distribution
will be reduced. For additional information on the requirements
imposed on regulated investment companies and the consequences
of a failure to qualify, see Certain U.S. Federal
Income Tax Considerations below.
57
Equity Securities Risk. Equity
securities of entities that operate in the power and energy
infrastructure sectors can be affected by macroeconomic and
other factors affecting the stock market in general,
expectations about changes in interest rates, investor sentiment
towards such entities, changes in a particular issuers
financial condition, or unfavorable or unanticipated poor
performance of a particular issuer (in the case of MLPs,
generally measured in terms of distributions). Prices of equity
securities of individual entities also can be affected by
fundamentals unique to the company or partnership, including
earnings power and coverage ratios.
Power and energy infrastructure company equity prices are
primarily influenced by distribution growth rates and prospects
for distribution growth. Any of the foregoing risks could
substantially impact the ability of such an entity to grow its
distributions.
Non-investment Grade Fixed Income Securities
Risk. We will not invest more than 25% of our
total assets in fixed income securities rated non-investment
grade by NRSROs or unrated securities of comparable quality.
Non-investment grade securities are rated Ba1 or lower by
Moodys, BB+ or lower by S&P or BB or lower by Fitch
or, if unrated are determined by our Advisor to be of comparable
credit quality. Non-investment grade securities, also sometimes
referred to as junk bonds, generally pay a premium
above the yields of U.S. government securities or fixed
income securities of investment grade issuers because they are
subject to greater risks than these securities. These risks,
which reflect their speculative character, include the
following: greater volatility; greater credit risk and risk of
default; potentially greater sensitivity to general economic or
industry conditions; potential lack of attractive resale
opportunities (illiquidity); and additional expenses to seek
recovery from issuers who default.
In addition, the prices of these non-investment grade fixed
income securities are more sensitive to negative developments,
such as a decline in the issuers revenues or a general
economic downturn, than are the prices of higher grade
securities. Non-investment grade securities tend to be less
liquid than investment grade securities. The market value of
non-investment grade securities may be more volatile than the
market value of investment grade securities and generally tends
to reflect the markets perception of the creditworthiness
of the issuer and short-term market developments to a greater
extent than investment grade securities, which primarily reflect
fluctuations in general levels of interest rates.
Securities ratings are based largely on an issuers
historical financial condition and the NRSROs analysis at
the time of rating. Consequently, the rating assigned to any
particular fixed income security or instrument is not
necessarily a reflection of an issuers current financial
condition. In addition, NRSROs may make assumptions when rating
a fixed income security that turn out not to be correct, or may
base their ratings on information that is not correct, either of
which can result in a rating that is higher than would otherwise
be the case. It is also possible that NRSROs might not change
their ratings of a particular fixed income security to reflect
subsequent events on a timely basis. Subsequent to our purchase
of a fixed income security that is rated investment grade, the
fixed income security may cease to be rated or its rating may be
reduced, resulting in investment grade fixed income securities
becoming junk bonds. None of these events will require our sale
of such securities, although our Advisor will consider these
events in determining whether we should continue to hold the
securities.
The market for non-investment grade and comparable unrated
securities has experienced periods of significantly adverse
prices and liquidity several times, particularly at or around
times of economic recession. Past market recessions have
adversely affected the value of such securities as well as the
ability of certain issuers of such securities to repay principal
and to pay interest thereon or to refinance such securities. The
market for these securities may react in a similar fashion in
the future.
Non-U.S. Securities
Risk. We may invest up to 10% of our total
assets in securities issued by
non-U.S. issuers
(including Canadian issuers) and that otherwise meet our
investment objectives. This may include investments in the
securities of
non-U.S. issuers
that involve risks not ordinarily associated with investments in
securities and instruments of U.S. issuers. For example,
non-U.S. companies
are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and
financial standards and requirements comparable to those
applicable to U.S. companies.
Non-U.S. securities
exchanges, brokers and companies may be subject to less
government supervision and regulation than exists in the
U.S. Dividend and interest income may be subject to
withholding and other
non-U.S. taxes,
which may adversely affect the net return on such investments.
Because
58
one of our non-fundamental policies does not permit us to
invest more than 10% of our total assets in securities issued by
non-U.S. issuers
(including Canadian issuers), we will not be able to pass
through to our stockholders any foreign income tax credits as a
result of any foreign income taxes we pay. There may be
difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment abroad. In
addition, it may be difficult to effect repatriation of capital
invested in certain countries. In addition, with respect to
certain countries, there are risks of expropriation,
confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or
diplomatic developments that could affect our assets held in
non-U.S. countries.
There may be less publicly available information about a
non-U.S. company
than there is regarding a U.S. company.
Non-U.S. securities
markets may have substantially less volume than
U.S. securities markets and some
non-U.S. company
securities are less liquid than securities of otherwise
comparable U.S. companies.
Non-U.S. markets
also have different clearance and settlement procedures that
could cause us to encounter difficulties in purchasing and
selling securities on such markets and may result in our missing
attractive investment opportunities or experiencing a loss. In
addition, a portfolio that includes securities issued by
non-U.S. issuers
(including Canadian issuers) can expect to have a higher expense
ratio because of the increased transaction costs in
non-U.S. markets
and the increased costs of maintaining the custody of such
non-U.S. securities.
When investing in securities issued by
non-U.S. issuers
(including Canadian issuers), there is also the risk that the
value of such an investment, measured in U.S. dollars, will
decrease because of unfavorable changes in currency exchange
rates. We do not currently intend to reduce or hedge our
exposure to
non-U.S. currencies.
Such a decrease in the value of our investments when leverage is
outstanding may result in our having to reduce the amount of
leverage if our statutory or other asset coverage ratios fall
below required amounts. Such reduction of leverage may cause us
to recognize a loss on transactions undertaken to reduce our
leverage, resulting in a further decrease in our value.
Valuation Risk. The fair value of
certain of our investments may not be readily determinable. The
fair value of these securities will be determined pursuant to
methodologies established by our Board of Directors. While the
fair value of securities we acquire through direct placements
generally will be based on a discount from quoted market prices,
other factors may adversely affect our ability to determine the
fair value of such a security. Fair value pricing involves
judgments that are inherently subjective and inexact. Our
determination of fair value may differ materially from the
values that would have been used if a ready market for these
securities had existed. As a result, we may not be able to
dispose of our holdings at a price equal to or greater than the
fair value, which could have a negative impact on our NAV.
Fair value pricing involves judgments that are inherently
subjective and inexact. Our Advisor is subject to a conflict of
interest in determining the fair value of securities in our
portfolio, as the management fees we pay our Advisor are based
on the value of our average monthly Managed Assets. See
Management of the Fund Conflicts of
Interest.
Quarterly Results Risk. We could
experience fluctuations in our operating results due to a number
of factors, including the return on our investments, the level
of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition
of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which
we encounter competition in our markets and general economic
conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any period
should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in
future periods.
Leverage Risk. Our use of leverage
through borrowings or the issuance of preferred stock or fixed
income securities, and any other transactions involving
indebtedness (other than for temporary or emergency purposes)
would be considered senior securities for purposes
of the 1940 Act. Under normal circumstances, we will not employ
leverage above 20% of our total assets at time of incurrence.
Leverage is a speculative technique that may adversely affect
common stockholders. If the return on securities acquired with
borrowed funds or other leverage proceeds does not exceed the
cost of the leverage, the use of leverage could cause us to lose
money. Because our Advisors fee is based upon a percentage
of our Managed Assets, our Advisors fee is higher when we
are leveraged. Therefore, our Advisor has a financial incentive
to use leverage, which will create a conflict of interest
between our Advisor and our common stockholders, who will bear
the costs of our leverage. Successful use of leverage depends on
our Advisors ability
59
to predict or to hedge correctly interest rates and market
movements, and there is no assurance that the use of a
leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in
which it is used.
We will pay (and the holders of our common shares will bear) all
costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing
maintenance of the senior securities, including higher advisory
fees. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that the issuance of
senior securities will result in a higher yield or return to the
holders of our common shares. Costs of the offering of senior
securities will be borne immediately by our common stockholders
and result in a reduction of net asset value of our common
shares. See Leverage.
Hedging Strategy Risk. We may in the
future use interest rate swap transactions, for hedging purposes
only, in an attempt to reduce the interest rate risk arising
from our leveraged capital structure. Interest rate swap
transactions that we may use for hedging purposes will expose us
to certain risks that differ from the risks associated with our
portfolio holdings. Economic costs of hedging are reflected in
the price of interest rate swaps, floors, caps and similar
techniques, the costs of which can be significant, particularly
when long-term interest rates are substantially above short-term
interest rates. In addition, our success in using hedging
instruments is subject to our Advisors ability correctly
to predict changes in the relationships of such hedging
instruments to our leverage risk, and there can be no assurance
that our Advisors judgment in this respect will be
accurate. Consequently, the use of hedging transactions might
result in reduced overall performance, whether or not adjusted
for risk, than if we had not engaged in such transactions.
Depending on the state of interest rates in general, our use of
interest rate swap transactions could increase or decrease the
cash available to us for payment of dividends or interest, as
the case may be. We will, however, accrue the amount of our
obligations under any interest rate transactions and designate
on our books and records with our custodian, an amount of cash
or liquid high grade securities having an aggregate net asset
value at all times at least equal to that amount. To the extent
there is a decline in interest rates, the value of interest rate
swaps or caps could decline and result in a decline in the NAV
of our common shares. In addition, if the counterparty to an
interest rate swap transaction defaults, we would not be able to
use the anticipated net receipts under the interest rate swap or
cap to offset our cost of financial leverage.
Liquidity Risk. Although some of the
securities in which we invest may trade on the NYSE, NYSE
Alternext US and the NASDAQ Market, certain of those securities
may trade less frequently than those of larger companies that
have larger market capitalizations. Additionally, certain
securities may not trade on such exchanges (e.g., Rule 144A
securities for which there generally is a secondary market of
qualified institutional buyers) or may be unregistered
and/or
subject to
lock-up
periods (e.g., securities purchased in direct placements). The
potential illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult
for us to sell such investments at advantageous times and prices
or in a timely manner. In the event certain securities
experience limited trading volumes, the prices of such
securities may display abrupt or erratic movements at times. In
addition, it may be more difficult for us to buy and sell
significant amounts of such securities without an unfavorable
impact on prevailing market prices. As a result, these
securities may be difficult to sell at a favorable price at the
times when we believe it is desirable to do so. Investment of
our capital in securities that are less actively traded (or over
time experience decreased trading volume) may restrict our
ability to take advantage of other market opportunities or to
sell those securities. This also may affect adversely our
ability to make required interest payments on our debt
securities and distributions on any of our preferred stock, to
redeem such securities, or to meet asset coverage requirements.
Non-Diversification Risk. We are
registered as a non-diversified, closed-end management
investment company under the 1940 Act. Accordingly, there are no
regulatory limits under the 1940 Act on the number or size of
securities that we hold, and we may invest more assets in fewer
issuers compared to a diversified fund. However, in order to
qualify as a RIC for federal income tax purposes, we must
diversify our holdings so that, at the end of each quarter
(i) at least 50% of the value of our total assets is
represented by cash and cash items, U.S. Government
securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities,
with such other securities limited for purposes of such
calculation, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not
greater than 5% of the value of our total assets and not more
than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer,
and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of our total assets
is invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than
U.S. Government securities or the securities of other
RICs), the securities (other than the securities of other RICs)
of any two or
60
more issuers that we control and that are engaged in the same
trade or business or similar or related trades or businesses, or
the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded
partnerships (which includes MLPs). An inherent risk associated
with any investment concentration is that we may be adversely
affected if one or two of our investments perform poorly.
Financial difficulty on the part of any single portfolio company
would then expose us to a greater risk of loss than would be the
case if we were a diversified company holding
numerous investments.
Given our contemplated investments in MLPs and other entities
that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income
tax purposes, compliance with the qualifying income and asset
diversification tests applicable to RICs presents unusual
challenges and will require careful, ongoing monitoring. The
Advisor has experience monitoring such investments and will
apply that experience to our investment portfolio. There can be
no assurance, however, that the Advisor will succeed under all
circumstances in ensuring that we meet the requirements for RIC
status, particularly given that certain determinations, such as
whether a security in which we invest constitutes debt or equity
for tax purposes, may not be free from doubt.
Unidentified Investments Risk. We have
not entered into definitive agreements for any specific
investments in which we will invest the net proceeds of this
offering. As a result, you will not be able to evaluate the
economic merits of investments we make with the net proceeds of
this offering prior to your purchase of common shares in this
offering. We will have significant flexibility in investing the
net proceeds of this offering and may make investments with
which you do not agree or do not believe are consistent with our
targeted investment characteristics.
Competition Risk. There are a number of
alternatives to us as vehicles for investment in a portfolio of
companies operating primarily in the power and energy
infrastructure sectors, including publicly traded investment
companies and private equity funds. In addition, recent tax law
changes have increased the ability of RICs or other institutions
to invest in MLPs. These competitive conditions may adversely
impact our ability to meet our investment objectives, which in
turn could adversely impact our ability to make interest or
distribution payments on any securities we may issue. Some of
our competitors may have a lower cost of borrowing funds than we
have, greater access to funding sources not available to us, or
a less stringent set of regulatory constraints than those
applicable to us.
Performance Risk. We intend to make
regular cash distributions, no less than monthly, of all or
substantially all of our investment income (other than long-term
capital gains) to common stockholders. We intend to pay common
stockholders, at least annually, all or substantially all of our
long-term capital gains. We may not be able to achieve operating
results that will allow us to make distributions at a specific
level or to increase the amount of these distributions from time
to time. In addition, the 1940 Act may limit our ability to make
distributions in certain circumstances. See
Distributions. Restrictions and provisions in any
future credit facilities and fixed income securities may also
limit our ability to make distributions. For federal income tax
purposes, we are required to distribute substantially all of our
net investment income each year both to reduce our federal
income tax liability and to avoid a potential excise tax. If our
ability to make distributions on our common shares is limited,
such limitations could, under certain circumstances, impair our
ability to maintain our qualification for taxation as a RIC,
which would have adverse consequences for our stockholders. See
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.
We cannot assure you that you will receive distributions at a
particular level or at all. The equity securities in which we
invest may not appreciate or may decline in value. The fixed
income or preferred equity securities in which we invest may not
make all required payments. Any gains that we do realize on the
disposition of any securities may not be sufficient to offset
losses on other securities. A significant decline in the value
of the securities in which we invest may negatively impact our
ability to pay distributions or cause you to lose all or a part
of your investment.
Legal and Regulatory Change Risks. The
regulatory environment for closed-end companies is evolving, and
changes in the regulation of closed-end companies may adversely
affect the value of our investments, our ability to obtain the
leverage that we might otherwise obtain, or to pursue our
trading strategy. In addition, the securities markets are
subject to comprehensive statutes and regulations. The SEC,
other regulators and self-regulatory organizations and exchanges
are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of
market emergencies. The effect of any future regulatory change
on us could be substantial and adverse.
61
Management Risk. Our Advisor was formed
in October 2002 to provide portfolio management services to
institutional and
high-net
worth investors seeking professional management of their MLP
investments. Our Advisor has been managing investments in
portfolios of MLPs and other energy infrastructure companies
since that time, including management of the investments of four
publicly traded closed-end management investment companies, one
of which has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940
Act, and the management of the investments of two privately-held
funds. Our investments and those of the other funds managed by
our Advisor are managed by our Advisors investment
committee and we share many of the same officers as those funds.
Concentration Risk. The Funds
strategy of concentrating in power and energy infrastructure
investments means that the performance of the Fund will be
closely tied to the performance of these particular market
sectors. The Funds concentrations in these investments may
present more risk than if it were broadly diversified over
numerous industries and sectors of the economy. A downturn in
these investments would have a greater impact on the Fund than
on a fund that does not concentrate in such investments. At
times, the performance of these investments may lag the
performance of other industries or the market as a whole.
Conflicts Risk. Conflicts of interest
may arise because our Advisor and its affiliates generally will
be carrying on substantial investment activities for other
clients in which we will have no interest. Our Advisor may have
financial incentives to favor certain of such accounts over us.
Any of its proprietary accounts and other customer accounts may
compete with us for specific trades. Our Advisor may buy or sell
securities for us that differ from securities bought or sold for
other accounts and customers, although their investment
objectives and policies may be similar to ours. Situations may
occur in which we could be disadvantaged because of the
investment activities conducted by our Advisor for its other
accounts. Such situations may be based on, among other things,
legal or internal restrictions on the combined size of positions
that may be taken for us and the other accounts, thereby
limiting the size of our position, or the difficulty of
liquidating an investment for us and the other accounts where
the market cannot absorb the sale of the combined position. Our
Advisor may also have an incentive to make investments in one
fund, having the effect of increasing the value of a security in
the same issuer held by another fund, which in turn may result
in an incentive fee being paid to our Advisor by that other fund.
Our investment opportunities may be limited by affiliations of
our Advisor or its affiliates with power or energy
infrastructure companies. In addition, to the extent our Advisor
sources, contemplates, structures, or makes private investments
in power or energy infrastructure companies, certain employees
of our Advisor may become aware of actions planned by such
companies, such as acquisitions, that may not be announced to
the public. It is possible that we could be precluded from
investing in a power or energy infrastructure company about
which our Advisor has material nonpublic information.
Our investment opportunities may be limited by investment
opportunities in companies that our Advisor is evaluating for
other clients. To the extent a potential investment is
appropriate for us and one or more other clients, our Advisor
will need to fairly allocate that investment to us or the other
client, or both, depending on its allocation procedures and
applicable law related to combined or joint transactions. There
may arise an attractive limited investment opportunity suitable
for us in which we cannot invest under the particular allocation
method being used for that investment.
Under the 1940 Act, we and our affiliated companies are
generally precluded from co-investing in negotiated private
placements of securities. Except as permitted by law, our
Advisor will not co-invest its other clients assets in
negotiated private transactions in which we invest. To the
extent we are precluded from co-investing, our Advisor will
allocate private investment opportunities among its clients,
including but not limited to us and our affiliated companies,
based on allocation policies that take into account several
suitability factors, including the size of the investment
opportunity, the amount each client has available for investment
and the clients investment objectives. These allocation
policies may result in the allocation of investment
opportunities to an affiliated company rather than to us.
The Advisor and its principals, officers, employees, and
affiliates may buy and sell securities or other investments for
their own accounts and may have actual or potential conflicts of
interest with respect to investments made on our behalf. As a
result of differing trading and investment strategies or
constraints, positions may be taken by principals, officers,
employees, and affiliates of the Advisor that are the same as,
62
different from, or made at a different time than positions taken
for us. Further, the Advisor may at some time in the future,
manage other investment funds with the same investment objective
as ours.
Risks
Related to Investing in the Power and Energy Infrastructure
Sectors
Under normal circumstances, we plan to invest at least 80% of
our total assets (including assets we obtain through leverage)
in the securities of companies that derive more than 50% of
their revenue from power or energy infrastructure operations.
Our focus on the power and energy infrastructure sectors may
present more risks than if it were broadly diversified over
numerous sectors of the economy. Therefore, a downturn in the
power and energy infrastructure sectors would have a larger
impact on us than on an investment company that does not
concentrate in these sectors. Specific risks of investing in the
power and energy infrastructure sectors include the following:
Interest Rate Risk. A rising interest
rate environment could adversely impact the performance of
companies in the power and energy infrastructure sectors. Rising
interest rates may increase the cost of capital for companies
operating in these sectors. A higher cost of capital could limit
growth from acquisition or expansion projects, limit the ability
of such entities to make or grow distributions or meet debt
obligations, and adversely affect the prices of their securities.
Credit Rating Downgrade Risk. Power and
energy infrastructure companies rely on access to capital
markets as a source of liquidity for capital requirements not
satisfied by operating cash flows. Credit downgrades in the
companies in which we invest may impact their ability to raise
capital on favorable terms and increase their borrowing costs.
Terrorism and Natural Disasters
Risk. Power and energy infrastructure
companies, and the market for their securities, are subject to
disruption as a result of terrorist activities, such as the
terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on
September 11, 2001; war, such as the war in Iraq and its
aftermath; and other geopolitical events, including upheaval in
the Middle East or other energy producing regions. The
U.S. government has issued warnings that energy assets,
specifically those related to pipeline infrastructure,
production facilities, and transmission and distribution
facilities, might be specific targets of terrorist activity.
Such events have led, and in the future may lead, to short-term
market volatility and may have long-term effects on the power
and energy infrastructure sectors and markets. Such events may
also adversely affect our business and financial condition.
Natural risks, such as earthquakes, flood, lighting, hurricane
and wind, are inherent risks in power and energy infrastructure
company operations. For example, extreme weather patterns, such
as Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in
2005, or the threat thereof, could result in substantial damage
to the facilities of certain companies located in the affected
areas and significant volatility in the supply of power and
energy and could adversely impact the prices of the securities
in which we invest. This volatility may create fluctuations in
commodity prices and earnings of companies in the power and
energy infrastructure sectors.
Power Infrastructure Company
Risk. Companies operating in the power
infrastructure sector also are subject to additional risks,
including those discussed below. To the extent that any of these
risks materialize for a company whose securities are in our
portfolio, the value of these securities could decline and our
net asset value and share price could be adversely affected.
Operating Risk. The operation of asset
systems that provide electric power generation (including
renewable energy), transmission and distribution involves many
risks, including:
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment failure causing outages;
|
|
|
|
Transmission or transportation constraints, inoperability or
inefficiencies;
|
|
|
|
Dependence on a specified fuel source, including the
transportation of fuel;
|
|
|
|
Changes in electricity and fuel usage;
|
|
|
|
Availability of competitively priced alternative energy sources;
|
|
|
|
Changes in generation efficiency and market heat rates;
|
63
|
|
|
|
|
Lack of sufficient capital to maintain facilities;
|
|
|
|
Seasonality;
|
|
|
|
Changes in supply and demand for energy commodities;
|
|
|
|
Catastrophic events such as fires, explosions, floods,
earthquakes, hurricanes and similar occurrences;
|
|
|
|
Structural, maintenance, impairment and safety problems and
storage, handling, disposal and decommissioning costs associated
with operating nuclear generating facilities; and
|
|
|
|
Environmental compliance.
|
Any of these risks could have an adverse effect on a company
with power infrastructure operations and its securities.
Additionally, older generating equipment may require significant
capital expenditures to keep them operating at peak efficiency.
This equipment is more likely to require periodic upgrading and
improvement. Breakdown or failure of an operating facility may
prevent the facility from performing under applicable power
sales agreements, which in certain situations, could result in
termination of the agreement or incurring a liability for
liquidated damages. A companys ability to successfully and
timely complete capital improvements to existing facilities or
other capital projects is contingent upon many variables. Should
any such efforts be unsuccessful, a power infrastructure company
could be subject to additional costs and / or the
write-off of its investment in the project or improvement. Any
of these costs could adversely affect the value of securities in
our portfolio.
As a result of the above risks and other potential hazards
associated with the power infrastructure sector, certain
companies may become exposed to significant liabilities for
which they may not have adequate insurance coverage.
Regulatory Risk. Issuers in the power
infrastructure sector may be subject to regulation by various
governmental authorities in various jurisdictions and may be
affected by the imposition of special tariffs and changes in tax
laws, regulatory policies and accounting standards. Power
infrastructure companies inability to predict, influence
or respond appropriately to changes in law or regulatory
schemes, including any inability to obtain expected or
contracted increases in electricity tariff rates or tariff
adjustments for increased expenses, could adversely impact their
results of operations. Furthermore, changes in laws or
regulations or changes in the application or interpretation of
regulatory provisions in jurisdictions where power
infrastructure companies operate, particularly utilities where
electricity tariffs are subject to regulatory review or
approval, could adversely affect their business, including, but
not limited to:
|
|
|
|
|
changes in the determination, definition or classification of
costs to be included as reimbursable or pass-through costs;
|
|
|
|
changes in the definition or determination of controllable or
non-controllable costs;
|
|
|
|
changes in the definition of events which may or may not qualify
as changes in economic equilibrium;
|
|
|
|
changes in the timing of tariff increases; or
|
|
|
|
other changes in the regulatory determinations under the
relevant concessions.
|
Any of the above events may result in lower margins for the
affected businesses, which can adversely affect the operations
of a power infrastructure company and hence the value of
securities in our portfolio.
Prices for certain power infrastructure companies are regulated
in the U.S. with the intention of protecting the public
while ensuring that the rate of return earned by such companies
is sufficient to allow them to attract capital in order to grow
and continue to provide appropriate services. The rates assessed
for these rate-regulated power infrastructure companies by state
and certain city regulators are generally
64
subject to cost-of-service regulation and annual earnings
oversight. This regulatory treatment does not provide any
assurance as to achievement of earnings levels. Such rates are
generally regulated based on an analysis of a companys
costs and capital structure, as reviewed and approved in a
regulatory proceeding. While rate regulation is premised on the
full recovery of prudently incurred costs and a reasonable rate
of return on invested capital, there can be no assurance that
the regulators will judge all of a power infrastructure
companys costs to have been prudently incurred, that the
regulators will not reduce the amount of invested capital
included in the capital structure that the power infrastructure
companys rates are based upon or that the regulatory
process in which rates are determined will always result in
rates that will produce full recovery of a power infrastructure
companys costs, including regulatory assets reported in
the balance sheet, and the return on invested capital allowed by
the regulators.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Risk. FERC ruled in 2008 that it has
jurisdiction under the FPA over the acquisition of certain power
infrastructure company securities by investment advisers that
are themselves public utility holding companies as defined under
PUHCA 2005. The Fund could become subject to FERCs
jurisdiction if it is deemed to be a holding company of a public
utility company or of a holding company of a public utility
company, and the Fund may be required to aggregate securities
held by the Fund or other funds and accounts managed by our
Advisor and its affiliates. A company is a holding company
within the meaning of PUHCA 2005 and the FPA if it directly or
indirectly owns, controls, or holds, with power to vote,
10 percent or more of the outstanding voting securities of
a public utility company or of a holding company of any public
utility company. In general, a holding company under the FPA may
not purchase, acquire or take a security or securities valued in
excess of $10 million of any other public utility company
or of a public utility holding company unless FERC has approved
the transaction or an exemption or waiver is available.
Accordingly, the Fund may be prohibited from buying securities
of a public utility company or of a holding company of any
public utility company or may be forced to divest itself of such
securities because of other holdings by the Fund or other funds
or accounts managed by our Advisor and its affiliates.
Environmental Risk. Power
infrastructure company activities are subject to stringent
environmental laws and regulation by many federal, state, local
authorities, international treaties and foreign governmental
authorities. These regulations generally involve emissions into
the air, effluents into the water, use of water, wetlands
preservation, waste disposal, endangered species and noise
regulation, among others. Failure to comply with such laws and
regulations or to obtain any necessary environmental permits
pursuant to such laws and regulations could result in fines or
other sanctions. Environmental laws and regulations affecting
power generation and distribution are complex and have tended to
become more stringent over time. Congress and other domestic and
foreign governmental authorities have either considered or
implemented various laws and regulations to restrict or tax
certain emissions, particularly those involving air and water
emissions. Existing environmental regulations could be revised
or reinterpreted, new laws and regulations could be adopted or
become applicable, and future changes in environmental laws and
regulations could occur, including potential regulatory and
enforcement developments related to air emissions.
These laws and regulations have imposed, and proposed laws and
regulations could impose in the future, additional costs on the
operation of power plants. Power infrastructure companies have
made and will likely continue to make significant capital and
other expenditures to comply with these and other environmental
laws and regulations. Changes in, or new, environmental
restrictions may force power infrastructure companies to incur
significant expenses or expenses that may exceed their
estimates. There can be no assurance that such companies would
be able to recover all or any increased environmental costs from
their customers or that their business, financial condition or
results of operations would not be materially and adversely
affected by such expenditures or any changes in domestic or
foreign environmental laws and regulations, in which case the
value of these companies securities in our portfolio could
be adversely affected.
Power infrastructure companies may not be able to obtain or
maintain all required environmental regulatory approvals. If
there is a delay in obtaining any required environmental
regulatory approvals or if a power infrastructure company fails
to obtain, maintain or comply with any such approval, the
operation of its facilities could be stopped or become subject
to additional costs. In addition, a power infrastructure
65
company may be responsible for any
on-site
liabilities associated with the environmental condition of
facilities that it has acquired, leased or developed, regardless
of when the liabilities arose and whether they are known or
unknown.
Competition Risk. The power
infrastructure sector is characterized by numerous strong and
capable competitors, many of which may have extensive and
diversified developmental or operating experience (including
both domestic and international experience) and financial
resources. Further, in recent years, the power infrastructure
sector has been characterized by strong and increasing
competition with respect to both obtaining power sales
agreements and acquiring existing power generation assets. In
certain markets these factors have caused reductions in prices
contained in new power sales agreements and, in many cases, have
caused higher acquisition prices for existing assets through
competitive bidding practices. The evolution of competitive
electricity markets and the development of highly efficient
gas-fired power plants have also caused, or are anticipated to
cause, price pressure in certain power markets.
Energy Infrastructure Company
Risk. Companies operating in the energy
infrastructure sector also are subject to additional risks,
including those described below. To the extent that any of these
risks materialize for a company whose securities are in our
portfolio, the value of these securities could decline and our
net asset value and share price would be adversely affected.
Pipeline Company Risk. Pipeline
companies are subject to many risks, including varying demand
for crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids or refined
products in the markets served by the pipeline; changes in the
availability of products for gathering, transportation,
processing or sale due to natural declines in reserves and
production in the supply areas serviced by the companies
facilities; sharp decreases in crude oil or natural gas prices
that cause producers to curtail production or reduce capital
spending for exploration activities; and environmental
regulation. Demand for gasoline, which accounts for a
substantial portion of refined product transportation, depends
on price, prevailing economic conditions in the markets served,
and demographic and seasonal factors.
Gathering and Processing Company
Risk. Gathering and processing companies are
subject to many risks, including declines in production of crude
oil and natural gas fields, which utilize their gathering and
processing facilities as a way to market the gas, prolonged
depression in the price of natural gas or crude oil refining,
which curtails production due to lack of drilling activity, and
declines in the prices of natural gas liquids and refined
petroleum products, resulting in lower processing margins.
Propane Company Risk. Propane companies
are subject to many risks, including earnings variability based
upon weather patterns in the locations where the company
operates and the wholesale cost of propane sold to end
customers. Midstream propane companies unit prices are
largely based on safety in distribution coverage ratios, the
interest rate environment and, to a lesser extent, distribution
growth. In addition, propane companies are facing increased
competition due to the growing availability of natural gas, fuel
oil and alternative energy sources for residential heating.
Supply and Demand Risk. A decrease
in the production of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude
oil, coal, refined petroleum products or other energy
commodities, or a decrease in the volume of such commodities
available for transportation, processing, storage or
distribution, may adversely impact the financial performance of
companies in the energy infrastructure sector. Production
declines and volume decreases could be caused by various
factors, including catastrophic events affecting production,
depletion of resources, labor difficulties, political events,
OPEC actions, environmental proceedings, increased regulations,
equipment failures and unexpected maintenance problems, failure
to obtain necessary permits, unscheduled outages, unanticipated
expenses, inability to successfully carry out new construction
or acquisitions, import supply disruption, increased competition
from alternative energy sources or related commodity prices.
Alternatively, a sustained decline in demand for such
commodities could also adversely affect the financial
performance of companies in the energy infrastructure sector.
Factors that could lead to a decline in demand include economic
recession or other adverse economic conditions, higher fuel
taxes or governmental regulations, increases in fuel economy,
consumer shifts to the use of alternative fuel sources, changes
in commodity prices or weather. The length and severity of the
current recession and its impact on companies in the energy
infrastructure sector, cannot be determined.
66
The profitability of companies engaged in processing and
pipeline activities may be materially impacted by the volume of
natural gas or other energy commodities available for
transporting, processing, storing or distributing. A significant
decrease in the production of natural gas, oil, coal or other
energy commodities, due to a decline in production from existing
facilities, import supply disruption, depressed commodity prices
or otherwise, would reduce revenue and operating income of such
entities.
Price Volatility Risk. The volatility
of energy commodity prices can indirectly affect certain
entities that operate in the midstream segment of the energy
infrastructure sector due to the impact of prices on the volume
of commodities transported, processed, stored or distributed.
Most energy infrastructure entities are not subject to direct
commodity price exposure because they do not own the underlying
energy commodity. Nonetheless, the price of an energy
infrastructure security can be adversely affected by the
perception that the performance of all such entities is directly
tied to commodity prices.
Competition Risk. Even if reserves
exist in areas accessed by the facilities of transporting and
processing energy infrastructure companies, they may not be
chosen by producers to gather, transport, process, fractionate,
store or otherwise handle the natural gas, natural gas liquids,
crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal that are produced.
They compete with others on the basis of many factors, including
but not limited to geographic proximity to the production, costs
of connection, available capacity, rates and access to markets.
Regulatory Risk. Energy infrastructure
companies are subject to significant federal, state and local
government regulation in virtually every aspect of their
operations, including how facilities are constructed, maintained
and operated, environmental and safety controls, and the prices
they may charge for the products and services they provide.
Various governmental authorities have the power to enforce
compliance with these regulations and the permits issued under
them, and violators are subject to administrative, civil and
criminal penalties, including fines, injunctions or both.
Stricter laws, regulations or enforcement policies could be
enacted in the future which would likely increase compliance
costs and may adversely affect the financial performance of
energy infrastructure companies.
Energy infrastructure companies engaged in interstate pipeline
transportation of natural gas, refined petroleum products and
other products are subject to regulation by the FERC with
respect to tariff rates these companies may charge for pipeline
transportation services. An adverse determination by the FERC
with respect to the tariff rates of an energy infrastructure
company could have a material adverse effect on its business,
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and
its ability to make cash distributions to its equity owners. In
May 2005, FERC issued a policy statement that pipelines,
including those organized as partnerships, can include in
computing their cost of service a tax allowance to reflect
actual or potential tax liability on their public utility income
attributable to all entities or individuals owning public
utility assets, if the pipeline establishes that the entities or
individuals have an actual or potential income tax liability on
such income. Whether a pipelines owners have such actual
or potential income tax liability will be reviewed by FERC on a
case-by-case
basis. If an MLP is unable to establish that its unitholders are
subject to U.S. federal income taxation on the income
generated by the MLP, FERC could disallow a substantial portion
of the MLPs income tax allowance. If FERC were to disallow
a substantial portion of the MLPs income tax allowance,
the level of maximum tariff rates the MLP could lawfully charge
could be lower than the MLP had been charging prior to such
ruling or could be lower than the MLPs actual costs to
operate the pipeline. In either case, the MLP would be adversely
affected.
Risks
Related to this Offering
Share Price Volatility Risk. The
trading price of our common shares following this offering may
fluctuate substantially. The price of the common shares that
will prevail in the market after this offering may be higher or
lower than the price you pay and the liquidity of our common
shares may be limited, in each case depending on many factors,
some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly
related to our operating performance. These factors include the
following:
|
|
|
|
|
changes in the value of our portfolio of investments;
|
|
|
|
price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from
time to time;
|
67
|
|
|
|
|
significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of
securities of similar investment companies;
|
|
|
|
our dependence on the power and energy infrastructure sectors;
|
|
|
|
our inability to deploy or invest our capital;
|
|
|
|
fluctuations in interest rates;
|
|
|
|
any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses
from levels expected by investors or securities analysts;
|
|
|
|
operating performance of companies comparable to us;
|
|
|
|
changes in regulatory policies with respect to investment
companies;
|
|
|
|
our ability to borrow money or obtain additional capital;
|
|
|
|
losing RIC status under the Code;
|
|
|
|
actual or anticipated changes in our earnings or fluctuations in
our operating results or changes in the expectations of
securities analysts;
|
|
|
|
general economic conditions and trends; or
|
|
|
|
departures of key personnel.
|
Market Risk. Before this offering,
there was no public trading market for our common shares. We
cannot predict the prices at which our common shares will trade.
The IPO price for our common shares will be determined through
our negotiations with the underwriters and may not bear any
relationship to the market price at which it will trade after
this offering or to any other established criteria of our value.
Shares of companies offered in an IPO often trade at a discount
to the IPO price due to sales load (underwriting discount) and
related offering expenses.
In addition, shares of closed-end investment companies have in
the past frequently traded at discounts to their NAV and our
stock may also be discounted in the market. This characteristic
is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that our NAV could
decrease as a result of our investment activities and may be
greater for investors expecting to sell their shares in a
relatively short period following completion of this offering.
We cannot assure you whether our common shares will trade above,
at or below our NAV. Whether investors will realize gains or
losses upon the sale of our common shares will depend entirely
upon whether the market price of our common shares at the time
of sale is above or below the investors purchase price for
our common shares. Because the market price of our common shares
is affected by factors such as NAV, distribution levels (which
are dependant, in part, on expenses), supply of and demand for
our common shares, stability of distributions, trading volume of
our common shares, general market and economic conditions, and
other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict whether our
common shares will trade at, below or above NAV or at, below or
above the offering price. In addition, if our common shares
trade below their NAV, we will generally not be able to issue
additional common shares at their market price without first
obtaining the approval of our stockholders and our independent
directors to such issuance.
Dilution Risk. If you purchase our
common shares in this offering, the price that you pay will be
greater than the NAV per common share immediately following this
offering. This is in large part due to the expenses incurred by
us in connection with the consummation of this offering. The
voting power of current stockholders will be diluted to the
extent that such stockholders do not purchase shares in any
future common stock offerings or do not purchase sufficient
shares to maintain their percentage interest. In addition, if we
sell shares of common stock below NAV, our NAV will fall
immediately after such issuance.
Takeover Risk. The Maryland General
Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws contain provisions
that may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or making
difficult a change in control of the Fund or the removal of our
incumbent directors. We will be covered by the Business
Combination Act of the Maryland General Corporation Law to the
extent that such statute is not superseded by applicable
requirements of the
68
1940 Act. However, our Board of Directors has adopted a
resolution exempting us from the Business Combination Act for
any business combination between us and any person to the extent
that such business combination receives the prior approval of
our Board of Directors, including a majority of our directors
who are not interested persons as defined in the 1940 Act.
Under our charter, our Board of Directors is divided into three
classes serving staggered terms, which will make it more
difficult for a hostile bidder to acquire control of us. In
addition, our Board of Directors may, without stockholder
action, authorize the issuance of shares of stock in one or more
classes or series, including preferred stock. See
Description of Capital Stock. Subject to compliance
with the 1940 Act, our Board of Directors may, without
stockholder action, amend our charter to increase the number of
shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to
issue. The existence of these provisions, among others, may have
a negative impact on the price of our common shares and may
discourage third-party bids for ownership of our Fund. These
provisions may prevent any premiums being offered to you for our
common shares.
69
NET ASSET
VALUE
We will determine and publish the NAV of our common shares on at
least a monthly basis and at such other times as our Board of
Directors may determine. The NAV per common share equals our NAV
divided by the number of outstanding common shares. Our NAV
equals the value of our total assets (the value of the
securities held plus cash or other assets, including interest
accrued but not yet received) less: (i) all of our
liabilities (including accrued expenses); (ii) accumulated
and unpaid dividends on any outstanding preferred stock;
(iii) the aggregate liquidation preference of any
outstanding preferred stock; (iv) accrued and unpaid
interest payments on any outstanding indebtedness; (v) the
aggregate principal amount of any outstanding indebtedness; and
(vi) any distributions payable on our common stock.
We will determine fair value of our assets and liabilities in
accordance with valuation procedures adopted by our Board of
Directors. Securities for which market quotations are readily
available shall be valued at market value. If a
market value cannot be obtained or if our Advisor determines
that the value of a security as so obtained does not represent a
fair value as of the measurement date (due to a significant
development subsequent to the time its price is determined or
otherwise), fair value for the security shall be determined
pursuant to the methodologies established by our Board of
Directors.
|
|
|
|
|
The fair value for equity securities and equity-related
securities is determined by using readily available market
quotations from the principal market. For equity and
equity-related securities that are freely tradable and listed on
a securities exchange or over the counter market, fair value is
determined using the last sale price on that exchange or
over-the-counter market on the measurement date. If the security
is listed on more than one exchange, we will use the price of
the exchange that we consider to be the principal exchange on
which the security is traded. If a security is traded on the
measurement date, then the last reported sale price on the
exchange or over-the-counter (OTC) market on which
the security is principally traded, up to the time of valuation,
is used. If there were no reported sales on the securitys
principal exchange or OTC market on the measurement date, then
the average between the last bid price and last asked price, as
reported by the pricing service, shall be used. We will obtain
direct written broker-dealer quotations if a security is not
traded on an exchange or quotations are not available from an
approved pricing service.
|
|
|
|
An equity security of a publicly traded company acquired in a
private placement transaction without registration is subject to
restrictions on resale that can affect the securitys
liquidity and fair value. Such securities that are convertible
into publicly traded common shares or securities that may be
sold pursuant to Rule 144, shall generally be valued based
on the fair value of the freely tradable common share
counterpart less an applicable discount. Generally, the discount
will initially be equal to the discount at which we purchased
the securities. To the extent that such securities are
convertible or otherwise become freely tradable within a time
frame that may be reasonably determined, an amortization
schedule may be determined for the discount.
|
|
|
|
Fixed income securities (other than the short-term securities as
described below) are valued by (i) using readily available
market quotations based upon the last updated sale price or a
market value from an approved pricing service generated by a
pricing matrix based upon yield data for securities with similar
characteristics or (ii) by obtaining a direct written
broker-dealer quotation from a dealer who has made a market in
the security.
|
|
|
|
A fixed income security acquired in a private placement
transaction without registration is subject to restrictions on
resale that can affect the securitys liquidity and fair
value. Among the various factors that can affect the value of a
privately placed security are (i) whether the issuing
company has freely trading fixed income securities of the same
maturity and interest rate (either through an initial public
offering or otherwise); (ii) whether the company has an
effective registration statement in place for the securities;
and (iii) whether a market is made in the securities. The
securities normally will be valued at amortized cost unless the
portfolio companys condition or other factors lead to a
determination of fair value at a different amount.
|
70
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term securities, including bonds, notes, debentures and
other fixed income securities, and money market instruments such
as certificates of deposit, commercial paper, bankers
acceptances and obligations of domestic and foreign banks, with
remaining maturities of 60 days or less, for which reliable
market quotations are readily available are valued on an
amortized cost basis at current market quotations as provided by
an independent pricing service or principal market maker.
|
|
|
|
Other assets will be valued at market value pursuant to written
valuation procedures adopted by our Board of Directors, or if a
market value cannot be obtained or if our Advisor determines
that the value of a security as so obtained does not represent a
fair value as of the measurement date (due to a significant
development subsequent to the time its price is determined or
otherwise), fair value shall be determined pursuant to the
methodologies established by our Board of Directors.
|
Valuations of public company securities determined pursuant to
fair value methodologies will be presented to our Board of
Directors or a designated committee thereof for approval at the
next regularly scheduled board meeting. See Management of
the Fund Conflicts of Interest.
71
DISTRIBUTIONS
Once we are fully invested and to the extent we receive income,
we intend to make monthly cash distributions of our investment
company taxable income to common stockholders. We expect to
declare the initial distribution approximately 45 to
60 days, and to pay such distribution approximately 60 to
90 days, from the completion of this offering, depending
upon market conditions. In addition, on an annual basis, we
intend to distribute capital gains realized during the fiscal
year in the last fiscal quarter. Investment company taxable
income includes, among other items, dividends, interest and the
excess of any net short-term capital gains over net long-term
capital losses, reduced by deductible expenses. For federal
income tax purposes, we are required to distribute substantially
all of our net investment income each year both to avoid federal
income tax on our distributed income and to avoid a potential
excise tax. If our ability to make distributions on our common
shares is limited, such limitations could, under certain
circumstances, impair our ability to maintain our qualification
for taxation as a RIC, which would have adverse consequences for
our stockholders. See Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax
Considerations. We intend to pay common stockholders at
least annually all or substantially all of our investment
company taxable income.
Various factors will affect the level of our income, such as our
asset mix. To permit us to maintain a more stable distribution,
we may from time to time distribute less than the entire amount
of income earned in a particular period. The undistributed
income would be available to supplement future distributions. As
a result, the distributions paid by us for any particular period
may be more or less than the amount of income actually earned by
us during that period. Undistributed income will add to our NAV
and, correspondingly, distributions from undistributed income
will deduct from our NAV. If a stockholders common shares
are registered directly with us or with a brokerage firm that
participates in our Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan,
distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional
common stock under the Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan
unless a stockholder elects to receive distributions in cash. If
a stockholder elects to receive distributions in cash, payment
will be made by check. See Dividend Reinvestment
Plan.
72
DIVIDEND
REINVESTMENT PLAN
If a stockholders shares are registered directly with us
or with a brokerage firm that participates in our Automatic
Dividend Reinvestment Plan (Plan) through the
facilities of the Depository Trust Company
(DTC) and such stockholders account is coded
dividend reinvestment by such brokerage firm, all distributions
are automatically reinvested for stockholders by the Plan Agent,
Computershare Trust Company, N.A., in additional common
shares (unless a stockholder is ineligible or elects otherwise).
If a stockholders shares are registered with a brokerage
firm that participates in the Plan through the facilities of
DTC, but such stockholders account is not coded dividend
reinvestment by such brokerage firm or if a stockholders
shares are registered with a brokerage firm that does not
participate in the Plan through the facilities of DTC, a
stockholder will need to ask their investment executive to
determine what arrangements can be made to set up their account
to participate in the Plan. In either case, until such
arrangements are made, a stockholder will receive distributions
in cash.
Stockholders who elect not to participate in the Plan will
receive all distributions payable in cash paid by check mailed
directly to the stockholder of record (or, if the shares are
held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee) by
Computershare, Inc., as dividend paying agent. Participation in
the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or
resumed at any time without penalty by giving notice in writing
to, or by calling, the Plan Agent; such termination will be
effective with respect to a particular distribution if notice is
received prior to the record date for the next dividend.
Whenever we declare a distribution payable in cash,
non-participants in the Plan will receive cash, and participants
in the Plan will receive the equivalent in common shares.
We will use primarily newly-issued common shares to implement
the Plan, whether our shares are trading at a premium or at a
discount to net asset value. However, we reserve the right to
instruct the Plan Agent to purchase shares in the open market in
connection with its obligations under the Plan. The number of
shares to be issued to a stockholder will be determined by
dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to
such stockholder by the market price per share of our common
stock at the close of regular trading on the NYSE on the
distribution payment date. Market price per share on that date
will be the closing price for such shares on the NYSE or, if no
sale is reported for such day, at the average of their reported
bid and asked prices. If distributions are reinvested in shares
purchased on the open market, then the number of shares received
by a stockholder will be determined by dividing the total dollar
amount of the distribution payable to such stockholder by the
weighted average price per share (including brokerage
commissions and other related costs) for all shares purchased by
the Plan Agent on the open-market in connection with such
distribution.
The Plan Agent maintains all stockholders accounts in the
Plan and furnishes written confirmation of each acquisition made
for the participants account as soon as practicable, but
in no event later than 60 days after the date thereof.
Shares in the account of each Plan participant will be held by
the Plan Agent in non-certificated form in the Plan Agents
name or that of its nominee, and each stockholders proxy
will include those shares purchased or received pursuant to the
Plan. The Plan Agent will forward all proxy solicitation
materials to participants and vote proxies for shares held
pursuant to the Plan first in accordance with the instructions
of the participants then with respect to any proxies not
returned by such participant, in the same proportion as the Plan
Agent votes the proxies returned by the participants.
There will be no brokerage charges with respect to shares issued
directly by us as a result of distributions payable in shares.
However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage
commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agents
open-market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of
distributions. If the participant elects to have the Plan Agent
sell part or all of his or her common shares and remit the
proceeds, such participant will be charged his or her pro rate
share of brokerage commissions on the shares sold plus a $15.00
transaction fee. The automatic reinvestment of distributions
will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local
income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on
such distributions. See Certain U.S. Federal Income
Tax Considerations.
Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are
desirable. Accordingly, we reserve the right to amend or
terminate the Plan if in the judgment of the Board of Directors
such a change is warranted. The Plan may be terminated by the
Plan Agent or us upon notice in writing mailed to each
participant at least 60 days
73
prior to the effective date of the termination. Upon any
termination, the Plan Agent will cause a certificate or
certificates to be issued for the full shares held by each
participant under the Plan and cash adjustment for any fraction
of a common share at the then current market value of the common
shares to be delivered to him or her. If preferred, a
participant may request the sale of all of the common shares
held by the Plan Agent in his or her Plan account in order to
terminate participation in the Plan. If such participant elects
in advance of such termination to have the Plan Agent sell part
or all of his or her shares, the Plan Agent is authorized to
deduct from the proceeds a $15.00 fee plus the brokerage
commissions incurred for the transaction. If a participant has
terminated his or her participation in the Plan but continues to
have common shares registered in his or her name, he or she may
re-enroll in the Plan at any time by notifying the Plan Agent in
writing at the address below. The terms and conditions of the
Plan may be amended by the Plan Agent or us at any time, except
when necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or
the rules or policies of the SEC or any other regulatory
authority, only by mailing to each participant appropriate
written notice at least 30 days prior to the effective date
thereof. The amendment shall be deemed to be accepted by each
participant unless, prior to the effective date thereof, the
Plan Agent receives notice of the termination of the
participants account under the Plan. Any such amendment
may include an appointment by the Plan Agent of a successor Plan
Agent, subject to the prior written approval of the successor
Plan Agent by us.
All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to
Computershare Trust Company,
N.A. c/o Computershare,
Inc., P.O. Box 43078, Providence, Rhode Island
02940-3078.
74
DESCRIPTION
OF CAPITAL STOCK
We are authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of
common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and up to
10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value
per share. Upon completion of this offering, we will
have of
our common shares issued and outstanding. Our Board of Directors
may, without any action by our stockholders, amend our Charter
from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number
of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class
or series that we have authority to issue. In addition, our
Charter authorizes our Board of Directors, without any action by
our stockholders, to classify and reclassify any unissued common
shares and preferred shares into other classes or series of
stock from time to time by setting or changing the preferences,
conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends and other distributions,
qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each
class or series. Although there is no present intention of doing
so, we could issue a class or series of stock that could delay,
defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might
otherwise be in our stockholders best interests. Under
Maryland law, our stockholders are generally not liable for our
debts or obligations.
The following table provides information about our outstanding
capital stock upon completion of this offering (assuming the
underwriters overallotment option is not exercised):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Held by the
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Fund or for
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Title of Class
|
|
Authorized
|
|
|
its Account
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
100,000,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
10,000,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Common
Shares
All common shares offered by this prospectus will be duly
authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. Our stockholders are
entitled to receive distributions if and when authorized by our
Board of Directors and declared by us out of assets legally
available for the payment of distributions. Our stockholders are
also entitled to share ratably in the assets legally available
for distribution to our stockholders in the event of
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after payment of or
adequate provision for all known debts and liabilities. These
rights are subject to the preferential rights of any other class
or series of our capital stock.
In the event that we have preferred shares outstanding, and so
long as we remain subject to the 1940 Act, holders of our common
shares will not be entitled to receive any net income of, or
other distributions from, us unless all accumulated dividends on
preferred shares have been paid and the asset coverage (as
defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to preferred shares and
any outstanding debt is at least 200% after giving effect to
such distributions.
Each outstanding common share entitles the holder to one vote on
all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, including
the election of directors. The presence of the holders of shares
of our stock entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled
to be cast shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of our
stockholders. Our Charter provides that, except as otherwise
provided in our Bylaws, each director shall be elected by the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of
stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon. Our Bylaws
provide that each director shall be elected by a plurality of
all the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and
at which a quorum is present. There is no cumulative voting in
the election of directors. Consequently, at each annual meeting
of our stockholders, the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote will be
able to elect all of the successors of the class of directors
whose terms expire at that meeting. Pursuant to our Charter and
Bylaws, our Board of Directors may amend the Bylaws to alter the
vote required to elect directors.
Holders of our common shares have no preference, conversion,
exchange, sinking fund, redemption or appraisal rights and have
no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities. All
of our common shares will have equal dividend, liquidation and
other rights.
75
The Fund has no present intention of offering additional common
shares, except as described herein and under the Dividend
Reinvestment Plan. Other offerings of our common shares, if
made, will require approval of our Board of Directors and will
be subject to the requirement of the 1940 Act that shares may
only be sold at a price below the then-current NAV, exclusive of
underwriting discounts and commissions, upon satisfaction of one
or more conditions.
Because our Advisors management fee is based upon our
average monthly Managed Assets, our Advisors interest in
recommending the issuance and sale of common stock below NAV may
conflict with our interests and those of our stockholders.
Preferred
Shares
We may, but are not required to, issue preferred shares. We will
not issue what historically has been known as auction rate
preferred securities. As long as we remain subject to the 1940
Act at the time of a preferred share offering, we will be
subject to the 1940 Act restriction that currently limits the
aggregate liquidation preference of all outstanding preferred
stock to 50% of the value of our total assets less our
liabilities and indebtedness. We also believe the liquidation
preference, voting rights and redemption provisions of the
preferred shares will be similar to those stated below.
As long as we are subject to the 1940 Act, the holders of any
preferred shares, voting separately as a single class, will have
the right to elect at least two members of our Board of
Directors at all times. The remaining directors will be elected
by holders of common shares and preferred stock, voting together
as a single class. In addition, subject to the prior rights, if
any, of the holders of any other class of senior securities
outstanding, the holders of any preferred stock will have the
right to elect a majority of the directors at any time
accumulated dividends on any preferred stock have not been paid
for at least two years. The 1940 Act also requires that, in
addition to any approval by stockholders that might otherwise be
required, the approval of the holders of a majority of any
outstanding preferred stock, voting separately as a class, would
be required to adopt any plan of reorganization that would
adversely affect the preferred stock. See Certain
Provisions of Our Charter and Bylaws and the Maryland General
Corporation Law. As a result of these voting rights, our
ability to take any such actions may be impeded to the extent
that any of our preferred shares are outstanding.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding preferred shares, voting as a separate class, will
be required to amend, alter or repeal any of the preferences,
rights or powers of holders of preferred shares so as to affect
materially and adversely such preferences, rights or powers. The
class vote of holders of preferred shares described above will
in each case be in addition to any other vote required to
authorize the action in question.
The terms of the preferred shares, if issued, are expected to
provide that (i) they are redeemable in whole or in part at
the original purchase price per share plus accrued dividends per
share, (ii) we may tender for or repurchase our preferred
shares and (iii) we may subsequently resell any shares so
tendered for or repurchased by us. Any redemption or purchase of
our preferred shares will reduce the leverage applicable to our
common shares, while any resale of our preferred shares will
increase that leverage.
The discussion above describes the possible offering of our
preferred shares. If our Board of Directors determines to
proceed with such an offering, the terms of our preferred shares
may be the same as, or different from, the terms described
above, subject to applicable law and our Charter. Our Board of
Directors, without the approval of the holders of our common
shares, may authorize an offering of preferred shares or may
determine not to authorize such an offering and may fix the
terms of our preferred shares to be offered.
The information contained under this heading is subject to the
provisions contained in our Charter and Bylaws and the laws of
the State of Maryland.
76
CERTAIN
PROVISIONS OF OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS AND
THE MARYLAND GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
The following description of certain provisions of our Charter
and Bylaws is only a summary. For a complete description, please
refer to our Charter and Bylaws that have been filed as exhibits
to our registration statement.
Our Charter and Bylaws include provisions that could delay,
defer or prevent other entities or persons from acquiring
control of us, causing us to engage in certain transactions or
modifying our structure. These provisions, all of which are
summarized below, may be regarded as anti-takeover
provisions. Such provisions could limit the ability of our
stockholders to sell their shares at a premium over the
then-current market prices by discouraging a third party from
seeking to obtain control of us. In addition to these
provisions, we are incorporated in Maryland and therefore may
elect to be subject to the Maryland Control Share Acquisition
Act and the Maryland General Corporation Law. In addition,
certain provisions of the 1940 Act may serve to discourage a
third party from seeking to obtain control of us.
Number
and Classification of our Board of Directors; Election of
Directors
Our Charter and Bylaws provide that the number of directors may
be established only by our Board of Directors pursuant to the
Bylaws, but may not be less than one. Our Bylaws provide that
the number of directors may not be greater than nine. Pursuant
to our Charter, our Board of Directors is divided into three
classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. The
term of each class of directors expires in a different
successive year. Upon the expiration of their term, directors of
each class are elected to serve for three-year terms and until
their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each year, only
one class of directors will be elected by the stockholders. The
classification of our Board of Directors should help to assure
the continuity and stability of our strategies and policies as
determined by our Board of Directors.
Our classified board could have the effect of making the
replacement of incumbent directors more time-consuming and
difficult. At least two annual meetings of our stockholders,
instead of one, will generally be required to effect a change in
a majority of our Board of Directors. Thus, the classification
of our Board of Directors could increase the likelihood that
incumbent directors will retain their positions and may delay,
defer or prevent a change in control of our Board of Directors,
even though a change in control might be in the best interests
of our stockholders.
Vacancies
on Board of Directors; Removal of Directors
Our Charter provides that we have elected to be subject to the
provision of Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the Maryland General
Corporation Law regarding the filling of vacancies on our Board
of Directors. Accordingly, except as may be provided by our
Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series
of preferred shares, any and all vacancies on our Board of
Directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the
remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director
elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the
full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and
until a successor is elected and qualified, subject to any
applicable requirements of the 1940 Act.
The Charter provides that, subject to the rights of holders of
one or more classes of our preferred stock, a director may be
removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at
least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast in the
election of our directors. This provision, when coupled with the
provisions in our Charter and Bylaws regarding the filling of
vacancies on our Board of Directors, precludes our stockholders
from removing incumbent directors, except for cause and by a
substantial affirmative vote, and filling the vacancies created
by the removal with nominees of our stockholders.
Approval
of Extraordinary Corporate Action; Amendment of Charter and
Bylaws
Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot
dissolve, amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially
all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in
similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business,
unless approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled
to cast at least two-thirds of
77
the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, a Maryland
corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these
matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of
all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our Charter
generally provides for approval of Charter amendments and
extraordinary transactions by the stockholders entitled to cast
at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the
matter.
Our Charter and Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors will
have the exclusive power to make, alter, amend or repeal any
provision of our Bylaws.
Advance
Notice of Director Nominations and New Business
Our Bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of our
stockholders, nominations of persons for election to our Board
of Directors and the proposal of business to be considered by
our stockholders may be made only (i) pursuant to our
notice of the meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of our
Board of Directors or (iii) by a stockholder who is
entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the
advance notice procedures of our Bylaws. With respect to special
meetings of our stockholders, only the business specified in our
notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting.
Nominations of persons for election to our Board of Directors at
a special meeting may be made only (i) pursuant to our
notice of the meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of our
Board of Directors, or (iii) by a stockholder who is
entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the
advance notice provisions of our Bylaws, provided that our Board
of Directors has determined that directors will be elected at
such special meeting.
Limitation
of Liability of Directors and Officers; Indemnification and
Advancement of Expenses
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its
charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and
officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money
damages except for liability resulting from (i) actual
receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or
services or (ii) active and deliberate dishonesty
established by a final judgment as being material to the cause
of action. Our Charter contains such a provision which
eliminates directors and officers liability to the
maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, subject to the
requirements of the 1940 Act.
Our Charter authorizes us, and our Bylaws obligate us, to the
maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the
requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify any present or former
director or officer or any individual who, while a director or
officer and at our request, serves or has served another
corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint
venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a
director, officer, partner or trustee and who is made, or
threatened to be made, a party to the proceeding by reason of
his or her service in any such capacity from and against any
claim or liability to which that person may become subject or
which that person may incur by reason of his or her service in
any such capacity and to pay or reimburse their reasonable
expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. Our
obligation to indemnify any director, officer or other
individual, however, is limited by the 1940 Act and Investment
Company Act Release No. 11330, which, among other things,
prohibit us from indemnifying any director, officer or other
individual from any liability resulting directly from the
willful misconduct, bad faith, gross negligence in the
performance of duties or reckless disregard of applicable
obligations and duties of the directors, officers or other
individuals and require us to set forth reasonable and fair
means for determining whether indemnification shall be made.
Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides
otherwise, which our Charter does not) to indemnify a director
or officer who has been successful in the defense of any
proceeding to which he or she is made, or threatened to be made,
a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity.
Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and
former directors and officers, among others, against judgments,
penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually
incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they
may be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of
their service in those or other capacities unless it is
established that (i) the act or omission of the director or
officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding
and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the
result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (ii) the
director or officer actually received an improper personal
benefit in money, property or services or (iii) in the case
of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had
reasonable cause to
78
believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under
Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an
adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation
or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a personal
benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court
orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. In addition,
Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable
expenses to a director or officer upon the corporations
receipt of (i) a written affirmation by the director or
officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met
the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the
corporation and (ii) a written undertaking by him or her or
on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by
the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard
of conduct was not met.
These provisions do not limit or eliminate our rights or the
rights of any of our stockholders to seek nonmonetary relief
such as an injunction or rescission in the event any of our
directors or officers breaches his or her duties. These
provisions will not alter the liability of our directors or
officers under federal securities laws.
Control
Share Acquisitions
The Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act (the Control
Share Act) 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, and by officers or by directors who are
employees of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled
to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock
that, 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.
|
The requisite stockholder approval must be obtained each time an
acquirer crosses one of the thresholds of voting power set forth
above. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person
is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously
obtained stockholder 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 stockholders 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 present the question
at any stockholders 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 statute, then the corporation may repurchase
for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those
for which voting rights have previously been approved. The right
to repurchase 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 stockholders at which the voting rights of the shares
are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control
shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquirer
becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to
vote, all other stockholders 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.
The Control Share Act does not apply (i) to shares acquired
in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if we are a party
to the transaction or (ii) to acquisitions approved or
exempted by our Charter or Bylaws.
Our Bylaws do not contain a provision subjecting any and all
acquisitions by any person of our shares of stock to the Control
Share Act. There can be no assurance that such provision will
not be otherwise amended or eliminated at any time in the
future. However, we will amend our Bylaws to be subject to the
Control Share Act
79
only if our Board of Directors determines that it would be in
our best interests and if the staff of the SEC does not object
to our determination that our being subject to the Control Share
Act does not conflict with the 1940 Act.
Business
Combinations
We are covered by the Maryland Business Combination Act (the
Business Combination Act), which provides that
business combinations between a Maryland corporation
and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested
stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent
date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested
stockholder. These business combinations include a merger,
consolidation, share exchange or, in circumstances specified in
the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification
of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:
|
|
|
|
|
any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power
of the corporations 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 10% or more of the voting power of the
then-outstanding voting stock of the corporation.
|
A person is not an interested stockholder under this statute if
the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by
which such stockholder otherwise would have become an interested
stockholder. 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 of directors.
After the five-year prohibition, any business combination
between the Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder
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 stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the
business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate
or associate of the interested stockholder.
|
These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the
corporations common stockholders receive a minimum price,
as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of
cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid
by the interested stockholder for its shares.
The Business Combination Act permits various exemptions from its
provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by
the board of directors before the time that the interested
stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Our Board of
Directors has adopted a resolution exempting any business
combination between us and any other person from the provisions
of the Business Combination Act, provided that the business
combination is first approved by our Board of Directors,
including a majority of the directors who are not interested
persons as defined in the 1940 Act. This resolution, however,
may be altered or repealed in whole or in part at any time. If
this resolution is repealed, or our Board of Directors does not
otherwise approve a business combination, the statute may
discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and
increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.
80
CERTAIN
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion is a summary of certain
U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund
and its stockholders. The discussion reflects applicable
U.S. federal income tax laws of the U.S. as of the
date of this prospectus, which tax laws may be changed or
subject to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal
Revenue Service (the IRS), possibly with retroactive
effect. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of
all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax concerns
affecting the Fund and its stockholders (including stockholders
owning large positions in the Fund). The discussion set forth
herein does not constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to
consult their own tax advisors to determine the tax consequences
to them of investing in the Fund.
In addition, no attempt is made to address tax concerns
applicable to an investor with a special tax status, such as a
financial institution, real estate investment trust,
insurance company, RIC, individual retirement account, other
tax-exempt entity, dealer in securities or
non-U.S. investor.
Furthermore, this discussion does not reflect possible
application of the alternative minimum tax. Unless otherwise
noted, this discussion assumes the common shares are held by
U.S. persons and that such shares are held as capital
assets.
The Fund intends to elect to be treated as, and to qualify each
year for the special tax treatment afforded, a RIC under
Subchapter M of the Code. As long as the Fund meets certain
requirements that govern the Funds source of income,
diversification of assets and distribution of earnings to
stockholders, the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal
income tax on income distributed (or treated as distributed, as
described below) to its stockholders. With respect to the source
of income requirement, the Fund must derive in each taxable year
at least 90% of its gross income (including tax-exempt interest)
from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to
certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other
disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other
income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures
and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of
investing in such shares, securities or currencies and
(ii) net income derived from interests in qualified
publicly traded partnerships. A qualified publicly traded
partnership is generally defined as a publicly traded
partnership under Section 7704 of the Code, but does not
include a publicly traded partnership if 90% or more of its
income is described in (i) above. For purposes of the
income test, the Fund will be treated as receiving directly its
share of the income of any partnership that is not a qualified
publicly traded partnership.
With respect to the diversification of assets requirement, the
Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each
quarter of each taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value
of the Funds total assets is represented by cash and cash
items, U.S. Government securities, the securities of other
RICs and other securities, with such other securities limited
for purposes of such calculation, in respect of any one issuer,
to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Funds
total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of such issuer and (ii) not more than 25% of the
value of the Funds total assets is invested in the
securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government
securities or the securities of other RICs), the securities
(other than the securities of other RICs) of any two or more
issuers that the Fund controls and that are determined to be
engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or
the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded
partnerships.
If the Fund qualifies as a RIC and distributes to its
stockholders 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 items,
dividends, taxable interest and the excess of any net short-term
capital gains over net long-term capital losses, 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 deductions attributable to such
interest that are otherwise disallowed, the Fund will be
relieved of U.S. federal income tax on any income of the
Fund, including long-term capital gains, distributed to
stockholders. 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 35%) on the amount retained. The Fund intends
to distribute at least annually substantially all of its
investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt interest, and
net capital gain. Under the Code, the Fund will generally be
subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on the
undistributed portion of its ordinary income and
81
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
Funds ordinary income (computed on a calendar year basis),
plus 98% of the Funds capital gain net income (generally
computed for the one-year period ending on October 31). 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 market conditions, does not expect to be
subject to this excise tax.
If the Fund is unable to satisfy the 90% distribution
requirement or otherwise fails to qualify as a RIC in any year,
it will be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation
and distributions to the Funds stockholders will not be
deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In such
event, the Funds distributions, to the extent derived from
the Funds current or accumulated earnings and profits,
would constitute dividends, which would generally be eligible
for the dividends received deduction available to corporate
stockholders, and non-corporate stockholders would generally be
able to treat such distributions as qualified dividend
income eligible for reduced rates of U.S. federal
income taxation in taxable years beginning on or before
December 31, 2010, provided in each case that certain
holding period and other requirements are satisfied.
The Fund intends to invest a portion of its assets in MLPs. Net
income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded
partnership, which generally includes MLPs, is included in the
sources of income from which a RIC must derive 90% of its gross
income. However, not more than 25% of the value of a RICs
total assets can be invested in the securities of qualified
publicly traded partnerships. The Fund intends to invest only in
MLPs that will constitute qualified publicly traded partnerships
for purposes of the RIC rules, and not more than 25% of the
value of the Funds total assets will be invested in the
securities of publicly traded partnerships.
Distributions paid to you by the Fund from its investment
company taxable income will generally be taxable to you as
ordinary income. A portion of such distributions (if designated
by the Fund) may qualify (i) in the case of corporate
stockholders, for the dividends received deduction under
Section 243 of the Code to the extent that the Funds
income consists of dividend income from U.S. corporations,
excluding distributions from certain entities such as REITs, or
(ii) in the case of individual stockholders for taxable
years beginning on or prior to December 31, 2010, as
qualified dividend income eligible to be taxed at reduced rates
under Section 1(h)(11) of the Code (which generally
provides for a maximum rate of 15%) to the extent that the Fund
receives qualified dividend income, and provided in each case
that certain holding period and other requirements are met.
Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from
taxable domestic corporations and qualified foreign corporations
(e.g., generally, if the issuer is incorporated in a possession
of the United States or in a country with a qualified
comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States, or if
the stock with respect to which such dividend is paid is readily
tradable on an established securities market in the United
States). A qualified foreign corporation generally excludes any
foreign corporation that, for the taxable year of the
corporation in which the dividend was paid or the preceding
taxable year, is a passive foreign investment company.
Distributions made to you from an excess of net long-term
capital gain over net short-term capital losses (capital
gain dividends), including capital gain dividends credited
to you but retained by the Fund, will be taxable to you as
long-term capital gain if they have been properly designated by
the Fund, regardless of the length of time you have owned our
common shares. The maximum tax rate on capital gain dividends
received by individuals is generally 15% for such gain realized
before January 1, 2011. Distributions in excess of the
Funds earnings and profits will be treated by you, first,
as a tax-free return of capital, which is applied against and
will reduce the adjusted tax basis of your shares and, after
such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will generally
constitute capital gain to you. Under current law, the maximum
15% tax rate on long-term capital gains and qualified dividend
income will cease to apply for taxable years beginning after
December 31, 2010; beginning in 2011, the maximum rate on
long-term capital gains is scheduled to revert to 20%, and all
ordinary dividends (including amounts treated as qualified
dividends under the law currently in effect) will be taxed as
ordinary income. Generally, not later than 60 days after
the close of its taxable year, the Fund will provide you with a
written notice designating the amount of any qualified dividend
income or capital gain dividends and other distributions.
Sales and other dispositions of the Funds common shares
generally are taxable events. You should consult your own tax
adviser with reference to your individual circumstances to
determine whether any particular
82
transaction in the Funds common shares is properly treated
as a sale or exchange for federal income tax purposes and the
tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in such
transactions. The sale or other disposition of shares of the
Fund will generally result in capital gain or loss to you equal
to the difference between the amount realized and your adjusted
tax basis in the common shares sold or exchanged, and will be
long-term capital gain or loss if your holding period for the
shares is more than one year at the time of sale. Any loss upon
the sale or exchange of common shares held for six months or
less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of
any capital gain dividends you received (including amounts
credited as an undistributed capital gain dividend) with respect
to such shares. A loss you realize on a sale or exchange of
shares of the Fund generally will be disallowed if you acquire
other substantially identical common shares within a
61-day
period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days
after the date that you dispose of the shares. In such case, the
basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the
disallowed loss. Present law taxes both long-term and short-term
capital gain of corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary
income of corporations. For non-corporate taxpayers, short-term
capital gain will currently be taxed at the rate applicable to
ordinary income, currently a maximum rate of 35%, while
long-term capital gain realized before January 1, 2011
generally will be taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. Capital losses
are subject to certain limitations.
The 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 United States may reduce or eliminate such
taxes in some cases. The Fund does not expect to satisfy the
requirements for passing through to its stockholders their pro
rata shares of qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund, with
the result that stockholders will not be entitled to a tax
deduction or credit for such taxes on their own US federal
income tax returns.
If the Fund pays you a dividend in January that was declared in
the previous October, November or December to stockholders of
record on a specified date in one of such months, then such
dividend will be treated for tax purposes as being paid by the
Fund and received by you on December 31 of the year in which the
dividend was declared. A stockholder may elect not to have all
dividends and distributions automatically reinvested in shares
of common shares of the Fund pursuant to the Plan. If a
stockholder elects not to participate in the Plan, such
stockholder will receive distributions in cash. For taxpayers
subject to U.S. federal income tax, all dividends will
generally be taxable, as discussed above, regardless of whether
a stockholder takes them in cash or they are reinvested pursuant
to the Plan in additional shares of the Fund.
If a stockholders distributions are automatically
reinvested pursuant to the Plan, for U.S. federal income
tax purposes, the stockholder will generally be treated as
having received a taxable distribution in the amount of the cash
dividend that the stockholder would have received if the
stockholder had elected to receive cash. Under certain
circumstances, however, if a stockholders distributions
are automatically reinvested pursuant to the Plan and the Plan
Agent invests the distribution in newly issued shares of the
Fund, the stockholder may be treated as receiving a taxable
distribution equal to the fair market value of the stock the
stockholder receives.
The Fund intends to distribute all realized 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 stockholders 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 shares of such
undistributed amount and (ii) will be entitled to credit
their proportionate shares 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 stockholder 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
stockholders gross income and the tax deemed paid by the
stockholders.
The Fund is required in certain circumstances to backup withhold
at a current rate of 28% on taxable dividends and certain other
payments paid to non-corporate holders of the Funds shares
who do not furnish the Fund with their correct taxpayer
identification number (in the case of individuals, their social
security number) and certain certifications, or who are
otherwise subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is
not an
83
additional tax. Any amounts withheld from payments made to you
may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal
income tax liability, if any, provided that the required
information is furnished to the IRS.
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the
provisions of the Code and the treasury regulations in effect as
they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its
stockholders. These provisions are subject to change by
legislative and administrative action, and any such change may
be retroactive. A more complete discussion of the tax rules
applicable to the Fund and its stockholders can be found in the
Statement of Additional Information that is incorporated by
reference into this prospectus. Stockholders are urged to
consult their tax advisors regarding specific questions as to
U.S. federal, foreign, state, local income or other
taxes.
84
CLOSED-END
FUND STRUCTURE
We are registered as a non-diversified, closed-end management
investment company (commonly referred to as a closed-end fund)
under the 1940 Act. Closed-end funds differ from open-end funds
(which are generally referred to as mutual funds) in that
closed-end funds generally list their shares for trading on a
stock exchange and do not redeem their shares at the request of
the stockholder. This means that if a stockholder wishes to sell
shares of such a closed-end fund, he or she must trade them on
the market like any other stock at the prevailing market price
at that time. In a mutual fund, if the stockholder wishes to
sell shares of the company, the mutual fund will redeem or buy
back the shares at net asset value. Mutual funds also generally
offer new shares on a continuous basis to new investors and
closed-end companies generally do not. The continuous inflows
and outflows of assets in a mutual fund can make it difficult to
manage the companys investments. By comparison, closed-end
funds are generally able to stay more fully invested in
securities that are consistent with their investment objectives
and also have greater flexibility to make certain types of
investments and to use certain investment strategies, such as
financial leverage and investments in illiquid securities.
When shares of closed-end funds are traded, they frequently
trade at a discount to their NAV. This characteristic of shares
of closed-end funds is a risk separate and distinct from the
risk that the closed-end funds net asset value may
decrease as a result of investment activities. Our conversion to
an open-end mutual fund would require an amendment to our
Charter. Our shares of common stock are expected to be listed on
the NYSE under the trading or ticker symbol
TPZ.
85
UNDERWRITING
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, UBS Securities LLC and Stifel,
Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated are acting as the
representatives of the underwriters named below. Subject to the
terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated
the date of the final prospectus, each underwriter named below
has agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to that
underwriter, the number of common shares of beneficial interest
set forth opposite the underwriters name.
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriter
|
|
Number of Common
Shares
|
|
|
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
|
|
|
|
|
UBS Securities LLC
|
|
|
|
|
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
|
|
|
|
|
Barclays Capital Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
RBC Capital Markets Corporation
|
|
|
|
|
BB&T Capital Markets Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
Crowell, Weedon & Co.
|
|
|
|
|
J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC
|
|
|
|
|
Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
|
|
|
|
|
Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
Maxim Group LLC
|
|
|
|
|
Southwest Securities, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
Wedbush Morgan Securities Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
|
|
|
|
|
Wunderlich Securities, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the
underwriters to purchase the common shares included in this
offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and
to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase
all the common shares (other than those covered by the
over-allotment option described below) shown in the table above
if any of the common shares are purchased.
The underwriters propose to offer some of the common shares
directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on
the cover page of this prospectus and some of the common shares
to dealers at the public offering price less a concession not to
exceed $ per share. The sales load
we will pay of $0.90 per share is equal to 4.50% of the initial
public offering price. The underwriters may allow, and dealers
may reallow, a concession not to exceed
$ per share on sales to other
dealers. If all of the common shares are not sold at the initial
public offering price, the representative may change the public
offering price and other selling terms. Investors must pay for
any common shares purchased on or
before ,
2009. The representative has advised us that the underwriters do
not intend to confirm any sales to any accounts over which they
exercise discretionary authority.
Additional Compensation. The Advisor
(and not the Fund) has agreed to pay to Wells Fargo Securities,
LLC, from its own assets, a structuring fee for advice relating
to the structure, design and organization of the Fund as well as
services related to the sale and distribution of the Funds
common shares in the amount of
$ .
If the over-allotment option is not exercised, the structuring
fee paid to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC will not
exceed % of the gross offering
proceeds.
The Advisor (and not the Fund) has agreed to pay to UBS
Securities LLC, from its own assets, a structuring fee for
certain financial advisory services in assisting the Advisor in
structuring and organizing the Fund in the amount of
$ .
The structuring fee paid to UBS Securities LLC will not
exceed % of the total public
offering price of the common shares sold in this offering.
The Advisor (and not the Fund) has agreed to pay to Stifel,
Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, from its own assets, a
structuring fee for advice relating to the structure, design and
organization of the Fund as well as
86
services related to the sale and distribution of the Funds
common shares in the amount of
$ .
If the over-allotment option is not exercised, the structuring
fee paid to Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated will
not exceed % of the gross offering
proceeds.
As part of the Funds payment of the Funds offering
expenses, the Fund has agreed to pay expenses related to the
filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel to the underwriters in connection with,
the review by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
(FINRA) of the terms of the sale of the common
shares and the transportation and other expenses incurred in
connection with presentations to prospective purchasers of the
common shares. The total amount of such expenses paid by the
Fund will not exceed % of the gross
offering proceeds.
The total amount of the underwriters additional
compensation payments by the Advisor and, in the case of the
expenses described above, the Fund, will not
exceed % of the gross offering
proceeds. The sum total of all compensation to the underwriters
in connection with this public offering of common shares,
including sales load and all forms of additional compensation or
structuring or sales incentive fee payments to the underwriters
and other expenses, will not
exceed % of the gross offering
proceeds.
We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for
45 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up
to
additional common shares at the public offering price less the
sales load. The underwriters may exercise the option solely for
the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, in connection
with this offering. To the extent such option is exercised, each
underwriter must purchase a number of additional common shares
approximately proportionate to that underwriters initial
purchase commitment.
We have agreed that, for a period of 180 days from the date
of this prospectus, we will not, without the prior written
consent of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, on behalf of the
underwriters, dispose of or hedge any common shares or any
securities convertible into or exchangeable for common shares.
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, in its sole discretion, may release
any of the securities subject to these agreements at any time
without notice.
The underwriters have undertaken to sell common shares to a
minimum of 400 beneficial owners in lots of 100 or more shares
to meet the New York Stock Exchange distribution requirements
for trading. The common shares are expected to be listed on the
New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TPZ.
The following table shows the sales load that we will pay to the
underwriters in connection with this offering. These amounts are
shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the
underwriters option to purchase additional common shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid by Fund
|
|
|
|
No Exercise
|
|
|
Full Exercise
|
|
|
Per Share
|
|
$
|
0.90
|
|
|
$
|
0.90
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
We and our Advisor have agreed to indemnify the underwriters
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
1933 Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may
be required to make because of any of those liabilities.
Certain underwriters may make a market in the common shares
after trading in the common shares has commenced on the New York
Stock Exchange. No underwriter, however, is obligated to conduct
market-making activities and any such activities may be
discontinued at any time without notice, at the sole discretion
of the underwriter. No assurance can be given as to the
liquidity of, or the trading market for, the common shares as a
result of any market-making activities undertaken by any
underwriter. This prospectus is to be used by any underwriter in
connection with the offering and, during the period in which a
prospectus must be delivered, with offers and sales of the
common shares in market-making transactions in the
over-the-counter market at negotiated prices related to
prevailing market prices at the time of the sale.
In connection with the offering, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, on
behalf of itself and the other underwriters, may purchase and
sell common shares in the open market. These transactions may
include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and
stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales of
common shares in excess of the number of common shares to be
purchased by the underwriters in the
87
offering, which creates a syndicate short position.
Covered short sales are sales of common shares made
in an amount up to the number of common shares represented by
the underwriters over-allotment option. In determining the
source of common shares to close out the covered syndicate short
position, the underwriters will consider, among other things,
the price of common shares available for purchase in the open
market as compared to the price at which they may purchase
common shares through the over-allotment option.
Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short position
involve either purchases of common shares in the open market
after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the
over-allotment option. The underwriters may also make
naked short sales of common shares in excess of the
over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked
short position by purchasing common shares in the open market. A
naked short position is more likely to be created if the
underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure
on the price of common shares in the open market after pricing
that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the
offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or
purchases of common shares in the open market while the offering
is in progress.
The underwriters may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids allow
the underwriting syndicate to reclaim selling concessions
allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing common
shares in this offering if the syndicate repurchases common
shares to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the
purchase price of the common shares.
Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or
retarding a decline in the market price of common shares. They
may also cause the price of common shares to be higher than the
price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the
absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct
these transactions on the NYSE or in the over-the-counter
market, or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these
transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the
websites maintained by one or more of the underwriters. Other
than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on any
such underwriters website is not part of this prospectus.
The representative may agree to allocate a number of common
shares to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage
account holders. The representative will allocate common shares
to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same
basis as other allocations. In addition, common shares may be
sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell common
shares to online brokerage account holders.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public or private
market for our common shares or any other of our securities.
Consequently, the offering price for the common shares was
determined by negotiation among us, our Advisor and the
representatives. There can be no assurance, however, that the
price at which the common shares trade after this offering will
not be lower than the price at which they are sold by the
underwriters or that an active trading market in the common
shares will develop and continue after this offering.
We anticipate that, from time to time, certain underwriters may
act as brokers or dealers in connection with the execution of
our portfolio transactions after they have ceased to be
underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, may act as
brokers while they are underwriters.
Certain underwriters may, from time to time, engage in
transactions with or perform services for the Advisor and its
affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
Prior to the initial public offering of common shares, common
shares from the Fund were purchased in an amount satisfying the
net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the 1940 Act.
The principal business address of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC is
375 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10152. The principal
business address of UBS Securities LLC is 299 Park Avenue,
New York, New York 10171. The principal business
address of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated is
501 North Broadway, St. Louis, Missouri 63102.
88
INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The financial statements of Tortoise Power and Energy
Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (formerly Tortoise Power and Energy
Income Company) at May 5, 2009, and for the period from
July 5, 2007 (the date of incorporation) through
May 5, 2009, appearing in this Registration Statement and
Statement of Additional Information have been audited by
Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public
accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing
elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report
given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
ADMINISTRATOR,
CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT AND
REGISTRAR
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, 615 East Michigan Street,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, will serve as our administrator. We
intend to pay the administrator a monthly fee computed at an
annual rate of 0.04% of the first $1 billion of our Managed
Assets, 0.03% on the next $1 billion of our Managed Assets
and 0.02% on the balance of our Managed Assets.
U.S. Bank National Association, 1555 N. Rivercenter Dr.,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212, will serve as our custodian. We
intend to pay the custodian a monthly fee computed at an annual
rate of .40 basis points on the average daily market value
of the Funds portfolio assets, subject to a minimum annual
fee of $4,800, plus portfolio transaction fees.
The transfer agent and registrar for our common shares is
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and its affiliate,
Computershare, Inc., serves as our dividend paying agent.
LEGAL
MATTERS
The validity of the common shares offered hereby will be passed
upon for us by Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP, Kansas City,
Missouri. Certain legal matters in connection with the offering
will be passed upon for the underwriters by Davis
Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York.
89
TABLE OF
CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page
|
|
|
Use of Proceeds
|
|
|
S-1
|
|
Investment Policies and Techniques
|
|
|
S-1
|
|
Management of the Fund
|
|
|
S-7
|
|
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
|
|
|
S-19
|
|
Description of Capital Stock
|
|
|
S-20
|
|
Certain Provisions of our Charter and Bylaws and the Maryland
General Corporation Law
|
|
|
S-23
|
|
Net Asset Value
|
|
|
S-26
|
|
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
|
|
|
S-28
|
|
Proxy Voting Policies
|
|
|
S-31
|
|
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
|
|
S-32
|
|
Administrator, Custodian, Transfer and Dividend Paying Agent and
Registrar
|
|
|
S-32
|
|
Additional Information
|
|
|
S-32
|
|
Index to Financial Statements
|
|
|
F-1
|
|
90
Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. |
Until ,
2009 (25 days after the date of this prospectus) all
dealers that buy, sell or trade the common shares, whether or
not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a
Prospectus. This is in addition to each dealers obligation
to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with
respect to its unsold allotments or subscriptions.
Tortoise
Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc.
Common
Shares
PROSPECTUS
,
2009
|
|
|
Wells
Fargo Securities |
UBS Investment Bank |
Stifel Nicolaus |
|
|
|
|
Barclays
Capital
|
Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.
|
Oppenheimer & Co.
|
RBC
Capital Markets
|
|
|
|
J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC
|
Janney Montgomery Scott
|
Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.
|
|
|
Maxim
Group LLC
|
Southwest Securities, Inc.
|
|
|
Wedbush
Morgan Securities Inc.
|
Wunderlich Securities,
Inc.
|
TORTOISE POWER AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
, 2009
Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Fund), is a
nondiversified, closed-end management investment company.
This Statement of Additional Information, relating to the Funds common shares, does not
constitute a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the Funds prospectus relating
thereto dated , 2009. This Statement of Additional Information does not include
all information that a prospective investor should consider before purchasing common shares, and
investors should obtain and read the Funds prospectus prior to purchasing common shares. A copy of
the prospectus may be obtained without charge from the Fund by calling 1-866-362-9331. You also may
obtain a copy of the Funds prospectus on the Securities and Exchange Commissions web site
(http://www.sec.gov). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Statement of Additional
Information have the meanings ascribed to them in the prospectus. This Statement of Additional
Information is dated , 2009.
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations not
contained in the prospectus or in this Statement of Additional Information in connection with the
offering made by the prospectus, and, if given or made, such information or representations must
not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Fund. The prospectus and this Statement of
Additional Information do not constitute an offering by the Fund in any jurisdiction in which such
offering may not lawfully be made. Capitalized terms not defined herein are used as defined in the
prospectus.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DATED JUNE 25, 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
|
S-1 |
|
|
S-1 |
|
|
S-7 |
|
|
S-19 |
|
|
S-20 |
|
|
S-23 |
|
|
S-26 |
|
|
S-28 |
|
|
S-31 |
|
|
S-32 |
|
|
S-32 |
|
|
S-32 |
|
|
F-1 |
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds of this offering will be approximately $ after deducting both the
sales load (underwriting discount) and estimated offering expenses of approximately $
paid by us. We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering to invest in accordance with our
investment objectives and strategies and for working capital purposes. We currently anticipate that
we will be able to invest substantially all of the net proceeds in accordance with our investment
objectives and policies by approximately three months after the completion of the offering,
depending on market conditions. Pending investment as described in the prospectus under the
heading The Fund, we expect the net proceeds of this offering will be invested in cash, cash
equivalents, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its instrumentalities or
agencies, short-term money market instruments, short-term fixed income securities, certificates of
deposit, bankers acceptances and other bank obligations, commercial paper or other liquid fixed
income securities. Until we are fully invested, the return on our common shares is expected to be
lower than that realized after full investment in accordance with our investment objectives.
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES
The Funds primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income
consistent with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to provide its
stockholders a vehicle to invest in a portfolio consisting primarily of securities issued by power
and energy infrastructure companies.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets (including
assets obtained through leverage) in securities of companies that derive more than 50% of their
revenue from power or energy infrastructure operations. Power infrastructure operations use asset
systems to provide electric power generation (including renewable energy), transmission and
distribution. Energy infrastructure operations use a network of pipeline assets to transport,
store, gather and/or process crude oil, refined petroleum products (including biodiesel and
ethanol), natural gas or natural gas liquids.
The following information supplements the discussion of the Funds investment objectives,
policies and techniques that are described in the prospectus and contains more detailed information
about the types of instruments in which the Fund may invest, strategies the Advisor may employ in
pursuit of the Funds investment objectives and a discussion of related risks.
Principal Investment Strategies
As a nonfundamental investment policy, under normal circumstances we plan to invest at least
80% of our total assets (including assets obtained through leverage) in the securities of companies
that derive more than 50% of their revenue from power or energy infrastructure operations.
We
also have adopted the following additional nonfundamental policies,
that will be followed under normal circumstances:
|
|
|
We will invest a minimum of 60% of our total assets in fixed income securities. |
|
|
|
|
|
We will not employ leverage above 20% of our total
assets at time of incurrence. |
|
|
|
|
|
We will not invest more than 25% of our total assets in non-investment grade rated
fixed income securities. |
|
|
|
|
We will not invest more than 15% of our total assets in restricted securities that are
ineligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A (Rule 144A) under the Securities Act of 1933
(1933 Act), all of which may be illiquid securities. |
|
|
|
|
We may invest up to 10% of our total assets in securities issued by non-U.S. issuers
(including Canadian issuers). |
|
|
|
|
We will not engage in short sales. |
In addition, to comply with federal tax requirements for qualification as a regulated
investment company (RIC), our investments will be limited so that at the close of each quarter of
each taxable year (i) at least 50% of the value of our total assets is represented by cash and cash
items, U.S. Government securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, with such
other securities limited for purposes of such calculation, in respect of any one issuer, to an
amount not greater than 5% of the value of our total assets and not more than 10% outstanding
voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of our total assets is
invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities or the
securities of other RICs), the securities (other than the securities of other RICs) of any two or
more issuers that we control and that are determined to be engaged in the same business or similar
or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded
partnerships (which includes MLPs).
S-1
These tax-related limitations may be changed by the Board of Directors to the extent
appropriate in light of changes to applicable tax requirements.
As used for the purpose of each nonfundamental investment policy above, the term total
assets includes any assets we obtain through leverage. Our Board of Directors may change our
nonfundamental investment policies without stockholder approval and will provide notice to
stockholders of material changes in such policies (including notice through stockholder reports).
Any change in the policy of investing under normal circumstances at least 80% of our total assets
(including assets we obtain through leverage) in the securities of companies that derive more than
50% of their revenues from power or energy infrastructure operations requires at least 60 days
prior written notice to stockholders. Unless otherwise stated, these investment restrictions apply
at the time of purchase, and we will not be required to reduce a position due solely to market
value fluctuations.
Leverage
Once
the proceeds of this offering have been fully invested in securities that meet our
investment objectives, we may fund continued investment activities through the borrowing of money
that represents the leveraging of our common shares. The issuance of additional common shares will
enable us to increase the aggregate amount of our leverage. Under
normal circumstances, we
will not employ leverage above 20% of our total assets at time of incurrence. We anticipate that
such leverage may initially include, although not be limited to, revolving credit facilities or
senior notes. We may also issue preferred shares, however, we will not utilize leverage in the
form of what historically has been known as auction rate preferred securities.
The use of leverage creates an opportunity for increased income and capital appreciation for
common stockholders, but at the same time creates special risks that may adversely affect common
stockholders. Because our Advisors fee is based upon a percentage of our Managed Assets, our
Advisors fee will be higher when we are leveraged. Managed Assets is defined as our total assets
(including any assets attributable to any leverage that may be outstanding) minus the sum of
accrued liabilities (other than debt representing financial leverage and the aggregate liquidation
preference of any outstanding preferred shares). Therefore, our Advisor has a financial incentive
to use leverage, which will create a conflict of interest between our Advisor and our common
stockholders, who will bear the costs and risks of our leverage. There can be no assurance that a
leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is used. The use of leverage
involves risks, which can be significant.
We may in the future use interest rate transactions for hedging purposes only, in an attempt
to reduce the interest rate risk arising from our leveraged capital structure. Interest rate
transactions that we may use for hedging purposes may expose us to certain risks that differ from
the risks associated with our portfolio holdings.
Portfolio Securities
We will seek
to achieve our investment objectives by investing in a wide range of securities that generate income,
including, but not limited to, fixed income securities and dividend-paying equity securities. Up
to 25% of these securities may be securities issued by MLPs. Securities that generate income in
which we may invest include, but are not limited to, the following types of securities:
Power and Energy Infrastructure Fixed Income Securities. We may invest in fixed income
securities, including bonds, debentures or other debt instruments, which are expected to provide a
high level of current income. Our investments in securities that generate income may have fixed or
variable principal payments and various interest rate and dividend payment and reset terms,
including fixed rate, floating rate, adjustable rate, and payment in kind features. Our
investments may have extended or no maturities. Securities that generate income also may be
subject to call features and redemption provisions. We may invest in securities that generate
income of any credit quality, including up to 25% of our total assets in fixed income securities
rated non-investment grade (commonly referred to as junk bonds), that are considered speculative
as to the issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Please see Risks Non-investment
Grade Fixed Income Securities Risk.
These securities may be senior or junior positions in the capital structure of a borrower, may
be secured (with specific collateral or have a claim on the assets and/or stock of the borrower
that is senior to that held by subordinated debt holders and stockholders of the borrower) or
unsecured, and may be used to finance leveraged buy-outs, recapitalizations, mergers, acquisitions,
stock repurchases or internal growth of the borrower. These loans may have fixed rates of interest
or variable rates of interest that are reset either daily, monthly, quarterly or semi-annually by
reference to a base lending rate, plus a premium. The base lending rate may be the London
Inter-Bank Offer Rate (LIBOR), the prime rate offered by one or more major U.S. banks or some
other base rate varying over time. Certain of the bonds in which we may invest may have an
extended or no maturity or may be zero coupon bonds. We may invest in fixed income securities that
are not rated or securities that are non-investment grade. Certain of these securities may be
securities issued by MLPs.
S-2
|
|
|
Investment Grade Securities. We may invest in a wide variety of income-generating
securities that are rated or determined by the Advisor to be investment grade quality and
that are issued by corporations and other non-governmental entities and issuers.
Investment grade quality securities are those that, at the time of investment, are either
rated by one of the NRSROs that rate such securities within the four highest letter grades
(including BBB- or higher by S&P or Fitch or Baa3 or higher by Moodys), or if unrated are
determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality to the securities in which the Fund
may otherwise invest. Investment grade securities may include securities that, at the time
of investment, are rated non-investment grade by S&P, Moodys or Fitch, so long as at least
one NRSRO rates such securities within the four highest grades (such securities are
commonly referred to as split-rated securities). |
|
|
|
|
Investment grade securities that generate income are subject to market and credit risk.
Investment grade securities that generate income have varying levels of sensitivity to
changes in interest rates and varying degrees of credit quality. The values of investment
grade income-generating securities may be affected by changes in the credit rating or
financial condition of an issuer. |
|
|
|
|
|
Non-investment Grade Securities. We may invest up to 25% of our total assets in fixed
income securities rated non-investment grade securities by NRSROS or unrated of comparable
quality. Non-investment grade securities are rated below Ba1 or lower by Moodys Investors
Service, Inc. (Moodys), BB+ or lower by Standard & Poors Ratings Services (S&P), BB
or lower by Fitch, Inc. (Fitch) or, if unrated, determined by the Advisor to be of
comparable quality. The ratings of Moodys, S&P and Fitch represent their opinions as to
the quality of the obligations which they undertake to rate. Ratings are relative and
subjective and, although ratings may be useful in evaluating the safety of interest and
principal payments, they do not evaluate the market value risk of such obligations.
Although these ratings may be an initial criterion for selection of portfolio investments,
the Advisor also will independently evaluate these securities and the ability of the
issuers of such securities to pay interest and principal. |
|
|
|
|
|
Securities rated non-investment grade are regarded as having predominately speculative
characteristics with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal,
and are commonly referred to as junk bonds or high-yield bonds. The credit quality of
most non-investment grade securities reflects a greater-than-average possibility that adverse
changes in the financial condition of an issuer, or in general economic conditions, or both,
may impair the ability of the issuer to make payments of interest and principal. The
inability (or perceived inability) of issuers to make timely payments of interest and
principal would likely make the values of non-investment grade securities held by us more
volatile and could limit our ability to sell such securities at favorable prices. In the
absence of a liquid trading market for non-investment grade securities, we may have
difficulties determining the fair market value of such investments. To the extent we invest
in unrated securities, our ability to achieve our investment objectives will be more
dependent on our Advisors credit analysis than would be the case when we invest in rated
securities. |
|
|
|
|
Because the risk of default is higher for non-investment grade securities than for investment
grade securities, our Advisors research and credit analysis is an especially important part
of managing securities of this type. Our Advisor will attempt to identify those issuers of
non-investment grade securities whose financial condition our Advisor believes are adequate
to meet future obligations or have improved or are expected to improve in the future. Our
Advisors analysis will focus on relative values based on such factors as interest or
dividend coverage, asset coverage, earnings prospects and the experience and managerial
strength of the issuer. |
Power and Energy Infrastructure Equity Securities. We may invest in a wide range of equity
securities issued by power and energy infrastructure companies that are expected to pay dividends
on a current basis.
We expect that such equity investments will primarily include MLP common units, MLP I-Shares
and common stock. However, such equity investments may also include limited partner interests,
limited liability company interests, general partner interests, convertible securities, preferred
equity, warrants and depository receipts of companies that are organized as corporations, limited
partnerships or limited liability companies. Equity investments generally represent an equity
ownership interest in an issuer. An adverse event, such as unfavorable earnings report, may
depress the value of a particular equity investment we hold. Also, prices of equity investments
are sensitive to general movements in the stock market and a drop in the stock market may depress
the price of equity investments we own. Equity investment prices fluctuate for several reasons,
including changes in investors perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or rising
interest rates, which increases borrowing costs and the costs of capital.
S-3
The following is a more detailed description of each such security.
|
|
|
MLP Common Units. MLP common units represent a limited partner interest in a limited
partnership that entitles the holder to an equity ownership share of the companys success
through distributions and/or capital appreciation. In the event of liquidation, MLP common
unitholders have first rights to the partnerships remaining assets after bondholders,
other debt holders, and preferred unitholders have been paid in full. MLPs are typically
managed by a general partner, and holders of MLP common units generally do not have the
right to vote upon the election of directors of the general partner. MLP common units
trade on a national securities exchange or over-the-counter. |
|
|
|
|
MLP I-Shares. I-Shares represent an indirect investment in MLP I-units. I-units are
equity securities issued to an affiliate of an MLP, typically an LLC, that owns an interest
in and manages the MLP. The I-Shares issuer has management rights but is not entitled to
incentive distributions. The I-Share issuers assets consist exclusively of MLP I-units.
Distributions by MLPs to I-unitholders are made in the form of additional I-units,
generally equal in amount to the cash received by common unitholders of MLPs. Distributions
to I-Share holders are made in the form of additional I-Shares, generally equal in amount
to the I-units received by the I-Share issuer and such shares are generally freely
tradeable in the open market. The issuer of the I-Shares is taxed as a corporation.
However, the MLP does not allocate income or loss to the I-Share issuer. Accordingly,
investors receive a Form 1099, are not allocated their proportionate share of income of the
MLPs and are not subject to state filing obligations. |
|
|
|
|
Common Stock. Common stock represents an ownership interest in the profits and losses
of a corporation, after payment of amounts owed to bondholders, other debt holders, and
holders of preferred stock. Holders of common stock generally have voting rights, but we
do not expect to have voting control in any of the companies in which we invest. The
common stock in which we invest will generally be traded on a national securities exchange. |
Restricted Securities. We may invest up to 15% of our total assets in restricted securities
that are ineligible for resale under Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, all of which may be illiquid
securities. Restricted securities (including restricted securities that are eligible for resale
under Rule 144A) are less liquid than freely tradable securities because of statutory and/or
contractual restrictions on resale. Such securities are not freely tradeable in the open market.
This lack of liquidity creates special risks for us. However, we could sell such securities in
private transactions with a limited number of purchasers or in public offerings under the 1933 Act
if we have registration rights for the resale of such securities. Certain restricted securities
generally become freely tradable upon the passage of time and satisfaction of other applicable
conditions.
Restricted securities generally can be sold in private transactions, pursuant to an exemption
from registration under the 1933 Act, or in a registered public offering. To enable us to sell our
holdings of a restricted security not registered under the 1933 Act, we may have to cause those
securities to be registered. When we must arrange registration because we wish to sell the
security, a considerable period may elapse between the time the decision is made to sell the
security and the time the security is registered so that we can sell it. We would bear the risks of
any downward price fluctuation during that period.
In recent years, a large institutional market has developed for certain securities that are
not registered under the 1933 Act, including private placements, repurchase agreements, commercial
paper, foreign securities and corporate bonds and notes. These instruments are often restricted
securities because the securities are either themselves exempt from registration or were sold in
transactions not requiring registration, such as Rule 144A transactions. Institutional investors
generally may not seek to sell these instruments to the general public, but instead will often
depend on an institutional market in which such unregistered securities can be resold or on an
issuers ability to honor a demand for repayment. Therefore, the fact that there are contractual or
legal restrictions on resale to the general public or certain institutions is not dispositive of
the liquidity of such investments.
We may also invest in securities that may not be restricted, but are thinly-traded. Although
securities of certain MLPs trade on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the NASDAQ National
Market or other securities exchanges or markets, such securities may have a lower trading volume
less than those of larger companies due to their relatively smaller capitalizations. Such
securities may be difficult to dispose of at a favorable price during times when we believe it is
desirable to do so. Investment of capital in thinly-traded securities may restrict our ability to
take advantage of market opportunities. The risks associated with thinly-traded securities may be
particularly acute in situations in which our operations require cash and could result in us
borrowing to meet our short term needs or incurring losses on the sale of thinly-traded securities.
Rule 144A Securities. The Fund may purchase Rule 144A securities, which are securities
generally traded on a secondary market accessible to certain qualified institutional buyers.
Rule 144A provides an exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act for the resale
of certain restricted securities to qualified institutional buyers, such as the Fund. There is no
limit to our investment
S-4
in Rule 144A securities and Rule 144A securities will not be counted towards the Funds 15%
limitation on investing in restricted securities.
Institutional markets for securities that exist or may develop as a result of Rule 144A may
provide both readily ascertainable fair values for those Rule 144A securities as well as the
ability to liquidate investments in those securities. An insufficient number of qualified
institutional buyers interested in purchasing Rule 144A-eligible securities held by us, however,
could affect adversely the marketability of certain Rule 144A securities, and we might be unable to
dispose of such securities promptly or at reasonable prices. To the extent that liquid Rule 144A
securities that the Fund holds become illiquid, due to the lack of sufficient qualified
institutional buyers or market or other conditions, the percentage of the Funds assets invested in
illiquid assets would increase.
Non-U.S. Securities. We may invest up to 10% of our total assets in securities issued by
non-U.S. issuers (including Canadian issuers). These securities may be issued by companies
organized and/or having securities traded on an exchange outside the U.S. or may be securities of
U.S. companies that are denominated in the currency of a different country.
Temporary Investments and Defensive Investments. Pending investment of the proceeds of this
offering, we expect to invest substantially all of the net offering proceeds in cash, cash
equivalents, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its instrumentalities or
agencies, short-term money market instruments, short-term fixed income securities, certificates of
deposit, bankers acceptances and other bank obligations, commercial paper or other liquid fixed
income securities. We may also invest in these instruments on a temporary basis to meet working
capital needs, including, but not limited to, holding a reserve pending payment of distributions or
facilitating the payment of expenses and settlement of trades.
In addition, and although inconsistent with our investment objectives, under adverse market or
economic conditions, we may invest 100% of our total assets in these securities. The yield on
these securities may be lower than the returns on the securities in which we will otherwise invest
or yields on lower-rated, fixed-income securities. To the extent we invest in these securities on
a temporary basis or for defensive purposes, we may not achieve our investment objectives.
Investment Process
Our Advisors securities selection process includes a comparison of quantitative, qualitative,
and relative value factors. Although our Advisor uses research provided by broker dealers and
investment firms when available, primary emphasis is placed on proprietary analysis and risk,
financial and valuation models conducted and maintained by our Advisors in-house investment
professionals. To determine whether a company meets its investment criteria, our Advisor will
generally look for the targeted investment characteristics as described herein.
All decisions to invest in a company must be approved by the unanimous decision of our
Advisors investment committee.
Investment Policies
We seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing in income-producing fixed income and
equity securities of companies that our Advisor believes offer attractive distribution rates.
The following are our fundamental investment limitations set forth in their entirety. We may
not:
|
|
|
issue senior securities, except as permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules and
interpretive positions of the SEC thereunder; |
|
|
|
|
borrow money, except as permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules and interpretive
positions of the SEC thereunder; |
|
|
|
|
make loans, except by the purchase of debt obligations, by entering into repurchase
agreements or through the lending of portfolio securities and as otherwise permitted by the
1940 Act and the rules and interpretive positions of the SEC thereunder; |
|
|
|
|
invest 25% or more of our total assets in any particular industry, except that we will
concentrate our assets in the group of industries constituting the power and energy
infrastructure sectors; |
|
|
|
|
underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that we may be considered
an underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act in the disposition of restricted
securities held in our portfolio; |
S-5
|
|
|
purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or
other instruments, except that we may invest in securities or other instruments backed by
real estate or securities of companies that invest in real estate or interests therein; and |
|
|
|
|
purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of
securities or other instruments, except that we may purchase or sell options and futures
contracts or invest in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities. |
As a nonfundamental investment policy, under normal circumstances, we will invest at least 80%
of our total assets (including assets we obtain through leverage) in the securities of companies
that derive more than 50% of their revenue from power or energy infrastructure operations.
We
also have adopted the following additional nonfundamental policies,
that will be followed under normal circumstances:
|
|
|
We will invest a minimum of 60% of our total assets in fixed income securities. |
|
|
|
|
|
We will not employ leverage above 20% of our total
assets at time of incurrence. |
|
|
|
|
|
We will not invest more than 25% of our total assets in non-investment grade rated
fixed income securities. |
|
|
|
|
We will not invest more than 15% of our total assets in restricted securities that are
ineligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, all of which may be illiquid securities. |
|
|
|
|
We may invest up to 10% of our total assets in securities issued by non-U.S. issuers
(including Canadian issuers). |
|
|
|
|
We will not engage in short sales. |
As used for the purpose of each nonfundamental investment policy above, the term total
assets includes any assets obtained through leverage. Our Board of Directors may change our
nonfundamental investment policies without stockholder approval and will provide notice to
stockholders of material changes in such policies (including notice through stockholder reports).
Any change in the policy of investing under normal circumstances at least 80% of our total assets
(including assets obtained through leverage) in the securities of companies that derive more than
50% of their revenue from power or energy infrastructure operations requires at least 60 days
prior written notice to stockholders. Unless otherwise stated, these investment restrictions apply
at the time of purchase, and we will not be required to reduce a position due solely to market
value fluctuations.
In addition, to comply with federal tax requirements for qualification as a RIC, our
investments will be limited so that at the close of each quarter of each taxable year (i) at least
50% of the value of our total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. Government
securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities limited
for purposes of such calculation, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of
the value of our total assets and not more than 10% outstanding voting securities of such issuer,
and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of our total assets is invested in the securities of any
one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other RICs), the securities
(other than the securities of other RICs) of any two or more issuers that we control and that are
determined to be engaged in the same business or similar or related trades or businesses, or the
securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (which includes MLPs). These
tax-related limitations may be changed by the Board of Directors to the extent appropriate in light
of changes to applicable tax requirements.
Portfolio Turnover
Our annual portfolio turnover rate may vary greatly from year to year. Although we cannot
accurately predict our annual portfolio turnover rate, it is not expected to exceed 30% under
normal circumstances. Portfolio turnover rate is not considered a limiting factor in the execution
of investment decisions for us. A higher turnover rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage
commissions and other transactional expenses that we bear.
Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices
Subject to policies established by our Advisor and approved by our Board of Directors, we do
not expect to execute transactions through any particular broker or dealer, but we will seek to
obtain the best net results for us, taking into account such factors as price (including the
applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution and
operational facilities of the firm and the firms risk and skill in positioning blocks of
securities. While we will generally seek reasonably competitive trade execution costs, we will not necessarily pay the lowest spread or commission available.
Subject to applicable legal requirements, we may select a broker based partly on brokerage or
research services provided to us. In return for such services, we may pay a higher commission than
other brokers would charge if our Advisor determines in good faith that such commission is
reasonable in relation to the services provided.
S-6
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Directors and Executive Officers
Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our Board of Directors.
Accordingly, our Board of Directors provides broad supervision over our affairs, including
supervision of the duties performed by our Advisor. Certain employees of our Advisor are
responsible for our day-to-day operations. The names and ages of our directors and executive
officers, together with their principal occupations and other affiliations during the past five
years, are set forth below. Each director and executive officer will hold office for the term to
which he is elected and until his successor is duly elected and qualifies, or until he resigns or
is removed in the manner provided by law. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each director
and executive officer is 11550 Ash Street, Suite 300, Leawood, Kansas 66211. Our Board of Directors
consists of a majority of directors who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act)
of our Advisor or its affiliates (Independent Directors). The directors who are interested
persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) are referred to as Interested Directors. Under our Articles
of Incorporation (the Charter), the Board of Directors is divided into three classes. Each class
of directors will hold office for a three-year term. However, the initial members of the three
classes have initial terms of one, two and three years, respectively. At each annual meeting of our
stockholders, the successors to the class of directors whose terms expire at such meeting will be
elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third
year following the year of their election and until their successors are duly elected and qualify.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s) Held |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Other Public |
|
|
with Fund, |
|
|
|
Portfolios in |
|
Company |
|
|
Term of Office |
|
|
|
Fund Complex |
|
Directorships |
|
|
and Length of |
|
Principal Occupation |
|
Overseen by |
|
Held by |
Name and Age |
|
Time Served |
|
During Past Five Years |
|
Director(1) |
|
Director/Officer |
Independent Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conrad S. Ciccotello
(Born 1960)
|
|
Class II Director,
Director since
inception
|
|
Tenured Associate
Professor of Risk
Management and
Insurance, Robinson
College of Business,
Georgia State
University (faculty
member since 1999);
Director of Graduate
Personal Financial
Planning Programs;
formerly, Editor,
Financial Services
Review, (2001-2007)
(an academic journal
dedicated to the
study of individual
financial
management);
formerly, faculty
member, Pennsylvania
State University
(1997-1999).
Published several
academic and
professional journal
articles about energy
infrastructure and
oil and gas MLPs.
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John R. Graham
(Born 1945)
|
|
Class I Director,
Director since
inception
|
|
Executive-in-Residence
and Professor of
Finance (part-time),
College of Business
Administration,
Kansas State
University (has
served as a professor
or adjunct professor
since 1970); Chairman
of the Board,
President and CEO,
Graham Capital
Management, Inc.
(primarily a real
estate development,
investment and
venture capital
company); Owner of
Graham Ventures (a
business services and
venture capital
firm); Part-time Vice
President
Investments, FB
Capital Management,
Inc. (a registered
investment adviser),
since 2007. Formerly,
CEO, Kansas Farm
Bureau Financial
Services, including
seven affiliated
insurance or
financial service
companies
(1979-2000).
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
Kansas State
Bank |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles E. Heath
(Born 1944)
|
|
Class III Director,
Director since
inception
|
|
Retired in 1999.
Formerly, Chief
Investment Officer,
GE Capitals
Employers Reinsurance
Corporation
(1989-1999);
Chartered Financial
Analyst (CFA)
designation since
1974.
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
None |
S-7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s) Held |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Other Public |
|
|
with Fund, |
|
|
|
Portfolios in |
|
Company |
|
|
Term of Office |
|
|
|
Fund Complex |
|
Directorships |
|
|
and Length of |
|
Principal Occupation |
|
Overseen by |
|
Held by |
Name and Age |
|
Time Served |
|
During Past Five Years |
|
Director(1) |
|
Director/Officer |
Interested Directors and
Officers(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Kevin Birzer
(Born 1959)
|
|
Class I Director,
Director and
Chairman of the
Board since
inception
|
|
Managing Director
of the Advisor
since 2002; Member,
Fountain Capital
Management
(Fountain
Capital)
(1990-June 2009);
Director and
Chairman of the
Board of each of
TYG, TYY, TYN, TTO
and the two private
investment
companies managed
by the Advisor
since its
inception;
formerly, Vice
President,
Corporate Finance
Department, Drexel
Burnham Lambert
(1986-1989);
formerly, Vice
President, F.
Martin Koenig &
Co., an investment
management firm
(1983-1986); CFA
designation since
1988.
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terry C. Matlack
(Born 1956)
|
|
Class III Director,
Director and Chief
Financial Officer
since inception
|
|
Managing Director
of the Advisor
since 2002;
Full-time Managing
Director, Kansas
City Equity
Partners, L.C.
(KCEP)
(2001-2002);
formerly,
President,
GreenStreet
Capital, a private
investment firm
(1998-2001);
Director and Chief
Financial Officer
of each of TYG,
TYY, TYN, TTO and
the two privately
held investment
companies managed
by the Advisor
since its
inception; Chief
Compliance Officer
of TYG from 2004
through May 2006
and of each of TYY
and TYN from their
inception through
May 2006; Treasurer
of each of TYG, TYY
and TYN from their
inception to
November 2005;
Assistant Treasurer
of TYG, TYY and TYN
from November 2005
to April 2008, of
TTO and one of the
two private
investment
companies from
their inception to
April 2008, and of
the other private
investment company
since its
inception; CFA
designation since
1985.
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David J. Schulte
(Born 1961)
|
|
President and Chief
Executive Officer
since inception
|
|
Managing Director
of the Advisor
since 2002;
Full-time Managing
Director, KCEP
(1993-2002);
President and Chief
Executive Officer
of TYG since 2003
and of TYY since
2005; Chief
Executive Officer
of TYN since 2005
and President of
TYN from 2005 to
September 2008;
Chief Executive
Officer of TTO
since 2005 and
President of TTO
from 2005 to April
2007; President of
one of the two
private investment
companies since
2007 and of the
other private
investment company
from 2007 to June
2008; Chief
Executive Officer
of one of the two
private investment
companies since
2007 and of the
other private
investment company
from 2007 to
December 2008; CFA
designation since
1992.
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S-8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s) Held |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Other Public |
|
|
with Fund, |
|
|
|
Portfolios in |
|
Company |
|
|
Term of Office |
|
|
|
Fund Complex |
|
Directorships |
|
|
and Length of |
|
Principal Occupation |
|
Overseen by |
|
Held by |
Name and Age |
|
Time Served |
|
During Past Five Years |
|
Director(1) |
|
Director/Officer |
Zachary A. Hamel
(Born 1965)
|
|
Senior Vice
President since
inception
|
|
Managing Director
of the Advisor
since 2002;
Partner, Fountain
Capital
(1997-present);
Senior Vice
President of TYY
and TTO since 2005
and of TYG, TYN and
the two private
investment
companies since
2007; Secretary of
each of TYG, TYY,
TYN and TTO from
their inception to
April 2007; CFA
designation since
1998.
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth P. Malvey
(Born 1965)
|
|
Senior Vice
President and
Treasurer since
inception
|
|
Managing Director
of the Advisor
since 2002;
Partner, Fountain
Capital
(2002-present);
formerly,
Investment Risk
Manager and member
of the Global
Office of
Investments, GE
Capitals Employers
Reinsurance
Corporation
(1996-2002);
Treasurer of TYG, TYY and TYN since
November 2005, of
TTO since
September 2005, and
of the two private
investment
companies since
2007; Senior Vice
President of TYY
and TTO since 2005,
and of TYG, TYN and
the two private
investment
companies since
2007; Assistant
Treasurer of TYG,
TYY and TYN from
their inception to
November 2005;
Chief Executive
Officer of one of
the private
investment
companies since
December 2008; CFA
designation since
1996.
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
This number includes four publicly traded closed-end funds (Tortoise
Energy Infrastructure Corporation (TYG), Tortoise Energy Capital
Corporation (TYY), Tortoise North American Energy Corporation
(TYN) and Tortoise Capital Resources Corporation (TTO), two
privately-held closed-end funds and the Fund. Our Advisor also serves
as the investment adviser to these funds. |
|
(2) |
|
As a result of their respective positions held with the Advisor or its
affiliates, these individuals are considered interested persons
within the meaning of the 1940 Act. |
S-9
Other Senior Investment Professionals
Rob Thummel joined the Advisor in 2004 as an Investment Analyst. In September 2008, he was
appointed President of TYN. Previously, Mr. Thummel was Director of Finance at KLT Inc., a
subsidiary of Great Plains Energy from 1998 to 2004 and a Senior Auditor at Ernst & Young from 1995
to 1998. Mr. Thummel earned a master of Business Administration from the University of Kansas and a
Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Kansas State University.
Bernard Colson joined the Advisor in 2007 as an Investment Analyst. Previously, Mr. Colson
was an Investment Analyst at Waddell & Reed from 2004 to 2006 where he covered the electric
utilities and media industries. Prior to Waddell & Reed, Mr. Colson was an Investment Analyst at
Citigroup Asset Management from 2001 to 2004, where he covered the electric utilities and was a
member of the Large Cap Core portfolio management team. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Sociology from Yale University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of
Michigan Business School. Mr. Colson received his CFA designation in 2002.
Audit and Valuation Committee
Our Board of Directors has a standing Audit and Valuation Committee that consists of three
Independent Directors of the Fund: Mr. Ciccotello (Chairman), Mr. Graham, and Mr. Heath. The Audit
and Valuation Committees function is to select an independent registered public accounting firm to
conduct the annual audit of our financial statements, review with the independent registered public
accounting firm the outline, scope and results of this annual audit, review the investment
valuations proposed by our Advisors investment committee and review the performance and approval
of all fees charged by the independent registered public accounting firm for audit, audit-related
and other professional services. In addition, the Audit and Valuation Committee meets with the
independent registered public accounting firm and representatives of management to review
accounting activities and areas of financial reporting and control. The Audit and Valuation
Committee has at least one member who is deemed to be a financial expert and operates under a
written charter approved by the Board of Directors. The Audit and Valuation Committee meets
periodically, as necessary.
Nominating and Governance Committee
We have a Nominating and Governance Committee that consists exclusively of our three
Independent Directors: Conrad S. Ciccotello, John R. Graham (Chairman) and Charles E. Heath. The
Nominating and Governance Committees function is to: (1) identify individuals qualified to become
Board members, consistent with criteria approved by our Board of Directors, and to recommend to the
Board of Directors the director nominees for the next annual meeting of stockholders and to fill
any vacancies; (2) monitor the structure and membership of Board committees; (3) review issues and
developments related to corporate governance issues and develop and recommend to the Board of
Directors corporate governance guidelines and procedures to the extent necessary or desirable;
(4) evaluate and make recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding director compensation;
and (5) oversee the evaluation of the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Governance Committee
will consider stockholder recommendations for nominees for membership to the Board of Directors so
long as such recommendations are made in accordance with our Bylaws.
S-10
Compliance Committee
We have a Compliance Committee that consists exclusively of our three Independent Directors:
Conrad S. Ciccotello, John R. Graham and Charles E. Heath (Chairman). The Compliance Committees
function is to review and assess managements compliance with applicable securities laws, rules and
regulations, monitor compliance with our Code of Ethics, and handle other matters as the Board of
Directors or committee chair deems appropriate.
Board Compensation
Our directors and officers who are interested persons will receive no salary or fees from us.
Each Independent Director will receive from us a fee of $2,000 (and reimbursement for related
expenses) for each meeting of the Board of Directors or Audit and Valuation Committee he or she
attends in person (or $1,000 for each Board of Directors or Audit and Valuation Committee meeting
attended telephonically, or for each Audit and Valuation Committee meeting attended in person that
is held on the same day as a Board of Directors meeting). Independent Directors also receive $1,000
for each other committee meeting attended in person or telephonically (other than Audit and
Valuation Committee meetings). The annual retainer of each Independent Director and for the
chairman of the Audit and Valuation Committee and other Committee Chairmen will be determined by
the Board of Directors after completion of this offering.
We do not compensate our officers. No director or officer is entitled to receive pension or
retirement benefits from us and no director receives any compensation from us other than in cash.
Our Advisor
We have entered into an investment advisory agreement with Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C.,
a registered investment adviser, pursuant to which it will serve as our investment adviser (the
Initial Investment Advisory Agreement). The Initial Investment Advisory Agreement will become
effective upon the closing of this offering. Our Advisor was formed in October 2002 and has been
managing assets in portfolios of MLPs and other energy infrastructure companies since that time.
Our Advisor also manages the investments of four publicly traded funds and two privately held
funds, all of which are non-diversified, closed-end management investment companies and one of
which has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act.
As
of this date, our Advisor is controlled equally by FCM Tortoise, L.L.C. (FCM), an affiliate of Fountain
Capital, and KCEP. KCEP has no operations and is a holding company. FCM has no operations and
serves as a holding company. Fountain Capitals ownership in our Advisor was transferred to FCM,
an entity with the same principals as Fountain Capital, effective as of August 2, 2007. The
transfer did not result in a change in control of our Advisor.
|
|
|
Our Advisor was formed in 2002 by Fountain Capital and KCEP to provide portfolio
management services exclusively with respect to energy infrastructure investments. |
|
|
|
|
Fountain Capital was formed in 1990 and focuses primarily on providing investment
advisory services to institutional investors with respect to non-investment grade rated
debt. |
|
|
|
|
KCEP was formed in 1993 and managed KCEP Ventures II, L.P. (KCEP II), a private
equity fund with committed capital of $55 million invested in a variety of companies in
diverse industries. KCEP II wound up its operations in late 2006, has no remaining
portfolio investments and has distributed proceeds to its partners. KCEP I, L.P. (KCEP
I), a start-up and early-stage venture capital fund launched in 1994 and previously
managed by KCEP, also recently completed the process of winding down. As a part of that
process, KCEP I entered into a consensual order of receivership, which was necessary to
allow KCEP I to distribute its remaining $1.3 million of assets to creditors and the
Small Business Administration (SBA). The consensual order acknowledged a capital
impairment condition and the resulting nonperformance by KCEP I of its agreement with
the SBA, both of which were violations of the provisions requiring repayment of capital
under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 and the regulations thereunder. |
On June 3, 2009, our Advisor announced that senior management of our Advisor entered into a
definitive agreement to acquire, along with Mariner Holdings, LLC (Mariner), all of the ownership
interests in our Advisor. As part of the transaction, Mariner will purchase a majority stake in
our Advisor, with the intention to provide growth capital and resources, and serve as a
complementary strategic partner in the asset management business (the Proposed Transaction).
Mariner is an independent investment firm with affiliates focused on wealth and asset management.
Mariner was founded in 2006 by former A.G. Edwards investment professionals and management staff
led by Marty Bicknell, and has grown to more than 50 employees with $1.3 billion of assets under
management as of April 30, 2009.
S-11
The portfolio management, investment objectives and policies, and investment processes of the
Fund will not change as a result of the Proposed Transaction or entering into the proposed new
investment advisory agreement (the New Investment Advisory Agreement) with our Advisor, as
discussed below. The current Managing Directors of our Advisor will continue to serve as the
investment committee of our Advisor responsible for the investment management of the Funds
portfolio. The Advisor will retain its name and will remain located at 11550 Ash Street, Suite
300, Leawood, Kansas 66211.
The business and affairs of our Advisor are currently managed by David J. Schulte, Chief
Executive Officer and President of the Fund; Terry Matlack, a director and the Chief Financial
Officer of the Fund; H. Kevin Birzer, director and Chairman of the Board of the Fund, Zachary A.
Hamel, Senior Vice President of the Fund, and Kenneth P. Malvey, Senior Vice President and
Treasurer of the Fund. Each of Messrs. Schulte, Matlack, Birzer, Hamel and Malvey will continue to
serve as Managing Directors of our Advisor and will continue to own a portion of the Advisor
following the Proposed Transaction.
Our Advisor has 33 full-time employees, with a 20 member investment team, including five
members of the investment committee of our Advisor.
Investment Committee
Management of our portfolio is the responsibility of our Advisor. Each of our Advisors
investment decisions will be reviewed and approved for us by its investment committee, which also
acts as the investment committee for the four publicly held funds, and the two privately-held funds
managed by our Advisor. Our Advisors investment committee is comprised of its five Managing
Directors: H. Kevin Birzer, Zachary A. Hamel, Kenneth P. Malvey, Terry C. Matlack and David J.
Schulte. The members of our Advisors investment committee have an average of over 23 years of
investment experience. All decisions to invest in a portfolio company must be approved by the
unanimous decision of our Advisors investment committee, and any one member of our Advisors
investment committee can require our Advisor to sell a security. Biographical information about
each member of our Advisors investment committee is set forth below.
Kevin Birzer
Kevin Birzer has been a Managing Director of TCA since 2002. Mr. Birzer has 28 years of
investment experience, and began his career in 1981 at KPMG Peat Marwick. His subsequent
experience includes three years working as a Vice President for F. Martin Koenig & Co., focusing on
equity and option investments, and three years at Drexel Burnham Lambert, where he was a Vice
President in the Corporate Finance Department. In 1990, Mr. Birzer co-founded Fountain Capital, a
high yield bond management firm, where he remained a part owner until June 2009. He earned his CFA
designation in 1988.
Zachary Hamel
Zachary Hamel has been a Managing Director of our Advisor since 2002 and is also a Partner
with Fountain Capital. Mr. Hamel also serves as Senior Vice President of the four publicly traded
funds and the two privately-held funds managed by our Advisor. Mr. Hamel joined Fountain Capital
in 1997 and covered the energy, chemicals and utilities sectors. Prior to joining Fountain Capital,
Mr. Hamel worked for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) for eight years as a Bank
Examiner and a Regional Capital Markets Specialist. He earned his CFA designation in 1998.
Ken Malvey
Ken Malvey has been a Managing Director of TCA since 2002 and is also Partner with Fountain
Capital. Mr. Malvey also serves as Senior Vice President and Treasurer of the four publicly traded
funds and the two privately held funds managed by our Advisor and as the Chief Executive Officer of
one of the privately held funds. Prior to joining Fountain Capital in 2002, Mr. Malvey was one of
three members of the Global Office of Investments for GE Capitals Employers Reinsurance
Corporation. Most recently, he was the Global Investment Risk Manger for a portfolio of
approximately $24 billion of fixed-income, public equity and alternative investment assets. Before
joining GE Capital in 1996, he was a Bank Examiner and Regional Capital Markets Specialist with the
FDIC for nine years. He earned his CFA designation in 1996.
Terry Matlack
Terry Matlack has been a Managing Director of our Advisor since 2002 and serves as Chief
Financial Officer and Director of the four publicly traded funds and the two privately-held funds
managed by our Advisor. From 2001 to 2002, Mr. Matlack was a full-time Managing Director at KCEP.
Prior to joining KCEP, Mr. Matlack was President of GreenStreet Capital and its affiliates in the
telecommunications service industry. Mr. Matlack has also served as the Executive Vice President
and a board member of W.K. Communications, Inc., a cable television acquisition company, and Chief Operating Officer of
W.K. Cellular, a cellular rural service area operator. He earned his CFA designation in 1985.
S-12
David Schulte
David Schulte has been a Managing Director of our Advisor since 2002 and serves as Chief
Executive Officer and President of two of the publicly traded funds, and as Chief Executive Officer
of the other two publicly traded funds and one of the privately-held funds managed by our Advisor,
and as President of the other privately-held fund. Previously, Mr. Schulte was a full-time
Managing Director at KCEP from 1993 to 2002, where he led private financing for two growth MLPs.
Mr. Schulte served on the Board of Directors of Inergy, LP, a propane gas MLP, from 2001 to 2004.
Before joining KCEP, he spent five years as an investment banker at the predecessor of
Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. He is a certified public accountant (CPA) and also earned his CFA
designation in 1992.
The following table provides information about the other accounts managed on a day-to-day
basis by each member of our Advisors investment committee as of December 31, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Total Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts |
|
of Accounts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
Paying a |
|
Paying a |
|
|
Number of |
|
Assets of |
|
Performance |
|
Performance |
|
|
Accounts |
|
Accounts |
|
Fee |
|
Fee |
H. Kevin Birzer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered investment companies |
|
|
5 |
|
|
$ |
1,109,317,225 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Other pooled investment vehicles |
|
|
4 |
|
|
$ |
157,970,377 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
$ |
102,958,967 |
|
Other accounts |
|
|
213 |
|
|
$ |
1,462,563,20 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
Zachary A. Hamel |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered investment companies |
|
|
5 |
|
|
$ |
1,109,317,225 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Other pooled investment vehicles |
|
|
4 |
|
|
$ |
157,970,377 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
$ |
102,958,967 |
|
Other accounts |
|
|
213 |
|
|
$ |
1,462,563,20 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
Kenneth P. Malvey |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered investment companies |
|
|
5 |
|
|
$ |
1,109,317,225 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Other pooled investment vehicles |
|
|
4 |
|
|
$ |
157,970,377 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
$ |
102,958,967 |
|
Other accounts |
|
|
213 |
|
|
$ |
1,462,563,20 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
Terry C. Matlack |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered investment companies |
|
|
5 |
|
|
$ |
1,109,317,225 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Other pooled investment vehicles |
|
|
1 |
|
|
$ |
102,958,967 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
$ |
102,958,967 |
|
Other accounts |
|
|
200 |
|
|
$ |
227,767,796 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
David J. Schulte |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered investment companies |
|
|
5 |
|
|
$ |
1,109,317,225 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Other pooled investment vehicles |
|
|
1 |
|
|
$ |
102,958,967 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
$ |
102,958,967 |
|
Other accounts |
|
|
200 |
|
|
$ |
227,767,796 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Messrs. Birzer, Hamel, Malvey, Matlack and Schulte will not receive any direct compensation
from us or any other of the managed accounts reflected in the table above. All such accounts are
managed by our Advisor or Fountain Capital. All members of our Advisors investment committee are
full-time employees of our Advisor and receive a fixed salary for the services they provide. Each
of Messrs. Birzer, Hamel, Malvey, Matlack and Schulte own an equity interest in either KCEP or FCM
Tortoise, L.L.C., the two entities that control our Advisor, and each thus benefits from increases
in the net income of our Advisor.
Conflicts of Interest
Our Advisor has a conflict of interest in allocating potentially more favorable investment
opportunities to other funds and clients that pay our Advisor an incentive or performance fee.
Performance and incentive fees also create the incentive to allocate potentially riskier, but
potentially better performing, investments to such funds and other clients in an effort to increase
the incentive fee. Our Advisor may also have an incentive to make investments in one fund, having
the effect of increasing the value of a security in the same issuer held by another fund, which in
turn may result in an incentive fee being paid to our Advisor by that other fund. Our Advisor has
written allocation policies and procedures that it will follow in addressing any conflicts. When
two or more clients advised by our Advisor or its affiliates seek to purchase or sell the same
securities, the securities actually purchased or sold will be allocated among the clients on a good
faith equitable basis by our Advisor in its discretion and in accordance with each clients
investment objectives and our Advisors procedures. In some cases, this system may adversely affect
the price or size of the position we may obtain or sell. In other cases, our ability to participate
in large volume transactions may produce better execution for us.
S-13
Our Advisor also serves as investment adviser for four other publicly traded and two privately
held closed-end management investment companies, all of which invest in the energy sector. See
Management of the Fund Our Advisor.
Our Advisor will evaluate a variety of factors in determining whether a particular investment
opportunity or strategy is appropriate and feasible for a relevant client account at a particular
time, including, but not limited to, the following: (i) the nature of the investment opportunity
taken in the context of the other investments at the time; (ii) the liquidity of the investment
relative to the needs of the particular entity or account; (iii) the availability of the
opportunity (i.e., size of obtainable position); (iv) the transaction costs involved; and (v) the
investment or regulatory limitations applicable to the particular entity or account. Because these
considerations may differ when applied to us and other relevant client accounts in the context of
any particular investment opportunity, our investment activities may differ considerably from those
of other clients of our Advisor.
Situations may occur when we could be disadvantaged because of the investment activities
conducted by our Advisor and its affiliates for their other accounts. Such situations may be based
on, among other things, the following: (1) legal or internal restrictions on the combined size of
positions that may be taken for us or the other accounts, thereby limiting the size of our
position; (2) the difficulty of liquidating an investment for us or the other accounts where the
market cannot absorb the sale of the combined position; or (3) limits on co-investing in private
placement securities under the 1940 Act. Our investment opportunities may be limited by
affiliations of our Advisor or its affiliates with power and energy infrastructure companies.
Under the 1940 Act, we and our affiliated companies are generally precluded from co-investing
in negotiated private placements of securities. Except as permitted by law, our Advisor will not
co-invest its other clients assets in negotiated private transactions in which we invest. To the
extent we are precluded from such co-investing, our Advisor will allocate non-negotiated private
placement investment opportunities among its clients, including but not limited to us and our
affiliated companies, based on allocation policies that take into account several suitability
factors, including the size of the investment opportunity, the amount each client has available for
investment and the clients investment objectives. These allocation policies may result in the
allocation of investment opportunities to an affiliated company rather than to us.
The fair value of certain securities will be determined pursuant to methodologies established
by our Board of Directors. Fair value pricing involves judgments that are inherently subjective and
inexact. Our Advisor is subject to a conflict of interest in determining the fair value of
securities in our portfolio, as the management fees we pay our Advisor are based on the value of
our average monthly Managed Assets.
Investment Advisory Agreement
The Proposed Transaction described above is subject to the receipt of certain approvals and
the fulfillment of certain other conditions. The Proposed Transaction will result in a change in
control of the Advisor and will, therefore, constitute an assignment of the Initial Investment
Advisory Agreement within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940
Act). An investment advisory agreement automatically terminates upon its assignment under the
applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. As of the closing date of the Proposed Transaction, which
is expected to be completed in the third calendar quarter of 2009, the Initial Investment Advisory
Agreement will terminate.
The terms of the New Investment Advisory Agreement are identical to the terms of the Initial
Investment Advisory Agreement, except for the effective and termination dates, and would simply
continue the relationship between the Fund and our Advisor. The services provided by the Advisor
and the amount of the advisory fee paid to the Advisor by the Fund will not change.
In anticipation of the assignment and termination of the Initial Investment Advisory
Agreement, the New Investment Advisory Agreement has been reviewed and approved by our Board of
Directors, see Board Approval of the Investment Advisory Agreements, and our existing
stockholders and will become effective upon completion of the Proposed Transaction and will
continue in effect for an initial period that runs through December 31, 2010. Thereafter, the New
Investment Advisory Agreement will continue annually, provided that its continuance is approved by
the Board of Directors, including a majority of the Directors who are not parties to the New
Investment Advisory Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such
party (the Independent Directors), at a meeting called for that purpose, or by vote of a majority
of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
Management Services
Pursuant to each investment advisory agreement, our Advisor will be subject to the overall
supervision and review of our Board of Directors, will provide us with investment research, advice
and supervision and will furnish us continuously with an investment program, consistent with our
investment objectives and strategies. Our Advisor also will determine from time to time what
securities we purchase, what securities will be held or sold, and what portions of our assets will
be held uninvested as cash, short-duration securities or in other liquid assets,
S-14
will maintain books and records with respect to all of
our transactions, and will report to our Board of Directors on our investments and performance.
Our Advisors services to us under each investment advisory agreement will not be exclusive,
and our Advisor is free to furnish the same or similar services to other entities, including
businesses that may directly or indirectly compete with us, so long as our Advisors services to us
are not impaired by the provision of such services to others.
Management Fee
For the services, payments and facilities to be furnished by our Advisor, we will pay our
Advisor annual compensation in an amount determined by reference to the average monthly value of
our Managed Assets. Managed Assets means our total assets (including any assets attributable
to any leverage that may be outstanding) minus the sum of accrued liabilities (other than debt
representing financial leverage and the aggregate liquidation preference of any outstanding
preferred shares). Accrued liabilities are expenses incurred in the normal course of our
operations. The compensation owed to our Advisor following each calendar quarter will be
determined by multiplying the Managed Assets by 0.2375% (to provide an annualized fee of 0.95%).
Such compensation will be calculated and accrued daily and paid quarterly within five (5) days of
the end of each calendar quarter. The Advisor has agreed to a fee
waiver of 0.15% of Managed Assets for year 1,
0.10% of Managed Assets for year 2 and 0.05% of Managed Assets for year 3, which will become effective as of the close of this
offering.
If either investment advisory agreement is initiated or terminated during any month, the fee
for that month will be reduced proportionately on the basis of the number of calendar days during
which that agreement is in effect and the fee will be computed based on the average Managed Assets
for the business days that agreement is in effect for that month.
Payment of Our Expenses
We will bear all expenses not specifically assumed by our Advisor and incurred in our
operations, and we will bear the expenses related to our formation and this offering. The
compensation and allocable routine overhead expenses of all investment professionals of our Advisor
and its staff, when and to the extent engaged in providing us investment advisory services, will be
provided and paid for by our Advisor and not us. In addition, the
Advisor has agreed to pay certain offering expenses, to the extent
they exceed $0.04 per share sold in this offering. Subject to that
commitment, the compensation and expenses borne by us include,
but are not limited to, the following:
|
|
|
|
other than as provided in the paragraph above, expenses of maintaining and
continuing our existence and related overhead, including, to the extent such services
are provided by personnel of our Advisor or its affiliates, office space and facilities
and personnel compensation, training and benefits; |
|
|
|
|
|
commissions, spreads, fees and other expenses connected with the acquisition,
holding and disposition of securities and other investments, including placement and
similar fees in connection with direct placements entered into on our
behalf; |
|
|
|
|
|
auditing, accounting, tax and legal services expenses; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
taxes and interest; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
governmental fees; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
expenses of listing our shares with a stock exchange, and expenses of the issue,
sale, repurchase and redemption (if any) of our securities; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
expenses of registering and qualifying us and our securities under federal and
state securities laws and of preparing and filing registration statements and amendments
for such purposes; |
|
|
|
|
|
expenses of communicating with stockholders, including website expenses and the
expenses of preparing, printing and mailing press releases, reports and other notices to
stockholders and of meetings of stockholders and proxy solicitations
therefor; |
|
|
|
|
|
expenses of reports to governmental officers and commissions; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
insurance expenses; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
association membership dues; |
|
S-15
|
|
|
fees, expenses and disbursements of custodians and subcustodians for all services
to us (including, without limitation. safekeeping of funds, securities and other
investments, keeping of books, accounts and records, and determination of net asset
values); |
|
|
|
|
fees, expenses and disbursements of transfer agents, dividend and interest paying
agents, stockholder servicing agents, registrars and administrator for all services to
us; |
|
|
|
|
compensation and expenses of our directors who are not members of our Advisors
organization; |
|
|
|
|
pricing, valuation and other consulting or analytical services employed in
considering and valuing our actual or prospective investments; |
|
|
|
|
all expenses incurred in leveraging our assets through a line of credit or other
indebtedness or issuing and maintaining preferred shares or notes; |
|
|
|
|
all expenses incurred in connection with our organization and the offering of our
common shares, including this offering, but not including the
structuring fees to be paid
by our Advisor to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, UBS Securities LLC,
and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated; and |
|
|
|
|
such non-recurring items as may arise, including expenses incurred in litigation,
proceedings and claims and our obligation to indemnify our directors, officers and
stockholders with respect thereto. |
Duration and Termination
The Initial Investment Advisory Agreement was approved by our Board of Directors on May 22,
2009. The Initial Investment Advisory Agreement will become effective as of the close of this
offering. Unless terminated earlier as described below, it will continue in effect for a period of
two years from the effective date and will remain in effect from year to year thereafter if
approved annually by our Board of Directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority
of our outstanding voting securities, and, in either case, upon approval by a majority of our
directors who are not interested persons or parties to the investment advisory agreement. As
discussed above, the Initial Investment Advisory Agreement will terminate, and the New Investment
Advisory Agreement will become effective, upon the closing of the Proposed Transaction.
The Initial Investment Advisory Agreement and the New Investment Advisory Agreement provide
that they may be terminated by us at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by our Board of
Directors or by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund on 60
days written notice to the Advisor. The Initial Investment Advisory Agreement and the New
Investment Advisory Agreement provide that they may be terminated by the Advisor at any time,
without the payment of any penalty, upon 60 days written notice to the Fund. The Initial Investment
Advisory Agreement and the New Investment Advisory Agreement also provide that they will
automatically terminate in the event of an assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act), such as the
Proposed Transaction.
Liability of Advisor
Both the Initial Investment Advisory Agreement and the New Investment Advisory Agreement
provide that our Advisor will not be liable to us in any way for any default, failure or defect in
any of the securities comprising our portfolio if it has satisfied the duties and the standard of
care, diligence and skill set forth in each investment advisory agreement. However, our Advisor
will be liable to us for any loss, damage, claim, cost, charge, expense or liability resulting from
our Advisors willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence or disregard by our Advisor of its
duties or standard of care, diligence and skill set forth in each investment advisory agreement or
a material breach or default of our Advisors obligations under that agreement.
Board Approval of the Investment Advisory Agreements
Our Board of Directors, including a majority of the Independent Directors, reviewed and
approved the Initial Investment Advisory Agreement on May 22, 2009. The Board of Directors,
including a majority of the Independent Directors, reviewed and approved the New Investment
Advisory Agreement on June 2, 2009.
Prior to our Board of Directors approval of the New Investment Advisory Agreement, the
Independent Directors, with the assistance of counsel independent of the Advisor (hereinafter
independent legal counsel), requested and evaluated extensive materials about the Proposed
Transaction and Mariner provided by the Advisor and Mariner, which also included information from
independent, third-party sources, regarding the factors considered in their evaluation.
S-16
Our Independent Directors first learned of the potential Proposed Transaction in January 2009.
Prior to conducting due diligence of the Proposed Transaction and of Mariner, each Independent
Director had a personal meeting with key officials of Mariner. In February 2009, the Independent
Directors consulted with independent legal counsel regarding the role of the Independent Directors
in the Proposed Transaction. Also in February 2009, the Independent Directors, in conjunction with
independent legal counsel, prepared and submitted their own due diligence request list to Mariner,
so that the Independent Directors could better understand the effect the change of control would
have on our Advisor. In March 2009, the Independent Directors, in conjunction with independent
legal counsel reviewed the written materials provided by Mariner. In April and May 2009, the
Independent Directors asked for supplemental written due diligence information and were given such
follow-up information about Mariner and the Proposed Transaction.
In May 2009, our Independent Directors interviewed key Mariner personnel and asked follow-up
questions after having completed a review of all documents provided in response to formal due
diligence requests. In particular, the follow-up questions focused on (i) the expected continuity
of management and employees at our Advisor, (ii) compliance and regulatory experience of our
Advisor, (iii) plans to maintain our Advisors compliance and regulatory personnel and (iv) benefit
and incentive plans used to maintain our Advisors current personnel. On May 22, 2009, our
Independent Directors and Mariner officials met to discuss the Proposed Transaction. Our
Independent Directors also met in person with Mariner officials in May in the interest of better
getting to know key personnel at Mariner. Our Independent Directors also discussed the Proposed
Transaction and the findings of the Mariner diligence investigation with independent legal counsel
in private sessions.
In approving the Initial Investment Advisory Agreement and the New Investment Advisory
Agreement, our Independent Directors requested and received extensive data and information from our
Advisor concerning the Fund and the anticipated services to be provided to it by our Advisor. The
extensive data and information reviewed, in conjunction with the results of the diligence
investigation of the Proposed Transaction and Mariner, form the basis of the conclusions reached
below.
Our Board of Directors, including the Independent Directors, considered and evaluated all the
information provided by our Advisor. The Independent Directors did not identify any single factor
as being all-important or controlling, and each Director may have attributed different levels of
importance to different factors. In deciding to approve the Initial Investment Advisory Agreement
and the New Investment Advisory Agreement, the Independent Directors decision was based on the
following factors and what, if any, impact the Proposed Transaction would have on such factors.
|
|
|
|
Services. Our Board of Directors reviewed the nature, extent and quality of the
investment advisory and administrative services proposed to be provided to us by our
Advisor and found them sufficient to encompass the range of services necessary for our
operation. Our Independent Directors considered information regarding the history,
qualification and background of our Advisor and the individuals responsible for our
Advisors investment program, the adequacy of the number of the Advisor personnel and
other Advisor resources and plans for growth, use of affiliates of our Advisor, and the
particular expertise with respect to power and energy infrastructure companies, MLP
markets and financing. The Independent Directors concluded
that the unique nature of the Fund and the specialized expertise of the Advisor in the
niche market of MLPs made it uniquely qualified to serve as the advisor. Further, the
Independent Directors recognized that the Advisors commitment to a long-term investment
horizon correlated well to the investment strategy of the Fund. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comparison of Management Fee to Other Firms Management Fees. Our Board of
Directors reviewed and considered, to the extent publicly available, the management fee
arrangements of various groups of companies with business models that are similar to
different aspects of our investment strategy. Our Independent Directors reviewed and
evaluated information regarding the performance of the other Advisor accounts (including
other investment companies), and information regarding the nature of the markets during
the performance period. The Independent
Directors considered and evaluated information regarding fees charged to, and services
provided to, other investment companies advised by our Advisor (including the impact of
any fee waiver or reimbursement arrangements and any expense reimbursement
arrangements), fees charged to separate institutional accounts by our Advisor, and
comparisons of fees of closed-end funds with similar investment objectives and
strategies to the Fund. The Independent
Directors concluded that the fees and expenses that the Fund will pay under the initial
and New Investment Advisory Agreements are reasonable given the quality of services to
be provided under the initial and New Investment Advisory Agreements and that such fees
and expenses are comparable to, and in many cases lower than, the fees charged by
advisors to comparable funds. |
|
|
|
|
|
Experience of Management Team and Personnel. Our Board of Directors considered
the extensive experience of the members of our Advisors investment committee with
respect to the specific types of investments we propose to make and their past
experience with similar kinds of investments. Our Board of Directors discussed numerous
aspects of our investment strategy with members of our Advisors investment committee
and also considered the potential flow of |
S-17
|
|
|
investment opportunities resulting from the numerous relationships of our Advisors
investment committee and investment professionals within the investment community. |
|
|
|
|
Provisions of Investment Advisory Agreement. Our Board of Directors considered
the extent to which the provisions of the investment advisory agreement were comparable
to the investment advisory agreements of various groups of companies with business
models that are similar to different aspects of our investment strategy, including peer
group companies, and concluded that its terms were satisfactory and in line with market
norms. In addition, our Board of Directors concluded that the services to be provided
under the investment advisory agreement were reasonably necessary for our operations,
the services to be provided were at least equal to the nature and quality of those
provided by others, and the payment terms were fair and reasonable in light of usual and
customary charges. |
|
|
|
|
Payment of Expenses. Our Board of Directors considered the manner in which our
Advisor would be reimbursed for its expenses at cost and the other expenses for which it
would be reimbursed under the investment advisory agreement. Our Board of Directors
discussed how this structure was comparable to that of various groups of companies with
business models that are similar to different aspects of our investment strategy. |
|
|
|
|
Economies of Scale. Our Board of Directors considered information from our
Advisor concerning whether economies of scale would be realized as the Fund grows, and
whether fee levels reflect any economies of scale for the benefit of the Funds
stockholders. Our Board of Directors concluded that economies of scale are difficult to
measure and predict overall. Accordingly, our Independent Directors reviewed other
information, such as year-over-year profitability of the Advisor generally and the fees
of competitive funds not managed by our Advisor over a range of asset sizes. The
Independent Directors concluded our Advisor is appropriately sharing any economies of
scale through its competitive fee structure and through reinvestment in its business to
provide stockholders additional content and services. |
|
|
|
|
Collateral Benefits Derived by our Advisor. Our Board of Directors reviewed
information from our Advisor concerning collateral benefits it receives as a result of
its relationship with the Fund. They concluded that our Advisor generally will not use
the Funds or stockholder information to generate profits in other lines of business,
and therefore will not derive any significant collateral benefits from them. |
The Independent Directors did not, with respect to their deliberations concerning their
approval of the Initial Investment Advisory Agreement or the New Investment Advisory Agreement,
consider the benefits our Advisor may derive from relationships our Advisor may have with brokers
through soft dollar arrangements because our Advisor will not employ any such arrangements in
rendering its advisory services to the Fund. Although our Advisor may receive research from brokers
with whom it places trades on behalf of clients, our Advisor does not have soft dollar arrangements
or understandings with such brokers regarding receipt of research in return for commissions.
Based on the information reviewed and the discussions among the members of our Board of
Directors, our Board of Directors, including all of our Independent Directors, approved the Initial
Investment Advisory Agreement and concluded that the management fee to be paid to our Advisor was
reasonable in relation to the services to be provided.
Our Board of Directors, including the Independent Directors, assisted by the advice of legal
counsel that is independent of our Advisor, taking into account all of the factors discussed above
and the information provided by our Advisor, unanimously concluded that the New Investment Advisory
Agreement between the Fund and our Advisor is fair and reasonable in light of the services provided
and should be approved.
Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act
Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act provides that when a sale of an interest in an investment
adviser of a registered investment company occurs that results in an assignment of an investment
advisory agreement, the investment adviser or any of its affiliated persons may receive any amount
or benefit in connection with the sale so long as two conditions are satisfied. The first condition
of Section 15(f) is that during the three-year period following the completion of the transaction,
at least 75% of the investment companys board of directors must not be interested persons (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the investment adviser or predecessor advisor. In order to meet this
test it is expected that Terry Matlack, one of the five members of
our Advisors investment
committee, will resign from our Board of Directors upon completion of the Proposed Transaction.
Second, an unfair burden (as defined in the 1940 Act) must not be imposed on the investment
company as a result of the transaction relating to the sale of such interest, or any express or
implied terms, conditions or understandings applicable thereto. The term unfair burden includes
any arrangement during the two-year period after the transaction whereby the investment adviser (or
predecessor or successor advisor), or any interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of such
an advisor, receives or is entitled to receive any compensation, directly or indirectly, from the
investment company or its security holders (other than fees for bona fide investment advisory or
other services) or from any person in connection with the purchase or
sale of securities or other property to, from or on behalf of the
investment
S-18
company (other than bona fide ordinary compensation as principal underwriter for the
investment company). Our Board of Directors has determined that the Proposed Transaction will not
impose an unfair burden on the Fund and that the Advisor will not receive any compensation that
will result in an unfair burden under the 1940 Act definition.
License Agreement
Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, our Advisor has consented to our use on a
non-exclusive, royalty-free basis, of the name Tortoise in our name. We will have the right to
use the Tortoise name so long as our Advisor or one of its approved affiliates remains our
investment adviser. Other than with respect to this limited right, we will have no legal right to
the Tortoise name. This right will remain in effect for so long as the investment advisory
agreement with our Advisor is in effect and will automatically terminate if the investment advisory
agreement were to terminate for any reason, including upon its assignment.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
The Advisor is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund, the
selection of brokers and dealers to effect the transactions and the negotiation of prices and any
brokerage commissions. When the Fund purchases securities listed on a stock exchange, those
transactions will be effected through brokers who charge a commission for their services. The Fund
also may invest in securities that are traded principally in the over-the-counter market. In the
over-the-counter market, securities generally are traded on a net basis with dealers acting as
principal for their own accounts without a stated commission, although the price of such securities
usually includes a mark-up to the dealer. Securities purchased in underwritten offerings generally
include, in the price, a fixed amount of compensation for the manager(s), underwriter(s) and
dealer(s). The Fund will also purchase securities including fixed income securities directly from
an issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts will be paid.
Payments of commissions to brokers who are affiliated persons of the Fund (or affiliated
persons of such persons) will be made in accordance with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act. Commissions
paid on such transactions would be commensurate with the rate of commissions paid on similar
transactions to brokers that are not so affiliated.
The Advisor may, consistent with the interests of the Fund, select brokers on the basis of the
research, statistical and pricing services they provide to the Fund and the Advisors other
clients. Such research, statistical and pricing services must provide lawful and appropriate
assistance to the Advisors investment decision-making process in order for such research,
statistical and pricing services to be considered by the Advisor in selecting a broker. These
research services may include information on securities markets, the economy, individual companies,
pricing information, research products and services and such other services as may be permitted
from time to time by Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act. Information and research received from such
brokers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by the
Advisor under its contract. A commission paid to such brokers may be higher than that which another
qualified broker would have charged for effecting the same transaction, provided that the Advisor
determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in terms either of the transaction or
the overall responsibility of the Advisor to the Fund and its other clients and that the total
commissions paid by the Fund will be reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund over the
long-term. The advisory fees that the Fund pays to the Advisor will not be reduced as a consequence
of the Advisors receipt of brokerage and research services. To the extent that portfolio
transactions are used to obtain such services, the brokerage commissions paid by the Fund will
exceed those that might otherwise be paid by an amount which cannot be presently determined. Such
services generally may be useful and of value to the Advisor in serving one or more of its other
clients and, conversely, such services obtained by the placement of brokerage business of other
clients generally would be useful to the Advisor in carrying out its obligations to the Fund. While
such services are not expected to reduce the expenses of the Advisor, the Advisor would, through
use of the services, avoid the additional expenses that would be incurred if it should attempt to
develop comparable information through their own staff.
One or more of the other investment companies or accounts that the Advisor manages may own
from time to time some of the same investments as the Fund. Investment decisions for the Fund are
made independently from those of other investment companies or accounts; however, from time to
time, the same investment decision may be made for more than one company or account. When two or
more companies or accounts seek to purchase or sell the same securities, the securities actually
purchased or sold will be allocated among the companies and accounts on a good faith equitable
basis by the Advisor in its discretion in accordance with the accounts various investment
objectives. In some cases, this system may adversely affect the price or size of the position
obtainable for the Fund. In other cases, however, the ability of the Fund to participate in volume
transactions may produce better execution for the Fund. It is the opinion of the Funds Board of
Directors that this advantage, when combined with the other benefits available due to the Advisors
organization, outweigh any disadvantages that may be said to exist from exposure to simultaneous
transactions.
It is not the Funds policy to engage in transactions with the objective of seeking profits
from short-term trading. It is expected that the annual portfolio turnover rate of the Fund will be
less than 30%. Because it is difficult to predict accurately
portfolio turnover rates, actual turnover may be higher or lower. Higher portfolio turnover results in increased
costs, including brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of
securities and on the reinvestment in other securities.
S-19
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
We are authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per
share, and up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share. Upon completion
of this offering, we will have of our common shares issued and outstanding. Our Board of
Directors may, without any action by our stockholders, amend our Charter from time to time to
increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of
any class or series that we have authority to issue. In addition, our Charter authorizes our Board
of Directors, without any action by our stockholders, to classify and reclassify any unissued
common shares and preferred shares into other classes or series of stock from time to time by
setting or changing the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of
redemption for each class or series. Although there is no present intention of doing so, we could
issue a class or series of stock that could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in
control that might otherwise be in our stockholders best interests. Under Maryland law, our
stockholders are generally not liable for our debts or obligations.
The following table provides information about our outstanding capital stock upon completion
of this offering (assuming the underwriters overallotment option is not exercised):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Held by the |
|
Number of |
|
|
Shares |
|
Fund or for |
|
Shares |
Title of Class |
|
Authorized |
|
its Account |
|
Outstanding |
Common Stock |
|
|
100,000,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred Stock |
|
|
10,000,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Common Shares
All common shares offered by this prospectus will be duly authorized, fully paid and
nonassessable. Our stockholders are entitled to receive distributions if and when authorized by our
Board of Directors and declared by us out of assets legally available for the payment of
distributions. Our stockholders are also entitled to share ratably in the assets legally available
for distribution to our stockholders in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after
payment of or adequate provision for all known debts and liabilities. These rights are subject to
the preferential rights of any other class or series of our capital stock.
In the event that we have preferred shares outstanding, and so long as we remain subject to
the 1940 Act, holders of our common shares will not be entitled to receive any net income of, or
other distributions from, us unless all accumulated dividends on preferred shares have been paid
and the asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to preferred shares and any
outstanding debt is at least 200% after giving effect to such distributions.
Each outstanding common share entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a
vote of our stockholders, including the election of directors. The presence of the holders of
shares of our stock entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast shall constitute a
quorum at a meeting of our stockholders. Our Charter provides that, except as otherwise provided in
our Bylaws, each director shall be elected by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the shares of stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon. Our Bylaws provide that each director
shall be elected by a plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and
at which a quorum is present. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors.
Consequently, at each annual meeting of our stockholders, the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote will be able to elect all of the successors of
the class of directors whose terms expire at that meeting. Pursuant to our Charter and Bylaws, our
Board of Directors may amend the Bylaws to alter the vote required to elect directors.
Holders of our common shares have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund,
redemption or appraisal rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our
securities. All of our common shares will have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.
Holders of common shares are entitled to share ratably in the assets legally available for
distribution to stockholders in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund,
after payment of or adequate provision for all known debts and liabilities. These rights are
subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of the Funds capital stock.
The Charter provides for approval of certain extraordinary transactions by the
stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
The Charter also provides that any proposal to convert the Fund from a closed-end investment
company to an open-end investment company or any proposal to liquidate or dissolve the Fund
requires the approval of the stockholders entitled to cast at least 80 percent of the votes
entitled to be cast on such matter. However, if such a proposal is approved by at least two-thirds
of the continuing directors (in addition to approval by the full Board of Directors), such proposal
may be approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast
S-20
on such matter, each voting as a separate
class. The continuing directors are defined in the Charter as the current directors as well as
those directors whose nomination for election by the stockholders or whose election by the
directors to fill vacancies is approved by a majority of continuing directors then on the Board of
Directors.
Under the rules of the NYSE applicable to listed companies, the Fund normally will be
required to hold an annual meeting of stockholders in each fiscal year. If the Fund is converted to
an open-end company or if for any other reason the shares are no longer listed on the NYSE (or any
other national securities exchange the rules of which require annual meetings of stockholders), the
Fund may decide not to hold annual meetings of stockholders.
Upon completion of the distribution: (i) there will be not
less than 1,100,000 publicly-held common shares of the Fund; (ii) the aggregate market value of the publicly-held
common shares of the Fund will be not less than $60,000,000 in the United States; (iii) there will be no less
than 400 U.S. holders of 100 common shares or more of the Fund;
and (iv) the minimum stock price will be at least $4.00 at the time
of listing on the NYSE.
S-21
The Fund has no present intention of offering additional common
shares, except as described herein and under the Dividend
Reinvestment Plan. Other offerings of our common shares, if
made, will require approval of our Board of Directors and will
be subject to the requirement of the 1940 Act that shares may
only be sold at a price below the then-current NAV, exclusive of
underwriting discounts and commissions, upon satisfaction of one
or more conditions.
Because our Advisors management fee is based upon our average monthly Managed Assets, our
Advisors interest in recommending the issuance and sale of common stock below NAV may conflict
with our interests and those of our stockholders.
Preferred Shares
We may, but are not required to, issue preferred shares. We will not issue what has
historically been known as auction rate preferred securities. As long as we remain subject to the
1940 Act at the time of a preferred share offering, we will be subject to the 1940 Act restriction
that currently limits the aggregate liquidation preference of all outstanding preferred stock to
50% of the value of our total assets less our liabilities and indebtedness. We also believe the
liquidation preference, voting rights and redemption provisions of the preferred shares will be
similar to those stated below.
As long as we are subject to the 1940 Act, the holders of any preferred shares, voting
separately as a single class, will have the right to elect at least two members of our Board of
Directors at all times. The remaining directors will be elected by holders of common shares and
preferred stock, voting together as a single class. In addition, subject to the prior rights, if
any, of the holders of any other class of senior securities outstanding, the holders of any
preferred stock will have the right to elect a majority of the directors at any time accumulated
dividends on any preferred stock have not been paid for at least two years. The 1940 Act also
requires that, in addition to any approval by stockholders that might otherwise be required, the
approval of the holders of a majority of any outstanding preferred stock, voting separately as a
class, would be required to adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the
preferred stock. See Certain Provisions of Our Charter and Bylaws and the Maryland General
Corporation Law. As a result of these voting rights, our ability to take any such actions may be
impeded to the extent that any of our preferred shares are outstanding.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding preferred shares, voting
as a separate class, will be required to amend, alter or repeal any of the preferences, rights or
powers of holders of preferred shares so as to affect materially and adversely such preferences,
rights or powers. The class vote of holders of preferred shares described above will in each case
be in addition to any other vote required to authorize the action in question.
The terms of the preferred shares, if issued, are expected to provide that (i) they are
redeemable in whole or in part at the original purchase price per share plus accrued dividends per
share, (ii) we may tender for or repurchase our preferred shares and (iii) we may subsequently
resell any shares so tendered for or repurchased by us. Any redemption or purchase of our preferred
shares will reduce the leverage applicable to our common shares, while any resale of our preferred
shares will increase that leverage.
The discussion above describes the possible offering of our preferred shares. If our Board of
Directors determines to proceed with such an offering, the terms of our preferred shares may be the
same as, or different from, the terms described above, subject to applicable law and our Charter.
Our Board of Directors, without the approval of the holders of our common shares, may authorize an
offering of preferred shares or may determine not to authorize such an offering and may fix the
terms of our preferred shares to be offered.
The information contained under this heading is subject to the provisions contained in our
Charter and Bylaws and the laws of the State of Maryland.
S-22
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS AND
THE MARYLAND GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
The following description of certain provisions of our Charter and Bylaws is only a summary.
For a complete description, please refer to our Charter and Bylaws that have been filed as exhibits
to our registration statement.
Our Charter and Bylaws include provisions that could delay, defer or prevent other entities or
persons from acquiring control of us, causing us to engage in certain transactions or modifying our
structure. These provisions, all of which are summarized below, may be regarded as anti-takeover
provisions. Such provisions could limit the ability of our stockholders to sell their shares at a
premium over the then-current market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain
control of us. In addition to these provisions, we are incorporated
in Maryland and therefore may elect to be subject to the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act and the Maryland General
Corporation Law. In addition, certain provisions of the 1940 Act may serve to discourage a third
party from seeking to obtain control of us.
Number and Classification of our Board of Directors; Election of Directors
Our Charter and Bylaws provide that the number of directors may be established only by our
Board of Directors pursuant to the Bylaws, but may not be less than one. Our Bylaws provide that
the number of directors may not be greater than nine. Pursuant to our Charter, our Board of
Directors is divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. The term of each class of
directors expires in a different successive year. Upon the expiration of their term, directors of
each class are elected to serve for three-year terms and until their successors are duly elected
and qualified. Each year, only one class of directors will be elected by the stockholders. The
classification of our Board of Directors should help to assure the continuity and stability of our
strategies and policies as determined by our Board of Directors.
Our classified board could have the effect of making the replacement of incumbent directors
more time-consuming and difficult. At least two annual meetings of our stockholders, instead of
one, will generally be required to effect a change in a majority of our Board of Directors. Thus,
the classification of our Board of Directors could increase the likelihood that incumbent directors
will retain their positions and may delay, defer or prevent a change in control of our Board of
Directors, even though a change in control might be in the best interests of our stockholders.
Vacancies on Board of Directors; Removal of Directors
Our Charter provides that we have elected to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 of
Title 3 of the Maryland General Corporation Law regarding the filling of vacancies on our Board of
Directors. Accordingly, except as may be provided by our Board of Directors in setting the terms of
any class or series of preferred shares, any and all vacancies on our Board of Directors may be
filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the
remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy shall
serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and
until a successor is elected and qualified, subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act.
The Charter provides that, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes of our
preferred stock, a director may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at
least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of our directors. This provision,
when coupled with the provisions in our Charter and Bylaws regarding the filling of vacancies on
our Board of Directors, precludes our stockholders from removing incumbent directors, except for
cause and by a substantial affirmative vote, and filling the vacancies created by the removal with
nominees of our stockholders.
Approval of Extraordinary Corporate Action; Amendment of Charter and Bylaws
Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter,
merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar
transactions outside the ordinary course of business, unless approved by the affirmative vote of
stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
However, a Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a
lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the
matter. Our Charter generally provides for approval of Charter amendments and extraordinary
transactions by the stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be
cast on the matter.
Our Charter and Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors will have the exclusive power to
make, alter, amend or repeal any provision of our Bylaws.
S-23
Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business
Our Bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of our stockholders, nominations of
persons for election to our Board of Directors and the proposal of business to be considered by our
stockholders may be made only (i) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (ii) by or at the
direction of our Board of Directors or (iii) by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the
meeting and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of our Bylaws. With respect to
special meetings of our stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of the meeting may
be brought before the meeting. Nominations of persons for election to our Board of Directors at a
special meeting may be made only (i) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (ii) by or at the
direction of our Board of Directors, or (iii) by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the
meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of our Bylaws, provided that our
Board of Directors has determined that directors will be elected at such special meeting.
Limitation of Liability of Directors and Officers; Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the
liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages
except for liability resulting from (i) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money,
property or services or (ii) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as
being material to the cause of action. Our Charter contains such a provision which eliminates
directors and officers liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, subject to the
requirements of the 1940 Act.
Our Charter authorizes us, and our Bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by
Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify any present or former
director or officer or any individual who, while a director or officer and at our request, serves
or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust,
employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee and who is
made, or threatened to be made, a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in any
such capacity from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or
which that person may incur by reason of his or her service in any such capacity and to pay or
reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. Our obligation
to indemnify any director, officer or other individual, however, is limited by the 1940 Act and
Investment Company Act Release No. 11330, which, among other things, prohibit us from indemnifying
any director, officer or other individual from any liability resulting directly from the willful
misconduct, bad faith, gross negligence in the performance of duties or reckless disregard of
applicable obligations and duties of the directors, officers or other individuals and require us to
set forth reasonable and fair means for determining whether indemnification shall be made.
Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our Charter
does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful in the defense of any
proceeding to which he or she is made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of his or her
service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former
directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and
reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may
be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities
unless it is established that (i) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to
the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result
of active and deliberate dishonesty, (ii) the director or officer actually received an improper
personal benefit in money, property or services or (iii) in the case of any criminal proceeding,
the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.
However, under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a
suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a
personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification, and
then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable
expenses to a director or officer upon the corporations receipt of (i) a written affirmation by
the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of
conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (ii) a written undertaking by him or
her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is
ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.
These provisions do not limit or eliminate our rights or the rights of any of our stockholders
to seek nonmonetary relief such as an injunction or rescission in the event any of our directors or
officers breaches his or her duties. These provisions will not alter the liability of our directors
or officers under federal securities laws.
Control Share Acquisitions
The Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act (the Control Share Act) 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, and by officers or by directors who are employees
of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are
voting shares of stock that, 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
S-24
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. |
The requisite stockholder approval must be obtained each time an acquirer crosses one of the
thresholds of voting power set forth above. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring
person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder 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 stockholders 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 present the
question at any stockholders 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 statute, then the corporation may repurchase for
fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously
been approved. The right to repurchase 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 stockholders at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved.
If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquirer becomes
entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders 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.
The Control Share Act does not apply (i) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or
share exchange if we are a party to the transaction or (ii) to acquisitions approved or exempted by
our Charter or Bylaws.
Our
Bylaws do not contain a provision subjecting any and all acquisitions
by any person of our shares of stock to the Control Share Act. There can be no assurance that such provision will not be
otherwise amended or eliminated at any time in the future. However, we will amend our Bylaws to be
subject to the Control Share Act only if our Board of Directors determines that it would be in our
best interests and if the staff of the SEC does not object to our determination that our being
subject to the Control Share Act does not conflict with the 1940 Act.
Business Combinations
We are covered by the Maryland Business Combination Act (the Business Combination Act),
which provides that business combinations between a Maryland corporation and an interested
stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the
most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These
business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in circumstances
specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities.
An interested stockholder is defined as:
|
|
|
any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporations
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 10% or more of the voting
power of the then-outstanding voting stock of the corporation. |
A person is not an interested stockholder under this statute if the board of directors
approved in advance the transaction by which such stockholder otherwise would have become an
interested stockholder. 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 of directors.
After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and
an interested stockholder 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 |
S-25
|
|
|
two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the
corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose
affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate
of the interested stockholder. |
These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporations common stockholders
receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or
other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its
shares.
The Business Combination Act permits various exemptions from its provisions, including
business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors before the time that the
interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Our Board of Directors has adopted a
resolution exempting any business combination between us and any other person from the provisions
of the Business Combination Act, provided that the business combination is first approved by our
Board of Directors, including a majority of the directors who are not interested persons as defined
in the 1940 Act. This resolution, however, may be altered or repealed in whole or in part at any
time. If this resolution is repealed, or our Board of Directors does not otherwise approve a
business combination, the statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and
increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.
NET ASSET VALUE
We will determine and publish the NAV of our common shares on at least a monthly basis and at
such other times as our Board of Directors may determine. The NAV per common share equals our NAV
divided by the number of outstanding common shares. Our NAV equals the value of our total assets
(the value of the securities held plus cash or other assets, including interest accrued but not yet
received) less: (i) all of our liabilities (including accrued expenses); (ii) accumulated and
unpaid dividends on any outstanding preferred stock; (iii) the aggregate liquidation preference of
any outstanding preferred stock; (iv) accrued and unpaid interest payments on any outstanding
indebtedness; (v) the aggregate principal amount of any outstanding indebtedness; and (vi) any
distributions payable on our common stock.
We will determine fair value of our assets and liabilities in accordance with valuation
procedures adopted by our Board of Directors. Securities for which market quotations are readily
available shall be valued at market value. If a market value cannot be obtained or if our
Advisor determines that the value of a security as so obtained does not represent a fair value as
of the measurement date (due to a significant development subsequent to the time its price is
determined or otherwise), fair value for the security shall be determined pursuant to the
methodologies established by our Board of Directors.
|
|
|
The fair value for equity securities and equity-related securities is determined by
using readily available market quotations from the principal market. For equity and
equity-related securities that are freely tradable and listed on a securities exchange or
over the counter market, fair value is determined using the last sale price on that
exchange or over-the-counter market on the measurement date. If the security is listed on
more than one exchange, we will use the price of the exchange that we consider to be the
principal exchange on which the security is traded. If a security is traded on the
measurement date, then the last reported sale price on the exchange or over-the-counter
(OTC) market on which the security is principally traded, up to the time of valuation, is
used. If there were no reported sales on the securitys principal exchange or OTC market
on the measurement date, then the average between the last bid price and last asked price,
as reported by the pricing service, shall be used. We will obtain direct written
broker-dealer quotations if a security is not traded on an exchange or quotations are not
available from an approved pricing service. |
|
|
|
|
An equity security of a publicly traded company acquired in a private placement
transaction without registration is subject to restrictions on resale that can affect the
securitys liquidity and fair value. Such securities that are convertible into publicly
traded common shares or securities that may be sold pursuant to Rule 144, shall generally
be valued based on the fair value of the freely tradable common share counterpart less an
applicable discount. Generally, the discount will initially be equal to the discount at
which we purchased the securities. To the extent that such securities are convertible or
otherwise become freely tradable within a time frame that may be reasonably determined, an
amortization schedule may be determined for the discount. |
|
|
|
|
Fixed Income securities (other than the short-term securities as described below) are
valued by (i) using readily available market quotations based upon the last updated sale
price or a market value from an approved pricing service generated by a pricing matrix
based upon yield data for securities with similar characteristics or (ii) by obtaining a
direct written broker-dealer quotation from a dealer who has made a market in the security. |
|
|
|
|
A fixed income security acquired in a private placement transaction without registration
is subject to restrictions on resale that can affect the securitys liquidity and fair
value. Among the various factors that can affect the value of a privately placed security are |
S-26
|
|
|
(i) whether the issuing company has freely trading fixed income securities of
the same maturity and interest rate (either through an initial public offering or otherwise);
(ii) whether the company has an effective registration statement in place for the securities;
and (iii) whether a market is made in the securities. The securities normally will be valued
at amortized cost unless the portfolio companys condition or other factors lead to a
determination of fair value at a different amount. |
|
|
|
|
Short-term securities, including bonds, notes, debentures and other fixed income
securities, and money market instruments such as certificates of deposit, commercial paper,
bankers acceptances and obligations of domestic and foreign banks, with remaining
maturities of 60 days or less, for which reliable market quotations are readily available
are valued on an amortized cost basis at current market quotations as provided by an
independent pricing service or principal market maker. |
|
|
|
|
Other assets will be valued at market value pursuant to written valuation procedures
adopted by our Board of Directors, or if a market value cannot be obtained or if our
Advisor determines that the value of a security as so obtained does not represent a fair
value as of the measurement date (due to a significant development subsequent to the time
its price is determined or otherwise), fair value shall be determined pursuant to the
methodologies established by our Board of Directors. |
Valuations of public company securities determined pursuant to fair value methodologies will
be presented to our Board of Directors or a designated committee thereof for approval at the next
regularly scheduled board meeting. See Management of the Fund Conflicts of Interest.
S-27
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations
affecting the Fund and its stockholders. The discussion reflects applicable federal income tax
laws of the U.S. as of the date of this prospectus, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new
interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS), possibly with
retroactive effect. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal,
state, local and foreign tax concerns affecting the Fund and its stockholders (including
stockholders owning large positions in the Fund). The discussion set forth herein does not
constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine the tax
consequences to them of investing in the Fund.
In addition, no attempt is made to address tax concerns applicable to an investor with a
special tax status such as a financial institution, real estate investment trust, insurance
company, RIC, individual retirement account, other tax-exempt entity, dealer in securities or
non-U.S. investor (except to the extent discussed below under U.S. Federal Income Tax
Considerations for Non-U.S. Stockholders). Furthermore, this discussion does not reflect possible
application of the alternative minimum tax. Unless otherwise noted, this discussion assumes the
common shares are held by U.S. persons and that such shares are held as capital assets.
The Fund intends to elect to be treated as, and to qualify each year for the special tax
treatment afforded, a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As long as the Fund meets certain
requirements that govern the Funds source of income, diversification of assets and distribution of
earnings to stockholders, the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income
distributed (or treated as distributed, as described below) to its stockholders. With respect to
the source of income requirement, the Fund must derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its
gross income (including tax-exempt interest) from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to
certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or
foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures and
forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such shares, securities or
currencies and (ii) net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships. A
qualified publicly traded partnership is generally defined as a publicly traded partnership under
Section 7704 of the Code, but does not include a publicly traded partnership if 90% or more of its
income is described in (i) above. For purposes of the income test, the Fund will be treated as
receiving directly its share of the income of any partnership that is not a qualified publicly
traded partnership.
With respect to the diversification of assets requirement, the Fund must diversify its
holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value of
the Funds total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, the
securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities limited for purposes of
such calculation, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of
the Funds total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer
and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Funds total assets is invested in the securities of
any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other RICs), the
securities (other than the securities of other RICs) of any two or more issuers that the Fund
controls and that are determined to be engaged in the same, similar or related trades or
businesses, or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.
If the Fund qualifies as a RIC and distributes to its stockholders 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 items, dividends, taxable interest and the excess of any net short-term capital gains
over net long-term capital losses, 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 deductions attributable to such interest that are otherwise disallowed, the Fund will be
relieved of U.S. federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including long-term capital gains,
distributed to stockholders. 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 35%) on the amount retained. The Fund intends to distribute at
least annually substantially all of its investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt interest,
and net capital gain. Under the Code, the Fund will generally be subject to a nondeductible 4%
federal excise tax on the undistributed portion of its 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 Funds ordinary income (computed on a calendar year basis), plus 98% of the Funds
capital gain net income (generally computed for the one-year period ending on October 31). 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 market conditions, does not expect to be
subject to this excise tax.
If the Fund is unable to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement or otherwise fails to
qualify as a RIC in any year, it will be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation and
distributions to the Funds stockholders will not be deductible by the Fund in computing its
taxable income. In such event, the Funds distributions, to the extent derived from the Funds
current or accumulated earnings and profits, would constitute dividends, which would generally be
eligible for the dividends received deduction available to corporate stockholders, and
non-corporate stockholders would generally be able to treat such distributions as qualified
dividend income eligible for reduced rates of U.S. federal income taxation in taxable years
beginning on or before December 31, 2010, provided in each case that certain holding period and
other requirements are satisfied.
S-28
The Fund intends to invest a portion of its assets in MLPs. Net income derived from an
interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership, which generally includes MLPs, is included in
the sources of income from which a RIC must derive 90% of its gross income. However, not more than
25% of the value of a RICs total assets can be invested in the securities of qualified publicly
traded partnerships. The Fund intends to invest only in MLPs that will constitute qualified
publicly traded partnerships for purposes of the RIC rules, and not more than 25% of the value of the
Funds total assets will be invested in the securities of publicly traded partnerships.
Distributions paid to you by the Fund from its investment company taxable income will
generally be taxable to you as ordinary income. A portion of such distributions (if designated by
the Fund) may qualify (i) in the case of corporate stockholders, for the dividends received
deduction under Section 243 of the Code to the extent that the Funds income consists of dividend
income from U.S. corporations, excluding distributions from certain entities such as REITs, or (ii)
in the case of individual stockholders for taxable years beginning on or prior to December 31,
2010, as qualified dividend income eligible to be taxed at reduced rates under Section 1(h)(11) of
the Code (which generally provides for a maximum rate of 15%) to the extent that the Fund receives
qualified dividend income, and provided in each case that certain holding period and other
requirements are met. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable
domestic corporations and qualified foreign corporations (e.g., generally, if the issuer is
incorporated in a possession of the United States or in a country with a qualified comprehensive
income tax treaty with the United States, or if the stock with respect to which such dividend is
paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States). A qualified
foreign corporation generally excludes any foreign corporation that, for the taxable year of the
corporation in which the dividend was paid or the preceding taxable year, is a passive foreign
investment company. Distributions made to you from an excess of net long-term capital gain over net
short-term capital losses (capital gain dividends), including capital gain dividends credited to
you but retained by the Fund, will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain if they have been
properly designated by the Fund, regardless of the length of time you have owned our common shares.
The maximum tax rate on capital gain dividends received by individuals is generally 15% for such
gain realized before January 1, 2011. Distributions in excess of the Funds earnings and profits
will be treated by you, first, as a tax-free return of capital, which is applied against and will
reduce the adjusted tax basis of your shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero,
will generally constitute capital gain to you. Under current law, the maximum 15% tax rate on
long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income will cease to apply for taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2010; beginning in 2011, the maximum rate on long-term capital gains
is scheduled to revert to 20%, and all ordinary dividends (including amounts treated as qualified
dividends under the law currently in effect) will be taxed as ordinary income. Generally, not
later than 60 days after the close of its taxable year, the Fund will provide you with a written
notice designating the amount of any qualified dividend income or capital gain dividends and other
distributions.
Sales and other dispositions of the Funds common shares generally are taxable events. You
should consult your own tax adviser with reference to your individual circumstances to determine
whether any particular transaction in the Funds common shares is properly treated as a sale or
exchange for federal income tax purposes and the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in
such transactions. The sale or other disposition of shares of the Fund will generally result in
capital gain or loss to you equal to the difference between the amount realized and your adjusted
tax basis in the common shares sold or exchanged, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if
your holding period for the shares is more than one year at the time of sale. Any loss upon the
sale or exchange of common shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital
loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends you received (including amounts credited as an
undistributed capital gain dividend) with respect to such shares. A loss you realize on a sale or
exchange of shares of the Fund generally will be disallowed if you acquire other substantially
identical common shares within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after
the date that you dispose of the shares. In such case, the basis of the shares acquired will be
adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Present law taxes both long-term and short-term capital
gain of corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary income of corporations. For non-corporate
taxpayers, short-term capital gain will currently be taxed at the rate applicable to ordinary
income, currently a maximum rate of 35%, while long-term capital gain realized before January 1,
2011 generally will be taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. Capital losses are subject to certain
limitations.
The 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 United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases.
The Fund does not expect to satisfy the requirements for passing through to its stockholders their
pro rata shares of qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund, with the result that stockholders will
not be entitled to a tax deduction or credit for such taxes on their own US federal income tax
returns.
If the Fund pays you a dividend in January that was declared in the previous October, November
or December to stockholders of record on a specified date in one of such months, then such dividend
will be treated for tax purposes as being paid by the Fund and received by you on December 31 of
the year in which the dividend was declared. A stockholder may elect not to have all dividends and
distributions automatically reinvested in shares of common shares of the Fund pursuant to the Plan.
If a stockholder elects not to participate in the Plan, such stockholder will receive
distributions in cash. For taxpayers subject to U.S. federal income tax, all dividends will
generally be taxable, as discussed above, regardless of whether a stockholder takes them in cash or
they are reinvested pursuant to the Plan in additional shares of the Fund.
S-29
If a stockholders distributions are automatically reinvested pursuant to the Plan, for U.S.
federal income tax purposes, the stockholder will generally be treated as having received a taxable
distribution in the amount of the cash dividend that the stockholder would have received if the
stockholder had elected to receive cash. Under certain circumstances, however, if a stockholders
distributions are automatically reinvested pursuant to the Plan and the Plan Agent invests the
distribution in newly issued shares of the Fund, the stockholder may be treated as receiving a
taxable distribution equal to the fair market value of the stock the stockholder receives.
The Fund intends to distribute all realized 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 stockholders 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 shares of such undistributed amount and (ii) will be entitled to credit
their proportionate shares 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
stockholder 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 stockholders gross
income and the tax deemed paid by the stockholders.
The Fund is required in certain circumstances to backup withhold at a current rate of 28% on
taxable dividends and certain other payments paid to non-corporate holders of the Funds shares who
do not furnish the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number (in the case of
individuals, their social security 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 you may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if
any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Non-U.S. Stockholders
The following discussion is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax
considerations applicable to a Non-U.S. stockholder. A Non-U.S. stockholder is a beneficial owner
of shares of the Funds common stock other than a U.S. stockholder. A U.S. stockholder is a
beneficial owner of shares of the Funds common stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
a citizen or individual resident of the United States;
a corporation or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District
of Columbia;
a trust or an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation
regardless of its source; or
a trust with respect to which a court within the United States is able to exercise primary
supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. stockholders have the authority to control
all of its substantial decisions.
If an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds
common shares of the Company, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally
depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding
common shares of the Company and partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisers as
to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Companys common
shares.
This summary does not purport to be a complete description of the income tax considerations
for a Non-U.S stockholder. For example, the following does not describe income tax consequences
that are assumed to be generally known by investors or certain considerations that may be relevant
to certain types of holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws. This
summary does not discuss any aspects of U.S. estate or gift tax or state or local tax. In
addition, this summary does not address (i) any Non-U.S. Stockholder that holds, at any time, more
than 5 per cent of the Companys common stock, directly or under ownership attribution rules
applicable for purposes of Section 897 of the Code, or (ii) any Non-U.S. Stockholder whose
ownership of common shares of the Company is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
business in the United States.
As indicated above, the Fund intends to elect to be treated, and to qualify each year, as a
RIC for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. This summary is based on the assumption that the Company
will qualify as a RIC in each of its taxable years. Distributions of the Funds investment company
taxable income to Non-U.S. stockholders will, except as discussed below, be subject to withholding
of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable income tax
treaty) to the extent of the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits. In order to
obtain a reduced rate of withholding, a Non-U.S. stockholder will be required to provide an
Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN certifying its entitlement to benefits under a treaty.
Distributions made out of qualified interest income or net short-term capital gain in any taxable
year of the Company beginning before January 1, 2010 will generally not be subject to this withholding tax. If, however, a
S-30
Non-U.S. stockholder who is an individual has been present in the United States for 183 days or more during
the taxable year and meets certain other conditions, any such distribution of net short-term
capital gain will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower rate provided by
an applicable income tax treaty).
Actual or deemed distributions of the Funds net capital gains to a Non-U.S. stockholder, and
gains realized by a Non-U.S. stockholder upon the sale of the Funds common stock, will not be
subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax and generally will not be subject to U.S. federal
income tax unless the Non-U.S. stockholder is an individual, has been present in the United States
for 183 days or more during the taxable year, and certain other conditions are satisfied.
If the Fund distributes its net capital gains in the form of deemed rather than actual
distributions (which the Fund may do in the future), a Non-U.S. stockholder may be entitled to a
federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the stockholders allocable share of the tax the
Fund paid on the capital gains deemed to have been distributed. In order to obtain the refund, the
Non-U.S. stockholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a federal income
tax return even if the Non-U.S. stockholder would not otherwise be required to obtain a U.S.
taxpayer identification number or file a federal income tax return.
A Non-U.S. stockholder who is a non-resident alien individual, and who is otherwise subject to
withholding of federal income tax, may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding
of federal income tax on dividends unless the Non-U.S. stockholder provides us or the dividend
paying agent with an IRS Form W-8BEN (or an acceptable substitute form) or otherwise meets
documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a Non-U.S. stockholder or otherwise
establishes an exemption from backup withholding. The amount of any backup withholding from a
payment to a Non-U.S. stockholder will be allowed as a credit against such Non-U.S. stockholders
United States federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that
the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
Non-U.S. persons should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the U.S. federal income
tax and withholding tax, and state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in the
shares.
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the provisions of the Code and the
treasury regulations in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its
stockholders. These provisions are subject to change by legislative and administrative action, and
any such change may be retroactive. Stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding
specific questions as to U.S. federal, foreign, state, local income or other taxes.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
We, along with our Advisor, have adopted proxy voting policies and procedures (Proxy Policy)
that we believe are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in our best interests and
the best interests of our stockholders. Subject to its oversight, our Board of Directors has
delegated responsibility for implementing the Proxy Policy to our Advisor.
In the event requests for proxies are received to vote equity securities on routine matters,
such as election of directors or ratification of auditors, the proxies usually will be voted in
accordance with the recommendation of the Funds management unless our Advisor determines it has a
conflict or our Advisor determines there are other reasons not to vote in accordance with the
recommendation of the Funds management. On non-routine matters, such as amendments to governing
instruments, proposals relating to compensation and equity compensation plans, corporate governance
proposals and stockholder proposals, our Advisor will vote, or abstain from voting if deemed
appropriate, on a case-by-case basis in a manner it believes to be in the best economic interest of
our stockholders. In the event requests for proxies are received with respect to fixed income
securities, our Advisor will vote on a case-by-case basis in a manner it believes to be in the best
economic interest of our stockholders.
Our Chief Executive Officer will be responsible for monitoring our actions and ensuring that
(i) proxies are received and forwarded to the appropriate decisionmakers, and (ii) proxies are
voted in a timely manner upon receipt of voting instructions. We are not responsible for voting
proxies we do not receive, but we will make reasonable efforts to obtain missing proxies. Our Chief
Executive Officer will implement procedures to identify and monitor potential conflicts of interest
that could affect the proxy voting process, including (i) significant client relationships,
(ii) other potential material business relationships, and (iii) material personal and family
relationships. All decisions regarding proxy voting will be determined by our Advisors investment
committee and will be executed by our Chief Executive Officer. Every effort will be made to consult
with the portfolio manager and/or analyst covering the security. We may determine not to vote a
particular proxy if the costs and burdens exceed the benefits of voting (e.g., when securities are
subject to loan or to share blocking restrictions).
S-31
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The financial statements of Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (formerly
Tortoise Power and Energy Income Company) at May 5, 2009, and for the period from July 5, 2007 (the
date of incorporation) through May 5, 2009, appearing in this Registration Statement and Statement
of Additional Information have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public
accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are included
in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
ADMINISTRATOR, CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin 53202, will serve as our administrator. We intend to pay the administrator a monthly fee computed at an annual rate of 0.04% of the first $1 billion of our Managed Assets, 0.03% on the next $1 billion of our Managed Assets and 0.02% on the balance of our Managed Assets.
U.S. Bank National Association,
1555 N. Rivercenter Dr., Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212, will serve as our
custodian. We intend to pay the custodian a monthly fee computed at an annual
rate of .40 basis points on the average daily market value of the
Funds portfolio assets, subject to a minimum annual fee of
$4,800, plus portfolio transaction fees.
The transfer agent and registrar for our common shares is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
and its affiliate, Computershare, Inc., serves as our dividend paying agent.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A Registration Statement on Form N-2, including amendments thereto, relating to the common
shares offered hereby, has been filed by the Fund with the SEC. The Funds prospectus and this
Statement of Additional Information do not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement, including any exhibits and schedules thereto. Please refer to the
Registration Statement for further information with respect to the Fund and the offering of the
common shares. Statements contained in the Funds prospectus and this Statement of Additional
Information 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 a Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all
respects by such reference. Copies of the Registration Statement may be inspected without charge at
the SECs principal office in Washington, D.C., and copies of all or any part thereof may be
obtained from the SEC upon the payment of certain fees prescribed by the SEC.
S-32
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Shareholders and Board of Directors
Tortoise Power and Energy Income Company
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Tortoise Power and Energy
Income Company (the Company) as of May 5, 2009, and the related statement of operations for the
period from July 5, 2007 (date of incorporation) through May 5, 2009. These financial statements
are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We
were not engaged to perform an audit of the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for
designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of
expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial
reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of Tortoise Power and Energy Income Company at May 5, 2009, and
the results of its operations for the period from July 5, 2007 through May 5, 2009, in conformity
with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Kansas City, Missouri
May 7, 2009
F-2
Audited Financial Statements
TORTOISE POWER AND ENERGY INCOME COMPANY
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
May 5, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
$ |
145,000 |
|
Deferred offering costs |
|
|
78,655 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
|
223,655 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
Accrued offering costs |
|
|
78,655 |
|
Accrued registration fees |
|
|
840 |
|
Payable to Adviser for organization costs |
|
|
26,245 |
|
Payable for organization costs |
|
|
9,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
114,740 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred Shares: |
|
|
|
|
Preferred shares, $0.001 par value; none outstanding
(10,000,000 shares authorized) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets applicable to common stockholders |
|
$ |
108,915 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets Applicable to Common Stockholders Consist of: |
|
|
|
|
Capital stock, $0.001 par value; 6,073 shares issued and
outstanding (100,000,000 shares authorized) |
|
$ |
6 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
144,994 |
|
Accumulated net investment loss |
|
|
(36,085 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net assets applicable to common stockholders |
|
$ |
108,915 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value per common share outstanding (net assets
applicable to common stock, divided by common shares
outstanding) |
|
$ |
17.93 |
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-3
TORTOISE POWER AND ENERGY INCOME COMPANY
Statement of Operations
Period from July 5, 2007 (date of incorporation) through May 5, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Income |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
Organization costs |
|
|
35,245 |
|
Registration expenses |
|
|
840 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Expenses |
|
|
36,085 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Investment Loss |
|
$ |
(36,085 |
) |
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-4
TORTOISE POWER AND ENERGY INCOME COMPANY
Notes to Financial Statements
May 5, 2009
1. Organization
Tortoise Power and Energy Income Company (the Company) was organized as a Maryland corporation on
July 5, 2007, and is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The Company has had no operations
other than the sale of 6,073 shares to the aggregate Subscribers for $145,000 on May 5, 2009. The
Company seeks to provide its stockholders with a vehicle to invest in a portfolio consisting
primarily of securities issued by power and energy infrastructure companies. The Company is
planning a public offering of its common stock as soon as practicable after the effective date of
its registration statement.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a listing of the significant accounting policies that the Company will implement
upon the commencement of its operations:
A. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect
the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities
at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
B. Investment Valuation The Company plans to primarily own securities that are listed on a
securities exchange or over-the-counter market. The Company will value those securities at their
last sale price on that exchange or over-the-counter market on the valuation date. If the security
is listed on more than one exchange, the Company will use the price of the exchange that it
considers to be the principal exchange on which the security is traded. Securities listed on the
NASDAQ will be valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price, which may not necessarily represent the
last sale price. If there has been no sale on such exchange or over-the-counter market on such
day, the security will be valued at the mean between the bid and ask price on such day.
The Company may invest in restricted securities. Restricted securities are subject to statutory or
contractual restrictions on their public resale, which may make it more difficult to obtain a
valuation and may limit the Companys ability to dispose of them. Investments in private placement
securities and other securities for which market quotations are not readily available will be
valued in good faith by using fair value procedures approved by the Board of Directors. Such fair
value procedures consider factors such as discounts to publicly traded issues, time until
conversion date, securities with similar yields, quality, type of issue, coupon, duration and
rating. If events occur that will affect the value of the Companys portfolio securities before the
net asset value has been calculated (a significant event), the portfolio securities so affected
will generally be priced using a fair value procedure.
An equity security of a publicly traded company acquired in a direct placement transaction may be
subject to restrictions on resale that can affect the securitys liquidity and fair value. Such
securities that are convertible into, or otherwise will become, a freely tradable security will be
valued based on the market value of the freely tradable security less an applicable discount.
Generally, the discount will initially be equal to the discount at which the Company purchased the
securities. To the extent that such securities are convertible or otherwise become freely tradable
within a time frame that may be reasonably determined, an amortization schedule may be used to
determine the discount.
The Company will generally value short-term debt securities at prices based on market quotations
for such securities, except those securities purchased with 60 days or less to maturity will be
valued on the basis of amortized cost, which approximates market value.
Effective December 1, 2007, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework
for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and
expands disclosures about fair value
F-5
measurements. SFAS 157 is applicable in conjunction with other accounting pronouncements that
require or permit fair value measurements, but does not expand the use of fair value to any new
circumstances. More specifically, SFAS 157 emphasizes that fair value is a market based
measurement, not an entity-specific measurement, and sets out a fair value hierarchy with the
highest priority given to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable
inputs.
C. Security Transactions and Investment Income Security transactions will be accounted for on the
date the securities are purchased or sold (trade date). Realized gains and losses will be reported
on an identified cost basis. Dividend and distribution income will be recorded on the ex-dividend
date. Distributions received from the Companys investments in master limited partnerships
generally will be comprised of income and return of capital. The Company will record investment
income and returns of capital based on estimates made at the time such distributions are received.
Such estimates are based on historical information available from each MLP and other industry
sources. These estimates may subsequently be revised based on information received from the MLPs
after their tax reporting periods are concluded. Interest income will be recognized on the accrual
basis, including amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.
D. Distributions to Shareholders The Company anticipates that it may take three to six months to
invest substantially all of the net proceeds from an initial public offering in securities meeting
its investment objectives. Once the Company is fully invested and to the extent it receives
income, the Company intends to make monthly cash distributions of its investment company income to
common stockholders. In addition, on an annual basis, the Company intends to distribute capital
gains realized during the fiscal year in the last fiscal quarter. The amount of any distributions
will be determined by the Board of Directors. Distributions to stockholders will be recorded on the
ex-dividend date. The character of distributions made during the year may differ from their
ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes.
E. Federal Income Taxation The Company intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year as
a regulated investment company (RIC) under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the Code). As a result, the Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on
income and gains that it distributes each taxable year to shareholders if it meets certain minimum
distribution requirements. To qualify as a RIC, the Company will be required to distribute
substantially all of its income, in addition to other asset diversification requirements. The
Company will be subject to a 4 percent non-deductible U.S. federal excise tax on certain
undistributed income unless the Company makes sufficient distributions to satisfy the excise tax
avoidance requirement.
On December 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board
Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. FIN 48 provides
guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in
the financial statements. The Company has analyzed the tax positions it has taken and has
concluded that no provision is required under FIN 48 for any open tax year (2007-2008). The
Companys policy is to record interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions, if any, as part of
tax expense.
F. Organization Expenses and Offering Costs - The Company is responsible for paying all
organizational expenses and offering costs. Deferred offering costs paid will be charged as a
reduction of paid-in capital at the completion of the Companys initial public offering.
Organizational expenses are expensed as incurred, and are reported in the accompanying Statement of
Operations.
G. Indemnifications - Under the Companys organizational documents, its officers and directors are
indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the
Company. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Company may enter into contracts that
provide general indemnification to other parties. The Companys maximum exposure under these
arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Company
that have not yet occurred, and may not occur. However, the Company has not had prior claims or
losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.
3. Concentration of Risk
The Companys investment objective is to provide stockholders with a high level of current income,
with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Company anticipates investing at least 80
percent of total assets (including assets obtained through potential leverage) in equity securities
of companies that derive more than 50 percent of their revenue from power or energy operations.
F-6
4. Agreements and Affiliations
The Company intends to enter into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Tortoise Capital Advisors,
L.L.C. (the Adviser). No management fees will be charged until the Company commences operations.
As of May 5, 2009, the Company owes the Adviser $26,245 for costs incurred in connection with the
Companys organizational expenses. This amount is payable to the Adviser upon the closing of the
initial offering of common shares.
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. will serve as the Companys transfer agent, dividend paying
agent, and agent for the automatic dividend reinvestment plan.
5. Preferred Shares
The Company has authorized the issuance of 10,000,000 preferred shares. Currently, there are no
shares issued or outstanding.
F-7
TORTOISE POWER AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
, 2009
Part C Other Information
Item 25. Financial Statements and Exhibits
1. Financial Statements:
The Registrants financial statements dated May 5, 2009, notes to the financial statements
and report of independent registered public accounting firm thereon are filed herein.
2. Exhibits:
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
No. |
|
Description of Document |
a.1. |
|
Articles of Incorporation(1) |
|
|
|
b. |
|
Bylaws(2) |
|
|
|
c. |
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
d. |
|
Form of Stock Certificate(2) |
|
|
|
e. |
|
Dividend Reinvestment Plan(2) |
|
|
|
f. |
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
g.1. |
|
Investment Advisory Agreement with
Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C. dated May 22, 2009(2) |
|
|
|
g.2. |
|
Fee Waiver Agreement with Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C. dated May 22, 2009(3) |
|
|
|
h.1. |
|
Form of Underwriting Agreement (4) |
|
|
|
h.2. |
|
Form of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC Structuring Fee Agreement (4) |
|
|
|
h.3. |
|
Form of UBS Securities LLC Structuring Fee Agreement (4) |
|
|
|
h.4. |
|
Form of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated Structuring Fee Agreement (4) |
|
h.5. |
|
Form of Master Agreement among Underwriters (4) |
|
h.6. |
|
Form of Master Selected Dealers Agreement (4) |
|
|
|
i. |
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
j. |
|
Form of Custody Agreement with U.S. Bank National
Association (4) |
|
|
|
k.1. |
|
Stock Transfer Agency Agreement
with Computershare Trust Company, N.A dated August 21, 2007(2) |
|
|
|
k.2. |
|
Form of Administration Agreement with U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (4) |
|
|
|
l. |
|
Opinion of Venable LLP (5) |
|
|
|
m. |
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
n.1. |
|
Consent of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm (5) |
|
|
|
n.2. |
|
Opinion of Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP related
to Tax matters (4) |
|
|
|
o. |
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
p. |
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
q. |
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
r.1. |
|
Code of Ethics of the Fund(2) |
|
|
|
r.2. |
|
Code of Ethics of the Tortoise
Capital Advisors, L.L.C.(2) |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Incorporated by reference to the Registrants Registration Statement
on Form N-2, filed August 3, 2007 (File Nos. 333-145105 and
811-22106). |
|
(2) |
|
Incorporated by reference to the Registrants
Registration Statement on Form N-2, filed June 23, 2009
(File Nos. 333-145105 and 811-22106). |
|
(3) |
|
Incorporated by reference to the Registrants
Registration Statement on Form N-2, filed June 25, 2009 (File Nos.
333-145105 and 811-22106). |
|
(4) |
|
Incorporated by reference to the Registrants
Registration Statement on Form N-2, filed July 24, 2009
(File Nos. 333-145105 and 811-22106). |
|
(5) |
|
Filed herewith. |
Item 26. Marketing Arrangements
Reference is made to the form of underwriting agreement as Exhibit h hereto.
C-1
Item 27. Other Expenses and Distribution
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with the
offering described in this Registration Statement:
|
|
|
|
|
Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. filing fee |
|
$ |
8,000 |
|
Securities and Exchange Commission fees |
|
$ |
12,000 |
|
New York Stock Exchange listing fee |
|
$ |
20,000 |
|
Directors fees and expenses |
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
Accounting fees and expenses |
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
Legal fees and expenses |
|
$ |
400,000 |
|
Printing expenses |
|
$ |
200,000 |
|
Transfer Agents fees |
|
$ |
2,500 |
|
Miscellaneous |
|
$ |
400,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
1,152,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
Item 28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control
None.
Item 29. Number of Holders of Securities
As of May 11, 2009, the number of record holders of each class of securities of the Registrant
was:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
Title of Class |
|
Record Holders |
Common Stock ($0.001 par value) |
|
|
3 |
|
Item 30. Indemnification
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the
liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages
except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money,
property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty which is established by a final
judgment as being material to the cause of action. The Charter contains such a provision which
eliminates directors and officers liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and
the 1940 Act.
The Charter authorizes the Fund, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and the 1940
Act, to obligate itself to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual
who, while a director or officer of the Fund and at the request of the Fund, serves or has served
another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee
benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee, from and against any
claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason
of his or her status as a present or former director or officer of the Fund or as a present or
former director, officer, partner or trustee of another corporation, real estate investment trust,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, and to pay or
reimburse his or her reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. The
Bylaws obligate the Fund, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and the 1940 Act, to
indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while a director of the
Fund and at the request of the Fund, serves or has served another corporation, real estate
investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a
director, officer, partner or trustee and who is made, or threatened to be made, a party to the
proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity from and against any claim or liability
to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her
status as a present or former director or officer of the Fund and to pay or reimburse his or her
reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. The Charter and Bylaws also
permit the Fund to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of the
Fund in any of the capacities described above and any employee or agent of the Fund or a
predecessor of the Fund.
Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which the Funds
Charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful in the defense of any
proceeding to which he is made, or threatened to be made, a party by
C-2
reason of his service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its
present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines,
settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to
which they may be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those or
other capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer
was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2)
was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received
an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal
proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was
unlawful. However, under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse
judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the
basis that personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders
indemnification and then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to
advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporations receipt of (a) a
written affirmation by the director or officer of his good faith belief that he has met the
standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking
by him or on his behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is
ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisor
The
information in the Statement of Additional Information under the caption Management of
the Fund Directors and Officers and the information in the prospectus under the caption
Management of the Fund Investment Advisor is hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 32. Location of Accounts and Records
The Registrants accounts, books, and other documents are maintained at the offices of the
Registrant, at the offices of the Registrants investment adviser, Tortoise Capital Advisors,
L.L.C., 11550 Ash Street, Suite 300, Leawood, Kansas 66211, at the offices of the custodian,
U.S. Bank National Association, 1555 N. Rivercenter Dr., Milwaukee,
Wisconsin 53212, at the offices of the transfer
agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., 250 Royall Street MS 3B, Canton, MA 02021 or at the
offices of the administrator, U.S Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, 615
East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.
Item 33. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 34. Undertakings
1. The
Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of the common 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.
2. Not applicable.
3. Not applicable.
4. Not applicable.
5. The Registrant
is filing this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the 1933
Act and undertakes that: (a) for the purposes of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, the
information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of a registration statement in
reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the Registrant under Rule
497(h) under the 1933 Act shall be deemed to be part of the Registration Statement as of the time
it was declared effective; (b) for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act,
each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus 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.
6. The Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure
equally prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt of an oral or written request, its
Statement of Additional Information.
7. The Registrant undertakes to:
C-3
(a) file a registration statement containing a prospectus pursuant to the Securities Act
prior to any offering by the Registrant of rights to subscribe for shares of common
stock below net asset value;
(b) file a registration statement containing a prospectus pursuant to the Securities Act
prior to any offering of common stock below net asset value if the net dilutive effect of such
offering (as calculated in the manner set forth in the dilution table contained in the prospectus),
together with the net dilutive effect of any prior offerings (as calculated in the manner set forth
in the dilution table contained in the prospectus), exceeds fifteen percent (15%);
(c) suspend any offers or sales pursuant to an effective registration statement until a
post-effective amendment thereto has been declared effective under the 1933 Act, in the event the
shares of Registrant are trading below net asset value and either (i) Registrant receives, or has
been advised by its independent registered accounting firm that it will receive, an audit report
reflecting substantial doubt regarding the Registrants ability to continue as a going concern or
(ii) Registrant has concluded that a material adverse change has occurred in its financial position
or results of operations that has caused the financial statements and other disclosures on the
basis of which the offering would be made to be materially misleading.
C-4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused
this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in this City of Leawood and State of Kansas on the 28th
day of July 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc.
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ David J. Schulte
|
|
|
|
David J. Schulte, |
|
|
|
President & CEO |
|
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of
1940, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on
the date indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and Director |
|
|
Terry C. Matlack |
|
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
|
|
July 28, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
David J. Schulte |
|
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
July 28, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Conrad S. Ciccotello*
|
|
Director |
|
|
Conrad S. Ciccotello |
|
|
|
July 28, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director |
|
|
John R. Graham |
|
|
|
July 28, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director |
|
|
Charles E. Heath |
|
|
|
July 28, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director |
|
|
H. Kevin Birzer |
|
|
|
July 28, 2009 |
|
|
|
* |
|
By David J. Schulte pursuant to power of attorney filed on August 3, 2007 with the Registrants
Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 811-22106 and 333-145105). |
C-5
Exhibit Index
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
No. |
|
Description of Document |
a.1. |
|
Articles of Incorporation(1) |
|
|
|
b. |
|
Bylaws(2) |
|
|
|
c. |
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
d. |
|
Form of Stock Certificate(2) |
|
|
|
e. |
|
Dividend Reinvestment Plan(2) |
|
|
|
f. |
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
g.1. |
|
Investment Advisory Agreement with
Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C. dated May 22, 2009(2) |
|
|
|
g.2. |
|
Fee Waiver Agreement with Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C. dated May 22, 2009(3) |
|
|
|
h.1. |
|
Form of Underwriting Agreement (4) |
|
|
|
h.2. |
|
Form of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC Structuring Fee Agreement (4) |
|
|
|
h.3. |
|
Form of UBS Securities LLC Structuring Fee Agreement (4) |
|
|
|
h.4. |
|
Form of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company,
Incorporated Structuring Fee Agreement (4) |
|
|
|
h.5. |
|
Form of Master Agreement among Underwriters (4) |
|
h.6. |
|
Form of Master Selected Dealers Agreements (4) |
|
|
|
i. |
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
j. |
|
Form of Custody Agreement with U.S. Bank National
Association (4) |
|
|
|
k.1. |
|
Stock Transfer Agency Agreement
with Computershare Trust Company, N.A dated August 21, 2007(2) |
|
|
|
k.2. |
|
Form of Administration Agreement with U.S. Bancorp Fund
Services, LLC (4) |
|
|
|
l. |
|
Opinion of Venable LLP (5) |
|
|
|
m. |
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
n.1. |
|
Consent of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm (5) |
|
|
|
n.2. |
|
Opinion of Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP related
to Tax matters (4) |
|
|
|
o. |
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
p. |
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
q. |
|
Inapplicable |
|
|
|
r.1. |
|
Code of Ethics of the Fund(2) |
|
|
|
r.2. |
|
Code of Ethics of the Tortoise
Capital Advisors, L.L.C.(2) |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Incorporated by reference to the Registrants Registration Statement
on Form N-2, filed August 3, 2007 (File Nos. 333-145105 and
811-22106). |
|
|
(2) |
|
Incorporated by reference to the Registrants
Registration Statement on Form N-2, filed June 23, 2009
(File Nos. 333-145105 and 811-22106). |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
Incorporated by reference to the Registrants
Registration Statement on Form N-2, filed June 25, 2009 (File Nos.
333-145105 and 811-22106). |
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Incorporated by reference to the Registrants
Registration Statement on Form N-2, filed July 24, 2009
(File Nos. 333-145105 and 811-22106). |
|
|
|
(5) |
|
Filed herewith. |
|
C-6