As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 2024
Securities
Act File No. 333-[ ]
Investment
Company Act File No. 811-22472
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
N-2
(check
appropriate box or boxes)
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 |
[X] |
Pre-Effective
Amendment No. |
[ ] |
Post-Effective
Amendment No. |
[ ] |
and/or |
|
|
|
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 |
[X] |
Amendment
No. 35 |
[X] |
RIVERNORTH
OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in charter)
360
South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420
West
Palm Beach, FL 33401
(Address
of principal executive offices)
(303)
623-2577
(Registrant’s
Telephone Number)
Marcus
L. Collins, Esq.
RiverNorth
Capital Management, LLC
360
South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420
West
Palm Beach, FL 33401
(Names
and addresses of agents for service)
Copies
to:
Joshua
B. Deringer
Faegre
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
One
Logan Square, Ste. 2000
Philadelphia,
PA 19103-6996
(215)
988-2700
Approximate
Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement.
If
appropriate, check the following box:
| [ ] | The
only securities being registered on the form are being offered pursuant to a dividend or interest reinvestment plan. |
| [X] | Any
securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis
in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered
in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan. |
| [ ] | This
form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction A.2 or a post-effective amendment thereto. |
| [ ] | This
form is a registration statement or a post-effective amendment thereto that will become effective upon filing with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act. |
| [ ] | This
form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed to register additional securities or additional classes of
securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act. |
It
is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
| [ ] | when
declared effective pursuant to Section 8(c) of the Securities Act |
| [ ] | This
[post-effective] amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed [post-effective amendment] [registration statement]. |
| [ ] | This
form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act and the Securities
Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is ______. |
| [ ] | This
form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is ______. |
| [ ] | This
Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: |
Check
each box that appropriately characterizes the Registrant:
| [X] | Registered
Closed-End Fund (closed-end company that is registered under the Investment Company Act). |
| [ ] | Business
Development Company (closed-end company that intends or has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the
Investment Company Act). |
| [ ] | Interval
Fund (Registered Closed-End Fund or a Business Development Company that makes periodic repurchase offers under Rule 23c-3 under
the Investment Company Act). |
| [ ] | Well-Known
Seasoned Issuer (as defined by Rule 405 under the Securities Act). |
| [ ] | Emerging
Growth Company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”). |
| [ ] | New
Registrant (registered or regulated under the Investment Company Act for less than 12 calendar months preceding this filing). |
The
Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until
the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become
effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall
become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
Subject
to completion, dated November 12, 2024
The
information in this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it
is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PROSPECTUS
DATED [ ]
RiverNorth
Opportunities Fund, Inc.
$600,000,000
Shares
of Common Stock
Shares
of Preferred Stock
Subscription
Rights for Shares of Common Stock
Subscription
Rights for Shares of Preferred Stock
Subscription
Rights for Common and Preferred Stock
RiverNorth
Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund’s investment objective is total return
consisting of capital appreciation and current income. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by pursuing a tactical
asset allocation strategy and opportunistically investing under normal circumstances in closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds
(“ETFs”), business development companies (“BDCs” and collectively, “Underlying Funds”) and
special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”). Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80%
of its Managed Assets in Underlying Funds and SPACs. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund, including
assets attributable to leverage, minus liabilities (other than debt representing leverage and any preferred stock that may be
outstanding). The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests will not include those that are advised or subadvised by RiverNorth
Capital Management, LLC (“RiverNorth” or the “Adviser”) or its affiliates.
RiverNorth
serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. As of August 31, 2024, RiverNorth had approximately $5.02 billion of assets under
management. The Adviser’s address is 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 and its telephone
number is (561) 484-7185. The Fund’s address is RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420,
West Palm Beach, FL 33401 and its telephone number is (844) 569-4750.
The
Fund may offer, from time to time, up to $600,000,000 aggregate initial offering price of (i) shares of common stock, $0.0001 par
value per share (“Common Shares”), (ii) shares of preferred stock (“Preferred Shares”), and/or (iii)
subscription rights to purchase Common Shares, Preferred Shares or both (“Rights” and together with the Common Shares and Preferred Shares, "Securities") in
one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms set forth in one or more supplements to this Prospectus (each a
“Prospectus Supplement”). You should read this Prospectus and any related
Prospectus Supplement carefully before you decide to invest in the Securities.
The
Fund may offer Securities (1) directly to one or more purchasers, (2) through agents that the Fund may designate from time to
time or (3) to or through underwriters or dealers. The Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular offering of Securities will
identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of Securities, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee,
commission or discount arrangement between the Fund and agents or underwriters or among underwriters or the basis upon which such
amount may be calculated. The Fund may not sell Securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of this Prospectus
and a Prospectus Supplement. See “Plan of Distribution.”
An
investment in the Fund is not appropriate for all investors. No assurances can be given that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective.
This
Prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Fund and the Securities that a prospective investor ought to know before
investing in the Fund and participating in an offer. You should read this Prospectus, which contains important information about
the Fund, before deciding whether to invest in the Fund’s common stock, and retain it for future reference. A Statement
of Additional Information dated [ ] (the “SAI”), containing additional information about the Fund, has been filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus,
which means that it is part of this Prospectus for legal purposes. You may request a free copy of the SAI, the Fund’s Annual
and Semi-Annual Reports, request other information about the Fund and make shareholder inquiries by calling 1-844-569-4750 (toll-free)
or by writing to the Fund at RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420, West Palm Beach, FL 33401,
or obtain a copy of such documents (and other information regarding the Fund) by visiting the Fund’s website at rivernorth.com/riv (information included on the website does not form a part of this Prospectus), or from the SEC’s website (sec.gov).
Investing
in Fund’s common stock involves certain risks. See “Risks” beginning on page 45 of this Prospectus.
Principal
Investment Strategies. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by pursuing a tactical asset allocation strategy
and opportunistically investing under normal circumstances in Underlying Funds and SPACs. Under normal market conditions, the
Fund will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in Underlying Funds and SPACs. “Managed Assets” means the total
assets of the Fund, including assets attributable to leverage, minus liabilities (other than debt representing leverage and any
preferred stock that may be outstanding). The Underlying Funds and SPACs in which the Fund invests will not include those that
are advised or subadvised by the Adviser or its affiliates.
The
currently outstanding shares of the Fund’s common stock are, and the shares of the Fund’s common stock offered in
this Prospectus will be, subject to notice of issuance, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the trading
or “ticker” symbol “RIV,” and the Fund’s Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock are listed
on the NYSE under the symbol “RIVPRA.” As of September 30, 2024, the last reported sale price for the Fund’s
Common Shares on the NYSE was $12.92 per Common Share, and the NAV of the Fund’s Common Shares was $12.79 per Common Share,
representing a premium to NAV of 1.02%.
Leverage.
The Fund may borrow money and/or issue preferred stock, notes or debt securities for investment purposes. These practices
are known as leveraging. Since the holders of common stock pay all expenses related to the issuance of debt or use of leverage,
any use of leverage would create a greater risk of loss for the shares of common stock than if leverage is not used.
The
Fund currently anticipates that, if employed, leverage will primarily be obtained through the use of bank borrowings or other
similar term loans. The provisions of the 1940 Act further provide that the Fund may borrow or issue notes or debt securities
in an amount up to 33 1/3% of its total assets or may issue preferred shares in an amount up to 50% of the Fund’s total
assets (including the proceeds from leverage). In addition, the Fund may enter into certain derivatives or other transactions
(e.g., total return swaps) that may provide leverage (other than through borrowings or the issuance of preferred stock). The Fund’s
obligations under such transactions will not be considered indebtedness for purposes of the 1940 Act and will not be included
in calculating the aggregate amount of the Fund’s financial leverage, but the Fund’s use of such transactions may
be limited by the applicable requirements of the SEC.
The
amount of distributions that the Fund may pay is not guaranteed. The Fund may pay distributions in a significant part from sources
that may not be available in the future and that are unrelated to the Fund’s performance such as a return of capital (which
is a non-taxable distribution).
This
Prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form N-2 that the Fund filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration
process. Under this process, the Fund may offer, from time to time, up to $600,000,000 aggregate initial offering price of Securities
in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms set forth in one or more Prospectus Supplements. The Prospectus Supplement
may also add, update or change information contained in this Prospectus. You should carefully read this Prospectus and any accompanying
Prospectus Supplement, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
You
should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and any accompanying Prospectus
Supplement. The Fund has not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with
different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in
any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information contained or the representations
made herein are accurate only as of the date on the cover page of this Prospectus. The Fund’s business, financial condition
and prospects may have changed since that date. The Fund will amend this Prospectus and any accompanying Prospectus Supplement
if, during the period that this Prospectus and any accompanying Prospectus Supplement is required to be delivered, there are any
subsequent material changes.
The
Fund’s securities 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
Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus.
Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY |
7 |
SUMMARY
OF FUND EXPENSES |
26 |
FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS |
29 |
INFORMATION
REGARDING SENIOR SECURITIES |
33 |
THE
FUND |
35 |
MARKET
AND NET ASSET VALUE INFORMATION |
36 |
THE
OFFERING |
38 |
USE
OF PROCEEDS |
39 |
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE, STRATEGIES AND POLICIES |
40 |
USE
OF LEVERAGE |
44 |
RISKS |
46 |
MANAGEMENT
OF THE FUND |
67 |
NET
ASSET VALUE |
69 |
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION |
71 |
DIVIDEND
REINVESTMENT PLAN |
74 |
DESCRIPTION
OF THE FUND’S SECURITIES |
75 |
CERTAIN
PROVISIONS OF THE FUND’S CHARTER AND BYLAWS AND OF MARYLAND LAW |
79 |
REPURCHASE
OF SHARES |
86 |
CONVERSION
TO OPEN-END FUND |
87 |
U.S.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS |
87 |
CUSTODIAN
AND TRANSFER AGENT |
90 |
LEGAL
MATTERS |
91 |
CONTROL
PERSONS |
91 |
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION |
91 |
THE
FUND’S PRIVACY POLICY |
91 |
You
should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and any related Prospectus Supplement.
The Fund has not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different
or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction
where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information provided by this Prospectus and any related
Prospectus Supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this Prospectus and any related Prospectus
Supplement. The Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations may have changed since that date.
PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
The
following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus.
This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the Fund’s securities.
You should review the more detailed information contained in this Prospectus, any related Prospectus Supplement and in the Statement
of Additional Information, especially the information set forth under the heading “Risks.”
The
Fund |
RiverNorth
Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is a Maryland corporation registered
as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). An investment in the Fund may not
be appropriate for all investors. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
As
of September 30, 2024, the Fund had 21,453,174 shares of its common stock outstanding and net assets applicable to such
shares of $274,331,132. As of the same date, the Fund had 3,910,000 shares of 6.00% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred
Stock, liquidation preference $25 per share, outstanding (“Series A Preferred Stock”). The shares of the Fund’s
common stock offered by this Prospectus are called “Common Shares” and the holders of Common Shares are called
“Common Stockholders.” As used hereinafter in this Prospectus, unless the context requires otherwise, “common
shares” refers to the shares of the Fund’s common stock currently outstanding as well as those Common Shares
offered by this Prospectus. As used hereinafter in this Prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, “preferred
shares” or “Preferred Shares” refers to the shares of the Fund’s Series A Preferred Stock outstanding
or any future issuance of Preferred Shares, and the holders of preferred shares are called “preferred shareholders.”
An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors.
|
The
Offering |
The
Fund may offer, from time to time, up to $600,000,000 aggregate initial offering price
of (i) Common Shares, (ii) Preferred Shares, and/or (iii) subscription rights to purchase Common
Shares, Preferred Shares or both (“Rights” and together with the Common Shares and Preferred Shares, "Securities") in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices
and on terms set forth in one or more supplements to this Prospectus (each a “Prospectus
Supplement”). You should read this Prospectus and any related Prospectus
Supplement carefully before you decide to invest in the Securities.
The
Fund may offer Securities (1) directly to one or more purchasers, (2) through agents that the Fund may designate from time to
time or (3) to or through underwriters or dealers. The Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular offering of Securities will
identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of Securities, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee,
commission or discount arrangement between the Fund and agents or underwriters or among underwriters or the basis upon which such
amount may be calculated. The Fund may not sell Securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of this Prospectus
and a Prospectus Supplement. See “Plan of Distribution.” |
Use
of Proceeds |
Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser” or “RiverNorth”), the Fund’s investment adviser, anticipates that investment of the proceeds will be made in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified. It is currently anticipated that the Fund will be able to invest substantially all of the net proceeds of an offering of Securities in accordance with its investment objective and policies within three months after the completion of such offering. Pending such investment, the proceeds will be held in high quality short-term debt securities and instruments. A delay in the anticipated use of proceeds could lower returns and reduce the Fund’s distribution to Common Stockholders.
|
Investment
Objective |
The Fund’s investment objective is total return consisting of capital appreciation and current income. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
|
Principal
Investment Strategies |
The
Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by pursuing a tactical asset allocation
strategy and opportunistically investing under normal circumstances in closed-end funds,
exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), business development companies (“BDCs”
and collectively, “Underlying Funds”) and special purpose acquisition companies
(“SPACs”). The Adviser has the flexibility to change the Fund’s asset
allocation based on its ongoing analysis of the equity, fixed income and alternative
asset markets. The Adviser considers various quantitative and qualitative factors relating
to the domestic and foreign securities markets and economies when making asset allocation
and security selection decisions. While the Adviser continuously evaluates these factors,
material shifts in the Fund’s asset class exposures will typically take place over
longer periods of time.
Under
normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in Underlying Funds and SPACs. “Managed
Assets” means the total assets of the Fund, including assets attributable to leverage, minus liabilities (other than debt
representing leverage and any preferred stock that may be outstanding). The Underlying Funds and SPACs in which the Fund invests
will not include those that are advised or subadvised by the Adviser or its affiliates. The Fund directly, and therefore Common
Stockholders indirectly, will bear the expenses of the Underlying Funds and SPACs.
|
|
Under
normal market conditions: (i) no more than 80% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “equity” Underlying
Funds and SPACs; (ii) no more than 60% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “fixed income” Underlying
Funds and SPACs; (iii) no more than 30% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “global equity” Underlying
Funds and SPACs; (iv) no more than 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “emerging market equity”
Underlying Funds and SPACs; (v) no more than 30% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “high yield”
(also known as “junk bond”) and “senior loan” Underlying Funds and SPACs; (vi) no more than 15% of the
Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “emerging market income” Underlying Funds and SPACs; (vii) no more
than 10% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “real estate” Underlying Funds and SPACs; and (viii)
no more than 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “energy master limited partnership” (“MLP”)
Underlying Funds and SPACs. Underlying Funds and SPACs included in the 30% limitation applicable to investments in “global
equity” Underlying Funds and SPACs may include Underlying Funds and SPACs that invest a portion of their assets in emerging
markets securities. The Fund will also limit its investments in closed-end funds (including BDCs) that have been in operation
for less than one year to no more than 10% of the Fund’s Managed Assets. The Fund will not invest in inverse ETFs and leveraged
ETFs. The types of Underlying Funds and SPACs referenced in this paragraph will be categorized in accordance with the fund categories
established and maintained by Morningstar, Inc. The investment parameters stated above (and elsewhere in this Prospectus) apply
only at the time of purchase. |
|
In
selecting closed-end funds, the Adviser opportunistically utilizes a combination of short-term and longer-term trading strategies
to seek to derive value from the discount and premium spreads associated with closed-end funds. The Adviser employs both a quantitative
and qualitative approach in its selection of closed-end funds and has developed proprietary screening models and algorithms to
trade closed-end funds. The Adviser employs the following trading strategies, among others:
Statistical
Analysis (Mean Reversion)
● Using proprietary quantitative models, the Adviser seeks to identify closed-end funds that are trading at compelling absolute
and / or relative discounts (i.e., trading at a market price lower than its net asset value).
● The Fund will attempt to capitalize on the perceived mispricing if the Adviser believes that the discount widening is irrational
and expects the discount to narrow to longer-term mean valuations (i.e., the current discount will approach the price of the longer-term
valuation).
Corporate
Actions
● The Adviser will pursue investments in closed-end funds that have announced, or the Adviser believes are likely to announce, certain
corporate actions that may drive value for their shareholders.
● The Adviser has developed trading strategies that focus on closed-end fund tender offers, rights offerings, shareholder distributions,
open-endings (i.e., conversion of a closed-end fund to an open-end mutual fund) and liquidations (the disposition of a Fund’s
assets).
The
Fund will invest in other Underlying Funds and SPACs (that are not closed-end funds) to gain exposure to specific asset classes
when the Adviser believes closed-end fund discount or premium spreads are not attractive or to manage overall closed-end fund
exposure in the Fund.
Under
normal circumstances, the Fund intends to maintain long positions in Underlying Funds and SPACs, but may engage in short sales
for investment purposes. When the Fund engages in a short sale, it sells a security it does not own and, to complete the sale,
borrows the same security from a broker or other institution. The Fund may benefit from a short position when the shorted security
decreases in value. The Fund may also at times establish hedging positions. Hedging positions may include short sales and derivatives,
such as options and swaps (“Hedging Positions”). Under normal market conditions, no more than 30% of the Fund’s
Managed Assets will be in Hedging Positions. The Adviser intends to use Hedging Positions to lower the Fund’s volatility
but they may also be used to seek to enhance the Fund’s return. The Fund’s investments in derivatives will be included
under the 80% policy noted above so long as the underlying asset of such derivatives is a closed-end fund or Underlying Fund,
respectively.
|
|
The
Adviser performs both a quantitative and qualitative analysis, including fundamental and technical analysis to assess the relative
risk and reward potential, for each SPAC investment. Among other things, the Adviser will evaluate the management team’s
strategy, experience, deal flow, and demonstrated track record in building enterprise value. The Adviser will also evaluate the
terms of each SPAC offering, including the aggregate amount of the offering, the offering price of the securities, the equity
yield to termination, the option value of warrants, the sponsor’s interest in the SPAC, and the expected liquidity of the
SPAC’s securities. The Fund will purchase securities of SPACs in their initial public offerings and in the secondary market.
The
Fund also may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”), certain derivatives, such
as options and swaps, cash and cash equivalents. Such investments will not be counted towards the Fund’s 80% policy.
There
are no limits on the Fund’s portfolio turnover, and the Fund may buy and sell securities to take advantage of potential
short-term trading opportunities without regard to length of time and when the Adviser believes investment considerations warrant
such action.
The
Fund may attempt to enhance the return on the cash portion of its portfolio (and not for hedging purposes) by investing in a total
return swap agreement. A total return swap agreement provides the Fund with a return based on the performance of an underlying
asset, in exchange for fee payments to a counterparty based on a specific rate. The difference in the value of these income streams
is recorded daily by the Fund, and is typically settled in cash at least monthly. If the underlying asset declines in value over
the term of the swap, the Fund would be required to pay the dollar value of that decline plus any applicable fees to the counterparty.
The Fund may use its own NAV or any other reference asset that the Adviser chooses as the underlying asset in a total return swap.
The Fund will limit the notional amount of all total return swaps in the aggregate to 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets.
See “Investment Objective, Strategies and Policies-Principal Investment Strategies.” |
Use
of Leverage |
The
Fund may borrow money and/or issue Preferred Shares, notes or debt securities for investment
purposes. These practices are known as leveraging. The Adviser will assess whether or
not to engage in leverage based on its assessment of conditions in the debt and credit
markets. Leverage, if used, may take the form of a borrowing or the issuance of Preferred
Shares, although the Fund currently anticipates that leverage will primarily be obtained
through the use of bank borrowings or other similar term loans.
On
March 9, 2023, the Fund entered into a credit agreement with BNP Paribas (“BNP Facility”). The BNP Facility
permits the Fund to borrow funds that are collateralized by assets held at BNP Paribas pursuant to the BNP Facility. Under
the terms of the BNP Facility, the Fund may borrow up to $25,000,000 bearing an interest rate of the Overnight Bank Funding
Rate plus a fixed rate determined by the securities pledged as collateral. Any unused portion of the BNP Facility is subject
to a commitment fee of 0.50% of the unused portion of the facility until a utilization of 80% or greater is met. |
|
The
Fund did not utilize the BNP Facility for the period from August 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. There was no outstanding balance
on the BNP Facility as of June 30, 2024.
As
of June 30, 2024, the Fund had outstanding 3,910,000 shares of 6.00% Series A Preferred Stock. As of the same date, the
average liquidation preference since the issuance of such Series A Preferred Stock was approximately $25.00. As of June
30, 2024, the Fund’s leverage from its issuance of Series A Preferred Stock was approximately 26.45% of its Managed
Assets. See “Summary of Fund Expenses” and “Use of Leverage.”
The
provisions of the 1940 Act provide that the Fund may borrow or issue notes or debt securities in an amount up to 33 1/3%
of its total assets or may issue Preferred Shares in an amount up to 50% of the Fund’s total assets (including the
proceeds from leverage).
If
the net rate of return on the Fund’s investments purchased with the leverage proceeds exceeds the interest or dividend
rate payable on the leverage, such excess earnings will be available to pay higher dividends to Common Stockholders. If
the net rate of return on the Fund’s investments purchased with leverage proceeds does not exceed the costs of leverage,
the return to Common Stockholders will be less than if leverage had not been used. The use of leverage magnifies gains
and losses to Common Stockholders. Since the holders of Common Shares pay all expenses related to the issuance of debt
or use of leverage, any use of leverage would create a greater risk of loss for the Common Shares than if leverage is
not used. There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed.
See “Use of Leverage” and “Risks-Leverage Risks.”
Rule
18f-4 under the 1940 Act (“Rule 18f-4”) permits the Fund to enter into Derivatives Transactions (as defined
below) and certain other transactions notwithstanding the restrictions on the issuance of senior securities under Section
18 of the 1940 Act. Among other things, Section 18 of the 1940 Act prohibits closed-end funds, including the Fund, from
issuing or selling any senior security representing indebtedness (unless the fund maintains 300% asset coverage) or any
senior security representing stock (unless the fund maintains 200% asset coverage).
Under
Rule 18f-4, “Derivatives Transactions” include (i) any swap, security-based swap, futures contract, forward contract,
option, any combination of the foregoing, or any similar instrument, under which a fund is or may be required to make any payment
or delivery of cash or other assets during the life of the instrument or at maturity or early termination, whether as margin or
settlement payment or otherwise; (ii) any short sale borrowing; and (iii) reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing
transactions if the fund has elected to treat all such transactions as derivatives transactions under the rule.
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Adviser |
Effective
October 1, 2022, RiverNorth serves as the adviser to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s
investment management agreement with the Adviser dated October 1, 2022. As of August
31, 2024, RiverNorth had approximately $5.02 billion of assets under management. The
Adviser’s address is 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420, West Palm Beach, FL
33401 and its telephone number is (561) 484-7185.
Effective
October 1, 2022, the Fund pays the Adviser a management fee payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 1.30% of
the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets for the services it provides. This management fee paid by the Fund to the
Adviser is essentially an all-in fee structure (the “unified management fee”) and, as part of the unified
management fee, the Adviser provides or causes to be furnished all supervisory and administrative and other services reasonably
necessary for the operation of the Fund, except (unless otherwise described in this Prospectus or otherwise agreed to
in writing), the Fund pays, in addition to the unified management fee, taxes and governmental fees (if any) levied against
the Fund; brokerage fees and commissions and other portfolio transaction expenses incurred by or for the Fund; costs of
borrowing money including interest expenses or engaging in other types of leverage financing; dividend and/or interest
expenses and other costs associated with the Fund’s issuance, offering, redemption and maintenance of preferred
shares or other instruments for the purpose of incurring leverage; fees and expenses of any underlying funds in which
the Fund invests; dividend and interest expenses on short positions taken by the Fund; fees and expenses, including travel
expenses and fees and expenses of legal counsel retained for the benefit of the Fund or directors of the Fund who are
not officers, employees, partners, stockholders or members of the Adviser or its affiliates; fees and expenses associated
with and incident to stockholder meetings and proxy solicitations involving contested elections of directors, stockholder
proposals or other non-routine matters that are not initiated or proposed by the Adviser; legal, marketing, printing,
accounting and other expenses associated with any future share offerings, such as rights offerings and shelf offerings,
following the Fund’s initial offering; expenses associated with tender offers and other share repurchases and redemptions;
and other extraordinary expenses, including extraordinary legal expenses, as may arise, including, without limit, expenses
incurred in connection with litigation, proceedings, other claims and the legal obligations of the Fund to indemnify its
directors, officers, employees, stockholders, distributors and agents with respect thereto. Prior to October 1, 2022,
the Adviser served as investment subadviser to the Fund. |
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Because
the Fund pays the Adviser a management fee based on Managed Assets, the Adviser is paid more if the Fund uses leverage directly,
which creates a potential conflict of interest for the Adviser. The Adviser will seek to manage that potential conflict by utilizing
leverage only when it determines such action is in the best interests of the Fund.
For
more information on the Adviser, as well as the fees and expenses, see “Summary of Fund Expenses” and “Management
of the Fund.
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Administrator |
ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“AFS”) is the Fund’s administrator. Under an Administration, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”), AFS is responsible for calculating NAVs, providing additional fund accounting and tax services, and providing fund administration and compliance-related services. See “Management of the Fund.”
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Dividends
and Distributions |
The
Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Board”) approved an amended distribution policy, under which the Fund intends
to make regular monthly distributions to stockholders at a constant and fixed (but not guaranteed) rate that is reset annually
to a rate equal to a percentage of the average of the Fund’s NAV per share (the “Distribution Amount”),
as reported for the final five trading days of the preceding calendar year (the “Distribution Rate Calculation”).
The Distribution Amount is set by the Board and may be adjusted from time to time. The Fund’s intention is that monthly
distributions paid to stockholders throughout a calendar year will be at least equal to the Distribution Amount (plus any
additional amounts that may be required to be included in a distribution for federal or excise tax purposes) and that, on
the close of the calendar year, the Distribution Amount applicable to the following calendar year will be reset based upon
the new results of the Distribution Rate Calculation. At times, to maintain a stable level of distributions, the Fund may
pay out less than all of its net investment income or pay out accumulated undistributed income, or return capital, in addition
to current net investment income. Any distribution that is treated as a return of capital generally will reduce a stockholder’s
basis in his or her shares, which may increase the capital gain or reduce the capital loss realized upon the sale of such
shares. Any amounts received in excess of a shareholder’s basis are generally treated as capital gain, assuming the
shares are held as capital assets. See “Dividends and Distributions.” |
Dividend
Reinvestment Plan |
The Fund has a dividend reinvestment plan (the “Plan”) commonly referred to as an “opt-out” plan. Each Common Stockholder who participates in the Plan will have all distributions of dividends and capital gains automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares. Shareholders who elect not to participate in the Plan will receive all distributions in cash. Stockholders whose Common Shares are held in the name of a broker or nominee should contact the broker or nominee to determine whether and how they may participate in the Plan. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”
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Exchange
Listing |
The
Fund’s currently outstanding Common Shares are, and the Common Shares offered in
this Prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement will be, subject to notice of
issuance, listed on the NYSE under the symbol “RIV.” The Fund’s Series
A Preferred Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “RIVPRA.”
As
of September 30, 2024, the last reported sale price for the Fund’s Common Shares on the NYSE was $12.92 per Common
Share, and the NAV of the Fund’s Common Shares was $12.79 per Common Share, representing a premium to NAV of 1.02%.
In connection with any offering of Rights, the Fund will provide information in the Prospectus Supplement of the expected
trading market, if any, for Rights.
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Risk
Considerations |
Risk
is inherent in all investing. Investing in any investment company security involves
risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment
or even that you may lose part or all of your investment. Therefore, before investing
in the Securities, you should consider the following risks (as well as the other information
in this Prospectus, including under the section entitled “Risks” below, the
applicable prospectus supplement and the SAI).
Structural
Risks:
Not
a Complete Investment Program. The Fund is intended for investors seeking total return consisting of capital appreciation
and current income over the long-term and is not intended to be a short-term trading vehicle. An investment in the Securities
should not be considered a complete investment program. Each investor should take into account the Fund’s investment
objective and other characteristics, as well as the investor’s other investments, when considering an investment
in the Securities. An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors.
Risks
Associated with Additional Offerings. There are risks associated with offerings of additional Common Shares or Preferred
Shares of the Fund. The voting power of current shareholders will be diluted to the extent that current shareholders do not purchase
shares in any future offerings of shares or do not purchase sufficient shares to maintain their percentage interest. In addition,
the sale of shares in an offering may have an adverse effect on prices in the secondary market for the Fund’s shares by
increasing the number of shares available, which may put downward pressure on the market price for the Fund’s Shares. These
sales also might make it more difficult for the Fund to sell additional equity securities in the future at a time and price the
Fund seems appropriate. |
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In
the event any additional series of fixed rate preferred shares are issued and such shares are intended to be listed on
an exchange, prior application will have been made to list such shares. During an initial period, which is not expected
to exceed 30 days after the date of its initial issuance, such shares may not be listed on any securities exchange. During
such period, the underwriters may make a market in such shares, although they will have no obligation to do so. Consequently,
an investment in such shares may be illiquid during such period. Fixed rate preferred shares may trade at a premium to
or discount from liquidation value.
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There
are risks associated with an offering of Rights (in addition to the risks discussed herein related to the offering of Common Shares
and Preferred Shares). Shareholders who do not exercise their rights may, at the completion of such an offering, own a smaller
proportional interest in the Fund than if they exercised their rights. As a result of such an offering, a shareholder may experience
dilution in net asset value per share if the subscription price per share is below the net asset value per share on the expiration
date. In addition to the economic dilution described above, if a shareholder does not exercise all of its Rights, the shareholder
will incur voting dilution as a result of the Rights offering. This voting dilution will occur because the shareholder will own
a smaller proportionate interest in the Fund after the rights offering than prior to the Rights offering.
There
is a risk that changes in market conditions may result in the underlying Common Shares or Preferred Shares purchasable upon exercise
of Rights being less attractive to investors at the conclusion of the subscription period. This may reduce or eliminate the value
of the Rights. If investors exercise only a portion of the rights, the number of shares issued may be reduced, and the shares
may trade at less favorable prices than larger offerings for similar securities. Rights issued by the Fund may be transferable
or non-transferable rights.
Leverage
Risks. The Fund may borrow money, or issue debt or preferred stock. Since Common Stockholders pay all expenses related
to the issuance of debt or use of leverage, the use of leverage through borrowing of money, issuance of debt securities or the
issuance of preferred stock for investment purposes creates risks for the holders of Common Shares. Leverage is a speculative
technique that exposes the Fund to greater risk and increased costs than if it were not implemented. Increases and decreases in
the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. As a result, leverage may cause greater
changes in the Fund’s NAV. The Fund will also have to pay interest on its borrowings or dividends on preferred stock, if
any, which may reduce the Fund’s return. The leverage costs may be greater than the Fund’s return on the underlying
investment. The Fund’s leveraging strategy may not be successful. Leverage risk would also apply to the Fund’s investments
in Underlying Funds and SPACs to the extent an Underlying Fund or SPAC uses leverage. See “Use of Leverage.”
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Market
Discount. Common stock of closed-end funds frequently trades at a discount from its NAV. This risk may be greater for
investors selling their shares in a relatively short period of time after completion of the initial offering. The Common Shares
may trade at a price that is less than the Fund’s NAV. This risk would also apply to the Fund’s investments in closed-end
funds.
Anti-Takeover
Provisions. Maryland law and the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws include provisions that could limit the ability of other
entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to open-end status. These provisions could deprive the
holders of Common Shares of opportunities to sell their Common Shares at a premium over the then current market price of the Common
Shares or at NAV. See “Certain Provisions of the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws and of Maryland Law.” This risk would
also apply to many of the Fund’s investments in closed-end funds.
Investment-Related
Risks:
The
risks listed below are in alphabetical order. With the exception of Underlying Fund risk (and except as otherwise noted below),
the following risks apply to the direct investments the Fund may make, and generally apply to the Fund’s investments in
Underlying Funds and SPACs. That said, each risk described below may not apply to each Underlying Fund or SPAC investment. Similarly,
an Underlying Fund may be subject to additional or different risks than those described below.
Asset
Allocation Risks. To the extent that the Adviser’s asset allocation strategy may fail to produce the intended result,
the Fund’s return may suffer. Additionally, the active asset allocation style of the Fund leads to changing allocations
over time and represents a risk to investors who target fixed asset allocations.
Convertible
Securities Risks. The Underlying Funds may invest in convertible securities. The market value of convertible securities
tends to fall when prevailing interest rates rise. The value of convertible securities also tends to change whenever the market
value of the underlying common or preferred stock fluctuates. Convertible securities tend to be of lower credit quality.
Defensive
Measures. The Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as a defensive
measure in response to adverse market conditions or opportunistically at the discretion of the Adviser. During these periods,
the Fund may not be pursuing its investment objective.
Derivatives
Risks. The Fund and the Underlying Funds may enter into derivatives transactions. Derivative transactions involve investment
techniques and risks different from those associated with investments in Underlying Funds. Generally, a derivative is a financial
contract the value of which depends upon, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or index, and
may relate to individual debt or equity instruments, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates, commodities, related
indexes, and other assets. Derivatives can be volatile and involve various types and degrees of risk, depending upon the characteristics
of a particular derivative. Derivatives may entail investment exposures that are greater than their cost would suggest, meaning
that a small investment in a derivative could have a large potential impact on the performance of the Fund or an Underlying Fund.
The Fund or an Underlying Fund could experience a loss if derivatives do not perform as anticipated, if they are not correlated
with the performance of other investments which they are used to hedge or if the fund is unable to liquidate a position because
of an illiquid secondary market. When used for speculative purposes, derivatives will produce enhanced investment exposure, which
will magnify gains and losses. The Fund and the Underlying Funds also will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties
to the derivatives contracts purchased by such fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations
under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund or an Underlying Fund may experience significant delays in
obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund or an Underlying
Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. |
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On
October 28, 2020, the SEC adopted Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act providing for the regulation of the use of derivatives and certain
related instruments by registered investment companies. Rule 18f-4 prescribes specific value-at-risk leverage limits for certain
derivatives users. In addition, Rule 18f-4 requires certain derivatives users to adopt and implement a derivatives risk management
program (including the appointment of a derivatives risk manager, and the implementation of certain testing requirements), and
prescribes reporting requirements in respect of derivatives. Subject to certain conditions, if a fund qualified as a “limited
derivatives user,” as defined in Rule 18f-4, it is not subject to the full requirements of Rule 18f-4. In connection with
the adoption of Rule 18f-4, the SEC rescinded certain of its prior guidance regarding asset segregation and coverage requirements
in respect of derivatives transactions and related instruments. With respect to reverse repurchase agreements or other similar
financing transactions in particular, Rule 18f-4 permits a fund to enter into such transactions if the fund either (i) complies
with the asset coverage requirements of Section 18 of the 1940 Act, and combines the aggregate amount of indebtedness associated
with all reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing with the aggregate amount of any other senior securities representing
indebtedness when calculating the relevant asset coverage ratio, or (ii) treats all reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing
transactions as derivatives transactions for all purposes under Rule 18f-4. The Fund was required to comply with Rule 18f-4 on
August 19, 2022 and has adopted procedures for investing in derivatives and other transactions in compliance with Rule 18f-4.
Defaulted
and Distressed Securities Risks. The Underlying Funds may invest directly in defaulted and distressed securities. Legal
difficulties and negotiations with creditors and other claimants are common when dealing with defaulted or distressed companies.
Defaulted or distressed companies may be insolvent or in bankruptcy. In the event of a default, an Underlying Fund may incur additional
expenses to seek recovery. The repayment of defaulted bonds is subject to significant uncertainties, and in some cases, there
may be no recovery of repayment. Defaulted bonds might be repaid only after lengthy workout or bankruptcy proceedings, during
which the issuer might not make any interest or other payments. With distressed investing, often there is a time lag between when
a fund makes an investment and when an Underlying Fund realizes the value of the investment. In addition, an Underlying Fund may
incur legal and other monitoring costs in protecting the value of the Underlying Fund’s claims.
Equity
Securities Risks. The Underlying Funds may invest in equity securities. While equity securities have historically generated
higher average returns than fixed income securities, equity securities have also experienced significantly more volatility in
those returns. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of an issuer’s equity securities
held by an Underlying Fund. Equity security prices fluctuate for several reasons, including changes in investors’ perceptions
of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock market, or when political or economic events
affecting the issuers occur. The value of an Underlying Fund’s shares will go up and down due to movement in the collective
returns of the individual securities held by the Underlying Fund. Common stocks are subordinate to preferred stocks and debt in
a company’s capital structure, and if a company is liquidated, the claims of secured and unsecured creditors and owners
of preferred stocks take precedence over the claims of those who own Common Shares. In addition, equity security prices may be
particularly sensitive to rising interest rates, as the cost of capital rises and borrowing costs increase.
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Exchange-Traded
Note Risks. The Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in ETNs, which are notes representing unsecured debt issued by
an underwriting bank. ETNs are typically linked to the performance of an index plus a specified rate of interest that could be
earned on cash collateral. The value of an ETN may be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN,
volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying markets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer’s
credit rating and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the referenced index. ETNs typically mature 30 years
from the date of issue. There may be restrictions on a fund’s right to liquidate its investment in an ETN prior to maturity
(for example, a fund may only be able to offer its ETN for repurchase by the issuer on a weekly basis), and there may be limited
availability of a secondary market.
Fixed
Income Risks. The Underlying Funds may invest in fixed income securities. Fixed income securities increase or decrease
in value based on changes in interest rates. If rates increase, the value of a fund’s fixed income securities generally
declines. On the other hand, if rates fall, the value of the fixed income securities generally increases. This risk is increased
in the case of issuers of high yield securities, also known as “junk bonds.” High yield securities are predominantly
speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the
obligation. In typical interest rate environments, the prices of longer-term fixed income securities generally fluctuate more
than the prices of shorter-term fixed income securities as interest rates change. The issuer of a fixed income security may not
be able to make interest and principal payments when due. In general, lower rated fixed income securities carry a greater degree
of credit risk.
Foreign
Investing Risks. The Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in foreign securities. Investments in foreign securities
may be affected by currency controls and exchange rates; different accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and legal standards
and practices; expropriation; changes in tax policy; social, political and economic instability; greater market volatility; differing
securities market structures; higher transaction costs; and various administrative difficulties, such as delays in clearing and
settling portfolio transactions or in receiving payment of dividends. In addition, changes in government administrations or economic
or monetary policies in the United States or abroad could result in appreciation or depreciation of the Fund’s or Underlying
Fund’s securities. These risks may be heightened in connection with investments in emerging or developing countries. To
the extent that a Fund or Underlying Fund invests in depositary receipts, the Fund or Underlying Fund will be subject to many
of the same risks as when investing directly in foreign securities. The effect of recent, worldwide economic instability on specific
foreign markets or issuers may be difficult to predict or evaluate, and some national economies continue to show profound instability,
which may in turn affect their international trading partners.
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Illiquid
Securities Risks. The Underlying Funds may invest in illiquid securities. It may not be possible to sell or otherwise
dispose of illiquid securities both at the price and within the time period deemed desirable by the Fund. Illiquid securities
also may be difficult to value.
Initial
Public Offerings Risks. The Fund and the Underlying Funds may purchase securities in initial public offerings (“IPOs”).
Investing in IPOs has added risks because the shares are frequently volatile in price. As a result, their performance can be more
volatile and they face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of an Underlying Fund’s portfolio.
Investment
and Market Risks. An investment in Common Shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire
principal amount invested. An investment in Common Shares represents an indirect investment in the Underlying Funds owned by the
Fund. The value of the Underlying Funds, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably.
Overall stock market risks may also affect the value of the Fund or the Underlying Funds. Factors such as domestic and foreign
economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels and political events affect the securities markets. The Common Shares
at any point in time may be worth less than the original investment, even after taking into account any reinvestment of dividends
and distributions.
Legislation,
Policy and Regulatory Risks. At any time after the date of this Prospectus, legislation or additional regulations may
be enacted that could negatively affect the assets of the Fund or the issuers of such assets. Recent changes in the U.S. political
landscape and changing approaches to regulation may have a negative impact on the entities and/or securities in which the Fund
or an Underlying Fund invests. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund or an Underlying Fund is regulated.
New or amended regulations may be imposed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), the SEC, the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) or other financial regulators, other governmental
regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that supervise the financial markets that could adversely affect the Fund
or the Underlying Funds. In particular, these agencies are empowered to promulgate a variety of new rules pursuant to financial
reform legislation in the United States. There can be no assurance that future legislation, regulation or deregulation will not
have a material adverse effect on the Fund or will not impair the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective. The
Fund and the Underlying Funds also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes
and rules by these governmental agencies.
Management
Risks. The Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of a particular asset
class or individual security in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and there is no guarantee that the Adviser’s
judgment will produce the desired results. Similarly, the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds are subject to the judgment
of the Underlying Funds’ managers which may prove to be incorrect. In addition, the Adviser will have limited information
as to the portfolio holdings of the Underlying Funds at any given time. This may result in the Adviser having less ability to
respond to changing market conditions. The Fund may allocate its assets so as to under-emphasize or over-emphasize ETFs or other
investments under the wrong market conditions, in which case the Fund’s NAV may be adversely affected.
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Market
Disruption, Geopolitical and Climate Change Risks. The value of your investment in the Fund is based on the values of
the Fund’s investments, which may change due to economic and other events that affect markets generally, as well as those
that affect particular regions, countries, industries, companies or governments. These movements, sometimes called volatility,
may be greater or less depending on the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in which the securities trade. The increasing
interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region
or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. Securities in the Fund’s
portfolio may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products
or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions.
The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years, such as terrorist attacks around the world, natural disasters,
social and political discord or debt crises and downgrades, among others, may result in market volatility and may have long term
effects on both the U.S. and global financial markets. The occurrence of such events may be sudden and unexpected, and it is difficult
to predict when similar events affecting the U.S. or global financial markets may occur, the effects that such events may have
and the duration of those effects. Any such event(s) could have a significant adverse impact on the value, liquidity and risk
profile of the Fund’s portfolio, as well as its ability to sell securities to meet redemptions. There is a risk that you
may lose money by investing in the Fund.
Social,
political, economic and other conditions and events, such as natural disasters, health emergencies (e.g., epidemics and pandemics),
terrorism, conflicts and social unrest, may occur and could significantly impact issuers, industries, governments and other systems,
including the financial markets. As global systems, economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, events that
once had only local impact are now more likely to have regional or even global effects. Events that occur in one country, region
or financial market will, more frequently, adversely impact issuers in other countries, regions or markets. These impacts can
be exacerbated by failures of governments and societies to adequately respond to an emerging event or threat. These types of events
quickly and significantly impact markets in the U.S. and across the globe leading to extreme market volatility and disruption.
The extent and nature of the impact on supply chains or economies and markets from these events is unknown. Social, political,
economic and other conditions and events, such as natural disasters, health emergencies (e.g., epidemics and pandemics), terrorism,
conflicts and social unrest, could reduce consumer demand or economic output, result in market closures, travel restrictions or
quarantines, and generally have a significant impact on the economies and financial markets and the Adviser’s investment
advisory activities and services of other service providers, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s investments
and other operations. The value of the Fund’s investment may decrease as a result of such events, particularly if these
events adversely impact the operations and effectiveness of the Adviser or key service providers or if these events disrupt systems
and processes necessary or beneficial to the investment advisory or other activities on behalf the Fund.
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Climate
change poses long-term threats to physical and biological systems. Regulatory changes and divestment movements tied to concerns
about climate change could adversely affect the value of certain land and the viability of industries whose activities or products
are seen as accelerating climate change.
Master
Limited Partnerships Risks. The Underlying Funds may invest in MLPs. Investments in publicly traded MLPs, which are limited
partnerships or limited liability companies taxable as partnerships, involve some risks that differ from an investment in the
common stock of a corporation, including risks related to limited control and limited rights to vote on matters affecting MLPs,
risks related to potential conflicts of interest between an MLP and the MLP’s general partner, cash flow risks, dilution
risks and risks related to the general partner’s right to require unit-holders to sell their common units at an undesirable
time or price. MLPs may derive income and gains from the exploration, development, mining or production, processing, refining,
transportation (including pipelines transporting gas, oil, or products thereof), or the marketing of any mineral or natural resources.
MLPs may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will otherwise be less liquid than publicly traded securities.
Certain MLP securities may trade in lower volumes due to their smaller capitalizations. Accordingly, those MLPs may be subject
to more abrupt or erratic price movements and may lack sufficient market liquidity to enable an Underlying Fund to effect sales
at an advantageous time or without a substantial drop in price. As a result, these investments may be difficult to dispose of
at a fair price at the times when an Underlying Fund believes it is desirable to do so. MLPs are generally considered interest-rate
sensitive investments. During periods of interest rate volatility, these investments may not provide attractive returns, which
may adversely impact the overall performance of the Fund or an Underlying Fund. The benefit an Underlying Fund will derive from
its investment in MLPs will be largely dependent on the MLPs being treated as partnerships and not as corporations for federal
income tax purposes. Therefore, treatment of an MLP as a corporation for federal income tax purposes would result in a reduction
in the after-tax return to an Underlying Fund, likely causing a reduction in the value of the Common Shares.
Micro-,
Small- and Medium-Sized Company Risks. The Underlying Funds may invest in securities without regard to market capitalization.
Investments in securities of micro-, small- and medium-sized companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements
than larger, more established companies, because these securities typically are traded in lower volume and issuers are typically
more subject to changes in earnings and future earnings prospects. These risks are intensified for investments in micro-cap companies.
Options
and Futures Risks. The Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in options and futures contracts. The use of futures and
options transactions entails certain special risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation between price movements
of futures contracts and price movements in the related securities position of the fund could create the possibility that losses
on the hedging instrument are greater than gains in the value of the fund’s position. In addition, futures and options markets
could be illiquid in some circumstances and certain over-the-counter options could have no markets. As a result, in certain markets,
the fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring substantial losses. Although the Fund’s use of futures
and options transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged position,
at the same time it will tend to limit any potential gain to the Fund that might result from an increase in value of the position.
There is also the risk of loss by the Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund has an
open position in a futures contract or option thereon. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts
create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of options, in which case the exposure is limited to the
cost of the initial premium.
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Private
Debt Risk. The Fund may invest in debt issued by non-listed funds and BDCs (“Private Debt”). Private Debt
often may be illiquid and is typically not listed on an exchange and traded less actively than similar securities issued by publicly
traded-vehicles. For certain Private Debt investments, trading may only be possible through the assistance of the broker who originally
brought the security to the market and has a relationship with the issuer. Due to the limited trading market, independent pricing
services may be unable to provide a price for Private Debt, and as such the fair value of the securities may be determined in
good faith by the Adviser under procedures approved by the Board, which typically will include the use of one or more independent
broker quotes.
REIT
Risks. The Underlying Funds may invest in equity and mortgage real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). Equity
REITs invest in real estate, and mortgage REITs invest in loans secured by real estate. The value of equity REITs may be affected
by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the REITs, while the value of mortgage REITs may be affected by the
quality of any credit extended. Investment in REITs involves risks similar to those associated with investing in small capitalization
companies, and REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are subject to interest rate risks.
Securities
Lending Risks. The Underlying Funds may lose money when they loan portfolio securities if the borrower fails to return
the securities and the collateral provided has declined in value and/or the Underlying Fund cannot convert the collateral to cash
for any reason.
Securities
Risks. The value of the Common Shares or the shares of an Underlying Fund may decrease in response to the activities and
financial prospects of individual securities in the Fund’s or Underlying Fund’s portfolio.
Senior
Loan Risks. The Underlying Funds may invest in senior secured floating rate and fixed-rate loans (“Senior Loans”).
There is less readily available and reliable information about most Senior Loans than is the case for many other types of instruments,
including listed securities. Senior Loans are not listed on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system and
as such, many Senior Loans are illiquid, meaning that the Fund or Underlying Fund may not be able to sell them quickly at a fair
price. To the extent that a secondary market does exist for certain Senior Loans, the market is more volatile than for liquid,
listed securities and may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods.
The market for Senior Loans could be disrupted in the event of an economic downturn or a substantial increase or decrease in interest
rates. Senior Loans, like most other debt obligations, are subject to the risk of default. Default in the payment of interest
or principal on a Senior Loan will result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of the Senior Loan and
a potential decrease in the Fund’s NAV of the Common Shares.
|
|
Short
Sale Risks. The Fund and the Underlying Funds may engage in short sales. A short sale is a transaction in which a fund
sells a security it does not own in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline. To establish a short position,
a fund must first borrow the security from a broker or other institution. The fund may not always be able to borrow a security
at a particular time or at an acceptable price. Accordingly, there is a risk that a fund may be unable to implement its investment
strategy due to the lack of available securities or for other reasons. After selling a borrowed security, a fund is obligated
to “cover” the short sale by purchasing and returning the security to the lender at a later date. The Fund and the
Underlying Funds cannot guarantee that the security will be available at an acceptable price. Positions in shorted securities
are speculative and more risky than long positions (purchases) in securities because the maximum sustainable loss on a security
purchased is limited to the amount paid for the security plus the transaction costs, whereas there is no maximum attainable price
of the shorted security. Therefore, in theory, securities sold short have unlimited risk. Short selling will also result in higher
transaction costs (such as interest and dividends), and may result in higher taxes, which reduce a fund’s return.
Special
Purpose Acquisition Companies Risks: The Fund may invest in SPACs. SPACs are collective investment structures that pool
funds in order to seek potential acquisition opportunities. SPACs are generally publicly traded companies that raise funds through
an IPO for the purpose of acquiring or merging with another company to be identified subsequent to the SPAC’s IPO. The securities
of a SPAC are often issued in “units” that include one share of common stock and one right or warrant (or partial
right or warrant) conveying the right to purchase additional shares or partial shares. Unless and until an acquisition is completed,
a SPAC generally invests its assets (less an amount to cover expenses) in U.S. Government securities, money market fund securities
and cash. SPACs and similar entities may be blank check companies with no operating history or ongoing business other than to
seek a potential acquisition. Accordingly, the value of their securities is particularly dependent on the ability of the entity’s
management to identify and complete a profitable acquisition. Certain SPACs may seek acquisitions only in limited industries or
regions, which may increase the volatility of their prices. If an acquisition or merger that meets the requirements for the SPAC
is not completed within a predetermined period of time, the invested funds are returned to the entity’s shareholders, less
certain permitted expenses. Accordingly, any rights or warrants issued by the SPAC will expire worthless. Certain private investments
in SPACs may be illiquid and/or be subject to restrictions on resale. Additionally, the Fund may acquire certain private rights
and other interests issued by a SPAC (commonly referred to as “founder shares”), which may be subject to forfeiture
or expire worthless and which typically have more limited liquidity than SPAC shares issued in an IPO. To the extent the SPAC
is invested in cash or similar securities, this may impact the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective.
Structured
Notes Risks. The Underlying Funds may invest in structured notes. Structured notes are subject to a number of fixed income
risks including general market risk, interest rate risk, and the risk that the issuer on the note may fail to make interest and/or
principal payments when due, or may default on its obligations entirely. In addition, because the performance of structured notes
tracks the performance of the underlying debt obligation, structured notes generally are subject to more risk than investing in
a simple note or bond issued by the same issuer.
|
|
Swap
Risks. The Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in interest rate, index, total return and currency swap agreements.
All of these agreements are considered derivatives. Swaps could result in losses if interest or foreign currency exchange rates
or credit quality changes are not correctly anticipated by the Adviser or Underlying Fund manager. Total return swaps could result
in losses if the reference index, security, or investments do not perform as anticipated. Total return swaps involve an enhanced
risk that the issuer or counterparty will fail to perform its contractual obligations. Total return swaps may effectively add
leverage to the Fund’s portfolio because the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the full notional amount of
the swap. To the extent the Fund or an Underlying Fund enters into a total return swap on equity securities, the Fund or an Underlying
Fund will receive the positive performance of a notional amount of such securities underlying the total return swap. In exchange,
the Fund or the Underlying Fund will be obligated to pay the negative performance of such notional amount of securities. Therefore,
the Fund or the Underlying Fund assumes the risk of a substantial decrease in the market value of the equity securities. The use
of swaps may not always be successful; using them could lower Fund total return, their prices can be highly volatile, and the
potential loss from the use of swaps can exceed the Fund’s initial investment in such instruments. Some, but not all, swaps
may be cleared, in which case a central clearing counterparty stands between each buyer and seller and effectively guarantees
performance of each contract, to the extent of its available resources for such purpose. As a result, the counterparty risk is
now shifted from bilateral risk between the parties to the individual credit risk of the central clearing counterparty. Even in
such case, there can be no assurance that a clearing house, or its members, will satisfy the clearing house’s obligations
to the Fund or an Underlying Fund.
Underlying
Fund Risks. The Fund will incur the fees and expenses of its investments in Underlying Funds, which may be greater than
if the Fund invested in the securities held by the Underlying Funds directly. There is also the risk that the Fund may suffer
losses due to the investment practices or operations of the Underlying Funds. To the extent that the Fund invests in one or more
Underlying Funds that concentrate in a particular industry, the Fund would be vulnerable to factors affecting that industry and
the concentrating Underlying Funds’ performance, and that of the Fund, may be more volatile than Underlying Funds that do
not concentrate. In addition, one Underlying Fund may purchase a security that another Underlying Fund is selling.
As
the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in Underlying Funds, the Fund’s performance will depend to a greater
extent on the overall performance of closed-end funds, ETFs, BDCs and SPACs generally, in addition to the performance of the specific
Underlying Funds (and other assets) in which the Fund invests. The use of leverage by Underlying Funds magnifies gains and losses
on amounts invested and increases the risks associated with investing in Underlying Funds. Further, the Underlying Funds are not
subject to the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions. The Fund generally receives information regarding the portfolio
holdings of Underlying Funds only when that information is made available to the public. The Fund cannot dictate how the Underlying
Funds invest their assets. The Underlying Funds may invest their assets in securities and other instruments, and may use investment
techniques and strategies, that are not described in this Prospectus. Common Stockholders will bear two layers of fees and expenses
with respect to the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds because each of the Fund and the Underlying Fund will charge
fees and incur separate expenses. In addition, subject to applicable 1940 Act limitations, the Underlying Funds themselves may
purchase securities issued by registered and unregistered funds (e.g., common stock, preferred stock, auction rate preferred stock),
and those investments would be subject to the risks associated with Underlying Funds and unregistered funds (including a third
layer of fees and expenses, i.e., the Underlying Fund will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by the funds in which the
Underlying Fund invests, in addition to the Underlying Fund’s own fees and expenses). An Underlying Fund with positive performance
may indirectly receive a performance fee from the Fund, even when the Fund’s overall returns are negative. Additionally,
the Fund’s investment in an Underlying Fund may result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the Underlying Fund’s
earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, the distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for
federal income tax purposes. As a result of these factors, the use of the fund of funds structure by the Fund could therefore
affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders. |
|
The
Fund may invest in BDCs. BDCs generally invest in less mature U.S. private companies or thinly traded U.S. public companies which
involve greater risk than well-established publicly-traded companies. While BDCs are expected to generate income in the form of
dividends, certain BDCs during certain periods of time may not generate such income. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate
share of any management fees and other operating expenses incurred by the BDCs and of any performance-based or incentive fees
payable by the BDCs in which it invests, in addition to the expenses paid by the Fund. The use of leverage by BDCs magnifies gains
and losses on amounts invested and increases the risks associated with investing in BDCs. A BDC may make investments with a larger
amount of risk of volatility and loss of principal than other investment options and may also be highly speculative and aggressive.
Index-based
ETFs (and other index funds) in which the Fund may invest may not be able to replicate exactly the performance of the indices
they track or benchmark due to transactions costs and other expenses of the ETFs. The Fund may also invest in actively managed
ETFs that are subject to management risk as the ETF’s investment adviser will apply certain investment techniques and risk
analyses in making investment decisions. In addition, ETFs may trade at a price above (premium) or below (discount) their net
asset value, especially during periods of significant market volatility or stress, causing investors to pay significantly more
or less than the value of the ETF’s underlying portfolio. Furthermore, in times of market stress, adverse developments for
underlying portfolio holdings, market makers or authorized participants may in turn decrease the ETF’s liquidity and/or
significantly increase the difference between the trading price and NAV of the ETF, and such developments could also prevent an
active trading market for ETF shares to halt or contract significantly. There can be no guarantee that these will produce the
desired results.
The
shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount to their NAV. There can be no assurance that the market discount on
shares of any closed-end fund purchased by the Fund will ever decrease, and it is possible that the discount may increase. Underlying
Funds may not be able to match or outperform their benchmarks.
Under
Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act, the Fund may hold securities of an investment company in amounts which (i) do not exceed
3% of the total outstanding voting stock of the investment company, (ii) do not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total
assets and (iii) when added to all other investment company securities held by the Fund, do not exceed 10% of the value of the
Fund’s total assets. These limits may be exceeded when permitted under Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act. The Fund intends
to rely on either Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act, which provides that the provisions of Section 12(d)(1)(A) shall not apply
to securities purchased or otherwise acquired by the Fund if (i) immediately after such purchase or acquisition not more than
3% of the total outstanding stock of such Underlying Fund is owned by the Fund and all affiliated persons of the Fund, and (ii)
certain requirements are met with respect to sales charges, or Rule 12d1-4 |
|
Warrants
Risks. Warrants are securities giving the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy the stock of an issuer at a
given price (generally higher than the value of the stock at the time of issuance) during a specified period or perpetually. Warrants
do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights with respect to the securities that they entitle their holder to
purchase and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. As a result, warrants may be considered to have more
speculative characteristics than certain other types of investments. In addition, the value of a warrant does not necessarily
change with the value of the underlying securities and a warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration
date.
Anti-Takeover
Provisions in Maryland Law and the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws. Maryland law and the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws
include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund. These provisions
could deprive the holders of Common Shares of opportunities to sell their Common Shares at a premium over the then current market
price of the Common Shares or at NAV. See “Certain Provisions of the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws and of Maryland Law.”
|
Custodian
and Transfer Agent |
State
Street Bank and Trust Company acts as the Fund’s custodian. DST Systems, Inc. (“DST”) acts as the Fund’s
transfer agent and registrar. See “Custodian and Transfer Agent.” |
SUMMARY
OF FUND EXPENSES
The
following table is intended to assist investors in understanding the fees and expenses (annualized) that an investor in Common
Shares would bear, directly or indirectly. The table is based on the capital structure of the Fund as of June 30, 2024. The table
shows Fund expenses as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares. The following table should not be considered
a representation of the Fund’s future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown below.
Shareholder
Transaction Expenses |
As
a Percentage of Offering Price |
Sales Load |
-%* |
Offering Expenses
Borne by Common Stockholders of the Fund |
-%* |
Dividend Reinvestment
Plan Fees(1) |
-* |
Preferred Shares
Offering Expenses Borne by the Fund (as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares) |
-%* |
Annual
Expenses |
As
a Percentage of Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares (Assuming the Use of Leverage Equal to 26.45% of the Fund’s
Managed Assets) |
Management
Fee (2) |
1.79% |
Leverage
Costs(3)(4) |
0.03% |
Dividend
and Interest Expense on Short Sales |
0.23% |
Dividends on Preferred
Shares (5) |
2.24% |
Other
Expenses |
0.07% |
Acquired
Fund Fees and Expenses (6) |
2.48% |
Total
Annual Expenses |
6.84% |
Example
(7)
The
following example illustrates the expenses that you would pay on a $1,000 investment in Common Shares, assuming (1) that the Fund
incurs total annual expenses of 6.84% of its net assets in years 1 through 10 and (2) a 5% annual return.
| |
1 year | | |
3 years | | |
5 years | | |
10 years | |
Total Expenses Incurred | |
$ | 68 | | |
$ | 200 | | |
$ | 327 | | |
$ | 624 | |
The
example should not be considered a representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those assumed.
* |
The applicable
prospectus supplement to be used in connection with any sales of Common Shares or Preferred Shares will set forth any applicable
sales load and the estimated offering expenses borne by the Fund under an Offering. |
(1) |
There will be no brokerage charges with respect to Common
shares issued directly by the Fund under the dividend reinvestment plan. You will pay brokerage charges in connection with open
market purchases or if you direct the plan agent to sell your Common Shares held in a dividend reinvestment account. |
(2) |
The management fee paid by the Fund to RiverNorth is
essentially an all-in fee structure (the “unified management fee”), including the fee paid to the Adviser for advisory,
supervisory, administrative, shareholder servicing and other services. However, the Fund (and not the Adviser) will be responsible
for certain additional fees and expenses, which are reflected in the table above, that are not covered by the unified management
fee. The unified management fee is charged as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets, as opposed to net
assets. With leverage, Managed Assets are greater in amount than net assets, because Managed Assets include assets attributable
to the Fund’s use of leverage created by its borrowings. In addition, the mark-to-market value of the Fund’s derivatives
will be used for purposes of calculating Managed Assets. The management fee of 1.30% of the Fund’s Managed Assets represents
1.79% of net assets attributable to Common Shares assuming the use of leverage in an amount of 26.45% of the Fund’s Managed
Assets. The Fund’s Managed Assets for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 (which includes the use of leverage discussed
in footnote (4)) were multiplied by the annual advisory fee rate and then divided by the Fund’s average net assets for the
same period to calculate the management fee as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets attributable to Common Shares. Since
the Fund has Preferred Shares outstanding, the management fee and certain other expenses as a percentage of net assets attributable
to Common Shares is higher than if the Fund did not utilize a leveraged capital structure. |
(3) |
The actual amount of leverage costs borne by the Fund
will vary over time in accordance with the level of the Fund’s use of leverage and variations in market interest rates.
See “Use of Leverage.” |
(4) |
Leverage costs in the table reflect the cost to the
Fund of borrowings expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets as of June 30, 2024. The table assumes the use of
leverage from borrowings representing 26.45% of Managed Assets, which reflects approximately the percentage of the Fund's total
average Managed Assets attributable to such leverage averaged over the year ended June 30, 2024, at a weighted average annual
expense to the Fund of 6.00%. |
(5) |
As of June 30, 2024, the Fund has issued 3,910,000 shares
of 6.00% Series A Preferred Stock with a liquidation preference of $97,750,000. |
(6) |
The “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” disclosed
above are based on the expense ratios for the most recent fiscal year of the Underlying Funds in which the Fund anticipates investing,
which may change substantially over time and, therefore, significantly affect Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses. These amounts are
based on the total expense ratio disclosed in each Underlying Fund’s most recent stockholder report. Some of the Underlying
Funds in which the Fund intends to invest charge incentive fees based on the Underlying Funds’ performance. The 2.48% shown
as Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses reflects estimated operating expenses of the Underlying Funds and transaction-related fees.
Certain Underlying Funds in which the Fund intends to invest generally charge a management fee of 1.00% to 2.00%, which are included
in “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses,” as applicable. The Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses disclosed above, however,
do not reflect any performance-based fees or allocations paid by the Underlying Funds that are calculated solely on the realization
and/or distribution of gains, or on the sum of such gains and unrealized appreciation of assets distributed in-kind, as such fees
and allocations for a particular period may be unrelated to the cost of investing in the Underlying Funds. Future Underlying Funds’
fees and expenses may be substantially higher or lower because certain fees may be based on the performance of the Underlying
Funds, which may fluctuate over time. Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are borne indirectly by the Fund, but they will not be reflected
in the Fund’s financial statements; and the information presented in the table will differ from that presented in the Fund’s
financial highlights. |
(7) |
The example does not include sales load or estimated
offering costs. The example should not be considered a representation of future expenses. The example assumes that the estimated
“Other Expenses” set forth in the table are accurate and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at net
asset value and that the Fund is engaged in leverage of 26.45% of Managed Assets, assuming interest and fees on leverage of 6.00%.
The interest and fees on leverage is expressed as an interest rate and represents interest and fees payable on the BNP Facility.
Actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. Moreover, the Fund’s actual rate of return may be greater or less
than the hypothetical 5% annual return shown in the example. |
FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS
The
information in the following table shows selected data for a share outstanding throughout the periods listed below. The information
for the periods ended June 30, 2024, July 31, 2023, July 31, 2022, July 31, 2021, July 31, 2020 and July 31, 2019 is derived from
the Fund’s financial statements audited by Cohen & Company, Ltd. ("Cohen"), an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report on the financial statements
and the financial highlights is contained in the Fund’s annual report (“Annual Report”) for the year ended June
30, 2024 contained in the Fund’s Form N-CSR filed with the SEC on September 6, 2024. The Annual Report is incorporated
by reference into this Prospectus and is available from the Fund upon request.
RiverNorth
Opportunities Fund, Inc. |
Financial
Highlights |
For
a common share outstanding throughout the periods presented.
|
Net
asset value - beginning of period |
Income/(loss)
from investment operations: |
Net
investment income(b) |
Net
realized and unrealized gain/(loss) |
Total
income/(loss) from investment operations |
Less
distributions to common shareholders: |
From
net investment income |
From
net realized gains |
From
tax return of capital |
Total
distributions to common shareholders |
Less
distributions to preferred shareholders: |
From
net investment income(b) |
Total
distributions to preferred shareholders |
Common
share transactions: |
Dilutive
effect of rights offering |
Common
share offering costs charged to paid-in capital |
Total
common share transactions |
Preferred
Share issuance and offering costs charged to paid-in capital |
Total
preferred share transactions |
Net
increase/(decrease) in net asset value |
Net
asset value - end of period |
Market
price - end of period |
Total
Return - Net Asset Value(i) |
Total
Return - Market Price(i) |
Supplemental
Data: |
Net
assets, end of period (in thousands) |
Ratios
to Average Net Assets (including dividend expense and line of credit expense)(k) |
Ratio
of expenses to average net assets |
Ratio
of net investment income to average net assets |
Ratios
to Average Net Assets (excluding dividend expense and line of credit expense)(k) |
Ratio
of expenses to average net assets |
Ratio
of net investment income average net assets |
Portfolio
turnover rate |
Loan
Payable (in thousands) |
Asset
Coverage Per $1,000 of loan payable(m) |
Cumulative
Perpetual Preferred Stock (in thousands) |
Asset
coverage per share of Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock(n) |
|
Involuntary
liquidating preference per share of Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock |
Average
market value per share of Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock |
RiverNorth
Opportunities Fund, Inc. |
Financial
Highlights |
For
a common share outstanding throughout the periods presented.
For
the Period Ended
June 30, 2024(a) | | |
For
the Year Ended July 31, 2023 | | |
For
the Year Ended July 31, 2022 | | |
For
the Year Ended July 31, 2021 | | |
For
the Year Ended July 31, 2020 | | |
For
the Year Ended July 31, 2019 | |
$ | 12.31 | | |
$ | 13.60 | | |
$ | 17.02 | | |
$ | 14.89 | | |
$ | 17.39 | | |
$ | 19.07 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| 0.51 | | |
| 0.62 | | |
| 0.18 | | |
| 0.31 | | |
| 0.41 | | |
| 0.55 | |
| 1.51 | | |
| 0.22 | | |
| (0.85 | ) | |
| 4.03 | | |
| (0.56 | ) | |
| 0.29 | |
| 2.02 | | |
| 0.84 | | |
| (0.67 | ) | |
| 4.34 | | |
| (0.15 | ) | |
| 0.84 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| (0.70 | ) | |
| (0.52 | ) | |
| (0.70 | ) | |
| (0.72 | ) | |
| (0.51 | ) | |
| (0.63 | ) |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| (0.24 | ) | |
| (1.37 | ) | |
| (0.00 | )(c) | |
| (0.41 | ) |
| (0.71 | ) | |
| (1.22 | ) | |
| (1.34 | ) | |
| – | | |
| (1.60 | ) | |
| (1.20 | ) |
| (1.41 | ) | |
| (1.74 | ) | |
| (2.28 | ) | |
| (2.09 | ) | |
| (2.11 | ) | |
| (2.24 | ) |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| (0.25 | ) | |
| (0.28 | ) | |
| (0.10 | ) | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | |
| (0.25 | ) | |
| (0.28 | ) | |
| (0.10 | ) | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| – | | |
| (0.10 | )(d) | |
| (0.13 | )(e) | |
| (0.08 | )(f) | |
| (0.21 | )(g) | |
| (0.26 | )(h) |
| – | | |
| (0.01 | ) | |
| (0.02 | ) | |
| (0.04 | ) | |
| (0.03 | ) | |
| (0.02 | ) |
| – | | |
| (0.11 | ) | |
| (0.15 | ) | |
| (0.12 | ) | |
| 0.24 | | |
| (0.28 | ) |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| (0.22 | ) | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| (0.22 | ) | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | |
| 0.36 | | |
| (1.29 | ) | |
| (3.42 | ) | |
| 2.13 | | |
| (2.50 | ) | |
| (1.68 | ) |
$ | 12.67 | | |
$ | 12.31 | | |
$ | 13.60 | | |
$ | 17.02 | | |
$ | 14.89 | | |
$ | 17.39 | |
$ | 12.25 | | |
$ | 11.49 | | |
$ | 14.60 | | |
$ | 18.21 | | |
$ | 14.81 | | |
$ | 17.38 | |
| 16.39 | %(j) | |
| 4.41 | % | |
| (7.41 | %) | |
| 30.09 | % | |
| (1.75 | %) | |
| 3.77 | % |
| 20.56 | %(j) | |
| (9.22 | %) | |
| (7.10 | %) | |
| 39.94 | % | |
| (2.22 | %) | |
| 3.33 | % |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
$ | 271,819 | | |
$ | 264,150 | | |
$ | 248,690 | | |
$ | 211,711 | | |
$ | 139,166 | | |
$ | 124,664 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| 2.12 | %(l) | |
| 2.29 | % | |
| 1.91 | % | |
| 1.91 | % | |
| 2.06 | % | |
| 2.17 | % |
| 4.57 | %(l) | |
| 4.93 | % | |
| 1.18 | % | |
| 1.87 | % | |
| 2.59 | % | |
| 3.11 | % |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| 1.86 | %(l) | |
| 1.91 | % | |
| 1.58 | % | |
| 1.45 | % | |
| 1.54 | % | |
| 1.56 | % |
| 4.83 | %(l) | |
| 5.31 | % | |
| 1.51 | % | |
| 2.33 | % | |
| 3.11 | % | |
| 3.72 | % |
| 49 | %(j) | |
| 73 | % | |
| 119 | % | |
| 190 | % | |
| 133 | % | |
| 76 | % |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
$ | 7,500 | | |
| – | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| 19,556 | | |
| – | |
$ | 97,750 | | |
$ | 97,750 | | |
$ | 97,750 | | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | |
| 95 | | |
| 93 | | |
| 89 | | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
$ | 25.00 | | |
$ | 25.00 | | |
$ | 25.00 | | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | |
$ | 23.04 | | |
$ | 23.40 | | |
$ | 24.41 | | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | |
RiverNorth
Opportunities Fund, Inc. |
Financial
Highlights |
For
a common share outstanding throughout the periods presented.
For
the Period Ended
July 31, 2018(o) | | |
For
the Year Ended October 31, 2017 | | |
For
the Period December 24, 2015 (Commencement of Operations) to October 31, 2016 | |
$ | 20.48 | | |
$ | 19.72 | | |
$ | 19.40 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| 0.44 | | |
| 0.42 | | |
| 0.68 | |
| 0.40 | | |
| 2.23 | | |
| 1.86 | |
| 0.84 | | |
| 2.65 | | |
| 2.54 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| (0.47 | ) | |
| (0.53 | ) | |
| (1.73 | ) |
| (1.34 | ) | |
| (1.36 | ) | |
| (0.45 | ) |
| (0.08 | ) | |
| – | | |
| – | |
| (1.89 | ) | |
| (1.89 | ) | |
| (2.18 | ) |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| (0.32 | )(p) | |
| – | | |
| – | |
| (0.04 | ) | |
| – | | |
| (0.04 | ) |
| (0.36 | ) | |
| – | | |
| (0.04 | ) |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | |
| (1.41 | ) | |
| 0.76 | | |
| 0.32 | |
$ | 19.07 | | |
$ | 20.48 | | |
$ | 19.72 | |
$ | 19.14 | | |
$ | 20.50 | | |
$ | 19.65 | |
| 2.56 | % | |
| 14.11 | % | |
| 13.67 | % |
| 2.84 | % | |
| 14.63 | % | |
| 9.87 | % |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
$ | 101,624 | | |
$ | 76,927 | | |
$ | 74,036 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| 2.07 | %(l) | |
| 2.21 | % | |
| 1.69 | %(l) |
| 3.03 | %(l) | |
| 2.03 | % | |
| 4.03 | %(l) |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| 1.72 | %(l) | |
| 1.75 | % | |
| N/A | |
| 2.68 | %(l) | |
| 1.57 | % | |
| N/A | |
| 74 | %(j) | |
| 162 | % | |
| 113 | %(j) |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | |
| – | | |
| – | | |
| – | |
RiverNorth
Opportunities Fund, Inc. |
Financial
Highlights |
For
a common share outstanding throughout the periods presented.
(a) |
Effective
May 15, 2024, the Board approved changing the fiscal year-end of the Fund from July 31 to June 30. |
(b) |
Calculated
using average common shares throughout the period. |
(c) |
Less
than ($0.005) per share. |
(d) |
Represents
the impact of the Fund's rights offering of 2,752,078 common shares in November 2022 at a subscription price per share based
on a formula. |
(e) |
Represents
the impact of the Fund's rights offering of 4,373,407 common shares in November 2021 at a subscription price per share based
on a formula. |
(f) |
Represents
the impact of the Fund's rights offering of 575,706 common shares in November 2020 at a subscription price per share based
on a formula. |
(g) |
Represents
the impact of the Fund's rights offering of 2,163,193 common shares in November 2019 at a subscription price per share based
on a formula. |
(h) |
Represents
the impact of the Fund's rights offering of 1,790,000 common shares in November 2018. |
(i) |
Total
investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of a common share at the opening on the first day and a sale at closing
on the last day of each period reported. For purposes of this calculation, dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed
to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total investment returns do not reflect
brokerage commissions, if any. Periods less than one year are not annualized. |
(j) |
Not
annualized. |
(k) |
The
ratios exclude the impact of income and expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests. |
(l) |
Annualized. |
(m) |
Calculated
by subtracting the Fund's total liabilities (excluding the principal amount of Loan Payable) from the Fund's total assets
and dividing by the principal amount of the Loan Payable and then multiplying by $1,000. |
(n) |
The
asset coverage ratio for a class of senior securities representing stock is calculated as the Fund's total assets, less all
liabilities and indebtedness not represented by the Fund's senior securities, divided by secured senior securities representing
indebtedness plus the aggregate of the involuntary liquidation preference of secured senior securities which are stock. With
respect to the Preferred Stock, the asset coverage per share is expressed in terms of dollar amounts per share of outstasnding
Preferred Stock (based on a liquidation preference of $25). |
(o) |
Effective
July 16, 2018, the Board approved changing the fiscal year-end of the Fund from October 31 to July 31. |
(p) |
Represents
the impact of the Fund's rights offering of 1,564,710 common shares in November 2017. |
INFORMATION
REGARDING SENIOR SECURITIES
The
following table sets forth certain information regarding the Fund’s senior securities as of the end of the Fund’s
prior fiscal years since the Fund’s inception and for the year ended June 30, 2024. Audited information regarding the Fund’s
senior securities is incorporated by reference from the Fund’s Form N-CSR. The Fund’s senior securities during
this time period are comprised of outstanding indebtedness, which constitutes a “senior security” as defined in the
1940 Act.
Senior
Securities Representing Indebtedness
Period/ Fiscal Year Ended | |
Senior Securities | |
Average Amount Outstanding | | |
Asset Coverage | | |
Involuntary Liquidating Preference per Unit | | |
Average Market Value
Per Unit (3) | |
June 30, 2024(1) | |
Series A Preferred Stock | |
$ | 97,750,000 | | |
$ | 95 | (2) | |
$ | 25.00 | | |
$ | 23.04 | |
July 31, 2023 | |
Series A Preferred Stock | |
$ | 97,750,000 | | |
$ | 93 | (2) | |
$ | 25.00 | | |
$ | 23.40 | |
July 31, 2022 | |
Series A Preferred Stock | |
$ | 97,750,000 | | |
$ | 89 | (2) | |
$ | 25.00 | | |
$ | 24.41 | |
July 31, 2021 | |
None | |
$ | -- | | |
$ | -- | | |
| -- | | |
$ | -- | |
July 31, 2020 | |
Credit Facility | |
$ | 7,500,000 | (4) | |
$ | 19,556 | (5) | |
| -- | | |
$ | -- | |
July 31, 2019 | |
None | |
$ | -- | | |
$ | -- | | |
| -- | | |
$ | -- | |
July 31, 2018(6) | |
None | |
$ | -- | | |
$ | -- | | |
| -- | | |
$ | -- | |
October 31, 2017 | |
None | |
$ | -- | | |
$ | -- | | |
| -- | | |
$ | -- | |
October 31, 2016(7) | |
None | |
$ | -- | | |
$ | -- | | |
| -- | | |
$ | -- | |
(1) |
On May
15, 2024, the Board approved changing the fiscal year-end of the Fund from July 31 to June 30. |
(2) |
The asset
coverage ratio for a class of senior securities representing stock is calculated as the Fund's total assets, less all liabilities
and indebtedness not represented by the Fund's senior securities, divided by secured senior securities representing indebtedness
plus the aggregate of the involuntary liquidation preference of secured senior securities which are stock. With respect to the
Preferred Stock, the asset coverage per share is expressed in terms of dollar amounts per share of outstanding Preferred Stock
(based on a liquidation preference of $25). |
(3) |
Represents
the average of the daily closing market price per share as reported on the NYSE during the respective period. |
(4) |
Average
amount outstanding represents the principal amount owed by the Fund to lenders under credit facility arrangements in place at
the time. |
(5) |
The asset
coverage ratio for the credit facility is calculated by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities (excluding the principal
amount of loan payable) from the Fund’s total assets and dividing by the principal amount of the loan payable and then multiplying
by $1,000. |
(6) |
Effective
July 16, 2018, the Board approved changing the fiscal year-end of the Fund from October 31 to July 31. |
(7) |
For the
period December 24, 2015, commencement of operations, to October 31, 2016. |
THE
FUND
The
Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund was organized as a Maryland
corporation on September 9, 2010. The Fund’s principal office is located at 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420, West
Palm Beach, FL 33401, and its telephone number is 1-844-569-4750. The Fund’s currently outstanding common stock is, and
common stock offered in this Prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement will be, listed on the NYSE under the symbol
“RIV,” and the Fund’s Series A Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “RIVPRA.”
The
following table provides information about the Fund’s outstanding securities as of September 30, 2024:
Title of Class |
Amount Authorized |
Amount Held by the Fund or for Its Account |
Amount Outstanding |
Common Shares |
37,500,000 |
- |
21,453,174 |
Series A Preferred Stock |
3,910,000 |
|
3,910,000 |
MARKET
AND NET ASSET VALUE INFORMATION
The
Fund’s currently outstanding common shares are, and any Common Shares offered by this Prospectus and the applicable prospectus
supplement will be, subject to notice of issuance, listed on the NYSE. The Fund’s common shares commenced trading on the
NYSE in December 2015.
The
Fund’s common shares have traded both at a premium and at a discount in relation to NAV. Shares of closed-end investment
companies frequently trade at a discount from NAV. The Fund’s issuance of the Common Shares may have an adverse effect on
prices in the secondary market for the Fund’s common shares by increasing the number of common shares available, which may
put downward pressure on the market price for the Fund’s common shares.
The
Fund may (but is not obligated to) take action to repurchase shares in the open market or make tender offers for its shares at
or near NAV. During the pendency of any tender offer, the Fund will publish how common shareholders may readily ascertain the
NAV. Repurchase of the common shares may have the effect of reducing any market discount to NAV. There is no assurance that, if
action is undertaken to repurchase or tender for shares, such action will result in the shares trading at a price which approximates
their NAV. Please see “Repurchase of Shares” for more information.
The
following table sets forth for each of the periods indicated the high and low closing market prices for common shares of the Fund
on the NYSE, the NAV per share and the premium or discount to NAV per share at which the Fund’s common shares were trading.
NAV is determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). See “Net Asset
Value” for information as to the determination of the Fund’s NAV.
Quarter
Ended | |
Market
Price(1) | | |
NAV(2) | | |
Market
Premium (Discount) to NAV(3) | |
| |
| |
High | | |
Low | | |
Market High | | |
Market Low | | |
Market High | | |
Market Low | |
2024 | |
September 30 | |
$ | 12.92 | | |
$ | 11.81 | | |
$ | 12.78 | | |
$ | 12.32 | | |
| 1.10 | % | |
| -4.14 | % |
| |
June 30(4) | |
$ | 12.32 | | |
$ | 11.94 | | |
$ | 12.66 | | |
$ | 12.34 | | |
| -2.69 | % | |
| -3.24 | % |
| |
April 30 | |
$ | 12.09 | | |
$ | 11.26 | | |
$ | 12.68 | | |
$ | 12.14 | | |
| -4.65 | % | |
| -7.25 | % |
| |
January 31 | |
$ | 11.55 | | |
$ | 9.94 | | |
$ | 12.51 | | |
$ | 11.44 | | |
| -7.67 | % | |
| -13.11 | % |
2023 | |
October 31 | |
$ | 11.51 | | |
$ | 9.67 | | |
$ | 12.28 | | |
$ | 11.27 | | |
| -6.27 | % | |
| -14.20 | % |
| |
July 31 | |
$ | 11.51 | | |
$ | 10.96 | | |
$ | 12.32 | | |
$ | 12.23 | | |
| -6.57 | % | |
| -10.38 | % |
| |
April 30 | |
$ | 12.50 | | |
$ | 10.89 | | |
$ | 12.82 | | |
$ | 12.24 | | |
| -2.50 | % | |
| -11.03 | % |
| |
January 31 | |
$ | 13.29 | | |
$ | 11.74 | | |
$ | 12.73 | | |
$ | 12.30 | | |
| 4.40 | % | |
| -4.55 | % |
2022 | |
October 31 | |
$ | 15.20 | | |
$ | 11.85 | | |
$ | 13.82 | | |
$ | 12.29 | | |
| 9.99 | % | |
| -3.58 | % |
| |
July 31 | |
$ | 15.10 | | |
$ | 12.56 | | |
$ | 14.06 | | |
$ | 13.01 | | |
| 7.40 | % | |
| -3.46 | % |
| |
April 30 | |
$ | 16.68 | | |
$ | 14.78 | | |
$ | 15.87 | | |
$ | 15.31 | | |
| 5.10 | % | |
| -3.46 | % |
| |
January 31 | |
$ | 17.69 | | |
$ | 14.86 | | |
$ | 17.09 | | |
$ | 15.64 | | |
| 3.51 | % | |
| -4.99 | % |
2021 | |
October 31 | |
$ | 18.75 | | |
$ | 16.71 | | |
$ | 17.12 | | |
$ | 16.87 | | |
| 9.52 | % | |
| -0.95 | % |
| |
July 31 | |
$ | 18.75 | | |
$ | 16.75 | | |
$ | 17.24 | | |
$ | 17.02 | | |
| 8.76 | % | |
| -1.59 | % |
| |
April 30 | |
$ | 17.88 | | |
$ | 16.71 | | |
$ | 17.23 | | |
$ | 16.61 | | |
| 3.77 | % | |
| 0.60 | % |
| |
January 31 | |
$ | 17.07 | | |
$ | 13.81 | | |
$ | 16.48 | | |
$ | 14.53 | | |
| 3.58 | % | |
| -4.96 | % |
(1) |
Based on high and low closing market price for the respective
quarter. |
(2) |
Based on NAV calculated on the day of the high and low
closing market prices, as applicable, as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). |
(3) |
Calculated based on the information presented. |
(4) |
For the fiscal quarter from May 1, 2024 to June 30,
2024 due to the change in the fiscal year end effective May 15, 2024. |
In
recognition of the possibility that Common Shares might trade at a discount to NAV, the Board may consider one or more actions
that might be taken to seek to reduce or eliminate any material discount from NAV in respect of Common Shares, which may include
the repurchase of such shares in the open market or in private transactions, the making of a tender offer for such shares or the
conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company. The Board may decide not to take any of these actions in the future.
In addition, there can be no assurance any of these actions, or others, if undertaken, will reduce market discount. See “Repurchase
of Shares” and “Conversion to Open-End Fund.”
The
last reported sale price, NAV per share and percentage discount to NAV per share of the common shares as of September 30, 2024
were $12.92, $12.79 and 1.02%, respectively. As of that same date, the Fund had 21,453,174 common shares outstanding and net assets
of the Fund were $274,331,132.
THE
OFFERING
The
Fund may offer, from time to time, up to $600,000,000 aggregate initial offering price of Common Shares, Preferred Shares, and
Rights in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms set forth in one or more Prospectus
Supplements. You should read this
Prospectus and any related Prospectus Supplement carefully before you decide to invest in the Securities.
The
Fund may offer Securities (1) directly to one or more purchasers, (2) through agents that the Fund may designate from time to
time or (3) to or through underwriters or dealers. The Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular offering of Securities will
identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of Securities, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee,
commission or discount arrangement between the Fund and agents or underwriters or among underwriters or the basis upon which such
amount may be calculated. The Fund may not sell Securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of this Prospectus
and a Prospectus Supplement. See “Plan of Distribution.”
USE
OF PROCEEDS
Unless
otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the Adviser anticipates that investment of the proceeds will be made in accordance
with the Fund’s investment objective and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified. It is currently
anticipated that the Fund will be able to invest substantially all of the net proceeds of an offering of Securities in accordance
with its investment objective and policies within three months after the completion of such offering. Pending such investment,
the proceeds will be held in high quality short-term debt securities and instruments. A delay in the anticipated use of proceeds
could lower returns and reduce the Fund’s distribution to Common Stockholders.
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE, STRATEGIES AND POLICIES
Investment
Objective
The
Fund’s investment objective is total return consisting of capital appreciation and current income. There is no assurance
that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Principal
Investment Strategies
The
Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by pursuing a tactical asset allocation strategy and opportunistically investing
under normal circumstances in closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), business development companies (“BDCs”
and collectively, “Underlying Funds”) and special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”). BDCs are a
type of closed-end fund that invests in small companies in the initial stages of their development and are similar to venture
capital funds. SPACs are collective investment structures that pool funds in order to seek potential acquisition opportunities.
The Adviser has the flexibility to change the Fund’s asset allocation based on its ongoing analysis of the equity, fixed
income and alternative asset markets. The Adviser considers various quantitative and qualitative factors relating to the domestic
and foreign securities markets and economies when making asset allocation and security selection decisions. While the Adviser
continuously evaluates these factors, material shifts in the Fund’s asset class exposures will typically take place over
longer periods of time. In addition, the Fund, in seeking to achieve its investment objective, will not take activist positions
in the Underlying Funds or SPACs.
Under
normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in Underlying Funds and SPACs. The Fund directly,
and therefore Common Stockholders indirectly, will bear the expenses of the Underlying Funds or SPACs.
Under
normal market conditions: (i) no more than 80% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “equity” Underlying
Funds and SPACs; (ii) no more than 60% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “fixed income” Underlying
Funds and SPACs; (iii) no more than 30% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “global equity” Underlying
Funds and SPACs; (iv) no more than 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “emerging market equity”
Underlying Funds; (v) no more than 30% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “high yield” (also known
as “junk bond”) and “senior loan” Underlying Funds and SPACs; (vi) no more than 15% of the Fund’s
Managed Assets will be invested in “emerging market income” Underlying Funds and SPACs; (vii) no more than 10% of
the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “real estate” Underlying Funds and SPACs; and (viii) no more than
15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be invested in “energy master limited partnership” (“MLP”)
Underlying Funds and SPACs. Underlying Funds and SPACs included in the 30% limitation applicable to investments in “global
equity” Underlying Funds and SPACs may include Underlying Funds and SPACs that invest a portion of their assets in emerging
markets securities. The Fund will also limit its investments in closed-end funds (including BDCs) that have been in operation
for less than one year to no more than 10% of the Fund’s Managed Assets. The Fund will not invest in inverse ETFs and leveraged
ETFs. The types of Underlying Funds and SPACs referenced in this paragraph will be categorized in accordance with the fund categories
established and maintained by Morningstar, Inc. The investment parameters stated above (and elsewhere in this Prospectus) apply
only at the time of purchase. The Underlying Funds and SPACs in which the Fund invests will not include those that are advised
or subadvised by the Adviser or its affiliates.
In
selecting closed-end funds, the Adviser opportunistically utilizes a combination of short-term and longer-term trading strategies
to seek to derive value from the discount and premium spreads associated with closed-end funds. The Fund benefits if it purchases
a closed-end fund at a discount and the discount narrows. In addition, the Fund may purchase closed-end funds at a premium if
the Adviser believes the premium will increase. The Adviser employs both a quantitative and qualitative approach in its selection
of closed-end funds and has developed proprietary screening models and trading algorithms to trade closed-end funds. The Adviser
employs the following trading strategies, among others:
Statistical
Analysis (Mean Reversion)
| ● | Using
proprietary quantitative models, the Adviser seeks to identify closed-end funds that
are trading at compelling absolute and / or relative discounts. |
| ● | The
Fund will attempt to capitalize on the perceived mispricing if the Adviser believes that
the discount widening is irrational and expects the discount to narrow to longer-term
mean valuations. |
Corporate
Actions
| ● | The
Adviser will pursue investments in closed-end funds that have announced, or the Adviser
believes are likely to announce, certain corporate actions that may drive value for their
shareholders. |
| ● | The
Adviser has developed trading strategies that focus on closed-end fund tender offers,
rights offerings, shareholder distributions, open-endings and liquidations. |
The
Fund will invest in other Underlying Funds and SPACs (that are not closed-end funds) to gain exposure to specific asset classes
when the Adviser believes closed-end fund discount or premium spreads are not attractive or to manage overall closed-end fund
exposure in the Fund.
An
index-based ETF is an investment company that seeks to track the performance of a particular market index. These indices include
not only broad-market indices, but more specific indices as well, including those relating to particular sectors, markets, regions
and industries. The Adviser selects ETFs based on their ability to offer specific sector and style exposure in a cost and tax
efficient manner. The Fund purchases ETF shares on the secondary market. Unlike a fund that allocates its assets among mutual
funds based on the perceived ability of the advisers to those mutual funds, the Adviser actively manages the Fund’s portfolio
among the Underlying Funds and SPACs based on the Adviser’s research and analysis of the market and the investment merit
of the Underlying Funds and SPACs themselves. In evaluating the investment merit of Underlying Funds and SPACs, the Adviser analyzes
the asset class, the portfolio manager(s) and the adviser, past performance, recent portfolio holdings and concentration risks.
Under
normal circumstances, the Fund intends to maintain long positions in Underlying Funds and SPACs, however, may engage in short
sales for investment purposes. When the Fund engages in a short sale, it sells a security it does not own and, to complete the
sale, borrows the same security from a broker or other institution. The Fund may benefit from a short position when the shorted
security decreases in value. The Fund may also at times establish hedging positions. Hedging positions may include short sales
and derivatives, such as options and swaps (“Hedging Positions”). Under normal market conditions, no more than 30%
of the Fund’s Managed Assets will be in Hedging Positions. The Fund’s investments in derivatives will be included
under the 80% policy noted above so long as the underlying asset of such derivatives is a closed-end fund or Underlying Fund,
respectively. The Adviser intends to use Hedging Positions to lower the Fund’s volatility but they may also be used to seek
to enhance the Fund’s return. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security that it does not own in anticipation
of a decline in the market price of the security. To complete the short sale, the Fund must arrange through a broker to borrow
the security in order to deliver it to the buyer. The Fund is obligated to replace the borrowed security by purchasing it at a
market price at or prior to the time it must be returned to the lender. The price at which the Fund is required to replace the
borrowed security may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund. The Fund will incur a loss if
the price of the security sold short increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaces the
borrowed security. The Fund will realize a gain if the price of the security declines between those dates.
The
Adviser performs both a quantitative and qualitative analysis, including fundamental and technical analysis to assess the relative
risk and reward potential for each SPAC investment. Among other things, the Adviser will evaluate the management team’s
strategy, experience, deal flow, and demonstrated track record in building enterprise value. The Adviser will also evaluate the
terms of each SPAC offering, including the aggregate amount of the offering, the offering price of the securities, the equity
yield to termination, the option value of warrants, the sponsor’s interest in the SPAC, and the expected liquidity of the
SPAC’s securities. The Fund will purchase securities of SPACs in their initial public offerings and in the secondary market.
In
selecting SPAC investments, the Adviser will also utilize trading strategies and programs to seek to derive value from buying
and selling SPAC securities, including units, common shares and warrants. Under normal market conditions, the Fund intends to
purchase SPAC securities in an initial public offering and opportunistically buy and sell SPAC securities on the secondary market
prior to a SPAC’s initial business combination. The Fund does not intend to hold common shares after a SPAC’s initial
business combination has been completed other than common shares obtained temporarily through the conversion of a SPAC’s
warrants into common shares. The Fund may redeem common shares of a SPAC in exchange for the Fund’s pro rata portion of
the SPAC’s trust account.
The
Fund also may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”), certain derivatives, such
as options and swaps, cash and cash equivalents. Such investments will not be counted towards the Fund’s 80% policy. ETNs
are debt securities whose returns are linked to a particular index.
The
Fund may invest directly in debt securities issued by certain credit-oriented unlisted funds and BDCs (“Private Debt”)
identified by the Adviser in its due diligence process. The Adviser believes that investments in Private Debt can provide the
Fund with the opportunity to obtain more favorable terms and similar risk profiles to similar publicly traded debt investments
available. Private Debt often may be illiquid and is typically not listed on an exchange and traded less actively than similar
securities issued by publicly traded-vehicles. For certain Private Debt investments, trading may only be possible through the
assistance of the broker who originally brought the security to the market and has a relationship with the issuer. Due to the
limited trading market, independent pricing services may be unable to provide a price for Private Debt, and the fair value of
the securities may be determined in good faith under procedures approved by the Board, which typically will include the use of
one or more independent broker quotes.
In
selecting appropriate Private Debt investments for the Fund, the Adviser completes a fundamental and technical analysis of the
issuer, with a focus on reducing downside risk. As part of this analysis, the Adviser evaluates the manager’s experience
and ability based on historical track record regarding credit performance of previously originated loans and meetings with the
management team. In addition, the Adviser reviews the issuer’s investment portfolio, including the issuer’s asset
diversification across type and sector, before further evaluating the issuer’s financials to review its capital structure,
particularly details of any existing leverage and the maximum leverage permitted on any senior debt of the issuer. Once comfort
is reached regarding the issuer’s investment portfolio, manager, and capital structure, the Adviser then evaluates details
of the terms of the Private Debt opportunity, beginning with a review to ensure appropriate covenants are contained within to
limit the Fund’s downside risk across a range of scenarios (which typically will include a minimum level of subordination
requirement.) Following, the Adviser will review and weigh pricing levels on the Private Debt compared to other opportunities
in the market to assess relative value and arrive at an investment decision. Opportunities for the Fund to make investments in
Private Debt may be limited, especially those which fit the Adviser’s investment criteria.
The
Fund may attempt to enhance the return on the cash portion of its portfolio by investing in a total return swap agreement. A total
return swap agreement provides the Fund with a return based on the performance of an underlying asset, in exchange for fee payments
to a counterparty based on a specific rate. The difference in the value of these income streams is recorded daily by the Fund,
and is typically settled in cash at least monthly. If the underlying asset declines in value over the term of the swap, the Fund
would be required to pay the dollar value of that decline plus any applicable fees to the counterparty. The Fund may use its own
NAV or any other reference asset that the Adviser chooses as the underlying asset in a total return swap. The Fund will limit
the notional amount of all total return swaps in the aggregate to 15% of the Fund’s Managed Assets. Using the Fund’s
own NAV as the underlying asset in the total return swap serves to reduce cash drag (the impact of cash on the Fund’s overall
return) by replacing it with the impact of market exposure based upon the Fund’s own investment holdings. This type of total
return swap would provide the Fund with a return based on its NAV. Like any total return swap, the Fund would be subject to counterparty
risk and the risk that its own NAV declines in value.
The
Fund generally seeks to hold securities for the long term, but may liquidate positions in order to change the Fund’s asset
allocation or to generate cash to invest in more attractive opportunities, which may result in a larger portion of any net gains
being realized as short-term capital gains. In addition, a negative change in the fundamental or qualitative characteristics of
the issuer may cause the Adviser to sell a security. Finally, the Adviser may sell a security when its price approaches, meets
or exceeds the Adviser’s target price. For instance, the Adviser may sell shares of a closed-end fund when it is no longer
selling at a discount. This may result in a high rate of portfolio turnover.
The
Fund’s investment objective is non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board without Common Stockholder approval. Common
Stockholders will, however, receive at least 60 days prior notice of any change in this investment objective.
USE
OF LEVERAGE
The
Fund may borrow money and/or issue preferred stock, notes or debt securities for investment purposes. These practices are known
as leveraging. The Fund may utilize leverage to purchase portfolio securities and for portfolio or cash management purposes. The
Fund also may borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including settlement of securities
transactions, which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of the Fund’s portfolio securities. The Fund currently
anticipates that, if employed, leverage will primarily be obtained through the use of bank borrowings or other similar term loans.
The Underlying Funds and SPACs that the Fund invests in may also use leverage. The Fund may be subject to certain restrictions
on investments imposed by lenders or by one or more rating agencies that may issue ratings for any senior securities issued by
the Fund. Borrowing covenants or rating agency guidelines may impose asset coverage or Fund composition requirements that are
more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act.
On
March 9, 2023, the Fund entered into a credit agreement with BNP Paribas. The BNP Facility permits the Fund to borrow funds that
are collateralized by assets held at BNP Paribas pursuant to the BNP Facility. Under the terms of the BNP Facility, the Fund may
borrow up to $25,000,000 bearing an interest rate of the Overnight Bank Funding Rate plus a fixed rate determined by the securities
pledged as collateral. Any unused portion of the BNP Facility is subject to a commitment fee of 0.50% of the unused portion of
the facility until a utilization of 80% or greater is met.
The
Fund did not utilize the BNP Facility for the period from August 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. There was no outstanding balance
on the BNP Facility as of June 30, 2024.
The
provisions of the 1940 Act further provide that the Fund may borrow or issue notes or debt securities in an amount up to 33 1/3%
of its total assets or may issue preferred shares in an amount up to 50% of the Fund’s total assets (including the proceeds
from leverage).
The
Fund may enter into derivatives or other transactions (e.g., total return swaps) that may provide leverage (other than through
borrowings or the issuance of preferred shares). The Fund also invests in reverse repurchase agreements, total return swaps and
derivatives or other transactions with leverage embedded in them in a limited manner or subject to a limit on leverage risk calculated
based on value-at-risk, as required by Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act. These transactions will not cause the Fund to pay higher
advisory or administration fee rates than it would pay in the absence of such transactions.
However,
these transactions will entail additional expenses (e.g., transaction costs) which will be borne by the Fund. These types of transactions
have the potential to increase returns to Common Stockholders, but they also involve additional risks. This additional leverage
will increase the volatility of the Fund’s investment portfolio and could result in larger losses than if the transactions
were not entered into. However, to the extent that the Fund enters into offsetting transactions or owns positions covering its
obligations, the leveraging effect is expected to be minimized or eliminated.
Under
the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to incur indebtedness unless immediately after doing so the Fund has an asset coverage
of at least 300% of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of indebtedness (i.e., such indebtedness may not exceed 33 1/3%
of the value of the Fund’s total assets including the amount borrowed). Additionally, under the 1940 Act, the Fund may not
declare any dividend or other distribution upon any class of its shares, or purchase any such shares, unless the aggregate indebtedness
of the Fund has, at the time of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution or at the time of any such purchase, asset
coverage of at least 300% after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution, or purchase price, as the case may be. With
respect to the asset coverage for preferred stock, under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue preferred stock unless
immediately after such issuance the total asset value of the Fund’s portfolio is at least 200% of the liquidation value
of the outstanding preferred stock (i.e., such liquidation value may not exceed 50% of the Fund’s Managed Assets). In addition,
the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Shares unless, at the time of such
declaration, the NAV of the Fund’s portfolio (determined after deducting the amount of such dividend or other distribution)
is at least 200% of such liquidation value of the preferred stock. If preferred stock is issued, the Fund intends, to the extent
possible, to purchase or redeem shares, from time to time, to maintain coverage of any preferred stock of at least 200%. Normally,
holders of Common Shares will elect the directors of the Fund except that the holders of any preferred stock will elect two directors.
In the event the Fund failed to pay dividends on its preferred stock for two years, holders of preferred stock would be entitled
to elect a majority of the directors until the dividends are paid.
Effects
of Leverage
Assuming
the utilization of leverage through a combination of borrowings under the issuance of Preferred Shares by the Fund in the aggregate
amount of approximately 26.45% of the Fund’s Managed Assets as of June 30, 2024, at a weighted average interest rate or
payment rate of 6.00% payable on such leverage, the annual return that the Fund’s portfolio (net of expenses) in order to
cover its leverage costs would be 1.59%. Of course, these numbers are merely estimates for illustration. Actual interest or payment
rates on the leverage utilized by the Fund will vary frequently and may be significantly higher or lower than the rate estimated
above.
The
following table is furnished in response to requirements of the SEC. It is designed to illustrate the effect of leverage on total
return on Common Shares, assuming investment portfolio total returns (comprised of income, net expenses and changes in the value
of investments held in the Fund’s portfolio) of -10%, -5%, 0%, 5% and 10%. The table below reflects the Fund's continued
use of Preferred Shares as of June 30, 2024 as a percentage of total Managed Assets (including assets attributable to such leverage),
and the annual return that the Fund's portfolio must experience (net of expenses) in order to cover such costs. These assumed
investment portfolio returns are hypothetical figures and are not necessarily indicative of what the Fund’s investment portfolio
returns will be. In other words, the Fund’s actual returns may be greater or less than those appearing in the table below.
The table further reflects the use of leverage representing approximately 26.45% of the Fund’s Managed Assets and estimated
leverage costs of 6.00%.
Assumed
Portfolio Return |
-10.00% |
-5.00% |
0.00% |
5.00% |
10.00% |
Common
Share Total Return |
-15.75% |
-8.96% |
-2.16% |
4.64% |
11.44% |
Total
return is composed of two elements-the dividends on Common Shares paid by the Fund (the amount of which is largely determined
by the Fund’s net investment income after paying the cost of leverage) and realized and unrealized gains or losses on the
value of the securities the Fund owns. As the table shows, leverage generally increases the return to Common Shareholders when
portfolio return is positive or greater than the costs of leverage and decreases return when the portfolio return is negative
or less than the costs of leverage.
During
the time in which the Fund is using leverage, the amount of the fees paid to the Adviser for investment management services is
higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid are calculated based on the Fund’s Managed Assets. This
may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser, on the one hand, and common shareholders, on the other. Also, because the
leverage costs are borne by the Fund at a specified interest rate, only the Fund’s common shareholders bear the cost of
the Fund’s management fees and other expenses. There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during
any period in which it is employed.
RISKS
Investing
in the Fund involves certain risks relating to its structure and investment objective. You should carefully consider these risk
factors, together with all of the other information included in this Prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and the
SAI, before deciding whether to make an investment in the Fund. An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors,
and an investment in the common shares of the Fund should not be considered a complete investment program.
The
risks set forth below are not the only risks of the Fund, and the Fund may face other risks that have not yet been identified,
which are not currently deemed material or which are not yet predictable. If any of the following risks occur, the Fund’s
financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, the Fund’s NAV and the
trading price of its securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Structural
Risks:
Not
a Complete Investment Program
The
Fund is intended for investors seeking capital appreciation and current income over the long-term, and is not intended to be a
short-term trading vehicle. An investment in the Common Shares of the Fund should not be considered a complete investment program.
Each investor should take into account the Fund’s investment objective and other characteristics as well as the investor’s
other investments when considering an investment in the Common Shares. An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all
investors.
Risks
Associated with Offerings of Additional Common Shares
The
voting power of current Common Stockholders will be diluted to the extent that current Common Stockholders do not purchase Common
Shares in any future offerings of Common Shares or do not purchase sufficient Common Shares to maintain their percentage interest.
If the Fund is unable to invest the proceeds of such offering as intended, the Fund’s per Common Share distribution may
decrease and the Fund may not participate in market advances to the same extent as if such proceeds were fully invested as planned.
If the Fund sells Common Shares at a price below NAV pursuant to the consent of Common Stockholders, shareholders will experience
a dilution of the aggregate NAV per Common Share because the sale price will be less than the Fund’s then- current NAV per
Common Share. Similarly, were the expenses of the offering to exceed the amount by which the sale price exceeded the Fund’s
then current NAV per Common Share, shareholders would experience a dilution of the aggregate NAV per Common Share. This dilution
will be experienced by all shareholders, irrespective of whether they purchase Common Shares in any such offering.
Additional
Risks of Rights
There
are additional risks associated with an offering of subscription rights to purchase Common Shares (“Rights”). Shareholders
who do not exercise their Rights may, at the completion of such an offering, own a smaller proportional interest in the Fund than
if they exercised their Rights. As a result of such an offering, a shareholder may experience dilution in NAV per share if the
subscription price per share is below the NAV per share on the expiration date. If the subscription price per share is below the
NAV per share of the Fund’s Common Shares on the expiration date, a shareholder will experience an immediate dilution of
the aggregate NAV of such shareholder’s Common Shares if the shareholder does not participate in such an offering and the
shareholder will experience a reduction in the NAV per share of such shareholder’s Common Shares whether or not the shareholder
participates in such an offering. Such a reduction in NAV per share may have the effect of reducing market price of the Common
Share. The Fund cannot state precisely the extent of this dilution (if any) if the shareholder does not exercise such shareholder’s
Rights because the Fund does not know what the NAV per share will be when the offer expires or what proportion of the Rights will
be exercised. If the subscription price is substantially less than the then current NAV per Common Share at the expiration of
a rights offering, such dilution could be substantial. Any such dilution or accretion will depend upon whether (i) such shareholders
participate in the rights offering and (ii) the Fund’s NAV per Common Share is above or below the subscription price on
the expiration date of the rights offering. In addition to the economic dilution described above, if a Common Stockholder does
not exercise all of their rights, the Common Stockholders will incur voting dilution as a result of this rights offering. This
voting dilution will occur because the Common Stockholders will own a smaller proportionate interest in the Fund after the rights
offering than prior to the rights offering. There is a risk that changes in market conditions may result in the underlying Common
Shares purchasable upon exercise of the subscription rights being less attractive to investors at the conclusion of the subscription
period. This may reduce or eliminate the value of the subscription rights. If investors exercise only a portion of the rights,
the number of Common Shares issued may be reduced, and the Common Shares may trade at less favorable prices than larger offerings
for similar securities. Subscription rights issued by the Fund may be transferable or non-transferable rights. In a non-transferable
rights offering, Common Stockholders who do not wish to exercise their rights will be unable to sell their rights. In a transferrable
rights offering, the Fund will use its best efforts to ensure an adequate trading market for the rights; however, investors may
find that there is no market to sell rights they do not wish to exercise.
Leverage
Risks
The
Fund may borrow money, or issue debt or preferred stock. Since the holders of Common Shares pay all expenses related to the issuance
of debt or use of leverage, the use of leverage through borrowing of money, issuance of debt securities or the issuance of preferred
stock for investment purposes creates risks for the holders of Common Shares. Leverage is a speculative technique that exposes
the Fund to greater risk and increased costs than if it were not implemented. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s
portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. As a result, leverage may cause greater changes in the Fund’s NAV.
The Fund will also have to pay interest on its borrowings or dividends on preferred stock, if any, which may reduce the Fund’s
return. The leverage costs may be greater than the Fund’s return on the underlying investment. The Fund’s leveraging
strategy may not be successful.
If
the Fund utilizes leverage in the form of borrowing, it anticipates that the money borrowed for investment purposes will incur
interest based on shorter-term interest rates that would be periodically reset. So long as the Fund’s portfolio provides
a higher rate of return, net of expenses, than the interest rate on borrowed money, as reset periodically, the leverage may cause
the holders of Common Shares to receive a higher current rate of return than if the Fund were not leveraged. If, however, long-term
and/or short-term rates rise, the interest rate on borrowed money could exceed the rate of return on securities held by the Fund,
reducing return to the holders of Common Shares.
There
is no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful. Leverage involves risks and special considerations for Common Stockholders,
including:
| ● | the
likelihood of greater volatility of NAV, market price and dividend rate of the Common
Shares than a comparable portfolio without leverage; |
| ● | the
risk that fluctuations in interest rates on borrowings or on short-term debt or in the
interest or dividend rates on any debt securities or preferred shares that the Fund must
pay will reduce the return to the Common Stockholders; |
| ● | the
effect of leverage in a declining market, which is likely to cause a greater decline
in the NAV of the Common Shares than if the Fund were not leveraged, may result in a
greater decline in the market price of the Common Shares; |
| ● | when
the Fund uses financial leverage, the investment management fees payable to the Adviser
will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage. This may create a conflict of interest
between the Adviser, on the one hand, and the holders of Common Shares, on the other;
and |
| ● | leverage
may increase operating costs, which may reduce total return. |
The
use of leverage may require the Fund to segregate assets to cover its obligations (or, if the Fund borrows money or issues preferred
shares, to maintain asset coverage in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act). While the segregated assets will be invested
in liquid securities, they may not be used for other operational purposes. Consequently, the use of leverage may limit the Fund’s
flexibility and may require that the Fund sell other portfolio investments to pay Fund expenses, to maintain assets in an amount
sufficient to cover the Fund’s leveraged exposure or to meet other obligations at a time when it may be disadvantageous
to sell such assets. Certain types of borrowings by the Fund may result in the Fund being subject to covenants in credit agreements
relating to asset coverage and portfolio composition requirements. The Fund may be subject to certain restrictions on investments
imposed by guidelines of one or more rating agencies, which may issue ratings for the short-term debt securities or preferred
shares issued by the Fund. These guidelines may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent
than those imposed by the 1940 Act. The Adviser does not believe that these covenants or guidelines will impede it from managing
the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies if the Fund were to utilize leverage.
Leverage
risk would also apply to the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds and SPACs to the extent an Underlying Fund or SPAC uses
leverage.
Market
Discount
The
stock of closed-end management investment companies often trade at a discount from their NAV, and the Fund’s Common Shares
may likewise trade at a discount from NAV. The trading price of the Fund’s Common Shares may be less than the NAV. The returns
earned by Common Stockholders who sell their Common Shares below NAV will be reduced. The Fund’s Common Shares are currently
sold at a premium to NAV. This risk would also apply to the Fund’s investments in closed-end funds.
Anti-Takeover
Provisions
Maryland
law and the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire
control of the Fund or to convert the Fund to open-end status. These provisions could deprive the holders of Common Shares of
opportunities to sell their Common Shares at a premium over the then current market price of the Common Shares or at NAV. This
risk would also apply to many of the Fund’s investments in closed-end funds.
Investment-Related
Risks:
The
risks listed below are in alphabetical order. With the exception of Underlying Fund risk (and except as otherwise noted below),
the following risks apply to the direct investments the Fund may make, and generally apply to the Fund’s investments in
Underlying Funds and SPACs. That said, each risk described below may not apply to each Underlying Fund or SPAC investment. Similarly,
an Underlying Fund may be subject to additional or different risks than those described below.
Asset
Allocation Risks
To
the extent that the Adviser’s asset allocation strategy may fail to produce the intended result, the Fund’s return
may suffer. Additionally, the active asset allocation style of the Fund leads to changing allocations over time and represents
a risk to investors who target fixed asset allocations.
Convertible
Securities Risks
The
market value of convertible securities tends to fall when prevailing interest rates rise. The value of convertible securities
also tends to change whenever the market value of the underlying common or preferred stock fluctuates. Convertible securities
tend to be of lower credit quality.
Defensive
Measures
The
Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as a defensive measure in response
to adverse market conditions or opportunistically at the discretion of the Adviser. During these periods or during periods when
an Underlying Fund invests defensively, the Fund may not be pursuing its investment objective.
Derivatives
Risks
The
Fund and the Underlying Funds may enter into derivatives transactions. Derivative transactions involve investment techniques and
risks different from those associated with investments in Underlying Funds. Generally, a derivative is a financial contract the
value of which depends upon, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or index, and may relate to
individual debt or equity instruments, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates, commodities, related indexes, and
other assets. Derivatives can be volatile and involve various types and degrees of risk, depending upon the characteristics of
a particular derivative. Derivatives may entail investment exposures that are greater than their cost would suggest, meaning that
a small investment in a derivative could have a large potential impact on the performance of a fund. A fund could experience a
loss if derivatives do not perform as anticipated, if they are not correlated with the performance of other investments which
they are used to hedge or if the fund is unable to liquidate a position because of an illiquid secondary market. The market for
many derivatives is, or can suddenly become, illiquid. Changes in liquidity may result in significant, rapid and unpredictable
changes in the prices of derivatives. When used for speculative purposes, derivatives will produce enhanced investment exposure,
which will magnify gains and losses. Certain derivatives transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. The use of leverage
may cause a fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations. Leverage
may cause a fund to be more volatile than if it had not been leveraged. This is because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect
of any increase or decrease in the value of the fund’s portfolio securities. Further, using derivatives may include the
risk of mispricing or improper valuation of derivatives and the inability of derivatives to correlate perfectly, or at all, with
the value of the assets, reference rates or indexes they are designed to closely track. The Fund also will be subject to credit
risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivatives contracts purchased by the Fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt
or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience
significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding.
The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.
Defaulted
and Distressed Securities Risks
The
Underlying Funds may invest directly in defaulted and distressed securities. Legal difficulties and negotiations with creditors
and other claimants are common when dealing with defaulted or distressed companies. Defaulted or distressed companies may be insolvent
or in bankruptcy. In the event of a default, an Underlying Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. The repayment
of defaulted bonds is subject to significant uncertainties, and in some cases, there may be no recovery of repayment. Defaulted
bonds might be repaid only after lengthy workout or bankruptcy proceedings, during which the issuer might not make any interest
or other payments. Because of the relative illiquidity of defaulted or distressed debt and equity securities, short sales are
difficult, and most Underlying Funds primarily maintain long positions. Some relative value trades are possible, where an investor
sells short one class of a defaulted or distressed company’s capital structure and purchases another. With distressed investing,
often there is a time lag between when an Underlying Fund makes an investment and when the Underlying Fund realizes the value
of the investment. In addition, an Underlying Fund may incur legal and other monitoring costs in protecting the value of the Underlying
Fund’s claims.
Equity
Securities Risks
While
equity securities have historically generated higher average returns than fixed income securities, equity securities have also
experienced significantly more volatility in those returns. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress
the value of an issuer’s equity securities held by an Underlying Fund. Equity security prices fluctuate for several reasons,
including changes in investors’ perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant
stock market, or when political or economic events affecting the issuers occur. The value of a particular equity security may
fall in value. The prices of stocks change in response to many factors, including the historical and prospective earnings of the
issuer, the value of its assets, management decisions, decreased demand for an issuer’s products or services, increased
production costs, general economic conditions, interest rates, currency exchange rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity.
The value of an Underlying Fund’s shares will go up and down due to movement in the collective returns of the individual
securities held by the Underlying Fund. Common stocks are subordinate to preferred stocks and debt in a company’s capital
structure, and if a company is liquidated, the claims of secured and unsecured creditors and owners of preferred stocks take precedence
over the claims of those who own Common Shares. In addition, equity security prices may be particularly sensitive to rising interest
rates, as the cost of capital rises and borrowing costs increase.
Exchange-Traded
Note Risks
The
Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”), which are notes representing unsecured
debt issued by an underwriting bank. ETNs are typically linked to the performance of an index plus a specified rate of interest
that could be earned on cash collateral. The value of an ETN may be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand
for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying markets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the
issuer’s credit rating and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the referenced index. ETNs typically
mature 30 years from the date of issue. The issuer’s credit rating will be investment grade at the time of investment, however,
the credit rating may be revised or withdrawn at any time and there is no assurance that a credit rating will remain in effect
for any given time period. If a rating agency lowers the issuer’s credit rating, the value of the ETN will decline and a
lower credit rating reflects a greater risk that the issuer will default on its obligation. When a fund invests in ETNs, it will
bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses associated with investment in such securities. Such fees reduce the amount
of return on investment at maturity or upon redemption.
There
may be restrictions on a fund’s right to liquidate its investment in an ETN prior to maturity (for example, a fund may only
be able to offer its ETN for repurchase by the issuer on a weekly basis), since ETNs are meant to be held until maturity. A fund’s
decision to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market.
Fixed
Income Securities Risks
The
Underlying Funds and the Fund may invest in fixed income securities. Fixed income securities increase or decrease in value based
on changes in interest rates. If rates increase, the value of an Underlying Fund’s fixed income securities generally declines.
On the other hand, if rates fall, the value of the fixed income securities generally increases. The issuer of a fixed income security
may not be able to make interest and principal payments when due. This risk is increased in the case of issuers of high yield
securities, also known as “junk bonds.” If a U.S. Government agency or instrumentality in which an Underlying Fund
invests defaults, and the U.S. Government does not stand behind the obligation, the Underlying Fund’s share price or yield
could fall. Securities of certain U.S. Government sponsored entities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government.
The Underlying Funds may invest in fixed income securities of any credit quality, maturity or duration. Fixed income securities
risks include components of the following additional risks:
Credit
Risk. The issuer of a fixed income security may not be able to make interest and principal payments when due. Generally,
the lower the credit rating of a security, the greater the risk that the issuer will default on its obligation, which could result
in a loss to a fund. The Underlying Funds may invest in securities that are rated in the lowest investment grade category. Issuers
of these securities are more vulnerable to changes in economic conditions than issuers of higher-grade securities.
High
Yield Securities Risk. The Underlying Funds may invest in high yield securities, also known as “junk bonds.”
High yield securities provide greater income and opportunity for gain, but entail greater risk of loss of principal. High yield
securities are predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance
with the terms of the obligation. The market for high yield securities is generally less active than the market for higher quality
securities. This may limit the ability of a fund to sell high yield securities at the price at which it is being valued for purposes
of calculating NAV.
U.S.
Government Securities Risk. The Underlying Funds may invest in U.S. Government securities. The U.S. Government’s
guarantee of ultimate payment of principal and timely payment of interest on certain U.S. Government securities owned by an Underlying
Fund does not imply that the Underlying Fund’s shares are guaranteed or that the price of the Underlying Fund’s shares
will not fluctuate. In addition, securities issued by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and Federal Home Loan Banks are not obligations
of, or insured by, the U.S. Government. If a U.S. Government agency or instrumentality in which an Underlying Fund invests defaults
and the U.S. Government does not stand behind the obligation, the Fund’s NAV could fall.
Interest
Rate Risk. An Underlying Fund’s NAV and total return will vary in response to changes in interest rates. If rates
increase, the value of an Underlying Fund’s investments generally will decline, as will the Underlying Fund’s NAV.
In typical interest rate environments, the prices of longer-term fixed income securities generally fluctuate more than the prices
of shorter-term fixed income securities as interest rates change.
Interest
rates in the United States and many other countries have risen in recent periods and may rise in the future. Because longer-term
inflationary pressure may result from the U.S. government’s fiscal policies, an Underlying Fund may experience rising interest
rates, rather than falling rates, over its investment horizon. To the extent an Underlying Fund borrows money to finance its investments,
the Underlying Fund’s performance will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which it borrows funds and
the rate at which it invests those funds. In periods of rising interest rates, the Underlying Fund’s cost of funds could
increase. Adverse developments resulting from changes in interest rates could have a material adverse effect on the Underlying
Fund’s financial condition and results.
In
addition, a decline in the prices of the debt an Underlying Fund owns could adversely affect the Underlying Fund’s NAV.
Changes in market interest rates could also affect the ability of operating companies in which the Underlying Fund invests to
service debt, which could materially impact the Underlying Fund.
Sovereign
Obligation Risk. The Underlying Funds may invest in sovereign (i.e., foreign government) debt obligations. Investment
in sovereign debt obligations involves special risks not present in corporate debt obligations. The issuer of the sovereign debt
or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest
when due, and the Underlying Funds may have limited recourse in the event of a default. During periods of economic uncertainty,
the market prices of sovereign debt may be more volatile than prices of U.S. debt obligations. In the past, certain emerging markets
have encountered difficulties in servicing their debt obligations, withheld payments of principal and interest, and declared moratoria
on the payment of principal and interest on their sovereign debts. See also “Foreign Investing Risks” below.
Foreign
Investing Risks
The
Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in foreign securities. Investments in foreign securities may be affected by currency
controls and exchange rates; different accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and legal standards and practices; expropriation;
changes in tax policy; social, political and economic instability; greater market volatility; differing securities market structures;
higher transaction costs; and various administrative difficulties, such as delays in clearing and settling portfolio transactions
or in receiving payment of dividends. In addition, changes in government administrations or economic or monetary policies in the
United States or abroad could result in appreciation or depreciation of the Fund’s or Underlying Fund’s securities.
These risks may be heightened in connection with investments in emerging or developing countries. To the extent that a Fund or
Underlying Fund invests in depositary receipts, the Fund or Underlying Fund will be subject to many of the same risks as when
investing directly in foreign securities. The effect of recent, worldwide economic instability on specific foreign markets or
issuers may be difficult to predict or evaluate, and some national economies continue to show profound instability, which may
in turn affect their international trading partners.
Illiquid
Securities Risks
The
Underlying Funds may invest in illiquid securities. It may not be possible to sell or otherwise dispose of illiquid securities
both at the price and within the time period deemed desirable by a fund. Illiquid securities also may be difficult to value.
Initial
Public Offerings Risks
The
Fund and the Underlying Funds may purchase securities in IPOs. Because securities sold in an IPO frequently are volatile in price,
the Fund or an Underlying Fund may hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of a fund’s
portfolio and may lead to increased expenses to the fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. By selling shares, a fund
may realize taxable capital gains that it will subsequently distribute to shareholders. Investing in IPOs has added risks because
the shares are frequently volatile in price. As a result, their performance can be more volatile and they face greater risk of
business failure, which could increase the volatility of a fund’s portfolio.
The
Fund’s IPO investments may be in IPOs of Underlying Funds. There is a significant risk that the shares of closed-end funds
purchased in an IPO will trade at a price below their IPO price.
Investment
and Market Risks
An
investment in Common Shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount invested.
An investment in Common Shares represents an indirect investment in the Underlying Funds owned by the Fund. The value of the Underlying
Funds, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Overall stock market risks may
also affect the NAV of the Fund or the Underlying Funds. Factors such as domestic and foreign economic growth and market conditions,
interest rate levels and political events affect the securities markets. The Common Shares at any point in time may be worth less
than the original investment, even after taking into account any reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
Legislation,
Policy and Regulatory Risks
At
any time after the date of this Prospectus, legislation or additional regulations may be enacted that could negatively affect
the assets of the Fund or the issuers of such assets. Recent changes in the U.S. political landscape and changing approaches to
regulation may have a negative impact on the entities and/or securities in which the Fund or an Underlying Fund invests. Legislation
or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund or an Underlying Fund is regulated. New or amended regulations may be
imposed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), the SEC, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System or other financial regulators, other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that supervise
the financial markets that could adversely affect the Fund or the Underlying Funds. In particular, these agencies are empowered
to promulgate a variety of new rules pursuant to financial reform legislation in the United States. There can be no assurance
that future legislation, regulation or deregulation will not have a material adverse effect on the Fund or will not impair the
ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective. The Fund and the Underlying Funds also may be adversely affected by changes
in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes and rules by these governmental regulatory authorities or self regulatory
organizations.
LIBOR
Risk
Certain
London Interbank Offered Rates (“LIBORs”) were generally phased out by the end of 2021, and some regulated entities
have ceased to enter into new LIBOR-based contracts beginning January 1, 2022. The 1-, 3- and 6-month U.S. dollar LIBOR settings
continued to be published using a synthetic methodology until September 2024. Neither the effect of the LIBOR transition process
nor its ultimate success can yet be known. Although the transition away from LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined, any potential
effects of the transition away from LIBOR and other benchmark rates on financial markets, a fund or the financial instruments
in which a fund invests can be difficult to ascertain. Not all existing LIBOR-based instruments may have alternative rate-setting
provisions and there remains uncertainty regarding the willingness and ability of issuers to add alternative rate-setting provisions
in certain existing instruments. Global regulators have advised market participants to cease entering into new contracts using
LIBOR as a reference rate, and it is possible that investments in LIBOR-based instruments could invite regulatory scrutiny. In
addition, a liquid market for newly-issued instruments that use a reference rate other than LIBOR still may be developing. All
of the aforementioned may adversely affect the Fund’s or an Underlying Fund’s performance or NAV.
Management
Risks
The
Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of a particular asset class or individual
security in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and there is no guarantee that the Adviser’s judgment will
produce the desired results. Similarly, the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds are subject to the judgment of the Underlying
Funds’ managers which may prove to be incorrect. In addition, the Adviser will have limited information as to the portfolio
holdings of the Underlying Funds at any given time. This may result in the Adviser having less ability to respond to changing
market conditions. The Fund may allocate its assets so as to under-emphasize or over-emphasize ETFs or other investments under
the wrong market conditions, in which case the Fund’s NAV may be adversely affected.
Market
Disruption, Geopolitical and Climate Change Risks
The
Fund or Underlying Funds may experience increased volatility, illiquidity, or other potentially adverse effects in response to
changing market conditions, inflation, changes in interest rates, lack of liquidity in the bond or equity markets, volatility
in the equity markets, market disruptions caused by local or regional events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious
illness (including epidemics and pandemics) or other public health issues, recessions or other events or adverse investor sentiment
or other political, regulatory, economic and social developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries
or segments of the market. Additionally, from time to time, uncertainty regarding the status of negotiations in the U.S. government
to increase the statutory debt ceiling could impact the creditworthiness of the U.S. and could impact the liquidity of the U.S.
government securities markets and ultimately the Fund. These risks may be magnified if certain events or developments adversely
interrupt the global supply chain; in these and other circumstances, such risks might affect companies worldwide due to increasingly
interconnected global economies and financial markets.
The
impairment or failure of one or more banks with whom the Fund transacts may inhibit the Fund’s ability to access depository
accounts. In such cases, the Fund may be forced to delay or forgo investments, resulting in lower Fund performance. In the event
of such a failure of a banking institution where the Fund holds depository accounts, access to such accounts could be restricted
and U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) protection may not be available for balances in excess of
amounts insured by the FDIC. In such instances, the Fund may not recover such excess, uninsured amounts.
Climate
change poses long-term threats to physical and biological systems. Potential hazards and risks related to climate change for a
State or municipality include, among other things, wildfires, rising sea levels, more severe coastal flooding and erosion hazards,
and more intense storms. Storms in recent years have demonstrated vulnerabilities in a State's or municipality's infrastructure
to extreme weather events. Climate change risks, if they materialize, can adversely impact a State's or municipality's financial
plan in current or future years. In addition, economists and others have expressed increasing concern about the potential effects
of global climate change on property and security values. A rise in sea levels, an increase in powerful windstorms and/or a climate-driven
increase in sea levels or flooding could cause coastal properties to lose value or become unmarketable altogether. Economists
warn that, unlike previous declines in the real estate market, properties in affected coastal zones may not ever recover their
value. Large wildfires driven by high winds and prolonged drought may devastate businesses and entire communities and may be very
costly to any business found to be responsible for the fire. Regulatory changes and divestment movements tied to concerns about
climate change could adversely affect the value of certain land and the viability of industries whose activities or products are
seen as accelerating climate change.
Master
Limited Partnerships Risks
The
Underlying Funds may invest in MLPs. Investments in publicly traded MLPs, which are limited partnerships or limited liability
companies taxable as partnerships, involve some risks that differ from an investment in the common stock of a corporation, including
risks related to limited control and limited rights to vote on matters affecting MLPs, risks related to potential conflicts of
interest between an MLP and the MLP’s general partner, cash flow risks, dilution risks and risks related to the general
partner’s right to require unit-holders to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price. MLPs may derive income
and gains from the exploration, development, mining or production, processing, refining, transportation (including pipelines transporting
gas, oil, or products thereof), or the marketing of any mineral or natural resources. MLPs generally have two classes of owners,
the general partner and limited partners. When investing in an MLP, an Underlying Fund generally purchases publicly traded common
units issued to limited partners of the MLP. The general partner is typically owned by a major energy company, an investment fund,
the direct management of the MLP or is an entity owned by one or more of such parties. The general partner may be structured as
a private or publicly traded corporation or other entity. The general partner typically controls the operations and management
of the MLP through an up to 2% equity interest in the MLP plus, in many cases, ownership of common units and subordinated units.
Limited partners own the remainder of the partnership, through ownership of common units, and have a limited role in the partnership’s
operations and management. As compared to common stockholders of a corporation, holders of MLP common units have more limited
control and limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership.
MLPs
are typically structured such that common units and general partner interests have first priority to receive quarterly cash distributions
up to an established minimum amount (“minimum quarterly distributions” or “MQD”). Common and general partner
interests also accrue arrearages in distributions to the extent the MQD is not paid. Once common and general partner interests
have been paid, subordinated units receive distributions of up to the MQD; however, subordinated units do not accrue arrearages.
Distributable cash in excess of the MQD paid to both common and subordinated units is distributed to both common and subordinated
units generally on a pro rata basis. The general partner is also eligible to receive incentive distributions if the general partner
operates the business in a manner which results in distributions paid per common unit surpassing specified target levels. As the
general partner increases cash distributions to the limited partners, the general partner receives an increasingly higher percentage
of the incremental cash distributions. A common arrangement provides that the general partner can reach a tier where it receives
50% of every incremental dollar paid to common and subordinated unit holders. These incentive distributions encourage the general
partner to streamline costs, increase capital expenditures and acquire assets in order to increase the partnership’s cash
flow and raise the quarterly cash distribution in order to reach higher tiers. Such results benefit all security holders of the
MLP.
MLP
common units represent a limited partnership interest in the MLP. MLP common units are listed and traded on U.S. securities exchanges,
with their value fluctuating predominantly based on prevailing market conditions and the success of the MLP. An Underlying Fund
may purchase MLP common units in market transactions. Unlike owners of common stock of a corporation, owners of MLP common units
have limited voting rights and have no ability to elect directors. In the event of liquidation, MLP common units have preference
over subordinated units, but not over debt or preferred units, to the remaining assets of the MLP.
MLPs
may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will otherwise be less liquid than publicly traded securities. Certain
MLP securities may trade in lower volumes due to their smaller capitalizations. Accordingly, those MLPs may be subject to more
abrupt or erratic price movements and may lack sufficient market liquidity to enable an Underlying Fund to effect sales at an
advantageous time or without a substantial drop in price. As a result, these investments may be difficult to dispose of at a fair
price at the times when an Underlying Fund believes it is desirable to do so. MLPs are generally considered interest-rate sensitive
investments. During periods of interest rate volatility, these investments may not provide attractive returns, which may adversely
impact the overall performance of the Fund or an Underlying Fund.
MLPs
are subject to various risks related to the underlying operating companies they control, including dependence upon specialized
management skills and the risk that those operating companies may lack or have limited operating histories. The success an Underlying
Fund’s investments in an MLP will vary depending on the underlying industry represented by the MLP’s portfolio. Certain
MLPs in which an Underlying Fund may invest depend upon their parent or sponsor entities for the majority of their revenues.
Certain
MLPs in which an Underlying Fund may invest depend upon a limited number of customers for substantially all of their revenue.
Similarly, certain MLPs in which an Underlying Fund may invest depend upon a limited number of suppliers of goods or services
to continue their operations. The loss of those customers or suppliers could have a material adverse effect on an MLP’s
results of operations and cash flow, and on its ability to make distributions to unit holders such as an Underlying Fund.
The
benefit an Underlying Fund will derive from its investment in MLPs will be largely dependent on the MLPs being treated as partnerships
and not as corporations for federal income tax purposes. As a partnership, an MLP generally has no tax liability at the entity
level. If, as a result of a change in current law or a change in an MLP’s business, an MLP were treated as a corporation
for federal income tax purposes, such MLP would be obligated to pay federal income tax on its income at the corporate tax rate.
If an MLP were classified as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, the amount of cash available for distribution by the
MLP would be reduced and distributions received by an Underlying Fund would be taxed under federal income tax laws applicable
to corporate dividends (as dividend income, return of capital, or capital gain). Therefore, treatment of an MLP as a corporation
for federal income tax purposes would result in a reduction in the after-tax return to an Underlying Fund, likely causing a reduction
in the value of the Common Shares. Additionally, if the Fund retains an investment in an MLP until the Fund’s basis in the
MLP interest is reduced to zero, subsequent distributions from the MLP will be taxable at ordinary income rates.
Micro-,
Small- and Medium-Sized Company Risks
The
Underlying Funds may invest in securities without regard to market capitalization. Investments in securities of micro-, small-and
medium-sized companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than larger, more established companies, because
these securities typically are traded in lower volume and issuers are typically more subject to changes in earnings and future
earnings prospects. Small- and medium-sized companies often have narrower markets for their goods and/or services and more limited
managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies. Furthermore, these companies often have limited product
lines, services, markets or financial resources, or are dependent on a small management group. Since these stocks are not well-known
to the investing public, do not have significant institutional ownership and are followed by relatively few security analysts,
there will normally be less publicly available information concerning these securities compared to what is available for the securities
of larger companies. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, can decrease the
value and liquidity of securities held by the Fund. As a result, small- and medium-sized companies’ performance can be more
volatile and the companies face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio.
The risks are intensified for investments in micro-cap companies.
Options
and Futures Risks
The
Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in options and futures contracts. The use of futures and options transactions entails
certain special risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation between price movements of futures contracts and price
movements in the related securities position of the Fund or an Underlying Fund could create the possibility that losses on the
hedging instrument are greater than gains in the value of the Fund’s or Underlying Fund’s position. In addition, futures
and options markets could be illiquid in some circumstances and certain over-the-counter options could have no markets. As a result,
in certain markets, the Fund or an Underlying Fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring substantial
losses. Although the Fund’s or an Underlying Fund’s use of futures and options transactions for hedging should tend
to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same time it will tend to limit any
potential gain to the Fund or an Underlying Fund that might result from an increase in value of the position. There is also the
risk of loss by the Fund or an Underlying Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund or
Underlying Fund has an open position in a futures contract or option thereon. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements
for futures contracts create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of options, in which case the exposure
is limited to the cost of the initial premium. However, because option premiums paid by the Fund or an Underlying Fund are small
in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying options can result in large amounts of leverage.
This leverage offered by trading in options could cause the Fund’s or an Underlying Fund’s NAV to be subject to more
frequent and wider fluctuation than would be the case if the Fund or Underlying Fund did not invest in options.
Options
transactions may be effected on securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. When options are purchased over-the-counter,
the Fund or an Underlying Fund bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform
its obligations under the option contract. The counterparties to these transactions typically will be major international banks,
broker-dealers and financial institutions. Such options may also be illiquid, and in such cases, the Fund or an Underlying Fund
may have difficulty closing out its position. Banks, broker-dealers or other financial institutions participating in such transactions
may fail to settle a transaction in accordance with the terms of the option as written. In the event of default or insolvency
of the counterparty, the Fund or an Underlying Fund may be unable to liquidate an over-the-counter option position.
The
Fund may purchase put options. An Underlying Fund may purchase and sell call and put options with respect to specific securities,
and may write and sell covered or uncovered call and put options. A call option gives the purchaser of the call option, in return
for a premium paid, the right to buy the security underlying the option from the writer of the call option at a specified exercise
price within a specified time frame. A put option gives the purchaser of the put option, in return for a premium paid, the right
to sell the underlying security to the writer of the put option at a specified price within a specified time frame. A covered
call option is a call option with respect to an underlying security that a fund owns. A covered put option is a put option with
respect to which a fund has segregated cash or liquid securities to fulfill the obligation of the option. The purchaser of a put
or call option runs the risk of losing the purchaser’s entire investment, paid as the premium, in a relatively short period
of time if the option is not sold at a gain or cannot be exercised at a gain prior to expiration. In selling put options, there
is a risk that the Underlying Fund may be required to buy the underlying security at a disadvantageous price above the market
price. The un-covered writer of a call option is subject to a risk of loss if the price of the underlying security should increase,
and the un-covered writer of a put option is subject to a risk of loss if the price of the underlying security should decrease.
The
Fund may invest a significant portion of its total assets in Underlying Funds that write covered call options. To the extent that
an Underlying Fund writes a covered call option, it forgoes, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from increases
in the market value of the security covering the call option above the sum of the premium and the strike price of the call, but
has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. As the writer of the option, the Underlying
Fund bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying a written option. As an Underlying
Fund writes covered calls over more of its portfolio, its ability to benefit from capital appreciation becomes more limited and
the risk of NAV erosion increases. To the extent an Underlying Fund experiences NAV erosion (which itself may have an indirect
negative effect on the market price of interests in the Underlying Fund), the Underlying Fund will have a reduced asset base over
which to write covered calls, which may eventually lead to reduced distributions to shareholders such as the Fund. The writer
of an option has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as a writer of the option. Once an
option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation
under the option and must deliver the underlying security at the exercise price.
To
the extent that an Underlying Fund engages in selling options that trade in over-the-counter markets, the Underlying Fund may
be subject to additional risks. Participants in these markets are typically not subject to the same credit evaluation and regulatory
oversight as members of “exchange based” markets. By engaging in option transactions in these markets, an Underlying
Fund may take credit risk with regard to parties with which it trades and also may bear the risk of settlement default. These
risks may differ materially from those involved in exchange-traded transactions, which generally are characterized by clearing
organization guarantees, daily marking-to-market and settlement, and segregation and minimum capital requirements applicable to
intermediaries. Transactions entered into directly between two counterparties generally do not benefit from these protections,
which may subject an Underlying Fund to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with agreed terms
and conditions because of a dispute over the terms of the contract or because of a credit or liquidity problem. Such “counterparty
risk” is increased for contracts with longer maturities when events may intervene to prevent settlement.
The
Fund or an Underlying Fund may enter into futures contracts in U.S. domestic markets or on exchanges located outside of the United
States. Foreign markets may offer advantages, including trading opportunities or arbitrage possibilities, not available in the
United States. Foreign markets, however, may have greater risk potential than domestic markets. For example, some foreign exchanges
are principal markets, so that no common clearing facility exists and an investor may look only to the broker or counterparty
for the performance of the contract. Unlike trading on domestic commodity exchanges, trading on foreign commodity exchanges is
not regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
There
can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist for any particular futures contract at any particular time. Many futures exchanges
and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the
daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day of a price beyond that limit or trading
may be suspended for specified periods during the trading day.
The
Fund or an Underlying Fund may purchase and sell single stock futures, stock index futures contracts, interest rate futures contracts,
currency futures and other commodity futures. A stock index future obligates a fund to pay or receive an amount of cash based
upon the value of a stock index at a specified date in the future. An interest rate futures contract obligates a fund to purchase
or sell an amount of a specific debt security at a future date at a specified price. A currency futures contract obligates a fund
to purchase or sell an amount of a specific currency at a future date at a future price.
If
the Fund or an Underlying Fund purchases an option and the price of the underlying stock fails to move in the expected direction,
the Fund or Underlying Fund will lose most or all of the amount the fund paid for the option, plus commission costs. If an Underlying
Fund writes (“sells”) an option and the price of the underlying stock fails to move in the expected direction, the
Underlying Fund’s losses could easily exceed the proceeds it received when it wrote the options.
Private
Debt Risk
The
Fund may invest in debt issued by non-listed funds and BDCs (“Private Debt”). Private Debt often may be illiquid and
is typically not listed on an exchange and traded less actively than similar securities issued by publicly traded-vehicles. For
certain Private Debt investments, trading may only be possible through the assistance of the broker who originally brought the
security to the market and has a relationship with the issuer. Due to the limited trading market, independent pricing services
may be unable to provide a price for Private Debt, and as such the fair value of the securities may be determined in good faith
under procedures approved by the Board, which typically will include the use of one or more independent broker quotes.
Real
Estate Investment Trust Risks
The
Underlying Funds may invest in equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest in real estate, and mortgage REITs invest in loans
secured by real estate. Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing
in the real estate industry in general. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned
by the REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management
skills, are not diversified, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and self-liquidation. REITs also
are subject to the possibilities of failing to qualify for tax free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, and failing to maintain their exemption from registration under the 1940 Act. Investment in REITs involves risks
similar to those associated with investing in small capitalization companies, and REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are subject
to interest rate risks. When interest rates decline, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected
to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed rate obligations can be expected
to decline. By investing in REITs directly or indirectly through the Underlying Funds, the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate
share of the expenses of the REITs. The expenses at the REIT level are not included in the Fund’s expense table as acquired
fund fees and expenses.
Securities
Lending Risks
The
Underlying Funds may engage in securities lending. Securities lending involves counterparty risk, including the risk that the
loaned securities may not be returned in a timely manner and/or a loss of rights in the collateral if the borrower or the lending
agent defaults. This risk is increased when an Underlying Fund’s loans are concentrated with a single or limited number
of borrowers. In addition, an Underlying Fund bears the risk of loss in connection with the investments of the cash collateral
it receives from the borrower. To the extent that the value or return of an Underlying Fund’s investments of the cash collateral
declines below the amount owed to a borrower, the Underlying Fund may incur losses that exceed the amount it earned in lending
the security.
Securities
Risks
The
value of the Fund or an Underlying Fund may decrease in response to the activities and financial prospects of individual securities
in the Fund’s portfolio.
Senior
Loan Risks
The
Underlying Funds may invest in senior secured floating rate and fixed-rate loans (“Senior Loans”). There is less readily
available and reliable information about most Senior Loans than is the case for many other types of instruments, including listed
securities. Senior Loans are not listed on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system and as such, many Senior
Loans are illiquid, meaning that an Underlying Fund may not be able to sell them quickly at a fair price. To the extent that a
secondary market does exist for certain Senior Loans, the market is more volatile than for liquid, listed securities and may be
subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods. The market for Senior Loans
could be disrupted in the event of an economic downturn or a substantial increase or decrease in interest rates. Senior Loans,
like most other debt obligations, are subject to the risk of default. Default in the payment of interest or principal on a Senior
Loan will result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of the Senior Loan and a potential decrease in
the Fund’s NAV of the Common Shares.
The
Underlying Funds may acquire or hold Senior Loans of borrowers that are experiencing, or are more likely to experience, financial
difficulty, including Senior Loans issued to highly leveraged borrowers or borrowers that have filed for bankruptcy protection.
Borrowers may have outstanding debt obligations, including Senior Loans, that are rated below investment grade. An Underlying
Fund may invest a substantial portion of its assets in Senior Loans that are rated below investment grade or that are unrated
at the time of purchase but are deemed by the Underlying Fund’s adviser’s to be of comparable quality. The values
of Senior Loans of borrowers that have filed for bankruptcy protection or that are experiencing payment difficulty could be affected
by, among other things, the assessment of the likelihood that the lenders ultimately will receive repayment of the principal amount
of such Senior Loans, the likely duration, if any, of a lapse in the scheduled payment of interest and repayment of principal
and prevailing interest rates. There is no assurance that an Underlying Fund will be able to recover any amount on Senior Loans
of such borrowers or that sale of the collateral granted in connection with Senior Loans would raise enough cash to satisfy the
borrower’s payment obligation or that the collateral can or will be liquidated. In the event of bankruptcy, liquidation
may not occur and the bankruptcy court may not give lenders the full benefit of their senior position in the capital structure
of the borrower.
Short
Sale Risks
The
Fund and Underlying Funds may sell securities short. Positions in shorted securities are speculative and more risky than long
positions (purchases) in securities because the maximum sustainable loss on a security purchased is limited to the amount paid
for the security plus the transaction costs, whereas there is no maximum attainable price of the shorted security. Therefore,
in theory, securities sold short have unlimited risk. Short selling will also result in higher transaction costs (such as interest
and dividends), directly or indirectly through the investments in Underlying Funds, and may result in higher taxes, which reduce
the Fund’s return.
If
a security sold short increases in price, a fund may have to cover its short position at a higher price than the short sale price,
resulting in a loss. With respect to a fund’s short positions, the Fund must borrow those securities to make delivery to
the buyer. A fund may not be able to borrow a security that it needs to deliver or it may not be able to close out a short position
at an acceptable price and may have to sell related long positions before it had intended to do so. As a result, a fund may not
be able to successfully implement its short sale strategy due to the limited availability of desired securities or for other reasons.
When
borrowing a security for delivery to a buyer, a fund also may be required to pay a premium and other transaction costs, which
would increase the cost of the security sold short. A fund must normally repay to the lender an amount equal to any dividends
or interest earned while the loan is outstanding. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased,
by the amount of the premium, dividends, interest or expenses a fund may be required to pay in connection with the short sale.
Also, the lender of a security may terminate the loan at a time when a fund is unable to borrow the same security for delivery.
In that case, a fund would need to purchase a replacement security at the then current market price or “buy in” by
paying the lender an amount equal to the costs of purchasing the security.
Until
a fund replaces a borrowed security, it is required to maintain a segregated account of cash or liquid assets to cover the fund’s
short position. Securities held in a segregated account cannot be sold while the position they are covering is outstanding, unless
they are replaced with similar securities. Additionally, a fund must maintain sufficient liquid assets (less any additional collateral
held by the broker), marked-to-market daily, to cover its short sale obligations. This may limit a fund’s investment flexibility,
as well as its ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
In
addition, until a fund replaces a borrowed instrument, a fund may also be required to maintain short sale proceeds with the lending
broker as collateral. Moreover, a fund will be required to make margin payments to the lender during the term of the borrowing
if the value of the security it borrowed (and sold short) increases. Thus, short sales involve credit exposure to the broker that
executes the short sales. In the event of the bankruptcy or other similar insolvency with respect to a broker with whom a fund
has an open short position, a fund may be unable to recover, or be delayed in recovering, any margin or other collateral held
with or for the lending broker.
Because
a fund’s loss on a short sale arises from increases in the value of the security sold short, the loss is theoretically unlimited.
In certain cases, purchasing a security to cover a short position can itself cause the price of the security to rise further,
which would exacerbate the loss. Conversely, gains on short sales, after transaction and related costs, are generally the difference
between the price at which a fund sold the borrowed security and the price it paid to purchase the security for delivery to the
buyer. By contrast, a fund’s loss on a long position arises from decreases in the value of the security and is limited by
the fact that a security’s value cannot drop below zero.
By
investing the proceeds received from selling securities short, the Fund is using a form of leverage, which creates special risks.
The use of leverage may increase the Fund’s exposure to long equity positions and make any change in the Fund’s NAV
greater than it would be without the use of leverage. This could result in increased volatility of returns. There is no guarantee
that the Fund will leverage its portfolio, or if it does, that the Fund’s leveraging strategy will be successful. The Fund
also cannot guarantee that the use of leverage will produce a higher return on an investment.
SOFR
Risk
SOFR
is intended to be a broad measure of the cost of borrowing funds overnight in transactions that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury
securities. SOFR is calculated based on transaction-level repodata collected from various sources. For each trading day, SOFR
is calculated as a volume-weighted median rate derived from such data. SOFR is calculated and published by the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York (“FRBNY”). If data from a given source required by the FRBNY to calculate SOFR is unavailable for
any day, then the most recently available data for that segment will be used, with certain adjustments. If errors are discovered
in the transaction data or the calculations underlying SOFR after its initial publication on a given day, SOFR may be republished
at a later time that day. Rate revisions will be effected only on the day of initial publication and will be republished only
if the change in the rate exceeds one basis point.
Because
SOFR is a financing rate based on overnight secured funding transactions, it differs fundamentally from LIBOR. LIBOR was intended
to be an unsecured rate that represents interbank funding costs for different short-term maturities or tenors. It was a forward-looking
rate reflecting expectations regarding interest rates for the applicable tenor. Thus, LIBOR was intended to be sensitive, in certain
respects, to bank credit risk and to term interest rate risk. In contrast, SOFR is a secured overnight rate reflecting the credit
of U.S. Treasury securities as collateral. Thus, it is largely insensitive to credit-risk considerations and to short-term interest
rate risks. SOFR is a transaction-based rate, and it has been more volatile than other benchmark or market rates, such as three-month
LIBOR, during certain periods. For these reasons, among others, there is no assurance that SOFR, or rates derived from SOFR, will
perform in the same or similar way as LIBOR would have performed at any time, and there is no assurance that SOFR-based rates
will be a suitable substitute for LIBOR. SOFR has a limited history, having been first published in April 2018. The future performance
of SOFR, and SOFR-based reference rates, cannot be predicted based on SOFR’s history or otherwise. Levels of SOFR in the
future, including following the discontinuation of LIBOR, may bear little or no relation to historical levels of SOFR, LIBOR or
other rates.
Special
Purpose Acquisition Companies Risks
The
Fund may invest in SPACs. SPACs are collective investment structures that pool funds in order to seek potential acquisition opportunities.
Unless and until an acquisition is completed, a SPAC generally invests its assets (less an amount to cover expenses) in U.S. government
securities, money market fund securities and cash. SPACs and similar entities may be blank check companies with no operating history
or ongoing business other than to seek a potential acquisition. Accordingly, the value of their securities is particularly dependent
on the ability of the entity’s management to identify and complete a profitable acquisition. Certain SPACs may seek acquisitions
only in limited industries or regions, which may increase the volatility of their prices. If an acquisition that meets the requirements
for the SPAC is not completed within a predetermined period of time, the invested funds are returned to the entity’s shareholders.
Investments in SPACs may be illiquid and/or be subject to restrictions on resale. To the extent the SPAC is invested in cash or
similar securities, this may impact the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective.
The
officers and directors of a SPAC may operate multiple SPACs and could have conflicts of interest in determining to which SPAC
a particular business opportunity should be presented. In such circumstances, there can be no assurance that a given business
opportunity would be presented to the SPAC in which the Fund holds an investment.
Structured
Notes Risks
The
Underlying Funds may invest in structured notes. Structured notes are subject to a number of fixed income risks including general
market risk, interest rate risk, and the risk that the issuer on the note may fail to make interest and/or principal payments
when due, or may default on its obligations entirely. In addition, because the performance of structured notes tracks the performance
of the underlying debt obligation, structured notes generally are subject to more risk than investing in a simple note or bond
issued by the same issuer. It is impossible to predict whether the referenced factor (such as an index or interest rate) or prices
of the underlying securities will rise or fall. To the extent that an Underlying Fund invests in structured notes, the Underlying
Fund may be more volatile than other funds that do not invest in structured notes. The actual trading prices of structured notes
may be significantly different from the principal amount of the notes. If an Underlying Fund sells the structured notes prior
to maturity, it may suffer a loss of principal. At final maturity, structured notes may be redeemed in cash or in kind, which
is at the discretion of the issuer. If the notes are redeemed in kind, a fund would receive shares of stock at a depressed price.
To the extent that a structured note is not principal-protected through an insurance feature, the note’s principal will
not be protected. In the case of a decrease in the value of the underlying asset, an Underlying Fund would receive shares at a
value less than the original amount invested; while an increase in the value of an underlying asset will not increase the return
on the note.
Swap
Risks
The
Fund and the Underlying Funds may enter into interest rate, index, total return and currency swap agreements. Swap agreements
are two-party contracts under which the fund and a counterparty, such as a broker or dealer, agree to exchange the returns (or
differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on an agreed-upon underlying asset or investment over the term of the swap.
The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity which involves strategies and risks different from those associated
with ordinary portfolio security transactions. If the Adviser or an Underlying Fund’s investment adviser is incorrect in
its forecasts of default risks, market spreads, liquidity or other applicable factors or events, the investment performance of
the Fund or Underlying Fund would diminish compared with what it would have been if these techniques were not used. Swaps and
swap options can be used for a variety of purposes, including: to manage fund exposure to changes in interest or foreign currency
exchange rates and credit quality; as an efficient means of adjusting fund overall exposure to certain markets; in an effort to
enhance income or total return or protect the value of portfolio securities; to serve as a cash management tool; and to adjust
portfolio duration.
There
are risks in the use of swaps. Swaps could result in losses if interest or foreign currency exchange rates or credit quality changes
are not correctly anticipated. Total return swaps could result in losses if the reference index, security, or investments do not
perform as anticipated. Total return swaps involve an enhanced risk that the issuer or counterparty will fail to perform its contractual
obligations. Total return swaps may effectively add leverage to the Fund’s portfolio because the Fund would be subject to
investment exposure on the full notional amount of the swap. To the extent the Fund or an Underlying Fund enters into a total
return swap on equity securities, the Fund or the Underlying Fund will receive the positive performance of a notional amount of
such securities underlying the total return swap. In exchange, the Fund or the Underlying Fund will be obligated to pay the negative
performance of such notional amount of securities. Therefore, the Fund or the Underlying Fund assumes the risk of a substantial
decrease in the market value of the equity securities. The use of swaps may not always be successful; using them could lower fund
total return, their prices can be highly volatile, and the potential loss from the use of swaps can exceed the fund’s initial
investment in such instruments. Also, the other party to a swap agreement could default on its obligations or refuse to cash out
the fund’s investment at a reasonable price, which could turn an expected gain into a loss.
Currently,
certain categories of interest rate swaps are subject to mandatory clearing, and more are expected to be cleared in the future.
The counterparty risk for cleared derivatives is generally expected to be lower than for uncleared over-the-counter derivative
transactions as each party to a transaction looks only to the central clearing house for performance of obligations under the
transaction. However, there can be no assurance that a clearing house, or its members, will satisfy the clearing house’s
obligations to the fund or that the fund’s use of swaps will be advantageous.
Underlying
Fund Risks
The
Fund will invest in Underlying Funds such as other closed-end funds and ETFs. The expenses of the Fund will generally be higher
than the direct expenses of other fund shares. The Fund will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by the Underlying Funds
in which the Fund invests in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses. The Fund may also incur brokerage costs when
it purchases shares of Underlying Funds. Furthermore, investments in Underlying Funds could affect the timing, amount and character
of distributions to Common Stockholders and therefore may increase the amount of taxes payable by investors in the Fund. The value
of your investment in the Fund will go up and down with the prices of Underlying Fund shares (and other securities) in which the
Fund invests. Similarly, the value of the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds will go up and down with the prices of
the securities in which the Underlying Funds invest.
There
is also the risk that the Fund may suffer losses due to the investment practices or operations of the Underlying Funds. To the
extent that the Fund invests in one or more Underlying Funds that concentrate in a particular industry, the Fund would be vulnerable
to factors affecting that industry and the concentrating Underlying Funds’ performance, and that of the Fund, may be more
volatile than Underlying Funds that do not concentrate.
As
the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in Underlying Funds, the Fund’s performance will depend to a greater
extent on the overall performance of closed-end funds, ETFs, BDCs and SPACs generally, in addition to the performance of the specific
Underlying Funds (and other assets) in which the Fund invests. The use of leverage by Underlying Funds magnifies gains and losses
on amounts invested and increases the risks associated with investing in Underlying Funds. Further, the Underlying Funds are not
subject to the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions. The Fund generally receives information regarding the portfolio
holdings of Underlying Funds only when that information is made available to the public. The Fund cannot dictate how the Underlying
Funds invest their assets. The Underlying Funds may invest their assets in securities and other instruments, and may use investment
techniques and strategies, that are not described in this disclosure. Common Stockholders will bear two layers of fees and expenses
with respect to the Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds because each of the Fund and the Underlying Fund will charge
fees and incur separate expenses. In addition, subject to applicable 1940 Act limitations, the Underlying Funds themselves may
purchase securities issued by registered and unregistered funds (e.g., common stock, preferred stock, auction rate preferred stock),
and those investments would be subject to the risks associated with Underlying Funds and unregistered funds (including a third
layer of fees and expenses, i.e., the Underlying Fund will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by the funds in which the
Underlying Fund invests, in addition to the Underlying Fund’s own fees and expenses). An Underlying Fund with positive performance
may indirectly receive a performance fee from the Fund, even when the Fund’s overall returns are negative. Additionally,
the Fund’s investment in an Underlying Fund may result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the Underlying Fund’s
earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, the distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for
federal income tax purposes. As a result of these factors, the use of the fund of funds structure by the Fund could therefore
affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.
The
Fund may invest in shares of closed-end funds that are trading at a discount to NAV or at a premium to NAV and closed-end funds
may not be able to outperform their benchmarks. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any closed-end
fund purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase and the Fund may
suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of such closed-end funds,
thereby adversely affecting the Fund’s NAV. The Fund’s investment in the Common Shares of closed-end funds that are
financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but at the same time may be expected
to exhibit more volatility in market price and NAV than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital
structure.
The
Fund may invest in BDCs. BDCs generally invest in less mature U.S. private companies or thinly traded U.S. public companies which
involve greater risk than well-established publicly-traded companies. While BDCs are expected to generate income in the form of
dividends, certain BDCs during certain periods of time may not generate such income. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate
share of any management fees and other operating expenses incurred by the BDCs and of any performance-based or incentive fees
payable by the BDCs in which it invests, in addition to the expenses paid by the Fund. A BDC’s incentive fee may be very
high, vary from year to year and be payable even if the value of the BDC’s portfolio declines in a given time period. Incentive
fees may create an incentive for a BDC’s manager to make investments that are risky or more speculative than would be the
case in the absence of such compensation arrangements, and may also encourage the BDC’s manager to use leverage to increase
the return on the BDC’s investments. The use of leverage by BDCs magnifies gains and losses on amounts invested and increases
the risks associated with investing in BDCs. A BDC may make investments with a larger amount of risk of volatility and loss of
principal than other investment options and may also be highly speculative and aggressive.
The
1940 Act imposes certain constraints upon the operations of a BDC. For example, BDCs are required to invest at least 70% of their
total assets primarily in securities of U.S. private companies or thinly traded U.S. public companies, cash, cash equivalents,
U.S. government securities and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. Generally, little public information
exists for private and thinly traded companies in which a BDC may invest and there is a risk that investors may not be able to
make a fully informed evaluation of a BDC and its portfolio of investments. With respect to investments in debt instruments, there
is a risk that the issuers of such instruments may default on their payments or declare bankruptcy. Many debt investments in which
a BDC may invest will not be rated by a credit rating agency and will be below investment grade quality. These investments are
commonly referred to as “junk bonds” and have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to an issuer’s
capacity to make payments of interest and principal. Although lower grade securities are potentially higher yielding, they are
also characterized by high risk. In addition, the secondary market for lower grade securities may be less liquid than that of
higher rated securities. Certain BDCs may also be difficult to value since many of the assets of BDCs do not have readily ascertainable
market values.
Additionally,
a BDC may only incur indebtedness in amounts such that the BDC’s asset coverage ratio of total assets to total senior securities
equals at least 200% after such incurrence. These limitations on asset mix and leverage may affect the way that the BDC raises
capital. BDCs compete with other entities for the types of investments they make, and such entities are not necessarily subject
to the same investment constraints as BDCs.
Index-based
ETFs (and other index funds) in which the Fund may invest may not be able to replicate exactly the performance of the indices
they track or benchmark because the total return generated by the securities will be reduced by transaction costs incurred in
adjusting the actual balance of the securities. ETFs may trade at a price above (premium) or below (discount) their NAV, especially
during periods of significant market volatility or stress, causing investors to pay significantly more or less than the value
of the ETF’s underlying portfolio. Certain ETFs traded on exchanges may be thinly traded and experience large spreads between
the “ask” price quoted by a seller and the “bid” price offered by a buyer. While the creation/redemption
feature is designed to make it likely that ETF shares normally will trade close to their NAVs, market prices are not expected
to correlate exactly to the shares’ NAVs due to timing reasons, supply and demand imbalances and other factors. In addition,
disruptions to creations and redemptions, adverse developments impacting market makers, authorized participants or other market
participants, high market volatility or lack of an active trading market for an ETF’s shares (including through a trading
halt) may result in market prices that differ significantly from its NAV or to the intraday value of the ETF’s holdings.
An active trading market for shares of an ETF may not develop or be maintained. When all or a portion of an ETF’s underlying
securities trade in a foreign market that is closed during the time the domestic market in which the ETF’s shares are listed
and traded is open, there may be changes between the last quote from the closed foreign market and the value of such underlying
security during the ETF’s trading day.
In
times of market stress, market makers or authorized participants may step away from their respective roles in making a market
in shares of the ETF and in executing purchase or redemption orders. During such times, the ETF’s shares may trade at a
wider than normal discount or premium and may possibly face trading halts. Additionally, the underlying securities of an ETF may
be traded outside of a collateralized settlement system, such as the National Securities Clearing Corporation, a clearing agency
that is registered with the SEC. There are a limited number of financial institutions that may act as authorized participants
that pose collateral for certain trades on an agency basis. To the extent that these authorized participants exit the business
or are unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with the ETF, and no other authorized participant is able to step
forward, ETF shares may trade at a discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting. Additionally, in stressed
market conditions, the market for ETF shares may become less liquid in response to deteriorating liquidity in the markets for
such ETF’s underlying portfolio holdings, and this may cause the shares of the ETF to trade at a wider than normal discount
or premium. Furthermore, purchases and redemptions of creation units primarily in cash rather than in-kind may cause an ETF to
incur certain costs, such as brokerage costs, taxable gains or other losses that it may not have incurred with an in-kind purchase
or redemption. These costs may be borne by the ETF and decrease the ETF’s NAV to the extent they are not offset by a transaction
fee payable by an authorized participant.
In
addition, index-based ETFs (and other index funds) will incur expenses not incurred by their applicable indices. Certain securities
comprising the indices tracked by these investments may, from time to time, temporarily be unavailable, which may further impede
the ability of the index-based ETFs and other index funds to track their applicable indices. Underlying Funds may not be able
to match or outperform their respective benchmarks. With sector ETFs, there is a risk that securities within the same group of
industries will decline in price due to sector-specific market or economic developments. The Fund may also invest in actively
managed ETFs that are subject to management risk as the ETF’s investment adviser will apply certain investment techniques
and risk analyses in making investment decisions. There can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results.
Certain
of the Underlying Funds in which the Fund will invest may be taxed as regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the
Code. To qualify and remain eligible for the special tax treatment accorded to regulated investment companies and their shareholders,
such Underlying Funds must meet certain source-of-income, asset diversification and annual distribution requirements. If an Underlying
Fund in which the Fund invests fails to qualify as a regulated investment company, such Underlying Fund would be liable for federal,
and possibly state, corporate taxes on its taxable income and gains. Such failure by an Underlying Fund could substantially reduce
the Underlying Fund’s net assets and the amount of income available for distribution to the Fund, which would in turn decrease
the total return of the Fund in respect of such investment.
The
Fund’s investments in Underlying Funds may be restricted by certain provisions of the 1940 Act. Under Section 12(d)(1)(A)
of the 1940 Act, the Fund may hold securities of an Underlying Fund in amounts which (i) do not exceed 3% of the total outstanding
voting stock of the Underlying Fund, (ii) do not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and (iii) when added
to all other Underlying Fund securities held by the Fund, do not exceed 10% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. Under
Section 12(d)(1)(C) of the 1940 Act, the Fund, together with any other investment companies for which the Adviser acts as an investment
adviser, may not, in the aggregate, own more than 10% of the total outstanding voting stock of a registered closed-end investment
company. Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act provides that the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) described above shall not apply
to securities purchased or otherwise acquired by the Fund if (i) immediately after such purchase or acquisition not more than
3% of the total outstanding stock of such Underlying Fund is owned by the Fund and all affiliated persons of the Fund, and (ii)
certain requirements are met with respect to sales charges. In addition, Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act (“Rule 12d1-4”),
effective as of January 19, 2022, permits the Fund to invest in Underlying Funds beyond the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) described
above, subject to various conditions, including that the Fund enter into an investment agreement with the Underlying Fund (which
agreements may impose additional conditions on the Fund). In matters upon which the Fund is solicited to vote as a shareholder
of an Underlying Fund, the Adviser may be required to vote Underlying Fund shares in the same proportion as shares held by other
shareholders of the Underlying Fund.
Warrant
Risks
The
Fund and the Underlying Funds may invest in warrants. Warrants are securities giving the holder the right, but not the obligation,
to buy the stock of an issuer at a given price (generally higher than the value of the stock at the time of issuance) during a
specified period or perpetually. Warrants do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights with respect to the securities
that they entitle their holder to purchase and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. The value of a warrant
does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities and a warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised
prior to its expiration date.
MANAGEMENT
OF THE FUND
Board
of Directors
The
Board has overall responsibility for management of the Fund. The Board decides upon matters of general policy and generally oversees
the actions of the Adviser and other service providers of the Fund. The name and business address of the Board and officers of
the Fund, and their principal occupations and other affiliations during the past five years, are set forth under “Board
Members and Officers” in the SAI.
Investment
Adviser
RiverNorth
Capital Management, LLC (“RiverNorth” or the “Adviser”), a registered investment adviser, is the Fund’s
investment adviser and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, managing the Fund’s business affairs and
providing certain administrative services. The Adviser is also responsible for determining the Fund’s overall investment
strategy and overseeing its implementation.
RiverNorth,
founded in 2000, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of RiverNorth Financial Holdings LLC and is located at 360 South Rosemary Avenue,
Suite 1420, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. As of August 31, 2024, RiverNorth managed approximately $5.02 billion for registered open-end
management investment companies, registered closed-end management investment companies and private investment vehicles. See “Management
of the Fund” in the SAI.
Portfolio
Management
Patrick
W. Galley, CFA, is the Fund’s co-portfolio manager. Mr. Galley is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer
for the Adviser. Mr. Galley heads the firm’s research and investment team and oversees all portfolio management activities
at the Adviser. Mr. Galley also serves as the President and Chairman of RiverNorth’s open-end funds and other closed-end
funds in the RiverNorth fund complex. Prior to joining the Adviser in 2004, he served as a Vice President at Bank of America in
the Global Investment Bank’s Portfolio Management group, where he specialized in analyzing and structuring corporate transactions
for investment management firms in addition to closed-end and open-end funds, hedge funds, funds of funds, structured investment
vehicles and insurance/reinsurance companies. Mr. Galley graduated with honors from Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S.
in Finance. He has received the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, is a member of the CFA Institute and is a member
of the CFA Society of Chicago.
Stephen
O’Neill, CFA, is the Fund’s other co-portfolio manager. Mr. O’Neill is a Portfolio Manager for the Adviser.
Mr. O’Neill conducts qualitative and quantitative analysis of closed-end funds and their respective asset classes. Prior
to joining the Adviser in 2007, he was most recently an Assistant Vice President at Bank of America in the Global Investment Bank’s
Portfolio Management group. At Bank of America, he specialized in the corporate real estate, asset management, and structured
finance industries. Mr. O’Neill graduated magna cum laude from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a B.S. in finance and
a minor in economics. Mr. O’Neill has received the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, is a member of the CFA
Institute and is a member of the CFA Society of Chicago.
The
Fund’s SAI provides information about the compensation received by Mr. Galley and Mr. O’Neill, other accounts that
they manage and their ownership of the Fund’s equity securities.
Investment
Advisory Agreement
Pursuant
to an Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is responsible for managing the Fund’s affairs, subject at all times to
the general oversight of the Fund’s Board of Directors. Effective October 1, 2022, the Fund has agreed to pay the Adviser
a management fee payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 1.30% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets for the
services it provides. This management fee paid by the Fund to the Adviser is essentially an all-in fee structure (the “unified
management fee”) and, as part of the unified management fee, the Adviser provides or causes to be furnished all supervisory
and administrative and other services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund, except (unless otherwise described in
this Prospectus or otherwise agreed to in writing), the Fund pays, in addition to the unified management fee, taxes and governmental
fees, if any, levied against the Fund; brokerage fees and commissions and other portfolio transaction expenses incurred by or
for the Fund; costs, including interest expenses, of borrowing money or engaging in other types of leverage financing including,
without limit, through the use by the Fund of tender option bond transactions; costs, including dividend and/or interest expenses
and other costs (including, without limit, offering and related legal costs, fees to brokers, fees to auction agents, fees to
transfer agents, fees to ratings agencies and fees to auditors associated with satisfying ratings agency requirements for preferred
shares or other securities issued by the Fund and other related requirements in the Fund’s organizational documents) associated
with the Fund’s issuance, offering, redemption and maintenance of preferred shares or other instruments (such as the use
of tender option bond transactions) for the purpose of incurring leverage; fees and expenses of any Underlying Funds in which
the Fund invests; dividend and interest expenses on short positions taken by the Fund; fees and expenses, including travel expenses
and fees and expenses of legal counsel retained for the benefit of the Fund, of directors of the Fund who are not officers, employees,
partners, shareholders or members of the Adviser or its affiliates; fees and expenses associated with and incident to shareholder
meetings and proxy solicitations involving contested elections of directors, shareholder proposals or other non-routine matters
that are not initiated or proposed by the Adviser; legal, marketing, printing, accounting and other expenses associated with any
future share offerings, such as rights offerings and shelf offerings, following the Fund’s initial offering; expenses associated
with tender offers and other share repurchases and redemptions; and other extraordinary expenses, including extraordinary legal
expenses, as may arise, including, without limit, expenses incurred in connection with litigation, proceedings, other claims and
the legal obligations of the Fund to indemnify its directors, officers, employees, shareholders, distributors and agents with
respect thereto.
Prior
to October 1, 2022, ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“ALPS Advisors”) served as the Fund’s investment adviser, and the Fund
paid ALPS Advisors a management fee payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily Managed
Assets for the service and facilities it provided. The management fee paid by the Fund to ALPS Advisors was essentially a variable
fee structure where the Fund paid an advisory fee under the prior investment advisory agreement with ALPS Advisors and also paid
“variable fees” to cover other Fund expenses (including administrative expenses). Prior to October 1, 2022, the Adviser
served as investment subadviser to the Fund.
Because
the fees received by the Adviser are based on the Managed Assets of the Fund, the Adviser has a financial incentive for the Fund
to use leverage, which may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser, on the one hand, and the holders of Common Shares,
on the other. Because leverage costs will be borne by the Fund at a specified interest rate, the Fund’s investment management
fees and other expenses, including expenses incurred as a result of any leverage, are paid only by the holders of Common Shares
and not by holders of Preferred Shares or through borrowings. See “Use of Leverage.”
A
discussion of the basis for the Board’s most recent approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement is provided in the Semi-Annual
Report for the period ended January 31, 2024. The basis for subsequent continuations of this agreement will be provided in the
annual or semi-annual reports to shareholders for the periods during which such continuations occur.
Administrative
Services
The
Fund’s administrator is ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“AFS”), an affiliate of the Fund’s transfer agent. AFS
is a service company and SEC-registered transfer agent. Under the Administration Agreement, AFS is responsible for calculating
NAVs, providing additional fund accounting and tax services, and providing fund administration and compliance-related services.
The address of AFS is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80203. For its services, the Fund pays AFS customary fees based on
the Fund’s Managed Assets plus out of pocket expenses and a fixed fee for completion of certain regulatory filings.
NET
ASSET VALUE
NAV
is determined daily as of the close of the regular trading session on the NYSE (usually 4:00 p.m., Eastern time). NAV is calculated
by dividing the value of all of the securities and other assets of the Fund, less the liabilities (including accrued expenses
and indebtedness) and the aggregate liquidation value of any outstanding Preferred Shares, by the total number of Common Shares
outstanding.
The
Fund’s assets, including its investments in Underlying Funds and SPACs, are generally valued at their market value using
market quotations. The Fund may use pricing services to provide market quotations. If market quotations are not available or,
in the Adviser’s opinion, market quotations do not reflect market value, or if an event occurs after the close of trading
on the domestic or foreign exchange or market on which the security is principally traded (but prior to the time the NAV is calculated)
that materially affects market value, the security will be valued at fair value by the Adviser, as valuation designee, according
to policies approved by the Board. For example, if trading in a portfolio security is halted and does not resume before the Fund
calculates its NAV, the security may need to be fair valued using the Fund’s fair value pricing policies. Fair valuation
involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security may differ materially from the
value that could be realized upon the sale of the security. The Fund will invest in Underlying Funds and SPACs. The Fund’s
NAV is calculated based, in part, upon the market prices of the Underlying Funds and SPACs in its portfolio, and the prospectuses
of those companies explain the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of doing so.
DIVIDENDS
AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The
Board approved an amended distribution policy, under which the Fund intends to make regular monthly distributions to stockholders
at a constant and fixed (but not guaranteed) rate that is reset annually to a rate equal to a percentage of the average of the
Fund’s NAV per share (the “Distribution Amount”), as reported for the final five trading days of the preceding
calendar year (the “Distribution Rate Calculation”). The Distribution Amount is set by the Board and may be adjusted
from time to time. The Fund’s intention is that monthly distributions paid to stockholders throughout a calendar year will
be at least equal to the Distribution Amount (plus any additional amounts that may be required to be included in a distribution
for federal or excise tax purposes) and that, on the close of the calendar year, the Distribution Amount applicable to the following
calendar year will be reset based upon the new results of the Distribution Rate Calculation. The Fund may at times, in its discretion,
pay out less than the entire amount of net investment income earned in any particular period and may at times pay out such accumulated
undistributed income in addition to net investment income earned in other periods in order to permit the Fund to maintain a more
stable level of distributions. As a result, the dividend paid by the Fund to Common Stockholders for any particular period may
be more or less than the amount of net investment income earned by the Fund during such period. The Fund’s ability to maintain
a stable level of distributions to stockholders will depend on a number of factors, including the stability of income received
from its investments and the costs of any leverage. As portfolio and market conditions change, the amount of dividends on the
Fund’s Common Shares could change. For federal income tax purposes, the Fund is required to distribute substantially all
of its net investment income each year to both reduce its federal income tax liability and to avoid a potential federal excise
tax. The Fund intends to distribute all realized net capital gains, if any, at least annually.
The
Adviser has received an order granting an exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder to permit the
Fund, subject to certain terms and conditions, to include realized long-term capital gains as a part of its regular distributions
to Common Stockholders more frequently than would otherwise be permitted by the 1940 Act (generally once per taxable year). The
Adviser is not currently relying on the exemptive order, but has in the past and may again in the future. To the extent that the
Adviser relies on the exemptive order, the Fund will be required to comply with the terms and conditions therein, which, among
other things, requires the Fund to make certain disclosures to shareholders and prospective shareholders regarding distributions,
and would require the Fund’s Board to make determinations regarding the appropriateness of use of the distribution policy.
The exemptive order terms and conditions also require that the Fund may not make any public offering of the Fund’s Common
Shares other than (a) a rights offering below NAV to Common Stockholders; (b) an offering in connection with a dividend reinvestment
plan, merger, consolidation, acquisition, spin-off or reorganization of the Fund; or (c) an offering other than an offering described
in conditions (a) and (b) above, provided that, with respect to such other offering: (i) the Fund’s annualized distribution
rate for the six months ending on the last day of the month ended immediately prior to the most recent distribution record date,
expressed as a percentage of NAV as of the date, is no more than one percentage point greater than the Fund’s average annual
total return for the five-year period ending on the date; and (ii) the transmittal letter accompanying any registration statement
filed with the SEC in connection with such offering discloses that the Fund has received an order under Section 19(b) to permit
it to make periodic distributions of long-term capital gains with respect to its Common Shares as frequently as twelve times each
year. Under such a distribution policy, it is possible that the Fund might distribute more than its income and net realized capital
gains; therefore, distributions to shareholders may result in a return of capital. The amount treated as a return of capital will
reduce a shareholder’s adjusted basis in the shareholder’s shares, thereby increasing the potential gain or reducing
the potential loss on the sale of shares. There is no assurance that the Fund will rely on the exemptive order in the future.
Under
the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to incur indebtedness unless immediately after such incurrence the Fund has an asset coverage
of at least 300% of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of indebtedness. Additionally, under the 1940 Act, the Fund may
not declare any dividend or other distribution upon any class of its capital shares, or purchase any such capital shares, unless
the aggregate indebtedness of the Fund has, at the time of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution or at the time
of any such purchase, an asset coverage of at least 300% after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution, or purchase
price, as the case may be.
While
any Preferred Shares is outstanding, the Fund may not declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Shares, unless
at the time of such declaration, (i) all accumulated preferred dividends have been paid and (ii) the NAV of the Fund’s portfolio
(determined after deducting the amount of such dividend or other distribution) is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the
outstanding Preferred Shares (expected to be equal to the original purchase price per share plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends
thereon).
In
addition to the limitations imposed by the 1940 Act described above, certain lenders may impose additional restrictions on the
payment of dividends or distributions on the Common Shares in the event of a default on the Fund’s borrowings. If the Fund’s
ability to make distributions on its Common Shares is limited, such limitations could, under certain circumstances, impair the
ability of the Fund to maintain its qualification for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company, which would
have adverse tax consequences for shareholders. See “Use of Leverage” and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
The
Fund may sell up to $600,000,000 in aggregate initial offering price of (i) Common Shares, (ii) Preferred Shares, and (iii) Rights
(1) directly
to one or more purchasers, including existing shareholders in a rights offering; (2) through agents; (3) through underwriters;
(4) through dealers; or (5) pursuant to the Plan. Each Prospectus Supplement relating to an offering of securities will state
the terms of the offering, including:
| ● | the
names of any agents, underwriters or dealers; |
| ● | any
sales loads or other items constituting underwriters’ compensation; |
| ● | any
discounts, commissions, or fees allowed or paid to dealers or agents; |
| ● | the
public offering or purchase price of the offered Securities and the net proceeds the
Fund will receive from the sale; and |
| ● | any
securities exchange on which the offered Securities may be listed. |
In
the case of a rights offering, the applicable Prospectus Supplement will set forth the number of Common Shares and/or Preferred
Shares issuable upon the exercise of each right and the other terms of such rights offering. The transferable subscription rights
offered by means of this Prospectus and applicable Prospectus Supplement, including any related over-subscription privilege and
any follow-on offering, if applicable, may be convertible or exchangeable into Common Shares at a ratio not to exceed one Common
Share received for every three rights converted, exercised or exchanged on an aggregate basis such that the exercise of all rights
in any transferable subscription rights offering will not cumulatively result in more than a 331/3 percentage increase
in the outstanding Common Shares of the Fund.
Direct
Sales
The
Fund may sell Securities directly to, and solicit offers from, institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters
as defined in the Securities Act for any resales of the securities. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved.
In addition to cash purchases, the Fund may allow Securities to be purchased by tendering payment in-kind in the form of shares
of stock, bonds or other securities, including shares of other investment companies. Any securities used to buy the Fund’s
Securities must be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and otherwise acceptable to the Adviser and the Board.
The Fund may use electronic media, including the Internet, to sell offered securities directly. The Fund will describe the terms
of any of those sales in a Prospectus Supplement.
By
Agents
The
Fund may offer Securities through agents that the Fund may designate. The Fund will name any agent involved in the offer and sale
and describe any commissions payable by the Fund in the Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement,
the agents will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of their appointment.
By
Underwriters
The
Fund may offer and sell Securities from time to time to one or more underwriters who would purchase the Securities as principal
for resale to the public, either on a firm commitment or best efforts basis. If the Fund sells Securities to underwriters, the
Fund will execute an underwriting agreement with them at the time of the sale and will name them in the Prospectus Supplement.
In connection with these sales, the underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from the Fund in the form of underwriting
discounts and commissions. The underwriters also may receive commissions from purchasers of Securities for whom they may act as
agent. Unless otherwise stated in the Prospectus Supplement, the underwriters will not be obligated to purchase the Securities
unless the conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement are satisfied, and if the underwriters purchase any of the Securities,
they will be required to purchase all of the offered Securities. The underwriters may sell the offered Securities to or through
dealers, and those dealers may receive discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters as well as from the purchasers
for whom they may act as agent. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers
may be changed from time to time.
In
connection with an offering of Common Shares, if a Prospectus Supplement so indicates, the Fund may grant the underwriters an
option to purchase additional Common Shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, within
45 days from the date of the Prospectus Supplement, to cover any overallotments.
By
Dealers
The
Fund may offer and sell Securities from time to time to one or more dealers who would purchase the securities as principal. The
dealers then may resell the offered Securities to the public at fixed or varying prices to be determined by those dealers at the
time of resale. The Fund will set forth the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction in the Prospectus Supplement.
General
Information
Agents,
underwriters, or dealers participating in an offering of Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commission
received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the offered Securities for whom they act as agent, may be deemed
to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
The
Fund may offer to sell securities either at a fixed price or at prices that may vary, at market prices prevailing at the time
of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. In addition to cash purchases, the Fund may allow
Securities to be purchased by tendering payment in-kind in the form of shares of stock, bonds or other securities. Any securities
used to buy the Fund’s Securities must be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and otherwise acceptable
to the Adviser and the Board.
To
facilitate an offering of Securities in an underwritten transaction and in accordance with industry practice, the underwriters
may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the market price of the Common Shares or any other Security.
Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance
with Regulation M under the Exchange Act.
| ● | Overallotment
involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. |
| ● | Stabilizing
transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing
bids do not exceed a specified maximum price. Stabilizing transactions may occur when
the demand for the shares of an offering is less than expected. |
| ● | Syndicate-covering
or other short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities, either through
exercise of the overallotment option or in the open market after the distribution is
completed, to cover short positions. |
| ● | Penalty
bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities
originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction
to cover short positions. |
Any
of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities above independent market levels. The underwriters
are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.
Any
underwriters that are qualified market makers on the NYSE may engage in passive market making transactions in the Fund’s
shares on the NYSE in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act, during the business day prior to the pricing of the
offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the Fund’s shares. Passive market makers must comply with applicable
volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display
its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the
passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits
are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise
prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
In
connection with any rights offering, the Fund may also enter into a standby underwriting arrangement with one or more underwriters
pursuant to which the underwriter(s) will purchase Common Shares and/or other Securities remaining unsubscribed for after the
rights offering.
Any
underwriters to whom the offered Securities are sold for offering and sale may make a market in the offered Securities, but the
underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making at any time without notice. There can be no
assurance that there will be a liquid trading market for the offered Securities.
Under
agreements entered into with the Fund, underwriters and agents may be entitled to indemnification by the Fund and the Adviser
against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution for payments the underwriters
or agents may be required to make.
The
underwriters, agents, and their affiliates may engage in financial or other business transactions with the Fund in the ordinary
course of business.
The
aggregate offering price specified on the cover of this Prospectus relates to the offering of the Securities not yet issued as
of the date of this Prospectus.
To
the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the underwriters may from time to
time act as a broker or dealer and receive fees in connection with the execution of portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund
after the underwriters have ceased to be underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, each may act as a broker while it
is an underwriter.
A
Prospectus and accompanying Prospectus Supplement in electronic form may be made available on the websites maintained by underwriters.
The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of Securities for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Such allocations
of Securities for internet distributions will be made on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, Securities may be sold
by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell Securities to online brokerage account holders.
DIVIDEND
REINVESTMENT PLAN
The
Fund has a dividend reinvestment plan commonly referred to as an “opt-out” plan. Unless the registered owner of the
Fund’s Common Shares elects to receive cash by contacting DST Systems, Inc. (the "Plan Administrator"), all dividends
and distributions declared on Common Shares will be automatically reinvested by the Plan Administrator for shareholders in the
Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), in additional Common Shares. Common Shareholders who
elect not to participate in the Plan will receive all dividends and other distributions in cash paid by check mailed directly
to the shareholder of record (or, if the Common Shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee) by the
Plan Administrator as dividend disbursing agent. Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed
at any time without penalty by notice if received and processed by the Plan Administrator prior to the dividend record date; otherwise
such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution. Such
notice will be effective with respect to a particular dividend or other distribution (together, a “Dividend”). Some
brokers may automatically elect to receive cash on behalf of Common Shareholders and may re-invest that cash in additional Common
Shares.
Whenever
the Fund declares a Dividend payable in cash, non-participants in the Plan will receive cash and participants in the Plan will
receive the equivalent in Common Shares. The Common Shares will be acquired by the Plan Administrator for the participants’
accounts, depending upon the circumstances described below, either (i) through receipt of additional unissued but authorized Common
Shares from the Fund (“Newly Issued Common Shares”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding Common Shares on the open market
(“Open-Market Purchases”) on the NYSE or elsewhere. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the closing market price
plus estimated brokerage commissions per Common Share is equal to or greater than the NAV Common Share, the Plan Administrator
will invest the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Common Shares on behalf of the participants. The number of Newly Issued Common
Shares to be credited to each participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the Dividend by
the Fund’s NAV per Common Share on the payment date. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the NAV per Common Share
is greater than the closing market value plus estimated brokerage commissions (i.e., the Fund’s Common Shares are trading
at a discount), the Plan Administrator will invest the Dividend amount in Common Shares acquired on behalf of the participants
in Open-Market Purchases.
In
the event of a market discount on the payment date for any Dividend, the Plan Administrator will have until the last business
day before the next date on which the Common Shares trade on an “ex-dividend” basis or 30 days after the payment date
for such Dividend, whichever is sooner (the “Last Purchase Date”), to invest the Dividend amount in Common Shares
acquired in Open-Market Purchases. It is contemplated that the Fund will pay monthly income Dividends. If, before the Plan Administrator
has completed its Open-Market Purchases, the market price per Common Share exceeds the NAV per Common Share, the average per Common
Share purchase price paid by the Plan Administrator may exceed the NAV of the Common Shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer
Common Shares than if the Dividend had been paid in Newly Issued Common Shares on the Dividend payment date. Because of the foregoing
difficulty with respect to Open-Market Purchases, the Plan provides that if the Plan Administrator is unable to invest the full
Dividend amount in Open-Market Purchases during the purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during
the purchase period, the Plan Administrator may cease making Open-Market Purchases and may invest the uninvested portion of the
Dividend amount in Newly Issued Common Shares at the NAV per Common Share at the close of business on the Last Purchase Date.
The
Plan Administrator maintains all shareholders’ accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmation of all transactions
in the accounts, including information needed by shareholders for tax records. Common Shares in the account of each Plan participant
will be held by the Plan Administrator on behalf of the Plan participant, and each shareholder proxy will include those shares
purchased or received pursuant to the Plan. The Plan Administrator will forward all proxy solicitation materials to participants
and vote proxies for shares held under the Plan in accordance with the instructions of the participants.
Beneficial
owners of Common Shares who hold their Common Shares in the name of a broker or nominee should contact the broker or nominee to
determine whether and how they may participate in the Plan. In the case of Common Shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees
which hold shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Administrator will administer the Plan on the basis of the
number of Common Shares certified from time to time by the record shareholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial
owners who participate in the Plan.
There
will be no brokerage charges with respect to Common Shares issued directly by the Fund. However, each participant will pay a pro
rata share of brokerage commissions incurred in connection with Open-Market Purchases. The automatic reinvestment of Dividends
will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such
Dividends. Participants that request a sale of Common Shares through the Plan Administrator are subject to brokerage commissions.
The
Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan. There is no direct service charge to participants with regard to purchases
in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants.
All
correspondence or questions concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Administrator at Mail Stop: RiverNorth Opp, 430
West 7th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105-1407.
DESCRIPTION
OF THE FUND’S SECURITIES
The
following summary of the terms of the common and preferred shares of the Fund does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety
by reference to the Maryland General Corporation Law, and to the Fund’s Charter and the Fund’s Bylaws, copies of which
are filed as exhibits to this Registration Statement.
The
Fund is authorized to issue 33,590,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share. The Board has also authorized the
issuance of up to 3,910,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock.
In
general, stockholders or subscribers for the Fund’s stock have no personal liability for the debts and obligations of the
Fund because of their status as stockholders or subscribers, except to the extent that the subscription price or other agreed
consideration for the stock has not been paid.
Under
the Fund’s Charter, the Board is authorized to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or
series of stock and authorize the issuance of shares of stock without obtaining stockholder approval. Also, the Fund’s Board,
with the approval of a majority of the entire Board, but without any action by the stockholders of the Fund, may amend the Fund’s
Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock of the Fund or the number of shares
of stock of any class or series that the Fund has authority to issue.
Common
Shares
The
Common Shares to be issued in an offering will be, upon payment as described in this Prospectus, fully paid and non-assessable.
The Common Shares have no preemptive, conversion, exchange, appraisal or redemption rights, and each share has equal voting, dividend,
distribution and liquidation rights.
Common
Stockholders are entitled to receive dividends if and when the Board declares dividends from funds legally available. Whenever
Preferred Shares or borrowings are outstanding, Common Stockholders will not be entitled to receive any distributions from the
Fund unless all accrued dividends on the Preferred Shares and interest and principal payments on borrowings have been paid, and
unless the applicable asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act would be satisfied after giving effect to the distribution
as described above.
In
the event of the Fund’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, Common Stockholders would be entitled to share ratably in
all of the Fund’s assets that are legally available for distribution after the Fund pays all debts and other liabilities
and subject to any preferential rights of holders of Preferred Shares, if any Preferred Shares are outstanding at such time.
Common
Stockholders are entitled to one vote per share. All voting rights for the election of Directors are noncumulative, which means
that, assuming there are no Preferred Shares outstanding, the holders of more than 50% of the Common Shares will elect 100% of
the Directors then nominated for election if they choose to do so and, in such event, the holders of the remaining Common Shares
will not be able to elect any Directors.
The
total amount of outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock will not increase by more than one-third as a result of
any rights offering.
The
Fund’s Charter authorizes the Board to classify and reclassify any unissued Common Shares into other classes or series of
stock. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, the Board is required by Maryland law and by the Fund’s Charter
to set the terms, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other
distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Thus, the Board could authorize
the issuance of stock of a class of series with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing
a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of the Fund’s Common Shares or otherwise
be in their best interest. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has no plans to classify or reclassify any unissued Common
Shares.
Under
the rules of the NYSE applicable to listed companies, the Fund is required to hold an annual meeting of stockholders in each year.
The
provisions of the 1940 Act generally require that the public offering price (less underwriting commissions and discounts) of common
shares sold by a closed-end investment company must equal or exceed the NAV of such company’s common shares (calculated
within 48 hours of the pricing of such offering), unless such sale is made in connection with an offering to existing holders
of shares of common stock or with the consent of a majority of its common stockholders. The Fund may, from time to time, seek
the consent of Common Stockholders to permit the issuance and sale by the Fund of Common Shares at a price below the Fund’s
then- current NAV, subject to certain conditions. If such consent is obtained, the Fund may, contemporaneous with and in no event
more than one year following the receipt of such consent, sell Common Shares at a price below NAV in accordance with any conditions
adopted in connection with the giving of such consent. Additional information regarding any consent of Common Stockholders obtained
by the Fund and the applicable conditions imposed on the issuance and sale by the Fund of Common Shares at a price below NAV will
be disclosed in the Prospectus Supplement relating to any such offering of Common Shares at a price below NAV. Until such consent
of Common Stockholders, if any, is obtained, the Fund may not sell Common Shares at a price below NAV. Because the Fund’s
advisory fee is based upon average Managed Assets, the Adviser’s interest in recommending the issuance and sale of Common
Shares at a price below NAV may conflict with the interests of the Fund and its Common Stockholders.
Subscription
Rights
The
Fund may issue subscription rights to (i) holders of Common Shares to purchase Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares or (ii) holders
of Preferred Shares to purchase Preferred Shares. Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered
security and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the subscription rights. In connection with
a subscription rights offering to holders of Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares, the Fund would distribute certificates evidencing
the subscription rights and a Prospectus Supplement, containing all of the material terms of the subscription rights agreement
relating to such subscription rights (the “Subscription Rights Agreement”), to our common or preferred shareholders
as of the record date that we set for determining the shareholders eligible to receive subscription rights in such subscription
rights offering. For complete terms of the subscription rights, please refer to the actual terms of such subscription rights which
will be set forth in the Subscription Rights Agreement.
The
applicable Prospectus Supplement would describe the following terms of subscription rights in respect of which this Prospectus
is being delivered:
| ● | the
period of time the offering would remain open (which will be open a minimum number of
days such that all record holders would be eligible to participate in the offering and
will not be open longer than 120 days); |
| ● | The
title of such subscription rights; |
| ● | the
exercise price for such subscription rights (or method of calculation thereof); |
| ● | the
number of such subscription rights issued in respect of each Common Share; |
| ● | The
number of subscription rights required to purchase a single Preferred Share; |
| ● | the
extent to which such subscription rights are transferable and the market on which they
may be traded if they are transferable; |
| ● | if
applicable, a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable
to the issuance or exercise of such subscription rights; |
| ● | the
date on which the right to exercise such subscription rights will commence, and the date
on which such right will expire (subject to any extension); |
| ● | the
extent to which such subscription rights include an over-subscription privilege with
respect to unsubscribed securities and the terms of such over-subscription privilege; |
| ● | any
termination right the Fund may have in connection with such subscription rights offering; |
| ● | the
expected trading market, if any, for rights; and |
| ● | any
other terms of such subscription rights, including exercise, settlement and other procedures
and limitations relating to the transfer and exercise of such subscription rights. |
Exercise
of Subscription Rights. Each subscription right would entitle the holder of the subscription right to purchase for cash
such number of shares at such exercise price as in each case is set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Subscription rights would be exercisable at any time up to the
close of business on the expiration date for such subscription rights set forth in the Prospectus Supplement. After the close
of business on the expiration date, all unexercised subscription rights would become void.
Upon
expiration of the rights offering and the receipt of payment and the subscription rights certificate properly completed and duly
executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription rights agent or any other office indicated in the Prospectus Supplement,
the Fund would issue, as soon as practicable, the Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares purchased as a result of such exercise.
To the extent permissible under applicable law, the Fund may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to
persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, as set
forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Subscription
Rights to Purchase Common and Preferred Shares
The
Fund may issue subscription rights, which would entitle holders to purchase both Common Shares and Preferred Shares in a ratio
to be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. In accordance with the 1940 Act, at least three subscription rights to
purchase Common Shares would be required to subscribe for one Common Share. It is expected that subscription rights to purchase
both Common Shares and Preferred Shares would require holders to purchase an equal number of Common Shares and Preferred Shares,
and would not permit holders to purchase an unequal number of Common Shares or Preferred Shares, or purchase only Common Shares
or only Preferred Shares. For example, such an offering might be structured such that three subscription rights would entitle
an investor to purchase one Common Share and one Preferred Share, and such investor would not be able to choose to purchase only
a Common Share or only a Preferred Share upon the exercise of his, her or its subscription rights.
The
Common Shares and Preferred Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of any such subscription rights, however, would at all times
be separately tradeable securities. Such Common Shares and Preferred Shares would not be issued as a “unit” or “combination”
and would not be listed or traded as a “unit” or “combination” on a securities exchange, such as the NYSE,
at any time. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth additional details regarding an offering of subscription rights
to purchase Common Shares and Preferred Shares.
Preferred
Stock
The
Fund’s Charter authorizes the Board to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series
of stock, including preferred stock, without the approval of the holders of the Common Shares. Prior to issuance of any shares
of preferred stock, the Board is required by Maryland law and by the Fund’s Charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion
and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or
conditions of redemption for such shares. Thus, the Board could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms
and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might
involve a premium price for holders of the Fund’s Common Shares or otherwise be in their best interest. The Prospectus Supplement
for any potential offering of preferred shares will describe the terms and conditions for those shares.
As
of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund had outstanding 3,910,000 shares of 6.00% Series A Preferred Stock. All Series A Preferred
Stock have a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends. Holders of Series A Preferred
Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by, or under authority granted by, the Board, out of funds legally available
therefore, cumulative cash dividends and distributions at the rate of 6.00% per annum of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference
on the Series A Preferred Stock. Dividends and distributions on Series A Preferred Stock are payable quarterly on February 15,
May 15, August 15 and November 15 or, in each case, if such date is not a business day, the next succeeding business day, without
any interest or other payment in respect of such delay, commencing on May 15, 2022.
Any
issuance of shares of preferred stock must comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. Specifically, the Fund is not permitted
under the 1940 Act to issue preferred stock unless immediately after such issuance the total asset value of the Fund’s portfolio
is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding preferred stock. Among other requirements, including other voting
rights, the 1940 Act requires that the holders of any preferred stock, voting separately as a single class, have the right to
elect at least two Directors at all times. In addition, subject to the prior rights, if any, of the holders of any other class
of senior securities outstanding, the holders of any preferred stock would have the right to elect a majority of the Fund’s
Directors at any time two years’ dividends on any preferred stock are unpaid.
Preferred
Shares of the Fund would be senior to the common shares with respect to the payment of dividends and the distributions of the
assets of the Fund upon liquidation. In addition, all Preferred Shares of the Fund would be pari passu with one another and junior
to the Fund’s senior securities representing indebtedness. See “Use of Leverage.”
The
applicable prospectus supplement will set forth whether or not the shares of the Fund’s preferred stock offered in this
Prospectus will be listed or traded on any securities exchange. If the shares of the Fund’s preferred stock are not listed
on a securities exchange, there may be no active secondary trading market for such shares and an investment in such shares may
be illiquid.
CERTAIN
PROVISIONS OF THE FUND’S CHARTER AND BYLAWS AND OF MARYLAND LAW
The
following summary of certain provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and of the Charter and Bylaws of the Fund does
not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Maryland General Corporation Law,
and to the Fund’s Charter and the Fund’s Bylaws, copies of which are exhibits to the Registration Statement.
General
The
Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) and the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws contain provisions that could
have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund, to cause it to engage in
certain transactions or to modify its structure.
These
provisions could have the effect of depriving stockholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing
market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund in a tender offer or similar transaction.
On the other hand, since these provisions may require persons seeking control of the Fund to negotiate with the Fund’s management
regarding the price to be paid for the shares required to obtain such control, they promote continuity and stability and they
enhance the Fund’s ability to pursue long-term strategies that are consistent with its investment objective.
The
Board has concluded that the potential benefits of these provisions outweigh their possible disadvantages.
Classified
Board of Directors
The
Fund’s Board is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. Directors of each class are
elected to serve for three-year terms and until their successors are duly elected and qualify and at each annual meeting one class
of directors are elected by the stockholders. A classified Board promotes continuity and stability of management but makes it
more difficult for stockholders to change a majority of the directors because it generally takes at least two annual elections
of directors for this to occur. The Fund believes that classification of the Board will help to assure the continuity and stability
of the Fund’s strategies and policies as determined by the Board.
Election
of Directors
The
MGCL provides that unless the charter or bylaws of a corporation provide otherwise, which the Fund’s Charter and the Fund’s
Bylaws do not, a plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is sufficient to elect a director.
Each Common Share may be voted for as many individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the Common
Share is entitled to be voted.
As
a result of this requirement, it is possible that no nominee would receive the required vote in an election of directors. In the
case of a failure to elect one or more directors because the nominees receive votes constituting less than the required vote,
the incumbent directors would hold over and continue to serve until the next election of directors and until their successors
are duly elected and qualify.
Number
of Directors; Vacancies
The
Fund’s Charter provides that the number of directors will be set only by the Board in accordance with the Bylaws. The Bylaws
provide that a majority of the Fund’s entire Board may at any time increase or decrease the number of directors, provided
that there may be no fewer than three directors and no more than 15 directors and that no change in the number of directors shall
have any effect on the tenure of office of any director.
The
Fund’s Charter provides that the Fund elects, at such time as the Fund becomes eligible to make such an election, to be
subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL regarding the filling of vacancies on the Board. Accordingly, at
such time, except as may be provided by the Board in setting the terms of any class or series of Preferred Shares, any and all
vacancies on the Board may be filled only by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the remaining directors in office, and any
director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred
and until a successor is elected and qualifies, subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act.
Removal
of Directors
The
Fund’s Charter provides that, subject to the rights of the holders of one or more class or series of the Fund’s Preferred
Shares to elect or remove directors, a director may be removed from office only for cause (as defined in the Charter) and then
only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election
of directors.
Absence
of Cumulative Voting
There
is no cumulative voting in the election of the Fund’s directors. Cumulative voting means that holders of stock of a corporation
are entitled, in the election of directors, to cast a number of votes equal to the number of shares that they own multiplied by
the number of directors to be elected. Because a stockholder entitled to cumulative voting may cast all of his or her votes for
one nominee or disperse his or her votes among nominees as he or she chooses, cumulative voting is generally considered to increase
the ability of minority shareholders to elect nominees to a corporation’s Board. In general, the absence of cumulative voting
means that the holders of a majority of the Fund’s shares can elect all of the directors then standing for election and
the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.
Approval
of Extraordinary Corporate Actions
The
Fund’s Charter requires the favorable vote of two-thirds of the entire Board and the favorable vote of the holders of at
least two-thirds of the common stock and shares of preferred stock (if any) entitled to be voted on the matter, voting together
as a single class, to advise, approve, adopt or authorize the following:
| ● | a
“Business Combination,” which includes the following: |
| ○ | a
merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange of the Fund with another corporation; |
| ○ | an
issuance or transfer by the Fund (in one or a series of transactions in any 12 month
period) of any securities of the Fund to any person or entity for cash, securities or
other property (or combination thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000
or more, excluding issuances or transfers of debt securities of the Fund, sales of securities
of the Fund in connection with a public offering, issuances of securities of the Fund
pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan adopted by the Fund, issuances of securities
of the Fund upon the exercise of any stock subscription rights distributed by the Fund
and portfolio transactions effected by the Fund in the ordinary course of business; or |
| ○ | a
sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition by the Fund (in
one or a series of transactions in any 12 month period) to or with any person or entity
of any assets of the Fund having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more
except for portfolio transactions (including pledges of portfolio securities in connection
with borrowings) effected by the Fund in the ordinary course of its business; |
| ● | the
conversion of the Fund from closed-end company to an open-end company, and any amendments
necessary to effect the conversion; |
| ● | the
voluntary liquidation or dissolution of the Fund or charter amendment to terminate the
Fund’s existence; |
| ● | unless
the 1940 Act or federal law requires a lesser vote, any stockholder proposal as to specific
investment decisions made or to be made with respect to the Fund’s assets as to
which stockholder approval is required under federal or Maryland law. |
However,
the stockholder vote described above will not be required with respect to the foregoing transactions (other than those as to which
stockholder approval is required under federal or Maryland law) if they are approved by a vote of two-thirds of the Continuing
Directors (as defined below). In that case, if Maryland law requires stockholder approval, the affirmative vote of a majority
of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by stockholders of the Fund will be required. In addition, if the Fund has any Preferred
Shares outstanding, the holders of a majority of the outstanding Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class, would be required
under the 1940 Act to adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the holders of the Preferred Shares, to convert
the Fund to an open-end investment company or to deviate from any of the Fund’s fundamental investment policies.
“Continuing
Director” means any member of the Board who is not an Interested Party (as defined below) or an affiliate of an Interested
Party and has been a member of the Board for a period of at least 12 months, or has been a member of the Board since December
2, 2013, or is a successor of a Continuing Director who is unaffiliated with an Interested Party and is recommended to succeed
a Continuing Director by a majority of the Continuing Directors then on the Board.
“Interested
Party” means any person, other than an investment company advised by the Adviser or any of its affiliates, which enters,
or proposes to enter, into a Business Combination with the Fund.
In
addition, the Fund’s Charter requires the favorable vote of two-thirds of the entire Board to advise, approve, adopt or
authorize any of the following:
| ● | the
election and removal of officers; |
| ● | the
nomination of candidates to the Board (including the election of directors to fill vacancies
on the Board resulting from the increase in size of the Board or the death, resignation
or removal of a director, in which case the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the remaining
directors in office shall be required); |
| ● | the
creation of and delegation of authority and appointment of members to committees of the
Board; |
| ● | amendments
to the Fund’s Bylaws (which may only be effected by the Board, not the stockholders); |
| ● | Charter
amendments and any other action requiring stockholder approval; and |
| ● | entering
into, terminating or amending an investment advisory agreement. |
The
Board has determined that the foregoing supermajority requirements applicable to certain votes of the directors and the stockholders,
which are greater than the minimum requirements permitted under Maryland law or the 1940 Act, are in the best interests of the
Fund. Reference should be made to the Charter on file with the SEC for the full text of these provisions.
Action
by Shareholders
Under
the MGCL, stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or, unless the charter provides
for stockholder action by less than unanimous written consent (which is not the case in the Fund’s Charter), by unanimous
written consent in lieu of a meeting. These provisions, combined with the requirements of the Fund’s Bylaws regarding the
calling of a stockholder-requested special meeting, as discussed below, may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder
proposal until the next annual meeting.
Procedures
for Stockholder Nominations and Proposals
The
Fund’s Bylaws provide that any stockholder desiring to make a nomination for the election of directors or a proposal for
new business at a meeting of stockholders must comply with the advance notice provisions of the Bylaws. Nominations and proposals
that fail to follow the prescribed procedures will not be considered. The Board believes that it is in the Fund’s best interests
to provide sufficient time to enable management to disclose to stockholders information about a slate of nominations for directors
or proposals for new business. This advance notice requirement also may give management time to solicit its own proxies in an
attempt to defeat any slate of nominations should management determine that doing so is in the best interest of stockholders generally.
Similarly, adequate advance notice of stockholder proposals will give management time to study such proposals and to determine
whether to recommend to the stockholders that such proposals be adopted. For stockholder proposals to be included in the Fund’s
proxy materials, the stockholder must comply with all timing and information requirements of the Exchange Act.
Calling
of Special Meetings of Shareholders
The
Fund’s Bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called by the Board and certain of its officers. Additionally,
the Fund’s Bylaws provide that, subject to the satisfaction of certain procedural and informational requirements by the
stockholders requesting the meeting, a special meeting of stockholders will be called by the Fund’s Secretary upon the written
request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting.
No
Appraisal Rights
As
permitted by the MGCL, the Fund’s Charter provides that stockholders will not be entitled to exercise appraisal rights,
unless the Fund’s Board determines that such rights apply.
Limitations
on Liabilities
The
Fund’s Charter provides that the personal liability of the Fund’s directors and officers for monetary damages is eliminated
to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law. Maryland law currently provides that directors and officers of corporations that
have adopted such a provision will generally not be so liable, except to the extent that (i) it is proved that the person actually
received an improper benefit or profit in money, property, or services for the amount of the benefit or profit in money, property,
or services actually received; and (ii) a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the person is entered in a proceeding
based on a finding in the proceeding that the person’s action, or failure to act, was the result of active and deliberate
dishonesty and was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding.
The
Fund’s Charter authorizes the Fund, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law to obligate the Fund to indemnify and
advance expenses to the Fund’s directors and officers. The Fund’s Bylaws provide that the Fund will indemnify its
officers and directors against liabilities to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law and the 1940 Act, including the advancement
of costs and expenses under the procedures and the fullest extent permitted by law. The rights of indemnification provided in
the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws are not exclusive of any other rights which may be available under any insurance or other
agreement, by resolution of shareholders or directors or otherwise.
Authorized
Shares
The
Fund’s Charter authorizes the issuance of 37,500,000 Common
Shares, 3,910,000 of which have been re-classified as Series A Preferred Stock, and authorizes a majority of the Fund’s
Board, without shareholder approval, to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of
stock of any class or series that the Fund has the authority to issue, to authorize the issuance of shares of the Fund’s
common and preferred stock, and to classify and reclassify any unissued shares into one or more classes or series of stock and
set the terms thereof. The authority of a majority of the Fund’s Board to increase the Fund’s authorized capital stock
or any class or series thereof without shareholder approval, may be used by the Fund’s Board consistent with its duties
to deter attempts to gain control of the Fund. Further, the Board could authorize the issuance of Preferred Shares with terms
and conditions that could have the effect of discouraging a takeover or other transaction that some of the Fund’s shareholders
might believe to be in their best interests.
Anti-Takeover
Provisions of Maryland Law
Maryland
Business Combination Act
The
provisions of the Maryland Business Combination Act (the “MBCA”) do not apply to a closed-end investment company,
such as the Fund, unless it has affirmatively elected to be subject to the MBCA by a resolution of its board of directors. To
date, the Fund has not made such an election but may make such an election under Maryland law at any time. Any such election,
however, could be subject to certain of the 1940 Act limitations discussed below under “Maryland Control Share Acquisition
Act” and would not apply to any person who had become an interested stockholder (as defined below) before the time that
the resolution was adopted.
Under
the MBCA, “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 MBCA, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:
| ● | any
person who beneficially owns ten percent or more of the voting power of the corporation’s
shares; or |
| ● | an
affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period
prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of ten percent or more of the
voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation. |
A
person is not an interested stockholder under the MBCA if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which
he 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.
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 corporation’s common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined
in the MBCA, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested
stockholder for its shares.
The
MBCA permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors
before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder.
Maryland
Control Share Acquisition Act
The
Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act (the “MCSAA”) provides that control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired
in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled
to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquirer, by officers of the acquirer or by an employee of the acquirer who is also
a director of the acquirer are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock
which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquirer or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise
or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise
voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:
| ● | one-tenth
or more but less than one-third, |
| ● | one-third
or more but less than a majority, or |
| ● | a
majority or more of all voting power. |
Control
shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained 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 itself 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 MCSAA, then the corporation may redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights
have previously been approved. The right of the corporation to redeem control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations.
Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control
share acquisition by the acquirer or of any meeting of 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
Staff of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management (“Staff”) has previously taken the position that, if a
closed-end fund opted into a state control share statute (“control shares statutes”), such as the MCSAA, its actions
would be inconsistent with the requirements in Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act, which generally requires that shares of the fund
have equal voting rights. However, in May 2020, the Staff withdrew its previous position and has stated that it would not recommend
enforcement action to the SEC against a closed-end fund for opting into a control share statute if the decision to do so by the
fund’s board was taken with reasonable care on a basis consistent with other applicable duties and laws and the duty to
the fund and its stockholders generally. The Staff’s current position reflects only the views of the Staff and is not made
part of any SEC rule, regulation or court interpretation or ruling. The Board of Directors reserves the right to consider and
determine, in the future, whether the Fund will opt in and be subject to the MCSAA.
Maryland
Unsolicited Takeovers Act
Subtitle
8 of Title 3 of the Maryland General Corporation Law permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered
under the Exchange Act and at least three independent directors to elect to be subject, by provision in its charter or bylaws
or a resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any or all of
five provisions:
| ● | a
two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director; |
| ● | a
requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of directors; |
| ● | a
requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the remaining directors and
for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred;
and |
| ● | a
majority requirement for the calling of a special meeting of stockholders. |
The
charter of a corporation may contain a provision or the board of directors may adopt a provision that prohibits the corporation
from electing to be subject to any or all of the provisions of Subtitle 8.
The
Subtitle 8 elections are not currently relevant to the Fund, because provisions in the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws unrelated
to Subtitle 8 (except with respect to Board vacancies) already make the Fund subject to each of the five provisions set forth
above.
REPURCHASE
OF SHARES
Shares
of closed-end funds (like the Fund) often trade at a discount to NAV, although it is possible that they may trade at a premium
above NAV. The market price of the Common Shares will be determined by such factors as relative demand for and supply of shares
in the market, the Fund’s NAV, general market and economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Fund.
Although
Common Stockholders will not have the right to redeem their shares, the Fund may (but is not obligated to) take action to repurchase
shares in the open market or make tender offers for its shares at NAV. During the pendency of any tender offer, the Fund will
publish how Common Stockholders may readily ascertain the NAV. For more information see “Repurchase of Shares” in
the SAI. Repurchase of the Common Shares may have the effect of reducing any market discount to NAV.
There
is no assurance that, if action is undertaken to repurchase or tender for shares, such action will result in the shares trading
at a price which approximates their NAV. Although share repurchases and tenders could have a favorable effect on the market price
of the shares, you should be aware that the acquisition of shares by the Fund will decrease the total assets of the Fund and,
therefore, have the effect of increasing the Fund’s expense ratio and may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to pursue
its investment objective. To the extent the Fund may need to liquidate investments to fund repurchases of shares, this may result
in portfolio turnover which will result in additional expenses being borne by the Fund and its shareholders. The Board currently
considers the following factors to be relevant to a potential decision to repurchase shares: the extent and duration of the discount,
the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio, and the impact of any action on the Fund and market considerations. Any share repurchases
or tender offers will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
1940 Act.
CONVERSION
TO OPEN-END FUND
The
Fund may be converted to an open-end investment company at any time if approved by the Board and the stockholders. See “Certain
Provisions of the Fund’s Charter and Bylaws and of Maryland Law” for a discussion of the voting requirements applicable
to conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company and any related Charter amendments. If the Fund converted to an open-end
investment company, it would be required to redeem all Preferred Shares of the Fund then outstanding (requiring in turn that it
liquidate a portion of its investment portfolio). Conversion to open-end status could also require the Fund to modify certain
investment restrictions and policies. Shareholders of an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem their shares
at any time (except in certain circumstances as authorized by or permitted under the 1940 Act) at their NAV, less such redemption
charge, if any, as might be in effect at the time of redemption. In order to avoid maintaining large cash positions or liquidating
favorable investments to meet redemptions, open-end investment companies typically engage in a continuous offering of their shares.
Open-end investment companies are thus subject to periodic asset in-flows and out-flows that can complicate portfolio management.
The Board may at any time (but is not required to) propose conversion of the Fund to open-end status, depending upon its judgment
regarding the advisability of such action in light of circumstances then prevailing.
U.S.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
The
following is a summary discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a shareholder that acquires,
holds and/or disposes of Common Shares of the Fund. This discussion only addresses U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S.
shareholders who hold their shares as capital assets and does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that
may be relevant to particular shareholders in light of their individual circumstances. This discussion also does not address the
tax consequences to shareholders who are subject to special rules, including, without limitation, banks and other financial institutions,
insurance companies, dealers in securities or foreign currencies, traders in securities that have elected to mark-to-market their
securities holdings, foreign holders, persons who hold their shares as or in a hedge against currency risk, or as part of a constructive
sale, straddle or conversion transaction, or tax-exempt or tax-deferred plans, accounts, or entities. In addition, the discussion
does not address any state, local, or foreign tax consequences. The discussion reflects applicable income tax laws of the United
States as of the date hereof, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue
Service (“IRS”) retroactively or prospectively, which could affect the continued validity of this summary. No attempt
is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal income tax concerns affecting the Fund and its shareholders, and
the discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors before
making an investment in the Fund to determine the specific tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund, including the applicable
federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences as well as the effect of possible changes in tax laws.
The
Fund intends to elect to be treated, and to qualify each year, as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter
M of the Code, so that it will generally not pay U.S. federal income tax on income and capital gains timely distributed (or treated
as being distributed, as described below) to shareholders.
If,
for any taxable year, the Fund did not qualify as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would
be treated as a U.S. corporation subject to U.S. federal income tax, and possibly state and local income tax, and distributions
to its shareholders would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In such event, the Fund’s distributions,
to the extent derived from the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, would generally constitute ordinary dividends,
which would generally be eligible for the dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders, and non-corporate
shareholders would generally be able to treat such distributions as “qualified dividend income” eligible for reduced
rates of U.S. federal income taxation, provided in each case that certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.
A
Common Stockholder will have all dividends and distributions automatically reinvested in Common Shares of the Fund (unless the
stockholder “opts out” of the Plan). For shareholders subject to U.S. federal income tax, all dividends will generally
be taxable regardless of whether the shareholder takes them in cash or they are reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. Distributions
of the Fund’s investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) will generally
be taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. However, a portion
of such distributions derived from certain corporate dividends, if any, may qualify for either the dividends received deduction
available to corporate shareholders under Section 243 of the Code or the reduced rates of U.S. federal income taxation for “qualified
dividend income” available to non-corporate shareholders under Section 1(h)(11) of the Code, provided in each case certain
holding period and other requirements are met. Distributions of net capital gain, if any, that are properly reported by the Fund
are generally taxable as long-term capital gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes without regard to the length of time a shareholder
has held shares of the Fund. If the Fund received dividends from an Underlying Fund that qualifies as a regulated investment company,
and the Underlying Fund reports such dividends as qualified dividend income or as eligible for the dividends received deduction,
then the Fund is permitted in turn to report a portion of its distributions as qualified dividend income and/or as eligible for
the dividends received deduction, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the
Underlying Fund.
A
distribution of an amount in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, if any, will be treated
by a shareholder as a tax-free return of capital, which is applied against and reduces the shareholder’s basis in his, her
or its shares. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits may be more likely as
a result of the Fund’s distribution policy - see “Dividends and Distributions” above. To the extent that the
amount of any such distribution exceeds the shareholder’s basis in his, her, or its shares, the excess will be treated by
the shareholder as gain from the sale or exchange of such shares. The U.S. federal income tax status of all dividends and distributions
will be designated by the Fund and reported to shareholders annually. The Fund can provide no assurance regarding the portion
of its dividends that will qualify for the dividends received deduction or for qualified dividend income treatment.
The
Fund intends to distribute all realized net capital gains, if any, at least annually. If, however, the Fund were to retain any
net capital gain, the Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to shareholders who, if
subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income as long-term capital
gain, their proportionate share of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate share of
the federal income tax paid by the Fund on the undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any,
and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If such an event occurs, the tax basis of shares owned
by a shareholder of the Fund will, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, generally be increased by the difference between the
amount of undistributed net capital gain included in the shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder.
Any
dividend declared by the Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid during the following
January will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as paid by the Fund and received by shareholders on December 31 of
the calendar year in which it is declared.
If
a shareholder’s distributions are automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares, for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
the shareholder will be treated as having received a taxable distribution in the amount of the cash dividend that the shareholder
would have received if the shareholder had elected to receive cash, unless the distribution is in newly issued shares of the Fund
that are trading at or above NAV, in which case the shareholder will be treated as receiving a taxable distribution equal to the
fair market value of the stock the shareholder receives.
Certain
of the investment practices of the Fund or an Underlying Fund are subject to special and complex federal income tax provisions
that may, among other things, (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (ii) convert
tax-advantaged, long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income into higher taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income,
(iii) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause the
Fund or an Underlying Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the timing
as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (vi) produce income that will not be qualifying income
for purposes of the 90% income test and (vii) adversely alter the intended characterization of certain complex financial transactions.
These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. The Fund will monitor its
investments and transactions and may make certain federal income tax elections where applicable in order to mitigate the effect
of these provisions, if possible.
Investments
in distressed debt obligations that are at risk of or in default may present special federal income tax issues for the Fund or
an Underlying Fund. The federal income tax consequences to a holder of such securities are not entirely certain. If the characterization
of such investments by the Fund or an Underlying Fund were successfully challenged by the IRS or the IRS issues guidance regarding
investments in such securities, it may affect whether the Fund has made sufficient distributions or otherwise satisfied the requirements
to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid federal income and excise taxes.
Sales,
exchanges and other dispositions of the Fund’s shares generally are taxable events for shareholders that are subject to
U.S. federal income tax. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors with reference to their individual circumstances to
determine whether any particular transaction in the Fund’s shares is properly treated as a sale or exchange for federal
income tax purposes, as the following discussion assumes, and the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in such transactions.
Gain or loss will generally be equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of other property
received and the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares sold or exchanged. Such gain or loss will generally be characterized
as capital gain or loss and will be long-term if the shareholder’s holding period for the shares is more than one year and
short-term if it is one year or less. However, any loss realized by a shareholder upon the sale or other disposition of shares
with a tax holding period of six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated
as distributions of long-term capital gain with respect to such shares. For the purposes of calculating the six-month period,
the holding period is suspended for any periods during which the shareholder’s risk of loss is diminished as a result of
holding one or more other positions in substantially similar or related property or through certain options, short sales or contractual
obligations to sell. The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited. In addition, losses on sales or other dispositions of
shares may be disallowed under the “wash sale” rules in the event that substantially identical stock or securities
are acquired (including those made pursuant to reinvestment of dividends) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before
and ending 30 days after a sale or other disposition of shares. In such a case, the disallowed portion of any loss generally would
be included in the U.S. federal income tax basis of the shares acquired.
An
additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions
received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates
and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual)
or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.
The
Fund is required in certain circumstances to backup withhold at a current rate of 24% on reportable payments including dividends,
capital gain distributions, and proceeds of sales or other dispositions of the Fund’s shares paid to certain holders of
the Fund’s shares who do not furnish the Fund with their correct social security number or other taxpayer identification
number and certain certifications, or who are otherwise subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional
tax. Any amounts withheld from payments made to a shareholder may be refunded or credited against such shareholder’s U.S.
federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
This
Prospectus does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a non-U.S. shareholder of an investment in Common Shares.
Non-U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of ownership of shares of the Fund, including
the possibility that distributions may be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax (or a reduced rate of withholding provided by
an applicable treaty if the investor provides proper certification of its non-U.S. status).
The
foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the provisions of the Code and the Treasury regulations thereunder currently
in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its shareholders. These provisions are subject to change by legislative
or administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive. A more complete discussion of the federal income tax rules applicable
to the Fund can be found in the SAI, which is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. Shareholders are urged to consult
their tax advisors regarding specific questions as to U.S. federal, foreign, state, and local income or other taxes before making
an investment in the Fund.
CUSTODIAN
AND TRANSFER AGENT
State
Street Bank and Trust Company, located at State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, serves as the Fund’s
custodian and maintains custody of the securities and cash of the Fund. For its services, the custodian receives a monthly fee
based upon, among other things, the average value of the total assets of the Fund, plus certain charges for securities transactions.
DST
Systems, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser and the Fund’s administrator, located at 333 West 11th Street, 5th floor, Kansas
City, Missouri 64105, serves as the Fund’s transfer agent and registrar.
LEGAL
MATTERS
Certain
legal matters in connection with the Securities will be passed upon for the Fund by Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. Faegre
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP may rely as to certain matters of Maryland law on the opinion of Shapiro Sher Guinot & Sandler,
P.A.
CONTROL
PERSONS
Based
on a review of Schedule 13D and Schedule 13G filings as of the date of this Prospectus, there are no persons who control the Fund.
For purposes of the foregoing statement, “control” means (1) the beneficial ownership, either directly or through
one or more controlled companies, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a company; (2) the acknowledgment or assertion
by either the controlled or controlling party of the existence of control; or (3) an adjudication under Section 2(a)(9) of the
1940 Act, which has become final, that control exists.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
The
Fund is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the 1940 Act and in accordance therewith
files reports and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a web site at sec.gov containing reports, proxy and information
statements and other information regarding registrants, including the Fund, that file electronically with the SEC.
This
Prospectus constitutes part of a Registration Statement filed by the Fund with the SEC under the Securities Act and the 1940 Act.
This Prospectus omits certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement, and reference is hereby made to the
Registration Statement and related exhibits for further information with respect to the Fund and the Securities offered hereby.
Any statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance,
reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the SEC.
Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from the
SEC upon payment of the fee prescribed by its rules and regulations or free of charge through the SEC’s website (sec.gov).
THE
FUND’S PRIVACY POLICY
The
Fund is committed to ensuring your financial privacy. This notice is being sent to comply with privacy regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission. The Fund has in effect the following policy with respect to nonpublic personal information about its
customers:
| ● | Only
such information received from you, through application forms or otherwise, and information
about your Fund transactions will be collected. |
| ● | None
of such information about you (or former customers) will be disclosed to anyone, except
as permitted by law (which includes disclosure to employees necessary to service your
account). |
| ● | Policies
and procedures (including physical, electronic and procedural safeguards) are in place
that are designed to protect the confidentiality of such information. |
| ● | The
Fund does not currently obtain consumer information. If the Fund were to obtain consumer
information at any time in the future, it would employ appropriate procedural safeguards
that comply with federal standards to protect against unauthorized access to and properly
dispose of consumer information. |
For
more information about the Fund’s privacy policies call 1-844-569-4750 (toll-free).
RiverNorth
Opportunities Fund, Inc.
PROSPECTUS
[ ]
Until
[ ], 2024 (25 days after the date of this Prospectus), all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not
participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation
to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters.
The
information in this Statement of Additional Information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until
the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Statement of Additional Information
is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state or other jurisdiction
where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT
TO COMPLETION, DATED November 12, 2024
RIVERNORTH
OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC. (THE “FUND”)
STATEMENT
OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DATED
[ ], 2024
The
Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund’s investment objective is total return consisting
of capital appreciation and current income. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by pursuing a tactical asset allocation
strategy and opportunistically investing under normal circumstances in closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”),
business development companies (“BDCs” and collectively, “Underlying Funds”) and special purpose acquisition
companies (“SPACs”). There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
This
Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) relates to the Fund’s (i) shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value
per share (the “Common Shares” and holders of such Common Shares the “Common Shareholders”), (ii) shares
of preferred stock (the “Preferred Shares”) and (iii) subscription rights to purchase Common Shares, Preferred Shares
or both (“Rights” and together with the Common Shares and Preferred Shares, "Securities"). This SAI is not a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction
with the Prospectus for the Fund dated [ ]. Investors should obtain and read the Prospectus prior to purchasing Securities. A
copy of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by calling the Fund at 1-844-569-4750.
The
Prospectus and this SAI omit certain of the information contained in the registration statement filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Fund’s filings with the SEC also are available to the public on the SEC’s
Internet web site at sec.gov. Copies of these filings, as well as the registration statement, may be obtained, after paying a
duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
Capitalized
terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Prospectus.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS FOR THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
INVESTMENT
RESTRICTIONS |
1 |
INVESTMENT
POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES |
2 |
MANAGEMENT
OF THE FUND |
30 |
Adviser |
30 |
Investment
Advisory Agreement |
31 |
Compensation
of Portfolio Managers |
32 |
Conflicts
of Interest |
33 |
Other
Accounts Managed |
33 |
Administrator |
34 |
Codes
of Ethics |
34 |
FUND
SERVICE PROVIDERS |
35 |
Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm |
35 |
Legal
Counsel |
35 |
Custodian
and Transfer Agent |
35 |
PORTFOLIO
TRANSACTIONS |
35 |
DIVIDENDS |
36 |
REPURCHASE
OF SHARES |
37 |
U.S.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS |
38 |
Fund
Taxation |
39 |
Shareholder
Taxation |
42 |
Other
Taxes |
46 |
BOARD
MEMBERS AND OFFICERS |
46 |
Director
Ownership in the Fund |
54 |
Securities
Beneficially Owned |
55 |
PROXY
VOTING GUIDELINES |
56 |
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION |
56 |
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS |
56 |
APPENDIX
A: PROXY VOTING POLICY OF THE ADVISER |
1 |
INVESTMENT
RESTRICTIONS
Except
as otherwise indicated, the Fund’s investment policies are not fundamental and may be changed without a vote of shareholders.
There can be no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be met.
Any
investment restrictions herein that involve a maximum percentage of securities or assets shall not be considered to be violated
unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after and is caused by an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or
assets of, or borrowings by, the Fund.
As
a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund will not:
| (1) | borrow
money, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory
authority having jurisdiction, from time to time; |
| (2) | issue
senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act and as interpreted or modified
by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time; |
| (3) | concentrate
its investments in a particular industry or group of industries (as the term “concentrate”
is used in the 1940 Act, as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction,
from time to time), except to the extent that Underlying Funds and SPACs in which the
Fund invests concentrate their investments in a particular industry or group of industries; |
| (4) | engage
in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that
the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the disposition of portfolio
securities; |
| (5) | purchase
or sell real estate, which term does not include securities of companies which deal in
real estate or mortgages or investments secured by real estate or interests therein,
except that the Fund reserves freedom of action to hold and to sell real estate acquired
as a result of the Fund’s ownership of securities; |
| (6) | purchase
or sell commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other
instruments; provided that this restriction shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing
or selling options, future contracts and related options thereon, forward contracts,
swaps, caps, floors collars and any other financial instruments or from investing in
securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities or as otherwise permitted
by the 1940 Act and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction,
from time to time, or an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions
of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time; |
| (7) | With
respect to 75% of the Fund’s total assets, purchase the securities of any issuer
(except obligations of the United States Government and its instrumentalities and securities
of other investment companies) if, as a result, (a) more than 5% of the Fund’s
total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer, or (b) the Fund would
hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer; or |
| (8) | make
loans except as permitted under the 1940 Act and as interpreted or modified by regulatory
authority having jurisdiction, from time to time. |
A
fundamental policy may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund which,
under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder and as used in this SAI, means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the voting securities
present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented
by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
Fundamental
Investment Restriction (1)
The
1940 Act permits the Fund to borrow money in an amount up to one-third of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less
its liabilities (not including any borrowings but including the fair market value at the time of computation of any other senior
securities then outstanding). The Fund may also borrow an additional 5% of its total assets without regard to the foregoing limitation
for temporary purposes such as clearance of portfolio transactions. Practices and investments that may involve leverage but are
not considered to be borrowings are not subject to the policy. For more information on leverage and the risks relating thereto,
see “Risks-Structural Risks-Leverage Risks” in the Prospectus.
Fundamental
Investment Restriction (2)
The
ability of a closed-end fund to issue senior securities is severely circumscribed by complex regulatory constraints under the
1940 Act that restrict, for instance, the amount, timing, and form of senior securities that may be issued. The Fund may incur
borrowings and/or issue series of notes or other senior securities in an amount up to 33-1/3% of its total assets (including the
amount borrowed) less all liabilities other than borrowings. The Fund may enter into derivatives or other transactions (e.g.,
total return swaps) that may provide leverage (other than through borrowings or the issuance of Preferred Shares). The Fund may
also invest in reverse repurchase agreements, total return swaps and derivatives or other transactions with leverage embedded
in them in a limited manner or subject to a limit on leverage risk calculated based on value-at-risk, as required by Rule 18f-4
under the 1940 Act. These transactions will not cause the Fund to pay higher advisory or administration fee rates than it would
pay in the absence of such transactions.
Fundamental
Investment Restriction (6)
The
ability of the Fund to invest directly in commodities, and in certain commodity-related securities and other instruments, is subject
to significant limitations in order to enable the Fund to maintain its status as a regulated investment company under the Code.
Fundamental
Investment Restriction (8)
The
1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from making loans; however, SEC staff interpretations currently prohibit funds from lending
more than one third of their total assets, except through the purchase of debt obligations or the use of repurchase agreements.
A repurchase agreement is an agreement to purchase a security, coupled with an agreement to sell that security back to the original
seller on an agreed-upon date at a price that reflects current interest rates. The SEC frequently treats repurchase agreements
as loans.
INVESTMENT
POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES
Descriptions
in this SAI of a particular investment practice or technique in which the Fund may engage are meant to describe the spectrum of
investments that RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (“RiverNorth” or the “Adviser”), in its discretion
may, but is not required to, use in managing the Fund’s assets. These same investment practices or techniques may be used
by the Underlying Funds and SPACs in which the Fund invests. Furthermore, it is possible that certain types of financial instruments
or investment techniques described herein may not be available, permissible, economically feasible or effective for their intended
purposes in all markets. Certain practices, techniques or instruments may not be principal activities of the Fund, but, to the
extent employed, could from time to time have a material impact on the Fund’s performance.
Baby
Bonds. The Fund may invest in baby bonds. Baby bonds are generally exchange-listed, long-term, fixed-income debt securities
issued to raise money and have principal, or face value, amounts under $1,000. As with other types of bonds, baby bonds typically
mature 10 years after they are issued and some are issued for as long as 30 years. When a baby bond reaches maturity, the issuing
organization is required to repay the principal to the bondholder. Baby bonds are somewhat unique and may be more expensive to
trade. The primary risk associated with investments in baby bonds is that the issuer or insurer of a baby bond may default on
principal and/or interest payments when due on the baby bond. Such a default would have the effect of lessening the income generated
by the Fund and/or the value of the baby bonds. Baby bonds are also subject to typical credit ratings risks associated with other
fixed-income instruments.
Borrowing.
The Fund may borrow funds and/or issue preferred stock, notes or debt securities in an aggregate amount of up to 15% of the
Fund’s Managed Assets immediately after such borrowings or issuance for investment purposes. These practices are known as
leveraging. Currently, under the 1940 Act, the Fund may borrow up to one-third of its total assets (including the amount borrowed)
provided that it maintains continuous asset coverage of 300% with respect to such borrowings and sells (within three days) sufficient
portfolio holdings to restore such coverage if it should decline to less than 300% due to market fluctuations or otherwise, even
if disadvantageous from an investment standpoint. The Fund may borrow through other means to the extent permitted by the 1940
Act, including through a line of credit with a bank or other financial institution. In addition to borrowing for leverage purposes,
the Fund also may borrow money for temporary or emergency purposes. This allows the Fund greater flexibility to buy and sell portfolio
securities for investment or tax considerations, rather than for cash flow considerations.
The
use of borrowing by the Fund involves special risk considerations that may not be associated with other funds having similar policies.
Because substantially all of the Fund’s assets fluctuate in value, whereas the interest obligation resulting from a borrowing
may be fixed by the terms of the Fund’s agreement with its lender, the NAV per share of the Fund will tend to increase more
when its portfolio securities increase in value and decrease more when its portfolio securities decrease in value than would otherwise
be the case if the Fund did not borrow funds. In addition, interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates
of interest and may partially offset or exceed the return earned on borrowed funds. Under adverse market conditions, the Fund
might have to sell portfolio securities to meet interest or principal payments at a time when fundamental investment considerations
would not favor such sales. The interest that the Fund must pay on borrowed money, together with any additional fees to establish
and maintain a borrowing facility, are additional costs that will reduce or eliminate any net investment income and may also offset
any potential capital gains. Unless appreciation and income, if any, on assets acquired with borrowed funds exceed the costs of
borrowing, the use of leverage will diminish the investment performance of the Fund compared with what it would have been without
leverage.
Cash
Management. The Fund may have cash balances that have not been invested in portfolio securities (“Uninvested Cash”).
Uninvested Cash may result from a variety of sources, including dividends or interest received from portfolio securities, unsettled
securities transactions, reserves held for investment strategy purposes, assets to cover the Fund’s open derivatives positions,
scheduled maturity of investments, liquidation of investment securities to meet anticipated redemptions and dividend payments,
and new cash received from investors. Uninvested Cash may be invested directly in money market instruments or other short-term
debt obligations.
Certificates
of Deposit, Bankers’ Acceptances and Time Deposits. Certificates of deposit are receipts issued by a depository institution
in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the receipt
on the date specified on the certificate. The certificate usually can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Bankers’
acceptances typically arise from short-term credit arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial
transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount
of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then “accepted” by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally
guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank
as an earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity. Although
maturities for acceptances can be as long as 270 days, most acceptances have maturities of six months or less.
The
Fund may also invest in certificates of deposit issued by banks and savings and loan institutions which had, at the time of their
most recent annual financial statements, total assets of less than $1 billion, provided that (i) the principal amounts of such
certificates of deposit are insured by an agency of the U.S. Government, (ii) at no time will the Fund hold more than $100,000
principal amount of certificates of deposit of any one such bank, and (iii) at the time of acquisition, no more than 10% of the
Fund’s assets (taken at current value) are invested in certificates of deposit of such banks having total assets not in
excess of $1 billion.
Banker’s
acceptances are credit instruments evidencing the obligations of a bank to pay a draft drawn on it by a customer. These instruments
reflect the obligation both of the bank and of the drawer to pay the face amount of the instrument upon maturity.
Time
deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a banking institution for a specified period of time at a stated interest rate.
Time deposits which may be held by the Fund will not benefit from insurance from the Bank Insurance Fund or the Savings Association
Insurance Fund administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Fixed time deposits may be withdrawn on demand by the
investor, but may be subject to early withdrawal penalties that vary with market conditions and the remaining maturity of the
obligation.
Closed-End
Funds. Shares of closed-end funds are typically offered to the public in a one-time initial public offering by a group of
underwriters who retain a spread or underwriting commission of between 3% and 6% of the initial public offering price. Such securities
are then listed for trading on an exchange and, in some cases, may be traded in other over-the-counter markets. Because the shares
of closed-end funds cannot be redeemed upon demand to the issuer like the shares of an open-end fund, investors seek to buy and
sell shares of closed-end funds in the secondary market.
The
Fund generally will purchase shares of closed-end funds only in the secondary market. The Fund will incur normal brokerage costs
on such purchases similar to the expenses the Fund would incur for the purchase of securities of any other type of issuer in the
secondary market. The Fund may, however, also purchase securities of a closed-end fund in an initial public offering when, in
the opinion of the Adviser, based on a consideration of the nature of the closed-end fund’s proposed investments, the prevailing
market conditions and the level of demand for such securities, they represent an attractive opportunity for growth of capital.
The initial offering price typically will include a dealer spread, which may be higher than the applicable brokerage cost if the
Fund purchased such securities in the secondary market.
The
shares of many closed-end funds, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share that is less than
the NAV per share, the difference representing the “market discount” of such shares. This market discount may be due
in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many closed-end funds, as well as to the fact
that the shares of closed-end funds are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined NAV, but
rather, are subject to supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of closed-end
fund shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their NAV.
The
Fund may invest in shares of closed-end funds that are trading at a discount to NAV or at a premium to NAV. There can be no assurance
that the market discount on shares of any closed-end fund purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that
this market discount may increase and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the
market price of the securities of such closed-end funds, thereby adversely affecting the NAV of the Fund’s shares. Similarly,
there can be no assurance that any shares of a closed-end fund purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a
premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.
Closed-end
funds may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the closed-end
fund’s common shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such closed-end fund’s common stockholders. The
Fund’s investment in the common shares of closed-end funds that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for
greater total return on its investment, but at the same time may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price and NAV
than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure.
Commercial
Paper. Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations
in order to finance current operations.
Common
Stocks (Underlying Funds Only). Common stock is issued by companies to raise cash for business purposes and represents a proportionate
interest in the issuing companies. Therefore, the Underlying Fund participates in the success or failure of any company in which
it holds stock. The market values of common stock can fluctuate significantly, reflecting the business performance of the issuing
company, investor perception and general economic or financial market movements. Smaller companies are especially sensitive to
these factors and may even become valueless.
Convertible
Securities (Underlying Funds Only). Convertible securities include fixed income securities that may be exchanged or converted
into a predetermined number of shares of the issuer’s underlying common stock at the option of the holder during a specified
period. Convertible securities may take the form of convertible preferred stock, convertible bonds or debentures, units consisting
of “usable” bonds and warrants or a combination of the features of several of these securities. Convertible securities
are senior to common stocks in an issuer’s capital structure, but are usually subordinated to similar non-convertible securities.
While providing a fixed-income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from common stock but lower than that
afforded by a similar nonconvertible security), a convertible security also gives an investor the opportunity, through its conversion
feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the issuing company depending upon a market price advance in the convertible
security’s underlying common stock.
Corporate
Debt Securities. Corporate debt securities are long- and short-term debt obligations issued by companies (such as publicly
issued and privately placed bonds, notes and commercial paper). The Adviser considers corporate debt securities to be of investment
grade quality if they are rated BBB or higher by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or Baa or higher by Moody’s
Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), or if unrated, determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. Investment
grade debt securities generally have adequate to strong protection of principal and interest payments. In the lower end of this
category, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest
and repay principal than in higher rated categories. The Fund or an Underlying Fund may invest in both secured and unsecured corporate
bonds. A secured bond is backed by collateral and an unsecured bond is not. Therefore an unsecured bond may have a lower recovery
value than a secured bond in the event of a default by its issuer. The Adviser may incorrectly analyze the risks inherent in corporate
bonds, such as the issuer’s ability to meet interest and principal payments, resulting in a loss to the Fund.
Cybersecurity.
In connection with the increased use of technologies such as the Internet and the dependence on computer systems to perform
necessary business functions, the Fund and the Underlying Funds are susceptible to operational, information security, and related
risks due to the possibility of cyber-attacks or other incidents. Cyber incidents may result from deliberate attacks or unintentional
events. Cyber-attacks include, but are not limited to, infection by computer viruses or other malicious software code, gaining
unauthorized access to systems, networks, or devices that are used to service the Fund’s operations through hacking or other
means for the purpose of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption.
Cyber-attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service
attacks (which can make a website unavailable) on the Fund’s website. In addition, authorized persons could inadvertently
or intentionally release confidential or proprietary information stored on the Fund’s systems.
Cybersecurity
failures or breaches by the Fund’s third party service providers (including, but not limited to, the Adviser, the custodian,
transfer agent, and financial intermediaries), may cause disruptions and impact the service providers’ and the Fund’s
business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business to process
transactions, inability to calculate the Fund’s NAV, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines,
penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance costs. The Fund and its
shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result of successful cyber-attacks against, or security breakdowns of, the Fund
or its third party service providers.
The
Fund may incur substantial costs to prevent or address cyber incidents in the future. In addition, there is a possibility that
certain risks have not been adequately identified or prepared for. Furthermore, the Fund cannot directly control any cybersecurity
plans and systems put in place by third party service providers. Cybersecurity risks are also present for issuers of securities
in which the Fund invests, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause the Fund’s
investment in such securities to lose value.
Depositary
Receipts (Underlying Funds Only). Sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) are receipts
issued by an American bank or trust company evidencing ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign issuer. ADRs, in
sponsored form, are designed for use in U.S. securities markets. A sponsoring company provides financial information to the bank
and may subsidize administration of the ADR. Unsponsored ADRs may be created by a broker-dealer or depository bank without the
participation of the foreign issuer. Holders of these ADRs generally bear all the costs of the ADR facility, whereas foreign issuers
typically bear certain costs in a sponsored ADR. The bank or trust company depositary of an unsponsored ADR may be under no obligation
to distribute shareholder communications received from the foreign issuer or to pass through voting rights. Unsponsored ADRs may
carry more risk than sponsored ADRs because of the absence of financial information provided by the underlying company. Many of
the risks described below regarding foreign securities apply to investments in ADRs.
Defaulted
and Distressed Securities (Underlying Funds Only). Defaulted and distressed securities may include companies in bankruptcy,
liquidation or those which may be in default on obligations. Some of the risks involved with defaulted and distressed securities
include legal difficulties and negotiations with creditors and other claimants that are common when dealing with defaulted and
distressed companies. In the event of a default, an Underlying Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. The repayment
of defaulted bonds is subject to significant uncertainties, and in some cases, there may be no recovery of repayment. Defaulted
bonds might be repaid only after lengthy workout or bankruptcy proceedings, during which the issuer might not make any interest
or other payments. Because of the relative illiquidity of distressed debt and equity securities, short sales are difficult, and
most funds primarily maintain long positions. Some relative value trades are possible, where an investor sells short one class
of a distressed company’s capital structure and purchases another. Among the many risks associated with distressed investing
are the time lag between when an investment is made and when the value of the investment is realized and the legal and other monitoring
costs that are involved in protecting the value of an Underlying Fund’s claims.
Emerging
Markets Securities (Underlying Funds Only). Investing in emerging market securities imposes risks different from, or greater
than, risks of investing in foreign developed countries. These risks include (i) the smaller market capitalization of securities
markets, which may suffer periods of relative illiquidity, (ii) significant price volatility, (iii) restrictions on foreign investment,
and (iv) possible repatriation of investment income and capital. In addition, foreign investors may be required to register the
proceeds of sales, and future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory
taxation, seizure, nationalization, or the creation of government monopolies. The currencies of emerging market countries may
experience significant declines against the U.S. dollar, and devaluation may occur subsequent to investments in these currencies
by an Underlying Fund. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects
on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries.
Certain
emerging markets limit, or require governmental approval prior to, investments by foreign persons. Repatriation of investment
income and capital from certain emerging markets is subject to certain governmental consents. Even where there is no outright
restriction on repatriation of capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect the operation of an Underlying Fund.
Investments
in emerging markets may be considered speculative. In addition, currency hedging techniques may be unavailable in certain emerging
market countries. Further, any change in the leadership or politics of emerging market countries, or the countries that exercise
a significant influence over those countries, may halt the expansion of or reverse the liberalization of foreign investment policies
now occurring and adversely affect existing investment opportunities. The small size, limited trading volume and relative inexperience
of the securities markets in these countries may make investments in securities traded in emerging markets illiquid and more volatile
than investments in securities traded in more developed countries. In addition, an Underlying Fund may be required to establish
special custodial or other arrangements before making investments in securities traded in emerging markets. The risk also exists
that an emergency situation may arise in one or more emerging markets as a result of which trading of securities may cease or
may be substantially curtailed and prices for an Underlying Fund’s securities in such markets may not be readily available.
Additional
risks of emerging markets securities may include (i) greater social, economic and political uncertainty and instability (including
amplified risk of war and terrorism), (ii) more substantial governmental involvement in the economy, (iii) less governmental supervision
and regulation, (iv) the unavailability of currency hedging technique, (v) companies that are newly organized and small, (vi)
differences in auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in unavailability of material information about issuers,
and (vii) less developed legal systems. In addition, emerging securities markets may have different clearance and settlement procedures,
which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions.
Settlement problems may cause an Underlying Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities, hold a portion of its assets in
cash pending investment, or be delayed in disposing of a portfolio security. Such a delay could result in possible liability to
a purchaser of the security.
Equity
Securities. Equity securities consist of common stock, convertible preferred stock, rights and warrants. Common stocks, the
most familiar type, represent an equity (ownership) interest in a corporation. Warrants are options to purchase equity securities
at a specified price for a specific time period. Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have a short duration and are distributed
by the issuer to its shareholders. Although equity securities have a history of long term growth in value, their prices fluctuate
based on changes in a company’s financial condition and on overall market and economic conditions.
Investments
in equity securities are subject to inherent market risks and fluctuations in value due to earnings, economic conditions and other
factors beyond the control of the Adviser. As a result, the return and NAV of the Fund will fluctuate. Securities in the Fund’s
portfolio may not increase as much as the market as a whole and some undervalued securities may continue to be undervalued for
long periods of time. Although profits in some Underlying Fund holdings may be realized quickly, it is not expected that most
investments will appreciate rapidly.
Eurodollar
Instruments (Underlying Funds Only). Eurodollar instruments are U.S. dollar-denominated futures contracts or options thereon
that are linked to the LIBOR or another reference rate, although foreign currency-denominated instruments are available from time
to time. Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate for the lending of funds and sellers to obtain
a fixed rate for borrowings. An Underlying Fund might use Eurodollar futures contracts and options thereon to hedge against changes
in LIBOR to another reference rate, to which many interest rate swaps and fixed income instruments are linked.
Exchange-Traded
Funds. Exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) are funds whose shares are traded on securities exchanges, which seek to
approximate the investment performance of their respective benchmarks by investing in a variety of U.S. and foreign equity, debt,
commodities, money market securities, futures and other instruments. The shares of an ETF may be assembled in a block (typically
50,000 shares) known as a creation unit and redeemed in-kind for a portfolio of the underlying securities (based on the ETF’s
NAV) together with a cash payment generally equal to accumulated dividends as of the date of redemption. Conversely, a creation
unit may be purchased from the ETF by depositing a specified portfolio of the ETF’s underlying securities, as well as a
cash payment generally equal to accumulated dividends of the securities (net of expenses) up to the time of deposit. The Fund
expects that it will purchase shares of ETFs on an exchange at market price rather than from the ETFs in creation units.
When
the Fund invests in sector ETFs, there is a risk that securities within the same group of industries will decline in price due
to sector-specific market or economic developments. If the Fund invests more heavily in a particular sector, the value of its
shares may be especially sensitive to factors and economic risks that specifically affect that sector. As a result, the Fund’s
share price may fluctuate more widely than the value of shares of a mutual fund that invests in a broader range of industries.
Additionally, some sectors could be subject to greater government regulation than other sectors. Therefore, changes in regulatory
policies for those sectors may have a material effect on the value of securities issued by companies in those sectors. The sectors
in which the Fund may be more heavily invested will vary.
Exchange-Traded
Notes. Exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”) are a type of unsecured, unsubordinated debt security. ETNs combine certain
aspects of bonds and ETFs.
Similar
to ETFs, ETNs are traded on a major exchange (e.g., NYSE) during normal trading hours although trading volume can be limited.
However, investors can also hold the ETN until maturity. At maturity, the issuer pays to the investor a cash amount equal to the
principal amount, subject to the day’s index factor. ETN returns are based upon the performance of a market index minus
applicable fees. ETNs do not make periodic coupon payments and provide no principal protection. The value of an ETN may be influenced
by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying markets, changes in
the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer’s credit rating and economic, legal, political or geographic events
that affect the referenced index. The value of the ETN may drop due to a downgrade in the issuer’s credit rating, despite
the underlying index remaining unchanged.
Foreign
Currencies (Underlying Funds Only). Because investments in foreign securities usually will involve currencies of foreign countries,
and because an Underlying Fund may hold foreign currencies and forward contracts, futures contracts and options on foreign currencies
and foreign currency futures contracts, the value of the assets of the Underlying Fund as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected
favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency exchange rates and exchange control regulations, and the Underlying Fund
may incur costs and experience conversion difficulties and uncertainties in connection with conversions between various currencies.
Fluctuations in exchange rates may also affect the earning power and asset value of the foreign entity issuing the security.
The
strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar against these currencies is responsible for part of an Underlying Fund’s investment
performance. If the dollar falls in value relative to the Japanese yen, for example, the dollar value of a Japanese stock held
in the portfolio will rise even though the price of the stock remains unchanged. Conversely, if the dollar rises in value relative
to the yen, the dollar value of the Japanese stock will fall. Many foreign currencies have experienced significant devaluation
relative to the dollar.
Although
an Underlying Fund may value its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it may not convert its holdings of foreign currencies
into U.S. dollars on a daily basis. Investors should be aware of the costs of currency conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers
do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (the “spread”) between the prices
at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to an Underlying
Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer. An Underlying
Fund may conduct its foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in
the foreign currency exchange market, or through entering into options or forward or futures contracts to purchase or sell foreign
currencies.
Foreign
Investments (Underlying Funds Only). When foreign securities are denominated and traded in foreign currencies, the value of
an Underlying Fund’s foreign investments and the value of its shares may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes
in currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar. There may be less information publicly available about a foreign issuer
than about a U.S. issuer, and foreign issuers may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and
practices comparable to those in the U.S. The securities of some foreign issuers are less liquid and at times more volatile than
securities of comparable U.S. issuers. Foreign brokerage commissions and other fees are also generally higher than in the U.S.
Foreign settlement procedures and trade regulations may involve certain risks (such as delay in payment or delivery of securities
or in the recovery of the Fund’s assets held abroad) and expenses not present in the settlement of investments in U.S. markets.
Payment for securities without delivery may be required in certain foreign markets.
In
addition, foreign securities may be subject to the risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets, imposition of currency
exchange controls or restrictions on the repatriation of foreign currency, confiscatory taxation, political or financial instability
and diplomatic developments which could affect the value of an Underlying Fund’s investments in certain foreign countries.
Governments of many countries have exercised and continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector
through the ownership or control of many companies, including some of the largest in these countries. As a result, government
actions in the future could have a significant effect on economic conditions which may adversely affect prices of certain portfolio
securities. There is also generally less government supervision and regulation of stock exchanges, brokers, and listed companies
than in the U.S. Dividends or interest on, or proceeds from the sale of, foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding
taxes, and special U.S. tax considerations may apply. Moreover, foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the
U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency
and balance of payments position.
Legal
remedies available to investors in certain foreign countries may be more limited than those available with respect to investments
in the U.S. or in other foreign countries. The laws of some foreign countries may limit an Underlying Fund’s ability to
invest in securities of certain issuers organized under the laws of those foreign countries.
Many
foreign countries are heavily dependent upon exports, particularly to developed countries, and, accordingly, have been and may
continue to be adversely affected by trade barriers, managed adjustments in relative currency values, and other protectionist
measures imposed or negotiated by the U.S. and other countries with which they trade. These economies also have been and may continue
to be negatively impacted by economic conditions in the U.S. and other trading partners, which can lower the demand for goods
produced in those countries.
Certain
of the foregoing risks may also apply to some extent to securities of U.S. issuers that are denominated in foreign currencies
or that are traded in foreign markets, or securities of U.S. issuers having significant foreign operations.
High
Yield Securities (Underlying Funds Only). High yield, high risk bonds are securities that are generally rated below investment
grade by the primary rating agencies (BB+ or lower by S&P and Ba1 or lower by Moody’s). Other terms used to describe
such securities include “lower rated bonds,” “non-investment grade bonds,” “below investment grade
bonds,” and “junk bonds.” These securities are considered to be high-risk investments. The risks include the
following:
Greater
Risk of Loss. These securities are regarded as predominately speculative. There is a greater risk that issuers of lower
rated securities will default than issuers of higher rated securities. Issuers of lower rated securities generally are less creditworthy
and may be highly indebted, financially distressed, or bankrupt. These issuers are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic
changes, political changes or adverse industry developments. In addition, high yield securities (also known as “junk bonds”)
are frequently subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. If an issuer fails to pay principal or interest, an Underlying
Fund would experience a decrease in income and a decline in the market value of its investments. An Underlying Fund also may incur
additional expenses in seeking recovery from the issuer.
Sensitivity
to Interest Rate and Economic Changes. The income and market value of lower-rated securities may fluctuate more than higher
rated securities. Although non-investment grade securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than investment
grade securities, non-investment grade securities are more sensitive to short-term corporate, economic and market developments.
During periods of economic uncertainty and change, the market price of the investments in lower-rated securities may be volatile.
The default rate for high yield bonds tends to be cyclical, with defaults rising in periods of economic downturn.
Valuation
Difficulties. It is often more difficult to value lower rated securities than higher rated securities. If an issuer’s
financial condition deteriorates, accurate financial and business information may be limited or unavailable. In addition, the
lower rated investments may be thinly traded and there may be no established secondary market. Because of the lack of market pricing
and current information for investments in lower rated securities, valuation of such investments is much more dependent on judgment
than is the case with higher rated securities.
Liquidity.
There may be no established secondary or public market for investments in lower rated securities. Such securities are frequently
traded in markets that may be relatively less liquid than the market for higher rated securities. In addition, relatively few
institutional purchasers may hold a major portion of an issue of lower-rated securities at times. As a result, lower rated securities
may be required to be sold at substantial losses or retained indefinitely even where an issuer’s financial condition is
deteriorating.
Credit
Quality. Credit quality of non-investment grade securities can change suddenly and unexpectedly, and even recently-issued
credit ratings may not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particular high-yield security.
New
Legislation. Future legislation may have a possible negative impact on the market for high yield, high risk bonds, also
known as “junk bonds.” As an example, in the late 1980’s, legislation required federally-insured savings and
loan associations to divest their investments in high yield, high risk bonds. New legislation, if enacted, could have a material
negative effect on an Underlying Fund’s investments in lower rated securities.
High
yield, high risk investments may include the following:
Straight
fixed-income debt securities. These include bonds and other debt obligations that bear a fixed or variable rate of interest
payable at regular intervals and have a fixed or resettable maturity date. The particular terms of such securities vary and may
include features such as call provisions and sinking funds.
Zero-coupon
debt securities. These bear no interest obligation but are issued at a discount from their value at maturity. When held
to maturity, their entire return equals the difference between their issue price and their maturity value.
Zero-fixed-coupon
debt securities. These are zero-coupon debt securities that convert on a specified date to interest-bearing debt securities.
Pay-in-kind
bonds. These are bonds which allow the issuer, at its option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either in
cash or in additional bonds.
Convertible
Securities. These are bonds or preferred stock that may be converted to common stock.
Preferred
Stock. These are stocks that generally pay a dividend at a specified rate and have preference over common stock in the
payment of dividends and in liquidation.
Loan
Participations and Assignments. These are participations in, or assignments of all or a portion of loans to corporations
or to governments, including governments of less developed countries.
Securities
issued in connection with Reorganization and Corporate Restructurings. In connection with reorganizing or restructuring
of an issuer, an issuer may issue common stock or other securities to holders of its debt securities. The Fund may hold such common
stock and other securities even if they do not invest in such securities.
Illiquid
Securities and Restricted Securities. Certain securities may be subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale (“restricted
securities”). Generally speaking, restricted securities may be sold: (i) only to qualified institutional buyers; (ii) in
a privately negotiated transaction to a limited number of purchasers; (iii) in limited quantities after they have been held for
a specified period of time and other conditions are met pursuant to an exemption from registration; or (iv) in a public offering
for which a registration statement is in effect under the Securities Act. Issuers of restricted securities may not be subject
to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements that would be applicable if their securities were publicly traded.
Restricted
securities are often illiquid, but they may also be liquid. For example, restricted securities that are eligible for resale under
Rule 144A are often deemed to be liquid. The Fund may also purchase securities that are not subject to legal or contractual restrictions
on resale, but that are deemed illiquid. Such securities may be illiquid, for example, because there is a limited trading market
for them.
The
Fund may be unable to sell a restricted or illiquid security. In addition, it may be more difficult to determine a market value
for restricted or illiquid securities. Moreover, if adverse market conditions were to develop during the period between the Fund’s
decision to sell a restricted or illiquid security and the point at which the Fund is permitted or able to sell such security,
the Fund might obtain a price less favorable than the price that prevailed when it decided to sell.
Indexed
Securities. The Fund may invest in indexed securities, the value of which is linked to currencies, interest rates, commodities,
indices or other financial indicators (“reference instruments”). Most indexed securities have maturities of three
years or less.
Indexed
securities differ from other types of debt securities in which the Fund may invest in several respects. First, the interest rate
or, unlike other debt securities, the principal amount payable at maturity of an indexed security may vary based on changes in
one or more specified reference instruments, such as an interest rate compared with a fixed interest rate or the currency exchange
rates between two currencies (neither of which need be the currency in which the instrument is denominated). The reference instrument
need not be related to the terms of the indexed security. For example, the principal amount of a U.S. dollar denominated indexed
security may vary based on the exchange rate of two foreign currencies. An indexed security may be positively or negatively indexed;
that is, its value may increase or decrease if the value of the reference instrument increases. Further, the change in the principal
amount payable or the interest rate of an indexed security may be a multiple of the percentage change (positive or negative) in
the value of the underlying reference instrument(s).
Investment
in indexed securities involves certain risks. In addition to the credit risk of the security’s issuer and the normal risks
of price changes in response to changes in interest rates, the principal amount of indexed securities may decrease as a result
of changes in the value of reference instruments. Further, in the case of certain indexed securities in which the interest rate
is linked to a reference instrument, the interest rate may be reduced to zero, and any further declines in the value of the security
may then reduce the principal amount payable on maturity. Finally, indexed securities may be more volatile than the reference
instruments underlying the indexed securities.
Initial
Public Offerings. Shares purchased in initial public offerings (“IPOs”) frequently are volatile in price, the
Fund may hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of the Fund’s portfolio and may
lead to increased expenses to the Fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. By selling shares, the Fund may realize taxable
capital gains that it will subsequently distribute to shareholders. Investing in IPOs has added risks because their shares are
frequently volatile in price. As a result, their performance can be more volatile and they face greater risk of business failure,
which could increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio.
Investment
Grade Debt Securities (Underlying Funds Only). “Investment-grade” bonds are those rated Aaa, Aa, A or Baa by Moody’s
or AAA, AA, A or BBB by S&P or similar ratings of another NRSRO or, if unrated, judged to be of equivalent quality as determined
by the Adviser. Moody’s considers bonds it rates Baa to have speculative elements as well as investment-grade characteristics.
To the extent that an Underlying Fund invests in higher-grade securities, the Underlying Fund will not be able to avail itself
of opportunities for higher income which may be available at lower grades.
LIBOR
Risk. Certain of the Fund’s or Underlying Funds’ investments, payment obligations and financing terms may be based
on floating rates, such as LIBOR, Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates. In July of 2017, the
head of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR at
the end of 2021. Most LIBOR settings are no longer published as of December 31, 2021. Overnight and 12-month U.S. dollar LIBOR
settings permanently ceased after publication on June 30, 2021. 1-, 3- and 6-month U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will continue to
be published using a synthetic methodology until at least September 2024. Neither the effect of the LIBOR transition process nor
its ultimate success can yet be known. Although the transition away from LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined, any potential
effects of the transition away from LIBOR and other benchmark rates on financial markets, a fund or the financial instruments
in which a fund invests can be difficult to ascertain. Not all existing LIBOR-based instruments may have alternative rate-setting
provisions and there remains uncertainty regarding the willingness and ability of issuers to add alternative rate-setting provisions
in certain existing instruments. Global regulators have advised market participants to cease entering into new contracts using
LIBOR as a reference rate, and it is possible that investments in LIBOR-based instruments could invite regulatory scrutiny. In
addition, a liquid market for newly-issued instruments that use a reference rate other than LIBOR still may be developing. All
of the aforementioned may adversely affect the Fund’s or an Underlying Fund’s performance or NAV.
SOFR
Risk. SOFR is intended to be a broad measure of the cost of borrowing funds overnight in transactions that are collateralized
by U.S. Treasury securities. SOFR is calculated based on transaction-level repo data collected from various sources. For each
trading day, SOFR is calculated as a volume-weighted median rate derived from such data. SOFR is calculated and published by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“FRBNY”). If data from a given source required by the FRBNY to calculate SOFR is
unavailable for any day, then the most recently available data for that segment will be used, with certain adjustments. If errors
are discovered in the transaction data or the calculations underlying SOFR after its initial publication on a given day, SOFR
may be republished at a later time that day. Rate revisions will be effected only on the day of initial publication and will be
republished only if the change in the rate exceeds one basis point.
Because
SOFR is a financing rate based on overnight secured funding transactions, it differs fundamentally from LIBOR. LIBOR is intended
to be an unsecured rate that represents interbank funding costs for different short-term maturities or tenors. It is a forward-looking
rate reflecting expectations regarding interest rates for the applicable tenor. Thus, LIBOR is intended to be sensitive, in certain
respects, to bank credit risk and to term interest rate risk. In contrast, SOFR is a secured overnight rate reflecting the credit
of U.S. Treasury securities as collateral. Thus, it is largely insensitive to credit-risk considerations and to short-term interest
rate risks. SOFR is a transaction-based rate, and it has been more volatile than other benchmark or market rates, such as three-month
LIBOR, during certain periods. For these reasons, among others, there is no assurance that SOFR, or rates derived from SOFR, will
perform in the same or a similar way as LIBOR would have performed at any time, and there is no assurance that SOFR-based rates
will be a suitable substitute for LIBOR, resulting in a potential period of time where a benchmark may be unavailable. The use
of SOFR may also result in a mismatch, during a transition period or otherwise, between a rate used for leverage facilities and
another used for one or more of the Fund’s investments. SOFR has a limited history, having been first published in April
2018. The future performance of SOFR, and SOFR-based reference rates, cannot be predicted based on SOFR’s history or otherwise.
Levels of SOFR in the future, including following the discontinuation of LIBOR, may bear little or no relation to historical levels
of SOFR, LIBOR or other rates.
Money
Market Instruments. Money market instruments generally refer to high-quality, short-term debt instruments, such as U.S. Treasury
securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, time deposits, shares of U.S. registered money
market funds, and other similar investments.
Master
Limited Partnerships (Underlying Funds Only). The Underlying Funds may invest in master limited partnership (“MLP”)
common units. MLPs are typically structured such that common units and general partner interests have first priority to receive
quarterly cash distributions up to an established minimum amount (“minimum quarterly distributions” or “MQD”).
Common and general partner interests also accrue arrearages in distributions to the extent the MQD is not paid. Once common and
general partner interests have been paid, subordinated units receive distributions of up to the MQD; however, subordinated units
do not accrue arrearages. Distributable cash in excess of the MQD paid to both common and subordinated units is distributed to
both common and subordinated units generally on a pro rata basis.
The
general partner is also eligible to receive incentive distributions if the general partner operates the business in a manner that
results in distributions paid per common unit surpassing specified target levels. As the general partner increases cash distributions
to the limited partners, the general partner receives an increasingly higher percentage of the incremental cash distributions.
A common arrangement provides that the general partner can reach a tier where it receives 50% of every incremental dollar paid
to common and subordinated unit holders. These incentive distributions encourage the general partner to streamline costs, increase
capital expenditures and acquire assets in order to increase the partnership’s cash flow and raise the quarterly cash distribution
in order to reach higher tiers. Such results benefit all security holders of the MLP.
To
qualify as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an MLP must receive at least 90% of its income from qualifying
sources such as interest, dividends, real estate rents, gain from the sale or disposition of real property, income and gain from
mineral or natural resources activities, income and gain from the transportation or storage of certain fuels, gain from the sale
or disposition of a capital asset held for the production of income described in the foregoing and, in certain circumstances,
income and gain from commodities or futures, forwards and options with respect to commodities. Mineral or natural resources activities
include exploration, development, production, mining, refining, marketing and transportation (including pipelines), of oil and
gas, minerals, geothermal energy, fertilizer, timber or industrial source carbon dioxide. Currently, most MLPs operate in the
energy, natural resources or real estate sectors. Due to their partnership structure, MLPs generally do not pay income taxes.
Thus, unlike investors in corporate securities, direct MLP investors are generally not subject to double taxation (i.e., corporate
level tax and tax on corporate dividends).
MLP
Common Units. MLP common units represent a limited partnership interest in the MLP. Common units are listed and traded on
U.S. securities exchanges or OTC, with their value fluctuating predominantly based on prevailing market conditions and the success
of the MLP. The Fund may purchase common units in market transactions as well as directly from the MLP or other parties. Unlike
owners of common stock of a corporation, owners of common units have limited voting rights and have no ability annually to elect
directors. MLPs generally distribute all available cash flow (cash flow from operations less maintenance capital expenditures)
in the form of quarterly distributions. Common units along with general partner units, have first priority to receive quarterly
cash distributions up to the MQD and have arrearage rights. In the event of liquidation, common units have preference over subordinated
units, but not debt or preferred units, to the remaining assets of the MLP.
I-Shares.
I-Shares represent an ownership interest issued by an affiliated party of an MLP. The MLP affiliate uses the proceeds from
the sale of I-Shares to purchase limited partnership interests in the MLP in the form of i-units. I-units have similar features
as MLP common units in terms of voting rights, liquidation preference and distributions. However, rather than receiving cash,
the MLP affiliate receives additional i-units in an amount equal to the cash distributions received by MLP common units. Similarly,
holders of I-Shares will receive additional I-Shares, in the same proportion as the MLP affiliates receipt of i-units, rather
than cash distributions. I-Shares themselves have limited voting rights which are similar to those applicable to MLP common units.
The MLP affiliate issuing the I-Shares is structured as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. I-Shares are traded
on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).
Municipal
Securities (Underlying Funds Only). Municipal securities are securities issued by states, municipalities and other political
subdivisions, agencies, authorities and instrumentalities of states and multi-state agencies or authorities. Although the interest
earned on many municipal securities is exempt from federal income tax, the Fund may invest in taxable municipal securities.
Municipal
securities share the attributes of debt/fixed income securities in general, but are generally issued by states, municipalities
and other political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and instrumentalities of states and multi-state agencies or authorities.
The municipal securities which the Fund may purchase include general obligation bonds and limited obligation bonds (or revenue
bonds), including industrial development bonds issued pursuant to former federal tax law. General obligation bonds are obligations
involving the credit of an issuer possessing taxing power and are payable from such issuer’s general revenues and not from
any particular source. Limited obligation bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class
of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source. Tax-exempt private activity
bonds and industrial development bonds generally are also revenue bonds and thus are not payable from the issuer’s general
revenues. The credit and quality of private activity bonds and industrial development bonds are usually related to the credit
of the corporate user of the facilities. Payment of interest on and repayment of principal of such bonds is the responsibility
of the corporate user (and/or any guarantor).
Under
the Code, certain limited obligation bonds are considered “private activity bonds” and interest paid on such bonds
is treated as an item of tax preference for purposes of calculating federal alternative minimum tax liability.
Obligations
of Supranational Entities (Underlying Funds Only). The Fund may invest in an Underlying Fund that invests in obligations of
supranational entities designated or supported by governmental entities to promote economic reconstruction or development and
of international banking institutions and related government agencies. Examples include the International Bank for Reconstruction
and Development (the “World Bank”), the European Coal and Steel Community, the Asian Development Bank and the Inter-American
Development Bank. Each supranational entity’s lending activities are limited to a percentage of its total capital (including
“callable capital” contributed by its governmental members at the entity’s call), reserves and net income. There
is no assurance that participating governments will be able or willing to honor their commitments to make capital contributions
to a supranational entity.
Preferred
Stocks. Preferred stocks pay fixed or floating dividends to investors, and have a “preference” over common stock
in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of a company’s assets. This means that a company must pay dividends on preferred
stock before paying any dividends on its common stock. Preferred stockholders usually have no right to vote for corporate directors
or on other matters.
Real
Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) (Underlying Funds Only). REITs are sometimes informally characterized as equity
REITs, mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs. Investment in REITs may subject the Fund to risks associated with the direct ownership
of real estate, such as decreases in real estate values, overbuilding, increased competition and other risks related to local
or general economic conditions, increases in operating costs and property taxes, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation
losses, possible environmental liabilities, regulatory limitations on rent and fluctuations in rental income. Equity REITs generally
experience these risks directly through fee or leasehold interests, whereas mortgage REITs generally experience these risks indirectly
through mortgage interests, unless the mortgage REIT forecloses on the underlying real estate. Changes in interest rates may also
affect the value of the Fund’s investment in REITs. For instance, during periods of declining interest rates, certain mortgage
REITs may hold mortgages that the mortgagors elect to prepay, which prepayment may diminish the yield on securities issued by
those REITs.
Certain
REITs have relatively small market capitalizations, which may tend to increase the volatility of the market price of their securities.
Furthermore, REITs are dependent upon specialized management skills, have limited diversification and are, therefore, subject
to risks inherent in operating and financing a limited number of projects. REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency,
defaults by borrowers and the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code, and to maintain
exemption from the registration requirements of the 1940 Act. By investing in REITs indirectly through an Underlying Fund, a shareholder
will bear not only his or her proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund and the Underlying Fund, but also, indirectly, similar
expenses of the REITs. In addition, REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders.
Repurchase
Agreements. In a repurchase agreement, the Fund acquires ownership of a security and simultaneously commits to resell that
security to the seller, typically a bank or broker/dealer.
A
repurchase agreement provides a means for the Fund to earn income on funds for periods as short as overnight. It is an arrangement
under which the purchaser (i.e., the Fund) acquires a security (“Obligation”) and the seller agrees, at the time of
sale, to repurchase the Obligation at a specified time and price. Securities subject to a repurchase agreement are held in a segregated
account and, as described in more detail below, the value of such securities is kept at least equal to the repurchase price on
a daily basis. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase
and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to the Fund together with the repurchase price upon
repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the Obligation itself. Obligations will
be held by the custodian or in the Federal Reserve Book Entry System.
It
is not clear whether a court would consider the Obligation purchased by the Fund subject to a repurchase agreement as being owned
by the Fund or as being collateral for a loan by the Fund to the seller. In the event of the commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency
proceedings with respect to the seller of the Obligation before repurchase of the Obligation under a repurchase agreement, the
Fund may encounter delay and incur costs before being able to sell the security. Delays may involve loss of interest or decline
in price of the Obligation. If the court characterizes the transaction as a loan and the Fund has not perfected a security interest
in the Obligation, the Fund may be required to return the Obligation to the seller’s estate and be treated as an unsecured
creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, the Fund would be at risk of losing some or all of the principal and income
involved in the transaction. As with any unsecured debt obligation purchased for the Fund, the Adviser seeks to reduce the risk
of loss through repurchase agreements by analyzing the creditworthiness of the obligor, in this case the seller of the Obligation.
Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is also the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the
Obligation, in which case the Fund may incur a loss if the proceeds to the Fund of the sale to a third party are less than the
repurchase price. However, if the market value (including interest) of the Obligation subject to the repurchase agreement becomes
less than the repurchase price (including interest), the Fund will direct the seller of the Obligation to deliver additional securities
so that the market value (including interest) of all securities subject to the repurchase agreement will equal or exceed the repurchase
price.
Reverse
Repurchase Agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement by
the Fund to repurchase the securities at an agreed upon price, date and interest payment. The use by the Fund of reverse repurchase
agreements involves many of the same risks of leverage since the proceeds derived from such reverse repurchase agreements may
be invested in additional securities. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities acquired
in connection with the reverse repurchase agreement may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold but is obligated
to repurchase. Also, reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities retained in lieu of
sale by the Fund in connection with the reverse repurchase agreement may decline in price.
If
the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, such buyer or its trustee
or receiver may receive an extension of time to determine whether to enforce the Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities,
and the Fund’s use of the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement may effectively be restricted pending such decision.
Also, the Fund would bear the risk of loss to the extent that the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement are less than the
value of the securities subject to such agreement.
In
accordance with Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, when the Fund engages in reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions,
the Trust may either (i) maintain asset coverage of at least 300% with respect to such transactions and any other borrowings in
the aggregate, or (ii) treat such transactions as derivatives transactions and comply with Rule 18f-4 with respect to such transactions.
Rights.
Rights are usually granted to existing shareholders of a corporation to subscribe to shares of a new issue of common stock before
it is issued to the public. The right entitles its holder to buy common stock at a specified price. Rights have similar features
to warrants, except that the life of a right is typically much shorter, usually a few weeks. The Adviser believes rights may become
underpriced if they are sold without regard to value and if analysts do not include them in their research. The risk in investing
in rights is that the Adviser might miscalculate their value resulting in a loss to the Fund. Another risk is the underlying common
stock may not reach the Adviser’s anticipated price within the life of the right.
Short
Sales. The Fund may sell securities short. When the Fund takes a long position, it purchases a stock outright. When the Fund
takes a short position, it sells at the current market price a stock it does not own but has borrowed in anticipation that the
market price of the stock will decline. To complete, or close out, the short sale transaction, the Fund buys the same stock in
the market and returns it to the lender. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold
by the Fund. Until the security is replaced, the Fund is required to pay the lender amounts equal to any dividends or interest
that accrue during the period of the loan. To borrow the security, the Fund may also be required to pay a premium, which would
increase the cost of the security sold. The proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker to the extent necessary
to meet the margin requirements, until the short position is closed out. The Fund makes money when the market price of the borrowed
stock goes down and the Fund is able to replace it for less than it earned by selling it short. Alternatively if the price of
the stock goes up after the short sale and before the short position is closed, the Fund will lose money because it will have
to pay more to replace the borrowed stock than it received when it sold the stock short.
The
Fund may not always be able to close out a short position at a particular time or at an acceptable price. A lender may request
that the borrowed securities be returned to it on short notice, and the Fund may have to buy the borrowed securities at an unfavorable
price. If this occurs at a time that other short sellers of the same security also want to close out their positions, a “short
squeeze” can occur. A short squeeze occurs when demand is greater than supply for the stock sold short. A short squeeze
makes it more likely that the Fund will have to cover its short sale at an unfavorable price. If that happens, the Fund will lose
some or all of the potential profit from, or even incur a loss as a result of, the short sale.
The
Fund also is required to pay the lender of the security any dividends or interest that accrue on a borrowed security during the
period of the loan. Depending on the arrangements made with the broker or custodian, the Fund may or may not receive any payments
(including interest) on collateral it has deposited with the broker. Moreover, the Fund will be required to make margin payments
to the lender during the term of the borrowing if the value of the security it borrowed (and sold short) increases. Thus, short
sales involve credit exposure to the broker that executes the short sales. In the event of the bankruptcy or other similar insolvency
with respect to a broker with whom the Fund has an open short position, a fund may be unable to recover, or delayed in recovering,
any margin or other collateral held with or for the lending broker.
Short
sales involve the risk that the Fund will incur a loss by subsequently buying a security at a higher price than the price at which
the Fund previously sold the security short. Any loss will be increased by the amount of compensation, interest or dividends,
and transaction costs the Fund must pay to a lender of the security. In addition, because the Fund’s loss on a short sale
stems from increases in the value of the security sold short, the extent of such loss, like the price of the security sold short,
is theoretically unlimited. By contrast, the Fund’s loss on a long position arises from decreases in the value of the security
held by the Fund and therefore is limited by the fact that a security’s value cannot drop below zero.
The
use of short sales, in effect, leverages the Fund’s portfolio, which could increase the Fund’s exposure to the market,
magnify losses and increase the volatility of returns.
Although
the Fund’s share price may increase if the securities in its long portfolio increase in value more than the securities underlying
its short positions, the Fund’s share price may decrease if the securities underlying its short positions increase in value
more than the securities in its long portfolio.
Senior
Loans (Underlying Funds Only). A Senior Loan is typically originated, negotiated and structured by a U.S. or foreign commercial
bank, insurance company, finance company or other financial institution (the “Agent”) for a group of loan investors
(“Loan Investors”). The Agent typically administers and enforces the Senior Loan on behalf of the other Loan Investors
in the syndicate. In addition, an institution, typically but not always the Agent, holds any collateral on behalf of the Loan
Investors.
Senior
Loans primarily include senior floating rate loans to corporations and secondarily institutionally traded senior floating rate
debt obligations issued by an asset-backed pool and interests therein. Loan interests primarily take the form of assignments purchased
in the primary or secondary market. Loan interests may also take the form of participation interests in a Senior Loan. Such loan
interests may be acquired from U.S. or foreign commercial banks, insurance companies, finance companies or other financial institutions
who have made loans or are Loan Investors or from other investors in loan interests.
The
Underlying Funds may purchase “assignments” from the Agent or other Loan Investors. The purchaser of an assignment
typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the Loan Agreement (as defined herein) of the assigning Loan Investor
and becomes a Loan Investor under the Loan Agreement with the same rights and obligations as the assigning Loan Investor. Assignments
may, however, be arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, and the rights and
obligations acquired by the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning
Loan Investor.
The
Underlying Funds also may invest in “participations.” Participations by an Underlying Fund in a Loan Investor’s
portion of a Senior Loan typically will result in an Underlying Fund having a contractual relationship only with such Loan Investor,
not with the borrower. As a result, an Underlying Fund may have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees
to which it is entitled only from the Loan Investor selling the participation and only upon receipt by such Loan Investor of such
payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing participations, an Underlying Fund generally will have no right to enforce
compliance by the borrower with the terms of the Loan Agreement, nor any rights with respect to any funds acquired by other Loan
Investors through set-off against the borrower and the Underlying Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting
the Senior Loan in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, an Underlying Fund will assume the credit risk of both
the borrower and the Loan Investor selling the participation. In the event of the insolvency of the Loan Investor selling a participation,
an Underlying Fund may be treated as a general creditor of such Loan Investor. The selling Loan Investors and other persons interpositioned
between such Loan Investors and the Underlying Fund with respect to such participations will likely conduct their principal business
activities in the banking, finance and financial services industries. Persons engaged in such industries may be more susceptible
to, among other things, fluctuations in interest rates, changes in the Federal Open Market Committee’s monetary policy,
governmental regulations concerning such industries and concerning capital raising activities generally and fluctuations in the
financial markets generally.
In
order to borrow money pursuant to a Senior Loan, a borrower will for the term of the Senior Loan, pledge collateral, including
but not limited to, (i) working capital assets, such as accounts receivable and inventory; (ii) tangible fixed assets, such as
real property, buildings and equipment; (iii) intangible assets, such as trademarks and patent rights (but excluding goodwill);
and (iv) security interests in shares of stock of subsidiaries or affiliates. In the case of Senior Loans made to non-public companies,
the company’s shareholders or owners may provide collateral in the form of secured guarantees and/or security interests
in assets that they own. In many instances, a Senior Loan may be secured only by stock in the borrower or its subsidiaries. Collateral
may consist of assets that may not be readily liquidated, and there is no assurance that the liquidation of such assets would
satisfy fully a borrower’s obligations under a Senior Loan.
In
the process of buying, selling and holding Senior Loans, the Underlying Funds may receive and/or pay certain fees. These fees
are in addition to interest payments received and may include facility fees, commitment fees, amendment fees, commissions and
prepayment penalty fees. When an Underlying Fund buys a Senior Loan, it may receive a facility fee and when it sells a Senior
Loan it may pay a facility fee. On an ongoing basis, an Underlying Fund may receive a commitment fee based on the undrawn portion
of the underlying line of credit portion of a Senior Loan. In certain circumstances, an Underlying Fund may receive a prepayment
penalty fee upon the prepayment of a Senior Loan by a borrower. Other fees received by an Underlying Fund may include covenant
waiver fees, covenant modification fees or other amendment fees.
A
borrower must comply with various restrictive covenants contained in a loan agreement or note purchase agreement between the borrower
and the holders of the Senior Loan (the “Loan Agreement”). Such covenants, in addition to requiring the scheduled
payment of interest and principal, may include restrictions on dividend payments and other distributions to shareholders, provisions
requiring the borrower to maintain specific minimum financial ratios and limits on total debt. In addition, the Loan Agreement
may contain a covenant requiring the borrower to prepay the Loan with any free cash flow. Free cash flow is generally defined
as net cash flow after scheduled debt service payments and permitted capital expenditures, and includes the proceeds from asset
dispositions or sales of securities. A breach of a covenant which is not waived by the Agent, or by the Loan Investors directly,
as the case may be, is normally an event of acceleration; i.e., the Agent, or the Loan Investors directly, as the case
may be, has the right to call the outstanding Senior Loan. The typical practice of an Agent or a Loan Investor in relying exclusively
or primarily on reports from the borrower to monitor the borrower’s compliance with covenants may involve a risk of fraud
by the borrower. In the case of a Senior Loan in the form of a participation, the agreement between the buyer and seller may limit
the rights of the holder to vote on certain changes which may be made to the Loan Agreement, such as waiving a breach of a covenant.
However, the holder of the participation will, in almost all cases, have the right to vote on certain fundamental issues such
as changes in principal amount, payment dates and interest rate.
In
a typical Senior Loan, the Agent administers the terms of the Loan Agreement. In such cases, the Agent is normally responsible
for the collection of principal and interest payments from the borrower and the apportionment of these payments to the credit
of all institutions which are parties to the Loan Agreement. The Underlying Funds will generally rely upon the Agent or an intermediate
participant to receive and forward to the Fund or Underlying Fund its portion of the principal and interest payments on the Senior
Loan. Furthermore, unless under the terms of a participation agreement an Underlying Fund has direct recourse against the borrower,
the Underlying Fund will rely on the Agent and the other Loan Investors to use appropriate credit remedies against the borrower.
The Agent is typically responsible for monitoring compliance with covenants contained in the Loan Agreement based upon reports
prepared by the borrower. The seller of the Senior Loan usually does, but is often not obligated to, notify holders of Senior
Loans of any failures of compliance. The Agent may monitor the value of the collateral and, if the value of the collateral declines,
may accelerate the Senior Loan, may give the borrower an opportunity to provide additional collateral or may seek other protection
for the benefit of the participants in the Senior Loan. The Agent is compensated by the borrower for providing these services
under a Loan Agreement, and such compensation may include special fees paid upon structuring and funding the Senior Loan and other
fees paid on a continuing basis. With respect to Senior Loans for which the Agent does not perform such administrative and enforcement
functions, an Underlying Fund will perform such tasks on its own behalf, although a collateral bank will typically hold any collateral
on behalf of an Underlying Fund and the other Loan Investors pursuant to the applicable Loan Agreement.
A
financial institution’s appointment as Agent may usually be terminated in the event that it fails to observe the requisite
standard of care or becomes insolvent, enters Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) receivership, or, if
not FDIC insured, enters into bankruptcy proceedings. A successor Agent would generally be appointed to replace the terminated
Agent, and assets held by the Agent under the Loan Agreement should remain available to holders of Senior Loans. However, if assets
held by the Agent for the benefit of an Underlying Fund were determined to be subject to the claims of the Agent’s general
creditors, the Underlying Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a Senior Loan, or suffer a loss of
principal and/or interest. In situations involving intermediate participants, similar risks may arise.
Senior
Loans will usually require, in addition to scheduled payments of interest and principal, the prepayment of the Senior Loan from
free cash flow, as defined above. The degree to which borrowers prepay Senior Loans, whether as a contractual requirement or at
their election, may be affected by general business conditions, the financial condition of the borrower and competitive conditions
among Loan Investors, among others. As such, prepayments cannot be predicted with accuracy. Upon a prepayment, either in part
or in full, the actual outstanding debt on which the Fund or Underlying Fund derives interest income will be reduced. However,
an Underlying Fund may receive both a prepayment penalty fee from the prepaying borrower and a facility fee upon the purchase
of a new Senior Loan with the proceeds from the prepayment of the former.
The
Underlying Funds may acquire interests in Senior Loans which are designed to provide temporary or “bridge” financing
to a borrower pending the sale of identified assets or the arrangement of longer-term loans or the issuance and sale of debt obligations.
The Underlying Funds may also invest in Senior Loans of borrowers that have obtained bridge loans from other parties. A borrower’s
use of bridge loans involves a risk that the borrower may be unable to locate permanent financing to replace the bridge loan,
which may impair the borrower’s perceived creditworthiness.
The
Underlying Fund will be subject to the risk that collateral securing a loan will decline in value or have no value. Such a decline,
whether as a result of bankruptcy proceedings or otherwise, could cause the Senior Loan to be undercollateralized or unsecured.
In most credit agreements there is no formal requirement to pledge additional collateral. In addition, an Underlying Fund may
invest in Senior Loans guaranteed by, or secured by assets of, shareholders or owners, even if the Senior Loans are not otherwise
collateralized by assets of the borrower; provided, however, that such guarantees are fully secured. There may be temporary periods
when the principal asset held by a borrower is the stock of a related company, which may not legally be pledged to secure a Senior
Loan. On occasions when such stock cannot be pledged, the Senior Loan will be temporarily unsecured until the stock can be pledged
or is exchanged for or replaced by other assets, which will be pledged as security for the Senior Loan. However, the Borrower’s
ability to dispose of such securities, other than in connection with such pledge or replacement, will be strictly limited for
the protection of the holders of Senior Loans and, indirectly, Senior Loans themselves.
The
failure to perfect a security interest due to faulty documentation or faulty official filings could lead to the invalidation of
an Underlying Fund’s security interest in loan collateral. If an Underlying Fund’s security interest in loan collateral
is invalidated or the Senior Loan is subordinated to other debt of a borrower in bankruptcy or other proceedings, the Underlying
Fund would have substantially lower recovery, and perhaps no recovery, on the full amount of the principal and interest due on
the Senior Loan.
Sovereign
Obligations (Underlying Funds Only). The Fund may invest in an Underlying Fund that invests in sovereign debt obligations.
Investment in sovereign debt obligations involves special risks not present in corporate debt obligations. The issuer of the sovereign
debt or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest
when due, and the Underlying Fund may have limited recourse in the event of a default. During periods of economic uncertainty,
the market prices of sovereign debt, and the Fund’s NAV, may be more volatile than prices of U.S. debt obligations. In the
past, certain emerging markets have encountered difficulties in servicing their debt obligations, withheld payments of principal
and interest and declared moratoria on the payment of principal and interest on their sovereign debts.
A
sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by, among
other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign currency reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange,
the relative size of the debt service burden, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward principal international lenders and local
political constraints. Sovereign debtors may also be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral
agencies and other entities to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The failure of a sovereign debtor to implement
economic reforms, achieve specified levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation
of third-party commitments to lend funds to the sovereign debtor, which may further impair such debtor’s ability or willingness
to service its debts.
Strategic
Transactions and Derivatives. The Fund intends to utilize various other investment strategies as described below for a variety
of purposes, such as hedging various market risks or enhancing return. These strategies may be executed through the use of derivative
contracts.
In
the course of pursuing these investment strategies, the Fund may purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and
call options on securities, equity and fixed-income indices and other instruments, purchase and sell futures contracts and options
thereon, enter into various transactions such as swaps, caps, floors, collars, currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts,
currency swaps or options on currencies, or currency futures and various other currency transactions (collectively, all the above
are called “Strategic Transactions”). In addition, Strategic Transactions may also include new techniques, instruments
or strategies that are permitted as regulatory changes occur. Strategic Transactions may be used without limit (subject to certain
limits imposed by the 1940 Act) to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market value of securities held in or to
be purchased for the Fund’s portfolio resulting from securities markets or currency exchange rate fluctuations, to protect
the Fund’s unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of such securities for investment
purposes, to manage the effective maturity or duration of the Fund’s portfolio, or to establish a position in the derivatives
markets as a substitute for purchasing or selling particular securities. Some Strategic Transactions may also be used to enhance
potential gain. Any or all of these investment techniques may be used at any time and in any combination, and there is no particular
strategy that dictates the use of one technique rather than another, as use of any Strategic Transaction is a function of numerous
variables including market conditions, liquidity, market values, interest rates and other applicable factors. The ability of the
Fund to utilize these Strategic Transactions successfully will depend on the Adviser’s ability to predict pertinent market
movements, which cannot be assured. The Fund will comply with applicable regulatory requirements when implementing these strategies,
techniques and instruments. Strategic Transactions will not be used to alter fundamental investment purposes and characteristics
of the Fund.
Strategic
Transactions, including derivative contracts, have risks associated with them including possible default by the other party to
the transaction, illiquidity, leverage, correlation, volatility, duration mismatch, certain legal and regulatory risks and, to
the extent the Adviser’s view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of such Strategic Transactions
could result in losses greater than if they had not been used. Use of put and call options may result in losses to the Fund, force
the sale or purchase of portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices higher than (in the case of put options) or lower
than (in the case of call options) current market values, limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on its investments
or cause the Fund to hold a security it might otherwise sell. The use of currency transactions can result in the Fund incurring
losses as a result of a number of factors including the imposition of exchange controls, suspension of settlements, or the inability
to deliver or receive a specified currency. The use of options and futures transactions entails certain other risks. In particular,
the variable degree of correlation between price movements of futures contracts and price movements in the related portfolio position
of the Fund creates the possibility that losses on the hedging instrument may be greater than gains in the value of the Fund’s
position. In addition, futures and options markets may not be liquid in all circumstances and certain over-the-counter options
may have no markets. As a result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring
substantial losses, if at all. Although the use of futures and options transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the risk
of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same time they tend to limit any potential gain which might
result from an increase in value of such position. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts would
create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of options, where the exposure is limited to the cost of
the initial premium. Losses resulting from the use of Strategic Transactions would reduce NAV, and possibly income, and such losses
can be greater than if the Strategic Transactions had not been utilized.
Regulatory
developments affecting the exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives markets may impair the Fund’s ability to manage
or hedge its investment portfolio through the use of derivatives. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
of 2010 and the rules promulgated thereunder may limit the ability of the Fund to enter into one or more exchange-traded or over-the-counter
derivatives transactions.
The
Adviser has claimed, with respect to the Fund, an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator”
(“CPO”) pursuant to CFTC Regulation 4.5, as promulgated under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”). Therefore,
neither the Fund nor the Adviser (with respect to the Fund) is subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool or CPO
under the CEA. If the Fund becomes subject to these requirements, the Fund may incur additional compliance and other expenses.
The Fund’s use of derivatives may also be limited by the requirements of the Code, for qualification as a regulated investment
company for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Under
CFTC Regulation 4.5, if an investment company such as the Fund uses swaps, commodity futures, commodity options or certain other
derivatives used for purposes other than bona fide hedging purposes, it must meet one of the following tests: The aggregate initial
margin and premiums required to establish an investment company’s positions in such investments may not exceed five percent
(5%) of the liquidation value of the investment company’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized
losses on any such investments). Alternatively, the aggregate net notional value of such instruments, determined at the time of
the most recent position established, may not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the liquidation value of the investment company’s
portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of
the foregoing trading limitations, the investment company may not market itself as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle
for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options or swaps and derivatives markets. In the event that the Adviser is required
to register as a CPO, the disclosure and operations of the Fund would need to comply with all applicable CFTC regulations. Compliance
with these additional registration and regulatory requirements would increase operational expenses. Other potentially adverse
regulatory initiatives could also develop.
General
Characteristics of Options. Put options and call options typically have similar structural characteristics and operational
mechanics regardless of the underlying instrument on which they are purchased or sold. Thus, the following general discussion
relates to each of the particular types of options discussed in greater detail below.
A
put option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to sell, and the writer the obligation to buy,
the underlying security, commodity, index, currency or other instrument at the exercise price. For instance, the Fund’s
purchase of a put option on a security might be designed to protect its holdings in the underlying instrument (or, in some cases,
a similar instrument) against a substantial decline in the market value by giving the Fund the right to sell such instrument at
the option exercise price. A call option, upon payment of a premium, gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the
seller the obligation to sell, the underlying instrument at the exercise price. The Fund’s purchase of a call option on
a security, financial future, index, currency or other instrument might be intended to protect the Fund against an increase in
the price of the underlying instrument that it intends to purchase in the future by fixing the price at which it may purchase
such instrument. An American style put or call option may be exercised at any time during the option period while a European style
put or call option may be exercised only upon expiration or during a fixed period prior thereto. The Fund is authorized to purchase
and sell exchange listed options and over-the-counter options (“OTC options”). Exchange listed options are issued
by a regulated intermediary such as the Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”), which guarantees the performance of
the obligations of the parties to such options. The discussion below uses the OCC as an example, but is also applicable to other
financial intermediaries.
With
certain exceptions, OCC issued and exchange listed options generally settle by physical delivery of the underlying security or
currency, although in the future cash settlement may become available. Index options and Eurodollar instruments are cash settled
for the net amount, if any, by which the option is “in-the-money” (i.e., where the value of the underlying instrument
exceeds, in the case of a call option, or is less than, in the case of a put option, the exercise price of the option) at the
time the option is exercised. Frequently, rather than taking or making delivery of the underlying instrument through the process
of exercising the option, listed options are closed by entering into offsetting purchase or sale transactions that do not result
in ownership of the new option.
The
Fund’s ability to close out its position as a purchaser or seller of an OCC or exchange listed put or call option is dependent,
in part, upon the liquidity of the option market. Among the possible reasons for the absence of a liquid option market on an exchange
are: (i) insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions on transactions imposed by an exchange; (iii) trading
halts, suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities
including reaching daily price limits; (iv) interruption of the normal operations of the OCC or an exchange; (v) inadequacy of
the facilities of an exchange or OCC to handle current trading volume; or (vi) a decision by one or more exchanges to discontinue
the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the relevant market for that option on that
exchange would cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange would generally continue to be exercisable in accordance
with their terms.
The
hours of trading for listed options may not coincide with the hours during which the underlying financial instruments are traded.
To the extent that the option markets close before the markets for the underlying financial instruments, significant price and
rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the option markets.
OTC
options are purchased from or sold to securities dealers, financial institutions or other parties (“Counterparties”)
through direct bilateral agreement with the Counterparty. In contrast to exchange listed options, which generally have standardized
terms and performance mechanics, all the terms of an OTC option, including such terms as method of settlement, term, exercise
price, premium, guarantees and security, are set by negotiation of the parties. The Fund will only sell OTC options (other than
OTC currency options) that are subject to a buy-back provision permitting the Fund to require the Counterparty to sell the option
back to the Fund at a formula price within seven days. The Fund expects generally to enter into OTC options that have cash settlement
provisions, although it is not required to do so.
Unless
the parties provide for it, there is no central clearing or guaranty function in an OTC option. As a result, if the Counterparty
fails to make or take delivery of the security, currency or other instrument underlying an OTC option it has entered into with
the Fund or fails to make a cash settlement payment due in accordance with the terms of that option, the Fund will lose any premium
it paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction. Accordingly, the Adviser must assess the creditworthiness
of each such Counterparty or any guarantor or credit enhancement of the Counterparty’s credit to determine the likelihood
that the terms of the OTC option will be satisfied. The Fund will engage in OTC option transactions only with U.S. government
securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as “primary dealers” or broker/ dealers, domestic
or foreign banks or other financial institutions which have received (or the guarantors of the obligation of which have received)
a short-term credit rating of A-1 from S&P or P-1 from Moody’s or an equivalent rating from any NRSRO or, in the case
of OTC currency transactions, are determined to be of equivalent credit quality by the Adviser. The staff of the SEC currently
takes the position that OTC options purchased by the Fund, and portfolio securities “covering” the amount of the Fund’s
obligation pursuant to an OTC option sold by it (the cost of the sell-back plus the in-the-money amount, if any) are illiquid.
If
the Fund sells a call option, the premium that it receives may serve as a partial hedge, to the extent of the option premium,
against a decrease in the value of the underlying securities or instruments in its portfolio or will increase the Fund’s
income. The sale of put options can also provide income.
The
Fund may purchase and sell call options on securities including U.S. Treasury and agency securities, mortgage-backed securities,
foreign sovereign debt, corporate debt securities, equity securities (including convertible securities) and Eurodollar instruments
that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and in the over-the-counter markets, and on securities indices, currencies
and futures contracts. Even though the Fund will receive the option premium to help protect it against loss, a call sold by the
Fund exposes the Fund during the term of the option to possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price
of the underlying security or instrument and may require the Fund to hold a security or instrument which it might otherwise have
sold.
The
Fund may purchase and sell put options on securities including U.S. Treasury and agency securities, mortgage-backed securities,
foreign sovereign debt, corporate debt securities, equity securities (including convertible securities) and Eurodollar instruments
(whether or not it holds the above securities in its portfolio), and on securities indices, currencies and futures contracts other
than futures on individual corporate debt and individual equity securities. In selling put options, there is a risk that the Fund
may be required to buy the underlying security at a disadvantageous price above the market price.
General
Characteristics of Futures. The Fund may enter into futures contracts or purchase or sell put and call options on such
futures as a hedge against anticipated interest rate, currency or equity market changes or to enhance returns. Futures are generally
bought and sold on the commodities exchanges where they are listed with payment of initial and variation margin as described below.
The sale of a futures contract creates a firm obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver to the buyer the specific type of
financial instrument called for in the contract at a specific future time for a specified price (or, with respect to index futures
and Eurodollar instruments, the net cash amount). Options on futures contracts are similar to options on securities except that
an option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to assume a position in a futures
contract and obligates the seller to deliver such position.
Futures
and options on futures may be entered into for bona fide hedging, risk management (including duration management) or other portfolio
and return enhancement management purposes to the extent consistent with the exclusion from commodity pool operator registration.
Typically, maintaining a futures contract or selling an option thereon requires the Fund to deposit with a financial intermediary
as security for its obligations an amount of cash or other specified assets (initial margin), which initially is typically 1%
to 10% of the face amount of the contract (but may be higher in some circumstances). Additional cash or assets (variation margin)
may be required to be deposited thereafter on a daily basis as the mark-to-market value of the contract fluctuates. The purchase
of an option on financial futures involves payment of a premium for the option without any further obligation on the part of the
Fund. If the Fund exercises an option on a futures contract it will be obligated to post initial margin (and potential subsequent
variation margin) for the resulting futures position just as it would for any position. Futures contracts and options thereon
are generally settled by entering into an offsetting transaction but there can be no assurance that the position can be offset
prior to settlement at an advantageous price, nor that delivery will occur.
Options
on Securities Indices and Other Financial Indices. The Fund also may purchase and sell call and put options on securities
indices and other financial indices and in so doing can achieve many of the same objectives it would achieve through the sale
or purchase of options on individual securities or other instruments. Options on securities indices and other financial indices
are similar to options on a security or other instrument except that, rather than settling by physical delivery of the underlying
instrument, they settle by cash settlement, i.e., an option on an index gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of
the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the option is based exceeds, in the case of a call,
or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option (except if, in the case of an OTC option, physical delivery
is specified). This amount of cash is equal to the excess of the closing price of the index over the exercise price of the option,
which also may be multiplied by a formula value. The seller of the option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to
make delivery of this amount. The gain or loss on an option on an index depends on price movements in the instruments making up
the market, market segment, industry or other composite on which the underlying index is based, rather than price movements in
individual securities, as is the case with respect to options on securities.
Currency
Transactions. The Fund may engage in currency transactions with Counterparties primarily in order to hedge, or manage
the risk of the value of portfolio holdings denominated in particular currencies against fluctuations in relative value, or to
enhance return. Currency transactions include forward currency contracts, exchange listed currency futures, exchange listed and
OTC options on currencies, and currency swaps. A forward currency contract involves a privately negotiated obligation to purchase
or sell (with delivery generally required) a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the
date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. A currency swap is an agreement to
exchange cash flows based on the notional difference among two or more currencies and operates similarly to an interest rate swap,
which is described below.
Transaction
hedging is entering into a currency transaction with respect to specific assets or liabilities of the Fund, which will generally
arise in connection with the purchase or sale of its portfolio securities or the receipt of income therefrom. Position hedging
is entering into a currency transaction with respect to portfolio security positions denominated or generally quoted in that currency.
The
Fund may also cross-hedge currencies by entering into transactions to purchase or sell one or more currencies that are expected
to decline in value relative to other currencies to which the Fund has or in which the Fund expects to have portfolio exposure.
To
reduce the effect of currency fluctuations on the value of existing or anticipated holdings of portfolio securities, the Fund
may also engage in proxy hedging. Proxy hedging is often used when the currency to which the Fund’s portfolio is exposed
is difficult to hedge or to hedge against the dollar. Proxy hedging entails entering into a commitment or option to sell a currency
whose changes in value are generally considered to be correlated to a currency or currencies in which some or all of the Fund’s
portfolio securities are or are expected to be denominated, in exchange for U.S. dollars. The amount of the commitment or option
would not exceed the value of the Fund’s securities denominated in correlated currencies. Currency hedging involves some
of the same risks and considerations as other transactions with similar instruments. Currency transactions can result in losses
to the Fund if the currency being hedged fluctuates in value to a degree or in a direction that is not anticipated. Further, there
is the risk that the perceived correlation between various currencies may not be present or may not be present during the particular
time that the Fund is engaging in proxy hedging.
Risks
of Currency Transactions. Currency transactions are subject to risks different from those of other portfolio transactions.
Because currency control is of great importance to the issuing governments and influences economic planning and policy, purchases
and sales of currency and related instruments can be negatively affected by government exchange controls, blockages, and manipulations
or exchange restrictions imposed by governments. These can result in losses to the Fund if it is unable to deliver or receive
currency or funds in settlement of obligations and could also cause hedges it has entered into to be rendered useless, resulting
in full currency exposure as well as incurring transaction costs. Buyers and sellers of currency futures are subject to the same
risks that apply to the use of futures generally. Further, settlement of a currency futures contract for the purchase of most
currencies must occur at a bank based in the issuing nation. The ability to establish and close out positions on options on currency
forwards is subject to the maintenance of a liquid market which may not always be available. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate
based on factors extrinsic to that country’s economy.
Risks
of Strategic Transactions Outside the United States. When conducted outside the United States, Strategic Transactions
may not be regulated as rigorously as in the United States, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and are
subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities, currencies and other instruments.
The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by: (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors;
(ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions; (iii) delays in the Fund’s
ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States; (iv) the imposition
of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States; and (v) lower trading
volume and liquidity.
Swaps,
Caps, Floors and Collars. Among the Strategic Transactions into which the Fund may enter are interest rate, currency,
commodities, index and other swaps and the purchase or sale of related caps, floors and collars. The Fund expects to enter into
these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, to protect
against currency fluctuations, as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities
the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Fund will not sell interest rate caps or floors where it does not own securities
or other instruments providing the income stream the Fund may be obligated to pay. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by
the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments
for fixed rate payments with respect to a notional amount of principal. A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash flows
on a notional amount of two or more currencies based on the relative value differential among them and an index swap is an agreement
to swap cash flows on a notional amount based on changes in the values of the reference indices. The purchase of a cap entitles
the purchaser to receive payments on a notional principal amount from the party selling such cap to the extent that a specified
index exceeds a predetermined interest rate or amount. The purchase of a floor entitles the purchaser to receive payments on a
notional principal amount from the party selling such floor to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest
rate or amount. A collar is a combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of
interest rates or values.
The
Fund will usually enter into swaps on a net basis, i.e., the two payment streams are netted out in a cash settlement on the payment
date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two
payments. If there is a default by the Counterparty, the Fund may have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related
to the transaction. Certain standardized swap transactions are currently subject to mandatory central clearing and exchange-trading
or may be eligible for voluntary central clearing. Central clearing is expected to decrease counterparty risk and exchange-trading
is expected to increase liquidity compared to swaps traded bilaterally because central clearing interposes the central clearinghouse
as the counterpart to each participant’s swap and exchange-trading improves price transparency. However, central clearing
does not eliminate counterparty risk and exchange-trading does not eliminate illiquidity risk entirely. In addition depending
on the size of a fund and other factors, the margin required under the rules of a clearinghouse and by a clearing member may be
in excess of the collateral required to be posted by a fund to support its obligations under a similar OTC swap.
Structured
Notes. Structured notes are derivative debt securities, the interest rate or principal of which is determined by reference
to changes in value of a specific security, reference rate, or index. Indexed securities, similar to structured notes, are typically,
but not always, debt securities whose value at maturity or coupon rate is determined by reference to other securities. The performance
of a structured note or indexed security is based upon the performance of the underlying instrument.
The
terms of a structured note may provide that, in certain circumstances, no principal is due on maturity and, therefore, may result
in loss of investment. Structured notes may be indexed positively or negatively to the performance of the underlying instrument
such that the appreciation or deprecation of the underlying instrument will have a similar effect to the value of the structured
note at maturity or of any coupon payment. In addition, changes in the interest rate and value of the principal at maturity may
be fixed at a specific multiple of the change in value of the underlying instrument, making the value of the structured note more
volatile than the underlying instrument. In addition, structured notes may be less liquid and more difficult to price accurately
than less complex securities or traditional debt securities.
Commodity-Linked
Derivatives. The Fund may invest in instruments with principal and/or coupon payments linked to the value of commodities,
commodity futures contracts, or the performance of commodity indices such as “commodity-linked” or “index-linked”
notes. These instruments are sometimes referred to as “structured notes” because the terms of the instrument may be
structured by the issuer of the note and the purchaser of the note, such as the Fund. The Fund’s investment in these instruments
may be limited by the requirements of the Code for qualification as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax
purposes.
The
values of these notes will rise and fall in response to changes in the underlying commodity or related index or investment. These
notes expose the Fund economically to movements in commodity prices, but a particular note has many features of a debt obligation.
These notes also are subject to credit and interest rate risks that in general affect the value of debt securities. Therefore,
at the maturity of the note, the Fund may receive more or less principal than it originally invested. The Fund might receive interest
payments on the note that are more or less than the stated coupon interest rate payments.
Structured
notes may involve leverage, meaning that the value of the instrument will be calculated as a multiple of the upward or downward
price movement of the underlying commodity future or index. The prices of commodity-linked instruments may move in different directions
than investments in traditional equity and debt securities in periods of rising inflation. Of course, there can be no guarantee
that the Fund’s commodity-linked investments would not be correlated with traditional financial assets under any particular
market conditions.
Commodity-linked
notes may be issued by U.S. and foreign banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies and other corporations. These notes, in addition
to fluctuating in response to changes in the underlying commodity assets, will be subject to credit and interest rate risks that
typically affect debt securities.
The
commodity-linked instruments may be wholly principal protected, partially principal protected or offer no principal protection.
With a wholly principal protected instrument, the Fund will receive at maturity the greater of the par value of the note or the
increase in value of the underlying index. Partially protected instruments may suffer some loss of principal up to a specified
limit if the underlying index declines in value during the term of the instrument. For instruments without principal protection,
there is a risk that the instrument could lose all of its value if the index declines sufficiently. The Adviser’s decision
on whether and to what extent to use principal protection depends in part on the cost of the protection. In addition, the ability
of the Fund to take advantage of any protection feature depends on the creditworthiness of the issuer of the instrument.
Commodity-linked
derivatives are generally hybrid instruments which are excluded from regulation under the CEA and the rules thereunder, so that
the Fund will not be considered a “commodity pool,” solely because it trades these instruments. Additionally, from
time to time the Fund may invest in other hybrid instruments that do not qualify for exemption from regulation under the CEA.
Combined
Transactions. The Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including multiple options transactions, multiple futures
transactions, multiple currency transactions (including forward currency contracts) and multiple interest rate transactions and
any combination of futures, options, currency and interest rate transactions (“component” transactions), instead of
a single Strategic Transaction, as part of a single or combined strategy when, in the opinion of the Adviser, it is in the best
interests of the Fund to do so. A combined transaction will usually contain elements of risk that are present in each of its component
transactions. Although combined transactions are normally entered into based on the Adviser’s judgment that the combined
strategies will reduce risk or otherwise more effectively achieve the desired portfolio management goal, it is possible that the
combination will instead increase such risks or hinder achievement of the portfolio management objectives.
Restrictions
on the Use of Derivative and Other Transactions. On October 28, 2020, the SEC adopted Rule 18f-4 providing for the regulation
of a registered investment company’s use of derivatives and certain related instruments. Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act requires
funds that invest in derivatives above a specified amount to adopt and implement a derivatives risk management program (“DRMP”)
administered by a derivatives risk manager that is appointed by and overseen by the fund’s board of trustees, and to comply
with an outer limit on fund leverage risk based on value at risk, or “VaR.” The Fund has established a DRMP and appointed
a derivatives risk manager to administer the DRMP, consistent with Rule 18f-4.
Rule
18f-4 could restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in certain Derivatives Transactions (as defined in Rule 18f-4) and/or
increase the costs of Derivatives Transactions, which could adversely affect the value or performance of the Fund and the common
shares and/or the Fund’s distribution rate.
Special
Purpose Acquisition Companies. The Fund may invest in SPACs. SPACs are collective investment structures that pool funds in
order to seek potential acquisition opportunities. SPACs are generally publicly traded companies that raise funds through an initial
public offering (“IPO”) for the purpose of acquiring or merging with another company to be identified subsequent to
the SPAC’s IPO. The securities of a SPAC are often issued in “units” that include one share of common stock
and one right or warrant (or partial right or warrant) conveying the right to purchase additional shares or partial shares. Unless
and until an acquisition is completed, a SPAC generally invests its assets (less an amount to cover expenses) in U.S. Government
securities, money market fund securities and cash. SPACs and similar entities may be blank check companies with no operating history
or ongoing business other than to seek a potential acquisition. Accordingly, the value of their securities is particularly dependent
on the ability of the entity’s management to identify and complete a profitable acquisition. Certain SPACs may seek acquisitions
only in limited industries or regions, which may increase the volatility of their prices. If an acquisition or merger that meets
the requirements for the SPAC is not completed within a predetermined period of time, the invested funds are returned to the entity’s
shareholders, less certain permitted expenses. Accordingly, any rights or warrants issued by the SPAC will expire worthless. Certain
private investments in SPACs may be illiquid and/or be subject to restrictions on resale. To the extent the SPAC is invested in
cash or similar securities, this may impact the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective.
An
investment in a SPAC is
subject to a variety of risks, including, but not limited to, the following: (1) a portion of the capital raised by the SPAC
for the purpose of effecting an acquisition or merger may be expended prior to the transaction
for payment of taxes and other expenses; (2) the Fund generally will not receive significant income from its investments in SPACs
(both prior to and after any acquisition or merger) and, therefore, the Fund’s investments in SPACs will not significantly
contribute to the Fund’s distributions to shareholders; (3) prior to any acquisition or merger, a SPAC’s
assets are typically invested in U.S. government securities and similar investments whose returns or yields may be significantly
lower than those of the Fund’s other investments; (4) as the number of SPACs seeking to acquire operating businesses increases,
attractive acquisition or merger targets may become scarce; (5) if an attractive acquisition or merger target is not identified
at all, the SPAC will be required to return any remaining assets to shareholders;
(6) if an acquisition or merger target is identified, the Fund may elect not to participate in the proposed transaction, the Fund
may be required to divest its interests in the SPAC, due to regulatory or other considerations,
or any proposed merger or acquisition may be unable to obtain the requisite approval, if any, of SPAC shareholders
and/or antitrust and securities regulators, in which case the Fund may not reap any resulting benefits; (7) an acquisition or
merger once effected may prove unsuccessful and an investment in the SPAC may lose
value; (8) an investment in a SPAC may be diluted by additional later offerings of
interests in the SPAC or by other investors exercising existing rights to purchase
shares of the SPAC; (9) only a thinly traded market for shares of or interests in
a SPAC may develop, or there may be no market at all, leaving the Fund unable to
sell its interest in a SPAC or to sell its interest only at a price below what the
Fund believes is the SPAC interest’s intrinsic value; and (10) the values of
investments in SPACs may be highly volatile and may depreciate significantly over time.
Underlying
Funds. The Fund invests in the securities of other investment companies (i.e., Underlying Funds). Investments in the securities
of other investment companies involves an additional layer of advisory fees and certain other expenses. In addition, to the extent
that the Fund invests in an Underlying Fund that is itself a “fund of funds,” the Fund will bear a third layer of
fees. By investing in another investment company, the Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, the
Fund’s shareholders indirectly will bear the Fund’s proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by shareholders
of the other investment company, in addition to the fees and expenses the Fund’s shareholders directly bear in connection
with the Fund’s own operations.
Under
Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act, the Fund may hold securities of an investment company in amounts which (i) do not exceed
3% of the total outstanding voting stock of the investment company, (ii) do not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total
assets and (iii) when added to all other investment company securities held by the Fund, do not exceed 10% of the value of the
Fund’s total assets. These limits may be exceeded when permitted under Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act. The Fund intends
to rely on either Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act, which provides that the provisions of Section 12(d)(1)(A) shall not apply
to securities purchased or otherwise acquired by the Fund if (i) immediately after such purchase or acquisition not more than
3% of the total outstanding stock of such Underlying Fund is owned by the Fund and all affiliated persons of the Fund, and (ii)
certain requirements are met with respect to sales charges, or Rule 12d1-4
Warrants.
The holder of a warrant has the right, until the warrant expires, to purchase a given number of shares of a particular issuer
at a specified price. Such investments can provide a greater potential for profit or loss than an equivalent investment in the
underlying security. Prices of warrants do not necessarily move, however, in tandem with the prices of the underlying securities
and are, therefore, considered speculative investments. Warrants pay no dividends and confer no rights other than a purchase option.
Thus, if a warrant held by the Fund or an Underlying Fund were not exercised by the date of its expiration, the Fund or the Underlying
Fund would lose the entire purchase price of the warrant.
When-Issued
Securities (Underlying Funds Only). The Underlying Funds may from time to time purchase equity and debt securities on a “when-issued,”
“delayed delivery” or “forward delivery” basis. The price of such securities, which may be expressed in
yield terms, is fixed at the time the commitment to purchase is made, but delivery and payment for the securities takes place
at a later date. During the period between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by an Underlying Fund to the issuer and
no interest accrues to the Underlying Fund. When an Underlying Fund purchases such securities, it immediately assumes the risks
of ownership, including the risk of price fluctuation. Failure to deliver a security purchased on this basis may result in a loss
or missed opportunity to make an alternative investment.
To
the extent that assets of an Underlying Fund are held in cash pending the settlement of a purchase of securities, the Underlying
Fund would earn no income. While such securities may be sold prior to the settlement date, an Underlying Fund intends to purchase
them with the purpose of actually acquiring them unless a sale appears desirable for investment reasons. At the time an Underlying
Fund makes the commitment to purchase a security on this basis, it will record the transaction and reflect the value of the security
in determining its NAV. The market value of the securities may be more or less than the purchase price.
Rule
18f-4 under 1940 Act permits an Underlying Fund to enter into when-issued or forward-settling securities and non-standard settlement
cycle securities notwithstanding the limitation on the issuance of senior securities in Section 18 of the 1940 Act, provided that
the Underlying Fund intends to physically settle the transaction and the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date
(the “Delayed-Settlement Securities Provision”). If a when-issued, forward-settling or non-standard settlement cycle
security does not satisfy the Delayed-Settlement Securities Provision, then it is treated as a derivatives transaction under Rule
18f-4.
MANAGEMENT
OF THE FUND
Adviser
RiverNorth
Capital Management, LLC (“RiverNorth” or the “Adviser”), a registered investment adviser, is the Fund’s
investment adviser and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, managing the Fund’s business affairs and
providing certain administrative services. The Adviser is also responsible for determining the Fund’s overall investment
strategy and overseeing its implementation.
RiverNorth,
founded in 2000, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of RiverNorth Financial Holdings LLC and is located at 360 South Rosemary Avenue,
Suite 1420, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. As of August 31, 2024, RiverNorth managed approximately $5.02 billion for registered open-end
management investment companies, registered closed-end management investment companies and private investment vehicles. See “Management
of the Fund” in the SAI.
Investment
Advisory Agreement
Pursuant
to an Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is responsible for managing the Fund’s affairs, subject at all times to
the general oversight of the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board” or “Board of Directors”). Effective
October 1, 2022, the Fund has agreed to pay the Adviser a management fee payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 1.30%
of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets for the services it provides. This management fee paid by the Fund to the Adviser
is essentially an all-in fee structure (the “unified management fee”) and, as part of the unified management fee,
the Adviser provides or causes to be furnished all supervisory and administrative and other services reasonably necessary for
the operation of the Fund, except (unless otherwise described in this Prospectus or otherwise agreed to in writing), the Fund
pays, in addition to the unified management fee, taxes and governmental fees, if any, levied against the Fund; brokerage fees
and commissions and other portfolio transaction expenses incurred by or for the Fund; costs, including interest expenses, of borrowing
money or engaging in other types of leverage financing including, without limit, through the use by the Fund of tender option
bond transactions; costs, including dividend and/or interest expenses and other costs (including, without limit, offering and
related legal costs, fees to brokers, fees to auction agents, fees to transfer agents, fees to ratings agencies and fees to auditors
associated with satisfying ratings agency requirements for preferred shares or other securities issued by the Fund and other related
requirements in the Fund’s organizational documents) associated with the Fund’s issuance, offering, redemption and
maintenance of preferred shares or other instruments (such as the use of tender option bond transactions) for the purpose of incurring
leverage; fees and expenses of any Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests; dividend and interest expenses on short positions
taken by the Fund; fees and expenses, including travel expenses and fees and expenses of legal counsel retained for the benefit
of the Fund, of directors of the Fund who are not officers, employees, partners, shareholders or members of the Adviser or its
affiliates; fees and expenses associated with and incident to shareholder meetings and proxy solicitations involving contested
elections of directors, shareholder proposals or other non-routine matters that are not initiated or proposed by the Adviser;
legal, marketing, printing, accounting and other expenses associated with any future share offerings, such as rights offerings
and shelf offerings, following the Fund’s initial offering; expenses associated with tender offers and other share repurchases
and redemptions; and other extraordinary expenses, including extraordinary legal expenses, as may arise, including, without limit,
expenses incurred in connection with litigation, proceedings, other claims and the legal obligations of the Fund to indemnify
its directors, officers, employees, shareholders, distributors and agents with respect thereto.
Prior
to October 1, 2022, ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“ALPS Advisors”) served as the Fund’s investment adviser, and the Fund
paid ALPS Advisors a management fee payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily Managed
Assets for the service and facilities it provided. The management fee paid by the Fund to ALPS Advisors was essentially a variable
fee structure where the Fund paid an advisory fee under the prior investment advisory agreement with ALPS Advisors and also paid
“variable fees” to cover other Fund expenses (including administrative expenses). Prior to October 1, 2022, the Adviser
served as investment subadviser to the Fund.
When
the Fund utilizes leverage, the fees paid to the Adviser for investment management services will be higher than if the Fund did
not use leverage because the fees paid will be calculated based on Managed Assets, which would include assets attributable to
leverage. Because the fees paid to the Adviser are determined on the basis of Managed Assets, this creates a conflict of interest
for the Adviser. The Board of Directors monitors the Fund’s use of leverage and in doing so monitors this potential conflict.
The
Investment Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be liable for any act or omission connected with or arising
out of any services to be rendered under such agreement, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence
on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by the Adviser of its obligations and duties
under such agreement.
The
Adviser will make available, without additional expense to the Fund, the services of such of its officers, directors and employees
as may be duly elected as officers or directors of the Fund, subject to the individual consent of such persons to serve and to
any limitations imposed by law. The Adviser pays all expenses incurred in performing its services under the Investment Advisory
Agreement, including compensation of and office space for directors, officers and employees of the Adviser connected with management
of the Fund. The Fund pays brokerage and other expenses of executing the Fund’s portfolio transactions; taxes or governmental
fees; interest charges and other costs of borrowing funds; litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses
not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business.
The
Investment Advisory Agreement remained in effect for an initial term ending two years from the effective date of the agreement
(unless sooner terminated). The Investment Advisory Agreement shall remain in effect from year to year thereafter if approved
annually (i) by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by a vote of the Fund’s Board of Directors,
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Board of
Directors who are not parties to the Investment Advisory Agreement, or “interested persons” of any party to the Investment
Advisory Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Information regarding the Board
of Directors’ approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement is available in the Fund’s semi-annual report to Common
Shareholders for the period ended January 31, 2024. The Investment Advisory Agreement will terminate upon assignment by any party
and is terminable, without penalty, on 60 days’ written notice by the Board of Directors or by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or upon 60 days’ written notice by the Adviser.
The
total dollar amount paid by the Fund to ALPS Advisors for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2022 and for the period from August 1,
2022 through September 30, 2022 were $2,956,781 and $867,310, respectively. The total dollar amount paid by the Fund to the Adviser
for the period from October 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023 and for the period from August 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 were $3,604,927
and $4,290,794, respectively. See “Summary of Fund Expenses” in the Prospectus.
Compensation
of Portfolio Managers
Mr.
Galley’s and Mr. O’Neill’s total compensation package, like others in the Adviser’s business, is a package
designed to attract and retain investment professionals. The compensation package includes a base salary fixed from year to year.
The amount of the base salary is assessed for its competitiveness in the industry and geographic location of the Adviser. Mr.
Galley and Mr. O’Neill are also eligible for an annual but variable performance bonus. Performance bonuses reflects individual
employee performance in his or her allocated duties and responsibilities. While performance of the funds managed by the portfolio
managers is considered in determining the annual performance, it is but one factor. The overall success of the Adviser in its
business objectives and the performance of the Adviser’s business as a whole are more important factors than the investment
performance of a particular fund or account. Mr. Galley and Mr. O’Neill also participate in a 401K program on the same basis
as other employees of the Adviser, which includes matching of employee contributions up to a certain percent of the portfolio
managers’ base salary. Those portfolio managers that are also equity stakeholders in the Adviser or its affiliates may also
receive periodic distribution of profits from business operations.
Portfolio
Manager Ownership of Fund Shares
The
following table shows the dollar range of equity securities of the Fund beneficially owned by the portfolio managers of the Fund
as of June 30, 2024.
Name
of Portfolio Manager |
Dollar
Range of Equity Securities of the Fund |
Patrick
W. Galley, CFA |
Over
$100,000 |
Stephen
O’Neill, CFA |
Over
$100,000 |
Conflicts
of Interest
Actual
or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to
more than one fund or other accounts. More specifically, portfolio managers who manage multiple funds are presented with the potential
conflicts discussed below.
The
management of multiple accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each
account. The management of multiple funds and accounts also may give rise to potential conflicts of interest if the funds and
accounts have different objectives, benchmarks, time horizons, and fees as the portfolio manager must allocate his time and investment
ideas across multiple funds and accounts. Another potential conflict of interest may arise where another account has the same
investment objective as the Fund, whereby the portfolio manager could favor one account over another.
With
respect to securities transactions for the Fund, the Adviser determines which broker to use to execute each order, consistent
with the duty to seek best execution of the transaction. A portfolio manager may execute transactions for another fund or account
that may adversely impact the value of securities held by the Fund. Securities selected for funds or accounts other than the Fund
may outperform the securities selected for the Fund. Further, a potential conflict could include Mr. Galley’s, or Mr. O’Neill’s
knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby they could use this information to the advantage
of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Fund. These potential conflicts of interest could create the appearance that
a portfolio manager is favoring one investment vehicle over another.
The
appearance of a conflict of interest may arise where the Adviser has an incentive, such as a performance-based management fee.
The management of personal accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest; there is no assurance that the Fund’s
code of ethics will adequately address such conflicts. One of the portfolio managers’ numerous responsibilities is to assist
in the sale of Fund shares. Because the portfolio managers’ compensation is indirectly linked to the sale of Fund shares,
they may have an incentive to devote time to marketing efforts designed to increase sales of Fund shares.
Although
the portfolio managers generally do not trade securities in their own personal account, the Adviser and the Fund have each adopted
a code of ethics that, among other things, permits personal trading by employees (including trading in securities that can be
purchased, sold or held by the Fund) under conditions where it has been determined that such trades would not adversely impact
client accounts. Nevertheless, the management of personal accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest, and there
is no assurance that these codes of ethics will adequately address such conflicts.
The
Adviser has adopted certain compliance procedures which are designed to address these types of conflicts. However, there is no
guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.
Other
Accounts Managed
As
of June 30, 2024, the portfolio managers of the Fund were responsible for the management of the following other accounts (in addition
to the Fund):
Number
of Other Accounts Managed and Assets by Account Type As of June 30, 2024 |
Portfolio
Manager |
Registered
Investment
Companies
(other
than
the Fund) |
Registered
Investment
Companies
Subject to
Performance-
Based
Advisory Fees |
Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles |
Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
Subject to
Performance-
Based
Advisory
Fees |
Other
Accounts |
Other
Accounts
Subject to
Performance-
Based
Advisory Fees |
Patrick
W. Galley, CFA |
13
$3.58B |
0
$0 |
5
$988M |
5
$988M |
10
$85.4M |
10
$85.4M |
Stephen
O’Neill, CFA |
11
$3.57B |
0
$0 |
5
$988M |
5
$988M |
10
$85.4M |
10
$85.4M |
Administrator
Under
the Administration, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”), subject to the supervision
of the Board, AFS is responsible for calculating NAVs, providing additional fund accounting and tax services, and providing fund
administration and compliance-related services. AFS will bear all expenses in connection with the performance of its services
under the Administration Agreement, except for certain out-of-pocket expenses described therein. AFS will not bear any expenses
incurred by the Fund, including but not limited to, initial organization and offering expenses; litigation expenses; costs of
preferred shares (including the 6.00% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock); expenses of conducting repurchase offers
for the purpose of repurchasing Fund shares; transfer agency and custodial expenses; taxes; interest; Fund directors’ fees;
compensation and expenses of Fund officers who are not associated with AFS or its affiliates; brokerage fees and commissions;
state and federal registration fees; advisory fees; insurance premiums; fidelity bond premiums; Fund legal and audit fees and
expenses; costs of maintenance of Fund existence; printing and delivery of materials in connection with meetings of the Fund’s
directors; printing and mailing shareholder reports, offering documents, and proxy materials; securities pricing and data services;
and expenses in connection with electronic filings with the SEC.
AFS,
which also serves as the Fund’s transfer agent, is entitled to receive the greater of (i) a fixed annual complex minimum
fee; or (ii) a monthly fee based on the Fund’s Managed Assets and a fixed fee for completion of certain regulatory filings
plus certain out of pocket expenses. The total fees incurred by the Fund under the Administration Agreement for the fiscal year
ended July 31, 2022 and for the period from August 1, 2022 through September 30, 2022 were $477,111 and $132,376, respectively.
The total fees under the Administration Agreement for the period from October 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023 and from the period August
1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 were $179,521 and $247,864, respectively, which was paid by the Fund to the Adviser through the unified
management fee.
Codes
of Ethics
Pursuant
to the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and in order to protect against certain unlawful acts, practices and courses
of business by certain individuals or entities related to the Fund, the Adviser has adopted a Code of Ethics and procedures for
implementing the provisions of the Code. The personnel of the Fund and the Adviser are subject to the code of ethics when investing
in securities that may be purchased, sold or held by the Fund.
FUND
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
Cohen
& Company, Ltd. (“Cohen”), located at 1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 800, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, has been appointed
as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund. Cohen audits the financial statements of the Fund and provides
other audit, tax and related services.
Legal
Counsel
Faegre
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, serves as legal counsel to the Fund and the independent Directors.
Custodian
and Transfer Agent
State
Street Bank and Trust Company, located at State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, serves as the Fund’s
custodian and will maintain custody of the securities and cash of the Fund pursuant to a Custody Agreement. Under the Custody
Agreement, the custodian holds the Fund’s assets in compliance with the 1940 Act. For its services, the custodian will receive
a monthly fee based upon, among other things, the average value of the total assets of the Fund, plus certain charges for securities
transactions.
DST
Systems, Inc., located at 333 West 11th Street, 5th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105, and an affiliate of the Adviser and AFS,
serves as the transfer agent and registrar for the Fund.
PORTFOLIO
TRANSACTIONS
The
Adviser is responsible for the Fund’s portfolio decisions and the placing of the Fund’s portfolio transactions. In
placing portfolio transactions, the Adviser seeks the best qualitative execution for the Fund, taking into account such factors
as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility
and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer. The Adviser
generally seeks favorable prices and commission rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received.
The
Adviser is specifically authorized to select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or
the other accounts over which the Adviser exercises investment discretion, and to pay such brokers or dealers a commission in
excess of the commission another broker or dealer would charge if the Adviser determines in good faith that the commission is
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. The determination may be viewed in terms
of a particular transaction or the Adviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and to other accounts over
which it exercises investment discretion. The Adviser may not give consideration to sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in
the selection of brokers and dealers to execute portfolio transactions. However, the Adviser may place portfolio transactions
with brokers or dealers that promote or sell the Fund’s shares so long as such placements are made pursuant to policies
approved by the Board that are designed to ensure that the selection is based on the quality of the broker’s execution and
not on its sales efforts.
Research
services include supplemental research, securities and economic analyses, statistical services and information with respect to
the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities, and analyses of reports concerning performance of accounts.
The research services and other information furnished by brokers through whom the Fund effects securities transactions may also
be used by the Adviser in servicing all of its accounts. Similarly, research and information provided by brokers or dealers serving
other clients may be useful to the Adviser in connection with its services to the Fund. Although research services and other information
are useful to the Fund and the Adviser, it is not possible to place a dollar value on the research and other information received.
It is the opinion of the Adviser that the review and study of the research and other information will not reduce the overall cost
to the Adviser of performing its duties to the Fund under the Agreement.
Over-the-counter
transactions will be placed either directly with principal market makers or with broker-dealers, if the same or a better price,
including commissions and executions, is available. Fixed income securities are normally purchased directly from the issuer, an
underwriter or a market maker. Purchases include a concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and the purchase price paid
to a market maker may include the spread between the bid and ask prices.
When
the Fund and another of the Adviser’s clients seek to purchase or sell the same security at or about the same time, the
Adviser may execute the transaction on a combined (“blocked”) basis. Blocked transactions can produce better execution
for the Fund because of the increased volume of the transaction. If the entire blocked order is not filled, the Fund may not be
able to acquire as large a position in such security as it desires or it may have to pay a higher price for the security. Similarly,
the Fund may not be able to obtain as large an execution of an order to sell or as high a price for any particular portfolio security
if the other client desires to sell the same portfolio security at the same time. In the event that the entire blocked order is
not filled, the purchase or sale will normally be allocated on a pro rata basis. The Adviser may adjust the allocation when, taking
into account such factors as the size of the individual orders and transaction costs, the Adviser believes an adjustment is reasonable.
The
Fund has no obligation to deal with any particular broker or dealer in the execution of its transactions, but has no present intention
of using affiliated broker-dealers for Fund portfolio trades.
The
Fund paid brokerage commissions in the aggregate amounts of $95,013, $70,708 and $187,306 during the fiscal period August 1, 2023
to June 30, 2024 and for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2023 and July 31, 2022, respectively, not including the gross underwriting
spread on securities purchased in underwritten public offerings.
The
Fund paid brokerage commissions in the amounts of 0, $3,229 and $18,472 to a broker affiliated with the Fund during the fiscal
period August 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 and for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2023 and July 31, 2022, respectively.
DIVIDENDS
The
Board approved an amended distribution policy, under which the Fund intends to make regular monthly distributions to stockholders
at a constant and fixed (but not guaranteed) rate that is reset annually to a rate equal to a percentage of the average of the
Fund’s NAV per share (the “Distribution Amount”), as reported for the final five trading days of the preceding
calendar year (the “Distribution Rate Calculation”). The Distribution Amount is set by the Board and may be adjusted
from time to time. The Fund’s intention is that monthly distributions paid to stockholders throughout a calendar year will
be at least equal to the Distribution Amount (plus any additional amounts that may be required to be included in a distribution
for federal or excise tax purposes) and that, on the close of the calendar year, the Distribution Amount applicable to the following
calendar year will be reset based upon the new results of the Distribution Rate Calculation.
Dividends
and distributions may be payable in cash or Common Shares, with stockholders having the option to receive additional Common Shares
in lieu of cash. The Fund may at times, in its discretion, pay out less than the entire amount of net investment income earned
in any particular period and may at times pay out such accumulated undistributed income in addition to net investment income earned
in other periods in order to permit the Fund to maintain a more stable level of distributions. As a result, the dividend paid
by the Fund to Common Stockholders for any particular period may be more or less than the amount of net investment income earned
by the Fund during such period. The Fund’s ability to maintain a stable level of distributions to stockholders will depend
on a number of factors, including the stability of income received from its investments and the costs of any leverage. As portfolio
and market conditions change, the amount of dividends on the Fund’s Common Shares could change. For federal income tax purposes,
the Fund is required to distribute substantially all of its net investment income each year to both reduce its federal income
tax liability and to avoid a potential federal excise tax. The Fund intends to distribute all realized net capital gains, if any,
at least annually.
Under
the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to incur indebtedness unless immediately after such incurrence the Fund has an asset coverage
of at least 300% of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of indebtedness. Additionally, under the 1940 Act, the Fund may
not declare any dividend or other distribution upon any class of its capital stock, or purchase any such capital stock, unless
the aggregate indebtedness of the Fund has, at the time of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution or at the time
of any such purchase, an asset coverage of at least 300% after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution, or purchase
price, as the case may be.
While
any preferred stock is outstanding, the Fund may not declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Shares, unless
at the time of such declaration, (i) all accumulated preferred dividends have been paid and (ii) the NAV of the Fund’s portfolio
(determined after deducting the amount of such dividend or other distribution) is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the
outstanding preferred stock (expected to be equal to the original purchase price per share plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends
thereon).
In
addition to the limitations imposed by the 1940 Act described above, certain lenders may impose additional restrictions on the
payment of dividends or distributions on Common Shares in the event of a default on the Fund’s borrowings. If the Fund’s
ability to make distributions on its Common Shares is limited, such limitation could, under certain circumstances, impair the
ability of the Fund to maintain its qualification for taxation as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes,
which would have adverse tax consequences for shareholders.
REPURCHASE
OF SHARES
The
Fund is a closed-end fund and as such its stockholders will not have the right to cause the Fund to redeem their shares. Instead,
the Fund’s shares trade in the open market at a price that is a function of several factors, including dividend levels (which
are in turn affected by expenses), NAV, call protection, price, dividend stability, relative demand for and supply of such shares
in the market, market and economic conditions and other factors. Because shares of a closed-end fund may frequently trade at prices
lower than NAV, the Fund’s Board may (but is not obligated to) consider action that might be taken to reduce or eliminate
any material discount from NAV in respect of shares, which may include the repurchase of such shares in the open market, private
transactions, the making of a tender offer for such shares at NAV, or the conversion of the Fund to an open-end fund. The Board
may not decide to take any of these actions. During the pendency of a tender offer, the Fund will publish how Common Stockholders
may readily ascertain the NAV. In addition, there can be no assurance that share repurchases or tender offers, if undertaken,
will reduce market discount.
Subject
to its investment limitations, the Fund may use the accumulation of cash to finance repurchase of shares or to make a tender offer.
Interest on any borrowings to finance share repurchase transactions or the accumulation of cash by the Fund in anticipation of
share repurchases or tenders will reduce the Fund’s income. Any share repurchase, tender offer or borrowing that might be
approved by the Board would have to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the 1940 Act and the rules
and regulations under each of those Acts.
Although
the decision to take action in response to a discount from NAV will be made by the Board at the time it considers the issue, it
is the Board’s present policy, which may be changed by the Board, not to authorize repurchases of Common Shares or a tender
offer for such shares if (1) such transaction, if consummated, would (a) result in delisting of the Common Shares from the NYSE
or (b) impair the Fund’s status as a regulated investment company under the Code (which would make the Fund a taxable entity,
causing its income to be taxed at the corporate level in addition to the taxation of stockholders who receive dividends from the
Fund) or as a registered closed-end fund under the 1940 Act; (2) the Fund would not be able to liquidate portfolio securities
in an orderly manner and consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies in order to repurchase shares; or
(3) there is, in the Board’s judgment, any (a) material legal action or proceeding instituted or threatened challenging
such transactions or otherwise materially adversely affecting the Fund, (b) general suspension of or limitation on prices for
trading securities on the NYSE, (c) declaration of a banking moratorium by Federal or state authorities or a suspension of payment
by U.S. banks in which the Fund invests, (d) material limitation affecting the Fund or the issuers of its portfolio securities
by Federal or state authorities on the extension of credit by institutions or on the exchange of foreign currency, (e) commencement
of armed hostilities or other international or national calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States, or (f) other
event or condition which would have a material adverse effect (including any adverse tax effect) on the Fund or its stockholders
if shares were repurchased. The Board may in the future modify these conditions in light of experience.
The
repurchase by the Fund of its shares at prices below NAV will result in an increase in the NAV of those shares that remain outstanding.
However, there can be no assurance that share repurchases or tenders at or below NAV will result in the Fund’s shares trading
at a price equal to their NAV. Nevertheless, the fact that the shares may be the subject of repurchase or tender offers at NAV
from time to time, or that the Fund may be converted to an open-end fund, may reduce any spread between market price and NAV that
might otherwise exist.
Before
deciding whether to take any action, the Fund’s Board would likely consider all relevant factors, including the extent and
duration of the discount, the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio, the impact of any action on the Fund and market considerations.
Based on the considerations, even if the Fund’s shares should trade at a discount, the Board may determine that, in the
interest of the Fund no action should be taken.
U.S.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
The
following is a summary discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a shareholder that acquires,
holds and/or disposes of Common Shares of the Fund. This discussion only addresses U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S.
shareholders who hold their shares as capital assets and does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that
may be relevant to particular shareholders in light of their individual circumstances. This discussion also does not address the
tax consequences to shareholders who are subject to special rules, including, without limitation, banks and other financial institutions,
insurance companies, dealers in securities or foreign currencies, traders in securities that have elected to mark-to-market their
securities holdings, foreign holders, persons who hold their shares as or in a hedge against currency risk, or as part of a constructive
sale, straddle or conversion transaction, or tax-exempt or tax-deferred plans, accounts, or entities. In addition, the discussion
does not address any state, local, or foreign tax consequences. The discussion reflects applicable income tax laws of the United
States as of the date hereof, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue
Service (“IRS”) retroactively or prospectively, which could affect the continued validity of this summary. No attempt
is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal income tax concerns affecting the Fund and its shareholders, and
the discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors before
making an investment in the Fund to determine the specific tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund, including the applicable
federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences as well as the effect of possible changes in tax laws.
Fund
Taxation
The
Fund intends to elect to be treated, and to qualify each year, as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter
M of the Code, so that it will generally not pay U.S. federal income tax on income and capital gains timely distributed (or treated
as being distributed, as described below) to shareholders.
In
order to qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund must meet three important tests each year. First, the Fund must derive
with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to
securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, other income derived
with respect to its business of investing in stock, securities or currencies, or net income derived from interests in qualified
publicly traded partnerships.
Second,
generally, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets must consist
of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and securities of other
issuers (as to which the Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities of the issuer and as
to which the Fund does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer), and no more than 25% of the
value of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in the securities of (1) any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities
and securities of other regulated investment companies), (2) two or more issuers that the Fund controls and which are engaged
in the same or similar trades or businesses, or (3) one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.
Third,
the Fund must distribute an amount equal to at least the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (net investment income
and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) and 90% of its tax-exempt income, if any, for the
year.
If
the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company, it will be relieved of U.S. federal income tax on any income of the Fund,
including long-term capital gains, distributed to shareholders. However, if the Fund retains any investment company taxable income
or “net capital gain” (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), it will be
subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate federal income tax rates (currently 21%) on the amount retained. The Fund
intends to distribute at least annually all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (determined without
regard to the deduction for dividends paid), net tax-exempt interest, if any, and net capital gain. Under the Code, the Fund will
generally be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on the portion of its undistributed ordinary income and capital
gains if it fails to meet certain distribution requirements with respect to each calendar year. In order to avoid the 4% federal
excise tax, the required minimum distribution is generally equal to the sum of 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income (computed
on a calendar year basis, and taking into account certain deferrals and elections), plus 98.2% of the Fund’s capital gain
net income (generally computed for the one-year period ending on October 31) plus undistributed amounts from prior years on which
the Fund paid no federal income tax. The Fund generally intends to make distributions in a timely manner in an amount sufficient
to avoid this excise tax. However, the Fund may also decide to distribute less and pay the federal excise taxes.
If,
for any taxable year, the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would
be treated as a U.S. corporation subject to U.S. federal income tax, and possibly state and local income tax, and distributions
to its shareholders would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In such event, the Fund’s distributions,
to the extent derived from the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, would generally constitute ordinary dividends,
which generally would be eligible for the dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders under Section 243 of
the Code, as discussed below, and non-corporate shareholders of the Fund generally would be able to treat such distributions as
“qualified dividend income” eligible for reduced rates of U.S. federal income taxation under Section 1(h)(11) of the
Code, as discussed below, provided in each case that certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.
If
the Fund or an Underlying Fund invests in certain positions such as pay-in-kind securities, zero coupon securities, deferred interest
securities or, in general, any other securities with original issue discount (or with market discount if the Fund or Underlying
Fund elects to include market discount in income currently), the Fund or Underlying Fund must accrue income on such investments
for each taxable year, which generally will be prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments. However, the Fund must
distribute, at least annually, all or substantially all of its net investment income, including such accrued income, to shareholders
to avoid U.S. federal income and excise taxes. Therefore, the Fund may have to dispose of its portfolio securities under disadvantageous
circumstances to generate cash, or may have to leverage itself by borrowing the cash, to satisfy distribution requirements.
The
Fund or an Underlying Fund may also acquire market discount bonds. A market discount bond is a security acquired in the secondary
market at a price below its stated redemption price at maturity (or its adjusted issue price if it is also an original issue discount
bond). If the Fund or an Underlying Fund invests in a market discount bond, it will be required for federal income tax purposes
to treat any gain recognized on the disposition of such market discount bond as ordinary income (instead of capital gain) to the
extent of the accrued market discount unless the Fund or Underlying Fund elects or is otherwise required to include the market
discount in income as it accrues.
The
Fund or an Underlying Fund may invest in debt obligations that are in the lowest rating categories or are unrated, including debt
obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or who are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of
or in default present special tax issues. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund or an Underlying
Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken
for bad debts or worthless securities, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and
income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. These and other related issues
will be addressed by the Fund when, as and if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient
income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise taxes.
Investments
in distressed debt obligations that are at risk of or in default may present special federal income tax issues for the Fund or
an Underlying Fund. The federal income tax consequences to a holder of such securities are not entirely certain. If the characterization
of such investments by the Fund or an Underlying Fund were successfully challenged by the IRS or the IRS issues guidance regarding
investments in such securities, it may affect whether the Fund has made sufficient distributions or otherwise satisfied the requirements
to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid federal income and excise taxes.
The
Fund will not be able to offset gains distributed by one Underlying Fund in which it invests against losses realized by another
Underlying Fund in which the Fund invests. Redemptions of shares in an Underlying Fund, including those resulting from changes
in the allocation among Underlying Funds, could also cause additional distributable gains to shareholders of the Fund. A portion
of any such gains may be short-term capital gains that would be distributable as ordinary income to shareholders of the Fund.
Further, a portion of losses on redemptions of shares in the Underlying Funds may be deferred under the wash sale rules. Further,
a portion of losses on redemptions of shares in the Underlying Funds and SPACs may be deferred under the wash sale rules. Additionally,
the Fund’s investment in an Underlying Fund may result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the Underlying Fund’s
earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, the distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for
federal income tax purposes. As a result of these factors, the use of the fund of funds structure by the Fund could therefore
affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.
The
Fund or an Underlying Fund may engage in various transactions utilizing options, futures contracts, forward contracts, hedge instruments,
straddles, and other similar transactions. Such transactions may be subject to special provisions of the Code that, among other
things, affect the character of any income realized by the Fund from such investments, accelerate recognition of income to the
Fund, defer Fund losses, and affect the determination of whether capital gain or loss is characterized as long-term or short-term
capital gain or loss. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. These
provisions may also require the Fund to mark-to-market certain positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat them as if they were closed
out), which may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts necessary
to satisfy the distribution requirements for avoiding U.S. federal income and excise taxes. In addition, certain Fund investments
may produce income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% income test. The Fund will monitor its investments
and transactions, will make the appropriate tax elections, and will make the appropriate entries in its books and records when
it acquires an option, futures contract, forward contract, hedge instrument or other similar investment in order to mitigate the
effect of these rules, prevent disqualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company and minimize the imposition of U.S.
federal income and excise taxes, if possible.
The
Fund’s transactions in broad based equity index futures contracts, exchange traded options on such indices and certain other
futures contracts (if any) are generally considered “Section 1256 contracts” for federal income tax purposes. Any
unrealized gains or losses on such Section 1256 contracts are treated as though they were realized at the end of each taxable
year. The resulting gain or loss is treated as sixty percent long-term capital gain or loss and forty percent short-term capital
gain or loss. Gain or loss recognized on actual sales of Section 1256 contracts is treated in the same manner. As noted below,
distributions of net short-term capital gain are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income while distributions of net long-term
capital gain are generally taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long the shareholder has held
shares of the Fund.
The
Fund’s entry into a short sale transaction, an option or certain other contracts could be treated as the constructive sale
of an appreciated financial position, causing the Fund to realize gain, but not loss, on the position, despite not having actually
disposed of the appreciated position.
Foreign
exchange gains and losses realized by the Fund in connection with certain transactions involving foreign currency-denominated
debt securities, certain options and futures contracts relating to foreign currency, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign
currencies, or payables or receivables denominated in a foreign currency (if any) are subject to Section 988 of the Code, which
generally causes such gain and loss to be treated as ordinary income or loss and may affect the amount, timing and character of
distributions to shareholders.
If
the Fund acquires any equity interest (generally including not only stock but also an option to acquire stock such as is inherent
in a convertible bond) in certain foreign corporations that receive at least 75% of their annual gross income from passive sources
(such as interest, dividends, certain rents and royalties, or capital gains) or that hold at least 50% of their assets in investments
producing such passive income (“passive foreign investment companies”), the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal
income tax and additional interest charges on “excess distributions” received from such companies or on gain from
the sale of equity interests in such companies, even if all income or gain actually received by the Fund is timely distributed
to its shareholders. The Fund would not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such tax. Any
gain on the sale of these investments will generally be treated as ordinary income. Elections may be available that would ameliorate
some or all of these adverse federal income tax consequences, but any such election could require the Fund to recognize taxable
income or gain (which would be subject to the distribution requirements described above) without the concurrent receipt of cash.
The Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in passive foreign investment companies to limit its tax liability or maximize its
return from these investments.
The
Fund or an Underlying Fund may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries, including taxes on interest,
dividends and capital gains with respect to its investments in those countries (if any), which would, if imposed, reduce the yield
on or return from those investments. Tax treaties between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes in
some cases. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of stock
or securities of foreign corporations, or if at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of each quarter
of its taxable year is represented by interests in other regulated investment companies, the Fund may elect to “pass through”
to its shareholders the amount of foreign taxes paid or deemed paid by the Fund. If the Fund so elects, each of its shareholders
would be required to include in gross income, even though not actually received, its pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid
or deemed paid by the Fund, but would be treated as having paid its pro rata share of such foreign taxes and would therefore be
allowed to either deduct such amount in computing taxable income or use such amount (subject to various limitations) as a foreign
tax credit against federal income tax (but not both).
If
the Fund utilizes leverage through borrowing, asset coverage limitations imposed by the 1940 Act as well as additional restrictions
that may be imposed by certain lenders on the payment of dividends or distributions could potentially limit or eliminate the Fund’s
ability to make distributions on its Common Shares until the asset coverage is restored. These limitations could prevent the Fund
from distributing at least 90% of its investment company taxable income as is required under the Code and therefore might jeopardize
the Fund’s qualification as a regulated investment company and/or might subject the Fund to the nondeductible 4% federal
excise tax discussed above. Upon any failure to meet the asset coverage requirements imposed by the 1940 Act, the Fund may, in
its sole discretion and to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, purchase or redeem shares of preferred stock, if any, in order
to maintain or restore the requisite asset coverage and avoid the adverse consequences to the Fund and its shareholders of failing
to meet the distribution requirements. There can be no assurance, however, that any such action would achieve these objectives.
The Fund generally will endeavor to avoid restrictions on its ability to distribute dividends.
Shareholder
Taxation
Distributions
of investment company taxable income are generally taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated
earnings and profits. Distributions of net investment income reported by the Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will
be taxed in the hands of individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain, provided
certain holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Fund levels. A dividend will not be treated
as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (i) if the dividend is received with respect to any share
of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which
such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day
period beginning 90 days before such date), (ii) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to
a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (iii)
if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility
of investment interest, or (iv) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits
of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the U.S. which the IRS has approved for these purposes (with the exception of dividends
paid on stock of such a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S.) or (b) treated
as a passive foreign investment company. If the Fund received dividends from an Underlying Fund that qualifies as a regulated
investment company, and the Underlying Fund designates such dividends as qualified dividend income, then the Fund is permitted
in turn to report a portion of its distributions as qualified dividend income, provided the Fund meets holding period and other
requirements with respect to shares of the Underlying Fund. Qualified dividend income does not include interest from fixed income
securities and generally does not include income from REITs. If the Fund lends portfolio securities, amounts received by the Fund
that is the equivalent of the dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned will not be eligible for qualified dividend
income treatment. The Fund can provide no assurance regarding the portion of its dividends that will qualify for qualified dividend
income treatment.
Distributions
of net capital gain, if any, that are properly reported by the Fund are taxable at long-term capital gain rates for U.S. federal
income tax purposes without regard to the length of time the shareholder has held shares of the Fund. A distribution of an amount
in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, if any, will be treated by a shareholder as a tax-free
return of capital, which is applied against and reduces the shareholder’s basis in his, her or its shares. To the extent
that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the shareholder’s basis in his, her or its shares, the excess will be treated
by the shareholder as gain from the sale or exchange of such shares. The U.S. federal income tax status of all distributions will
be designated by the Fund and reported to shareholders annually.
Certain
distributions by the Fund may qualify for the dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders under Section 243
of the Code, subject to certain holding period and other requirements, but generally only to the extent the Fund earned dividend
income from stock investments in U.S. domestic corporations (but not including REITs). Additionally, if the Fund received dividends
from an Underlying Fund that qualifies as a regulated investment company, and the Underlying Fund reports such dividends as eligible
for the dividends received deduction, then the Fund is permitted in turn to designate a portion of its distributions as eligible
for the dividends received deduction, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of
the Underlying Fund. The Fund can provide no assurance regarding the portion of its dividends that will qualify for the dividends
received deduction.
A
Common Stockholder may elect to have all dividends and distributions automatically reinvested in Common Shares of the Fund. For
U.S. federal income tax purposes, all dividends are generally taxable regardless of whether a shareholder takes them in cash or
they are reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.
If
a shareholder’s distributions are automatically reinvested in additional shares, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the
shareholder will be treated as having received a taxable distribution in the amount of the cash dividend that the shareholder
would have received if the shareholder had elected to receive cash, unless the distribution is in newly issued shares of the Fund
that are trading at or above NAV, in which case the shareholder will be treated as receiving a taxable distribution equal to the
fair market value of the stock the shareholder receives.
The
Fund intends to distribute all realized net capital gains, if any, at least annually. If, however, the Fund were to retain any
net capital gain, the Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to shareholders who, if
subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income, as long-term capital
gain, their proportionate share of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate share of
the federal income tax paid by the Fund on the undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any,
and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of
shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by the difference between the amount of undistributed net capital
gain included in the shareholder’s gross income and the federal income tax deemed paid by the shareholder.
Any
dividend declared by the Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid during the following
January will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as paid by the Fund and received by shareholders on December 31 of
the calendar year in which it is declared.
For
tax years beginning before January 1, 2026, individuals and certain other noncorporate entities are generally eligible for a 20%
deduction with respect to ordinary dividends received from REITs (“qualified REIT dividends”) and certain taxable
income from publicly traded partnerships. Applicable Treasury regulations allow a regulated investment company to pass through
to its shareholders qualified REIT dividends eligible for the 20% deduction. However, the regulations do not provide a mechanism
for a regulated investment company to pass through to its shareholders qualified REIT dividends received indirectly from investments
in Underlying Funds or income from publicly traded partnerships that would be eligible for such deduction if received directly
by the shareholders.
Certain
distributions reported by the Fund as section 163(j) interest dividends may be treated as interest income by shareholders for
purposes of the tax rules applicable to interest expense limitations under Section 163(j) of the Code. Such treatment by the shareholder
is generally subject to holding period requirements and other potential limitations, although the holding period requirements
are generally not applicable to dividends declared by money market funds and certain other funds that declare dividends daily
and pay such dividends on a monthly or more frequent basis. The amount that the Fund is eligible to report as a Section 163(j)
dividend for a tax year is generally limited to the excess of the Fund’s business interest income over the sum of the Fund’s
(i) business interest expense and (ii) other deductions properly allocable to the Fund’s business interest income.
At
the time of an investor’s purchase of the Fund’s shares, a portion of the purchase price may be attributable to realized
or unrealized appreciation in the Fund’s portfolio or undistributed taxable income of the Fund. Consequently, subsequent
distributions by the Fund with respect to these shares from such appreciation or income may be taxable to such investor even if
the NAV of the investor’s shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the investor’s cost for such
shares and the distributions economically represent a return of a portion of the investment. Investors should consider the tax
implications of purchasing shares just prior to a distribution.
The
IRS has taken the position that if a regulated investment company has two or more classes of shares, it must report distributions
made to each class in any year as consisting of no more than such class’ proportionate share of particular types of income
(e.g., ordinary income and net capital gains). Consequently, if both Common Shares and preferred stock are outstanding, the Fund
intends to report distributions made to each class of particular types of income in accordance with each class’ proportionate
share of such income. Thus, the Fund will report to the extent applicable, dividends qualifying for the corporate dividends received
deduction (if any), income not qualifying for the dividends received deduction, qualified dividend income, ordinary income and
net capital gain in a manner that allocates such income between the holders of Common Shares and preferred stock in proportion
to the total dividends paid to each class during or for the taxable year, or otherwise as required by applicable law. However,
for purposes of determining whether distributions are out of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, the
Fund’s earnings and profits will be allocated first to the Fund’s preferred stock, if any, and then to the Fund’s
Common Shares. In such a case, since the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will first be used to pay dividends
on the preferred stock, distributions in excess of such earnings and profits, if any, will be made disproportionately to holders
of Common Shares.
In
addition, solely for the purpose of satisfying the 90% distribution requirement and the distribution requirement for avoiding
federal income taxes, certain distributions made after the close of a taxable year of the Fund may be “spilled back”
and treated as paid during such taxable year. In such case, shareholders will be treated as having received such dividends in
the taxable year in which the distribution was actually made.
Sales,
exchanges and other dispositions of the Fund’s shares generally are taxable events for shareholders that are subject to
federal income tax. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their individual circumstances to determine whether
any particular transaction in the Fund’s shares is properly treated as a sale or exchange for federal income tax purposes
(as the following discussion assumes) and the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in such transactions. Generally,
gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of other property received (including
securities distributed by the Fund) and the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares sold or exchanged. In general,
any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares
have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of the Fund’s shares will
be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized by a shareholder upon the sale or other disposition
of shares with a tax holding period of six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts
treated as distributions of long-term capital gain with respect to such shares. For the purposes of calculating the six-month
period, the holding period is suspended for any periods during which the shareholder’s risk of loss is diminished as a result
of holding one or more other positions in substantially similar or related property or through certain options, short sales or
contractual obligations to sell. The maximum individual rate applicable to long-term capital gains is generally either 15% or
20%, depending on whether the individual’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts. The ability to deduct capital losses
may be subject to limitations. In addition, losses on sales or other dispositions of shares may be disallowed under the “wash
sale” rules in the event a shareholder acquires substantially identical stock or securities (including those made pursuant
to reinvestment of dividends) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after a sale or other disposition
of shares. In such a case, the disallowed portion of any loss generally would be included in the U.S. federal income tax basis
of the shares acquired.
From
time to time, the Fund may repurchase its shares. Shareholders who tender all shares held, and those considered to be held (through
attribution rules contained in the Code), by them will be treated as having sold their shares and generally will realize a capital
gain or loss. If a shareholder tenders fewer than all of his, her or its shares (including those considered held through attribution),
such shareholder may be treated as having received a taxable dividend upon the tender of its shares. If a tender offer is made,
there is a risk that non-tendering shareholders will be treated as having received taxable distributions from the Fund. To the
extent that the Fund recognizes net gains on the liquidation of portfolio securities to meet such tenders of shares, the Fund
will be required to make additional distributions to its shareholders. If the Board determines that a tender offer will be made
by the Fund, the federal income tax consequences of such offer will be discussed in materials that will be available at such time
in connection with the specific tender offer, if any.
The
Code requires that the Fund withhold, as “backup withholding,” 24% of reportable payments, including dividends, capital
gain distributions and the proceeds of sales or other dispositions of the Fund’s stock paid to shareholders who have not
complied with IRS regulations. In order to avoid this withholding requirement, shareholders must certify on their account applications,
or on a separate IRS Form W-9, that the social security number or other taxpayer identification number they provide is their correct
number and that they are not currently subject to backup withholding, or that they are exempt from backup withholding. The Fund
may nevertheless be required to withhold if it receives notice from the IRS or a broker that the number provided is incorrect
or backup withholding is applicable. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld may be allowed as a refund
or a credit against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability if the appropriate information (such as the timely
filing of the appropriate federal income tax return) is provided to the IRS.
Under
Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to shares of $2 million or more in a single taxable year
(or $4 million or more in any combination of taxable years) for an individual shareholder, S corporation or trust or $10 million
or more in a single taxable year (or $20 million or more in any combination of years) for a shareholder who is a C corporation,
such shareholder will generally be required to file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio
securities are generally excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment
company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of
most or all regulated investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal
determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors
to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Other
Taxes
The
description of certain U.S. federal income tax provisions above relates only to U.S. federal income tax consequences for shareholders
who are U.S. persons (i.e., U.S. citizens or residents or U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts or estates). Non-U.S. shareholders
should consult their tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of ownership of shares of the Fund, including the possibility
that distributions may be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax (or a reduced rate of withholding provided by an applicable treaty
if the investor provides proper certification of its non-U.S. status).
Shareholders
should consult their own tax advisors on these matters and on any specific question of U.S. federal, state, local, foreign and
other applicable tax laws before making an investment in the Fund.
BOARD
MEMBERS AND OFFICERS
The
following tables present certain information regarding the members of the Board of Directors (each, a “Director”).
Each Director’s year of birth is set forth in parentheses after his or her name. The
Board is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. The initial terms of the first, second and
third classes of directors will expire at the first, second and third annual meetings of stockholders, respectively, and, in each
case, until their successors are duly elected and qualify, or until a director sooner dies, retires, resigns or is removed as
provided in the governing documents of the Fund. Upon expiration of their initial terms, Directors of each class will be elected
to serve for three-year terms and until their successors are duly elected and qualify, and at each annual meeting one class of
directors will be elected by the shareholders. When there are Preferred Shares outstanding, two of the Fund’s directors
would be elected by the holders of Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class, and the remaining directors of the Fund would
be elected by holders of Common Shares and Preferred Shares, voting together as a class.
The
following table provides information regarding each Director who is not an “interested person” of the Fund, as defined
in the 1940 Act.
INDEPENDENT
DIRECTORS
Name, Address1 and
Year of Birth |
Position(s)
Held with
the Fund |
Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served |
Principal Occupation(s) During
Past 5 Years |
Number
of Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Director2 |
Other
Directorships
Held by the
Director
During the
Past 5 Years |
John
K. Carter
(1961) |
Director |
Current
term expires in 2024. Has served since 2013. |
Founder,
Special Counsel, Law Office of Osprey Law Firm P.A. (formerly known as the Law Office of John K. Carter P.A.) (a general practice
and corporate law firm) (2015 to present). |
11 |
Carillon
Mutual Funds (16 funds) (2016 to present). |
J.
Wayne Hutchens
(1944) |
Director |
Current
term expires in 2025. Has served since 2013. |
Currently
retired; Trustee of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (2000 to 2020); Director of AMG National Trust Bank (June 2012
to present); Trustee of Children’s Hospital Colorado (May 2012 to 2020). |
11 |
ALPS
Series Trust (11 funds) (2012 to present). |
Lisa
B. Mougin
(1972) |
Director |
Current
term expires in 2024. Has served since 2022. |
Chief
Investment Officer of Capital Sisters International (a non-profit) (2023 to present); President & Chief Operating Officer
at Positivly and Louise, each a TIFIN Company (a fintech software company) (2020 to 2022). |
8 |
N/A |
David
M. Swanson
(1957) |
Director |
Current
term expires in 2025. Has served since 2013. |
Founder
& Managing Partner, SwanDog Strategic Marketing (2006 to present). |
11 |
Managed
Portfolio Series (31 funds) (2011 to present); ALPS Variable Investment Trust (7 funds) (2006 to present). |
1 | The
mailing address of each Director is 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. |
2 | For
all Directors other than Ms. Mougin, the Fund Complex consists of the RiverNorth Core Opportunity Fund, the RiverNorth/DoubleLine
Strategic Income Fund, and the RiverNorth/Oaktree High Income Fund, each a series of the RiverNorth Funds, RiverNorth Opportunities
Fund, Inc., RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth
Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund II, Inc., RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal
Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. and RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc. For
Ms. Mougin, the Fund Complex consists of the RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Opportunity
Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth
Flexible Municipal Income Fund II, Inc., RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Managed Duration
Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. and RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc. |
The
following table provides information regarding each Director who is an “interested person” of the Fund, as defined
in the 1940 Act, and each officer of the Fund.
INTERESTED
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Name, Address1 and
Year of Birth |
Position(s)
Held with
Registrant |
Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served |
Principal Occupation(s) During
Past 5 Years |
Number
of Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Director2 |
Other
Directorships
Held by the
Director
During the
Past 5 Years |
Patrick
W. Galley3
(1975) |
Interested
Director, Chairman and President |
Current
term expires in 2026. Has served as Director since 2013, as Chairman and President since 2022. |
Chief
Executive Officer, RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (2020 to present); Chief Investment Officer, RiverNorth Capital Management,
LLC (2004 to present). |
11 |
N/A |
Jerry
R. Raio
(1964)4 |
Interested
Director |
Current
term expires in 2026. Has served since 2019. |
President,
Arbor Lane Advisors, Inc. (Since 2018); Advisory Board Member of each of FLX Distribution, (2020 to present); Quantify Crypto
(2021 to present); ETF Action (2022 to present); Qudos Technologies (2019 to 2022); Head of Capital Markets, ClickIPO (2018-2019);
Managing Director, Head of Retail Origination, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (2005 to 2018). |
11 |
N/A |
Jonathan
M. Mohrhardt
(1974) |
Treasurer
and Chief Financial Officer |
Indefinite.
Has served since 2022. |
President,
RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (2020 to present); Chief Operating Officer, RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (2011 to
present). |
N/A |
N/A |
Marcus
L. Collins
(1968) |
Chief
Compliance Officer; Secretary |
Indefinite.
Has served since 2022. |
General
Counsel, RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (2012 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC
(2012 to present). |
N/A |
N/A |
1 | The
mailing address of each Director and officer, unless otherwise noted, is 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420, West Palm Beach,
FL 33401. |
2 | For
all Directors other than Ms. Mougin, the Fund Complex consists of the RiverNorth Core Opportunity Fund, the RiverNorth/DoubleLine
Strategic Income Fund, and the RiverNorth/Oaktree High Income Fund, each a series of the RiverNorth Funds, RiverNorth Opportunities
Fund, Inc., RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth
Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund II, Inc., RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal
Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. and RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc. For
Ms. Mougin, the Fund Complex consists of the RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic Opportunity
Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth
Flexible Municipal Income Fund II, Inc., RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Managed Duration
Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. and RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc. |
3 | Patrick
W. Galley is considered an “Interested” Director as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, because
he is an officer of the Fund and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser. |
4 | Jerry
Raio is considered an “Interested” Director as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, because
of his current position as an advisory board member of FLX Distribution, which the Adviser is an investor in and Mr. Galley is
a Director of; and because of his prior position as Managing Director – Head of Retail Origination at Wells Fargo, which
had previously served as a broker and principal underwriter for certain funds advised by the Adviser. |
Board
Leadership Structure. The Board of Directors, which has overall responsibility for the oversight of the Fund’s investment
programs and business affairs, believes that it has structured itself in a manner that allows it to effectively perform its oversight
obligations. Mr. Patrick W. Galley, the Chairman of the Board (“Chairman”), is not an Independent Director. The Board
believes that the use of an interested director as Chairman is the appropriate leadership structure for the Fund given (i) Mr.
Patrick Galley’s role in the day to day operations of the Adviser, (ii) the extent to which the work of the Board of Directors
is conducted through the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee”) and the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee”), each
of whose meetings is chaired by an Independent Director, (iii) the frequency that Independent Directors meet with their independent
legal counsel and auditors in the absence of members of the Board of Directors who are interested directors of the Fund and management,
and (iv) the overall sophistication of the Independent Directors, both individually and collectively. The members of the Board
of Directors also complete an annual self-assessment during which the directors review their overall structure and consider where
and how their structure remains appropriate in light of the Fund’s current circumstances. The Chairman’s role is to
preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and in between meetings of the Board of Directors to generally act as the liaison
between the Board of Directors and the Fund’s officers, attorneys and various other service providers, including but not
limited to the Adviser and other such third parties servicing the Fund. The Board of Directors believes that having an interested
person serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors enables Mr. Galley to more effectively carry out these liaison activities.
The Board of Directors also believes that it benefits during its meetings from having a person intimately familiar with the operation
of the Fund to set the agenda for meetings of the Board of Directors to ensure that important matters are brought to the attention
of and considered by the Board of Directors.
The
Fund has two standing committees, each of which enhances the leadership structure of the Board of Directors: the Audit Committee
and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Audit Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are
each chaired by, and composed of, members who are Independent Directors.
The
Audit Committee is comprised of Ms. Mougin and Messrs. Carter, Swanson and Hutchens, all of whom are “independent”
as defined in the listing standard of the New York Stock Exchange. Mr. Hutchens is the Chair of the Audit Committee and has been
determined to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined in Form N-CSR. The role of
the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in its oversight of (i) the quality and integrity of the Fund’s
financial statements, reporting process and the independent registered public accounting firm (the “independent accountants”)
and reviews thereof, (ii) the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, its internal controls and,
as appropriate, the internal controls of certain service providers, (iii) the Fund’s compliance with certain legal and regulatory
requirements, and (iv) the independent accountants’ qualifications, independence and performance. The Audit Committee is
also required to prepare an audit committee report pursuant to the rules of the SEC for inclusion in the Fund’s annual proxy
statement. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter that is reviewed and approved annually. As set
forth in the Audit Committee Charter, management is responsible for maintaining appropriate systems for accounting and internal
controls, and the Fund’s independent accountants are responsible for planning and carrying out proper audits and reviews.
The independent accountants are ultimately accountable to the Board of Directors and to the Audit Committee, as representatives
of the shareholders. The independent accountants for the Fund reports directly to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee met
four times during the fiscal period from August 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.
The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of Ms. Mougin and Messrs. Carter, Hutchens and Swanson. Mr. Swanson
is the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible
for identifying and recommending to the Board of Directors individuals believed to be qualified to become members of the Board
of Directors in the event that a position is vacated or created. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider
director candidates recommended by shareholders. In considering candidates submitted by shareholders, the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee will take into consideration the needs of the Board of Directors, the qualifications of the candidate and
the interests of shareholders. Shareholders wishing to recommend candidates to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
should submit such recommendations to the Secretary of the Fund at the principal executive office of the Fund, who will forward
the recommendations to the committee for consideration. The submission must include: (i) whether the shareholder proposing such
nominee believes the proposed nominee is, or is not, an “interested person”, (ii) the name and address, as they appear
on the Fund’s books, of the shareholder proposing such business or nomination, (iii) a representation that the shareholder
is a holder of record of Shares entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to
present such nomination; (iv) whether the shareholder plans to deliver or solicit proxies from other shareholders; (v) the class
and number of Shares of the capital stock of the Fund, which are beneficially owned by the shareholder and the proposed nominee
to the Board; (vi) any material interest of the shareholder or nominee in such business; (vii) the extent to which such shareholder
(including such shareholder’s principals) or the proposed nominee to the Board has entered into any hedging transaction
or other arrangement with the effect or intent of mitigating or otherwise managing profit, loss or risk of changes in the value
of the Shares or the daily quoted market price of the Fund held by such shareholder (including the shareholder’s principals)
or the proposed nominee, including independently verifiable information in support of the foregoing; (viii) any substantial interest,
direct or indirect, of such shareholder or the proposed nominee in the Fund other than interest arising from ownership of Common
Shares; (ix) to the extent known by such shareholder, the name and address of any other shareholder supporting the proposed nominee;
(x) the nominee holder for, and number of, Common Shares owned beneficially but not of record by such shareholder; (xi) the investment
strategy or objective, if any, of such shareholder who is not an individual and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum,
or similar document, if any; and (xii) such other information regarding such nominee proposed by such shareholder as would be
required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Each eligible shareholder or shareholder group may submit no more than one Independent Director nominee each calendar year. The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not determined any minimum qualifications necessary to serve as a director of
the Fund. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates pursuant to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Charter that is reviewed and approved annually. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met three times during the fiscal
period from August 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.
During
the fiscal period from August 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, the Board met five times.
Director
Qualifications.
In
addition to the description of each Director’s Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships set forth above, the following
provides further information about each Director’s specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led to
the conclusion that he should serve as a director for the Fund. There are no specific required qualifications for membership on
the Board.
Interested
Directors
Mr.
Patrick Galley is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer for the Fund’s Adviser and the portfolio manager
of the Fund. His knowledge regarding the investment strategy of the Fund, and the closed-end fund industry in total, makes him
uniquely qualified to serve as a Director.
Mr.
Raio has many years of experience in the securities industry, including management roles in the banking and investment management
industries. He has more than 15 years of experience in equity capital markets, having worked on the retail syndicate desks at
both Citigroup and Morgan Stanley. Since 2018, he has served as President and CEO of Arbor Lane Advisors, Inc. He served as the
Managing Director and Head of Retail Origination for Wells Fargo Securities, LLC from 2005 to 2018. Prior to working at Wells
Fargo, he served as Director and Head of Closed-End Funds for Citigroup Asset Management. He also serves on the Board of each
of FLX Distribution; Qudos Technologies; and Quantify Crypto. He was selected to serve as a Director of the Fund based on his
business, financial services and investment management experience.
Independent
Directors
Mr.
John K. Carter possesses extensive mutual fund industry experience. Mr. Carter served as a Business Unit Head at Transamerica
Asset Management, a subsidiary of Aegon, N.V. Mr. Carter oversaw the mutual fund servicing, operations and advisory services for
Transamerica’s approximately 120 mutual funds. He also served as a compliance officer. Mr. Carter brings experience managing
a large mutual fund complex, including experience overseeing multiple sub-advisers. Mr. Carter is currently an attorney in private
practice and was previously an investment management attorney with experience as in-house counsel, serving with the SEC and in
private practice with a large law firm. Mr. Carter was selected to serve as a Director of the Fund based on his industry-specific
experience, including serving as a chairman of another fund complex, as a compliance officer and as an investment management attorney.
Ms.
Mougin is an experienced senior executive with many years of investment management industry experience in sales, client relationship
and operations. Ms. Mougin is the Chief Investment Officer of Capital Sisters International, a non-profit that helps women entrepreneurs
by providing investments and small business loans. Before joining Capital Sisters International, Ms. Mougin was the President
and Chief Operating Officer of the TIFIN affiliated Positivly and Louise platforms. Prior to that, Ms. Mougin was a member of
the executive team that built ALPS Fund Services Inc. into a leader in the mutual fund and hedge fund industries.
Mr.
Hutchens is currently retired. Mr. Hutchens was President and CEO of the University of Colorado (CU) Foundation from April 2006
to December 2012 and Executive Director for the CU Real Estate Foundation from April 2009 to December 2012. Prior to these positions,
Mr. Hutchens spent over 30 years in the banking industry, retiring as Chairman of Chase Bank Colorado. Mr. Hutchens is a graduate
of the University of Colorado Boulder’s School of Business and has done graduate study at Syracuse University and the University
of Colorado. He was selected to serve as a Director of the Fund based on his business and financial services experience.
Mr.
Swanson founded SwanDog Marketing, a marketing consulting firm to asset managers, in 2006. He currently serves as SwanDog’s
Managing Partner. He has over 30 years of senior management and marketing experience, with approximately 20 years in financial
services. Before joining SwanDog, Mr. Swanson most recently served as Executive Vice President and Head of Distribution for Calamos
Investments, an investment management firm. He previously held positions as Chief Operating Officer of Van Kampen Investments,
President and CEO of Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Canada, Ltd. and Managing Director and Head of Global Investment Products at
Morgan Stanley. Mr. Swanson holds a Master of Management from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University
and a Bachelors in Journalism from Southern Illinois University. He was selected to serve as a Director of the Fund based on his
business, financial services and investment management experience.
Risk
Oversight. The Fund is confronted with a multitude of risks, such as investment risk, counterparty risk, valuation risk, political
risk, risk of operational failures, business continuity risk, regulatory risk, legal risk and other risks not listed here. The
Board of Directors recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Fund can be known, eliminated or even mitigated. In addition,
there are some risks that may not be cost effective or an efficient use of the Fund’s limited resources to moderate. As
a result of these realities, the Board of Directors, through its oversight and leadership, has and will continue to deem it necessary
for stockholders to bear certain and undeniable risks, such as investment risk, in order for the Fund to operate in accordance
with the Fund’s Prospectus, SAI and other related documents.
However,
as required under the 1940 Act, the Board of Directors has adopted on the Fund’s behalf a vigorous risk program that mandates
the Fund’s various service providers, including the Adviser and any sub-advisers, to adopt a variety of processes, procedures
and controls to identify various risks, mitigate the likelihood of adverse events from occurring and/or attempt to limit the effects
of such adverse events on the Fund. The Board of Directors fulfills its leadership role by receiving a variety of quarterly written
reports prepared by the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) that (i) evaluate the operation, policies and
procedures of the Fund’s service providers, (ii) make known any material changes to the policies and procedures adopted
by the Fund or its service providers since the CCO’s last report, and (iii) disclose any material compliance matters that
occurred since the date of the last CCO report. In addition, the Independent Directors meet quarterly in executive sessions without
the presence of any interested directors, the Adviser or any of its affiliates. This configuration permits the Independent Directors
to effectively receive the information and have private discussions necessary to perform their risk oversight role, exercise independent
judgment and allocate areas of responsibility between the full Board of Directors, its committees and certain officers of the
Fund. Furthermore, the Independent Directors have engaged independent legal counsel and auditors to assist the Independent Directors
in performing their oversight responsibilities. As discussed above and in consideration of other factors not referenced herein,
the Board of Directors has determined its leadership role concerning risk management as one of oversight and not active management
of the Fund’s day-to-day risk management operations.
Director
Transactions with Fund Affiliates. As of December 31, 2023, none of the Independent Directors, as such term is defined by
the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) Listing Standards (each an “Independent Director” and collectively
the “Independent Directors”), nor members of their immediate families owned securities, beneficially or of record,
in the Adviser, or an affiliate or person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the
Adviser. Furthermore, over the past five years, neither the Independent Directors nor members of their immediate families have
any direct or indirect interest, the value of which exceeds $120,000, in the Adviser or any of its respective affiliates. In addition,
for the Fund’s fiscal year end, neither the Independent Directors nor members of their immediate families have conducted
any transactions (or series of transactions) or maintained any direct or indirect relationship in which the amount involved exceeds
$120,000 and to which the Adviser or any of its affiliates was a party.
Compensation.
The Fund pays no salary or compensation to its officers or to any interested Director employed by the Adviser, and the Fund has
no employees. In addition, the Adviser (not the Fund) is responsible for paying the Director compensation out of its unified management
fee. Effective January 1, 2024, for their services, the Directors of the Fund who are not employed by the Adviser receive an annual
retainer in the amount of $16,500, an additional fee of $2,000 for attending each quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors
and an additional fee of $1,500 for each special meeting of the Board of Directors. In addition, the lead Independent Director
receives an additional $1,333 annually, the Chair of the Audit Committee receives an additional $1,111 annually and the Chair
of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee receives an additional $750 annually. Prior to January 1, 2024, for their
services, the Directors of the Fund who are not employed by the Adviser received an annual retainer in the amount of $17,000,
and an additional $2,000 for attending each quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors and an additional $1,000 for attending
each special meeting of the Board. In addition, the lead Independent Director received $10,000 annually. The Directors who are
not employed by the Adviser are also reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings of
the Board. The following table shows compensation with respect to the Fund and the Fund Complex as of the Fund’s fiscal
year end. Patrick W. Galley is an interested person of the Fund and employed by the Adviser and does not receive any compensation
from the Fund.
Compensation
of Directors
The
following table sets forth certain information regarding the compensation of the Fund’s Directors for the fiscal period
from August 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. In May 2024, the Fund changed its fiscal year end from July 31 to June 30 and, as a result,
the information provided is for the 11-month period ended June 30, 2024.
Name
of Director/Nominee |
|
Total Compensation From the Fund |
|
|
Total Compensation From the Fund and Fund Complex Paid to Directors* |
|
Independent
Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John
K. Carter |
|
$ |
31,417 |
|
|
$ |
241,249 |
|
J.
Wayne Hutchens |
|
|
26,305 |
|
|
|
236,499 |
|
David
M. Swanson |
|
|
26,083 |
|
|
|
233,125 |
|
Lisa
B. Mougin |
|
|
25,750 |
|
|
|
190,250 |
|
Interested
Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jerry
Raio |
|
|
25,750 |
|
|
|
229,250 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
135,305 |
|
|
$ |
1,130,373 |
|
* | For
all Directors other than Ms. Mougin, the Fund Complex consists of the Fund, RiverNorth
Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund Inc., RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income
Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic
Opportunity Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Funds (3 funds), RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income
Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. and RiverNorth Managed
Duration Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. For Ms. Mougin, the Fund Complex consists of
the Fund, RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund Inc., RiverNorth Opportunistic
Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth/DoubleLine
Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth
Flexible Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. and RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income
Fund II, Inc. |
Director
Ownership in the Fund
The
following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Director in the Fund and Fund Complex as
of December 31, 2023.
Director |
Dollar Range of Beneficial
Ownership in Fund |
Aggregate Dollar Range of Ownership in all Funds
Overseen by Director in the Fund Complex (1) |
Independent
Directors |
|
|
John
Carter |
None |
$50,001-$100,000 |
Wayne
Hutchens |
$50,001-$100,000 |
Over
$100,000 |
David
Swanson |
$10,001
- $50,000 |
$50,001
- $100,000 |
Lisa
B. Mougin |
None |
$10,001
- $50,000 |
Interested
Directors |
|
|
Patrick
W. Galley |
Over
$100,000 |
Over
$100,000 |
Jerry
R. Raio |
$10,001
- $50,000 |
Over
$100,000 |
* | For
all Directors other than Ms. Mougin, the Fund Complex consists of the Fund, RiverNorth
Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund Inc., RiverNorth Opportunistic Municipal Income
Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth/DoubleLine Strategic
Opportunity Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Funds (3 funds), RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income
Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. and RiverNorth Managed
Duration Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. For Ms. Mougin, the Fund Complex consists of
the Fund, RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund Inc., RiverNorth Opportunistic
Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth/DoubleLine
Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc., RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc., RiverNorth
Flexible Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. and RiverNorth Managed Duration Municipal Income
Fund II, Inc. |
As
of the date of this SAI, the Independent Directors of the Fund and immediate family members did not own beneficially or of record
any class of securities of the investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Fund or any person directly or indirectly controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Fund.
As
of the date of this SAI, the directors and officers of the Fund owned, as a group, less than 1% of the outstanding Common Shares
of the Fund.
Securities
Beneficially Owned
The
following chart lists each Shareholder or group of Shareholders who beneficially (or of record) owned more than 5% of the shares
for the Fund as of October 31, 2024.
Any
person or entity that beneficially owns, directly or through one or more controlled companies, more than 25% of the voting securities
of a company is presumed to “control” such company. Accordingly, to the extent that a person or entity is identified
as the beneficial owner of more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund, or is identified as the record owner of more than
25% of the Fund and has voting and/or investment powers, that person or entity may be presumed to control the Fund. A controlling
Shareholder’s vote could have a more significant effect on matters presented to Shareholders for approval than the vote
of other Fund Shareholders.
Shareholder
Name and Address(1) |
Shares
Of A Class
Beneficially
Owned |
%
Outstanding Shares
of
a Class
Beneficially
Owned |
Morgan
Stanley(2)
1585
Broadway
New
York, NY 10036 |
1,650,000
Common |
7.69% |
Americo
Financial Life and Annuity Insurance Company
300
W 11th St.
Kansas
City, MO 64105 |
547,170
Preferred |
13.99% |
Louisiana
Workers’ Compensation Corporation
2237
South Acadian Thruway
Baton
Rouge, LA 70808 |
273,492
Preferred |
6.99% |
(1) | The
table above shows 5% or greater shareholders’ ownership of Shares as of October
31, 2024. The information contained in this table is based on Schedule 13G/13D/13F, Schedule
D and Form 4 filings made on or before October 31, 2024. Such ownership information is
as of the date of the applicable filing and may no longer be accurate. |
(2) | Morgan
Stanley and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC filed their Schedule 13G jointly and did
not differentiate holdings as to each entity. |
PROXY
VOTING GUIDELINES
The
Fund has delegated proxy voting responsibilities to the Adviser, subject to the Board of Directors’ general oversight. The
Adviser will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures. In some instances, the Adviser may be asked
to cast a proxy vote that presents a conflict between the interests of the Fund’s shareholders, and those of the Adviser
or an affiliated person of the Adviser. In such a case, the Adviser will abstain from making a voting decision and will forward
all necessary proxy voting materials to the Fund to enable the Board of Directors to make a voting decision. The Adviser shall
make a written recommendation of the voting decision to the Board of Directors, which shall include: (i) an explanation of why
it has a conflict of interest; (ii) the reasons for its recommendation; and (iii) an explanation of why the recommendation is
consistent with the Adviser’s proxy voting policies. The Board of Directors shall make the proxy voting decision that in
its judgment, after reviewing the recommendation of the Adviser, is most consistent with the Adviser’s proxy voting policies
and in the best interests of shareholders. When the Board of Directors of the Fund is required to make a proxy voting decision,
only the directors without a conflict of interest with regard to the security in question or the matter to be voted upon shall
be permitted to participate in the decision of how the Fund’s vote will be cast. The Adviser votes proxies pursuant to the
proxy voting policy and guidelines set forth in Appendix A to this SAI.
You
may also obtain information about how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended
June 30 by visiting the SEC’s website at sec.gov or by visiting the Fund’s website at rivernorth.com/riv (this reference
to the Fund’s website does not incorporate the contents of the website into this SAI).
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
A
Registration Statement on Form N-2, including amendments thereto, has been filed by the Fund with the SEC. The Fund’s Prospectus
and this SAI do not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, including any exhibits and schedules
thereto. For further information with respect to the Fund and the Securities offered hereby, reference is made to the Fund’s
Registration Statement. Statements contained in the Fund’s Prospectus and this SAI as to the contents of any contract or
other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or
other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such
reference.
The
Registration Statement and the Codes of Ethics also may be available on the Edgar Database on the SEC’s website, sec.gov,
or be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request to publicinfo@sec.gov.
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
The
Fund’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, together with the report thereon of Cohen & Company,
Ltd. (“Cohen”), an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in
auditing and accounting, are incorporated in this statement of additional information by reference to the Fund’s Annual Report to shareholders. The address of Cohen is 1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 800, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. The services they provide
include auditing the financial statements of the Fund, services relating to filings by the Fund with the SEC (including the Fund’s
registration statement that this Statement of Additional Information is a part of), and consultation on matters related to the
preparation and filing of tax returns. The Fund’s Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report is available on the SEC’s website
at sec.gov. Copies may also be obtained free of charge by writing to the Fund at its address at 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite
1420, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 or by calling the Fund toll free at 1-844-569-4750.
APPENDIX
A:
PROXY VOTING POLICY OF THE ADVISER
Proxy
Voting
RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC
PROXY
VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Pursuant
to the recent adoption by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of Rule 206(4)-6 (17 CFR 275.206(4)-6)
and amendments to Rule 204-2 (17 CFR 275.204-2) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Act”), it is a fraudulent,
deceptive, or manipulative act, practice or course of business, within the meaning of Section 206(4) of the Act, for an investment
adviser to exercise voting authority with respect to client securities, unless (i) the adviser has adopted and implemented written
policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the adviser votes proxies in the best interests of its clients,
(ii) the adviser describes its proxy voting procedures to its clients and provides copies on request, and (iii) the adviser discloses
to clients how they may obtain information on how the adviser voted their proxies.
In
its standard investment advisory agreement, RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC (RiverNorth Capital) specifically states that it
does not vote proxies and the client, including clients governed by ERISA, is responsible for voting proxies. Therefore, RiverNorth
Capital will not vote proxies for these clients. However, RiverNorth Capital will vote proxies on behalf of investment company
clients (“Funds”). RiverNorth Capital has instructed all custodians, other than Fund custodians, to forward proxies
directly to its clients, and if RiverNorth Capital accidentally receives a proxy for any non-Fund client, current or former, the
Chief Compliance Officer will promptly forward the proxy to the client. In order to fulfill its responsibilities to Funds, RiverNorth
Capital Management, LLC (hereinafter “we” or “our”) has adopted the following policies and procedures
for proxy voting with regard to companies in any Fund’s investment portfolios.
KEY
OBJECTIVES
The
key objectives of these policies and procedures recognize that a company’s management is entrusted with the day-to-day operations
and longer term strategic planning of the company, subject to the oversight of the company’s board of directors. While “ordinary
business matters” are primarily the responsibility of management and should be approved solely by the corporation’s
board of directors, these objectives also recognize that the company’s shareholders must have final say over how management
and directors are performing, and how shareholders’ rights and ownership interests are handled, especially when matters
could have substantial economic implications to the shareholders.
Therefore,
we will pay particular attention to the following matters in exercising our proxy voting responsibilities as a fiduciary for our
clients:
Accountability.
Each company should have effective means in place to hold those entrusted with running a company’s business accountable
for their actions. Management of a company should be accountable to its board of directors and the board should be accountable
to shareholders.
Alignment
of Management and Shareholder Interests. Each company should endeavor to align the interests of management and the board of
directors with the interests of the company’s shareholders. For example, we generally believe that compensation should be
designed to reward management for doing a good job of creating value for the shareholders of the company.
Transparency.
Promotion of timely disclosure of important information about a company’s business operations and financial performance
enables investors to evaluate the performance of a company and to make informed decisions about the purchase and sale of a company’s
securities.
DECISION
METHODS
We
generally believe that the individual portfolio managers that invest in and track particular companies are the most knowledgeable
and best suited to make decisions with regard to proxy votes. Therefore, we rely on those individuals to make the final decisions
on how to cast proxy votes.
No
set of proxy voting guidelines can anticipate all situations that may arise. In special cases, we may seek insight from our managers
and analysts on how a particular proxy proposal will impact the financial prospects of a company, and vote accordingly.
In
some instances, a proxy vote may present a conflict between the interests of a client, on the one hand, and our interests or the
interests of a person affiliated with us, on the other. In such a case, we will abstain from making a voting decision and will
forward all of the necessary proxy voting materials to the client to enable the client to cast the votes.
Notwithstanding
the forgoing, the following policies will apply to investment company shares owned by a Fund. Under Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”), a fund may only invest up to 5% of its total assets in the securities
of any one investment company, but may not own more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company or invest
more than 10% of its total assets in the securities of other investment companies. However, Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act
provides that the provisions of paragraph 12(d)(1) shall not apply to securities purchased or otherwise acquired by a fund if
(i) immediately after such purchase or acquisition not more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of such registered investment
company is owned by the fund and all affiliated persons of the fund; and (ii) the fund is not proposing to offer or sell any security
issued by it through a principal underwriter or otherwise at a public or offering price which includes a sales load of more than
1½% percent. Therefore, each Fund (or the Adviser acting on behalf of the Fund) must comply with the following voting restrictions
unless it is determined that the Fund is not relying on Section 12(d)(1)(F):
| - | when
the Fund exercises voting rights, by proxy or otherwise, with respect to any investment
company owned by the Fund, the Fund will either |
| - | seek
instruction from the Fund’s shareholders with regard to the voting of all proxies
and vote in accordance with such instructions, or |
| - | vote
the shares held by the Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of
such security. |
PROXY
VOTING GUIDELINES
Election
of the Board of Directors
We
believe that good corporate governance generally starts with a board composed primarily of independent directors, unfettered by
significant ties to management, all of whose members are elected annually. We also believe that turnover in board composition
promotes independent board action, fresh approaches to governance, and generally has a positive impact on shareholder value. We
will generally vote in favor of non-incumbent independent directors.
The
election of a company’s board of directors is one of the most fundamental rights held by shareholders. Because a classified
board structure prevents shareholders from electing a full slate of directors annually, we will generally support efforts to declassify
boards or other measures that permit shareholders to remove a majority of directors at any time, and will generally oppose efforts
to adopt classified board structures.
Approval
of Independent Auditors
We
believe that the relationship between a company and its auditors should be limited primarily to the audit engagement, although
it may include certain closely related activities that do not raise an appearance of impaired independence.
We
will evaluate on a case-by-case basis instances in which the audit firm has a substantial non-audit relationship with a company
to determine whether we believe independence has been, or could be, compromised.
Equity-based
compensation plans
We
believe that appropriately designed equity-based compensation plans, approved by shareholders, can be an effective way to align
the interests of shareholders and the interests of directors, management, and employees by providing incentives to increase shareholder
value. Conversely, we are opposed to plans that substantially dilute ownership interests in the company, provide participants
with excessive awards, or have inherently objectionable structural features.
We
will generally support measures intended to increase stock ownership by executives and the use of employee stock purchase plans
to increase company stock ownership by employees. These may include:
1.
Requiring senior executives to hold stock in a company.
2.
Requiring stock acquired through option exercise to be held for a certain period of time.
These
are guidelines, and we consider other factors, such as the nature of the industry and size of the company, when assessing a plan’s
impact on ownership interests.
Corporate
Structure
We
view the exercise of shareholders’ rights, including the rights to act by written consent, to call special meetings and
to remove directors, to be fundamental to good corporate governance.
Because
classes of common stock with unequal voting rights limit the rights of certain shareholders, we generally believe that shareholders
should have voting power equal to their equity interest in the company and should be able to approve or reject changes to a company’s
by-laws by a simple majority vote.
We
will generally support the ability of shareholders to cumulate their votes for the election of directors.
Shareholder
Rights Plans
While
we recognize that there are arguments both in favor of and against shareholder rights plans, also known as poison pills, such
measures may tend to entrench current management, which we generally consider to have a negative impact on shareholder value.
Therefore, while we will evaluate such plans on a case by case basis, we will generally oppose such plans.
CLIENT
INFORMATION
A
copy of these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures is available to our clients, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-646-0148.
We will send a copy of these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures within three business days of receipt of a request, by first-class
mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.
In
addition, we will provide each client, without charge, upon request, information regarding the proxy votes cast by us with regard
to the client’s securities.
PART
C - OTHER INFORMATION
Item
25: Financial Statements and Exhibits
1.
Financial Statements:
Part
A - Financial Highlights for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2019, July 31, 2020, July 31, 2021, July 31, 2022, July 31, 2023
and June 30, 2024.
Part
B - Incorporated by reference in the Statement of Additional Information included herewith are the Registrant’s audited
financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, notes to such financial statements and the report of independent
registered public accounting firm thereon, as contained in the Fund’s Form
N-CSR filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 6, 2024.
(1) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-169317 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on November 25, 2015. |
(2) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-220156 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on August 24, 2017. |
(3) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2/A, File no. 333-220156 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on October 3, 2017. |
(4) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-225152 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on May 23, 2018. |
(5) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-225152 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on July 24, 2018. |
(6) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-225152 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on August 31, 2018. |
(7) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-225152 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on October 5, 2018. |
(8) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-225152 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on March 12, 2019. |
(9) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-225152 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2019. |
(10) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-225152 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on September 27, 2019. |
(11) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-225152 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2020. |
(12) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-225152 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on November 20, 2020. |
(13) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-225152 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on December 18, 2020. |
(14) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-257554 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on June 30, 2021. |
(15) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-257554 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on September 15, 2021. |
(16) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-257554 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on September 21, 2021. |
(17) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-261239 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on November 19, 2021. |
(18) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-261239 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on January 24, 2022. |
(19) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-261239 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on January 27, 2022. |
(20) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-261239 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on October 14, 2022. |
(21) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-261239 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on December 23, 2022. |
(22) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-274473 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on September 12, 2023. |
(23) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-274473 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on February 23, 2024. |
(24) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Registration Statement on Form N-2, File no. 333-274473 and 811-22472, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2024. |
** |
Filed
herewith. |
+ |
To
be filed by amendment. |
Item
26. | Marketing
Arrangements |
None.
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:
Registration
and Filing Fees | |
$ | 66,120 | |
Accounting Fees and
Expenses | |
$ | 2,000 | |
Legal Fees and Expenses | |
$ | 90,000 | |
Printing
and Engraving Expenses | |
$ | 5,000 | |
Total | |
$ | 163,120 | |
Item
28. | Persons
Controlled by or under Common Control |
None.
Item
29. | Number
of Holders of Securities |
As
of October 31, 2024, the number of record holders of each class of securities of the Registrant was:
Title
of Class | |
Number
of Record Holders | |
Common
Stock, par value, $0.0001 per share | |
| 2 | |
Preferred Stock, par
value, $0.0001 per share | |
| 1 | |
The
Charter of the Registrant provides that, to the fullest extent that limitations on the liability of directors and officers are
permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, no director or officer of the Registrant shall have any liability to the Registrant
or its stockholders for money damages. This limitation on liability applies to events occurring at the time a person serves as
a director or officer of the Registrant whether or not such person at the time of any proceeding in which liability is asserted.
Title 2, Section 405.2 of the Maryland General Corporation Law provides that the Charter of a Maryland corporation may limit
the extent to which directors or officers may be personally liable to the corporation or its shareholders for money damages in
certain instances.
The
Registrant’s Charter also provides that no amendment to the charter of the Registrant shall affect any right of any person
based on any act or failure to act which occurred prior to the amendment. Insofar as Indemnification for liabilities under the
Securities Act may be permitted to the directors and officers, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
If a claim for indemnification against such liabilities under the Securities Act (other than for expenses incurred in a successful
defense) is asserted against the Fund by the directors or officers in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant
will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in such Act and will be
governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Item
31. | Business
and Other Connections of Investment Adviser |
RiverNorth
Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”)
The
information in the Statement of Additional Information under the captions “Board Members and Officers” is hereby incorporated
by reference.
The
principal occupation of the directors and officers of the Adviser are their services as directors and officers of the Adviser.
The address of the Adviser is 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
Set
forth below is information as to any other business, profession, vocation and employment of a substantial nature in which each
officer of the Adviser is, or at any during the last two fiscal years has been, engaged for their own account or in the capacity
of director, officer, employee partner or trustee:
NAME* |
POSITIONS
WITH
RIVERNORTH
CAPITAL
MANAGEMENT,
LLC |
OTHER
BUSINESS CONNECTIONS |
TYPE
OF
BUSINESS |
Patrick
W. Galley |
Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Board of Managers |
President
and Director, RiverNorth Fund Complex; Board of Directors, RiverNorth Holdings, Co.; Board of Managers, RiverNorth Financial
Holdings, LLC. |
Investments |
Jonathan
M. Mohrhardt |
President,
Chief Operating Officer and Board of Managers |
Treasurer,
RiverNorth Fund Complex; Board of Directors, RiverNorth Holdings, Co.; Board of Managers, RiverNorth Financial Holdings, LLC |
Investments |
Marcus
L. Collins |
Secretary,
General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer |
Chief
Compliance Officer, RiverNorth Fund Complex |
Investments |
* | The
address for each of the named is 360 South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420, West Palm Beach,
FL 33401. |
Item
32. | Location
of Accounts and Records |
RiverNorth
Capital Management, LLC maintains the Charter, By-Laws, minutes of directors and shareholders meetings and contracts of the Registrant,
all advisory material of the investment adviser, all general and subsidiary ledgers, journals, trial balances, records of all
portfolio purchases and sales, and all other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the Rules
thereunder.
Item
33. | Management
Services |
Not
applicable.
3. | The
Registrant undertakes: |
| a. | to
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment
to this Registration Statement: |
| (1) | to
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; |
| (2) | to
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events after the effective date of the Registration
Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or
in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
Registration Statement; and |
| (3) | to
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in
the Registration Statement. |
Provided,
however, that paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this section do not apply to the extent the information required to be
included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by
the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference into the registration
statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
b. | that,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective
amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of those securities at that time shall be deemed to
be the initial bona fide offering thereof; |
c. | to
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering; |
d. | that,
for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser: |
| (1) | if
the Registrant is subject to Rule 430B: |
(A)
Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as
of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B)
Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance
on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (x), or (xi) for the purpose of providing the information
required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of
the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of
securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any
person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement
relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration
statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by
reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with
a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement
or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date;
or
| (2) | if
the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C: each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)
under the Securities Act as part of a registration statement relating to an offering,
other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed
in reliance on Rule 430A under the Securities Act, shall be deemed to be part of and
included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness.
Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that
is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated
by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration
statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first
use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or
prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately
prior to such date of first use; and |
e. | that
for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to
any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities: |
The
undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration
statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or
sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser
and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to the purchaser:
| (1) | any
preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering
required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act; |
| (2) | free
writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned
Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant; |
| (3) | the
portion of any other free writing prospectus or advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under
the Securities Act relating to the offering containing material information about the
undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned
Registrant; and |
| (4) | any
other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant
to the purchaser. |
4. | The
Registrant undertakes that: |
| a. | for
the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted
from the form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance
upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the Registrant under
Rule 424(b)(1) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of the Registration
Statement as of the time it was declared effective; and |
| b. | for
the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective
amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
5. | The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant
to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated
by reference into the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
6. | Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted
to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit
to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it
is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication
of such issue. |
7. | 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 a written or oral request, any
prospectus or Statement of Additional Information. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant,
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city
of West Palm Beach, and the state of Florida, on the 12th day of November, 2024.
|
RIVERNORTH
OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC. |
|
|
|
|
|
By |
/s/
Patrick W. Galley |
|
|
|
Patrick
W. Galley, President |
|
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
/s/
Patrick W. Galley |
|
President
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|
November 12,
2024 |
Patrick
W. Galley |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Jonathan M. Mohrhardt |
|
Treasurer
(Principal
Financial Officer)
|
|
November 12,
2024 |
Jonathan
M. Mohrhardt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Patrick W. Galley |
|
Chairman
of the Board and Director |
|
November 12,
2024 |
Patrick
W. Galley |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Director |
|
November 12,
2024 |
John
K. Carter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Director |
|
November 12,
2024 |
J.
Wayne Hutchens |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Director |
|
November 12,
2024 |
Lisa
B. Mougin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Director |
|
November 12,
2024 |
Jerry
R. Raio |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Director |
|
November 12,
2024 |
David
M. Swanson |
|
|
|
|
*
By: |
/s/
Patrick W. Galley |
|
|
Name: |
Patrick
W. Galley |
|
|
Title: |
Attorney-in-Fact |
|
|
Date: |
November 12,
2024 |
|
INDEX
TO EXHIBITS
Committed
Facility Agreement
BNP
PARIBAS PRIME BROKERAGE INTERNATIONAL, LTD. (“PBI”) and each customer listed on Annex I hereto, severally and
not jointly (each, a “Customer”), hereby enter into this Committed Facility Agreement (this “Agreement”),
dated as of the date specified on the signature page. This Agreement shall be deemed to have been entered into as separate agreements
between PBI and each Customer and, accordingly, no Customer shall be liable to PBI or a party to any agreement entered into between
another Customer and PBI.
Whereas
BNPP PB and each Customer have entered into the U.S. PB Agreement, dated as of the date listed next to each Customer in Annex
I (the “U.S. PB Agreement”),
Whereas
PBI and each Customer have entered into the PBI Agreement, dated as of the same date as the US PB Agreement (the “PBI
Agreement” and, together, with the U.S. PB Agreement and this Agreement, collectively, the “40 Act Financing
Agreements”).
Whereas
this Agreement supplements and forms part of the other 40 Act Financing Agreements and sets out the terms of the commitment
of PBI to provide financing to Customer under the 40 Act Financing Agreements.
Now,
therefore, in consideration of the foregoing promises and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy
of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
| (a) | Capitalized
terms not defined in this Agreement have the respective meaning assigned to them in the
U.S. PB Agreement. The 40 Act Financing Agreements are included in the term “Contract,”
as defined in the U.S. PB Agreement. |
| (b) | “Account
Agreement” means the Account Agreement attached as Exhibit A to the U.S. PB
Agreement. |
| (c) | “BNPP
Downgrade Event” means on any day (the “Date of Determination”),
BNP Paribas’ long-term credit rating has declined to a level three or more notches
below its highest rating by any of Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, Moody’s
Investor Service, Inc. or Fitch Ratings, Ltd. during the period beginning on and including
date of this Agreement and ending on and including such Date of Determination. |
| (d) | “Borrowing”
means a draw of cash financing by Customer from PBI pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement. |
| (e) | “Closing
Date” means the date listed under the heading “Closing Date” opposite
the relevant Customer on Annex I hereto. |
| (f) | “Collateral
Requirements” means the collateral requirements set forth in Section 1 of Appendix
A attached hereto. |
| (g) | “Custodian”
means State Street Bank and Trust Company. |
| (h) | “Funding
Event” means that as of any day (each such day, a “Date of Determination”)
either (i) the average Funding Spread over the ten (10) Business Days immediately prior
to the Date of Determination is greater than 300 basis points (the “Funding Event
Increased Spread Event”) or (ii) the Funding Spread is not published by Bloomberg
on the Date of Determination. |
| (i) | “Funding
Event Increased Spread” shall mean the amount that the Funding Spread during
a Funding Event Increased Spread Event exceeds 300 basis points. |
Classification : Internal
| (j) | “Funding
Spread” means, as of any day, the “Index OAS to Treasury”, as published
by Bloomberg by reference to the ticker “LGAFTRUU” and under the page “I03438USD
Index” or any successor ticker or page thereto. |
| (k) | “Initial
NAV” means the Net Asset Value of Customer as of the date of execution hereof
(“Initial NAV Date”). |
| (l) | “Maximum
Commitment Financing” means the amount specified as applicable to each Customer
on Annex I hereto. |
| (m) | “Net
Asset Value” means, with respect to Customer, the aggregate net asset value
of the common stock issued by Customer calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles. |
| (n) | “Net
Asset Value Floor” means, with respect to Customer, an amount equal to 50%
of the Initial NAV of such Customer (such 50% amount, the “Execution Date NAV
Floor”); provided, however, that following the date hereof, the Net Asset Value
Floor shall be the greater of (i) the Execution Date NAV Floor or (ii) 50% of the Net
Asset Value of Customer, calculated based on the Customer’s Net Asset Value as
of its most recent fiscal year end subsequent to the date hereof. |
| (o) | “Outstanding
Debit Financing” means the aggregate net cash balance (excluding current short
sale proceeds) held under this Agreement if such net cash balance is a debit, or zero
if such aggregate net cash balance is a credit. For the purposes of calculating such
aggregate net cash balance, if Customer holds credit or debit cash balances in non-USD
currencies, PBI will convert each of these balances into USD at prevailing market rates
to determine Customer’s aggregate net cash balance. |
| (p) | “Portfolio
Gross Market Value” means the Gross Market Value (as defined in Appendix A
attached hereto) of all of Customer’s Positions that are Eligible Securities (as
defined in Appendix A attached hereto). |
| (q) | “1940
Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. |
Subject
to Section 7, PBI shall make available cash financing under this Agreement in an amount up to the relevant Maximum Commitment
Financing. Such cash financing shall be made available in immediately available funds. Customer may borrow under this Section
2, prepay pursuant to Section 4 and reborrow under this Section 2 without penalty. For the avoidance of doubt, any cash financing
in excess of the Maximum Commitment Financing shall not be subject to the commitment in Section 6.
On
the Closing Date, PBI shall make funds available to Customer in an amount up to the Maximum Commitment Financing. Each subsequent
Borrowing (not to exceed the Maximum Commitment Financing) shall be made on written notice, given by Customer to PBI not later
than 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the Business Day immediately preceding the date of the proposed Borrowing (which must
be a Business Day) by Customer. Subject to Section 7, PBI shall, before 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the date of such Borrowing,
make available to Customer the amount of such Borrowing (provided that, the Outstanding Debit Financing does not exceed the Maximum
Commitment Financing) payable to the account designated by the Customer in such notice of borrowing.
| (a) | Upon
the occurrence of a Facility Termination Event, an event described in Section 16(a) hereof,
or the date specified in the Facility Modification Notice as described in Section 6,
all Borrowings (including all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and all other amounts
owing or payable hereunder) may be recalled by the BNPP Entities in accordance with Section
1 of the U.S. PB Agreement. |
Classification : Internal
| (b) | Upon
the occurrence of a Default, the BNPP Entities shall have the right to take any action
described in section 13(b) hereof. |
Customer
may, upon at least one (1) Business Days’ notice to PBI stating the proposed date and aggregate principal amount of the
prepayment, prepay all or any portion of the outstanding principal amount of the Outstanding Debit Financing, together with accrued
interest to the date of such prepayment on the principal amount prepaid; provided that Customer shall continue to be obligated
to pay the commitment fee as set forth in Appendix B in respect of any undrawn Maximum Commitment Financing.
Customer
shall pay interest on the outstanding principal amount of each Borrowing from the date of such Borrowing until such principal
amount shall be paid in full, at the rates specified on Appendix B attached hereto; provided that, upon the occurrence
of a Funding Event Increased Spread Event, PBI may immediately increase the interest rate by an amount equal to the Funding Event
Increased Spread. For the avoidance of doubt, if on any day, a Funding Event is not occurring, this Agreement has not been terminated
and the commitment herein has not otherwise expired, the interest rate shall be the rate specified in Appendix B. Such interest
shall be payable monthly, and if not paid when due, any unpaid interest shall be capitalized on the principal balance; provided
that, notwithstanding such capitalization, the failure by Customer to pay such interest when due, shall be a failure of Customer
to comply with an obligation under this Agreement.
6. | Scope
of Committed Facility - |
Subject
to Section 7, PBI shall make available cash financing under this Agreement up to the relevant Maximum Commitment Financing, and
may not take any of the following actions except upon at least ninety (90) calendar days’ prior notice (the “Facility
Modification Notice”):
| (a) | modify
the Collateral Requirements; other than in accordance with the terms of Appendix A; |
| (b) | recall
or cause repayment of any Borrowings under this Agreement; |
| (c) | modify
the interest rate spread on Borrowings under this Agreement, as set forth in Appendix
B attached hereto; |
| (d) | modify
the fees, charges or expenses other than those described in clause (b) above, as set
forth in Appendix B attached hereto (the “Fees”) provided that
PBI may modify any Fees immediately if (i) the amount of such Fees charged to PBI,
as the case may be, have been increased by the provider of the relevant services or (ii)
consistent with increases generally to customers, or |
| (e) | terminate
this Agreement. |
Notwithstanding
the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, upon the occurrence of a BNPP Downgrade Event, this Agreement shall terminate.
Classification : Internal
Upon
written notice, Customer may terminate this Agreement. Such termination notice will be effective on the day it is received and
acknowledged by PBI.
7. | Conditions
for Committed Facility - |
The
commitment as set forth in Section 6 only applies so long as –
| (a) | Customer
satisfies the Collateral Requirements; |
| (b) | no
Default or Facility Termination Event has occurred; and |
| (c) | there
has not occurred any automatic termination as provided under Section 14. |
8. | Arrangement,
Renewal and Commitment Fees - |
Customer
shall pay when due (subject to Section 2(d) of the PBI Agreement) a commitment fee as set forth in Appendix B.
| (a) | After
the BNPP Entities sends a Facility Modification Notice, Customer may not substitute any
collateral, provided that Customer may purchase and sell portfolio securities
in the ordinary course of business consistent with its investment restrictions; provided
further that the BNPP Entities may permit substitutions upon request, which permission
shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided further that for substitutions of
rehypothecated collateral, such collateral shall be returned for substitution within
a commercially reasonable period (in any event no sooner than the standard settlement
period applicable to such collateral). |
| (b) | Prior
to the BNPP Entities sending a Facility Modification Notice, Customer may substitute
collateral, provided that for substitutions of rehypothecated collateral, such
collateral shall be returned for substitution within a reasonable period (in any event
no sooner than the standard settlement period applicable to such collateral). |
As
provided for in Section 1 of the U.S. PB Agreement.
11. | Representations
and Warranties - |
Customer
hereby makes all the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5 of the Account Agreement, which are deemed to refer
to this Agreement, and such representations and warranties shall survive each transaction and the termination of the 40 Act Financing
Agreements.
12. | Financial
Information - |
Customer
shall provide the BNPP Entities with copies of –
| (a) | the
most recent annual report of Customer containing financial statements certified by independent
certified public accountants and prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States, as soon as available and in any event within 90 calendar
days after the end of each fiscal year of Customer; |
| (b) | the
most recent monthly financial statement of Customer, including performance returns and
net asset value of Customer, as soon as available and in any event within 30 calendar
days after the end of each month; and |
Classification : Internal
| (c) | other
information respecting Customer’s financial position or business, as BNPP may reasonably
request from time to time. |
| (a) | Upon
the occurrence of a Facility Termination Event, BNPP shall have the right to terminate
this Agreement, recall any Outstanding Debit Financing, modify Collateral Requirements
and modify any interest rate spread, fees, charges, or expenses, in each case, in accordance
with the timeframes specified in the U.S. PB Agreement. |
| (b) | Upon
the occurrence of a Default, the BNPP Entities may terminate any of the 40 Act Financing
Agreements and take Default Action. |
| (c) | Each
of the following events constitutes a “Default”: |
| i. | Customer
fails to meet the Collateral Requirements within the time periods set forth in Section
1 of the U.S. PB Agreement; |
| ii. | Customer
fails to deliver the financial information within the time periods set out in Section
12 and such failure continues for one (1) Business Day after receipt of written notice
from the BNPP Entities of such failure; |
| iii. | the
Net Asset Value of Customer declines below the Net Asset Value Floor; |
| iv. | any
representation or warranty made or deemed made by Customer to the BNPP Entities under
any 40 Act Financing Agreements (including under Section 11 herein) proves false or misleading
in a material respect (unless such representation or warranty already includes a materiality
standard and it being understood that any representation regarding the Customer’s
ERISA status and all representations relating to tax will be deemed to have a material
effect) when made or deemed made; |
| v. | Customer
fails to comply with or perform any other agreement or obligation under this Agreement
or the other 40 Act Financing Agreements and such failure continues for 15 calendar days
after receipt of written notice from BNPP of such failure; |
| vi. | Customer
becomes bankrupt, insolvent, or subject to any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency
or similar proceeding or all or substantially all its assets become subject to a suit,
levy, enforcement, or other legal process where a secured party maintains possession
of such assets, has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation
(other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger), seeks or becomes subject
to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver,
trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its
assets, has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets, or
takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence
in, any of the foregoing acts; or |
| vii. | the
occurrence of a repudiation, misrepresentation, material breach or the occurrence of
a default, termination event or similar condition (howsoever characterized, which, for
the avoidance of doubt, includes the occurrence of an Additional Termination Event under
an ISDA Master Agreement between Customer and a BNPP Entity, if applicable) by Customer
under any contract with a BNPP Entity or affiliate of a BNPP Entity; or |
| viii. | Customer
fails to comply with the provisions set forth in Section 8. |
Classification : Internal
| (d) | Each
of the following events constitutes a “Facility Termination Event”: |
| i. | the
occurrence of a repudiation, misrepresentation, material breach or the occurrence of
a default, termination event or similar condition (howsoever characterized, which, for
the avoidance of doubt, includes the occurrence of an Additional Termination Event under
an ISDA Master Agreement) by Customer under any contract with a third party entity, where
the aggregate principal amount of any such contract (which, for the avoidance of doubt,
includes any obligations with respect to borrowed money or other assets in connection
with such contract) is not less than $10,000,000; |
| ii. | there
occurs any change in the BNPP Entities’ interpretation of any Applicable Law or
the adoption of or any changes in the same that, in the reasonable opinion of counsel
to the BNPP Entities, has the effect with regard to the BNPP Entities of impeding or
prohibiting the arrangements under the 40 Act Financing Agreements (including, but not
limited to, imposing or adversely modifying or affecting the amount of regulatory capital
to be maintained by the BNPP Entities); |
| iii. | (A)
as of any day, the Net Asset Value of Customer has declined by twenty-five percent (25%)
or more from the highest Net Asset Value in the preceding one-month period then ending;
or (B) as of any day, the Net Asset Value of Customer has declined by thirty-five percent
(35%) or more from the highest Net Asset Value in the preceding three-month period then
ending; or (C) as of any day, the Net Asset Value of Customer, has declined by forty-five
percent (45%) or more from the highest Net Asset Value in the preceding 12-month period
then ending; (for purposes of (A), (B) and (C), any decline in the Net Asset Value shall
take into account any positive or negative change caused by capital transfers, such as
redemptions, withdrawals, subscriptions, contributions or investments, howsoever characterized,
and all amounts set forth in redemption notices received by or on behalf of Customer
(notwithstanding the date the actual redemption shall occur)); |
| iv. | the
investment management agreement between Customer and its investment advisor (“Advisor”)
is terminated or the Advisor otherwise ceases to act as investment advisor of Customer;
provided, however, such termination or cessation shall not constitute a Facility Termination
Event if there is a replacement investment advisor appointed immediately with the consent
of the BNPP Entities, such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; |
| v. | A
violation of Section 18 of the Investment 1940 Act; except reliance by Customer on any
exemptive relief granted to it by the Securities and Exchange Commission will not be
considered a violation of Section 18; |
| vi. | Customer
fails to make any filing necessary to comply with the rules of any exchange in which
its shares are listed; |
| vii. | Customer’s
classification under the 1940 Act becomes something other than as a “closed-end
company” as defined under Section 5 of the 1940 Act; |
| viii. | Customer
enters into any additional indebtedness with a party other than a BNPP Entity or its
affiliates beyond the financing provided hereunder through the 1940 Act Financing Agreements,
including without limitation any further borrowings constituting ‘senior securities’
(as defined for purposes of Section 18 of the 1940 Act) or any promissory note or other
evidence of indebtedness, whether with a bank or any other person excluding issuances
of preferred stock (it being understood that such preferred stock retains all characteristics
of an equity security and is not a security that could reasonably be characterized as
a debt security); |
Classification : Internal
| ix. | Customer
materially changes, amends, alters or modifies, either formally or informally, its investment
policies without prior written notice to a BNPP Entity; |
| x. | Customer
pledges to any other party, other than a BNPP Entity or its affiliates, any securities
owned or held by Customer over which Custodian has a lien; or |
| xi. | PBI
or BNPP PB ceases to conduct a prime brokerage business; provided that the BNPP
Entities shall provide no less than twenty-nine (29) days’ prior written notice
of such cessation. |
Notices
under this Agreement shall be provided pursuant to Section 12(a) of the Account Agreement.
16. | Compliance
with Applicable Law - |
| (a) | Notwithstanding
any of the foregoing, if required by Applicable Law – |
| i. | the
BNPP Entities may terminate any 40 Act Financing Agreement and any Contract; |
| ii. | the
BNPP Entities may recall any outstanding loan under the 40 Act Financing Agreements; |
| iii. | the
BNPP Entities may modify the Collateral Requirements; and |
| iv. | the
BNPP Entities may take Default Action. |
| (b) | This
Agreement will not limit the ability of the BNPP Entities to change the product provided
under this Agreement and the 40 Act Financing Agreements as necessary to comply with
Applicable Law. |
| (c) | The
BNPP Entities may exercise any remedies permitted under the Contracts if Customer fails
to comply with Applicable Law. |
| (a) | In
the event of a conflict between any provision of this Agreement and the other 40 Act
Financing Agreements, this Agreement prevails. |
| (b) | This
Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New
York, without giving effect to the conflict of laws doctrine. |
| (c) | Section
16(c) of the Account Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and
shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement to the same extent as if such provision
had been set forth in full herein. |
| (d) | This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original instrument
and all of which together will constitute one and the same agreement. |
Classification : Internal
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of March 9, 2023.
|
Each
Customer identified in Annex I, severally and not jointly |
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
RiverNorth Capital Management, LLC as Investment Manager |
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/
Marcus Collins |
|
|
|
Name: |
Marcus
Collins |
|
|
|
Title:
|
General
Counsel |
|
|
|
|
|
|
BNP
PARIBAS PRIME BROKERAGE INTERNATIONAL, LTD. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/
Michael Krzewicki |
|
|
|
Name: |
Michael
Krzewicki |
|
|
|
Title: |
Managing
Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/
Robert Lakeman |
|
|
|
Name:
|
Robert
Lakeman |
|
|
|
Title: |
Director |
|
Classification : Internal
Annex
I
Customer |
Date
of U.S.
PB
Agreement
|
Closing
Date |
Maximum
Commitment
Financing |
RiverNorth
Flexible Municipal Income Fund II |
March
9, 2023 |
March
9, 2023 |
USD
$15,000,000 |
RiverNorth
Opportunistic Municipal Income Fund, Inc. |
March
9, 2023 |
March
9, 2023 |
USD
$15,000,000 |
RiverNorth
Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund, Inc. |
March
9, 2023 |
March
9, 2023 |
USD
$15,000,000 |
RiverNorth
Flexible Municipal Income Fund, Inc. |
March
9, 2023 |
March
9, 2023 |
USD
$15,000,000 |
RiverNorth
Managed Duration Municipal Income Fund II, Inc. |
March
9, 2023 |
March
9, 2023 |
USD
$15,000,000 |
RiverNorth/DoubleLine
Strategic Opportunity Fund, Inc. |
March
9, 2023 |
March
9, 2023 |
USD
$25,000,000 |
RiverNorth
Opportunities Fund, Inc. |
March
9, 2023 |
March
9, 2023 |
USD
$25,000,000 |
RiverNorth
Specialty Finance Corporation
(nka
RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc.)
|
March
9, 2023
|
March
9, 2023 |
USD
$15,000,000 |
Classification : Internal
Appendix
A – Collateral Requirements
[Remainder
of Page Intentionally Blank – Appendix A Begins on Immediately Following Page]
Classification
: Internal
AMENDED
AND RESTATED
CREDIT
AGREEMENT FOR MARGIN FINANCING
AMENDED
AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT FOR MARGIN FINANCING (this “Agreement”), dated March 20,
2022, by and between RIVERNORTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND INC., a Maryland corporation that is registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Client”), and PERSHING LLC (“Pershing”).
WHEREAS, Pershing
and Client entered into the Credit Agreement for Margin Financing as of November 25,
2020__ (“Prior Credit Agreement”); and
WHEREAS,
Pershing terminated the Prior Credit Agreement effective as of January 11, 2022;
WHEREAS,
Pershing and Client agreed to change the terms of the Prior Credit Agreement to convert any financing provided by Pershing under
the Prior Credit Agreement to an on demand basis and remove any requirement for a notice period prior to Pershing’s modification
of the terms of the financing or asserting any rights thereunder, effective as of January 11, 2022; and
WHEREAS,
Pershing and Client continued to operate under the same terms as set forth herein since January 11, 2022; and
WHEREAS,
Pershing and Client seek to formalize and document the foregoing by entering into the terms of this Agreement; and
WHEREAS,
Pershing is an SEC registered member of several national securities exchanges and is a clearing member of The Options Clearing
Corporation (“OCC”); and
WHEREAS,
Client seeks to obtain margin financing from Pershing, and Pershing is willing to provide such financing, on the terms and conditions
provided for in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS,
Client has entered into an Options Supplement with Pershing dated as of November 25, 2020 (the “Options
Supplement”), which is part of this Agreement; and
WHEREAS,
Client intends to pledge assets held at STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY (“Custodian”) to Pershing to
secure performance of Client's obligations with respect to margin financing obtained from Pershing hereunder and for that purpose
has executed a Special Custody and Pledge Agreement (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Special
Custody and Pledge Agreement”) with Pershing and Custodian; and
WHEREAS,
Pershing is required to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including the margin regulations of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System, the OCC, any relevant securities exchanges, other self-regulatory associations (the “Margin
Rules”) and Pershing's internal policies; and
WHEREAS,
Client and Pershing desire to establish procedures for their compliance with the Margin Rules; and
WHEREAS,
Custodian acts as custodian of certain assets of Client pursuant to a contract with Client (the “Custodian Contract”)
and holds such assets in an account (the “Custodial Account”) and is further prepared to act as custodian for
Collateral (as defined in the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Special Custody
and Pledge Agreement and holds such assets in an account pledged to Pershing (the “Special Custody Account”):
THEREFORE,
the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
This
Agreement relates to Pershing providing margin financing to Client and sets forth terms and conditions under which Client may
borrow funds from Pershing which shall be collateralized by assets held in a Special Custody Account held at Custodian pursuant
to the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein, and not otherwise defined herein, shall have the meanings
assigned to such terms in the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement.
1.1 No
Obligation to Extend Credit Beyond Covered Amount. Nothing herein shall amount to a revolving credit facility or letter of
credit. Pershing shall provide credit to the Client up to the Covered Amount but is under no obligation at any time to extend
credit to the Client beyond the Covered Amount as determined in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
1.2 Margin
Methodology. The Margin Requirement shall be calculated by Pershing on each Business Day based on the methodology set forth
in Appendix A (as modified from time to time pursuant to this Agreement, the “Margin Methodology”). Margin
Methodology will apply only to the asset classes set forth in Appendix A. Margin requirements for positions of asset classes not
set forth in Appendix A shall be determined by Pershing in its sole discretion.
1.3 Reserved.
1.4 Risk
Factors. By applying for a margin account, Client acknowledges receipt of Pershing’s Margin Risk Disclosure Statement.
Client further acknowledges that it has carefully considered all of the factors set forth in this paragraph as well as the terms
set forth in this Section 1 and, has thereupon, decided that margin financing is appropriate for Client.
Margin
transactions involve the possibility of greater loss than transactions for which Client is not borrowing money. If the value of
the securities in Client’s Special Custody Account falls, Client may be required to deposit additional assets to secure
Client’s loans hereunder. Alternatively, subject to the occurrence of a Term Cessation Event as defined in Section 6 below,
Pershing upon written notification to Client may sell Client’s securities to pay down or pay off such loans and at a loss
or at lower prices than under other circumstances. Client remains solely liable for any deficiencies arising from such sales.
Client
agrees to carefully consider Client’s own financial condition, tolerance for risk and investment objectives, as well as
market conditions, before Client decides to use margin credit. Client acknowledges that Pershing has made available to Client
certain information relating to margin and that before submitting Client’s application for a margin account, Client represents
and warrants to Pershing that Client has had an opportunity to discuss with Pershing the risks associated with the use of margin
and that the use of margin is consistent with Client’s investment objectives as provided to Pershing.
1.5 Special
Custody Account Operation. Client agrees to pay On Demand and satisfy all margin and maintenance calls and pay all interest
charges in accordance with this Agreement or as otherwise in accordance with Pershing’s usual custom for similarly situated
clients, with respect to Client’s Special Custody Account.
Pershing
may, in its discretion, require Client to (a) deliver collateral to the Special Custody Account to the extent necessary (i) to
maintain margin as required by Pershing in accordance with Appendix A to this Agreement and (ii) to secure Client’s performance
of any obligations due to Pershing hereunder or (b) pay any amount that may become due hereunder in order to meet requests for
additional deposits or “marks to market” for any transactions, including transactions involving foreign exchange and
unissued securities that Client may purchase or sell.
The
parties acknowledge that the cash loans provided hereunder are each a “margin loan” as used in the definition of “securities
contract” in the United States Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. Section 741).
| 2. | Interest
Charges Disclosure Statement |
2.1 Interest
Rates. Interest charged on any debit balances in cash accounts or credit extended in margin accounts shall be in accordance
with the Margin Methodology set forth in Appendix A to this Agreement. Pershing reserves the right to charge interest based on
an alternative Reference Rate upon five (5) Business Day’s prior written notice if Pershing’s actual out-of-pocket
costs to facilitate a Net Debit Balance financing exceeds the rate charged or credited to Client.
Interest
paid or charged on positions not covered by the Margin Methodology shall be in accordance with Pershing’s policy and procedures
and subject to Pershing’s sole discretion.
2.2 Interest
Period. The interest period begins on the 20th of each month and ends on the 19th of the following month. Accordingly, the
interest charges for the period as shown on Client’s monthly statement are based only on the daily net debit and credit
balances for the interest period.
2.3 Method
of Interest Computation. At the close of each interest period during which credit was extended to Client, an interest charge
is computed by multiplying the average daily debit balance during such interest period for that currency by the applicable schedule
rate and by the number of days during which a debit balance was outstanding during such interest period and then dividing by 360.
If there has been a change in the rate between Pershing and Client for that currency, separate computations will be made with
respect to each rate of charge for the appropriate number of days at each rate during the interest period. If not paid, the interest
charge for credit extended to Client’s account at the close of the interest period is added to the opening debit balance
for that currency for the next interest period.
With
the exception of credit balances in Client’s short account, all credit and debit balances in the same currency will be combined
daily and interest will be charged on the resulting average daily net debit balances for that currency for the interest period.
Credit balances in one currency will not be combined or netted with debit balances in a different currency. Any credit balance
in Client’s short account is disregarded because such credit collateralizes the stock borrowed for delivery against the
short sale. Such credit is disregarded even if Client should be long the same position in Client’s Special Custody Account
or Account (for instance, short sale against the box). If the security that Client sold short (or sold short against the box)
appreciates in market price over the selling price, interest will be charged in U.S. dollars or any other currency on the appreciation
in value. Correspondingly, if the security that Client sold short depreciates in market price, the interest charged will be reduced
since Client’s average debit balance will decline. This practice is known as “marking-to-the-market.” All short
positions will be “marked to market” on a daily basis. A closing price is issued and reconciled daily to determine
any appreciation or deprecation in the security sold short.
3.1
Modifications to Margin Methodology.
3.1.1 At
any time, Pershing may make any modification to the Margin Methodology in its sole discretion. Such modifications may include,
but shall not be limited to, increasing margin requirements for certain positions or assets classes, or excluding certain positions
or asset classes from being eligible for margin.
3.1.2 Upon
the occurrence of an Extraordinary Market Event, Pershing may, in its sole discretion, make any modification to the Margin Methodology.
Modifications
to Margin Methodology
3.2.1 Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Pershing may in its sole discretion modify the Margin Methodology without any prior
notice upon the occurrence of an Event of Default or a Term Cessation Event.
3.2.2 Upon
the occurrence of a Concentration Event as stated in Paragraph B of Appendix A, Pershing may, notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, immediately and without further notice, make an upward adjustment of the Margin Requirement with respect
to all affected positions up to such level as it determines in its sole discretion. Client shall satisfy such resulting margin
call On Demand. Upon the discontinuance of a Concentration Event and in the absence of an Event of Default or Term Cessation Event,
the Margin Requirement of the affected position(s) shall be promptly determined in accordance with the Margin Methodology.
3.2.3.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Pershing determines in good faith, based on the advice of its legal
counsel, that (a) any security interest granted under the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement is not, or ceases to be, a first
priority perfected security interest, or (b) any asset in the Special Custody Account is deemed to be ineligible for collateral
purposes under Applicable Law or any interpretation thereof, then all affected assets will be deemed to have zero value for purposes
of satisfying Client’s Margin Requirement and for calculating the equity in the relevant Account(s) and any resulting margin
call shall be met On Demand.
| 4. | Representations
and Warranties |
Client
represents and warrants to Pershing as of the date hereof and during the existence of any transaction under this Agreement that:
4.1 Existence
and Power. Client is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland.
The Client is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business,
assets, and properties requires such qualification, except where failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not be reasonably
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.2 Authorization;
Execution and Delivery, Etc. The execution and delivery by Client of, and the performance by Client of its obligations under,
this Agreement and the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement are within its corporate powers, and have been duly authorized by
all requisite corporate action by Client. This Agreement and the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement have been duly executed
and delivered by Client, and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of Client enforceable against Client in accordance
with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable
principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
4.3 Noncontravention.
Neither the execution and delivery by Client of this Agreement and the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement nor the consummation
of the transactions herein or therein contemplated, nor compliance with the terms, conditions and provisions hereof or thereof
by Client will (a) conflict with, or result in a breach of, any of its charter documents or (b) conflict with (i) any Applicable
Law, (ii) any contractual restriction binding on or affecting Client or any of its assets, or (iii) any order, writ, judgment,
award, injunction or decree binding on or affecting Client or any of its assets, in each case except where such conflict or breach
would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Applicable Laws”
means, with respect to any person, all laws, rules, regulations or orders of any governmental authority to which such person is
subject or by which such person’s property is bound. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Material Adverse Effect”
means a material adverse effect on (x) the business, financial condition operations, of the Borrower or (y) the validity or enforceability
of this Agreement or the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement or the rights and remedies of Pershing hereunder or thereunder.
4.4 Suitability.
Client is an Institutional Account as defined in FINRA Rule 4512(c) and is capable of evaluating investment risks independently,
both in general and with regard to all transactions and investment strategies involving a security or securities and shall exercise
such independent judgment in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or when engaging in any investment or financing
strategy.
4.5 Governmental
Authorizations. Client has obtained all necessary governmental authorizations, and made all governmental filings necessary
for the execution and delivery by Client of, and the performance by Client of its obligations under, this Agreement and the Special
Custody and Pledge Agreement, except where the failure would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.6 Regulations
T, U and X. The execution, delivery and performance by Client of this Agreement and the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder will not violate any provision of Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation
X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
4.7 Sections
17 and 18 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The execution, delivery and performance by Client of this Agreement and the
Special Custody and Pledge Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder will not violate any provision
of Sections 17 and 18 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the rules promulgated thereunder.
4.8 Financial
Information. The statement of assets and liabilities of Client, as of July 31, 2020, and the related Statement of Operations
on such date, reported on by Cohen & Company, LTD and set forth in the financial statements dated July 31, 2020, together
with the notes and schedules thereto, presents fairly, in all material respects, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles, the financial position of Client as of such date.
4.9 Litigation.
There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation of any kind pending against, or to the actual knowledge of any officer
of Client, threatened against or affecting, Client before any court or arbitrator or any Authority which would reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.10 Taxes.
The Client has timely filed all material United States federal income tax returns and all other material tax returns which
are required to be filed by it, if any, and has paid all taxes due pursuant to such returns, if any, or pursuant to any assessment
received by the Client, except for any taxes or assessments which are being contested in good faith or for which non-payment would
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.11 Compliance.
Client is in compliance with all Applicable Laws except where the necessity of compliance therewith is being contested in
good faith or exemptive relief has been obtained therefrom and remains in effect or where noncompliance therewith would not be
reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Client is in compliance with all agreements and instruments to which it
is a party or to which any of its properties may be bound, in each case where the violation thereof would be reasonably expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.12 Full
Disclosure. All information heretofore furnished by Client to Pershing for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement
or the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby is true and accurate in all material
respects on the date as of which such information is stated or certified, and such information does not contain, when taken as
a whole, on such date, any material misrepresentation or any omission to state therein, in light of the circumstances in which
they were made, matters necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading in any material respect.
4.13 Title
to Assets. Client has good and marketable title to all its material properties, assets and rights, except where failure to
have such title would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Client
agrees that, so long as the Pershing provides margin financing hereunder or any amount payable hereunder remains unpaid:
5.1 Information.
Client will deliver to Pershing (i) any financial statements or financial information available to the Client which has been
reasonably requested in writing by Pershing within ten (10) Business Days following Client’s receipt of such request therefor
from Pershing, provided, however, that Client will not be obligated to provide any such information or materials that are publicly
available, (ii) 30 days’ prior notice of any Strategy Event (defined below) and (iii) a copy of any change, modification
or amendment to the indemnity and exculpatory provisions contained in the Custodian Contract, forty-five (45) days prior to any
such change, modification or amendment.
5.2 Payment
of Obligations. Client will pay, at or before maturity of the financing hereunder, all of Client’s material obligations,
including, without limitation, tax liabilities, except where the same may be contested in good faith or for which non-payment
would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.3 Maintenance
of Insurance. Client will maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, policies with respect to its
assets and property and business against at least such risks and contingencies as are customary in the case of registered closed-end
investment companies.
5.4 Conduct
of Business and Maintenance of Existence. Client will preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence as a Maryland
corporation, except as permitted by Section 5.8. Client will preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its rights, privileges
and franchises necessary in the normal conduct of its business except where failure to do so would not be reasonably expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.5 Compliance
with Laws. Client will comply in all material respects with all Applicable Laws and requirements of any regulatory or governmental
authority having jurisdiction over Client except where the necessity of compliance therewith is contested in good faith or exemptive
relief has been obtained therefrom and remains in effect or where noncompliance therewith would not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect. Client will file all material federal and other material tax returns required by all relevant
jurisdictions on or before the due dates for such returns, and will pay all taxes due pursuant to such returns as and when they
become due, except those that are being contested in good faith by the Client or for which non-payment would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.6 Books
and Records. Client will keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries shall be made of
all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities in accordance with Applicable Law.
5.7 Liens.
The Client will not create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any lien on any of the Collateral except liens of Pershing created
or permitted by or pursuant to this Agreement or the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement, and the lien of the Custodian subordinated
to Pershing’s lien under the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement.
5.8 Consolidations,
Mergers and Sales of Assets. Client will not consolidate or merge with or into any other entity, nor will Client sell, lease
or otherwise transfer, directly or indirectly, all or any substantial part of its assets to any other entity (in each case, whether
in one transaction or a series of related transactions), except (a) a merger or consolidation where Client or its affiliate is
the survivor and (b) Client may dispose of its assets in the ordinary course of business.
5.9 Use
of Proceeds. Proceeds of margin financing may be used to buy, carry or trade in securities or an investment contract security
and for any other purpose permitted by the investment objectives, strategies and policies of Client.
5.10 Collateral.
Client will at all times place and maintain the Collateral in the custody of the Custodian subject to the provisions of the
Special Custody and Pledge Agreement.
| 6.1 | The
occurrence of any of the following events with regard to Client shall each be a “Term
Cessation Event”: |
| (a) | Manager
Event. Client changes, removes, replaces or no longer retains Investment Manager
as investment manager, or Investment Manager resigns or otherwise seeks replacement or
removal from its position as Client’s investment manager (a “Manager Event”);
or |
| (b) | Net
Asset Event. Client’s Net Asset Value at the last Business Day of any calendar
month has declined by (i) 30% or more from Client’s Net Asset Value on the last
Business Day of the immediately preceding calendar month; (ii) 40% or more from Client’s
Net Asset Value on the last Business Day of the third calendar month immediately preceding
such Business Day; or (iii) 50% or more from Client’s Net Asset Value on the last
Business Day in the same month in the immediately preceding calendar year (each a “Net
Asset Event”); or |
| (c) | Net
Asset Value Floor. Client’s Net Asset Value on any Business Day has declined
by 50% or more from Client’s Net Asset Value on the last Business Day of the preceding
calendar year (together with any Net Asset Event, individually and collectively, a “Net
Asset Value Event”); or |
| (d) | Suspension/Delisting.
Client is subject to any suspension or delisting procedures commenced by any regulatory
or governmental authority; or |
| (e) | Strategy
Event. Client makes a material change to its investment strategy or policies from
that disclosed in its prospectus in effect as of the date of this Agreement (a “Strategy
Event”); or |
| (f) | Regulatory
Event. A (i) credible allegation of fraud, misconduct, embezzlement, money laundering,
insider trading, market manipulation abuse or other material illegality, breach of regulation
or impropriety is made against Client, or any of its principals, executive officers or
directors, that in the good faith and commercially reasonable business judgment of Pershing
could reasonably be expected to present a risk of material damage to the reputation of
Pershing or (ii) official findings of breach of any Applicable Law by any such persons
are made by a regulator, judicial or governmental entity including receipt of any Wells
notice (a “Regulatory Event”); or |
| (g) | Custodian
Contract. Changes to the indemnification or exculpatory provisions of the Custodian
Contact are made not in accordance with Section 5.1 of this Agreement. |
| (h) | Portfolio
Margin Account Requirements. Client is no longer eligible to maintain a Portfolio
Margin Account. |
| 6.2 | The
occurrence of any of the following events in relations to Pershing shall be a “Term
Cessation Event”: |
| (a) | Illegality
Event. Applicable Law is changed or adopted or Pershing changes its interpretation
of Applicable Law, which in the opinion Pershing’s counsel has the effect of impeding
or prohibiting the arrangements under this Agreement (including adverse effects on the
regulatory capital requirements for Pershing or any of its affiliates); or |
| (b) | Cessation
of Business Event. Pershing, for any reason, ceases to conduct a prime brokerage
business or maintain direct customer accounts. |
| (c) | Change
of Control – Pershing ceases to be a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation
(“BNY Mellon”). |
| (d) | Credit
Event, (i) Pershing’s Net Capital is materially reduced for any reason; (ii)
BNY Mellon, or any other provider of committed or uncommitted funding facilities, terminates
or materially modifies funding lines to Pershing; or (iii) an Act of Insolvency with
respect to Pershing or BNY Mellon occurs. |
| 6.3 | If
a Term Cessation Event in relation to Client occurs, Client shall, promptly upon an officer
of the Client having actual knowledge of it, and in any event within five (5) Business
Days of the occurrence thereof, notify Pershing orally followed-up in writing at the
address specified in Section 8.4 hereof, specifying the nature of that Term Cessation
Event. Client shall provide Pershing such other information about that Term Cessation
Event as Pershing may reasonably request in writing. |
| 6.4 | Upon
the occurrence of a Term Cessation Event, notwithstanding any other provision herein
and regardless of whether or not Client has notified Pershing of the occurrence of the
same pursuant to Section 6.3 and whether or not the Term Cessation Event is continuing,
Pershing shall have the right, but not the obligation, to terminate this Agreement by
sending Client a written notice, in which case, Pershing will be entitled to (i) require
Client to repay any outstanding Net Debit Balance financing amount On Demand, (ii) modify
the Margin Methodology without prior notice, (iii) adjust the rates, fees and charges
applicable to Client without prior notice (including interest rates and charges applicable
to Client’s Net Debit Balance financing amount) and (iv) require the Client to
close out and/or transfer any outstanding positions; provided that with respect to a
Term Cessation Event arising under 6.1(b) or 6.1(c) Pershing shall not terminate this
Agreement or take any of the foregoing actions until ten (10) business days after sending
Client such written notice. |
7.1 If
any one or more of the following events (each, an “Event of Default”) shall occur:
| (a). | Client
fails to make, when due, any payment or delivery hereunder (including, but not limited
to payments for investment and the delivery of collateral or margin payment) provided,
however, that it shall not be an Event of Default hereunder if (1) such failure was caused
solely by error or omission of an administrative or operational nature; (2) funds were
available to Client to enable it at the required time to make the relevant payment or
delivery; (3) Client has made a good faith verifiable effort to transmit such payment
or delivery; (4) Client has provided to Pershing when the payment or delivery would have
been due, written verification of clauses (1), (2) and (3) above that is reasonably satisfactory
to Pershing and (5) such payment or delivery is made within one (1) Business Day after
the date such payment or delivery was initially due; or |
| (b). | Client
fails to deliver any financial statements or financial information available to Client
which has been reasonably requested in writing by Pershing and such failure shall continue
unremedied for a period of five Business Days after Client’s receipt of written
notice thereof from Pershing; or |
| (c). | Client
fails to observe or perform under any other obligation, covenant or agreement under this
Agreement, provided that, if such failure is capable of being cured, Client shall have
up to (3) Business Days after written notice has been delivered by Pershing to the Client,
to cure such failure; or |
| (d). | An
Act of Insolvency with respect to the Client occurs or any Net Asset Value Event occurs;
or |
| (e). | Any
representation, warranty, certification or statement made (or deemed made) by Client
in this Agreement or the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement or in any certificate,
financial statement or other document delivered by Client to Pershing pursuant to this
Agreement or the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect
in any material respect when made (or deemed made); or |
| (f). | Pershing’s
security interest under the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement is not or ceases to
be a first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral; or |
| (g). | A
default, event of default, termination event, close-out event or other similar condition
(howsoever described) occurs with respect to Client under one or more transactions or
agreements related to indebtedness to which Client is a party (after giving effect to
any applicable notice requirement or grace period) and such default, event or similar
condition results in the rights and obligations pursuant to such indebtedness being accelerated
and the obligations of the Client becoming due and payable before they otherwise would; |
then,
and in every such event, Pershing may by written notice to Client (i) terminate this Agreement and (ii) declare the loans hereunder
(together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon) to be immediately due and payable.
7.2
Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, in addition to the foregoing rights, Pershing may, upon notice to Client,
and at such times and places as Pershing may reasonably determine, cancel, terminate, accelerate, liquidate and/or close-out any
or all transactions and agreements hereunder between Client and Pershing, sell or otherwise transfer any securities or other property
which Pershing may hold for Client or which has been pledged to Pershing by Client and apply the proceeds to the discharge of
Client’s obligations, set-off, net and recoup any obligations to Client against any obligations to Pershing, exercise all
rights and remedies of a secured creditor in respect of all collateral pledged by Client to Pershing in which Pershing has a security
interest under the UCC (whether or not the UCC is otherwise applicable in the relevant jurisdiction), cover any open positions
of Client (by buying in or borrowing securities or otherwise) and take such other actions as Pershing reasonably deems appropriate
and in compliance with Applicable Law. Client shall remain liable for any deficiency and shall promptly reimburse Pershing for
any out-of-pocket loss or expense incurred thereby, including losses sustained by reason of an inability to borrow any securities
or other property sold for Client’s account. Client agrees to promptly notify Pershing upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default, but the failure to provide such notice shall not prejudice Pershing's right to determine that an Event of Default has
occurred.
7.3 Request
for Waiver. Notwithstanding any other provision hereunder, if, in respect of any Term Cessation Event and Event of Default,
Pershing receives written notice from Client requesting a waiver of such Term Cessation Event or Event of Default and Pershing
has not begun to exercise any right or remedy in respect thereof within 30 calendar days following receipt of such notice, then
Pershing shall be deemed to have waived its right to exercise any rights or remedies with respect to such Term Cessation Event
or Event of Default.
| 8.1 | Excess
Financing. At any time, the Excess Financing amount is due and repayable by Client
On Demand to Pershing. |
8.2
Reserved.
| 8.3 | Covered
Amount Repayable upon demand. Pershing shall have the right to require Client to
repay the Covered Amount (or any portion thereof) at any time. At any time, Pershing may
(i) require Client to repay any outstanding Net Debit Balance upon demand, (ii) modify
the Margin Methodology without prior notice, and (iii) adjust the rates, fees and charges
applicable to Client without prior notice. |
8.4
Notices. Written communications and notices hereunder shall be sent by electronic mail, facsimile
transmission, regular mail, overnight delivery, or hand delivered as required herein or by any other means agreed to by the parties,
in any such case addressed:
|
(a) |
if
to Client, to: |
RIVERNORTH
OPPORTUNITIES FUND INC. |
|
|
|
1290
Broadway, Suite 1000 |
|
|
|
Denver,
CO 80203 |
|
|
|
Attention:
President |
|
|
|
Phone
No: 720-917-0563 |
|
|
|
E-mail:
Kathryn.Burns@alpsinc.com |
|
|
|
|
|
(b) |
if
to Pershing, to: |
Pershing
LLC |
|
|
|
1
Pershing Plaza |
|
|
|
Jersey
City, NJ. 07399 |
|
|
|
Attention:
Chief Administration Officer |
|
|
|
Fax
No.: 201-395-1299 |
|
|
|
Phone
No.: 201-413-2234 |
|
|
|
E-Mail:
elyndon@pershing.com |
|
|
For
financial information Client shall provide and additional copy to: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attention:
Credit and Risk Department |
|
|
|
Fax
Number: 201-434-3243 |
|
|
|
Email:
PershingCreditRiskReporting@pershing.com |
Each
such notice, request, consent or other communication shall be effective (i) if given by facsimile, transmission, when such facsimile
is transmitted to the facsimile number specified in this Section and the appropriate confirmation is received, (b) if given by
mail, 72 hours after such communication is deposited in the mails with first class postage prepaid, addressed as aforesaid or
(c) if given by overnight delivery, hand delivery, electronic mail or any other means, when delivered at the address specified
in this Section. For the avoidance of doubt, e-mail notice and facsimile transmission (for example, notice of a margin call) is
effective upon transmission to the relevant address above. In the event of the failure of these communications, actual telephone
notice shall suffice.
“Accounts”
means each account established in Client’s name in connection with this Agreement.
“Act
of Insolvency” means (a) a party making a general assignment for the benefit of, or entering into a reorganization,
arrangement, moratorium or composition with, such party’s creditors; (b) a party becoming unable to pay its debts as
they become due; (c) a party seeking, consenting to or acquiescing in, the appointment of any trustee, administrator,
(whether out of court or otherwise) receiver or liquidator or analogous officer over a party or any material part of a
party’s property; (d) the presentation or filing of a petition or application in respect of a party (other than in
respect of any obligation under any agreements between the parties hereto) whether out of court or in any court or before any
agency alleging or for a party’s bankruptcy, winding-up or other insolvency (or any analogous proceeding) or seeking
any reorganization, arrangement, composition, re-adjustment, administration, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief
(other than a voluntary liquidation or voluntary dissolution for the purposes of a solvent reconstruction or amalgamation)
under any present or future statute, law or regulation (e) the appointment of a receiver, administrator, (whether out of
court or otherwise) liquidator or trustee or analogous officer over all or any material part of a party’s property; (f)
the declaration of a moratorium in respect of any of a party’s indebtedness (provided that the ending of the
moratorium will not remedy the Event of Default); (g) the convening of any meeting of a party’s creditors
for the purpose of considering a voluntary arrangement (or any analogous proceeding); or (h) any event analogous to the
foregoing in any jurisdiction occurs in relation to a party.
“Applicable
Law” means all applicable laws, rules, regulations and customs, including those of all U.S. and non-U.S., federal, state
and local governmental authorities, self-regulatory organizations, markets, exchanges and clearing facilities, in all cases where
applicable.
“Business
Day” means any day on which banks and securities markets are open for business generally in New York.
“Concentration
Event” shall have the meaning set forth in Appendix A.
“Covered
Amount” means, as of any Business Day (the “Determination Date”), an amount equal to the least of
(i) the Net Debit Balance as of the Business Day immediately preceding the Determination Date, (ii) Customer’s average Net
Debit Balance for the thirty (30) calendar days immediately preceding the Determination Date, and (iii) the Maximum Debit Financing
as stated in Schedule I.
“Excess
Financing” means at any time, the amount by which the Net Debit Balance exceeds the Covered Amount.
“Extraordinary
Market Event” means the Standard & Poor’s Index (S&P Index) declines by 20% or more over a consecutive
five (5) Business Day period.
“Investment
Manager” means ALPS Advisors, Inc.
“Total
Long Market Value” or “Total LMV” means, the market value of all long positions in the Account that
are covered under the Margin Methodology as set forth in Appendix A.
“Material
Adverse Effect” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.
“Margin
Requirement” means, on any Business Day, the consolidated margin requirement for the positions in the Accounts maintained
by Client as calculated by Pershing in accordance with this Agreement.
“Net
Asset Value” means, as of the relevant time of determination, an amount (expressed in United States Dollars) equal to
the sum of Client’s Total Assets minus Total Liabilities (each valued at market price as of such date), including
any estimate thereof provided by Client pursuant to Section 5.1.
“Net
Debit Balance” means, on any Calendar Day, the aggregate amount of debit balances in the Accounts outstanding on such
Business Day net of any credit balances (other than short sale proceeds) in the Accounts. For the avoidance of doubt, if the amount
calculated by the foregoing sentence results in a net credit balance, the Net Debit Balance shall be zero. For the purposes of
calculating the aggregate net amount of the Net Debit Balance, Pershing will convert any debit and credit balances denominated
in non-USD currencies into USD.
“On
Demand” shall mean that the Margin Requirement shall be delivered to such account or recipient as Pershing shall specify
as follows: If the margin call is made on or prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York time) on any Business Day, then the margin call must
be met by 5:00 p.m. on that Business Day; if the margin call is made after 11:00 a.m. (New York time) on any Business Day, the
margin call must be met by 12 noon (New York Time) on the following Business Day.
“Reference
Rate” shall mean the benchmark interest rate on financing.
“Total
Assets” means, on any date of determination, all assets of Client, determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles in the U.S. and on a basis consistent with prior periods.
“Total
Liabilities” means, on any date of determination, all liabilities of Client determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and on a basis consistent with prior periods.
“Total
Market Value” means the Total Long Market Value (excluding cash).
10.1 No
Advice. Pershing makes no recommendations to purchase or sell any security or engage in any investment strategy including
the use of margin; does not provide legal, tax, credit or accounting advice.
10.2 Conflicts
with Other Agreements. In the event of a conflict between any provision of this Agreement and the Special Custody and Pledge
Agreement between the parties, this Agreement shall prevail.
10.3 Confidential
Information. “Confidential Information” of a party shall mean all data and information submitted to the
other party or obtained by the other party in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including information relating
to a party’s customers (which includes, without limitation, Non-Public Personal Information as that term is defined in Securities
and Exchange Commission Regulation S-P), technology, operations, facilities, consumer markets, products, capacities, systems,
procedures, security practices, research, development, business affairs, ideas, concepts, innovations, inventions, designs, business
methodologies, improvements, trade secrets, copyrightable subject matter and other proprietary information.
All
Confidential Information relating to a party shall be held in confidence by the other party to the same extent and in at least
the same manner as such party protects its own confidential or proprietary information. Neither party shall disclose, publish,
release, transfer or otherwise make available Confidential Information of the other party in any form to, or for the use or benefit
of, any person or entity without the other party’s prior written consent. Each party shall, however, be permitted to disclose
relevant aspects of the other party’s Confidential Information to its officers, agents, parents, affiliates, subcontractors
and employees to the extent such disclosure is reasonably necessary for the performance of its duties and obligations under this
Agreement, in compliance with its internal policies and such disclosure is not prohibited by Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (“GLBA”),
which amends the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time, the regulations promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder or other Applicable Law; provided, however, that such party shall take all reasonable
measures to ensure that Confidential Information of the other party is not disclosed or duplicated in contravention of the provisions
of this Agreement by such officers, agents, subcontractors and employees. The obligations in this Section shall not restrict any
disclosure by either party pursuant to any Applicable Law, or by order of any court, government agency or self-regulatory organization
having jurisdiction (provided that the disclosing party shall give prompt notice to the non-disclosing party of such order) and
shall not apply with respect to information which (i) is developed by the other party without violating the disclosing party’s
proprietary rights; (ii) is or becomes publicly known (other than through unauthorized disclosure); (iii) is disclosed by the
owner of such information to a third party free of any obligation of confidentiality; (iv) is already known by such party without
an obligation of confidentiality other than pursuant to this Agreement or any confidentiality agreements entered into between
the parties before the effective date of this Agreement; or (v) is rightfully received by a party free of any obligation of confidentiality.
If the GLBA, the regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder or other Applicable Law now or hereafter
in effect imposes a higher standard of confidentiality to the Confidential Information, such standard shall prevail over the provisions
of this Section.
Client
acknowledges that the services Pershing provides hereunder involve Client access to proprietary technology, trading and other
systems, and that techniques, algorithms and processes contained in such systems constitute trade secrets and shall be safeguarded
by Client, and that Client shall exercise reasonable care to protect Pershing’s interest in such trade secrets. Client agrees
to make the proprietary nature of such systems known to those of its consultants, staff, agents or clients who may reasonably
be expected to come into contact with such systems. Client agrees that any breach of this confidentiality provision may result
in its being liable for damages as provided by law.
This
Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
10.4 Governing
Law. This Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Any dispute arising
out of or relating to this Agreement shall be subject to the arbitration as specified below.
10.5 Limitation
of Liability. Pershing shall have no liability for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages relating to or
arising from any system or inputting errors that results in an incorrect determination of margin requirements hereunder other
than to correct such error as soon as reasonably practicable; provided that the foregoing limitation of liability shall not apply
in the case of Pershing’s gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. For the avoidance of doubt, correcting such
error includes refunding to Client any excess margin interest charged prior to such correction.
10.6 Amendments;
Waivers. Any provision of this Agreement or the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement may be amended or waived if, but only
if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by Client and Pershing.
10.7 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in facsimile counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original instrument and all of which
together will constitute one and the same agreement.
10.8 Use
of Name. Client and Pershing agree not to use the other party’s name for any purpose without the other party’s
prior written consent, including, but not limited to, in any advertisement, publication or offering material; provided, however,
that Pershing consents to Client’s stating in its offering documents that Pershing is providing margin financing so long
as such statement is factually accurate at the time the statement is made and it is made clear in such disclosure that Pershing
has no responsibility for the preparation and accuracy of such offering documents.
10.9 Arbitration.
This Agreement contains a predispute arbitration clause. By signing an arbitration agreement, the parties agree as follows:
(a) All
parties to this Agreement are giving up the right to sue each other in court, including the right to a trial by jury, except as
provided by the rules of the arbitration forum in which a claim is filed.
(b) Arbitration
awards are generally final and binding; a party’s ability to have a court reverse or modify an arbitration award is very
limited.
(c) The
ability of the parties to obtain documents, witness statements and other discovery is generally more limited in arbitration than
in court proceedings.
(d) The arbitrators do not have to explain the reason(s) for their award.
(e) The
panel of arbitrators will typically include a minority of arbitrators who were or are affiliated with the securities industry,
unless Client is a member of the organization sponsoring the arbitration facility, in which case all arbitrators may be affiliated
with the securities industry.
(f) The
rules of some arbitration forums may impose time limits for bringing a claim in arbitration. In some cases, a claim that is ineligible
for arbitration may be brought in court.
(g) The
rules of the arbitration forum in which the claim is filed, and any amendments thereto, shall be incorporated into this Agreement.
Any
controversy between Pershing (and any of Pershing’s affiliates also involved in such controversy) or any of its or their
partners, officers, managing directors, directors or employees on the one hand, and Client or Client’s agents on the other
hand, arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or the accounts established hereunder,
shall be settled by arbitration. The arbitration will be conducted before The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Dispute
Resolution (“FINRA-DR”). If FINRA-DR should decline to hear the matter, before the American Arbitration Association,
in accordance with their arbitration rules then in force. The award of the arbitrator shall be final, and judgment upon the award
rendered may be entered in any court, state or federal, having jurisdiction.
No
person shall bring a putative or certified class action to arbitration nor seek to enforce any pro-dispute arbitration agreement
against any person who has initiated in court a putative class action or who is a member of a putative class who has not opted
out of the class with respect to any claims encompassed by the putative class action until: (i) the class certification is denied;
(ii) the class is decertified; or (iii) Client is excluded from the class by the court.
10.10 This
amended and restated Agreement shall supersede the Prior Credit Agreement.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as
of the day and year first above written.
|
RIVERNORTH
OPPORTUNITIES FUND INC. |
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/
Kathryn Burns
|
|
|
Name: |
Kathryn
Bums |
|
|
Title: |
President |
|
|
|
|
|
|
PERSHING
LLC |
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/
Mark Aldoroty |
|
|
Name: |
Mark
Aldoroty |
|
|
Title: |
Managing
Director |
|
16
November 12, 2024
RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.
360 South Rosemary Avenue
Suite 1420
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
| Re: | Registration Statement on Form N-2: |
1940 Act File No.: 811-22472
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have served as Maryland counsel
to RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940
Act”), as a closed-end management investment company (the “Fund”), in connection with certain matters of Maryland law
arising out of the registration of the following securities of the Fund having an aggregate initial offering price of up to $600,000,000
(collectively, the “Securities”): (a) shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common Stock”); (b)
shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”); (c) subscription rights (“Common Stock Subscription
Rights”) to purchase shares of Common Stock; (d) subscription rights (“Preferred Stock Subscription Rights”) to purchase
shares of Preferred Stock; and (e) subscription rights (the “Common Stock & Preferred Stock Subscription Rights” and,
together with the Common Stock Subscription Rights and the Preferred Stock Subscription Rights, the “Subscription Rights”)
to purchase shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock, in each case, covered by the above-referenced Registration Statement (the “Registration
Statement”), filed by the Fund with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the 1940 Act. This opinion is being furnished to you at your request.
I. Documents Reviewed and Matters Considered
In connection with our representation
of the Fund, and as a basis for the opinions hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified
to our satisfaction, of the following documents (collectively, the “Documents”):
(i) the
Registration Statement and the related form of prospectus included therein, substantially in the form transmitted to the Commission under
the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act;
(ii) the
charter of the Fund (the “Charter”), certified by the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (the “SDAT”);
RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.
November 12, 2024
Page 2
(iii) the Bylaws of the Fund (the “Bylaws”), certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Fund;
(iv) a
Certificate of Status of the SDAT to the effect that the Fund is in good standing, dated November 7, 2024;
(v) resolutions
(the “Resolutions”) adopted by the Board of Directors of the Fund relating to the registration and issuance of the Securities,
certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Fund;
(vi) a
certificate executed by an officer of the Fund, dated as of the date hereof, as to such matters as we deem necessary and appropriate to
enable us to render this opinion letter; and
(vii) such
other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to express the opinions set forth in this letter, subject to the
assumptions, qualifications, and limitations stated herein.
II. Assumptions
In expressing the opinions set
forth below, we have assumed the following:
(a) Each
individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or another person, is legally competent to do so.
(b) Each
individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Fund) is duly authorized to do so.
(c) Each
of the parties (other than the Fund) executing any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents
to which such party is a signatory, and such party’s obligations set forth therein are legal, valid and binding and are enforceable
in accordance with all stated terms.
(d) All
Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. The form and content of all Documents submitted to us as unexecuted drafts do not
differ in any respect relevant to this opinion from the form and content of such Documents as executed and delivered. All Documents submitted
to us as certified, photostatic, or other copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all such Documents are genuine.
All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete.
(e) All
representations, warranties, statements and information contained in the Documents are accurate and complete.
RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.
November 12, 2024
Page 3
(f) There
has been no oral or written modification of or amendment to any of the Documents, and there has been no waiver of any of the provisions
of the Documents, by actions or omission of the parties or otherwise.
(g) Each
individual executing a certificate is authorized to do so and has knowledge about all matters stated therein. The contents of each such
certificate are accurate and complete and remain so as of the date of this letter.
(h) Upon
the issuance of any Securities that are Common Stock (“Common Securities”), including Common Securities which may be issued
upon conversion or exercise of any other Securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Securities, the total number of shares
of Common Stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the total number of shares of Common Stock that the Fund is then authorized to
issue under the Charter.
(i) Upon
the issuance of any Securities that are Preferred Stock (“Preferred Securities”), including Preferred Securities which may
be issued upon conversion or exercise of any other Securities convertible into or exercisable for Preferred Securities, the total number
of issued and outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, and the total number of issued and outstanding shares of the applicable class or
series of Preferred Stock designated pursuant to the Charter, will not exceed the total number of shares of Preferred Stock or the number
of shares of such class or series of Preferred Stock that the Fund is then authorized to issue under the Charter.
(j) The
issuance, and certain terms, of the Securities to be issued by the Fund from time to time will be authorized and approved by the Board,
or a duly authorized committee thereof, in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law, the Charter, the Bylaws, the Registration
Statement and the Resolutions; and with respect to any Subscription Rights, a Subscription Rights Certificate representing such Subscription
Rights (the “Subscription Rights Certificate”) will be duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Fund and the
specific terms of such Subscription Rights will be duly established by the Board, and such Subscription Rights will be duly distributed
by the Fund, in accordance with the Charter, the Bylaws, the Registration Statement and the Resolutions; and, with respect to any Preferred
Securities, Articles Supplementary setting forth the number of shares and the preferences and other terms of any class or series of Preferred
Stock to be issued by the Fund will be filed with and accepted for record by the SDAT prior to their issuance (such approvals and, if
applicable, acceptance for record, referred to herein as the “Corporate Proceedings”).
III. Opinions
Based upon the foregoing, and
subject to the assumptions, qualifications, and limitations stated herein, it is our opinion that:
1. The
Fund is a corporation duly incorporated and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing
with the SDAT.
RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.
November 12, 2024
Page 4
2. Upon
the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to the Common Securities, the issuance of the Common Securities will be duly authorized
and, when and if issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Registration Statement, the Resolutions and the
Corporate Proceedings, the Common Securities will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
3. Upon
the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to the Preferred Securities, the issuance of the Preferred Securities will be duly
authorized and, when and if issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Registration Statement, the Resolutions
and the Corporate Proceedings, the Preferred Securities will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
4. Upon
the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to the Subscription Rights, the issuance of the Subscription Rights will be duly
authorized and when issued and paid for in accordance with the applicable Subscription Rights Certificate, the Subscription Rights will
be valid and binding obligations of the Fund, enforceable against the Fund in accordance with their terms.
IV. Qualifications and Limitations
(A) In
addition to the assumptions and qualifications set forth above, and without limiting the generality of such assumptions and qualifications,
the opinion expressed in Paragraph III.4 above is also subject to (a) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, preference,
fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, (b) the effect of
general principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law (including the possible unavailability of specific
performance or injunctive relief), concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the discretion of the court
before which a proceeding is brought and (c) the invalidity under certain circumstances under law or court decisions of provisions providing
for the indemnification of or contribution to a party with respect to a liability where such indemnification or contribution is contrary
to public policy.
(B) The
foregoing opinions are limited to the laws of the State of Maryland and we do not express any opinions herein concerning any other law.
We express no opinion as to the applicability or effect of the 1940 Act or other federal securities laws, or state securities laws, including
the securities laws of the State of Maryland, or as to federal or state laws regarding fraudulent transfers. To the extent that any matter
as to which our opinion is expressed herein would be governed by the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland, we do
not express any opinion on such matter. The opinions expressed herein are subject to the effect of judicial decisions which may permit
the introduction of parol evidence to modify the terms or the interpretation of agreements.
(C) The
opinions expressed in this letter are limited to the matters specifically set forth in this letter, and no other opinions shall be implied
or inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after
the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.
RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.
November 12, 2024
Page 5
(D) This
opinion is being furnished to you for submission to the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the
filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of the name of our firm therein. In giving this consent,
we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the 1933 Act.
|
Very truly yours, |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ SHAPIRO SHER GUINOT & SANDLER, P.A. |
|
|
SHAPIRO SHER GUINOT & SANDLER, P.A. |
|
Faegre
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
320
South Canal Street, Suite 3300
Chicago,
IL 60606
(312)
569-1100 (Phone)
(312)
569-3107 (Facsimile)
www.faegredrinker.com
November 12, 2024
RiverNorth
Opportunities Fund, Inc.
360
South Rosemary Avenue, Suite 1420
West
Palm Beach, FL 33401
|
Re: |
RiverNorth
Opportunities Fund, Inc. |
Ladies
and Gentlemen:
We
have acted as counsel for RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) in connection with the Registration
Statement on Form N-2 (the “Registration Statement”) (File No. 811-22472) filed by the Fund with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on November 12, 2024, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”). The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale by the Fund from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of
the General Rules and Regulations of the SEC promulgated under the Securities Act (the “Rules and Regulations”), of
up to $600,000,000 of (i) shares of its common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common Shares”), (ii) shares of
its preferred stock (“Preferred Shares”), and/or (iii) subscription rights to purchase Common Shares, Preferred Shares
or both (“Rights” and, together with the Common Shares and Preferred Shares, “Shares”).
We
have examined the originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Fund’s Articles of
Incorporation and By-Laws, the Registration Statement, and the resolutions adopted by its Directors (the “Resolutions”)
relating to the authorization of the sale and issuance of the Shares, and have considered such other legal and factual matters
as we have deemed appropriate.
In
all cases, we have assumed the legal capacity of each natural person signing the Registration Statement, the genuineness of signatures,
the authenticity of documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to authentic original documents of documents submitted
to us as copies and the accuracy and completeness of all corporate records and other information made available to us by the Fund.
As to questions of fact material to this opinion, we have relied upon the accuracy of any certificates and other comparable documents
of officers and representatives of the Fund, upon statements made to us in discussions with the Fund’s management and upon
statements and certificates of public officials.
This
opinion is based exclusively on the substantive laws of the State of Maryland and the federal laws of the United States of America.
In rendering our opinion, we have relied on the opinion of Shapiro Sher Guinot & Sandler, P.A. expressed in a letter to us
dated November 12, 2024 to the extent that any matter which is the subject of this opinion is governed by the laws of the State of Maryland.
We express no opinion as to the laws of any state other than the State of Maryland or as to state securities laws, including the
securities laws of the State of Maryland.
Based
upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications, limitations and assumptions stated herein and therein, we are of the opinion
that the issuance of the Shares has been duly authorized and, when and if issued against payment of net asset value therefor in
accordance with the Resolutions and the Registration Statement, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
We
hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the SEC as part of the Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-2.
We
hereby consent to the use of our name and to the references to our Firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus
and the caption “Legal Counsel” in the Statement of Additional Information included in the Registration Statement.
In consenting to the use of our name and the references to our Firm under such caption, however, we do not admit that we are within
the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the SEC
thereunder.
|
Very truly yours, |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ FAEGRE DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP |
|
|
FAEGRE DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP |
|
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference
in this Registration Statement on Form N-2 of our report dated August 28, 2024, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights
of RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc., for the year ended June 30, 2024, and to the references to our firm under the headings “Financial
Highlights” in the Prospectus and “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and “Financial Statements”
in the Statement of Additional Information.
/s/ COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.
COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.
Cleveland, Ohio
November 11, 2024
Exhibit
(s)
Calculation
of Filing Fees Tables
Form
N-2
(Form
Type)
RiverNorth
Opportunities Fund, Inc.
(Exact
Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Table
1: Newly Registered and Carry Forward Securities
|
Security
Type |
Security
Class
Title |
Fee
Calculation
or
Carry
Forward
Rule |
Amount
Registered |
Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price
Per
Unit |
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price(1) |
Fee
Rate |
Amount
of
Registration
Fee |
Carry
Forward
Form
Type |
Carry
Forward
File
Number |
Carry
Forward
Initial
Effective
Date |
Filing
Fee
Previously
Paid
in
Connection
with
Unsold
Securities
to
be
Carried
Forward |
Newly
Registered Securities |
|
Fees
to Be Paid |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Fees
Previously Paid |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Carry
Forward Securities |
|
Carry
Forward Securities |
Unallocated
(Universal) Shelf |
Unallocated
(Universal) Shelf |
457(o)
|
|
|
$455,058,945 |
$109.10 |
$49,646.93
|
N-2 |
333-257554 |
September
17, 2021 |
$49,646.93 |
Carry
Forward Securities |
Unallocated
(Universal) Shelf |
Unallocated
(Universal) Shelf |
457(o)
|
|
|
$144,941,055 |
$110.20 |
$15,972.50 |
N-2 |
333-274473 |
February
28, 2024 |
$15,972.50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Offering Amounts |
|
$600,000,000(2)
|
|
$65,619.43 |
|
|
|
|
Total
Fees Previously Paid |
|
$600,000,000
|
|
$65,619.43
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Fee Offsets |
|
|
|
--- |
|
|
|
|
Net
Fee Due |
|
|
|
$0.00 |
|
|
|
|
| (1) | There
is being registered hereunder an indeterminate principal amount of common or preferred stock or subscription rights to purchase
common stock, preferred stock or common and preferred stock as may be sold, from time to time. In no event will the aggregate
offering price of all securities issued from time to time pursuant to this registration statement exceed $600,000,000. |
| (2) | Pursuant
to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), the Registrant is carrying forward
to this Registration Statement the $600,000,000 aggregate offering price of unsold shares of beneficial interest that the Registrant
previously registered for sale pursuant to prior Registration Statements on Form N-2 (File No. 333-257554 and File No. 333-274473)
(the "Prior Registration Statements"). Filing fees have been previously paid in connection with these unsold shares
of beneficial interest. Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act, the filing fee previously paid with respect to such
unsold shares of beneficial interest will continue to be applied to such unsold shares of beneficial interest. Pursuant to Rule
415(a)(6) under the Securities Act, the offering of unsold shares of beneficial interest under the Prior Registration Statements
will be deemed terminated as of the date of effectiveness of this Registration Statement. |
RiverNorth
Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”)
Power of
Attorney
Know
All Persons By These Presents, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints each of Joshua
B. Deringer, David L. Williams and Patrick W. Galley as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution for such attorney-in-fact in such attorney-in-fact’s name, place
and stead, to sign any and all Registration Statements of the Fund on Form N-2 and any filings made with any state regulatory agency or
authority, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission or any state regulatory agency or authority, as appropriate, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority
to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might
or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes,
may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
This Power of Attorney, which shall not be affected
by the disability of the undersigned, is executed and effective as of the date set forth below.
WITNESS my hands on this 5th day of August, 2024.
|
|
/s/ Jerry Raio |
|
|
Name: |
Jerry Raio |
|
|
Title: |
Director |
|
RiverNorth
Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”)
Power of
Attorney
Know
All Persons By These Presents, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints each of Joshua
B. Deringer, David L. Williams and Patrick W. Galley as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution for such attorney-in-fact in such attorney-in-fact’s name, place
and stead, to sign any and all Registration Statements of the Fund on Form N-2 and any filings made with any state regulatory agency or
authority, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission or any state regulatory agency or authority, as appropriate, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority
to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might
or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes,
may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
This Power of Attorney, which shall not be affected
by the disability of the undersigned, is executed and effective as of the date set forth below.
WITNESS my hands on this 6th day of August, 2024.
|
|
/s/ David M. Swanson |
|
|
Name: |
David M. Swanson |
|
|
Title: |
Director |
|
RiverNorth
Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”)
Power of
Attorney
Know
All Persons By These Presents, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints each of Joshua
B. Deringer, David L. Williams and Patrick W. Galley as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution for such attorney-in-fact in such attorney-in-fact’s name, place
and stead, to sign any and all Registration Statements of the Fund on Form N-2 and any filings made with any state regulatory agency or
authority, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission or any state regulatory agency or authority, as appropriate, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority
to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might
or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes,
may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
This Power of Attorney, which shall not be affected
by the disability of the undersigned, is executed and effective as of the date set forth below.
WITNESS my hands on this 6th day of August, 2024.
|
|
/s/ J. Wayne Hutchens |
|
|
Name: |
J. Wayne Hutchens |
|
|
Title: |
Director |
|
RiverNorth
Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”)
Power of
Attorney
Know
All Persons By These Presents, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints each of Joshua
B. Deringer, David L. Williams and Patrick W. Galley as her true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution for such attorney-in-fact in such attorney-in-fact’s name, place
and stead, to sign any and all Registration Statements of the Fund on Form N-2 and any filings made with any state regulatory agency or
authority, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission or any state regulatory agency or authority, as appropriate, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority
to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might
or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes,
may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
This Power of Attorney, which shall not be affected
by the disability of the undersigned, is executed and effective as of the date set forth below.
WITNESS my hands on this 8th day of August, 2024.
|
|
/s/ Lisa B. Mougin |
|
|
Name: |
Lisa B. Mougin |
|
|
Title: |
Director |
|
|
|
|
|
RiverNorth
Opportunities Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”)
Power of
Attorney
Know
All Persons By These Presents, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints each of Joshua
B. Deringer, David L. Williams and Patrick W. Galley as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution for such attorney-in-fact in such attorney-in-fact’s name, place
and stead, to sign any and all Registration Statements of the Fund on Form N-2 and any filings made with any state regulatory agency or
authority, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission or any state regulatory agency or authority, as appropriate, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority
to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might
or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes,
may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
This Power of Attorney, which shall not be affected
by the disability of the undersigned, is executed and effective as of the date set forth below.
WITNESS my hands on this 6th day of August, 2024.
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/s/ John K. Carter |
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Name: |
John K. Carter |
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Title: |
Director |
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