Calamos Releases Comment on Auction Rate Securities Market
04 Março 2008 - 7:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
NAPERVILLE, Ill., March 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The failure of
the closed-end fund auction process has permeated the entire
closed-end fund market as liquidity providers have stepped away.
Initially, failed auctions were limited to lower rated securities,
but as liquidity disappeared, closed-end funds began to be
impacted. Should the auctions continue to fail, common shareholders
may eventually be impacted through lower distribution rates. "The
recent turmoil in the U.S. credit markets has spilled over into the
auction-rate securities market and in turn, into the closed-end
fund market. It's important to remember, however, that this is a
liquidity issue, not a credit issue," said John P. Calamos, Sr.,
the chairman, chief executive officer and co-chief investment
officer of Calamos Investments. Each of the five funds that Calamos
has outstanding has experienced failed auctions. Pursuant to the
standard governing documentation on the preferred securities, a
failed auction triggers a "maximum rate" as described in each
prospectus. The fund shareholders will continue to receive
dividends during this time. The maximum rate is a calculation, and
an example of a rate for each of our funds is included in the
following table: Fund Ticker Maximum Rate Maximum Rate (as of
Calculation February 29, 2008) Calamos Convertible Opportunities
and AA Financial CP 4.473 % Income Fund CHI multiplied by 150%
Calamos Convertible and AA Financial CP 4.473 % High Income Fund
CHY multiplied by 150% Calamos Strategic 7- Day LIBOR 4.706 % Total
Return Fund CSQ multiplied by 150% Calamos Global 7- Day LIBOR
4.712 %* Total Return Fund CGO multiplied by 150% Calamos Global
Dynamic Income 7- Day LIBOR 4.706 % Fund CHW multiplied by 150% (*)
Fund only auctions on Tuesdays, auction occurred on February 26,
2008. "The failed auctions have created liquidity challenges for
many closed-end funds, including the Calamos closed-end funds.
While it is impossible to predict when the heightened uncertainty
surrounding the auction rate securities market will abate, we
remain confident in the fundamental positioning of the Calamos
closed-end portfolios. As in all market environments, we continue
to manage the funds according to a time-tested discipline guided by
long-term perspective and proprietary research," said Mr. Calamos.
About Calamos Calamos Investments is a diversified investment firm
offering equity, fixed-income, convertible and alternative
investment strategies, among others. The firm serves institutions
and individuals via separately managed accounts and a family of
open-end and closed-end funds, providing a risk-managed approach to
capital appreciation and income-producing strategies. For more
information, visit
http://www.calamos.com/closedendfunds/default.aspx. DATASOURCE:
Calamos Investments CONTACT: Ken Fincher, Vice President of Calamos
Advisors LLC, +1-630-245-1076, Web site: http://www.calamos.com/
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