Unassociated Document
As
filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 2006
Registration
File No. 333-______________
Registration
File No. 811-______________
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
N-2
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 x
PRE-EFFECTIVE
AMENDMENT NO. ___
POST-EFFECTIVE
AMENDMENT NO. ___
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 x
AMENDMENT
NO. ___
ALPINE
GLOBAL DYNAMIC DIVIDEND FUND
(Exact
Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
2500
Westchester Avenue, Suite 215
Purchase,
New York, 10577
(Address
of Principal Executive Offices—Number, Street, City, State, Zip
Code)
Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code:
(914)
251-0880
Alpine
Woods Capital Investors, LLC
2500
Westchester Avenue, Suite 215
Purchase,
New York, 10577
(Name
and Address—Number, Street, City, State, Zip Code—of Agent for
Service)
Copies
of
information to:
Thomas
R. Westle, Esq.
Blank
Rome LLP
405
Lexington Avenue
New
York, NY 10174
(212)
885-5239
|
Approximate
Date of Proposed Public Offering:
As soon
as practicable after the effective date of this Registration
Statement.
If
any
securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or
continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933,
other
than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check
the following box. o
It
is
proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate
box):
x
when
declared effective pursuant to
section 8(c).
If
appropriate, check the following box:
o This
post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed
registration statement.
o This
form
is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering is ____________.
CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Title
of Securities Being Registered
|
Amount
Being Registered (1)(2)
|
Proposed
Maximum Offering Price
Per
Share (1)
|
Proposed
Maximum Aggregate Offering Price (1)(2)
|
Amount
of Registration Fee
|
Common
shares, no par value
|
50,000
|
$20.00
|
$1,000,000
|
$107.00
|
_______________________
(1) |
Estimated
solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, in accordance
with Rule 457(o) of the Securities Act of
1933.
|
(2) |
Includes
Shares that may be offered to the underwriters pursuant to an option
to
cover over-allotments.
|
The
Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates
as
may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file
a
further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this Registration Statement shall
become effective on such date as the commission, acting pursuant to section
8(a), may determine.
The
information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not
sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission is effective. The prospectus is not an offer to sell
these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in
any
state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject
to Completion
Preliminary
Prospectus dated ______ ___, 2006
[__________]
Shares
Alpine
Global Dynamic Dividend Fund
Common
Shares of Beneficial Interest
[$____]
per Share
Investment
Objective.
Alpine
Global Dynamic Dividend Fund (the “Fund”) is a newly-organized, diversified,
closed-end management investment company. Its investment objective is high
current dividend income, the majority of which qualifies for the reduced federal
income tax rates created by the “Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act
of 2003,” while also focusing on total return for long-term growth of capital.
The
Fund
will pursue its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets
in the equity securities of domestic and foreign corporations that pay dividend
income.
Under
normal circumstances, the Fund expects to invest in securities of at least
three
countries.
No
Prior Trading History.
Because
the Fund is newly organized, its shares have no history of public trading.
Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount from
their net asset value and initial offering prices. The risks associated with
this characteristic of closed-end investment companies may be greater for
investors expecting to sell their shares in a relatively short period after
completion of the initial public offering. The Fund anticipates that its common
shares will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to notice of
issuance, under the symbol “____.”
Portfolio
Contents.
The
Fund intends to invest primarily in a managed portfolio of U.S. and non-U.S.
equity securities that the Adviser believes at the time of investment are
eligible to pay dividends the majority of which qualify for federal income
taxation at rates applicable to long-term capital gains. The equity securities
in which the Fund will invest will include primarily common stocks, although
the
Fund may, from time to time, also invest in preferred stocks, real estate
investment trusts, exchange-traded funds and securities convertible into or
exchangeable for common stocks, such as convertible debt.
(continued
on following page)
An
investment in the Fund's common shares involves risks. See “Risk Factors”
beginning on page 16 of this prospectus. There is no assurance that the Fund
will achieve its investment objective.
|
Per
Share
|
Total(2)
|
Public
offering price
|
$
|
$
|
Sales
load(1)
|
$
|
$
|
Estimated
offering expenses(3)
|
$
|
$
|
Proceeds,
after expenses, to the Fund
|
$
|
$
|
(footnotes
continued on following page)
Neither
the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these
securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The
common shares will be ready for delivery on or about ______ ___, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
[UNDERWRITERS]
|
|
|
|
|
The
date of this prospectus is ______ ___, 2006
|
|
|
|
(footnotes
from previous page)
(1)
|
In
addition to the sales load, the Fund has agreed to pay the underwriters
$[.___] per common share as reimbursement of expenses in connection
with
the offering. The Fund has also agreed to pay distribution assistance
fees
to ALPS Distributors, Inc. [Additionally, the Adviser has agreed
to pay a
fee to [XXX] as additional underwriting compensation.] Such amounts
(other
than the sales load) will not exceed [____]% of the total price to
the
public of the common shares sold in this offering. See “Underwriting-Other
Relationships and Additional Underwriting
Compensation.”
|
|
|
(2)
|
The
underwriters may also purchase up to [__________] additional common
shares
at the public offering price, less the sales load, within 45 days
of the
date of this prospectus to cover overallotments. If this option is
exercised in full, total public offering price, sales load, estimated
offering expenses and proceeds, after expenses, to the Fund, will
be
$_______, $_________, $_________ and $_________,
respectively.
|
|
|
(3)
|
In
addition to the sales load, the Fund's offering expenses, which are
estimated to total $_________ (or $___ per common share), including
$______ as reimbursement to ALPS Distributors, Inc. for distribution
assistance, of which approximately $______ represents the total amount
of
compensation to wholesalers registered through ALPS Distributors,
Inc.,
are to be paid by the Fund. The Adviser has agreed to pay all
organizational expenses of the Fund and to pay those offering costs
of the
Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
(continued
from previous page)
Investment
Adviser.
Alpine
Woods Capital Investors, LLC (the “Adviser”) will act as the Fund's investment
adviser. See “Management of the Fund.” As of December 31, 2005, Alpine had
approximately $3 billion of assets under management. Alpine's address is 2500
Westchester Avenue, Suite 215, Purchase, New York 10577.
This
prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Fund that you ought
to
know before deciding whether to invest in the common shares, and you should
retain this prospectus for future reference. A Statement of Additional
Information, dated ______ __, 2006 (the “Statement of Additional Information”),
and other materials, containing additional information about the Fund, have
been
filed with the SEC. The Statement of Additional Information is incorporated
by
reference in its entirety into this prospectus, which means that it is
considered to be part of this prospectus. You may request a free copy of the
Statement of Additional Information, the table of contents of which is on page
39 of this prospectus, and other information filed with the SEC, by calling
(XXX) XXX-XXXX (toll-free) or by writing to ALPS Mutual Funds Services, Inc.,
1625 Broadway, Suite 2200, Denver, Colorado 80202. To obtain annual and
semi-annual shareholder reports or the Fund’s Statement of Additional
Information electronically, please visit the Fund's web site
(http://www.alpinefunds.com) or call (XXX) XXX-XXXX (toll-free). You may also
call this number to request additional information or to make other inquiries
pertaining to the Fund. You may also obtain a copy of any information regarding
the Fund filed with the SEC from the SEC's web site (http://www.sec.gov).
Table
of Contents
|
Page
|
PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
|
1
|
SUMMARY
OF FUND EXPENSES
|
5
|
THE
FUND
|
8
|
USE
OF PROCEEDS
|
8
|
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
|
8
|
RISK
FACTORS
|
16
|
MANAGEMENT
OF THE FUND
|
22
|
DETERMINATION
OF NET ASSET VALUE
|
27
|
DISTRIBUTION
POLICY
|
27
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DIVIDEND
REINVESTMENT PLAN
|
28
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FEDERAL
INCOME TAX MATTERS
|
30
|
DESCRIPTION
OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE
|
33
|
ANTI-TAKEOVER
PROVISIONS IN THE DECLARATION OF TRUST
|
34
|
CONVERSION
TO OPEN-END FUND
|
35
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UNDERWRITING
|
35
|
LEGAL
MATTERS
|
37
|
REPORTS
TO SHAREHOLDERS
|
37
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INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
|
38
|
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
|
38
|
THE
FUND'S PRIVACY POLICY
|
40
|
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This
prospectus contains or incorporates by reference forward-looking statements,
within the meaning of the federal securities laws, that involve risks and
uncertainties. These statements describe our plans, strategies and goals and
our
beliefs and assumptions concerning future economic or other conditions and
the
outlook for the Fund, based on currently available information. In this
prospectus, words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “objectives,”
“goals,” “future,” “intends,” “seeks,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” and
similar expressions are used in an effort to identify forward-looking
statements, although some forward-looking statements may be expressed
differently.
The
Fund’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the
forward-looking statements because of various risks and uncertainties, including
the factors set forth in the section headed “Risk Factors” below and elsewhere
in this prospectus. You should consider carefully the discussions of risks
and
uncertainties in the "Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in this prospectus
and
in the Statement of Additional Information. The forward-looking statements
contained in this prospectus are based on information available to the Fund
on
the date of this prospectus, and the Fund assumes no obligation to update any
such forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
You
should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference
in
this prospectus. The Fund has not, and the underwriters have not, authorized
any
other person to provide you with different information. The Fund is not, and
the
underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any
jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained
and the representations made herein are accurate only as of the date on the
cover page of this prospectus.
PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
This
summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before
investing in the common shares. You should review the more detailed information
contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in the Statement
of Additional Information, particularly the information set forth under the
heading “Risk Factors.”
The
Fund
|
Alpine
Global Dynamic Dividend Fund (the “Fund”) is a newly-organized,
diversified, closed-end management investment company. See “The Fund.”
|
The
Offering
|
The
Fund is offering _________ common shares of beneficial interest at
a price
of $___, through a group of underwriters led by XXXX (“XXXX”). You must
purchase at least [_____] common shares if you wish to participate
in this
offering . The underwriters have been granted an option to purchase
up to ________ additional common shares to cover overallotments at
the
public offering price, less the sales load, within 45 days from the
date
of this prosepctus. The initial public offering price is $[___] per
share.
The Adviser has agreed to pay all organizational expenses of the
Fund.
|
Listing
and Symbol
|
The
Fund anticipates that its common shares will be listed on the New
York
Stock Exchange, subject to notice of issuance, under the symbol
“___.”
|
Investment
Objective and Policies
|
The
Fund’s investment objective is high current dividend income the majority
of which qualifies for the reduced federal income tax rates created
by the
“Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003,” while also
focusing on total return for long-term growth of capital. The
Fund will pursue its investment objective by investing at least 80%
of its
net assets in the equity securities of domestic and foreign corporations
that pay dividend income. Under normal circumstances, the Fund expects
to
invest in securities in at least three countries.
There
is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
|
|
During
periods of adverse market or economic conditions, the Fund may temporarily
invest all or a substantial portion of its assets in cash or cash
equivalents.
|
Investment
Adviser and Fee
|
Alpine
Woods Capital Investors, LLC (the “Adviser”), the investment adviser of
the Fund, is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under
the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. As of April 30, 2006,
Alpine
had approximately [$3] billion of assets under management.
|
|
The
Adviser is entitled to receive a monthly fee at the annual rate of
___% of
the Fund's average daily total assets. The fees to be received by
the
Adviser are based on the total assets of the Fund, including assets
represented by borrowing. During periods in which the Fund borrows,
the
fees paid to the Adviser for investment advisory services will be
higher
than if the Fund did not borrow because the fees paid will be calculated
on the basis of the Fund's total assets, including proceeds from
borrowings. See “Management of the Fund.”
|
Administrator
|
ALPS
Mutual Funds Services, Inc. (“ALPS”), located at 1625 Broadway, Suite
2200, Denver, Colorado 80202, serves as administrator to the Fund.
Under
the Administration Agreement, ALPS is responsible for calculating
the net
asset value of the common shares and generally managing the administrative
affairs of the Fund. ALPS is entitled to receive a monthly fee at
the
annual rate of 0.13% of the Fund's average daily total assets. The
fees to
be received by ALPS are based on the total assets of the Fund, including
assets represented by borrowing. During periods in which the Fund
borrows,
the fees paid to ALPS for administrative services will be higher
than if
the Fund did not borrow because the fees paid will be calculated
on the
basis of the Fund's total assets, including proceeds from borrowings.
|
Risk
Factors
|
Investing
in the Fund involves risks, including the risk that you may receive
little
or no return on your investment or that you may lose part or even
all of
your investment. Therefore, before investing you should consider
carefully
the following risks that you assume when you invest in the Fund's
common
shares.
|
|
No
Operating History.
The Fund is a closed-end investment company with no history of operations.
It is designed for long-term investors and not as a trading vehicle.
|
|
Investment
and Market Risk.
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 securities
owned
by the Fund, which are generally traded on a securities exchange
or in the
over-the-counter markets. The value of these securities, like other
market
investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably.
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.
|
|
Issuer
Risk. The
value of an issuer's securities that are held in the Fund’s portfolio may
decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer,
such
as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand
for the
issuer's goods and services.
|
|
Common
Stock and Other Equity Securities Risk.
The
Fund will invest in “common stocks.” “Common stocks” represent an
ownership interest in a company. The Fund can also invest in securities
that can be exercised for or converted into common stocks (such as
warrants or convertible preferred stock). While offering greater
potential
for long-term growth, common stocks and similar equity securities
are more
volatile and more risky than some other forms of investment. Therefore,
the value of your investment in the Fund may sometimes decrease instead
of
increase. Convertible securities include other securities, such as
warrants, that provide an opportunity for equity participation. Because
convertible securities can be converted into equity securities, their
values will normally increase or decrease as the values of the underlying
equity securities increase or decrease. The movements in the prices
of
convertible securities, however, may be smaller than the movements
in the
value of the underlying equity securities.
|
|
Illiquid
Securities Risk.
Illiquid
securities include securities that have legal or contractual restrictions
on resale, securities that are not readily marketable, and repurchase
agreements maturing in more than seven days. Illiquid securities
involve
the risk that the securities will not be able to be sold at the time
desired or at prices approximating the value at which the Fund is
carrying
the securities. The Fund may invest up to 10% of the value of its
net
assets in illiquid securities.
|
|
Foreign
Securities Risk.
Foreign issuers are subject to risks of possible adverse political
and
economic developments abroad. Investing in foreign issuers also involves
risks of change in foreign currency exchange rates.
|
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Emerging
Markets Risk.
Investing in securities of issuers based in underdeveloped emerging
markets entails all of the risks of investing in securities of foreign
issuers to a heightened degree. These heightened risks include:
(i) greater risks of expropriation, confiscatory taxation,
nationalization and less social, political and economic stability;
(ii)
the smaller size of the market for such securities and a lower volume
of
trading, resulting in a lack of liquidity and in price volatility;
and
(iii) national policies that may restrict the Fund's investment
opportunities including restrictions on investing in issuers or industries
deemed sensitive to relevant national interests.
|
|
Small
and Medium Cap Company Risk - Compared
to investment companies that focus only on large capitalization companies,
the Fund's share price may be more volatile because it also invests
in
small and medium capitalization companies. Compared to large companies,
small and medium capitalization companies are more likely to have
(i) more
limited product lines or markets and less mature businesses, (ii)
fewer
capital resources, (iii) more limited management depth and (iv) shorter
operating histories. Further, compared to large cap stocks, the securities
of small and medium capitalization companies are more likely to experience
sharper swings in market values, be harder to sell at times and at
prices
that the Adviser believes appropriate, and offer greater potential
for
gains and losses.
|
|
|
|
REIT
Risk.
If the Fund invests in Real Estate Investment Trusts ("REITs"), such
investment will subject the Fund to various risks. The first, real
estate
industry risk, is the risk that the REIT share prices will decline
because
of adverse developments affecting the real estate industry and real
property values. In general, real estate values can be affected by
a
variety of factors, including supply and demand for properties, the
economic health of the country or of different regions and the strength
of
specific industries that rent properties. The second is the risk
that
returns from REITs, which typically are small or medium capitalization
stocks, will trail returns from the overall stock market. The third,
interest rate risk, is the risk that changes in interest rates may
hurt
real estate values or make REIT shares less attractive than other
income-producing investments.
|
|
|
|
Qualification
as a REIT under the Code in any particular year is a complex analysis
that
depends on a number of factors. There can be no assurance that the
entities in which the Fund invests with the expectation that they
will be
taxed as a REIT will qualify as a REIT. An entity that fails to qualify
as
a REIT would be subject to a corporate level tax, would not be entitled
to
a deduction for dividends paid to its shareholders and would not
pass
through to its shareholders the character of income earned by the
entity.
If the Fund were to invest in an entity that failed to qualify as
a REIT,
such failure could drastically reduce the Fund's yield on that
investment.
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|
|
|
The
Fund does not expect to invest a significant portion of its assets
in
REITs but does not have any investment restrictions with respect
to such
investments.
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|
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Defensive
Position. During
periods of adverse market or economic conditions, the Fund may temporarily
invest all or a substantial portion of its assets in cash or cash
equivalents. The Fund will not be pursuing its investment objective
in
these circumstances and could miss favorable market
developments.
|
|
Portfolio
Turnover. The
Fund may engage in short-term trading strategies, and securities
may be
sold without regard to the length of time held when, in the opinion
of the
Adviser, investment considerations warrant such action. These policies
may
have the effect of increasing the annual rate of portfolio turnover
of the
Fund. Higher rates of portfolio turnover would likely result in higher
brokerage commissions and generate short-term capital gains taxable
as
ordinary income.
|
|
Market
Price of Shares.
The shares of closed-end management investment companies often trade
at a
discount from their net asset value, and the Fund's common shares
may
likewise trade at a discount from net asset value. The trading price
of
the Fund's common shares may be less than the public offering price.
The
returns earned by the Fund’s shareholders who sell their common shares
below net asset value will be reduced.
|
|
Borrowing
Risk.
Borrowing creates risks for the Fund’s shareholders, including the
likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price
of
the common shares.
|
|
Anti-Takeover
Provisions.
The Fund's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated as of May 11,
2006
(the “Declaration of Trust”), includes provisions that could have the
effect of inhibiting the Fund's possible conversion to open-end status
and
limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire the
Fund or
to obtain control of the Board of Trustees. In certain circumstances,
these provisions might also inhibit the ability of shareholders to
sell
their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices. See “Conversion
to Open-End Fund” and “Anti-Takeover Provisions in the Declaration of
Trust.”
|
Distributions
|
The
Fund intends to make a level dividend distribution each month to
its
shareholders after payment of Fund operating expenses including,
interest
on any outstanding borrowings. The level dividend rate may be modified
by
the Board of Trustees from time to time. If, for all monthly
distributions, net investment company taxable income, if any (which
term
includes net short-term capital gain), and net tax-exempt income,
if any,
as determined as of the close of the Fund's taxable year, is less
than the
amount of the sum of all of the distributions for the taxable year,
the
difference will generally be a tax-free return of capital distributed
from
the Fund's assets. The Fund's final distribution for each calendar
year
will include any net investment company taxable income and net tax-exempt
income undistributed during the year, as well as all net capital
gain, if
any, realized during the year. In general, the total distributions
made in
any taxable year (other than distributions of net capital gain) would
be
treated as ordinary dividend income to the extent of the Fund's current
and accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions in excess of
the
earnings and profits would first be a tax-free return of capital
to the
extent of the adjusted tax basis in the shares. After such adjusted
tax
basis is reduced to zero, the distribution would constitute capital
gain
(assuming the shares are held as capital assets). This distribution
policy
may, under certain circumstances, have certain adverse consequences
to the
Fund and its shareholders. The initial distribution is expected to
be
declared approximately 45 days after the completion of this offering
and
paid on or about [_______ ___, 2006], depending on market conditions.
See
“Distribution Policy.”
|
|
The
Adviser intends to apply to the SEC, on behalf of the Fund, for an
exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder
permitting the Fund to make periodic distributions of long-term capital
gains, provided that the distribution policy of the Fund with respect
to
its common shares calls for periodic (for example, quarterly/monthly)
distributions in an amount equal to a fixed percentage of the Fund's
average net asset value over a specified period of time or market
price
per common share at or about the time of distribution or pay-out
of a
level dollar amount. No assurance can be given that the SEC will
grant the
exemption to the Fund. The staff of the SEC has indicated that it
has
suspended the processing of exemptive applications requesting the
type of
relief referenced above, pending review by the staff of the results
of an
industry-wide SEC inspection focusing on the dividend practices of
closed-end investment companies. There can be no assurance as to
when that
review might be completed or whether, following that review, the
staff
would process such applications or grant such relief. This offering,
however, is not contingent upon the receipt of such exemption. See
“Distribution Policy.”
|
|
The
level dividend distribution described above would result in the payment
of
approximately the same amount or percentage to the Fund’s shareholders
each month. Section 19(a) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19a-1 thereunder
require the Fund to provide a written statement accompanying any
such
payment that adequately discloses its source or sources. Thus, if
the
source of the dividend or other distribution were the original capital
contribution of the shareholder, and the payment amounted to a return
of
capital, the Fund would be required to provide written disclosure
to that
effect. Nevertheless, persons who periodically receive the payment
of a
dividend or other distribution may be under the impression that they
are
receiving net profits when they are not. Shareholders should read
any
written disclosure provided pursuant to Section 19(a) and Rule 19a-1
carefully, and should not assume that the source of any distribution
from
the Fund is net profit. See “Distribution Policy.”
|
Dividend
Reinvestment Plan
|
Unless
a shareholder elects otherwise, the shareholder's distributions will
be
reinvested in additional common shares under the Fund's dividend
reinvestment plan. Shareholders who elect not to participate in the
Fund's
dividend reinvestment plan will receive all 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).
See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”
|
Stock
Purchases and Tenders
|
The
Fund's Board of Trustees currently contemplates that the Fund, at
least
once each year, may consider repurchasing common shares in the open
market
or in private transactions, or tendering for shares, in an attempt
to
reduce or eliminate a market value discount from net asset value,
if one
should occur. There can be no assurance that the Board of Trustees
will
determine to effect any such repurchase or tender or that it would
be
effective in reducing or eliminating any market value discount.
|
Custodian
and Transfer Agent
|
____________
serves as the Fund's custodian and transfer agent.
|
SUMMARY
OF FUND EXPENSES
The
following table assumes that the Fund issues ________ common shares and shows
Fund expenses as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares.
If
the Fund issues fewer common shares, all other things being equal, these
expenses would increase as a percentage of net assets attributable to common
shares.
Shareholder
Transaction Expenses
|
|
|
Sales
load (as a percentage of offering price)
|
4.5%
|
|
Offering
expenses borne by the Fund (as a percentage of offering
price)(1)
|
0.2%
|
|
Dividend
Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan fees
|
None
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual
Expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common
shares)
|
|
|
Investment
Advisory fees
|
___%
(3)
|
|
Other
expenses (4)
|
0.29%
|
|
Total
Annual Expenses
|
___%
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
The
Adviser has agreed to pay all the Fund’s organizational expenses. Total
offering costs in connection with the common shares are estimated
to be
$____.
|
(2)
|
There
will be no brokerage charges with respect to common shares issued
directly
by the Fund under its dividend reinvestment plan. You will pay brokerage
charges in connection with open market purchases or if you direct
the plan
administrator to sell your common shares held in a dividend reinvestment
account.
|
(3)
|
The
Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser obligates
the Fund to pay the Adviser an annual investment advisory fee equal
to
___% of the net assets of the Fund.
|
(4)
|
“Other
Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year and
include administration fees of 0.13%.
|
|
“Other
Expenses” also include costs associated with the Fund's short sales on
equity securities (see “Investment Objective and Policies—Investment
Techniques—Short Sales”). Dividend expenses paid on securities sold short
are estimated to be approximately 1% of the Fund's net assets. This
percentage represents an estimate for the Fund's initial year of
operations, assuming that the Fund maintains short equity positions
of
less than 10% of its net assets (based on the Fund's initial expected
short equity exposure). When a cash dividend is declared on a security
for
which the Fund holds a short position, the Fund incurs the obligation
to
pay an amount equal to that dividend to the lender of the shorted
security. Thus, the estimate for dividend expenses paid is also based
on
the dividend yields of stocks that would be sold short as part of
anticipated trading practices (which may involve avoiding dividend
expenses with respect to certain short sale transactions by closing
out
the position prior to the underlying issuer's ex-dividend date).
The
Fund's actual dividend expenses paid on securities sold short may
be
significantly higher or lower than the estimates above due to, among
other
factors, the actual extent of the Fund's short positions (which can
range
from 0% to 10% of total assets), the actual dividends paid with respect
to
the securities the Fund sells short, and the actual timing of the
Fund's
short sale transactions, each of which is expected to vary over time
and
from time to time.
|
|
ALPS
will provide administration, bookkeeping and pricing services to
the Fund
pursuant to an agreement with the Fund.
|
The
purpose of the above table is to help a holder of common shares understand
the
fees and expenses that such holder would bear directly or indirectly.
Example
The
following example illustrates the hypothetical expenses (including the sales
load of $45.00, and estimated offering expenses of this offering of $2.00)
that
you would pay on a $1,000 investment in common shares, assuming a 5% annual
return*:
|
1
Year
|
3
Years
|
5
Years
|
10
Years
|
You
would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming
a 5%
annual return
|
$_____
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
The
example should not be considered a representation of actual future
expenses. Actual expenses may be higher or lower than those shown.
The
example assumes that the estimated “Other Expenses” set forth in the
Annual Expenses table remain the same each year and that all dividends
and
distributions are reinvested at net asset value. Actual expenses
may be
greater or less than those assumed. Moreover, the Fund's actual rate
of
return will vary and may be greater or less than the hypothetical
5%
annual return.
|
THE
FUND
The
Fund
is a newly organized, diversified, closed-end management investment company.
The
Fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on May 11, 2006 and has no
operating history. The Fund's principal office is located at 2500
Westchester Avenue, Suite 215, Purchase,
NY, 10577, and its telephone number is (XXX) XXX-XXXX (toll-free).
USE
OF PROCEEDS
The
net
proceeds of this offering of common shares are estimated at approximately
$______ ($___________ if the underwriters exercise the overallotment option
in
full) after payment of the sales load and organizational and offering costs
(other than the sales load) expected to be approximately $.___ per share. The
net proceeds of the offering will be invested in accordance with the Fund's
investment objective and policies (as stated below) as soon as practicable
after
completion of the offering. The Fund currently anticipates being able to do
so
within three months after the completion of the offering. Pending investment
of
the net proceeds in accordance with the Fund's investment objective and
policies, the Fund will invest in money market securities or money market mutual
funds. Investors should expect, therefore, that before the Fund has fully
invested the proceeds of the offering in accordance with its investment
objective and policies, the Fund's net asset value would earn interest income
at
a modest rate.
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE
AND POLICIES
The
Fund's investment objective is high current dividend income, the majority of
which qualifies for the reduced federal income tax rates created by the “Jobs
and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003,” while also focusing on total
return for long-term growth of capital. There is no assurance that the Fund
will
achieve its investment objective.
Investment
Strategy
To
achieve its objective, under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest
at
least
80%
of its net assets in the equity securities of domestic and foreign corporations
that pay dividend income. Under normal circumstances, the Fund expects to invest
in securities of at least three countries.
The
Fund
will invest in equity securities issued by U.S. corporations, qualified foreign
corporations, as such term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(the
“Code”), and foreign issuers whose equity securities are readily traded on an
established U.S. or foreign securities market, that pay dividends which qualify
for reduced federal tax rates similar to the rates applied to net capital gains.
The equity securities in which the Fund will invest will include primarily
common stocks. The Fund may, from time to time, also invest a portion of its
assets in preferred stocks, REITs (real estate investment trusts),
exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and securities convertible into or exchangeable
for common stocks, such as convertible debt.
The
Fund’s investments in equity securities will focus on those securities that pay
qualified dividend income, which is defined in the Code as dividends received
during the taxable year from domestic and qualified foreign corporations. A
qualified foreign corporation is defined as any corporation that is incorporated
in a possession of the United States or is eligible for the benefits of a
comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States.
In
managing the assets of the Fund, the Adviser generally pursues a value-oriented
approach. The Adviser seeks to identify investment opportunities in equity
securities of dividend paying corporations that it believes are undervalued
relative to the market and to the securities’ historical valuations.
The
Fund
has no policy with respect to the capitalization of issuers in which it may
invest and will invest in stocks among all capitalization levels (small, mid
and
large). The Adviser will use a multi-cap approach when selecting the stocks
of
companies in which the Fund invests. The average capitalization of issuers
are
not intended to be static and will vary over time. Factors
that the Adviser will consider include fundamental factors such as earnings
growth, cash flow and historical payment of dividends. The
Fund’s investments in common stocks will emphasize stocks that (at the time of
purchase) pay dividends and have capital appreciation potential.
The
Fund
seeks dividend income that qualifies for favorable federal income tax treatment.
Under federal income tax law enacted on May 28, 2003, tax-advantaged dividends
received by individual shareholders are taxed at rates equivalent to long-term
capital gain tax rates, which reach a maximum of 15%. Tax-advantaged dividends
generally include dividends from domestic corporations and dividends from
foreign corporations that meet certain specified criteria. The Fund generally
can pass the tax treatment of tax-advantaged dividends it receives through
to
shareholders. For the Fund to receive tax-advantaged dividend income, the Fund
must hold stock paying an otherwise tax-advantaged dividend for more than 60
days during the 120-day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date
(or
more than 90 days during the associated 180-day period, in the case of certain
preferred stocks). In addition, the Fund cannot be obligated to make related
payments (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) with respect to substantially
similar or related property. Similar provisions apply to each shareholder’s
investment in the Fund. Corporate shareholders of the Fund are not eligible
for
this favorable federal income tax treatment. In order for otherwise
tax-advantaged dividends from the Fund received by an individual shareholder
to
be taxable at long-term capital gains rates, the shareholder must hold his
or
her Fund shares for more than 60 days during the 120-day period surrounding
the
ex-dividend date (or more than 90 days during the associated 180-day period,
in
the case of dividends attributable to periods in excess of 360 days paid with
respect to preferred stock). The provisions of the Code applicable to
tax-advantaged dividends are effective through [2008/2010]. Thereafter, higher
tax rates will apply unless further legislative action is taken.
In
addition to investing in stocks that pay tax-advantaged dividends, the Fund
may
also invest a portion of its assets in stocks and other securities that generate
fully taxable ordinary income. For any year, so long as the Fund’s fully taxable
ordinary income and net realized short-term gains are offset by expenses of
the
Fund, all of the Fund’s income distributions would be characterized as
tax-advantaged dividends. There can be no assurance that a portion of the Fund’s
income distributions will not be fully taxable as ordinary income.
The
Fund
may seek to enhance the level of dividend income it receives by engaging in
dividend capture trading. In a dividend capture trade, the Fund sells a stock
after the stock’s ex-dividend date and uses the sale proceeds to purchase one or
more other stocks that are expected to pay dividends before the next dividend
payment on the stock being sold. Through this practice, the Fund may receive
more dividend payments over a given period of time than if it held a single
stock. Receipt of a greater number of dividend payments during a given time
period could augment the total amount of dividend income the Fund receives
over
this period. For example, during the course of a single year it may be possible
through dividend capture trading for the Fund to receive five or more dividend
payments with respect to Fund assets attributable to dividend capture trading
where it may only have received four payments in a hold only strategy. In order
for dividends received by the Fund to qualify as tax-advantaged dividends,
the
Fund must comply with the holding period requirements described herein. Dividend
capture trading by the Fund will take account of this consideration. The use
of
dividend capture strategies will expose the Fund to increased trading coats
and
potential for capital loss or gain, particularly in the event of significant
short-term price movements of stocks subject to dividend capture
trading.
The
Fund
may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent
with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to
adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. During such times,
the
Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in cash or cash
equivalents, including money market instruments, prime commercial paper,
repurchase agreements, Treasury bills and other short-term obligations of the
U.
S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. In these and in other cases,
the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.
The
Fund
may make a short sale if, after giving effect to such sale, the market value
of
all securities sold short by the Fund does not exceed 10% of the value of its
total assets.
Generally,
securities will be purchased or sold by the Fund on national securities
exchanges and in the over-the-counter market. From time to time, securities
may
be purchased or sold in private transactions, including securities that are
not
publicly traded or that are otherwise illiquid. The Adviser does not expect
investments in illiquid securities to comprise more than 10% of the Fund's
total
assets (determined at the time the investment is made).
The
Adviser may invest the Fund's cash balances in any investments it deems
appropriate, including, without limitation and as permitted under the 1940
Act,
money market funds, including Alpine Municipal Money Market Fund, repurchase
agreements, U.S. Treasury and U.S. agency securities, municipal bonds and bank
accounts. Any income earned from such investments is ordinarily reinvested
by
the Fund in accordance with its investment program. Many of the considerations
entering into the Adviser's recommendations and the portfolio managers'
decisions are subjective.
Portfolio
Investments and
Techniques
Common
Stocks and Other Equity Securities
The
Fund
will invest in “common stocks.” “Common stocks” represent an ownership interest
in a company. The Fund can also invest in securities that can be exercised
for
or converted into common stocks (such as warrants or convertible preferred
stock). While offering greater potential for long-term growth, common stocks
and
similar equity securities are more volatile and more risky than some other
forms
of investment. Therefore, the value of your investment in the Fund may sometimes
decrease instead of increase. Convertible securities include other securities,
such as warrants, that provide an opportunity for equity participation. Because
convertible securities can be converted into equity securities, their values
will normally increase or decrease as the values of the underlying equity
securities increase or decrease. The movements in the prices of convertible
securities, however, may be smaller than the movements in the value of the
underlying equity securities.
Foreign
Securities
Under
normal circumstances, the Fund intends to invest a portion of its assets in
securities of issuers located in at least three countries (in addition to the
United States). The Fund will invest in foreign securities, including direct
investments in securities of foreign issuers and investments in depository
receipts (such as American Depository Receipts) that represent indirect
interests in securities of foreign issuers. The Fund is not limited in the
amount of assets it may invest in such foreign securities. These investments
involve risks not associated with investments in the U.S., including the risk
of
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, unreliable and untimely
information about the issuers and political and economic instability. These
risks could result in the Adviser’s misjudging the value of certain securities
or in a significant loss in the value of those securities.
The
value
of foreign securities is affected by changes in currency rates, foreign tax
laws
(including withholding tax), government policies (in this country or abroad),
relations between nations and trading, settlement, custodial and other
operational risks. In addition, the costs of investing abroad are generally
higher than in the United States, and foreign securities markets may be less
liquid, more volatile and less subject to governmental supervision than markets
in the United States. As an alternative to holding foreign-traded securities,
the Fund may invest in dollar-denominated securities of foreign companies that
trade on U.S. exchanges or in the U.S. over-the-counter market (including
depositary receipts as described below, which evidence ownership in underlying
foreign securities, and ETFs as described above).
Because
foreign companies are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial
reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable
to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information about a
foreign company than about a domestic company. Volume and liquidity in most
foreign debt markets is less than in the United States and securities of some
foreign companies are less liquid and more volatile than securities of
comparable U.S. companies. There is generally less government supervision and
regulation of securities exchanges, broker-dealers and listed companies than
in
the United States. Mail service between the United States and foreign countries
may be slower or less reliable than within the United States, thus increasing
the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or loss of
certificates for portfolio securities. Payment for securities before delivery
may be required. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there
is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political or
social instability, or diplomatic developments, which could affect investments
in those countries. Moreover, individual 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. Foreign securities markets,
while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as developed
as
those in the United States, and securities of some foreign issuers (particularly
those located in developing countries) may be less liquid and more volatile
than
securities of comparable U.S. companies.
The
Fund
may purchase ADRs, EDRs and GDRs, which are certificates evidencing ownership
of
shares of foreign issuers and are alternatives to purchasing directly the
underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However,
such depository receipts continue to be subject to many of the risks associated
with investing directly in foreign securities. These risks include foreign
exchange risk as well as the political and economic risks associated with the
underlying issuer's country. ADRs, EDRs and GDRs may be sponsored or
unsponsored. Unsponsored receipts are established without the participation
of
the issuer. Unsponsored receipts may involve higher expenses, they may not
pass-through voting or other shareholder rights, and they may be less
liquid.
REITs
If
the
Fund invests in REITs, such investment will subject the Fund to various risks.
The first, real estate industry risk, is the risk that the REIT share prices
will decline because of adverse developments affecting the real estate industry
and real property values. In general, real estate values can be affected by
a
variety of factors, including supply and demand for properties, the economic
health of the country or of different regions and the strength of specific
industries that rent properties. The second is the risk that returns from REITs,
which typically are small or medium capitalization stocks, will trail returns
from the overall stock market. The third, interest rate risk, is the risk that
changes in interest rates may hurt real estate values or make REIT shares less
attractive than other income-producing investments.
Exchange
Traded Funds
The
Fund
may invest in ETFs, which are investment companies that aim to track or
replicate a desired index, such as a sector, market or global segment. ETFs
are
passively managed and their shares are traded on a national exchange or NASDAQ.
ETFs do not sell individual shares directly to investors and only issue their
shares in large blocks known as “creation units.” The investor purchasing a
creation unit may sell the individual shares on a secondary market. Therefore,
the liquidity of ETFs depends on the adequacy of the secondary market. There
can
be no assurance that an ETF's investment objective will be achieved, as ETFs
based on an index may not replicate and maintain exactly the composition and
relative weightings of securities in the index. ETFs are subject to the risks
of
investing in the underlying securities. The Fund, as a holder of the securities
of the ETF, will bear its pro rata portion of the ETF's expenses, including
advisory fees. These expenses are in addition to the direct expenses of the
Fund's own operations.
Convertible
Securities
The
Fund
may invest in convertible securities. 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. The investment characteristics of each convertible security
vary widely, which allows convertible securities to be employed for a variety
of
investment strategies.
The
Fund
will exchange or convert convertible securities into shares of underlying common
stock when, in the opinion of the Adviser, the investment characteristics of
the
underlying common shares will assist the Fund in achieving its investment
objective. The Fund may also elect to hold or trade convertible securities.
In
selecting convertible securities, the Adviser evaluates the investment
characteristics of the convertible security as a fixed income instrument, and
the investment potential of the underlying equity security for capital
appreciation. In evaluating these matters with respect to a particular
convertible security, the Adviser considers numerous factors, including the
economic and political outlook, the value of the security relative to other
investment alternatives, trends in the determinants of the issuer’s profits, and
the issuer’s management capability and practices.
Illiquid
Securities
Illiquid
securities include securities that have legal or contractual restrictions on
resale, securities that are not readily marketable, and repurchase agreements
maturing in more than seven days. Illiquid securities involve the risk that
the
securities will not be able to be sold at the time desired or at prices
approximating the value at which the Fund is carrying the securities. The Fund
may invest up to 10% of the value of its net assets in illiquid
securities.
Rule
144A Securities
The
Fund
may invest in restricted securities that are eligible for resale pursuant to
Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “1933 Act”).
Generally, Rule 144A establishes a safe harbor from the registration
requirements of the 1933 Act for resale by large institutional investors of
securities that are not publicly traded. The Adviser determines the liquidity
of
the Rule 144A securities according to guidelines adopted by the Board of
Trustees. The Board of Trustees monitors the application of those guidelines
and
procedures. Securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, which are
determined to be liquid, are not subject to the Fund’s 10% limit on investments
in illiquid securities.
Defensive
Position
During
periods of adverse market or economic conditions, the Fund may temporarily
invest all or a substantial portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents.
The Fund will not be pursuing its investment objective in these
circumstances.
Warrants
The
Fund
may invest in equity and index warrants of domestic and international issuers.
Equity warrants are securities that give the holder the right, but not the
obligation, to subscribe for equity issues of the issuing company or a related
company at a fixed price either on a certain date or during a set period.
Changes in the value of a warrant do not necessarily correspond to changes
in
the value of its underlying security. The price of a warrant may be more
volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may offer
greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss.
Warrants
do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the
underlying security and do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuing
company. A warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its
expiration date. These factors can make warrants more speculative than other
types of investments.
Other
Investments
The
Fund
may use a variety of other investment instruments in pursuing its investment
programs. The investments of the Fund may include fixed income securities,
sovereign debt, options on foreign currencies and forward foreign currency
contracts.
Short
Selling
The
Fund’s portfolio may include short positions up to 10% of the value of its total
assets. Short selling involves selling securities which may or may not be owned
and borrowing the same securities for delivery to the purchaser, with an
obligation that the Fund replace the borrowed securities at a later date.
Borrowing
The
Fund
may borrow up to 10% of the value of its total assets (calculated at the time
of
borrowing) from banks for investment purposes or for temporary extraordinary
or
emergency purposes.
Portfolio
Turnover
The
Fund
may engage in short-term trading strategies and securities may be sold without
regard to the length of time held when, in the opinion of the Adviser,
investment considerations warrant such action. These policies, together with
the
ability of the Fund to effect short sales of securities and to engage in
transactions in options and futures, may have the effect of increasing the
Fund’s annual rate of portfolio turnover. It is expected that the annual
portfolio turnover rate of the Fund will likely exceed 100%.
Foreign
Currency Transactions
The
Fund
will engage in foreign currency exchange transactions in connection with its
investments in foreign securities. The Fund will 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 forward contracts
to purchase or sell foreign currencies.
Forward
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
The
Fund
may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in order to protect
against possible losses on foreign investments resulting from adverse changes
in
the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. A forward
foreign currency exchange contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell
a
specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days
(usually less than one year) from the date of the contract agreed upon by the
parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are traded
in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually
large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward contract generally has
a
deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for trades.
Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they
do
realize a profit based on the difference (the spread) between the price at
which
they are buying and selling various currencies. However, forward foreign
currency exchange contracts may limit potential gains which could result from
a
positive change in such currency relationships. The Fund does not speculate
in
foreign currency.
Except
for cross-hedges, the Fund will not enter into forward foreign currency exchange
contracts or maintain a net exposure in such contracts when they would be
obligated to deliver an amount of foreign currency in excess of the value of
their portfolio securities or other assets denominated in that currency or,
in
the case of a “cross-hedge,” denominated in a currency or currencies that the
Adviser believes will tend to be closely correlated with that currency with
regard to price movements. At the consummation of a forward contract, the Fund
may either make delivery of the foreign currency or terminate their contractual
obligation to deliver the foreign currency by purchasing an offsetting contract
obligating them to purchase, at the same maturity date, the same amount of
such
foreign currency. If the Fund chooses to make delivery of the foreign currency,
they may be required to obtain such currency through the sale of portfolio
securities denominated in such currency or through conversion of other assets
of
the Fund into such currency. If the Fund engages in an offsetting transaction,
the Fund will incur a gain or loss to the extent that there has been a change
in
forward contract prices.
It
should
be realized that this method of protecting the value of the Fund’s portfolio
securities against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate
fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities. It simply establishes
a
rate of exchange which can be achieved at some future point in time.
Additionally, although such contracts tend to minimize the risk of loss due
to a
decline in the value of the hedged currency, at the same time they tend to
limit
any potential gain which might result should the value of such currency
increase. Generally, the Fund will not enter into a forward foreign currency
exchange contract with a term longer than one year.
Foreign
Currency Options
The
Fund
may purchase and write options on foreign currencies to protect against declines
in the U.S. dollar value of foreign securities or in the U.S. dollar value
of
dividends or interest expected to be received on these securities. These
transactions may also be used to protect against increases in the U.S. dollar
cost of foreign securities to be acquired by the Fund. Writing an option on
foreign currency is only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium
received, and the Fund could be required to purchase or sell foreign currencies
at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The Fund may not
purchase a foreign currency option if, as a result, premiums paid on foreign
currency options then held by the Fund would represent more than 5% of the
Fund’s net assets.
A
foreign
currency option provides the option buyer with the right to buy or sell a stated
amount of foreign currency at the exercise price on a specified date or during
the option period. The owner of a call option has the right, but not the
obligation, to buy the currency. Conversely, the owner of a put option has
the
right, but not the obligation, to sell the currency. When the option is
exercised, the seller (i.e., writer) of the option is obligated to fulfill
the
terms of the sold option. However, either the seller or the buyer may, in the
secondary market, close its position during the option period at any time prior
to expiration.
A
call
option on a foreign currency generally rises in value if the underlying currency
appreciates in value, and a put option on a foreign currency generally rises
in
value if the underlying currency depreciates in value. Although purchasing
a
foreign currency option can protect the Fund against an adverse movement in
the
value of a foreign currency, the option will not limit the movement in the
value
of such currency. For example, if the Fund was holding securities denominated
in
a foreign currency that was appreciating and had purchased a foreign
currency put to hedge against a decline in the value of the currency, the Fund
would not have to exercise its put option. Likewise, if the Fund were to enter
into a contract to purchase a security denominated in foreign currency and,
in
conjunction with that purchase, were to purchase a foreign currency call option
to hedge against a rise in value of the currency, and if the value of the
currency instead depreciated between the date of purchase and the settlement
date, the Fund would not have to exercise its call. Instead, the Fund could
acquire in the spot market the amount of foreign currency needed for
settlement.
Foreign
Currency Futures Transactions
By
using
foreign currency futures contracts and options on such contracts, the Fund
may
be able to achieve many of the same objectives as they would through the use
of
forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The Fund may be able to achieve
these objectives possibly more effectively and at a lower cost by using futures
transactions instead of forward foreign currency exchange
contracts.
A
foreign
currency futures contract sale creates an obligation by the Fund, as seller,
to
deliver the amount of currency called for in the contract at a specified future
time for a specified price. A currency futures contract purchase creates an
obligation by the Fund, as purchaser, to take delivery of an amount of currency
at a specified future time at a specified price. Although the terms of currency
futures contracts specify actual delivery or receipt, in most instances the
contracts are closed out before the settlement date without the making or taking
of delivery of the currency. Closing out of currency futures contracts is
affected by entering into an offsetting purchase or sale transaction. An
offsetting transaction for a currency futures contract sale is effected by
the
Fund entering into a currency futures contract purchase for the same aggregate
amount of currency and same delivery date. If the price of the sale exceeds
the
price of the offsetting purchase, the Fund is immediately paid the difference
and realizes a loss. Similarly, the closing out of a currency futures contract
purchase is affected by the Balance Fund entering into a currency futures
contract sale. If the offsetting sale price exceeds the purchase price, the
Fund
realizes a gain, and if the offsetting sale price is less than the purchase
price, the Fund realizes a loss.
Fundamental
Policies
The
following fundamental policies of the Fund may not be changed without the vote
of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding common shares.
Diversification
With
respect to 75% of its total assets, the Fund may not purchase a security, other
than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities, if as a result of such purchase, more than 5% of the value
of
that Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of any one issuer,
or that Fund would own more than 10% of the voting securities of any one
issuer.
Underwriting
The
Fund
will not underwrite any issue of securities except as it may be deemed an
underwriter under the 1933 Act in connection with the sale of securities in
accordance with its investment objectives, policies and
limitations.
Interests
in Oil, Gas or Other Mineral Exploration or Development
Programs
The
Fund
may not purchase, sell or invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral
exploration or development programs.
Short
Sales
The
Fund
may effect short sales of securities subject to the limitation that the Fund
may
not sell a security short if, as a result of such sale, the current value of
securities sold short by that Fund would exceed 10% of the value of that Fund’s
total assets; provided, however, if the Fund owns or has the right to obtain
securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short (i.e.,
short sales “against the box”), this limitation is not applicable.
Lending
of Funds and Securities
The
Fund
may not make loans of money or portfolio securities.
Commodities
The
Fund
may not purchase, sell or invest in commodities, provided that this restriction
shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing and selling financial futures
contracts and related options, including but not limited to, currency futures
contracts.
Real
Estate
The
Fund
may not purchase, sell or invest in real estate, but may invest in securities
of
companies that deal in real estate or are engaged in the real estate business,
including real estate investment trusts, and securities secured by real estate
or interests therein and may hold and sell real estate acquired through default,
liquidation or other distributions of an interest in real estate as a result
of
the Fund’s ownership of such securities.
Borrowing,
Senior Securities
The
Fund
may not issue senior securities as defined by the 1940 Act, except that the
Fund
may borrow money from banks (i) in the aggregate amount of up to 10% of the
value of its assets to increase its holdings of portfolio securities and (ii)
for temporary extraordinary or emergency purposes, subject to the overall
limitation that total borrowings by that Fund may not exceed 10% of the value
of
the Fund’s total assets (measured in each case at the time of
borrowing).
Pledging
Assets
The
Fund
may not pledge, mortgage, hypothecate or otherwise encumber its assets, except
to secure permitted borrowings and to implement collateral and similar
arrangements incident to permitted investment practices.
Concentration
in Any One Industry
The
Fund
may not invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in the securities
in any single industry, provided that there shall be no limitation on the
purchase of U.S. Government securities.
RISK
FACTORS
An
investment in the Fund's is subject to risks. The value of the Fund’s
investments will increase or decrease based on changes in the prices of the
investments it holds. This will cause the value of the Fund’s shares to increase
or decrease. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. By itself, the
Fund
does not constitute a balanced investment program. You should consider carefully
the following risks before investing in the Fund. There may be additional risks
that the Fund does not currently forsee or consider material. You may wish
to
consult with your legal or tax advisor, before deciding whether to invest in
the
Fund.
No
Operating History
The
Fund
is a closed-end investment company with no history of operations and is designed
for long-term investors and not as a trading vehicle. During a fund's start-up
period, the fund may not achieve the desired portfolio composition. If the
fund
commences operations under inopportune market or economic conditions, it may
not
be able to achieve its investment objective.
Investment
and Market Risk
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 securities owned by the Fund,
which are generally traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter
markets. The value of these securities, like other market investments, may
move
up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. 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.
Issuer
Risk
The
value
of an issuer's securities that are held in the Fund’s portfolio may decline for
a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management
performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer's goods and
services.
Risks
of Equity Securities
Although
investments in equity securities, such as stocks, historically have been a
leading choice for long-term investors, the values of stocks rise and fall
depending on many factors. The stock or other security of a company may not
perform as well as expected, and may decrease in value, because of factors
related to the company (such as poorer than expected earnings or certain
management decisions) or to the industry in which the company is engaged (such
as a reduction in the demand for products or services in a particular industry).
General market and economic factors may adversely affect securities markets
generally, which could in turn adversely affect the value of the Fund’s
investments, regardless of the performance or expected performance of companies
in which the Fund invests.
Common
Stock Risk
Common
stocks are an example of equity securities in which the Fund will
invest. Although common stocks have historically generated higher average
returns than fixed income securities over the long term, common stocks also
have
experienced significantly more volatility in returns. Common stocks may be
more
susceptible to adverse changes in market value due to issuer specific events
or
general movements in the equities markets. A drop in the stock market may
depress the price of common stocks held by the Fund. Common stock prices
fluctuate for many reasons, including changes in investors' perceptions of
the
financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock
market, or the occurrence of political or economic events affecting issuers.
For
example, an adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress
the value of common stock in which the Fund has invested; the price of common
stock of an issuer may be particularly sensitive to general movements in the
stock market; or a drop in the stock market may depress the price of most or
all
of the common stocks held by the Fund. Also, common stock of an issuer in the
Fund's portfolio may decline in price if the issuer fails to make anticipated
dividend payments because, among other reasons, the issuer of the security
experiences a decline in its financial condition. The common stocks in which
the
Fund will invest are structurally subordinated to preferred securities, bonds
and other debt instruments in a company's capital structure, in terms of
priority to corporate income and assets, and therefore will be subject to
greater risk than the preferred securities or debt instruments of such issuers.
In addition, common stock prices may be sensitive to rising interest rates,
as
the costs of capital rise and borrowing costs increase.
Preferred
Securities Risk
In
addition to credit risk, investment in preferred securities carries risks
including deferral risk, redemption risk, limited voting rights, risk of
subordination and lack of liquidity. Fully taxable or hybrid preferred
securities typically contain provisions that allow an issuer, at its discretion,
to defer distributions for up to 20 consecutive quarters. Traditional preferreds
also contain provisions that allow an issuer, under certain conditions to skip
(in the case of “noncumulative preferreds”) or defer (in the case of “cumulative
preferreds”), dividend payments. If the Fund owns a preferred security that is
deferring its distributions, the Fund may be required to report income for
tax
purposes while it is not receiving any distributions. Preferred securities
typically contain provisions that allow for redemption in the event of tax
or
security law changes in addition to call features at the option of the issuer.
In the event of a redemption, the Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds
at comparable rates of return. Preferred securities typically do not provide
any
voting rights, except in cases when dividends are in arrears beyond a certain
time period, which varies by issue. Preferred securities are subordinated to
bonds and other debt instruments in a company's capital structure in terms
of
priority to corporate income and liquidation payments, and therefore will be
subject to greater credit risk than those debt instruments. Preferred securities
may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as U.S.
government securities, corporate debt or common stocks.
Foreign
Securities Risk
The
Fund's investments in securities of foreign issuers are subject to risks not
usually associated with owning securities of U.S. issuers. These risks can
include fluctuations in foreign currencies, foreign currency exchange controls,
social, political and economic instability, differences in securities regulation
and trading, expropriation or nationalization of assets, and foreign taxation
issues. 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 securities. It may also be more difficult to obtain
and enforce a judgment against a foreign issuer. Any foreign investments made
by
the Fund must be made in compliance with U.S. and foreign currency restrictions
and tax laws restricting the amounts and types of foreign investments. The
Fund
has no other investment restrictions with respect to investing in foreign
issuers.
Emerging
Markets Risk
Investing
in securities of issuers based in underdeveloped emerging markets entails all
of
the risks of investing in securities of foreign issuers to a heightened degree.
These heightened risks include: (i) greater risks of expropriation, confiscatory
taxation, nationalization, and less social, political and economic stability;
(ii) the smaller size of the market for such securities and a lower volume
of
trading, resulting in lack of liquidity and in price volatility; and (iii)
national policies that may restrict the Fund's investment opportunities
including restrictions on investing in issuers or industries deemed sensitive
to
relevant national interests.
Small
and Medium Cap Company Risk
Compared
to investment companies that focus only on large capitalization companies,
the
Fund's share price may be more volatile because it also invests in small and
medium capitalization companies. Compared to large companies, small and medium
capitalization companies are more likely to have (i) more limited product lines
or markets and less mature businesses, (ii) fewer capital resources, (iii)
more
limited management depth and (iv) shorter operating histories. Further, compared
to large cap stocks, the securities of small and medium capitalization companies
are more likely to experience sharper swings in market values, be harder to
sell
at times and at prices that the Adviser believes appropriate, and offer greater
potential for gains and losses.
REIT
Risk
If
the
Fund invests in REITs, such investment will subject the Fund to various risks.
The first, real estate industry risk, is the risk that the REIT share prices
will decline because of adverse developments affecting the real estate industry
and real property values. In general, real estate values can be affected by
a
variety of factors, including supply and demand for properties, the economic
health of the country or of different regions, and the strength of specific
industries that rent properties. The second risk is the risk that returns from
REITs, which typically are small or medium capitalization stocks, will trail
returns from the overall stock market. The third, interest rate risk, is the
risk that changes in interest rates may hurt real estate values or make REIT
shares less attractive than other income producing investments.
Qualification
as a REIT under the Code in any particular year is a complex analysis that
depends on a number of factors. There can be no assurance that the entities
in
which the Fund invests with the expectation that they will be taxed as a REIT
will qualify as a REIT. An entity that fails to qualify as a REIT, would be
subject to a corporate level tax, would not be entitled to a deduction for
dividends paid to its shareholders and would not pass through to its
shareholders the character of income earned by the entity. If the Fund were
to
invest in an entity that failed to qualify as a REIT, such failure could
drastically reduce the Fund's yield on that investment.
Dividends
paid by REITs will not generally qualify for the reduced federal income tax
rates applicable to qualified dividends under the Code. See “Federal Income Tax
Matters.”
The
Fund
does not expect to invest a significant portion of its assets in REITs, but
does
not have any investment restrictions with respect to such investments.
Convertible
Securities Risk
The
value
of a convertible security is a function of its “investment value” (determined by
its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable
maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege) and its
“conversion value” (the security's worth, at market value, if converted into the
underlying common stock). The investment value of a convertible security is
influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value declining as
interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline. The credit
standing of the issuer and other factors may also have an effect on the
convertible security's investment value. The conversion value of a convertible
security is determined by the market price of the underlying common stock.
If
the conversion value is low relative to the investment value, the price of
the
convertible security is governed principally by its investment value. Generally,
the conversion value decreases as the convertible security approaches maturity.
To the extent the market price of the underlying common stock approaches or
exceeds the conversion price, the price of the convertible security will be
increasingly influenced by its conversion value. A convertible security
generally will sell at a premium over its conversion value by the extent to
which investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock
while holding a fixed income security.
A
convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer
at
a price established in the convertible security's governing instrument. If
a
convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will
be
required to permit the issuer to redeem the security, convert it into the
underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. Any of these actions could
have an adverse effect on the Fund's ability to achieve its investment
objective.
Investments
in Undervalued Securities
The
Fund’s investment strategy includes investing in securities, which, in the
opinion of the Adviser, are undervalued. The identification of investment
opportunities in undervalued securities is a difficult task and there is no
assurance that such opportunities will be successfully recognized or acquired.
While investments in undervalued securities offer opportunities for
above-average capital appreciation, these investments involve a high degree
of
financial risk and can result in substantial losses
Short
Sale Risk
When
transacting a short sale, the Fund must borrow the security sold to make
delivery to the buyer. The Fund is then obligated to replace the security
borrowed by purchasing it at the market price at the time of replacement. The
price at such time may be higher or lower than the price at which the security
was sold by the Fund.
A
short
sale will be successful if the shorted security price decreases. However, if
the
underlying security goes up in price during the period during which the short
position is outstanding, the Fund will realize a loss. The risk on a short
sale
is unlimited because the Fund must buy the shorted security at the higher price
to complete the transaction. Therefore, short sales may be riskier than
investments in long positions. With a long position the maximum sustainable
loss
is limited to the amount paid for the security plus the transaction costs,
whereas there is no maximum attainable price of the shorted security.
The
Fund
will also incur increased transaction costs associated with selling securities
short. In addition, when the Fund is selling securities short, it must maintain
a segregated account with its custodian containing cash or high-grade securities
equal to (i) the greater of the current market value of the stocks sold short
or
the market value of such securities at the time they were sold short, less
(ii)
any collateral deposited with the Fund’s broker (not including the proceeds from
the short sales). The Fund may be required to add to the segregated account
as
the market price of a shorted security increases. As a result of maintaining
and
adding to its segregated account, the Fund may maintain higher levels of cash
or
liquid assets (for example, U.S. Treasury bills, repurchased agreements, high
quality commercial paper and long equity positions) for collateral needs thus
reducing its overall assets available for trading purposes.
Special
Risks Associated with Foreign Currency Options
Buyers
and sellers of foreign currency options are subject to the same risks that
apply
to options generally, as described below. In addition, there are certain
additional risks associated with foreign currency options. The markets in
foreign currency options are relatively new, and the Fund’s ability to establish
and close out positions on such options is subject to the maintenance of a
liquid secondary market. Although the Fund will not purchase or write such
options unless and until, in the opinion of the Adviser, the market for them
has
developed sufficiently to ensure that the risks in connection with such options
are not greater than the risks in connection with the underlying currency,
there
can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for a particular
option at any specific time. In addition, options on foreign currencies are
affected by most of the same factors that influence foreign exchange rates
and
investments generally.
The
value
of a foreign currency option depends upon the value of the underlying currency
relative to the U.S. dollar. As a result, the price of the option position
may
vary with changes in the value of either or both currencies and may have no
relationship to the investment merits of a foreign security. Because foreign
currency transactions occurring in the interbank market involve substantially
larger amounts than those that may be involved in the use of foreign currency
options, investors may be disadvantaged by having to deal in an odd lot market
(generally consisting of transactions of less than $1 million) for the
underlying foreign currencies at prices that are less favorable than for round
lots.
There
is
no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign currencies or
any
regulatory requirement that quotations available through dealers or other market
sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Available quotation information
is
generally representative of very large transactions in the interbank market
and
thus may not reflect relatively smaller transactions (i.e., less than $1
million) where rates may be less favorable. The interbank market in foreign
currencies is a global, around-the-clock market. To the extent that the U.S.
option markets are closed while the markets for the underlying currencies remain
open, significant price and rate movements may take place in the underlying
markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets until they
reopen.
Risk
Characteristics of Options and Futures
Options
and futures transactions can be highly volatile investments. Successful hedging
strategies require the anticipation of future movements in securities prices,
interest rates and other economic factors. When a fund uses futures contracts
and options as hedging devices, the prices of the securities subject to the
futures contracts and options may not correlate with the prices of the
securities in a portfolio. This may cause the futures and options to react
to
market changes differently than the portfolio securities. Even if expectations
about the market and economic factors are correct, a hedge could be unsuccessful
if changes in the value of the portfolio securities do not correspond to changes
in the value of the futures contracts. The ability to establish and close out
futures contracts and options on futures contracts positions depends on the
availability of a secondary market. If these positions cannot be closed out
due
to disruptions in the market or lack of liquidity, losses may be sustained
on
the futures contract or option.
Special
Risks Associated with Foreign Currency Futures Contracts and Related
Options
Buyers
and sellers of foreign currency futures contracts are subject to the same risks
that apply to the use of futures generally, as described above. In addition,
there are risks associated with foreign currency futures contracts and their
use
as a hedging device similar to those associated with options on foreign
currencies, as described above.
Options
on foreign currency futures contracts may involve certain additional risks.
Trading options on foreign currency futures contracts is relatively new. The
ability to establish and close out positions on such options is subject to
the
maintenance of a liquid secondary market. To reduce this risk, the Fund will
not
purchase or write options on foreign currency futures contracts unless and
until, in the opinion of the Adviser, the market for such options has developed
sufficiently that the risks in connection with such options are not greater
than
the risks in connection with transactions in the underlying foreign currency
futures contracts. Compared to the purchase or sale of foreign currency futures
contracts, the purchase of call or put options on futures contracts involves
less potential risk to the Fund because the maximum amount at risk is the
premium paid for the option (plus transaction costs). However, there may be
circumstances when the purchase of a call or put option on a futures contract
would result in a loss, such as when there is no movement in the price of the
underlying currency or futures contract.
Defensive
Positions
During
periods of adverse market or economic conditions, the Fund may temporarily
invest all or a substantial portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents.
The Fund would not be pursuing its investment objective in these circumstances
and could miss favorable market developments.
Market
Price of Shares
The
shares of closed-end management investment companies often trade at a discount
from their net asset value, and the Fund's common shares may likewise trade
at a
discount from net asset value. The trading price of the Fund's common shares
may
be less than the public offering price. The returns earned by the Fund’s
shareholders who sell their common shares below net asset value will be reduced.
Management
Risk
Management
risk means that the Adviser’s security selections and other investment decisions
might produce losses or cause the Fund to underperform when compared to other
funds with similar investment goals. The Fund is subject to management risk
because it is an actively managed portfolio.
Borrowing
Risk
Borrowing
creates risks for the Fund’s shareholders, including the likelihood of greater
volatility of net asset value and market price of the common shares. If the
income from the securities purchased with such funds is not sufficient to cover
the cost of borrowing, the return on the Fund will be less than if borrowing
had
not been used, and therefore the amount available for distribution to the Fund’s
shareholders as dividends and other distributions will be reduced and may not
satisfy the level dividend rate distribution policy set by the Board of
Trustees. The Adviser in its best judgment nevertheless may determine to
maintain the Fund's borrowing position if it deems such action to be appropriate
in the circumstances.
Illiquid
Securities
Risk
Restricted
securities and other illiquid investments of the Fund involve the risk that
the
securities will not be able to be sold at the time desired by the Adviser or
at
prices approximating the value at which the Fund is carrying the securities.
Where registration is required to sell a security, the Fund may be obligated
to
pay all or part of the registration expenses, and a considerable period may
elapse between the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted
to
sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such
a
period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a
less
favorable price than prevailed when it decided to sell. Restricted securities
for which no market exists and other illiquid investments are valued at fair
value as determined in accordance with procedures approved and periodically
reviewed by the Trustees of the Fund.
Anti-Takeover
Provisions
The
Fund's Declaration of Trust includes provisions that could have the effect
of
inhibiting the Fund's possible conversion to open-end status and limiting the
ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or the
Board
of Trustees. In certain circumstances, these provisions might also inhibit
the
ability of shareholders to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market
prices. See “Anti-Takeover Provisions in the Declaration of Trust.”
Portfolio
Turnover Risk
The
techniques and strategies contemplated by the Fund might result in a high degree
of portfolio turnover. The Fund cannot accurately predict its securities
portfolio turnover rate, but anticipates that its annual portfolio turnover
rate
will likely exceed 100% under normal market conditions, although it could be
materially higher under certain conditions. Higher portfolio turnover rates
could result in corresponding increases in brokerage commissions and generate
short-term capital gains taxable as ordinary income.
Key
Adviser Personnel Risk
The
Fund's ability to identify and invest in attractive opportunities is dependent
upon the Adviser, its investment adviser. If one or more key individuals leaves
the employ of the Adviser, the Adviser may not be able to hire qualified
replacements, or may require an extended time to do so. This could prevent
the
Fund from achieving its investment objective.
MANAGEMENT
OF THE FUND
Trustees
And Officers
The
Board
of Trustees is responsible for the overall management of the Fund, including
supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser. There are four trustees
of
the Fund. One of the trustees is an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940
Act) of the Fund. The Trustees are responsible for the Fund’s overall
management, including adopting the investment and other policies of the Fund,
electing and replacing officers and selecting and supervising the Fund’s
investment adviser. The name and business address of the trustees and officers
of the Fund and their principal occupations and other affiliations during the
past five years , as well as a desription of COmmittees of the Board of
Trustees, are set forth under “Trustees and Officers” in the Statement of
Additional Information.
Investment
Adviser
Alpine
Woods Capital Investors, LLC (the “Adviser”), located at 2500 Westchester
Avenue, Suite 215, Purchase, New York, 10577, serves as the Fund’s investment
adviser. The Adviser is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Adviser began conducting
business in March 1998 and had approximately [$3] billion under management
as of
April 30, 2006. The Adviser is a Delaware limited liability company organized
on
December 3, 1997.
The
Adviser has the responsibility for the management and implementation of the
Fund’s investment program, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees. Mr.
Samuel A. Lieber is the controlling person of the Adviser. He founded the
Adviser. Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund is obligated
to
pay the Adviser a monthly fee computed at the annual rate of ____% of the
average daily net assets of the Fund in consideration of the Adviser’s
investment advisory services. The fees to be received by the Adviser are based
on the total assets of the Fund, including assets represented by borrowing.
During periods in which the Fund borrows, the fees paid to the Adviser for
investment advisory services will be higher than if the Fund did not borrow
because the fees paid will be calculated on the basis of the Fund's total
assets, including proceeds from borrowings. The total estimated annual expenses
of the Fund are set forth in the section titled “Fees and Expenses.”
Consistent
with the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., and subject to seeking best price and execution, the Adviser
may
consider sales of shares of other funds for which its serves as investment
adviser as a factor in the selection of dealers to effect portfolio transactions
for the Fund.
Under
its
arrangements with privately placed funds that it manages, the Adviser receives
a
portion of the appreciation of such funds' portfolios. This may create an
incentive for the Adviser to allocate attractive investment opportunities to
such funds. However, the Adviser has procedures designed to allocate investment
opportunities in a fair and equitable manner.
A
discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees approval of the Fund’s
investment advisory agreement is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional
Information and will also be available in the Fund’s Annual Report to
shareholders for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2007.
Portfolio
Managers
Ms.
Jill
K. Evans and Mr. Kevin Shacknofsky are the Fund's portfolio managers
(collectively, the “Portfolio Managers”). In addition, Messrs. Stephen A. Lieber
and Samuel A. Lieber, co-Chief Executive Officers of the Adviser, generally
consult with each Portfolio Manager regarding investment decisions. In carrying
out their responsibilities for the management of the Fund's portfolio of
securities, the Portfolio Managers allocate the Fund’s securities into sectors.
Each Portfolio Manager has primary responsibility for particular sectors, but
the Portfolio Managers generally consult each other with respect to significant
investment decisions. In cases where the Portfolio Managers are not in agreement
with regard to an investment decision, Mr. Samuel Lieber has ultimate authority
to decide the matter.
The
Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the
compensation of the Portfolio Managers, other accounts managed by the Portfolio
Managers and the Portfolio Managers' ownership of the securities of the Fund.
Stephen
A. Lieber
Stephen
Lieber brings half a century of successful investment management experience
to
the Adviser, of which he is co-Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Lieber started
working in the investment management field in 1950, and became a partner of
Oppenheimer, Vanden Broeck & Co., members of the New York Stock Exchange, in
1953. Mr. Lieber was also a co-founder of Vanden Broeck Lieber & Co. in
1956.
Mr.
Lieber started his own investment firm, Lieber & Co., in 1969 and formed the
Evergreen Fund, a mutual fund, in 1971. The Evergreen Fund, which predominantly
invested in smaller entrepreneurial companies, was followed by a series of
additional mutual funds managed by Lieber & Co., or its affiliates,
including: the Evergreen Total Return Fund in 1978, the Evergreen Limited Market
Fund in 1983, the Evergreen Growth and Income Fund in 1986, the Evergreen
Foundation Fund in 1990 and the Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund in
1993.
First
Union Corp. purchased Lieber & Co. (which was the parent firm of Evergreen
Asset Management Corp., the investment adviser to the Evergreen Funds) in 1994.
For the following five years, Mr. Lieber continued as chairman, co-chief
executive, and also as portfolio manager of the Evergreen Fund, the Evergreen
Foundation Fund, the Evergreen Tax Strategic Foundation Fund, the Evergreen
Tax
Strategic Equity Fund and several annuity funds and separate accounts. The
effectiveness of these funds' strategies was highlighted in a New York Times
article that cited a study evaluating the performance of investment managers
over a substantial period of time. According to the article, since 1971,
management of the Evergreen Fund was ranked as one of three out of 1,437
investment managers that exceeded appropriate benchmark performance through
the
investment cycles of the last three decades. When Mr. Lieber retired in 1999
as
Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Evergreen Asset Management Corp.,
the
total of mutual fund assets under management was $21 billion.
Upon
leaving Evergreen Asset Management Corp., Mr. Lieber formed Saxon Woods
Advisors, LLC, an investment advisory firm registered under the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, in order to permit Mr. Lieber to continue management
of accounts for individual clients and others. As of December 31, 2005, the
Saxon Woods Advisors, LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser, had approximately $585
million of assets under management. Mr. Lieber received a Bachelor's degree
in
English (with honors) from Williams College, and studied philosophy and English
Literature in graduate school at Harvard.
Samuel
A. Lieber
Samuel
Lieber brings a wealth of investment management experience to the Fund. Mr.
Lieber founded the Adviser (formerly Alpine Management & Research, LLC) and
is its Managing Member and co- Chief Executive Officer. From 1985 to 1998,
Mr.
Lieber was the real estate securities portfolio manager and the senior real
estate securities analyst for the Evergreen Funds. In 1989, Mr. Lieber became
the portfolio manager of the first public mutual fund that focused primarily
on
investing internationally in real estate-related securities.
Under
Mr.
Lieber's management, his mutual funds achieved the annual #1 real estate
securities fund performance award from Lipper Analytic Services for 1993, 1995,
and 1997, as well as the top five-year performance award in 1998. Prior to
1985,
Mr. Lieber was associated with Whitbread-Nolan, Inc. in the investment property
brokerage division. Previous to this, Mr. Lieber worked for the urban design
firm, Project for Public Spaces, as a Noyes Fellow.
Mr.
Lieber has been widely quoted in the financial media, and has appeared on CNBC
and radio, and been featured in Forbes, Individual Investor, Smart Money, and
Kiplinger's. Mr. Lieber has also been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal,
The New York Times, Fortune, Barron's, and The Wall Street Transcript, among
other periodicals. He currently serves as portfolio manager of both Alpine
International Real Estate Equity Fund and Alpine U.S. Real Estate Equity Fund
and as co-manager of Alpine Realty Income & Growth Fund, mutual funds that
had aggregate net assets of approximately $1.5 billion as of December 31,
2005.
Mr.
Lieber received his Bachelor's degree (with high honors) from Wesleyan
University and attended the New York University Graduate School of Business
and
New York University's Real Estate Institute.
Jill
Kaufman Evans
Jill
Evans joined the Adviser in May 2003 and has served as Portfolio Manager of
the
Alpine Dynamic Dividend Fund since its inception in September 2003. She was
instrumental in designing that fund’s strategy and investment processes to take
advantage of the reduced dividend tax rates resulting from the “Jobs and Growth
Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.” Her work on the Alpine Dynamic Dividend
Fund has attracted interest from numerous financial publications, including
quotes and features in Barron’s, Kiplinger’s, Financial Advisor Magazine, The
New York Times, Investor’s Business Daily, and The Wall Street Journal. She has
also appeared on the financial TV networks CNBC and CNNfn and was a keynote
speaker at the 13th
Annual
Louis Rukeyser Investment Conference on the topic of dividend investing. The
Alpine Dynamic Dividend Fund was also highlighted as an attractive dividend
investment in Ben Stein and Phil Demuth’s book, “Yes, You Can Be a Successful
Income Investor!”
Prior
to
joining the Adviser, Ms. Evans spent 15 years at J.P. Morgan in New York as
an
equity research analyst and internal consultant. She was the Vice President
and
Senior Equity Research Analyst covering small and mid-cap basic industries
and
was the global coordinator of the passenger and freight transportation sectors.
As an analyst, she had been recognized in several national investor surveys
and
financial periodicals, including Institutional Investor Magazine, The Wall
Street Journal, The Wall Street Transcript, Thomson Financial and Greenwich
Associates.
Ms.
Evans
joined J.P. Morgan in 1988 as an analyst and then project manager in the
internal consulting group, Management Services. She spent her last year in
Management Services working with McKinsey & Co., consulting on several
firm-wide cost reduction projects. Ms. Evans received a Bachelor of Arts degree
in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Kevin
Shacknofsky
Kevin
Shacknofsky is a Portfolio Manager for the Adviser. He joined the Adviser in
October 2003 as an analyst and has been an associate Portfolio Manager for
the
Alpine Dynamic Dividend Fund since June 2004. Previously Mr. Shacknofsky was
a
Vice President in the venture capital firm Rein Capital in New Jersey for two
years investing in early stage Media & Telecom companies and assisting
portfolio companies with hiring their management teams, developing their
business plan and building strategic partnerships. His experience also
includes working as an Investment Banking Associate at Lehman Brothers in New
York focusing on Media & Telecom and as a Private Equity Analyst for Hambros
Grantham, the Private Equity division of Hambros PLC, of Sydney, Australia,
where he worked on new investments including Management Buyouts and helped
monitor the existing portfolio by sitting on the board of directors of a number
of portfolio companies. Mr Shacknofsky’s experience also includes work as a
Client Manager for Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in Sydney Australia where he worked
for seven years initially as an auditor primarily on Multinational Corporations
and subsequently in their Corporate Finance Practice
Mr.
Shacknofsky is a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds an MBA degree from
Columbia Business School where he graduated with honors Beta Gamma Sigma in
2001. He also graduated with a Bachelors of Business degree with a major in
Accounting and Finance from the University of Technology Sydney.
Performance
of Portfolio Managers
Ms.
Evans
and Mr. Shachnofsky are the portfolio managers for the Alpine Dynamic Dividend
Fund, an open-end management investment company (the “open-end Dividend Fund”).
Ms. Evans has managed the open-end Dividend Fund since its inception on
September 22, 2003, and Mr. Shacknofsky was an analyst for the open-end Dividend
Fund and then a portfolio manager since June 2004. The investment objective
of
the open-end Dividend Fund is high current dividend income that qualifies for
the reduced federal income tax rates created by the “Jobs and Growth Tax Relief
Reconciliation Act of 2003,” while also focusing on total return for long-term
growth of capital.
The
following table sets forth total returns (average annualized as of March 31,
2006), dividend distribution and NAV of the open-end Dividend Fund for the
periods identified below, as well as the performance of the S&P 500 Index
and Lipper Equity Income Funds Average during the same periods:
TOTAL
RETURNS |
|
YTD
2006
|
|
1
Year
|
|
9/22/03-
12/31/03
|
|
12/31/03-
12/31/04
|
|
12/31/04-
12/31/05
|
|
Since
Inception
Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alpine
Dynamic Dividend Fund
|
|
|
8.54
|
%
|
|
16.13
|
%
|
|
17.63
|
%
|
|
23.26
|
%
|
|
7.24
|
%
|
|
23.05
|
%
|
S&P
500 Index—Dividends Reinvested
|
|
|
4.21
|
%
|
|
11.72
|
%
|
|
11.90
|
%
|
|
10.86
|
%
|
|
4.90
|
%
|
|
11.79
|
%
|
Lipper
Equity Income Funds Average
|
|
|
4.92
|
%
|
|
11.48
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13.71
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lipper
Performance Ranking
|
|
|
4/238
|
|
|
29/223
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2/182
|
|
(based
on total returns)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DIVIDEND
DISTRIBUTIONS AND NAV
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alpine
Dynamic Dividend Fund
|
|
|
YTD
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
9/22/03-
12/31/03
|
|
|
12/31/03-
12/31/04
|
|
|
12/31/04-
12/31/05
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning
NAV
|
|
$
|
12.11
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
$
|
11.62
|
|
$
|
12.78
|
|
|
|
|
Closing
NAV
|
|
$
|
12.77
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
11.62
|
|
$
|
12.78
|
|
$
|
12.11
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Dividend Income
|
|
$
|
0.37
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.14
|
|
$
|
1.15
|
|
$
|
1.53
|
|
|
|
|
Short
Term Capital Gains Distribution
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
$
|
0.241
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
|
|
|
Long
Term Capital Gains Distribution
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
$
|
0.397
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
|
|
|
Past
performance of the open-end Dividend Fund is not indicative of the Fund’s future
performance.
The
Fund’s investment objective and investment strategy that the Adviser will
utilize in managing the Fund are similar, but not identical, to the investment
objective and investment strategy utilized in managing the open-end Dividend
Fund. However, the open-end Dividend Fund is managed separately from the Fund
and its historical performance is no indication of future performance of the
Fund. Also, the fees and expenses associated with the open-end Dividend Fund
were not the same as those that are anticipated to be associated with the Fund,
which differences may impact the overall performance of the Fund in comparison
to the open-end Dividend Fund.
Administrator
ALPS,
located at 1625 Broadway, Suite 2200, Denver, Colorado 80202, serves as
administrator to the Fund. Under the Administration Agreement, ALPS is
responsible for calculating the net asset value of the common shares, and
generally managing the administrative affairs of the Fund. ALPS is entitled
to
receive a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.13% of the Fund's average daily
total assets. The fees to be received by ALPS are based on the total assets
of
the Fund, including assets represented by borrowing. During periods in which
the
Fund borrows, the fees paid to ALPS for administrative services will be higher
than if the Fund did not borrow because the fees paid will be calculated on
the
basis of the Fund's total assets, including proceeds from borrowings.
Custodian
and Transfer Agent
_________,
with an address at ________________, is the custodian of the Fund and will
maintain custody of the securities and cash of the Fund. ALPS maintains the
Fund's general ledger and computes net asset value per share daily.
__________
also serves as the transfer agent [and dividend paying agent] of the Fund.
Estimated
Expenses
The
Adviser is obligated to pay expenses associated with providing the services
contemplated by the agreements to which they are parties, including compensation
of and office space for their respective officers and employees connected with
investment and economic research, trading and investment management and
administration of the Fund. The Adviser is obligated to pay the fees of any
Trustee of the Fund who is affiliated with it. The fees and expenses incident
to
the offering and issuance of common shares to be issued by the Fund (which
include certain partial reimbursement of expenses of the underwriters) will
be
recorded as a reduction of capital of the Fund attributable to the common
shares. Such fees and expenses constitute underwriting compensation and are
a
component of the total compensation to underwriters. See
“Underwriting.”
On
the
basis of the anticipated size of the Fund immediately following the offering,
assuming no exercise of the overallotment option, it is estimated that the
Fund's annual operating expenses will be approximately $__________. No assurance
can be given, in light of the Fund's investment objective and policies, however,
that actual annual operating expenses will not be substantially more or less
than this estimate.
Costs
incurred in connection with the organization of the Fund, estimated at
$________, will be borne by the Adviser. Offering expenses relating to the
Fund's common shares (other than the sales load), estimated at $_______, will
be
payable upon completion of the offering of common shares and will be charged
to
capital upon the commencement of investment operations of the Fund.
The
Advisory Agreement authorizes the Adviser to select brokers or dealers
(including affiliates) to arrange for the purchase and sale of Fund securities,
including principal transactions. Any commission, fee or other remuneration
paid
to an affiliated broker or dealer is paid in compliance with the Fund's
procedures adopted in accordance with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act.
DETERMINATION
OF NET
ASSET VALUE
The
net
asset value of shares of the Fund is calculated by dividing the value of the
Fund’s net assets by the number of outstanding shares. Net asset value is
determined each day the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open as of the
close of regular trading (normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time). In computing
net
asset value, portfolio securities of the Fund are valued at their current market
values determined on the basis of market quotations. If market quotations are
not readily available, securities are valued at fair value as determined by
the
Board of Trustees. Non-dollar denominated securities are valued as of the close
of the NYSE at the closing price of such securities in their principal trading
market, but may be valued at fair value if subsequent events occurring before
the computation of net asset value materially have affected the value of the
securities.
Trading
may take place in foreign issues held by the Fund at times when the Fund is
not
open for business. As a result, the Fund's net asset value may change at times
when it is not possible to purchase or sell shares of the Fund. ALPS calculates
the Fund's net asset value per common share by dividing the value of the Fund's
total assets (the value of the securities the Fund holds plus cash or other
assets, including interest accrued but not yet received), less accrued expenses
of the Fund, less the Fund's other liabilities (including dividends payable
and any borrowings by the total number of common shares outstanding.
Valuations of certain securities held by the Fund may be made by a third-party
pricing service.
For
purposes of determining the net asset value of the Fund, readily marketable
portfolio securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange are valued, except
as
indicated below, at the last sale price reflected on the consolidated tape
at
the close of the New York Stock Exchange on the business day as of which such
value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities
are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day. If
no
bid or asked prices are quoted on such day or if market prices may be unreliable
because of events occurring after the close of trading, then the security is
valued by such method as the Board of Trustees shall determine in good faith
to
reflect its fair market value. Readily marketable securities not listed on
the
New York Stock Exchange but listed on other domestic or foreign securities
exchanges are valued in a like manner. Portfolio securities traded on more
than
one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day
as
of which such value is being determined as reflected on the consolidated tape
at
the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities.
Securities trading on the NASDAQ are valued at the closing price.
Readily
marketable securities traded in the over-the-counter market, including listed
securities whose primary market is believed by the Adviser to be
over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the current bid and asked prices
as
reported by the NASD or, in the case of securities not reported by the NASD
or a
comparable source as the Board of Trustees deem appropriate to reflect their
fair market value. Where securities are traded on more than one exchange and
also over-the-counter, the securities will generally be valued using the
quotations the Board of Trustees believes reflect most closely the value of
such
securities.
DISTRIBUTION
POLICY
The
Fund
intends to make a level dividend distribution each month to its shareholders
after payment of Fund operating expenses including, interest on any outstanding
borrowings. The level dividend rate may be modified by the Board of Trustees
from time to time. If, for any monthly distribution, net investment company
taxable income, if any (which term includes net short-term capital gain) and
net
tax-exempt income, if any, is less than the amount of the distribution, the
difference will generally be a tax-free return of capital distributed from
the
Fund's assets. The Fund's final distribution for each calendar year will include
any remaining net investment company taxable income and net tax-exempt income
undistributed during the year, as well as all net capital gain realized during
the year. If the total distributions made in any calendar year exceed net
investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt income and net capital gain,
such excess distributed amount would be treated as ordinary dividend income
to
the extent of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits.
Distributions in excess of the earnings and profits would first be a tax-free
return of capital to the extent of the adjusted tax basis in the shares. After
such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, the distribution would constitute
capital gain (assuming the shares are held as capital assets). This distribution
policy may, under certain circumstances, have certain adverse consequences
to
the Fund and its shareholders because it may result in a return of capital
resulting in less of a shareholder's assets being invested in the Fund and,
over
time, increase the Fund's expense ratio. The distribution policy also may cause
the Fund to sell a security at a time it would not otherwise do so in order
to
manage the distribution of income and gain. The initial distribution is expected
to be declared approximately 45 days after the completion of this offering
and
paid on or about [_______ ___, 2006], depending on market
conditions.
The
Adviser, on behalf of the Fund, has applied to the SEC for an exemption from
Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder permitting the Fund
to
make periodic distributions of long-term capital gains, provided that the
distribution policy of the Fund with respect to its common shares calls for
periodic (for example, quarterly/monthly) distributions in an amount equal
to a
fixed percentage of the Fund's average net asset value over a specified period
of time or market price per common share at or about the time of distribution
or
pay-out of a level dollar amount. No assurance can be given that the SEC will
grant the exemption to the Fund. The staff of the SEC has indicated that it
has
suspended the processing of exemptive applications requesting the type of relief
referenced above, pending review by the staff of the results of an industry-wide
SEC inspection focusing on the dividend practices of closed-end investment
companies. There can be no assurance as to when that review might be completed
or whether, following that review, the staff would process such applications
or
grant such relief.
The
level
dividend distribution described above would result in the payment of
approximately the same amount or percentage to the Fund’s shareholders each
month. Section 19(a) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19a-1 thereunder require the
Fund
to provide a written statement accompanying any such payment that adequately
discloses its source or sources. Thus, if the source of the dividend or other
distribution were the original capital contribution of the shareholder, and
the
payment amounted to a return of capital, the Fund would be required to provide
written disclosure to that effect. Nevertheless, persons who periodically
receive the payment of a dividend or other distribution may be under the
impression that they are receiving net profits when they are not. Shareholders
should read any written disclosure provided pursuant to Section 19(a) and Rule
19a-1 carefully, and should not assume that the source of any distribution
from
the Fund is net profit.
DIVIDEND
REINVESTMENT PLAN
Unless
the registered owner of common shares elects to receive cash by contacting
_______ (the “Plan Administrator”), all dividends declared on common shares will
be automatically reinvested by the Plan Administrator for shareholders in the
Fund's Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), in additional common shares of
the Fund. 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. You may elect not to participate in the Plan and to receive
all dividends in cash by contacting the Plan Administrator, as dividend
disbursing agent, at the address set forth below. 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. Some brokers may automatically elect to receive cash on your
behalf and may re-invest that cash in additional common shares for you. If
you
wish for all dividends declared on your common shares to be automatically
reinvested pursuant to the Plan, please contact your broker.
The
Plan
Administrator will open an account for each shareholder under the Plan in the
same name in which such shareholder's common shares are registered. Whenever
the
Fund declares a dividend or other distribution (together, 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 New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere. If, on
the payment date for any Dividend, the closing market price plus estimated
brokerage commissions per share is equal to or greater than the net asset value
per 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 net asset value per share
on
the payment date; provided that, if the net asset value is less than or equal
to
95% of the closing market value on the payment date, the dollar amount of the
Dividend will be divided by 95% of the closing market price per share on the
payment date. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the net asset value
per
share is greater than the closing market value plus estimated brokerage
commissions, 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 share exceeds the net asset value per share, the average per
share purchase price paid by the Plan Administrator may exceed the net asset
value 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
net asset value per share at the close of business on the Last Purchase Date
provided that, if the net asset value is less than or equal to 95% of the then
current market price per share, the dollar amount of the Dividend will be
divided by 95% of the market price on the payment date for purposes of
determining the number of shares issuable under the Plan.
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.
In
the
case of the Fund’s 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. See “Federal Income Tax Matters.” 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, ___________, [ADDRESS], [PHONE #].
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 of the Fund that acquires,
holds and/or disposes of shares of the Fund, and reflects provisions of the
Code, existing Treasury regulations, rulings published by the IRS, and other
applicable authority, as of the date of this prospectus. These authorities
are
subject to change by legislative or administrative action, possibly with
retroactive effect. The following discussion is only a summary of some of the
important tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Fund
and
the discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. For more
detailed information regarding tax considerations, see the Statement of
Additional Information. There may be other tax considerations applicable to
particular investors. In addition, income earned through an investment in the
Fund may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes.
The
Fund
intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year for taxation as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. In order for the
Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company, it must meet an income and
asset diversification test each year. If the Fund so qualifies and satisfies
certain distribution requirements, the Fund (but not its shareholders) will
not
be subject to federal income tax to the extent it distributes its investment
company taxable income and net capital gains (the excess of net long-term
capital gains over net short-term capital loss) in a timely manner to its
shareholders in the form of dividends or capital gain distributions. The Code
imposes a 4% nondeductible excise tax on regulated investment companies, such
as
the Fund, to the extent they do not meet certain distribution requirements
by
the end of each calendar year. The Fund anticipates meeting these distribution
requirements.
The
Fund
intends to make monthly distributions of net investment income after payment
of
the Fund’s operating expenses including, interest on any outstanding borrowings.
Unless a shareholder is ineligible to participate or elects otherwise, all
distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the
Fund
pursuant to the Plan. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, all dividends are
generally taxable whether a shareholder takes them in cash or they are
reinvested pursuant to the Plan in additional shares of the Fund. Distributions
of the Fund's investment company taxable income (including short-term capital
gains) will generally be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund's
current and accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions of the Fund's net
capital gains (“capital gain dividends”), if any, are taxable to shareholders as
long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time shares have been
held
by shareholders. Distributions, if any, in excess of the Fund's earnings and
profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holder's shares and,
after
that basis has been reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to the
shareholder of the Fund (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset).
See
below for a summary of the maximum tax rates applicable to capital gains
(including capital gain dividends). A corporation that owns Fund shares
generally will not be entitled to the dividends received deduction with respect
to all the dividends it receives from the Fund. Fund dividend payments that
are
attributable to qualifying dividends received by the Fund from certain domestic
corporations may be designated by the Fund as being eligible for the dividends
received deduction. There can be no assurance as to what portion of Fund
dividend payments may be classified as qualifying dividends. With respect to
the
monthly distributions of net investment income described above, it may be the
case that any “level load” distributions would result in a return of capital to
the shareholder of the Funds. The determination of the character for U.S.
federal income tax purposes of any distribution from the Fund (i.e. ordinary
income dividends, capital gains dividends, qualified dividends, return of
capital distributions) will be made as of the end of the Fund's taxable year.
Generally, no later than 60 days after the close of its taxable year, the Fund
will provide shareholders with a written notice designating the amount of any
capital gain distributions or other distributions. See “Distributions” for a
more complete description of such returns and the risks associated with
them.
Under
current law, certain income distributions paid by the Fund to individual
taxpayers are taxed at rates equal to those applicable to net long-term capital
gains (15%, or 5% for individuals in the 10% or 15% tax brackets). This tax
treatment applies only if certain holding period and other requirements are
satisfied by the shareholder of the Fund with respect to its shares of the
Fund,
and the dividends are attributable to qualified dividends received by the Fund
itself. For this purpose, “qualified dividends” means dividends received by the
Fund from certain United States corporations and qualifying foreign corporations
(as described below), provided that the Fund satisfies certain holding period
and other requirements in respect of the stock of such corporations. In the
case
of securities lending transactions, payments in lieu of dividends are not
qualified dividends. Dividends received by the Fund from REITs are qualified
dividends eligible for this lower tax rate only in limited circumstances. These
special rules relating to the taxation of ordinary income dividends from
regulated investment companies generally apply to taxable years beginning before
January 1, 2009. Thereafter, the Fund's dividends, other than capital gain
dividends, will be fully taxable at ordinary income tax rates unless further
Congressional legislative action is taken. Congress is presently considering
proposed legislation which, if enacted into law, would extend these special
rules for several year. No assurance is given as to whether this proposed
legislation will become law.
A
dividend paid by the Fund to a shareholder will not be treated as qualified
dividend income of the shareholder if (1) the dividend is received with respect
to any share 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, (2) 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 or (3) if the recipient elects to have the dividend treated as
investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment
interest.
Subject
to certain exceptions, a “qualified foreign corporation” is any foreign
corporation that is either (i) incorporated in a possession of the United States
(the “possessions test”), or (ii) eligible for benefits of a comprehensive
income tax treaty with the United States, which the Secretary of the Treasury
determines is satisfactory for these purposes and which includes an exchange
of
information program (the “treaty test”). The Secretary of the Treasury has
identified tax treaties between the United States and 52 other countries that
satisfy the treaty test.
Subject
to the same exceptions, a foreign corporation that does not satisfy either
the
possessions test or the treaty test will still be considered a “qualified
foreign corporation” with respect to any dividend paid by such corporation if
the stock with respect to which such dividend is paid is readily tradable on
an
established securities market in the United States. The Treasury Department
has
issued a notice stating that common or ordinary stock, or an American depositary
receipt in respect of such stock, is considered readily tradable on an
established securities market in the United States if it is listed on a national
securities exchange that is registered under section 6 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 or on the NASDAQ Stock Market.
A
qualified foreign corporation does not include any foreign corporation which
for
the taxable year of the corporation in which the dividend is paid, or the
preceding taxable year, is a foreign personal holding company, a foreign
investment company or a passive foreign investment company.
Dividends
and interest received, and gains realized, by the Fund on foreign securities
may
be subject to income, withholding or other taxes imposed by foreign countries
and U.S. possessions (collectively “foreign taxes”) that would reduce the return
on its securities. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United
States, however, may reduce or eliminate foreign taxes, and many foreign
countries do not impose taxes on capital gains in respect of investments by
foreign investors. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at
the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations,
it
will be eligible to, and may, file an election with the Internal Revenue Service
that will enable its shareholders, in effect, to receive the benefit of the
foreign tax credit with respect to any foreign taxes paid by it. Pursuant to
the
election, the Fund would treat those taxes as dividends paid to its shareholders
and each shareholder (1) would be required to include in gross income, and
treat
as paid by such shareholder, a proportionate share of those taxes, (2) would
be
required to treat such share of those taxes and of any dividend paid by the
fund
that represents income from foreign or U.S. possessions sources as such
shareholder’s own income from those sources, and (3) could either deduct the
foreign taxes deemed paid in computing taxable income or, alternatively use
the
foregoing information in calculating the foreign tax credit against federal
income tax. The Fund will report to its shareholders shortly after each taxable
year their respective shares of foreign taxes paid and the income from sources
within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries and U.S. possessions if it makes
this election.
The
Fund
will inform its shareholders of the source and tax status of all distributions
promptly after the close of each calendar year.
Selling
shareholders of the Fund will generally recognize gain or loss in an amount
equal to the difference between the shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the
shares sold and the amount received. If the shares are held as a capital asset,
the gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss. Under current law, the maximum
tax rate applicable to net capital gains recognized by individuals and other
non-corporate taxpayers is (i) the same as the maximum ordinary income tax
rate
for gains recognized on the sale of capital assets held for one year or less
or
(ii) 15% for gains recognized on the sale of capital assets held for more than
one year (as well as certain capital gain dividends) (5% for individuals in
the
10% or 15% tax brackets). Any loss on a disposition of shares held for six
months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of
any
capital gain dividends received with respect to those shares. For purposes
of
determining whether shares have been held for six months or less, 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 or short
sales. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares will be disallowed
to
the extent those shares are replaced by other substantially identical shares
within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after
the
date of disposition of the shares (whether through the reinvestment of
distributions, which could occur, for example, if the shareholder is a
participant in the Plan or otherwise). In that event, the basis of the
replacement shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
An
investor should be aware that, if shares are purchased shortly before the record
date for any taxable dividend (including a capital gain dividend), the purchase
price likely will reflect the value of the dividend and the investor then would
receive a taxable distribution likely to reduce the trading value of such
shares, in effect resulting in a taxable return of some of the purchase price.
Taxable distributions to individuals and certain other non-corporate
shareholders of the Fund, including those who have not provided their correct
taxpayer identification number and other required certifications, may be subject
to “backup” federal income tax withholding at the fourth lowest rate of tax
applicable to a single individual (in 2006, 28%).
An
investor should also be aware that the benefits of the reduced tax rate
applicable to long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income may be
impacted by the application of the alternative minimum tax to individual
shareholders.
The
Fund's investments in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward
contracts (to the extent permitted) and certain other transactions will be
subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale,
straddle, wash sale, short sale and other rules), the effect of which may be
to
accelerate income to the Fund, defer Fund losses, cause adjustments in the
holding periods of securities held by the Fund, convert capital gain into
ordinary income and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital
losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character
of
distributions to shareholders. The Fund may be required to limit its activities
in options and futures contracts in order to enable it to maintain its regulated
investment company status.
The
Fund's transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency denominated debt
obligations and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward
contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss
to
the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the
foreign currency concerned.
The
foregoing briefly summarizes some of the important federal income tax
consequences to shareholders of investing in the Fund’s shares, reflects the
federal tax law as of the date of this prospectus, and does not address special
tax rules applicable to certain types of investors, such as corporate and
foreign investors. Investors should consult their tax advisers regarding other
federal, state or local tax considerations that may be applicable in their
particular circumstances, as well as any proposed tax law changes.
DESCRIPTION
OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE
The
Fund
is an unincorporated statutory trust established under the laws of the State
of
Delaware upon the filing with the Secretary of State of Delaware, on May 11,
2006, of a Certificate of Trust. The Fund’s Declaration of Trust provides that
the Trustees of the Fund may authorize separate classes of shares of beneficial
interest. The Trustees have authorized an unlimited number of common shares.
The
Fund intends to hold annual meetings of its shareholders in compliance with
the
requirements of the New York Stock Exchange.
Common
Shares
The
Declaration of Trust, which has been filed with the SEC, permits the Fund to
issue an unlimited number of full and fractional common shares of beneficial
interest, no par value. Each share of the Fund represents an equal proportionate
interest in the assets of the Fund with each other share in the Fund. Holders
of
common shares will be entitled to the payment of dividends when, as and if
declared by the Board of Trustees. The 1940 Act or the terms of any borrowings
may limit the payment of dividends to the holders of common shares. Each whole
share shall be entitled to one vote as to matters on which it is entitled to
vote pursuant to the terms of the Declaration of Trust. Upon liquidation of
the
Fund, after paying or adequately providing for the payment of all liabilities
of
the Fund, and upon receipt of such releases, indemnities and refunding
agreements as they deem necessary for their protection, the Trustees may
distribute the remaining assets of the Fund among its shareholders. The shares
are not liable to further calls or to assessment by the Fund. There are no
pre-emptive rights associated with the shares. The Declaration of Trust provides
that the Fund’s shareholders are not liable for any liabilities of the Fund.
Although shareholders of an unincorporated statutory trust established under
Delaware law, in certain limited circumstances, may be held personally liable
for the obligations of the Fund as though they were general partners, the
provisions of the Declaration of Trust described in the foregoing sentence
make
the likelihood of such personal liability remote.
The
Fund
has no present intention of offering additional common shares, except as
described herein. Other offerings of its common shares, if made, will require
approval of the Board of Trustees. Any additional offering will not be sold
at a
price per share below the then current net asset value (exclusive of
underwriting discounts and commissions) except in connection with an offering
to
existing shareholders of the Fund or with the consent of a majority of the
Fund's outstanding common shares.
The
Fund
generally will not issue share certificates. However, the Trustees may authorize
the issuance share certificates and conditions as to their use.
Credit
Facility
In
the
event the Fund borrows, the Fund may enter into definitive agreements with
respect to a credit facility. The Fund may negotiate with commercial banks
to
arrange a credit facility pursuant to which the Fund would expect to be entitled
to borrow an amount not to exceed 10% of the Fund's total assets (inclusive
of
the amount borrowed) as of the closing of the offer and sale of the common
shares offered hereby. Such a facility is not expected to be convertible into
any other securities of the Fund, outstanding amounts are expected to be
prepayable by the Fund prior to final maturity without significant penalty
and
there are not expected to be any sinking fund or mandatory retirement
provisions. Outstanding amounts would be payable at maturity or such earlier
times as required by the agreement. The Fund may be required to prepay
outstanding amounts under the facility or incur a penalty rate of interest
in
the event of the occurrence of certain events of default. The Fund would be
expected to indemnify the lenders under the facility against liabilities they
may incur in connection with the facility. The Fund may be required to pay
commitment fees under the terms of any such facility.
In
addition, the Fund expects that such a credit facility would contain covenants
that, among other things, likely will limit the Fund's ability to pay dividends
in certain circumstances, incur additional debt, change its fundamental
investment policies and engage in certain transactions, including mergers and
consolidations, and may require asset coverage ratios in addition to those
required by the 1940 Act. The Fund may be required to pledge its assets and
to
maintain a portion of its assets in cash or high-grade securities as a reserve
against interest or principal payments and expenses. The Fund expects that
any
credit facility would have customary covenant, negative covenant and default
provisions. There can be no assurance that the Fund will enter into an agreement
for a credit facility on terms and conditions representative of the foregoing,
or that additional material terms will not apply. In addition, if entered into,
any such credit facility may in the future be replaced or refinanced by one
or
more credit facilities having substantially different terms.
Repurchase
of Shares And Other Discount Measures
Because
shares of closed-end management investment companies frequently trade at a
discount to their net asset values, the Board of Trustees has determined that
from time to time it may be in the interest of the Fund’s shareholders for the
Fund to take corrective actions. The Board of Trustees, in consultation with
the
Adviser, will review at least annually the possibility of open market
repurchases and/or tender offers for the common shares and will consider such
factors as the market price of the common shares, the net asset value of the
common shares, the liquidity of the assets of the Fund, effect on the Fund's
expenses, whether such transactions would impair the Fund's status as a
regulated investment company or result in a failure to comply with applicable
asset coverage requirements, general economic conditions and such other events
or conditions, which may have a material effect on the Fund's ability to
consummate such transactions. There are no assurances that the Board of Trustees
will, in fact, decide to undertake either of these actions or, if undertaken,
that such actions will result in the Fund's common shares trading at a price
which is equal to or approximates their net asset value. In recognition of
the
possibility that the common shares might trade at a discount to net asset value
and that any such discount may not be in the interest of the Fund’s
shareholders, the Board of Trustees, in consultation with the Adviser, from
time
to time may review possible actions to reduce any such discount.
ANTI-TAKEOVER
PROVISIONS IN THE DECLARATION OF TRUST
The
Declaration of Trust includes provisions that could have the effect of limiting
the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or
to
change the composition of the Board of Trustees, and could have the effect
of
depriving the Fund’s shareholders of an opportunity to sell their common shares
at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from
seeking to obtain control of the Fund. These provisions may have the effect
of
discouraging attempts to acquire control of the Fund, which attempts could
have
the effect of increasing the expenses of the Fund and interfering with the
normal operation of the Fund. The Board of Trustees is divided into three
classes, with the term of one class expiring at each annual meeting of the
Fund’s shareholders. At each annual meeting, one class of Trustees is elected to
a three-year term. This provision could delay for up to two years the
replacement of a majority of the Board of Trustees. A Trustee may be removed
from office without cause only by a written instrument signed or adopted by
two-thirds of the remaining Trustees or by a vote of the holders of at least
two-thirds of the class of shares of the Fund that elected such Trustee and
are
entitled to vote on the matter.
The
Declaration of Trust provides that the Fund may not merge with another entity,
or sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of its assets without the
approval of at least two-thirds of the Trustees and 75% of the affected
shareholders.
In
addition, the Declaration of Trust requires the favorable vote of the holders
of
at least 80% of the outstanding shares of each class of the Fund, voting as
a
class, then entitled to vote to approve, adopt or authorize certain transactions
with 5%-or-greater holders of the Fund's outstanding shares and their affiliates
or associates, unless two-thirds of the Board of Trustees have approved by
resolution a memorandum of understanding with such holders, in which case normal
voting requirements would be in effect. For purposes of these provisions, a
5%-or-greater holder of outstanding shares (a “Principal Shareholder”) refers to
any person who, whether directly or indirectly and whether alone or together
with its affiliates and associates, beneficially owns 5% or more of the
outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Fund. The transactions subject
to these special approval requirements are: (i) the merger or consolidation
of
the Fund or any subsidiary of the Fund with or into any Principal Shareholder;
(ii) the issuance of any securities of the Fund to any Principal Shareholder
for
cash (other than pursuant to any automatic dividend reinvestment plan or
pursuant to any offering in which such Principal Shareholder acquires securities
that represent no greater a percentage of any class or series of securities
being offered than the percentage of any class of shares beneficially owned
by
such Principal Shareholder immediately prior to such offering or, in the case
of
securities, offered in respect of another class or series, the percentage of
such other class or series beneficially owned by such Principal Shareholder
immediately prior to such offering); (iii) the sale, lease or exchange of all
or
any substantial part of the assets of the Fund to any Principal Shareholder
(except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than $1,000,000,
aggregating for the purpose of such computation all assets sold, leased or
exchanged in any series of similar transactions within a twelve-month period);
(iv) the sale, lease or exchange to the Fund or any subsidiary thereof, in
exchange for securities of the Fund, of any assets of any Principal Shareholder
(except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than $1,000,000,
aggregating for the purposes of such computation all assets sold, leased or
exchanged in any series of similar transactions within a twelve-month period);
or (v) the purchase by the Fund, or any entity controlled by the Fund, of any
common shares from any Principal Shareholder or any person to whom any Principal
Shareholder transferred common shares.
The
Board
of Trustees has determined that provisions with respect to the Board of Trustees
and the 80% voting requirements described above, which voting requirements
are
greater than the minimum requirements under Delaware law or the 1940 Act, are
in
the best interest of the Fund’s shareholders generally. Reference should be made
to the Declaration of Trust on file with the SEC for the full text of these
provisions.
CONVERSION
TO OPEN-END FUND
The
Fund
may be converted to an open-end management investment company at any time if
approved by each of the following: (i) a majority of the Trustees then in
office, (ii) the holders of not less than 75% of the Fund's outstanding shares
entitled to vote thereon and (iii) by such vote or votes of the holders of
any
class or classes or series of shares as may be required by the 1940 Act. The
composition of the Fund's portfolio likely would prohibit the Fund from
complying with regulations of the SEC applicable to open-end management
investment companies. Accordingly, conversion likely would require significant
changes in the Fund's investment policies and liquidation of a substantial
portion of the relatively illiquid portion of its portfolio. In the event of
conversion, the common shares would cease to be listed on the New York Stock
Exchange or other national securities exchange or market system. The Board
of
Trustees believes, however, that the closed-end structure is desirable, given
the Fund's investment objective and policies. Investors should assume,
therefore, that it is unlikely that the Board of Trustees would vote to convert
the Fund to an open-end management investment company. Shareholders of an
open-end management investment company may require the company to redeem their
shares at any time (except in certain circumstances as authorized by or under
the 1940 Act) at their net asset value, less such redemption charge, if any,
as
might be in effect at the time of a redemption. The Fund would expect to pay
all
such redemption requests in cash, but intends to reserve the right to pay
redemption requests in a combination of cash or securities. If such partial
payment in securities were made, investors may incur brokerage costs in
converting such securities to cash. If the Fund were converted to an open-end
fund, it is likely that new common shares would be sold at net asset value
plus
a sales load.
UNDERWRITING
Subject
to the terms and conditions stated in a purchase agreement dated _________,
2006, each underwriter named below, for which __________ is acting as
representative, has severally agreed to purchase, and the Fund has agreed to
sell to such underwriter, the number of common shares set forth opposite the
name of such underwriter.
Underwriter
|
|
Number
of Common Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total:
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
purchase agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase
the shares included in this offering are subject to the approval of certain
legal matters by counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriters
are
obligated to purchase all the common shares sold under the purchase agreement
if
any of the common shares are purchased. In the purchase agreement, the Fund
and
the Adviser have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act, or to
contribute payments the underwriters may be required to make for any of those
liabilities.
Commissions
and Discounts
The
underwriters propose to initially offer some of the common shares directly
to
the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this
prospectus and some of the common shares to certain dealers at the public
offering price less a concession not in excess of $___ per share. The sales
load
the Fund will pay of $___ per share is equal to ___% of the initial offering
price. The underwriters may allow, and the dealers may reallow, a discount
not
in excess of $___ per share on sales to other dealers. After the initial public
offering, the public offering price, concession and discount may be changed.
Investors must pay for any common shares purchased on or before ______,
2006.
The
following table shows the public offering price, estimated organizational and
offering expenses, sales load and proceeds to the Fund. The information assumes
either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their overallotment
option.
|
|
Per
Share
|
|
Without
Option
|
|
With
Option
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Public
offering price
|
|
$ |
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Sales
Load
|
|
$ |
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Estimated
offering expenses
|
|
$ |
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Proceeds,
after expenses, to the Fund
|
|
$ |
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
Fund
will pay the expenses of the offering, which are estimated to total $_______.
The Fund has agreed to pay the underwriters $____ per common share as
reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with the offering. The amount
paid by the Fund as this reimbursement to the underwriters will not exceed
_____% of the total price to the public of the common shares sold in this
offering. The Fund has also agreed to pay certain fees to counsel to the
underwriters in an amount up to $_____, which will not exceed ____% of the
total
price to the public of the common shares sold in this offering. The Adviser
has
agreed to pay all of the Fund's organizational expenses.
Overallotment
Option
The
Fund
has granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to ________ additional
common shares at the public offering price, less the sales load, within 45
days
from the date of this prospectus solely to cover any overallotments. If the
underwriters exercise this option, each will be obligated, subject to conditions
contained in the purchase agreement, to purchase a number of additional shares
proportionate to that underwriter's initial amount reflected in the above table.
Price
Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids
Until
the
distribution of the common shares is complete, SEC rules may limit underwriters
and selling group members from bidding for and purchasing the Fund's common
shares. However, the representative may engage in transactions that stabilize
the price of the common shares, such as bids or purchases to peg, fix or
maintain that price.
If
the
underwriters create a short position in the common shares in connection with
the
offering (i.e., if they sell more common shares than are listed on the cover
of
this prospectus), the representative may reduce that short position by
purchasing common shares in the open market. The representative may also elect
to reduce any short position by exercising all or part of the overallotment
option described above. The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid, whereby
selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers in
respect of the common shares sold in this offering for their account may be
reclaimed by the syndicate if such common shares are repurchased by the
syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. Purchases of the common
shares to stabilize the price or to reduce a short position may cause the price
of the common shares to be higher than it might be in the absence of such
purchases.
Neither
the Fund nor any of the underwriters makes any representation or prediction
as
to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described
above may have on the price of the common shares. In addition, neither the
Fund
nor any of the underwriters makes any representation that the representative
will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced,
will not be discontinued without notice.
The
Fund
has agreed not to offer or sell any additional common shares for a period of
180
days after the date of the purchase agreement without the prior written consent
of the underwriters, except for the sale of the common shares to the
underwriters pursuant to the purchase agreement and certain transactions
relating to the Fund's Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
The
common shares will be sold in a manner intended to ensure that New York Stock
Exchange distribution standards (i.e., round lots, public shares and aggregate
market value) will be met.
Other
Relationships and Additional Underwriting Compensation
[to
be
provided, if applicable]
LEGAL
MATTERS
Certain
legal matters in connection with the common shares will be passed upon for
the
Fund by Blank Rome LLP, New York, New York, and for the underwriters by
________.
REPORTS
TO SHAREHOLDERS
The
Fund
will send to its shareholders unaudited semi-annual and audited annual reports,
including a list of investments held.
INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Deloitte
& Touche LLP
is the
independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund and will audit the
Fund's financial statements.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
The
prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information do not contain all of
the
information set forth in the Registration Statement that the Fund has filed
with
the SEC (file No. 333-________). The complete Registration Statement may be
obtained from the SEC at www.sec.gov.
See the
cover page of this prospectus for information about how to obtain a paper copy
of the Registration Statement or Statement of Additional Information without
charge.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS OF
THE
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
|
Page
|
Additional
Investment Information and Restrictions
|
B-1
|
Portfolio
Turnover
|
B-3
|
Management
|
B-3
|
Codes
of Ethics
|
B-7
|
Proxy
Voting Procedures
|
B-8
|
Investment
Advisory and Other Services
|
B-9
|
Portfolio
Managers
|
B-10
|
Allocation
of Brokerage
|
B-11
|
Taxes
|
B-12
|
Other
Information
|
B-17
|
Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
B-18
|
|
|
THE
FUND'S PRIVACY POLICY
The
Fund
collects non-public information about you from the following
sources:
· |
Information
we receive about you on applications or other
forms;
|
· |
Information
you give us orally; and
|
· |
Information
about your transactions with others or
us.
|
The
Fund
does not disclose any non-public personal information about our customers or
former customers without the customer’s authorization, except as required by law
or in response to inquiries from governmental authorities. The Fund restricts
access to your personal and account information to those employees who need
to
know that information to provide products and services to you. The Fund also
may
disclose that information to unaffiliated third parties (such as to brokers
or
custodians) only as permitted by law and only as needed for us to provide agreed
services to you. The Fund maintains physical, electronic and procedural
safeguards to guard your non-public personal information.
Until
____________ ___, 2006 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers
that buy, sell or trade the common shares, whether or not participating in
this
offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to
the
dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and
with respect to unsold allotments or subscriptions.
_____________
Shares
ALPINE
GLOBAL DYNAMIC DIVIDEND FUND
Common
Shares of Beneficial Interest
$______
per Share
____________
PROSPECTUS
_____________
______
___, 2006
The
information in this Statement of Additional Information is not complete and
may
be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Statement
of Additional Information is not an offer to sell these securities and is
not
soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer
or sale
is not permitted.
STATEMENT
OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
______
___, 2006
Alpine
Global Dynamic Dividend Fund
This
Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a prospectus. This SAI
should
be read in conjunction with the prospectus of Alpine Global Dynamic Dividend
Fund (the "Fund"), dated ______ ____, 2006, as it may be amended or supplemented
from time to time.
A
copy of the prospectus may be obtained without charge by contacting your
financial intermediary or calling the Fund at (XXX) XXX-XXXX (toll−free). The
registration statement of which the prospectus is a part can be reviewed
and
copied at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street NE, Washington,
D.C. You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for information on the operation
of
the Public Reference Room. The Fund’s filings with the SEC are also available to
the public on the SEC’s Internet website at www.sec.gov
and at the Fund’s website www.alpinefunds.com. Copies of these filings may be
obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following
E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference
Section, 100 F St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
|
|
ADDITIONAL
INVESTMENT INFORMATION AND RESTRICTIONS
|
B-1
|
PORTFOLIO
TURNOVER
|
B-3
|
MANAGEMENT
|
B-3
|
CODES
OF ETHICS
|
B-7
|
PROXY
VOTING PROCEDURES
|
B-8
|
B-INVESTMENT
ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
|
B-9
|
PORTFOLIO
MANAGERS
|
B-10
|
ALLOCATION
OF BROKERAGE
|
B-11
|
TAXES
|
B-12
|
OTHER
INFORMATION
|
B-17
|
INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
|
B-18
|
|
|
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This
SAI
contains or incorporates by reference forward-looking statements, within
the
meaning of the federal securities laws, that involve risks and uncertainties.
These statements describe our plans, strategies and goals and our beliefs
and
assumptions concerning future economic or other conditions and the outlook
for
the Fund, based on currently available information. In this SAI, words such
as
“anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “objectives,” “goals,” “future,”
“intends,” “seeks,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” and similar expressions
are used in an effort to identify forward-looking statements, although some
forward-looking statements may be expressed differently.
The
Fund’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the
forward-looking statements because of various risks and uncertainties, including
the factors set forth in the section headed “Risk Factors” in the Fund’s
prospectus and elsewhere in the prospectus and this SAI. You should consider
carefully the discussions of risks and uncertainties in the "Risk Factors"
section in the prospectus. The forward-looking statements contained in this
SAI
are based on information available to the Fund on the date of this SAI, and
the
Fund assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements,
except
as required by law.
ADDITIONAL
INVESTMENT INFORMATION AND RESTRICTIONS
The
Fund’s investment objective, the types of investments that it intends to make
and the investment strategies that it intends to use to achieve its objective
are described in the prospectus. The following is a description of other
types
of investments in which the Fund may invest, and accompanying risks, as well
as
some additional investment restrictions. Under normal circumstances, it is
expected that the Fund will not invest more than 20% of its assets in these
types of securities. The Adviser may, but is not required to, buy any of
the
following instruments.
Fixed
Income Securities
The
Fund
may invest in bonds and other types of debt obligations of U.S. and foreign
issuers. These securities, whether of U.S. or foreign issuers, may pay fixed,
variable or floating rates of interest, and may include zero coupon obligations,
which do not pay interest until maturity. Fixed income securities may include:
bonds, notes and debentures issued by corporations; debt securities issued
or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities;
municipal securities; or debt securities issued or guaranteed by foreign
corporations and foreign governments, their agencies, instrumentalities or
political subdivisions, or by government owned, controlled or sponsored
entities, including central banks.
Subject
to limitations, the Fund may invest in both investment grade and non-investment
grade debt securities. Investment grade debt securities have received a rating
from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) in
one of the four highest rating categories or, if not rated, have been determined
to be of comparable quality to such rated securities by the Adviser.
Non-investment grade debt securities (typically called “junk bonds”) have
received a rating from S&P or Moody’s of below investment grade, or have
been given no rating and are determined by the Adviser to be of a quality
below
investment grade. The Fund may invest up to 5% of the value of its total
assets
in debt securities that are rated below A by Moody’s or by S&P. The Fund may
not invest in debt securities rated below Ccc by S&P or Caa by Moody’s (or
unrated debt securities determined to be of comparable quality by the Adviser).
There are no limitations on the maturity of debt securities that may be
purchased by the Fund.
Sovereign
Debt Obligations
The
Fund
may purchase sovereign debt instruments issued or guaranteed by foreign
governments or their agencies, including debt of emerging markets. Sovereign
debt may be in the form of conventional securities or other types of debt
instruments such as loans or loan participations. Sovereign debt of developing
countries may involve a high degree of risk, and may present the risk of
default. Governmental entities responsible for repayment of the debt may
be
unable or unwilling to repay principal and interest when due, and may require
renegotiation or rescheduling of debt payments. In addition, prospects for
repayment of principal and interest may depend on political as well as economic
factors.
Investment
Restrictions
The
fundamental policies and investment restrictions of the Fund are set forth
in
the prospectus. The following policies of the Fund are non-fundamental and
may
be changed by the Trustees without the approval of the Fund’s
shareholders.
Investment
for Purposes of Control or Management
The
Fund
may not invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or
management.
Purchase
of Securities on Margin
The
Fund
may not purchase securities on margin, except that it may obtain such short-term
credits as may be necessary for the clearance of transactions. A deposit
or
payment by that Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with financial
futures contracts or related options transactions is not considered the purchase
of a security on margin.
Joint
Trading
The
Fund
may not participate on a joint or joint and several basis in any trading
account
in any securities. (The “bunching” of orders for the purchase or sale of
portfolio securities with the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”) or
accounts under its management to reduce brokerage commissions, to average
prices
among them or to facilitate such transactions is not considered a trading
account in securities for purposes of this restriction.)
Investing
in Securities of Other Investment Companies
The
Fund
may invest in securities of other investment companies that are exchange-traded
funds. The Fund will limit its investment in securities issued by other
investment companies so that not more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock
of
any one investment company will be owned by the Fund, or its affiliated persons,
as a whole in accordance with the 1940 Act and applicable Federal securities
laws. The Fund is permitted to invest up to 25% of its total assets in the
Alpine Municipal Money Market Fund pursuant to the terms of an exemption
granted
by the SEC.
Illiquid
Securities
The
Fund
may not invest more than 10% of its net assets in illiquid securities and
other
securities which are not readily marketable, excluding securities eligible
for
resale under Rule 144A of the 1933 Act which the Trustees have determined
to be
liquid.
Options
The
Fund
may write, purchase or sell put or call options on foreign currencies, as
discussed in the prospectus. The Fund may not write, purchase or sell put
or
call options on securities or stock indices.
Futures
Contracts
The
Fund
may not purchase financial futures contracts and related options except for
“bona fide hedging” purposes, but may enter into such contracts for non-hedging
purposes provided that aggregate initial margin deposits plus premiums paid
by
that Fund for open futures options positions, less the amount by which any
such
positions are “in-the-money,” may not exceed 5% of the Fund’s total
assets.
If
a
percentage limitation set forth in an investment policy or restriction of
the
Fund is adhered to at the time of investment or at the time the Fund engages
in
a transaction, a subsequent increase or decrease in percentage resulting
from a
change in value of an investment or position, or a change in the net assets
of
the Fund, will not result in a violation of such restriction, provided, however,
that the asset coverage requirement applicable to borrowings and the limitation
on investment in illiquid securities shall each be maintained in the manner
contemplated by applicable law.
For
purposes of its policies and limitations, the Fund considers certificates
of
deposit and demand and time deposits issued by a U.S. branch of a domestic
bank
or savings and loan association having capital, surplus, and undivided profits
in excess of $100,000,000 at the time of investment to be “cash
items.”
PORTFOLIO
TURNOVER
The
Fund’s portfolio will be actively managed. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is
expected to exceed 100%. Variations in turnover rate may be due to market
conditions or the dynamic nature of the Adviser’s investment strategy.
MANAGEMENT
The
Board
has the responsibility for the overall management of the Fund, including
general
supervision and review of the Fund’s investment activities and its conformity
with Delaware law and the policies of the Fund. The Board of Trustees elects
the
officers of the Fund, who are responsible for administering the Fund’s
day-to-day operations.
The
Trustees, including the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund,
as
that term is defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”), and executive
officers of the Fund, their ages and principal occupations during the past
five
years are set forth below. The address of each Trustee and Officer is 2500
Westchester Avenue, Suite 215, Purchase, New York, 10577.
Independent
Trustees*
|
|
|
|
|
Name
and Age
|
Position(s)
Held with the Fund
|
Principal
Occupation
During
Past Five Years
|
#
of Portfolios in Fund Complex**
|
Other
Directorships
Held
by Trustee
|
Laurence
B. Ashkin (77)
|
Independent
Trustee
|
Real
estate developer and construction consultant since 1980; Founder
and
President of Centrum Properties, Inc. since 1980.
|
9
|
Trustee,
each of the Alpine Trusts.*
|
H.
Guy Leibler (51)
|
Independent
Trustee
|
Chief
Operating Officer of L&L Acquisitions, LLC since 2003; President,
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (2001-2003); Chairman and President of
Pailatus, a news media company (1997-1999).
|
9
|
Chairman,
White Plains Hospital Center; Dressage for Kids;
Trustee,
each of the Alpine Trusts.
|
Jeffrey
E. Wacksman (42)
|
Independent
Trustee
|
Partner,
Loeb, Block & Partners LLP since 1994.
|
9
|
Adair
International Limited; Cable Beach Properties, Inc.; Bondi Icebergs
Inc.;
Trustee, Larchmont Manor Park Society; Trustee, each of the Alpine
Trusts.
|
*
|
The
Independent Trustees identified in this SAI are the members of
the Board
of Trustees for each of the Alpine Series Trust, Alpine Equity
Trust and
Alpine Income Trust (collectively, the “Alpine Trusts”), affiliates of the
Fund. It is expected that each will be elected to serve as a Trustee
of
the Fund at the organizational meeting of the
Fund.
|
Interested
Trustee
|
|
|
|
|
Name
and Age
|
Position(s)
Held with the Fund
|
Principal
Occupation During Past Five Years
|
#
of Portfolios in Fund Complex**
|
Other
Directorships Held by Trustee
|
Samuel
A. Lieber* (49)
|
Interested
Trustee, Portfolio Manager and President
|
CEO
of Alpine Woods Capital Investors, LLC since 1997.
|
9
|
Trustee,
each of the Alpine Trusts.
|
*
|
Samuel
A. Lieber has been a Trustee of the Fund since its inception. He
is the
son of Stephen A. Lieber.
|
**
|
Alpine
Woods Capital Investors, LLC manages eight other fund portfolios
within
the three Alpine Trusts. Each of the Alpine Trusts is registered
as an
open-end management investment company. The Trustees oversee each
of the
eight portfolios within the Alpine
Trusts.
|
In
addition to Mr. Samuel A. Lieber, the table below identifies the Fund’s
executive officers.
|
|
|
|
|
Name
and Age
|
Position(s)
Held with the Fund
|
Principal
Occupation During Past Five Years
|
#
of Portfolios in Fund Complex**
|
Other
Directorships Held by Trustee
|
Stephen
A. Lieber (80)*
|
Vice
President
|
Chairman
and Senior Portfolio Manager, Saxon Woods Advisors, LLC since 1999.
|
N/A
|
None
|
Sheldon
R. Flamm (57)
|
Treasurer/
Chief Compliance Officer
|
Chief
Financial Officer and Senior Managing Director, Alpine Woods Capital
Investors, LLC, since 2001; Chief Financial Officer, Saxon Woods
Advisors,
LLC since 1999.
|
N/A
|
None
|
Oliver
Sun (41)
|
Secretary
|
Controller
of Alpine Woods Capital Investors, LLC since 1998.
|
N/A
|
None
|
________________________
* Stephen
A. Lieber is the father of Samuel A. Lieber.
Board
Committees
The
Board
has three standing committees as described below:
|
|
|
Members
|
Description
of Functions
|
Meetings
|
|
Audit
Committee
|
H.
Guy Leibler
Jeffrey
E. Wacksman
Laurence
B. Ashkin
|
Responsible
for advising the full Board with respect to accounting, auditing,
ethics
and financial matters affecting the Fund.
|
The
audit committee will meet at least quarterly.
|
|
Valuation
Committee
|
H.
Guy Leibler
Jeffrey
E. Wacksman
Laurence
B. Ashkin
|
The
Valuation Committee is responsible for (1) monitoring the valuation
of Fund securities and other investments; and (2) as required, when
the Board of Trustees is not in session, determining the fair value
of
illiquid and other holdings after consideration of all relevant
factors,
which determinations are reported to the Board of
Trustees.
|
The
valuation committee will meet as necessary, and at least once a
year.
|
|
|
|
Nominating
& Corporate Governance Committee
|
H.
Guy Leibler
Jeffrey
E. Wacksman
Laurence
B. Ashkin
|
Responsible
for seeking and reviewing candidates for consideration as nominees
for
Trustees as is considered necessary from time to time. The Committee
will
not consider shareholder nominees. Also responsible for corporate
governance compliance, including NYSE and SEC rules.
|
The
nominating committee will meet as necessary, and at least once
a
year.
|
Trustee
Ownership of Fund Shares; Control Person
As
of the
date of this Statement of Additional Information, the Trustees and officers
of
the Fund as a group owned none of the outstanding shares of the Fund. [On
________, 2006, the Adviser purchased $________ in shares of the Fund at
an
initial subscription price of $___ per share and was the sole shareholder
as of
this date.]
Set
forth
below is the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each
Trustee of the equity securities in all registered investment companies overseen
by the Trustee in the family of investment companies as of December 31,
2005:
Amount
Invested Key
Name
|
Dollar
Range of Fund Shares Owned*
|
Aggregate
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Registered
Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment
Companies**
|
Jeffrey
E. Wacksman
|
None
|
D
|
Laurence
B. Ashkin
|
None
|
D
|
H.
Guy Leibler
|
None
|
None
|
Interested
Trustee
|
|
|
Samuel
A. Lieber
|
None
|
D
|
*
|
As
of the date of this SAI, the Trustees and officers of the Fund
owned none
of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
|
**
|
Includes
holdings of each series of Alpine Equity Trust (Alpine U.S. Real
Estate
Equity Fund, Alpine International Real Estate Equity Fund and Alpine
Realty Income & Growth Fund) and each series of Alpine Income Trust
(Alpine Municipal Money Market Fund and Alpine Tax Optimized Income
Fund)
and each series of Alpine Series Trust (Alpine Dynamic Dividend
Fund,
Alpine Dynamic Balance Fund and Alpine Dynamic Financial Services
Fund).
|
Other
than as set forth in the foregoing table, no Trustee who is not an interested
person of the Fund or immediate family member of any such Trustee has, during
the two most recently completed calendar years, had:
|
(i)
|
any
securities interest or any other direct or indirect interest in
the
Adviser or the principal underwriter of the Fund or its affiliates;
or
|
|
(ii)
|
any
material interest, direct or indirect in any transaction or series
of
similar transactions in which the amount involved exceeds $60,000;
or
|
|
(iii)
|
any
direct or indirect relationship, in which the amount involved exceeds
$60,000 including payments for property or services to or from,
provision
of legal services to, provision of investment banking services
to (other
than as a participating underwriting in a syndicate);
or
|
|
(iv)
|
any
consulting or other relationship that is substantially similar
in nature
and scope to the foregoing relationships,
with:
|
(A)
the
Fund; (B) an officer of the Fund; (C) an investment company, or person that
would be an investment company but for the exclusions provided by Sections
3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7) (15 U.S.C. 80a-3(c)(1) and (c)(7)), having the same
investment adviser or principal underwriter as the Fund or having an investment
adviser or principal underwriter that directly or indirectly controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with the Adviser or the principal
underwriter; (D) an officer of an investment company, or a person that would
be
an investment company but for the exclusions provided by sections 3(c)(1)
and
3(c)(7) (15 U.S.C. 80a-3(c)(1) and (c)(7)), having the same investment adviser
or principal underwriter as the Fund or having an investment adviser or
principal underwriter that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled
by, or
is under common control with the Adviser or the principal underwriter; (E)
the
Adviser or the principal underwriter; (F) an officer of the Adviser or the
principal underwriter; (G) a person directly or indirectly controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser or the principal
underwriter; or (H) an officer of a person directly or indirectly controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser or the principal
underwriter (excluding routine, retail relationships, including credit cards,
bank or brokerage accounts, residential mortgages, insurance policies,
etc.)
No
officer of the Adviser or the principal underwriter, or officers of persons
directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control
with
the Adviser or the principal underwriter has served during the two most recently
completed calendar years, on the board of directors of a company where a
Trustee
who is not an interested person of the Fund or immediate family member of
such
Trustee, was during the two most recently completed calendar years an
officer.
Compensation
The
Fund
will pay an annual fee to each Trustee who is not an officer or employee
of the
Adviser (or any affiliated company of the Adviser) in the amount of $______.
Travel expenses of Trustees who are not affiliated persons of the Adviser
(or
any affiliated company of the Adviser) which are incurred in connection with
attending meetings of the Board will be reimbursed.
Set
forth
below for each of the Trustees and the three highest paid officers of the
Fund
is the aggregate compensation (including expenses) estimated to be paid in
the
future to each such Trustee or officer by the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
Name
|
Aggregate
Compensation
from
Fund*
|
Pension
or Retirement Benefits Accrued
As
Part of
Fund
Expenses
|
Estimated
Annual
Benefits
Upon
Retirement
|
Total
Compensation
from
Fund and
Fund
Complex
Paid
to Trustees**
|
Laurence
B. Ashkin
|
$_____
|
$0
|
$0
|
$12,000
|
H.
Guy Leibler
|
$_____
|
$0
|
$0
|
$12,000
|
Jeffrey
E. Wacksman
|
$_____
|
$0
|
$0
|
$12,000
|
Samuel
A. Lieber
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
Stephen
A. Lieber
|
$_____
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
Sheldon
R. Flamm
|
$_____
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
Oliver
Sun
|
$_____
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
* The
amounts set forth in column 2 are the estimated future payments that each
Trustee is expected to receive for the fiscal year ending ________,
2006.
** The
amount set forth in column 5 includes actual amounts paid to each Trustee
by the
three Alpine Trusts for the period ended October 31, 2005.
CODES
OF ETHICS
The
Adviser and the Fund have adopted a joint Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule
17j-1
under the 1940 Act. [_________ (the “Underwriter”) has also adopted a Code of
Ethics.] Each Code of Ethics applies to the personal investing activities
of the
trustees, directors, officers and certain employees of the Fund, the Adviser
or
the Underwriter (“Access Persons”), as applicable. Rule 17j-1 and each Code of
Ethics is designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase
or sale of securities by Access Persons. Each Code of Ethics permits Access
Persons to trade securities for their own accounts, including securities
that
may be purchased or held by the Fund, and generally requires them to report
their personal securities. Each Code of Ethics will be included as an exhibit
to
the Fund’s registration statement, which will be on file with the SEC, and
available as described on the cover page of this SAI.
PROXY
VOTING PROCEDURES
The
Adviser is in a good position to monitor the corporate actions and analyze
proxy
proposals of issuers of securities in the Fund’s portfolio and to make voting
decisions and ensure that proxies are submitted promptly. Therefore, the
Fund
delegates its authority to vote proxies to the Adviser, subject to the
supervision of the Board. The Funds’ proxy voting policies are summarized
below.
Policies
of the Adviser
It
is the
Adviser’s policy to vote all proxies received by the Fund in a timely manner.
Upon receiving each proxy, the Adviser will review the issues presented and
make
a decision to vote for, against or abstain on each of the issues presented
in
accordance with the proxy voting guidelines that it has adopted. The Adviser
will consider information from a variety of sources in evaluating the issues
presented in a proxy. The Adviser generally supports policies, plans and
structures that it believes give quality management teams appropriate latitude
to run the business in a way that is likely to maximize value for owners.
Conversely, the Adviser generally opposes proposals that clearly have the
effect
of restricting the ability of shareholders to realize the full potential
value
of their investment.
Conflicts
of Interest
The
Adviser’s duty is to vote in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders.
Therefore, in situations where there is a conflict of interest between the
Adviser’s interests and the Fund’s interests, the Adviser will take one of the
following steps to resolve the conflict:
|
1.
|
If
a proposal is addressed by the guidelines, the Adviser will vote
in
accordance with those guidelines;
|
|
2.
|
If
the Adviser believes it is in the Fund’s best interest to depart from the
guidelines provided, the Adviser will disclose the conflict to
the
relevant clients and obtain their consent to the proposed vote
prior to
voting the securities;
|
|
3.
|
A
client may direct the Adviser in writing to forward all proxy matters
in
which the Adviser has a conflict of interest regarding the securities
to
an identified independent third party for review and recommendation.
The
Adviser will vote in accordance with the third party’s recommendations as
long as they are received on a timely basis. If the third party’s
recommendations are not received in a timely manner, the Adviser
will
abstain from voting the securities.
|
More
Information
The
actual voting records relating to the Fund’s portfolio securities during the
most recent 12-month period ended June 30 will be available without charge,
upon request, by calling toll-free [1-877-XXX-XXXX] or in the Fund’s reports to
be filed with the SEC and available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and
on
the Fund’s website, www.alpinefunds.com.
In
addition, a copy of the Funds’ proxy voting policies and procedures is available
by calling [1-877-XXX-XXXX] and will be sent within three business days of
receipt of a request.
INVESTMENT
ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
The
management of the Fund is supervised by the Trustees. Alpine Woods Capital
Investors, LLC (formerly, Alpine Management & Research, LLC) provides
investment advisory services to the Fund pursuant to investment advisory
agreement entered into with the Fund (an “Advisory Agreement”).
The
Adviser, located at 2500 Westchester Avenue, Purchase, New York, 10577, is
a
Delaware limited liability company. It was formed for the purpose of providing
investment advisory and management services to investment companies (including
the Fund) and other advisory clients. The sole member and controlling person
of
the Adviser is Mr. Samuel A. Lieber. Mr. Lieber was previously associated
with
Evergreen Asset Management Corp., the former investment adviser of Alpine
U.S.
Real Estate Equity Fund and Alpine International Real Estate Equity Fund,
and
was primarily responsible for investment advisory services provided to those
funds.
Under
the
Advisory Agreement, the Adviser has agreed to furnish reports, statistical
and
research services and recommendations with respect to the Fund’s portfolio of
investments. In addition, the Adviser provides office facilities to the Fund
and
performs a variety of administrative services. The Fund bears all of its
other
expenses and liabilities, including expenses incurred in connection with
maintaining its registration under the 1933 Act, and the 1940 Act, printing
prospectuses (for existing shareholders) as they are updated, state
qualifications, mailings, brokerage, custodian and stock transfer charges,
printing, legal and auditing expenses, expenses of shareholders’ meetings and
reports to shareholders. The Adviser pays the costs of printing and distributing
Prospectuses used for prospective shareholders.
The
annual percentage rate and method used in computing the investment advisory
fee
of the Fund is described in the Prospectus.
The
Advisory Agreement is terminable, without the payment of any penalty, on
sixty
days’ written notice, by a vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s
outstanding shares, by a vote of a majority of the Trustees or by the Adviser.
The Advisory Agreement provides that it will automatically terminate in the
event of its assignment. The Advisory Agreement provides in substance that
the
Adviser shall not be liable for any action or failure to act in accordance
with
its duties thereunder in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or
gross
negligence on the part of the Adviser or of reckless disregard of its
obligations thereunder.
The
Advisory Agreement was approved by the Trustees, including a majority of
the
Independent Trustees, and its initial shareholder on ____________, 2006.
The
Advisory Agreement has an initial term of two years. The Advisory Agreement
may
be continued in effect from year to year after its initial term, provided
that
its continuance is approved annually by the Trustees or by a majority of
the
outstanding voting shares of the Fund, and in each case is also approved
by a
majority of the Independent Trustees by vote cast in person at a meeting
duly
called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
Conflicts
of Interest
Conflicts
of interest may arise because the Fund’s portfolio managers have day-to-day
management responsibilities with respect to both the Fund and various other
accounts. These potential conflicts include:
Limited
Resources.
The
portfolio managers cannot devote their full time and attention to the management
of each of the accounts that they manage. Accordingly, the portfolio managers
may be limited in their ability to identify investment opportunities for
each of
the accounts that are as attractive as might be the case if the portfolio
managers were to devote substantially more attention to the management of
a
single account. The effects of this potential conflict may be more pronounced
where the accounts have different investment strategies.
Limited
Investment Opportunities.
Other
clients of the Adviser may have investment objectives and policies similar
to
those of the Fund. The Adviser may, from time to time, make recommendations
which result in the purchase or sale of a particular security by its other
clients simultaneously with the Fund. If transactions on behalf of more than
one
client during the same period increase the demand for securities being purchased
or the supply of securities being sold, there may be an adverse effect on
price
or quantity. It is the policy of the Adviser to allocate advisory
recommendations and the placing of orders in a manner that it believes is
equitable to the accounts involved, including the Fund. When two or more
clients
of the Adviser are purchasing or selling the same security on a given day
from
the same broker-dealer, such transactions may be averaged as to price. See
“Portfolio Managers” below.
When
approving the Investment Advisory Agreement on __________, 2006, the Trustees,
including the Independent Trustees, considered a number of factors, including:
[TO COME].
The
Fund
has adopted procedures under Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act to permit purchase
and
sales transactions to be effected between the Fund and other accounts that
are
managed by the Adviser. The Fund may from time to time engage in such
transactions in accordance with these procedures.
Information
regarding the Fund’s custodian and independent public accounting firm is
described in the prospectus.
PORTFOLIO
MANAGERS
Mr.
Stephen A. Lieber and Mr. Samuel A. Lieber are the co-Chief Executive Officers
of the Adviser and generally consult each portfolio manager with respect
to
investment decisions for the Fund. The following tables show the number of
other
accounts managed by Messrs. Lieber and the total assets in the accounts managed
within various categories as of April 30, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advisory
Fee
Based
on Performance
|
|
Type
of Accounts
|
|
Number
of
Accounts
|
|
Total Assets
($
in millions)
|
|
Number
of
Accounts
|
|
Total
Assets
|
|
Stephen
A. Lieber
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered
Investment Companies
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
103.3
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
Other
Pooled Investments
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
188.5
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
188.5
|
|
Other
Accounts
|
|
|
321
|
|
|
607.6
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Samuel
A. Lieber
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered
Investment Companies
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
1,148.8
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
Other
Pooled Investments
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
188.5
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
188.5
|
|
Other
Accounts
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
22.2
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
Ms.
Jill
K. Evans and Mr. Kevin Shacknofsky are the portfolio managers responsible
for
the day-to-day management of the Fund. The following tables show the number
of
other accounts managed by Ms. Evans and Mr. Shacknofsky and the total assets
in
the accounts managed within various categories, as of April 30, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advisory
Fee
Based
on Performance
|
|
Type
of Accounts
|
|
Number
of
Accounts
|
|
Total Assets
(in
millions)
|
|
Number
of
Accounts
|
|
Total
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jill
K. Evans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered
Investment Companies
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$449.7
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
Other
Pooled Investments
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
Other
Accounts
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$9.5
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kevin
Shacknofsky
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered
Investment Companies
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$449.7
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
Other
Pooled Investments
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
Other
Accounts
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$9.5
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
Conflicts
of Interest.
Where
conflicts of interest arise between the Fund and other accounts managed by
the
portfolio managers, the portfolio managers will use good faith efforts so
that
the Fund will not be treated materially less favorably than other accounts.
There may be instances where similar portfolio transactions may be executed
for
the same security for numerous accounts managed by the portfolio managers.
In
such instances, securities will be allocated in accordance with the Adviser’s
trade allocation policy. See “Investment Advisory and Other Services”
above.
Compensation.
The
portfolio managers’ compensation will be made up of a fixed salary amount which
is not based on the value of the assets in the Fund’s portfolio. Any bonuses
received by a portfolio manager will be based on the Fund’s after-tax
performance.
Securities
Owned in the Fund by Portfolio Managers.
As
of the
date of this SAI, the portfolio managers do not own any securities of the
Fund.
Administrative
Services
Under
the
Administration Agreement, ALPS Mutual Fund Services, Inc. is responsible
for
calculating the net asset value of the common shares, and generally managing
the
administrative affairs of the Fund, subject to the supervision of the Board
of
Trustees. ALPS will furnish to the Fund all office facilities, equipment
and
personnel for administtration of the Fund. ALPS will compensate all Trustees
and
officers of the Fund who are members of the ALPS organization and who render
executive and administrative services to the Fund, and will also compensate
all
other ALPS personnel who perform management and administrative services for
the
Fund. ALPS' administrative services include, preparation and filing of documents
required to comply with federal and state securities laws, supervising the
activities of the Fund's custodian and transfer agent, providing assistance
in
connection with the Trustees and shareholders' meetings, providing services
in
connection with repurchase offers, if any, and other administrative services
necessary to conduct the Fund's business.
ALLOCATION
OF BROKERAGE
Decisions
regarding the placement of orders to purchase and sell investments for the
Fund
are made by the Adviser, subject to the supervision of the Trustees. A
substantial portion of the transactions in equity securities for the Fund
will
occur on domestic stock exchanges. Transactions on stock exchanges involve
the
payment of brokerage commissions. In transactions on stock exchanges in the
United States and some foreign exchanges, these commissions are negotiated.
However, on many foreign stock exchanges these commissions are fixed. In
the
case of securities traded in the foreign and domestic over-the-counter markets,
there is generally no stated commission, but the price usually includes an
undisclosed commission or markup. Over-the-counter transactions will generally
be placed directly with a principal market maker, although the Fund may place
an
over-the-counter order with a broker-dealer if a better price (including
commission) and execution are available.
It
is
anticipated that most purchase and sale transactions involving fixed income
securities will be with the issuer or an underwriter or with major dealers
in
such securities acting as principals. Such transactions are normally effected
on
a net basis and generally do not involve payment of brokerage commissions.
However, the cost of securities purchased from an underwriter usually includes
a
commission paid by the issuer to the underwriter. Purchases or sales from
dealers will normally reflect the spread between the bid and ask
price.
The
policy of the Fund regarding transactions for purchases and sales of securities
is that primary consideration will be given to obtaining the most favorable
prices and efficient executions of transactions. Consistent with this policy,
when securities transactions are effected on a stock exchange, the Fund’s policy
is to pay commissions which are considered fair and reasonable without
necessarily determining that the lowest possible commissions are paid in
all
circumstances. The Board believes that a requirement always to seek the lowest
commission cost could impede effective management and preclude the Fund,
the
Adviser from obtaining high quality brokerage and research services. In seeking
to determine the reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid in any
transaction, the Adviser may rely on its experience and knowledge regarding
commissions generally charged by various brokers and on their judgment in
evaluating the brokerage and research services received from the broker
effecting the transaction. Such determinations are necessarily subjective
and
imprecise, as in most cases an exact dollar value for those services is not
ascertainable.
In
seeking to implement the Fund’s policies, the Adviser will place transactions
with those brokers and dealers who it believes provide the most favorable
prices
and which are capable of providing efficient executions. If the Adviser believes
such price and execution are obtainable from more than one broker or dealer,
it
may give consideration to placing transactions with those brokers and dealers
who also furnish research or research related services to the Fund or the
Adviser. Such services may include, but are not limited to, any one or more
of
the following: information as to the availability of securities for purchase
or
sale; statistical or factual information or opinions pertaining to investments;
and appraisals or evaluations of securities. The information and services
received by the Adviser from brokers and dealers may be of benefit in the
management of accounts of other clients and may not in all cases benefit
the
Fund directly. While such services are useful and important in supplementing
their own research and facilities, the Adviser believes the value of such
services is not determinable and does not significantly reduce their
expenses.
TAXES
The
Fund
intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year as a regulated
investment company (a "RIC") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the
“Code). Accordingly, the Fund must, among other things, (i) derive in each
taxable year at least 90% of its gross income (including tax−exempt interest)
from (a) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities
loans,
and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign
currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gain from forward
contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock,
securities or currencies; and (b) net income from interests in "qualified
publicly traded partnerships" (as defined in the Code); (ii) diversify its
holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year (a) at
least
50% of the market value of the Fund's total assets is represented by cash
and
cash items, U.S. government securities, the securities of other regulated
investment companies and other securities, with such other securities limited,
in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value
of
the Fund's total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of such issuer and (b) not more than 25% of the market value of
the
Fund's total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government
securities and the securities of other regulated investment companies) of
(I)
any one issuer; (II) any two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that
are
determined to be engaged in the same business or similar or related trades
or
businesses or (III) any one or more "qualified publicly traded partnerships"
(as
defined in the Code); and (iii) distribute substantially all of its net income
and net short−term and long−term capital gains (after reduction by any available
capital loss carryforwards) in accordance with the timing requirements imposed
by the Code, so as to maintain its RIC status and to avoid paying any U.S.
federal income or excise tax. For purposes of the 90% of gross income
requirement described above, the Code expressly provides the U.S. Treasury
with
authority to issue regulations that would exclude foreign currency gains
from
qualifying income if such gains are not directly related to the Fund's business
of investing in stock or securities. While to date the U.S. Treasury has
not
exercised this regulatory authority, there can be no assurance that it will
not
issue regulations in the future (possibly with retroactive application) that
would treat some or all of the Fund's foreign currency gains as non−qualifying
income. To the extent it qualifies for treatment as a RIC and satisfies the
above−mentioned distribution requirements, the Fund will not be subject to U.S.
federal income tax on income paid to its shareholders in the form of dividends
or capital gain distributions.
In
order
to avoid incurring a U.S. federal excise tax obligation, the Code requires
that
the Fund distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of
each
calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary
income for such year and (ii) 98% of its capital gain net income (which is
the
excess of its realized net long−term capital gain over its realized net
short−term capital loss), generally computed on the basis of the one−year period
ending on October 31 of such year, after reduction by any available capital
loss
carryforwards, plus (iii) 100% of any ordinary income and capital gain net
income from the prior year (as previously computed) that were not paid out
during such year and on which the Fund paid no U.S. federal income tax. Under
current law, provided that the Fund qualifies as a RIC for U.S. federal income
tax purposes, the Fund should not be liable for any income, corporate excise
or
franchise tax in the state of Delaware.
If
the
Fund does not qualify as a RIC for any taxable year, the Fund's taxable income
will be subject to corporate income taxes, and all distributions from earnings
and profits, including distributions of net capital gain (if any), will be
taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income. Such distributions generally
will
be eligible (i) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate
shareholders and (ii) for treatment as "qualified dividends" in the case
of
individual shareholders provided certain holding period and other requirements
are met, as described below. In addition, in order to requalify for taxation
as
a RIC, the Fund may be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial
taxes and interest, and make certain distributions.
Distributions
from the Fund derived from investment income and net short−term capital gains,
as described below, generally will be taxable to shareholders as dividend
income
to the extent of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits.
Distributions of net capital gains (that is, the excess of net gains from
the
sale of capital assets held more than one year over net losses from the sale
of
capital assets held for not more than one year) properly designated as capital
gain dividends ("Capital Gain Dividends") will be taxable to shareholders
as
long−term capital gain, regardless of how long a shareholder has held the shares
in the Fund.
If
a
shareholder's distributions are automatically reinvested pursuant to the
Plan
and the Plan Administrator invests the distribution in shares acquired on
behalf
of the shareholder in open−market purchases, for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, the shareholder will generally 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. If a shareholder's
distributions are automatically reinvested pursuant to the Plan and the Plan
Administrator invests the distribution in newly issued shares of the Fund,
the
shareholder will generally be treated as receiving a taxable distribution
equal
to the fair market value of the stock the shareholder receives.
Under
current law, certain income distributions paid by the Fund to individual
taxpayers are taxed at rates equal to those applicable to net long−term capital
gains (15%, or 5% for individuals in the 10% or 15% tax brackets). This tax
treatment applies only if certain holding period requirements and other
requirements are satisfied by the shareholder with respect to its Common
Shares
and the dividends are attributable to qualified dividend income received
by the
Fund itself. For this purpose, "qualified dividend income" means dividends
received by the Fund from certain United States corporations and qualifying
foreign corporations, provided that the Fund satisfies certain holding period
and other requirements in respect of the stock of such corporations. For
these
purposes, a "qualified foreign corporation" means any foreign corporation
if (i)
such corporation is incorporated in a possession of the United States, (ii)
such
corporation is eligible for benefits of a qualified comprehensive income
tax
treaty with the United States and which includes an exchange of information
program, or (iii) the stock of such corporation with respect to which such
dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market
in the
United States. A "qualified foreign corporation" does not include any foreign
corporation which for the taxable year of the corporation in which the dividend
was paid, or the preceding taxable year, is a "passive foreign investment
company" (as defined in the Code). In the case of securities lending
transactions, payments in lieu of dividends are not qualified dividends.
Dividends received by the Fund from REITs are qualified dividends eligible
for
this lower tax rate only in limited circumstances. These special rules relating
to the taxation of ordinary income dividends from regulated investment companies
generally apply to taxable years beginning before January 1, 2009. Thereafter,
the Fund's dividends, other than Capital Gain Dividends, will be fully taxable
at ordinary income tax rates unless further Congressional legislature action
is
taken.
A
dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (whether received
by
the Fund or paid by the Fund to a shareholder) if (1) the dividend is received
with respect to any share 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, (2) 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 or (3) if the recipient elects to have the dividend treated
as
investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment
interest. Distributions of income by the Fund other than qualified dividend
income and distributions of net realized short−term gains (on stocks held for
one year or less) are taxed as ordinary income, at rates currently up to
35%.
The
benefits of the reduced tax rates applicable to long−term capital gains and
qualified dividend income may be impacted by the application of the alternative
minimum tax to individual shareholders.
We
cannot
assure you as to what percentage of the dividends paid on the shares will
consist of qualified dividend income or long−term capital gains, both of which
are taxed at lower rates for individuals than are ordinary income and short−term
capital gains.
The
Fund's investment in zero coupon and certain other securities will cause
it to
realize income prior to the receipt of cash payments with respect to these
securities. Such income will be accrued daily by the Fund and, in order to
avoid
a tax payable by the Fund, the Fund may be required to liquidate securities
that
it might otherwise have continued to hold in order to generate cash so that
the
Fund may make required distributions to its shareholders.
Investments
in lower rated or unrated securities may present special tax issues for the
Fund
to the extent that the issuers of these securities default on their obligations
pertaining thereto. The Code is not entirely clear regarding the federal
income
tax consequences of the Fund's taking certain positions in connection with
ownership of such distressed securities.
Any
recognized gain or income attributable to market discount on long−term debt
obligations (i.e., obligations with a term of more than one year except to
the
extent of a portion of the discount attributable to original issue discount)
purchased by the Fund is taxable as ordinary income. A long−term debt obligation
is generally treated as acquired at a market discount if purchased after
its
original issue at a price less than (i) the stated principal amount payable
at
maturity, in the case of an obligation that does not have original issue
discount or (ii) in the case of an obligation that does have original issue
discount, the sum of the issue price and any original issue discount that
accrued before the obligation was purchased, subject to a de minimis
exclusion.
The
Fund's transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency−denominated debt
obligations and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward
contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss
to
the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of
the
foreign currency concerned.
Income
received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject
to
withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax conventions between
certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. Shareholders
generally will not be entitled to claim a credit or deduction with respect
to
foreign taxes.
If
the
Fund acquires any equity interest 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 stock 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 a tax. An election may
generally be available that would ameliorate these adverse tax consequences,
but
any such election could require the Fund to recognize taxable income or gain
(subject to tax distribution requirements) without the concurrent receipt
of
cash and would require certain information to be furnished by the foreign
corporation, which may not be provided. These investments could also result
in
the treatment of associated capital gains as ordinary income. 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. Dividends paid
by
passive foreign investment companies will not qualify as qualified dividend
income eligible for taxation at reduced tax rates.
The
American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the "Jobs Act"), among other things,
modified the 90% gross income test with respect to income of a RIC to include
net income derived from an interest in certain qualified "publicly traded
partnerships" ("PTPs") and modified the asset diversification test of a RIC
to
include a new limitation on the investment by a RIC in certain qualified
PTP
interests. Under the Jobs Act, a RIC may now invest in a qualified PTP
regardless of the types of business the PTP operates. The Jobs Act further
provides that passive losses from an investment in a qualified PTP may not
be
used by a RIC to offset any income other than income from the same PTP and
any
deductions passed through by the PTP may not be used by a RIC to offset income
from other sources.
The
sale,
exchange or redemption of Fund shares may give rise to a gain or loss. Such
gain
or loss would generally be treated as capital gain or loss if the Fund shares
are held as a capital asset. 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 12 months. Otherwise, the gain
or
loss on the taxable disposition of Fund shares will be treated as short−term
capital gain or loss. Long−term capital gain rates applicable to individuals
have been reduced, in general, to 15% (or 5% for individuals in the 10% or
15%
rate brackets); however, such rates are set to expire after December 31,
2008
absent further legislation. Any loss realized upon the sale or exchange of
Fund
shares with a holding period of 6 months or less will be treated as a long−term
capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions received with
respect to such shares. In addition, all or a portion of a loss realized
on a
redemption or other disposition of Fund shares may be disallowed under "wash
sale" rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other
substantially identical shares (whether through the reinvestment of
distributions or otherwise) within a 61−day period beginning 30 days before the
redemption of the loss shares and ending 30 days after such date. Any disallowed
loss will result in an adjustment to the shareholder's tax basis in some
or all
of the other shares acquired.
Sales
charges paid upon a purchase of shares cannot be taken into account for purposes
of determining gain or loss on a sale of the shares before the 91st day after
their purchase to the extent a sales charge is reduced or eliminated in a
subsequent acquisition of shares of the Fund pursuant to the reinvestment
privilege. Any disregarded amounts will result in an adjustment to the
shareholder's tax basis in some or all of any other shares acquired.
Dividends
and distributions on the Fund's shares are generally subject to federal income
tax as described herein to the extent they do not exceed the Fund's realized
income and gains, even though such dividends and distributions may economically
represent a return of a particular shareholder's investment. Such distributions
are likely to occur in respect of shares purchased at a time when the Fund's
net
asset value reflects gains that are either unrealized, or realized but not
distributed. Such realized gains may be required to be distributed even when
the
Fund's net asset value also reflects unrealized losses. Certain distributions
declared in October, November or December and paid in the following January
will
be taxed to shareholders as if received on December 31 of the year in which
they
were declared. In addition, certain other distributions made after the close
of
a taxable year of the Fund may be "spilled back" and treated as paid by the
Fund
(except for purposes of the 4% excise tax) during such taxable year. In such
case, Shareholders will be treated as having received such dividends in the
taxable year in which the distributions were actually made.
Amounts
paid by the Fund to individuals and certain other shareholders who have not
provided the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number ("TIN")
and
certain certifications required by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS")
as
well as shareholders with respect to whom the Fund has received certain
information from the IRS or a broker may be subject to "backup" withholding
of
federal income tax arising from the Fund's taxable dividends and other
distributions as well as the gross proceeds of sales of shares, at a rate
equal
to the fourth highest rate of tax applicable to a single individual (currently,
28%). An individual's TIN is generally his or her social security number.
Backup
withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup
withholding rules 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 furnished to the IRS.
Under
Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss on disposition of
the
Fund's shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10
million
or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the Internal
Revenue Service a disclosure statement on Form 8886 except to the extent
such
losses are from assets that have a qualifying basis and meet certain other
requirements. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases
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. In addition, pursuant to recently
enacted legislation, significant penalties may be imposed for the failure
to
comply with the reporting requirements. 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 advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light
of
their individual circumstances.
The
foregoing discussion does not address the special tax rules applicable to
certain classes of investors, such as tax−exempt entities, foreign investors,
insurance companies and financial institutions. Shareholders should consult
their own tax advisers with respect to special tax rules that may apply in
their
particular situations, as well as the state, local, and, where applicable,
foreign tax consequences of investing in the Fund.
The
Fund
will inform shareholders of the source and tax status of all distributions
promptly after the close of each calendar year. The IRS has taken the position
that if a RIC has more than one class of shares, it may designate distributions
made to each class in any year as consisting of no more than that class's
proportionate share of particular types of income for that year, including
ordinary income and net capital gain. A class's proportionate share of a
particular type of income for a year is determined according to the percentage
of total dividends paid by the RIC during that year to the class. Accordingly,
the Fund intends to designate a portion of its distributions in capital gain
dividends in accordance with the IRS position.
Although
the matter is not free from doubt, due to the absence of direct regulatory
or
judicial authority, under current law the manner in which the Fund intends
to
allocate items of ordinary income and net capital gain among the Fund's Common
Shares and auction preferred shares is likely to be respected for federal
income
tax purposes. It is possible that the IRS could disagree with counsel's opinion
and attempt to reallocate the Fund's net capital gain or other taxable
income.
State
And Local Taxes
Shareholders
should consult their own tax advisers as to the state or local tax consequences
of investing in the Fund.
OTHER
INFORMATION
The
Fund
is an organization of the type commonly known as a "Delaware statutory trust."
Under Delaware law, shareholders of such a trust may, in certain circumstances,
be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the trust. The
Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability
in
connection with the Fund property or the acts, obligations or affairs of
the
Fund. The Fund has been advised by its counsel that the risk of any shareholder
incurring any liability for the obligations of the Fund is remote.
The
Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees will not be liable for actions
taken in good faith in the reasonable belief that such actions were in the
best
interests of the Fund or, in the case of any criminal proceeding, as to which
a
Trustee did not have reasonable cause to believe that such actions were
unlawful; but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against
any
liability to the Fund or its shareholders to which he would otherwise be
subject
by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office. Voting rights
are
not cumulative, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares
voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees and, in
such
event, the holders of the remaining less than 50% of the shares voting on
the
matter will not be able to elect any Trustees.
The
Declaration of Trust provides that no person shall serve as a Trustee if
shareholders holding two−thirds of the outstanding shares have removed him from
that office either by a written declaration filed with the Fund's custodian
or
by votes cast at a meeting called for that purpose.
Information
about anti-takeover provisions in the Declaration of Trust is discussed in
the
prospectus under “Anti-Takeover Provisions in the Declaration of Trust.” The
Fund's prospectus and this SAI do not contain all of the information set
forth
in the Registration Statement that the Fund has filed with the Securities
and
Exchange Commission. The complete Registration Statement may be obtained
as
described on the cover page of this SAI.
INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Deloitte
& Touche LLP is the independent registered public accounting firm for the
Fund and will provide audit services, tax return preparation and assistance
and
consultation with respect to the preparation of filings with the Securities
and
Exchange Commission.
ALPINE
GLOBAL DYNAMIC DIVIDEND FUND
STATEMENT
OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
______,
2006
[To
come]
PART
C
OTHER
INFORMATION
Item
25. Financial
Statements and Exhibits
(1) Financial
Statements (included in Part B)
Report
of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm*
Statement
of Assets and Liabilities*
Notes
to
Statement of Assets and Liabilities*
(2) Exhibits
(a)(i) Certificate
of Trust
(a)(ii) Agreement
and Declaration of Trust
(b) Bylaws
(c) Not
applicable
(d) Form
of
Certificate for Common Shares of Beneficial Interest*
(e) Dividend
Reinvestment Plan*
(f) Not
applicable
(g) Form
of
Investment Advisory Agreement*
(h) Form
of
Underwriting Agreement*
(i) Not
applicable
(j) Form
of
Custody Agreement*
(k) (1) Form
of
Stock Transfer Agency Agreement*
(2) Form
of
Administration, Bookkeeping and Pricing Services Agreement*
(1) Opinion
and Consent of Blank Rome LLP*
(m) Not
applicable
(n) Consent
of Deloitte & Touche LLP*
(o) Not
applicable
(p) Initial
Subscription Agreement*
(q) Not
applicable
(r) (1) Code
of
Ethics of the Fund*
(2) Code
of
Ethics of the Adviser*
(3) Code
of
Ethics of the Principal Executive and Financial Officers of the
Fund*
_________________
*To
be
filed by amendment.
Item
26. Marketing Arrangements
See
Form
of Underwriting Agreement to be filed by amendment as Exhibit
2(h)(1).
Item
27. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The
approximate expenses in connection with the offering are as
follows:
Registration
and Filing Fees
|
$
|
NASD
Fees
|
|
NYSE
Fees
|
|
Transfer
Agent’s Fees
|
|
Printing
(Other than Certificates)
|
|
Engraving
and Printing Certificates
|
|
Accounting
Fees and Expenses
|
|
Legal
Fees and Expenses
|
|
Miscellaneous
Expenses
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$
|
Item
28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control With
Registrant
None.
Item
29. Number of Holders of Securities
Set
forth
below is the number of record holders as of _____ __, 2006,
of
each class of securities of the Registrant:
Title
of Class
|
|
Number
of Record Holders
|
Common
Shares of Beneficial Interest
|
|
1
|
Item
30. Indemnification
Article
IV of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides as
follows:
|
4.1
|
No
Personal Liability of Shareholders, Trustees, etc.
|
No
Shareholder of the Trust shall be subject in such capacity to any personal
liability whatsoever to any Person in connection with Trust Property or the
acts, obligations or affairs of the Trust. Shareholders shall have the same
limitation of personal liability as is extended to stockholders of a private
corporation for profit incorporated under the general corporation law of
the
State of Delaware. No Trustee or officer of the Trust shall be subject in
such
capacity to any personal liability whatsoever to any Person, other than the
Trust or its Shareholders, in connection with Trust Property or the affairs
of
the Trust, save only liability to the Trust or its Shareholders arising from
bad
faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard for his
duty
to such Person; and, subject to the foregoing exception, all such Persons
shall
look solely to the Trust Property for satisfaction of claims of any nature
arising in connection with the affairs of the Trust. If any Shareholder,
Trustee
or officer, as such, of the Trust, is made a party to any suit or proceeding
to
enforce any such liability, subject to the foregoing exception, he shall
not, on
account thereof, be held to any personal liability.
|
4.2
|
Mandatory
Indemnification.
|
(a) The
Trust
shall indemnify the Trustees and officers of the Trust (each such person
being
an “indemnitee”) against any liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid in
satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and
reasonable counsel fees reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection
with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding,
whether
civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or investigative body
in
which he may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise (other
than,
except as authorized by the Trustees, as the plaintiff or complainant) or
with
which he may be or may have been threatened, while acting in any capacity
set
forth above in this Section 4.2 by reason of his having acted in any such
capacity, except with respect to any matter as to which he shall not have
acted
in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest
of the Trust or, in the case of any criminal proceeding, as to which he shall
have had reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful, provided,
however, that no indemnitee shall be indemnified hereunder against any liability
to any person or any expense of such indemnitee arising by reason of (i)
willful
misfeasance, (ii) bad faith, (iii) gross negligence (negligence in the case
of
Affiliated Indemnitees), or (iv) reckless disregard of the duties involved
in
the conduct of his position (the conduct referred to in such clauses (i)
through
(iv) being sometimes referred to herein as “disabling conduct”). Notwithstanding
the foregoing, with respect to any action, suit or other proceeding voluntarily
prosecuted by any indemnitee as plaintiff, indemnification shall be mandatory
only if the prosecution of such action, suit or other proceeding by such
indemnitee was authorized by a majority of the Trustees.
(b) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no indemnification shall be made hereunder unless there has
been
a determination (1) by a final decision on the merits by a court or other
body
of competent jurisdiction before whom the issue of entitlement to
indemnification hereunder was brought that such indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification hereunder or, (2) in the absence of such a decision, by (i)
a
majority vote of a quorum of those Trustees who are neither Interested Persons
of the Trust nor parties to the proceeding (“Disinterested Non-Party Trustees”),
that the indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder, or (ii) if
such
quorum is not obtainable or even if obtainable, if such majority so directs,
independent legal counsel in a written opinion conclude that the indemnitee
should be entitled to indemnification hereunder. All determinations to make
advance payments in connection with the expense of defending any proceeding
shall be authorized and made in accordance with the immediately succeeding
paragraph (c) below.
(c) The
Trust
shall make advance payments in connection with the expenses of defending
any
action with respect to which indemnification might be sought hereunder if
the
Trust receives a written affirmation by the indemnitee of the indemnitee’s good
faith belief that the standards of conduct necessary for indemnification
have
been met and a written undertaking to reimburse the Trust unless it is
subsequently determined that he is entitled to such indemnification and if
a
majority of the Trustees determine that the applicable standards of conduct
necessary for indemnification appear to have been met. In addition, at least
one
of the following conditions must be met: (1) the indemnitee shall provide
adequate security for his undertaking, (2) the Trust shall be insured against
losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or (3) a majority of a quorum
of the Disinterested Non-Party Trustees, or if a majority vote of such quorum
so
direct, independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall conclude, based
on
a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry),
that there is substantial reason to believe that the indemnitee ultimately
will
be found entitled to indemnification.
(d) The
rights accruing to any indemnitee under these provisions shall not exclude
any
other right to which he may be lawfully entitled.
(e) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, subject to any limitations provided by the 1940 Act and this
Declaration, the Trust shall have the power and authority to indemnify Persons
providing services to the Trust to the full extent provided by law provided
that
such indemnification has been approved by a majority of the
Trustees.
Insofar
as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933
may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Fund pursuant
to
the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Fund has been advised that in
the
opinion of the SEC 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 Fund
of
expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of
the
Fund 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 Fund 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.
|
4.3
|
No
Duty of Investigation; Notice in Trust Instruments, etc.
|
No
purchaser, lender, transfer agent or other person dealing with the Trustees
or
with any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be bound to make any
inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction purporting to be made
by the
Trustees or by said officer, employee or agent or be liable for the application
of money or property paid, loaned, or delivered to or on the order of the
Trustees or of said officer, employee or agent. Every obligation, contract,
undertaking, instrument, certificate, Share, other security of the Trust,
and
every other act or thing whatsoever executed in connection with the Trust
shall
be conclusively taken to have been executed or done by the executors thereof
only in their capacity as Trustees under this Declaration or in their capacity
as officers, employees or agents of the Trust. The Trustees may maintain
insurance for the protection of the Trust Property, its Shareholders, Trustees,
officers, employees and agents in such amount as the Trustees shall deem
adequate to cover possible liability, and such other insurance as the Trustees
in their sole judgment shall deem advisable or is required by the 1940
Act.
|
4.4
|
Reliance
on Experts, etc.
|
Each
Trustee and officer or employee of the Trust shall, in the performance of
its
duties, be fully and completely justified and protected with regard to any
act
or any failure to act resulting from reliance in good faith upon the books
of
account or other records of the Trust, upon an opinion of counsel, or upon
reports made to the Trust by any of the Trust’s officers or employees or by any
adviser, administrator, manager, distributor, selected dealer, accountant,
appraiser or other expert or consultant selected with reasonable care by
the
Trustees, officers or employees of the Trust, regardless of whether such
counsel
or other person may also be a Trustee.
Item
31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
Alpine
Woods Capital Investors, LLC serves as investment adviser to the Registrant
and
also serves as adviser to unregistered funds, institutions and high net worth
individuals. A description of any other business, profession, vocation, or
employment of a substantial nature in which the investment adviser, and each
member or executive officer of the investment adviser is or has been during
the
past two fiscal years, engaged in for his or her own account or in the capacity
of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, is set forth in the
prospectus contained in this Registration Statement in the section entitled
“Management of the Fund-Investment Adviser.”
Item
32. Location of Accounts and Records
All
applicable accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by the
Registrant by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the Rules promulgated thereunder
are in the possession and custody of the Registrant’s administrator, ALPS Mutual
Funds Services, Inc., 1625 Broadway, Suite 2200, Denver, Colorado
80202.
Item
33. Management Services
Not
applicable.
Item
34. Undertakings
1. |
The
Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of its Common Shares
of
Beneficial Interest until the prospectus is amended if (1) subsequent
to
the effective date of this registration statement, the net asset
value
declines more than 10 percent from its net asset value as of the
effective
date of this registration statement or (2) the net asset value increases
to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the
prospectus.
|
5. |
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 pursuant to 497(h) 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.
6. |
The
Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means
designed
to ensure equally prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt
of
an oral or written request, its Statement of Additional
Information.
|
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company
Act of
1940, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed
on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the city of
Purchase, and the State of New York, on the 11th
day of
May, 2006.
|
|
|
|
ALPINE
GLOBAL DYNAMIC DIVIDEND FUND |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Samuel
A.
Lieber |
|
Name: Samuel
A. Lieber
Title: President
and Principal Executive Officer
|
|
|
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
Signature
|
Title
|
Date
|
|
|
|
/s/
Samuel A. Lieber
Samuel
A. Lieber
|
Principal
Executive Officer and President and Initial Trustee
|
May
11, 2006
|
|
|
|
/s/Sheldon
R. Flamm
Sheldon
R. Flamm
|
Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer and Treasurer and Chief Compliance
Officer
|
May
11, 2006
|
|
|
|
INDEX
TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
No.
|
|
Description
|
|
|
|
2(a)(i)
|
|
Certificate
of Trust
|
2(a)(ii)
|
|
Agreement
and Declaration of Trust
|
2(b)
|
|
Bylaws
|