N-2

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 20, 2015

Securities Act File No. 333-            

Investment Company Act File No. 811-22043

 

 

 

United States

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-2

 

 

 

Registration Statement
under
x the Securities Act of 1933
¨ Pre-Effective Amendment No.
¨ Post-Effective Amendment No.
and/or
Registration Statement
under
x the Investment Company Act of 1940
x Amendment No. 4

 

 

INVESCO DYNAMIC CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

1555 Peachtree Street, N.E.

Atlanta, Georgia 30309

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (404) 439-3217

John M. Zerr, Esq.

11 Greenway Plaza

Suite 1000

Houston, Texas 77046

(713) 626-1919

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

 

Copies to:

Michael K. Hoffman, Esq.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Four Times Square

New York, New York 10036

 

 

Approximate date of proposed public offering: From time to time 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, as amended, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box.  x

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

 

¨ When declared effective pursuant to section 8(c).

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

¨ This [post-effective] amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed [post-effective amendment] [registration statement].
¨ This form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration. statement for the same offering is                     .

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

Title of

Securities Being Registered

 

Amount

Being

Registered

 

Proposed

Maximum

Offering Price

Per Share

 

Aggregate

Offering Price

  Amount of
Registration Fee

Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, no par value

  (1)   (2)   $1,000,000(3)   $116.20(4)

 

 

(1) There are being registered hereunder a presently indeterminate number of common shares to be offered on an immediate, continuous or delayed basis.
(2) The proposed maximum offering price per share will be determined, from time to time, by the Registrant in connection with the sale by the Registrant of the securities registered under this registration statement.
(3) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(4) Paid herewith.

 

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and 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 July 20, 2015

 

BASE PROSPECTUS

$

INVESCO DYNAMIC CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Common Shares

 

 

The Fund. Invesco Dynamic Credit Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company.

Investment Objective. The Fund’s primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Fund cannot assure investors that it will achieve its investment objective and you could lose some or all of your investment.

Investment Strategy. Depending on current market conditions and the Fund’s outlook over time, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by opportunistically investing primarily in loan and debt instruments (and loan-related or debt-related instruments) (collectively, “credit securities”) of issuers which operate in a variety of industries and geographic regions located throughout the world.

(continued on following page)

Offerings. The Fund may offer, from time to time, up to $             aggregate initial offering price of common shares of beneficial interest, no par value (“Common Shares”), in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms set forth in one or more supplements to this Prospectus (each a “Prospectus Supplement”). You should read this Prospectus and any related Prospectus Supplement carefully before you decide to invest in the Common Shares.

The Fund may offer Common Shares:

 

  (i) in at-the-market transactions through one or more selling agents that the Fund may designate from time to time and/or through broker-dealers that have entered into a selected dealer agreement with the Fund’s selling agent(s); in such transactions, Common Shares will be sold at market prices, which shall be determined with reference to trades on the NYSE, subject to a minimum price to be established each day by the Fund, which minimum price will not be less than the current net asset value per Common Share plus the per Common Share amount of the commission to be paid;

 

  (ii) otherwise through agents that the Fund may designate from time to time;

 

  (iii) to or through underwriters or dealers; or

 

  (iv) directly to one or more purchasers.

The Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular offering of Common Shares will identify any agents, underwriters or dealers involved in the sale of Common Shares, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between the Fund and agents, underwriters or dealers or among underwriters or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. The Fund may not sell Common Shares through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of this Prospectus and a Prospectus Supplement. See “Plan of Distribution.”

Investing in Common Shares involves certain risks. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest. The Fund may invest without limitation in securities of below investment grade quality (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”), which are considered predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due. See “Risks” beginning on page 41 of this Prospectus. Certain of these risks are summarized in “Prospectus Summary—Special Risk Considerations” beginning on page 6 of this Prospectus. You should carefully consider these risks together with all of the other information contained in this Prospectus before making a decision to purchase Common Shares.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

, 2015


(continued from previous page)

Rationale. The Fund believes that changing investment environments over time offer both attractive investment opportunities in the credit securities market, as well as varying degrees of investment risk. To both capitalize on attractive investments and effectively manage potential risk, the Fund believes that the combination of thorough and continuous credit analysis (i.e., an issuer’s ability to make loan or debt payments when due), diversification of holdings, active use of other risk management techniques and instruments and the ability to reallocate investments among different categories of investments at different points in the credit cycle (i.e., the cycle between positive economic environments and less positive economic environments for credit securities) is critical to achieving higher risk-adjusted returns relative to other high-yielding investments, including high current income and/or capital appreciation.

In positive economic environments characterized by, among other things, low default rates, the Fund expects to emphasize high current income by investing primarily in Senior Loans (as defined herein), and will generally invest to a lesser degree in second lien or other subordinated loans or debt. In less positive economic environments characterized by, among other things, high default rates, the Fund will continue to seek high current income and capital appreciation by exploiting market inefficiencies and will emphasize more balanced investments among Senior Loans and second lien or other subordinated loans or debt, including stressed and distressed credit securities. The Fund believes that reallocating investments in this way will opportunistically emphasize those investments and categories of investments best suited to the then current environment and outlook.

Portfolio Contents. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in any combination of the following credit securities: (i) senior secured floating rate and fixed rate loans (“Senior Loans”); (ii) second lien or other subordinated or unsecured floating rate and fixed rate loans or debt; and (iii) other debt obligations, including high-yield, high-risk obligations (i.e., securities that are rated below investment grade by a nationally recognized credit rating organization or unrated securities that are deemed to be of comparable quality; these securities are commonly known as “junk” securities and are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal). The Fund also may invest up to 20% of its assets in structured products, including collateralized debt and loan obligations (collectively, “structured products”). The Fund also may invest in swaps, including credit default, total return, index and interest rate swaps. To the extent that the Fund invests in structured products or swaps that adjust exposure to credit securities, such investments will be counted for purposes of the Fund’s 80% policy.

The Fund may invest in credit securities of any credit quality, and may invest without limitation in obligations below investment grade. Any of the Fund’s investments may be issued by non-stressed, stressed and distressed issuers (each as defined under “Prospectus summary—Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategies—Portfolio contents”), including issuers in bankruptcy.

The Fund may invest in credit securities of any maturity or duration, and although the Fund will not be managed for maturity or duration, given the nature of the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund’s portfolio will likely have a low average duration (generally, four years or less).

In addition, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in equity securities obtained through debt restructurings or bankruptcy proceedings. The Fund may utilize credit securities derivative instruments.

From time to time, the Fund may also invest in short-term debt securities such as U.S. government securities, commercial paper and other money market instruments and cash equivalents. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.

The Fund will invest in obligations of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers and such obligations may be U.S. dollar denominated as well as non-U.S. dollar denominated. To address foreign currency risks, the Fund may enter into foreign currency swaps and other hedging transactions. Under normal market conditions, the Fund expects to invest a portion of its assets in issuers located anywhere in the world and, although under current market conditions the Fund does not intend to invest in obligations of issuers located in emerging market countries (as defined under “Prospectus Summary—Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategy—Portfolio Contents”), the Fund may do so if it determines that such investments are appropriate for the Fund.

 

ii


The Adviser. Invesco Advisers, Inc. (“Invesco” or the “Adviser”) is the Fund’s investment adviser. The Adviser is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Invesco Ltd. The Adviser is located at 1555 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309. The Adviser, a successor in interest to multiple investment advisers, has been an investment adviser since 1976. Invesco has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with certain affiliates to serve as sub-advisers to the Fund, pursuant to which these affiliated sub-advisers may be appointed by Invesco from time to time to provide discretionary investment management services, investment advice, and/or order execution services to the Fund.

Financial Leverage. The Fund’s policy on financial leverage allows the Fund to use financial leverage in the form of borrowings and/or preferred shares to the maximum extent allowable under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Currently, the Fund employs financial leverage by borrowing through a credit facility and through the issuance of preferred securities that are senior to the Common Shares. The Fund anticipates that the use of leverage will result in higher income to its common shareholders (“Common Shareholders”) over time. Use of financial leverage creates an opportunity for increased income but, at the same time, creates special risks. There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful. The investment advisory fees paid by the Fund will be calculated on the basis of the Fund’s Managed Assets (as defined in this Prospectus), which includes proceeds from leverage, so the dollar amount of the management fee paid by the Fund to the Adviser will be higher (and the Adviser will be benefited to that extent) when leverage is utilized. This may create a conflict of interest between the Fund’s investment adviser and holders of Common Shares. Holders of Common Shares effectively bear the entire investment advisory fee. As of February 28, 2015, the Fund had outstanding preferred shares with an aggregate liquidation preference of $125 million representing approximately 7.61% of the Fund’s total assets as of such date, and outstanding borrowings of $361 million, representing approximately 22% of the Fund’s total assets as of such date. The Fund’s total leverage as of February 28, 2015 represented approximately 29.61% of the Fund’s total assets as of such date.

Common Shares. The Fund’s currently outstanding Common Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “VTA” and the Common Shares offered by this Prospectus, subject to notice of issuance, will also be listed on the NYSE. The net asset value per Common Share at the close of business on July 17, 2015 was $13.31, and the last reported sale price of the Common Shares on the NYSE on such date was $11.65, representing a discount to net asset value of 12.47%. See “Market and Net Asset Value Information.”

This Prospectus sets forth the information about the Fund that you should know before investing. You should keep it for future reference. More information about the Fund, including a Statement of Additional Information dated             , 2015, and the Fund’s Annual and Semiannual Reports, has been filed with the SEC. This information is available upon written or oral request without charge from our web site at www.invesco.com/us. You may also get a copy of any of these materials, request other information about the Fund and make other inquiries by calling (800) 959-4246. The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information is incorporated herein by reference. A table of contents for the Statement of Additional Information is on page 72. The SEC maintains a web site at www.sec.gov that contains the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, material incorporated by reference and other information about SEC registrants, including the Fund.

Common Shares are not deposits or obligations of, and are not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or depository institution. Common Shares are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.

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 the Fund’s plans, strategies, and goals and the Fund’s beliefs and assumptions concerning future economic and 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 is not entitled to the safe harbor for forward-looking statements pursuant to Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

iii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Prospectus Summary

  1   

Summary of Fund Expenses

  21   

Senior Securities

  24   

The Fund

  25   

Use of Proceeds

  25   

Market and Net Asset Value Information

  25   

Investment Objective and Policies

  26   

The Fund’s Investments

  27   

Use of Leverage

  39   

Risks

  41   

Management of the Fund

  52   

Net Asset Value

  55   

Distributions

  56   

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

  57   

Description of Capital Structure

  58   

Anti-Takeover and Other Provisions in the Fund’s Governing Documents

  62   

Closed-End Fund Structure

Repurchase of Common Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund

  64   

Tax Matters

  64   

Plan of Distribution

  68   

Custodian, Administrator, Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent

  71   

Legal Matters

  71   

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

  71   

Additional Information

  71   

Privacy Policy

  71   

Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional Information

  72   

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. The Fund has not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information in this Prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this Prospectus. The Fund’s business, financial condition and prospects may have changed since that date.


PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This is only a summary of information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the Fund’s common shares (“Common Shares”). You should carefully read the more detailed information contained in this Prospectus and any related Prospectus Supplements, especially the information set forth under the headings “Investment Objective and Policies” and “Risks.” You may also wish to request a copy of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, dated             , 2015 (the “SAI”), which contains additional information about the Fund.

 

The Fund    Invesco Dynamic Credit Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company that commenced operations on June 26, 2007.
The Offering    The Fund may offer, from time to time, up to $        aggregate initial offering price of Common Shares, on terms to be determined at the time of the offering. The Fund will offer Common Shares at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this Prospectus (each a “Prospectus Supplement”).
  

 

The Fund may offer Common Shares:

  

(i)     in at-the-market transactions through one or more selling agents that the Fund may designate from time to time and/or through broker-dealers that have entered into a selected dealer agreement with the Fund’s selling agent(s); in such transactions, Common Shares will be sold at market prices, which shall be determined with reference to trades on the NYSE, subject to a minimum price to be established each day by the Fund, which minimum price will not be less than the current net asset value per Common Share plus the per Common Share amount of the commission to be paid;

  

(ii)    otherwise through agents that the Fund may designate from time to time;

  

(iii)  to or through underwriters or dealers; or

  

(iv)   directly to one or more purchasers.

   The Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular offering of Common Shares will identify any agents, underwriters or dealers involved in the sale of Common Shares, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between the Fund and agents, underwriters or dealers or among underwriters or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. The Fund may not sell Common Shares through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of this Prospectus and a Prospectus Supplement. See “Plan of Distribution.”
Use Of Proceeds    Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the Fund intends to invest the net proceeds of an offering of Common Shares in accordance with its investment objective and policies as stated herein. It is currently anticipated that the Fund will be able to invest substantially all of the net proceeds of an offering of Common Shares in accordance with its investment objective and policies within three to six months after the completion of any such offering or the receipt of such proceeds. Pending such investment, it is anticipated that the proceeds will be invested in cash, cash equivalents or other securities, including U.S. government securities or high quality, short-term debt securities. The Fund may also use the proceeds for working capital purposes, including the payment of distributions, interest and operating expenses, although the Fund currently has no intent to issue Common Shares primarily for these purposes.

 

1


Investment Objective    The Fund’s primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Fund cannot assure investors that it will achieve its investment objective.
Principal Investment Strategy    Depending on current market conditions and the Fund’s outlook over time, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by opportunistically investing primarily in credit securities of issuers which operate in a variety of industries and geographic regions located throughout the world.
Rationale    The Fund believes that changing investment environments over time offer both attractive investment opportunities in the credit securities market, as well as varying degrees of investment risk. To both capitalize on attractive investments and effectively manage potential risk, the Fund believes that the combination of thorough and continuous credit analysis, diversification of holdings, active use of other risk management techniques and instruments and the ability to reallocate investments among different categories of investments at different points in the credit cycle is critical to achieving higher risk-adjusted returns relative to other high-yielding investments, including high current income and/or capital appreciation. In positive economic environments characterized by, among other things, low default rates, the Fund expects to emphasize high current income by investing primarily in Senior Loans (as defined herein), and will generally invest to a lesser degree in second lien or other subordinated loans or debt. In less positive economic environments characterized by, among other things, high default rates, the Fund will continue to seek high current income and capital appreciation by exploiting market inefficiencies and will emphasize more balanced investments among Senior Loans and second lien or other subordinated loans or debt, including stressed and distressed credit securities. The Fund believes that reallocating investments in this way will opportunistically emphasize those investments and categories of investments best suited to the current environment and outlook.
Investment Policies    Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in any combination of the following credit securities: (i) senior secured floating rate and fixed rate loans (“Senior Loans”); (ii) second lien or other subordinated or unsecured floating rate and fixed rate loans or debt; and (iii) other debt obligations, including high-yield, high-risk obligations (commonly known as “junk” securities). The Fund also may invest up to 20% of its assets in structured products, including collateralized debt and loan obligations (collectively, “structured products”). The Fund also may invest in swaps, including credit default, total return, index and interest rate swaps. To the extent that the Fund invests in structured products or swaps that adjust exposure to credit securities, such investments will be counted for purposes of the Fund’s 80% policy.
   In addition, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in equity securities obtained through debt restructurings or bankruptcy proceedings. The Fund may utilize credit securities derivative instruments. From time to time, the Fund may also invest in short-term debt securities such as U.S. government securities, commercial paper and other money market instruments and cash equivalents. The Fund may invest without limitation in obligations for which there is no readily available trading market or which are otherwise illiquid.

 

2


   The Fund will invest in obligations of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers and such obligations may be U.S. dollar denominated as well as non-U.S. dollar denominated. To address foreign currency risks, the Fund may enter into foreign currency swaps and other hedging transactions. Under normal market conditions, the Fund expects to invest a portion of its assets in issuers located anywhere in the world and, although under current market conditions the Fund does not intend to invest in obligations of issuers located in emerging market countries, the Fund may do so if it determines that such investments are appropriate for the Fund. The Fund considers emerging market countries to be those countries that the international financial community, including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (more commonly known as The World Bank) and the International Finance Corporation, considers to be emerging or developing countries on the basis of such factors as trade initiatives, per capita income and level of industrialization.
   The Fund may invest in credit securities of any maturity or duration, and although the Fund will not be managed for maturity or duration, given the nature of the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund’s portfolio will likely have a low average duration (generally, four years or less).
   In addition, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in equity securities obtained through debt restructurings or bankruptcy proceedings. The Fund may utilize credit securities derivative instruments.
   See “The Fund’s Investments” for additional information regarding the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions.
Investment Philosophy    The Adviser employs a valuation driven investment approach grounded in a bottom-up investment selection process and a top-down portfolio construction process to derive a portfolio based upon fundamental analysis with an emphasis on liquidity, diversification and relative value (i.e., risk, liquidity and potential return of one investment relative to another). The Adviser will analyze the yield, price, duration, credit spread, prepayment risk and the risk of credit deterioration or default of its current and potential investments on a continuous basis to determine what it believes are the appropriate investments for the Fund. The Adviser’s philosophy is based on fundamental credit, collateral and structural analysis of the underlying investments; a strong belief in portfolio diversifications including issuer, industry, sponsor, underwriter and agent; and utilization of the secondary market for loans to manage risk (i.e., diversifying interest rate and credit risk among investors). Fundamental analysis involves evaluation of the macro-economy, industry, trends, management quality, collateral adequacy, and consistency of corporate cash flows. In constructing the portfolio, the Adviser focuses on liquidity, diversification, identification of relative value and continuous monitoring.
   The Adviser will assess the current and prospective credit environment around the world and will determine the proper portfolio allocations among the various credit instruments and among domestic and foreign markets, as well as continuously monitor potential risks. The Adviser has broad discretion to allocate the Fund’s assets among investment categories and to change allocations as conditions warrant.
Leverage    The Fund’s policy on financial leverage allows the Fund to use financial leverage in the form of borrowings and/or preferred shares to the maximum extent allowable under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Currently, the Fund may employs financial leverage by borrowing money through a Credit Facility (as defined herein) and through the issuance of

 

3


   preferred securities that are senior to the Common Shares. The Fund anticipates that the use of leverage will result in higher income to its common shareholders (“Common Shareholders”) over time. Use of financial leverage creates an opportunity for increased income but, at the same time, creates special risks. There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful. The investment advisory fees paid by the Fund will be calculated on the basis of the Fund’s Managed Assets (as defined in this Prospectus), which includes proceeds from leverage, so the dollar amount of the management fee paid by the Fund to the Adviser will be higher (and the Adviser will be benefited to that extent) when leverage is utilized. This may create a conflict of interest between the Fund’s investment adviser and holders of Common Shares. Holders of Common Shares effectively bear the entire investment advisory fee.
   The Fund has entered into a $400 million Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, effective as of August 27, 2014 (as from time to time amended, supplemented, waived or modified, the “Credit Facility”), among the Fund, certain conduit lenders, Citibank, N.A., State Street Bank and Trust Company and Citibank, N.A.
   In August 2013, the Fund issued in the aggregate 1,250 Variable Rate Term Preferred Shares (“VRTP”), each with a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, pursuant to an offering exempt from registration under the 1933 Act. Proceeds from the issuance of VRTP Shares were used to repay a portion of the Fund’s outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility. VRTP Shares are a floating-rate form of preferred shares with a mandatory redemption date. The Fund is required to redeem all outstanding VRTP Shares on September 1, 2017, unless earlier redeemed, repurchased or extended. VRTP Shares are subject to optional and mandatory redemption in certain circumstances. The redemption price per share is equal to the sum of the liquidation value per share plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends.
   As of February 28, 2015, the Fund had outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility of $361 million, representing approximately 22% of the Fund’s total assets as of such date, and outstanding preferred shares with an aggregate liquidation preference of $125 million, representing approximately 7.61% of the Fund’s total assets as of such date. The Fund’s total leverage as of February 28, 2015 represented approximately 29.61% of the Fund’s total assets as of such date.
   Financial leverage may also be achieved through the purchase of certain derivative instruments. The Fund’s use of derivative instruments exposes the Fund to special risks.
Management Of The Fund    Invesco Advisers, Inc. (“Invesco” or the “Adviser”) is the Fund’s investment adviser. The Adviser is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Invesco Ltd. The Adviser is located at 1555 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309. The Adviser, a successor in interest to multiple investment advisers, has been an investment adviser since 1976.
   Under an investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”), the Fund pays the Adviser an annual fee, payable monthly, in an amount equal to 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets, which shall mean the average daily total asset value of the Fund minus the sum of accrued liabilities other than the aggregate liquidation preference of any preferred shares and/or the aggregate amount of any borrowings for investment purposes (“Managed Assets”).

 

4


   Invesco has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with certain affiliates to serve as sub-advisers to the Fund, pursuant to which these affiliated sub-advisers may be appointed by Invesco from time to time to provide discretionary investment management services, investment advice, and/or order execution services to the Fund. These affiliated sub-advisers, each of which is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) are:
  

 

•       Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH (“Invesco Deutschland”)

 

•       Invesco Asset Management Limited (“Invesco Asset Management”)

 

•       Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited (“Invesco Japan”)

 

•       Invesco Hong Kong Limited (“Invesco Hong Kong”)

 

•       Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc. (“Invesco Senior Secured”)

 

•       Invesco Canada Ltd. (“Invesco Canada”);

 

•       (each a “Sub-Adviser” and collectively, the “Sub-Advisers”).

   Invesco and each Sub-Adviser are indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Invesco Ltd.
   The only fees payable to the Sub-Advisers under the Sub-Advisory Agreement are for providing discretionary investment management services. For such services, Invesco will pay each Sub-Adviser a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, equal to (i) 40% of the monthly compensation that Invesco receives from the Fund, multiplied by (ii) the fraction equal to the net assets of such Fund as to which such Sub-Adviser shall have provided discretionary investment management services for that month divided by the net assets of such Fund for that month. Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, this fee is reduced to reflect contractual or voluntary fee waivers or expense limitations by Invesco, if any, in effect from time to time. In no event shall the aggregate monthly fees paid to the Sub-Advisers under the Sub-Advisory Agreement exceed 40% of the monthly compensation that Invesco receives from the Fund pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, as reduced to reflect contractual or voluntary fees waivers or expense limitations by Invesco, if any.
Distributions    The Fund intends to make regular monthly distributions of all or a portion of its net investment income to Common Shareholders. The Fund expects to pay its Common Shareholders annually all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income to meet the requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Various factors will affect the level of the Fund’s net investment company taxable income. The Fund may from time to time distribute less than the entire amount of income earned in a particular period. The undistributed income would be available to supplement future distributions. As a result, the distributions paid by the Fund for any particular month may be more or less than the amount of income actually earned by the Fund during that period. Undistributed income will add to the Fund’s net asset value and, correspondingly, distributions from undistributed income, if any, will reduce the Fund’s net asset value.
   In addition, the Fund intends to distribute, on an annual basis, all or substantially all of any net capital gains to its Common Shareholders. The Fund may also declare and pay capital gains distributions more frequently, if necessary, in order to reduce or eliminate federal excise or income taxes on the Fund.

 

5


   The Fund reserves the right to change its distribution policy and the basis for establishing the rate of distributions at any time and may do so without prior notice to Common Shareholders.
   Shareholders will automatically have all dividends and distributions reinvested in Common Shares issued by the Fund or Common Shares of the Fund purchased in the open market in accordance with the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan unless an election is made to receive cash. See “Distributions” and “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”
Listing And Symbol    The Fund’s currently outstanding Common Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “VTA” and the Common Shares offered by this Prospectus, subject to notice of issuance, will also be listed on the NYSE. The net asset value per Common Share at the close of business on July 17, 2015 was $13.31, and the last reported sale price of the Common Shares on the NYSE on such date was $11.65, representing a discount to net asset value of 12.47%. See “Market and Net Asset Value Information.”
Special Risk Considerations    Investment in the Fund involves special risk considerations, which are summarized below. The Fund is designed as a long-term investment and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund’s performance and the value of its investments will vary in response to changes in interest rates, inflation and other market factors. See “Risks” for a more complete discussion of the special risk considerations associated with an investment in the Fund.
   Market Risk. Market risk is the possibility that the market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline. The values of fixed income securities tend to fall as interest rates rise, and such declines tend to be greater among fixed income securities with longer maturities. Market risk is often greater among certain types of fixed income securities, such as zero coupon bonds which do not make regular interest payments but are instead bought at a discount to their face values and paid in full upon maturity. As interest rates change, these securities often fluctuate more in price than securities that make regular interest payments and therefore subject the Fund to greater market risk than a fund that does not own these types of securities. The values of adjustable, variable or floating rate income securities tend to have less fluctuation in response to changes in interest rates, but will have some fluctuation particularly when the next interest rate adjustment on such security is further away in time or adjustments are limited in amount over time. The Fund has no policy limiting the maturity of loans and debts that it purchases. Such obligations often have mandatory and optional prepayment provisions and because of prepayments, the actual remaining maturity of loans and debts may be considerably less than their stated maturity. Obligations with longer maturities or durations generally expose the Fund to more market risk. When-issued and delayed delivery transactions are subject to changes in market conditions from the time of the commitment until settlement. This may adversely affect the prices or yields of the securities being purchased. The greater the Fund’s outstanding commitments for these securities, the greater the Fund’s exposure to market price fluctuations.
   Credit Risk. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a security will be unable to make timely interest payments and/or repay the principal on its debt. Because the Fund may invest, without limitation, in securities that are below investment grade, the Fund is subject to a greater degree of credit risk than a fund investing primarily in investment grade securities. Below investment grade securities (that is, securities rated Ba or lower by Moody’s or BB or lower by S&P) are commonly referred to as “junk” securities. Generally, lower-grade

 

6


        securities provide a higher yield than higher-grade securities of similar maturity but are subject to greater risks, such as greater credit risk, greater market risk and volatility, greater liquidity concerns and potentially greater manager risk. Such securities are generally regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the capacity to pay interest or repay principal in accordance with their terms. Lower-grade securities are more susceptible to non-payment of interest and principal and default than higher-grade securities and are more sensitive to specific issuer developments or real or perceived general adverse economic changes than higher-grade securities. The market for lower-grade securities also may have less information available than the market for other securities, further complicating evaluations and valuations of such securities and placing more emphasis on the experience, judgment and analysis of each of the Adviser and the Subadviser with respect to the portion of the Fund’s portfolio that each manages.
        The Fund may invest in loan and debt obligations of stressed, distressed and bankrupt issuers including those that are in covenant or payment default. Such obligations are subject to a multitude of legal, industry, market, economic and governmental forces that make analysis of these companies inherently difficult. The Adviser and the Subadviser rely on company management, outside experts, market participants and personal experience to analyze potential investments for the portion of the Fund’s assets that they respectively manage. There can be no assurance that any of these sources will provide credible information, or that each of the Adviser’s and the Subadviser’s analysis will produce conclusions that lead to profitable investments for the portion of the Fund’s portfolio that each manages. Obligations of stressed, distressed and bankrupt issuers generally trade significantly below par and are considered speculative. The repayment of defaulted obligations is subject to significant uncertainties. Defaulted obligations might be repaid only after lengthy workout or bankruptcy proceedings or result in only partial recovery of cash payments or an exchange of the defaulted obligation for other debt or equity securities of the issuer or its affiliates, which may in turn be illiquid or speculative.
        There are a number of significant risks inherent in the bankruptcy process. Many events in a bankruptcy are the product of contested matters and adversary proceedings and are beyond the control of the creditors. There can be no assurance that a bankruptcy court would not approve actions that would be contrary to the interests of the Fund. A bankruptcy filing by an issuer may cause such issuer to lose its market position and key employees and otherwise become incapable of restoring itself as a viable entity and its liquidation value may be less than its value was believed to be at the time of investment. In addition, the duration of a bankruptcy proceeding is difficult to predict and as such, a creditor’s return on investment can be adversely affected by delays while the plan of reorganization is being negotiated, approved by the creditors and confirmed by the bankruptcy court and until it ultimately becomes effective. The administrative costs in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding are frequently high and would be paid out of the debtor’s estate prior to any return to creditors. Further, in the early stages of the bankruptcy process it is often difficult to estimate the extent of any contingent claims that might be made and as such, there exists the risk that the Fund’s influence with respect to the class of obligations it owns can be lost by increases in the number and amount of claims in that class or by different classification and treatment. A creditor, such as the Fund, can also lose its ranking and priority if it is determined that such creditor exercised “domination and control” over a debtor and other creditors can demonstrate that they have been harmed by such actions. In addition, certain claims have priority by law, such as claims for taxes, which may be substantial and could affect the ability of the Fund to be repaid.

 

7


  In any investment involving stressed and distressed debt obligations, there exists the risk that the transaction involving such debt obligations will be unsuccessful, take considerable time or will result in a distribution of cash or a new security or obligation in exchange for the stressed and distressed debt obligations, the value of which may be less than the Fund’s purchase price of such debt obligations. Furthermore, if an anticipated transaction does not occur, the Fund may be required to sell its investment at a loss.
  Interest Rate Risk. When interest rates decline, the value of a portfolio invested in fixed income securities generally can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a portfolio invested in fixed income securities generally can be expected to decline. The prices of longer term fixed income securities generally are more volatile with respect to changes in interest rates than the prices of shorter term fixed income securities. These risks may be greater in the current market environment because certain interest rates are near historically low levels, which may increase the Fund’s exposure to risks associated with rising interest rates. Rising interest rates could have unpredictable effects on the markets and may expose fixed-income and related markets to heightened volatility. For fixed-income securities, an increase in interest rates may lead to increased redemptions and increased portfolio turnover, which could reduce liquidity for certain Fund investments, adversely affect values, and increase the Fund’s expenses.
  Income Risk. The income you receive from the Fund is based primarily on interest rates, which can vary widely over the short- and long-term. If interest rates drop, your income from the Fund may drop as well. The more the Fund invests in adjustable, variable or floating rate securities or in securities susceptible to prepayment risk, the greater the Fund’s income risk.
  Prepayment or Call Risk. If interest rates fall, it is possible that issuers of fixed income securities with high interest rates will prepay or “call” their securities before their maturity dates. In this event, the proceeds from the prepaid or called securities would likely be reinvested by the Fund in securities bearing the new, lower interest rates, resulting in a possible decline in the Fund’s income and distributions to shareholders.
  Risk of Senior Loans. There is less readily available, reliable information about most Senior Loans than is the case for many other types of securities. Senior Loans generally are not listed on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system and as such, many Senior Loans are less liquid, meaning that the Fund may not be able to sell them quickly at a fair price. However, many Senior Loans are of a large principal amount and are held by a large number of owners, which should enhance their liquidity. In addition, in recent years the number of institutional investors purchasing Senior Loans has increased. To the extent that a secondary market does exist for certain Senior Loans, the market is more volatile than for liquid, listed securities and may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods. The market for Senior Loans could be disrupted in the event of an economic downturn or a substantial increase or decrease in interest rates, resulting in fluctuations in the Fund’s net asset value. Although the Fund believes that its investments in adjustable rate Senior Loans could limit fluctuations in the Fund’s net asset value as a result of changes in interest rates, extraordinary and sudden changes in interest rates could nevertheless disrupt the market for such Senior Loans and result in fluctuations in the Fund’s net asset value.

 

8


  Senior Loans, like most other debt obligations, are subject to the risk of default. Default in the payment of interest or principal on a Senior Loan will result in a reduction in income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of the Senior Loan and a potential decrease in the Fund’s net asset value. The risk of default will increase in the event of an economic downturn or a substantial increase in interest rates. Each of the Adviser and the Subadviser relies primarily on its own evaluation of borrower credit quality rather than on any available independent sources. As a result, the Fund is particularly dependent on the analytical abilities of each of the Adviser and the Subadviser.
  The Fund may acquire Senior Loans of borrowers that are experiencing, or are more likely to experience financial difficulty, including Senior Loans issued in highly leveraged transactions. The Fund may even acquire and retain in its portfolio Senior Loans of borrowers that have filed for bankruptcy protection. Borrowers may have outstanding debt obligations that are rated below investment grade. More recently, rating agencies have begun rating Senior Loans, and Senior Loans in the Fund’s portfolio may themselves be rated below investment grade. The Fund may invest a substantial portion of its assets in Senior Loans of borrowers that have outstanding debt obligations rated below investment grade or unrated securities deemed to be of comparable quality. Senior Loans may not be rated at the time that the Fund purchases them. If a Senior Loan is rated at the time of purchase, the Fund may consider the rating when evaluating the Senior Loan but, in any event, does not view ratings as a determinative factor in investment decisions. As a result, the Fund is more dependent on the credit analysis abilities of the Adviser and the Subadviser. Because of the protective terms of Senior Loans, the Fund believes that the Fund is more likely to recover more of its investment in a defaulted Senior Loan than would be the case for most other types of defaulted debt securities. The values of Senior Loans of borrowers that have filed for bankruptcy protection or that are experiencing payment difficulty could be affected by, among other things, the assessment of the likelihood that the lenders ultimately will receive repayment of the principal amount of such Senior Loans, the likely duration, if any, of a lapse in the scheduled payment of interest and repayment of principal and prevailing interest rates. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to recover any amount on Senior Loans of such Borrowers. Even in the case of collateralized Senior Loans, there is no assurance that sale of the collateral would raise enough cash to satisfy the borrower’s payment obligation or that the collateral can or will be liquidated. In the case of bankruptcy, liquidation may not occur and the court may not give lenders the full benefit of their senior position.
  The Fund may acquire Senior Loan assignments or participations. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations of the assigning institution and becomes a lender under the credit agreement with respect to the debt obligation; however, its rights can be more restricted than those of the assigning institution, and, in any event, the Fund may not be able unilaterally to enforce all rights and remedies under the loan and any associated collateral. A participation typically results in a contractual relationship only with the institution participating out the interest, not with the borrower. In purchasing participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement or any rights of setoff against the borrower, and the Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the debt obligation in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, the Fund will be exposed to the credit risk of both the borrower and the institution selling the participation.

 

9


  Risk of Second Lien or Other Subordinated or Unsecured Loans or Debt. Second lien or other subordinated or unsecured loans or debt generally are subject to similar risks associated with investments in Senior Loans. Because second lien or other subordinated or unsecured loans or debt are lower in priority of payment to Senior Loans, they are subject to additional risk that the cash flow of the borrower and property securing the loan or debt, if any, may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to the senior secured obligations of the borrower. This risk is generally higher for subordinated unsecured loans or debt, which are not backed by a security interest in any specific collateral. Second lien or subordinated loans or debt, both secured and unsecured, are expected to have greater price volatility than Senior Loans and may be less liquid. There is also a possibility that originators will not be able to sell participations in second lien loans and subordinated loans or debt, both secured and unsecured, which would create greater credit risk exposure. Second lien or other subordinated or unsecured loans or debt of below investment grade quality share the same risks of other below investment grade securities.
  Risks of Structured Products. The Fund may invest in structured products, CDOs, CBOs, CLOs, structured notes, credit-linked notes and other types of structured products. Holders of structured products bear risks of the underlying investments, index or reference obligation and are subject to counterparty risk. The Fund may have the right to receive payments to which it is entitled only from the structured product, and generally does not have direct rights against the issuer or the entity that sold assets to the special purpose trust. While certain structured products enable the investor to acquire interests in a pool of securities without the brokerage and other expenses associated with directly holding the same securities, investors in structured products generally pay their share of the structured product’s administrative and other expenses. When investing in structured products, it is impossible to predict whether the underlying index or prices of the underlying securities will rise or fall, but prices of the underlying indices and securities (and, therefore, the prices of structured products) will be influenced by the same types of political and economic events that affect particular issuers of securities and capital markets generally. Certain structured products may be thinly traded or have a limited trading market and may have the effect of increasing the Fund’s illiquidity to the extent that the Fund, at a particular point in time, may be unable to find qualified buyers for these securities.
  CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs are typically privately offered and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, investments in CDOs may be characterized by the Fund as illiquid securities; however an active dealer market may exist for CDOs allowing a CDO to be considered liquid in some circumstances. In addition to the general risks associated with fixed income securities discussed herein, CDOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (iii) the possibility that the CDOs are subordinate to other classes; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results.
  Investments in structured notes involve risks including income risk, credit risk and market risk. Where the Fund’s investments in structured notes are based upon the movement of one or more factors, including currency exchange rates, interest rates, referenced bonds and stock indices, depending on the factor used and the use of multipliers or deflators, changes in interest rates and movement of

 

10


  the factor may cause significant price fluctuations. Additionally, changes in the reference instrument or security may cause the interest rate on the structured note to be reduced to zero and any further changes in the reference instrument may then reduce the principal amount payable on maturity. Structured notes may be less liquid than other types of securities and more volatile than the reference instrument or security underlying the note.
  Risk of Swaps. The Fund may enter into swap transactions, including credit default, total return, index and interest rate swap agreements, as well as options thereon, and may purchase or sell interest rate caps, floors and collars. Such transactions are subject to market risk, risk of default by the other party to the transaction, risk of imperfect correlation and manager risk and may involve commissions or other costs. Swaps generally do not involve delivery of securities, other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to swaps generally is limited to the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make, or in the case of the other party to a swap defaulting, the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid. Caps, floors and collars are more recent innovations for which standardized documentation has not yet been fully developed and, accordingly, they are less liquid than swaps. If the Adviser and the Subadviser are incorrect in their forecast of market values, interest rates or currency exchange rates, the investment performance of the Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if these investment techniques were not used.
  Financial Leverage Risk. There can be no assurance that a financial leveraging strategy will be utilized by the Fund or that, if utilized, it will be successful during any period in which it is employed. Leverage creates risks for holders of Common Shares, including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of, and distributions on, the Common Shares and the risk that fluctuations in distribution rates on any preferred shares and costs of borrowings may affect the return to holders of Common Shares. To the extent the income derived from investments purchased with proceeds received from leverage exceeds the cost of leverage, the Fund’s distributions will be greater than if leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the income from the investments purchased with such proceeds is not sufficient to cover the cost of the financial leverage, the amount available for distribution to holders of Common Shares will be less than if leverage had not been used. In the latter case, the Fund may nevertheless maintain its leveraged position if such action is deemed to be appropriate based on market conditions. These risks may be greater in the current market environment because interest rates are near historically low levels. Interest payments on the Fund’s outstanding borrowings and dividends on the Fund’s outstanding preferred shares are based on variable rate formulas and as a result the Fund’s leverage costs will increase in a rising interest rate environment. The costs of an offering of preferred shares and/or borrowing program will be borne by holders of Common Shares and consequently, will result in a reduction of the net asset value of Common Shares.
  The investment advisory fees paid by the Fund will be calculated on the basis of the Fund’s Managed Assets, which includes proceeds from the issuance of preferred shares and/or borrowings, so the dollar amount of the management fee paid by the Fund to the Adviser will be higher (and the Adviser will be benefited to that extent) when leverage is utilized. This may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser and holders of Common Shares as providers of the credit

 

11


  facility or holders of preferred securities do not bear the investment advisory fee, rather, holders of Common Shares bear the portion of the investment advisory fee attributable to the assets purchased with the proceeds from the issuance of preferred shares and/or borrowings. This means that holders of Common Shares effectively bear the entire investment advisory fee.
  Any lender in connection with a credit facility may impose specific restrictions as condition to borrowing. Similarly, to the extent the Fund issues preferred shares, the Fund currently intends to seek an AAA or equivalent credit rating from one or more rating agencies on any preferred shares it issues and the Fund may be subject to investment restrictions of the rating agency as a result. Such restrictions imposed by a rating agency or lender may include asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act. It is not anticipated that these covenants or guidelines will impede the Adviser or the Subadviser in managing its respective portion of the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with its investment objectives and policies. See “Description of Capital Structure—Preferred Shares” and “Description of Capital Structure—Borrowings”
  Financial leverage may also be achieved through the purchase of certain derivative instruments. The Fund’s use of derivative instruments exposes the Fund to special risks.
  Foreign Securities Risk. The Fund will invest in credit securities of issuers that are organized or located in countries other than the United States, including non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. Investment in non-U.S. issuers involves special risks, including that non-U.S. issuers may be subject to less rigorous accounting and reporting requirements than U.S. issuers, less rigorous regulatory requirements, different legal systems and laws relating to creditors’ rights, the potential inability to enforce legal judgments, the potential for political, social and economic adversity and currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and non-U.S. currencies may negatively affect an investment. The value of investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies may fluctuate based on changes in the value of those currencies relative to the U.S. dollar, and a decline in applicable foreign exchange rates could reduce the value of such investments held by the Fund.
  The foreign securities in which the Fund may invest may be issued by companies located in emerging market countries. Compared to the United States and other developed countries, emerging market countries may have relatively unstable governments, economies based on only a few industries and securities markets that trade a small number of securities. Securities issued by companies located in these countries tend to be especially volatile and may be less liquid than securities traded in developed countries. In the past, securities in these countries have been characterized by greater potential loss than securities of companies located in developed countries. Investments in the securities of issuers located in emerging markets could be affected by risks associated with expropriation and/or nationalization, armed conflict, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on transfers of assets, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards, less publicly available financial and other information and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations.
  Since the Fund may invest in credit securities of foreign issuers denominated in the local currency, changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of credit securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments. In addition to changes in the value of the Fund’s portfolio investments resulting from currency fluctuations, the Fund may incur

 

12


  costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. The Fund may also invest directly in currencies. The Fund is subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. The values of the currencies of the emerging market countries in which the Fund may invest may be subject to a high degree of fluctuation due to changes in interest rates, the effects of monetary policies of the United States, foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities, the imposition of currency controls or due to other national or global political or economic developments. Foreign exchange dealers realize a profit based on the difference between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer normally will offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire immediately to resell that currency to the dealer. 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 entering into forward, futures or options contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. Therefore, the Fund’s exposure to foreign currencies may result in reduced returns to the Fund. The Fund may, from time to time, seek to protect the value of some portion or all of its portfolio holdings against currency risks by engaging in currency hedging transactions, such as currency futures contracts, currency forward contracts and options on currencies. Such transactions may include entering into forward currency exchange contracts, currency futures contracts and options on such futures contracts, as well as purchasing put or call options on currencies, in U.S. or foreign markets. Currency hedging involves special risks, including possible default by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent the view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of hedging could result in losses greater than if they had not been used. In addition, in certain countries in which the Fund may invest, currency hedging opportunities may not be available. The use of currency transactions can result in the Fund incurring losses because of the imposition of exchange controls, suspension of settlements or the inability of the Fund to deliver or receive a specified currency.
  The Fund will compute and expects to distribute its income in U.S. dollars, and the computation of income is made on the date that the income is earned by the Fund at the foreign exchange rate in effect on that date. If the value of the foreign currencies in which the Fund receives its income falls relative to the U.S. dollar between the date of earning of the income and the time at which the Fund converts the foreign currencies to U.S. dollars, the Fund may be required to liquidate securities in order to make distributions if the Fund has insufficient cash in U.S. dollars to meet distribution requirements. The liquidation of investments, if required, may have an adverse impact on the Fund’s performance.
  Strategic Transactions Risk. The Fund may utilize options, forward contracts, futures contracts and options on futures contracts (collectively, referred to as “Strategic Transactions”). Strategic Transactions involve risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets, the possible default by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity of the derivative instrument and, to the extent the prediction as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of such Strategic Transactions could result in losses greater than if they had not been used. In addition, such transactions may involve commissions and other costs, which may increase the Fund’s expenses and reduce its return. Thus, the use of Strategic Transactions may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may require the Fund to sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other

 

13


  than current market values, may limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can otherwise realize on an investment, or may cause the Fund to hold a security that it might otherwise sell. In addition, amounts paid as premiums and cash or other assets held in margin accounts with respect to Strategic Transactions are not otherwise available to the Fund for investment purposes.
  The use of forward contracts, options and futures transactions entails certain special risks. In particular, the use of such transactions by the Fund could create the possibility that losses on the instrument would be greater than gains in the value of the Fund’s position. In addition, futures and options markets could be illiquid in some circumstances, and certain over-the-counter options could have no markets. As a result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close out a position without incurring substantial losses. To the extent that the Fund utilizes forward contracts, futures contracts or options transactions for hedging, such transactions should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged position and, at the same time, limit any potential gain to the Fund that might result from an increase in value of the position. In addition, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of options, in which case the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium and transaction costs. Losses resulting from the use of hedging will reduce the Fund’s net asset value, and possibly income, and the losses can be greater than if hedging had not been used. Forward contracts may limit gains on portfolio securities that could otherwise be realized had they not been utilized and could result in losses. The contracts also may increase the Fund’s volatility and may involve a significant amount of risk relative to the investment of cash. The use of put and call options may result in losses to the Fund, force the sale of portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than at current market values, limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on its investments or cause the Fund to hold a security it might otherwise sell. The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to any Strategic Transactions engaged in by the Fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.
  When conducted outside the United States, Strategic Transactions may not be regulated as rigorously as in the United States, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities, currencies and other instruments. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by: (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund’s ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States, (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States and (v) lower trading volume and liquidity.
  Manager Risk. As with any managed fund, the Adviser and the Subadviser may not be successful in selecting the best-performing securities or investment techniques in managing its respective portion of the Fund’s portfolio, and the Fund’s performance may lag behind that of similar funds.

 

14


  Risks of Investing in Other Investment Companies. The Fund may acquire shares in other investment companies, including foreign investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. The market value of the shares of other investment companies may differ from the net asset value of the particular fund. As a shareholder in an investment company, the Fund would bear its ratable share of that entity’s expenses, including its investment advisory and administration fees. At the same time, the Fund would continue to pay its own investment advisory fees and other expenses. As a result, the Fund and its shareholders, in effect, will be absorbing duplicate levels of fees with respect to investments in other investment companies.
  Zero Coupon Securities Risk. Certain debt obligations purchased by the Fund may take the form of zero coupon bonds. A zero coupon bond is a bond that does not pay interest either for the entire life of the obligation or for an initial period after the issuance of the obligation. When held to its maturity, its return comes from the difference between the purchase price and its maturity value. A zero coupon bond is normally issued and traded at a deep discount from face value. Zero coupon bonds allow an issuer to avoid or delay the need to generate cash to meet current interest payments and, as a result, may involve greater credit risk than bonds that pay interest currently or in cash. Special tax considerations are associated with investing in non-cash-paying instruments For example, the Fund would be required to distribute the income on these instruments as it accrues, even though the Fund may be required to accrue that income before a corresponding receipt of cash from such instruments. Thus, the Fund may have to sell other investments or borrow money, including when it may not be advisable to do so, to make income distributions to its stockholders. Such securities may have unreliable valuations because their continuing accruals require judgments about the collectability of the deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral. Accruals on such instruments may create uncertainty about the source of distributions Common Shareholders.
  Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. To the extent that inflation occurs, it will reduce the real value of dividends paid by the Fund and the Fund’s shares. Most emerging market countries have experienced substantial, and in some periods extremely high and volatile, rates of inflation. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had and may continue to have very negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries. In an attempt to control inflation, wage and price controls have been imposed at times in certain countries.
  Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk. The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements. In its purchase of repurchase agreements, the Fund does not bear the risk of a decline in the value of the underlying security unless the seller defaults under its repurchase obligation. In the event of the bankruptcy or other default of a seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying securities and losses, including possible decline in the value of the underlying security during the period while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto, possible lack of access to income on the underlying security during this period, and expenses of enforcing its rights.
  The Fund’s use of reverse repurchase agreements involve many of the same risks involved in the Fund’s use of financial leverage, as the proceeds from reverse repurchase agreements generally will be invested in additional securities.

 

15


  There is a risk that the market value of the securities acquired in the reverse repurchase agreement may decline below the price of the securities that the Fund has sold but remains obligated to repurchase. In addition, there is a risk that the market value of the securities retained by the Fund may decline. If the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement were to file for bankruptcy or experience insolvency, the Fund may be adversely affected. Also, in entering into reverse repurchase agreements, the Fund would bear the risk of loss to the extent that the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement are less than the value of the underlying securities. In addition, due to the interest costs associated with reverse repurchase agreements, the Fund’s net asset value will decline, and, in some cases, the investment performance of the Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if the Fund had not used such instruments.
  Illiquid Investments Risk. The Fund’s investments in relatively illiquid securities and loans may restrict the ability of the Fund to dispose of its investments in a timely fashion and for fair value, as well as its ability to fairly value such investments and take advantage of market opportunities. The risks associated with illiquidity will be particularly acute in situations in which the Fund’s operations require cash, such as when the Fund pays dividends or distributions, and could result in the Fund borrowing to meet short-term cash requirements or incurring capital losses on the sale of illiquid investments.
  Short Sales Risk. The Fund may engage in short sales. Short sales involve certain risks and special considerations. If the Fund incorrectly predicts that the price of the borrowed security will decline, the Fund will have to replace the securities with securities with a greater value than the amount received from the sale. As a result, losses from short sales differ from losses that could be incurred from a purchase of a security, because losses from short sales may be unlimited, whereas losses from purchases can equal only the total amount invested.
  Warrants Risk. The Fund may invest in warrants. The risk of investing in a warrant is that the warrant may expire prior to the market value of the common stock exceeding the price fixed by the warrant. Warrants have a subordinate claim on a borrower’s assets compared with Senior Loans. As a result, the values of warrants generally are dependent on the financial condition of the borrower and less dependent on fluctuations in interest rates than are the values of many debt securities. The values of warrants may be more volatile than those of Senior Loans and this may increase the volatility of the Fund’s net asset value.
  Temporary Investments Risk. During periods in which the Fund believes that changes in economic, financial or political conditions make it advisable to do so, the Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, reduce its primary investment holdings and invest in certain short-term and medium term debt securities or hold cash. The Fund intends to invest for temporary defensive purposes only in short-term and medium-term debt securities believed to be of high quality, which are expected to be subject to relatively low risk of loss of interest or principal. In taking such defensive position, the Fund temporarily would not be pursuing and may not achieve its investment objectives.
  U.S. Government Securities Risk. U.S. Government securities historically have not involved the credit risks associated with investments in other types of debt securities, although, as a result, the yields available from U.S. Government debt securities are generally lower than the yields available from other securities. Like other debt securities, however, the values of U.S. Government securities change as interest rates fluctuate. On August 5, 2011, S&P lowered its long-term
 

 

16


  sovereign credit rating on the U.S. to “AA+” from “AAA.” Any further downgrades of the U.S. credit rating could increase volatility in both stock and bond markets, result in higher interest rates and higher Treasury yields and increase the costs of all kinds of debt. These events could have significant adverse effects on the economy generally and could result in significant adverse impacts on securities issuers and the Fund. The Adviser cannot predict the effects of these or similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets or on the Fund’s portfolio.
  Recent Market Developments Risk. Global and domestic financial markets have experienced periods of severe turmoil. The debt and equity capital markets in the United States have been negatively impacted by significant write-offs in the financial services sector relating to sub-prime mortgages and the re-pricing of credit risk, among other things. These events, along with the deterioration of the housing market, the failure of major financial institutions and the resulting United States federal government actions led to worsening general economic conditions, which materially and adversely impacted the broader financial and credit markets and reduced the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole and financial firms in particular. Such market conditions may increase the volatility of the value of securities owned by the Fund, may make it more difficult for the Fund to accurately value its securities or to sell its securities on a timely basis and may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to borrow for investment purposes and increase the cost of such borrowings, which would reduce returns to the holders of Common Shares. These developments adversely affected the broader economy, and may continue to do so, which in turn may adversely affect issuers of securities owned by the Fund. Such developments could, in turn, reduce the value of securities owned by the Fund and adversely affect the net asset value of the Common Shares. Recently markets have witnessed more stabilized economic activity as expectations for an economic recovery increased. However, risks to a robust resumption of growth persist. A return to unfavorable economic conditions or sustained economic slowdown could adversely impact the Fund’s portfolio.
  Eurozone Risk. The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns or rising government debt levels in several European countries, including Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain. Continuing uncertainty as to the status of the Euro and the European Monetary Union (the “EMU”) has created significant volatility in currency and financial markets generally. Investing in Euro-denominated securities entails risk of being exposed to a currency that may not fully reflect the strengths and weaknesses of the disparate European economies. In addition, it is possible that the Euro could be abandoned in the future by countries that have adopted its use. The effects of the collapse of the Euro, or of the exit of one or more countries from the EMU, on the United States and global economy and securities markets could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of the Fund’s investments. If one or more EMU countries were to stop using the Euro as its primary currency, the Fund’s investments in such countries may be redenominated into a different or newly adopted currency. As a result, the value of those investments could decline significantly and unpredictably. In addition, securities or other investments that are redenominated may be subject to foreign currency risk, liquidity risk and valuation risk to a greater extent than similar investments currently denominated in Euros. To the extent a currency used for redenomination purposes is not specified in respect of certain EMU-related investments, or should the Euro cease to be used entirely, the currency in which such investments are denominated may be unclear, making such investments particularly difficult to

 

17


  value or dispose of. The Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek judicial or other clarification of the denomination or value of such securities.
  Legislation and Regulation Risk. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), which was signed into law in July 2010, has resulted in a significant revision of the U.S. financial regulatory framework. The Dodd-Frank Act covers a broad range of topics. The regulation of various types of derivative instruments pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act may adversely affect the Fund or its counterparties. The ultimate impact of the Dodd-Frank Act, and any resulting regulation, is not yet certain and issuers of securities in which the Fund invests may also be affected by the new legislation and regulation in ways that are currently unknown and unforeseeable. In connection with an ongoing review by the SEC and its staff of the regulation of investment companies’ use of derivatives, on August 31, 2011, the SEC issued a concept release to seek public comment on a wide range of issues raised by the use of derivatives by investment companies. While the nature of any such regulations is uncertain at this time, it is possible that such regulations could limit the implementation of the Fund’s options strategy or other uses of derivatives, which could have an adverse impact on the Fund. At any time after the date of this prospectus, legislation may be enacted that could negatively affect the assets of the Fund or the issuers of such assets. Changing approaches to regulation may have a negative impact on the Fund or entities in which the Fund invests. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. There can be no assurance that future legislation, regulation or deregulation will not have a material adverse effect on the Fund or will not impair the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objectives. See “Risks—Legislation and Regulation Risk.”
  When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions Risk. Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis may expose the Fund to counterparty risk of default as well as the risk that securities may experience fluctuations in value prior to their actual delivery. The Fund generally will not accrue income with respect to a when-issued or delayed delivery security prior to its stated delivery date. Purchasing securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis can involve the additional risk that the price or yield available in the market when the delivery takes place may not be as favorable as that obtained in the transaction itself.
  Securities Lending Risk. Securities lending is subject to the risk that loaned securities may not be available to the Fund on a timely basis and the Fund may therefore lose the opportunity to sell the securities at a desirable price. Any loss in the market price of securities loaned by the Fund that occurs during the term of the loan would be borne by the Fund and would adversely affect the Fund’s performance. Also, there may be delays in recovery, or no recovery, of securities loaned or even a loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially while the loan is outstanding.
  Risk of Failure to Qualify as a RIC. To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally accorded to RICs, the Fund must, among other things, derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from certain prescribed sources, meet certain asset diversification tests and distribute for each taxable year at least 90% of its “investment company taxable income” (generally, ordinary income plus the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss). If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a RIC, all of its taxable income for that year (including its net capital gain)

 

18


  would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and such distributions would be taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. See “Risks—Risk of Failure to Qualify as a RIC.”
  Potential Conflicts Of Interest Risk. The Adviser and its affiliates provide a wide array of portfolio management and other asset management services to a mix of clients and may engage in ordinary course activities in which their interests or those of their clients may compete or conflict with those of the Fund. The Adviser and its affiliates may provide investment management services to other funds that follow investment objectives similar to those of the Fund. In certain circumstances, and subject to its fiduciary obligations under the Advisers Act, the Adviser may have to allocate a limited investment opportunity among its clients. For additional information about potential conflicts of interest, and the way in which the Adviser and its affiliates address such conflicts please see “Management of the Fund—Potential Conflicts of Interest” in the SAI.
  Market Discount Risk. Costs incurred in connection with an offering of Common Shares will be borne entirely by the Fund, which may reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share. The sale of Common Shares by the Fund (or the perception that such sales may occur) may have an adverse effect on prices of Common Shares in the secondary market. An increase in the number of Common Shares available may put downward pressure on the market price for Common Shares. The Fund may, from time to time, seek the consent of Common Shareholders to permit the issuance and sale by the Fund of Common Shares at a price below the Fund’s then current net asset value, subject to certain conditions, and such sales of Common Shares at price below net asset value, if any, may increase downward pressure on the market price for Common Shares. These sales, if any, also might make it more difficult for the Fund to sell additional Common Shares in the future at a time and price it deems appropriate. Common Shares of the Fund are designed primarily for long-term investors; investors in Common Shares should not view the Fund as a vehicle for trading purposes.
  Maintenance of Leverage Risk. Issuance of additional Common Shares will result in an increase in the assets of the Fund. To the extent that the Fund desires to maintain its level of leverage, as a percentage of the assets of the Fund, the Fund will be required to increase its borrowings or issue additional preferred shares. The Fund may incur costs in connection with issuing additional leverage, and there can be no assurance that the Fund can obtain additional leverage at favorable rates. An inability by the Fund to maintain its leverage, as a percentage of the assets of the Fund, or to do so at favorable rates, may negatively impact the Fund’s financial performance, including its ability to sustain current levels of distributions on Common Shares. There is no guarantee that the Fund will maintain leverage at the current rate, and the Board reserves the right to raise, decrease, or eliminate the Fund’s leverage exposure.
  Dilution Risk. The voting power of current Common Shareholders will be diluted to the extent that current Common Shareholders do not purchase Common Shares in any future offerings of Common Shares or do not purchase sufficient Common Shares to maintain their percentage interest. If the Fund is unable to invest the proceeds of such offering as intended, the Fund’s per Common Share distribution may decrease and the Fund may not participate in market advances to the same extent as if such proceeds were fully invested as planned. If the Fund sells Common Shares at a price below net asset value pursuant to the consent of Common Shareholders, shareholders will experience

 

19


   a dilution of the aggregate net asset value per Common Share because the sale price will be less than the Fund’s then-current net asset value per Common Share. Similarly, were the expenses of the offering to exceed the amount by which the sale price exceeded the Fund’s then current net asset value per Common Share, shareholders would experience a dilution of the aggregate net asset value per Common Share. This dilution will be experienced by all shareholders, irrespective of whether they purchase Common Shares in any such offering.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

In The Fund’s Governing

Documents

  

    

    

The Fund’s Certificate of Trust, as amended, the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”) and the Fund’s By-Laws (collectively, the “Governing Documents”) include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to an open-end fund. These provisions could have the effect of depriving the Common Shareholders of opportunities to sell their Common Shares at a premium over the then-current market price of the Common Shares. See “Anti-Takeover and Other Provisions in the Fund’s Governing Documents” and “Risks—Anti-Takeover Provisions in the Fund’s Governing Documents.”

Administrator    The Fund has entered into a master administrative services agreement with the Adviser, pursuant to which the Adviser performs or arranges for the provision of accounting and other administrative services to the Fund that are not required to be performed by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement.

Custodian, Dividend

Disbursing Agent and

Transfer Agent

  

    

    

The custodian for the Fund is State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110-2801.

   The transfer agent and dividend paying agent for the Fund is Computershare Trust Company, N.A., P.O. Box 43078, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3078.

 

20


SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES

The following table contains information about the costs and expenses that Common Shareholders will bear directly or indirectly. The table is based on the capital structure of the Fund as of February 28, 2015 (except as noted below). The purpose of the table and the example below is to help you understand the fees and expenses that you, as a holder of Common Shares, would bear directly or indirectly.

Common Shareholder Transaction Expenses

 

Sales load paid by you (as a percentage of offering price)

     —   (1) 

Offering expenses borne by Common Shareholders (as a percentage of offering price)

     —   (1) 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan fees(2)

     None   

 

     Percentage of Net Assets
Attributable to Common  Shares(3)
 

Annual Expenses

  

Management fees(4)

     1.83

Interest payments on borrowed funds(5)

     0.56

Other expenses(6)

     0.13
  

 

 

 

Total annual expenses

     2.52
  

 

 

 

 

(1)  If Common Shares to which this Prospectus relates are sold to or through underwriters, the Prospectus Supplement will set forth any applicable sales load and the estimated offering expenses borne by the Fund.
(2) Common Shareholders will pay service fee of $2.50 and brokerage charges if they direct the Plan Agent to sell Common Shares held in a dividend reinvestment account. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”
(3) Based upon average net assets applicable to Common Shares during the period ended February 28, 2015.
(4) The Fund pays the Adviser an annual fee, payable monthly, in an amount equal to 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets. The fee shown above is based upon outstanding leverage of 29.61% of the Fund’s total assets. If leverage of more than 29.61% of the Fund’s total assets is used, the management fees shown would be higher.
(5) Based on the Fund’s outstanding borrowings and outstanding preferred shares as of February 28, 2015 of approximately $361 million and $125 million, respectively, and the average daily weighted interest rate for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2015 of 0.86% and dividends on preferred shares at an annual rate of 1.40%, respectively.
(6) Other expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

Example

As required by relevant Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, the following example illustrates the expenses that you would pay on a $1,000 investment in Common Shares, assuming (1) “Total annual expenses” of 2.52% of net assets attributable to Common Shares and (2) a 5% annual return*:

 

     1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years  

Total Expenses paid by Common Shareholders(1)

   $ 26       $ 78       $ 134       $ 286   

 

* The Example should not be considered a representation of future expenses or returns. Actual expenses may be higher or lower than those assumed. Moreover, the Fund’s actual rate of return may be higher or lower than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example. The example assumes that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at net asset value.
(1)  The example above does not include sales loads or estimated offering costs. In connection with an offering of Common Shares, the Prospectus Supplement will set forth an Example including sales load and estimated offering costs.

 

21


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance. For the fiscal years ended February 28, 2015, February 28, 2014, February 28, 2013, February 29, 2012, the seven month period ended February 28, 2011 and the year ended July 31, 2010, the information in this table is derived from the Fund’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2015, audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund, whose report on such financial statements, together with the financial statements of the Fund, are included in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders for the period ended February 28, 2015, and are incorporated by reference into the SAI.

The following schedule presents financial highlights for a share of the Fund outstanding throughout the periods indicated.

 

    February 28,    

Year

ended

February 29,

   

Seven

months

ended

February 28,

    July 31,    

June 26, 2007
(commencement

of operations) to

 
     2015     2014     2013     2012     2011     2010     2009     2008     July 31, 2007  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 13.82      $ 13.15      $ 12.37      $ 13.29      $ 12.53      $ 11.00      $ 15.69      $ 18.65      $ 19.10   

Net investment income(a)

    0.92        0.84        0.91        0.84        0.43        0.80        1.07        1.44        0.08   

Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized)

    (0.56     0.73        0.77        (0.88     0.93        1.79        (4.41     (2.82     (0.53

Total from investment operations

    0.36        1.57        1.68        (0.04     1.36        2.59        (3.34     (1.38     (0.45

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.90     (0.90     (0.90     (0.88     (0.60     (1.06     (1.35     (1.58     —     

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 13.28      $ 13.82      $ 13.15      $ 12.37      $ 13.29      $ 12.53      $ 11.00      $ 15.69      $ 18.65   

Market value, end of period

  $ 12.07      $ 12.90      $ 13.29      $ 11.62      $ 12.83      $ 11.94      $ 10.00      $ 13.30      $ 19.75   

Total return at net asset
value(b)

    3.29     12.65     14.13     0.35     11.30     —       —       —       —  

Total return at market value(c)

    0.57     4.04     23.00     (2.36 )%      12.79     30.65     (11.84 )%      (25.46 )%      (1.25 )% 

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

  $ 983,798      $ 1,024,187      $ 974,021      $ 916,236      $ 983,818      $ 927,104      $ 814,401      $ 1,161,324      $ 1,379,846   

Portfolio turnover rate(d)(e)

    103     130     129     132     88     56     36     43     0

Ratio of expenses:

                 

With fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

    2.52 %(f)(g)      2.25 %(g)      2.09 %(g)      2.21     2.22 %(h)      2.29     3.76     2.78     1.54

With fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements excluding interest, facilities and maintenance fees

    1.96 %(f)      1.82     1.72     1.86     1.71 %(h)      1.74     2.97     1.79     —     

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    6.72 %(f)      6.28     7.15     6.73     5.72 %(h)      6.56     10.42     8.38     4.58

Senior securities:

                 

Total amount of preferred shares outstanding (000’s omitted)

  $ 125,000      $ 125,000      $                                                     

Total borrowings (000’s omitted)

  $ 361,000      $ 331,000      $ 240,000      $ 232,000      $ 281,000      $ 252,500      $ 214,000      $ 510,000      $ —     

Asset coverage per $1,000 unit of senior indebtedness(i)

  $ 4,071      $ 4,472      $ 5,058      $ 4,949      $ 4,501      $ 4,672      $ 4,806      $ 3,277      $ —     

Asset coverage per preferred share(j)

  $ 887,038      $ 919,350                                                           

Liquidating preference per preferred share

  $ 100,000      $ 100,000                                                           

 

(a)  Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b)  Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Not annualized for periods less than one year, if applicable.

 

22


 

(c)  Total return assumes an investment at the common share market price at the beginning of the period indicated, reinvestment of all distributions for the period in accordance with the Trust’s dividend reinvestment plan, and sale of all shares at the closing common share market price at the end of the period indicated. Not annualized for periods less than one year, if applicable.
(d)  Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year, if applicable.
(e)  Calculation includes the proceeds from principal repayments and sales of variable rate senior loan interests and is not annualized for periods less than one year, if applicable.
(f)  Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets applicable to common shares (000’s omitted) of $xxx.
(g)  Includes fee waivers which were less than 0.005% per share.
(h)  Annualized.
(i)  Calculated by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities (not including the Borrowings) from the Fund’s total assets and dividing by the total number of senior indebtedness units, where one unit equals $1,000 of senior indebtedness.
(j)  Calculated by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities (not including preferred shares) from the Fund’s total assets and dividing by the total number of preferred shares outstanding.

 

23


SENIOR SECURITIES

The following table sets forth information about the Fund’s outstanding senior securities as of the end of each fiscal year since its inception. This information for the fiscal years ended February 28, 2015, February 28, 2014, February 28, 2013, February 28, 2012, the seven-month period ended February 28, 2011, and the year ended July 31, 2010 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund.

 

Class and Fiscal Year

   Total Principal
Amount
Outstanding
     Asset Coverage Per
Preferred
Share/$1,000 of
Borrowings
     Involuntary
Liquidating
Preference
Per Unit
     Average
Market
Value Per
Unit
 

Variable Rate Term Preferred Shares

  

February 28, 2015

   $ 125,000,000       $ 887,038       $ 100,000         N/A   

February 28, 2014

   $ 125,000,000       $ 919,350       $ 100,000         N/A   

Borrowings

  

February 28, 2015

   $ 361,000,000       $ 4,071         N/A         N/A   

February 28, 2014

   $ 331,000,000       $ 4,472         N/A         N/A   

February 28, 2013

   $ 240,000,000       $ 5,058         N/A         N/A   

February 29, 2012

   $ 232,000,000       $ 4,949         N/A         N/A   

February 28, 2011

   $ 281,000,000       $ 4,501         N/A         N/A   

July 31, 2010

   $ 252,500,000       $ 4,672         N/A         N/A   

July 31, 2009

   $ 214,000,000       $ 4,806         N/A         N/A   

July 31, 2008

   $ 510,000,000       $ 3,277         N/A         N/A   

 

24


THE FUND

Invesco Dynamic Credit Opportunities Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund was organized as a statutory trust on March 15, 2007, pursuant to a Certificate of Trust, and is governed by the laws of the State of Delaware. The Fund commenced operations on June 26, 2007. Its principal office is located at 1555 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309 and its phone number is (404) 439-3217.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the Fund intends to invest the net proceeds of an offering of common shares (“Common Shares”) in accordance with its investment objective and policies as stated herein. It is currently anticipated that the Fund will be able to invest substantially all of the net proceeds of an offering of Common Shares in accordance with its investment objective and policies within three to six months after the completion of such offering or the receipt of such proceeds. Pending such investment, it is anticipated that the proceeds will be invested in cash, cash equivalents or other securities, including U.S. government securities or high quality, short-term debt securities. The Fund may also use the proceeds for working capital purposes, including the payment of distributions, interest and operating expenses, although the Fund currently has no intent to issue Common Shares primarily for this purpose.

MARKET AND NET ASSET VALUE INFORMATION

The Fund’s currently outstanding Common Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “VTA” and the Common Shares offered by this Prospectus, subject to notice of issuance, will also be listed on the NYSE. The Fund’s Common Shares commenced trading on the NYSE on June 26, 2007.

Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount from net asset value. The Common Shares have traded both at a premium and at a discount in relation to the Fund’s net asset value per share. Although the Common Shares recently have traded at a premium to net asset value, there can be no assurance that this will continue after the offering nor that the Common Shares will not trade at a discount in the future. Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to net asset value. Costs incurred in connection with an offering of Common Shares will be borne entirely by the Fund, which may reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share. The sale of Common Shares by the Fund (or the perception that such sales may occur) may have an adverse effect on prices of Common Shares in the secondary market. An increase in the number of Common Shares available may put downward pressure on the market price for Common Shares. See “Risks—Risks Associated with Offering—Market Discount Risk”

The following table sets forth, for each of the periods indicated, the high and low closing market prices for the Common Shares on the NYSE, the net asset value per Common Share and the premium or discount to net asset value per Common Share at which the Common Shares were trading. Net asset value is generally determined on each day that the NYSE is open for business. See “Net Asset Value” for information as to the determination of the Fund’s net asset value.

 

     NYSE Market
Price Per Share
     Net Asset Value per Common
Share on Date of Market Price
High and Low(1)
     Premium/(Discount) on Date of
Market Price High and  Low(2)
 

During Quarter Ended

   High      Low      High      Low      High     Low  

May 31, 2015

   $ 12.26       $ 11.83       $ 13.60       $ 13.27         (9.85 )%      (10.85 )% 

February 28, 2015

   $ 12.08       $ 11.30       $ 13.44       $ 12.93         (10.12 )%      (12.61 )% 

November 30, 2014

   $ 12.68       $ 11.32       $ 13.90       $ 13.30         (8.78 )%      (14.89 )% 

August 31, 2014

   $ 13.04       $ 12.51       $ 14.03       $ 13.77         (7.06 )%      (9.15 )% 

May 31, 2014

   $ 13.12       $ 12.74       $ 13.96       $ 13.78         (6.02 )%      (7.55 )% 

February 28, 2014

   $ 13.14       $ 12.43       $ 13.84       $ 13.62         (5.06 )%      (8.74 )% 

November 30, 2013

   $ 12.91       $ 12.47       $ 13.66       $ 13.26         (5.49 )%      (5.96 )% 

August 31, 2013

   $ 13.53       $ 12.33       $ 13.42       $ 13.11         0.85     (5.95 )% 

May 31, 2013

   $ 13.89       $ 13.10       $ 13.50       $ 13.13         2.89     (0.23 )% 

 

(1)  Based on the Fund’s computations.
(2)  Calculated based on the information presented. Percentages are rounded.

 

25


The last reported sale price, net asset value per Common Share and percentage discount to net asset value per Common Share on July 17, 2015 was $11.65, $13.31 and 12.47%, respectively. The Fund cannot predict whether its Common Shares will trade in the future at a premium to or discount from net asset value, or the level of any premium or discount. As of June 30, 2015, 74,094,284 Common Shares of the Fund were outstanding.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

Investment Objective

The Fund’s primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation.. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective or be able to structure its investments as anticipated.

Primary Investment Strategy

Depending on current market conditions and the Fund’s outlook over time, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by opportunistically investing primarily in credit securities of issuers which operate in a variety of industries and geographic regions located throughout the world.

Rationale

The Fund believes that changing investment environments over time offer both attractive investment opportunities in the credit securities market, as well as varying degrees of investment risk. To both capitalize on attractive investments and effectively manage potential risk, the Fund believes that the combination of thorough and continuous credit analysis, diversification of holdings, active use of other risk management techniques and instruments and the ability to reallocate investments among different categories of investments at different points in the credit cycle is critical to achieving higher risk-adjusted returns relative to other high-yielding investments, including high current income and/or capital appreciation. In positive economic environments characterized by, among other things, low default rates, the Fund expects to emphasize high current income by investing primarily in Senior Loans (as defined herein), and will generally invest to a lesser degree in second lien or other subordinated loans or debt. In less positive economic environments characterized by, among other things, high default rates, the Fund will continue to seek high current income and capital appreciation by exploiting market inefficiencies and will emphasize more balanced investments among Senior Loans and second lien or other subordinated loans or debt, including stressed and distressed credit securities. The Fund believes that reallocating investments in this way will opportunistically emphasize those investments and categories of investments best suited to the current environment and outlook.

Investment Policies

Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in any combination of the following credit securities: (i) senior secured floating rate and fixed rate loans (“Senior Loans”); (ii) second lien or other subordinated or unsecured floating rate and fixed rate loans or debt; and (iii) other debt obligations, including high-yield, high-risk obligations (commonly known as “junk” securities). The Fund also may invest up to 20% of its assets in structured products, including collateralized debt and loan obligations (collectively, “structured products”). The Fund also may invest in swaps, including credit default, total return, index and interest rate swaps. To the extent that the Fund invests in structured products or swaps that gain exposure to credit securities, such investments will be counted for purposes of the Fund’s 80% policy.

The Fund may invest, without limitation, in credit securities that are rated below investment grade by a NRSRO or unrated securities that are deemed to be of comparable quality. Below investment grade securities are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Any

 

26


of the Fund’s investments may be issued by non-stressed, stressed and distressed issuers, including issuers in bankruptcy. “Distressed issuers” generally refers to those issuers that are unable to service their debt and thus, have entered into default, bankruptcy or are likely to do so. “Stressed issuers” generally refers to those issuers that the market expects to be “distressed” in the near future. “Non-stressed issuers” are those issuers that generally are performing and currently not undergoing the same financial experiences as “stressed” and “distressed” issuers. The Fund may invest in credit securities of any maturity or duration, and the Fund will not be managed for maturity or duration.

The Fund may invest in credit securities of any maturity or duration, and although the Fund will not be managed for maturity or duration, given the nature of the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund’s portfolio will likely have a low average duration (generally, four years or less).

In addition, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in equity securities obtained through debt restructurings or bankruptcy proceedings. The Fund may utilize credit securities derivative instruments. From time to time, the Fund may also invest in short-term debt securities such as U.S. government securities, commercial paper and other money market instruments and cash equivalents. The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in issuers that conduct their principal businesses in the same industry. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will not invest more than 20% of its total assets in obligations not making current interest and principal payments when due. The Fund may invest without limitation in obligations for which there is no readily available trading market or which are otherwise illiquid.

The Fund will invest in obligations of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers and such obligations may be U.S. dollar denominated as well as non-U.S. dollar denominated. To address foreign currency risks, the Fund may enter into foreign currency swaps and other hedging transactions. Under normal market conditions, the Fund expects to invest in issuers located anywhere in the world and, although under current market conditions the Fund does not intend to invest in obligations of issuers located in emerging market countries, the Fund may so do if it determines that such investments are appropriate for the Fund. The Fund considers emerging countries to be those countries that the international financial community, including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (more commonly known as The World Bank) and the International Finance Corporation, considers to be emerging or developing countries on the basis of such factors as trade initiatives, per capita income and level of industrialization.

The Fund will assess the market and make an assessment regarding the current economic environment and outlook and then determine which investments are appropriate for the Fund. You will find information about the Fund in its annual and semiannual reports to shareholders. The annual report explains the market conditions and investment strategies affecting the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

Investment Philosophy

The Adviser, an investment management firm with expertise in senior loans, subordinated debt and structured products, including distressed issuers, is responsible for the overall management of the Fund. The Adviser employs a valuation driven investment approach grounded in a bottom-up investment selection process and a top-down portfolio construction process to derive a portfolio based upon fundamental analysis with an emphasis on liquidity, diversification and relative value (i.e., risk, liquidity and potential return of one investment relative to another). The Adviser will analyze the yield, price, duration, credit spread, prepayment risk and the risk of credit deterioration or default of its current and potential investments on a continuous basis to determine what it believes are the appropriate investments for the Fund. The Adviser’s philosophy is based on fundamental credit, collateral and structural analysis of the underlying investments; a strong belief in portfolio diversifications including issuer, industry, sponsor, underwriter and agent; and utilization of the secondary market for loans to manage risk (i.e., diversifying interest rate and credit risk among investors). Fundamental analysis involves evaluation of the macro-economy, industry, trends, management quality, collateral adequacy, and consistency of corporate cash flows. In constructing the portfolio, the Adviser focuses on liquidity, diversification, identification of relative value and continuous monitoring.

THE FUND’S INVESTMENTS

The Fund’s investments (primarily in Senior Loans, subordinated loans and debt, other debt obligations, structured products and swaps—each of which is described in more detail below) may be all or substantially in

 

27


investments that are generally considered to have a credit quality rated below investment grade by an NRSRO or unrated securities that are deemed to be of comparable quality. Below investment grade securities (that is, securities rated Ba or lower by Moody’s or BB or lower by S&P) are commonly referred to as “junk” securities and are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligations and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions. Generally, lower-grade securities provide a higher yield than higher-grade securities of similar maturity but are subject to greater risks, such as greater credit risk, greater market risk and volatility, greater liquidity concerns and potentially greater manager risk. Lower-grade securities are more susceptible to non-payment of interest and principal and default than higher-grade securities. Adverse changes in the economy or to the individual issuer often have a more significant impact on the ability of lower-grade issuers to make payments, meet projected goals or obtain additional financing. When an issuer of such securities is in financial difficulties, the Fund may incur additional expenditures or invest additional assets in an effort to obtain partial or full recovery on amounts due. Some of the securities held by the Fund, which may not be paying interest currently or may be in payment default, may be comparable to securities rated as low as C by Moody’s or CCC or lower by S&P. These securities are considered to have extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing, to have a current identifiable vulnerability to default, to be unlikely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due in the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions and/or to be in default or not current in the payment of interest or principal.

While all credit securities tend to fluctuate inversely with changes in interest rates, the prices of lower-grade securities generally are less sensitive to changes in interest rates and are more sensitive to specific issuer developments or real or perceived general adverse economic changes than higher-grade securities. A projection of an economic downturn, for example, could cause a decline in prices of lower-grade securities because the advent of a recession could lessen the ability of a highly leveraged company to make principal and interest payments on its securities or obtain additional financing when necessary. A significant increase in market interest rates or a general economic downturn could severely disrupt the market as well as the market values of such securities. Such securities also often experience more volatility in prices than higher-grade securities. The secondary trading market for lower-grade securities may be less liquid than the market for higher-grade securities. Prices of lower-grade securities may decline rapidly in the event a significant number of holders decide to sell. Changes in expectations regarding an individual issuer, an industry or lower-grade securities generally could reduce market liquidity for such securities and make their sale by the Fund more difficult, at least in the absence of price concessions. The market for lower-grade securities also may have less information available, further complicating evaluations and valuations of such securities and placing more emphasis on the Advisers’ experience, judgment and analysis than higher-grade securities. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may also decrease the values and liquidity of securities rated below investment grade and unrated securities especially in a market characterized by a low volume of trading.

The Fund may invest in the loans and other debt obligations of stressed, distressed and bankrupt issuers, including obligations that are in covenant or payment default. Credit securities that are or become stressed or distressed generally trade at prices below par, thus creating opportunities for capital appreciation (or loss) as the values of such securities change over time. Such obligations are subject to a multitude of legal, industry, market, economic and governmental forces that make analysis of these companies inherently difficult. The Adviser and the Subadviser rely on company management, outside experts, market participants and personal experience to analyze potential investments for the portion of the Fund’s portfolio managed by each. There can be no assurance that any of these sources will provide credible information, or that the analysis of the Adviser or the Subadviser will produce conclusions that lead to profitable investments for the respective portion of the Fund’s portfolio managed by each. Obligations of stressed, distressed and bankrupt issuers generally trade significantly below par and are considered speculative. The repayment of defaulted obligations is subject to significant uncertainties. Defaulted obligations might be repaid only after lengthy workout or bankruptcy proceedings or result in only partial recovery of cash payments or an exchange of the defaulted obligation for other debt or equity securities of the issuer or its affiliates, which may in turn be illiquid or speculative.

There are a number of significant risks inherent in the bankruptcy process. Many events in a bankruptcy are the product of contested matters and adversary proceedings and are beyond the control of the creditors. There can be no assurance that a bankruptcy court would not approve actions that would be contrary to the interests of the Fund. A bankruptcy filing by an issuer may cause such issuer to lose its market position and key employees and otherwise become incapable of restoring itself as a viable entity and its liquidation value may be less than its value was

 

28


believed to be at the time of investment. In addition, the duration of a bankruptcy proceeding is difficult to predict and as such, a creditor’s return on investment can be adversely affected by delays while the plan of reorganization is being negotiated, approved by the creditors and confirmed by the bankruptcy court and until it ultimately becomes effective. The administrative costs in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding are frequently high and would be paid out of the debtor’s estate prior to any return to creditors. Further, in the early stages of the bankruptcy process it is often difficult to estimate the extent of any contingent claims that might be made and as such, there exists the risk that the Fund’s influence with respect to the class of obligations it owns can be lost by increases in the number and amount of claims in that class or by different classification and treatment. A creditor, such as the Fund, can also lose its ranking and priority if it is determined that such creditor exercised “domination and control” over a debtor and other creditors can demonstrate that they have been harmed by such actions. In addition, certain claims have priority by law, such as claims for taxes, which may be substantial and could affect the ability of the Fund to be repaid.

In any investment involving stressed and distressed debt obligations, there exists the risk that the transaction involving such debt obligations will be unsuccessful, take considerable time or will result in a distribution of cash or a new security or obligation in exchange for the stressed and distressed debt obligations, the value of which may be less than the Fund’s purchase price of such debt obligations. Furthermore, if an anticipated transaction does not occur, the Fund may be required to sell its investment at a loss.

The Fund may sell securities without regard to the length of time they have been held to take advantage of new investment opportunities, when the Adviser or the Subadviser believes the potential for high current income or capital appreciation has lessened, or for other reasons. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may vary from year to year. Under normal market conditions, the Fund generally expects its portfolio turnover to be less than 100%. A high portfolio turnover rate (100% or more) increases a fund’s transaction costs (including brokerage commissions and dealer costs), which would adversely impact a fund’s performance. Higher portfolio turnover may result in the realization of more short-term capital gains than if a fund had lower portfolio turnover. The portfolio turnover rate will not be a limiting factor, however, if the Adviser or the Subadviser considers portfolio changes appropriate.

Senior Loans

Senior Loans are business loans made to borrowers that may be corporations, partnerships or other entities that operate in a variety of industries and geographic regions. Senior Loans generally are negotiated between a borrower and several financial institution lenders represented by one or more lenders acting as agent of all the lenders. The agent is responsible for negotiating the loan agreement that establishes the terms and conditions of the Senior Loan and the rights of the borrower and the lenders. The Fund may act as one of the group of original lenders originating a Senior Loan, may purchase assignments (as defined below) of portions of Senior Loans from third parties and may invest invparticipations (as defined below) in Senior Loans. Senior Loans have the most senior position in a borrower’s capital structure or share the senior position with other senior debt securities of the borrower. This capital structure position generally gives holders of Senior Loans a priority claim on some or all of the borrower’s assets in the event of default. Senior Loans also have contractual terms designed to protect lenders. The Fund generally acquires Senior Loans of borrowers that, among other things, in the Adviser’s or the Subadviser’s judgment, can make timely payments on their Senior Loans and that satisfy other credit standards established by the Adviser or the Subadviser. Because of their protective features, the Fund, the Adviser and the Subadviser believe that Senior Loans of borrowers that are experiencing, or are more likely to experience, financial difficulty may represent attractive investment opportunities.

Interest rates on Senior Loans may be fixed or may float periodically. On floating rate Senior Loans, the interest rates typically are adjusted based on a base rate plus a premium or spread over the base rate. The base rate usually is the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), the prime rate offered by one or more major U.S. banks (the “Prime Rate”) or the certificate of deposit rate (the “CD Rate”) or other base lending rates used by commercial lenders. Floating rate Senior Loans may adjust over different time periods, including daily, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually. The Fund may use interest rate swaps and other investment practices to shorten the effective interest rate adjustment period of floating rate Senior Loans or to adjust the overall interest rate exposure of the Fund.

When interest rates rise, the values of fixed income securities generally decline. When interest rates fall, the values of fixed income securities generally increase. The prices of adjustable, variable or floating rate income securities tend to have less fluctuation in response to changes in interest rates, but will have some fluctuation particularly when the next interest rate adjustment on such security is further away in time or adjustments are limited in amount over time.

 

29


The Fund’s Senior Loan investments will be secured by specific assets of the borrower. These Senior Loans will frequently be secured by all assets of the borrower that qualify as collateral, such as trademarks, accounts receivable, inventory, buildings, real estate, franchises and common and preferred stock in its subsidiaries and affiliates. Collateral may also include guarantees or other credit support by affiliates of the borrower. In some cases, a Senior Loan may be secured only by stock of the borrower or its subsidiaries. The borrower may experience financial difficulty and/or the value of collateral may decline. The loan agreement may or may not require the borrower to pledge additional collateral to secure the Senior Loan if the value of the initial collateral declines. In certain circumstances, the loan agreement may authorize the agent to liquidate the collateral and to distribute the liquidation proceeds pro rata among the lenders. As described below, the Fund may also invest in loans that are not secured by specific collateral. Such unsecured loans involve a greater risk of loss.

Senior Loans also have contractual terms designed to protect lenders. Loan agreements often include restrictive covenants that limit the activities of the borrower. These covenants may include mandatory prepayment out of excess cash flows, restrictions on dividend payments, the maintenance of minimum financial ratios, limits on indebtedness and other financial tests. Breach of these covenants generally is an event of default and, if not waived by the lenders, may give lenders the right to accelerate principal and interest payments.

The proceeds of Senior Loans that the Fund will purchase typically will be used by borrowers to finance leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, mergers, acquisitions, stock repurchases, debt refinancings and, to a lesser extent, for general operating and other purposes.

The Fund may purchase and retain in its portfolio Senior Loans of borrowers that have filed for protection under the federal bankruptcy laws or that have had involuntary bankruptcy petitions filed against them by creditors. Investing in Senior Loans involves investment risk, and some borrowers default on their Senior Loan payments. The Fund attempts to manage these risks through selection of a varied portfolio of Senior Loans and analyses and monitoring of borrowers.

The Fund generally invests in a Senior Loan if, in the Adviser’s or the Subadviser’s judgment, the borrower can meet its payment obligations. The Adviser and the Subadviser perform their own independent credit analysis of the borrower in addition to utilizing information prepared and supplied by the agent or other lenders with respect to the portion of the Fund’s portfolio managed by each. When evaluating a borrower, the Adviser or the Subadviser considers many factors, including the borrower’s past and future projected financial performance. The Adviser or the Subadviser also considers a borrower’s management, collateral and industry. The Fund generally acquires a collateralized Senior Loan if the Adviser or the Subadviser believes that the collateral coverage equals or exceeds the outstanding principal amount of the Senior Loan. The Adviser or the Subadviser continues to monitor a borrower on an ongoing basis for so long as the Fund continues to own the Senior Loan. Although the Adviser or the Subadviser will use their best judgment in selecting Senior Loans, there can be no assurance that such analysis will disclose factors that may impair the value of a Senior Loan. The Fund’s net asset value will fluctuate as a result of changes in the credit quality of borrowers and other factors. A serious deterioration in the credit quality of a borrower could cause a permanent decrease in the Fund’s net asset value.

There is no minimum rating or other independent evaluation of a borrower or its securities limiting the Fund’s investments. Although a Senior Loan may not be rated by any rating agency at the time the Fund purchases the Senior Loan, rating agencies have become more active in rating Senior Loans, and at any given time a substantial portion of the Senior Loans in the Fund’s portfolio may be rated. There is no limit on the percentage of the Fund’s assets that may be invested in Senior Loans that are rated below investment grade or that are unrated but deemed to be of comparable quality.

Senior Loan assignments and participations. The Fund may purchase Senior Loans by assignment from a participant in the original syndicate of lenders or from subsequent assignees of such interests. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement of the assigning lender and becomes a lender under the loan agreement. Assignments may, however, be arranged through private negotiations, and the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender. The Fund may also purchase participations in the original syndicate making

 

30


Senior Loans. When the Fund purchases a participation in a Senior Loan, the Fund will usually have a contractual relationship only with the lender selling the participation and not with the borrower. The Fund may have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the lender selling the participation and only upon receipt by the lender of such payments from the borrower. As a result, the Fund may assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender selling the participation. In the event of insolvency of the lender selling a participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender.

To minimize these risks, the Fund will only acquire participations if the lender selling the participation and any other persons positioned between the Fund and the lender has, at the time of investment, outstanding debt or deposit obligations rated investment grade by a rating agency or that are determined to be of comparable quality and has entered into an agreement which provides for the holding of assets in safekeeping for, or the prompt disbursement of assets to, the Fund.

The Fund generally will not have the right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the loan agreement, nor rights to any funds acquired by other lenders through set-off against the borrower. In addition, when the Fund holds a participation in a Senior Loan, it may not have the right to vote on whether to waive enforcement of any restrictive covenant breached by a borrower. Lenders voting in connection with a potential waiver of a restrictive covenant may have interests different from those of the Fund and may not consider the interests of the Fund. The Fund may not benefit directly from the collateral supporting a Senior Loan in which it has purchased the Participation, although lenders that sell Participations generally are required to distribute liquidation proceeds received by them pro rata among the holders of such Participations.

Second Lien or Other Subordinated or Unsecured Loans or Debt

The Fund may invest in second lien or other subordinated or unsecured loans or debt. Such loans or debt are made by public and private corporations and other non-governmental entities and issuers for a variety of purposes. As in the case of Senior Loans, the Fund may purchase interests in second lien or other subordinated or unsecured loans or debt through Assignments or Participations.

Second lien loans have characteristics as Senior Loans except that such interests are second in lien property rather than first. Second lien interests are second in priority of payment to one or more Senior Loans of the related borrower and are typically secured by a second priority security interest or lien to or on specified collateral securing the borrower’s obligation under the interest. They typically have similar protections and rights as Senior Loans. Second lien interests are not (and by their terms cannot become) subordinate in priority of payment to any obligation of the related borrower other than Senior Loans of such borrower. Second lien interests, may have fixed or floating rate interest payments. Because second lien interests are second to Senior Loans, they present a greater degree of investment risk but often pay interest at higher rates reflecting this additional risk. In addition, second lien interests of below investment grade quality share many of the risk characteristics of other non-investment grade securities.

Subordinated loans or debt may, and generally will, rank lower in priority of payment to one or more Senior Loans and second lien interests of the borrower. Subordinated secured loans or debt typically are secured by a lower priority security interest or lien to or on specified collateral securing the borrower’s obligation under the loan, and typically have more subordinated protections and rights than Senior Loans and second lien interests. Subordinated interests may have fixed or adjustable floating rate interest payments. Because subordinated interests may rank lower as to priority of payment than Senior Loans and second lien interests of the borrower, they may present a greater degree of investment risk than Senior Loans and second lien interests but often pay interest at higher rates reflecting this additional risk. Other than their more subordinated status, such investments have many characteristics and risks similar to Senior Loans and second lien loans discussed above. Subordinated interests of below investment grade quality share risks of other below investment grade securities.

Unsecured loans or debt generally have lower priority in right of payment compared to holders of secured interests of the borrower. Unsecured interests are not secured by a security interest or lien to or on specified collateral securing the borrower’s obligation under the interest. Unsecured interests by their terms may be or may become subordinate in right of payment to other obligations of the borrower, including Senior Loans, second lien interests and other interests. Unsecured interests may have fixed or adjustable floating rate interest payments. Because unsecured interests are subordinate to the Senior Loans and secured debt of the borrower, they present a greater degree of investment risk but often pay interest at higher rates reflecting this additional risk. Such investments generally are of non-investment grade quality. Unsecured interests of below investment grade quality share the same risks of other below investment grade securities.

 

31


Structured Products

The Fund also may invest in structured products, including CDOs, CBOs, CLOs, structured notes, credit-linked notes and other types of structured products. Generally, investments in structured products are interests in entities organized and operated for the purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of underlying investment interests or securities. These investment entities may be structured as trusts or other types of pooled investment vehicles. This type of restructuring generally involves the deposit with or purchase by an entity of the underlying investments and the issuance by that entity of one or more classes of securities backed by, or representing interests in, the underlying investments or referencing an indicator related to such investments. The cash flow or rate of return on the underlying investments may be apportioned among the newly issued securities to create different investment characteristics, such as varying maturities, credit quality, payment priorities and interest rate provisions. The cash flow or rate of return on a structured product may be determined by applying a multiplier to the rate of total return on the underlying investments or referenced indicator. Application of a multiplier is comparable to the use of financial leverage, a speculative technique. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss. As a result, a relatively small decline in the value of the underlying investments or referenced indicator could result in a relatively large loss in the value of a structured product. Holders of structured products bear risks of the underlying investment, index or reference obligation (including income risk, credit risk and market risk) and are subject to counterparty risk.

CDOs, CBOs and CLOs are types of asset-backed securities issued by special purpose vehicles created to reapportion the risk and return characteristics of a pool of assets. The underlying pool for a CLO, for example, may include domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. For CDOs, CBOs and CLOs, the cashflows are split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in risk and yield. The assets, typically Senior Loans, are used as collateral supporting the various debt tranches issued by the special purpose vehicle. The key feature of these structures is the prioritization of the cash flows from a pool of underlying securities among the several classes of securities issued by a structured product. CBOs are structured debt securities backed by a diversified pool of high yield, public or private fixed income securities. These may be fixed pools or may be “market value” (or managed) pools of collateral. The riskiest portion is the “equity” tranche which bears the bulk of defaults from the bonds or loansin the trust and serves to protect the other, more senior tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Since it is partially protected from defaults, a senior tranche typically has higher ratings and lower yields than their underlying securities, and can be rated investment grade. Despite the protection from the equity tranche, the various tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as aversion to such securities as a class.

CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs are typically privately offered and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, investments in CDOs may be characterized by the Fund as illiquid securities; however an active dealer market may exist for certain CDOs allowing a CDO to be considered liquid in some circumstances. In addition to the general risks associated with fixed income securities discussed herein, CDOs carry additional risks including, but are not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (iii) the possibility that the CDOs are subordinate to other classes; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results.

Structured notes are derivative securities for which the amount of principal repayment and/or interest payments is based on the movement of one or more “factors.” These factors include, but are not limited to: currency exchange rates, interest rates (such as the prime lending rate or LIBOR), referenced bonds and stock indices. Some of these factors may or may not correlate to the total rate of return on one or more underlying instruments referenced in such notes. In some cases, the impact of the movements of these factors may increase or decrease through the use of multipliers or deflators. A credit-linked note is a derivative instrument that is a synthetic obligation between two or more parties where the payment of principal and/or interest is based on the performance of some obligation (a reference obligation).

 

32


The Fund may have the right to receive payments to which it is entitled only from the structured product, and generally does not have direct rights against the issuer or the entity that sold the assets to the special purpose trust. While certain structured products enable the investor to acquire interests in a pool of securities without the brokerage and other expenses associated with directly holding the same securities, investors in structured products generally pay their share of the structured product’s administrative and other expenses. Structured products may be private investment funds (structured as trusts or other types of pooled investment companies that are excluded from the definition of “investment company” under the 1940 Act by the operation of Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) thereof) or investment companies that are registered under the 1940 Act. Investment in such products involve operating expenses and fees that are in addition to the expenses and fees of the Fund, and such expenses and fees are borne indirectly by holders of the Fund’s Common Shares. Certain structured products may be thinly traded or have a limited trading market and may have the effect of increasing the Fund’s illiquidity to the extent that the Fund, at a particular point in time, may be unable to find qualified buyers for these securities.

Swaps

The Fund may enter into swap transactions, including credit default, total return, index and interest rate swap agreements, as well as options thereon, and may purchase or sell interest rate caps, floors and collars. A swap is a derivative in the form of an agreement to exchange the return generated by one instrument for the return generated by another instrument. A swap transaction involves swapping one or more investment characteristics of a security or a basket of securities with another party. The payment streams are calculated by reference to the investment characteristic(s) chosen applied to an agreed upon notional amount.

A credit default swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange the credit risk of a particular issuer or reference entity. In a credit default swap transaction, a buyer pays periodic fees in return for payment by the seller which is contingent upon an adverse credit event occurring in the underlying issuer or reference entity. The seller collects periodic fees from the buyer and profits if the credit of the underlying issuer or reference entity remains stable or improves while the swap is outstanding, but the seller in a credit default swap contract would be required to pay an agreed upon amount to the buyer (which may be the entire notional amount of the swap) in the event of an adverse credit event in the reference entity. A buyer of a credit default swap is said to buy protection whereas a seller of a credit default swap is said to sell protection.

Total return and index swaps are used as substitutes for owning the physical securities that compose a given market index, or to obtain non-leveraged exposure in markets where no physical securities are available such as an interest rate index. Total return refers to the payment (or receipt) of an index’s total return, which is then exchanged for the receipt (or payment) of a floating interest rate. Total return swaps provide the Fund with the additional flexibility of gaining exposure to a market or sector index by using the most cost-effective vehicle available.

An interest rate swap involves the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a contractually-based principal amount from the party selling the interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a contractually-based principal amount from the party selling the interest rate floor. An interest rate collar combines the elements of purchasing a cap and selling a floor. The collar protects against an interest rate rise above the maximum amount but foregoes the benefit of an interest rate decline below the minimum amount.

The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swap options. A swap option is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation) to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement, at some designated future time on specified terms.

Swaps generally do not involve the delivery of securities, other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to swaps is limited to the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to a swap defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. Currency swaps usually involve the delivery of the entire principal value of one designated currency in exchange for the other designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. If there is a default by the counterparty, the Fund may have contractual remedies pursuant to

 

33


the agreements related to the transaction. The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, in general, the swap market has become relatively liquid. Caps, floors and collars are more recent innovations for which standardized documentation has not yet been fully developed and, accordingly, they are less liquid than swaps.

The Fund may engage in swap options for hedging purposes, to manage and mitigate credit and interest rate risks and to gain exposure to credit securities. The use of swap options involves risks, including, among others, (i) changes in the market value of securities held by the Fund, and of swap options relating to those securities may not be proportionate, (ii) there may not be a liquid market to sell a swap option, which could result in difficulty closing a position, (iii) swap options can magnify the extent of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities to which they relate and (iv) counterparty risk.

The Fund will usually enter into swaps on a net basis, i.e., the two payment streams are netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The Fund’s obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by the maintenance of a segregated account consisting of cash or liquid securities to avoid any potential leveraging of the Fund. The Fund may enter into over-the-counter derivatives transactions (swaps, caps, floors and puts).

The Fund complies with applicable regulatory requirements when implementing swaps, including the segregation of cash and/or liquid securities on the books of the Fund’s custodian, as mandated by SEC rules or SEC staff positions.

Foreign Securities

The Fund may invest without limitation in securities of borrowers that are organized or located in countries other than the United States, including non-U.S. dollar denominated securities, and may invest without limitation in obligations of issuers located in emerging market countries. The percentage of assets invested in securities of a particular country or denominated in a particular currency will vary in accordance with the Fund’s assessment of the relative yield, appreciation potential and the relationship of a country’s currency to the U.S. dollar, which is based upon such factors as fundamental economic strength, credit quality and interest rate trends. Investments in securities of foreign issuers present certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers, including that non-U.S. issuers may be subject to less rigorous accounting and reporting requirements than U.S. issuers, less rigorous regulatory requirements, different and perhaps not as well formulated and defined legal systems and laws relating to creditors’ rights, the potential inability to enforce legal judgments and the potential for political, social and economic adversity. Investments by the Fund in non-U.S. dollar denominated investments will be subject to substantially similar risks to those associated with direct investment in securities of foreign issuers, and are subject to currency risk as well. Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and non-U.S. currencies may negatively affect an investment. The value of investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies may fluctuate based on changes in the value of those currencies relative to the U.S. dollar, and a decline in applicable foreign exchange rates could reduce the value of such investments held by the Fund. The Fund also may hold non-U.S. dollar denominated Senior Loans or other securities received as part of a reorganization or restructuring. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities.

The foreign securities in which the Fund may invest may be issued by companies located in emerging market countries. Compared to the United States and other developed countries, emerging market countries may have relatively unstable governments, economies based on only a few relatively robust and mature industries and securities markets that trade only a small number of securities. Securities issued by companies located in these countries tend to be especially volatile and may be less liquid than securities traded in developed countries. In the past, securities in these countries have been characterized by greater potential loss than securities of companies located in developed countries. Investments in the securities of issuers located in emerging markets could be affected by risks associated with expropriation and/or nationalization, armed conflict, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on transfers of assets, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards, less publicly available financial and other information and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations.

 

34


Since the Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers denominated in the local currency, changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments. In addition to changes in the value of the Fund’s portfolio investments resulting from currency fluctuations, the Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. The Fund may also invest directly in currencies. The Fund is subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. The values of the currencies of the emerging market countries in which the Fund may invest may be subject to a high degree of fluctuation due to changes in interest rates, the effects of monetary policies issued by the United States, foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities, the imposition of currency controls or due to other national or global political or economic developments. Foreign exchange dealers realize a profit based on the difference between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer normally will offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire immediately to resell that currency to the dealer. 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 entering into forward, futures or options contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. Therefore, the Fund’s exposure to foreign currencies may result in reduced returns to the Fund. The Fund may also engage in foreign currency hedging transactions.

The Fund will compute and expects to distribute its income in U.S. dollars, and the computation of income is made on the date that the income is earned by the Fund at the foreign exchange rate in effect on that date. If the value of the foreign currencies in which the Fund receives its income falls relative to the U.S. dollar between the date of earning of the income and the time at which the Fund converts the foreign currencies to U.S. dollars, the Fund may be required to liquidate securities in order to make distributions if the Fund has insufficient cash in U.S. dollars to meet distribution requirements. See “Distributions” and “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.” The liquidation of investments, if required, may have an adverse impact on the Fund’s performance.

The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts (“forward contracts”) for purposes of gaining exposure to the currency of non-U.S. issuers or as a hedge against fluctuations in future foreign exchange rates. A forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually large, commercial and investment banks) and their customers. A non-deliverable currency forward contract is a short-term forward contract on a thinly traded non-convertible foreign currency where the profit and loss is the difference between a specified exchange rate and the spot rate at the time of settlement. A forward contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for trades. By entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed amount of dollars or other currency, of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying security transactions, the Fund may be able to protect itself against a possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar or other currency which is being used for the security purchase and the foreign currency in which the security is denominated during the period between the date on which the security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is made or received. They also may be used to lock in the current exchange rate of the currency in which those securities anticipated to be purchased are denominated. At times, the Fund may enter into “cross-currency” hedging transactions involving currencies other than those in which securities that are held or proposed to be purchased are denominated. The Fund may also enter into currency swap transactions. A currency swap generally involves an agreement to pay interest streams in one currency based on a specified index in exchange for receiving interest streams denominated in another currency. Such swaps also usually involve initial and final exchanges of the designated currency that correspond to an agreed upon notional amount. Currency swaps usually involve the delivery of the entire principal value of one designated currency in exchange for the other designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations.

The Fund may conduct its foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or through entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. The Fund will not enter into forward contracts or maintain a net exposure to these

 

35


contracts where the consummation of the contracts would obligate the Fund to deliver an amount of foreign currency in excess of the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. When required by law, the Fund will cause its custodian bank to earmark cash or other liquid portfolio securities in an amount equal to the net amounts of the Fund’s currency exposure under its forward contracts. If the value of the securities so earmarked declines, additional cash or liquid securities will be earmarked on a daily basis so that the value of such securities will equal the net amount of the Fund’s currency exposure with respect to such contracts. Forward contracts may limit gains on portfolio securities that could otherwise be realized had they not been utilized and could result in losses. The contracts also may increase the Fund’s volatility and may involve a significant amount of risk relative to the investment of cash.

Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it does not intend to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars on a daily basis. It will, however, do so from time to time, and investors should be aware of the costs of currency conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the spread between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer.

Strategic Transactions

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in Strategic Transactions (which limit is not applicable to foreign currency hedging transactions). The Fund generally seeks to use certain Strategic Transactions as portfolio management or hedging techniques. In doing so, the Fund seeks to protect against possible adverse changes in the market value of securities held in or to be purchased for the Fund’s portfolio, protect the Fund’s unrealized gains, facilitate the sale of certain securities for investment purposes, protect against changes in currency exchange rates or adjust the exposure to a particular currency, manage the effective maturity or duration of the Fund’s portfolio, or establish positions in the derivatives markets as a substitute for purchasing or selling particular securities. The Fund may also use Strategic Transactions to earn income. Among the Strategic Transactions the Fund may utilize are forward contracts, options, futures contracts and options on futures contracts. In addition, the Fund may invest in other derivative instruments that are developed over time if their use would be consistent with the objectives of the Fund.

Strategic Transactions have risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets, the possible default of the other party to the transaction and illiquidity of the derivative instrument. Furthermore, the ability to successfully use Strategic Transactions depends on the ability of the Fund to predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. In addition, such transactions may involve commissions and other costs, which may increase the Fund’s expenses and reduce its return. Thus, the use of Strategic Transactions may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may require the Fund to sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than current market values, may limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can otherwise realize on an investment, or may cause the Fund to hold a security that it might otherwise sell. In addition, amounts paid as premiums and cash or other assets held in margin accounts with respect to Strategic Transactions are not otherwise available to the Fund for investment purposes.

When conducted outside the United States, Strategic Transactions may not be regulated as rigorously as in the United States, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities, currencies and other instruments. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by: (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund’s ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States, (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States and (v) lower trading volume and liquidity. See “Strategic Transactions” in the SAI for additional information transactions the Fund may utilize.

Other Investments

Securities of Other Investment Companies. The Fund may invest its assets in securities of other open- and closed-end investment companies, including affiliated registered investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. As a shareholder in an investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment company’s expenses, and will remain subject to payment of the Fund’s investment advisory and other fees and

 

36


expenses with respect to assets so invested. Holders of Common Shares will therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent that the Fund invests in other investment companies. Expenses will be taken into account when evaluating the merits of such investments. In addition, the securities of other investment companies may also be leveraged and will therefore be subject to certain leverage risks. The net asset value and market value of leveraged securities will be more volatile and the yield to stockholders will tend to fluctuate more than the yield generated by unleveraged securities. Investment companies may have investment policies that differ from those of the Fund.

Zero Coupon Bonds. Certain debt obligations purchased by the Fund may take the form of zero coupon bonds. A zero coupon bond is a bond that does not pay interest either for the entire life of the obligation or for an initial period after the issuance of the obligation. When held to its maturity, its return comes from the difference between the purchase price and its maturity value. A zero coupon bond is normally issued and traded at a deep discount from face value. Zero coupon bonds allow an issuer to avoid or delay the need to generate cash to meet current interest payments and, as a result, may involve greater market risk and credit risk than bonds that pay interest currently or in cash. The Fund would be required to distribute the income on any of these instruments as it accrues, even though the Fund will not receive all of the income on a current basis or in cash. Thus, the Fund may have to sell other investments or borrow money, including when it may not be advisable to do so, to make income distributions to its stockholders.

Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may engage in repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, banks and other financial institutions to earn incremental income on temporarily available cash which would otherwise be uninvested. A repurchase agreement is a short-term investment in which the purchaser (i.e., the Fund) acquires ownership of a security and the seller agrees to repurchase the obligation at a future time and set price, thereby determining the yield during the holding period. Repurchase agreements involve certain risks in the event of default by the other party. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, banks and other financial institutions deemed to be creditworthy.

For the purpose of investing in repurchase agreements, the Adviser may aggregate the cash that certain funds advised or subadvised by the Adviser or certain of its affiliates would otherwise invest separately into a joint account. The cash in the joint account is then invested in repurchase agreements and the funds that contributed to the joint account share pro rata in the net revenue generated. The Adviser believes that the joint account produces efficiencies and economies of scale that may contribute to reduced transaction costs, higher returns, higher quality investments and greater diversity of investments for the Fund than would be available to the Fund investing separately. The manner in which the joint account is managed is subject to conditions set forth in an exemptive order from the SEC permitting this practice, which conditions are designed to ensure the fair administration of the joint account and to protect the amounts in that account.

Repurchase agreements are required to be fully collateralized by the underlying securities and are considered to be loans under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays for such securities only upon physical delivery or evidence of book entry transfer to the account of a custodian or bank acting as agent. The seller under a repurchase agreement will be required to maintain the value of the underlying collateral securities marked-to-market daily at not less than the repurchase price. The underlying securities (normally securities of the U.S. government and its agencies or instrumentalities) may have maturity dates exceeding one year.

The Fund may borrow through entering into reverse repurchase agreements under which the Fund sells portfolio securities to financial institutions such as banks and broker-dealers and agrees to repurchase them at a particular date and price. Such agreements are considered to be borrowings under the 1940 Act unless the Fund segregates an amount of cash and/or liquid securities equal to the amount of the Fund’s obligations under the reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund may utilize reverse repurchase agreements when it is anticipated that the interest income to be earned from the investment of the proceeds of the transaction is greater than the interest expense of the transaction.

When Issued and Delayed Securities. The Fund may purchase and sell securities on a “when-issued” or “delayed delivery” basis hereby the Fund buys or sells a security with payment and delivery taking place in the future. The payment obligation and the interest rate are fixed at the time the Fund enters into the commitment. No income accrues to the Fund on securities in connection with such transactions prior to the date the Fund actually takes delivery of such securities. These transactions are subject to market risk as the value or yield of a security at

 

37


delivery may be more or less than the purchase price or the yield generally available on securities when delivery occurs. In addition, the Fund is subject to counterparty risk because it relies on the buyer or seller, as the case may be, to consummate the transaction, and failure by the other party to complete the transaction may result in the Fund missing the opportunity of obtaining a price or yield considered to be advantageous. When the Fund is the buyer in such a transaction, however, it will segregate cash and/or liquid securities having an aggregate value at least equal to the amount of such purchase commitments until payment is made. An increase in the percentage of the Fund’s assets committed to the purchase of securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis may increase the volatility of the Fund’s net asset value.

Private Placements and Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest in securities which are subject to restrictions on resale because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). These securities are generally referred to as private placements or restricted securities. Limitations on the resale of these securities may have an adverse effect on their marketability, and may prevent the Fund from disposing of them promptly at reasonable prices. The Fund may have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration.

The Fund has no liquidity limitation or restriction; thus, some or all of the Fund investments may be in illiquid securities. At times, private placements or restricted securities, as well as other securities in which the Fund may invest, may be deemed illiquid. Investments in illiquid securities tend to restrict the Fund’s ability to dispose of instruments in a timely fashion and restrict the Fund’s ability to take advantage of market opportunities.

Short Sales. The Fund may engage in short sales. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells securities it owns or has the right to acquire at no added cost (i.e., “against the box”) or does not own (but has borrowed) in anticipation of a decline in the market price of the securities. To deliver the securities to the buyer, the Fund arranges through a broker to borrow the securities and, in so doing, the Fund becomes obligated to replace the securities borrowed at their market price at the time of replacement. When selling short, the Fund intends to replace the securities at a lower price and therefore, profit from the difference between the cost to replace the securities and the proceeds received from the sale of the securities. When the Fund makes a short sale, the proceeds it receives from the sale will be held on behalf of a broker until the Fund replaces the borrowed securities. The Fund may have to pay a premium to borrow the securities and must pay any dividends or interest payable on the securities until they are replaced. The Fund’s obligation to replace the securities borrowed in connection with a short sale will be secured by collateral deposited with the broker that consists of cash and/or liquid securities. In addition, the Fund will place in a segregated account an amount of cash and/or liquid securities equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the market value of the securities sold at the time they were sold short, and (ii) any cash and/or liquid securities deposited as collateral with the broker in connection with the short sale. Short sales involve certain risks and special considerations. If the Fund incorrectly predicts that the price of the borrowed security will decline, the Fund will have to replace the securities with securities with a greater value than the amount received from the sale. As a result, losses from short sales differ from losses that could be incurred from a purchase of a security, because losses from short sales may be unlimited, whereas losses from purchases can equal only the total amount invested.

Warrants. Warrants give holders the right, but not the obligation, to buy common stock of an issuer at a given price, usually higher than the market price at the time of issuance, during a specified period. Warrants are usually freely transferable. The risk of investing in a warrant is that the warrant may expire prior to the market value of the common stock exceeding the price fixed by the warrant. Warrants have a subordinate claim on a borrower’s assets compared with Senior Loans. As a result, the values of warrants generally are dependent on the financial condition of the borrower and less dependent on fluctuations in interest rates than are the values of many debt securities. The values of warrants may be more volatile than those of Senior Loans and this may increase the volatility of the Fund’s net asset value.

Temporary Investments. During periods in which the Fund believes that changes in economic, financial or political conditions make it advisable to do so, the Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, reduce its primary investment holdings and invest in certain short-term (less than one year to maturity) and medium-term (not greater than five years to maturity) debt securities or hold cash. The short-term and medium-term debt securities in which the Fund may invest consist of (i) obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities; (ii) bank deposits and bank obligations (including certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers’ acceptances) of U.S. or foreign banks denominated in any currency; (iii) floating rate securities and other instruments denominated in any currency issued by various governments or international development agencies; (iv) finance company and corporate

 

38


commercial paper and other short-term corporate debt obligations of U.S. or foreign corporations; and (v) repurchase agreements with banks and broker-dealers with respect to such securities. The Fund intends to invest for temporary defensive purposes only in short-term and medium-term debt securities that the Fund believes to be of high quality, i.e., subject to relatively low risk of loss of interest or principal. In taking such defensive position, the Fund temporarily would not be pursuing and may not achieve its investment objectives.

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund will buy and sell securities to seek to accomplish its investment objective. Portfolio turnover generally involves some expense to the Fund, including brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of securities and reinvestment in other securities. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may vary greatly from year to year. For the past two fiscal years, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was as follows.

 

Fiscal Year Ended

   Portfolio Turnover Rate  

February 28, 2015

     103

February 28, 2014

     121

Investment Restrictions

The Fund has adopted certain other investment limitations designed to limit investment risk. These limitations are fundamental and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Shares, as defined in the 1940 Act (and preferred shares, if any, voting together as a single class), which is defined by the 1940 Act as the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the Fund’s voting securities present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy; or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. See “Investment Restrictions” in the SAI for a complete list of the fundamental investment policies of the Fund.

USE OF LEVERAGE

The Fund’s policy on financial leverage allows the Fund to use financial leverage in the form of borrowings and/or preferred shares to the maximum extent allowable under the 1940 Act. Currently, the Fund employs financial leverage by borrowing through a credit facility (as defined herein) and through the issuance of preferred securities that are senior to the Common Shares. The Fund’s total leverage as of February 28, 2015 represented approximately 29.61% of the Fund’s total assets as of such date.

The Fund anticipates that the use of leverage will result in higher income to its common shareholders (“Common Shareholders”) over time. Use of financial leverage creates an opportunity for increased income but, at the same time, creates special risks. There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful. The costs associated with the issuance and use of leverage are borne by the holders of the Common Shares. The investment advisory fees paid by the Fund will be calculated on the basis of the Fund’s Managed Assets (as defined in this Prospectus), which includes proceeds from leverage, so the dollar amount of the management fee paid by the Fund to the Adviser will be higher (and the Adviser will be benefited to that extent) when leverage is utilized. This may create a conflict of interest between the Fund’s investment adviser and holders of Common Shares. Holders of Common Shares effectively bear the entire investment advisory fee. Common Shareholders bear the portion of the investment advisory fee attributable to the assets purchased with the proceeds of leverage, which means that Common Shareholders effectively bear the entire advisory fee.

Borrowings

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund generally is not permitted to engage in borrowings unless, immediately after the borrowing, the Fund would have asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) of less than 300% (i.e., the value of the Fund’s total assets less liabilities other than the principal amount represented by the borrowings( is at least 300% of such principal amount. In addition, other than with respect to privately arranged borrowings, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on the Common Shares unless, at the time of such declaration, the value of the Fund’s total assets, less liabilities other than the principal amount represented by borrowings, is at least 300% of such principal amount after deducting the amount of such dividend or other distribution. If the Fund borrows, the Fund intends, to the extent possible, to prepay all or a portion of the principal amount of any outstanding commercial paper, notes or other borrowings to the extent necessary to maintain the required asset coverage.

 

39


The terms of any such borrowings may require the Fund to pay a fee to maintain a line of credit, such as a commitment fee, or to maintain minimum average balances with a lender. Any such requirements would increase the cost of such borrowings over the stated interest rate. Such lenders would have the right to receive interest on and repayment of principal of any such borrowings, which right will be senior to those of the Common Shareholders. Any such borrowings may contain provisions limiting certain activities of the Fund, including the payment of dividends to Common Shareholders in certain circumstances.

Certain types of borrowings subject the Fund to covenants in credit agreements relating to asset coverage and portfolio composition requirements. Certain borrowings issued by the Fund also may subject the Fund to certain restrictions on investments imposed by guidelines of one or more rating agencies, which may issue ratings for such borrowings. Such guidelines may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. It is not anticipated that these covenants or guidelines will impede Invesco from managing the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies.

The 1940 Act grants to the holders of senior securities representing indebtedness issued by the Fund, other than with respect to privately arranged borrowings, certain voting rights in the event of default in the payment of interest on or repayment of principal. Failure to maintain certain asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act could result in an event of default and entitle the debt holders to elect a majority of the Board of Trustees.

Credit Facility. The Fund has entered into a $400 million Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, effective as of August 27, 2014 (as from time to time amended, supplemented, waived or modified, the “Credit Facility”), among the Fund, CHARTA, LLC (“CHARTA”), CAFCO, LLC (“CAFCO”), CRC Funding, LLC (“CRC Funding”), and CIESCO, LLC (together with CHARTA, CAFCO, and CRC Funding, the “Conduit Lenders”), Citibank, N.A. (the “Secondary Lender”), State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Direct Lender”) and Citibank, N.A., as program agent (the “Program Agent”). The Credit Facility is secured by the assets of the Fund. As of February 28, 2015, outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility were approximately $361 million, which represented approximately 22% of the Fund’s total assets as of such date. During the year ended February 28, 2015, the average daily weighted interest rate was 0.86%.

Preferred Shares

The Fund may authorize and issue preferred shares with rights as determined by the Board of Trustees, by action of the Board of Trustees without prior approval of the holders of the Common Shares. Common Shareholders have no preemptive right to purchase any preferred shares that might be issued. Any such preferred share offering would be subject to the limits imposed by the 1940 Act. Although the Fund has no present intention to issue preferred shares. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may not issue preferred shares if, immediately after issuance, the Fund would have asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) of less than 200% (i.e., for every dollar of Preferred Shares outstanding, the Fund is required to have at least two dollars of assets).

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, the terms of any preferred shares may entitle the holders of preferred shares to receive a preferential liquidating distribution (expected to equal the original purchase price per share plus the applicable redemption premium, if any, together with accrued and unpaid distributions, whether or not earned or declared and on a cumulative basis) before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Common Shares. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the preferred shareholders would not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund.

The terms of the preferred shares, including their distribution rate, voting rights, liquidation preference and redemption provisions, will be determined by the Board (subject to applicable law and the Fund’s Declaration of Trust) if and when it authorizes the preferred shares. The Fund may issue preferred shares that provide for the periodic redetermination of the distribution rate at relatively short intervals through an auction or remarketing procedure, although the terms of the preferred shares may also enable the Fund to lengthen such intervals. At times, the distribution rate on the Fund’s preferred shares may exceed the Fund’s return after expenses on the investment of proceeds from the preferred shares, resulting in a lower rate of return to Common Shareholders than if the preferred shares were not outstanding.

 

40


VRTP Shares. In August 2013, the Fund issued in the aggregate 1,250 Variable Rate Term Preferred Shares (“VRTP”), each with a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, pursuant to an offering exempt from registration under the 1933 Act. Proceeds from the issuance of VRTP Shares were used to repay a portion of the Fund’s outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility. VRTP Shares are a floating-rate form of preferred shares with a mandatory redemption date. The Fund is required to redeem all outstanding VRTP Shares on September 1, 2017, unless earlier redeemed, repurchased or extended. VRTP Shares are subject to optional and mandatory redemption in certain circumstances. The redemption price per share is equal to the sum of the liquidation value per share plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends.

As of February 28, 2015, the Fund had outstanding preferred shares with an aggregate liquidation preference of $125 million, representing approximately 7.61% of the Fund’s total assets as of such date.

Effects Of Leverage

Assuming (i) the use by the Fund of leverage representing approximately 29.61% of the Fund’s total assets (including the proceeds of such leverage), 22% of the Fund’s total assets being attributable to borrowings and 7.61% of the Fund’s total assets attributable to preferred shares and (ii) interest costs to the Fund at an average annual rate of 0.86% with respect to borrowings and dividends on preferred shares at an annual rate of 1.40%, then the incremental income generated by the Fund’s portfolio (net of estimated expenses including expenses related to the leverage) must exceed approximately % to cover such interest expense and dividend payments. Of course, these numbers are merely estimates used for illustration. The amount of leverage used by the Fund as well as actual interest expenses and dividend payments on such leverage may vary frequently and may be significantly higher or lower than the rate estimated above.

The following table is furnished pursuant to requirements of the SEC. It is designed to illustrate the effect of leverage on Common Share total return, assuming investment portfolio total returns (comprised of income, net expenses and changes in the value of investments held in the Fund’s portfolio) of -10%, -5%, 0%, 5% and 10%. These assumed investment portfolio returns are hypothetical figures and are not necessarily indicative of what the Fund’s investment portfolio returns will be. The table further reflects the issuance of leverage representing approximately 29.61% of the Fund’s assets (including the proceeds of such leverage), 22% of the Fund’s total assets being attributable to borrowings and 7.61% of the Fund’s total assets attributable to preferred shares, and the Fund’s currently projected average annual rate of 0.86% with respect to borrowings and dividends on preferred shares at an annual rate of 1.40% with respect to such leverage. The table does not reflect any offering costs of Common Shares or leverage.

 

Assumed portfolio total return (net of expenses)

     (10.00)%         (5.00)%         0.00%         5.00%         10.00%   

Common Share total return

     %         %         %         %         %   

Common Share total return is composed of two elements—the Common Share dividends paid by the Fund (the amount of which is largely determined by the Fund’s net investment income after paying the carrying cost of Financial Leverage) and realized and unrealized gains or losses on the value of the securities the Fund owns. As required by SEC rules, the table assumes that the Fund is more likely to suffer capital loss than to enjoy capital appreciation. For example, to assume a total return of 0%, the Fund must assume that the net investment income it receives on its investments is entirely offset by losses on the value of those investments. This table reflects the hypothetical performance of the Fund’s portfolio and not the performance of the Fund’s Common Shares, the value of which will be determined by market and other factors.

RISKS

Risks Associated with an Investment in the Fund

Market Risk. Market risk is the possibility that the market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline. The values of fixed income securities tend to fall as interest rates rise, and such declines tend to be greater among fixed income securities with longer maturities. Market risk is often greater among certain types of fixed

 

41


income securities, such as zero coupon bonds which do not make regular interest payments but are instead bought at a discount to their face values and paid in full upon maturity. As interest rates change, these securities often fluctuate more in price than securities that make regular interest payments and therefore subject the Fund to greater market risk than a fund that does not own these types of securities. The values of adjustable, variable or floating rate income securities tend to have less fluctuation in response to changes in interest rates, but will have some fluctuation particularly when the next interest rate adjustment on such security is further away in time or adjustments are limited in amount over time. The Fund has no policy limiting the maturity of loans and debts that it purchases. Such obligations often have mandatory and optional prepayment provisions and because of prepayments, the actual remaining maturity of loans and debts may be considerably less than their stated maturity. Obligations with longer maturities or durations generally expose the Fund to more market risk. When-issued and delayed delivery transactions are subject to changes in market conditions from the time of the commitment until settlement. This may adversely affect the prices or yields of the securities being purchased. The greater the Fund’s outstanding commitments for these securities, the greater the Fund’s exposure to market price fluctuations.

Credit Risk. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a security will be unable to make timely interest payments and/or repay the principal on its debt. Because the Fund may invest, without limitation, in securities that are below investment grade, the Fund is subject to a greater degree of credit risk than a fund investing primarily in investment grade securities. Below investment grade securities (that is, securities rated Ba or lower by Moody’s or BB or lower by S&P) are commonly referred to as “junk” securities. Generally, lower-grade securities provide a higher yield than higher-grade securities of similar maturity but are subject to greater risks, such as greater credit risk, greater market risk and volatility, greater liquidity concerns and potentially greater manager risk. Such securities are generally regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the capacity to pay interest or repay principal in accordance with their terms. Lower-grade securities are more susceptible to non-payment of interest and principal and default than higher-grade securities and are more sensitive to specific issuer developments or real or perceived general adverse economic changes than higher-grade securities. The market for lower-grade securities also may have less information available than the market for other securities, further complicating evaluations and valuations of such securities and placing more emphasis on the experience, judgment and analysis of each of the Adviser and the Subadviser with respect to the portion of the Fund’s portfolio that each manages.

The Fund may invest in loan and debt obligations of stressed, distressed and bankrupt issuers including those that are in covenant or payment default. Such obligations are subject to a multitude of legal, industry, market, economic and governmental forces that make analysis of these companies inherently difficult. The Adviser and the Subadviser rely on company management, outside experts, market participants and personal experience to analyze potential investments for the portion of the Fund’s assets that they respectively manage. There can be no assurance that any of these sources will provide credible information, or that each of the Adviser’s and the Subadviser’s analysis will produce conclusions that lead to profitable investments for the portion of the Fund’s portfolio that each manages. Obligations of stressed, distressed and bankrupt issuers generally trade significantly below par and are considered speculative. The repayment of defaulted obligations is subject to significant uncertainties. Defaulted obligations might be repaid only after lengthy workout or bankruptcy proceedings or result in only partial recovery of cash payments or an exchange of the defaulted obligation for other debt or equity securities of the issuer or its affiliates, which may in turn be illiquid or speculative.

There are a number of significant risks inherent in the bankruptcy process. Many events in a bankruptcy are the product of contested matters and adversary proceedings and are beyond the control of the creditors. There can be no assurance that a bankruptcy court would not approve actions that would be contrary to the interests of the Fund. A bankruptcy filing by an issuer may cause such issuer to lose its market position and key employees and otherwise become incapable of restoring itself as a viable entity and its liquidation value may be less than its value was believed to be at the time of investment. In addition, the duration of a bankruptcy proceeding is difficult to predict and as such, a creditor’s return on investment can be adversely affected by delays while the plan of reorganization is being negotiated, approved by the creditors and confirmed by the bankruptcy court and until it ultimately becomes effective. The administrative costs in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding are frequently high and would be paid out of the debtor’s estate prior to any return to creditors. Further, in the early stages of the bankruptcy process it is often difficult to estimate the extent of any contingent claims that might be made and as such, there exists the risk that the Fund’s influence with respect to the class of obligations it owns can be lost by increases in the number and amount of claims in that class or by different classification and treatment. A creditor, such as the Fund, can also lose its ranking and priority if it is determined that such creditor exercised “domination and control” over a debtor and other creditors can demonstrate that they have been harmed by such actions. In addition, certain claims have priority by law, such as claims for taxes, which may be substantial and could affect the ability of the Fund to be repaid.

 

42


In any investment involving stressed and distressed debt obligations, there exists the risk that the transaction involving such debt obligations will be unsuccessful, take considerable time or will result in a distribution of cash or a new security or obligation in exchange for the stressed and distressed debt obligations, the value of which may be less than the Fund’s purchase price of such debt obligations. Furthermore, if an anticipated transaction does not occur, the Fund may be required to sell its investment at a loss.

Interest Rate Risk. When interest rates decline, the value of a portfolio invested in fixed income securities generally can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a portfolio invested in fixed income securities generally can be expected to decline. The prices of longer term fixed income securities generally are more volatile with respect to changes in interest rates than the prices of shorter term fixed income securities. These risks may be greater in the current market environment because certain interest rates are near historically low levels, which may increase the Fund’s exposure to risks associated with rising interest rates. Rising interest rates could have unpredictable effects on the markets and may expose fixed-income and related markets to heightened volatility. For fixed-income securities, an increase in interest rates may lead to increased redemptions and increased portfolio turnover, which could reduce liquidity for certain Fund investments, adversely affect values, and increase the Fund’s expenses.

Income Risk. The income you receive from the Fund is based primarily on interest rates, which can vary widely over the short- and long-term. If interest rates drop, your income from the Fund may drop as well. The more the Fund invests in adjustable, variable or floating rate securities or in securities susceptible to prepayment risk, the greater the Fund’s income risk.

Prepayment or Call Risk. If interest rates fall, it is possible that issuers of fixed income securities with high interest rates will prepay or “call” their securities before their maturity dates. In this event, the proceeds from the prepaid or called securities would likely be reinvested by the Fund in securities bearing the new, lower interest rates, resulting in a possible decline in the Fund’s income and distributions to shareholders.

Risk of Senior Loans. There is less readily available, reliable information about most Senior Loans than is the case for many other types of securities. Senior Loans generally are not listed on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system and as such, many Senior Loans are less liquid, meaning that the Fund may not be able to sell them quickly at a fair price. However, many Senior Loans are of a large principal amount and are held by a large number of owners, which should enhance their liquidity. In addition, in recent years the number of institutional investors purchasing Senior Loans has increased. To the extent that a secondary market does exist for certain Senior Loans, the market is more volatile than for liquid, listed securities and may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods. The market for Senior Loans could be disrupted in the event of an economic downturn or a substantial increase or decrease in interest rates, resulting in fluctuations in the Fund’s net asset value. Although the Fund believes that its investments in adjustable rate Senior Loans could limit fluctuations in the Fund’s net asset value as a result of changes in interest rates, extraordinary and sudden changes in interest rates could nevertheless disrupt the market for such Senior Loans and result in fluctuations in the Fund’s net asset value.

Senior Loans, like most other debt obligations, are subject to the risk of default. Default in the payment of interest or principal on a Senior Loan will result in a reduction in income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of the Senior Loan and a potential decrease in the Fund’s net asset value. The risk of default will increase in the event of an economic downturn or a substantial increase in interest rates. Each of the Adviser and the Subadviser relies primarily on its own evaluation of borrower credit quality rather than on any available independent sources. As a result, the Fund is particularly dependent on the analytical abilities of each of the Adviser and the Subadviser.

The Fund may acquire Senior Loans of borrowers that are experiencing, or are more likely to experience financial difficulty, including Senior Loans issued in highly leveraged transactions. The Fund may even acquire and retain in its portfolio Senior Loans of borrowers that have filed for bankruptcy protection. Borrowers may have outstanding debt obligations that are rated below investment grade. More recently, rating agencies have begun rating Senior Loans, and Senior Loans in the Fund’s portfolio may themselves be rated below investment grade. The Fund may invest a substantial portion of its assets in Senior Loans of borrowers that have outstanding debt obligations

 

43


rated below investment grade or unrated securities deemed to be of comparable quality. Senior Loans may not be rated at the time that the Fund purchases them. If a Senior Loan is rated at the time of purchase, the Fund may consider the rating when evaluating the Senior Loan but, in any event, does not view ratings as a determinative factor in investment decisions. As a result, the Fund is more dependent on the credit analysis abilities of the Adviser and the Subadviser. Because of the protective terms of Senior Loans, the Fund believes that the Fund is more likely to recover more of its investment in a defaulted Senior Loan than would be the case for most other types of defaulted debt securities. The values of Senior Loans of borrowers that have filed for bankruptcy protection or that are experiencing payment difficulty could be affected by, among other things, the assessment of the likelihood that the lenders ultimately will receive repayment of the principal amount of such Senior Loans, the likely duration, if any, of a lapse in the scheduled payment of interest and repayment of principal and prevailing interest rates. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to recover any amount on Senior Loans of such Borrowers. Even in the case of collateralized Senior Loans, there is no assurance that sale of the collateral would raise enough cash to satisfy the borrower’s payment obligation or that the collateral can or will be liquidated. In the case of bankruptcy, liquidation may not occur and the court may not give lenders the full benefit of their senior position.

The Fund may acquire Senior Loan assignments or participations. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations of the assigning institution and becomes a lender under the credit agreement with respect to the debt obligation; however, its rights can be more restricted than those of the assigning institution, and, in any event, the Fund may not be able unilaterally to enforce all rights and remedies under the loan and any associated collateral. A participation typically results in a contractual relationship only with the institution participating out the interest, not with the borrower. In purchasing participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement or any rights of setoff against the borrower, and the Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the debt obligation in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, the Fund will be exposed to the credit risk of both the borrower and the institution selling the participation.

Risk of Second Lien or Other Subordinated or Unsecured Loans or Debt. Second lien or other subordinated or unsecured loans or debt generally are subject to similar risks associated with investments in Senior Loans. Because second lien or other subordinated or unsecured loans or debt are lower in priority of payment to Senior Loans, they are subject to additional risk that the cash flow of the borrower and property securing the loan or debt, if any, may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to the senior secured obligations of the borrower. This risk is generally higher for subordinated unsecured loans or debt, which are not backed by a security interest in any specific collateral. Second lien or subordinated loans or debt, both secured and unsecured, are expected to have greater price volatility than Senior Loans and may be less liquid. There is also a possibility that originators will not be able to sell participations in second lien loans and subordinated loans or debt, both secured and unsecured, which would create greater credit risk exposure. Second lien or other subordinated or unsecured loans or debt of below investment grade quality share the same risks of other below investment grade securities.

Risks of Structured Products. The Fund may invest in structured products, CDOs, CBOs, CLOs, structured notes, credit-linked notes and other types of structured products. Holders of structured products bear risks of the underlying investments, index or reference obligation and are subject to counterparty risk. The Fund may have the right to receive payments to which it is entitled only from the structured product, and generally does not have direct rights against the issuer or the entity that sold assets to the special purpose trust. While certain structured products enable the investor to acquire interests in a pool of securities without the brokerage and other expenses associated with directly holding the same securities, investors in structured products generally pay their share of the structured product’s administrative and other expenses. When investing in structured products, it is impossible to predict whether the underlying index or prices of the underlying securities will rise or fall, but prices of the underlying indices and securities (and, therefore, the prices of structured products) will be influenced by the same types of political and economic events that affect particular issuers of securities and capital markets generally. Certain structured products may be thinly traded or have a limited trading market and may have the effect of increasing the Fund’s illiquidity to the extent that the Fund, at a particular point in time, may be unable to find qualified buyers for these securities.

CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs are typically privately offered and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, investments in CDOs may be characterized by the Fund as illiquid securities; however an active dealer market may exist for CDOs allowing a CDO to be considered liquid in some circumstances. In

 

44


addition to the general risks associated with fixed income securities discussed herein, CDOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (iii) the possibility that the CDOs are subordinate to other classes; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results.

Investments in structured notes involve risks including income risk, credit risk and market risk. Where the Fund’s investments in structured notes are based upon the movement of one or more factors, including currency exchange rates, interest rates, referenced bonds and stock indices, depending on the factor used and the use of multipliers or deflators, changes in interest rates and movement of the factor may cause significant price fluctuations. Additionally, changes in the reference instrument or security may cause the interest rate on the structured note to be reduced to zero and any further changes in the reference instrument may then reduce the principal amount payable on maturity. Structured notes may be less liquid than other types of securities and more volatile than the reference instrument or security underlying the note.

Risk of Swaps. The Fund may enter into swap transactions, including credit default, total return, index and interest rate swap agreements, as well as options thereon, and may purchase or sell interest rate caps, floors and collars. Such transactions are subject to market risk, risk of default by the other party to the transaction, risk of imperfect correlation and manager risk and may involve commissions or other costs. Swaps generally do not involve delivery of securities, other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to swaps generally is limited to the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make, or in the case of the other party to a swap defaulting, the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid. Caps, floors and collars are more recent innovations for which standardized documentation has not yet been fully developed and, accordingly, they are less liquid than swaps. If the Adviser and the Subadviser are incorrect in their forecast of market values, interest rates or currency exchange rates, the investment performance of the Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if these investment techniques were not used.

Financial Leverage Risk. There can be no assurance that a financial leveraging strategy will be utilized by the Fund or that, if utilized, it will be successful during any period in which it is employed. Leverage creates risks for holders of Common Shares, including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of, and distributions on, the Common Shares and the risk that fluctuations in distribution rates on any preferred shares and costs of borrowings may affect the return to holders of Common Shares. To the extent the income derived from investments purchased with proceeds received from leverage exceeds the cost of leverage, the Fund’s distributions will be greater than if leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the income from the investments purchased with such proceeds is not sufficient to cover the cost of the financial leverage, the amount available for distribution to holders of Common Shares will be less than if leverage had not been used. In the latter case, the Fund may nevertheless maintain its leveraged position if such action is deemed to be appropriate based on market conditions. These risks may be greater in the current market environment because interest rates are near historically low levels. Interest payments on the Fund’s outstanding borrowings and dividends on the Fund’s outstanding preferred shares are based on variable rate formulas and as a result the Fund’s leverage costs will increase in a rising interest rate environment. The costs of an offering of preferred shares and/or borrowing program will be borne by holders of Common Shares and consequently, will result in a reduction of the net asset value of Common Shares.

The investment advisory fees paid by the Fund will be calculated on the basis of the Fund’s Managed Assets, which includes proceeds from the issuance of preferred shares and/or borrowings, so the dollar amount of the management fee paid by the Fund to the Adviser will be higher (and the Adviser will be benefited to that extent) when leverage is utilized. This may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser and holders of Common Shares as providers of the credit facility or holders of preferred securities do not bear the investment advisory fee, rather, holders of Common Shares bear the portion of the investment advisory fee attributable to the assets purchased with the proceeds from the issuance of preferred shares and/or borrowings. This means that holders of Common Shares effectively bear the entire investment advisory fee.

Any lender in connection with a credit facility may impose specific restrictions as condition to borrowing. Similarly, to the extent the Fund issues preferred shares, the Fund currently intends to seek an AAA or equivalent credit rating from one or more rating agencies on any preferred shares it issues and the Fund may be subject to

 

45


investment restrictions of the rating agency as a result. Such restrictions imposed by a rating agency or lender may include asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act. It is not anticipated that these covenants or guidelines will impede the Adviser or the Subadviser in managing its respective portion of the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with its investment objectives and policies. See “Description of Capital Structure - Borrowings.”

Financial leverage may also be achieved through the purchase of certain derivative instruments. The Fund’s use of derivative instruments exposes the Fund to special risks.

Foreign Securities Risk. The Fund will invest in credit securities of issuers that are organized or located in countries other than the United States, including non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. Investment in non-U.S. issuers involves special risks, including that non-U.S. issuers may be subject to less rigorous accounting and reporting requirements than U.S. issuers, less rigorous regulatory requirements, different legal systems and laws relating to creditors’ rights, the potential inability to enforce legal judgments, the potential for political, social and economic adversity and currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and non-U.S. currencies may negatively affect an investment. The value of investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies may fluctuate based on changes in the value of those currencies relative to the U.S. dollar, and a decline in applicable foreign exchange rates could reduce the value of such investments held by the Fund.

The foreign securities in which the Fund may invest may be issued by companies located in emerging market countries. Compared to the United States and other developed countries, emerging market countries may have relatively unstable governments, economies based on only a few industries and securities markets that trade a small number of securities. Securities issued by companies located in these countries tend to be especially volatile and may be less liquid than securities traded in developed countries. In the past, securities in these countries have been characterized by greater potential loss than securities of companies located in developed countries. Investments in the securities of issuers located in emerging markets could be affected by risks associated with expropriation and/or nationalization, armed conflict, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on transfers of assets, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards, less publicly available financial and other information and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations.

Since the Fund may invest in credit securities of foreign issuers denominated in the local currency, changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of credit securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments. In addition to changes in the value of the Fund’s portfolio investments resulting from currency fluctuations, the Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. The Fund may also invest directly in currencies. The Fund is subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. The values of the currencies of the emerging market countries in which the Fund may invest may be subject to a high degree of fluctuation due to changes in interest rates, the effects of monetary policies of the United States, foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities, the imposition of currency controls or due to other national or global political or economic developments. Foreign exchange dealers realize a profit based on the difference between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer normally will offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire immediately to resell that currency to the dealer. 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 entering into forward, futures or options contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. Therefore, the Fund’s exposure to foreign currencies may result in reduced returns to the Fund. The Fund may, from time to time, seek to protect the value of some portion or all of its portfolio holdings against currency risks by engaging in currency hedging transactions, such as currency futures contracts, currency forward contracts and options on currencies. Such transactions may include entering into forward currency exchange contracts, currency futures contracts and options on such futures contracts, as well as purchasing put or call options on currencies, in U.S. or foreign markets. Currency hedging involves special risks, including possible default by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent the view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of hedging could result in losses greater than if they had not been used. In addition, in certain countries in which the Fund may invest, currency hedging opportunities may not be available. The use of currency transactions can result in the Fund incurring losses because of the imposition of exchange controls, suspension of settlements or the inability of the Fund to deliver or receive a specified currency.

 

46


The Fund will compute and expects to distribute its income in U.S. dollars, and the computation of income is made on the date that the income is earned by the Fund at the foreign exchange rate in effect on that date. If the value of the foreign currencies in which the Fund receives its income falls relative to the U.S. dollar between the date of earning of the income and the time at which the Fund converts the foreign currencies to U.S. dollars, the Fund may be required to liquidate securities in order to make distributions if the Fund has insufficient cash in U.S. dollars to meet distribution requirements. See “Distributions” and “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.” The liquidation of investments, if required, may have an adverse impact on the Fund’s performance.

Strategic Transactions Risk. The Fund may utilize options, forward contracts, futures contracts and options on futures contracts (collectively, referred to as “Strategic Transactions”). Strategic Transactions involve risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets, the possible default by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity of the derivative instrument and, to the extent the prediction as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of such Strategic Transactions could result in losses greater than if they had not been used. In addition, such transactions may involve commissions and other costs, which may increase the Fund’s expenses and reduce its return. Thus, the use of Strategic Transactions may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may require the Fund to sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than current market values, may limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can otherwise realize on an investment, or may cause the Fund to hold a security that it might otherwise sell. In addition, amounts paid as premiums and cash or other assets held in margin accounts with respect to Strategic Transactions are not otherwise available to the Fund for investment purposes.

The use of forward contracts, options and futures transactions entails certain special risks. In particular, the use of such transactions by the Fund could create the possibility that losses on the instrument would be greater than gains in the value of the Fund’s position. In addition, futures and options markets could be illiquid in some circumstances, and certain over-the-counter options could have no markets. As a result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close out a position without incurring substantial losses. To the extent that the Fund utilizes forward contracts, futures contracts or options transactions for hedging, such transactions should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged position and, at the same time, limit any potential gain to the Fund that might result from an increase in value of the position. In addition, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of options, in which case the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium and transaction costs. Losses resulting from the use of hedging will reduce the Fund’s net asset value, and possibly income, and the losses can be greater than if hedging had not been used. Forward contracts may limit gains on portfolio securities that could otherwise be realized had they not been utilized and could result in losses. The contracts also may increase the Fund’s volatility and may involve a significant amount of risk relative to the investment of cash. The use of put and call options may result in losses to the Fund, force the sale of portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than at current market values, limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on its investments or cause the Fund to hold a security it might otherwise sell. The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to any Strategic Transactions engaged in by the Fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.

When conducted outside the United States, Strategic Transactions may not be regulated as rigorously as in the United States, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities, currencies and other instruments. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by: (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund’s ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States, (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States and (v) lower trading volume and liquidity.

Manager Risk. As with any managed fund, the Adviser and the Subadviser may not be successful in selecting the best-performing securities or investment techniques in managing its respective portion of the Fund’s portfolio, and the Fund’s performance may lag behind that of similar funds.

 

47


Risks of Investing in Other Investment Companies. The Fund may acquire shares in other investment companies, including foreign investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. The market value of the shares of other investment companies may differ from the net asset value of the particular fund. As a shareholder in an investment company, the Fund would bear its ratable share of that entity’s expenses, including its investment advisory and administration fees. At the same time, the Fund would continue to pay its own investment advisory fees and other expenses. As a result, the Fund and its shareholders, in effect, will be absorbing duplicate levels of fees with respect to investments in other investment companies.

Zero Coupon Securities Risk. Certain debt obligations purchased by the Fund may take the form of zero coupon bonds. A zero coupon bond is a bond that does not pay interest either for the entire life of the obligation or for an initial period after the issuance of the obligation. When held to its maturity, its return comes from the difference between the purchase price and its maturity value. A zero coupon bond is normally issued and traded at a deep discount from face value. Zero coupon bonds allow an issuer to avoid or delay the need to generate cash to meet current interest payments and, as a result, may involve greater credit risk than bonds that pay interest currently or in cash. Special tax considerations are associated with investing in non-cash-paying instruments For example, the Fund would be required to distribute the income on these instruments as it accrues, even though the Fund may be required to accrue that income before a corresponding receipt of cash from such instruments. Thus, the Fund may have to sell other investments or borrow money, including when it may not be advisable to do so, to make income distributions to its stockholders. Such securities may have unreliable valuations because their continuing accruals require judgments about the collectability of the deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral. Accruals on such instruments may create uncertainty about the source of distributions Common Shareholders.

Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. To the extent that inflation occurs, it will reduce the real value of dividends paid by the Fund and the Fund’s shares. Most emerging market countries have experienced substantial, and in some periods extremely high and volatile, rates of inflation. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had and may continue to have very negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries. In an attempt to control inflation, wage and price controls have been imposed at times in certain countries.

Repurchase Agreements and Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk. The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements. In its purchase of repurchase agreements, the Fund does not bear the risk of a decline in the value of the underlying security unless the seller defaults under its repurchase obligation. In the event of the bankruptcy or other default of a seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying securities and losses, including possible decline in the value of the underlying security during the period while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto, possible lack of access to income on the underlying security during this period, and expenses of enforcing its rights.

The Fund’s use of reverse repurchase agreements involve many of the same risks involved in the Fund’s use of financial leverage, as the proceeds from reverse repurchase agreements generally will be invested in additional securities. There is a risk that the market value of the securities acquired in the reverse repurchase agreement may decline below the price of the securities that the Fund has sold but remains obligated to repurchase. In addition, there is a risk that the market value of the securities retained by the Fund may decline. If the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement were to file for bankruptcy or experience insolvency, the Fund may be adversely affected. Also, in entering into reverse repurchase agreements, the Fund would bear the risk of loss to the extent that the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement are less than the value of the underlying securities. In addition, due to the interest costs associated with reverse repurchase agreements, the Fund’s net asset value will decline, and, in some cases, the investment performance of the Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if the Fund had not used such instruments.

Illiquid Investments Risk. The Fund’s investments in relatively illiquid securities and loans may restrict the ability of the Fund to dispose of its investments in a timely fashion and for fair value, as well as its ability to fairly value such investments and take advantage of market opportunities. The risks associated with illiquidity will be particularly acute in situations in which the Fund’s operations require cash, such as when the Fund pays dividends or distributions, and could result in the Fund borrowing to meet short-term cash requirements or incurring capital losses on the sale of illiquid investments.

 

48


Short Sales Risk. The Fund may engage in short sales. Short sales involve certain risks and special considerations. If the Fund incorrectly predicts that the price of the borrowed security will decline, the Fund will have to replace the securities with securities with a greater value than the amount received from the sale. As a result, losses from short sales differ from losses that could be incurred from a purchase of a security, because losses from short sales may be unlimited, whereas losses from purchases can equal only the total amount invested.

Warrants Risk. The Fund may invest in warrants. The risk of investing in a warrant is that the warrant may expire prior to the market value of the common stock exceeding the price fixed by the warrant. Warrants have a subordinate claim on a borrower’s assets compared with Senior Loans. As a result, the values of warrants generally are dependent on the financial condition of the borrower and less dependent on fluctuations in interest rates than are the values of many debt securities. The values of warrants may be more volatile than those of Senior Loans and this may increase the volatility of the Fund’s net asset value.

Temporary Investments Risk. During periods in which the Fund believes that changes in economic, financial or political conditions make it advisable to do so, the Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, reduce its primary investment holdings and invest in certain short-term and medium-term debt securities or hold cash. The Fund intends to invest for temporary defensive purposes only in short-term and medium-term debt securities believed to be of high quality, which are expected to be subject to relatively low risk of loss of interest or principal. In taking such defensive position, the Fund temporarily would not be pursuing and may not achieve its investment objectives.

U.S. Government Securities Risk. U.S. Government securities historically have not involved the credit risks associated with investments in other types of debt securities, although, as a result, the yields available from U.S. Government debt securities are generally lower than the yields available from other securities. Like other debt securities, however, the values of U.S. Government securities change as interest rates fluctuate. On August 5, 2011, S&P lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating on the U.S. to “AA+” from “AAA.” Any further downgrades of the U.S. credit rating could increase volatility in both stock and bond markets, result in higher interest rates and higher Treasury yields and increase the costs of all kinds of debt. These events could have significant adverse effects on the economy generally and could result in significant adverse impacts on securities issuers and the Fund. The Adviser cannot predict the effects of these or similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets or on the Fund’s portfolio.

Recent Market Developments Risk. Global and domestic financial markets have experienced periods of severe turmoil. The debt and equity capital markets in the United States have been negatively impacted by significant write-offs in the financial services sector relating to sub-prime mortgages and the re-pricing of credit risk, among other things. These events, along with the deterioration of the housing market, the failure of major financial institutions and the resulting United States federal government actions led to worsening general economic conditions, which materially and adversely impacted the broader financial and credit markets and reduced the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole and financial firms in particular. Such market conditions may increase the volatility of the value of securities owned by the Fund, may make it more difficult for the Fund to accurately value its securities or to sell its securities on a timely basis and may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to borrow for investment purposes and increase the cost of such borrowings, which would reduce returns to the holders of Common Shares. These developments adversely affected the broader economy, and may continue to do so, which in turn may adversely affect issuers of securities owned by the Fund. Such developments could, in turn, reduce the value of securities owned by the Fund and adversely affect the net asset value of the Common Shares. Recently markets have witnessed more stabilized economic activity as expectations for an economic recovery increased. However, risks to a robust resumption of growth persist. A return to unfavorable economic conditions or sustained economic slowdown could adversely impact the Fund’s portfolio.

Eurozone Risk. The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns or rising government debt levels in several European countries, including Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain. Continuing uncertainty as to the status of the Euro and the European Monetary Union (the “EMU”) has created significant volatility in currency and financial markets generally. Investing in Euro-denominated securities entails risk of being exposed to a currency that may not fully reflect the strengths and weaknesses of the disparate European economies. In addition, it is possible that the Euro could be abandoned in the future by countries that have adopted its use. The effects of the collapse of the Euro, or of the exit of one or more countries from the EMU, on the United States and global economy and securities markets

 

49


could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of the Fund’s investments. If one or more EMU countries were to stop using the Euro as its primary currency, the Fund’s investments in such countries may be redenominated into a different or newly adopted currency. As a result, the value of those investments could decline significantly and unpredictably. In addition, securities or other investments that are redenominated may be subject to foreign currency risk, liquidity risk and valuation risk to a greater extent than similar investments currently denominated in Euros. To the extent a currency used for redenomination purposes is not specified in respect of certain EMU-related investments, or should the Euro cease to be used entirely, the currency in which such investments are denominated may be unclear, making such investments particularly difficult to value or dispose of. The Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek judicial or other clarification of the denomination or value of such securities.

Legislation and Regulation Risk. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), which was signed into law in July 2010, has resulted in a significant revision of the U.S. financial regulatory framework. The Dodd-Frank Act covers a broad range of topics, including, among many others: a reorganization of federal financial regulators; the creation of a process designed to ensure financial system stability and the resolution of potentially insolvent financial firms; the enactment of new rules for derivatives trading; the creation of a consumer financial protection watchdog; the registration and regulation of managers of private funds; the regulation of rating agencies; and the enactment of new federal requirements for residential mortgage loans. The regulation of various types of derivative instruments pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act may adversely affect the Fund or its counterparties. The ultimate impact of the Dodd-Frank Act, and any resulting regulation, is not yet certain and issuers of securities in which the Fund invests may also be affected by the new legislation and regulation in ways that are currently unknown and unforeseeable.

In connection with an ongoing review by the SEC and its staff of the regulation of investment companies’ use of derivatives, on August 31, 2011, the SEC issued a concept release to seek public comment on a wide range of issues raised by the use of derivatives by investment companies. The SEC noted that it intends to consider the comments to help determine whether regulatory initiatives or guidance are needed to improve the current regulatory regime for investment companies and, if so, the nature of any such initiatives or guidance. While the nature of any such regulations is uncertain at this time, it is possible that such regulations could limit the implementation of the Fund’s options strategy or other uses of derivatives, which could have an adverse impact on the Fund. The Adviser cannot predict the effects of these regulations on the Fund’s portfolio. The Adviser intends to monitor developments and seek to manage the Fund’s portfolio in a manner consistent with achieving the Fund’s investment objectives, but there can be no assurance that they will be successful in doing so.

According to various reports, certain financial institutions, commencing as early as 2005 and throughout the global financial crisis, routinely made artificially low submissions in the LIBOR rate setting process. In June 2012, one such financial institution was fined a significant amount by various financial regulators in connection with allegations of manipulation of LIBOR rates. Other financial institutions in various countries are being investigated for similar actions. These developments may have adversely affected the interest rates on securities whose interest payments were determined by reference to LIBOR. Any future similar developments could, in turn, reduce the value of such securities owned by the Fund.

At any time after the date of this prospectus, legislation may be enacted that could negatively affect the assets of the Fund or the issuers of such assets. Changing approaches to regulation may have a negative impact on the Fund or entities in which the Fund invests. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. There can be no assurance that future legislation, regulation or deregulation will not have a material adverse effect on the Fund or will not impair the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objectives.

Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund’s annual portfolio turnover rate may vary greatly from year to year. Portfolio turnover rate is not considered a limiting factor in the execution of investment decisions for the Fund. A higher portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that are borne by the Fund. High portfolio turnover may result in an increased realization of net short-term capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed to Common Shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income. Additionally, in a declining market, portfolio turnover may result in realized capital losses.

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions Risk. Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis may expose the Fund to counterparty risk of default as well as the risk that securities may experience

 

50


fluctuations in value prior to their actual delivery. The Fund generally will not accrue income with respect to a when-issued or delayed delivery security prior to its stated delivery date. Purchasing securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis can involve the additional risk that the price or yield available in the market when the delivery takes place may not be as favorable as that obtained in the transaction itself.

Securities Lending Risk. Securities lending is subject to the risk that loaned securities may not be available to the Fund on a timely basis and the Fund may therefore lose the opportunity to sell the securities at a desirable price. Any loss in the market price of securities loaned by the Fund that occurs during the term of the loan would be borne by the Fund and would adversely affect the Fund’s performance. Also, there may be delays in recovery, or no recovery, of securities loaned or even a loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially while the loan is outstanding.

Risk of Failure to Qualify as a RIC. To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally accorded to RICs, the Fund must, among other things, derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from certain prescribed sources, meet certain asset diversification tests and distribute for each taxable year at least 90% of its “investment company taxable income” (generally, ordinary income plus the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss). If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a RIC, all of its taxable income for that year (including its net capital gain) would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and such distributions would be taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. If the Fund fails to qualify as a RIC for any reason and becomes subject to corporate-level tax, the resulting corporate-level income taxes could substantially reduce the Fund’s net asset value , the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of the Fund’s distributions.

Certain of the Fund’s investments will cause the Fund to take into account taxable income in a taxable year in excess of the cash generated on those investments during that year. In particular, the Fund expects to invest in loans and other debt obligations that will be treated as having “market discount” and/or “original issue discount” (“OID”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Because the Fund may be allocated taxable income in respect of these investments before, or without receiving, cash representing such income, the Fund may have difficulty satisfying the annual distribution requirements applicable to RICs and avoiding Fund-level U.S. federal income and/or excise taxes. Accordingly, the Fund may be required to sell assets, including at potentially disadvantageous times or prices, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investments, to obtain the cash needed to make these income distributions. If the Fund liquidates assets to raise cash, the Fund may realize gain or loss on such liquidations. In the event the Fund realizes gains from such liquidation transactions, the Fund and, ultimately, its Common Shareholders, may receive larger taxable distributions than it or they would in the absence of such transactions.

The Fund may invest a portion of its net assets in below investment grade instruments. Investments in these types of instruments may present special tax issues for the Fund. U.S. federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless instruments, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the Fund to the extent necessary in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income that it does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

Potential Conflicts of Interest Risk. The Adviser and its affiliates provide a wide array of portfolio management and other asset management services to a mix of clients and may engage in ordinary course activities in which their interests or those of their clients may compete or conflict with those of the Fund. The Adviser and its affiliates may provide investment management services to other funds that follow investment objectives similar to that of the Fund. In certain circumstances, and subject to its fiduciary obligations under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”), the Adviser may have to allocate a limited investment opportunity among its clients. For additional information about potential conflicts of interest, and the way in which the Adviser and its affiliates address such conflicts please see “Management of the Fund—Potential Conflicts of Interest” in the SAI.

Anti-Takeover Provisions in the Fund’s Governing Documents Risk. The Fund’s Certificate of Trust, as amended, the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”) and the Fund’s By-Laws (collectively, the “Governing Documents”) include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to an open-end management investment company. See “Anti-Takeover Provisions in the Fund’s Governing Documents.”

 

51


Risks Associated with Offerings

Market Discount Risk. Costs incurred in connection with an offering of Common Shares will be borne entirely by the Fund, which may reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share. The sale of Common Shares by the Fund (or the perception that such sales may occur) may have an adverse effect on prices of Common Shares in the secondary market. An increase in the number of Common Shares available may put downward pressure on the market price for Common Shares. The Fund may, from time to time, seek the consent of Common Shareholders to permit the issuance and sale by the Fund of Common Shares at a price below the Fund’s then current net asset value, subject to certain conditions, and such sales of Common Shares at price below net asset value, if any, may increase downward pressure on the market price for Common Shares. These sales, if any, also might make it more difficult for the Fund to sell additional Common Shares in the future at a time and price it deems appropriate. Common Shares of the Fund are designed primarily for long-term investors; investors in Common Shares should not view the Fund as a vehicle for trading purposes.

Maintenance of Leverage Risk. Issuance of additional Common Shares will result in an increase in the assets of the Fund. To the extent that the Fund desires to maintain its level of leverage, as a percentage of the assets of the Fund, the Fund will be required to increase its borrowings or issue additional preferred shares. The Fund may incur costs in connection with issuing additional leverage, and there can be no assurance that the Fund can obtain additional leverage at favorable rates. An inability by the Fund to maintain its leverage, as a percentage of the assets of the Fund, or to do so at favorable rates, may negatively impact the Fund’s financial performance, including its ability to sustain current levels of distributions on Common Shares. There is no guarantee that the Fund will maintain leverage at the current rate, and the Board reserves the right to raise, decrease, or eliminate the Fund’s leverage exposure.

Dilution Risk. The voting power of current Common Shareholders will be diluted to the extent that current Common Shareholders do not purchase Common Shares in any future offerings of Common Shares or do not purchase sufficient Common Shares to maintain their percentage interest. If the Fund is unable to invest the proceeds of such offering as intended, the Fund’s per Common Share distribution may decrease and the Fund may not participate in market advances to the same extent as if such proceeds were fully invested as planned. If the Fund sells Common Shares at a price below net asset value pursuant to the consent of Common Shareholders, shareholders will experience a dilution of the aggregate net asset value per Common Share because the sale price will be less than the Fund’s then-current net asset value per Common Share. Similarly, were the expenses of the offering to exceed the amount by which the sale price exceeded the Fund’s then current net asset value per Common Share, shareholders would experience a dilution of the aggregate net asset value per Common Share. This dilution will be experienced by all shareholders, irrespective of whether they purchase Common Shares in any such offering. See “Description of Capital Structure—Common Shares—Issuance of Additional Common Shares.”

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Trustees

The management of the Fund, including general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser, is the responsibility of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

 

52


Adviser

Invesco Advisers, Inc. (“Invesco” or the “Adviser”) is the Fund’s investment adviser. The Adviser is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Invesco Ltd. The Adviser is located at 1555 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309. The Adviser, a successor in interest to multiple investment advisers, has been an investment adviser since 1976.

Investment Advisory Agreement

The Fund retains the Adviser to manage the investment of its assets and to place orders for the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities. Under an investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”), the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee computed based on 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets, which shall mean the average daily total asset value of the Fund minus the sum of accrued liabilities other than the aggregate liquidation preference of any preferred shares and/or the aggregate amount of any borrowings for investment purposes (“Managed Assets”).

Such fee is payable for each calendar month as soon as practicable after the end of that month.

The Adviser has contractually agreed, through at least June 30, 2016, to waive the advisory fee payable by the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the net advisory fees the Adviser receives from the affiliated money market funds on investments by the Fund of uninvested cash in such affiliated money market funds.

The Adviser furnishes offices, necessary facilities and equipment. The Fund pays all charges and expenses of its day-to-day operations, including service fees, distribution fees, custodian fees, legal and independent registered public accounting firm fees, the costs of reports and proxies to shareholders, compensation of trustees of the Fund (other than those who are affiliated persons of the Adviser or Invesco Distributors) and all other ordinary business expenses not specifically assumed by the Adviser.

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement was available in the Fund’s Semiannual Report dated August 31, 2014.

Sub-Adviser

Invesco has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with certain affiliates to serve as sub-advisers to the Fund, pursuant to which these affiliated sub-advisers may be appointed by Invesco from time to time to provide discretionary investment management services, investment advice, and/or order execution services to the Fund. These affiliated sub-advisers, each of which is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 are:

Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH (“Invesco Deutschland”)

Invesco Asset Management Limited (“Invesco Asset Management”)

Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited (“Invesco Japan”)

Invesco Hong Kong Limited (“Invesco Hong Kong”)

Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc. (“Invesco Senior Secured”)

Invesco Canada Ltd. (“Invesco Canada”);

(each a “Sub-Adviser” and collectively, the “Sub-Advisers”).

Invesco and each Sub-Adviser are indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Invesco Ltd.

The only fees payable to the Sub-Advisers under the Sub-Advisory Agreement are for providing discretionary investment management services. For such services, Invesco will pay each Sub-Adviser a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, equal to (i) 40% of the monthly compensation that Invesco receives from the

 

53


Fund, multiplied by (ii) the fraction equal to the net assets of such Fund as to which such Sub-Adviser shall have provided discretionary investment management services for that month divided by the net assets of such Fund for that month. Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, this fee is reduced to reflect contractual or voluntary fee waivers or expense limitations by Invesco, if any, in effect from time to time. In no event shall the aggregate monthly fees paid to the Sub-Advisers under the Sub-Advisory Agreement exceed 40% of the monthly compensation that Invesco receives from the Fund pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, as reduced to reflect contractual or voluntary fees waivers or expense limitations by Invesco, if any.

Portfolio Management

Investment decisions for the Fund are made by the Invesco Dynamic Credit Opportunities Fund investment management team. The following individuals are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.

 

    Scott Baskind. Scott Baskind is the President and Managing Director of Invesco’s global senior loan business and serves as the group’s Chief Investment Officer. Mr. Baskind is the head of the senior loan Investment Committee and serves as the Senior Portfolio Manager for several funds. Mr. Baskind joined Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc. in 1999 as a credit analyst, and has taken on progressively more senior roles, including his current position. During his tenure at Invesco, Mr. Baskind has served as portfolio manager, head of secondary market loan trading and co-CIO. He has been responsible for the day-to-day management of the loan business since 2012. Mr. Baskind began his career as a financial analyst at the Bureau of Fiscal Management, City of New York. His senior loan career dates back to the mid-1990s as a commercial lending analyst with NatWest Markets and later as an associate in the Leverage Finance and Private Equities Group of Gleacher NatWest. Mr. Baskind currently serves on the board of directors of the Loan Syndications and Trading Association. He earned a BS degrees in business administration, with majors in finance and management information systems, from the University of Albany, State University of New York.

 

    Nuno Caetano, CFA. Nuno Caetano is a Senior Credit Analyst and Portfolio Manager for Invesco Fixed Income Senior Secured Bank Loan group. Prior to joining Invesco in 2010, Mr. Caetano was a vice president and portfolio manager with Morgan Stanley, a position he held since late 2006. Previously, he was a vice president in the Leverage Finance Portfolio group at Citigroup. While at Citigroup, Mr. Caetano also held positions including senior associate in the European Deal Structuring and Origination team, associate banker in the firm’s Global Banking franchise, and warrants trader in its Corporate and Investment Bank. Mr. Caetano earned a BS degree in business administration and an MS degree in corporate finance from Universidade Catolica Portuguesa. He is a CFA charterholder.

 

    Philip Yarrow, CFA. Philip Yarrow is a portfolio manager for Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc. Mr. Yarrow entered the industry in 1995 and joined Invesco in 2010. He was previously a portfolio manager in the senior loan group and member of the group’s investment committee at Van Kampen, which he joined in 2005. Prior to that, he served as a credit analyst and a portfolio manager at Bank One/JP Morgan. Mr. Yarrow earned a BS in mathematics and economics from the University of Nottingham and a Master of Management degree in finance from Northwestern University. He is a CFA charterholder.

More information on the portfolio managers may be found at www.invesco.com/us. The web site is not part of the Prospectus.

The Fund’s SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ investments in the Fund, a description of the compensation structure and information regarding other accounts managed.

Administrator

Invesco Advisers, Inc., the Fund’s investment adviser, also serves as the Fund’s Administrator. Pursuant to the administration agreement between the Fund and the Administrator (the “Administration Agreement”), the Administrator (i) arranges for the printing and dissemination of reports to shareholders; (ii) arranges for

 

54


dissemination of the Fund’s proxy and any repurchase offer materials to shareholders, and oversees the tabulation of proxies by the Fund’s transfer agent; (iii) negotiates the terms and conditions under which custodian services are provided to the Fund and the fees to be paid by the Fund in connection therewith; (iv) negotiates the terms and conditions under which dividend disbursing services are provided to the Fund, and the fees to be paid by the Fund in connection therewith, and reviews the provision of such services to the Fund; (v) provides the Fund’s dividend disbursing agent and custodian with such information as is required for them to effect payment of dividends and distributions and to implement the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan; (vi) makes such reports and recommendations to the Board of Trustees as the trustees reasonably request; and (vii) provides shareholder services to holders or potential holders of the Fund’s securities.

For the services rendered to the Fund and related expenses borne by the Administrator, the Fund pays the Administrator a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annualized rate of 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

NET ASSET VALUE

The net asset value per share of the Fund’s Common Shares is determined as of the close of business on each business day by calculating the total value of the Fund’s assets, deducting its total liabilities, and dividing the result by the number of common shares outstanding.

Securities, including restricted securities, are valued according to the following policy. A security listed or traded on an exchange (except convertible securities) is valued at its last sales price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded, or lacking any sales on a particular day, the security may be valued at the closing bid price on that day. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market (but not securities reported on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange) are valued based on the prices furnished by independent pricing services, in which case the securities may be considered fair valued, or by market makers. Each security reported on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange is valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”) as of the close of the customary trading session on the valuation date or absent a NOCP, at the closing bid price.

Futures contracts are valued at the final settlement price set by an exchange on which they are principally traded. Listed options are valued at the mean between the last bid and the ask prices from the exchange on which they are principally traded. Options not listed on an exchange are valued by an independent source at the mean between the last bid and ask prices. For purposes of determining net asset value per share, futures and option contracts generally are valued 15 minutes after the close of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).

Investments in open-end and closed-end registered investment companies that do not trade on an exchange are valued at the end of day net asset value per share. Investments in open-end and closed-end registered investment companies that trade on an exchange are valued at the last sales price or official closing price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded.

Debt obligations (including convertible securities) and unlisted equities are fair valued using an evaluated quote provided by an independent pricing service. Evaluated quotes provided by the pricing service may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, developments related to specific securities, dividend rate (for unlisted equities), yield (for debt obligations), quality, type of issue, coupon rate (for debt obligations), maturity (for debt obligations), individual trading characteristics and other market data.

Swap agreements are fair valued using an evaluated quote provided by an independent pricing service. Evaluated quotes provided by the pricing service are valued based on a model which may include end of day net present values, spreads, ratings, industry, and company performance.

Foreign securities’ (including foreign exchange contracts) prices are converted into U.S. dollar amounts using the applicable exchange rates as of the close of the NYSE. If market quotations are available and reliable for foreign exchange-traded equity securities, the securities will be valued at the market quotations. Because trading hours for certain foreign securities end before the close of the NYSE, closing market quotations may become unreliable. If between the time trading ends on a particular security and the close of the customary trading session on

 

55


the NYSE, events occur that the Adviser determines are significant and make the closing price unreliable, the Fund may fair value the security. If the event is likely to have affected the closing price of the security, the security will be valued at fair value in good faith using procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Adjustments to closing prices to reflect fair value may also be based on a screening process of an independent pricing service to indicate the degree of certainty, based on historical data, that the closing price in the principal market where a foreign security trades is not the current value as of the close of the NYSE. Foreign securities’ prices meeting the approved degree of certainty that the price is not reflective of current value will be priced at the indication of fair value from the independent pricing service. Multiple factors may be considered by the independent pricing service in determining adjustments to reflect fair value and may include information relating to sector indices, American Depositary Receipts and domestic and foreign index futures. Foreign securities may have additional risks including exchange rate changes, potential for sharply devalued currencies and high inflation, political and economic upheaval, the relative lack of issuer information, relatively low market liquidity and the potential lack of strict financial and accounting controls and standards.

Securities for which market prices are not provided by any of the above methods may be valued based upon quotes furnished by independent sources. The last bid price may be used to value equity securities. The mean between the last bid and asked prices is used to value debt obligations, including corporate loans.

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or became unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Trust’s officers following procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Issuer specific events, market trends, bid/ask quotes of brokers and information providers and other market data may be reviewed in the course of making a good faith determination of a security’s fair value.

DISTRIBUTIONS

The Fund intends to make regular monthly distributions of all or a portion of its net investment income to Common Shareholders. The Fund expects to pay its Common Shareholders annually all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income to meet the requirements for qualification as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The investment company taxable income of the Fund will generally consist of all interest and other ordinary income accrued on portfolio investments, short-term capital gain (including short-term gains on options, futures and forward positions and gains on the sale of portfolio investments held for one year or less) in excess of long-term capital loss and income from certain hedging transactions, less all expenses of the Fund. Expenses of the Fund will be accrued each day. Various factors will affect the level of the Fund’s net investment company taxable income.

The Fund may from time to time distribute less than the entire amount of income earned in a particular period. The undistributed income would be available to supplement future distributions. As a result, the distributions paid by the Fund for any particular month may be more or less than the amount of income actually earned by the Fund during that period. Undistributed income will add to the Fund’s net asset value and, correspondingly, distributions from undistributed income, if any, will reduce the Fund’s net asset value.

In addition, the Fund intends to distribute, on an annual basis, all or substantially all of any net capital gains (which is the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) to its Common Shareholders. The Fund may also declare and pay capital gains distributions more frequently, if necessary, in order to reduce or eliminate federal excise or income taxes on the Fund. To the extent that the Fund’s net investment income and net capital gain for any year exceed the total distributions paid during the year, the Fund will make a special distribution at or near year-end of such excess amount as may be required. Under the 1940 Act, for any distribution that includes amounts from sources other than net income, the Fund is required to provide Common Shareholders a written statement regarding the components of such distribution. Such a statement will be provided at the time of any distribution believed to include any such amounts.

If, for any calendar year, the total distributions made exceed the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profit, the excess will, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, be treated as a tax-free return of capital to each Common Shareholder up to the amount of the Common Shareholder’s basis in his or her Common Shares, and thereafter as gain from the sale of Common Shares. The amount treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce the Common Shareholder’s adjusted basis in his or her Common Shares, thereby increasing his or her potential gain or reducing his or her potential loss on the subsequent sale of his or her Common Shares. To the extent the Fund’s

 

56


distribution policy results in distributions in excess of its net investment income and net capital gain, such distributions will decrease its total assets and increase its expense ratio to a greater extent than would have been the case if distributions were limited to these amounts. Distributions in any year may or may not include a substantial return of capital component.

The Fund reserves the right to change its distribution policy and the basis for establishing the rate of distributions at any time and may do so without prior notice to Common Shareholders.

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

Shareholders will automatically have all dividends and distributions reinvested in Common Shares issued by the Fund or Common Shares of the Fund purchased in the open market in accordance with the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan (the “Plan”) unless an election is made to receive cash. Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the “Agent”) administers the Plan.

If you own Common Shares in your own name, your purchase will automatically enroll you in the Plan. If your Common Shares are held in “street name” – in the name of your brokerage firm, bank, or other financial institution – you must instruct that entity to participate on your behalf. If they are unable to participate on your behalf, you may request that they reregister your Common Shares in your own name so that you may enroll in the Plan.

If you haven’t participated in the Plan in the past or chose to opt out, you are still eligible to participate. Enroll by visiting invesco.com/us, by calling toll-free 800 341 2929 or by notifying us in writing at Invesco Closed-End Funds, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., P.O. Box 30170, College Station, TX 77842-3170. If you are writing to us, please include the Fund name and account number and ensure that all Common Shareholders listed on the account sign these written instructions. Your participation in the Plan will begin with the next distribution payable after the Agent receives your authorization, as long as they receive it before the “record date,” which is generally 10 business days before the distribution is paid. If your authorization arrives after such record date, your participation in the Plan will begin with the following distribution.

If you choose to participate in the Plan, your distributions will be promptly reinvested for you, automatically increasing your Common Shares. If the Common Shares are trading at a price that is equal to net asset value per share, you’ll pay that amount for your reinvested shares. However, if the Common Shares are trading above or below net asset value, the price is determined by one of two ways:

 

  1. Premium: If the Common Shares are trading at a premium – a market price that is higher than net asset value – you’ll pay either the net asset value or 95 percent of the market price, whichever is greater. When the Common Shares trade at a premium, you may pay less for your reinvested Common Shares than an investor purchasing Common Shares on the stock exchange. Keep in mind, a portion of your price reduction may be taxable because you are receiving Common Shares at less than market price.

 

  2. Discount: If the Common Shares trading at a discount – a market price that is lower than net asset value – you’ll pay the market price for your reinvested Common Shares.

There is no direct charge to you for reinvesting Distributions because the Plan’s fees are paid by the Fund. If the Common Shares are trading at or above net asset value, your new Common Shares are issued directly by the Fund and there are no brokerage charges or fees. However, if the Common Shares are trading at a discount, the Common Shares are purchased on the open market, and you will pay your portion of any per share fees. These per share fees are typically less than the standard brokerage charges for individual transactions because Common Shares are purchased for all participants in blocks, resulting in lower fees for each individual participant. Any service or per share fees are added to the purchase price. Per share fees include any applicable brokerage commissions the Agent is required to pay.

The automatic reinvestment of distributions does not relieve you of any income tax that may be due on distributions. You will receive tax information annually to help you prepare your federal income tax return.

 

57


You may withdraw from the Plan at any time by calling (800) 341-2929, by visiting invesco.com/us or by writing to Invesco Closed-End Funds, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., P.O. Box 30170, College Station, TX 77842-3170. Simply indicate that you would like to withdraw from the Plan, and be sure to include your Fund name and account number. Also, ensure that all shareholders listed on the account sign these written instructions. If you withdraw, you have three options with regard to the shares held in the Plan:

 

  1. If you opt to continue to hold your non-certificated whole Common Shares, they will be held by the Agent electronically as Direct Registration Book-Shares and fractional Common Shares will be sold at the then-current market price. Proceeds will be sent via check to your address of record after deducting applicable fees, including per share fees such as any applicable brokerage commissions the Agent is required to pay.

 

  2. If you opt to sell your shares through the Agent, the Agent will sell all full and fractional Common Shares and send the proceeds via check to your address of record after deducting a $2.50 service fee and per share fees. Per share fees include any applicable brokerage commissions the Agent is required to pay.

 

  3. You may sell your Common Shares through your financial adviser through the Direct Registration System (“DRS”). DRS is a service within the securities industry that allows Common Shares to be held in your name in electronic format. You retain full ownership of your Common Shares, without having to hold a share certificate. You should contact your financial adviser to learn more about any restrictions or fees that may apply.

The Fund and the Agent may amend or terminate the Plan at any time. Participants will receive at least 30 days written notice before the effective date of any amendment. In the case of termination, participants will receive at least 30 days written notice before the record date for the payment of any such distributions by the Fund. In the case of amendment or termination necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or the rules and policies of the SEC or any other regulatory authority, such written notice will not be required.

To obtain a complete copy of the current Plan, please call our Client Services department at (800) 341- 2929 or visit invesco.com/us.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE

The Fund is a statutory trust organized under the laws of Delaware pursuant to a Certificate of Trust, dated as of March 15, 2007. The following is a brief description of the terms of the Common Shares, Borrowings and Preferred Shares which may be issued by the Fund. This description does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to the Fund’s Governing Documents.

Common Shares

The Declaration of Trust permits the Fund to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional common shares of beneficial interest, no par value. Each Common Share represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets of the Fund with each other Common Share in the Fund. Holders of Common Shares will be entitled to the payment of distributions when, as and if declared by the Board. The 1940 Act or the terms of any borrowings or preferred shares may limit the payment of distributions to the holders of Common Shares. Each whole Common 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 on file with the SEC. Upon liquidation of the Fund, after paying or adequately providing for the payment of all liabilities of the Fund and the liquidation preference with respect to any outstanding preferred shares, the Trustees may distribute the remaining assets of the Fund among the holders of the Common Shares.

While there are any borrowings or preferred shares outstanding, the Fund may not be permitted to declare any cash distribution on its Common Shares, unless at the time of such declaration, (i) all accrued distributions on preferred shares or accrued interest on borrowings have been paid and (ii) the value of the Fund’s total assets (determined after deducting the amount of such distribution), less all liabilities and indebtedness of the Fund not represented by senior securities, is at least 300% of the aggregate amount of such securities representing indebtedness and at least 200% of the aggregate amount of securities representing indebtedness plus the aggregate

 

58


liquidation value of the outstanding preferred shares (expected to equal the aggregate original purchase price of the outstanding preferred shares plus the applicable redemption premium, if any, together with any accrued and unpaid distributions thereon, whether or not earned or declared and on a cumulative basis). In addition to the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund may be required to comply with other asset coverage requirements as a condition of the Fund obtaining a rating of the preferred shares from a rating agency. These requirements may include an asset coverage test more stringent than under the 1940 Act. This limitation on the Fund’s ability to make distributions on its Common Shares could in certain circumstances impair the ability of the Fund to maintain its qualification for taxation as a RIC for federal income tax purposes. The Fund intends, however, to the extent possible to purchase or redeem preferred shares or reduce borrowings from time to time to maintain compliance with such asset coverage requirements and may pay special distributions to the holders of the preferred shares in certain circumstances in connection with any such impairment of the Fund’s status as a RIC. Depending on the timing of any such redemption or repayment, the Fund may be required to pay a premium in addition to the liquidation preference of the preferred shares to the holders thereof.

The Common Shares have no preemptive rights.

The Fund will not issue certificates for the Common Shares.

Issuance of Additional Common Shares

Any additional offerings of Common Shares will require approval by the Board of Trustees.

Any additional offering of Common Shares will be subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act. The provisions of the 1940 Act generally require that the public offering price (less underwriting commissions and discounts) of common shares sold by a closed-end investment company must equal or exceed the net asset value of such company’s common shares (calculated within 48 hours of the pricing of such offering), unless such sale is made with the consent of a majority of its common shareholders. The Fund may, from time to time, seek the consent of Common Shareholders to permit the issuance and sale by the Fund of Common Shares at a price below the Fund’s then-current net asset value, subject to certain conditions. If such consent is obtained, the Fund may, contemporaneous with and in no event more than one year following the receipt of such consent, sell Common Shares at price below net asset value in accordance with any conditions adopted in connection with the giving of such consent. Additional information regarding any consent of Common Shareholders obtained by the Fund and the applicable conditions imposed on the issuance and sale by the Fund of Common Shares at a price below net asset value will be disclosed in the Prospectus Supplement relating to any such offering of Common Shares at a price below net asset value. Until such consent of Common Shareholders, if any, is obtained, the Fund may not sell Common Shares at a price below net asset value. Because the Fund’s advisory fee is based upon average Managed Assets, the Adviser’s interests in recommending the issuance and sale of Common Shares at a price below net asset value may conflict with the interests of the Fund and its Common Shareholders.

Repurchase of Common Shares

Because shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount to their net asset values, the Board has determined that from time to time it may be in the interest of holders of Common Shares for the Fund to take corrective actions. The Board, 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 RIC 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 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 holders of Common Shares, the Board, in consultation with the Adviser, from time to time may review possible actions to reduce any such discount.

 

59


Preferred Shares

The Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest with preference rights, including preferred shares, no par value, in one or more series, with rights as determined by the Board, by action of the Board without the approval of the holders of Common Shares.

Under the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund must, immediately after the issuance of any preferred shares, have an “asset coverage” of at least 200%. Asset coverage means the ratio which the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all liability and indebtedness not represented by senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), bears to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness of the Fund, if any, plus the aggregate liquidation preference of the preferred shares. If the Fund seeks a rating of the preferred shares, asset coverage requirements, in addition to those set forth in the 1940 Act, may be imposed. The liquidation value of the preferred shares is expected to equal their aggregate original purchase price plus the applicable redemption premium, if any, together with any accrued and unpaid distributions thereon (on a cumulative basis), whether or not earned or declared. The terms of the preferred shares, including their distribution rate, voting rights, liquidation preference and redemption provisions, will be determined by the Board (subject to applicable law and the Fund’s Declaration of Trust) if and when it authorizes the preferred shares. The Fund may issue preferred shares that provide for the periodic redetermination of the distribution rate at relatively short intervals through an auction or remarketing procedure, although the terms of the preferred shares may also enable the Fund to lengthen such intervals. At times, the distribution rate on the Fund’s preferred shares may exceed the Fund’s return after expenses on the investment of proceeds from the preferred shares, resulting in a lower rate of return to Common Shareholders than if the preferred shares were not outstanding.

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, the terms of any preferred shares may entitle the holders of preferred shares to receive a preferential liquidating distribution (expected to equal the original purchase price per share plus the applicable redemption premium, if any, together with accrued and unpaid distributions, whether or not earned or declared and on a cumulative basis) before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Common Shares. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the preferred shareholders would not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund.

Holders of preferred shares, voting as a class, shall be entitled to elect two of the Fund’s Trustees. Under the 1940 Act, if at any time distributions on the preferred shares are unpaid in an amount equal to two full years’ distributions thereon, the holders of all outstanding preferred shares, voting as a class, will be allowed to elect a majority of the Fund’s Trustees until all distributions in arrears have been paid or declared and set apart for payment.

In addition, if required by a rating agency rating the preferred shares or if the Board determines it to be in the best interests of the Common Shareholders, issuance of the preferred shares may result in more restrictive provisions than required by the 1940 Act being imposed. In this regard, holders of the preferred shares may be entitled to elect a majority of the Fund’s Board in other circumstances, for example, if one payment on the preferred shares is in arrears. The Fund intends that, as long as preferred shares are outstanding, the composition of its portfolio will reflect guidelines established by such rating agency. Although, as of the date hereof, no rating agency has established guidelines relating to the Fund’s preferred shares, based on previous guidelines established by Rating Agencies for the securities of other issuers, the Fund anticipates that the guidelines with respect to the preferred shares will establish a set of tests for portfolio composition and asset coverage that supplement (and in some cases are more restrictive than) the applicable requirements under the 1940 Act. Although, at this time, no assurance can be given as to the nature or extent of the guidelines which may be imposed in connection with obtaining a rating of the preferred shares, the Fund currently anticipates that such guidelines will include asset coverage requirements which are more restrictive than those under the 1940 Act, restrictions on certain portfolio investments and investment practices, requirements that the Fund maintain a portion of its assets in short-term, high-quality investments and certain mandatory redemption requirements relating to the preferred shares. No assurance can be given that the guidelines actually imposed with respect to the preferred shares by a rating agency will be more or less restrictive than anticipated.

VRTP Shares. On August 29, 2013, the Fund issued in the aggregate 1,250 VRTP Shares (“VRTP”), designated as 2015/11-VVR C-1, each with a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share, pursuant to an offering exempt from registration under the 1933 Act. Proceeds from the issuance of VRTP Shares on August 24, 2013 were used to repay a portion of the Fund’s outstanding borrowings under the existing revolving credit agreement. VRTP

 

60


Shares are a floating-rate form of preferred shares with a mandatory redemption date. The Fund is required to redeem all outstanding VRTP Shares on September 1, 2017, unless earlier redeemed, repurchased or extended. VRTP Shares are subject to optional and mandatory redemption in certain circumstances. The redemption price per share is equal to the sum of the liquidation value per share plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends. On or prior to the redemption date, the Fund will be required to segregate assets having a value equal to 110% of the redemption amount.

Dividends paid on the VRTP Shares (which are treated as interest expense for financial reporting purposes) are declared daily and paid monthly. The rate for dividends was equal to the sum of an applicable base rate, equal to the weighted average interest rate paid or payable as interest on commercial paper notes issued by CHARTA, LLC, plus a ratings spread of 1.20%-5.20%, which is based on the long term rating assigned to the VRTP Shares by Moody’sThe Fund is subject to certain restrictions relating to the VRTP Shares, such as maintaining certain asset coverage and leverage ratio requirements. Failure to comply with these restrictions could preclude the Fund from declaring any distributions to Common Shareholders or purchasing Common Shares and/or could trigger the mandatory redemption of VRTP Shares at liquidation preference.

Borrowings

The Fund may utilize leverage through borrowings, including through a credit facility, commercial paper program or other borrowing program. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to incur indebtedness, including through the issuance of debt securities, unless immediately thereafter the total asset value of the Fund’s portfolio is at least 300% of the liquidation value of the outstanding indebtedness (i.e., such liquidation value may not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets). In addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash distribution on its Common Shares unless, at the time of such declaration, the net asset value of the Fund’s portfolio (determined after deducting the amount of such distribution) is at least 300% of such liquidation value. If the Fund borrows money, the Fund intends, to the extent possible, to retire outstanding debt, from time to time, to maintain coverage of any outstanding indebtedness of at least 300%.

The Fund may negotiate with commercial banks to arrange a borrowing facility pursuant to which the Fund may borrow an amount equal to approximately one-third of the Fund’s total assets (inclusive of the amount borrowed). Any such borrowings would constitute financial leverage. Such a borrowing 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 borrowing facility or incur a penalty rate of interest upon the occurrence of certain events of default. The Fund would be expected to indemnify the lenders against liabilities they may incur in connection with the borrowing facility.

In addition, the Fund expects that a borrowing facility would contain covenants that, among other things, likely will limit the Fund’s ability to pay distributions 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 borrowing 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 borrowing facility on terms and conditions representative of the foregoing, or that additional material terms will not apply. In addition, if entered into, any such borrowing facility may in the future be replaced or refinanced by one or more borrowing facilities having substantially different terms or by the issuance of preferred shares or debt securities.

Credit Facility. The Fund has entered into a $400 million Credit Facility with the Conduit Lender, the Secondary Lender and the Direct Lender, whereby the Conduit Lenders, Direct Lenders and the Secondary Lenders from time to time agree to make advances to the Fund on the terms and subject to the conditions in the revolving credit agreement. The Conduit Lenders have the authority to lend a maximum of $ million to the Fund, the Direct Lender has the authority to lend a maximum of $ million to the Fund and the Secondary Lender may lend to the Fund in the event the Conduit Lenders declines to make advances to the Fund. The Fund’s debt under the Credit Facility is secured by the assets of the Fund.

 

61


During the year ended February 28, 2015, the average daily balance of borrowing under the Credit Facility was $360,647,541 with an average daily weighted interest rate of 0.86%.

The Credit Facility includes limits on the Fund’s ability to engage in certain activities, including, among others, the following activities: (i) engaging in any business other than as contemplated by the Fund’s prospectus, investment policies and investment restrictions, (ii) creating, incurring, assuming or permitting to exist certain debt or issue certain senior securities except for certain specified types of permitted debt and senior securities, (iii) participating in any merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation or sale of substantially all of the Fund’s assets without the consent of the lenders, (iv) making any advance or extension of credit except in ordinary course of business and as expressly contemplated by the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions, (v) amending certain Fund organizational documents in a manner which could materially adversely affect the rights, interests or obligations of any of the lenders, (vi) changing its investment objective or fundamental investment restrictions without the approval of lenders, (vii) incurring liens or pledge portfolio securities, and (viii) incurring leverage that would cause the Fund’s leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) to exceed 50%. In addition, the Credit Facility does not permit the Fund’s asset coverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) to fall below 300% at any time.

The Credit Facility also limits the Fund’s ability to pay dividends or make other distributions, including with respect to the preferred shares, or make payments in connection with the repurchase or redemption of shares, including preferred shares, (i) at any time that an event of default under the Credit Facility has occurred and is continuing or (ii) if, after giving effect to such payment, the Fund would not meet the asset coverage and leverage ratios set forth in the Credit Facility. The failure to maintain certain asset coverage requirements may also result in a default under the terms of any preferred shares or borrowing.

The Credit Facility has specified events of default which permit the lenders to seek remedies against the assets of the Fund, including, among others, the following events: (i) failure to make required payments under the Credit Facility; (ii) failure to maintain certain asset coverage ratios; (iii) failure maintain its status as a registered closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act; (iv) breach of certain covenants, including certain of the covenants discussed in the foregoing paragraphs; (v) a bankruptcy or insolvency event with respect to the Fund, the Adviser or the Fund’s custodian; (vi) material misrepresentations by the Fund, the Adviser or the Fund’s custodian; (vii) failure for the lenders to have a first priority perfected security interest in the assets of the Fund; (viii) the Adviser ceases to be the investment adviser to the Fund; (ix) the investment advisory agreement with the Adviser is amended or terminated; and (x) failure by the Fund, the Adviser or the Fund’s custodian to comply with the terms of the Credit Facility and such noncompliance has an material adverse effect on the lenders.

Capitalization

The following table provides information about the outstanding securities of the Fund as of June 30, 2015

 

Title of Class

   Amount Authorized    Amount Held by the
Fund or for its Account
     Amount Outstanding  

Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, no par value

   Unlimited      —           74,094,284   

Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, no par value

   Unlimited      —           1,250   

ANTI-TAKEOVER AND OTHER PROVISIONS IN THE FUND’S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS

The Fund presently has provisions in its Governing Documents which could have the effect of limiting, in each case, (i) the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund, (ii) the Fund’s freedom to engage in certain transactions or (iii) the ability of the Fund’s Board of Trustees or shareholders to amend the Governing Documents or effectuate changes in the Fund’s management. These provisions of the Governing Documents of the Fund may be regarded as “anti-takeover” provisions.

 

62


The Board of Trustees is divided into three classes, with the terms of one class expiring at each annual meeting of 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. Any amendment to declassify the Board of Trustees requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees followed by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the outstanding shares of the Fund, unless the transaction has been approved by at least 66 2/3% of the Board of Trustees, in which case “a majority of the outstanding voting securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund shall be required.

A Trustee may be removed from office, with or without cause, by written instrument signed by at least 75% of the number of Trustees prior to such removal.

In addition, the Declaration of Trust requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees followed by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the outstanding shares of the Fund, to approve, adopt or authorize certain transactions, unless the transaction has been approved by at least 66 2/3% of the Board of Trustees, in which case the affirmative vote of “a majority of the outstanding voting securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund shall be required. Transactions subject to this voting requirement include:

 

    The dissolution of the Fund; provided that if the affirmative vote of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the Board approves the dissolution, no vote of shareholders shall be required to dissolve the Fund

 

    A merger or consolidation of the Fund with one or more other entities.

 

    The sale, conveyance and transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the another entity.

 

    The reclassification of the Fund from a “closed-end company” to an “open-end company” (as defined in the 1940 Act).

 

    The following transactions with any person or group (a “Principal Shareholder”) that is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of five percent (5%) or more of the shares of the Fund. For purposes of these provisions, a Principal Shareholder shall be deemed to be the beneficial owner of any Shares which the Principal Shareholder owns directly, has the right to acquire pursuant to any agreement or which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly by any “affiliate” or “associate” or any other person with which the Principal Shareholder has any agreement, arrangement, or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting, or disposing of shares.

 

    The issuance of any securities to any Principal Shareholder for cash (other than pursuant to the Plan.

 

    The sale, lease or exchange of all or any substantial part of the assets of the Fund or any subsidiary of the Fund to any Principal Shareholder (except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than two percent (2%) of the total assets of the Fund or any subsidiary of the Fund, aggregating for the purpose of such computation all assets sold, leased or exchanged in any series of similar transactions within a twelve-month period).

 

    The sale, lease, or exchange to the Fund or any subsidiary of the Fund, in exchange for securities of the Fund or any of its subsidiary of the Fund, of any assets of any Principal Shareholder (except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than two percent (2%) of the total assets of the Fund or any of subsidiary of the Fund, aggregating for the purpose of such computation, all assets sold, leased or exchanged in any series of similar transactions within a twelve-month period).

In addition, any additional matter for which the Declaration of Trust or the 1940 Act does not expressly require a vote of shareholders, but with respect to which the Trustees determine the shareholders shall have power to vote, shall require the affirmative vote or consent of holders of at least 75% of the outstanding shares of the Fund, unless such matter has been previously approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the Board of Trustees, in which case the affirmative vote of “a majority of the outstanding voting securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund shall be required.

 

63


The Board of Trustees has determined that provisions with respect to the Board of Trustees and the shareholder 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 shareholders generally. Reference should be made to the Declaration of Trust on file with the SEC for the full text of these provisions. See “Additional Information.”

CONVERSION TO OPEN-END FUND

The Fund may be converted to an open-end management investment company if approved by an affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees followed by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the outstanding shares of the Fund, unless the conversion has been approved by at least 66 2/3% of the Board of Trustees, in which case the affirmative vote of “a majority of the outstanding voting securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund shall be required. If approved in the foregoing manner, conversion of the Fund could not occur until 90 days after the shareholders’ meeting at which such conversion was approved and would also require at least 30 days’ prior notice to all shareholders. The composition of the Fund’s portfolio and/or its investment policies could prohibit the Fund from complying with regulations of the SEC applicable to open-end management investment companies unless significant changes in portfolio holdings and investment policies are made. Conversion of the Fund to an open-end management investment company also would require the redemption of any outstanding preferred shares and could require the repayment of borrowings, which would reduce the leveraged capital structure of the Fund with respect to the Common Shares. In the event of conversion, the Common Shares would cease to be listed on the NYSE or other national securities exchange or market system. The Board believes, however, that the closed-end structure is desirable, given the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. Investors should assume, therefore, that it is unlikely that the Board would vote to convert the Fund to an open-end management investment company. Common Shareholders of an open-end management investment company can 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. If converted to an open-end fund, the Fund expects to pay all 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.

TAX MATTERS

The following discussion is a brief summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Fund’s Common Shares. A more detailed discussion of the tax rules applicable to the Fund and its Common Shareholders can be found in the SAI that is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. Except as otherwise noted, this discussion assumes you are a taxable U.S. person (as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and that you hold your Common Shares as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally, assets held for investment). This discussion is based upon current provisions of the Code, the regulations promulgated thereunder and judicial and administrative authorities, all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), possibly with retroactive effect. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal tax concerns affecting the Fund and its Common Shareholders (including Common Shareholders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law).

The discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice and potential investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine the specific U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund.

 

64


Taxation Of The Fund

The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify annually as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. Accordingly, the Fund must, among other things, meet certain income, asset diversification and distribution requirements:

 

  (i) The Fund must derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from the following sources: (a) dividends, interest (including tax-exempt 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 gain from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or foreign currencies; and (b) net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined in the Code). Generally, a qualified publicly traded partnership includes a partnership the interests of which are traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof) and that derives less than 90% of its gross income from the items described in (a) above.

 

  (ii) The Fund must 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, including receivables, U.S. Government securities, the securities of other RICs 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 RICs) 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).

As long as the Fund qualifies as a RIC, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income and gains that the Fund distributes to its shareholders, provided that it distributes each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of (i) the Fund’s investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest, the excess of any net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss, and other taxable income, other than any net capital gain (defined below), reduced by deductible expenses) determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and (ii) the Fund’s net tax-exempt interest (the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest over certain disallowed deductions). The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of such income each year. The Fund will be subject to income tax at regular corporate rates on any taxable income or gains that it does not distribute to its shareholders.

The Fund will either distribute or retain for reinvestment all or part of its net capital gain (which consists of the excess of its net long-term capital gain over its net short-term capital loss). If any such gain is retained, the Fund will be subject to a corporate income tax on such retained amount. In that event, the Fund expects to report the retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a notice to its shareholders, each of whom, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes as long-term capital gain its share of such undistributed amounts, (ii) will be entitled to credit its proportionate share of the tax paid by the Fund against its U.S. federal income tax liability and to claim refunds to the extent that the credit exceeds such liability and (iii) will increase its basis in its shares by the amount of undistributed capital gain included in such shareholder’s gross income net of the tax deemed paid the shareholder under clause (ii).

The Code imposes a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the Fund to the extent the Fund does not distribute by the end of any calendar year at least the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gain or loss) for the calendar year and (ii) 98.2% of its capital gain in excess of its capital loss (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for a one-year period generally ending on October 31 of the calendar year (unless an election is made to use the Fund’s fiscal year). In addition, the minimum amounts that must be distributed in any year to avoid the excise tax will be increased or decreased to reflect any under-distribution or over- distribution, as the case may be, from the previous year. For purposes of the excise tax, the Fund will be deemed to have distributed any income on which it paid federal income tax. While the Fund intends to distribute any income and capital gain in the manner

 

65


necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% nondeductible excise tax, there can be no assurance that sufficient amounts of the Fund’s taxable income and capital gain will be distributed to entirely avoid the imposition of the excise tax. In that event, the Fund will be liable for the excise tax only on the amount by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.

Certain of the Fund’s investment practices are subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (ii) convert lower taxed long-term capital gains or “qualified dividend income” into higher taxed short-term capital gains or ordinary income, (iii) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (vi) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (vii) produce income that will not be “qualified” income for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described above. These U.S. federal income tax provisions could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to Common Shareholders. The Fund intends to structure and monitor its transactions and may make certain tax elections and may be required to dispose of securities to mitigate the effect of these provisions and prevent disqualification of the Fund as a RIC (which may adversely affect the net after-tax return to the Fund).

If for any taxable year the Fund were to fail to qualify as a RIC, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to its shareholders, and such distributions would be taxable to the Common Shareholders as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits. Such dividends, however, would be eligible (provided that certain holding period and other requirements are met) (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of U.S. Common Shareholders taxed as individuals and (ii) for the dividends-received deduction in the case of U.S. Common Shareholders taxed as corporations. The Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay taxes and make distributions (which could be subject to interest charges) before requalifying for taxation as a RIC.

Taxation Of Common Shareholders

Distributions. Distributions paid to you by the Fund from its net capital gain, which is the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, if any, that the Fund properly reports as capital gain dividends (“capital gain dividends”) are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held your Common Shares. All other dividends paid to you by the Fund (including dividends from short-term capital gains) from its current or accumulated earnings and profits (“ordinary income dividends”) are generally subject to tax as ordinary income. Provided that certain holding period and other requirements are met, ordinary income dividends (if properly reported by the Fund) may qualify (i) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders to the extent that the Fund’s income consists of dividend income from U.S. corporations, and (ii) in the case of individual shareholders, as “qualified dividend income” eligible to be taxed at long-term capital gains rates to the extent that the Fund receives qualified dividend income. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations (e.g., generally, foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain countries with a qualifying comprehensive tax treaty with the United States, or whose stock with respect to which such dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States). There can be no assurance as to what portion, if any, of the Fund’s distributions will constitute qualified dividend income.

Any distributions you receive that are in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your adjusted tax basis in your Common Shares, and thereafter as capital gain from the sale of Common Shares. The amount of any Fund distribution that is treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce your adjusted tax basis in your Common Shares, thereby increasing your potential gain, or reducing your potential loss, on any subsequent sale or other disposition of your Common Shares. In determining the extent to which a distribution will be treated as being made from the Fund’s earnings and profits, the Fund’s earnings and profits will be allocated on a pro rata basis first to distributions with respect to the Fund’s preferred shares, and then to the Fund’s Common Shares.

Dividends and other taxable distributions are taxable to you even if they are reinvested in additional Common Shares of the Fund. Dividends and other distributions paid by the Fund are generally treated as received by

 

66


you at the time the dividend or distribution is made. If, however, the Fund pays you a dividend in January that was declared in the previous October, November or December to shareholders of record on a specified date in one of such months, then such dividend will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as being paid by the Fund and received by you on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

The Fund will send you information after the end of each year setting forth the amount and tax status of any distributions paid to you by the Fund.

Sale of Common Shares. The sale or other disposition of Common Shares of the Fund will generally result in capital gain or loss to you and will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held such Common Shares for more than one year. Any loss upon the sale or other disposition of Common Shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received (including amounts credited as an undistributed capital gain) by you with respect to such Common Shares. Any loss you recognize on a sale or other disposition of Common Shares will be disallowed if you acquire other Common Shares (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after your sale or exchange of the Common Shares. In such case, your tax basis in the Common Shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

Current U.S. federal income tax law taxes both long-term and short-term capital gain of corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary income. For non-corporate taxpayers, short-term capital gain is currently taxed at rates applicable to ordinary income, while long-term capital gain generally is taxed at reduced maximum rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations under the Code.

The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the certain of the Code and the Treasury regulations currently in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its Common Shareholders. These provisions are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive. A more detailed discussion of the tax rules applicable to the Fund and its Common Shareholders can be found in the SAI that is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. Common Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as to U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income or other taxes.

 

67


PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The Fund may offer, from time to time, up to $         aggregate initial offering price of Common Shares, on terms to be determined at the time of the offering. The Fund will offer Common Shares at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this Prospectus (each a “Prospectus Supplement”).

The Fund may offer Common Shares:

(i) in at-the-market transactions through one or more selling agents that the Fund may designate from time to time and/or through broker-dealers that have entered into a selected dealer agreement with the Fund’s selling agent(s);

(ii) otherwise through agents that the Fund may designate from time to time;

(iii) to or through underwriters or dealers; or

(iv) directly to one or more purchasers.

The Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular offering of Common Shares will state the terms of the offering, including:

 

    the names of any agents, underwriters or dealers;

 

    any sales loads or other items constituting underwriters’ compensation or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated;

 

    any discounts, commissions, or fees allowed or paid to dealers or agents or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated;

 

    the public offering or purchase price of the offered Common Shares, or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated, and the net proceeds the Fund will receive from the sale; and

 

    any securities exchange on which the offered Common Shares may be listed.

The Fund may not sell Common Shares through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of this Prospectus and a Prospectus Supplement. See “Plan of Distribution.”

At-The-Market Transactions

The Fund may offer Common Shares in in transactions that are deemed to be “at the market” as defined in Rule 415 under the 1933 Act, including sales made directly on the NYSE or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange, through one or more selling agents that the Fund may designate from time to time and/or through broker-dealers that have entered into a selected dealer agreement with the Fund’s selling agent(s) in such transactions. Common Shares will only be sold on such days as shall be agreed to by the Fund and the selling agent(s) and will be sold at market prices, which shall be determined with reference to trades on the NYSE, subject to a minimum price to be established each day by the Fund. The minimum price on any day will not be less than the current net asset value per Common Share plus the per share amount of the commission to be paid. The Fund will suspend the sale of Common Shares if the per share price of the shares is less than the minimum price. Settlements of sales of Common Shares will occur on the third business day following the date on which any such sales are made.

The Fund will compensate the selling agent(s) with respect to sales of the Common Shares and the selling agent(s) may compensate broker-dealers participating in the offering in connection with the sale of Common Shares sold by that broker-dealer.

Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the selling agents will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of their appointment.

 

68


By Agents

The Fund may offer Common Shares through agents that the Fund may designate. The Fund will name any agent involved in the offer and sale and describe any commissions payable by the Fund in the Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the agents will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of their appointment.

By Underwriters

The Fund may offer and sell Common Shares from time to time to one or more underwriters who would purchase the Common Shares as principal for resale to the public, either on a firm commitment or best efforts basis. If the Fund sells Common Shares to underwriters, the Fund will execute an underwriting agreement with them at the time of the sale and will name them in the Prospectus Supplement. In connection with these sales, the underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from the Fund in the form of underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters also may receive commissions from purchasers of Common Shares for whom they may act as agent. Unless otherwise stated in the Prospectus Supplement, the underwriters will not be obligated to purchase the Common Shares unless the conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement are satisfied, and if the underwriters purchase any of the Common Shares, they will be required to purchase all of the offered Common Shares. The underwriters may sell the offered Common Shares to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters as well as from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

If a Prospectus Supplement so indicates, the Fund may grant the underwriters an option to purchase additional Common Shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, within 45 days from the date of the Prospectus Supplement, to cover any overallotments.

By Dealers

The Fund may offer and sell Common Shares from time to time to one or more dealers who would purchase the securities as principal. The dealers then may resell the offered Common Shares to the public at fixed or varying prices to be determined by those dealers at the time of resale. The Fund will set forth the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction in the Prospectus Supplement.

Direct Sales

The Fund may sell Common Shares directly to, and solicit offers from, institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters as defined in the 1933 Act for any resales of the securities. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. The Fund may use electronic media, including the internet, to sell offered securities directly. The terms of such direct sale transactions will be subject to the discretion of the management of the Fund. In determining whether to sell Common Shares through a direct sale transaction, the Fund will consider relevant factors including, but not limited to, the attractiveness of obtaining additional funds through the sale of Common Shares, the purchase price to apply to any such sale of Common Shares and the investor seeking to purchase the Common Shares. The Fund will describe the terms of any of those sales in a Prospectus Supplement.

General Information

Agents, underwriters, or dealers participating in an offering of Common Shares may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commission received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the offered Common Shares for whom they act as agent, may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the 1933 Act.

The Fund may offer to sell securities either at a fixed price or at prices that may vary, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

To facilitate an offering of Common Shares in an underwritten transaction and in accordance with industry practice, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the market price of the Common Shares or any other security. Those transactions may include overallotment, entering stabilizing bids, effecting syndicate covering transactions, and reclaiming selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer.

 

69


    An overallotment in connection with an offering creates a short position in the common stock for the underwriter’s own account.

 

    An underwriter may place a stabilizing bid to purchase the Common Shares for the purpose of pegging, fixing, or maintaining the price of the Common Shares.

 

    Underwriters may engage in syndicate covering transactions to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the Common Shares by bidding for, and purchasing, the Common Shares or any other securities in the open market in order to reduce a short position created in connection with the offering.

 

    The managing underwriter may impose a penalty bid on a syndicate member to reclaim a selling concession in connection with an offering when the Common Shares originally sold by the syndicate member is purchased in syndicate covering transactions or otherwise.

Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the Common Shares above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.

Any underwriters to whom the offered Common Shares are sold for offering and sale may make a market in the offered Common Shares, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making at any time without notice. There can be no assurance that there will be a liquid trading market for the offered Common Shares.

Under agreements entered into with the Fund, underwriters and agents may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the 1933 Act, or to contribution for payments the underwriters or agents may be required to make.

The underwriters, agents, and their affiliates may engage in financial or other business transactions with the Fund in the ordinary course of business.

Pursuant to a requirement of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, the maximum compensation to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer may not be greater than eight percent (8%) of the gross proceeds received by the Fund for the sale of any securities being registered pursuant to SEC Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

The aggregate offering price specified on the cover of this Prospectus relates to the offering of the Common Shares not yet issued as of the date of this Prospectus.

Agents, underwriters or dealers through which the Fund may offer Common Shares may include affiliated persons of the Fund or the Adviser.

To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the underwriters may from time to time act as a broker or dealer and receive fees in connection with the execution of portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund after the underwriters have ceased to be underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, each may act as a broker while it is an underwriter.

A Prospectus and accompanying Prospectus Supplement in electronic form may be made available on the websites maintained by underwriters. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of Common Shares for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Such allocations of Common Shares for internet distributions will be made on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, Common Shares may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell Common Shares to online brokerage account holders.

 

70


CUSTODIAN, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND TRANSFER AGENT

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company will serve as custodian for the Fund. The Custodian will hold cash, securities, and other assets of the Fund as required by the 1940 Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses. The principal business address of the Custodian is 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110-2801.

Dividend Disbursing Agent and Transfer Agent

Computershare Trust Company, N.A. will act as the Fund’s dividend paying agent, transfer agent and the registrar for the Fund’s Common Shares. Computershare is located at P.O. Box 43078, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3078.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters will be passed on for the Fund by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York, in connection with the offering of the Common Shares.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 1000 Louisiana Street, Suite 5800, Houston, Texas 77002, is the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This Prospectus constitutes part of a Registration Statement filed by the Fund with the SEC under the Securities Act, and the 1940 Act. This Prospectus omits certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement, and reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and related exhibits for further information with respect to the Fund and the Common Shares offered hereby. Any statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the SEC. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the fee prescribed by its rules and regulations or free of charge through the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).

PRIVACY POLICY

You share personal and financial information with us that is necessary for your transactions and your account records. We take very seriously the obligation to keep that information confidential and private.

Invesco collects nonpublic personal information about you from account applications or other forms you complete and from your transactions with us or our affiliates. We do not disclose information about you or our former customers to service providers or other third parties except to the extent necessary to service your account and in other limited circumstances as permitted by law. For example, we use this information to facilitate the delivery of transaction confirmations, financial reports, prospectuses and tax forms.

Even within Invesco. only people involved in the servicing of your accounts and compliance monitoring have access to your information. To ensure the highest level of confidentiality and security, Invesco maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that meet or exceed federal standards. Special measures, such as data encryption and authentication, apply to your communications with us on our website. More detail is available to you at invesco.com/privacy.

 

71


TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

The Fund

  S-2   

Investment Objective and Policies

  S-2   

Investment Restrictions

  S-12   

Management of the Fund

Portfolio Transactions

  S-35   

Net Asset Value

Tax Matters

  S-39   

General Information

Financial Statements

  S-45   

Appendix A: Description of Securities Ratings

  A-1   

Appendix B: Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

  B-1   

 

72


 

 

$        

Invesco Dynamic Credit Opportunities Fund

Common Shares

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

            , 2015

 

 

 


Preliminary Statement of Additional Information, dated July 20, 2015

The information in this Statement of Additional Information is not complete and may be changed. The Fund may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Statement of Additional Information is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Invesco Dynamic Credit Opportunities Fund

 

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Invesco Dynamic Credit Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund’s primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective, and you could lose some or all of your investment.

This Statement of Additional Information relates to the offering, from time to time, of up to $         aggregate initial offering price of the Fund’s common shares of beneficial interest, no par value (“Common Shares”) in one or more offerings. This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the prospectus for the Fund, dated             , 2015 (the “Prospectus”), and any related supplement to the Prospectus (each a “Prospectus Supplement”). Investors should obtain and read the Prospectus and any related Prospectus Supplement prior to purchasing Common Shares. A copy of the Prospectus and any related Prospectus Supplement may be obtained without charge, by calling the Fund at (800) 345-7999.

The Prospectus and this SAI omit certain of the information contained in the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The registration statement may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the fee prescribed, or inspected at the SEC’s office or via its website (www.sec.gov) at no charge. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Prospectus.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

The Fund

  S-2   

Investment Objective and Policies

  S-2   

Investment Restrictions

  S-12   

Portfolio Turnover

  S-       

Trustees and Officers

  S-14   

Investment Advisory and Other Services

  S-29   

Portfolio Transactions

  S-35   

Tax Matters

  S-39   

General Information

  S-       

Financial Statements

  S-45   

Appendix A: Description of Securities Ratings

  A-1   

Appendix B: Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

  B-1   

 

S-1


THE FUND

The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company organized as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware. Effective June 1, 2010, the Fund’s name was changed from Van Kampen Dynamic Credit Opportunities Fund to Invesco Van Kampen Dynamic Credit Opportunities Fund. Effective December 3, 2012, the Fund’s name was changed from Invesco Van Kampen Dynamic Credit Opportunities Fund to Invesco Dynamic Credit Opportunities Fund. The Fund’s currently outstanding common shares of beneficial interest, no par value (the “Common Shares”) are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “VTA” and the Common Shares offered by this Prospectus, subject to notice of issuance, will also be listed on the NYSE.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

Additional Investment Policies and Portfolio Contents

The following disclosure supplements the disclosure set forth under the captions “Investment Objective and Policies” and “The Fund’s Investments” in the Prospectus and does not, standing alone, present a complete or accurate explanation of the matters disclosed. Readers must refer also to this caption in the Prospectus for a complete presentation of the matters disclosed below.

Senior Loans. Senior Loans are generally negotiated between a borrower and several lenders represented by one or more lenders acting as agent of all the lenders. The agent is responsible for negotiating the loan agreement that establishes the terms and conditions of the Senior Loan and the rights of the borrower and the lenders. The agent is paid a fee by the borrower for its services.

The agent generally is required to administer and manage the Senior Loan on behalf of other lenders. When evaluating Senior Loans, the Adviser and the Subadviser may consider, and may rely in part on, analysis performed by the agent and other lenders. This analysis may include an evaluation of the value and sufficiency of any collateral securing the Senior Loans. As to collateralized Senior Loans, the agent usually is required to monitor the collateral. The agent may rely on independent appraisals of specific collateral. The agent need not, however, obtain an independent appraisal of assets pledged as collateral in all cases. The agent generally is also responsible for determining that the lenders have obtained a perfected security interest in the collateral securing a Senior Loan.

The Fund normally relies on the agent to collect principal of and interest on a Senior Loan. Furthermore, the Fund also relies in part on the agent to monitor compliance by the borrower with the restrictive covenants in the loan agreement and to notify the Fund (or the lender from whom the Fund has purchased a Participation (as defined below)) of any adverse change in the borrower’s financial condition. The Fund will not purchase interests in Senior Loans unless the agent, lender and any other person positioned between the Fund and the borrower has entered into an agreement that provides for the holding of assets in safekeeping for, or the prompt disbursement of assets to, the Fund. Insolvency of the agent or other persons positioned between the Fund and the borrower could result in losses for the Fund.

The Fund may be required to pay and may receive various fees and commissions in connection with purchasing, selling and holding interests in Senior Loans. The fees normally paid by borrowers include three primary types: facility fees, commitment fees and prepayment penalties. Facility fees are paid to lenders when a Senior Loan is originated. Commitment fees are paid to lenders on an ongoing basis based on the unused portion of a Senior Loan commitment. Lenders may receive prepayment penalties when a borrower prepays a Senior Loan. The Fund receives these fees directly from the borrower if the Fund is an original lender (as defined below) or, in the case of commitment fees and prepayment penalties, if the Fund acquires an Assignment (as defined below). Whether the Fund receives a facility fee in the case of an Assignment, or any fees in the case of a Participation (as defined below), depends on negotiations between the Fund and the lender selling such interests. When the Fund buys an Assignment, it may be required to pay a fee to the lender selling the Assignment, or to forgo a portion of interest and fees payable to the Fund. Occasionally, the assignor pays a fee to the assignee. A person selling a Participation to the Fund may deduct a portion of the interest and any fees payable to the Fund as an administrative fee. The Fund may be required to pass along to a person that buys a Senior Loan from the Fund a portion of any fees that the Fund is entitled to.

 

S-2


The Fund may have obligations under a loan agreement, including the obligation to make additional loans in certain circumstances. The Fund intends to reserve against such contingent obligations by segregating cash and/or liquid securities.

Types of Senior Loan Investments. The Fund may act as one of a group of lenders originating a Senior Loan (an “original lender”), may purchase assignments or novations (“Assignments”) of portions of Senior Loans from third parties and may invest in participations (“Participations”) in Senior Loans.

When the Fund acts as an original lender, it may participate in structuring the Senior Loan. When the Fund is an original lender, it will have a direct contractual relationship with the borrower, may enforce compliance of the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement and may have rights with respect to any funds acquired by other lenders through set-off. Lenders also have full voting and consent rights under the applicable loan agreement. Action subject to lender vote or consent generally requires the vote or consent of the holders of some specified percentage of the outstanding principal amount of the Senior Loan. Certain decisions, such as reducing the amount of interest on or principal of a Senior Loan, releasing collateral, changing the maturity of a Senior Loan or a change in control of the borrower, frequently require the unanimous vote or consent of all lenders affected. The Fund will never act as the agent or principal negotiator or administrator of a Senior Loan.

The purchaser of an Assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement of the assigning lender and becomes a lender under the loan agreement. Assignments may, however, be arranged through private negotiations, and the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of an Assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender.

When the Fund purchases a Participation in a Senior Loan, the Fund will usually have a contractual relationship only with the lender selling the Participation and not with the borrower. The Fund may have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the lender selling the Participation and only upon receipt by the lender of such payments from the borrower. As a result, the Fund may assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender selling the Participation. In the event of insolvency of the lender selling a Participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender.

The Fund generally will not have the right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the loan agreement, nor rights to any funds acquired by other lenders through set-off against the borrower. In addition, when the Fund holds a Participation in a Senior Loan, it may not have the right to vote on whether to waive enforcement of any restrictive covenant breached by a borrower. Lenders voting in connection with a potential waiver of a restrictive covenant may have interests different from those of the Fund and may not consider the interests of the Fund. The Fund may not benefit directly from the collateral supporting a Senior Loan in which it has purchased the Participation, although lenders that sell Participations generally are required to distribute liquidation proceeds received by them pro rata among the holders of such Participations.

Lower Grade Loans and Debt. The Fund’s investments may include obligations with the lowest grade assigned by recognized rating organizations and unrated obligations of comparable quality. Obligations assigned the lowest grade ratings include those of companies that are in default or are in bankruptcy or reorganization. Obligations of such companies are regarded by the rating agencies as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing and are usually available at deep discounts from the face values of the instruments. A security purchased at a deep discount may currently pay a very high effective yield. In addition, if the financial condition of the issuer improves, the underlying value of the obligation may increase, resulting in capital appreciation. If the company defaults on its obligations or remains in default, or if the plan of reorganization does not provide sufficient payments for debtholders, the deep discount obligations may stop generating income and lose value or become worthless. The Adviser will balance the benefits of deep discount obligations with their risks. While a diversified portfolio may reduce the overall impact of a deep discount obligation that is in default or loses its value, the risk cannot be eliminated.

Few lower-grade obligations are listed for trading on any national securities exchange, and issuers of lower-grade obligations may choose not to have a rating assigned to their obligations by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization. As a result, the Fund’s portfolio may consist of a higher portion of unlisted or unrated obligations as compared with a fund that invests primarily in higher-grade obligations. Unrated obligations are usually not as attractive to as many buyers as are rated obligations, a factor which may make unrated obligations less

 

S-3


marketable. These factors may have the effect of limiting the availability of the obligations for purchase by the Fund and may also limit the ability of the Fund to sell such obligations at their fair value either to meet redemption requests or in response to changes in the economy or the financial markets. Further, to the extent the Fund owns or may acquire illiquid or restricted lower-grade obligations, these obligations may involve special registration responsibilities, liabilities and costs, and liquidity and valuation difficulties.

The markets for lower-grade loans and debt obligations may be less liquid than the markets for higher-grade obligations. Liquidity relates to the ability of a fund to sell an obligation in a timely manner at a price which reflects the value of that obligation. To the extent that there is no established retail market for some of the lower-grade securities in which the Fund may invest, trading in such securities may be relatively inactive. Prices of lower-grade obligations may decline rapidly in the event a significant number of holders decide to sell. Changes in expectations regarding an individual issuer of lower-grade obligations generally could reduce market liquidity for such obligations and make their sale by the Fund more difficult, at least in the absence of price concessions. The effects of adverse publicity and investor perceptions may be more pronounced for securities for which no established retail market exists as compared with the effects on securities for which such a market does exist. An economic downturn or an increase in interest rates could severely disrupt the market for such obligations and adversely affect the value of outstanding obligations or the ability of the issuers to repay principal and interest. Further, the Fund may have more difficulty selling such obligations in a timely manner and at their stated value than would be the case for obligations for which an established retail market does exist.

During periods of reduced market liquidity or in the absence of readily available market quotations for lower-grade obligations held in the Fund’s portfolio, the ability of the Fund to value the Fund’s obligations becomes more difficult and the judgment of the Fund may play a greater role in the valuation of the Fund’s obligations due to the reduced availability of reliable objective data.

The Fund will rely on the Adviser’s or the Subadviser’s judgment, analysis and experience in evaluating the creditworthiness of an issuer. The amount of available information about the financial condition of certain lower-grade issuers may be less extensive than other issuers. In their analysis, the Adviser and the Subadviser may consider the credit ratings of recognized rating organizations in evaluating obligations although the Adviser and the Subadviser do not rely primarily on these ratings. Credit ratings of securities rating organizations evaluate only the safety of principal and interest payments, not the market risk. In addition, ratings are general and not absolute standards of quality, and credit ratings are subject to the risk that the creditworthiness of an issuer may change and the rating agencies may fail to change such ratings in a timely fashion. A rating downgrade does not require the Fund to dispose of a security. The Adviser and the Subadviser continuously monitor the issuers of obligations held in their respective managed portions of the Fund. Additionally, since most foreign income obligations are not rated, the Fund will invest in such obligations based on the analysis of the Adviser and the Subadviser without any guidance from published ratings. Because of the number of investment considerations involved in investing in lower-grade obligations and foreign income obligations, achievement of the Fund’s investment objectives may be more dependent upon the credit analysis of the Adviser and the Subadviser than is the case with investing in higher-grade obligations.

New or proposed laws may have an impact on the market for lower-grade obligations. The Fund is unable at this time to predict what effect, if any, legislation may have on the market for lower-grade obligations.

Strategic Transactions

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in Strategic Transactions (which limit is not applicable to foreign currency hedging transactions). The Fund generally seeks to use certain Strategic Transactions as portfolio management or hedging techniques. In doing so, the Fund seeks to protect against possible adverse changes in the market value of securities held in or to be purchased for the Fund’s portfolio, protect the Fund’s unrealized gains, facilitate the sale of certain securities for investment purposes, protect against changes in currency exchange rates or adjust the exposure to a particular currency, manage the effective maturity or duration of the Fund’s portfolio, or establish positions in the derivatives markets as a substitute for purchasing or selling particular securities. The Fund may also use Strategic Transactions to earn income. Among the Strategic Transactions the Fund may utilize are forward contracts, options, futures contracts and options on futures contracts. In addition, the Fund may invest in other derivative instruments that are developed over time if their use would be consistent with the objectives of the Fund.

 

S-4


Strategic Transactions have risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets, the possible default of the other party to the transaction and illiquidity of the derivative instrument. Furthermore, the ability to successfully use Strategic Transactions depends on the ability of the Fund to predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. In addition, such transactions may involve commissions and other costs, which may increase the Fund’s expenses and reduce its return. Thus, the use of Strategic Transactions may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may require the Fund to sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than current market values, may limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can otherwise realize on an investment, or may cause the Fund to hold a security that it might otherwise sell. In addition, amounts paid as premiums and cash or other assets held in margin accounts with respect to Strategic Transactions are not otherwise available to the Fund for investment purposes.

When conducted outside the United States, Strategic Transactions may not be regulated as rigorously as in the United States, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities, currencies and other instruments. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by: (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund’s ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States, (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States and (v) lower trading volume and liquidity.

Options Transactions. The Fund can engage in options transactions on securities, indices or on futures contracts to attempt to manage the Fund’s risk in advancing or declining markets. For example, the value of a put option generally increases as the value of the underlying security declines. Value is protected against a market decline to the degree the performance of the put correlates with the performance of the Fund’s investment portfolio. If the market remains stable or advances, the Fund can refrain from exercising the put and its portfolio will participate in the advance, having incurred only the premium cost for the put. The Fund may purchase and sell listed and over-the-counter options (“OTC Options”). OTC Options are subject to certain additional risks including default by the other party to the transaction and the liquidity of the transactions.

Call and Put Options. The Fund may purchase and sell call or put options on securities, including U.S. Treasury and agency securities, foreign sovereign debt, mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt securities, Eurodollar instruments and foreign debt securities that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) markets and may also purchase related futures contracts on such securities, indices and currencies. All calls sold by the Fund must be “covered” (i.e., the Fund must own the securities or futures contract subject to the call) or must meet the asset segregation requirements described below as long as the call is outstanding. Even though the Fund will receive the option premium to help protect it against loss, a call sold by the Fund exposes the Fund during the term of the option to possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the underlying security or instrument and may require the Fund to hold a security or instrument which it might otherwise have sold. In selling put options, there is a risk that the Fund may be required to buy the underlying security at a disadvantageous price above the market price.

Selling Call and Put Options. The principal reason for selling options is to obtain, through receipt of premiums, a greater current return than would be realized on the underlying securities alone. Such current return could be expected to fluctuate because premiums earned from an option selling program and dividend or interest income yields on portfolio securities vary as economic and market conditions change. Selling options on portfolio securities is likely to result in a higher portfolio turnover rate.

The purchaser of a call option pays a premium to the seller (i.e., the writer) for the right to buy the underlying security from the seller at a specified price during a certain period. The Fund would write call options only on a covered basis or for cross-hedging purposes. A call option is covered if, at all times during the option period, the Fund owns or has the right to acquire securities of the type that it would be obligated to deliver if any outstanding option were exercised. An option is for cross-hedging purposes if it is not covered by the security subject to the option, but is designed

 

S-5


to provide a hedge against another security which the Fund owns or has the right to acquire. In such circumstances, the Fund collateralizes the option by segregating cash and/or liquid securities in an amount at least equal to the market value of the underlying security, marked to market daily, while the option is outstanding.

The purchaser of a put option pays a premium to the seller (i.e., the writer) for the right to sell the underlying security to the writer at a specified price during a certain period. The Fund would sell put options only on a secured basis, which means that, at all times during the option period, the Fund would segregate cash and/or liquid securities in an amount at least equal to the exercise price of the option, or would hold a put on the same underlying security at an equal or greater exercise price.

To terminate its position as a writer of a call or put option, the Fund could enter into a “closing purchase transaction,” which is the purchase of a call (put) on the same underlying security and having the same exercise price and expiration date as the call (put) previously sold by the Fund. The Fund would realize a gain (loss) if the premium plus commission paid in the closing purchase transaction is lesser (greater) than the premium it received on the sale of the option. The Fund would also realize a gain if an option it has written lapses unexercised.

The Fund could sell options that are listed on an exchange as well as options which are privately negotiated in OTC transactions. The Fund could close out its position as a seller of an option only if a liquid secondary market exists for options of that series, but there is no assurance that such a market will exist, particularly in the case of OTC options, since they can be closed out only with the other party to the transaction. Alternatively, the Fund could purchase an offsetting option, which would not close out its position as a seller, but would provide an asset of equal value to its obligation under the option sold. If the Fund is not able to enter into a closing purchase transaction or to purchase an offsetting option with respect to an option it has sold, it will be required to maintain the securities subject to the call or the collateral securing the option until a closing purchase transaction can be entered into (or the option is exercised or expires) even though it might not be advantageous to do so.

By selling a call option, the Fund loses the potential for gain on the underlying security above the exercise price while the option is outstanding; by selling a put option the Fund might become obligated to purchase the underlying security at an exercise price that exceeds the then current market price.

Purchasing Call and Put Options. The Fund could purchase call options to protect against anticipated increases in the prices of securities it wishes to acquire. Alternatively, call options could be purchased for capital appreciation. Since the premium paid for a call option is typically a small fraction of the price of the underlying security, a given amount of funds will purchase call options covering a much larger quantity of such security than could be purchased directly. By purchasing call options, the Fund could benefit from any significant increase in the price of the underlying security to a greater extent than had it invested the same amount in the security directly. However, because of the very high volatility of option premiums, the Fund would bear a significant risk of losing the entire premium if the price of the underlying security did not rise sufficiently, or if it did not do so before the option expired.

Put options may be purchased to protect against anticipated declines in the market value of either specific portfolio securities or of the Fund’s assets generally. Alternatively, put options may be purchased for capital appreciation in anticipation of a price decline in the underlying security and a corresponding increase in the value of the put option. The purchase of put options for capital appreciation involves the same significant risk of loss as described above for call options. In any case, the purchase of options for capital appreciation would increase the Fund’s volatility by increasing the impact of changes in the market price of the underlying securities on the Fund’s net asset value.

 

S-6


OTC Options. The Fund is authorized to purchase and sell OTC options. OTC options are purchased from or sold to securities dealers, financial institutions of other parties (“Counterparties”) through direct bilateral agreement with the Counterparty.

Futures Contracts. The Fund may enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of securities or contracts based on financial indices including any index of domestic or foreign government securities (futures contracts) and may purchase and write put and call options to buy or sell futures contracts (options on futures contracts) in accordance with the rules and interpretations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) under which the Fund would be exempt from registration as a “commodity pool.” A sale of a futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver the securities called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. A purchase of a futures contract means the incurring of a contractual obligation to acquire the securities called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. The purchaser of a futures contract on an index agrees to take delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between a specified multiple of the value of the index on the expiration date of the contract and the price at which the contract was originally struck. An interest rate futures contract is an agreement pursuant to which a party agrees to take or make delivery of a specified debt security (such as U.S. Treasury bonds or notes) or to take or make delivery of cash based upon the change in value of a basket or index of securities at a specified future time and at a specified price. Interest rate futures contracts also include cash settlement contracts based upon a specified interest rate such as the London interbank offering rate for dollar deposits or LIBOR. No physical delivery of the fixed income securities underlying the index is made. These investment techniques generally are used to protect against anticipated future changes in interest rates which otherwise might either adversely affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities or adversely affect the price of securities which the Fund intends to purchase at a later date. In certain cases, the options and futures contracts markets provide investment or risk management opportunities that are not available from direct investments in underlying securities. In addition, some strategies can be performed with greater ease and at lower cost by utilizing the options and futures contracts markets rather than purchasing or selling portfolio securities. However, such transactions involve risks different from those involved with direct investments in underlying securities.

Initial and Variation Margin. In contrast to the purchase or sale of a security, no price is paid or received upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, the Fund is required to deposit an amount of cash and/or liquid securities equal to a percentage (which will normally range between 1% and 10%) of the contract amount with either a futures commission merchant pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated under the 1940 Act or with its custodian in an account in the broker’s name. This amount is known as initial margin. The nature of initial margin in futures contract transactions is different from that of margin in securities transactions in that futures contract margin does not involve the borrowing of funds by the customer to finance the transaction. Rather, the initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract, which is returned to the Fund upon termination of the futures contract and satisfaction of its contractual obligations. Subsequent payments to and from the initial margin account, called variation margin, are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying securities or index fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as marking to market. At any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Fund may elect to terminate the position by taking an opposite position. A final determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Fund, and the Fund realizes a loss or a gain.

Futures Contract Strategies. When the Fund anticipates a significant market or market sector advance, the purchase of a futures contract affords a hedge against not participating in the advance at a time when the Fund is otherwise fully invested (“anticipatory hedge”). Such purchase of a futures contract would serve as a temporary substitute for the purchase of individual securities, which may be purchased in an orderly fashion once the market has stabilized. As individual securities are purchased, an equivalent amount of futures contracts could be terminated by offsetting sales. The Fund may sell futures contracts in anticipation of or in a general market or market sector decline that may adversely affect the market value of the Fund’s securities (“defensive hedge”). To the extent that the Fund’s portfolio of securities changes in value in correlation with the underlying security or index, the sale of futures contracts would substantially

 

S-7


reduce the risk to the Fund of a market decline and, by so doing provides an alternative to the liquidation of securities positions in the Fund. Ordinarily transaction costs associated with futures contract transactions are lower than transaction costs that would be incurred in the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.

Special Risks Associated with Futures Contract Transactions. There are several risks connected with the use of futures contracts. These include the risk of imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures contracts and of the underlying securities or index; the risk of market distortion; the risk of illiquidity; and the risk of error in anticipating price movement. There may be an imperfect correlation (or no correlation) between movements in the price of the futures contracts and of the securities being hedged. The risk of imperfect correlation increases as the composition of the securities being hedged diverges from the securities upon which the futures contract is based. If the price of the futures contract moves less than the price of the securities being hedged, the hedge will not be fully effective. To compensate for the imperfect correlation, the Fund could buy or sell futures contracts in a greater dollar amount than the dollar amount of securities being hedged if the historical volatility of the securities being hedged is greater than the historical volatility of the securities underlying the futures contract. Conversely, the Fund could buy or sell futures contracts in a lesser dollar amount than the dollar amount of securities being hedged if the historical volatility of the securities being hedged is less than the historical volatility of the securities underlying the futures contracts. It is also possible that the value of futures contracts held by the Fund could decline at the same time as portfolio securities being hedged; if this occurred, the Fund would lose money on the futures contract in addition to suffering a decline in value in the portfolio securities being hedged.

There is also the risk that the price of futures contracts may not correlate perfectly with movements in the securities or index underlying the futures contract due to certain market distortions. First, all participants in the futures contract market are subject to margin depository and maintenance requirements. Rather than meet additional margin depository requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions, which could distort the normal relationship between the futures contract market and the securities or index underlying the futures contract. Second, from the point of view of speculators, the deposit requirements in the futures contract market are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities markets. Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the futures contract markets may cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price distortion in the futures contract markets and because of the imperfect correlation between movements in futures contracts and movements in the securities underlying them, a correct forecast of general market trends by the Adviser may still not result in a successful hedging transaction.

There is also the risk that futures contract markets may not be sufficiently liquid. Futures contracts may be closed out only on an exchange or board of trade that provides a market for such futures contracts. Although the Fund intends to purchase or sell futures contracts only on exchanges and boards of trade where there appears to be an active secondary market, there can be no assurance that an active secondary market will exist for any particular contract or at any particular time. In the event of such illiquidity, it might not be possible to close a futures contract position and, in the event of adverse price movement, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily payments of variation margin. Since the securities being hedged would not be sold until the related futures contract is sold, an increase, if any, in the price of the securities may to some extent offset losses on the related futures contract. In such event, the Fund would lose the benefit of the appreciation in value of the securities.

Successful use of futures contracts is also subject to the Adviser’s ability to correctly predict the direction of movements in the market. For example, if the Fund hedges against a decline in the market, and market prices instead advance, the Fund will lose part or all of the benefit of the increase in value of its securities holdings because it will have offsetting losses in futures contracts. In such cases, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so to meet the daily variation margin.

 

S-8


Although the Fund intends to enter into futures contracts only if there is an active market for such contracts, there is no assurance that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time. Most U.S. futures contract exchanges and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond that limit. It is possible that futures contract prices would move to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures contract positions and subjecting some futures contract traders to substantial losses. In such event, and in the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin. In such circumstances, an increase in the value of the portion of the portfolio being hedged, if any, may partially or completely offset losses on the futures contract. However, there is no guarantee that the price of the securities being hedged will, in fact, correlate with the price movements in a futures contract and thus provide an offset to losses on the futures contract.

Options on Futures Contracts. The Fund could also purchase and write options on futures contracts. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the option period. As a writer of an option on a futures contract, the Fund would be subject to initial margin and maintenance requirements similar to those applicable to futures contracts. In addition, net option premiums received by the Fund are required to be included as initial margin deposits. When an option on a futures contract is exercised, delivery of the futures contract position is accompanied by cash representing the difference between the current market price of the futures contract and the exercise price of the option. The Fund could purchase put options on futures contracts in lieu of, and for the same purposes as the sale of a futures contract; at the same time, it could write put options at a lower strike price (a “put bear spread”) to offset part of the cost of the strategy to the Fund. The purchase of call options on futures contracts is intended to serve the same purpose as the actual purchase of the futures contracts.

Risks of Transactions in Options on Futures Contracts. In addition to the risks described above which apply to all options transactions, there are several special risks relating to options on futures contracts. The Adviser will not purchase options on futures contracts on any exchange unless in the Adviser’s opinion, a liquid secondary exchange market for such options exists. Compared to the use of futures contracts, the purchase of options on futures contracts involves less potential risk to the Fund because the maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the options (plus transaction costs). However, there may be circumstances, such as when there is no movement in the price of the underlying security or index, when the use of an option on a future contract would result in a loss to the Fund when the use of a future contract would not.

Combined Transactions. The Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including multiple options transactions, multiple futures contracts transactions, multiple currency transactions (including forward currency contracts) and multiple interest rate transactions and any combination of futures contracts, options, currency and interest rate transactions (“component” transactions), instead of a single Strategic Transaction, as part of a single or combined strategy when, in the opinion of the Adviser, it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so. A combined transaction will usually contain elements of risk that are present in each of its component transactions. Although combined transactions are normally entered into based on the Adviser’s judgment that the combined strategies will reduce risk or otherwise more effectively achieve the desired portfolio management goal, it is possible that the combination will instead increase such risks or hinder achievement of the portfolio management objective.

Additional Risks of Options, Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. Each of the exchanges has established limitations governing the maximum number of call or put options on the same underlying security or futures contract (whether or not covered) which may be written by a single investor, whether acting alone or in concert with others (regardless of whether such options are written on the same or different exchanges or are held or written on one or more accounts or through one or more brokers). Option positions of all investment companies

 

S-9


advised by the Adviser are combined for purposes of these limits. An exchange may order the liquidation of positions found to be in violation of these limits and it may impose other sanctions or restrictions. These position limits may restrict the number of listed options which the Fund may write.

In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which the Fund engages in transactions in options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts, the Fund could experience delays and/or losses in liquidating open positions purchased or incur a loss of all or part of its margin deposits. Transactions are entered into by the Fund only with brokers or financial institutions deemed creditworthy by the Adviser.

In addition, futures contracts, options on futures contracts and forward contracts may be traded on foreign exchanges. Such transactions are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in or the prices of foreign currencies or securities. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by (i) other complex foreign political, legal, and economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund’s ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during nonbusiness hours in the United States, (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States and (v) lesser trading volume.

Foreign Currency Transactions. The Fund may purchase and write options on foreign currencies in a manner similar to that in which forward contracts or futures contracts on foreign currencies will be utilized. For example, a decline in the dollar value of a foreign currency in which portfolio securities are denominated will reduce the dollar value of such securities, even if their value in the foreign currency remains constant. To protect against such diminutions in the value of portfolio securities, the Fund may purchase put options on the foreign currency. If the value of the currency does decline, the Fund will have the right to sell such currency for a fixed amount in dollars and will thereby offset, in whole or in part, the adverse effect on its portfolio which otherwise would have resulted. Conversely, where a rise in the dollar value of a foreign currency in which securities to be acquired are denominated is projected, thereby increasing the cost of such securities, the Fund may purchase call options thereon. The purchase of such options could offset, at least partially, the effects of the adverse movements in exchange rates. As in the case of other types of options, however, the benefit to the Fund deriving from purchases of foreign currency options will be reduced by the amount of the premium and related transaction costs. In addition, where currency exchange rates do not move in the direction or to the extent anticipated, the Fund could sustain losses on transactions in foreign currency options which would require it to forego a portion or all of the benefits of advantageous changes in such rates.

The Fund may write options on foreign currencies for the same types of purposes. For example, where the Fund anticipates a decline in the dollar value of foreign currency denominated securities due to adverse fluctuations in exchange rates it could, instead of purchasing a put option, write a call option on the relevant currency. If the expected decline occurs, the option will most likely not be exercised, and the diminution in value of portfolio securities will be offset by the amount of the premium received. Similarly, instead of purchasing a call option to protect against an anticipated increase in the dollar cost of securities to be acquired, the Fund could write a put option on the relevant currency which, if rates move in the manner projected, will expire unexercised and allow the Fund to protect against such increased cost up to the amount of the premium.

As in the case of other types of options, however, the writing of a foreign currency option will constitute only a partial hedge up to the amount of the premium, and only if rates move in the expected direction. If this does not occur, the option may be exercised and the Fund would be required to purchase or sell the underlying currency at a loss which may not be offset by the amount of the premium. Through the writing of options on foreign currencies, the Fund also may be required to forego all or a portion of the benefits which might otherwise have been obtained from favorable movements in exchange rates.

The value of a foreign currency option is dependent upon the value of the underlying foreign 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 has no relationship to the investment merits of a foreign security. Because foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank market (conducted directly between currency traders, usually large commercial banks, and their customers) 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.

 

S-10


There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign currencies and there is no regulatory requirement that quotations available through dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Quotation information available 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. options 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.

The Fund may write call options on foreign currencies for cross-hedging purposes. A call option on a foreign currency is for cross-hedging purposes if it is not covered, but is designed to protect against a decline in the U.S. dollar value of a security which the Fund owns or has the right to acquire and which is denominated in the currency underlying the option due to an adverse change in the exchange rate. In such circumstances, the Fund collateralizes the option by segregating cash and/or liquid securities in an amount not less than the value of the underlying foreign currency in U.S. dollars marked to market daily.

Options on foreign currencies and forward contracts are not traded on contract markets regulated by the CFTC or (with the exception of certain foreign currency options) by the SEC. To the contrary, such instruments are traded through financial institutions acting as market-makers, although foreign currency options are also traded on certain national securities exchanges, subject to SEC regulation. Similarly, options on currencies may be traded OTC. In an OTC trading environment, many of the protections afforded to exchange participants will not be available. For example, there are no daily price fluctuation limits, and adverse market movements could, therefore, continue to an unlimited extent over a period of time. Although the purchaser of an option cannot lose more than the amount of the premium plus related transaction costs, this entire amount could be lost. Moreover, the option writer and a trader of forward contracts could lose amounts substantially in excess of their initial investments, due to the margin and collateral requirements associated with such positions.

Options on foreign currencies traded on national securities exchanges are within the jurisdiction of the SEC, as are other securities traded on such exchanges. As a result, many of the protections provided to traders on organized exchanges will be available with respect to such transactions. In particular, all foreign currency option positions entered into on a national securities exchange are cleared and guaranteed by the Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”), thereby reducing the risk of counterparty default. Further, a liquid secondary market in options traded on a national securities exchange may be more readily available than in the OTC market, potentially permitting the Fund to liquidate open positions at a profit prior to exercise or expiration, or to limit losses in the event of adverse market movements.

The purchase and sale of exchange-traded foreign currency options, however, is subject to the risks of the availability of a liquid secondary market described above, as well as the risks regarding adverse market movements, margining of options written, the nature of the foreign currency market, possible intervention by governmental authorities and the effects of other political and economic events. In addition, exchange-traded options on foreign currencies involve certain risks not presented by the OTC market. For example, exercise and settlement of such options must be made exclusively through the OCC, which has established banking relationships in applicable foreign countries for this purpose. As a result, the OCC may, if it determines that foreign governmental restrictions or taxes would prevent the orderly settlement of foreign currency option exercises, or would result in undue burdens on the OCC or its clearing member, impose special procedures on exercise and settlement, such as technical changes in the mechanics of delivery of currency, the fixing of dollar settlement prices or prohibitions, on exercise.

Use of Segregated and Other Accounts. The Fund complies with applicable regulatory requirements when implementing Strategic Transactions, including the segregation of cash and/or liquid securities on the books of the Fund’s custodian, as mandated by SEC rules or SEC staff positions. Many Strategic Transactions and swaps, in addition to other requirements, require that the Fund segregate cash and/or liquid securities to the extent Fund obligations are not otherwise “covered” as described above. In general, either the full amount of any obligation by the Fund to pay or deliver securities or assets must be covered at all times by the securities, instruments or currency required to be delivered (or securities convertible into the needed securities without additional consideration), or,

 

S-11


subject to any regulatory restrictions, the Fund must segregate cash and/or liquid securities in an amount at least equal to the current amount of the obligation. In the case of a futures contract or an option on a futures contract, the Fund must deposit initial margin and possible daily variation margin in addition to segregating cash and/or liquid securities sufficient to meet its obligation to purchase or provide securities or currencies, or to pay the amount owed at the expiration of an index-based futures contract. Strategic Transactions may be covered by other means when consistent with applicable regulatory policies. The Fund also may enter into offsetting transactions so that its combined position, coupled with any segregated cash and/or liquid securities, equals its net outstanding obligation.

CFTC Regulation. Amended Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) Rule 4.5 permits investment advisers to registered investment companies to claim an exclusion from the definition of “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) with respect to a fund, provided certain requirements are met. In order to permit the Investment Adviser to claim this exclusion with respect to the Fund, the Fund will limit its transactions in futures, options on futures and swaps (excluding transactions entered into for “bona fide hedging purposes,” as defined under CFTC regulations) such that either: (i) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish its futures, options on futures and swaps do not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Fund’s portfolio, after taking into account unrealized profits and losses on such positions; or (ii) the aggregate net notional value of its futures, options on futures and swaps does not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the Fund’s portfolio, after taking into account unrealized profits and losses on such positions. Accordingly, the Fund is not subject to regulation under the CEA or otherwise regulated by the CFTC. If the Adviser was unable to claim the exclusion with respect to the Fund, the Adviser would become subject to registration and regulation as a commodity pool operator, which would subject the Adviser and the Fund to additional registration and regulatory requirements and increased operating expenses.

Failure of Futures Commission Merchants and Clearing Organizations. The Fund may deposit funds required to open margin positions in cleared derivative instruments with a clearing broker registered under the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act of 1936 (“CEA”) as a “futures commission merchant” (“FCM”). The CEA requires an FCM to segregate all funds received from customers with respect to any orders for the purchase or sale of U.S. domestic futures contracts and cleared swaps from the FCM’s proprietary assets. Similarly, the CEA requires each FCM to hold in a separate secure account all funds received from customers with respect to any orders for the purchase or sale of foreign futures contracts and segregate any such funds from the funds received with respect to domestic futures contracts. However, all funds and other property received by a clearing broker from its customers are held by the clearing broker on a commingled basis in an omnibus account and may be freely accessed by the clearing broker, which may also invest any such funds in certain instruments permitted under the applicable regulation. There is a risk that assets deposited by the Fund with any swaps or futures clearing broker as margin for futures contracts or cleared swaps may, in certain circumstances, be used to satisfy losses of other clients of the Fund’s clearing broker. In addition, the assets of the Fund may not be fully protected in the event of the clearing broker’s bankruptcy, as the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds segregated on behalf of the clearing broker’s combined domestic customer accounts.

Similarly, the CEA requires a clearing organization approved by the CFTC as a derivatives clearing organization to segregate all funds and other property received from a clearing member’s clients in connection with domestic futures, swaps and options contracts from any funds held at the clearing organization to support the clearing member’s proprietary trading. Nevertheless, with respect to futures and options contracts, a clearing organization may use assets of a non-defaulting customer held in an omnibus account at the clearing organization to satisfy payment obligations of a defaulting customer of the clearing member to the clearing organization. As a result, in the event of a default or the clearing broker’s other clients or the clearing broker’s failure to extend funds in connection with any such default, the Fund would not be able to recover the full amount of assets deposited by the clearing broker on its behalf with the clearing organization.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The following are fundamental investment restrictions of the Fund and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities (which for this purpose and under the 1940 Act means the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the Fund’s voting securities present at a meeting at which more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities). Except as otherwise noted, all percentage limitations set forth below apply immediately after a purchase and any subsequent change in any applicable percentage resulting from market

 

S-12


fluctuations does not require any action. With respect to the limitations on the issuance of senior securities and in the case of borrowings, the percentage limitations apply at the time of issuance and on an ongoing basis. The Fund may not:

 

  1. Invest in a manner inconsistent with its classification as a “diversified company” as provided by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.

 

  2. Issue senior securities nor borrow money, except the Fund by issue senior securities or borrow money to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.

 

  3. Act as an underwriter of securities issued by others, except to the extent that, in connection with disposition of loans or portfolio securities, it may deemed to be an underwriter under applicable securities laws.

 

  4. Invest in any security if, as a result, 25% or more of the value of the Fund’s total assets, taken at market value at the time of each investment, are in the securities of issues in any particular industry except (a) securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government and its agencies and instrumentalities or securities of state and municipal governments or their political subdivisions (however, not including private purpose industrial development bonds issued on behalf of non-government issuers), or (b) as otherwise provided by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 act, as amended from time to time.

 

  5. Purchase or sell real estate except that the Fund may: (a) acquire or lease office space for its own use, (b) invest in securities of issuers that invest in real estate or interests therein or that are engaged or operate in the real estate industry, (c) invest in securities that are secured by real estate or other interests therein, (d) purchase and sell mortgage-related securities, (e) hold and sell real estate acquired by the Fund as a result of the ownership of securities and (f) as otherwise permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.

 

  6. Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments; provided that this restriction shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing or selling options, futures contracts and related options thereon, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars and any other financial instruments or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities or as otherwise permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.

 

  7. Make loans of money or property to any person, except (a) to the extent that securities or interests in which the Fund may invest are considered to be loans, (b) through the loan of portfolio securities, (c) by engaging in repurchase agreements or (d) as may otherwise be permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.

 

S-13


Thus, according to the Fund’s fundamental investment restrictions, the Fund currently may not:

 

  1. Invest in any security if, as a result 25% or more of the Fund’s total assets, taken at market value at the time of each investment, are in the securities of issues in any particular industry.

 

  2. Purchase or sell real estate, except that the Fund may (a) acquire or lease office space for its own use, (b) invest in securities of issuers that invest in real estate or interests therein or that are engaged in or operate in the real estate industry, (c) invest in securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein, (d) purchase or sell mortgage-related securities and (e) hold and sell real estate acquired by the Fund as a result of the ownership of securities.

The latter part of the Fund’s fundamental investment restrictions (i.e., the references to “as may otherwise be permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time”) provide the Fund with flexibility to change its limitations in connection with changes in applicable law, rules, regulations or exemptive relief. The language used in these restrictions provides the necessary flexibility to allow the Fund’s Board to respond efficiently to these kinds of developments without the delay and expense of a shareholder meeting.

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) and the Fund’s officers appointed by the Board. The tables below list the trustees and the executive officers of the Fund and their principal occupations, other directorships held by the trustees and their affiliations, if any, with the Adviser or its affiliates. The “Fund Complex” includes each of the investment companies advised by the Adviser as of June 30, 2015. Trustees serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Officers are annually elected by the Board. The principal business address of each Trustee and Officer is c/o Invesco Senior Loan Fund, 1555 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309.

 

Name, year of Birth

and Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Trustee
and/or
Officer
Since

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 years

 

Number of
Funds in
Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee

 

Other

Trusteeship(s)/

Directorship

Held by

Trustee/Director

During Past

5 Years

Interested Trustees:        

Martin L. Flanagan1 –

1960

Trustee

  2014  

Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer and President, Invesco Ltd. (ultimate parent of Invesco and a global investment management firm); Advisor to the Board, Invesco Advisers, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Institutional (N.A.), Inc.); Trustee, The Invesco Funds; Vice Chair, Investment Company Institute; and Member of Executive Board, SMU Cox School of Business

 

Formerly: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Invesco Advisers, Inc. (registered investment adviser); Director, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, IVZ Inc. (holding company), INVESCO Group Services, Inc. (service provider) and Invesco North American Holdings, Inc. (holding company); Director, Chief Executive Officer and President, Invesco Holding Company Limited (parent of Invesco and a global investment management firm); Director, Invesco Ltd.; Chairman, Investment Company Institute and President, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Co-President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Franklin Resources, Inc. (global investment management organization).

  144   None

Philip A. Taylor2 –1954

Trustee, President and

Principal Executive

Officer

  2014   Head of North American Retail and Senior Managing Director, Invesco Ltd.; Director, Co-Chairman, Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Invesco Advisers, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Institutional (N.A.), Inc.) (registered investment adviser); Director, Chairman, Chief   144   None

 

S-14


Name, year of Birth

and Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Trustee
and/or
Officer
Since

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 years

 

Number of
Funds in
Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee

 

Other

Trusteeship(s)/

Directorship

Held by

Trustee/Director

During Past

5 Years

   

Executive Officer and President, Invesco Management Group, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Aim Management Group, Inc.) (financial services holding company); Director and President, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. (registered investment adviser and registered transfer agent); Director and Chairman, Invesco Investment Services, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Aim Investment Services, Inc.) (registered transfer agent) and IVZ Distributors, Inc. (formerly known as INVESCO Distributors, Inc.) (registered broker dealer); Director, President and Chairman, Invesco Inc. (holding company) and Invesco Canada Holdings Inc. (holding company); Chief Executive Officer, Invesco Corporate Class Inc. (corporate mutual fund company) and Invesco Canada Fund Inc. (corporate mutual fund company); Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Invesco Canada Ltd. (formerly known as Invesco Trimark Ltd./Invesco Trimark Ltèe) (registered investment adviser and registered transfer agent); Trustee, President and Principal Executive Officer, The Invesco Funds (other than AIM Treasurer’s Series Trust (Invesco Treasurer’s Series Trust) and Short-Term Investments Trust); Trustee and Executive Vice President, The Invesco Funds (AIM Treasurer’s Series Trust (Invesco Treasurer’s Series Trust) and Short-Term Investments Trust only); Director, Invesco Investment Advisers LLC (formerly known as Van Kampen Asset Management); Director, Chief Executive Officer and President, Van Kampen Exchange Corp.

 

Formerly: Director and Chairman, Van Kampen Investor Services Inc.; Director, Chief Executive Officer and President, 1371 Preferred Inc. (holding company) and Van Kampen Investments Inc.; Director and President, AIM GP Canada Inc. (general partner for limited partnerships) and Van Kampen Advisors, Inc.; Director and Chief Executive Officer, Invesco Trimark Dealer Inc. (registered broker dealer); Director, Invesco Distributors, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Aim Distributors, Inc.) (registered broker dealer); Manager, Invesco PowerShares Capital Management LLC; Director, Chief Executive Officer and President, Invesco Advisers, Inc.; Director, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Invesco Aim Capital Management, Inc.; President, Invesco Trimark Dealer Inc. and Invesco Trimark Ltd./Invesco Trimark Ltèe; Director and President, AIM Trimark Corporate Class Inc. and AIM Trimark Canada Fund Inc.; Senior Managing Director, Invesco Holding Company Limited; Trustee and Executive Vice President, Tax-Free Investments Trust; Director and Chairman, Fund Management Company (former registered broker dealer); President and Principal Executive Officer, The Invesco Funds (AIM Treasurer’s Series Trust (Invesco Treasurer’s Series Trust), and Short-Term Investments Trust only); President, AIM Trimark Global Fund Inc. and AIM Trimark Canada Fund Inc.

   
Independent Trustees        

Bruce L. Crockett – 1944

Trustee and Chair

  2014  

Chairman, Crockett Technologies Associates (technology consulting company)

 

Formerly: Director, Captaris (unified messaging provider); Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, COMSAT Corporation; Chairman, Board of Governors of INTELSAT (international communications company); ACE Limited (insurance company); Independent Directors Council and Investment Company Institute

  144   ALPS (Attorneys Liability Protection Society) (insurance company)

 

S-15


Name, year of Birth

and Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Trustee
and/or
Officer
Since

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 years

 

Number of
Funds in
Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee

 

Other

Trusteeship(s)/

Directorship

Held by

Trustee/Director

During Past

5 Years

David C. Arch – 1945

Trustee

  2007   Chairman of Blistex Inc., a consumer health care products manufacturer   144   Board member of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association; Member of the Board of Visitors, Institute for the Humanities, University of Michigan; Member of the Audit Committee of the Edward-Elmhurst Hospital

James T. Bunch – 1942

Trustee

  2014  

Managing Member, Grumman Hill Group LLC (family office private equity investments)

Formerly: Founder, Green Manning & Bunch Ltd. (investment banking firm) (1988-2010); Executive Committee, United States Golf Association; and Director, Policy Studies, Inc. and Van Gilder Insurance Corporation

  144   Chairman, Board of Governors, Western Golf Association; Chairman, Evans Scholars Foundation; and Director, Denver Film Society

Rodney F. Dammeyer –

1940

Trustee

  2014  

Chairman of CAC, LLC, (private company offering capital investment and management advisory services)

 

Formerly: Prior to 2001, Managing Partner at Equity Group Corporate Investments; Prior to 1995, Chief Executive Officer of Itel Corporation (formerly Anixter International); Prior to 1985, experience includes Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Household International, Inc., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Northwest Industries, Inc. and Partner of Arthur Andersen & Co.; From 1987 to 2010, Director/Trustee of investment companies in the Van Kampen Funds complex.

  144   Director of Quidel Corporation and Stericycle, Inc.

Albert R. Dowden –

1941

Trustee

  2014   Director of a number of public and private business corporations, including the Boss Group, Ltd. (private investment and management); Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc. and Reich & Tang Funds (5 portfolios) (registered investment company)   144   Director of: Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc., Reich & Tang Funds, Homeowners of America Holding Corporation/ Homeowners of America Insurance Company, the Boss Group
    Formerly: Director, Homeowners of America Holding Corporation/Homeowners of America Insurance Company (property casualty company); Director, Continental Energy Services, LLC (oil and gas pipeline service); Director, CompuDyne Corporation (provider of product and services to the public security market) and Director, Annuity and Life Re (Holdings), Ltd. (reinsurance company); Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, Volvo Group North America, Inc.; Senior Vice President, AB Volvo; Director of various public and private corporations; Chairman, DHJ Media, Inc.; Director, Magellan Insurance Company; and Director, The Hertz Corporation, Genmar Corporation (boat manufacturer), National Media Corporation; Advisory Board of Rotary Power International (designer, manufacturer, and seller of rotary power engines); and Chairman, Cortland Trust, Inc. (registered investment company)    

Jack M. Fields – 1952

Trustee

  2014  

Chief Executive Officer, Twenty First Century Group, Inc. (government affairs company); Owner and Chief Executive Officer, Dos Angeles Ranch, L.P. (cattle, hunting, corporate entertainment); and Discovery Global Education Fund (non-profit)

 

Formerly: Chief Executive Officer, Texana Timber LP (sustainable forestry company); Director of Cross Timbers Quail Research Ranch (non-profit); and member of the U.S. House of Representatives

  144   Insperity, Inc. (formerly known as Administaff)

 

S-16


Name, year of Birth

and Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Trustee
and/or
Officer
Since

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 years

 

Number of
Funds in
Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee

 

Other

Trusteeship(s)/

Directorship

Held by

Trustee/Director

During Past

5 Years

Prema Mathai-Davis –

1950

Trustee

  2014   Retired. Formerly: Chief Executive Officer, YWCA of the U.S.A.   144   None

Larry Soll – 1942

Trustee

  2014   Retired. Formerly: Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Synergen Corp. (a biotechnology company)   144   None

Hugo F. Sonnenschein –

1940

  2007   President Emeritus and Honorary Trustee of the University of Chicago and the Adam Smith Distinguished Service Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Chicago. Prior to 2000, President of the University of Chicago   144   Trustee of the University of Rochester and a member of its investment committee; Member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Philosophical Society; Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Raymond Stickel, Jr. –

1944

Trustee

  2014   Retired. Formerly: Director, Mainstay VP Series Funds, Inc. (25 portfolios) and Partner, Deloitte & Touche   144   None

Suzanne H. Woolsey –

1941

Trustee

  2007   Chief Executive Officer of Woolsey Partners LLC.   144   Emeritus Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Institute for Defense Analyses; Trustee of Colorado College; Trustee of California Institute of Technology., Director of Fluor Corp.; Prior to 2010, Trustee of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Prior to, 2010, Trustee of the Rocky Mountain Institute.
Officers        

Russell C. Burk – 1958

Senior Vice President

and Senior Officer

  2014   Senior Vice President and Senior Officer, The Invesco Funds   N/A   N/A

John M. Zerr – 1962

Senior Vice President,

Chief Legal Officer and

Secretary

  2010  

Director, Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, Invesco Management Group, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Aim Management Group, Inc.) and Van Kampen Exchange Corp.; Senior Vice President, Invesco Advisers, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Institutional (N.A.), Inc.) (registered investment adviser); Senior Vice President and Secretary, Invesco Distributors, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Aim Distributors, Inc.); Director, Vice President and Secretary, Invesco Investment Services, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Aim Investment Services, Inc.) and IVZ Distributors, Inc. (formerly known as INVESCO Distributors, Inc.); Director and Vice President, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary, The Invesco Funds; Manager, Invesco PowerShares Capital Management LLC; Director, Secretary and General Counsel, Invesco Investment Advisers LLC (formerly known as Van Kampen Asset Management); Secretary and General Counsel, Invesco Capital Markets, Inc. (formerly known as Van Kampen Funds Inc.) and Chief Legal Officer, PowerShares Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, PowerShares Exchange-Traded Fund Trust II, PowerShares India Exchange-Traded Fund Trust and PowerShares Actively Managed Exchange-Traded Fund Trust

 

Formerly: Director and Vice President, Van Kampen Advisors Inc.; Director, Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, Van Kampen Investor Services Inc.;

  N/A   N/A

 

S-17


Name, year of Birth

and Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Trustee
and/or
Officer
Since

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 years

 

Number of
Funds in
Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee

 

Other

Trusteeship(s)/

Directorship

Held by

Trustee/Director

During Past

5 Years

    Director, Invesco Distributors, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Aim Distributors, Inc.); Director, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Invesco Aim Advisers, Inc. and Van Kampen Investments Inc.; Director, Vice President and Secretary, Fund Management Company; Director, Senior Vice President, Secretary, General Counsel and Vice President, Invesco Aim Capital Management, Inc.; Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, Liberty Ridge Capital, Inc. (an investment adviser); Vice President and Secretary, PBHG Funds (an investment company) and PBHG Insurance Series Fund (an investment company); Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel and Secretary, Old Mutual Investment Partners (a broker-dealer); General Counsel and Secretary, Old Mutual Fund Services (an administrator) and Old Mutual Shareholder Services (a shareholder servicing center); Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Old Mutual Capital, Inc. (an investment adviser); and Vice President and Secretary, Old Mutual Advisors Funds (an investment company)    

Sheri Morris – 1964

Vice President,

Treasurer and Principal

Financial Officer

  2010  

Vice President, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer, The Invesco Funds; Vice President, Invesco Advisers, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Institutional (N.A.), Inc.) (registered investment adviser); and Vice President, PowerShares Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, PowerShares Exchange-Traded Fund Trust II, PowerShares India Exchange-Traded Fund Trust and PowerShares Actively Managed Exchange-Traded Fund Trust

 

Formerly: Vice President, Invesco Aim Advisers, Inc., Invesco Aim Capital Management, Inc. and Invesco Aim Private Asset Management, Inc.; Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer, The Invesco Funds and Assistant Vice President, Invesco Advisers, Inc., Invesco Aim Capital Management, Inc. and Invesco Aim Private Asset Management, Inc.; and Treasurer, PowerShares Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, PowerShares Exchange-Traded Fund Trust II, PowerShares India Exchange-Traded Fund Trust and PowerShares Actively Managed Exchange-Traded Fund Trust

  N/A   N/A

Karen Dunn Kelley –

1960

Vice President

  2010  

Senior Managing Director, Investments; Director, Co-President, Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Co-Chairman, Invesco Advisers, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Institutional (N.A.), Inc.) (registered investment adviser); Chairman, Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Invesco Management Group, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Aim Management Group, Inc.); Executive Vice President, Invesco Distributors, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Aim Distributors, Inc.); Director, Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. and Invesco Management Company Limited; Director and President, INVESCO Asset Management (Bermuda) Ltd., Vice President, The Invesco Funds (other than AIM Treasurer’s Series Trust (Invesco Treasurer’s Series Trust) and Short-Term Investments Trust); and President and Principal Executive Officer, The Invesco Funds (AIM Treasurer’s Series Trust (Invesco Treasurer’s Series Trust) and Short-Term Investments Trust only)

 

Formerly: Director, INVESCO Global Asset Management Limited and INVESCO Management S.A.; Senior Vice President, Van Kampen Investments Inc. and Invesco

  N/A   N/A

 

S-18


Name, year of Birth

and Position(s) Held

with the Trust

 

Trustee
and/or
Officer
Since

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 years

 

Number of
Funds in
Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee

 

Other

Trusteeship(s)/

Directorship

Held by

Trustee/Director

During Past

5 Years

    Advisers, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Institutional (N.A.), Inc.) (registered investment adviser); Vice President, Invesco Advisers, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Institutional (N.A.), Inc.); Director of Cash Management and Senior Vice President, Invesco Advisers, Inc. and Invesco Aim Capital Management, Inc.; Director and President, Fund Management Company; Chief Cash Management Officer, Director of Cash Management, Senior Vice President, and Managing Director, Invesco Aim Capital Management, Inc.; Director of Cash Management, Senior Vice President, and Vice President, Invesco Advisers, Inc. and The Invesco Funds (AIM Treasurer’s Series Trust (Invesco Treasurer’s Series Trust), and Short-Term Investments Trust only)    

Crissie M. Wisdom –

1969

Anti-Money Laundering

Compliance Officer

  2013   Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer, Invesco Advisers, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Institutional (N.A.), Inc.) (registered investment adviser), Invesco Capital Markets, Inc. (formerly known as Van Kampen Funds Inc.), Invesco Distributors, Inc., Invesco Investment Services, Inc., Invesco Management Group, Inc., Van Kampen Exchange Corp., The Invesco Funds, Invesco Funds (Chicago), and PowerShares Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, PowerShares Exchange-Traded Fund Trust II, PowerShares India Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, and PowerShares Actively Managed Exchange-Traded Fund Trust; and Fraud Prevention Manager and Controls and Risk Analysis Manager for Invesco Investment Services, Inc.   N/A   N/A

Lisa O. Brinkley – 1959

Chief Compliance

Officer

  2014  

Global Assurance Officer, Invesco Ltd. and Vice President, The Invesco Funds

 

Formerly: Chief Compliance Officer, Invesco Distributors, Inc. (formerly known as Invesco Aim Distributors, Inc.), Invesco Investment Services, Inc.(formerly known as Invesco Aim Investment Services, Inc.) and Van Kampen Investor Services Inc.; Senior Vice President, Invesco Management Group, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, Invesco Advisers, Inc. and The Invesco Funds; Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, Invesco Aim Capital Management, Inc. and Invesco Distributors, Inc.; Vice President, Invesco Investment Services, Inc. and Fund Management Company

  N/A   N/A

 

1 Mr. Flanagan is considered an interested person (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of the Trust because he is an officer of the adviser to the Trust, and an officer and a director of Invesco Ltd., ultimate parent of the Adviser.
2 Mr. Taylor is considered an interested person (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of the Trust because he is an officer and a director of the Adviser.

Additional Information about the Trustees

Independent Trustees

David C. Arch, Trustee. Mr. Arch has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the other Invesco Funds since 2010. Mr. Arch is the Chairman of Blistex Inc., a consumer health care products manufacturer. Mr. Arch is a

 

S-19


member of the Board of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, the Board of Visitors, Institute for the Humanities, University of Michigan and the Audit Committee of Edward – Elmhurst Hospital. From 1984 to 2010, Mr. Arch served as Director or Trustee of investment companies in the Van Kampen Funds complex.

The Board believes that Mr. Arch’s experience as the CEO of a public company and his experience with investment companies benefits the Funds.

James T. Bunch, Trustee. Mr. Bunch has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the other Invesco Funds since 2000. From 1988 to 2010, Mr. Bunch was Founding Partner of Green Manning & Bunch, Ltd., a leading investment banking firm located in Denver, Colorado. Green Manning & Bunch is an investment bank registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. (“FINRA”) specializing in mergers and acquisitions, private financing of middle-market companies and corporate finance advisory services. Immediately prior to forming Green Manning & Bunch, Mr. Bunch was Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and a Director of Boettcher & Company, then the leading investment banking firm in the Rocky Mountain region. Mr. Bunch began his professional career as a practicing attorney. He joined the prominent Denver-based law firm of Davis Graham & Stubbs in 1970 and later rose to the position of Chairman and Managing Partner of the firm. At various other times during his career, Mr. Bunch has served as Chair of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”) Business District Conduct Committee, and Chair of the Colorado Bar Association Ethics Committee. In June 2010, Mr. Bunch became the Managing Member of Grumman Hill Group LLC, a family office private equity investment manager.

The Board believes that Mr. Bunch’s experience as an investment banker and investment management lawyer benefits the Funds.

Rodney F. Dammeyer, Trustee. Mr. Dammeyer has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the other Invesco Funds since 2010. From 1987 to 2010, Mr. Dammeyer served as Director or Trustee of investment companies in the predecessor Van Kampen Funds complex. Mr. Dammeyer is Chairman of CAC, LLC, a private company offering capital investment and management advisory services. Prior to this, Mr. Dammeyer was responsible for managing all of Sam Zell’s non-real estate investment activity as managing partner of Equity Group Corporate Investments. From 1985 to 1995, Mr. Dammeyer was chief executive officer of Itel Corporation, which later changed its name to Anixter International. From 1983 to 1985, Mr. Dammeyer was senior vice president and chief financial officer of Household International, Inc. He was executive vice president and chief financial officer of Northwest Industries, Inc. from 1979 to 1983. After graduating from Kent State University in 1962, Mr. Dammeyer began his business career with Arthur Andersen & Co. and was admitted to partnership in 1970. He served as chairman of the firm’s advisory council and a member of the board of directors’ nominating committee. Mr. Dammeyer is a member of the boards of directors of Stericycle, Inc. and Quidel Corporation, in addition to several private companies. He also serves on the School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) Advisory Board of the University of San Diego, the board of directors of High Tech charter schools, and the California Charter Schools Association.

The Board believes that Mr. Dammeyer’s experience in executive positions at a number of public companies, his accounting experience and his experience serving as a director of investment companies benefits the Funds.

Albert R. Dowden, Trustee. Mr. Dowden has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the other Invesco Funds since 2000. Mr. Dowden retired at the end of 1998 after a 24year career with Volvo Group North America, Inc. and Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. Mr. Dowden joined Volvo as general counsel in 1974 and was promoted to increasingly senior positions until 1991 when he was appointed president, chief executive officer and director of Volvo Group North America and senior vice president of Swedish parent company AB Volvo. Since retiring, Mr. Dowden continues to serve on the boards of the Reich & Tang Funds, Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc. and The Boss Group. Mr. Dowden’s charitable endeavors currently focus on Boys & Girls Clubs, where he has been active for many years, as well as several other not-for-profit organizations. Mr. Dowden began his career as an attorney with a major international law firm, Rogers & Wells (1967-1976), which is now Clifford Chance.

The Board believes that Mr. Dowden’s extensive experience as a corporate executive benefits the Funds.

Jack M. Fields, Trustee. Mr. Fields has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the other Invesco Funds since 1997. Mr. Fields served as a member of Congress, representing the 8th Congressional District of Texas from

 

S-20


1980 to 1997. As a member of Congress, Mr. Fields served as Chairman of the House Telecommunications and Finance Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction and oversight of the Federal Communications Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mr. Fields co-sponsored the National Securities Markets Improvements Act of 1996, and played a leadership role in enactment of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. Mr. Fields currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Twenty-First Century Group, Inc. in Washington, D.C., a bipartisan Washington consulting firm specializing in Federal government affairs. Mr. Fields also serves as a Director of Insperity, Inc. (formerly known as Administaff), a premier professional employer organization with clients nationwide. In addition, Mr. Fields sits on the Board of the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational resources to people in need around the world through the use of technology.

The Board believes that Mr. Fields’ experience in the House of Representatives, especially concerning regulation of the securities markets, benefits the Funds.

Dr. Prema Mathai-Davis, Trustee. Dr. Mathai-Davis has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the other Invesco Funds since 1998. Prior to her retirement in 2000, Dr. Mathai-Davis served as Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA of the USA. Prior to joining the YWCA, Dr. Mathai-Davis served as the Commissioner of the New York City Department for the Aging. She was a Commissioner of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York, the largest regional transportation network in the U.S. Dr. Mathai-Davis also serves as a Trustee of the YWCA Retirement Fund, the first and oldest pension fund for women, and on the advisory board of the Johns Hopkins Bioethics Institute. Dr. Mathai-Davis was the president and chief executive officer of the Community Agency for Senior Citizens, a non-profit social service agency that she established in 1981. She also directed the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine-Hunter College Long-Term Care Gerontology Center, one of the first of its kind.

The Board believes that Dr. Mathai-Davis’ extensive experience in running public and charitable institutions benefits the Funds.

Dr. Larry Soll, Trustee. Dr. Soll has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the other Invesco Funds since 1997. Formerly, Dr. Soll was Chairman of the Board (1987 to 1994), Chief Executive Officer (1982 to 1989; 1993 to 1994) and President (1982 to 1989) of Synergen Corp., a public company, and in such capacities supervised the activities of the Chief Financial Officer. Dr. Soll also has served as a director of three other public companies and as a treasurer of a non-profit corporation. Dr. Soll currently serves as a trustee and a member of the Audit Committee of each of the funds within the Invesco Funds.

The Board believes that Dr. Soll’s experience as a chairman of a public company and in academia benefits the Funds.

Hugo F. Sonnenschein, Trustee. Mr. Sonnenschein has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the other Invesco Funds since 2010. Mr. Sonnenschein is the President Emeritus and an Honorary Trustee of the University of Chicago and the Adam Smith Distinguished Service Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Chicago. Prior to July 2000, Mr. Sonnenschein served as President of the University of Chicago. Mr. Sonnenschein is a Trustee of the University of Rochester and a member of its investment committee. He is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Philosophical Society, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. From 1994 to 2010, Mr. Sonnenschein served as Director or Trustee of investment companies in the Van Kampen Funds complex.

The Board believes that Mr. Sonnenschein’s experience in academia and in running a university, and his experience as a director of investment companies benefits the Funds.

Raymond Stickel, Jr., Trustee. Mr. Stickel, Jr. has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the other Invesco Funds since 2005. Mr. Stickel retired after a 35-year career with Deloitte & Touche (the “Firm”). For the last five years of his career, he was the managing partner of the investment management practice for the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut region. In addition to his management role, he directed audit and tax services for several mutual fund clients. Mr. Stickel began his career with Touche Ross & Co. in Dayton, Ohio, became a partner in 1976 and managing partner of the office in 1985. He also started and developed an investment management practice in the Dayton office that grew to become a significant source of investment management talent for the Firm. In Ohio, he served as the audit partner on numerous mutual funds and on public and privately held companies in other industries. Mr. Stickel has also served on the Firm’s Accounting and Auditing Executive Committee.

 

S-21


The Board believes that Mr. Stickel’s experience as a partner in a large accounting firm working with investment managers and investment companies, and his status as an Audit Committee Financial Expert, benefits the Funds.

Suzanne H. Woolsey, Trustee. Ms. Woolsey has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the other Invesco Funds since 2014. Ms. Woolsey is the Chief Executive Officer of Woolsey Partners LLC. She was formerly the chief operating officer and chief communications officer at the National Academy of Sciences and Engineering and Institute of Medicine/National Research Council from 1993 to 2003. Ms. Woolsey served as trustee to the former Van Kampen investment companies from 2003 to 2010. She continued to serve as trustee or managing general partner to certain Invesco closed-end funds, Invesco Senior Loan Fund, and Invesco Exchange Fund following the acquisition of the Van Kampen family of funds in 2010. Ms. Woolsey also served as an independent director to the Fluor Corporation, a multi-billion dollar global engineering, construction, and management company from 2004 to 2014. Additionally, she served as independent director to the Neurogen Corporation, which is a publicly traded small molecule drug design company, from 1998 to 2006.

The Board believes that Ms. Woolsey’s experience as an independent director of numerous organizations benefits the Funds.

Interested Trustees

Martin L. Flanagan, Trustee. Mr. Flanagan has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the other Invesco Funds since 2007. Mr. Flanagan is president and chief executive officer of Invesco Ltd., a position he has held since August 2005. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Invesco Ltd. Mr. Flanagan joined Invesco Ltd. from Franklin Resources, Inc., where he was president and co-chief executive officer from January 2004 to July 2005. Previously he had been Franklin’s co-president from May 2003 to January 2004, chief operating officer and chief financial officer from November 1999 to May 2003, and senior vice president and chief financial officer from 1993 until November 1999. Mr. Flanagan served as director, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Templeton, Galbraith & Hansberger, Ltd. before its acquisition by Franklin in 1992. Before joining Templeton in 1983, he worked with Arthur Andersen & Co. Mr. Flanagan is a chartered financial analyst and a certified public accountant. He serves as vice chairman of the Investment Company Institute and is a member of the executive board at the SMU Cox School of Business.

The Board believes that Mr. Flanagan’s long experience as an executive in the investment management area benefits the Funds.

Philip A. Taylor, Trustee. Mr. Taylor has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the other Invesco Funds since 2006. Mr. Taylor has headed Invesco’s North American retail business as Senior Managing Director of Invesco Ltd. since April 2006. He previously served as chief executive officer of Invesco Trimark Investments since January 2002. Mr. Taylor joined Invesco in 1999 as senior vice president of operations and client services and later became executive vice president and chief operating officer. Mr. Taylor was president of Canadian retail broker Investors Group Securities from 1994 to 1997 and managing partner of Meridian Securities, an execution and clearing broker, from 1989 to 1994. He held various management positions with Royal Trust, now part of Royal Bank of Canada, from 1982 to 1989. He began his career in consumer brand management in the U.S. and Canada with Richardson-Vicks, now part of Procter & Gamble.

The Board believes that Mr. Taylor’s long experience in the investment management business benefits the Funds.

Committee Structure

The Trustees have the authority to take all actions necessary in connection with the business affairs of the Trust, including, among other things, approving the investment objectives, policies and procedures for the Fund. The Trust enters into agreements with various entities to manage the day-to-day operations of the Fund, including the Fund’s investment advisers, administrator, transfer agent, distributor and custodians. The Trustees are responsible for selecting these service providers and approving the terms of their contracts with the Fund, and exercising general oversight of these service providers on an ongoing basis.

 

S-22


Certain trustees and officers of the Trust are affiliated with Invesco and Invesco Ltd., the parent corporation of Invesco. All of the Trust’s executive officers hold similar offices with some or all of the other funds in the Fund Complex.

Leadership Structure and the Board of Trustees. The Board is currently composed of fifteen Trustees, including twelve Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (collectively, the Independent Trustees and each an Independent Trustee). In addition to regularly scheduled meetings per year, the Board holds special meetings or informal conference calls to discuss specific matters that may require action prior to the next regular meeting. As discussed below, the Board has established five committees to assist the Board in performing its oversight responsibilities.

The Board has appointed an Independent Trustee to serve in the role of Chairman. The Chairman’s primary role is to participate in the preparation of the agenda for meetings of the Board and the identification of information to be presented to the Board and matters to be acted upon by the Board. The Chairman also presides at all meetings of the Board and acts as a liaison with service providers, officers, attorneys, and other Trustees generally between meetings. The Chairman may perform such other functions as may be requested by the Board from time to time. Except for any duties specified herein or pursuant to the Trust’s Declaration of Trust or By-laws, the designation of Chairman does not impose on such Independent Trustee any duties, obligations or liability that is greater than the duties, obligations or liability imposed on such person as a member of the Board, generally. The Fund has substantially the same leadership structure as the Trust.

The Board believes that its leadership structure, which includes an Independent Trustee as Chairman, allows for effective communication between the Trustees and Fund management, among the Board’s Trustees and among its Independent Trustees. The existing Board structure, including its committee structure, provides the Independent Trustees with effective control over Board governance while also providing insight from the three interested Trustees who are active officers of the Fund’s investment adviser. The Board’s leadership structure promotes dialogue and debate, which the Board believes will allow for the proper consideration of matters deemed important to the Fund and its shareholders and result in effective decision-making.

Risk Oversight. The Board considers risk management issues as part of its general oversight responsibilities throughout the year at regular meetings of the Investments, Audit, Compliance and Valuation, Distribution and Proxy Oversight Committees (as defined and further described below). These Committees in turn report to the full Board and recommend actions and approvals for the full Board to take.

Invesco prepares regular reports that address certain investment, valuation and compliance matters, and the Board as a whole or the Committees may also receive special written reports or presentations on a variety of risk issues at the request of the Board, a Committee or the Senior Officer. In addition, the Audit Committee of the Board meets regularly with Invesco Ltd.’s internal audit group to review reports on their examinations of functions and processes within Invesco that affect the Fund.

The Investments Committee and its sub-committees receive regular written reports describing and analyzing the investment performance of the Fund. In addition, the portfolio managers of the Fund meet regularly with the sub-committees of the Investment Committee to discuss portfolio performance, including investment risk, such as the impact on the Fund of the investment in particular securities or instruments, such as derivatives. To the extent that the Fund changes a particular investment strategy that could have a material impact on the Fund’s risk profile, the Board generally is consulted in advance with respect to such change.

Invesco provides regular written reports to the Valuation, Distribution and Proxy Oversight Committee that enable the Committee to monitor the number of fair valued securities in a particular portfolio, the reasons for the fair valuation and the methodology used to arrive at the fair value. Such reports also include information concerning illiquid securities within the Fund’s portfolio. In addition, the Audit Committee reviews valuation procedures and pricing results with the Fund’s independent auditors in connection with such Committee’s review of the results of the audit of the Fund’s year-end financial statement.

 

S-23


The Compliance Committee receives regular compliance reports prepared by Invesco’s compliance group and meets regularly with the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer to discuss compliance issues, including compliance risks. The Compliance Committee recommends and the Board adopts compliance policies and procedures for the Fund and approves such procedures for the Fund’s service providers. The compliance policies and procedures are specifically designed to detect, prevent and correct violations of the federal securities laws.

Committee Structure. The standing committees of the Board are the Audit Committee, the Compliance Committee, the Governance Committee, the Investments Committee and the Valuation, Distribution and Proxy Oversight Committee (the Committees).

The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. David C. Arch, James T. Bunch, Bruce L. Crockett, Rodney F. Dammeyer (Vice-Chair), Raymond Stickel, Jr. (Chair), Dr. Larry Soll and Ms. Suzanne H. Woolsey. The Audit Committee’s primary purposes are to: (i) oversee qualifications, independence and performance of the independent registered public accountants; (ii) appoint independent registered public accountants for the Fund; (iii) pre-approve all permissible audit and non-audit services that are provided to the Fund by its independent registered public accountants to the extent required by Section 10A(h) and (i) of the Exchange Act; (iv) pre-approve, in accordance with Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X, certain non-audit services provided by the Fund’s independent registered public accountants to Invesco and certain other affiliated entities; (v) review the audit and tax plans prepared by the independent registered public accountants; (vi) review the Fund’s audited financial statements; (vii) review the process that management uses to evaluate and certify disclosure controls and procedures in Form N-CSR; (viii) review the process for preparation and review of the Fund’s shareholder reports; (ix) review certain tax procedures maintained by the Fund; (x) review modified or omitted officer certifications and disclosures; (xi) review any internal audits of the Fund; (xii) establish procedures regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters and other alleged violations; (xiii) set hiring policies for employees and proposed employees of the Fund who are employees or former employees of the independent registered public accountants; and (xiv) remain informed of (a) the Fund’s accounting systems and controls, (b) regulatory changes and new accounting pronouncements that affect the Fund’s net asset value calculations and financial statement reporting requirements, and (c) communications with regulators regarding accounting and financial reporting matters that pertain to the Fund. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2015, the Audit Committee held seven meetings.

The members of the Compliance Committee are Messrs. Bunch, Dammeyer (Vice-Chair), Dr. Soll (Chair) and Stickel. The Compliance Committee is responsible for: (i) recommending to the Board and the independent trustees the appointment, compensation and removal of the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer; (ii) recommending to the independent trustees the appointment, compensation and removal of the Fund’s Senior Officer appointed pursuant to the terms of the Assurances of Discontinuance entered into by the New York Attorney General, Invesco and INVESCO Funds Group, Inc.; (iii) reviewing any report prepared by a third party who is not an interested person of Invesco, upon the conclusion by such third party of a compliance review of Invesco; (iv) reviewing all reports on compliance matters from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer, (v) reviewing all recommendations made by the Senior Officer regarding Invesco’s compliance procedures, (vi) reviewing all reports from the Senior Officer of any violations of state and federal securities laws, the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, or breaches of Invesco’s fiduciary duties to Fund shareholders and of Invesco’s Code of Ethics; (vii) overseeing all of the compliance policies and procedures of the Fund and their service providers adopted pursuant to Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act; (viii) reviewing all reports made by Invesco’s Chief Compliance Officer; (ix) reviewing and recommending to the independent trustees whether to approve procedures to investigate matters brought to the attention of Invesco’s ombudsman; (x) risk management oversight with respect to the Fund and, in connection therewith, receiving and overseeing risk management reports from Invesco Ltd. that are applicable to the Fund or its service providers; and (xi) overseeing potential conflicts of interest that are reported to the Compliance Committee by Invesco, the Chief Compliance Officer, the Senior Officer and/or the Compliance Consultant. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2015, the Compliance Committee held five meetings.

The members of the Governance Committee are Messrs. Arch, Crockett, Albert R. Dowden (Chair), Jack M. Fields (Vice-Chair), Hugo F. Sonnenschein, Dr. Prema Mathai-Davis and Ms. Woolsey . The Governance Committee is responsible for: (i) nominating persons who will qualify as independent trustees for (a) election as trustees in connection with meetings of shareholders of the Fund that are called to vote on the election of trustees, (b) appointment by the Board as trustees in connection with filling vacancies that arise in between meetings of shareholders; (ii) reviewing the size of the Board, and recommending to the Board whether the size of the Board

 

S-24


shall be increased or decreased; (iii) nominating the Chair of the Board; (iv) monitoring the composition of the Board and each committee of the Board, and monitoring the qualifications of all trustees; (v) recommending persons to serve as members of each committee of the Board (other than the Compliance Committee), as well as persons who shall serve as the chair and vice chair of each such committee; (vi) reviewing and recommending the amount of compensation payable to the independent trustees; (vii) overseeing the selection of independent legal counsel to the independent trustees; (viii) reviewing and approving the compensation paid to independent legal counsel to the independent trustees; (ix) reviewing and approving the compensation paid to counsel and other advisers, if any, to the Committees of the Board; and (x) reviewing as they deem appropriate administrative and/or logistical matters pertaining to the operations of the Board. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2015, the Governance Committee held six meetings.

The Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by a shareholder to serve as trustees, provided: (i) that such person is a shareholder of record at the time he or she submits such names and is entitled to vote at the meeting of shareholders at which trustees will be elected; and (ii) that the Governance Committee or the Board, as applicable, shall make the final determination of persons to be nominated. Notice procedures set forth in the Trust’s bylaws require that any shareholder of the Fund desiring to nominate a trustee for election at a shareholder meeting must submit to the Trust’s Secretary the nomination in writing not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such shareholder meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is made of the shareholder meeting and not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the shareholder meeting.

The members of the Investments Committee are Messrs. Arch, Bunch (Chair), Crockett, Dammeyer (Vice-Chair), Dowden, Fields (Vice-Chair), Martin L. Flanagan, Sonnenschein (Vice- Chair), Stickel, Philip A. Taylor, Wayne W. Whalen, Ms. Woolsey and Drs. Mathai-Davis and Soll. The Investments Committee’s primary purposes are to: (i) assist the Board in its oversight of the investment management services provided by Invesco Ltd. and the Sub-Advisers; and (ii) review all proposed and existing advisory and sub-advisory arrangements for the Fund, and to recommend what action the full Boards and the independent trustees take regarding the approval of all such proposed arrangements and the continuance of all such existing arrangements. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2015, the Investments Committee held six meetings.

The Investments Committee has established three Sub-Committees. The Sub-Committees are responsible for: (i) reviewing the performance, fees and expenses of the funds in the Fund Complex that have been assigned to a particular Sub-Committee (for each Sub-Committee, the “Designated Funds”), unless the Investments Committee takes such action directly; (ii) reviewing with the applicable portfolio managers from time to time the investment objective(s), policies, strategies and limitations of the Designated Funds; (iii) evaluating the investment advisory, sub-advisory and distribution arrangements in effect or proposed for the Designated Funds, unless the Investments Committee takes such action directly; (iv) being familiar with the registration statements and periodic shareholder reports applicable to their Designated Funds; and (v) such other investment-related matters as the Investments Committee may delegate to the Sub-Committee from time to time.

The members of the Valuation, Distribution and Proxy Oversight Committee are Messrs. Dowden, Fields, Dr. Mathai-Davis (Chair) and Sonnenschein (Vice-Chair). The primary purposes of the Valuation, Distribution and Proxy Oversight Committee are: (a) to address issues requiring action or oversight by the Board of the Invesco Funds (i) in the valuation of the Invesco Funds’ portfolio securities consistent with the Pricing Procedures, (ii) in oversight of the creation and maintenance by the principal underwriters of the Invesco Funds of an effective distribution and marketing system to build and maintain an adequate asset base and to create and maintain economies of scale for the Invesco Funds, (iii) in the review of existing distribution arrangements for the Invesco Funds under Rule 12b-1 and Section 15 of the 1940 Act, and (iv) in the oversight of proxy voting on portfolio securities of the Fund; and (b) to make regular reports to the full Board of the Invesco Funds.

The Valuation, Distribution and Proxy Oversight Committee is responsible for: (a) with regard to valuation, (i) developing an understanding of the valuation process and the Pricing Procedures, (ii) reviewing the Pricing Procedures and making recommendations to the full Board with respect thereto, (iii) reviewing the reports described in the Pricing Procedures and other information from Invesco Ltd. regarding fair value determinations made pursuant to the Pricing Procedures by Invesco’s internal valuation committee and making reports and recommendations to the full Board with respect thereto, (iv) receiving the reports of Invesco’s internal valuation

 

S-25


committee requesting approval of any changes to pricing vendors or pricing methodologies as required by the Pricing Procedures and the annual report of Invesco Ltd. evaluating the pricing vendors, approving changes to pricing vendors and pricing methodologies as provided in the Pricing Procedures, and recommending annually the pricing vendors for approval by the full Board; (v) upon request of Invesco, assisting Invesco’s internal valuation committee or the full Board in resolving particular fair valuation issues; (vi) reviewing the reports described in the Procedures for Determining the Liquidity of Securities (the Liquidity Procedures) and other information from Invesco Ltd. regarding liquidity determinations made pursuant to the Liquidity Procedures by Invesco Ltd. and making reports and recommendations to the full Board with respect thereto, and (vii) overseeing actual or potential conflicts of interest by investment personnel or others that could affect their input or recommendations regarding pricing or liquidity issues; (b) with regard to distribution and marketing, (i) developing an understanding of mutual fund distribution and marketing channels and legal, regulatory and market developments regarding distribution, (ii) reviewing periodic distribution and marketing determinations and annual approval of distribution arrangements and making reports and recommendations to the full Board with respect thereto, and (iii) reviewing other information from the principal underwriters to the Invesco Funds regarding distribution and marketing of the Invesco Funds and making recommendations to the full Board with respect thereto; (c) with regard to proxy voting, (i) overseeing the implementation of the Proxy Voting Guidelines (the Guidelines) and the Proxy Policies and Procedures (the Proxy Procedures) by Invesco Ltd. and the Sub-Advisers, reviewing the Quarterly Proxy Voting Report and making recommendations to the full Board with respect thereto, (ii) reviewing the Guidelines and the Proxy Procedures and information provided by Invesco Ltd. and the Sub-Advisers regarding industry developments and best practices in connection with proxy voting and making recommendations to the full Board with respect thereto, and (iii) in implementing its responsibilities in this area, assisting Invesco Ltd. in resolving particular proxy voting issues. The Valuation, Distribution and Proxy Oversight Committee was formed effective January 1, 2008. It succeeded the Valuation Committee which existed prior to 2008. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2015, the Valuation, Distribution and Proxy Oversight Committee held six meetings.

Compensation

Each trustee who is not affiliated with Invesco is compensated for his or her services according to a fee schedule that recognizes the fact that such trustee also serves as a trustee of other Invesco Funds. Each such trustee receives a fee, allocated among the Invesco Funds for which he or she serves as a trustee, that consists of an annual retainer component and a meeting fee component. The Chair of the Board and Chairs and Vice Chairs of certain committees receive additional compensation for their services.

Information regarding compensation paid or accrued for each trustee of the Trust who was not affiliated with Invesco during the year ended December 31, 2013, are as follows:

 

Name

   Aggregate
Compensation from the
Fund(1)(2)
     Total Compensation
from the Fund
Complex(3)
 

Independent Trustees

     

Arch

   $ 6,394       $ 384,500   

Bunch

     1,034         356,800   

Crockett

     1,830         661,000   

Dammeyer

     958         332,100   

Dowden

     1,020         372,900   

Fields

     958         345,700   

Mathai-Davis

     1,034         372,900   

Soll

     1,034         372,900   

Sonnenschein

     6,486         411,700   

Stickel

     1,110         400,100   

Woolsey

     16,983         253,500   

Interested Trustees

     

Flanagan

     0         0   

Taylor

     0         0   

 

(1)  The amounts shown in this column represent the aggregate compensation from the Fund to each Trustee for the Fund’s fiscal ended February 28, 2015.
(2) 

The Fund does not accrue or pay retirement or pension benefits to the Trustees. Pursuant to the retirement plan of certain funds in the Fund Complex, which was amended as of December 31, 2013 to convert to a defined contribution plan, estimated annual

 

S-26


  benefits upon retirement payable by such funds to Trustees is as follows: David C. Arch: $205,000; James T. Bunch: $205,000; Bruce L. Crockett: $205,000; Rodney F. Dammeyer: $205,000; Albert R. Dowden: $205,000; Jack M. Fields: $205,000; Prema Mathai-Davis: $205,000; Larry Soll: $226,779; Hugo F. Sonnenschein: $205,000; and Raymond Stickel, Jr.: $205,000. Such amounts represent the estimated annual benefits payable by such funds upon the Trustees’ retirement and assumes each Trustee will serve until his or her normal retirement date. These amounts are payable by other funds in the Fund Complex and not by the Funds.
(3)  The amounts shown in this column represent the aggregate compensation paid by all of the funds in the Fund Complex as of December 31, 2014. Because the funds in the Fund Complex have different fiscal year ends, the amounts shown in this column are presented on a calendar year basis.

Trustee Beneficial Ownership of Securities

The dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each trustee (i) in the Fund and (ii) on an aggregate basis, in all registered investment companies overseen by the trustee within the Invesco Funds complex, as of December 31, 2014, are as follows:

 

Name

   Fund    Aggregate dollar range
of equity securities in all
registered investment
companies  overseen by
trustee in the Invesco
Fund Complex(1)

Independent Trustees

     

Arch

   $1-$10,000    Over $100,000

Bunch

   —      Over $100,000

Crockett

   —      Over $100,000

Dammeyer

   —      Over $100,000

Dowden

   —      Over $100,000

Fields

   —      Over $100,000

Mathai-Davis

   —      Over $100,000

Soll

   —      Over $100,000

Sonnenschein

   —      Over $100,000

Stickel

   —      Over $100,000

Woolsey

   —      Over $100,000

Interested Trustees

     

Flanagan

   —      Over $100,000

Taylor

   —      $1-$10,000

 

(1)  Includes total amount of compensation deferred by the trustee at his or her election pursuant to a deferred compensation plan. Such deferred compensation is placed in a deferral account and deemed to be invested in one or more of the Invesco Funds.

Pre-Amendment Retirement Plan for Trustees

The Trustees have adopted a retirement plan for the Trustees who are not affiliated with the Adviser. The Trustees also have adopted a retirement policy that permits each non-Invesco-affiliated Trustee to serve until December 31 of the year in which the Trustee turns 75. A majority of the Trustees may extend from time to time the retirement date of a Trustee.

Annual retirement benefits are available from the Fund and/or the other Invesco Funds for which a Trustee serves (each, a Covered Fund), for each Trustee who is not an employee or officer of the Adviser, who either (a) became a Trustee prior to December 1, 2008, and who has at least five years of credited service as a Trustee (including service to a predecessor fund) of a Covered Fund, or (b) was a member of the Board of Trustees of a Van Kampen Fund immediately prior to June 1, 2010 (Former Van Kampen Trustee), and has at least one year of credited service as a Trustee of a Covered Fund after June 1, 2010.

For Trustees other than Former Van Kampen Trustees, effective January 1, 2006, for retirements after December 31, 2005, the retirement benefits will equal 75% of the Trustee’s annual retainer paid to or accrued by any Covered Fund with respect to such Trustee during the twelve-month period prior to retirement, including the amount of any retainer deferred under a separate deferred compensation agreement between the Covered Fund and the Trustee. The amount of the annual retirement benefit does not include additional compensation paid for Board meeting fees or compensation paid to the Chair of the Board and the Chairs and Vice Chairs of certain Board committees, whether such amounts are paid directly to the Trustee or deferred. The annual retirement benefit is payable in quarterly installments for a number of years equal to the lesser of (i) sixteen years or (ii) the number of

 

S-27


such Trustee’s credited years of service. If a Trustee dies prior to receiving the full amount of retirement benefits, the remaining payments will be made to the deceased Trustee’s designated beneficiary for the same length of time that the Trustee would have received the payments based on his or her service or, if the Trustee has elected, in a discounted lump sum payment. A Trustee must have attained the age of 65 (60 in the event of disability) to receive any retirement benefit. A Trustee may make an irrevocable election to commence payment of retirement benefits upon retirement from the Board before age 72; in such a case, the annual retirement benefit is subject to a reduction for early payment.

If the Former Van Kampen Trustee completes at least 10 years of credited service after June 1, 2010, the retirement benefit will equal 75% of the Former “Van Kampen Trustee’s annual retainer paid to or accrued by any Covered Fund with respect to such Trustee during the twelve-month period prior to retirement, including the amount of any retainer deferred under a separate deferred compensation agreement between the Covered Fund and such Trustee. The amount of the annual retirement benefit does not include additional compensation paid for Board meeting fees or compensation paid to the Chair of the Board and the Chairs and Vice Chairs of certain Board committees, whether such amounts are paid directly to the Trustee or deferred. The annual retirement benefit is payable in quarterly installments for 10 years beginning after the later of the Former Van Kampen Trustee’s termination of service or attainment of age 72 (or age 60 in the event of disability or immediately in the event of death). If a Former Van Kampen Trustee dies prior to receiving the full amount of retirement benefits, the remaining payments will be made to the deceased Trustee’s designated beneficiary or, if the Trustee has elected, in a discounted lump sum payment.

If the Former Van Kampen Trustee completes less than 10 years of credited service after June 1, 2010, the retirement benefit will be payable at the applicable time described in the preceding paragraph, but will be paid in two components successively. For the period of time equal to the Former Van Kampen Trustee’s years of credited service after June 1, 2010, the first component of the annual retirement benefit will equal 75% of the compensation amount described in the preceding paragraph. Thereafter, for the period of time equal to the Former Van Kampen Trustee’s years of credited service after June 1, 2010, the second component of the annual retirement benefit will equal the excess of (x) 75% of the compensation amount described in the preceding paragraph, over (y) $68,041 plus an interest factor of 4% per year compounded annually measured from June 1, 2010 through the first day of each year for which payments under this second component are to be made. In no event, however, will the retirement benefits under the two components be made for a period of time greater than 10 years. For example, if the Former Van Kampen Trustee completes 7 years of credited service after June 1, 2010, he or she will receive 7 years of payments under the first component and thereafter 3 years of payments under the second component, and if the Former Van Kampen Trustee completes 4 years of credited service after June 1, 2010, he or she will receive 4 years of payments under the first component and thereafter 4 years of payments under the second component.

Amendment of Retirement Plan and Conversion to Defined Contribution Plan

The Trustees approved an amendment to the Retirement Plan to convert it to a defined contribution benefit plan for active Trustees (the Amended Plan). Under the Amended Plan, the benefit amount was amended for each active Trustee to the present value of the Trustee’s existing retirement plan benefit as of December 31, 2013 (the Existing Plan Benefit) plus the present value of retirement benefits expected to be earned under the Retirement Plan through the end of the calendar year in which the Trustee attained age 75 (the Expected Future Benefit and, together with the Existing Plan Benefit, the Accrued Benefit). On the conversion date, the Covered Funds established bookkeeping accounts of their pro rata share of the Accrued Benefit, which is deemed to be invested in one or more Invesco Funds selected by the participating Trustees. Each Trustee’s Accrued Benefit is not funded and, with respect to the payments of amounts held in the accounts, the participating Trustees have the status of unsecured creditors of the Covered Funds. Trustees will be paid the adjusted account balance under the Amended Plan in quarterly installments for the same period as described above.

Deferred Compensation Agreements

Edward K. Dunn and Carl Frischling (former Trustees of funds in the Invesco Funds complex), Messrs. Bunch, Crockett and Fields and Drs. Mathai-Davis and Soll (for purposes of this paragraph only, the Deferring Trustees) have each executed a Deferred Compensation Agreement (collectively, the Compensation Agreements). Pursuant to the Compensation Agreements, the Deferring Trustees have the option to elect to defer receipt of up to 100% of their compensation payable by the Funds, and such amounts are placed into a deferral account and deemed to be invested in one or more Invesco Funds selected by the Deferring Trustees.

 

S-28


Distributions from these deferral accounts will be paid in cash, generally in equal quarterly installments over a period of up to ten (10) years (depending on the Compensation Agreement) beginning on the date selected under the Compensation Agreement. If a Deferring Trustee dies prior to the distribution of amounts in his or her deferral account, the balance of the deferral account will be distributed to his or her designated beneficiary. The Compensation Agreements are not funded and, with respect to the payments of amounts held in the deferral accounts, the Deferring Trustees have the status of unsecured creditors of the Fund and of each other Invesco Fund from which they are deferring compensation.”

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

Investment Adviser

Invesco serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. The Adviser manages the investment operations of the Fund as well as other investment portfolios that encompass a broad range of investment objectives, and has agreed to perform or arrange for the performance of the Fund’s day-to-day management. The Adviser, as successor in interest to multiple investment advisers, has been an investment adviser since 1976. Invesco is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Invesco Ltd. Invesco Ltd. and its subsidiaries are an independent global investment management group. Certain of the directors and officers of Invesco are also executive officers of the Fund and their affiliations are shown in this Statement of Additional Information

As investment adviser, Invesco supervises all aspects of the Fund’s operations and provides investment advisory services to the Fund. Invesco obtains and evaluates economic, statistical and financial information to formulate and implement investment programs for the Fund. The Fund’s Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) provides that, in fulfilling its responsibilities, Invesco may engage the services of other investment managers with respect to the Fund. The investment advisory services of Invesco are not exclusive and Invesco is free to render investment advisory services to others, including other investment companies.

Pursuant to an administrative services agreement with the Fund, the Adviser is also responsible for furnishing to the Fund the services of persons believed to be competent to perform supervisory and administrative services required by the Fund and that, in the judgment of the Trustees, are necessary to conduct the business of the Fund effectively, as well as the offices, equipment and other facilities necessary for their operations. Such functions include the maintenance of the Fund’s accounts and records, and the preparation of all requisite corporate documents such as tax returns and reports to the SEC and shareholders.

The Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund will pay or cause to be paid all expenses of such Fund not assumed by Invesco, including, without limitation: brokerage commissions, taxes, legal, accounting, auditing, or governmental fees, the cost of preparing share certificates, custodian, transfer and shareholder service agent costs, expenses of issue, sale, redemption and repurchase of shares, expenses of registering and qualifying shares for sale, expenses relating to trustees and shareholder meetings, the cost of preparing and distributing reports and notices to shareholders, the fees and other expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with membership in investment company organizations and the cost of printing copies of prospectuses and statements of additional information distributed to the Fund’s shareholders.

Invesco, at its own expense, furnishes to the Fund office space and facilities. Invesco furnishes to the Fund all personnel for managing the affairs of the Fund.

The Adviser has contractually agreed, through at least June 30, 2016, to waive the advisory fee payable by the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the net advisory fees the Adviser receives from the affiliated money market funds on investments by the Fund of uninvested cash in such affiliated money market funds.

For the year ended February 28, 2015, the Adviser waived advisory fees of $11,990.

 

S-29


Advisory fees paid for the last three fiscal years of the Fund are as follows:

 

Fiscal Year Ended

   Advisory Fees Paid  

February 28, 2015

   $ 18,457,898   

February 28, 2014

   $ 16,681,986   

February 28, 2013

   $ 14,935,291   

Investment Sub-Advisers

Invesco has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with certain affiliates to serve as sub-advisers to the Fund pursuant to which these affiliated sub-advisers may be appointed by Invesco from time to time to provide discretionary investment management services, investment advice, and/or order execution services to the Fund.

These affiliated sub-advisers, each of which is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, are:

Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH (Invesco Deutschland)

Invesco Asset Management Limited (Invesco Asset Management)

Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited (Invesco Japan)

Invesco Hong Kong Limited (Invesco Hong Kong)

Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc. (Invesco Senior Secured)

Invesco Canada Ltd. (Invesco Canada); (each a “Sub-Adviser” and collectively, the “Sub-Advisers”).

Invesco and each Sub-Adviser are indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Invesco Ltd.

The only fees payable to the Sub-Advisers under the Sub-Advisory Agreement are for providing discretionary investment management services. For such services, Invesco (and not the Fund) pays each Sub-Adviser a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, equal to (i) 40% of the monthly compensation that Invesco receives from the Fund, multiplied by (ii) the fraction equal to the net assets of such Fund as to which such Sub-Adviser shall have provided discretionary investment management services for that month divided by the net assets of such Fund for that month. Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, this fee is reduced to reflect contractual or voluntary fee waivers or expense limitations by Invesco, if any, in effect from time to time. In no event shall the aggregate monthly fees paid to the Sub-Advisers under the Sub-Advisory Agreement exceed 40% of the monthly compensation that Invesco receives from the Fund pursuant to its advisory agreement with the Fund, as reduced to reflect contractual or voluntary fees waivers or expense limitations by Invesco, if any.

Invesco did not pay the Sub-Advisers any sub-advisory fees during the last three fiscal years of the Fund.

Securities Lending Arrangements

If the Fund engages in securities lending, Invesco will provide the Fund related investment advisory and administrative services. The Advisory Agreement describes the administrative services to be rendered by Invesco if the Fund engages in securities lending activities, as well as the compensation Invesco may receive for such administrative services. Services to be provided include: (a) overseeing participation in the securities lending program to ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory and investment guidelines; (b) assisting the securities lending agent or principal (the agent) in determining which specific securities are available for loan; (c) monitoring the agent to ensure that securities loans are effected in accordance with Invesco’s instructions and with procedures adopted by the Board; (d) preparing appropriate periodic reports for, and seeking appropriate approvals from, the Board with respect to securities lending activities; (e) responding to agent inquiries; and (f) performing such other duties as may be necessary.

 

S-30


Invesco’s compensation for advisory services rendered in connection with securities lending is included in the advisory fee schedule. As compensation for the related administrative services Invesco will provide, a lending Fund will pay Invesco a fee equal to 25% of the net monthly interest or fee income retained or paid to the Fund from such activities. Invesco currently waives such fee, and has agreed to seek Board approval prior to its receipt of all or a portion of such fee.

Service Agreements

Administrative Services Agreement. Invesco and the Fund have entered into a Master Administrative Services Agreement (Administrative Services Agreement) pursuant to which Invesco may perform or arrange for the provision of certain accounting and other administrative services to the Fund which are not required to be performed by Invesco under the Advisory Agreement. The Administrative Services Agreement provides that it will remain in effect and continue from year to year only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board, including the independent trustees, by votes cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose. Under the Administrative Services Agreement, Invesco is entitled to receive from the Fund reimbursement of its costs or such reasonable compensation as may be approved by the Board. Currently, Invesco is reimbursed for the services of the Fund’s principal financial officer and her staff and any expenses related to fund accounting services.

Administrative services fees paid for the last three fiscal years of the Fund are as follows:

 

Fiscal Year Ended

   Administrative Fees Paid  

February 28, 2015

   $ 237,371   

February 28, 2014

   $ 228,914   

February 28, 2013

   $ 215,931   

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

Transfer Agent

Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”), P.O. Box 43078, Providence, RI 02940-3078 is the transfer agent for the Fund.

The Transfer Agency and Service Agreement (the “TA Agreement”) between the Fund and Computershare provides that Computershare will perform certain services related to the servicing of shareholders of the Fund. Other such services may be delegated or subcontracted to third party intermediaries.

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Custodian”), 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, is custodian of all securities and cash of the Fund. The Bank of New York Mellon, 2 Hanson Place, Brooklyn, New York 11217-1431, also serves as sub-custodian to facilitate cash management.

The Custodian is authorized to establish separate accounts in foreign countries and to cause foreign securities owned by the Fund to be held outside the United States in branches of U.S. banks and, to the extent permitted by applicable regulations, in certain foreign banks and securities depositories. Invesco is responsible for selecting eligible foreign securities depositories and for assessing the risks associated with investing in foreign countries, including the risk of using eligible foreign securities’ depositories in a country. The Custodian is responsible for monitoring eligible foreign securities depositories.

Under its contract with the Fund, the Custodian maintains the portfolio securities of the Fund, administers the purchases and sales of portfolio securities, collects interest and dividends and other distributions made on the securities held in the portfolio of the Fund and performs other ministerial duties. These services do not include any supervisory function over management or provide any protection against any possible depreciation of assets.

 

S-31


Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the financial statements of the Fund. The Audit Committee of the Fund’s Board has appointed, and the Board has ratified and approved, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 1000 Louisiana Street, Suite 5800, Houston, Texas 77002, as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the financial statements of the Fund. The Fund’s audited financial statements incorporated by reference in this SAI and the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP thereon, have been incorporated by reference in this SAI in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

Portfolio Manager Fund Holdings and Information on Other Managed Accounts

Invesco’s portfolio managers develop investment models which are used in connection with the management of certain Invesco funds as well as other mutual funds for which Invesco or an affiliate acts as sub-adviser, other pooled investment vehicles that are not registered mutual funds, and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals. The ‘Investments’ chart reflects the portfolio managers’ investments in the Fund. Accounts are grouped into three categories: (i) investments made directly in the Fund, (ii) investments made in an Invesco pooled investment vehicle with the same or similar objectives and strategies as the Fund, and (iii) any investments made in any Invesco fund or Invesco pooled investment vehicle. The ‘Assets Managed’ chart reflects information regarding accounts other than the Fund for which each portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities. Accounts are grouped into three categories: (i) other registered investment companies, (ii) other pooled investment vehicles and (iii) other accounts. To the extent that any of these accounts pay advisory fees that are based on account performance (performance-based fees), information on those accounts is specifically broken out. In addition, any assets denominated in foreign currencies have been converted into U.S. Dollars using the exchange rates as of the applicable date.

Investments

The following information is as of February 28, 2015:

 

Portfolio Manager

   Dollar Range of
Investments in
the Fund(1)
     Dollar Range of
Investments in Invesco
pooled investment
vehicles(2)
     Dollar Range of all
Investments in the Fund
and Invesco pooled
investment  vehicles(3)
 

Scott Baskind

     None         N/A       $ 500,001-$1,000,000   

Nuno Caetano

     None         N/A         None   

Philip Yarrow

     None         N/A       $ 100,001-$500,000   

 

(1) This column reflects investments in the Fund’s shares beneficially owned by a portfolio manager (as determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a) (2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Beneficial ownership includes ownership by a portfolio manager’s immediate family members sharing the same household.
(2) This column reflects portfolio managers’ investments made either directly or through a deferred compensation or a similar plan in Invesco pooled investment vehicles with the same or similar objectives and strategies as the Fund as of the most recent fiscal year end of the Fund.
(3) This column reflects the combined holdings from both the “Dollar Range of all Investments in Fund and Invesco pooled investment vehicles” and the “Dollar Range of Investments in the Fund” columns.

Assets Managed

The following information is as of February 28, 2015:

 

     Other Registered
Investment Companies
Managed
(assets in millions)
     Other Pooled Investment
Vehicles Managed
(assets in millions)
     Other Accounts
Managed
(assets in millions)(4)
 

Portfolio Manager

   Number of
Accounts
     Assets      Number of
Accounts
     Assets      Number of
Accounts
     Assets  

Scott Baskind

     4       $ 9,470.7         6       $ 6,031.8         33       $ 9,766.1   

Nuno Caetano

     None       $ 0         None       $ 0         None       $ 0   

Philip Yarrow

     3       $ 3,750.1         6       $ 6,031.8         33       $ 9,766.1   

 

(4) These are accounts of individual investors for which Invesco provides investment advice. Invesco offers separately managed accounts that are managed according to the investment models developed by its portfolio managers and used in connection with the management of certain Invesco funds. These accounts may be invested in accordance with one or more of those investment models and investments held in those accounts are traded in accordance with the applicable models.

 

S-32


None of the foregoing accounts paid an advisory fee based on the performance of the account.

Potential Conflicts of Interest

Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one Fund or other account. More specifically, portfolio managers who manage multiple funds and/or other accounts may be presented with one or more of the following potential conflicts:

 

    The management of multiple funds and/or other accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of the Fund and/or other account. The Adviser and each Sub-Adviser seek to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by having portfolio managers focus on a particular investment discipline. Most other accounts managed by a portfolio manager are managed using the same investment models that are used in connection with the management of the funds.

 

    If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity which may be suitable for more than one Fund or other account, the Fund may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible funds and other accounts. To deal with these situations, the Adviser, each Sub-Adviser and the funds have adopted procedures for allocating portfolio transactions across multiple accounts.

 

    The Adviser and each Sub-Adviser determine which broker to use to execute each order for securities transactions for the funds, consistent with its duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, for certain other accounts (such as mutual funds for which Invesco or an affiliate acts as sub-adviser, other pooled investment vehicles that are not registered mutual funds, and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals), the Adviser and each Sub-Adviser may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker. In these cases, trades for the Fund in a particular security may be placed separately from, rather than aggregated with, such other accounts. Having separate transactions with respect to a security may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the possible detriment of the Fund or other account(s) involved.

 

    Finally, the appearance of a conflict of interest may arise where the Adviser or Sub-Adviser has an incentive, such as a performance-based management fee, which relates to the management of one Fund or account but not all funds and accounts for which a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities.

The Adviser, each Sub-Adviser, and the Fund have adopted certain compliance procedures which are designed to address these types of conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.

Description of Compensation Structure

The Adviser and each Sub-Adviser seek to maintain a compensation program that is competitively positioned to attract and retain high-caliber investment professionals. Portfolio managers receive a base salary, an incentive bonus opportunity and an equity compensation opportunity. Portfolio manager compensation is reviewed and may be modified each year as appropriate to reflect changes in the market, as well as to adjust the factors used to determine bonuses to promote competitive Fund performance. The Adviser and each Sub-Adviser evaluate competitive market compensation by reviewing compensation survey results conducted by an independent third party of investment industry compensation. Each portfolio manager’s compensation consists of the following three elements:

Base Salary. Each portfolio manager is paid a base salary. In setting the base salary, the Adviser and each Sub-Adviser’s intention is to be competitive in light of the particular portfolio manager’s experience and responsibilities.

 

S-33


Annual Bonus. The portfolio managers are eligible, along with other employees of the Adviser and each Sub-Adviser, to participate in a discretionary year-end bonus pool. The Compensation Committee of Invesco Ltd. reviews and approves the amount of the bonus pool available considering investment performance and financial results in its review. In addition, while having no direct impact on individual bonuses, assets under management are considered when determining the starting bonus funding levels. Each portfolio manager is eligible to receive an annual cash bonus which is based on quantitative (i.e. investment performance) and non-quantitative factors (which may include, but are not limited to, individual performance, risk management and teamwork).

Each portfolio manager’s compensation is linked to the pre-tax investment performance of the Fund/accounts managed by the portfolio manager as described in the table below.

 

Sub-Adviser

  

Performance time period(5)

Invesco(6)

Invesco Deutschland

Invesco Hong Kong(6)

Invesco Asset Management

   One-, Three- and Five-year performance against Fund peer group.

Invesco- Invesco Real Estate(6),(7)

Invesco Senior Secured(6),(8)

   Not applicable
Invesco Canada(6)    One-year performance against Fund peer group. Three- and Five-year performance against entire universe of Canadian funds.
Invesco Japan(9)    One-, Three- and Five-year performance

 

(5) Rolling time periods based on calendar year-end.
(6) Portfolio Managers may be granted an annual deferral award that vests on a pro-rata basis over a four year period and final payments are based on the performance of eligible Funds selected by the portfolio manager at the time the award is granted.
(7) Portfolio Managers for Invesco Global Real Estate Fund, Invesco Real Estate Fund, Invesco Global Real Estate Income Fund and Invesco V.I. Global Real Estate Fund base their bonus on new operating profits of the U.S. Real Estate Division of Invesco.
(8) Invesco Senior Secured’s bonus is based on annual measures of equity return and standard tests of collateralization performance.
(9) Portfolio Managers for Invesco Pacific Growth Fund’s compensation is based on the one-, three- and five-year performance against the appropriate Micropol benchmark.

High investment performance (against applicable peer group and/or benchmarks) would deliver compensation generally associated with top pay in the industry (determined by reference to the third-party provided compensation survey information) and poor investment performance (versus applicable peer group) would result in low bonus compared to the applicable peer group or no bonus at all. These decisions are reviewed and approved collectively by senior leadership which has responsibility for executing the compensation approach across the organization.

Deferred/Long-Term Compensation. Portfolio managers may be granted an annual deferral award that allows them to select receipt of shares of certain Invesco funds with a vesting period as well as Common Shares and/or restricted shares of Invesco Ltd. stock from pools determined from time to time by the Compensation Committee of Invesco Ltd.’s Board of Directors. Awards of deferred / long-term compensation typically vest over time, so as to create incentives to retain key talent.

Portfolio managers also participate in benefit plans and programs available generally to all employees.

 

S-34


PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE ALLOCATION

Invesco has adopted compliance procedures that cover, among other items, brokerage allocation and other trading practices.

Brokerage Transactions

Placing trades generally involves acting on portfolio manager instructions to buy or sell a specified amount of portfolio securities, including selecting one or more third-party broker-dealers to execute the trades, and negotiating commissions and spreads. Various Invesco Ltd. subsidiaries have created a global equity trading desk. The global equity trading desk has assigned local traders in six primary trading centers to place equity securities trades in their regions. Invesco Advisers’ Americas desk, located in Atlanta, Houston and Toronto (the “Americas Desk”), generally places trades of equity securities trading in North America, Canada and Latin America; the Hong Kong desk of Invesco Hong Kong (the “Hong Kong Desk”) generally places trades of equity securities in the Asia-Pacific markets, except Japan; the Japan trading desk of Invesco Japan generally places trades of equity securities in the Japanese markets; the London trading desk of Invesco Global Investment Funds Limited (the “London Desk”) generally places trades of equity securities in European, Middle Eastern and African countries; the Australia desk, located in Sydney and Melbourne, for the execution of orders of equity securities trading in the Australian and New Zealand markets and the Taipei desk, located in Taipei, for the execution of orders of securities trading in the Chinese market. Invesco, Invesco Canada, Invesco Japan, Invesco Deutschland, Invesco Hong Kong and Invesco Asset Management use the global equity trading desk to place equity trades. Other Sub-Advisers may use the global equity trading desk in the future. The trading procedures for the global trading desks are similar in all material respects.

References in the language below to actions by Invesco or a Sub-Adviser (other than Invesco Canada or Invesco Japan) making determinations or taking actions related to equity trading include these entities’ delegation of these determinations/actions to the Americas Desk, the Hong Kong Desk, and the London Desk. Even when trading is delegated by Invesco or the Sub-Advisers to the various arms of the global equity trading desk, Invesco or a Sub-Adviser that delegates trading is responsible for oversight of this trading activity.

Invesco or a Sub-Adviser makes decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund, selects broker-dealers (each, a “Broker”), effects the Fund’s investment portfolio transactions, allocates brokerage fees in such transactions and, where applicable, negotiates commissions and spreads on transactions. Invesco’s and the Sub-Adviser’s primary consideration in effecting a security transaction is to obtain best execution, which is defined as prompt and efficient execution of the transaction at the best obtainable price with payment of commissions, mark-ups or mark-downs which are reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the Broker. While Invesco or the Sub-Advisers seeks reasonably competitive commission rates, the Fund may not pay the lowest commission or spread available. See “Broker Selection” below.

Some of the securities in which the Fund invests are traded in over-the-counter markets. Portfolio transactions in such markets may be effected on a principal basis at net prices without commissions, but which include compensation to the Broker in the form of a mark-up or mark-down, or on an agency basis, which involves the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions to the Broker, including electronic communication networks. Purchases of underwritten issues, which include initial public offerings and secondary offerings, include a commission or concession paid by the issuer (not the Fund) to the underwriter. Purchases of money market instruments may be made directly from issuers without the payment of commissions.

Historically, Invesco and the Sub-Advisers did not negotiate commission rates on stock markets outside the United States. In recent years many overseas stock markets have adopted a system of negotiated rates; however, a number of markets maintain an established schedule of minimum commission rates.

In some cases, Invesco may decide to place trades on a “blind principal bid” basis, which involves combining all trades for one or more portfolios into a single basket, and generating a description of the characteristics of the basket for provision to potential executing brokers. Based on the trade characteristics information provided by Invesco, these brokers submit bids for executing all of the required trades at the market close price for a specific commission. Invesco generally selects the broker with the lowest bid to execute these trades.

 

S-35


Commissions

Substantially all of the Fund’s trades are effected on a principal basis. Brokerage commissions during the Fund’s last three fiscal years are as follows:

 

Fiscal Year Ended

   Brokerage Commissions  

February 28, 2015

     —     

February 28, 2014

     —     

February 28, 2013

     —     

The Fund does not and will not pay brokerage commissions to Brokers affiliated with the Fund, Invesco, the Sub-Advisers or any affiliates of such entities.

The Fund may purchase or sell a security from or to certain other Invesco funds or other accounts (and may invest in the Affiliated Money Market Funds) provided the Fund follows procedures adopted by the Boards of the various Invesco funds, including the Fund. These inter-fund transactions do not generate brokerage commissions but may result in custodial fees or taxes or other related expenses.

Broker Selection

Invesco’s or the Sub-Adviser’s primary consideration in selecting Brokers to execute portfolio transactions for an Invesco fund is to obtain best execution. In selecting a Broker to execute a portfolio transaction in equity securities for the Fund, Invesco or the Sub-Advisers consider the full range and quality of a Broker’s services, including the value of research and/or brokerage services provided, execution capability, commission rate, and willingness to commit capital, anonymity and responsiveness. Invesco’s and the Sub-Adviser’s primary consideration when selecting a Broker to execute a portfolio transaction in fixed income securities for the Fund is the Broker’s ability to deliver or sell the relevant fixed income securities; however, Invesco and the Sub-Advisers will also consider the various factors listed above. In each case, the determinative factor is not the lowest commission or spread available but whether the transaction represents the best qualitative execution for the Fund. Invesco and the Sub-Advisers will not select Brokers based upon their promotion or sale of shares of funds advised by Invesco and/or the Sub-Advisers.

In choosing Brokers to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund, Invesco or the Sub-Advisers may select Brokers that provide brokerage and/or research services (“Soft Dollar Products”) to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which Invesco and its affiliates have investment discretion. Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, provides that Invesco or the Sub-Advisers, under certain circumstances, lawfully may cause an account to pay a higher commission than the lowest available. Under Section 28(e)(1), Invesco or the Sub-Advisers must make a good faith determination that the commissions paid are “reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided... viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or [Invesco’s or the Sub-Advisers’] overall responsibilities with respect to the accounts as to which [it] exercises investment discretion.” The services provided by the Broker also must lawfully and appropriately assist Invesco or the Sub-Adviser in the performance of its investment decision-making responsibilities. Accordingly, the Fund may pay a Broker commissions higher than those available from another Broker in recognition of the Broker’s provision of Soft Dollar Products to Invesco or the Sub-Advisers.

Invesco and the Sub-Advisers face a potential conflict of interest when they use client trades to obtain Soft Dollar Products. This conflict exists because Invesco and the Sub-Advisers are able to use the Soft Dollar Products to manage client accounts without paying cash for the Soft Dollar Products, which reduces Invesco’s or the Sub-Adviser’s expenses to the extent that Invesco or the Sub-Advisers would have purchased such products had they not been provided by Brokers. Section 28(e) permits Invesco or the Sub-Advisers to use Soft Dollar Products for the benefit of any account it manages. Certain Invesco-managed accounts (or accounts managed by the Sub-Advisers) may generate soft dollars used to purchase Soft Dollar Products that ultimately benefit other Invesco Advisers, Inc.-managed accounts (or Sub-Adviser-managed accounts), effectively cross subsidizing the other Invesco-managed accounts (or the other Sub-Adviser-managed accounts) that benefit directly from the product. Invesco or the Sub-Advisers may not use all of the Soft Dollar Products provided by Brokers through which the Fund effects securities transactions in connection with managing the Fund whose trades generated the soft dollars used to purchase such products.

 

S-36


Invesco presently engages in the following instances of cross-subsidization:

Smaller funds that do not generate significant soft dollar commissions may be cross-subsidized by the larger equity Invesco funds in that the smaller equity funds receive the benefit of Soft Dollar Products for which they do not pay. Certain other accounts managed by Invesco or certain of its affiliates may benefit from Soft Dollar Products services for which they do not pay.

Invesco and the Sub-Advisers attempt to reduce or eliminate the potential conflicts of interest concerning the use of Soft Dollar Products by directing client trades for Soft Dollar Products only if Invesco or the Sub-Adviser concludes that the Broker supplying the product is capable of providing best execution.

Certain Soft Dollar Products may be available directly from a vendor on a hard dollar basis; other Soft Dollar Products are available only through Brokers in exchange for soft dollars. Invesco and the Sub-Adviser use soft dollars to purchase two types of Soft Dollar Products:

 

    proprietary research created by the Broker executing the trade, and

 

    other products created by third parties that are supplied to Invesco or the Sub-Adviser through the Broker executing the trade.

Proprietary research consists primarily of traditional research reports, recommendations and similar materials produced by the in-house research staffs of broker-dealer firms. This research includes evaluations and recommendations of specific companies or industry groups, as well as analyses of general economic and market conditions and trends, market data, contacts and other related information and assistance. Invesco periodically rates the quality of proprietary research produced by various Brokers. Based on the evaluation of the quality of information that Invesco receives from each Broker, Invesco develops an estimate of each Broker’s share of Invesco clients’ commission dollars and attempts to direct trades to these firms to meet these estimates.

Invesco and the Sub-Advisers also use soft dollars to acquire products from third parties that are supplied to Invesco or the Sub-Advisers through Brokers executing the trades or other Brokers who “step in” to a transaction and receive a portion of the brokerage commission for the trade. Invesco or the Sub-Advisers may from time to time instruct the executing Broker to allocate or “step out” a portion of a transaction to another Broker. The Broker to which Invesco or the Sub-Advisers have “stepped out” would then settle and complete the designated portion of the transaction, and the executing Broker would settle and complete the remaining portion of the transaction that has not been “stepped out.” Each Broker may receive a commission or brokerage fee with respect to that portion of the transaction that it settles and completes.

Soft Dollar Products received from Brokers supplement Invesco’s and or the Sub-Advisers’ own research (and the research of certain of its affiliates), and may include the following types of products and services:

 

    Database Services — comprehensive databases containing current and/or historical information on companies and industries and indices. Examples include historical securities prices, earnings estimates and financial data. These services may include software tools that allow the user to search the database or to prepare value-added analyses related to the investment process (such as forecasts and models used in the portfolio management process).

 

    Quotation/Trading/News Systems — products that provide real time market data information, such as pricing of individual securities and information on current trading, as well as a variety of news services.

 

    Economic Data/Forecasting Tools — various macro-economic forecasting tools, such as economic data or currency and political forecasts for various countries or regions.

 

    Quantitative/Technical Analysis — software tools that assist in quantitative and technical analysis of investment data.

 

    Fundamental/Industry Analysis — industry specific fundamental investment research.

 

S-37


    Other Specialized Tools — other specialized products, such as consulting analyses, access to industry experts, and distinct investment expertise such as forensic accounting or custom built investment-analysis software.

If Invesco or the Sub-Advisers determines that any service or product has a mixed use (i.e., it also serves functions that do not assist the investment decision-making or trading process), Invesco or the Sub-Advisers will allocate the costs of such service or product accordingly in its reasonable discretion. Invesco or the Sub-Advisers will allocate brokerage commissions to Brokers only for the portion of the service or product that Invesco or the Sub-Advisers determines assists it in the investment decision-making or trading process and will pay for the remaining value of the product or service in cash.

Outside research assistance is useful to Invesco or the Sub-Advisers because the Brokers used by Invesco or the Sub-Advisers tend to provide more in-depth analysis of a broader universe of securities and other matters than Invesco’s or the Sub-Adviser’s staff follows. In addition, such services provide Invesco or the Sub-Advisers with a diverse perspective on financial markets. Some Brokers may indicate that the provision of research services is dependent upon the generation of certain specified levels of commissions and underwriting concessions by Invesco’s or the Sub-Adviser’s clients, including the Fund. However, the Fund is not under any obligation to deal with any Broker in the execution of transactions in portfolio securities. In some cases, Soft Dollar Products are available only from the Broker providing them. In other cases, Soft Dollar Products may be obtainable from alternative sources in return for cash payments. Invesco and the Sub-Advisers believe that because Broker research supplements rather than replaces Invesco’s or the Sub-Adviser’s research, the receipt of such research tends to improve the quality of Invesco’s or the Sub-Adviser’s investment advice. The advisory fee paid by the Fund is not reduced because Invesco or the Sub-Advisers receives such services. To the extent the Fund’s portfolio transactions are used to obtain Soft Dollar Products, the brokerage commissions obtained by the Fund might exceed those that might otherwise have been paid.

Invesco or the Sub-Advisers may determine target levels of brokerage business with various Brokers on behalf of its clients (including the Fund) over a certain time period. Invesco determines target levels based upon the following factors, among others: (1) the execution services provided by the Broker; and (2) the research services provided by the Broker. Portfolio transactions may be effected through Brokers that recommend the Fund to their clients, or that act as agent in the purchase of the Fund’s shares for their clients, provided that Invesco or the Sub-Advisers believes such Brokers provide best execution and such transactions are executed in compliance with Invesco’s policy against using directed brokerage to compensate Brokers for promoting or selling Invesco fund shares. Invesco and the Sub-Advisers will not enter into a binding commitment with Brokers to place trades with such Brokers involving brokerage commissions in precise amounts.

Directed Brokerage (Research Services)

The Fund did not pay any directed brokerage (research services) during its most recently completed fiscal year.

Regular Brokers

During its last fiscal year, the Fund did not acquire any securities of regular brokers or dealers, as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act.

Allocation of Portfolio Transactions

Invesco and the Sub-Advisers manage numerous Invesco funds and other accounts. Some of these accounts may have investment objectives similar to the Fund. Occasionally, identical securities will be appropriate for investment by one the Fund and by another fund or one or more other accounts. However, the position of each account in the same security and the length of time that each account may hold its investment in the same security may vary. Invesco and the Sub-Adviser will also determine the timing and amount of purchases for an account based on its cash position. If the purchase or sale of securities is consistent with the investment policies of the Fund(s) and one or more other accounts, and is considered at or about the same time, Invesco or the Sub-Adviser will allocate transactions in such securities among the Fund(s) and these accounts on a pro rata basis based on order size or in such other manner believed by Invesco to be fair and equitable. Invesco or the Sub-Adviser may combine

 

S-38


transactions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations to obtain the most favorable execution. Simultaneous transactions could, however, adversely affect the Fund’s ability to obtain or dispose of the full amount of a security which it seeks to purchase or sell.

TAX MATTERS

The following discussion is a brief summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Fund’s Common Shares. Except as otherwise noted, this discussion assumes you are a taxable U.S. person (as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and that you hold your Common Shares as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally, assets held for investment). This discussion is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the regulations promulgated thereunder and judicial and administrative authorities, all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), possibly with retroactive effect. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal concerns affecting the Fund and its Common Shareholders (including Common Shareholders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law). No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to those set forth below. This summary does not discuss any aspects of foreign, state or local tax. The discussions set forth herein and in the Prospectus do not constitute tax advice and potential investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine the specific U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund.

Taxation of the Fund

The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Code. Accordingly, the Fund must, among other things, (i) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from (a) dividends, interest (including tax-exempt 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 gain from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or foreign currencies and (b) net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined in the Code); and (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 RICs 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 RICs) 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.” Generally, a qualified publicly traded partnership includes a partnership the interests of which are traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof) and that derives less than 90% of its gross income from the items described in (i)(a) above.

As long as the Fund qualifies as a RIC, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income and gains that the Fund distributes to its Common Shareholders, provided that it distributes each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of (i) the Fund’s investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest, the excess of any net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss, and other taxable income, other than any net capital gain (defined below), reduced by deductible expenses) determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and (ii) the Fund’s net tax-exempt interest (the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest over certain disallowed deductions). The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of such income each year. The Fund will be subject to income tax at regular corporate rates on any taxable income or gains that it does not distribute to its Common Shareholders.

The Code imposes a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the Fund to the extent the Fund does not distribute by the end of any calendar year at least the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gain or loss) for the calendar year and (ii) 98.2% of its capital gain in excess of its capital loss (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for a one-year period generally ending on October 31 of the calendar year (unless an election is made to use the Fund’s taxable year). In addition, the minimum amounts that must be distributed in any year to avoid the excise tax will be increased or decreased to reflect any under-distribution or over-distribution, as the case

 

S-39


may be, from the previous year. For purposes of the excise tax, the Fund will be deemed to have distributed any income on which it paid U.S. federal income tax. While the Fund intends to distribute any income and capital gain in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% nondeductible excise tax, there can be no assurance that sufficient amounts of the Fund’s taxable income and capital gain will be distributed to avoid entirely the imposition of the excise tax. In that event, the Fund will be liable for the excise tax only on the amount by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.

If for any taxable year the Fund were to fail to qualify as a RIC, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain, which consists of the excess of its net long-term capital gain over its net short-term capital loss) would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to Common Shareholders, and such distributions would be taxable to the Common Shareholders as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits. Such dividends, however, would be eligible (i) to be treated as “qualified dividend income” in the case of Common Shareholders taxed as individuals and (ii) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate Common Shareholders, subject, in each case, to certain holding period and other requirements. To qualify again to be taxed as a RIC in a subsequent year, the Fund would generally be required to distribute to its Common Shareholders its earnings and profits attributable to non-RIC years. In addition, if the Fund failed to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, the Fund would be required to recognize and pay tax on any net built-in gains with respect to certain of its assets (i.e., the excess of the aggregate gains, including items of income, over aggregate losses that would have been realized with respect to such assets if the Fund had been liquidated) or, alternatively, to elect to be subject to taxation on such built-in gain recognized for a period of ten years, in order to qualify as a RIC in a subsequent year.

The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Trust qualifies for taxation as a RIC.

The Fund’s Investments

Certain of the Fund’s investment practices are subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale, short sale and other rules) that may, among other things, (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, including the dividends received deduction, (ii) convert lower taxed long-term capital gains or “qualified dividend income” into higher taxed short-term capital gains or ordinary income, (iii) convert ordinary loss or a deduction into capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (vi) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (vii) produce income that will not be “qualified” income for purposes of the 90% annual gross income requirement described above. These U.S. federal income tax provisions could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to Common Shareholders. The Fund intends to monitor its transactions and may make certain tax elections and may be required to dispose of securities to mitigate the effect of these provisions and prevent disqualification of the Fund as a RIC. Additionally, the Fund may be required to limit its activities in derivative instruments in order to enable it to maintain its RIC status.

The Fund may invest a portion of its net assets in below investment grade securities, commonly known as “junk” securities. Investments in these types of securities may present special tax issues for the Fund. U.S. federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether modifications or exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. These and other issues could affect the Fund’s ability to distribute sufficient income to preserve its status as a RIC or to avoid the imposition of U.S. federal income or excise tax.

Certain debt securities acquired by the Fund may be treated as debt securities that were originally issued at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount is treated as interest income and is included in taxable income (and required to be distributed by the Fund in order to qualify as a RIC or avoid corporate level income or excise taxes) over the term of the security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. If the Fund purchases a debt security on a secondary market at a price lower than its adjusted issue price, the excess of the adjusted issue price over the purchase price is “market discount.” Unless the Fund makes an election to accrue market discount on a current basis, any gain realized on the

 

S-40


disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is generally treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the “accrued market discount” on the debt security. Market discount generally accrues in equal daily installments. If the Fund ultimately collects less on the debt instrument than its purchase price plus the market discount previously included in income, the Fund may not be able to benefit from any offsetting loss deductions.

The Fund may invest in preferred securities or other securities the U.S. federal income tax treatment of which may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the IRS. To the extent the tax treatment of such securities or the income from such securities differs from the tax treatment expected by the Fund, it could affect the timing or character of income recognized by the Fund, requiring the Fund to purchase or sell securities, or otherwise change its portfolio, in order to comply with the tax rules applicable to RICs under the Code.

Gain or loss on the sale of securities by the Fund will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the securities have been held by the Fund for more than one year. Gain or loss on the sale of securities held for one year or less will be short-term capital gain or loss.

Because the Fund may invest in foreign securities, its income from such securities may be subject to non-U.S. taxes. The Fund will not be eligible to elect to “pass through” to Common Shareholders of the Fund the ability to use the foreign tax deduction or foreign tax credit for foreign taxes paid by the Fund with respect to qualifying taxes.

Income from options on individual securities written by the Fund will not be recognized by the Fund for tax purposes until an option is exercised, lapses or is subject to a “closing transaction” (as defined by applicable regulations) pursuant to which the Fund’s obligations with respect to the option are otherwise terminated. If the option lapses without exercise, the premiums received by the Fund from the writing of such options will generally be characterized as short-term capital gain. If the Fund enters into a closing transaction, the difference between the premiums received and the amount paid by the Fund to close out its position will generally be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. If an option written by the Fund is exercised, thereby requiring the Fund to sell the underlying security, the premium will increase the amount realized upon the sale of the security, and the character of any gain on such sale of the underlying security as short-term or long-term capital gain will depend on the holding period of the Fund in the underlying security. Because the Fund will not have control over the exercise of the options it writes, such exercises or other required sales of the underlying securities may cause the Fund to realize gains or losses at inopportune times.

Options on indices of securities and sectors of securities that qualify as “section 1256 contracts” will generally be “marked-to-market” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, the Fund will generally recognize gain or loss on the last day of each taxable year equal to the difference between the value of the option on that date and the adjusted basis of the option. The adjusted basis of the option will consequently be increased by such gain or decreased by such loss. Any gain or loss with respect to options on indices and sectors that qualify as “section 1256 contracts” will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss to the extent of 40% of such gain or loss and long-term capital gain or loss to the extent of 60% of such gain or loss. Because the mark-to-market rules may cause the Fund to recognize gain in advance of the receipt of cash, the Fund may be required to dispose of investments in order to meet its distribution requirements. “Mark-to-market” losses may be suspended or otherwise limited if such losses are part of a straddle or similar transaction.

Taxation of Common Shareholders

The Fund will either distribute or retain for reinvestment all or part of its net capital gain. If any such gain is retained, the Fund will be subject to a corporate income tax on such retained amount. In that event, the Fund expects to report the retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a notice to its Common Shareholders, each of whom, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes as long-term capital gain its share of such undistributed amounts, (ii) will be entitled to credit its proportionate share of the tax paid by the Fund against its U.S. federal income tax liability and to claim refunds to the extent that the credit exceeds such liability and (iii) will increase its basis in its Common Shares by the amount of undistributed capital gain included in such Common Shareholder’s gross income net of the tax deemed paid the shareholder under clause (ii).

 

S-41


Distributions paid to you by the Fund from its net capital gain, if any, that the Fund properly reports as capital gain dividends (“capital gain dividends”) are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held your Common Shares. All other dividends paid to you by the Fund (including dividends from net short-term capital gains) from its current or accumulated earnings and profits (“ordinary income dividends”) are generally subject to tax as ordinary income. Provided that certain holding period and other requirements are met, ordinary income dividends (if properly reported by the Fund) may qualify (i) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders to the extent that the Fund’s income consists of dividend income from U.S. corporations, and (ii) in the case of individual shareholders, as “qualified dividend income” eligible to be taxed at long-term capital gains rates to the extent that the Fund receives qualified dividend income. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations (e.g., generally, foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain countries with a qualifying comprehensive tax treaty with the United States, or whose stock with respect to which such dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States). Capital gain dividends are not eligible for the dividends received deduction or for the reduced rates applicable to qualified dividend income. There can be no assurance as to what portion, if any, of the Fund’s distributions will constitute qualified dividend income.

Any distributions you receive that are in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your adjusted tax basis in your Common Shares, and thereafter as capital gain from the sale of Common Shares (assuming the Common Shares are held as a capital asset). The amount of any Fund distribution that is treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce your adjusted tax basis in your Common Shares, thereby increasing your potential gain or reducing your potential loss on any subsequent sale or other disposition of your Common Shares. In determining the extent to which a distribution will be treated as being made from the Fund’s earnings and profits, the Fund’s earnings and profits will be allocated on a pro rata basis first to distributions with respect to the Fund’s preferred shares, and then to the Fund’s Common Shares.

Common Shareholders may be entitled to offset their capital gain dividends with capital losses. The Code contains a number of statutory provisions affecting when capital losses may be offset against capital gain, and limiting the use of losses from certain investments and activities. Accordingly, Common Shareholders that have capital losses are urged to consult their tax advisers.

Dividends and other taxable distributions are taxable to you even though they are reinvested in additional Common Shares of the Fund. Dividends and other distributions paid by the Fund are generally treated under the Code as received by you at the time the dividend or distribution is made. If, however, the Fund pays you a dividend in January that was declared in the previous October, November or December to common shareholders of record on a specified date in one of such months, then such dividend will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as being paid by the Fund and received by you on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared. In addition, certain other distributions made after the close of the Fund’s taxable year may be “spilled back” and treated as paid by the Fund (except for purposes of the 4% nondeductible excise tax) during such taxable year. In such case, you will be treated as having received such dividends in the taxable year in which the distributions were actually made.

The price of Common Shares purchased at any time may reflect the amount of a forthcoming distribution. Those purchasing Common Shares just prior to the record date of a distribution will receive a distribution which will be taxable to them even though it represents, economically, a return of invested capital.

The Fund will send you information after the end of each year setting forth the amount and tax status of any distributions paid to you by the Fund.

The sale or other disposition of Common Shares will generally result in capital gain or loss to you and will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held such Common Shares for more than one year at the time of sale. Any loss upon the sale or other disposition of Common Shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received (including amounts credited as an undistributed capital gain dividend) by you with respect to such Common Shares. Any loss you recognize on a sale or other disposition of Common Shares will be disallowed if you acquire other Common Shares (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after your sale or exchange of the Common Shares. In such case, your tax basis in the Common Shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

 

S-42


Current U.S. federal income tax law taxes both long-term and short-term capital gain of corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary income. For non-corporate taxpayers, short-term capital gain is currently taxed at rates applicable to ordinary income while long-term capital gain generally is taxed at reduced maximum rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations under the Code.

Certain U.S. shareholders who are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be required to pay a 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which includes dividends received from the Fund and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of the Fund’s shares.

A Common Shareholder that is a nonresident alien individual or a foreign corporation (a “foreign investor”) generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or possibly a lower rate provided by an applicable tax treaty) on ordinary income dividends (except as discussed below). In general, U.S. federal withholding tax and U.S. federal income tax will not apply to any gain or income realized by a foreign investor in respect of any distribution of net capital gain (including amounts credited as an undistributed capital gain dividend) or upon the sale or other disposition of Common Shares of the Fund. Different tax consequences may result if the foreign investor is engaged in a trade or business in the United States or, in the case of an individual, is present in the United States for 183 days or more during a taxable year and certain other conditions are met.

Foreign investors should consult their tax advisers regarding the tax consequences of investing in the Fund’s Common Shares.

For taxable years of a RIC beginning before January 1, 2015 (and, if extended as has happened in the past, for taxable years covered by such extension), ordinary income dividends properly reported by the RIC are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax where they (i) are paid in respect of the RIC’s “qualified net interest income” (generally, its U.S.-source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which the RIC is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income) or (ii) are paid in respect of the RIC’s “qualified short-term capital gains” (generally, the excess of the RIC’s net short-term capital gain over its long-term capital loss for such taxable year). There can be no assurance as to whether this provision will be extended. In addition, even if this provision were extended, depending on its circumstances, the Fund may report all, some or none of its potentially eligible dividends as such qualified net interest income or as qualified short-term capital gains, and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding. In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a foreign investor needs to comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or substitute Form). In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund reports the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain. Foreign investors should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts. There can be no assurance as to what portion of the Fund’s distributions will qualify for favorable treatment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gains if this provision is extended.

Legislation enacted in 2010 and existing guidance issued thereunder require withholding at a rate of 30% on dividends in respect of, and, after December 31, 2016, gross proceeds from the sale of, shares of the Fund held by or through certain foreign financial institutions (including investment funds), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the Treasury to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to shares in, and accounts maintained by, the institution to the extent such shares or accounts are held by certain U.S. persons and by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by U.S. persons and to withhold on certain payments. Accordingly, the entity through which stock of the Fund is held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, dividends in respect of, and, after December 31, 2016, gross proceeds from the sale of, shares of the Fund held by an investor that is a non-financial foreign entity that does not qualify under certain exemptions will be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (i) certifies that such entity does not have any “substantial United States owners” or (ii) provides certain information regarding the entity’s “substantial United States owners,” which the Fund will in turn provide to the Secretary of the Treasury. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, or future Treasury regulations or other guidance, may modify these requirements. The Fund will not pay any additional amounts to stockholders in respect of any amounts withheld. Foreign investors are encouraged to consult with their tax advisers regarding the possible implications of these rules on their investment in the Fund’s shares.

 

S-43


The Fund may be required to withhold (currently at a rate of 28%), for U.S. federal backup withholding tax purposes, a portion of the dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds payable to certain non-exempt Common Shareholders who fail to provide the Fund (or its agent) with their correct taxpayer identification number (in the case of individuals, generally, their social security number) or to make required certifications, or who are otherwise subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that you timely furnish the required information to the IRS.

Ordinary income dividends, capital gain dividends, and gain from the sale or other disposition of Common Shares of the Fund also may be subject to state, local, and/or foreign taxes. Common Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding specific questions about U.S. federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund.

***

The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of certain provisions of the Code and the Treasury Regulations presently in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its shareholders. For complete provisions, reference should be made to the pertinent Code sections and Treasury Regulations. The Code and the Treasury Regulations are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive with respect to Fund transactions. Prospective shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers for more detailed information concerning the tax consequences of an investment in the Fund.

OTHER INFORMATION

Principal Shareholders

As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, to the knowledge of the Fund, no person beneficially owned more than 5% of the voting securities of any class of equity securities of the Fund, except as provided below

 

Title of Class   Name and Address of Beneficial Owner    Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
     Percent of Class  
Common Shares  

First Trust Portfolios L.P.(1)

First Trust Advisors L.P.

The Charger Corporation

120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400

Wheaton, Illinois 60187

     10,725,435         14.48
 

Morgan Stanley(2)

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

1585 Broadway

New York, NY 10036

     7,540,436         10.2
Preferred Shares  

CHARTA, LLC

750 Washington Boulevard

Stamford, CT 06901

Citibank, N.A.

Citicorp

Citigroup Inc.

399 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10022

     1,250         100

 

(1) Based on Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 5, 2015
(2) Based on Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on July 10, 2015

Proxy Voting Policy and Proxy Voting Record

The Board of the Fund has delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Fund to Invesco. Invesco will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, which

 

S-44


have been reviewed and approved by the Board. Invesco’s proxy policies and procedures are attached hereto as Appendix B. The Proxy Voting Policy is subject to change over time and investors seeking the most current copy of the Proxy Voting Policy should go to our web site at www.invesco.com/us.

Any material changes to the proxy policies and procedures will be submitted to the Board for approval. The Board will be supplied with a summary quarterly report of the Fund’s proxy voting record. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies related to their portfolio securities during the twelve-months period ended June 30 is available without charge at our Web site, http://www.invesco.com/us. This information is also available at the SEC Web site, http://www.sec.gov.

Code of Ethics

Invesco, the Fund and the Sub-Advisers each have adopted a Code of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that applies to all Invesco fund trustees and officers, and employees of Invesco, the Sub-Advisers and their affiliates, and governs, among other things, the personal trading activities of all such persons. Unless specifically noted, each Sub-Adviser’s Code of Ethics does not materially differ from Invesco Code of Ethics discussed below. The Code of Ethics is intended to address conflicts of interest with the Fund that may arise from personal trading, including personal trading in most of the Invesco funds. Personal trading, including personal trading involving securities that may be purchased or held by an Invesco fund, is permitted under the Code of Ethics subject to certain restrictions; however, employees are required to pre-clear security transactions with the Compliance Officer or a designee and to report transactions on a regular basis.

These Codes of Ethics can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. Copies of the Codes of Ethics may alternatively be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by sending an electronic request to publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. The Codes of Ethics are also available, free of charge, on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The audited financial statements of the Fund are incorporated herein by reference to the Annual Report to shareholders of the Fund dated February 28, 2015. The Annual Report is included as part of the Fund’s filing on Form N-CSR as filed with the SEC on May 8, 2015. The Annual Report may be obtained by following the instructions on the cover of this SAI. The Annual and Semi-Annual Reports may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC or on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s internet site (www.sec.gov). Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC’s e-mail address (publicinfo@sec.gov) or by writing the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, DC 20549-0102.

 

S-45


Appendix A

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

Standard & Poor’s

A brief description of the applicable Standard & Poor’s rating symbols and their meanings (as published by Standard & Poor’s) follows:

Issue Credit Ratings Definitions

A Standard & Poor’s issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects Standard & Poor’s view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

Issue credit ratings can be either long term or short term. Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days—including commercial paper. Short-term ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.

Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings

Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on Standard & Poor’s analysis of the following considerations:

 

    Likelihood of payment capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;

 

    Nature of and provisions of the obligation, and the promise we impute.

 

    Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.

Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

 

AAA    An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
AA    An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.
A    An obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
BBB    An obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

A-1


BB, B, CCC, CC, and C
   Obligations rated ‘BB’, ‘B’, ‘CCC’, ‘CC’, and ‘C’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘C’ the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB    An obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B    An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CCC    An obligation rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CC    An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The ‘CC’ rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but Standard & Poor’s expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.
C    An obligation rated ‘C’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared to obligations that are rated higher.
D    An obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.
Plus (+) or minus (-)
   The ratings from ‘AA’ to ‘CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
NR    This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor’s does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings
A-1    A short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
A-2    A short-term obligation rated ‘A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

 

A-2


A-3    A short-term obligation rated ‘A-3’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B    A short-term obligation rated ‘B’ is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.
C    A short-term obligation rated ‘C’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
D   

A short-term obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An

obligation’s rating is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

Dual Ratings

Dual ratings may be assigned to debt issues that have a put option or demand feature. The first component of the rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second component of the rating addresses only the demand feature. The first component of the rating can relate to either a short-term or long-term transaction and accordingly use either short-term or long-term rating symbols. The second component of the rating relates to the put option and is assigned a short-term rating symbol (for example, ‘AAA/A-1+’ or ‘A-1+/A-1’). With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, the U.S. municipal short-term note rating symbols are used for the first component of the rating (for example, ‘SP-1+/A-1+’).

Moody’s Investors Service Inc.

A brief description of the applicable Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) rating symbols and their meanings (as published by Moody’s) follows:

Moody’s long-term obligation ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of fixed-income obligations with an original maturity of one year or more. They address the possibility that a financial obligation will not be honored as promised. Such ratings use Moody’s Global Scale and reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial loss suffered in the event of default.

 

Aaa    Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.
Aa    Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
A    Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa    Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium- grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Ba    Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.
B    Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
Caa    Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

 

A-3


Ca    Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C    Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
Note:    Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

Medium-Term Note Ratings

Moody’s assigns long-term ratings to individual debt securities issued from medium-term note (MTN) programs, in addition to indicating ratings to MTN programs themselves. These long-term ratings are expressed on Moody’s general long-term scale. Notes issued under MTN programs with such indicated ratings are rated at issuance at the rating applicable to all pari passu notes issued under the same program, at the program’s relevant indicated rating, provided such notes do not exhibit any of the characteristics listed below:

 

  Notes containing features that link interest or principal to the credit performance of any third party or parties (i.e., credit-linked notes);

 

  Notes allowing for negative coupons, or negative principal;

 

  Notes containing any provision that could obligate the investor to make any additional payments;

 

  Notes containing provisions that subordinate the claim.

For notes with any of these characteristics, the rating of the individual note may differ from the indicated rating of the program.

For credit-linked securities, Moody’s policy is to “look through” to the credit risk of the underlying obligor. Moody’s policy with respect to non-credit linked obligations is to rate the issuer’s ability to meet the contract as stated, regardless of potential losses to investors as a result of non-credit developments. In other words, as long as the obligation has debt standing in the event of bankruptcy, we will assign the appropriate debt class level rating to the instrument.

Market participants must determine whether any particular note is rated, and if so, at what rating level. Moody’s encourages market participants to contact Moody’s Ratings Desks or visit www.moodys.com directly if they have questions regarding ratings for specific notes issued under a medium-term note program. Unrated notes issued under an MTN program may be assigned an NR (not rated) symbol.

Short-Term Ratings

Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs or to individual short-term debt instruments. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.

Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:

 

P-1    Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-2    Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-3    Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short- term obligations.

 

A-4


NP    Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
Note:    Canadian issuers rated P-1 or P-2 have their short-term ratings enhanced by the senior most long-term rating of the issuer, its guarantor or support-provider

Fitch Ratings, Inc.

A brief description of the applicable Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”) rating symbols and their meanings (as published by Fitch) follows:

Long-Term Ratings Scales — Issuer Credit Rating Scales

Rated entities in a number of sectors, including financial and non-financial corporations, sovereigns and insurance companies, are generally assigned Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs). IDRs opine on an entity’s relative vulnerability to default on financial obligations. The “threshold” default risk addressed by the IDR is generally that of the financial obligations whose non-payment would best reflect the uncured failure of that entity. As such, IDRs also address relative vulnerability to bankruptcy, administrative receivership or similar concepts, although the agency recognizes that issuers may also make pre-emptive and therefore voluntary use of such mechanisms.

In aggregate, IDRs provide an ordinal ranking of issuers based on the agency’s view of their relative vulnerability to default, rather than a prediction of a specific percentage likelihood of default. For historical information on the default experience of Fitch-rated issuers, please consult the transition and default performance studies available from the Fitch Ratings website.

AAA: Highest credit quality.

‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA: Very high credit quality.

‘AA’ ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A: High credit quality.

‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB: Good credit quality.

‘BBB’ ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

BB: Speculative.

‘BB’ ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments.

B: Highly speculative.

‘B’ ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

 

A-5


CCC: Substantial credit risk.

Default is a real possibility.

CC: Very high levels of credit risk.

Default of some kind appears probable.

C: Exceptionally high levels of credit risk.

Default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill. Conditions that are indicative of a ‘C’ category rating for an issuer include:

 

    the issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation;

 

    the issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation; or

 

    Fitch Ratings otherwise believes a condition of ‘RD’ or ‘D’ to be imminent or inevitable, including through the formal announcement of a distressed debt exchange.

RD: Restricted default.

‘RD’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased operating. This would include:

 

    the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt;

 

    the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation;

 

    the extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; or

 

    execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations.

D: Default.

‘D’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business.

Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange.

“Imminent” default typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a distressed debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future.

In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency’s opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings, and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer’s financial obligations or local commercial practice.

Note:

The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the ‘AAA’ Long-Term IDR category, or to Long-Term IDR categories below ‘B’.

 

A-6


Short-Term Ratings

A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short term” based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.

F1: Highest short-term credit quality.

Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

F2: Good short-term credit quality.

Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

F3: Fair short-term credit quality.

The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

B: Speculative short-term credit quality.

Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

C: High short-term default risk.

Default is a real possibility.

RD: Restricted default.

Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.

D: Default

Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.

 

A-7


Appendix B

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B-1


LOGO

I.1.       PROXY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – INVESCO ADVISERS

 

Applicable to    All Advisory Clients, including the Invesco Funds
Risk Addressed by Policy    Breach of fiduciary duty to client under Investment Advisers Act of 1940 by placing Invesco personal interests ahead of client’s best interests in voting proxies
Relevant Law and Other Sources    Investment Advisers Act of 1940

Last

¨ Reviewed þ    Revised

by Compliance for Accuracy

   October 21, 2014
Policy/Procedure Owner    Advisory Compliance
Policy Approver    Invesco Advisers, Inc., Invesco Funds Board
Approved/Adopted Date    October 21, 2014

The following policies and procedures apply to all institutional and retail funds and accounts that have explicitly authorized Invesco Advisers, Inc. to vote proxies associated with securities held on their behalf (collectively, “Clients”).

A. GUIDING PRINCIPLES

 

 

Public companies hold meetings for shareholders, during which important issues, such as appointments to the company’s board of directors, executive compensation, and the selection of auditors, are addressed and, where applicable, voted on by shareholders. Proxy voting gives shareholders the opportunity to vote on issues that impact a company’s operations and policies without attending the meetings.

Invesco views proxy voting as an integral part of its investment management responsibilities and believes that the right to vote proxies should be managed with the same high standards of care and fiduciary duty to its Clients as all other elements of the investment process. Invesco’s proxy voting philosophy, governance structure and process are designed to ensure that proxy votes are cast in accordance with Clients’ best interests, which Invesco interprets to mean Clients’ best economic interests, and Invesco’s established proxy voting policies and procedures.

The primary aim of Invesco’s proxy policies is to encourage a culture of performance among the companies in which Invesco invests on behalf of Clients, rather than one of mere conformance with a prescriptive set of rules and constraints. Rigid adherence to a checklist approach to corporate governance issues is, in itself, unlikely to maximize shareholder value.

 

October 2014

I.1 - 1


The proxy voting process at Invesco, which is driven by investment professionals, focuses on the following

 

   

maximizing long-term value for Clients and protecting Clients’ rights and promoting governance structures and practices that reinforce the accountability of corporate management and boards of directors to shareholders;

 

   

reflecting Invesco’s belief that environmental, social and corporate governance proposals can influence long-term shareholder value and should be voted in a manner where such long-term shareholder value is maximized; and

 

   

addressing potential conflicts of interest that may arise from time to time in the proxy voting process.

B. OPERATING PROCEDURES AND RESPONSIBLE PARTIES

 

 

Proxy Administration – In General

Guided by its philosophy that proxy voting is an asset that is to be managed by each investment team, consistent with that team’s view as to the best economic interest of Clients, Invesco has created the Invesco US Proxy Advisory Committee (“IUPAC”). The IUPAC is an investments -driven committee comprised of representatives from each investment management team and Invesco’s Head of Proxy Administration. IUPAC provides a forum for investment teams to monitor, understand and discuss key proxy issues and voting trends within the Invesco complex, and to vote proxies where Invesco as a firm has a conflict of interest with an issuer or an investment professional has a personal conflict of interest with an issuer whose proxy he or she is charged with voting. Absent a conflict of interest, the IUPAC representative for each investment team, in consultation with his or her team, is responsible for voting proxies for the securities the team manages. In addition to IUPAC, the Invesco mutual fund board of trustees provides oversight of the proxy process through quarterly reporting and an annual in-person presentation by the Head of Proxy Administration. IUPAC and Invesco’s proxy administration, compliance and legal teams regularly communicate and review Invesco’s proxy policies and procedures to ensure that they remain consistent with Clients’ best interests, regulatory requirements and industry best practices.

Use of Third Party Proxy Advisory Services

Representatives of the IUPAC have direct access to third party proxy advisory analyses and recommendations (currently provided by Glass Lewis (“GL”) and Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. (“ISS”)), among other research tools, and use the information gleaned from those sources to make independent voting decisions.

Invesco’s proxy administration group performs extensive initial and ongoing due diligence on the proxy advisory firms that it engages. When deemed appropriate, representatives from the firms are asked to deliver updates directly to the mutual fund board of trustees. IUPAC conducts semi-annual, in-person policy roundtables with key heads of research from ISS and GL to ensure transparency, dialogue and engagement with the firms. These meetings provide Invesco with an opportunity to assess the firms’ capabilities, conflicts of interest and service levels, as well as provide investment professionals with direct insight into the advisory firms’ stances on key governance and proxy topics and their policy framework/methodologies. Invesco’s proxy administration team also reviews the annual SSAE 16 reports for, and the periodic proxy guideline updates published by, each proxy advisory firm to ensure that their guidelines remain consistent with Invesco’s policies and procedures.

 

October 2014

I.1 - 2


If Invesco becomes aware of any material inaccuracies in the information provided by ISS or GL, Invesco’s proxy administration team will investigate the matter to determine the cause, evaluate the adequacy of the proxy advisory firm’s control structure and assess the efficacy of the measures instituted to prevent further errors.

ISS and GL provide updates to previously issued proxy reports when necessary to incorporate newly available information or to correct factual errors. ISS also has a Feedback Review Board, which provides a mechanism for stakeholders to communicate with ISS about issues related to proxy voting and policy formulation, research, and the accuracy of data contained in ISS reports.

Proxy Voting Platform and Administration

Invesco maintains a proprietary global proxy administration platform, supported by the Head of Proxy Administration and a dedicated team of internal proxy specialists. The platform streamlines the proxy voting and ballot reconciliation processes, as well as related functions such as share blocking and issuer/shareholder engagement. Invesco believes that managing these processes internally, as opposed to relying on third parties, gives Invesco greater quality control, oversight and independence in the proxy administration process.

The platform also includes advanced global reporting and record-keeping capabilities regarding proxy matters (including reporting by business unit, issuer or issue) that enable Invesco to satisfy client, regulatory and management requirements. Historical proxy voting information, including commentary by investment professionals regarding the votes they cast, is stored in order to build institutional knowledge over time across the Invesco complex with respect to individual companies and proxy issues. Investment professionals also use the platform to access third-party proxy research.

C. Proxy Voting Guidelines (the “Guidelines”)

 

 

The following guidelines describe Invesco’s general positions with regard to various common proxy issues. The guidelines are not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive. As noted above, Invesco’s proxy process is investor-driven, and each investment team retains ultimate discretion to vote proxies in the manner they deem to be the most appropriate, consistent with the proxy voting principles and philosophy discussed above. Individual proxy votes therefore will differ from these guidelines from time to time.

 

  I.

Corporate Governance

Management teams of companies are accountable to the boards of directors and directors of publicly held companies are accountable to shareholders. Invesco endeavors to vote the proxies of companies in a manner that will reinforce the notion of a board’s accountability. Consequently, Invesco generally votes against any actions that would impair the rights of shareholders or would reduce shareholders’ influence over the board.

The following are specific voting issues that illustrate how Invesco applies this principle of accountability.

 

   

Elections of directors In uncontested director elections for companies that do not have a controlling shareholder, Invesco generally votes in favor of slates if they are comprised of at least a majority of independent directors and if the boards’ key committees are fully independent. Key committees include the audit, compensation and governance or

 

October 2014

I.1 - 3


 

nominating Committees. Invesco’s standard of independence excludes directors who, in addition to the directorship, have any material business or family relationships with the companies they serve. Contested director elections are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

 

   

Director performance Invesco generally withholds votes from directors who exhibit a lack of accountability to shareholders, either through their level of attendance at meetings or by adopting or approving egregious corporate-governance or other policies. In cases of material financial restatements, accounting fraud, habitually late filings, adopting shareholder rights plan (“poison pills”) without shareholder approval, or other areas of poor performance, Invesco may withhold votes from some or all of a company’s directors. In situations where directors’ performance is a concern, Invesco may also support shareholder proposals to take corrective actions, such as so-called “clawback” provisions.

 

   

Auditors and Audit Committee members Invesco believes a company’s audit committee has a high degree of responsibility to shareholders in matters of financial disclosure, integrity of the financial statements and effectiveness of a company’s internal controls. Independence, experience and financial expertise are critical elements of a well-functioning audit committee. When electing directors who are members of a company’s audit committee, or when ratifying a company’s auditors, Invesco considers the past performance of the committee and holds its members accountable for the quality of the company’s financial statements and reports.

 

   

Majority standard in director elections The right to elect directors is the single most important mechanism shareholders have to promote accountability. Invesco supports the nascent effort to reform the U.S. convention of electing directors, and generally votes in favor of proposals to elect directors by a majority vote.

 

   

Staggered Boards/Annual Election of Directors Invesco generally supports proposals to elect each director annually rather than electing directors to staggered multi-year terms because annual elections increase a board’s level of accountability to its shareholders.

 

   

Supermajority voting requirements Unless required by law in the state of incorporation, Invesco generally votes against actions that would impose any supermajority voting requirement, and generally supports actions to dismantle existing supermajority requirements.

 

   

Responsiveness of Directors Invesco generally withholds votes for directors who do not adequately respond to shareholder proposals that were approved by a majority of votes cast the prior year.

 

   

Cumulative voting The practice of cumulative voting can enable minority shareholders to have representation on a company’s board. Invesco generally supports proposals to institute the practice of cumulative voting at companies whose overall corporate-governance standards indicate a particular need to protect the interests of minority shareholders.

 

October 2014

 

I.1 - 4


   

Shareholder access On business matters with potential financial consequences, Invesco generally votes in favor of proposals that would increase shareholders’ opportunities to express their views to boards of directors, proposals that would lower barriers to shareholder action and proposals to promote the adoption of generally accepted best practices in corporate governance. Furthermore, Invesco generally votes for shareholder proposals that are designed to protect shareholder rights if a company’s corporate governance standards indicate that such additional protections are warranted.

 

  II. Compensation and Incentives

Invesco believes properly constructed compensation plans that include equity ownership are effective in creating incentives that induce management and employees of companies to create greater shareholder wealth. Invesco generally supports equity compensation plans that promote the proper alignment of incentives with shareholders’ long-term interests, and generally votes against plans that are overly dilutive to existing shareholders, plans that contain objectionable structural features, and plans that appear likely to reduce the value of the Client’s investment.

Following are specific voting issues that illustrate how Invesco evaluates incentive plans.

 

   

Executive compensation Invesco evaluates executive compensation plans within the context of the company’s performance under the executives’ tenure. Invesco believes independent compensation committees are best positioned to craft executive-compensation plans that are suitable for their company-specific circumstances. Invesco views the election of independent compensation committee members as the appropriate mechanism for shareholders to express their approval or disapproval of a company’s compensation practices. Therefore, Invesco generally does not support shareholder proposals to limit or eliminate certain forms of executive compensation. In the interest of reinforcing the notion of a compensation committee’s accountability to shareholders, Invesco generally supports proposals requesting that companies subject each year’s compensation record to an advisory shareholder vote, or so-called “say on pay” proposals.

 

   

Equity-based compensation plans Invesco generally votes against plans that contain structural features that would impair the alignment of incentives between shareholders and management. Such features include the ability to reprice or reload options without shareholder approval, the ability to issue options below the stock’s current market price, or the ability automatically to replenish shares without shareholder approval.

 

   

Employee stock-purchase plans Invesco generally supports employee stock-purchase plans that are reasonably designed to provide proper incentives to a broad base of employees, provided that the price at which employees may acquire stock is at most a 15 percent discount from the market price.

 

   

Severance agreements Invesco generally votes in favor of proposals requiring advisory shareholder ratification of executives’ severance agreements. However, Invesco generally opposes proposals requiring such agreements to be ratified by shareholders in advance of their adoption. Given the vast differences that may occur in these agreements, some severance agreements are evaluated on an individual basis.

 

October 2014

I.1 - 5


III. Capitalization

Examples of management proposals related to a company’s capital structure include authorizing or issuing additional equity capital, repurchasing outstanding stock, or enacting a stock split or reverse stock split. On requests for additional capital stock, Invesco analyzes the company’s stated reasons for the request. Except where the request could adversely affect the Client’s ownership stake or voting rights, Invesco generally supports a board’s decisions on its needs for additional capital stock. Some capitalization proposals require a case-by-case analysis. Examples of such proposals include authorizing common or preferred stock with special voting rights, or issuing additional stock in connection with an acquisition.

 

IV. Mergers, Acquisitions and Other Corporate Actions

Issuers occasionally require shareholder approval to engage in certain corporate actions such as mergers, acquisitions, name changes, dissolutions, reorganizations, divestitures and reincorporations and the votes for these types of corporate actions are generally determined on a case-by-case basis.

 

V. Anti-Takeover Measures

Practices designed to protect a company from unsolicited bids can adversely affect shareholder value and voting rights, and they potentially create conflicts of interests among directors, management and shareholders. Except under special issuer-specific circumstances, Invesco generally votes to reduce or eliminate such measures. These measures include adopting or renewing “poison pills”, requiring supermajority voting on certain corporate actions, classifying the election of directors instead of electing each director to an annual term, or creating separate classes of common or preferred stock with special voting rights. Invesco generally votes against management proposals to impose these types of measures, and generally votes for shareholder proposals designed to reduce such measures. Invesco generally supports shareholder proposals directing companies to subject their anti-takeover provisions to a shareholder vote.

 

VI. Environmental, Social and Corporate Responsibility Issues

Invesco believes that a company’s response to environmental, social and corporate responsibility issues and the risks attendant to them can have a significant effect on its long-term shareholder value. Invesco recognizes that to manage a corporation effectively, directors and management must consider not only the interest of shareholders, but also the interests of employees, customers, suppliers and creditors, among others. While Invesco generally affords management discretion with respect to the operation of a company’s business, Invesco will evaluate such proposals on a case-by-case basis and will vote proposals relating to these issues in a manner intended to maximize long-term shareholder value.

 

VII. Routine Business Matters

Routine business matters rarely have the potential to have a material effect on the economic prospects of Clients’ holdings, so Invesco generally supports a board’s discretion on these items. However, Invesco generally votes against proposals where there is insufficient information to make a decision about the nature of the proposal. Similarly, Invesco generally votes against proposals to conduct other unidentified business at shareholder meetings.

 

October 2014

I.1 - 6


D.

EXCEPTIONS

 

 

Client Maintains Right to Vote Proxies

In the case of institutional or sub-advised Clients, Invesco will vote the proxies in accordance with these Guidelines unless the Client retains, in writing, the right to vote or the named fiduciary of a Client (e.g., the plan sponsor of an ERISA Client) retains in writing the right to direct the plan trustee or a third party to vote proxies.

Voting for Certain Investment Strategies

For proxies held by certain Client accounts managed in accordance with fixed income, money market and index strategies, Invesco will typically vote in line with the majority of the rest of the shares voted by Invesco outside of those strategies (“Majority Voting”). In this manner Invesco seeks to leverage the expertise and comprehensive proxy voting reviews conducted by teams employing active equity strategies, which typically incorporate analysis of proxy issues as a core component of the investment process. Portfolio managers for accounts employing Majority Voting still retain full discretion to override Majority Voting and to vote the shares as they determine to be in the best interest of Clients, absent certain types of conflicts of interest, which are discussed elsewhere in these policies and procedures.

Proxy Constraints

In certain circumstances, Invesco may refrain from voting where the economic or other opportunity cost of voting a company’s proxy exceeds any anticipated benefits of that proxy proposal. In addition, there may be instances in which Invesco is unable to vote all of its Clients’ proxies despite using commercially reasonable efforts to do so. Particular examples of such instances include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

When securities are participating in an Invesco securities lending program, Invesco determines whether to terminate the loan by weighing the benefit to the Client of voting a particular proxy versus the revenue lost by terminating the loan and recalling the securities.

 

   

In some countries the exercise of voting rights requires the Client to submit to “share-blocking.” Invesco generally refrains from voting proxies in share-blocking countries unless the portfolio manager determines that the benefit to the Client(s) of voting a specific proxy outweighs the Client’s temporary inability to sell the security.

 

   

An inability to receive proxy materials from our Clients’ custodians with sufficient time and information to make an informed voting decision.

 

   

Some non-U.S. companies require a representative to attend meetings in person in order to vote a proxy. In such cases, Invesco may determine that the costs of sending a representative or signing a power-of-attorney outweigh the benefit of voting a particular proxy.

In the great majority of instances Invesco is able to vote U.S. and non-U.S. proxies successfully. It is important to note that Invesco makes voting decisions for non-U.S. issuers using these Guidelines as its framework, but also takes into account the corporate

 

October 2014

I.1 - 7


governance standards, regulatory environment and generally reasonable and governance-minded practices of the local market.

 

E.

Resolving potential conflicts of interest

 

 

Firm Level Conflicts of Interest

A potential conflict of interest arises when Invesco votes a proxy for an issuer with which it also maintains a material business relationship. Examples could include issuers that are distributors of Invesco’s products, or issuers that employ Invesco to manage portions of their retirement plans or treasury accounts.

Invesco generally resolves such potential conflicts in one of the following ways: (1) if the proposal that gives rise to the potential conflict is specifically addressed by the Guidelines, Invesco may vote the proxy in accordance with the predetermined Guidelines; (2) Invesco may engage an independent third party to determine how the proxy should be voted; or (3) Invesco may establish an ethical wall or other informational barrier between the persons involved in the potential conflict and the persons making the proxy-voting decision in order to insulate the potential conflict from the decision makers.

Because the Guidelines are pre-determined and crafted to be in the best economic interest of Clients, applying the Guidelines to vote Client proxies should, in most instances, adequately resolve any potential conflict of interest. As an additional safeguard against potential conflicts, persons from Invesco’s marketing, distribution and other customer-facing functions are not members of IUPAC.

Voting of Proxies Related to Invesco Ltd. In order to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest, Invesco will not vote proxies issued by, or related to matters involving, Invesco Ltd. that may be held by Clients from time to time.

Personal Conflicts of Interest If any member of IUPAC has a personal conflict of interest with respect to a company or an issue presented for voting, that IUPAC member will inform IUPAC of such conflict and will abstain from voting on that company or issue. All IUPAC members shall sign an annual conflicts of interest memorandum.

Funds of Funds Some Invesco Funds offering diversified asset allocation within one investment vehicle own shares in other Invesco Funds. A potential conflict of interest could arise if an underlying Invesco Fund has a shareholder meeting with any proxy issues to be voted on, because Invesco’s asset-allocation funds or target-maturity funds may be large shareholders of the underlying fund. In order to avoid any potential for a conflict, the asset-allocation funds and target maturity funds vote their shares in the same proportion as the votes of the external shareholders of the underlying fund.

F. RECORDKEEPING

 

 

The Investments Administration team will be responsible for all Proxy Voting record keeping.

 

G.

Policies and Vote Disclosure

 

 

 

October 2014

I.1 - 8


A copy of these Guidelines and the voting record of each Invesco Retail Fund are available on Invesco’s web site, www.invesco.com. In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, all Invesco Funds file a record of all proxy-voting activity for the prior 12 months ending June 30th. That filing is made on or before August 31st of each year. In the case of institutional and sub-advised Clients, Clients may obtain information about how Invesco voted proxies on their behalf by contacting their client services representative.

 

October 2014

I.1 - 9


PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 25. Financial Statements And Exhibits

 

(1)   Financial Statements
  Incorporated by reference into Part B of the Registration Statement, as described in the Statement of Additional Information, are the Registrant’s audited financial statements, notes to such financial statements and the report of independent registered public accounting firm thereon, by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report for the period ended February 28, 2015, as contained in the Registrant’s Form N-CSR filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on May 8, 2015.
(2)   Exhibits
  (a)   Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Registrant, dated May 15, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 77Q1(a) to Registrant’s report on Form N-SAR-B filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2013)
  (b)   (i)   Amended and Restated By-Laws of Registrant, adopted effective August 29, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 77Q1(a) to Registrant’s report on Form N-SAR-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 30, 2014)
    (ii)   (1)   Statement of Preferences of Variable Rate Term Preferred Shares, dated August 29, 2013 (filed herewith)
      (2)   Amendment No. 1 to Statement of Preferences, dated August 27, 2014 (filed herewith)
  (c)   Not applicable
  (d)   Not applicable
  (e)   Dividend Reinvestment Plan of Registrant (filed herewith)
  (f)   Not applicable
  (g)   (i)   (1)   Master Investment Advisory Agreement, dated June 1, 2010, between the Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 77Q1(e) to Registrant’s report on Form N-SAR-B filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 29, 2010)
      (2)   Amendment No. 1 to Master Investment Advisory Agreement, dated December 3, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 77Q1(e) to Registrant’s report on Form N-SAR-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 30, 2013)
    (ii)   (1)   Master Intergroup Sub-Advisory Contract, dated June 1, 2010, between Invesco Advisers, Inc. and each of Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, Invesco Asset Management Ltd., Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited, Invesco Hong Kong Limited, Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc. and Invesco Trimark Ltd (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 77Q1(e) to Registrant’s report on Form N-SAR-B filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 29, 2010)
      (2)   Amendment No. 1 to Master Intergroup Sub-Advisory Contract, dated December 3, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 77Q1(e) to Registrant’s report on Form N-SAR-B filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2014)


(h) Form of Underwriting Agreement/Sales Agreement (to be filed by post-effective amendment)
(i) (i) Form of AIM Funds Retirement Plan for Eligible Directors/Trustees, as approved by the Board of Directors/Trustees on December 31, 2010 (incorporated into this filing by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 116 to AIM Investment Funds (Invesco Investment Funds)’s registration statement filed on September 23, 2011)
(ii) Form of Invesco Funds Trustee Deferred Compensation Agreement as approved by the Board of Directors/Trustees on December 31, 2010 (incorporated into this filing by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 116 to AIM Investment Funds (Invesco Investment Funds)’s registration statement filed on September 23, 2011)
(j) Amended and Restated Master Custodian Contract, dated June 1, 2010, between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (filed herewith)
(k) (i) Memorandum of Agreement (Advisory Fee Waivers), effective May 15, 2012, between Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 77Q1(e) to Registrant’s report on Form N-SAR-B filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2015)
(ii) (1) Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated January 1, 2002, between Registrant and Computershare EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. and EquiServe, Inc. ((incorporated into this filing by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No.1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, filed May 25, 2007 (File Nos. 333-141816 and 811-22043
(2) Amendment No. 1 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated January 20, 2009 (filed herewith)
(3) Letter Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated June 1, 2010 (filed herewith)
(4) Amendment No. 2 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated January 23, 2012 (filed herewith)
(5) Notice of Assignment of Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated July 24, 2012 (filed herewith)
(6) Amendment No. 3 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated December 3, 2012 (filed herewith)
(iii) (1) Master Administrative Services Agreement, dated June 1, 2010, between Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (filed herewith)
(2) Amendment No. 1 to Master Administrative Services Agreement, dated July 1, 2012 (filed herewith)
(3) Amendment No. 2 to Master Administrative Services Agreement, dated December 3, 2012 (filed herewith)
(iv) (1) Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of August 20, 2010 (filed herewith)
(2) Amendment No. 1 to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated February 15, 2011 (filed herewith)
(3) Amendment No. 2 to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated August 18, 2011 (filed herewith)
(4) Amendment No. 3 to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated August 16, 2012 (filed herewith)
(5) Amendment No. 4 to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated December 3, 2012 (filed herewith)
(6) Amendment No. 5 to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated August 14, 2013 (filed herewith)
(7) Amendment No. 6 to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated August 29, 2013 (filed herewith)
(8) Amendment No. 7 to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated August 27, 2014 (filed herewith)


      (9)   Control and Collateral Agency Agreement, dated as of August 20, 2010 (filed herewith)
      (10)   Amendment No. 1 to Control and Collateral Agency Agreement, dated February 15, 2011 (filed herewith)
      (11)   Amendment No. 2 to Control and Collateral Agency Agreement, dated December 3, 2012 (filed herewith)
  (l)   Opinion and Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (to be filed by pre-effective amendment)
  (m)   Not applicable
  (n)   (i)   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (filed herewith)
  (o)   Not applicable
  (p)   Not applicable
  (q)   Not applicable
  (r)   (i)   Invesco Advisers, Inc. Code of Ethics, amended January 1, 2015, relating to Invesco Advisers, Inc. and any of its subsidiaries (filed herewith)
    (ii)   Invesco UK Code of Ethics, dated 2014, relating to Invesco Asset Management Limited (filed herewith)
    (iii)   Invesco Ltd. Code of Conduct, dated October 2014, relating to Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited (filed herewith)
    (iv)   Invesco Staff Ethics and Personal Share Dealing, and Hong Kong Limited Policy on Gifts and Entertainment, dated February 2014, and Invesco Hong Kong Limited Code of Ethics dated January 1, 2015, relating to Invesco Hong Kong Limited (filed herewith)
    (v)   Invesco Ltd. Code of Conduct, revised October 2014, Policy No. D-6 Gifts and Entertainment, revised May 2014, and Policy No. D-7 Personal Trading Policy, revised July 2014, together the Code of Ethics relating to Invesco Canada Ltd (filed herewith)
    (vi)   Invesco EMEA-EX UK Employees Code of Ethics dated 2014, relating to Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH. (filed herewith)
    (vii)   Invesco Senior Secured Management Code of Ethics Policy, revised March 4, 2014 and Invesco Advisers, Inc. Code of Ethics, amended January 1, 2015 (filed herewith)
  (s)   Powers of Attorney (filed herewith)

Item 26. Marketing Arrangements

Reference is made to Exhibit (h) to this Registration Statement to be filed by further amendment.


Item 27. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with the offering described in this Registration Statement:

 

NYSE Listing Fees

   $            

SEC Registration Fees

   $                

Printing/Engraving Expenses

   $                

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees

   $                

Legal Fees

   $                

FINRA Fees

   $                

Miscellaneous

   $                
  

 

 

 

Total

   $                

Item 28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant

None

Item 29. Number of Holders of Securities

 

Title of Class    Number of Record Shareholders as
of             , 2015

Item 30. Indemnification

Indemnification provisions for officers, trustees and employees of the Registrant are set forth in Article VIII of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated May 15, 2012, and Article VIII of its Amended and Restated Bylaws, and are hereby incorporated by reference. See Item 25(2)(a) and 25(2)(b) above. Under the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust:

“A Trustee or officer of the Trust, when acting in such capacity, shall not be personally liable to any person for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust or any Trustee or officer of the Trust; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall protect any Trustee or officer against any liability to the Trust or to Shareholders to which the Trustee 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 or her office with the Trust.”

“Every Covered Person shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware Act, the Bylaws and other applicable law.”

“In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder of the Trust shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder of the Trust and not because of his acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives, or, in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or general successor) shall be entitled, out of the Trust’s assets, to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability in accordance with the Bylaws and applicable law. The Trust, on its own behalf, shall upon request by the Shareholder, assume the defense of any such claim made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Trust.”

The Registrant and other investment companies and their respective officers and trustees are insured under a joint Mutual Fund Directors and Officers Liability Policy, issued by ICI Mutual Insurance Company and certain other domestic insurers, with limits up to $80,000,000 (plus an additional $20,000,000 limit that applies to independent directors/trustees only).

Section 16 of the Master Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc. (Invesco) provides that:

“In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of obligations or duties hereunder on the part of the Adviser or any of its officers, directors or employees, the Adviser shall not be subject to liability to the Trust or to the Funds or to any shareholder of the Trust for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security.”


Section 10 of the Master Intergroup Sub-Advisory Contract (the Sub-Advisory Contract) between Invesco, on behalf of Registrant, and each of Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, Invesco Asset Management Limited, Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited, Invesco Hong Kong Limited, Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc. and Invesco Canada Ltd. (each a Sub-Adviser, collectively the Sub-Advisers) provides that:

“No Sub-Adviser shall be liable for any costs or liabilities arising from any error of judgment or mistake of law or any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the matters to which this Contract relates except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of such Sub-Adviser in the performance by such Sub-Adviser of its duties or from reckless disregard by such Sub-Adviser of its obligations and duties under this Contract. Any person, even though also an officer, partner, employee, or agent of a Sub-Adviser, who may be or become a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering services to the Trust or acting with respect to any business of the Trust, to be rendering such service to or acting solely for the the Trust and not as an officer, partner, employee, or agent or one under the control or direction of such Sub-Adviser even though paid by it.”

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser

The only employment of a substantial nature of Invesco Adviser’s directors and officers is with the Advisers and its affiliated companies. For information as to the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature of each of the officers and directors of Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, Invesco Asset Management Limited, Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited, Invesco Hong Kong Limited, Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc. and Invesco Canada Ltd. (each a Sub-Adviser, collectively the Sub-Advisers) reference is made to Form ADV filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 by each Sub-Adviser herein incorporated by reference. Reference is also made to the caption “Fund Management – The Advisers” in the Prospectuses which comprises Part A of this Registration Statement, and to the caption “Investment Advisory and Other Services” of the Statement of Additional Information which comprises Part B of this Registration Statement.

Item 32. Location of Accounts and Records

Invesco Advisers, Inc., 1555 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309, maintains physical possession of each such account, book or other document of the Registrant at the Registrant’s principal executive offices, 1555 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309, except for those maintained at its Houston offices, 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1000, Houston, Texas 77046-1173, or at its Louisville, Kentucky offices, 400 West Market Street, Suite 3300, Louisville, KY 40202, or at the offices of Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc., 1166 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036, and except for those relating to certain transactions in portfolio securities that are maintained by the Registrant’s Custodian, State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110 and the Registrant’s Transfer Agent and Dividend Paying Agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., 250 Royall Street, Canton, MA, 02021.

Records may also be maintained at the offices of:

Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH

An der Welle 5

1st Floor

Frankfurt, Germany 60322


Invesco Asset Management Ltd.

Perpetual Park

Perpetual Park Drive

Henley-on-Thames

Oxfordshire RG91HH

United Kingdom

Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited

Roppongi Hills Mori Tower 14F

6-10-1 Roppongi

Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-6114

Invesco Hong Kong Limited

41/F Citibank Tower

3 Garden Road, Central

Hong Kong

Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc.

1166 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Invesco Canada Ltd.

5140 Yonge Street

Suite 800

Toronto, Ontario

Canada M2N 6X7

Invesco PowerShares Capital Management LLC

3500 Lacey Road

Suite 700

Downers Grove, IL 60515

Item 33. Management Services

Not applicable.

Item 34. Undertakings

 

1. Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of Common Shares until the prospectus is amended, if subsequent to the effective date of this registration statement, its net asset value declines more than ten percent from its net asset value, as of the effective date of the registration statement or its net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the prospectus.

 

2. Not applicable.

 

3. Not applicable.

 

4. Registrant undertakes:

 

  (a) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

  (1) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

  (2) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; and

 


  (3) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

 

  (b) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of those securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and

 

  (c) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering;

 

  (d) that, for the purpose of determining liability under the 1933 Act to any purchaser, if the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C: Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 497(b), (c), (d) or (e) under the 1933 Act as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A under the 1933 Act, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

 

  (e) that for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the 1933 Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities: The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to the purchaser:

 

  (1) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act;

 

  (2) the portion of any advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the 1933 Act relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

 

  (3) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

 

5. Registrant undertakes that:

 

  (a) for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant under Rule 497(h) under the 1933 Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and

 

  (b) for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

6. Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, any Statement of Additional Information.


SIGNATURES

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed on behalf of the Registrant, in the City of Atlanta, State of Georgia, on the 20th day of July, 2015.

 

INVESCO DYNAMIC CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND
By:  

/s/ Philip A. Taylor

  Philip A. Taylor
  Trustee, President and Principal Executive Officer

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities set forth below on the 20th day of July, 2015.

 

Signatures

  

Title

   
Principal Executive Officer:     

/s/ Philip A. Taylor

    
Philip A. Taylor   

Trustee, President and Principal Executive

Officer

 

Principal Financial Officer:

 

/s/ Sheri Morris

    
Sheri Morris    Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer  
Trustees:     

/s/ Martin L. Flanagan*

    
Martin L. Flanagan    Trustee  

/s/ Bruce L. Crockett*

    
Bruce L. Crockett    Trustee  

/s/ David C. Arch*

    
David C. Arch    Trustee  

/s/ James T. Bunch*

    
James T. Bunch    Trustee  

/s/ Rodney F. Dammeyer*

    
Rodney F. Dammeyer    Trustee  

/s/ Albert R. Dowden*

    
Albert R. Dowden    Trustee  

/s/ Jack M. Fields*

    
Jack M. Fields    Trustee  

/s/ Prema Mathai-Davis*

    
Prema Mathai-Davis    Trustee  

/s/ Larry Soll*

    
Larry Soll    Trustee  


/s/ Hugo F. Sonnenschein*

Hugo F. Sonnenschein Trustee

/s/ Raymond Stickel, Jr. *

Raymond Stickel, Jr. Trustee

/s/ Suzanne H. Woolsey*

Suzanne H. Woolsey Trustee

 

* Signed by John M. Zerr, pursuant to a power of attorney dated May 20, 2015, and filed herewith.

 

By:

/s/ John M. Zerr

John M. Zerr
Attorney-In-Fact
July 20, 2015


EXHIBITS TO FORM N-2

INVESCO DYNAMIC CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND

 

Exhibit

Number

    

(b)(ii)(1)

   Statement of Preferences of Variable Rate Term Preferred Shares, dated August 29, 2013

(b)(ii)(2)

   Amendment No. 1 to Statement of Preferences, dated August 27, 2014

(e)

   Dividend Reinvestment Plan of Registrant

(j)

   Amended and Restated Master Custodian Contract, dated June 1, 2010, between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company

(k)(ii)(2)

   Amendment No. 1 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated January 20, 2009

(k)(ii)(3)

   Letter Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated June 1, 2010

(k)(ii)(4)

   Amendment No. 2 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated January 23, 2012

(k)(ii)(5)

   Notice of Assignment of Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated July 24, 2012

(k)(ii)(6)

   Amendment No. 3 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated December 3, 2012

(k)(iii)(1)

   Master Administrative Services Agreement, dated June 1, 2010, between Registrant and Invesco Advisers, Inc.

(k)(iii)(2)

   Amendment No. 1 to Master Administrative Services Agreement, dated July 1, 2012

(k)(iii)(3)

   Amendment No. 2 to Master Administrative Services Agreement, dated December 3, 2012

(k)(iv)(1)

   Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of August 20, 2010

(k)(iv)(2)

   Amendment No. 1 to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated February 15, 2011

(k)(iv)(3)

   Amendment No. 2 to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated August 18, 2011

(k)(iv)(4)

   Amendment No. 3 to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated August 16, 2012

(k)(iv)(5)

   Amendment No. 4 to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated December 3, 2012

(k)(iv)(6)

   Amendment No. 5 to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated August 14, 2013

(k)(iv)(7)

   Amendment No. 6 to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated August 29, 2013

(k)(iv)(8)

   Amendment No. 7 to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated August 27, 2014

(k)(iv)(9)

   Control and Collateral Agency Agreement, dated as of August 20, 2010

(k)(iv)(10)

   Amendment No. 1 to Control and Collateral Agency Agreement, dated February 15, 2011

(k)(iv)(11)

   Amendment No. 2 to Control and Collateral Agency Agreement, dated December 3, 2012

(n)(i)

   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

(r)(i)

   Invesco Advisers, Inc. Code of Ethics, amended January 1, 2015, relating to Invesco Advisers, Inc. and any of its subsidiaries

(r)(ii)

   Invesco UK Code of Ethics, dated 2014, relating to Invesco Asset Management Limited

(r)(iii)

   Invesco Ltd. Code of Conduct, dated October 2014, relating to Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited

(r)(iv)

   Invesco Staff Ethics and Personal Share Dealing, and Hong Kong Limited Policy on Gifts and Entertainment, dated February 2014, and Invesco Hong Kong Limited Code of Ethics dated January 1, 2015, relating to Invesco Hong Kong Limited

(r)(v)

   Invesco Ltd. Code of Conduct, revised October 2014, Policy No. D-6 Gifts and Entertainment, revised, May 2014, and Policy No. D-7 Personal Trading Policy, revised July 2014, together the Code of Ethics relating to Invesco Canada Ltd


(r)(vi)

   Invesco EMEA-EX UK Employees Code of Ethics dated 2014, relating to Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH

(r)(vii)

   Invesco Senior Secured Management Code of Ethics Policy, revised March 4, 2014 and Invesco Advisers, Inc. Code of Ethics, amended January 1, 2015

(s)

   Powers of Attorney