N-2 1 dn2.htm DOUBLELINE OPPORTUNISTIC CREDIT FUND DoubleLine Opportunistic Credit Fund
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1933 Act File No. 333-            

1940 Act File No. 811-22592

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission

on July 29, 2011

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-2

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933   x
Pre-Effective Amendment No.   ¨
Post-Effective Amendment No.   ¨

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT

OF 1940

  x
Amendment No.   ¨

 

 

DOUBLELINE OPPORTUNISTIC CREDIT FUND

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

333 South Grand Avenue, Suite 1800

Los Angeles, California 90071

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(213) 633-8200

(Registrant’s Telephone Number)

Ronald R. Redell

c/o DoubleLine Capital LP

333 South Grand Avenue, Suite 1800

Los Angeles, California 90071

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Copy to:

 

Timothy W. Diggins
Ropes & Gray LLP

800 Boylston Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02199

(617) 951-7389

 

 

 


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Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box: ¨

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

x when declared effective pursuant to Section 8(c).

If appropriate, check the following box:

¨ This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed 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             .

 

Title of Securities

Being Registered

   Amount  Being
Registered(1)
     Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Unit(1)
     Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate Offering

Price(1)
     Amount of
Registration
Fee
 

Common Shares, par value $.00001

     40,000 shares       $ 25.00       $ 1,000,000       $ 116.10   

 

 

(1) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee, pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933.

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


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

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS (Subject to Completion)

Issued [], 2011

LOGO

                     Shares

DoubleLine Opportunistic Credit Fund

COMMON SHARES

 

 

DoubleLine Opportunistic Credit Fund (the “Fund”) is offering [] common shares of beneficial interest (“Common Shares”). The Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. This is the initial public offering of the Fund’s common shares, and no public market exists for its common shares.

Investment Objective. The Fund’s investment objective is to seek high total investment return by providing a high level of current income and the potential for capital appreciation. The Fund cannot assure you that it will achieve its investment objective.

Investment Strategy. The Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective by investing in a portfolio of securities selected for their potential to provide high current income, growth of capital, or both. The Fund may invest in debt securities and income-producing investments of any kind, including, without limitation, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, U.S. Government securities, corporate debt, international sovereign debt, and short-term investments. The Fund’s investment adviser, DoubleLine Capital LP (“DoubleLine®” or the “Adviser”), allocates the Fund’s assets among market sectors, and among investments within those sectors, in an attempt to construct a portfolio providing a high level of current income and the potential for capital appreciation consistent with what DoubleLine considers an appropriate level of risk in light of market conditions prevailing at the time.

(continued on following page)

No Prior History. Because the Fund is newly organized, its common shares have no history of public trading. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. Because shares of closed-end funds typically trade initially at a discount from their price at which they are sold to the public in their initial offering, investors who sell their shares within a short period after completion of the initial public offering may lose money on their investments in the Fund even if there is no change in the net asset value of the Fund. The Fund anticipates that its common shares will be listed on the [], subject to notice of issuance, under the trading or “ticker” symbol “[].”

Investment in the Fund’s common shares involves substantial risks arising from, among other strategies, the Fund’s strategy of investing in debt obligations of emerging market issuers, its ability to invest without limit in debt securities that are, at the time of purchase, rated below investment grade (below Baa by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or below BBB by either Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Company, Inc. (“S&P”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”)), an equivalent rating assigned by another nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (“NRSRO”) or unrated but judged by DoubleLine to be of comparable quality, and the Fund’s use of leverage. Debt securities of below investment grade quality are regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and to repay principal, and are commonly referred to as “high yield” securities or “junk bonds.” The Fund’s exposure to foreign securities, and particularly to emerging markets securities, involves special risks, including foreign currency risk and the risk that the securities may decline in response to unfavorable political and legal developments, unreliable or untimely information or economic and financial instability. The use of leverage increases the volatility of the Fund’s investment portfolio and could result in larger losses than if the Fund did not use leverage. Because of the risks associated with investing in high yield securities and foreign and emerging market securities and using leverage, an investment in the Fund should be considered speculative. Before buying any of the Fund’s common shares, you should read the discussion of the principal risks of investing in the Fund in “Principal Risks of the Fund” beginning on page [] of this prospectus.

 

 

PRICE $25.00 A SHARE

 

 

 

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     Price to
Public
   Sales Load   Estimated
Offering
Expenses
  Proceeds to
the Fund

Per Share

   $25.00    $[]   $[]   $[]

Total

   $[]    $[]   $[]   $[]

The Fund has granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to [] additional common shares at the price to public, less the sales load, within [] days of the date of this prospectus solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If such option is exercised in full, the total price to public, sales load, estimated offering expenses and proceeds to the Fund will be $[], $[], $[] and $[], respectively. See “Underwriters.”

The Fund has agreed to reimburse the underwriters for their reasonable and documented expenses in connection with this offering in an amount not to exceed $[] per common share sold in this offering. This reimbursement amount is reflected under estimated offering expenses in the table above. See “Underwriters.” The Fund will pay offering costs (other than the sales load) up to an aggregate of $[] per common share sold in this offering. The Adviser, has agreed to pay (i) all organizational expenses of the Fund and (ii) offering costs of the Fund (other than the sales load, but including the reimbursement of underwriter expenses of $[] per common share) to the extent that they exceed $[] per common share. If the Fund issues [] common shares at a total price to the public of $[], total offering expenses are estimated at $[] (approximately $[] per common share), of which the Fund would pay $[] ($[] per common share) and the Adviser $[] (approximately $[] per common share). The actual size of the offering and related expenses may vary substantially from these estimates. See “Summary of Fund Expenses.”

The Adviser will pay a marketing and structuring fee to each of [],[] and [] calculated at []% of the aggregate price to the public of the common shares sold by each such underwriter, including over-allotted shares. The Adviser will pay to [] additional compensation quarterly in arrears at the annual rate of []% of the Fund’s average daily total managed assets attributable to the common shares sold by []. These fees are not reflected under estimated offering expenses in the table above. See “Underwriters—Additional Compensation to Be Paid by the Adviser.”

The Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities regulators have not approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The underwriters expect to deliver the common shares to purchasers on or about [], 2011.

 

 

[Insert Underwriters]

[], 2011

(continued from previous page)

Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to invest at least 80% of its total assets in debt securities and income-producing investments of any kind. The Fund normally expects to invest at least 50% of its total assets in mortgage-backed securities. The Fund may invest the remainder of its portfolio in other debt securities and income-producing investments of any kind, based on DoubleLine’s assessment of the potential returns and risks of different sectors of the debt security markets and of particular securities. The Fund may invest in securities of any credit quality, although DoubleLine does not currently expect that the Fund will invest more than 50% of its total assets in securities rated below investment grade or unrated securities judged by DoubleLine to be of comparable quality.

The Fund may borrow money and use other types of investment leverage in order to enhance its investment return.

The Fund may invest in securities of any maturity, and the Fund’s average duration will vary from time to time, potentially significantly, depending on DoubleLine’s assessment of market conditions and other factors. (Duration is a measure of the expected life of a fixed income instrument that is used to determine the sensitivity of a security’s price to changes in interest rates.)

The Fund will not normally invest more than 30% of its total assets in securities of issuers domiciled or organized in jurisdictions other than the United States (“foreign issuers”), including “emerging market countries.”

 

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The Fund may use various derivative strategies involving the purchase or sale of credit default swaps and other swap agreements, call and put options, futures and forward contracts, short sales and other derivative instruments as a substitute for cash investments, for leveraging purposes, or in an attempt to hedge against market, interest rate, currency, and other risks in the portfolio.

Portfolio Contents. The Fund may purchase mortgage-backed securities of any kind, including, by way of example, securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies, or its instrumentalities or sponsored corporations, or securities of domestic or foreign private issuers. Mortgage-backed securities may include, among other things, mortgage pass-through securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, multiclass pass-through securities, private mortgage pass-through securities, stripped mortgage securities, and inverse floaters. Some of the Fund’s investments in mortgage-related securities may be backed by sub-prime mortgages, which are subject to certain special risks. The Fund may purchase other types of debt securities of any kind, including, by way of example, asset-backed securities; U.S. Government securities; debt securities issued by domestic or foreign corporations; obligations of foreign sovereigns or their agencies or instrumentalities; real estate investment trust (“REIT”) equity or debt securities; bank loans (including, among others, participations, assignments, senior loans, delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities); municipal securities and other debt securities issued by states or local governments and their agencies, authorities and other government-sponsored enterprises; payment-in-kind securities; zero-coupon bonds; inflation-indexed bonds; structured notes and other hybrid instruments; catastrophe bonds and other event-linked bonds; credit-linked trust certificates; preferred securities; commercial paper, and cash and cash equivalents. The rate of interest on the debt and other income-producing investments the Fund may make may be fixed, floating, or variable.

The Fund also may hold common stocks and other equity securities from time to time, including those which it has received through the conversion of a convertible security held by the Fund or in connection with the restructuring of a debt security. The Fund may invest in securities that have not been registered for public sale, including securities eligible for purchase and sale pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and other securities issued in private placements. The Fund also may invest in securities of other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund may invest in securities of companies with small and medium market capitalizations.

The Fund may use repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements for any investment purpose, including to create investment leverage in the Fund’s portfolio.

The Fund will normally not invest more than 10% of its total assets in illiquid securities (securities that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the securities).

Leverage. As soon as reasonably practicable following the completion of the initial public offering of the Common Shares, the Fund intends, subject to then favorable market conditions, to add leverage to its portfolio by using reverse repurchase agreements and other borrowings, such as through loans or lines of credit from banks or other credit facilities, or through the issuance of commercial paper. Although it has no current intention to do so, the Fund also may determine to issue preferred shares to add leverage to its portfolio. The Fund will, however, limit its use of leverage from reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings and any future issuance of preferred shares such that the assets attributable to the use of such leverage will not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (including the amounts of leverage obtained through the use of such instruments) at the time the leverage is incurred. It is possible that following the incurrence of leverage, the assets of the Fund will decline due to market conditions such that this 33 1/3% limit will be exceeded. In that case, the leverage risk to Common Shareholders will increase. See “Leverage” and “Principal Risks of the Fund—Leverage Risk.” The Fund also expects to enter into transactions other than reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings that may give rise to a form of leverage including, among others, credit default swap contracts and other derivatives transactions. Other such transactions include loans of portfolio securities, short sales and when-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions. These transactions may represent a form of economic leverage and will create special risks. The use of these forms of additional leverage will increase the volatility of the Fund’s investment portfolio and could result in larger losses than if the strategies were not used.

The Fund intends to use reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings, and other forms of leverage opportunistically and may choose to increase or decrease its use of leverage over time and from time to time based on DoubleLine’s assessment of the yield curve environment, interest rate trends, market conditions, and other factors. By using leverage, the Fund will seek to obtain a higher return for holders of common shares than if the Fund did not use leverage. Leveraging is a speculative technique and there are special risks and costs involved. There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be used or that it will be successful during any period in which it is employed. See “Leverage” and “Principal Risks of the Fund—Leverage Risk.”

 

 

Certain numbers and percentages have been rounded for ease of presentation, which may result in amounts not totaling precisely.

 

 

Please read this prospectus carefully before deciding whether to invest and retain it for future reference. It sets forth concisely the information about the Fund that a prospective investor ought to know before investing in the Fund. The Fund has filed with the

 

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Securities and Exchange Commission a Statement of Additional Information dated [], 2011, containing additional information about the Fund. The Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, which means it is part of this prospectus for legal purposes. The Fund also will produce both annual and semi-annual reports that will contain important information about the Fund. Copies of the Statement of Additional Information and the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports, when available, may be obtained upon request, without charge, by calling toll-free (877) DLine11 (877-354-6311) or by writing to the Fund at 333 South Grand Avenue, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, California 90071. You also may call this toll-free telephone number to request other information about the Fund or to make shareholder inquiries. The Statement of Additional Information is, and the annual report and the semi-annual report will be, made available on the Fund’s website at www.doublelinefunds.com. Information on, or accessible through, the Fund’s website is not a part of, and is not incorporated into, this prospectus. The Securities and Exchange Commission maintains an internet website (www.sec.gov) that contains other information regarding the Fund. The table of contents for the Statement of Additional Information appears on page [] of this prospectus.

 

 

The Fund’s common shares do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and are not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution, and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.

 

 

 

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You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The Fund has not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone 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, and the underwriters are not, making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus. The Fund’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

Until [], 2011 (25 days after the commencement of this offering), all dealers that buy, sell or trade the Fund’s common shares, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This delivery requirement is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This is only a summary. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the Fund’s common shares. You should review the more detailed information contained in this prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information. In particular, you should carefully read the risks of investing in the Fund’s common shares, as discussed under “Principal Risks of the Fund.”

 

The Fund

   DoubleLine Opportunistic Credit Fund (the “Fund”) is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. See “The Fund” on page [].

The Offering

   The Fund is offering [] common shares of beneficial interest (“Common Shares”) through a group of underwriters led by []. You must purchase at least [] Common Shares ($[]) if you wish to participate in this offering. The Fund has granted the underwriters (the “Underwriters”) an option to purchase up to [] additional Common Shares to cover overallotments. The initial public offering price is $[] per share. See “Underwriting.”

Investment Objective

   The Fund’s investment objective is to seek high total investment return by providing a high level of current income and the potential for capital appreciation. The Fund cannot assure you that it will achieve its investment objective.

Principal Investment Strategies

   The Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective by investing in a portfolio of investments selected for their potential to provide high current income, growth of capital, or both. The Fund may invest in debt securities and income-producing investments of any kind, including, without limitation, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, U.S. Government securities, corporate debt, international sovereign debt, and short-term investments. The Fund’s investment adviser, DoubleLine Capital LP (“DoubleLine” or the “Adviser”), allocates the Fund’s assets among market sectors, and among investments within those sectors, in an attempt to construct a portfolio providing a high level of current income and the potential for capital appreciation consistent with what DoubleLine considers an appropriate level of risk in light of market conditions prevailing at the time. Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to invest at least 80% of its total assets in debt securities and income-producing investments of any kind.
   DoubleLine will select investments over time to implement its long-term strategic investment view. It also will buy and sell securities opportunistically in response to short-term market, economic, political, or other developments or otherwise as opportunities may present themselves. In selecting individual securities for investment by the Fund, DoubleLine uses a bottom-up security selection process, reflecting in-depth research and analysis. DoubleLine will manage the Fund under an integrated risk management framework overseen by the Fund’s portfolio management team and the DoubleLine risk management committee.
   The Fund normally expects to invest at least 50% of its total assets in mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities include, but are not limited to, securities representing interests in, collateralized or backed by, or whose values are determined in whole or in part by reference to any number of mortgages or pools of mortgages or the payment experience of such mortgages or pools of mortgages. Mortgage-backed securities also include, without limitation, interests in pools of residential mortgages or commercial mortgages, and may relate to domestic or non-US mortgages. Mortgage-backed securities may be issued or guaranteed by banks or other financial institutions, special-purpose vehicles established for such purpose, or private issuers, or by government agencies or instrumentalities. The Fund may invest the remainder of its portfolio in other debt securities and income-producing investments of any kind, based on DoubleLine’s assessment of the potential returns and risks of different sectors of the debt security markets and of particular securities.
   The Fund may invest in securities of any credit quality, although DoubleLine does not currently expect that the Fund will invest more than 50% of its total assets in securities rated below investment grade or unrated securities judged by DoubleLine to be of comparable quality. In addition, DoubleLine does not currently expect that the Fund will invest more than 10% of its total assets in corporate debt securities (excluding mortgage-backed securities) or sovereign debt

 

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  instruments rated Caa by Moody’s and CCC or below by S&P (or unrated securities determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality). Debt securities of below investment grade quality are regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and to repay principal, and are commonly referred to as “high yield” securities or “junk bonds.” Securities rated Caa/CCC or below are considered vulnerable to nonpayment and their issuers to be dependent on favorable business, financial and economic conditions to meet their financial commitments. Securities rated below Caa/CCC may include obligations already in default. Debt securities in the lowest investment grade category will likely possess speculative characteristics.
  The Fund may invest in securities of any maturity, and the Fund’s average duration will vary from time to time, potentially significantly, depending on DoubleLine’s assessment of market conditions and other factors. Duration is a measure of the expected life of a fixed income instrument that is used to determine the sensitivity of a security’s price to changes in interest rates. For example, the value of a portfolio of fixed income securities with an average duration of four years would generally be expected to decline by approximately 4% if interest rates rose by one percentage point. “Effective” duration is a measure of the Fund’s portfolio duration adjusted for the anticipated effect of interest rate changes on bond and mortgage pre-payment rates. DoubleLine currently expects that the Fund’s dollar-weighted average effective duration will initially be between [] and [] years. The duration and effective duration of the Fund’s investment portfolio may vary significantly from time to time.
  The Fund will not normally invest more than 30% of its total assets in securities of issuers domiciled or organized in jurisdictions other than the United States (“foreign issuers”), including “emerging market countries.”
  The Fund may use various derivative strategies involving the purchase or sale of credit default swaps and other swap agreements, call and put options, futures and forward contracts, short sales and other derivative instruments as a substitute for cash investments, for leveraging purposes, or in an attempt to hedge against market, interest rate, currency, and other risks in the portfolio.
  Portfolio securities may be sold at any time. Sales may occur when the Adviser determines to take advantage of a better investment opportunity, because the Adviser believes the portfolio securities no longer represent relatively attractive investment opportunities, because the Adviser perceives a deterioration in the credit fundamentals of the issuer, or because the Adviser believes it would be appropriate for other investment reasons, such as to adjust the duration or other characteristics of the Fund’s investment portfolio.
  Portfolio Contents. The Fund may purchase mortgage-backed securities of any kind, including, by way of example, securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies, or its instrumentalities or sponsored corporations, or securities of domestic or foreign private issuers. Mortgage-backed securities may include, among other things, mortgage pass-through securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, multiclass pass-through securities, private mortgage pass-through securities, stripped mortgage securities, and inverse floaters. Some of the Fund’s investments in mortgage-related securities may be backed by sub-prime mortgages, which are subject to certain special risks. See “Principal Risks of the Fund – Mortgage Market/Subprime Risk.” The Fund may purchase other types of debt securities of any kind, including, by way of example, asset-backed securities; U.S. Government securities; debt securities issued by domestic or foreign corporations; obligations of foreign sovereigns or their agencies or instrumentalities; real estate investment trust (“REIT”) equity or debt securities; bank loans (including, among others, participations, assignments, senior loans, delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities); municipal securities and other debt securities issued by states or local governments and their agencies, authorities and other government-sponsored enterprises; payment-in-kind securities; zero-coupon bonds; inflation-indexed bonds; structured notes and other hybrid instruments; catastrophe bonds and other event-linked bonds; credit-linked trust certificates; preferred securities; commercial paper, and cash and cash equivalents. The rate of interest scheduled to be received on the debt and other income-producing investments that the Fund may purchase may be fixed, floating, or variable.

 

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   The Fund also may hold common stocks and other equity securities from time to time, including those which it has received through the conversion of a convertible security held by the Fund or in connection with the restructuring of a debt security. The Fund may invest in securities that have not been registered for public sale, including securities eligible for purchase and sale pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and other securities issued in private placements. The Fund also may invest in securities of other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund may invest in securities of companies with small and medium market capitalizations.
   The Fund may enter into derivatives transactions of any kind for hedging purposes or otherwise to gain, or reduce, long or short exposure to one or more asset classes or issuers. The Fund also may enter into derivatives transactions with the purpose or effect of creating investment leverage. Although the Fund reserves the right to invest in derivatives of any kind, it currently expects that it may use the following types of derivatives: futures contracts and options on futures contracts, in order to gain efficient long or short investment exposures as an alternative to cash investments or to hedge against portfolio exposures; interest rate swaps, to gain indirect long or short exposures to interest rates, issuers, or currencies, or to hedge against portfolio exposures; and total return swaps and credit derivatives, put and call options, and exchange-traded and structured notes, to take indirect long or short positions on indexes, securities, currencies, commodities or other indicators of value. The Fund may, for hedging, investment or leveraging purposes, make use of credit default swaps, which are contracts whereby one party makes periodic payments to a counterparty in exchange for the right to receive from the counterparty a payment equal to the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt obligation in the event of a default by the issuer of the debt obligation. The Fund may engage in short sales, either to earn additional return or to hedge existing investments. Any use of derivatives strategies entails the risks of investing directly in the securities or instruments underlying the derivatives strategies, as well as the risks of using derivatives generally, and in some cases the risks of leverage, described in this Prospectus and in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).
   The Fund may use repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements for any investment purpose, including to create investment leverage in the Fund’s portfolio.
   The Fund will normally not invest more than 10% of its total assets in illiquid securities (securities that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the securities).
   Diversification. The Fund is a “non-diversified” investment company, and so may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer than investment companies that are “diversified.” See “Principal Risks of the Fund––Issuer Non-Diversification Risk.”
   Note regarding investment limitations. Where this Prospectus states that the Fund or the Adviser will not, or does not intend to, make investments in excess of a stated percentage of the Fund’s total assets, “total assets” include amounts of leverage obtained through the use of reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings, and issuances of preferred shares. Except as otherwise noted, all percentages apply only at the time of investment.

Leverage

   As soon as reasonably practicable following the completion of the initial public offering of the Common Shares, the Fund intends, subject to then favorable market conditions, to add leverage to its portfolio by using reverse repurchase agreements and other borrowings, such as through loans or lines of credit from banks or other credit facilities, or through the issuance of commercial paper. Although it has no current intention to do so, the Fund also may determine to issue preferred shares to add leverage to its portfolio. The Fund will, however, limit its use of leverage from reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings and any future issuance of preferred shares such that the assets attributable to the use of such leverage will not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (including the amounts of leverage obtained through the use of such instruments) at the time the leverage is incurred. It is possible that following the incurrence of such leverage, the assets of the Fund will decline due to market conditions such that the 33 1/3% limit will be exceeded. In that case, the leverage risk to Common Shareholders will increase. See “Leverage” and “Principal Risks of the Fund—Leverage Risk.”

 

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    The Fund also expects to enter into transactions other than reverse repurchase agreements,
borrowings, and the issuance of preferred shares that may give rise to a form of leverage including,
among others, credit default swap contracts and other derivatives transactions. Other such
transactions include loans of portfolio securities, short sales and when-issued, delayed delivery and
forward commitment transactions. These transactions may represent a form of economic leverage
and will create special risks. The use of these forms of additional leverage has the potential to
increase the volatility of the Fund’s investment portfolio and could result in larger losses than if the
strategies were not used. The Adviser does not currently intend to enter into such transactions with
the intention of creating investment leverage in the Fund in excess of the percentage stated above,
although it is possible that at any time the total leverage created by such transactions and by the use
of reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings, and issuances of preferred shares will exceed that
percentage. (Investments made by the Adviser to hedge, manage or reduce risk or to equitize a cash
position will not be considered to have been made for the purpose of creating investment leverage;
the Adviser generally will determine whether an investment has the effect of creating investment
leverage by evaluating the effect of the investment on the exposure and risk profile of the Fund as a
whole.)
  The Fund intends to use reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings, and other forms of leverage opportunistically and may choose to increase or decrease its use of leverage over time and from time to time based on DoubleLine’s assessment of the yield curve environment, interest rate trends, market conditions, and other factors. By using leverage, the Fund will seek to obtain a higher return for holders of common shares (“Common Shareholders”) than if the Fund did not use leverage. Leveraging is a speculative technique and there are special risks and costs involved. There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be used or that it will be successful during any period in which it is employed. See “Leverage” and “Principal Risks of the Fund—Leverage Risk.”
  There is no assurance that the Fund will use reverse repurchase agreements or borrowings, issue preferred shares or use other forms of leverage. If used, there is no assurance that the Fund’s leveraging strategies will be successful. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Leverage Risk.” The net proceeds the Fund obtains from its use of reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings (as well as from any future issuance of preferred shares) will be invested in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies as described in this prospectus. So long as the rate of return, net of applicable Fund expenses, on the investments purchased by the Fund exceeds the costs of such leverage to the Fund, the use of leverage should help the Fund to achieve an investment return greater than it would if it were not leveraged.
  Leveraging is, however, a speculative technique and there are special risks and costs involved. The Fund cannot assure you that any use of repurchase agreements, borrowings, or other forms of leverage (such as a potential future issuance of preferred shares or the use of derivatives strategies) will result in a higher investment return on your Common Shares. When leverage is used, the net asset value and market price of the Common Shares and the yield to Common Shareholders will be more volatile. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Leverage Risk.” In addition, fees and expenses of repurchase agreements and borrowings, any future issuance of preferred shares, and other forms of leverage borne by the Fund are borne entirely by the Common Shareholders (and not by preferred shareholders, if any) and will reduce the investment return of the Common Shares.
  Because the fees received by the Adviser are based on the total managed assets of the Fund (including assets attributable to any reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings and preferred shares that may be outstanding), there is a financial incentive for the Adviser to cause the Fund to use reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings or to issue preferred shares, which may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser, on the one hand, and the Common Shareholders, on the other hand.
  Please see “Leverage” and “Principal Risks of the Fund—Leverage Risk” in the body of this prospectus for additional information regarding the Fund’s use of leverage and related risks.

 

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Investment Adviser    DoubleLine serves as the investment adviser of the Fund. Subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for managing, either directly or through others selected by it, the investment activities of the Fund and the Fund’s business affairs and other administrative matters. The Adviser will receive an annual fee, payable monthly, in an amount equal to 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily total managed assets. “Total managed assets” means the total assets of the Fund (including assets attributable to any reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings and preferred shares that may be outstanding) minus accrued liabilities (other than liabilities representing reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings). For purposes of calculating “total managed assets,” the liquidation preference of any preferred shares outstanding is not considered a liability. With respect to any reverse repurchase agreements, “total managed assets” also includes the value as of the relevant measuring date of the underlying assets sold to the counterparty.
   The Adviser is located at 333 South Grand Avenue, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, California 90071. The Adviser was founded by Jeffrey E. Gundlach in December 2009. Prior to founding the Adviser, Mr. Gundlach was Chief Investment Officer of the TCW Group, Inc. The Adviser is recently formed and its success is highly dependent upon its founders. As of June 30, 2011, the Adviser had approximately $12 billion of assets under management.
Administrator    [] (“[]” or the “Administrator”) is the Fund’s administrator. Pursuant to an Administration Agreement with the Fund, [], with principal offices at [], serves as administrator to the Fund. As Administrator, [] provides certain services, including: assisting in maintaining the Fund’s office; furnishing the Fund with clerical and various other services required by the Fund’s operations; compiling data for and preparing notices and shareholder reports to the SEC; calculating the Fund’s daily net asset value (“NAV”); preparing any reports that are required by the securities, investment, tax or other laws and regulations of the United States; preparing filings with state securities commissions; coordinating federal and state tax returns; monitoring the Fund’s expense accruals; monitoring compliance with the Fund’s investment policies and limitations; and generally assisting in the Fund’s operations.
Distributions    The Fund intends to declare and pay distributions from its net investment income monthly. The Fund may, but will not necessarily, seek to pay distributions generally at a level rate. Any level dividend rate may be modified by the Board from time to time, and will be based upon the past and projected performance and expenses of the Fund. The Fund also will make a distribution during or with respect to each calendar year (which may be combined with a regular monthly distribution), which will generally include any net investment income and net realized capital gain for the year and not otherwise distributed. If the total distributions made in any calendar year exceed the sum of: (i) net investment company taxable income and net tax-exempt income (determined in each case without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), and (ii) net capital gains (defined as net long-term gains in excess of net short-term losses, in each case taking into account any loss carryforwards), such excess distributed amount would be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares. After such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, the distribution would constitute capital gain (assuming the shares are held as capital assets). In general terms, a return of capital would involve a situation where a Fund distribution (or a portion thereof) represents a return of a portion of the common shareholder’s investment, rather than net income or capital gains generated from his or her investment during a particular period. Although return of capital distributions may not be taxable, such distributions would reduce the basis of a shareholder’s Common Shares and therefore may increase a shareholder’s tax liability for capital gains upon a sale of Common Shares. See “Tax Matters.” The Fund’s distribution policy may, under certain circumstances, have certain adverse consequences to the Fund and its shareholders because it may result in a return of capital resulting in less of a shareholder’s assets being invested in the Fund and, over time, increase the Fund’s expense ratio. The distribution policy also may cause the Fund to sell a security at a time it would not otherwise do so in order to manage the distribution of income and gain. The Fund’s initial distribution is expected to be declared approximately 45 days after the completion of this offering and paid approximately 60 to 90 days after the completion of the offering, depending on market conditions. See “Distributions.” The initial distributions may consist primarily of a return of capital if the Fund is delayed in investing the proceeds of this offering.

 

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   Although the Fund does not presently intend to do so, the Fund may in the future apply for an order granting an exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder to permit the Fund to include realized long-term capital gains as a part of its regular distributions to Common Shareholders more frequently than would otherwise be permitted by the 1940 Act (generally once per taxable year). There is no assurance that the SEC will grant the Fund’s request for such exemptive order if such a request is made. If the Fund fails to receive the requested relief and the Fund is unable to include realized capital gains in regular distributions more frequently than would otherwise be permitted by the 1940 Act, it is possible that the Fund’s distribution policy, as set forth above, will otherwise be adversely affected.
  
   If the Fund were to seek to pay a level dividend distribution, it would be intended to result in the payment of approximately the same amount or percentage of the Fund’s net asset value to Common Shareholders each month. Section 19(a) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19a-1 thereunder require the Fund to provide a written statement accompanying any such payment that adequately discloses its source or sources. Thus, if the source of the dividend or other distribution were the original capital contribution of the common shareholder, and the payment amounted to a return of capital, the Fund would be required to provide written disclosure to that effect. Nevertheless, persons who periodically receive the payment of a dividend or other distribution may be under the impression that they are receiving net profits when they are not. Common shareholders should read any written disclosure provided pursuant to Section 19(a) and Rule 19a-1 carefully, and should not assume that the source of any distribution from the Fund is net income or net profit. In addition, in cases where the Fund would return capital to Common Shareholders, such distribution may bear on the Fund’s ability to maintain its asset coverage requirements and to pay the dividends on any Preferred Shares that the Fund may issue, if ever. See “Distributions” on page [].
   The Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on Common Shares unless, at the time of such declaration, the Fund satisfies the asset coverage test with respect to senior securities representing indebtedness prescribed by the 1940 Act. See “Leverage” on page [] for more information.
Listing    The Fund anticipates that its Common Shares will be listed on the [], subject to notice of issuance, under the trading or “ticker” symbol “[].” See “Description of Shares.”
Custodian and Transfer Agent    [] will serve as custodian of the Fund’s assets and also will provide certain fund accounting, sub-administrative and compliance services to the Adviser on behalf of the Fund. [] will serve as the Fund’s transfer agent and dividend disbursement agent. See “Custodian and Transfer Agent.”
Market Price of Shares    Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at prices lower than net asset value. Shares of closed-end investment companies have, during some periods, traded at prices higher than net asset value and during other periods traded at prices lower than net asset value. The Fund cannot assure you that Common Shares will trade at a price equal to or higher than net asset value in the future. Net asset value will be reduced immediately following the offering by the sales load and the amount of offering expenses paid or reimbursed by the Fund. See “Use of Proceeds.” In addition to the Fund’s net asset value, the Fund’s market price may be affected by factors related to the Fund such as dividend levels and stability (which will in turn be affected by Fund expenses, including the costs of the Fund’s leverage, levels of interest payments made by the Fund’s portfolio holdings, levels of appreciation/depreciation of the Fund’s portfolio holdings, regulation affecting the timing and character of Fund distributions and other factors), portfolio credit quality, liquidity, call protection, market supply and demand and similar factors relating to the Fund’s portfolio holdings. See “Leverage,” “Principal Risks of the Fund,” “Description of Shares” and “Repurchase of Common Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund” in this prospectus, and see “Repurchase of Common Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund” in the Statement of Additional Information. The Common Shares are designed primarily for long-term investors, and you should not view the Fund as a vehicle for trading purposes.
Principal Risks of the Fund    No Prior History. The Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company with no history of operations and is subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business.

 

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  Market Discount Risk. As with any stock, the price of the Fund’s Common Shares will fluctuate with market conditions and other factors. If you sell your Common Shares, the price received may be more or less than your original investment. The Fund’s net asset value will be reduced immediately following the initial offering by a sales load and organizational and offering expenses paid or reimbursed by the Fund. The Common Shares are designed for long-term investors and should not be treated as trading vehicles. Shares of closed-end management investment
  companies frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. The Common Shares may trade at a price that is less than the initial offering price. This risk may be greater for investors who sell their shares relatively shortly after completion of the initial offering.
  Issuer Risk. The value of securities may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to the issuer, such as its financial strength, management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods and services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets.
  Issuer Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is a “non-diversified” investment company and therefore may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a limited number of issuers than funds that are “diversified.” Accordingly, the Fund is more susceptible to risks associated with a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a diversified fund might be. Some of the issuers in which the Fund invests also may present substantial credit or other risks. The Fund will be subject to similar risks to the extent that it enters into derivatives transactions with a limited number of counterparties.
  Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that one or more of the Fund’s investments in debt securities or other instruments will decline in price, or fail to pay interest, liquidation value or principal when due, because the issuer of the obligation or the issuer of a reference security experiences an actual or perceived decline in its financial status.
  High Yield Risk. Securities of below investment grade quality are regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and to repay principal when due, and are commonly referred to as “high yield” securities or “junk bonds.” High yield securities involve a greater risk of default and their prices are generally more volatile and sensitive to actual or perceived negative developments, such as a decline in the issuer’s revenues or a general economic downturn, than are the prices of higher grade securities. Securities in the lowest investment grade category also may be considered to possess some speculative characteristics. The Fund may purchase distressed securities that are in default or whose issuers are in bankruptcy, which involves heightened risks. An economic downturn could severely affect the ability of highly leveraged issuers to service their debt obligations or to repay their obligations upon maturity. Lower-rated securities are generally less liquid than higher-rated securities, which may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to dispose of a particular security. For example, under adverse market or economic conditions, the secondary market for below investment grade securities could contract further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer, and certain securities in the Fund’s portfolio may become illiquid or less liquid. As a result, the Fund could find it more difficult to sell these securities or may be able to sell these securities only at prices lower than if such securities were widely traded. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Liquidity Risk.” To the extent the Fund invests in high yield securities, DoubleLine’s capabilities in analyzing credit quality and associated risks will be particularly important, and there can be no assurance that DoubleLine will be successful in this regard. See “The Fund’s Investment Objective and Strategies—Portfolio Contents and Other Information—High Yield Securities (“Junk Bonds”)” for additional information.
  Interest Rate Risk. Generally, when market interest rates rise, the prices of debt obligations fall, and when market interest rates fall, the prices of debt obligations generally rise. Interest rate risk is the risk that debt obligations and other instruments in the Fund’s portfolio will decline in value because of increases in market interest rates. The prices of long-term debt obligations generally fluctuate more than prices of short-term debt obligations as interest rates change. Because the Fund’s weighted average effective duration generally will fluctuate as interest rates change, the Common Share net asset value and market price per share may tend to fluctuate more in response

 

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  to changes in market interest rates than if the Fund invested mainly in short-term debt securities. During periods of rising interest rates, the average life of certain types of securities may extend due to lower than expected rates of pre-payments, which could cause the securities’ durations to extend and expose the securities to more price volatility. This may lock in a below market yield and reduce the securities’ value. In addition to directly affecting debt securities, rising interest rates also may have an adverse effect on the value of any equity securities held by the Fund. The Fund’s use of leverage, as described below, will tend to increase Common Share interest rate risk. DoubleLine may use certain strategies, including investments in structured notes or interest rate futures contracts or swap, cap, floor or collar transactions, for the purpose of reducing the interest rate sensitivity of the Fund’s portfolio, although there is no assurance that it will do so or that such strategies will be successful.
  The Fund may invest in variable and floating rate debt securities, which generally are less sensitive to interest rate changes, but may decline in value if their interest rates do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Conversely, floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline. The Fund also may invest in inverse floating rate debt securities, which may decrease in value if interest rates increase. Inverse floating rate debt securities also may exhibit greater price volatility than a fixed rate debt obligation with similar credit quality. When the Fund holds variable or floating rate securities, a decrease (or, in the case of inverse floating rate securities, an increase) in market interest rates will adversely affect the income received from such securities and the net asset value of the Common Shares.
  Mortgage-Backed Securities Risks. Mortgage-backed securities represent participation interests in pools of residential mortgage loans purchased from individual lenders by a federal agency or originated and issued by private lenders and involve, among others, the following risks:
  Credit and Market Risks of Mortgage-Backed Securities. Investments by the Fund in fixed rate and floating rate mortgage-backed securities will entail normal credit risks (i.e., the risk of non-payment of interest and principal) and market risks (i.e., the risk that interest rates and other factors could cause the value of the instrument to decline). Many issuers or servicers of mortgage-backed securities guarantee timely payment of interest and principal on the securities, whether or not payments are made when due on the underlying mortgages. This kind of guarantee generally increases the quality of a security, but does not mean that the security’s market value and yield will not change. The value of all mortgage-backed securities also may change because of changes in the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of the organization that issued or guarantees them. In addition, an unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool may limit substantially the pool’s ability to make payments of principal or interest to the Fund as a holder of such securities, reducing the values of those securities or in some cases rendering them worthless. The Fund also may purchase securities that are not guaranteed.
  Like bond investments, the value of fixed rate mortgage-backed securities will tend to rise when interest rates fall, and fall when rates rise. Floating rate mortgage-backed securities will generally tend to have more moderate changes in price when interest rates rise or fall, but their current yield will be affected.
  In addition, the mortgage-backed securities market in general may be adversely affected by changes in governmental legislation or regulation. Factors that could affect the value of a mortgage-backed security include, among other things, the types and amounts of insurance which an individual mortgage or that specific mortgage-backed security carries, the default and delinquency rate of the mortgage pool, the amount of time the mortgage loan has been outstanding, the loan-to-value ratio of each mortgage and the amount of overcollateralization or under collateralization of a mortgage pool.
  Ongoing developments in the residential mortgage market may have additional consequences to the market for mortgage-backed securities. Delinquencies and losses generally have been increasing with respect to securitizations involving residential mortgage loans and may continue to increase as a result of the weakening housing market and the seasoning of securitized pools of mortgage loans. Many so-called “sub-prime” mortgage pools are currently distressed and in some cases may be trading at significant discounts to their face value.

 

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  Additionally, mortgage lenders recently have adjusted their loan programs and underwriting standards, which has reduced the availability of mortgage credit to prospective mortgagors. This has resulted in reduced availability of financing alternatives for mortgagors seeking to refinance their mortgage loans. The reduced availability of refinancing options for mortgagors has resulted in higher rates of delinquencies, defaults and losses on mortgage loans, particularly in the case of, but not limited to, mortgagors with adjustable rate mortgage loans or interest-only mortgage loans that experience significant increases in their monthly payments following the adjustment date or the end of the interest-only period (see “Adjustable Rate Mortgages” below for further discussion of adjustable rate mortgage risks). These events, alone or in combination with each other and with deteriorating economic conditions in the general economy, may continue to contribute to higher delinquency and default rates on mortgage loans. The tighter underwriting guidelines for residential mortgage loans, together with lower levels of home sales and reduced refinance activity, also may have contributed to a reduction in the prepayment rate for mortgage loans generally and this trend may continue. The values of mortgage-backed securities may be substantially dependent on the servicing of the underlying mortgage pools, and therefore are subject to risks associated with the negligence or malfeasance by their servicers and to the credit risk of their servicers. In certain circumstances, the mishandling of related documentation also may affect the rights of security holders in and to the underlying collateral.
  The United States government conservatorship of Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) and the Federal National Mortgage Corporation (“Fannie Mae”) in September 2008 may adversely affect the real estate market and the value of real estate assets generally. It is unclear as of the date of this prospectus what the ultimate resolution of the conservatorship arrangement will be and what impact that resolution will have on the financial markets.
  The Federal Housing Finance Agent (“FHFA”), as conservator or receiver of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, has the power to repudiate any contract entered into by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac prior to its appointment if it determines that performance of the contract is burdensome and repudiation of the contract promotes the orderly administration of Fannie Mae’s or Freddie Mac’s affairs. In the event the guaranty obligations of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac are repudiated, the payments of interest to holders of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities would be reduced if payments on the mortgage loans represented in the mortgage loan groups related to such mortgage-backed securities are not made by the borrowers or advanced by the servicer. Any actual direct compensatory damages for repudiating these guaranty obligations may not be sufficient to offset any shortfalls experienced by such mortgage-backed security holders.
  Further, in its capacity as conservator or receiver, FHFA has the right to transfer or sell any asset or liability of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac without any approval, assignment or consent. If FHFA were to transfer any such guaranty obligation to another party, holders of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities would have to rely on that party for satisfaction of the guaranty obligation and would be exposed to the credit risk of that party.
  Prepayment, Extension and Redemption Risks of Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities reflect an interest in monthly payments made by the borrowers who receive the underlying mortgage loans. Although the underlying mortgage loans are for specified periods of time, such as 20 or 30 years, the borrowers can, and historically have paid them off sooner. When a prepayment happens, a portion of the mortgage-backed security which represents an interest in the underlying mortgage loan will be prepaid. A borrower is more likely to prepay a mortgage which bears a relatively high rate of interest. This means that in times of declining interest rates, a portion of the Fund’s higher yielding securities are likely to be redeemed and the Fund will probably be unable to replace them with securities having as great a yield. Prepayments can result in lower yields to shareholders. The increased likelihood of prepayment when interest rates decline also limits market price appreciation of mortgage-backed securities. This is known as prepayment risk. Mortgage-backed securities also are subject to extension risk. Extension risk is the possibility that rising interest rates may cause prepayments to occur at a slower than expected rate. This particular risk may effectively change a security which was considered short or intermediate term into a long-term security. The values of long-term securities generally fluctuate more widely in response to changes in interest rates than short or intermediate-term securities. In addition, a mortgage-backed security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer. If a mortgage-backed security held by the Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be required to permit the

 

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     issuer to redeem or “pay-off” the security, which could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability
to achieve its investment objective.
  Liquidity Risk of Mortgage-Backed Securities. The liquidity of mortgage-backed securities varies by type of security; at certain times the Fund may encounter difficulty in disposing of such investments. Because mortgage-backed securities have the potential to be less liquid than other securities, the Fund may be more susceptible to liquidity risks than funds that invest in other securities. In the past, in stressed markets, certain types of mortgage-backed securities suffered periods of illiquidity when disfavored by the market.
  Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. There are certain risks associated specifically with collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”). CMOs are debt obligations collateralized by mortgage loans or mortgage pass-through securities. The average life of CMOs is determined using mathematical models that incorporate prepayment assumptions and other factors that involve estimates of future economic and market conditions. These estimates may vary from actual future results, particularly during periods of extreme market volatility. Further, under certain market conditions, such as those that occurred in 1994, 2007, 2008 and 2009, the average weighted life of certain CMOs may not accurately reflect the price volatility of such securities. For example, in periods of supply and demand imbalances in the market for such securities and/or in periods of sharp interest rate movements, the prices of CMOs may fluctuate to a greater extent than would be expected from interest rate movements alone. CMOs issued by private entities are not obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities and are not guaranteed by any government agency, although the securities underlying a CMO may be subject to a guarantee. Therefore, if the collateral securing the CMO, as well as any third party credit support or guarantees, is insufficient to make payment, the holder could sustain a loss.
  Adjustable Rate Mortgages. Adjustable Rate Mortgages (“ARMs”) contain maximum and minimum rates beyond which the mortgage interest rate may not vary over the lifetime of the security. In addition, many ARMs provide for additional limitations on the maximum amount by which the mortgage interest rate may adjust for any single adjustment period. Alternatively, certain ARMs contain limitations on changes in the required monthly payment. In the event that a monthly payment is not sufficient to pay the interest accruing on an ARM, any excess interest is added to the principal balance of the mortgage loan, which is repaid through future monthly payments. If the monthly payment for such an instrument exceeds the sum of the interest accrued at the applicable mortgage interest rate and the principal payment required at such point to amortize the outstanding principal balance over the remaining term of the loan, the excess is used to reduce the then-outstanding principal balance of the ARM.
  In addition, certain ARMs may provide for an initial fixed, below-market or “teaser” interest rate. During this initial fixed-rate period, the payment due from the related mortgagor may be less than that of a traditional loan. However, after the “teaser” rate expires, the monthly payment required to be made by the mortgagor may increase dramatically when the interest rate on the mortgage loan adjusts. This increased burden on the mortgagor may increase the risk of delinquency or default on the mortgage loan and in turn, losses on the mortgage-backed security into which that loan has been bundled.
  Inverse Floater, Interest and Principal Only Securities Risk. One type of stripped mortgage-backed security pays to one class all of the interest from the mortgage assets (the interest-only, or “IO” class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (the principal-only, or “PO” class). The yield to maturity on an IO class is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying mortgage assets, and a rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s yield to maturity from these securities. The Fund may invest in any combination of mortgage-related or other asset-backed IO, PO, or inverse floater securities.
  Investments in mortgage-related securities may involve particularly high levels of risk under current market conditions. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Mortgage Market/Subprime Risk.”

 

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     Mortgage Market/Subprime Risk. The residential mortgage market in the United States recently has
experienced difficulties that may adversely affect the performance and market value of certain of
the Fund’s mortgage-related investments. Delinquencies and losses on residential mortgage loans
(especially subprime and second-lien mortgage loans) generally have increased recently and may
continue to increase, and a decline in or flattening of housing values (as has recently been
experienced and may continue to be experienced in many housing markets) may exacerbate such
delinquencies and losses. Borrowers with adjustable rate mortgage loans are more sensitive to
changes in interest rates, which affect their monthly mortgage payments, and may be unable to
secure replacement mortgages at comparably low interest rates. Also, a number of residential
mortgage loan originators have recently experienced serious financial difficulties or bankruptcy.
Owing largely to the foregoing, reduced investor demand for mortgage loans and mortgage-related
securities and increased investor yield requirements have caused limited liquidity in the secondary
market for mortgage-related securities, which can adversely affect the market value of mortgage-
related securities. It is possible that such limited liquidity in such secondary markets could continue
or worsen.
  Asset-Backed Securities(“ABS”) Investment Risk. Asset-backed investments tend to increase in value less than other debt securities when interest rates decline, but are subject to similar risk of decline in market value during periods of rising interest rates. Certain assets underlying asset-backed securities are subject to prepayment, which may reduce the overall return to asset-backed security holders. In a period of declining interest rates, the Fund may be required to reinvest more frequent prepayments on asset-backed investments in lower-yielding investments. Asset-backed securities in which the Fund invests may have underlying assets that include motor vehicle installment sales or installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, and receivables from credit card agreements. There is a risk that borrowers may default on their obligations in respect of those underlying obligations. Holders also may experience delays in payment on the securities if the full amounts due on underlying sales contracts or receivables are not realized by an ABS trust because of unanticipated legal or administrative costs of enforcing the contracts or because of depreciation or damage to the collateral (usually automobiles) securing certain contracts, or other factors. The values of asset-backed securities may be substantially dependent on the servicing of the underlying asset pools, and are therefore subject to risks associated with the negligence or malfeasance by their servicers and to the credit risk of their servicers. In certain circumstances, the mishandling of related documentation also may affect the rights of security holders in and to the underlying collateral. The insolvency of entities that generate receivables or that utilize the assets may result in added costs and delays in addition to losses associated with a decline in the value of underlying assets. Certain asset-backed securities do not have the benefit of the same security interest in the related collateral as do mortgage-backed securities; nor are they provided government guarantees of repayment as is the case for some mortgage-backed securities. Credit card receivables generally are unsecured, and the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors the right to set off certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due. In addition, some issuers of automobile receivables permit the servicers to retain possession of the underlying obligations. If the servicer were to sell these obligations to another party, there is a risk that the purchaser would acquire an interest superior to that of the holders of the related automobile receivables. The impairment of the value of collateral or other assets underlying an asset-backed security, such as a result of non-payment of loans or non-performance of other collateral or underlying assets, may result in a reduction in the value of such asset-backed securities and losses to the Fund. It is possible that many or all asset-backed securities will fall out of favor at any time or over time with investors, affecting adversely the values and liquidity of the securities.
  Municipal Bond Risk. Investing in the municipal bond market involves the risks of investing in debt securities generally and certain other risks. The amount of public information available about the municipal bonds in the Fund’s portfolio is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds, and the investment performance of the Fund’s investment in municipal bonds may therefore be more dependent on the analytical abilities of the Adviser than its investments in taxable bonds. The secondary market for municipal bonds also tends to be less well developed or liquid than many other securities markets, which may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to sell municipal bonds at attractive prices.

 

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     The ability of municipal issuers to make timely payments of interest and principal may be
diminished during general economic downturns, by litigation, legislation or political events, or by
the bankruptcy of the issuer. Laws, referenda, ordinances or regulations enacted in the future by
Congress or state legislatures or the applicable governmental entity could extend the time for
payment of principal and/or interest, or impose other constraints on enforcement of such
obligations, or on the ability of municipal issuers to levy taxes. Issuers of municipal securities also
might seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. In the event of bankruptcy of such an issuer, the
Fund could experience delays in collecting principal and interest and the Fund may not, in all
circumstances, be able to collect all principal and interest to which it is entitled. To enforce its
rights in the event of a default in the payment of interest or repayment of principal, or both, the
Fund may take possession of and manage the assets securing the issuer’s obligations on such
securities, which may increase the Fund’s operating expenses. Any income derived from the
Fund’s ownership or operation of such assets may not be tax exempt.
  The Fund may invest in revenue bonds, which are typically issued to fund a wide variety of capital projects including: electric, gas, water and sewer systems; highways, bridges and tunnels; port and airport facilities; colleges and universities; and hospitals. Because the principal security for a revenue bond is generally the net revenues derived from a particular facility or group of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source, there is no guarantee that the particular project will generate enough revenue to pay its obligations, in which case the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected.
  Interest on municipal obligations, while generally exempt from federal income tax, may not be exempt from federal alternative minimum tax.
  Reinvestment Risk. Income from the Fund’s portfolio will decline if and when the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called debt obligations at market interest rates that are below the portfolio’s current earnings rate. For instance, during periods of declining interest rates, an issuer of debt obligations may exercise an option to redeem securities prior to maturity, forcing the Fund to invest in lower-yielding securities. A decline in income received by the Fund from its investments is likely to have a negative effect on the market price, net asset value and/or overall return of the Common Shares.
  Foreign (Non-U.S.) Investment Risk. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers and securities traded principally outside of the United States. The Fund’s investments in and exposure to foreign securities involve special risks. For example, the value of these investments may decline in response to unfavorable political and legal developments, unreliable or untimely information or economic and financial instability. Foreign securities may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than investments in securities of U.S. issuers. The securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. Issuers of foreign securities are usually not subject to the same degree of regulation as U.S. issuers. Reporting, accounting, auditing, and custody standards of foreign countries differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards. Also, nationalization, expropriation or other confiscation, currency blockage, political changes or diplomatic developments could adversely affect the Fund’s investments in a foreign country. In the event of nationalization, expropriation or other confiscation, the Fund could lose its entire investment in foreign securities. To the extent that the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in a particular foreign country or a concentrated geographic area (such as Europe or Asia), the Fund will generally have more exposure to regional economic risks associated with foreign investments. Also, adverse conditions in a certain region can adversely affect securities of other countries whose economies appear to be unrelated. The costs of investing in foreign countries frequently are higher than the costs of investing in the United States. Additionally, investments in securities of foreign issuers generally will be denominated in foreign currencies, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Foreign Currency Risk.”
  Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers economically tied to emerging market countries. Foreign investment risk may be particularly high to the extent that the Fund invests in securities of issuers based in or securities denominated in the currencies of

 

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  emerging market countries. Investing in securities of issuers based in underdeveloped emerging markets entails all of the risks of investing in securities of foreign issuers noted above, but to a heightened degree. These heightened risks include: (i) greater risks of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, nationalization and less social, political and economic stability; (ii) the smaller size of the market for such securities and a lower volume of trading, resulting in a lack of liquidity and in price volatility; (iii) certain national policies which may restrict the Fund’s investment opportunities, including restrictions on investing in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to relevant national interests and requirements that government approval be obtained prior to investment by foreign persons; (iv) certain national policies that may restrict the Fund’s repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities, including temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances; (v) the lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and/or standards that may be significantly different from the standards required in the United States; (vi) less publicly available financial and other information regarding issuers; (vii) potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations; and (viii) higher rates of inflation, higher interest rates and other economic concerns. The Fund may invest to a significant extent in emerging market securities that are issued in local currencies, subjecting the Fund to a greater amount of foreign currency risk. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Foreign Currency Risk.” Also, investing in emerging market countries may entail purchases of securities of issuers that are insolvent, bankrupt, in default or otherwise of questionable ability to satisfy their payment obligations as they become due, subjecting the Fund to a greater amount of credit risk and/or high yield risk. See “Principal Risks of the Fund —Credit Risk” and “Principal Risks of the Fund —High Yield Risk.”
  Foreign Currency Risk. The Fund’s Common Shares are priced in U.S. dollars and the distributions paid by the Fund to Common Shareholders are paid in U.S. dollars. However, a significant portion of the Fund’s assets may be denominated in foreign (non-U.S.) currencies and income received by the Fund from many foreign debt obligations may be paid in foreign currencies. The Fund also may invest in or gain exposure to foreign currencies themselves for investment or hedging purposes. The Fund’s investments in or exposure to foreign currencies or in securities or instruments that trade, or receive revenues, in foreign currencies are subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar or, in the case of hedging positions (if used), that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, or by the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the U.S. or abroad. These fluctuations may have a significant adverse impact on the value of the Fund’s portfolio and/or the level of Fund distributions made to Common Shareholders. As noted above, the Fund may (but is not required to) attempt to hedge some of its exposure to foreign currencies in order to reduce the risk of loss due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar. There is no assurance, however, that these hedging strategies will be available or will be used by the Fund or, if used, that they will be successful.
  Distressed and Defaulted Securities Risk. Distressed and defaulted securities generally present the same risks as investment in below investment grade securities. However, in most cases, these risks are of a greater magnitude because of the uncertainties of investing in an issuer undergoing financial distress. An issuer of distressed securities may be in bankruptcy or undergoing some other form of financial restructuring. Interest and/or principle payments on distressed securities may be in default. Distressed securities present a risk of loss of principal value, including potentially a total loss. Distressed securities may be highly illiquid and the prices at which distressed securities may be sold may represent a substantial discount to what the Adviser believes to be the ultimate value of such obligations.
  Loan Participations and Assignments Risk. The Fund may invest in fixed and floating rate loans arranged through private negotiations between an issuer and one or more financial institutions. The Fund’s investments in loans in most instances will be in the form of participations in loans or assignments of all or a portion of loans from third parties. In connection with purchasing loan participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement relating to the loan, nor any rights of set-off against the borrower,

 

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    and the Fund may not directly benefit from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the loan participation. As a result, the Fund may be subject to the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender that is selling the participation. In the event of the insolvency of the lender selling a participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any set-off between the lender and the borrower. Certain loan participations may be structured in a manner designed to prevent purchasers of participations from being subject to the credit risk of the lender with respect to the participation, but even under such a structure, in the event of the lender’s insolvency, the lender’s servicing of the participation may be delayed and the assignability of the participation impaired.
    The Fund may have difficulty disposing of loans and loan participations because to do so it will have to assign or sell such securities to a third party. Because there is no liquid market for many such securities, the Fund anticipates that such securities could be sold only to a limited number of institutional investors. The lack of a liquid secondary market may have an adverse impact on the value of such securities and the Fund’s ability to dispose of particular loans and loan participations when necessary to meet the Fund’s liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the borrower. The lack of a liquid secondary market for loans and loan participations also may make it more difficult for the Fund to assign a value to these securities for purposes of valuing the Fund’s portfolio and calculating its NAV.
    Risks of Short Economic Exposure Through Derivatives. The use by the Fund of derivatives such as options, forwards or futures contracts for investment and/or risk management purposes may subject the Fund to risks associated with short economic exposure. Taking a short economic position through derivatives exposes the Fund to the risk that it will be obligated to make payments to its counterparty if the underlying asset appreciates in value, resulting in a loss to the Fund. The Fund’s loss on a short position using derivatives theoretically could be unlimited.
    Credit Default Swaps Risk. Credit default swaps involve greater risks than investing in the reference obligation directly. In addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to liquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. A buyer will lose its investment and recover nothing should no event of default occur. If an event of default were to occur, the value of the reference obligation received by the seller (if any), coupled with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the seller. When the Fund acts as a seller of a credit default swap, it is exposed to many of the same risks of leverage described herein since if an event of default occurs the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value of the reference obligation.
    Although the Fund will seek to realize gains by writing credit default swaps that increase in value, to realize gains on writing credit default swaps, an active secondary market for such instruments must exist or the Fund must otherwise be able to close out these transactions at advantageous times. If no such secondary market exists or the Fund is otherwise unable to close out these transactions at advantageous times, writing credit default swaps may not be profitable for the Fund.
    The market for credit default swaps has become more volatile in recent years as the creditworthiness of certain counterparties has been questioned and/or downgraded. If a counterparty’s credit becomes significantly impaired, multiple requests for collateral posting in a short period of time could increase the risk that the Fund may not receive adequate collateral. As of the date of this prospectus, credit default swaps are not currently traded on any securities exchange, however certain credit default swaps may be cleared through swaps clearing houses. The Fund may exit its obligations under a credit default swap only by terminating the contract and paying applicable breakage fees, or by entering into an offsetting credit default swap position, which may cause the Fund to incur more losses.
    Hedging Strategy Risk. Certain of the investment techniques that the Fund may employ for hedging will expose the Fund to additional or increased risks.
    There may be an imperfect correlation between changes in the value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings and hedging positions entered into by the Fund, which may prevent the Fund from

 

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  achieving the intended hedge or expose the Fund to risk of loss. In addition, the Fund’s success in using hedge instruments is subject to the Adviser’s ability to predict correctly changes in the relationships of such hedge instruments to the Fund’s portfolio holdings, and there can be no assurance that the Adviser’s judgment in this respect will be accurate. Consequently, the use of hedging transactions might result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund, whether or not adjusted for risk, than if the Fund had not hedged its portfolio holdings.
  The Adviser is under no obligation to engage in any hedging strategies, and may, in its discretion, choose not to. Even if the Adviser desires to hedge some of the Fund’s risks, suitable hedging transactions may not be available or, if available, attractive. A failure to hedge may result in losses to the value of the Fund’s investments.
  Short Sales Risk. To the extent the Fund makes use of short sales for investment and/or risk management purposes, the Fund may be subject to certain risks associated with selling short. Short sales are transactions in which the Fund sells securities or other instruments that the Fund does not own. Short sales expose the Fund to the risk that it will be required to cover its short position at a time when the securities have appreciated in value, thus resulting in a loss to the Fund. The Fund may engage in short sales when it does not own or have the right to acquire the security sold short at no additional cost. The Fund’s loss on a short sale theoretically could be unlimited in a case in which the Fund is unable, for whatever reason, to close out its short position. In addition, the Fund’s short selling strategies may limit its ability to benefit from increases in the markets. Also, there is the risk that the counterparty to a short sale may fail to honor its contractual terms, causing a loss to the Fund.
  Government-Entity Risk. As noted, the Fund may invest in mortgage-related and other debt securities issued or guaranteed by certain U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises. Some U.S. Government securities, such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds, and securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; others, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Banks or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations; and still others, such as those of the Student Loan Marketing Association, are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. Although U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises (“GSEs”), such as the Federal Home Loan Banks, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and the Student Loan Marketing Association may be chartered or sponsored by Congress, they are not funded by Congressional appropriations, and their securities are not issued by the U.S. Treasury or supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government and involve increased credit risks. Although legislation has been enacted to support certain GSEs, including the Federal Home Loan Banks, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, there is no assurance that GSE obligations will be satisfied in full, or that such obligations will not decrease in value or default. It is difficult, if not impossible, to predict the future political, regulatory or economic changes that could impact the GSEs and the values of their related securities or obligations. See “Investment Objective and Policies—Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities” in the Statement of Additional Information.
  Sovereign Debt Obligations Risk. Investments in countries’ government debt obligations involve special risks. Certain countries have historically experienced, and may continue to experience, high rates of inflation, high interest rates, exchange rate fluctuations, large amounts of external debt, balance of payments and trade difficulties and extreme poverty and unemployment. The issuer or governmental authority that controls the repayment of a country’s debt may not be able or willing to repay the principal and/or interest when due in accordance with the terms of such debt. A debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and interest due in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation and, in the case of a government debtor, the extent of its foreign reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government debtor’s policy towards the International Monetary Fund and the political constraints to which a government debtor may be subject. Government debtors may default on their debt and also may be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral

 

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  agencies and others abroad to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The commitment on the part of these governments, agencies and others to make such disbursements may be conditioned on a debtor’s implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of such debtor’s obligations.
  Failure to implement such reforms, achieve such levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of such third parties’ commitments to lend funds to the government debtor, which may further impair such debtor’s ability or willingness to service its debts on a timely basis. Holders of government debt, including the Fund, may be requested to participate in the rescheduling of such debt and to extend further loans to government debtors.
  As a result of the foregoing, a government obligor may default on its obligations. If such an event occurs, the Fund may have limited (or no) legal recourse against the issuer and/or guarantor. Remedies must, in some cases, be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party itself, and the ability of the holder of foreign government debt securities to obtain recourse may be subject to the political climate in the relevant country. In addition, no assurance can be given that the holders of more senior fixed income securities, such as commercial bank debt, will not contest payments to the holders of other foreign government debt securities in the event of default under their commercial bank loan agreements. There is no bankruptcy proceeding by which sovereign debt on which governmental entities have defaulted may be collected in whole or in part.
  Government obligors in emerging market countries are among the world’s largest debtors to commercial banks, other governments, international financial organizations and other financial institutions. The issuers of the government debt securities in which the Fund may invest have in the past experienced substantial difficulties in servicing their external debt obligations, which led to defaults on certain obligations and the restructuring of certain indebtedness. Restructuring arrangements have included, among other things, reducing and rescheduling interest and principal payments by negotiating new or amended credit agreements, and obtaining new credit to finance interest payments. Holders of certain foreign government debt securities may be requested to participate in the restructuring of such obligations and to extend further loans to their issuers. There can be no assurance that the foreign government debt securities in which the Fund may invest will not be subject to similar restructuring arrangements or to requests for new credit, which may adversely affect the Fund’s holdings. Furthermore, certain participants in the secondary market for such debt may be directly involved in negotiating the terms of these arrangements and may therefore have access to information not available to other market participants.
  Investments in a foreign country’s government debt securities involve currency risk. See “ —Foreign Currency Risk.”
  Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible debt securities of similar quality. The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, a convertible security’s market value tends to reflect the market price of the common stock of the issuing company when that stock price approaches or is greater than the convertible security’s “conversion price.” The conversion price is defined as the predetermined price at which the convertible security could be exchanged for the associated stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, the price of the convertible security tends to be influenced more by the yield of the convertible security. Thus, it may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common stock. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, holders of convertible securities would be paid before the company’s common stockholders but after holders of any senior debt obligations of the company. Consequently, the issuer’s convertible securities generally entail less risk than its common stock but more risk than its debt obligations.
  The Fund may invest in synthetic convertible securities, which are created through a combination of separate securities that possess the two principal characteristics of a traditional convertible security, i.e., an income-producing security (“income-producing component”) and the right to acquire an equity security (“convertible component”). The income-producing component is
 

 

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  achieved by investing in non-convertible, income-producing securities such as bonds, preferred stocks and money market instruments. The convertible component is achieved by purchasing warrants or options to buy common stock at a certain exercise price, or options on a stock index. The values of synthetic convertible securities will respond differently to market fluctuations than a traditional convertible security because a synthetic convertible is composed of two or more separate securities or instruments, each with its own market value. Synthetic convertible securities also are subject to the risks associated with derivatives. See “Principal Risks of the Fund —Derivatives Risk.” In addition, if the value of the underlying common stock or the level of the index involved in the convertible element falls below the strike price of the warrant or option, the warrant or option may lose all value.
  Preferred Securities Risk. In addition to equity securities risk (see “Principal Risks of the Fund —Equity Securities and Related Market Risk”), credit risk (see “Principal Risks of the Fund —Credit Risk”) and possibly high yield risk (see “Principal Risks of the Fund —High Yield Risk”), investment in preferred stocks involves certain other risks. Certain preferred stocks contain provisions that allow an issuer under certain conditions to skip or defer distributions. If the Fund owns a preferred stock that is deferring its distribution, the Fund may be required to report income for tax purposes despite the fact that it is not receiving current income on this position. Preferred stocks often are subject to legal provisions that allow for redemption in the event of certain tax or legal changes or at the issuer’s call. In the event of redemption, the Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds at comparable rates of return. Preferred stocks are subordinated to bonds and other debt securities in an issuer’s capital structure in terms of priority for corporate income and liquidation payments, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than those debt securities. Preferred stocks may trade less frequently and in a more limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than many other securities, such as common stocks, corporate debt securities and U.S. Government securities.
  Management Risk. The Fund’s ability to identify and invest in attractive opportunities is dependent upon the Adviser. If one or more key individuals leave the Adviser, it may not be able to hire qualified replacements, or may require an extended time to do so. This could prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. Although the Adviser is the adviser to several registered open-end funds, and the portfolio managers have previous experience managing closed-end funds, the Fund is the first closed-end fund to be managed by the Adviser. As with any managed fund, the Adviser may not be successful in selecting the best-performing securities, leverage strategy or investment techniques, and the Fund’s performance may lag behind that of similar funds as a result.
  Investment and Market Risk. An investment in Common Shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount invested. An investment in Common Shares represents an indirect investment in the securities and other financial assets owned by the Fund. Securities held by the Fund are generally traded in over-the-counter markets. The value of these securities and financial assets, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The Common Shares at any point in time may be worth less than their original cost, even after taking into account any reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Further, the value of securities held by the Fund may decline in value due to factors affecting securities markets generally or particular industries.
  Debt Securities Risk. In addition to the other risks described herein, debt securities also are subject to the following general risks:
 

•    Redemption Risk — Debt securities sometimes contain provisions that allow for redemption in the event of tax or security law changes in addition to call features at the option of the issuer. In the event of a redemption, the Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds at comparable rates of return.

 

•    Limited Voting Rights — Debt securities typically do not provide any voting rights, except in cases when interest payments have not been made and the issuer is in default. Even in such cases, such rights may be limited to the terms of the debenture or other agreements.

 

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•    Liquidity — Certain debt securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as U.S. government securities or common shares or other equity securities.

 

•    Spread Risk — Wider credit spreads and decreasing market values typically represent a deterioration of the debt security’s credit soundness and a perceived greater likelihood or risk of default by the issuer.

  Corporate Debt Risks. Like all debt securities, corporate debt securities generally represent an issuer’s obligation to repay to the investor (or lender) the amount borrowed plus interest over a specified time period. A typical corporate bond specifies a fixed date when the amount borrowed (principal) is due in full, known as the maturity date, and specifies dates when periodic interest (coupon) payments will be made over the life of the security.
  Corporate debt securities come in many varieties and may differ in the way that interest is calculated, the amount and frequency of payments, the type of collateral, if any, and the presence of special features (e.g., conversion rights). The Fund’s investments in corporate debt securities may include, but are not limited to, senior, junior, secured and unsecured bonds, notes and other debt securities, and may be fixed rate, floating rate, zero coupon and inflation linked, among other things. The Fund may invest in convertible bonds, which are fixed income securities that are exercisable into other debt or equity securities, and “synthetic” convertible securities, which are created through a combination of separate securities that possess the two principal characteristics of a traditional convertible security, i.e., an income-producing security (“income-producing component”) and the right to acquire an equity security (“convertible component”).
  Prices of corporate debt securities fluctuate and, in particular, are subject to several key risks including, but not limited to, interest rate risk, credit risk, prepayment risk and spread risk. The market value of a corporate bond may be affected by the credit rating of the issuer, the issuer’s performance, perceptions of the issuer in the market place, management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods and services. There is a risk that the issuers of the corporate debt securities in which the Fund may invest may not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by an instrument.
  Valuation Risk. When market quotations are not readily available or are deemed to be unreliable, the Fund values its investments at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. See “Net Asset Value.” Fair value pricing may require subjective determinations about the value of a security or other asset. As a result, there can be no assurance that fair value pricing will result in adjustments to the prices of securities or other assets, or that fair value pricing will reflect actual market value, and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security or other asset will be materially different from quoted or published prices, from the prices used by others for the same security or other asset and/or from the value that actually could be or is realized upon the sale of that security or other asset.
  Leverage Risk. The Fund’s use of leverage (as described under “Leverage” in the body of this prospectus) creates the opportunity for increased Common Share net income and capital appreciation, but also creates special risks for Common Shareholders. There is no assurance that the Fund’s leveraging strategies will be successful. Leverage is a speculative technique that may expose the Fund to greater risk and increased costs. The net proceeds the Fund obtains from its use of reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings (as well as from any future issuance of preferred shares) will be invested in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies as described in this prospectus. It is anticipated that interest expense payable by the Fund with respect to its reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings (or dividends payable with respect to any outstanding preferred shares) will be based on shorter-term interest rates that would be periodically reset. So long as the Fund’s portfolio investments provide a higher rate of return (net of applicable Fund expenses) than the interest rates and other costs to the Fund of such leverage, the investment of the proceeds thereof will generate more income than will be needed to pay the costs of the leverage. If so, the excess will be used to pay higher dividends to Common Shareholders than if the Fund were not so leveraged. If, however, shorter-term interest rates rise

 

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   relative to the rate of return on the Fund’s portfolio, the interest and other costs to the Fund of leverage (including interest expenses on reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings and the dividend rate on any outstanding preferred shares) could exceed the rate of return on the debt obligations and other investments held by the Fund, thereby reducing return to Common Shareholders. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the Fund’s use of leverage will result in a higher yield on the Common Shares. In addition, any preferred shares issued by the Fund are expected to pay cumulative dividends, which may tend to increase leverage risk.
   Leverage creates several major types of risks for Common Shareholders, including:
  

•        the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of Common Shares than a comparable portfolio without leverage;

  

•        the possibility either that Common Share dividends will fall if the interest and other costs of leverage rise, or that dividends paid on Common Share will fluctuate because such costs vary over time; and

  

•        the effects of leverage in a declining market or a rising interest rate environment, as leverage is likely to cause a greater decline in the net asset value of the Common Shares than if the Fund were not leveraged and may result in a greater decline the market value of the Common Shares.

   In addition, the counterparties to the Fund’s leveraging transactions and any preferred shareholders of the Fund will have priority of payment over the Fund’s Common Shareholders.
   The use by the Fund of reverse repurchase agreements to obtain leverage also involves special risks. For instance, the market value of the securities that the Fund is obligated to repurchase under a reverse repurchase agreement may decline below the repurchase price and the securities may not be returned to the Fund. See “The Fund’s Investment Objective and Policies––Portfolio Contents and Other Information––Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Rolls.”
   In addition to reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings (or a future issuance of preferred shares), the Fund’s use of other transactions that may give rise to a form of leverage (including, among others, credit default swap contracts and other derivatives transactions, loans of portfolio securities, short sales and when issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions) give rise to associated leverage risks described above, and may adversely affect the Fund’s income, distributions and total returns to Common Shareholders. The Fund manages some of its derivative positions by segregating an amount of cash or liquid securities equal to the face value or the market value, as applicable, of those positions. The Fund also may offset derivatives positions against one another or against other assets to manage effective market exposure resulting from derivatives in its portfolio. To the extent that any offsetting positions do not behave in relation to one another as expected, the Fund may perform as if it is leveraged through use of these derivative strategies. See “Leverage.”
   Because the fees received by DoubleLine are based on the total managed assets of the Fund (including assets attributable to any reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings and preferred shares that may be outstanding), DoubleLine has a financial incentive for the Fund to use reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings or to issue preferred shares, which may create a conflict of interest between DoubleLine, on the one hand, and the Common Shareholders, on the other hand.
   Focused Investment Risk. To the extent that the Fund focuses its investments in a particular industry, the net asset value of the Common Shares will be more susceptible to events or factors affecting companies in that industry. These may include, but are not limited to, governmental regulation, inflation, rising interest rates, cost increases in raw materials, fuel and other operating expenses, technological innovations that may render existing products and equipment obsolete, competition from new entrants, high research and development costs, increased costs associated with compliance with environmental or other regulation and other economic, market, political or other developments specific to that industry. Also, the Fund may have greater risk to the extent that it invests a substantial portion of its assets in companies in related sectors, such as natural resources, which may

 

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  share common characteristics, are often subject to similar business risks and regulatory burdens, and whose securities may react similarly to the types of events and factors described above. The Fund also will be subject to focused investment risks to the extent that it invests a substantial portion of its assets in a small number of issuers or in a particular country or geographic region. See “Principal Risks of the Fund ––Issuer Non-Diversification Risk,” “Principal Risks of the Fund––Foreign (Non-U.S.) Investment Risk,” “Principal Risks of the Fund—Emerging Markets Risk” and “Principal Risks of the Fund—Foreign Currency Risk.”
  Derivatives Risk. The Fund may use a variety of derivative instruments for investment or risk management purposes. The Fund may use derivatives to gain exposure to securities markets in which it may invest (e.g., pending investment of the proceeds of this offering in individual securities). The Fund also expects to use derivatives to add leverage to its portfolio. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Leverage Risk.” Such derivatives instruments include, but are not limited to, options contracts (including options on futures contracts), futures contracts, swap agreements (including credit default swaps) and short sales. The Fund also may have exposure to derivatives, such as credit default swaps and interest rate swaps, through investment in credit-linked trust certificates or other securities issued by special purpose or structured vehicles. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in this prospectus, such as liquidity risk, issuer risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, leverage risk, counterparty risk, management risk and, if applicable, smaller company risk. They also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation, the risk of ambiguous documentation, and the risk that changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with an underlying asset, currency, interest rate or index. Suitable derivatives transactions may not be available in all circumstances and there can be no assurance that the Fund will engage in these transactions to reduce exposure to other risks when that would be beneficial.
  The U.S. government recently enacted legislation that provides for new regulation of certain portions of the derivatives market, including clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements. Because the legislation leaves much to rule making, its ultimate impact remains unclear. New regulations could, among other things, restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in derivatives transactions (for example, by making certain types of derivatives transactions no longer available to the Fund) and/or increase the costs of such derivatives transactions (for example, by increasing margin or capital requirements), and the Fund may be unable to execute its investment strategy as a result. It is unclear how the regulatory changes will affect counterparty risk.
  Counterparty Risk. The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivative contracts and other instruments entered into directly by the Fund or held by special purpose or structured vehicles in which the Fund invests. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.
  Counterparty risk with respect to certain over-the-counter derivatives may be further complicated by recently enacted U.S. financial reform legislation. See “Derivatives Risk” above for more information.
  Net Asset Value Discount Risk. Frequently, shares of closed-end investment companies, such as the Fund, trade at a price below their NAV, commonly referred to as a “discount.”
  The Fund cannot predict whether, or to what extent, its Common Shares will trade at a discount to their NAV. Immediately following this offering, the NAV of the Fund’s Common Shares will be reduced by offering costs paid by the Fund, creating an increased risk that the Common Shares will trade at a discount to their NAV for a period following the offering. Therefore, there is an added risk to investors who may sell their shares shortly after the offering. Before making an investment decision, a prospective investor should consider the suitability of this investment with respect to the investor’s investment objectives and personal situation. See “Description of Shares.”

 

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  Structured Products Risk. The Fund may invest in structured investments, structured notes and other similar products consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies. Generally, structured investments 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.
  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 may 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.
  The cash flow or rate of return on a structured investment 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 indirectly bear risks associated with the underlying investments, index or reference obligation, and are subject to counterparty risk. The Fund generally has 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. While certain structured investment vehicles 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 vehicles generally pay their share of the investment vehicle’s administrative and other expenses.
  Structured products are generally privately offered and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws. 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. In addition to the general risks associated with fixed income securities discussed herein, structured products carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from underlying investments will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the underlying investments may decline in value or default; (iii) the possibility that the security may be 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 interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk. Where the Fund’s investments in structured notes are based upon the movement of one or more factors, 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.
  Equity Securities and Related Market Risk. The Fund may hold common stocks and other equity securities from time to time, including those it has received through the conversion of a convertible security held by the Fund or in connection with the restructuring of a debt security. The market price of common stocks and other equity

 

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  securities may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. Equity securities may decline in value due to factors affecting equity securities markets generally, particular industries represented in those markets, or the issuer itself. See “Principal Risks of the Fund ––Issuer Risk.” The values of equity securities may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. They also may decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than bonds and other debt securities.
  Smaller Company Risk. The general risks associated with debt instruments or equity securities are particularly pronounced for securities issued by companies with small market capitalizations. Small capitalization companies involve certain special risks. They are more likely than larger companies to have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, or to depend on a small, inexperienced management group. Securities of smaller companies may trade less frequently and in lesser volume than more widely held securities and their values may fluctuate more sharply than other securities. They also may have limited liquidity. These securities may therefore be more vulnerable to adverse developments than securities of larger companies, and the Fund may have difficulty purchasing or selling securities positions in smaller companies at prevailing market prices. Also, there may be less publicly available information about smaller companies or less market interest in their securities as compared to larger companies. Companies with medium-sized market capitalizations may have risks similar to those of smaller companies.
  Confidential Information Access Risk. In managing the fund, DoubleLine normally will seek to avoid the receipt by portfolio managers and analysts of material, non-public information (“Confidential Information”) about the issuers of senior floating rate loans, other bank loans and related investments being considered for acquisition by the Fund or held in the Fund’s portfolio if the receipt of the Confidential Information will restrict the Fund from trading in securities in which it expects to invest. In many instances, issuers offer to furnish Confidential Information to prospective purchasers or holders of the issuer’s loans. In circumstances when the DoubleLine portfolio manager and analysts do not receive Confidential Information from these issuers, the Fund may be disadvantaged in comparison to other bank loan investors, including with respect to the price the Fund pays or receives when it buys or sells a bank loan. Further, in situations when the Fund is asked, for example, to grant consents, waivers or amendments with respect to bank loans, DoubleLine’s ability to assess the desirability of such consents, waivers and amendments may be compromised. In such circumstances, DoubleLine may determine to receive such Confidential Information, but in so doing, may create information walls around persons (“walled-off personnel”) having access to the Confidential Information, which may limit the restrictions on others at DoubleLine but that could also impair the ability of walled-off personnel to assist in managing the Fund. Also, certain issuers of senior floating rate loans, other bank loans and related investments may not have any traded securities (“Private Issuers”) and may offer private information pursuant to confidentiality agreements or similar arrangements. DoubleLine may access such private information, while recognizing that the receipt of that information could potentially limit the Fund’s ability to trade in certain securities if the Private Issuer later issues traded securities.
  Other Investment Companies Risk. The Fund may invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies, including ETFs, to the extent that such investments are consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies and permissible under the 1940 Act. As a shareholder in an investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment company’s expenses, and would remain subject to payment of the Fund’s investment management fees with respect to the assets so invested. Common Shareholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies. In addition, these other investment companies may use leverage, in which case an investment would subject the Fund to additional risks associated with leverage. See “Principal Risks of the Fund —Leverage Risk.”
  Rule 144A Securities Risk. Rule 144A permits certain qualified institutional buyers, such as the Fund, to trade in privately placed securities that have not been registered for sale under the Securities Act. Rule 144A securities may be deemed illiquid, although the Fund may determine

 

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  that certain Rule 144A securities are liquid in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees.
  Inflation/Deflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from the Fund’s investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of payments at future dates. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s portfolio could decline. Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time. Deflation may have an adverse effect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer default more likely, which may result in a decline in the value of the Fund’s portfolio.
  Liquidity Risk. The Fund may invest without limit in illiquid securities (i.e., securities that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the securities). Illiquid securities may trade at a discount from comparable, more liquid investments, and may be subject to wide fluctuations in market value. Also, the Fund may not be able to dispose readily of illiquid securities when that would be beneficial at a favorable time or price or at prices approximating those at which the Fund currently values them. Further, the lack of an established secondary market for illiquid securities may make it more difficult to value such securities, which may negatively impact the price the Fund would receive upon disposition of such securities.
  Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk. The wars with Iraq and Afghanistan, their aftermath and the occupations of Iraq and substantial military presence in Afghanistan are likely to have a substantial effect on the U.S. and world economies and securities markets. The nature, scope and duration of the wars and the potential costs of rebuilding infrastructure cannot be predicted with any certainty. Terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 closed some of the U.S. securities markets for a four-day period and similar future events cannot be ruled out. The wars and occupation, terrorism and related geopolitical risks have led, and may in the future lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Those events also could have an acute effect on individual issuers or related groups of issuers. These risks also could adversely affect individual issuers and securities markets, interest rates, secondary trading, ratings, credit risk, inflation, deflation and other factors relating to the Fund’s investments and the market value and net asset value of the Common Shares.
  Portfolio Turnover Risk. The techniques and strategies contemplated by the Fund might result in a high degree of portfolio turnover. Higher portfolio turnover rates result in corresponding increases in brokerage commissions and other trading costs and generate short-term capital gains taxable as ordinary income.
  Litigation and Investigation Risk. Trust Company of the West (“TCW”) has commenced litigation against the DoubleLine Funds Trust, including the various series of that Trust for which the Adviser serves as investment adviser; the Adviser, and four employees of the Adviser. The four employees (including Jeffrey Gundlach) are former employees of TCW or its affiliates. The suit against the Adviser and the defendant employees alleged, among other things, misappropriation of confidential and proprietary information. The lawsuit against the Adviser and defendant employees seeks, among other things, damages in excess of $200 million and a constructive trust on the limited partnership interests of the Adviser in favor of TCW. The lawsuit against DoubleLine Funds Trust contains allegations that are substantially similar to the allegations in the litigation against the Adviser and the employees and include, among other things, claims that DoubleLine Funds Trust aided and abetted, and conspired with, the Adviser and the employees to misappropriate TCW trade secrets. TCW seeks a variety of remedies against DoubleLine Funds Trust, including compensatory damages for lost profits; disgorgement of certain management fees and any carried interest obtained or retained by DoubleLine Funds Trust; punitive damages; and certain injunctive relief. There can be no assurances as to the outcome of any litigation. The remedies sought by TCW in its litigation against DoubleLine Funds Trust, if granted, could have a material adverse effect on shareholder returns for those DoubleLine funds that are series of DoubleLine Funds Trust.
  TCW raised a fund under the U.S. Treasury’s Legacy Securities Public Private Investment Program (the “PPIP”) in the fall of 2009 to be managed by Mr. Gundlach, as key person, and

 

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  announced in January 2010, subsequent to the termination of Mr. Gundlach, that it had voluntarily withdrawn the fund from the PPIP and would conduct an orderly liquidation of the fund. The Adviser has advised the Fund that employees and former employees of the Adviser have been interviewed by representatives of the Special Inspector General of the Troubled Asset Relief Program, and by the office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, in connection with the PPIP and in connection with the same allegations of misappropriation of proprietary information made by TCW in its litigation against the Adviser. The Adviser understands that the inquiry stems at least in part from a federal grand jury inquiry. The Adviser has informed the Fund that it has cooperated with the inquiry and has voluntarily produced documents. The Fund is not involved in any of these inquiries.
  Litigation, and participation in any governmental inquiry or investigation, can be expensive and time consuming, and their results can be unpredictable. There can be no assurances as to the outcome of these matters. The litigation and any governmental inquiry or investigation could consume a material amount of the Adviser’s resources thereby potentially impairing the Adviser’s ability to attract or retain talented personnel or otherwise effectively manage the Fund. In the event of an adverse outcome or if expenses of the litigation and related matters are greater than anticipated, the Adviser’s ability to manage the Fund may be materially impaired, and shareholders, or the viability of the Fund, could be adversely affected.
  For additional information, please see “Regulatory and Litigation Matters” at page [    ] of this Prospectus.
  Legal and Regulatory Risk. Legal, tax and regulatory changes could occur during the term of the Fund and may adversely affect the Fund and its ability to pursue its investment strategies and/or increase the costs of implementing such strategies. New (or revised) laws or regulations may be imposed by the CFTC, the SEC, the U.S. Federal Reserve or other banking regulators, other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that supervise the financial markets that could adversely affect the Fund. In particular, these agencies are empowered to promulgate a variety of new rules pursuant to recently enacted financial reform legislation in the United States. The Fund also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes and rules by these governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations.
  In addition, the securities and futures markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations and margin requirements. The CFTC, the SEC, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, other regulators and self-regulatory organizations and exchanges are authorized under these statutes, regulations and otherwise to take extraordinary actions in the event of market emergencies. The Fund and the Adviser have historically been eligible for exemptions from certain regulations. However, there is no assurance that the Fund and the Adviser will continue to be eligible for such exemptions. For example, the Fund has filed with the National Futures Association a notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under Commission Regulation 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, with respect to the Fund’s operation. Recently, the CFTC has proposed a change to Regulation 4.5 and other regulations which, if adopted, could require the Fund to register with the CFTC. Such changes could potentially limit or restrict the ability of the Fund to pursue its investment strategy, and/or increase the costs of implementing its strategy.
 

The U.S. government recently enacted legislation that provides for new regulation of the derivatives market, including clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements. Because the legislation leaves much to rule making, its ultimate impact remains unclear. New regulations could, among other things, restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in derivatives transactions (for example, by making certain types of derivatives transactions no longer available to the Fund) and/or increase the costs of such derivatives transactions (for example, by increasing margin or capital requirements), and the Fund may be unable to execute its investment strategy as a result. It is unclear how the regulatory changes will affect counterparty risk. The CFTC and certain futures exchanges have established limits, referred to as “position limits,”

on the maximum net long or net short positions which any person may hold or control in particular options and futures contracts. All positions owned or controlled by the same person or entity, even if in different accounts, may be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the applicable

 

 

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   position limits have been exceeded. Thus, even if the Fund does not intend to exceed applicable position limits, it is possible that different clients managed by the Adviser and its affiliates may be aggregated for this purpose. Therefore it is possible that the trading decisions of the Adviser may have to be modified and that positions held by the Fund may have to be liquidated in order to avoid exceeding such limits. The modification of investment decisions or the elimination of open positions, if it occurs, may adversely affect the profitability of the Fund.
   The SEC has in the past adopted interim rules requiring reporting of all short positions above a certain de minimis threshold and is expected to adopt rules requiring monthly public disclosure in the future. In addition, other non-U.S. jurisdictions where the Fund may trade have adopted reporting requirements. If the Fund’s short positions or its strategy become generally known, it could have a significant effect on the Adviser’s ability to implement its investment strategy. In particular, it would make it more likely that other investors could cause a “short squeeze” in the securities held short by the Fund forcing the Fund to cover its positions at a loss. Such reporting requirements also may limit the Adviser’s ability to access management and other personnel at certain companies where the Adviser seeks to take a short position. In addition, if other investors engage in copycat behavior by taking positions in the same issuers as the Fund, the cost of borrowing securities to sell short could increase drastically and the availability of such securities to the Fund could decrease drastically. Such events could make a Fund unable to execute its investment strategy. In addition, the SEC recently proposed additional restrictions on short sales. If the SEC were to adopt additional restrictions regarding short sales, they could restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in short sales in certain circumstances, and the Fund may be unable to execute its investment strategy as a result.
   The SEC and regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions may adopt (and in certain cases, have adopted) bans on short sales of certain securities in response to market events. Bans on short selling may make it impossible for the Fund to execute certain investment strategies and may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to generate returns. Pending federal legislation would require the adoption of regulations that would require any creditor that makes a loan and any securitizer of a loan to retain at least 5% of the credit risk on any loan that is transferred, sold or conveyed by such creditor or securitizer. It is currently unclear how these requirements would apply to loan participations, syndicated loans, and loan assignments. If the Fund invests in loans, it could be adversely affected by the regulation. The effect of any future regulatory change on the Fund could be substantial and adverse.
  
  
Anti-Takeover Provisions    The Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration”) includes provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to convert the Fund to open-end status. See “Anti-Takeover and Other Provisions in the Declaration of Trust.” These provisions in the Declaration 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 or at net asset value.

 

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SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES

The following table and the expenses shown assume the use of leverage in the form of reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings in an amount equal to 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (including the amounts of leverage obtained through the use of such instruments), and show Fund expenses as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares. Footnote 4 (on the next page) to the table also shows Fund expenses as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares, but assumes that no leverage is used.

 

Shareholder Transaction Expenses    Percentage of Offering Price

Sales Load Paid by Investors

   []%

Offering Expenses Borne by the Fund(1),(2)

   []%

Dividend Reinvestment Plan Fees(3)

   None
Annual Expenses   

Percentage of Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares

(assuming leverage is used)(4)

Management Fees

   1.25%

Administration Fees(5)

   []%

Interest Expense on Borrowed Funds(6)

   []%

Other Expenses(7)

   []%

Total Annual Expenses(1)

   []%

 

(1) The Fund has agreed to reimburse the underwriters for their reasonable and documented expenses in connection with this offering in an amount not to exceed $[] per Common Share sold in this offering. The Adviser has agreed to pay the amount by which the Fund’s offering costs (other than the sales load, but including the reimbursement of underwriter expenses of $[] per share) exceed $[] per share ([]% of the offering price). The Adviser has agreed to pay all of the Fund’s organizational expenses. Assuming that the Fund issues [] Common Shares in the offering at a total public offering price of $[], the total offering costs are estimated to be $[] (or approximately $[] per share), of which the Fund would pay or reimburse offering expenses estimated at $[] (or $[] per share) from the proceeds of the offering, and the Adviser would pay the balance of the offering expenses estimated at $[] (or approximately $[] per share). These figures represent estimates as the actual size of the offering and related expenses are not known as of the date of this prospectus, and the actual offering expenses to be paid or reimbursed by the Fund (or by the Adviser if the expense cap is exceeded) may vary substantially from these estimates. The offering costs to be paid or reimbursed by the Fund are not included in the Annual Expenses table above or in footnote (4) on the next page. However, these expenses will be borne by Common Shareholders and result in a reduction of the net asset value of the Common Shares.
(2) The Adviser will pay a marketing and structuring fee to each of [], [] and [] calculated at []% of the aggregate price to the public of the Common Shares sold by each such underwriter, including over-allotted shares. The Adviser will pay to [] additional compensation quarterly in arrears at the annual rate of []% of the Fund’s average daily total managed assets attributable to the Common Shares sold by []. These fees are not reflected under Offering Expenses Borne by the Fund in the table above. See “Underwriters—Additional Compensation to Be Paid by the Adviser.”
(3) You will pay brokerage charges if you direct the plan agent to sell your Common Shares held in a dividend reinvestment account. You also may pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred in connection with open-market purchases pursuant to the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”
(4) The table presented below in this footnote 4 estimates what the Fund’s annual expenses would be, stated as percentages of the Fund’s net assets attributable to Common Shares, but, unlike the table above, assumes that the Fund does not use reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings or other leverage. See “Leverage.” In accordance with these assumptions, the Fund’s expenses would be estimated to be as follows:

 

Annual Expenses   

Percentage of Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares

(assuming no use of leverage)

Management Fees

   []%

Administration Fees

   []%

Other Expenses(7)

   []%

Total Annual Expenses(1)

   []%

 

(5) The Administration Agreement between the Fund and the Administrator obligates the Fund to pay the Administrator an administration fee of [    ]% of the average daily total managed assets of the Fund for providing administration, bookkeeping and pricing services to the Fund.
(6)

Assumes the use of leverage in the form of reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings representing [33 1/3]% of the Fund’s total assets (including the amounts of leverage obtained through the use of such instruments) at an annual interest rate cost to the Fund of []%, which is based on DoubleLine’s assessment of current market conditions.

(7) “Other Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

 

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The purpose of the table above is to help you understand all fees and expenses that you, as a Common Shareholder, would bear directly or indirectly. The expenses shown in the table and related footnotes are based on estimated amounts for the Fund’s first year of operations and assume that the Fund issues approximately [] Common Shares. If the Fund issues fewer Common Shares, all other things being equal, these expenses would increase. See “Management of the Fund” and “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

As required by relevant Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, the following example illustrates the expenses (including the sales load of $[] and estimated offering expenses of this offering of approximately $[]) that you would pay on a $1,000 investment in Common Shares, assuming (a) the sales load and the offering expenses listed in the parenthetical above, (b) total annual expenses of []% of net assets attributable to Common Shares in years 1 through 10 (assuming the Fund obtains leverage through reverse repurchase agreements and other borrowings in an amount equal to 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets) and (c) a 5% annual return(1):

 

       1 Year    3 Years    5 Years    10 Years

Total Expenses Incurred

     $[]    $[]    $[]    $[]

 

 

(1) The example above should not be considered a representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be higher or lower than those shown. The example assumes that the estimated “Interest Expenses” and “Other Expenses” set forth in the Annual Expenses table are accurate, that the rates listed under “Annual Expenses” remain the same each year and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at net asset value. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those assumed. Moreover, the Fund’s actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% annual return shown in the example.

 

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THE FUND

The Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on July 22, 2011, pursuant to the Declaration, which is governed by the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As a newly organized entity, the Fund has no operating history. The Fund’s principal office is located at 333 South Grand Avenue, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA 90071, and its telephone number is 877-DLine11

(877-354-6311).

USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds of the offering of Common Shares will be approximately $[] (or $[] if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full) after payment or reimbursement of the estimated offering costs. The Fund has agreed to reimburse the underwriters for their reasonable and documented expenses in connection with this offering in an amount not to exceed $[] per common share sold in this offering. The Adviser has agreed to pay the amount by which the Fund’s offering costs (other than the sales load, but including reimbursement of underwriter expenses of $[] per share) exceed $[] per share. The Adviser has agreed to pay all of the Fund’s organizational expenses. The Fund will invest the net proceeds of the offering in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies as stated below. It is presently anticipated that the Fund will be able to invest substantially all of the net proceeds in investments that meet its investment objective and policies within three months after the completion of the offering. Pending such investment, it is anticipated that the proceeds will be invested in high grade, short-term securities, credit-linked trust certificates, credit default swaps and/or index futures contracts or similar derivative instruments designed to give the Fund exposure to the securities and markets in which it intends to invest while DoubleLine selects specific investments. If the Fund is delayed in investing the proceeds of this offering, the Fund’s initial distribution could consist principally of a return of capital.

THE FUND’S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES

Investment Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek high total investment return by providing a high level of current income and the potential for capital appreciation. The Fund cannot assure you that it will achieve its investment objective.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective by investing in a portfolio of investments selected for their potential to provide high current income, growth of capital, or both. The Fund may invest in debt securities and income-producing investments of any kind, including, without limitation, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, U.S. Government securities, corporate debt, international sovereign debt, and short-term investments. The Fund’s investment adviser, DoubleLine Capital LP (“DoubleLine” or the “Adviser”), allocates the Fund’s assets among market sectors, and among investments within those sectors, in an attempt to construct a portfolio providing a high level of current income and the potential for capital appreciation consistent with what DoubleLine considers an appropriate level of risk in light of market conditions prevailing at the time. Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to invest at least 80% of its total assets in debt securities and income-producing investments of any kind.

DoubleLine will select investments over time to implement its long-term strategic investment view. It also will buy and sell securities opportunistically in response to short-term market, economic, political, or other developments or otherwise as opportunities may present themselves. In selecting individual securities for investment by the Fund, DoubleLine uses a bottom-up security selection process, reflecting in-depth research and analysis. DoubleLine will manage the Fund under an integrated risk management framework overseen by the Fund’s portfolio management team and the DoubleLine risk management committee.

The Fund normally expects to invest at least 50% of its total assets in mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities include, but are not limited to, securities representing interests in, collateralized or backed by, or whose values are determined in whole or in part by reference to any number of mortgages or pools of mortgages or the payment experience of such mortgages or pools of mortgages. Mortgage-backed securities also include, without limitation, interests in pools of residential mortgages or commercial mortgages, and may relate to domestic or non-US mortgages. Mortgage-backed securities may be issued or guaranteed by banks or other financial institutions, special-purpose vehicles established for such purpose, or private issuers, or by government agencies or instrumentalities. The Fund may invest the remainder of its portfolio in other debt securities and income-producing investments of any kind, based on DoubleLine’s assessment of the potential returns and risks of different sectors of the debt security markets and of particular securities.

 

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The Fund may invest in securities of any credit quality, although DoubleLine does not currently expect that the Fund will invest more than 50% of its total assets in securities rated below investment grade or unrated securities judged by DoubleLine to be of comparable quality. In addition, DoubleLine does not currently expect that the Fund will invest more than 10% of its total assets in corporate debt securities (excluding mortgage-backed securities) or sovereign debt instruments rated Caa by Moody’s and CCC or below by S&P (or unrated securities determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality). Debt securities of below investment grade quality are regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and to repay principal, and are commonly referred to as “high yield” securities or “junk bonds.” Securities rated Caa/CCC or below are considered vulnerable to nonpayment and their issuers to be dependent on favorable business, financial and economic conditions to meet their financial commitments. Securities rated below Caa/CCC may include obligations already in default. Debt securities in the lowest investment grade category will likely possess speculative characteristics.

The Fund may invest in securities of any maturity, and the Fund’s average duration will vary from time to time, potentially significantly, depending on DoubleLine’s assessment of market conditions and other factors. Duration is a measure of the expected life of a fixed income instrument that is used to determine the sensitivity of a security’s price to changes in interest rates. For example, the value of a portfolio of fixed income securities with an average duration of four years would generally be expected to decline by approximately 4% if interest rates rose by one percentage point. “Effective” duration is a measure of the Fund’s portfolio duration adjusted for the anticipated effect of interest rate changes on bond and mortgage pre-payment rates. DoubleLine currently expects that the Fund’s dollar-weighted average effective duration will initially be between [] and [] years. The duration and effective duration of the Fund’s investment portfolio may vary significantly from time to time.

The Fund will not normally invest more than 30% of its total assets in securities of issuers domiciled or organized in jurisdictions other than the United States (“foreign issuers”), including “emerging market countries.”

The Fund may use various derivative strategies involving the purchase or sale of credit default swaps and other swap agreements, call and put options, futures and forward contracts, short sales and other derivative instruments as a substitute for cash investments, for leveraging purposes, or in an attempt to hedge against market, interest rate, currency, and other risks in the portfolio.

Portfolio securities may be sold at any time. Sales may occur when the Adviser determines to take advantage of a better investment opportunity, because the Adviser believes the portfolio securities no longer represent relatively attractive investment opportunities, because the Adviser perceives a deterioration in the credit fundamentals of the issuer, or because the Adviser believes it would be appropriate for other investment reasons, such as to adjust the duration or other characteristics of the Fund’s investment portfolio.

Note regarding investment limitations. Where this Prospectus states that the Fund or the Adviser will not, or does not intend to, make investments in excess of a stated percentage of the Fund’s total assets, “total assets” include amounts of leverage obtained through the use of reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings, and issuances of preferred shares. Except as otherwise noted, all percentages apply only at the time of investment.

Portfolio Contents

The Fund may purchase mortgage-backed securities of any kind, including, by way of example, securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies, or its instrumentalities or sponsored corporations, or securities of domestic or foreign private issuers. Mortgage-backed securities may include, among other things, mortgage pass-through securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, multiclass pass-through securities, private mortgage pass-through securities, stripped mortgage securities, and inverse floaters. Some of the Fund’s investments in mortgage-related securities may be backed by sub-prime mortgages, which are subject to certain special risks. See “Principal Risks of the Fund – Mortgage Market/Subprime Risk.” The Fund may purchase other types of debt securities of any kind, including, by way of example, asset-backed securities; U.S. Government securities; debt securities issued by domestic or foreign corporations; obligations of foreign sovereigns or their agencies or instrumentalities; real estate investment trust (“REIT”) equity or debt securities; bank loans (including, among others, participations, assignments, senior loans, delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities); municipal securities and other debt securities issued by states or local governments and their agencies, authorities and other government-sponsored enterprises; payment-in-kind securities; zero-coupon bonds; inflation-indexed bonds; structured notes and other hybrid instruments; catastrophe bonds and other event-linked bonds; credit-linked trust certificates; preferred securities; commercial paper, and cash and cash equivalents. The rate of interest scheduled to be received on the debt and other income-producing investments that the Fund may purchase may be fixed, floating, or variable.

The Fund also may hold common stocks and other equity securities from time to time, including those which it has received through the conversion of a convertible security held by the Fund or in connection with the restructuring of a debt security. The Fund

 

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also may invest in securities that have not been registered for public sale, including securities eligible for purchase and sale pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and other securities issued in private placements. The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund may invest in securities of companies with small and medium market capitalizations.

The Fund may enter into derivatives transactions of any kind for hedging purposes or otherwise to gain, or reduce, long or short exposure to one or more asset classes or issuers. The Fund also may enter into derivatives transactions with the purpose or effect of creating investment leverage. Although the Fund reserves the right to invest in derivatives of any kind, it currently expects that it may use the following types of derivatives: futures contracts and options on futures contracts, in order to gain efficient long or short investment exposures as an alternative to cash investments or to hedge against portfolio exposures; interest rate swaps, to gain indirect long or short exposures to interest rates, issuers, or currencies, or to hedge against portfolio exposures; and total return swaps and credit derivatives, put and call options, and exchange-traded and structured notes, to take indirect long or short positions on indexes, securities, currencies, commodities or other indicators of value. The Fund may, for hedging, investment or leveraging purposes, make use of credit default swaps, which are contracts whereby one party makes periodic payments to a counterparty in exchange for the right to receive from the counterparty a payment equal to the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt obligation in the event of a default by the issuer of the debt obligation. The Fund may engage in short sales, either to earn additional return or to hedge existing investments. Any use of derivatives strategies entails the risks of investing directly in the securities or instruments underlying the derivatives strategies, as well as the risks of using derivatives generally, and in some cases the risks of leverage, described in this Prospectus and in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).

The Fund may use repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements for any investment purpose, including to create investment leverage in the Fund’s portfolio.

The Fund will normally not invest more than 10% of its total assets in illiquid securities (securities that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the securities.

The Fund is a “non-diversified” investment company, and so may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer than investment companies that are “diversified.” See “Principal Risks of the Fund––Issuer Non-Diversification Risk.”

Bonds

The Fund may invest in a wide variety of bonds of varying maturities issued by U.S. and foreign corporations and other business entities, governments and municipalities and other issuers. Bonds are fixed or variable/floating-rate debt obligations, including bills, notes, debentures, money market instruments and similar instruments and securities. Bonds generally are used by corporations as well as governments and other issuers to borrow money from investors. The issuer pays the investor a fixed or variable rate of interest and normally must repay the amount borrowed on or before maturity. Some bonds are “perpetual” in that they have no maturity date.

High Yield Securities (“Junk Bonds”)

Investments in high yield securities, or “junk bonds,” involve a greater degree of risk (in particular, a greater risk of default) than, and special risks in addition to the risks associated with, investments in investment grade debt obligations. While offering a greater potential opportunity for capital appreciation and higher yields, high yield securities typically entail greater potential price volatility and may be less liquid than higher-rated securities. High yield securities may be regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to make timely principal and interest payments. They also may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than higher-rated securities. Debt securities in the lowest investment grade category also may be considered to possess some speculative characteristics.

The market values of high yield securities tend to reflect individual developments of the issuer to a greater extent than do higher-quality securities, which tend to react mainly to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. In addition, lower-quality debt securities tend to be more sensitive to general economic conditions. Certain “emerging” market governments that issue high yield securities in which the Fund may invest are among the largest debtors to commercial banks, foreign governments and supranational organizations, such as the World Bank, and may not be able or willing to make principal and/or interest payments as they come due.

Credit Ratings and Unrated Securities. Rating agencies are private services that provide ratings of the credit quality of debt obligations. Appendix A to this prospectus describes the various ratings assigned to debt obligations by Moody’s, S&P and Fitch. As noted in Appendix A, Moody’s, S&P and Fitch may modify their ratings of securities to show relative standing within a rating category, with the addition of numerical modifiers (1, 2 or 3) in the case of Moody’s, and with the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign in the case of S&P and Fitch. The Fund may purchase a security, regardless of any rating modification, provided the security is

 

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rated at or above the Fund’s minimum rating category. For example, the Fund may purchase a security rated B3 by Moody’s, B- by S&P or B- by Fitch, provided that the Fund is permitted to purchase securities rated B. Ratings assigned by a rating agency are not absolute standards of credit quality and do not evaluate market risks. Rating agencies may fail to make timely changes in credit ratings and an issuer’s current financial condition may be better or worse than a rating indicates. The Fund need not sell a security when its rating is reduced below its rating at the time of purchase. As described above under “—Portfolio Management Strategies—Independent Credit Analysis,” DoubleLine does not rely solely on credit ratings, and develops its own analysis of issuer credit quality. The ratings of a debt security may change over time. Moody’s, S&P and Fitch monitor and evaluate the ratings assigned to securities on an ongoing basis. As a result, debt instruments held by the Fund could receive a higher rating (which would tend to increase their value) or a lower rating (which would tend to decrease their value) during the period in which they are held.

When an investment is rated by more than one rating agency, DoubleLine will use the highest rating for that security for purposes of applying any investment policies that incorporate credit ratings (e.g., a policy to invest a certain percentage of the Fund’s assets in securities rated investment grade) except where the Fund has a policy to invest a certain percentage of its assets in securities that are rated below investment grade, in which case the Fund will use the lowest rating that applies to that investment.

The Fund may purchase unrated securities (which are not rated by a rating agency) if DoubleLine determines that the securities are of comparable quality to rated securities that the Fund may purchase. Unrated securities may be less liquid than comparable rated securities and involve the risk that DoubleLine may not accurately evaluate the security’s comparative credit rating. Analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers of high yield securities may be more complex than for issuers of higher-quality debt obligations. The Fund’s success in achieving its investment objective may depend more heavily on DoubleLine’s credit analysis to the extent that the Fund invests in below investment grade quality and unrated securities.

Distressed and Defaulted Securities

The Fund may invest in the securities of financially distressed and bankrupt issuers, including debt obligations that are in covenant or payment default. Such investments 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, during which the issuer might not make any interest or other payments. Typically such workout or bankruptcy proceedings 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. In addition to pre-existing outstanding debt obligations of issuers undergoing financial distress, the Fund also may invest in “debtor-in-possession” loans (“DIP Loans”) newly issued in connection with “special situation” restructuring and refinancing transactions. DIP Loans are loans to a debtor-in-possession in a proceeding under the U.S. bankruptcy code that have been approved by the bankruptcy court. DIP Loans are typically fully secured by a lien on the debtor’s otherwise unencumbered assets or secured by a junior lien on the debtor’s encumbered assets (so long as the loan is fully secured based on the most recent current valuation or appraisal report of the debtor). DIP Loans are often required to close with certainty and in a rapid manner in order to satisfy existing creditors and to enable the issuer to emerge from bankruptcy or to avoid a bankruptcy proceeding.

Yankee Dollar Obligations, Eurobonds, Global Bonds

Certain debt securities purchased by the Fund may take the forms of Yankee dollar obligations, eurobonds or global bonds. Yankee dollar obligations are dollar-denominated obligations issued in the U.S. capital markets by foreign issuers, such as corporations and banks. A eurobond is a bond issued in a currency other than the currency of the country or market in which it is issued. Global bonds are bonds that can be offered within multiple markets simultaneously. Unlike eurobonds, global bonds can be issued in the local currency of the country of issuance.

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Investments

The Fund intends to invest a substantial portion of it assets in debt obligations of corporate and other foreign issuers, including those of issuers economically tied to “emerging” market countries. See “––Emerging Market Securities.” The Fund may invest in sovereign debt issued by foreign developed and emerging market governments and their respective sub-divisions, agencies or instrumentalities, government sponsored enterprises and supranational government entities. Supranational entities include international organizations that are organized or supported by one or more government entities to promote economic reconstruction or development and by international banking institutions and related governmental agencies. As a holder of sovereign debt, the Fund may be requested to participate in the rescheduling of such debt and to extend further loans to governmental entities. In addition, there are generally no bankruptcy proceedings similar to those in the United States by which defaulted sovereign debt may be collected. Investing in foreign securities involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Foreign (Non-U.S.) Investment Risk.”

 

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The Fund may invest in Brady Bonds, which are securities created through the exchange of existing commercial bank loans to sovereign entities for new obligations in connection with a debt restructuring. Investments in Brady Bonds may be viewed as speculative. Brady Bonds acquired by the Fund may be subject to restructuring arrangements or to requests for new credit, which may cause the Fund to realize a loss of interest or principal on any of its portfolio holdings.

The foreign securities in which the Fund may invest include Eurodollar obligations and “Yankee Dollar” obligations. Eurodollar obligations are U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit and time deposits issued outside the U.S. capital markets by foreign branches of U.S. banks and by foreign banks. Yankee Dollar obligations are U.S. dollar-denominated obligations issued in the U.S. capital markets by foreign banks. Eurodollar and Yankee Dollar obligations are generally subject to the same risks that apply to domestic debt issues, notably credit risk, interest rate risk, market risk and liquidity risk. Additionally, Eurodollar (and to a limited extent, Yankee Dollar) obligations are subject to certain sovereign risks. One such risk is the possibility that a sovereign country might prevent capital, in the form of U.S. dollars, from flowing across its borders. Other risks include adverse political and economic developments; the extent and quality of government regulation of financial markets and institutions; the imposition of foreign withholding taxes; and the expropriation or nationalization of foreign issuers.

Sovereign Debt Obligations

Sovereign debt obligations are obligations of governmental issuers in foreign developed and emerging market countries (“Sovereign Debt Obligations”). Sovereign Debt Obligations include, but are not limited to,

 

   

debt securities issued or guaranteed by governments, government agencies or instrumentalities and political subdivisions,

   

debt securities issued by government owned, controlled or sponsored entities and supranational government entities,

   

interests in entities organized and operated for the purposes of restructuring the investment characteristics of instruments issued by any of the above issuers, or

   

participation in loans between governments and financial institutions (see “ — Loan Participations and Assignments”).

Supranational entities include international organizations that are organized or supported by one or more government entities to promote economic reconstruction or development and by international banking institutions and related governmental agencies. As a holder of Sovereign Debt Obligations, the Fund may be requested to participate in the rescheduling of such debt and to extend further loans to governmental entities. In addition, there are generally no bankruptcy proceedings similar to those in the United States by which defaulted Sovereign Debt Obligations may be collected. Investing in foreign securities involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. See “Risk Factors— Investments in Foreign Securities.”

Emerging Market Securities

The Fund may invest in the securities of issuers economically tied to emerging market countries. A security is considered to be “economically tied” to an emerging market country if the issuer or guarantor of the security is organized under the laws of the country or if the currency of settlement of the security is a currency of the emerging market country. DoubleLine has broad discretion to identify countries that it considers to qualify as emerging securities markets. In making investments in emerging market securities, the Fund emphasizes countries with relatively low gross national product per capita and with the potential for rapid economic growth. Emerging market countries are generally located in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Eastern Europe. DoubleLine will select emerging market country and currency composition based on its evaluation of relative interest rates, inflation rates, exchange rates, monetary and fiscal policies, trade and current account balances and any other specific factors it believes to be relevant.

Investments in emerging market securities involve a greater degree of risk than, and special risks in addition to the risks associated with, investments in domestic securities or in securities of foreign, developed countries. See “Principal Risks of the Fund––Emerging Markets Risk.”

Foreign Currencies and Related Transactions

The Fund’s Common Shares are priced in U.S. dollars and the distributions paid by the Fund to Common Shareholders are paid in U.S. dollars. However, it is expected that a significant portion of the Fund’s assets may be denominated in foreign (non-U.S.) currencies and that income received by the Fund from many foreign debt obligations will be paid in foreign currencies. The Fund also may invest in or gain exposure to foreign currencies themselves for investment or hedging purposes. The Fund’s investments in securities that trade in, or receive revenues in, foreign currencies will be subject to currency risk, which is the risk that fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies may negatively affect any investment. See “Principal Risks of the Fund––Foreign Currency Risk.” The Fund may (but is not required to) hedge some or all of its exposure to foreign currencies through the use of derivative strategies. For instance, the Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and may buy and

 

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sell foreign currency futures contracts and options on foreign currencies and foreign currency futures. A forward foreign currency exchange contract, which involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract, reduces the Fund’s exposure to changes in the value of the currency it will deliver and increases its exposure to changes in the value of the currency it will receive for the duration of the contract. The effect on the value of the Fund is similar to selling securities denominated in one currency and purchasing securities denominated in another currency. Contracts to sell foreign currency would limit any potential gain which might be realized by the Fund if the value of the hedged currency increases. The Fund may enter into these contracts to hedge against foreign exchange risk arising from the Fund’s investment or anticipated investment in securities denominated in foreign currencies. Suitable hedging transactions may not be available in all circumstances and there can be no assurance that the Fund will engage in such transactions at any given time or from time to time when they would be beneficial. Although DoubleLine has the flexibility to engage in such transactions for the Fund, it may determine not to do so or to do so only in unusual circumstances or market conditions. Also, these transactions may not be successful and may eliminate any chance for the Fund to benefit from favorable fluctuations in relevant foreign currencies.

The Fund also may use derivatives contracts for purposes of increasing exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one currency to another. To the extent that it does so, the Fund will be subject to the additional risk that the relative value of currencies will be different than anticipated by DoubleLine.

Please see “Investment Objective and Policies—Foreign (Non-U.S.) Securities,” “Investment Objective and Policies—Foreign Currency Transactions” and “Investment Objective and Policies—Foreign Currency Exchange-Related Securities” in the Statement of Additional Information for a more detailed description of the types of foreign investments and foreign currency transactions in which the Fund may invest and their related risks.

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities

The Fund may invest without limit in mortgage-related or other asset-backed securities. Mortgage-related securities include mortgage pass-through securities, collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), commercial mortgage-backed securities, mortgage dollar rolls, CMO residuals, stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBSs”) and other securities that directly or indirectly represent a participation in, or are secured by and payable from, mortgage loans on real property. The value of some mortgage-related or asset-backed securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates. Early repayment of principal on some mortgage-related securities may expose the Fund to a lower rate of return upon reinvestment of principal. When interest rates rise, the value of a mortgage-related security generally will decline; however, when interest rates are declining, the value of mortgage-related securities with prepayment features may not increase as much as other fixed income securities. The rate of prepayments on underlying mortgages will affect the price and volatility of a mortgage-related security, and may shorten or extend the effective maturity of the security beyond what was anticipated at the time of purchase. If unanticipated rates of prepayment on underlying mortgages increase the effective maturity of a mortgage-related security, the volatility of the security can be expected to increase. The value of these securities may fluctuate in response to the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of the issuers. One type of SMBS has one class receiving all of the interest from the mortgage assets (the interest-only, or “IO” class), while the other class receives all of the principal (the principal-only, or “PO” class). The yield to maturity on an IO class is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying mortgage assets, and a rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s yield to maturity from these securities.

Certain of the Fund’s investments in mortgage-related securities may be backed by sub-prime mortgages which are subject to certain special risks. See “Principal Risks of the Fund––Mortgage Market/Subprime Risk.”

The Fund may invest in other types of asset-backed securities that are offered in the marketplace, including Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates (“EETCs”). Although any entity may issue EETCs, to date, U.S. airlines are the primary issuers. An airline EETC is an obligation secured directly by aircraft or aircraft engines as collateral. EETCs tend to be less liquid than bonds. Other asset-backed securities may be collateralized by the fees earned by service providers. The value of asset-backed securities may be substantially dependent on the servicing of the underlying asset pools and are therefore subject to risks associated with the negligence of, or defalcation by, their servicers. In certain circumstances, the mishandling of related documentation also may affect the rights of the security holders in and to the underlying collateral. The insolvency of entities that generate receivables or that use the assets may result in added costs and delays in addition to losses associated with a decline in the value of the underlying assets. The Fund may invest in other types of asset-backed securities that have been or will be offered to investors.

Please see “Investment Objective and Policies—Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities” in the Statement of Additional Information and “Principal Risks of the Fund—Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk” in this prospectus for a more detailed description of the types of mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities in which the Fund may invest and their related risks.

 

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Bank Loans

Loan interests may take the form of direct interests acquired during a primary distribution and also may take the form of assignments of, novations of or participations in a bank loan acquired in secondary markets.

As noted, the Fund may purchase “assignments” of bank loans from lenders. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement with the same rights and obligations as the assigning lender.

Assignments may, however, be arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, and the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender.

The Fund also may invest in “participations” in bank loans. Participations by the Fund in a lender’s portion of a bank loan typically will result in the Fund having a contractual relationship only with such lender, not with the borrower. As a result, 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 such lender of such payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, nor any rights with respect to any funds acquired by other lenders through set-off against the borrower, and the Fund may not directly benefit from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, the Fund may assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender selling the participation.

Among the types of bank loan investments that the Fund may make are interests in senior floating rate loans made to or issued by U.S. or non-U.S. banks or other corporations (“Senior Loans”). Senior Loans typically pay interest at rates that are re-determined periodically on the basis of a floating base lending rate (such as the LIBOR Rate) plus a premium. Although Senior Loans are typically of below investment grade quality (i.e., high yield securities), they tend to have more favorable recovery rates than other types of below investment grade quality debt obligations. Senior Loans generally (but not always) hold the most senior position in the capital structure of a borrower and are often secured with collateral. A Senior Loan is typically originated, negotiated and structured by a U.S. or foreign commercial bank, insurance company, finance company or other financial institution (the “Agent”) for a lending syndicate of financial institutions (“Lenders”). The Agent typically administers and enforces the Senior Loan on behalf of the other Lenders in the syndicate. In addition, an institution, typically but not always the Agent, holds any collateral on behalf of the Lenders. A financial institution’s employment as an Agent might be terminated in the event that it fails to observe a requisite standard of care or becomes insolvent. A successor Agent would generally be appointed to replace the terminated Agent, and assets held by the Agent under the loan agreement would likely remain available to holders of such indebtedness. However, if assets held by the Agent for the benefit of the Fund were determined to be subject to the claims of the Agent’s general creditors, the Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a loan or loan participation and could suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. In situations involving other interposed financial institutions (e.g., an insurance company or government agency) similar risks may arise.

Purchasers of Senior Loans and other forms of direct indebtedness depend primarily upon the creditworthiness of the corporate or other borrower for payment of principal and interest. If the Fund does not receive scheduled interest or principal payments on such indebtedness, the net asset value, market price and/or yield of the Common Shares could be adversely affected. Senior Loans that are fully secured may offer the Fund more protection than an unsecured loan in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. However, there is no assurance that the liquidation of any collateral from a secured Senior Loan would satisfy the borrower’s obligation, or that such collateral could be liquidated. Also, the Fund may invest in Senior Loans that are unsecured.

Senior Loans may not be readily marketable and may be subject to restrictions on resale. In some cases, negotiations involved in disposing of indebtedness may require weeks to complete. Consequently, some indebtedness may be difficult or impossible to dispose of readily at what DoubleLine believes to be a fair price.

Senior Loans usually require, in addition to scheduled payments of interest and principal, the prepayment of the Senior Loan from free cash flow. The degree to which borrowers prepay Senior Loans, whether as a contractual requirement or at their election, may be affected by general business conditions, the financial condition of the borrower and competitive conditions among lenders, among others. As such, prepayments cannot be predicted with accuracy. Upon a prepayment, either in part or in full, the actual outstanding debt on which the Fund derives interest income will be reduced. However, the Fund may receive both a prepayment penalty fee from the prepaying borrower and a facility fee upon the purchase of a new Senior Loan with the proceeds from the prepayment of the former. The effect of prepayments on the Fund’s performance may be mitigated by the receipt of prepayment fees and the Fund’s ability to reinvest prepayments in other Senior Loans that have similar or identical yields.

Delayed Funding Loans and Revolving Credit Facilities

 

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As noted above under “Bank Loans,” the Fund may enter into, or acquire participations in, delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities, in which a bank or other lender agrees to make loans up to a maximum amount upon demand by the borrower during a specified term. These commitments may have the effect of requiring the Fund to increase its investment in a company at a time when it might not be desirable to do so (including at a time when the company’s financial condition makes it unlikely that such amounts will be repaid). Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities are subject to credit, interest rate and liquidity risk and the risks of being a lender.

Corporate Bonds

The Fund expects to invest in a wide variety of bonds of varying maturities issued by U.S. and foreign corporations and other business entities. Bonds are fixed or variable rate debt obligations, including bills, notes, debentures, money market instruments and similar instruments and securities. Bonds generally are used by corporations as well as governments and other issuers to borrow money from investors. The issuer pays the investor a fixed or variable rate of interest and normally must repay the amount borrowed on or before maturity. Certain bonds are “perpetual” in that they have no maturity date.

Preferred Securities

Preferred securities represent an equity interest in a company that generally entitles the holder to receive, in preference to the holders of other stocks such as common stocks, dividends and a fixed share of the proceeds resulting from liquidation of the company. Unlike common stocks, preferred stocks usually do not have voting rights. Preferred stocks in some instances are convertible into common stock. Some preferred stocks also entitle their holders to receive additional liquidation proceeds on the same basis as holders of a company’s common stock, and thus also represent an ownership interest in the company. Some preferred stocks offer a fixed rate of return with no maturity date. Because they never mature, these preferred stocks act like long-term bonds, can be more volatile than other types of preferred stocks and may have heightened sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Other preferred stocks have a variable dividend, generally determined on a quarterly or other periodic basis, either according to a formula based upon a specified premium or discount to the yield on particular U.S. Treasury securities or based on an auction process, involving bids submitted by holders and prospective purchasers of such stocks. Although they are equity securities, preferred securities have certain characteristics of both debt securities and common stock. They are like debt securities in that their stated income is generally contractually fixed. They are like common stocks in that they do not have rights to precipitate bankruptcy proceedings or collection activities in the event of missed payments. Furthermore, preferred securities have many of the key characteristics of equity due to their subordinated position in an issuer’s capital structure and because their quality and value are heavily dependent on the profitability of the issuer rather than on any legal claims to specific assets or cash flows. Because preferred securities represent an equity ownership interest in a company, their value usually will react more strongly than bonds and other debt instruments to actual or perceived changes in a company’s financial condition or prospects, or to fluctuations in the equity markets.

In order to be payable, dividends on preferred securities must be declared by the issuer’s board of directors. In addition, distributions on preferred securities may be subject to deferral and thus may not be automatically payable. Income payments on some preferred securities are cumulative, causing dividends and distributions to accrue even if they are not declared by the board of directors of the issuer or otherwise made payable. Other preferred securities are non-cumulative, meaning that skipped dividends and distributions do not continue to accrue. There is no assurance that dividends on preferred securities in which the Fund invests will be declared or otherwise made payable.

Preferred securities have a liquidation value that generally equals their original purchase price at the date of issuance. The market values of preferred securities may be affected by favorable and unfavorable changes impacting the issuers’ industries or sectors. They also may be affected by actual and anticipated changes or ambiguities in the tax status of the security and by actual and anticipated changes or ambiguities in tax laws, such as changes in corporate and individual income tax rates or the characterization of dividends as tax-advantaged. Many of the preferred securities in which the Fund may invest will not pay tax-advantaged dividends. See “Tax Matters.” Because the claim on an issuer’s earnings represented by preferred securities may become disproportionately large when interest rates fall below the rate payable on the securities or for other reasons, the issuer may redeem preferred securities, generally after an initial period of call protection in which the security is not redeemable. Thus, in declining interest rate environments in particular, the Fund’s holdings of higher dividend-paying preferred securities may be reduced and the Fund may be unable to acquire securities paying comparable rates with the redemption proceeds.

Convertible Securities and Synthetic Convertible Securities

The Fund may invest in convertible securities, which are debt securities that may be converted at either a stated price or stated rate into underlying shares of common stock. Convertible securities have general characteristics similar to both debt securities and equity securities. DoubleLine will generally evaluate these instruments based primarily on their debt characteristics. Although to a lesser extent than with debt obligations, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and,

 

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conversely, tends to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, because of the conversion feature, the market value of convertible securities tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of the underlying common stocks and, therefore, also will react to variations in the general market for equity securities.

Convertible securities are investments that provide for a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than common stocks. There can be no assurance of current income because the issuers of the convertible securities may default on their obligations. Convertible securities, however, generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible debt securities of similar credit quality because of the potential for equity-related capital appreciation. A convertible security, in addition to providing current income, offers the potential for capital appreciation through the conversion feature, which enables the holder to benefit from increases in the market price of the underlying common stock.

The Fund may invest in synthetic convertible securities, which are created through a combination of separate securities that possess the two principal characteristics of a traditional convertible security, i.e., an income-producing security (“income-producing component”) and the right to acquire an equity security (“convertible component”). The income-producing component is achieved by investing in non-convertible, income-producing securities such as bonds, preferred stocks and money market instruments. The convertible component is achieved by purchasing warrants or options to buy common stock at a certain exercise price, or options on a stock index. The values of synthetic convertible securities will respond differently to market fluctuations than a traditional convertible security because a synthetic convertible is composed of two or more separate securities or instruments, each with its own market value. Synthetic convertible securities also are subject to the risks associated with derivatives. See “Principal Risks of the Fund —Derivatives Risk.” In addition, if the value of the underlying common stock or the level of the index involved in the convertible element falls below the strike price of the warrant or option, the warrant or option may lose all value.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Rolls

As discussed below under “Leverage,” as soon as is reasonably practicable following the completion of the initial public offering of the Common Shares, the Fund intends, subject to then favorable market conditions, to add leverage to its portfolio by utilizing reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund also may use dollar rolls.

Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund would sell securities to a bank or broker dealer and agree to repurchase the securities at a mutually agreed future date and price. A dollar roll is similar to a reverse repurchase agreement except that the counterparty with which the Fund enters into a dollar roll transaction is not obligated to return the same securities as those originally sold by the Fund but only securities that are “substantially identical.” Generally, the effect of a reverse repurchase agreement or dollar roll transaction is that the Fund can recover and reinvest all or most of the cash invested in the portfolio securities involved during the term of the agreement and still be entitled to the returns associated with those portfolio securities – thereby resulting in a transaction similar to a borrowing and giving rise to leverage for the Fund. In the event the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement or dollar roll files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Fund’s use of the proceeds of the agreement may be restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce the Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities.

Real Estate Securities

The Fund may gain exposure to the real estate sector by investing in real estate-linked derivatives, real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), and common, preferred and convertible securities of issuers in real estate-related industries. Each of these types of investments are subject to risks similar to those associated with direct ownership of real estate, including loss to casualty or condemnation, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, zoning law amendments, changes in interest rates, overbuilding and increased competition, variations in market value, and possible environmental liabilities.

REITs are pooled investment vehicles that own, and typically operate, income-producing real estate. If a REIT meets certain requirements, including distributing to shareholders substantially all of its taxable income (other than net capital gains), then it is not taxed on the income distributed to shareholders. REITs are subject to management fees and other expenses, and, to the extent the Fund invests in REITs, it will bear its proportionate share of the costs of the REITs’ operations.

There are three general categories of REITs: Equity REITs, Mortgage REITs and Hybrid REITs. Equity REITs invest primarily in direct fee ownership or leasehold ownership of real property; they derive most of their income from rents. Mortgage REITs invest mostly in mortgages on real estate, which may secure construction, development or long-term loans, and the main source of their income is mortgage interest payments. Hybrid REITs hold both ownership and mortgage interests in real estate.

Along with the risks common to different types of real estate-related securities, REITs, no matter the type, involve additional risk factors. These include poor performance by the REIT’s manager, changes to the tax laws, and failure by the REIT to qualify for tax-

 

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free distribution of income or exemption under the 1940 Act. Furthermore, REITs are not diversified and are heavily dependent on cash flow.

Commercial Paper

Commercial paper represents short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in bearer form by corporations such as banks or bank holding companies and finance companies. The rate of return on commercial paper may be linked or indexed to the level of exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency or currencies.

U.S. Government Securities

The Fund may invest in U.S. Government securities, which are obligations of, or guaranteed by, the U.S. Government or its agencies, instrumentalities or government-sponsored enterprises. Some U.S. Government securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; others are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations; and still others are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. Although U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises may be chartered or sponsored by Congress, they are not funded by Congressional appropriations, and their securities are not issued by the U.S. Treasury or supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government and involve increased credit risks. See “Principal Risks of the Fund––Government Entity Risk.” While some U.S. Government securities are guaranteed as to principal and interest, their market value is not guaranteed. Like other debt securities, U.S. Government securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk. The U.S. Government does not guarantee the net asset value or market value of the Fund’s Common Shares. Concerns regarding the U.S. Government’s ability to borrow money or otherwise finance its obligations, including as a result of legislatively-imposed limits on the amount of money it may borrow, could cause the values of U.S. Government securities, including those of the U.S. Government’s agencies and instrumentalities and other government-sponsored enterprises, to decline.

Bank Obligations

The Fund may invest in certain bank obligations, including certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, and fixed time deposits. Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a specified return. Bankers’ acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which are “accepted” by a bank, meaning, in effect, that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity. Fixed time deposits are bank obligations payable at a stated maturity date and bearing interest at a fixed rate. Fixed time deposits may be withdrawn on demand by the investor, but may be subject to early withdrawal penalties which vary depending upon market conditions and the remaining maturity of the obligation.

Municipal Bonds

The Fund may invest in municipal bonds, which are generally issued by states and local governments and their agencies, authorities and other instrumentalities. Municipal bonds are subject to interest rate, credit and market risk. The ability of an issuer to make payments could be affected by litigation, legislation or other political events or the bankruptcy of the issuer. Lower rated municipal bonds are subject to greater credit and market risk than higher quality municipal bonds. The types of municipal bonds in which the Funds may invest include, without limitation, municipal lease obligations. The Fund also may invest in industrial development bonds, which are municipal bonds issued by a government agency on behalf of a private sector company and, in most cases, are not backed by the credit of the issuing municipality and may therefore involve more risk. The Funds also may invest in securities issued by entities whose underlying assets are municipal bonds.

Residual Interest Bonds

The Fund may invest without limitation in residual interest bonds (sometimes referred to as inverse floaters) (“RIBs”), which brokers create by depositing a municipal bond in a trust. The trust in turn issues a variable rate security and RIBs. The interest rate for the variable rate security is determined by an index or an auction process held approximately every 7 to 35 days, while the RIB holder receives the balance of the income from the underlying municipal bond less an auction fee. The market prices of RIBs may be highly sensitive to changes in market rates and may decrease significantly when market rates increase. In a transaction in which the Fund purchases a RIB from a trust, and the underlying municipal bond was held by the Fund prior to being deposited into the trust, the Fund treats the transaction as a secured borrowing for financial reporting purposes. As a result, the Fund will incur a non-cash interest expense with respect to interest paid by the trust on the variable rate securities, and will recognize additional interest income in an amount directly corresponding to the non-cash interest expense. Therefore, the Fund’s net asset value per share and performance are not affected by the non-cash interest expense. This accounting treatment does not apply to RIBs acquired by the Fund where the Fund did not previously own the underlying municipal bond.

 

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Zero-Coupon Bonds, Step-Ups and Payment-In-Kind Securities

Zero-coupon bonds pay interest only at maturity rather than at intervals during the life of the security. Like zero-coupon bonds, “step up” bonds pay no interest initially but eventually begin to pay a coupon rate prior to maturity, which rate may increase at stated intervals during the life of the security. Payment-in-kind securities (“PIKs”) are debt obligations that pay “interest” in the form of other debt obligations, instead of in cash. Each of these instruments is normally issued and traded at a deep discount from face value. Zero-coupon bonds, step-ups and PIKs 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. The Fund would be required to distribute the income on these instruments as it accrues, even though the Fund will not receive the income on a current basis or in cash. Thus, the Fund may have to sell other investments, including when it may not be advisable to do so, to make income distributions to its shareholders.

Inflation-Indexed Bonds

Inflation-indexed bonds (other than municipal inflation-indexed bonds and certain corporate inflation-indexed bonds, as discussed below) are fixed income securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. If the index measuring inflation falls, the principal value of inflation indexed bonds (other than municipal inflation indexed bonds and certain corporate inflation-indexed bonds) will be adjusted downward, and consequently the interest payable on these securities (calculated with respect to a smaller principal amount) will be reduced. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of U.S. Treasury inflation-indexed bonds. For bonds that do not provide a similar guarantee, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal. With regard to municipal inflation-indexed bonds and certain corporate inflation-indexed bonds, the inflation adjustment is reflected in the semi-annual coupon payment. As a result, the principal value of municipal inflation-indexed bonds and such corporate inflation-indexed bonds does not adjust according to the rate of inflation.

The value of inflation-indexed bonds is expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. If nominal interest rates increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates may rise, leading to a decrease in value of inflation-indexed bonds. Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-indexed bond will be considered taxable ordinary income, even though investors do not receive their principal until maturity. See “Tax Matters.”

Event-Linked Instruments

The Fund may obtain event-linked exposure by investing in “event-linked bonds” or “event-linked swaps” or by implementing “event-linked strategies.” Event-linked exposure results in gains or losses that typically are contingent, or formulaically related to defined trigger events. Examples of trigger events include hurricanes, earthquakes, weather-related phenomena or statistics relating to such events. Some event-linked bonds are commonly referred to as “catastrophe bonds.” If a trigger event occurs, the Fund may lose a portion or its entire principal invested in the bond or notional amount on a swap. Event-linked exposure often provides for an extension of maturity to process and audit loss claims where a trigger event has, or possibly has, occurred. An extension of maturity may increase volatility. Event-linked exposure also may expose the Fund to certain unanticipated risks including credit risk, counterparty risk, adverse regulatory or jurisdictional interpretations and adverse tax consequences. Event-linked exposures also may be subject to liquidity risk.

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, or which are otherwise not readily marketable. 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.

Rule 144A permits the Fund to sell certain restricted securities to qualified institutional buyers without limitation. However, investing in Rule 144A securities could have the effect of increasing the level of Fund illiquidity to the extent the Fund, at a particular point in time, may be unable to find qualified institutional buyers interested in purchasing such securities.

Variable and Floating Rate Securities

 

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Variable and floating rate securities provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the obligations. The Fund may invest in floating rate debt instruments (“floaters”) and engage in credit spread trades. While floaters provide a certain degree of protection against rising interest rates, the Fund will participate in any decline in interest rates as well. A credit spread trade is an investment position relating to a difference in the prices or interest rates of two bonds or other securities, where the value of the investment position is determined by changes in the difference between such prices or interest rates, as the case may be, of the respective securities. The Fund also may invest in inverse floating rate debt instruments (“inverse floaters”). An inverse floater may exhibit greater price volatility than a fixed rate obligation of similar credit quality.

Derivatives

The Fund may, but is not required to, use a variety of derivative instruments for both investment and risk management purposes. The Fund also expects to use various derivatives transactions to add leverage to its portfolio. See “Leverage.” Generally, derivatives are financial contracts whose value depends upon, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index, and may relate to, among others, individual debt instruments, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates, commodities, and related indexes. Examples of derivative instruments that the Fund may use include options contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts and swap agreements. The Fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investment directly in securities and other more traditional investments. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Derivatives Risk.” Certain types of derivative instruments that the Fund may use with some frequency are described elsewhere in this section, including those described under “—Certain Interest Rate Transactions,” “—Credit Default Swaps” and “—Structured Notes and Related Instruments.” Please see “Investment Objective and Policies—Derivative Instruments” in the Statement of Additional Information for additional information about these and other derivative instruments that the Fund may use and the risks associated with such instruments. There is no assurance that these derivative strategies will be available at any time or that DoubleLine will determine to use them for the Fund or, if used, that the strategies will be successful. In addition, the Fund may be subject to certain restrictions on its use of derivative strategies imposed by guidelines of one or more rating agencies that may issue ratings for any preferred shares issued by the Fund.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts (“forward contracts”) for purposes of gaining exposure to the currency of an emerging market country or other foreign country or as a hedge against fluctuations in future foreign currency 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 foreign currency where the profit and loss is the difference between a specified exchange rate and the spot rate at the time of settlement.

At times, the Fund may enter into “cross-currency” hedging transactions involving currencies other than those in which securities are held or proposed to be purchased are denominated.

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 an underlying security transaction, 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 and the currency which is being used for the security transaction.

Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it does not intend to actually convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars on a daily basis. It will, however, do so with respect to a portion of the Fund’s assets from time to time, and investors should be aware of the costs of currency conversion. Although foreign currency exchange dealers typically 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.

The Fund may be limited in its ability to enter into hedging transactions involving forward contracts by the Code’s requirements relating to qualification as a regulated investment company.

Forward contracts may limit gains on portfolio securities that could otherwise be realized had they not been used 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.

Certain Interest Rate Transactions

In order to reduce the interest rate risk inherent in the Fund’s underlying investments and capital structure, the Fund may (but is not required to) enter into interest rate swap transactions. Interest rate swaps generally involve the Fund’s agreement with the swap

 

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counterparty to pay a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty paying the Fund a variable rate payment that is intended to approximate a variable rate payment obligation of the Fund (for example, a variable rate payment obligation on any preferred shares issued by the Fund). The payment obligation would be based on the notional amount of the swap. Other forms of interest rate swap agreements in which the Fund may invest include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or “cap”; interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified rate, or “floor”; and interest rate collars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels. The Fund may use interest rate swap transactions with the intent to reduce or eliminate the risk that an increase in short-term interest rates could pose for the performance of the Common Shares as a result of leverage, and also may use these instruments for other hedging or investment purposes. Any termination of an interest rate swap transaction could result in a termination payment by or to the Fund.

Money Market Instruments

Money market instruments are high quality short-term debt securities. Money market instruments in which the Fund may invest may include obligations of governments, government agencies, banks, corporations and special purpose entities including time deposits and certificates of deposit, and repurchase agreements relating to these obligations. Certain money market instruments may be denominated in foreign currencies.

Depositary Receipts

The Fund may invest in American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), European Depositary Receipts (EDRs), Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) and similar securities that represent interests in a company’s securities that have been deposited with a bank or trust and that trade on an exchange or over-the-counter. For example, ADRs represent interests in a non-U.S. company but trade on a U.S. exchange or over-the-counter and are denominated in U.S. dollars. These securities represent the right to receive securities of the foreign issuer deposited with the bank or trust. ADRs, EDRs and GDRs can be sponsored by the issuing bank or trust company or the issuer of the underlying securities. Although the issuing bank or trust company may impose charges for the collection of dividends and the conversion of such securities into the underlying securities, there are generally no fees imposed on the purchase or sale of these securities, other than transaction fees ordinarily involved with trading stock. Such securities may be less liquid or may trade at a lower price than the underlying securities of the issuer. Additionally, receipt of corporate information about the underlying issuer and proxy disclosure may be untimely.

Portfolio Duration

The Fund may invest in securities of any maturity, and the Fund’s average duration will vary from time to time, potentially significantly, depending on DoubleLine’s assessment of market conditions and other factors. Duration is a measure of the expected life of a fixed income instrument that is used to determine the sensitivity of a security’s price to changes in interest rates. For example, the value of a portfolio of fixed income securities with an average duration of four years would generally be expected to decline by approximately 4% if interest rates rose by one percentage point. “Effective” duration is a measure of the Fund’s portfolio duration adjusted for the anticipated effect of interest rate changes on bond and mortgage pre-payment rates. DoubleLine currently expects that the Fund’s dollar-weighted average effective duration will initially be between [] and [] years. The duration and effective duration of the Fund’s investment portfolio may vary significantly from time to time.

Credit Default Swaps

The Fund may enter into credit default swap contracts for both investment and risk management purposes, as well as to add leverage to the Fund’s portfolio. When used for hedging purposes, the Fund would be the buyer of a credit default swap contract. In that case, the Fund would be entitled to receive the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt obligation from the counterparty to the contract in the event of a default by a third party, such as a U.S. or foreign issuer, on the debt obligation. In return, the Fund would pay to the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default has occurred. If no default occurs, the Fund would have spent the stream of payments and received no benefit from the contract. When the Fund is the seller of a credit default swap contract, it receives the stream of payments but is obligated to pay upon default of the referenced debt obligation. As the seller, the Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.

Structured Notes and Related Instruments

The Fund may invest in “structured” notes and other related instruments, which are privately negotiated debt obligations in which the principal and/or interest is determined by reference to the performance of a benchmark asset, market or interest rate (an

 

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“embedded index”), such as selected securities, an index of securities or specified interest rates, or the differential performance of two assets or markets, such as indexes reflecting bonds. Structured instruments may be issued by corporations, including banks, as well as by governmental agencies. Structured instruments frequently are assembled in the form of medium-term notes, but a variety of forms are available and may be used in particular circumstances. The terms of such structured instruments normally provide that their principal and/or interest payments are to be adjusted upwards or downwards (but ordinarily not below zero) to reflect changes in the embedded index while the structured instruments are outstanding. As a result, the interest and/or principal payments that may be made on a structured product may vary widely, depending on a variety of factors, including the volatility of the embedded index and the effect of changes in the embedded index on principal and/or interest payments. The rate of return on structured notes may be determined by applying a multiplier to the performance or differential performance of the referenced index(es) or other asset(s). Application of a multiplier involves leverage that will serve to magnify the potential for gain and the risk of loss.

DoubleLine may use structured instruments for investment purposes and also for risk management purposes, such as to reduce the duration and interest rate sensitivity of the Fund’s portfolio, and for leveraging purposes. While structured instruments may offer the potential for a favorable rate of return from time to time, they also entail certain risks. Structured instruments may be less liquid than other debt securities, and the price of structured instruments may be more volatile. In some cases, depending on the terms of the embedded index, a structured instrument may provide that the principal and/or interest payments may be adjusted below zero. Structured instruments also may involve significant credit risk and risk of default by the counterparty. Structured instruments also may be illiquid. Like other sophisticated strategies, the Fund’s use of structured instruments may not work as intended. If the value of the embedded index changes in a manner other than that expected by DoubleLine, principal and/or interest payments received on the structured instrument may be substantially less than expected. Also, if DoubleLine uses structured instruments to reduce the duration of the Fund’s portfolio, this may limit the Fund’s return when having a longer duration would be beneficial (for instance, when interest rates decline).

Credit-Linked Trust Certificates

The Fund may invest in credit-linked trust certificates, which are investments in a limited purpose trust or other vehicle formed under state law which, in turn, invests in a basket of derivative instruments, such as credit default swaps, interest rate swaps and other securities, in order to provide exposure to the high yield or another debt securities market. Like an investment in a bond, investments in credit-linked trust certificates represent the right to receive periodic income payments (in the form of distributions) and payment of principal at the end of the term of the certificate. However, these payments are conditioned on the trust’s receipt of payments from, and the trust’s potential obligations to, the counterparties to the derivative instruments and other securities in which the trust invests. For instance, the trust may sell one or more credit default swaps, under which the trust would receive a stream of payments over the term of the swap agreements provided that no event of default has occurred with respect to the referenced debt obligation upon which the swap is based. If a default occurs, the stream of payments may stop and the trust would be obligated to pay to the counterparty the par (or other agreed upon value) of the referenced debt obligation. This, in turn, would reduce the amount of income and principal that the Fund would receive as an investor in the trust. The Fund’s investments in these instruments are indirectly subject to the risks associated with derivative instruments, including, among others, credit risk, default or similar event risk, counterparty risk, interest rate risk, leverage risk and management risk. It is expected that the trusts that issue credit-linked trust certificates will constitute “private” investment companies, exempt from registration under the 1940 Act. Therefore, the certificates will be subject to the risks described under “Other Investment Companies” below, and will not be subject to applicable investment limitations and other regulation imposed by the 1940 Act (although the Fund will remain subject to such limitations and regulation, including with respect to its investments in the certificates). Although the trusts are typically private investment companies, they generally are not actively managed such as a “hedge fund” might be. It also is expected that the certificates will be exempt from registration under the Securities Act. Accordingly, there may be no established trading market for the certificates and they may constitute illiquid investments. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Liquidity Risk.” If market quotations are not readily available for the certificates, they will be valued by the Fund at fair value as determined by the Board of Trustees or persons acting at its direction. See “Net Asset Value.”

Other Investment Companies

The Fund may invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies, including exchange traded funds (ETFs), to the extent that such investments are consistent with the Fund’s investment objective, strategies and policies and permissible under the 1940 Act. The Fund may invest in other investment companies to gain broad market or sector exposure, including during periods when it has large amounts of uninvested cash (such as the period shortly after the Fund receives the proceeds of the offering of its Common Shares) or when DoubleLine believes share prices of other investment companies offer attractive values. The Fund may invest in investment companies that are advised by the Adviser or its affiliates to the extent permitted by applicable law and/or pursuant to exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a shareholder in an investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment company’s expenses and would remain subject to payment of the Fund’s management fees and other expenses with respect to assets so invested. Common Shareholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the

 

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Fund invests in other investment companies. The securities of other investment companies may be leveraged, in which case the net asset value and/or market value of the investment company’s shares will be more volatile than unleveraged investments. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Leverage Risk.”

Common Stocks and Other Equity Securities

The Fund may from time to time invest in or hold common stocks and other equity securities, including upon conversion of a convertible securities held by the Fund. Also, in connection with the restructuring of a debt instrument held by the Fund, either outside of bankruptcy court or in the context of bankruptcy court proceedings, the Fund may determine or be required to accept equity securities in exchange for all or a portion of a debt instrument. Depending upon, among other things, DoubleLine’s evaluation of the potential value of such securities in relation to the price that could be obtained by the Fund at any given time upon sale thereof, the Fund may determine to hold these equity securities in its portfolio.

Although common stocks and other equity securities have historically generated higher average returns than debt securities over the long term, they also have experienced significantly more volatility in those returns and in certain years have significantly underperformed relative to debt securities. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of a particular equity security held by the Fund. Also, prices of common stocks and other equity securities are sensitive to general movements in the equity markets and a decline in those markets may depress the prices of the equity securities held by the Fund. The prices of equity securities fluctuate for many different reasons, including changes in investors’ perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock market or when political or economic events affecting the issuer occur. In addition, prices of equity securities may be particularly sensitive to rising interest rates, as the cost of capital rises and borrowing costs increase.

Repurchase Agreements

The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, in which the Fund purchases a security from a bank or broker-dealer and the bank or broker-dealer agrees to repurchase the security at the Fund’s cost plus interest within a specified time. If the party agreeing to repurchase should default, the Fund will seek to sell the securities which it holds. This could involve transaction costs or delays in addition to a loss on the securities if their value should fall below their repurchase price. Repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days are considered to be illiquid securities.

When Issued, Delayed Delivery and Forward Commitment Transactions

The Fund may purchase securities which it is eligible to purchase on a when-issued basis, may purchase and sell such securities for delayed delivery and may make contracts to purchase such securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond normal settlement time (forward commitments). When-issued transactions, delayed delivery purchases and forward commitments involve a risk of loss if the value of the securities declines prior to the settlement date. The risk is in addition to the risk that the Fund’s other assets will decline in value. Therefore, these transactions may result in a form of leverage and increase the Fund’s overall investment exposure. Typically, no income accrues on securities the Fund has committed to purchase prior to the time delivery of the securities is made, although the Fund may earn income on securities it has segregated to cover these positions.

Short Sales

A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells an instrument that it does not own in anticipation that the market price will decline. The Fund may use short sales for investment purposes or for hedging and risk management purposes. When the Fund engages in a short sale, it must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the counterparty. The Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and would often be obligated to pay over any payments received on such borrowed securities. The Fund’s obligation to replace the borrowed security will be secured by collateral deposited with the lender, which is usually a broker-dealer, and/or with the Fund’s custodian. The Fund may not receive any payments (including interest) on its collateral. Short sales expose the Fund to the risk that it will be required to cover its short position at a time when the securities have appreciated in value, thus resulting in a loss to the Fund. The Fund may engage in so-called “naked” short sales where it does not own or have the immediate right to acquire the security sold short at no additional cost, in which case the Fund’s losses theoretically could be unlimited. The Fund also may take short positions with respect to the performance of securities, indexes, interest rates, currencies and other assets or markets through the use of derivative instruments. See “––Derivatives.”

Lending of Portfolio Securities

For the purpose of achieving income, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions provided a number of conditions are satisfied, including that the loan is fully collateralized. See “Investment Objective and Policies—Securities Loans” in the Statement of Additional Information for details. When the Fund lends portfolio securities, its

 

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investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned although amounts received from the borrower will not be eligible to be treated as “qualified dividend income” eligible for favorable tax treatment. See “Tax Matters.” The Fund also will receive a fee or interest on the collateral. Securities lending involves the risk of loss of rights in the collateral or delay in recovery of the collateral if the borrower fails to return the security loaned or becomes insolvent, or the risk of loss due tot he investment performance of the collateral. The Fund may pay lending fees to the party arranging the loan.

Please see “Investment Objective and Policies” in the Statement of Additional Information for additional information

regarding the investments of the Fund and their related risks.

LEVERAGE

As soon as reasonably practicable following the completion of the initial public offering of the Common Shares, the Fund intends, subject to then favorable market conditions, to add leverage to its portfolio by using reverse repurchase agreements and other borrowings, such as through loans or lines of credit from banks or other credit facilities, or through the issuance of commercial paper. Although it has no current intention to do so, the Fund also may determine to issue preferred shares to add leverage to its portfolio. The Fund will, however, limit its use of leverage from reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings and any future issuance of preferred shares such that the assets attributable to the use of such leverage will not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (including the amounts of leverage obtained through the use of such instruments) at the time the leverage is incurred. It is possible that following the incurrence of such leverage, the assets of the Fund will decline due to market conditions such that the 33 1/3% limit will be exceeded. In that case, the leverage risk to Common Shareholders will increase. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Leverage Risk.”

The Fund also expects to enter into transactions other than reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings, and the issuance of preferred shares that may give rise to a form of leverage including, among others, credit default swap contracts and other derivatives transactions. Other such transactions include loans of portfolio securities, short sales and when-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions. These transactions may represent a form of economic leverage and will create special risks. The use of these forms of additional leverage has the potential to increase the volatility of the Fund’s investment portfolio and could result in larger losses than if the strategies were not used. The Adviser does not currently intend to enter into such transactions with the intention of creating investment leverage in the Fund in excess of the percentage stated above, although it is possible that at any time the total leverage created by such transactions and by the use of reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings, and issuances of preferred shares will exceed that percentage. (Investments made by the Adviser to hedge, manage or reduce risk or to equitize a cash position will not be considered to have been made for the purpose of creating investment leverage; the Adviser generally will determine whether an investment has the effect of creating investment leverage by evaluating the effect of the investment on the exposure and risk profile of the Fund as a whole.)

The Fund intends to use reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings, and other forms of leverage opportunistically and may choose to increase or decrease its use of leverage over time and from time to time based on DoubleLine’s assessment of the yield curve environment, interest rate trends, market conditions, and other factors. By using leverage, the Fund will seek to obtain a higher return for holders of common shares (“Common Shareholders”) than if the Fund did not use leverage. Leveraging is a speculative technique and there are special risks and costs involved. There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be used or that it will be successful during any period in which it is employed. See “Leverage” and “Principal Risks of the Fund—Leverage Risk.”

There is no assurance that the Fund will use reverse repurchase agreements or borrowings, issue preferred shares or use other forms of leverage. If used, there is no assurance that the Fund’s leveraging strategies will be successful. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Leverage Risk.” The net proceeds the Fund obtains from its use of reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings (as well as from any future issuance of preferred shares) will be invested in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies as described in this prospectus. So long as the rate of return, net of applicable Fund expenses, on the investments purchased by the Fund exceeds the costs of such leverage to the Fund, the use of leverage should help the Fund to achieve an investment return greater than it would if it were not leveraged.

Leveraging is, however, a speculative technique and there are special risks and costs involved. The Fund cannot assure you that any use of repurchase agreements, borrowings, or other forms of leverage (such as a potential future issuance of preferred shares or the use of derivatives strategies) will result in a higher investment return on your Common Shares. When leverage is used, the net asset value and market price of the Common Shares and the yield to Common Shareholders will be more volatile. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Leverage Risk.” In addition, fees and expenses of repurchase agreements and borrowings, any future issuance of preferred shares, and other forms of leverage borne by the Fund are borne entirely by the Common Shareholders (and not by preferred shareholders, if any) and will reduce the investment return of the Common Shares.

Because the fees received by the Adviser are based on the total managed assets of the Fund (including assets attributable to any reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings and preferred shares that may be outstanding), there is a financial incentive for the

 

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Adviser to cause the Fund to use reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings or to issue preferred shares, which may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser, on the one hand, and the Common Shareholders, on the other hand.

As noted above, the Fund observes a self-imposed limit on its use of leverage from reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings (whether or not these instruments are covered as discussed below) and any future issuance of preferred shares such that the assets attributable to the use of such leverage will not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets at the time used. In addition, under the 1940 Act, the Fund generally is not permitted to engage in most forms of leverage other than preferred shares (including through the use of reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls, bank loans, commercial paper or other credit facilities, credit default swap contracts and other derivatives transactions, loans of portfolio securities, short sales and when-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions, to the extent that these instruments are not covered as described below) unless immediately after the issuance of the leverage the Fund has satisfied the asset coverage test with respect to senior securities representing indebtedness prescribed by the 1940 Act, i.e., the value of the Fund’s total assets less liabilities (other than the leverage and other senior securities) is at least 300% of the principal amount of such leverage. In addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on Common Shares unless, at the time of such declaration, such asset coverage test is satisfied. The Fund may (but is not required to) cover its commitments under these instruments by the segregation of liquid assets or by entering into offsetting transactions or owning positions covering its obligations. To the extent these instruments are so covered, they will not be considered “senior securities” under the 1940 Act and therefore will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to forms of leverage (other than preferred shares) used by the Fund. To the extent that the Fund engages in borrowings, it intends, to the extent possible, to prepay a portion of the principal amount of the borrowing to the extent necessary in order to maintain the required asset coverage. Failure to maintain certain asset coverage requirements could result in an event of default.

The Fund also may borrow money in order to repurchase its shares or as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including for the payment of dividends or the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of portfolio securities held by the Fund.

Effects of Leverage

Assuming the Fund engages in reverse repurchase agreements and other borrowings representing 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (including the amounts of leverage obtained through the use of such instruments), at an annual interest expense rate of []% payable by the Fund on such instruments (based on market interest rates as of the date of this prospectus), the annual return that the Fund’s portfolio must experience (net of expenses) in order to cover such costs of the reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings would be []%. Of course, the figures are merely estimates, used for illustration purposes only. Actual interest expenses associated with reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings used by the Fund may vary frequently and may be significantly higher or lower that the rate used for the example above.

The following table is furnished in response to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is designed to illustrate the effects of leverage on Common Share total return, assuming investment portfolio total returns (consisting of income 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 the investment portfolio returns expected to be experienced by the Fund. The table further assumes that the Fund uses reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings representing 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (including the amounts of leverage obtained through the use of such instruments) and a projected annual rate of interest expense on the Fund’s reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings of []%.

 

Assumed Portfolio Total Return    (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 net investment income of the Fund after paying interest expenses on the Fund’s leveraging transactions as described above and dividend payments on any preferred shares issued by the Fund) and gains or losses on the value of the securities the Fund owns. As required by Securities and Exchange Commission rules, the table assumes that the Fund is more likely to suffer capital losses than to enjoy capital appreciation. For example, to assume a total return of 0%, the Fund must assume that the income it receives on its investments is entirely offset by losses in the value of those investments. This table reflects 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 forces and other factors.

Any benefits of leverage used by the Fund cannot be fully achieved until the proceeds resulting from the use of leverage have been received by the Fund and invested in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies. The Fund’s willingness to use leverage, and the extent to which leverage is used at any time, will depend on many factors, including DoubleLine’s assessment of the yield curve environment, interest rate trends, market conditions and other factors.

 

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Possible Future Issuance of Preferred Shares

As noted above, although the Fund has no present intention to do so, the Fund may determine in the future to issue preferred shares to add leverage to its portfolio. Any such preferred shares would have complete priority upon distribution of assets over the Common Shares. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund would not be permitted to issue preferred shares unless immediately after such issuance the value of the Fund’s total net assets was at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding preferred shares plus the aggregate amount of any senior securities representing indebtedness (as defined in the 1940 Act) held by the Fund as described above (i.e., such liquidation value plus the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness may not exceed 50% of the Fund’s total net assets). In addition, the Fund would not be permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Shares unless, at the time of such declaration, the value of the Fund’s total net assets satisfies the above-referenced 200% coverage requirement. If any preferred shares are issued, the Fund intends, to the extent possible, to purchase or redeem such preferred shares from time to time to the extent necessary in order to maintain coverage of at least 200%. If the Fund were to have preferred shares outstanding, two of the Fund’s trustees would be elected by the holders of the preferred shares, voting separately as a class. The remaining trustees of the Fund would be elected by Common Sharesholders and the preferred shares voting together as a single class. In the event the Fund were to fail to pay dividends on any preferred shares it issues for a period of two years, the Fund’s preferred shareholders would be entitled to elect a majority of the trustees of the Fund. The Fund might also be subject to certain restrictions imposed by guidelines of one or more rating agencies that may issue ratings for preferred shares issued by the Fund. These guidelines may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act.

Credit Facility

In the event the Fund leverages through borrowings, the Fund may enter into definitive agreements with respect to a credit facility. The Fund may negotiate with commercial banks to arrange a credit facility pursuant to which the Fund would expect to be entitled to borrow an amount equal to approximately 33  1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (including the amount borrowed), as of the closing of the offer and sale of the Common Shares offered hereby. Any such borrowings would constitute financial leverage. Such a facility is not expected to be convertible into any other securities of the Fund. Outstanding amounts are expected to be prepayable by the Fund prior to final maturity without significant penalty and there are not expected to be any sinking fund or mandatory retirement provisions. Outstanding amounts would be payable at maturity or such earlier times as required by the agreement. The Fund may be required to prepay outstanding amounts under the facility or incur a penalty rate of interest in the event of the occurrence of certain events of default. The Fund would be expected to indemnify the lenders under the facility against liabilities they may incur in connection with the facility. The Fund may be required to pay commitment fees under the terms of any such facility.

In addition, the Fund expects that such a credit facility would contain covenants that, among other things, likely will limit the Fund’s ability to pay dividends in certain circumstances, incur additional debt, change its fundamental investment policies and engage in certain transactions, including mergers and consolidations, and may require asset coverage ratios in addition to those required by the 1940 Act. The Fund may be required to pledge its assets and to maintain a portion of its assets in cash or high-grade securities as a reserve against interest or principal payments and expenses. The Fund expects that any credit facility would have customary covenant, negative covenant and default provisions. There can be no assurance that the Fund will enter into an agreement for a credit facility on terms and conditions representative of the foregoing, or that additional material terms will not apply. In addition, if entered into, any such credit facility may in the future be replaced or refinanced by one or more credit facilities having substantially different terms or by the issuance of preferred shares or debt securities.

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund would not be permitted to issue any senior security representing indebtedness unless immediately after such issuance the value of the Fund’s total assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities is at least 300% of the value of the outstanding amount of any senior securities representing indebtedness (as defined in the 1940 Act). In addition, the Fund would not be permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Shares unless, at the time of such declaration, the value of the Fund’s total assets satisfies the above-referenced 300% coverage requirement after deducting the amount of such dividend or distribution.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF THE FUND

Investing in the Fund involves risks, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment or that you may lose part or even all of your investment. Therefore, you should carefully consider the risks below and other information contained in this prospectus before you decide to participate in the offering. The section below does not describe all risks associated with an investment in the Fund. Additional risks and uncertainties also may adversely affect and impair the Fund.

No Prior History

 

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The Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company with no history of operations and is subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business.

Market Discount Risk

As with any stock, the price of the Fund’s Common Shares will fluctuate with market conditions and other factors. If you sell your Common Shares, the price received may be more or less than your original investment. The Fund’s net asset value will be reduced immediately following the initial offering by a sales load and organizational and offering expenses paid or reimbursed by the Fund. The Common Shares are designed for long-term investors and should not be treated as trading vehicles. Shares of closed-end management investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. The Common Shares may trade at a price that is less than the initial offering price. This risk may be greater for investors who sell their shares relatively shortly after completion of the initial offering.

Issuer Risk

The value of securities may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to the issuer, such as its financial strength, management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods and services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets.

Issuer Non-Diversification Risk

The Fund is a “non-diversified” investment company and therefore may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a limited number of issuers than funds that are “diversified.” Accordingly, the Fund is more susceptible to risks associated with a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a diversified fund might be. Some of the issuers in which the Fund invests also may present substantial credit or other risks. The Fund will be subject to similar risks to the extent that it enters into derivatives transactions with a limited number of counterparties.

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk that one or more of the Fund’s investments in debt securities or other instruments will decline in price, or fail to pay interest, liquidation value or principal when due, because the issuer of the obligation or the issuer of a reference security experiences an actual or perceived decline in its financial status.

High Yield Risk

Securities of below investment grade quality are regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and to repay principal when due, and are commonly referred to as “high yield” securities or “junk bonds.” High yield securities involve a greater risk of default and their prices are generally more volatile and sensitive to actual or perceived negative developments, such as a decline in the issuer’s revenues or a general economic downturn, than are the prices of higher grade securities. Securities in the lowest investment grade category also may be considered to possess some speculative characteristics. The Fund may purchase distressed securities that are in default or whose issuers are in bankruptcy, which involves heightened risks. An economic downturn could severely affect the ability of highly leveraged issuers to service their debt obligations or to repay their obligations upon maturity. Lower-rated securities are generally less liquid than higher-rated securities, which may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to dispose of a particular security. For example, under adverse market or economic conditions, the secondary market for below investment grade securities could contract further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer, and certain securities in the Fund’s portfolio may become illiquid or less liquid. As a result, the Fund could find it more difficult to sell these securities or may be able to sell these securities only at prices lower than if such securities were widely traded. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Liquidity Risk.” To the extent the Fund invests in high yield securities, DoubleLine’s capabilities in analyzing credit quality and associated risks will be particularly important, and there can be no assurance that DoubleLine will be successful in this regard. See “The Fund’s Investment Objective and Strategies—Portfolio Contents and Other Information—High Yield Securities (“Junk Bonds”)” for additional information.

Interest Rate Risk

Generally, when market interest rates rise, the prices of debt obligations fall, and when market interest rates fall, the prices of debt obligations generally rise. Interest rate risk is the risk that debt obligations and other instruments in the Fund’s portfolio will decline in value because of increases in market interest rates. The prices of long-term debt obligations generally fluctuate more than prices of short-term debt obligations as interest rates change. Because the Fund’s weighted average effective duration generally will

 

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fluctuate as interest rates change, the Common Share net asset value and market price per share may tend to fluctuate more in response to changes in market interest rates than if the Fund invested mainly in short-term debt securities. During periods of rising interest rates, the average life of certain types of securities may extend due to lower than expected rates of pre-payments, which could cause the securities’ durations to extend and expose the securities to more price volatility. This may lock in a below market yield and reduce the securities’ value. In addition to directly affecting debt securities, rising interest rates also may have an adverse effect on the value of any equity securities held by the Fund. The Fund’s use of leverage, as described below, will tend to increase Common Share interest rate risk. DoubleLine may use certain strategies, including investments in structured notes or interest rate futures contracts or swap, cap, floor or collar transactions, for the purpose of reducing the interest rate sensitivity of the Fund’s portfolio, although there is no assurance that it will do so or that such strategies will be successful.

The Fund may invest in variable and floating rate debt securities, which generally are less sensitive to interest rate changes, but may decline in value if their interest rates do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Conversely, floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline. The Fund also may invest in inverse floating rate debt securities, which may decrease in value if interest rates increase. Inverse floating rate debt securities also may exhibit greater price volatility than a fixed rate debt obligation with similar credit quality. When the Fund holds variable or floating rate securities, a decrease (or, in the case of inverse floating rate securities, an increase) in market interest rates will adversely affect the income received from such securities and the net asset value of the Common Shares.

Mortgage-Backed Securities Risks

Mortgage-backed securities represent participation interests in pools of residential mortgage loans purchased from individual lenders by a federal agency or originated and issued by private lenders and involve, among others, the following risks:

Credit and Market Risks of Mortgage-Backed Securities. Investments by the Fund in fixed rate and floating rate mortgage-backed securities will entail normal credit risks (i.e., the risk of non-payment of interest and principal) and market risks (i.e., the risk that interest rates and other factors could cause the value of the instrument to decline). Many issuers or servicers of mortgage-backed securities guarantee timely payment of interest and principal on the securities, whether or not payments are made when due on the underlying mortgages. This kind of guarantee generally increases the quality of a security, but does not mean that the security’s market value and yield will not change. The value of all mortgage-backed securities also may change because of changes in the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of the organization that issued or guarantees them. In addition, an unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool may limit substantially the pool’s ability to make payments of principal or interest to the Fund as a holder of such securities, reducing the values of those securities or in some cases rendering them worthless. The Fund also may purchase securities that are not guaranteed.

Like bond investments, the value of fixed rate mortgage-backed securities will tend to rise when interest rates fall, and fall when rates rise. Floating rate mortgage-backed securities will generally tend to have more moderate changes in price when interest rates rise or fall, but their current yield will be affected.

In addition, the mortgage-backed securities market in general may be adversely affected by changes in governmental legislation or regulation. Factors that could affect the value of a mortgage-backed security include, among other things, the types and amounts of insurance which an individual mortgage or that specific mortgage-backed security carries, the default and delinquency rate of the mortgage pool, the amount of time the mortgage loan has been outstanding, the loan-to-value ratio of each mortgage and the amount of overcollateralization or undercollateralization of a mortgage pool.

Ongoing developments in the residential mortgage market may have additional consequences to the market for mortgage-backed securities. Delinquencies and losses generally have been increasing with respect to securitizations involving residential mortgage loans and may continue to increase as a result of the weakening housing market and the seasoning of securitized pools of mortgage loans. Many so-called “sub-prime” mortgage pools are currently distressed and in some cases may be trading at significant discounts to their face value.

Additionally, mortgage lenders recently have adjusted their loan programs and underwriting standards, which has reduced the availability of mortgage credit to prospective mortgagors. This has resulted in reduced availability of financing alternatives for mortgagors seeking to refinance their mortgage loans. The reduced availability of refinancing options for mortgagors has resulted in higher rates of delinquencies, defaults and losses on mortgage loans, particularly in the case of, but not limited to, mortgagors with adjustable rate mortgage loans or interest-only mortgage loans that experience significant increases in their monthly payments following the adjustment date or the end of the interest-only period (see “Adjustable Rate Mortgages” below for further discussion of adjustable rate mortgage risks). These events, alone or in combination with each other and with deteriorating economic conditions in the general economy, may continue to contribute to higher delinquency and default rates on mortgage loans. The tighter underwriting guidelines for residential mortgage loans, together with lower levels of home sales and reduced refinance activity, also may have

 

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contributed to a reduction in the prepayment rate for mortgage loans generally and this trend may continue. The values of mortgage-backed securities may be substantially dependent on the servicing of the underlying mortgage pools, and therefore are subject to risks associated with the negligence or malfeasance by their servicers and to the credit risk of their servicers. In certain circumstances, the mishandling of related documentation also may affect the rights of security holders in and to the underlying collateral.

The United States government conservatorship of Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) and the Federal National Mortgage Corporation (“Fannie Mae”) in September 2008 may adversely affect the real estate market and the value of real estate assets generally. It is unclear as of the date of this prospectus what the ultimate resolution of the conservatorship arrangement will be and what impact that resolution will have on the financial markets.

The Federal Housing Finance Agent (“FHFA”), as conservator or receiver of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, has the power to repudiate any contract entered into by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac prior to its appointment if it determines that performance of the contract is burdensome and repudiation of the contract promotes the orderly administration of Fannie Mae’s or Freddie Mac’s affairs. In the event the guaranty obligations of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac are repudiated, the payments of interest to holders of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities would be reduced if payments on the mortgage loans represented in the mortgage loan groups related to such mortgage-backed securities are not made by the borrowers or advanced by the servicer. Any actual direct compensatory damages for repudiating these guaranty obligations may not be sufficient to offset any shortfalls experienced by such mortgage-backed security holders.

Further, in its capacity as conservator or receiver, FHFA has the right to transfer or sell any asset or liability of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac without any approval, assignment or consent. If FHFA were to transfer any such guaranty obligation to another party, holders of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities would have to rely on that party for satisfaction of the guaranty obligation and would be exposed to the credit risk of that party.

Prepayment, Extension and Redemption Risks of Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities reflect an interest in monthly payments made by the borrowers who receive the underlying mortgage loans. Although the underlying mortgage loans are for specified periods of time, such as 20 or 30 years, the borrowers can, and historically have paid them off sooner. When a prepayment happens, a portion of the mortgage-backed security which represents an interest in the underlying mortgage loan will be prepaid. A borrower is more likely to prepay a mortgage which bears a relatively high rate of interest. This means that in times of declining interest rates, a portion of the Fund’s higher yielding securities are likely to be redeemed and the Fund will probably be unable to replace them with securities having as great a yield. Prepayments can result in lower yields to shareholders. The increased likelihood of prepayment when interest rates decline also limits market price appreciation of mortgage-backed securities. This is known as prepayment risk. Mortgage-backed securities also are subject to extension risk. Extension risk is the possibility that rising interest rates may cause prepayments to occur at a slower than expected rate. This particular risk may effectively change a security which was considered short or intermediate term into a long-term security. The values of long-term securities generally fluctuate more widely in response to changes in interest rates than short or intermediate-term securities. In addition, a mortgage-backed security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer. If a mortgage-backed security held by the Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be required to permit the issuer to redeem or “pay-off” the security, which could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Liquidity Risk of Mortgage-Backed Securities. The liquidity of mortgage-backed securities varies by type of security; at certain times the Fund may encounter difficulty in disposing of such investments. Because mortgage-backed securities have the potential to be less liquid than other securities, the Fund may be more susceptible to liquidity risks than funds that invest in other securities. In the past, in stressed markets, certain types of mortgage-backed securities suffered periods of illiquidity when disfavored by the market.

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. There are certain risks associated specifically with collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”). CMOs are debt obligations collateralized by mortgage loans or mortgage pass-through securities. The average life of CMOs is determined using mathematical models that incorporate prepayment assumptions and other factors that involve estimates of future economic and market conditions. These estimates may vary from actual future results, particularly during periods of extreme market volatility. Further, under certain market conditions, such as those that occurred in 1994, 2007, 2008 and 2009, the average weighted life of certain CMOs may not accurately reflect the price volatility of such securities. For example, in periods of supply and demand imbalances in the market for such securities and/or in periods of sharp interest rate movements, the prices of CMOs may fluctuate to a greater extent than would be expected from interest rate movements alone. CMOs issued by private entities are not obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities and are not guaranteed by any government agency, although the securities underlying a CMO may be subject to a guarantee. Therefore, if the collateral securing the CMO, as well as any third party credit support or guarantees, is insufficient to make payment, the holder could sustain a loss.

 

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Adjustable Rate Mortgages. Adjustable Rate Mortgages (“ARMs”) contain maximum and minimum rates beyond which the mortgage interest rate may not vary over the lifetime of the security. In addition, many ARMs provide for additional limitations on the maximum amount by which the mortgage interest rate may adjust for any single adjustment period. Alternatively, certain ARMs contain limitations on changes in the required monthly payment. In the event that a monthly payment is not sufficient to pay the interest accruing on an ARM, any excess interest is added to the principal balance of the mortgage loan, which is repaid through future monthly payments. If the monthly payment for such an instrument exceeds the sum of the interest accrued at the applicable mortgage interest rate and the principal payment required at such point to amortize the outstanding principal balance over the remaining term of the loan, the excess is used to reduce the then-outstanding principal balance of the ARM.

In addition, certain ARMs may provide for an initial fixed, below-market or “teaser” interest rate. During this initial fixed-rate period, the payment due from the related mortgagor may be less than that of a traditional loan. However, after the “teaser” rate expires, the monthly payment required to be made by the mortgagor may increase dramatically when the interest rate on the mortgage loan adjusts. This increased burden on the mortgagor may increase the risk of delinquency or default on the mortgage loan and in turn, losses on the mortgage-backed security into which that loan has been bundled.

Inverse Floater, Interest and Principal Only Securities Risk. One type of stripped mortgage-backed security pays to one class all of the interest from the mortgage assets (the interest-only, or “IO” class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (the principal-only, or “PO” class). The yield to maturity on an IO class is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying mortgage assets, and a rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s yield to maturity from these securities. The Fund may invest in any combination of mortgage-related or other asset-backed IO, PO, or inverse floater securities.

Investments in mortgage-related securities may involve particularly high levels of risk under current market conditions. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Mortgage Market/Subprime Risk.”

Mortgage Market/Subprime Risk

The residential mortgage market in the United States recently has experienced difficulties that may adversely affect the performance and market value of certain of the Fund’s mortgage-related investments. Delinquencies and losses on residential mortgage loans (especially subprime and second-lien mortgage loans) generally have increased recently and may continue to increase, and a decline in or flattening of housing values (as has recently been experienced and may continue to be experienced in many housing markets) may exacerbate such delinquencies and losses. Borrowers with adjustable rate mortgage loans are more sensitive to changes in interest rates, which affect their monthly mortgage payments, and may be unable to secure replacement mortgages at comparably low interest rates. Also, a number of residential mortgage loan originators have recently experienced serious financial difficulties or bankruptcy. Owing largely to the foregoing, reduced investor demand for mortgage loans and mortgage-related securities and increased investor yield requirements have caused limited liquidity in the secondary market for mortgage-related securities, which can adversely affect the market value of mortgage-related securities. It is possible that such limited liquidity in such secondary markets could continue or worsen.

Asset-Backed Securities Investment Risk

Asset-backed investments tend to increase in value less than other debt securities when interest rates decline, but are subject to similar risk of decline in market value during periods of rising interest rates. Certain assets underlying asset-backed securities are subject to prepayment, which may reduce the overall return to asset-backed security holders. In a period of declining interest rates, the Fund may be required to reinvest more frequent prepayments on asset-backed investments in lower-yielding investments. Asset-backed securities in which the Fund invests may have underlying assets that include motor vehicle installment sales or installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, and receivables from credit card agreements. There is a risk that borrowers may default on their obligations in respect of those underlying obligations. Holders also may experience delays in payment on the securities if the full amounts due on underlying sales contracts or receivables are not realized by an ABS trust because of unanticipated legal or administrative costs of enforcing the contracts or because of depreciation or damage to the collateral (usually automobiles) securing certain contracts, or other factors. The values of asset-backed securities may be substantially dependent on the servicing of the underlying asset pools, and are therefore subject to risks associated with the negligence or malfeasance by their servicers and to the credit risk of their servicers. In certain circumstances, the mishandling of related documentation also may affect the rights of security holders in and to the underlying collateral. The insolvency of entities that generate receivables or that utilize the assets may result in added costs and delays in addition to losses associated with a decline in the value of underlying assets. Certain asset-backed securities do not have the benefit of the same security interest in the related collateral as do mortgage-backed securities; nor are they provided government guarantees of repayment as is the case for some mortgage-backed securities. Credit card receivables generally are unsecured, and the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors the right to set off certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due. In addition,

 

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some issuers of automobile receivables permit the servicers to retain possession of the underlying obligations. If the servicer were to sell these obligations to another party, there is a risk that the purchaser would acquire an interest superior to that of the holders of the related automobile receivables. The impairment of the value of collateral or other assets underlying an asset-backed security, such as a result of non-payment of loans or non-performance of other collateral or underlying assets, may result in a reduction in the value of such asset-backed securities and losses to the Fund. It is possible that many or all asset-backed securities will fall out of favor at any time or over time with investors, affecting adversely the values and liquidity of the securities.

Municipal Bond Risk

Investing in the municipal bond market involves the risks of investing in debt securities generally and certain other risks. The amount of public information available about the municipal bonds in the Fund’s portfolio is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds, and the investment performance of the Fund’s investment in municipal bonds may therefore be more dependent on the analytical abilities of the Adviser than its investments in taxable bonds. The secondary market for municipal bonds also tends to be less well developed or liquid than many other securities markets, which may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to sell municipal bonds at attractive prices.

The ability of municipal issuers to make timely payments of interest and principal may be diminished during general economic downturns, by litigation, legislation or political events, or by the bankruptcy of the issuer. Laws, referenda, ordinances or regulations enacted in the future by Congress or state legislatures or the applicable governmental entity could extend the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or impose other constraints on enforcement of such obligations, or on the ability of municipal issuers to levy taxes. Issuers of municipal securities also might seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. In the event of bankruptcy of such an issuer, the Fund could experience delays in collecting principal and interest and the Fund may not, in all circumstances, be able to collect all principal and interest to which it is entitled. To enforce its rights in the event of a default in the payment of interest or repayment of principal, or both, the Fund may take possession of and manage the assets securing the issuer’s obligations on such securities, which may increase the Fund’s operating expenses. Any income derived from the Fund’s ownership or operation of such assets may not be tax exempt.

The Fund may invest in revenue bonds, which are typically issued to fund a wide variety of capital projects including: electric, gas, water and sewer systems; highways, bridges and tunnels; port and airport facilities; colleges and universities; and hospitals. Because the principal security for a revenue bond is generally the net revenues derived from a particular facility or group of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source, there is no guarantee that the particular project will generate enough revenue to pay its obligations, in which case the Fund’s performance may be adversely affected.

Interest on municipal obligations, while generally exempt from federal income tax, may not be exempt from federal alternative minimum tax.

Reinvestment Risk

Income from the Fund’s portfolio will decline if and when the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called debt obligations at market interest rates that are below the portfolio’s current earnings rate. For instance, during periods of declining interest rates, an issuer of debt obligations may exercise an option to redeem securities prior to maturity, forcing the Fund to invest in lower-yielding securities. A decline in income received by the Fund from its investments is likely to have a negative effect on the market price, net asset value and/or overall return of the Common Shares.

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Investment Risk

The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers and securities traded principally outside of the United States. The Fund’s investments in and exposure to foreign securities involve special risks. For example, the value of these investments may decline in response to unfavorable political and legal developments, unreliable or untimely information or economic and financial instability. Foreign securities may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than investments in securities of U.S. issuers. The securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. Issuers of foreign securities are usually not subject to the same degree of regulation as U.S. issuers. Reporting, accounting, auditing, and custody standards of foreign countries differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards. Also, nationalization, expropriation or other confiscation, currency blockage, political changes or diplomatic developments could adversely affect the Fund’s investments in a foreign country. In the event of nationalization, expropriation or other confiscation, the Fund could lose its entire investment in foreign securities. To the extent that the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in a particular foreign country or a concentrated geographic area (such as Europe or Asia), the Fund will generally have more exposure to regional economic risks associated with foreign investments. Also, adverse conditions in a certain region can adversely affect

 

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securities of other countries whose economies appear to be unrelated. The costs of investing in foreign countries frequently are higher than the costs of investing in the United States. Additionally, investments in securities of foreign issuers generally will be denominated in foreign currencies, subjecting the Fund to foreign currency risk. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Foreign Currency Risk.”

Emerging Markets Risk

The Fund may invest in securities of issuers economically tied to emerging market countries. Foreign investment risk may be particularly high to the extent that the Fund invests in securities of issuers based in or securities denominated in the currencies of emerging market countries. Investing in securities of issuers based in underdeveloped emerging markets entails all of the risks of investing in securities of foreign issuers noted above, but to a heightened degree. These heightened risks include: (i) greater risks of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, nationalization and less social, political and economic stability; (ii) the smaller size of the market for such securities and a lower volume of trading, resulting in a lack of liquidity and in price volatility; (iii) certain national policies which may restrict the Fund’s investment opportunities, including restrictions on investing in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to relevant national interests and requirements that government approval be obtained prior to investment by foreign persons; (iv) certain national policies that may restrict the Fund’s repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities, including temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances; (v) the lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and/or standards that may be significantly different from the standards required in the United States; (vi) less publicly available financial and other information regarding issuers; (vii) potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations; and (viii) higher rates of inflation, higher interest rates and other economic concerns. The Fund may invest to a significant extent in emerging market securities that are issued in local currencies, subjecting the Fund to a greater amount of foreign currency risk. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Foreign Currency Risk.” Also, investing in emerging market countries may entail purchases of securities of issuers that are insolvent, bankrupt, in default or otherwise of questionable ability to satisfy their payment obligations as they become due, subjecting the Fund to a greater amount of credit risk and/or high yield risk. See “Principal Risks of the Fund —Credit Risk” and “Principal Risks of the Fund —High Yield Risk.”

Foreign Currency Risk

The Fund’s Common Shares are priced in U.S. dollars and the distributions paid by the Fund to Common Shareholders are paid in U.S. dollars. However, a significant portion of the Fund’s assets may be denominated in foreign (non-U.S.) currencies and income received by the Fund from many foreign debt obligations may be paid in foreign currencies. The Fund also may invest in or gain exposure to foreign currencies themselves for investment or hedging purposes. The Fund’s investments in or exposure to foreign currencies or in securities or instruments that trade, or receive revenues, in foreign currencies are subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar or, in the case of hedging positions (if used), that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, or by the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the U.S. or abroad. These fluctuations may have a significant adverse impact on the value of the Fund’s portfolio and/or the level of Fund distributions made to Common Shareholders. As noted above, the Fund may (but is not required to) attempt to hedge some of its exposure to foreign currencies in order to reduce the risk of loss due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar. There is no assurance, however, that these hedging strategies will be available or will be used by the Fund or, if used, that they will be successful.

Distressed and Defaulted Securities Risk

Distressed and defaulted securities generally present the same risks as investment in below investment grade securities. However, in most cases, these risks are of a greater magnitude because of the uncertainties of investing in an issuer undergoing financial distress. An issuer of distressed securities may be in bankruptcy or undergoing some other form of financial restructuring. Interest and/or principle payments on distressed securities may be in default. Distressed securities present a risk of loss of principal value, including potentially a total loss. Distressed securities may be highly illiquid and the prices at which distressed securities may be sold may represent a substantial discount to what the Adviser believes to be the ultimate value of such obligations.

Loan Participations and Assignments Risk

The Fund may invest in fixed and floating rate loans arranged through private negotiations between an issuer and one or more financial institutions. The Fund’s investments in loans in most instances will be in the form of participations in loans or assignments of all or a portion of loans from third parties. In connection with purchasing loan participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement relating to the loan, nor any rights of set-off against the borrower, and the Fund may not directly benefit from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the loan

 

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participation. As a result, the Fund may be subject to the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender that is selling the participation. In the event of the insolvency of the lender selling a participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any set-off between the lender and the borrower. Certain loan participations may be structured in a manner designed to prevent purchasers of participations from being subject to the credit risk of the lender with respect to the participation, but even under such a structure, in the event of the lender’s insolvency, the lender’s servicing of the participation may be delayed and the assignability of the participation impaired.

The Fund may have difficulty disposing of loans and loan participations because to do so it will have to assign or sell such securities to a third party. Because there is no liquid market for many such securities, the Fund anticipates that such securities could be sold only to a limited number of institutional investors. The lack of a liquid secondary market may have an adverse impact on the value of such securities and the Fund’s ability to dispose of particular loans and loan participations when necessary to meet the Fund’s liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the borrower. The lack of a liquid secondary market for loans and loan participations also may make it more difficult for the Fund to assign a value to these securities for purposes of valuing the Fund’s portfolio and calculating its NAV.

Risks of Short Economic Exposure Through Derivatives

The use by the Fund of derivatives such as options, forwards or futures contracts for investment and/or risk management purposes may subject the Fund to risks associated with short economic exposure. Taking a short economic position through derivatives exposes the Fund to the risk that it will be obligated to make payments to its counterparty if the underlying asset appreciates in value, resulting in a loss to the Fund. The Fund’s loss on a short position using derivatives theoretically could be unlimited.

Credit Default Swaps Risk

Credit default swaps involve greater risks than investing in the reference obligation directly. In addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to liquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. A buyer will lose its investment and recover nothing should no event of default occur. If an event of default were to occur, the value of the reference obligation received by the seller (if any), coupled with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the seller. When the Fund acts as a seller of a credit default swap, it is exposed to many of the same risks of leverage described herein since if an event of default occurs the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value of the reference obligation.

Although the Fund will seek to realize gains by writing credit default swaps that increase in value, to realize gains on writing credit default swaps, an active secondary market for such instruments must exist or the Fund must otherwise be able to close out these transactions at advantageous times. If no such secondary market exists or the Fund is otherwise unable to close out these transactions at advantageous times, writing credit default swaps may not be profitable for the Fund.

he market for credit default swaps has become more volatile in recent years as the creditworthiness of certain counterparties has been questioned and/or downgraded. If a counterparty’s credit becomes significantly impaired, multiple requests for collateral posting in a short period of time could increase the risk that the Fund may not receive adequate collateral. As of the date of this prospectus, credit default swaps are not currently traded on any securities exchange, however certain credit default swaps may be cleared through swaps clearing houses. The Fund may exit its obligations under a credit default swap only by terminating the contract and paying applicable breakage fees, or by entering into an offsetting credit default swap position, which may cause the Fund to incur more losses.

Hedging Strategy Risk

Certain of the investment techniques that the Fund may employ for hedging will expose the Fund to additional or increased risks.

There may be an imperfect correlation between changes in the value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings and hedging positions entered into by the Fund, which may prevent the Fund from achieving the intended hedge or expose the Fund to risk of loss. In addition, the Fund’s success in using hedge instruments is subject to the Adviser’s ability to predict correctly changes in the relationships of such hedge instruments to the Fund’s portfolio holdings, and there can be no assurance that the Adviser’s judgment in this respect will be accurate. Consequently, the use of hedging transactions might result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund, whether or not adjusted for risk, than if the Fund had not hedged its portfolio holdings.

 

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The Adviser is under no obligation to engage in any hedging strategies, and may, in its discretion, choose not to. Even if the Adviser desires to hedge some of the Fund’s risks, suitable hedging transactions may not be available or, if available, attractive. A failure to hedge may result in losses to the value of the Fund’s investments.

Short Sales Risk

To the extent the Fund makes use of short sales for investment and/or risk management purposes, the Fund may be subject to certain risks associated with selling short. Short sales are transactions in which the Fund sells securities or other instruments that the Fund does not own. Short sales expose the Fund to the risk that it will be required to cover its short position at a time when the securities have appreciated in value, thus resulting in a loss to the Fund. The Fund may engage in short sales when it does not own or have the right to acquire the security sold short at no additional cost. The Fund’s loss on a short sale theoretically could be unlimited in a case in which the Fund is unable, for whatever reason, to close out its short position. In addition, the Fund’s short selling strategies may limit its ability to benefit from increases in the markets. Also, there is the risk that the counterparty to a short sale may fail to honor its contractual terms, causing a loss to the Fund.

Government-Entity Risk

The Fund may invest in mortgage-related and other debt securities issued or guaranteed by certain U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises. Some U.S. Government securities, such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds, and securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; others, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Banks or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations; and still others, such as those of the Student Loan Marketing Association, are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. Although U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises (“GSEs”), such as the Federal Home Loan Banks, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and the Student Loan Marketing Association may be chartered or sponsored by Congress, they are not funded by Congressional appropriations, and their securities are not issued by the U.S. Treasury or supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government and involve increased credit risks. Although legislation has been enacted to support certain GSEs, including the Federal Home Loan Banks, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, there is no assurance that GSE obligations will be satisfied in full, or that such obligations will not decrease in value or default. It is difficult, if not impossible, to predict the future political, regulatory or economic changes that could impact the GSEs and the values of their related securities or obligations. See “Investment Objective and Policies—Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities” in the Statement of Additional Information.

Sovereign Debt Obligations Risk

Investments in countries’ government debt obligations involve special risks. Certain countries have historically experienced, and may continue to experience, high rates of inflation, high interest rates, exchange rate fluctuations, large amounts of external debt, balance of payments and trade difficulties and extreme poverty and unemployment. The issuer or governmental authority that controls the repayment of a country’s debt may not be able or willing to repay the principal and/or interest when due in accordance with the terms of such debt. A debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and interest due in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation and, in the case of a government debtor, the extent of its foreign reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government debtor’s policy towards the International Monetary Fund and the political constraints to which a government debtor may be subject. Government debtors may default on their debt and also may be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and others abroad to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The commitment on the part of these governments, agencies and others to make such disbursements may be conditioned on a debtor’s implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of such debtor’s obligations.

Failure to implement such reforms, achieve such levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of such third parties’ commitments to lend funds to the government debtor, which may further impair such debtor’s ability or willingness to service its debts on a timely basis. Holders of government debt, including the Fund, may be requested to participate in the rescheduling of such debt and to extend further loans to government debtors.

As a result of the foregoing, a government obligor may default on its obligations. If such an event occurs, the Fund may have limited (or no) legal recourse against the issuer and/or guarantor. Remedies must, in some cases, be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party itself, and the ability of the holder of foreign government debt securities to obtain recourse may be subject to the political climate in the relevant country. In addition, no assurance can be given that the holders of more senior fixed income securities, such as commercial bank debt, will not contest payments to the holders of other foreign government debt securities in the event of

 

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default under their commercial bank loan agreements. There is no bankruptcy proceeding by which sovereign debt on which governmental entities have defaulted may be collected in whole or in part.

Government obligors in emerging market countries are among the world’s largest debtors to commercial banks, other governments, international financial organizations and other financial institutions. The issuers of the government debt securities in which the Fund may invest have in the past experienced substantial difficulties in servicing their external debt obligations, which led to defaults on certain obligations and the restructuring of certain indebtedness. Restructuring arrangements have included, among other things, reducing and rescheduling interest and principal payments by negotiating new or amended credit agreements, and obtaining new credit to finance interest payments. Holders of certain foreign government debt securities may be requested to participate in the restructuring of such obligations and to extend further loans to their issuers. There can be no assurance that the foreign government debt securities in which the Fund may invest will not be subject to similar restructuring arrangements or to requests for new credit, which may adversely affect the Fund’s holdings. Furthermore, certain participants in the secondary market for such debt may be directly involved in negotiating the terms of these arrangements and may therefore have access to information not available to other market participants.

Investments in a foreign country’s government debt securities involve currency risk. See “ — Foreign Currency Risk.”

Convertible Securities Risk

Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible debt securities of similar quality. The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, a convertible security’s market value tends to reflect the market price of the common stock of the issuing company when that stock price approaches or is greater than the convertible security’s “conversion price.” The conversion price is defined as the predetermined price at which the convertible security could be exchanged for the associated stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, the price of the convertible security tends to be influenced more by the yield of the convertible security. Thus, it may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common stock. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, holders of convertible securities would be paid before the company’s common stockholders but after holders of any senior debt obligations of the company. Consequently, the issuer’s convertible securities generally entail less risk than its common stock but more risk than its debt obligations.

The Fund may invest in synthetic convertible securities, which are created through a combination of separate securities that possess the two principal characteristics of a traditional convertible security, i.e., an income-producing security (“income-producing component”) and the right to acquire an equity security (“convertible component”). The income-producing component is achieved by investing in non-convertible, income-producing securities such as bonds, preferred stocks and money market instruments. The convertible component is achieved by purchasing warrants or options to buy common stock at a certain exercise price, or options on a stock index. The values of synthetic convertible securities will respond differently to market fluctuations than a traditional convertible security because a synthetic convertible is composed of two or more separate securities or instruments, each with its own market value. Synthetic convertible securities also are subject to the risks associated with derivatives. See “Principal Risks of the Fund —Derivatives Risk.” In addition, if the value of the underlying common stock or the level of the index involved in the convertible element falls below the strike price of the warrant or option, the warrant or option may lose all value.

Preferred Securities Risk

In addition to equity securities risk (see “Principal Risks of the Fund —Equity Securities and Related Market Risk”), credit risk (see “Principal Risks of the Fund —Credit Risk”) and possibly high yield risk (see “Principal Risks of the Fund —High Yield Risk”), investment in preferred stocks involves certain other risks. Certain preferred stocks contain provisions that allow an issuer under certain conditions to skip or defer distributions. If the Fund owns a preferred stock that is deferring its distribution, the Fund may be required to report income for tax purposes despite the fact that it is not receiving current income on this position. Preferred stocks often are subject to legal provisions that allow for redemption in the event of certain tax or legal changes or at the issuer’s call. In the event of redemption, the Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds at comparable rates of return. Preferred stocks are subordinated to bonds and other debt securities in an issuer’s capital structure in terms of priority for corporate income and liquidation payments, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than those debt securities. Preferred stocks may trade less frequently and in a more limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than many other securities, such as common stocks, corporate debt securities and U.S. Government securities.

Management Risk

The Fund’s ability to identify and invest in attractive opportunities is dependent upon the Adviser. If one or more key individuals leave the Adviser, it may not be able to hire qualified replacements, or may require an extended time to do so. This could

 

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prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. Although the Adviser is the adviser to several registered open-end funds, and the portfolio managers have previous experience managing closed-end funds, the Fund is the first closed-end fund to be managed by the Adviser. As with any managed fund, the Adviser may not be successful in selecting the best-performing securities, leverage strategy or investment techniques, and the Fund’s performance may lag behind that of similar funds as a result.

Investment and Market Risk

An investment in Common Shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount invested. An investment in Common Shares represents an indirect investment in the securities and other financial assets owned by the Fund. Securities held by the Fund are generally traded in over-the-counter markets. The value of these securities and financial assets, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The Common Shares at any point in time may be worth less than their original cost, even after taking into account any reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Further, the value of securities held by the Fund may decline in value due to factors affecting securities markets generally or particular industries.

Debt Securities Risk

In addition to the other risks described herein, debt securities also are subject to the following general risks:

 

   

Redemption Risk — Debt securities sometimes contain provisions that allow for redemption in the event of tax or security law changes in addition to call features at the option of the issuer. In the event of a redemption, the Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds at comparable rates of return.

 

   

Limited Voting Rights — Debt securities typically do not provide any voting rights, except in cases when interest payments have not been made and the issuer is in default. Even in such cases, such rights may be limited to the terms of the debenture or other agreements.

 

   

Liquidity — Certain debt securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as U.S. government securities or common shares or other equity securities.

 

   

Spread Risk — Wider credit spreads and decreasing market values typically represent a deterioration of the debt security’s credit soundness and a perceived greater likelihood or risk of default by the issuer.

Corporate Debt Risks

Like all debt securities, corporate debt securities generally represent an issuer’s obligation to repay to the investor (or lender) the amount borrowed plus interest over a specified time period. A typical corporate bond specifies a fixed date when the amount borrowed (principal) is due in full, known as the maturity date, and specifies dates when periodic interest (coupon) payments will be made over the life of the security.

Corporate debt securities come in many varieties and may differ in the way that interest is calculated, the amount and frequency of payments, the type of collateral, if any, and the presence of special features (e.g., conversion rights). The Fund’s investments in corporate debt securities may include, but are not limited to, senior, junior, secured and unsecured bonds, notes and other debt securities, and may be fixed rate, floating rate, zero coupon and inflation linked, among other things. The Fund may invest in convertible bonds, which are fixed income securities that are exercisable into other debt or equity securities, and “synthetic” convertible securities, which are created through a combination of separate securities that possess the two principal characteristics of a traditional convertible security, i.e., an income-producing security (“income-producing component”) and the right to acquire an equity security (“convertible component”).

Prices of corporate debt securities fluctuate and, in particular, are subject to several key risks including, but not limited to, interest rate risk, credit risk, prepayment risk and spread risk. The market value of a corporate bond may be affected by the credit rating of the issuer, the issuer’s performance, perceptions of the issuer in the market place, management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods and services. There is a risk that the issuers of the corporate debt securities in which the Fund may invest may not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by an instrument.

Valuation Risk

When market quotations are not readily available or are deemed to be unreliable, the Fund values its investments at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. See “Net Asset Value.” Fair

 

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value pricing may require subjective determinations about the value of a security or other asset. As a result, there can be no assurance that fair value pricing will result in adjustments to the prices of securities or other assets, or that fair value pricing will reflect actual market value, and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security or other asset will be materially different from quoted or published prices, from the prices used by others for the same security or other asset and/or from the value that actually could be or is realized upon the sale of that security or other asset.

Leverage Risk

The Fund’s use of leverage (as described under “Leverage” in the body of this prospectus) creates the opportunity for increased Common Share net income and capital appreciation, but also creates special risks for Common Shareholders. There is no assurance that the Fund’s leveraging strategies will be successful. Leverage is a speculative technique that may expose the Fund to greater risk and increased costs. The net proceeds the Fund obtains from its use of reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings (as well as from any future issuance of preferred shares) will be invested in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies as described in this prospectus. It is anticipated that interest expense payable by the Fund with respect to its reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings (or dividends payable with respect to any outstanding preferred shares) will be based on shorter-term interest rates that would be periodically reset. So long as the Fund’s portfolio investments provide a higher rate of return (net of applicable Fund expenses) than the interest rates and other costs to the Fund of such leverage, the investment of the proceeds thereof will generate more income than will be needed to pay the costs of the leverage. If so, the excess will be used to pay higher dividends to Common Shareholders than if the Fund were not so leveraged. If, however, shorter-term interest rates rise relative to the rate of return on the Fund’s portfolio, the interest and other costs to the Fund of leverage (including interest expenses on reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings and the dividend rate on any outstanding preferred shares) could exceed the rate of return on the debt obligations and other investments held by the Fund, thereby reducing return to Common Shareholders. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the Fund’s use of leverage will result in a higher yield on the Common Shares. In addition, any preferred shares issued by the Fund are expected to pay cumulative dividends, which may tend to increase leverage risk.

Leverage creates several major types of risks for Common Shareholders, including:

 

   

the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of Common Shares than a comparable portfolio without leverage;

 

   

the possibility either that Common Share dividends will fall if the interest and other costs of leverage rise, or that dividends paid on Common Share will fluctuate because such costs vary over time; and

 

   

the effects of leverage in a declining market or a rising interest rate environment, as leverage is likely to cause a greater decline in the net asset value of the Common Shares than if the Fund were not leveraged and may result in a greater decline the market value of the Common Shares.

In addition, the counterparties to the Fund’s leveraging transactions and any preferred shareholders of the Fund will have priority of payment over the Fund’s Common Shareholders.

The use by the Fund of reverse repurchase agreements to obtain leverage also involves special risks. For instance, the market value of the securities that the Fund is obligated to repurchase under a reverse repurchase agreement may decline below the repurchase price and the securities may not be returned to the Fund. See “The Fund’s Investment Objective and Policies––Portfolio Contents and Other Information––Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Rolls.”

In addition to reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings (or a future issuance of preferred shares), the Fund’s use of other transactions that may give rise to a form of leverage (including, among others, credit default swap contracts and other derivatives transactions, loans of portfolio securities, short sales and when issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions) give rise to associated leverage risks described above, and may adversely affect the Fund’s income, distributions and total returns to Common Shareholders. The Fund manages some of its derivative positions by segregating an amount of cash or liquid securities equal to the face value or the market value, as applicable, of those positions. The Fund also may offset derivatives positions against one another or against other assets to manage effective market exposure resulting from derivatives in its portfolio. To the extent that any offsetting positions do not behave in relation to one another as expected, the Fund may perform as if it is leveraged through use of these derivative strategies. See “Leverage.”

Because the fees received by DoubleLine are based on the total managed assets of the Fund (including assets attributable to any reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings and preferred shares that may be outstanding), DoubleLine has a financial incentive for the Fund to use reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings or to issue preferred shares, which may create a conflict of interest between DoubleLine, on the one hand, and the Common Shareholders, on the other hand.

 

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Focused Investment Risk

To the extent that the Fund focuses its investments in a particular industry, the net asset value of the Common Shares will be more susceptible to events or factors affecting companies in that industry. These may include, but are not limited to, governmental regulation, inflation, rising interest rates, cost increases in raw materials, fuel and other operating expenses, technological innovations that may render existing products and equipment obsolete, competition from new entrants, high research and development costs, increased costs associated with compliance with environmental or other regulation and other economic, market, political or other developments specific to that industry. Also, the Fund may have greater risk to the extent that it invests a substantial portion of its assets in companies in related sectors, such as natural resources, which may share common characteristics, are often subject to similar business risks and regulatory burdens, and whose securities may react similarly to the types of events and factors described above. The Fund also will be subject to focused investment risks to the extent that it invests a substantial portion of its assets in a small number of issuers or in a particular country or geographic region. See “Principal Risks of the Fund ––Issuer Non-Diversification Risk,” “Principal Risks of the Fund––Foreign (Non-U.S.) Investment Risk,” “Principal Risks of the Fund—Emerging Markets Risk” and “Principal Risks of the Fund—Foreign Currency Risk.”

Derivatives Risk

The Fund may use a variety of derivative instruments for investment or risk management purposes. The Fund may use derivatives to gain exposure to securities markets in which it may invest (e.g., pending investment of the proceeds of this offering in individual securities). The Fund also expects to use derivatives to add leverage to its portfolio. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Leverage Risk.” Such derivatives instruments include, but are not limited to, options contracts (including options on futures contracts), futures contracts, swap agreements (including credit default swaps) and short sales. The Fund also may have exposure to derivatives, such as credit default swaps and interest rate swaps, through investment in credit-linked trust certificates or other securities issued by special purpose or structured vehicles. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in this prospectus, such as liquidity risk, issuer risk, credit risk, interest rate risk, leverage risk, counterparty risk, management risk and, if applicable, smaller company risk. They also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation, the risk of ambiguous documentation, and the risk that changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with an underlying asset, currency, interest rate or index. Suitable derivatives transactions may not be available in all circumstances and there can be no assurance that the Fund will engage in these transactions to reduce exposure to other risks when that would be beneficial.

The U.S. government recently enacted legislation that provides for new regulation of certain portions of the derivatives market, including clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements. Because the legislation leaves much to rule making, its ultimate impact remains unclear. New regulations could, among other things, restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in derivatives transactions (for example, by making certain types of derivatives transactions no longer available to the Fund) and/or increase the costs of such derivatives transactions (for example, by increasing margin or capital requirements), and the Fund may be unable to execute its investment strategy as a result. It is unclear how the regulatory changes will affect counterparty risk.

Counterparty Risk

The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivative contracts and other instruments entered into directly by the Fund or held by special purpose or structured vehicles in which the Fund invests. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.

Counterparty risk with respect to certain over-the-counter derivatives may be further complicated by recently enacted U.S. financial reform legislation. See “Derivatives Risk” above for more information.

Net Asset Value Discount Risk

Frequently, shares of closed-end investment companies, such as the Fund, trade at a price below their NAV, commonly referred to as a “discount.”

The Fund cannot predict whether, or to what extent, its Common Shares will trade at a discount to their NAV. Immediately following this offering, the NAV of the Fund’s Common Shares will be reduced by offering costs paid by the Fund, creating an increased risk that the Common Shares will trade at a discount to their NAV for a period following the offering. Therefore, there is an added risk to investors who may sell their shares shortly after the offering. Before making an investment decision, a prospective investor should consider the suitability of this investment with respect to the investor’s investment objectives and personal situation. See “Description of Shares.”

Structured Products Risk

The Fund may invest in structured investments, structured notes and other similar products consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies. Generally, structured investments 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

 

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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.

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 may 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.

The cash flow or rate of return on a structured investment 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 indirectly bear risks associated with the underlying investments, index or reference obligation, and are subject to counterparty risk. The Fund generally has 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. While certain structured investment vehicles 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 vehicles generally pay their share of the investment vehicle’s administrative and other expenses.

Structured products are generally privately offered and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws. 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. In addition to the general risks associated with fixed income securities discussed herein, structured products carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from underlying investments will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the underlying investments may decline in value or default; (iii) the possibility that the security may be 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 interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk. Where the Fund’s investments in structured notes are based upon the movement of one or more factors, 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.

Equity Securities and Related Market Risk

The Fund may hold common stocks and other equity securities from time to time, including those it has received through the conversion of a convertible security held by the Fund or in connection with the restructuring of a debt security. The market price of common stocks and other equity securities may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. Equity securities may decline in value due to factors affecting equity securities markets generally, particular industries represented in those markets, or the issuer itself. See “Principal Risks of the Fund ––Issuer Risk.” The values of equity securities may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. They also may decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than bonds and other debt securities.

Smaller Company Risk

The general risks associated with debt instruments or equity securities are particularly pronounced for securities issued by companies with small market capitalizations. Small capitalization companies involve certain special risks. They are more likely than larger companies to have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, or to depend on a small, inexperienced management group. Securities of smaller companies may trade less frequently and in lesser volume than more widely held securities and their values may fluctuate more sharply than other securities. They also may have limited liquidity. These securities may therefore be more vulnerable to adverse developments than securities of larger companies, and the Fund may have difficulty purchasing or selling securities positions in smaller companies at prevailing market prices. Also, there may be less publicly available information about smaller companies or less market interest in their securities as compared to larger companies. Companies with medium-sized market capitalizations may have risks similar to those of smaller companies.

Confidential Information Access Risk

 

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In managing the fund, DoubleLine normally will seek to avoid the receipt by portfolio managers and analysts of material, non-public information (“Confidential Information”) about the issuers of senior floating rate loans, other bank loans and related investments being considered for acquisition by the Fund or held in the Fund’s portfolio. In many instances, issuers offer to furnish Confidential Information to prospective purchasers or holders of the issuer’s loans. In circumstances when the DoubleLine portfolio manager and analysts do not receive Confidential Information from these issuers, the Fund may be disadvantaged in comparison to other bank loan investors, including with respect to the price the Fund pays or receives when it buys or sells a bank loan. Further, in situations when the Fund is asked, for example, to grant consents, waivers or amendments with respect to bank loans, DoubleLine’s ability to assess the desirability of such consents, waivers and amendments may be compromised. In such circumstances, DoubleLine may determine to receive such Confidential Information, but in so doing, may create information walls around persons (“walled-off personnel”) having access to the Confidential Information, which may limit the restrictions on others at DoubleLine but that could also impair the ability of walled-off personnel to assist in managing the Fund. Also, certain issuers of senior floating rate loans, other bank loans and related investments may not have any traded securities (“Private Issuers”) and may offer private information pursuant to confidentiality agreements or similar arrangements. DoubleLine may access such private information, while recognizing that the receipt of that information could potentially limit the Fund’s ability to trade in certain securities if the Private Issuer later issues traded securities.

Other Investment Companies Risk

The Fund may invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies, including ETFs, to the extent that such investments are consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies and permissible under the 1940 Act. As a shareholder in an investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment company’s expenses, and would remain subject to payment of the Fund’s investment management fees with respect to the assets so invested. Common Shareholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies. In addition, these other investment companies may use leverage, in which case an investment would subject the Fund to additional risks associated with leverage. See “Principal Risks of the Fund —Leverage Risk.”

Rule 144A Securities Risk

Rule 144A permits certain qualified institutional buyers, such as the Fund, to trade in privately placed securities that have not been registered for sale under the Securities Act. Rule 144A securities may be deemed illiquid, although the Fund may determine that certain Rule 144A securities are liquid in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees.

Inflation/Deflation Risk

Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from the Fund’s investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of payments at future dates. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s portfolio could decline. Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time. Deflation may have an adverse effect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer default more likely, which may result in a decline in the value of the Fund’s portfolio.

Liquidity Risk

The Fund may invest in illiquid securities (i.e., securities that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the securities). Illiquid securities may trade at a discount from comparable, more liquid investments, and may be subject to wide fluctuations in market value. Also, the Fund may not be able to dispose readily of illiquid securities when that would be beneficial at a favorable time or price or at prices approximating those at which the Fund currently values them. Further, the lack of an established secondary market for illiquid securities may make it more difficult to value such securities, which may negatively impact the price the Fund would receive upon disposition of such securities.

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk

The wars with Iraq and Afghanistan, their aftermath and the occupations of Iraq and substantial military presence in Afghanistan are likely to have a substantial effect on the U.S. and world economies and securities markets. The nature, scope and duration of the wars and the potential costs of rebuilding infrastructure cannot be predicted with any certainty. Terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 closed some of the U.S. securities markets for a four-day period and similar future events cannot be ruled out. The wars and occupation, terrorism and related geopolitical risks have led, and may in the future lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Those events also could have an acute effect on individual issuers or related groups of issuers. These risks also

 

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could adversely affect individual issuers and securities markets, interest rates, secondary trading, ratings, credit risk, inflation, deflation and other factors relating to the Fund’s investments and the market value and net asset value of the Common Shares.

Portfolio Turnover Risk

The techniques and strategies contemplated by the Fund might result in a high degree of portfolio turnover. Higher portfolio turnover rates result in corresponding increases in brokerage commissions and other trading costs and generate short-term capital gains taxable as ordinary income.

Litigation and Investigation Risk

Trust Company of the West (“TCW”) has commenced litigation against the DoubleLine Funds Trust, including the various series of that Trust for which the Adviser serves as investment adviser; the Adviser, and four employees of the Adviser. The four employees (including Jeffrey Gundlach) are former employees of TCW or its affiliates. The suit against the Adviser and the defendant employees alleged, among other things, misappropriation of confidential and proprietary information. The lawsuit against the Adviser and defendant employees seeks, among other things, damages in excess of $200 million and a constructive trust on the limited partnership interests of the Adviser in favor of TCW. The lawsuit against DoubleLine Funds Trust contains allegations that are substantially similar to the allegations in the litigation against the Adviser and the employees and include, among other things, claims that DoubleLine Funds Trust aided and abetted, and conspired with, the Adviser and the employees to misappropriate TCW trade secrets. TCW seeks a variety of remedies against DoubleLine Funds Trust, including compensatory damages for lost profits; disgorgement of certain management fees and any carried interest obtained or retained by DoubleLine Funds Trust; punitive damages; and certain injunctive relief. There can be no assurances as to the outcome of any litigation. The remedies sought by TCW in its litigation against DoubleLine Funds Trust, if granted, could have a material adverse effect on shareholder returns for those DoubleLine funds that are series of DoubleLine Funds Trust.

TCW raised a fund under the U.S. Treasury’s Legacy Securities Public Private Investment Program (the “PPIP”) in the fall of 2009 to be managed by Mr. Gundlach, as key person, and announced in January 2010, subsequent to the termination of Mr. Gundlach, that it had voluntarily withdrawn the fund from the PPIP and would conduct an orderly liquidation of the fund. The Adviser has advised the Fund that employees and former employees of the Adviser have been interviewed by representatives of the Special Inspector General of the Troubled Asset Relief Program, and by the office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, in connection with the PPIP and in connection with the same allegations of misappropriation of proprietary information made by TCW in its litigation against the Adviser. The Adviser understands that the inquiry stems at least in part from a federal grand jury inquiry. The Adviser has informed the Fund that it has cooperated with the inquiry and has voluntarily produced documents. The Fund is not involved in any of these inquiries.

Litigation, and participation in any governmental inquiry or investigation, can be expensive and time consuming, and their results can be unpredictable. There can be no assurances as to the outcome of these matters. The litigation and any governmental inquiry or investigation could consume a material amount of the Adviser’s resources thereby potentially impairing the Adviser’s ability to attract or retain talented personnel or otherwise effectively manage the Fund. In the event of an adverse outcome or if expenses of the litigation and related matters are greater than anticipated, the Adviser’s ability to manage the Fund may be materially impaired, and shareholders, or the viability of the Fund, could be adversely affected.

For additional information, please see “Regulatory and Litigation Matters” at page [ ] of this Prospectus.

.Legal and Regulatory Risk

Legal, tax and regulatory changes could occur during the term of the Fund and may adversely affect the Fund and its ability to pursue its investment strategies and/or increase the costs of implementing such strategies. New (or revised) laws or regulations may be imposed by the CFTC, the SEC, the U.S. Federal Reserve or other banking regulators, other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that supervise the financial markets that could adversely affect the Fund. In particular, these agencies are empowered to promulgate a variety of new rules pursuant to recently enacted financial reform legislation in the United States. The Fund also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes and rules by these governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations.

In addition, the securities and futures markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations and margin requirements. The CFTC, the SEC, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, other regulators and self-regulatory organizations and exchanges are authorized under these statutes, regulations and otherwise to take extraordinary actions in the event of market emergencies. The Fund and the Adviser have historically been eligible for exemptions from certain regulations. However, there is no assurance that the Fund and the Adviser will continue to be eligible for such exemptions. For example, the Fund has filed with the National Futures Association a notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under Commission Regulation

 

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4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, with respect to the Fund’s operation. Recently, the CFTC has proposed a change to Regulation 4.5 and other regulations which, if adopted, could require the Fund to register with the CFTC. Such changes could potentially limit or restrict the ability of the Fund to pursue its investment strategy, and/or increase the costs of implementing its strategy.

The U.S. government recently enacted legislation that provides for new regulation of the derivatives market, including clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements. Because the legislation leaves much to rule making, its ultimate impact remains unclear. New regulations could, among other things, restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in derivatives transactions (for example, by making certain types of derivatives transactions no longer available to the Fund) and/or increase the costs of such derivatives transactions (for example, by increasing margin or capital requirements), and the Fund may be unable to execute its investment strategy as a result. It is unclear how the regulatory changes will affect counterparty risk. The CFTC and certain futures exchanges have established limits, referred to as “position limits,” on the maximum net long or net short positions which any person may hold or control in particular options and futures contracts. All positions owned or controlled by the same person or entity, even if in different accounts, may be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the applicable position limits have been exceeded. Thus, even if the Fund does not intend to exceed applicable position limits, it is possible that different clients managed by the Adviser and its affiliates may be aggregated for this purpose. Therefore it is possible that the trading decisions of the Adviser may have to be modified and that positions held by the Fund may have to be liquidated in order to avoid exceeding such limits. The modification of investment decisions or the elimination of open positions, if it occurs, may adversely affect the profitability of the Fund.

The SEC has in the past adopted interim rules requiring reporting of all short positions above a certain de minimis threshold and is expected to adopt rules requiring monthly public disclosure in the future. In addition, other non-U.S. jurisdictions where the Fund may trade have adopted reporting requirements. If the Fund’s short positions or its strategy become generally known, it could have a significant effect on the Adviser’s ability to implement its investment strategy. In particular, it would make it more likely that other investors could cause a “short squeeze” in the securities held short by the Fund forcing the Fund to cover its positions at a loss. Such reporting requirements also may limit the Adviser’s ability to access management and other personnel at certain companies where the Adviser seeks to take a short position. In addition, if other investors engage in copycat behavior by taking positions in the same issuers as the Fund, the cost of borrowing securities to sell short could increase drastically and the availability of such securities to the Fund could decrease drastically. Such events could make a Fund unable to execute its investment strategy. In addition, the SEC recently proposed additional restrictions on short sales. If the SEC were to adopt additional restrictions regarding short sales, they could restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in short sales in certain circumstances, and the Fund may be unable to execute its investment strategy as a result.

The SEC and regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions may adopt (and in certain cases, have adopted) bans on short sales of certain securities in response to market events. Bans on short selling may make it impossible for the Fund to execute certain investment strategies and may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to generate returns. Pending federal legislation would require the adoption of regulations that would require any creditor that makes a loan and any securitizer of a loan to retain at least 5% of the credit risk on any loan that is transferred, sold or conveyed by such creditor or securitizer. It is currently unclear how these requirements would apply to loan participations, syndicated loans, and loan assignments. If the Fund invests in loans, it could be adversely affected by the regulation. The effect of any future regulatory change on the Fund could be substantial and adverse.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

The Declaration includes provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to convert the Fund to open-end status. See “Anti-Takeover and Other Provisions in the Declaration of Trust.” These provisions in the Declaration 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 or at net asset value.

MANAGEME NT OF THE FUND

Trustees and Officers

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the management of the Fund, including oversight of the duties performed by the Adviser. There are currently [] trustees of the Fund, [] of whom are treated by the Fund as “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act). The role of the Board and of any individual Trustee is one of oversight and not of management of the day-to-day affairs of the Fund and its oversight role does not make the Board a guarantor of the Fund’s investments, operations or activities. Like most registered investment companies, the day-to-day management and operation of the Fund is performed by various service providers to the Fund, such as the Adviser, Administrator, custodian and transfer agent, each of which is discussed in greater detail in this

 

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prospectus or in the Statement of Additional Information. The names and business addresses of the trustees and officers of the Fund and their principal occupations and other affiliations during the past five years are set forth under “Management of the Fund” in the Statement of Additional Information.

Investme nt Adviser

DoubleLine Capital LP serves as the investment adviser of the Fund. Subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for managing, either directly or through others selected by it, the investment activities of the Fund and the Fund’s business affairs and other administrative matters. The Adviser is located at 333 South Grand Avenue, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, California 90071.

The Adviser was founded by Jeffrey E. Gundlach in December 2009. Prior to founding the Adviser, Mr. Gundlach was Chief Investment Officer of the TCW Group, Inc. The Adviser is recently formed and its success is highly dependent upon its founders. As of June 30, 2011, the Adviser had approximately $12 billion of assets under management.

The following individuals at DoubleLine have primary responsibility for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund:

 

Name

  

        Since        

  

Recent Professional Experience

Jeffrey E. Gundlach    *    Mr. Jeffrey E. Gundlach is the founder and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of DoubleLine. Mr. Gundlach has been Chief Executive Officer of DoubleLine since its inception in December 2009. Mr. Gundlach’s business experience during the last five years prior to founding DoubleLine includes holding the following positions at TCW Group, Inc. or its affiliates (“TCW”): Chief Investment Officer, Group Managing Director and President.
Philip A. Barach    *    Mr. Barach is co-founder and President of DoubleLine. Prior to DoubleLine, Mr. Barach was Co-Founder and Group Managing Director of TCW Mortgage Group where he spent over 23 years. He attended the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he received a BA in International Relations and an MBA in Finance. Mr. Barach assists Mr. Gundlach in overseeing the implementation of the Fund’s overall strategy.
Joel A. Damiani    *    Mr. Damiani is a Principal and founding member of DoubleLine. He also is a Portfolio Manager in the Mortgage Group. Prior to joining DoubleLine in 2009, Mr. Damiani was a Managing Director and MBS Portfolio Manager at TCW since 1999. Mr. Damiani holds both a BS in Molecular Biology and an MS in Finance from the University of Wisconsin. He is a CFA charterholder. Mr. Damiani assists in managing the mortgage-backed securities and other structure products portion of the Fund’s portfolio.
Joseph J. Galligan    *    Mr. Galligan is a Principal and founding member of DoubleLine. He is also a Portfolio Manager in the Mortgage Group. Prior to joining DoubleLine in 2009, Mr. Galligan had been a Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at TCW since 1991. Mr. Galligan holds a BS in Economics with a concentration in Finance from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a CFA charterholder. Mr. Galligan assists in managing the mortgage-backed securities and other structure products portion of the Fund’s portfolio.
Luz M. Padilla    *    Ms. Padilla has been a portfolio manager of DoubleLine since January 2010. As part of the Fund’s portfolio management team, Ms Padilla manages the emerging markets fixed income portion of the Fund’s portfolio. For the five-year period prior to joining DoubleLine, Ms. Padilla was a Managing Director at TCW.
Bonnie Baha    *    Ms. Baha has been a portfolio manager of DoubleLine since its inception in December 2009. As part of the Fund’s portfolio management team, Ms Baha manages the global developed credit portion of the Fund’s portfolio. For the five-year period prior to joining DoubleLine, Ms. Baha was a Managing Director at TCW.

 

 

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* As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund has not commenced operations.

The Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the portfolio manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager and the portfolio manager’s ownership of securities in the Fund.

Investment Management Agreement

Pursuant to an investment management agreement between the Adviser and the Fund (the “Investment Management Agreement”), the Fund has agreed to pay the Adviser an annual fee, payable monthly, in an amount equal to 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily total managed assets, for the services and facilities it provides. “Total managed assets” means the total assets of the Fund (including assets attributable to any reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings and preferred shares that may be outstanding) minus accrued liabilities (other than liabilities representing reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings). For purposes of calculating “total managed assets,” the liquidation preference of any preferred shares outstanding is not considered a liability. By way of clarification, with respect to any reverse repurchase agreement or similar transaction, “total managed assets” include any proceeds from the sale of an asset of the Fund to a counterparty in such a transaction, in addition to the value of the underlying asset as of the relevant measuring date.

In addition to the fees of the Adviser, the Fund pays all other costs and expenses of its operations, including compensation of its trustees (other than those affiliated with the Adviser), custodial expenses, shareholder servicing expenses, transfer agency, sub-transfer agency and dividend disbursing expenses, legal fees, expenses of independent auditors, expenses of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses, shareholder reports, notices, proxy statements and reports to governmental agencies, and taxes, if any.

Because the fees received by the Adviser are based on the total managed assets of the Fund (including assets attributable to any reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings and preferred shares that may be outstanding), the Adviser has a financial incentive for the Fund to use reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings or to issue preferred shares, which may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser, on the one hand, and the holders of the Fund’s Common Shares, on the other hand.

A discussion regarding the considerations of the Fund’s Board of Trustees for approving the Investment Management Agreement will be included in the Fund’s semi-annual report for the period ended [], 2012, which will be available on or around [], 2012.

Administrator

Pursuant to an Administration Agreement with the Fund, [] serves as the Fund’s administrator. As Administrator, [] provides certain services, including: assisting in maintaining the Fund’s office; furnishing the Fund with clerical and various other services required by the Fund’s operations; compiling data for and preparing notices and shareholder reports to the SEC; calculating the Fund’s daily NAV; preparing any reports that are required by the securities, investment, tax or other laws and regulations of the United States; preparing filings with state securities commissions; coordinating federal and state tax returns; monitoring the Fund’s expense accruals; monitoring compliance with the Fund’s investment policies and limitations; and generally assisting in the Fund’s operations.

For these services the Administrator will receive an annual fee, payable monthly (the “Administration Fee”), in an amount equal to []% of the Fund’s average daily total managed assets, including assets attributable to any reverse repurchase agreement or borrowings and to any preferred shares that may be outstanding. By way of clarification, with respect to any reverse repurchase agreement or similar transaction, “total managed assets” include any proceeds from the sale of an asset of the Fund to a counterparty in such a transaction, in addition to the value of the underlying asset as of the relevant measuring date.

Expenses

The Adviser and the Administrator are each obligated to pay expenses associated with providing the services contemplated by the agreements to which they are parties, including compensation of and office space for their respective officers and employees connected with investment and economic research, trading and investment management and administration of the Fund. DoubleLine will pay the fees of any Trustee of the Fund who is an officer or employee of DoubleLine. In addition to the fees of the Adviser and the Administrator, the Fund pays all other costs and expenses of its operations, including compensation of its trustees (other than those affiliated with the Adviser), custodial expenses, shareholder servicing expenses, transfer agency, sub-transfer agency and dividend disbursing expenses, legal fees, expenses of independent auditors, expenses of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses, shareholder reports, notices, proxy statements and reports to governmental agencies, and taxes, if any.

Offering expenses relating to the Fund’s Common Shares (other than the sales load) that do not exceed $[] per Common Share will be payable by the Fund upon completion of the offering of Common Shares, will be charged to capital upon the commencement of investment operations of the Fund and will be attributable to the Common Shares. To the extent the Fund has not otherwise paid offering expenses that exceed $[] per Common Share, the Fund will pay up to []% of the total public offering price

 

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(exclusive of the over-allotment option) to [•] as payment for its distribution assistance, as well as reasonable out of pocket expenses related to the Fund’s road show. The reduction of capital described above is limited to $[•] per Common Share ([•]% of the offering price). The Adviser will pay any offering fees and expenses, including the distribution assistance payment to [•] that exceed $[•] per Common Share. Certain of such fees and expenses constitute underwriting compensation and are a component of the total compensation to underwriters. See “Underwriting.”

The Management Contract authorizes DoubleLine to select brokers or dealers (including affiliates) to arrange for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities, including principal transactions. Any commission, fee or other remuneration paid to an affiliated broker or dealer is paid in compliance with the Fund’s procedures adopted in accordance with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act.

Regulatory and Litigation Matters

Trust Company of the West (“TCW”) has commenced litigation against the DoubleLine Funds Trust, including the various series of that Trust for which the Adviser serves as investment adviser; the Adviser, and four employees of the Adviser. The four employees (including Jeffrey Gundlach) are former employees of TCW or its affiliates. The suit against the Adviser and the defendant employees alleged, among other things, misappropriation of confidential and proprietary information. The lawsuit against the Adviser and defendant employees seeks, among other things, damages in excess of $200 million and a constructive trust on the limited partnership interests of the Adviser in favor of TCW. The lawsuit against DoubleLine Funds Trust contains allegations that are substantially similar to the allegations in the litigation against the Adviser and the employees and include, among other things, claims that DoubleLine Funds Trust aided and abetted, and conspired with, the Adviser and the employees to misappropriate TCW trade secrets. TCW seeks a variety of remedies against DoubleLine Funds Trust, including compensatory damages for lost profits; disgorgement of certain management fees and any carried interest obtained or retained by DoubleLine Funds Trust; punitive damages; and certain injunctive relief. There can be no assurances as to the outcome of any litigation. The remedies sought by TCW in its litigation against DoubleLine Funds Trust, if granted, could have a material adverse effect on shareholder returns for those DoubleLine funds that are series of DoubleLine Funds Trust.

TCW raised a fund under the U.S. Treasury’s Legacy Securities Public Private Investment Program (the “PPIP”) in the fall of 2009 to be managed by Mr. Gundlach, as key person, and announced in January 2010, subsequent to the termination of Mr. Gundlach, that it had voluntarily withdrawn the fund from the PPIP and would conduct an orderly liquidation of the fund. The Adviser has advised the Fund that employees and former employees of the Adviser have been interviewed by representatives of the Special Inspector General of the Troubled Asset Relief Program, and by the office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, in connection with the PPIP and in connection with the same allegations of misappropriation of proprietary information made by TCW in its litigation against the Adviser. The Adviser understands that the inquiry stems at least in part from a federal grand jury inquiry. The Adviser has informed the Fund that it has cooperated with the inquiry and has voluntarily produced documents. The Fund is not involved in any of these inquiries.

Litigation, and participation in any governmental inquiry or investigation, can be expensive and time consuming, and their results can be unpredictable. There can be no assurances as to the outcome of these matters. The litigation and any governmental inquiry or investigation could consume a material amount of the Adviser’s resources thereby potentially impairing the Adviser’s ability to attract or retain talented personnel or otherwise effectively manage the Fund. In the event of an adverse outcome or if expenses of the litigation and related matters are greater than anticipated, the Adviser’s ability to manage the Fund may be materially impaired, and shareholders, or the viability of the Fund, could be adversely affected.

NET ASSET VALUE

The NAV of the Common Shares of the Fund is calculated as of the close of trading on the NYSE (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) every day the exchange is open. It is determined by adding the value of the Fund’s securities, cash and other assets attributable to that class, subtracting all of the Fund’s expenses and liabilities, and then dividing by the total number of Common Shares outstanding (assets-liabilities/# of Common Shares = NAV). The Fund’s investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued based on market value. Market values for domestic and foreign fixed income securities are normally determined on the basis of valuations provided by independent pricing services. Prices obtained from independent pricing services use various observable inputs, including, but not limited to, information provided by broker-dealers, pricing formulas, such as dividend discount models, option valuation formulas, estimates of market values obtained from yield data relating to investments or securities with similar characteristics and discounted cash flow models that might be applicable. If a market valuation for a security is unavailable or deemed to be an unreliable indicator of current market value, the Fund will seek to obtain a broker quote from an external data vendor or directly from broker-dealers. Certain fixed income securities purchased on a delayed delivery basis are marked to market daily until settlement at the forward settlement date. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less are generally valued at amortized cost, however, securities with a demand feature exercisable within seven days are generally valued at par. Exchange traded options, futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement price determined by the relevant exchange. The Fund will

 

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generally value its investments in other investment companies and private funds, such as hedge funds, at their reported net asset values, to the extent available.

Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to the U.S. dollar using exchange rates obtained from pricing services at the time the Fund calculates its NAV. As a result, the NAV of the Fund’s shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may change significantly on a day that the NYSE is closed without an investor being able to purchase, redeem or exchange shares.

If market or broker-dealer quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable for a security or if a security’s value may have been materially affected by events occurring after the close of a securities market on which the security principally trades but before the Fund calculates its NAV, the Fund may, in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees, attempt to assign a value to the security that better reflects the security’s market value at the time the Fund calculates its NAV. This fair value may be higher or lower than the corresponding market price or quotation for such security and, because this process necessarily depends upon judgment, this value also may vary from valuations determined by other funds using their own fair valuation procedures. While the Fund’s use of fair value pricing is intended to result in calculation of an NAV that more fairly reflects security values as of the time of pricing, the Fund cannot guarantee that any fair value price will, in fact, accurately reflect the value of any security such that such security could be sold for the fair value amount.

The values of the Fund’s investments in foreign securities may be determined by a pricing service using pricing models designed to estimate likely changes in the values of those securities between the times in which the trading in those securities is substantially completed each day and the close of the NYSE.

DISTRIBUTIONS

The Fund intends to declare and pay distributions from its net investment income monthly. The Fund may, but will not necessarily, seek to pay distributions generally at a level rate. Any level dividend rate may be modified by the Board from time to time, and will be based upon the past and projected performance and expenses of the Fund. The Fund also will make a distribution during or with respect to each calendar year (which may be combined with a regular monthly distribution), which will generally include any net investment income and net realized capital gain for the year and not otherwise distributed. If the total distributions made in any calendar year exceed the sum of: (i) net investment company taxable income and net tax-exempt income (determined in each case without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), and (ii) net capital gains (defined as net long-term gains in excess of net short-term losses, in each case taking into account any loss carryforwards), such excess distributed amount would be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares. After such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, the distribution would constitute capital gain (assuming the shares are held as capital assets). In general terms, a return of capital would involve a situation where a Fund distribution (or a portion thereof) represents a return of a portion of the common shareholder’s investment, rather than net income or capital gains generated from his or her investment during a particular period. Although return of capital distributions may not be taxable, such distributions would reduce the basis of a shareholder’s Common Shares and therefore may increase a shareholder’s tax liability for capital gains upon a sale of Common Shares. See “Tax Matters.” The Fund’s distribution policy may, under certain circumstances, have certain adverse consequences to the Fund and its shareholders because it may result in a return of capital resulting in less of a shareholder’s assets being invested in the Fund and, over time, increase the Fund’s expense ratio. The distribution policy also may cause the Fund to sell a security at a time it would not otherwise do so in order to manage the distribution of income and gain. The Fund’s initial distribution is expected to be declared approximately 45 days after the completion of this offering and paid approximately 60 to 90 days after the completion of the offering, depending on market conditions. The initial distributions may consist primarily of a return of capital if the Fund is delayed in investing the proceeds of this offering.

Although the Fund does not presently intend to do so, the Fund may in the future apply for an order granting an exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder to permit the Fund to include realized long-term capital gains as a part of its regular distributions to Common Shareholders more frequently than would otherwise be permitted by the 1940 Act (generally once per taxable year). There is no assurance that the SEC will grant the Fund’s request for such exemptive order if such a request is made. If the Fund fails to receive the requested relief and the Fund is unable to include realized capital gains in regular distributions more frequently than would otherwise be permitted by the 1940 Act, it is possible that the Fund’s distribution policy, as set forth above, will otherwise be adversely affected.

If the Fund were to seek to pay a level dividend distribution, it would be intended to result in the payment of approximately the same amount or percentage of the Fund’s net asset value to Common Shareholders each month. Section 19(a) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19a-1 thereunder require the Fund to provide a written statement accompanying any such payment that adequately discloses its source or sources. Thus, if the source of the dividend or other distribution were the original capital contribution of the common shareholder, and the payment amounted to a return of capital, the Fund would be required to provide written disclosure to

 

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that effect. Nevertheless, persons who periodically receive the payment of a dividend or other distribution may be under the impression that they are receiving net profits when they are not. Common shareholders should read any written disclosure provided pursuant to Section 19(a) and Rule 19a-1 carefully, and should not assume that the source of any distribution from the Fund is net income or net profit. In addition, in cases where the Fund would return capital to Common Shareholders, such distribution may bear on the Fund’s ability to maintain its asset coverage requirements and to pay the dividends on any Preferred Shares that the Fund may issue, if ever.

The Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on Common Shares unless, at the time of such declaration, the Fund satisfies the asset coverage test with respect to senior securities representing indebtedness prescribed by the 1940 Act. See “Leverage” for more information.

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

Unless the registered owner of Common Shares elects to receive cash by contacting [] (the “Plan Administrator”), all dividends declared on Common Shares will be automatically reinvested by the Plan Administrator for shareholders in the Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), in additional Common Shares. Common Shareholders who elect not to participate in the Plan will receive all dividends and other distributions in cash paid by check mailed directly to the shareholder of record (or, if the Common Shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee) by the Plan Administrator as dividend disbursing agent. Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by notice if received and processed by the Plan Administrator prior to the dividend record date; otherwise such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution. Such notice will be effective with respect to a particular dividend or other distribution (together, a “Dividend”). Some brokers may automatically elect to receive cash on behalf of Common Shareholders and may re-invest that cash in additional Common Shares.

The Plan Administrator will open an account for each Common Shareholder under the Plan in the same name in which such Common Shareholder’s Common Shares are registered. Whenever the Fund declares a dividend payable in cash, non-participants in the Plan will receive cash and participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in Common Shares. The Common Shares will be acquired by the Plan Administrator for the participants’ accounts, depending upon the circumstances described below, either (i) through receipt of additional unissued but authorized Common Shares from the Fund (“Newly Issued Common Shares”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding Common Shares on the open market (“Open-Market Purchases”) on the [] or elsewhere. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the closing market price plus estimated brokerage commissions per Common Share is equal to or greater than the NAV per Common Share, the Plan Administrator will invest the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Common Shares on behalf of the participants. The number of Newly Issued Common Shares to be credited to each participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the Dividend by the NAV per Common Share on the payment date; provided that, if the NAV is less than or equal to 95% of the closing market value on the payment date, the dollar amount of the Dividend will be divided by 95% of the closing market price per Common Share on the payment date. If, on the payment date for any Dividend, the NAV per Common Share is greater than the closing market value plus estimated brokerage commissions, the Plan Administrator will invest the Dividend amount in Common Shares acquired on behalf of the participants in Open-Market Purchases.

In the event of a market discount on the payment date for any Dividend, the Plan Administrator will have until the last business day before the next date on which the Common Shares trade on an “ex-dividend” basis or 30 days after the payment date for such Dividend, whichever is sooner (the “Last Purchase Date”), to invest the Dividend amount in Common Shares acquired in Open-Market Purchases. It is contemplated that the Fund will pay monthly income Dividends. If, before the Plan Administrator has completed its Open-Market Purchases, the market price per Common Share exceeds the NAV per Common Share, the average per Common Share purchase price paid by the Plan Administrator may exceed the NAV of the Common Shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer Common Shares than if the Dividend had been paid in Newly Issued Common Shares on the Dividend payment date. Because of the foregoing difficulty with respect to Open-Market Purchases, the Plan provides that if the Plan Administrator is unable to invest the full Dividend amount in Open-Market Purchases during the purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, the Plan Administrator may cease making Open-Market Purchases and may invest the uninvested portion of the Dividend amount in Newly Issued Common Shares at the NAV per Common Share at the close of business on the Last Purchase Date provided that, if the NAV is less than or equal to 95% of the then current market price per Common Share, the dollar amount of the Dividend will be divided by 95% of the market price on the payment date for purposes of determining the number of shares issuable under the Plan.

The Plan Administrator maintains all shareholders’ accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmation of all transactions in the accounts, including information needed by shareholders for tax records. Common Shares in the account of each Plan participant will be held by the Plan Administrator on behalf of the Plan participant, and each shareholder proxy will include those shares purchased or received pursuant to the Plan. The Plan Administrator will forward all proxy solicitation materials to participants and vote proxies for shares held under the Plan in accordance with the instructions of the participants.

 

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In the case of Common Shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees which hold shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Administrator will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of Common Shares certified from time to time by the record shareholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners who participate in the Plan.

There will be no brokerage charges with respect to Common Shares issued directly by the Fund. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred in connection with Open-Market Purchases. The automatic reinvestment of Dividends will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such Dividends. See “Tax Matters” below. Participants that request a sale of Common Shares through the Plan Administrator are subject to brokerage commissions.

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan. There is no direct service charge to participants with regard to purchases in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants.

All correspondence or questions concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Administrator by calling [] (toll free) or by writing to the [].

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

The Declaration authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of Common Shares. The Common Shares will be issued with a par value of $0.00001 per share. All Common Shares have equal rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation. Common Shares will, when issued, be fully paid and, subject to matters discussed in “Anti-Takeover and Other Provisions in the Declaration of Trust,” non-assessable, and will have no pre-emptive or conversion rights or rights to cumulative voting.

The Fund anticipates that its Common Shares will be listed on the [], subject to notice of issuance, under the trading or “ticker” symbol “[].” The Fund intends to hold annual meetings of shareholders so long as the Common Shares are listed on a national securities exchange and annual meetings are required as a condition of such listing.

Net asset value will be reduced immediately following the offering by the amount of the sales load and offering expenses paid or reimbursed by the Fund. The Adviser has agreed to pay the amount by which the Fund’s offering costs (other than the sales load, but including the reimbursement of underwriter expenses of $[] per share) exceed $[] per share. The Adviser has agreed to pay all of the Fund’s organizational expenses.

Unlike open-end funds, closed-end funds like the Fund do not continuously offer shares and do not provide daily redemptions. Rather, if a shareholder determines to buy additional Common Shares or sell shares already held, the shareholder may do so by trading on the exchange through a broker or otherwise. The Declaration limits the ability of the Fund to convert to open-end status. See “Anti-Takeover and Other Provisions in the Declaration of Trust.”

Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at prices lower than net asset value. Shares of closed-end investment companies have during some periods traded at prices higher than net asset value and during other periods traded at prices lower than net asset value. The Fund cannot assure you that Common Shares will trade at a price equal to or higher than net asset value in the future. Net asset value will be reduced immediately following the offering by the sales load and the amount of offering expenses paid or reimbursed by the Fund. See “Use of Proceeds.” In addition to net asset value, market price may be affected by factors relating to the Fund such as dividend levels and stability (which will in turn be affected by Fund expenses, including the costs of the Fund’s reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings and other leverage, levels of dividend and interest payments by the Fund’s portfolio holdings, levels of appreciation/depreciation of the Fund’s portfolio holdings, regulation affecting the timing and character of Fund distributions and other factors), portfolio credit quality, liquidity, call protection, market supply and demand, and similar factors relating to the Fund’s portfolio holdings. The Common Shares are designed primarily for long-term investors, and investors in the Common Shares should not view the Fund as a vehicle for trading purposes. See the Statement of Additional Information under “Repurchase of Common Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund.”

As noted under “Leverage,” although it has no present intention to do so, the Fund may determine in the future to issue preferred shares to add leverage to its portfolio. Any such preferred shares would have complete priority upon distribution of assets over the Common Shares. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund would not be permitted to issue preferred shares unless immediately after such issuance the value of the Fund’s total net assets was at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding preferred shares plus the aggregate amount of any senior securities representing indebtedness of the Fund (i.e., such liquidation value plus the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness may not exceed 50% of the Fund’s total net assets). In addition, the Fund would not be permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Shares unless, at the time of such

 

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declaration, the value of the Fund’s total net assets satisfies the above-referenced 200% coverage requirement. If any preferred shares are issued, the Fund intends, to the extent possible, to purchase or redeem such preferred shares from time to time to the extent necessary in order to maintain coverage of at least 200%. If the Fund were to have preferred shares outstanding, two of the Fund’s trustees would be elected by the holders of the preferred shares, voting separately as a class. The remaining trustees of the Fund would be elected by Common Shareholders and the preferred shares voting together as a single class. In the event the Fund were to fail to pay dividends on any preferred shares it issues for a period of two years, the Fund’s preferred shareholders would be entitled to elect a majority of the trustees of the Fund. Please see “Description of Shares” in the Statement of Additional Information for additional information regarding the Fund’s possible issuance of preferred shares.

ANTI-TAKEOVER AND OTHER PROVISIONS IN THE DECLARATION OF TRUST

The Declaration includes provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to convert the Fund to open-end status. The Fund’s trustees are divided into three classes. At each annual meeting of shareholders, the term of one class will expire and each trustee elected to that class will hold office for a term of three years. The classification of the Board of Trustees in this manner could delay for an additional year the replacement of a majority of the trustees. In addition, the Declaration provides that a trustee may be removed only for cause and only (i) by action of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the outstanding shares of the classes or series of shares entitled to vote for the election of such trustee, or (ii) by at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the remaining trustees.

As described below, the Declaration grants special approval rights with respect to certain matters to members of the Board of Trustees who qualify as “Continuing Trustees,” which term means a trustee who either (i) has been a member of the Board of Trustees for a period of at least thirty-six months (or since the commencement of the Fund’s operations, if less than thirty-six months) or (ii) was nominated to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees by a majority of the Continuing Trustees then members of the Board of Trustees.

The Declaration requires the affirmative vote or consent of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the trustees and holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the Fund’s shares to authorize certain Fund transactions not in the ordinary course of business, including a merger or consolidation, issuance or transfer by the Fund of the Fund’s shares (except as may be made pursuant to a public offering, the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan or upon exercise of any stock subscription rights), a sale, transfer or other disposition of Fund assets, or any shareholder proposal regarding specific investment decisions, unless the transaction is authorized by both a majority of the trustees and seventy-five percent (75%) of the Continuing Trustees (in which case no shareholder authorization would be required by the Declaration, but may be required in certain cases under the 1940 Act). The Declaration also requires the affirmative vote or consent of holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the Fund’s shares entitled to vote on the matter to authorize a conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company, unless the conversion is authorized by both a majority of the trustees and seventy-five percent (75%) of the Continuing Trustees (in which case shareholders would have only the minimum voting rights required by the 1940 Act with respect to the conversion). Also, the Declaration provides that the Fund may be terminated at any time by vote or consent of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the Fund’s shares or, alternatively, by vote or consent of both a majority of the trustees and seventy-five percent (75%) of the Continuing Trustees. See “Anti-Takeover and Other Provisions in the Declaration of Trust” in the Statement of Additional Information for a more detailed summary of these provisions.

The Trustees may from time to time grant other voting rights to shareholders with respect to these and other matters in the Fund’s Bylaws.

The overall effect of these provisions is to render more difficult the accomplishment of a merger or the assumption of control of the Fund by a third party. They provide, however, the advantage of potentially requiring persons seeking control of the Fund to negotiate with its management regarding the price to be paid and facilitating the continuity of the Fund’s investment objective and policies. The provisions of the Declaration described above 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 by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund in a tender offer or similar transaction. The Board of Trustees of the Fund has considered the foregoing anti-takeover provisions and concluded that they are in the best interests of the Fund and its Common Shareholders.

The foregoing is intended only as a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Declaration and the Fund’s Bylaws, both of which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, in certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. However, the Declaration contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for debts or obligations of the Fund and requires that notice of such limited liability be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Fund or the trustees. The Declaration further provides for indemnification out of the assets and property of the Fund for all loss and expense

 

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of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund would be unable to meet its obligations. The Fund believes that the likelihood of such circumstances is remote.

REPURCHASE OF COMMON SHARES; CONVERSION TO OPEN-END FUND

The Fund is a closed-end investment company and as such its shareholders will not have the right to cause the Fund to redeem their shares. Instead, the Common Shares will trade in the open market at a price that will be a function of factors relating to the Fund such as dividend levels and stability (which will in turn be affected by Fund expenses, including the costs of the Fund’s reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings and other leverage, levels of dividend and interest payments by the Fund’s portfolio holdings, levels of appreciation/depreciation of the Fund’s portfolio holdings, regulation affecting the timing and character of Fund’s distributions and other factors), portfolio credit quality, liquidity, call protection, market supply and demand and similar factors relating to the Fund’s portfolio holdings. Shares of a closed-end investment company may frequently trade at prices lower than net asset value. The Fund’s Board of Trustees regularly monitors the relationship between the market price and net asset value of the Common Shares. If the Common Shares were to trade at a substantial discount to net asset value for an extended period of time, the Board of Trustees may consider the repurchase of its Common Shares on the open market or in private transactions, the making of a tender offer for such shares or the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company. The Fund cannot assure you that its Board of Trustees will decide to take or propose any of these actions, or that share repurchases or tender offers will actually reduce any market discount.

If the Fund were to convert to an open-end company, the Common Shares would no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In contrast to a closed-end investment company, shareholders of an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem their shares at any time (except in certain circumstances as authorized by or under the 1940 Act) at their net asset value, less any redemption charge that is in effect at the time of redemption.

Before deciding whether to take any action to convert the Fund to an open-end investment company, the Board of Trustees would consider all relevant factors, including the extent and duration of the discount, the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio, the impact of any action that might be taken on the Fund or its shareholders, and market considerations. Based on these considerations, even if the Common Shares should trade at a discount, the Board of Trustees may determine that, in the interest of the Fund and its shareholders, no action should be taken. See the Statement of Additional Information under “Repurchase of Common Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund” for a further discussion of possible action to reduce or eliminate any such discount to net asset value.

TAX MATTERS

Federal Income Tax Matters

The following is a summary discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a Common Shareholder that acquires, holds and/or disposes of Common Shares of the Fund, and reflects provisions of the Code, existing Treasury regulations, rulings published by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), and other applicable authority, as of the date of this prospectus. These authorities are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, possibly with retroactive effect. The following discussion is only a summary of some of the important tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Fund and the discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. For more detailed information regarding tax considerations, see the Statement of Additional Information. There may be other tax considerations applicable to particular investors, including foreign shareholders (as defined below). In addition, income earned through an investment in the Fund may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes. Common Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers regarding their particular situation and the possible application of U.S. federal, state, local, foreign or other tax laws.

The Fund intends to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Code and intends each year to qualify and be eligible to be treated as such. In order for the Fund to qualify as a RIC, it must meet an income and asset diversification test each year. To satisfy the asset diversification test, the Fund must diversify its holdings so that at the end of each fiscal quarter, (a) at least 50% of the value of its total assets consists of cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities limited, with respect to any one issuer, to no more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities (other than those of the U.S. government or other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or in the securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined in the Code). If the Fund qualifies as a RIC and satisfies certain distribution requirements, the Fund (but not its shareholders) will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent it distributes its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code), its net tax-exempt income (in each case without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and its net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital loss) in

 

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a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends or capital gain distributions. The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of such income and gains each year.

If the Fund does retain any investment company taxable income, it will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. If the Fund retains any net capital gain, it also will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained, but may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a notice to its shareholders who would then (i) be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim such refunds on a properly filed U.S. tax return to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If the Fund makes this designation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of Common shares owned by a shareholder will be increased by an amount equal under current law to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder’s gross income under clause (i) of the preceding sentence and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence. The Fund is not required to, and there can be no assurance that the Fund will, make this designation if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain in a taxable year.

A nondeductible excise tax at the rate of 4% will be imposed on the excess, if any, of the Fund’s “required distribution” over its actual distributions in any calendar year. Generally, the required distribution is 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98.2% of its capital gain net income recognized during the one-year period ending on October 31 (or later if the Fund is permitted to elect and so elects), plus undistributed amounts from prior years. For purposes of the required excise tax distribution, a RIC’s ordinary gains and losses from the sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of property that would otherwise be taken into account after October 31 (or later if the Fund makes the election referred to immediately above) are generally treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year. Also, for purposes of the excise tax, the Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount for which it is subject to corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within the calendar year. The Fund intends to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so. The Fund may determine to pay the excise tax in a year to the extent it is deemed to be in the best interest of the Fund (e.g., if the excise tax is de minimis).

The Fund’s intention to qualify for treatment as a RIC may negatively affect the Fund’s return to Common Shareholders by limiting its ability to acquire or continue to hold positions that would otherwise be consistent with its investment strategy or by requiring it to engage in transactions it would otherwise not engage in, resulting in additional transaction costs. In certain circumstances, it may be difficult for the Fund to meet the income or diversification test for RIC qualification. Failure to qualify as a RIC would likely materially reduce the investment return to the Common Shareholders. If the Fund were to fail to meet the income or diversification test, the Fund could in some cases cure such failure, including by paying a fund-level tax and, in the case of a diversification failure, disposing of certain assets. If the Fund were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure for any taxable year, or if the Fund were otherwise to fail to qualify as a RIC accorded special tax treatment for such year, the Fund would be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to Common Shareholders as dividend income. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before re-qualifying as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment.

The Fund intends to make monthly distributions of net investment income. Unless a shareholder elects otherwise, all distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares of the Fund pursuant to the Plan. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, all dividends are generally taxable in the same manner, whether a shareholder takes them in cash or they are reinvested pursuant to the Plan in additional shares of the Fund. A shareholder whose distributions are reinvested in Common Shares under the Plan will be treated as having received a dividend equal to either (i) if Newly Issued Common Shares are issued under the Plan, generally the fair market value of the Newly Issued Common Shares issued to the shareholder or (ii) if reinvestment is made through Open-Market Purchases under the Plan, the amount of cash allocated to the shareholder for the purchase of Common Shares on its behalf in the open market. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” above.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income are generally taxable as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Fund owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her Common Shares. In general, the Fund will recognize long-term capital gain or loss on investments it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss on investments it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for one year or less. Distributions of net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, determined in each case with reference to any loss carryforwards) that are properly reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends (“Capital Gain Dividends”) will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains. The Fund is permitted to carry forward net capital losses to one or more subsequent taxable years without expiration. Any such carryforward losses will retain their character as short-term or long-term. Capital loss carryforwards are reduced to the extent they offset current-year net realized capital gains, whether the Fund retains or distributes such gains. Long-term capital gain rates applicable to individuals have been temporarily reduced for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013. These reduced rates will expire for taxable years beginning

 

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on or after January 1, 2013, unless Congress enacts legislation providing otherwise. Distributions of net short-term capital gain (as reduced by any net long-term capital loss for the taxable year) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013, the Fund may report certain dividends as derived from “qualified dividend income,” which, when received by an individual, will be taxed at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain, provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Fund levels. This provision will expire for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, unless Congress enacts legislation providing otherwise. The Fund does not expect a significant portion of distributions to be derived from qualified dividend income.

In general, dividends of net investment income received by corporate shareholders of the Fund will qualify for the 70% dividends-received deduction generally available to corporations to the extent of the amount of eligible dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations for the taxable year. The Fund does not expect a significant portion of its distributions to be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction.

If the Fund makes a distribution in excess of its current and accumulated “earnings and profits” in any taxable year, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of a shareholder’s tax basis in his or her Common Shares, and thereafter as capital gain. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholder’s basis in his or her shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of such shares.

The determination of the character for U.S. federal income tax purposes of any distribution from the Fund (i.e. ordinary income dividends, Capital Gain Dividends, qualified dividends, or return of capital distributions) will be made as of the end of the Fund’s taxable year. Generally, the Fund will provide shareholders with a written statement reporting the amount of any capital gain distributions or other distributions.

Dividends and distributions on the Common Shares are generally subject to federal income tax as described herein to the extent they do not exceed the Fund’s realized income and gains, even though such dividends and distributions may economically represent a return of a particular shareholder’s investment. Such distributions are likely to occur in respect of Common Shares purchased at a time when the Fund’s net asset value reflects unrealized gains or income or gains that are realized but not yet distributed. Such realized income and gains may be required to be distributed even when the Fund’s net asset value also reflects unrealized losses.

Common Shareholders who sell or exchange their Common Shares will generally recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the Common Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares sold or exchanged and the amount received. If the Common Shares are held as a capital asset, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of the Common Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Common Shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Common Shares held by a shareholder for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of Capital Gain Dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares. For purposes of determining whether Common Shares have been held for six months or less, the holding period is suspended for any periods during which the Common Shareholder’s risk of loss is diminished as a result of holding one or more other positions in substantially similar or related property, or through certain options or short sales. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange of Common Shares will be disallowed to the extent those Common Shares are replaced by other substantially identical shares within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date of disposition of the Common Shares (including through the reinvestment of distributions, which could occur, for example, if the Common Shareholder is a participant in the Plan). In that event, the basis of the replacement shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

The Fund may be liable to foreign governments for taxes relating primarily to investment income or capital gains on foreign securities in the Fund’s portfolio. If at the close of its taxable year, more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets consists of securities of foreign corporations (including foreign governments), the Fund will be permitted to make an election under the Code that would allow Common Shareholders who are U.S. citizens or U.S. corporations to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction (but not both) on their income tax returns for their pro rata portion of qualified taxes paid by the Fund to foreign countries in respect of foreign securities that the Fund held for at least the minimum period specified in the Code. In such a case, Common Shareholders will include in gross income from foreign sources their pro rata shares of such taxes paid by the Fund. A Common Shareholder’s ability to claim an offsetting foreign tax credit or deduction in respect of foreign taxes paid by the Fund is subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code, which may result in the shareholder’s not receiving a full credit or deduction (if any) for the amount of such taxes. Shareholders who do not itemize deductions on their U.S. federal income tax returns may claim a credit (but not a deduction) for such foreign taxes.

Any transaction by the Fund in foreign currencies, foreign-currency denominated debt obligations or certain foreign currency options, futures contracts, or forward contracts (or similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. Such ordinary income treatment may

 

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accelerate Fund distributions to Common Shareholders and increase the distributions taxed to Common Shareholders as ordinary income. Any net losses so created cannot be carried forward by the Fund to offset income or gains earned in subsequent taxable years.

The Fund’s transactions in derivative instruments (e.g., options, futures, forward contracts, structured notes and swap agreements), as well as any of its other hedging, short sale, securities loan or similar transactions, may be subject to uncertainty with respect to their tax treatment, and to one or more special tax rules (e.g., notional principal contract, straddle, constructive sale, wash sale, and short sale rules). The aforementioned rules may affect whether gains and losses recognized by the Fund are treated as ordinary or capital or as short-term or long-term, accelerate the recognition of income or gains to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, and cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund’s securities. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and/or character of distributions to Common Shareholders. Because the tax treatment and the tax rules applicable to these types of transactions are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules or treatment (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether the Fund has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification as a RIC and avoid a Fund-level tax.

Income from certain commodity-linked derivatives does not constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 90% gross income test described above. The tax treatment of commodity-linked notes and certain other commodity-linked derivative instruments in which the Fund might invest is not certain, in particular with respect to whether income and gains from such instruments constitute qualifying income. If the Fund treats income from a particular instrument as qualifying income and the income is later determined not to constitute qualifying income, and, together with any other nonqualifying income, causes the Fund’s nonqualifying income to exceed 10% of its gross income in any taxable year, the Fund will fail to qualify as a regulated investment company unless it is eligible to and does pay a tax at the Fund level.

It is possible that the Fund’s use of derivatives and foreign currency-denominated instruments, and any of the Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies and hedging activities, are likely to produce a difference between its book income and the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any). If such a difference arises, and the Fund’s book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and its net tax-exempt income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment and to eliminate Fund-level tax. In the alternative, if the Fund’s book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income (including realized capital gains) and its net tax-exempt income, the distribution (if any) of such excess generally will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund’s remaining earnings and profits, (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient’s basis in its Common Shares, and (iii) thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. .

From time to time, a substantial portion of the Fund’s investments in loans and other debt obligations could be treated as having “market discount” and/or “original issue discount” (“OID”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which, in some cases, could be significant and could cause the Fund to recognize income in respect of these investments before or without receiving cash representing such income. If so, the Fund could be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. As a result, the Fund could be required at times to liquidate investments (including at potentially disadvantageous times or prices) in order to satisfy its distribution requirements or to avoid incurring Fund-level U.S. federal income or excise taxes. If the Fund liquidates portfolio securities to raise cash, the Fund may realize gain or loss on such liquidations; in the event the Fund realizes net long-term or short-term capital gains from such liquidation transactions, its shareholders may receive larger capital gain or ordinary dividends, respectively, than they would in the absence of such transactions.

The interest paid on municipal bonds is generally exempt from U.S. federal income tax. However, because the Fund does not expect to be eligible to pay “exempt-interest dividends” to its shareholders under the Code, any distribution received by Common Shareholders that is attributable to the interest received by the Fund on its municipal bond holdings is taxable to Common Shareholders. In addition, any gains realized by the Fund on the sale or exchange of municipal bonds generally are taxable to Common Shareholders when distributed to them by the Fund.

Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for the Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether or to what extent the Fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation; when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount; when and to what extent the Fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities; and how the Fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by the Fund when, as, and if it invests in such securities in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a RIC and avoid becoming subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

Any investment by the Fund in equity securities of REITs may result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the REIT’s earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, these distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Investments in REIT equity securities also may require the Fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received. To generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions, the Fund may be required to sell securities in its portfolio

 

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(including when it is not advantageous to do so) that it otherwise would have continued to hold. Dividends received by a Fund from a REIT will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction and generally will not constitute qualified dividend income.

The Fund may invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”) (including by investing in residual interests in collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) with respect to which an election to be treated as a REMIC is in effect) or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (“TMPs”). Under a notice issued by the IRS in October 2006 and Treasury regulations that have yet to be issued but may apply retroactively, a portion of the Fund’s income (including income allocated to the Fund from a REIT or other pass-through entity) that is attributable to a residual interest in a REMIC or an equity interest in a TMP (referred to in the Code as an “excess inclusion”) will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in all events. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a RIC will be allocated to shareholders of the RIC in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related interest directly. As a result, a Fund investing in such interests may not be a suitable investment for certain tax-exempt investors, as noted below.

In general, excess inclusion income allocated to Common Shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income; and (iii) in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. Charitable remainder trusts and other tax-exempt shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers concerning the consequences of investing in the Fund.

Backup withholding is generally required with respect to taxable distributions paid to any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify that he or she is not subject to such withholding. The backup withholding rate is 28% for amounts paid through 2012. This rate will expire and the backup withholding rate will be 31% for amounts paid after December 31, 2012, unless Congress enacts legislation providing otherwise. Amounts withheld as a result of backup withholding are remitted to the U.S. Treasury but do not constitute an additional tax imposed on the shareholder; such amounts may be claimed as a credit on the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax return, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.

Absent a specific statutory exemption, dividends other than Capital Gain Dividends paid to a shareholder that is not a “U.S. person” within the meaning of the Code (a “foreign shareholder”) are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate). Capital Gain Dividends paid to foreign shareholders are generally not subject to withholding. Effective for taxable years of the Fund beginning before January 1, 2012, the Fund is not required to withhold any amounts with respect to distributions of (i) U.S.-source interest income that would not have been subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign shareholder, and (ii) net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, in each case to the extent the Fund properly reports such distributions in a written notice to shareholders.

The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act, enacted in March 2010, generally imposes a reporting and 30% withholding tax regime with respect to certain U.S.-source income, including dividends and interest, and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposal of property that can produce U.S.-source interest or dividends. Very generally, subject to future guidance, it is possible that distributions to a Common Shareholder by the Fund after December 31, 2012 will be subject to the new 30% withholding requirement, unless the Common Shareholder provides certain information, certifications, or other documentation, as the Fund requires, to comply with the new rules. For more information, see the Statement of Additional Information.

Special tax rules apply to investments though defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Common Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the suitability of Common Shares as an investment through such plans and the precise effect of an investment on their particular tax situation.

The foregoing discussion relates solely to U.S. federal income tax laws. Dividends and distributions also may be subject to state and local taxes. Common Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding specific questions as to federal, state, local, and, where applicable, foreign taxes. Foreign investors should consult their tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of ownership of Common Shares.

The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable provisions of the Code and related regulations currently in effect. For more detailed information, see the Statement of Additional Information. For the complete provisions, reference should be made to the pertinent Code sections and regulations. The Code and regulations are subject to change by legislative or administrative actions.

 

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UNDERWRITERS

[] and [] are acting as the representatives of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus, each underwriter named below has agreed to purchase, and the Fund has agreed to sell to that underwriter, the number of Common Shares set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.

 

Underwriter

   Number of
Common Shares

[]

  

[]

  
    

Total

  
    

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the Common Shares included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all the Common Shares (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below) shown above if any of the Common Shares are purchased.

The underwriters propose to offer some of the Common Shares directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and some of the Common Shares to dealers at the public offering price less a concession not to exceed $[] per share. The sales load the investors in the Fund will pay of $[] per share is equal to []% of the initial offering proceeds. If all of the Common Shares are not sold at the initial offering price, the representatives may change the public offering price and other selling terms. Investors must pay for any Common Shares purchased on or before [], 2011. The representatives have advised the Fund that the underwriters do not intend to confirm any sales to any accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.

Additional Compensation

The Adviser (and not the Fund) has agreed to pay to each of [],[], and [] from its own assets, a structuring fee for advice relating to the structure, design and organization of the Fund as well as services related to the sale and distribution of the Fund’s Common Shares in the amount of $[], $[], and $[], respectively. The structuring fee paid to [],[], and [] will not exceed []%,[]%, and []% of the total public offering proceeds, excluding the over-allotment option.

In addition, the Adviser (and not the Fund) has agreed to pay to [], from its own assets, a structuring fee for certain financial advisory services in assisting the Adviser in structuring and organizing the Fund in the amount of $[]. The structuring fee paid to [] will not exceed []% of the total public offering proceeds, excluding the over-allotment option.

In addition, as compensation for providing certain distribution-related services, [], an affiliate of [], will receive []% of the total public offering proceeds (exclusive of the over-allotment option). The Fund will pay this distribution assistance fee to the extent the Fund’s offering expenses are less than or equal to $[] per Common Share, and the Adviser will pay this fee to the extent the Fund’s offering expenses exceed $[] per Common Share. In addition, the Fund will reimburse [] for expenses related to this offering up to $[].

The Adviser (and not the Fund) also has agreed to pay to [], from its own assets, additional compensation quarterly in arrears at the annual rate of []% of the Fund’s average daily total assets attributable to the Common Shares sold by [] in this offering, such fee to be payable during the continuance of the Investment Management Agreement between the Adviser and the Fund and subject to the limitations below. []has agreed to provide, at the request of the Adviser, certain after-market shareholder support services, including services designed to maintain the visibility of the Fund on an ongoing basis, and to provide relevant information, studies or reports regarding the Fund and the closed-end investment company industry and asset management industry. The total amount of these additional compensation payments paid to []will not exceed    % of the aggregate price to the public of the Common Shares sold in this offering, including over-allotted shares.

The total amount of the underwriters’ additional compensation payments by the Adviser described above will not exceed []% of the total public offering proceeds of the Common Shares offered hereby. The sum total of all compensation to the underwriters in connection with this public offering of Common Shares, including the sales load and all forms of additional compensation or structuring or sales incentive fee payments, if any, to the underwriters and other expenses, and the distribution assistance fee (including any reimbursement of expenses) to [] will be limited to not more than []% of the total public offering proceeds of the Common Shares sold in this offering.

The Fund has granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for [] days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to [] additional common shares at the public offering price less the sales load. The underwriters may exercise the option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, in connection with this offering. To the extent such option is exercised, each

 

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underwriter must purchase a number of additional common shares approximately proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment.

Certain trustees of the Fund, as well as officers of the Adviser, intend to purchase Common Shares at the public offering price. The Fund, the Adviser and such trustees and officers have agreed, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, that they will not, without the prior written consent of [],[],and [], on behalf of the underwriters, with certain exceptions, dispose of or hedge any Common Shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares, provided that the Fund may issue Common Shares pursuant to the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

To meet the [] distribution requirements for trading, the underwriters have undertaken to sell Common Shares in a manner such that Common Shares are held by a minimum of 400 beneficial owners in lots of 100 or more, the minimum stock price will be at least $4.00 at the time of listing on the [], at least 1,100,000 Common Shares will be publicly held in the United States and the aggregate market value of publicly held shares in the United States will be at least $60 million. The Fund’s Common Shares have been approved for listing on the [], subject to notice of issuance, under the symbol “[].”

The following table shows the sales load that investors in the Fund will pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Common Shares.

 

     No Exercise     Full Exercise  

Per Common Share

   $ [ ]    $ [ ] 

Total

   $ [ ]    $ [ ] 

The Fund and the Adviser have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the 1933 Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.

Certain underwriters may make a market in the Common Shares after trading in the Common Shares has commenced on the []. No underwriter is, however, obligated to conduct market-making activities and any such activities may be discontinued at any time without notice, at the sole discretion of the underwriters. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of, or the trading market for, the Common Shares as a result of any market-making activities undertaken by any underwriter. This prospectus is to be used by any underwriter in connection with the offering and, during the period in which a prospectus must be delivered, with offers and sales of the Common Shares in market-making transactions in the over-the-counter market at negotiated prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of the sale.

In connection with the offering, [], on behalf of itself and the other underwriters, may purchase and sell the Common Shares in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales of Common Shares in excess of the number of Common Shares to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. “Covered” short sales are sales of Common Shares made in an amount up to the number of Common Shares represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option. In determining the source of Common Shares to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of Common Shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase Common Shares through the over-allotment option.

Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short position involve either purchases of Common Shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the over-allotment option. The underwriters also may make “naked” short sales of Common Shares in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing Common Shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of Common Shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of Common Shares in the open market while the offering is in progress.

The underwriters may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids allow the underwriting syndicate to reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing Common Shares in this offering if the syndicate repurchases Common Shares to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the purchase price of the Common Shares.

Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of Common Shares. They also may cause the price of Common Shares to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the [] or in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more of the underwriters or the Fund. Other than this prospectus in electronic format, the information on any such website is not part of this prospectus. The

 

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representatives may agree to allocate a number of Common Shares to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. The representatives will allocate Common Shares to underwriters that may make internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, Common Shares may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell Common Shares to online brokerage account holders.

The Fund anticipates that, from time to time, certain underwriters may act as brokers or dealers in connection with the execution of the Fund’s portfolio transactions after they have ceased to be underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, may act as brokers while they are underwriters.

Certain underwriters may, from time to time, engage in transactions with or perform investment banking and advisory services for the Adviser and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business, for which such underwriters have received, and may expect to receive, customary fees and expenses.

The Adviser has purchased Common Shares from the Fund in an amount satisfying the net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the 1940 Act.

The principal business address of [] is []. The principal business address of [] is []. The principal business address of [] is [].

CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT

The custodian of the assets of the Fund is []. The custodian performs custodial and fund accounting services as well as sub-administrative and compliance services on behalf of the Fund.

[], serves as the Fund’s transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursement agent and shareholder servicing agent, as well as agent for the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters will be passed on for the Fund by Ropes & Gray LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by [].

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

The Fund

     1   

Investment Objective and Policies

     1   

Investment Restrictions

     43   

Management of the Fund

     44   

Investment Adviser

     69   

Portfolio Managers

     49   

Portfolio Transactions

     52   

Anti-Takeover and Other Provisions in the Declaration of Trust

     53   

Repurchase of Common Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund

     54   

Tax Matters

     55   

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     66   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     67   

Financial Statements

     68   

 

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APPENDIX A

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

The Fund’s investments may range in quality from securities rated in the lowest category to securities rated in the highest category (as rated by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch or, if unrated, determined by DoubleLine to be of comparable quality). The percentage of the Fund’s assets invested in securities in a particular rating category will vary. The following terms are generally used to described the credit quality of fixed income securities:

High Quality Debt Securities are those rated in one of the two highest rating categories (the highest category for commercial paper) or, if unrated, deemed comparable by DoubleLine.

Investment Grade Debt Securities are those rated in one of the four highest rating categories or, if unrated deemed comparable by DoubleLine.

Below Investment Grade, High Yield Securities (“Junk Bonds”) are those rated lower than Baa by Moody’s or BBB by S&P or Fitch and comparable securities. They are considered predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s ability to repay principal and interest.

The following is a description of Moody’s, S&P’s and Fitch’s rating categories applicable to fixed income securities.

Moody’s Long-Term Ratings: Bonds and Preferred Stock

Aaa: Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as “gilt edge.” Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

Aa: Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present that make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than with Aaa securities.

A: Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as uppermedium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present that suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.

Baa: Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations (i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.

Ba: Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured.

Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.

B: Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of a desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

Caa: Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.

Ca: Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

C: Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.

 

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Moody’s applies numerical modifiers, 1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating classified from Aa through Caa in its corporate bond rating system. The modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.

Corporate Short-Term Debt Ratings

Moody’s short-term debt ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to repay punctually senior debt obligations which have an original maturity not exceeding one year. Obligations relying upon support mechanisms such as letters of credit and bonds of indemnity are excluded unless explicitly rated.

Moody’s employs the following three designations, all judged to be investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:

PRIME-1: Issuers rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1 repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of the following characteristics: leading market positions in well-established industries; high rates of return on funds employed; conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection; broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation; and well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.

PRIME-2: Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

PRIME-3: Issuers rated Prime-3 (or supporting institutions) have an acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term obligations. The effect of industry characteristics and market compositions may be more pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection measurements and may require relatively high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.

NOT PRIME: Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

Short-Term Municipal Bond Ratings

There are three rating categories for short-term municipal bonds that define an investment grade situation, which are listed below. In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned. The first element represents an evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments, and the other represents an evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the demand feature. The short-term rating assigned to the demand feature of VRDOs is designated as VMIG. When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated NR, e.g., Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG 1. MIG ratings terminate at the retirement of the obligation while VMIG rating expiration will be a function of each issue’s specific structural or credit features.

MIG 1/VMIG 1: This designation denotes superior quality. There is present strong protection by established cash flows, superior liquidity support or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

MIG 2/VMIG 2: This designation denotes strong quality. Margins of protection are ample although not so large as in the preceding group.

MIG 3/VMIG 3: This designation denotes acceptable quality. All security elements are accounted for but there is lacking the undeniable strength of the preceding grades. Liquidity and cash flow protection may be narrow and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well established.

SG: This designation denotes speculative quality. Debt instruments in this category lack margins of protection.

 

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Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services

Corporate and Municipal Bond Ratings

Investment Grade

AAA: Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.

AA: Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from the highest rated issues only in small degree.

A: Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.

BBB: Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions, or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category than in higher-rated categories.

Speculative Grade

Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C is regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

BB: Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The BB rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BBB- rating.

B: Debt rated B has a greater vulnerability to default but currently has the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The B rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BB or BB- rating.

CCC: Debt rated CCC has a currently identifiable vulnerability to default and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The CCC rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied B or B- rating.

CC: The rating CC is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied CCC rating.

C: The rating C is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied CCC debt rating. The C rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but debt service payments are continued.

CI: The rating CI is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.

D: Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are jeopardized.

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.

Provisional ratings: The letter “p” indicates that the rating is provisional. A provisional rating assumes the successful completion of the project being financed by the debt being rated and indicates that payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon the successful and timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality subsequent to completion of the project, makes no comment on the likelihood of, or the risk of default upon failure of, such completion. The investor should exercise his own judgment with respect to such likelihood and risk.

 

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r: The “r” is attached to highlight derivative, hybrid, and certain other obligations that S&P believes may experience high volatility or high variability in expected returns due to non-credit risks. Examples of such obligations are: securities whose principal or interest return is indexed to equities, commodities, or currencies; certain swaps and options; and interest only and principal only mortgage securities.

The absence of an “r” symbol should not be taken as an indication that an obligation will exhibit no volatility or variability in total return.

N.R.: Not rated.

Debt obligations of issuers outside the United States and its territories are rated on the same basis as domestic corporate and municipal issues. The ratings measure the creditworthiness of the obligor but do not take into account currency exchange and related uncertainties.

Commercial Paper Rating Definitions

An S&P commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days. Ratings are graded into several categories, ranging from A for the highest quality obligations to D for the lowest. These categories are as follows:

A-1: This highest category indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.

A-2: Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated A-1.

A-3: Issues carrying this designation have adequate capacity for timely payment. They are, however, more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.

B: Issues rated B are regarded as having only speculative capacity for timely payment.

C: This rating is assigned to short-term debt obligations with a doubtful capacity for payment.

D: Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due, even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period.

A commercial paper rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a security inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. The ratings are based on current information furnished to S&P by the issuer or obtained from other sources it considers reliable. S&P does not perform an audit in connection with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in or unavailability of such information.

Fitch, Inc.

A brief description of the applicable Fitch ratings symbols and meanings (as published by Fitch) follows:

Long-Term Credit Ratings

Investment Grade

AAA: Highest credit quality. “AAA” ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA: Very high credit quality. “AA” ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

 

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A: High credit quality. “A” ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB: Good credit quality. “BBB” ratings indicate that there is currently a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment-grade category.

Speculative Grade

BB: Speculative. “BB” ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.

B: Highly speculative. “B” ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

CCC, CC, C: High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments. A “CC” rating indicates that default of some kind appears probable. “C” ratings signal imminent default.

DDD, DD, D: Default. The ratings of obligations in this category are based on their prospects for achieving partial or full recovery in a reorganization or liquidation of the obligor. While expected recovery values are highly speculative and cannot be estimated with any precision, the following serve as general guidelines. “DDD” obligations have the highest potential for recovery, around 90%-100% of outstanding amounts and accrued interest. “DD” indicates potential recoveries in the range of 50%-90%, and “D” the lowest recovery potential, i.e., below 50%. Entities rated in this category have defaulted on some or all of their obligations. Entities rated “DDD” have the highest prospect for resumption of performance or continued operation with or without a formal reorganization process. Entities rated “DD” and “D” are generally undergoing a formal reorganization or liquidation process; those rated “DD” are likely to satisfy a higher portion of their outstanding obligations, while entities rated “D” have a poor prospect for repaying all obligations.

Short-Term Credit Ratings

A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 12 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance securities, and thus places greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.

F1: Highest credit quality. Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

F2: Good credit quality. A satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

F3: Fair credit quality. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non-investment grade.

B: Speculative. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

C: High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

D: Default. Denotes actual or imminent payment default.

“+” 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 rating category, to categories below “CCC,” or to short-term ratings other than “F1.”

“NR” indicates that Fitch does not rate the issuer or issue in question.

 

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Withdrawn: A rating is withdrawn when Fitch deems the amount of information available to be inadequate for rating purposes, or when an obligation matures, is called, or refinanced.

Rating Watch: Ratings are placed on Rating Watch to notify investors that there is a reasonable probability of a rating change and the likely direction of such change. These are designated as “Positive”, indicating a potential upgrade, “Negative,” for a potential downgrade, or “Evolving,” if ratings may be raised, lowered or maintained. Rating Watch is typically resolved over a relatively short period.

A Rating Outlook indicates the direction a rating is likely to move over a one to two year period. Outlooks may be positive, stable, or negative. A positive or negative Rating Outlook does not imply a rating change is inevitable. Similarly, companies whose outlooks are “stable” could be downgraded before an outlook moves to positive or negative if circumstances warrant such an action. Occasionally, Fitch may be unable to identify the fundamental trend. In these cases, the Rating Outlook may be described as evolving.

 

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Until                    , 2011 (25 days after the commencement of this offering), all dealers that buy, sell or trade the Common Shares, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This delivery requirement is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

DoubleLine Opportunistic Credit Fund


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

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION – DATED [·], 2011

DOUBLELINE OPPORTUNISTIC CREDIT FUND

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

[·], 2011

DoubleLine Opportunistic Credit Fund (the “Fund”) is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company.

This Statement of Additional Information relating to common shares of the Fund (“Common Shares”) is not a prospectus, and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s prospectus relating thereto dated [·], 2011 (the “Prospectus”). This Statement of Additional Information does not include all information that a prospective investor should consider before purchasing Common Shares, and investors should obtain and read the Prospectus prior to purchasing such shares. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by calling (877) DLine11 (877-354-6311). You may also obtain a copy of the Prospectus on the web site (http://www.sec.gov) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Statement of Additional Information have the meanings ascribed to them in the Prospectus.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

THE FUND

     1   

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

     1   

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

     43   

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

     44   

INVESTMENT MANAGER

     48   

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

     49   

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

     52   

ANTI-TAKEOVER AND OTHER PROVISIONS IN THE DECLARATION OF TRUST

     53   

REPURCHASE OF COMMON SHARES; CONVERSION TO OPEN-END FUND

     54   

TAX MATTERS

     55   

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     66   

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     67   

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     68   


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THE FUND

The Fund was formed on July 22, 2011 as a Massachusetts business trust. It subsequently changed its name from DoubleLine Strategic Income Fund to DoubleLine Opportunistic Credit Fund.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

The investment objective and general investment policies of the Fund are described in the Prospectus. Additional information concerning the characteristics of certain of the Fund’s investments is set forth below.

High Yield Securities (“Junk Bonds”)

The Fund may invest in debt securities that are, at the time of purchase, rated below investment grade (below Baa by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or below BBB by either Standard and Poor’s (“S&P”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”)), an equivalent rating assigned by another nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (“NRSRO”) or unrated but judged by DoubleLine to be of comparable quality. These securities are commonly referred to as “high yield” securities or “junk bonds.”

Investments in high yield securities generally provide greater income and increased opportunity for capital appreciation than investments in higher quality securities, but they also typically entail greater price volatility and principal and income risk, including the possibility of issuer default and bankruptcy. High yield securities are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments. Debt securities in the lowest investment grade category also may be considered to possess some speculative characteristics by certain rating agencies. In addition, analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers of high yield securities may be more complex than for issuers of higher quality securities.

High yield securities may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than investment grade securities. A projection of an economic downturn or of a period of rising interest rates, for example, could cause a decline in high yield security prices because the advent of a recession could lessen the ability of an issuer to make principal and interest payments on its debt obligations. If an issuer of high yield securities defaults, in addition to risking non-payment of all or a portion of interest and principal, the Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. The market prices of high yield securities structured as zero-coupon, step-up or payment-in-kind securities will normally be affected to a greater extent by interest rate changes, and therefore tend to be more volatile than the prices of securities that pay interest currently and in cash. DoubleLine seeks to reduce these risks through diversification, credit analysis and attention to current developments and trends in both the economy and financial markets.

The secondary market on which high yield securities are traded may be less liquid than the market for investment grade securities. Less liquidity in the secondary trading market could adversely affect the price at which the Fund could sell a high yield security, and could adversely affect the net asset value of the shares. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of high yield securities, especially in a thinly-traded market. When secondary markets for high yield securities are less liquid than the market for investment grade securities, it may be more difficult to value the securities because such valuation may require more research, and elements of judgment may play a greater role in the valuation because there is less reliable, objective data available. During periods of thin trading in these markets, the spread between bid and asked prices is likely to increase significantly and the Fund may have greater difficulty selling its portfolio securities. The Fund will be more dependent on DoubleLine’s research and analysis when investing in high yield securities. DoubleLine seeks to minimize the risks of investing through in-depth credit analysis and attention to current developments in interest rates and market conditions.

A general description of the ratings of securities by Moody’s, S&P and Fitch is set forth in Appendix A to the Prospectus. The ratings of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch represent their opinions as to the quality of the securities they rate. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, debt obligations with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while obligations with the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield. For these reasons, the use of credit ratings as the sole method of evaluating high yield securities can involve certain risks. For example, credit ratings evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments, not the market value risk of high yield securities. Also, credit rating agencies may fail to change credit ratings in a timely fashion to reflect events since the security was last rated. DoubleLine does not rely solely on credit ratings when selecting securities for the Fund, and develops its own independent analysis of issuer credit quality.

 

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The Fund’s credit quality policies apply only at the time a security is purchased, and the Fund is not required to dispose of a security in the event that a rating agency or DoubleLine downgrades its assessment of the credit characteristics of a particular issue. In determining whether to retain or sell such a security, DoubleLine may consider such factors as DoubleLine’s assessment of the credit quality of the issuer of such security, the price at which such security could be sold and the rating, if any, assigned to such security by other rating agencies. However, analysis of creditworthiness may be more complex for issuers of high yield securities than for issuers of higher quality debt securities.

When an investment is rated by more than one NRSRO, the Adviser will utilize the highest rating for that security for purposes of applying any investment policies that incorporate credit ratings (e.g., a policy to invest a certain percentage of the Fund’s assets in securities rated investment grade).

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities

Mortgage-backed securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and certain stripped mortgage-backed securities, represent a participation in, or are secured by, mortgage loans. Asset-backed securities are structured like mortgage-backed securities, but instead of mortgage loans or interests in mortgage loans, the underlying assets may include such items as motor vehicle installment sales or installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property and receivables from credit card agreements. The cash flow generated by the underlying assets is applied to make required payments on the securities and to pay related administrative expenses. The amount of residual cash flow resulting from a particular issue of asset-backed or mortgage-backed securities depends on, among other things, the characteristics of the underlying assets, the coupon rates on the securities, prevailing interest rates, the amount of administrative expenses and the actual prepayment experience on the underlying assets. The Fund may invest in any such instruments or variations as may be developed, to the extent consistent with its investment objectives and policies and applicable regulatory requirements. In general, the collateral supporting asset-backed securities is of a shorter maturity than mortgage loans and is likely to experience substantial prepayments.

Mortgage-backed securities have yield and maturity characteristics corresponding to the underlying assets. Unlike traditional debt securities, which may pay a fixed rate of interest until maturity, when the entire principal amount comes due, payments on certain mortgage-backed securities include both interest and a partial repayment of principal. Besides the scheduled repayment of principal, repayments of principal may result from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing or foreclosure of the underlying mortgage loans. If property owners make unscheduled prepayments of their mortgage loans, these prepayments will result in early payment of the applicable mortgage-backed securities. In that event the Fund may be unable to invest the proceeds from the early payment of the mortgage-backed securities in an investment that provides as high a yield as the mortgage-backed securities. Consequently, early payment associated with mortgage-backed securities may cause these securities to experience significantly greater price and yield volatility than that experienced by traditional fixed-income securities. The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by factors including the level of interest rates, general economic conditions, the location and age of the mortgage and other social and demographic conditions. During periods of falling interest rates, the rate of mortgage prepayments tends to increase, thereby tending to decrease the life of mortgage-backed securities. During periods of rising interest rates, the rate of mortgage prepayments usually decreases, thereby tending to increase the life of mortgage-backed securities. If the life of a mortgage-backed security is inaccurately predicted, the Fund may not be able to realize the rate of return it expected.

Adjustable rate mortgage securities (“ARMs”), like traditional mortgage-backed securities, are interests in pools of mortgage loans that provide investors with payments consisting of both principal and interest as mortgage loans in the underlying mortgage pool are paid off by the borrowers. Unlike fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities, ARMs are collateralized by or represent interests in mortgage loans with variable rates of interest. These interest rates are reset at periodic intervals, usually by reference to an interest rate index or market interest rate. Although the rate adjustment feature may act as a buffer to reduce sharp changes in the value of adjustable rate securities, these securities are still subject to changes in value based on, among other things, changes in market interest rates or changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness. Because the interest rates are reset only periodically, changes in the interest rate on ARMs may lag changes in prevailing market interest rates. Also, some ARMs (or the underlying mortgages) are subject to caps or floors that limit the maximum change in the interest rate during a specified period or over the life of the security. As a result, changes in the interest rate on an ARM may not fully reflect changes in prevailing market interest rates during certain periods.

The Fund may also invest in “hybrid” ARMs, whose underlying mortgages combine fixed-rate and adjustable rate features.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are less effective than other types of securities as a means of “locking in” attractive long-term interest rates. One reason is the need to reinvest prepayments of principal; another is the possibility of

 

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significant unscheduled prepayments resulting from declines in interest rates. These prepayments would have to be reinvested at lower rates. The automatic interest rate adjustment feature of mortgages underlying ARMs likewise reduces the ability to lock-in attractive rates. As a result, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of declining interest rates than other securities of comparable maturities, although they may have a similar risk of decline in market value during periods of rising interest rates. Prepayments may also significantly shorten the effective maturities of these securities, especially during periods of declining interest rates. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a reduction in prepayments may increase the effective maturities of these securities, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore, potentially increasing the volatility of the Fund.

At times, some mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities will have higher than market interest rates and therefore will be purchased at a premium above their par value. Prepayments may cause losses on securities purchased at a premium.

CMOs may be issued by a U.S. government agency or instrumentality or by a private issuer. Although payment of the principal of, and interest on, the underlying collateral securing privately issued CMOs may be guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, these CMOs represent obligations solely of the private issuer and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities or any other person or entity.

Prepayments could cause early retirement of CMOs. CMOs are designed to reduce the risk of prepayment for certain investors by issuing multiple classes of securities, each having different maturities, interest rates and payment schedules, and with the principal and interest on the underlying mortgages allocated among the several classes in various ways. Payment of interest or principal on some classes or series of CMOs may be subject to contingencies or some classes or series may bear some or all of the risk of default on the underlying mortgages. CMOs of different classes or series are generally retired in sequence as the underlying mortgage loans in the mortgage pool are repaid. If enough mortgages are repaid ahead of schedule, the classes or series of a CMO with the earliest maturities generally will be retired prior to their maturities. Thus, the early retirement of particular classes or series of a CMO would have the same effect as the prepayment of mortgages underlying other mortgage-backed securities. Conversely, slower than anticipated prepayments can extend the effective maturities of CMOs, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore, potentially increasing their volatility.

Prepayments could result in losses on stripped mortgage-backed securities. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are usually structured with two classes that receive different portions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage loans. The yield to maturity on an interest only or “IO” class of stripped mortgage-backed securities is extremely sensitive not only to changes in prevailing interest rates but also to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying assets. A rapid rate of principal prepayments may have a measurable adverse effect on the Fund’s yield to maturity to the extent it invests in IOs. If the assets underlying the IO experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail to recoup fully its initial investment in these securities. Conversely, principal only or “POs” tend to increase in value if prepayments are greater than anticipated and decline if prepayments are slower than anticipated. The secondary market for stripped mortgage-backed securities may be more volatile and less liquid than that for other mortgage-backed securities, potentially limiting the Fund’s ability to buy or sell those securities at any particular time.

Subprime mortgage loans, which typically are made to less creditworthy borrowers, have a higher risk of default than conventional mortgage loans. Therefore, mortgage-backed securities backed by subprime mortgage loans may suffer significantly greater declines in value due to defaults or the increased risk of default.

The risks associated with other asset-backed securities (including in particular the risks of issuer default and of early prepayment) are generally similar to those described above for CMOs. In addition, because asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in the underlying assets that is comparable to a mortgage, asset-backed securities present certain additional risks that are not present with mortgage-backed securities. The ability of an issuer of asset-backed securities to enforce its security interest in the underlying assets may be limited. For example, revolving credit receivables are generally unsecured and the debtors on such receivables are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which give debtors the right to set-off certain amounts owed, thereby reducing the balance due. Automobile receivables generally are secured, but by automobiles, rather than by real property.

Asset-backed securities may be collateralized by the fees earned by service providers. The values of asset-backed securities may be substantially dependent on the servicing of the underlying asset and are therefore subject to risks associated with negligence by, or defalcation of, their servicers. In certain circumstances, the mishandling of related documentation may also affect the rights of the security holders in and to the underlying collateral. The insolvency of entities that generate receivables or that utilize the assets may result in added costs and delays in addition to losses associated with a decline in the value of the underlying assets.

 

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Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”) and Multiclass Pass-Through Securities. CMOs are debt obligations collateralized by mortgage loans or mortgage pass-through securities. Typically, CMOs are collateralized by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac certificates, but also may be collateralized by whole loans or private mortgage pass-through securities (such collateral is collectively hereinafter referred to as “Mortgage Assets”). Mortgage Assets may be collateralized by commercial or residential uses. Multiclass pass-through securities are equity interests in a trust composed of Mortgage Assets. Payments of principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets, and any reinvestment income thereon, may require the Fund to pay debt service on the CMOs or make scheduled distributions on the multiclass pass-through securities. CMOs may be issued by Federal Agencies, or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. The issuer of a series of mortgage pass-through securities may elect to be treated as a Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (“REMIC”). REMICs include governmental and/or private entities that issue a fixed pool of mortgages secured by an interest in real property. REMICs are similar to CMOs in that they issue multiple classes of securities, but unlike CMOs, which are required to be structured as debt securities, REMICs may be structured as indirect ownership interests in the underlying assets of the REMICs themselves. Although CMOs and REMICs differ in certain respects, characteristics of CMOs described below apply in most cases to REMICs, as well.

In a CMO, a series of bonds or certificates is issued in multiple classes. Each class of CMOs, often referred to as a “tranche,” is issued at a specific fixed or floating coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution date. Principal prepayments on the Mortgage Assets may cause the CMOs to be retired substantially earlier than their stated maturities or final distribution dates. Interest is paid or accrues on all classes of the CMOs on a monthly, quarterly or semiannual basis. Certain CMOs may have variable or floating interest rates and others may be Stripped Mortgage Securities. For more information on Stripped Mortgage Securities, see “Stripped Mortgage Securities” below.

The principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets may be allocated among the several classes of a CMO series in a number of different ways. Generally, the purpose of the allocation of the cash flow of a CMO to the various classes is to obtain a more predictable cash flow to certain of the individual tranches than exists with the underlying collateral of the CMO. As a general rule, the more predictable the cash flow is on a CMO tranche, the lower the anticipated yield will be on that tranche at the time of issuance relative to prevailing market yields on other mortgage-backed securities. As part of the process of creating more predictable cash flows on most of the tranches in a series of CMOs, one or more tranches generally must be created that absorb most of the volatility in the cash flows on the underlying mortgage loans. The yields on these tranches are generally higher than prevailing market yields on mortgage-backed securities with similar maturities. As a result of the uncertainty of the cash flows of these tranches, the market prices of and yield on these tranches generally are more volatile.

CMO Residuals. CMO residuals are mortgage securities issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, homebuilders, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose entities of the foregoing. The cash flow generated by the mortgage assets underlying a series of CMOs is applied first to make required payments of principal and interest on the CMOs and second to pay the related administrative expenses and any management fee of the issuer. The residual in a CMO structure generally represents the interest in any excess cash flow remaining after making the foregoing payments. Each payment of such excess cash flow to a holder of the related CMO residual represents income and/or a return of capital. The amount of residual cash flow resulting from a CMO will depend on, among other things, the characteristics of the mortgage assets, the coupon rate of each class of CMO, prevailing interest rates, the amount of administrative expenses and the pre-payment experience on the mortgage assets. In particular, the yield to maturity on CMO residuals is extremely sensitive to pre-payments on the related underlying mortgage assets, in the same manner as an interest-only (“IO”) class of stripped mortgage-backed securities. See “Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities.” In addition, if a series of a CMO includes a class that bears interest at an adjustable rate, the yield to maturity on the related CMO residual will also be extremely sensitive to changes in the level of the index upon which interest rate adjustments are based. As described below with respect to stripped mortgage-backed securities, in certain circumstances the Fund may fail to recoup fully its initial investment in a CMO residual. CMO residuals are generally purchased and sold by institutional investors through several investment banking firms acting as brokers or dealers. Transactions in CMO residuals are generally completed only after careful review of the characteristics of the securities in question. In addition, CMO residuals may, or pursuant to an exemption therefrom, may not have been registered under the 1933 Act. CMO residuals , whether or not registered under the 1933 Act, may be subject to certain restrictions on transferability, and may be deemed “illiquid.

Government Mortgage Pass-Through Securities. The Fund may invest in mortgage pass-through securities representing participation interests in pools of residential mortgage loans purchased from individual lenders by an agency, instrumentality or sponsored corporation of the United States government (“Federal Agency”) or originated by private lenders and guaranteed, to the extent provided in such securities, by a Federal Agency. Such securities, which are ownership interests in the underlying mortgage loans, differ from conventional debt securities, which provide for periodic payment of

 

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interest in fixed amounts (usually semiannually) and principal payments at payments (not necessarily in fixed amounts) that are a “pass-through” of the monthly interest and principal payments (including any prepayments) made by the individual borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the guarantor of such securities and the servicer of the underlying mortgage loans.

The government mortgage pass-through securities in which the Fund may invest include those issued or guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”). Ginnie Mae certificates are direct obligations of the U.S. Government and, as such, are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the United States. Fannie Mae is a federally chartered, privately owned corporation and Freddie Mac is a corporate instrumentality of the United States. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac certificates are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States but the issuing agency or instrumentality has the right to borrow, to meet its obligations, from an existing line of credit with the U.S. Treasury. The U.S. Treasury has no legal obligation to provide such line of credit and may choose not to do so.

Certificates for these types of mortgage-backed securities evidence an interest in a specific pool of mortgages. These certificates are, in most cases, “modified pass-through” instruments, wherein the issuing agency guarantees the payment of principal and interest on mortgages underlying the certificates, whether or not such amounts are collected by the issuer on the underlying mortgages.

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (“HERA”) authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to support Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks (“FHLBs”) (collectively, the “GSEs”) by purchasing obligations and other securities from those government-sponsored enterprises. HERA gave the Secretary of the Treasury broad authority to determine the conditions and amounts of such purchases.

On September 6, 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship. As the conservator, FHFA succeeded to all rights, titles, powers and privileges of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and of any stockholder, officer or director of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with respect to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the assets of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. FHFA selected a new chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

In connection with the conservatorship, the U.S. Treasury, exercising powers granted to it under HERA, entered into a Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (SPA) with each of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pursuant to which the U.S. Treasury will purchase up to an aggregate of $100 billion of each of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to maintain a positive net worth in each enterprise. This agreement contains various covenants that severely limit each enterprise’s operations. In exchange for entering into these agreements, the U.S. Treasury received $1 billion of each enterprise’s senior preferred stock and warrants to purchase 79.9% of each enterprise’s common stock. On February 18, 2009, the U.S. Treasury announced that it was doubling the size of its commitment to each enterprise under the Senior Preferred Stock Program to $200 billion. The U.S. Treasury’s obligations under the Senior Preferred Stock Program are for an indefinite period of time for a maximum amount of $200 billion per enterprise. On December 24, 2009, the U.S. Treasury announced further amendments to the SPAs which included additional financial support for each GSE through the end of 2012 and changes to the limits on their retained mortgage portfolios. Although legislation has been enacted to support certain GSEs, including the Federal Home Loan Banks, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, there is no assurance that GSE obligations will be satisfied in full, or that such obligations will not decrease in value or default. It is difficult, if not impossible, to predict the future political, regulatory or economic changes that could impact the GSEs and the values of their related securities or obligations.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are continuing to operate as going concerns while in conservatorship and each remain liable for all of its obligations, including its guaranty obligations, associated with its mortgage-backed securities. The Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement is intended to enhance each of Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s ability to meet its obligations. The FHFA has indicated that the conservatorship of each enterprise will end when the director of FHFA determines that FHFA’s plan to restore the enterprise to a safe and solvent condition has been completed.

Under the Federal Housing Finance Regulatory Reform Act of 2008 (the “Reform Act”), which was included as part of Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, FHFA, as conservator or receiver, has the power to repudiate any contract entered into by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac prior to FHFA’s appointment as conservator or receiver, as applicable, if FHFA determines, in its sole discretion, that performance of the contract is burdensome and that repudiation of the contract promotes the orderly administration of Fannie Mae’s or Freddie Mac’s affairs. The Reform Act requires FHFA to exercise its right to repudiate any contract within a reasonable period of time after its appointment as conservator or receiver.

FHFA, in its capacity as conservator, has indicated that it has no intention to repudiate the guaranty obligations of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac because FHFA views repudiation as incompatible with the goals of the conservatorship.

 

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However, in the event that FHFA, as conservator or if it is later appointed as receiver for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, were to repudiate any such guaranty obligation, the conservatorship or receivership estate, as applicable, would be liable for actual direct compensatory damages in accordance with the provisions of the Reform Act. Any such liability could be satisfied only to the extent of Fannie Mae’s or Freddie Mac’s available assets. The future financial performance of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is heavily dependent on the performance of the U.S. housing market.

In the event of repudiation, the payments of interest to holders of Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities would be reduced if payments on the mortgage loans represented in the mortgage loan groups related to such mortgage-backed securities are not made by the borrowers or advanced by the servicer. Any actual direct compensatory damages for repudiating these guaranty obligations may not be sufficient to offset any shortfalls experienced by such mortgage-backed security holders. (The Federal Housing Finance Agency confirmed earlier in 2011 that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are exploring possible changes to mortgage servicer compensation, but said implementation is unlikely before the summer of 2012.)

Further, in its capacity as conservator or receiver, FHFA has the right to transfer or sell any asset or liability of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac without any approval, assignment or consent. Although FHFA has stated that it has no present intention to do so, if FHFA, as conservator or receiver, were to transfer any such guaranty obligation to another party, holders of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities would have to rely on that party for satisfaction of the guaranty obligation and would be exposed to the credit risk of that party.

In addition, certain rights provided to holders of mortgage-backed securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under the operative documents related to such securities may not be enforced against FHFA, or enforcement of such rights may be delayed, during the conservatorship or any future receivership. The operative documents for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities may provide (or with respect to securities issued prior to the date of the appointment of the conservator may have provided) that upon the occurrence of an event of default on the part of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, in its capacity as guarantor, which includes the appointment of a conservator or receiver, holders of such mortgage-backed securities have the right to replace Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac as trustee if the requisite percentage of mortgage-backed security holders consent. The Reform Act prevents mortgage-backed security holders from enforcing such rights if the event of default arises solely because a conservator or receiver has been appointed. The Reform Act also provides that no person may exercise any right or power to terminate, accelerate or declare an event of default under certain contracts to which Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac is a party, or obtain possession of or exercise control over any property of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or affect any contractual rights of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, without the approval of FHFA, as conservator or receiver, for a period of 45 or 90 days following the appointment of FHFA as conservator or receiver, respectively.

Inverse Floaters. Inverse floaters constitute a class of CMOs with a coupon rate that moves inversely to a designated index, such as LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) or 11th District Cost of Funds Index (“COFI”). Inverse floaters have coupon rates that typically change at a multiple of the changes of the relevant index rate. Any rise in the index rate (as a consequence of an increase in interest rates) causes a drop in the coupon rate on an inverse floater while any drop in the index rate causes an increase in the coupon rate of an inverse floater. In some circumstances, the coupon on an inverse floater could decrease to zero. In addition, like most other fixed-income securities, the value of inverse floaters will decrease as interest rates increase and their average lives will extend. Inverse floaters exhibit greater price volatility than the majority of mortgage-backed securities. In addition, some inverse floaters display extreme sensitivity to changes in prepayments. As a result, the yield to maturity of an inverse floater is sensitive not only to changes in interest rates but also to changes in prepayment rates on the related underlying mortgage assets. As described above, inverse floaters may be used alone or in tandem with interest-only stripped mortgage instruments.

Loan Participation and Assignments. Investment in secured or unsecured fixed or floating rate loans (“Loans”) arranged through private negotiations between a borrowing corporation, government or other entity and one or more financial institutions (“Lenders”) may be in the form of participations in Loans (“Participation”) or assignments of all or a portion of Loans from third parties (“Assignments”). Participations typically result in the Fund having a contractual relationship only with the Lender, not with the borrower. The Fund has 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 the payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing Participations, the Fund generally has no direct right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement relating to the Loan, nor any rights of set-off against the borrower, and the Fund may not directly benefit from any collateral supporting the Loan in which it has purchased the Participation. As a result, the Fund assumes the credit risk of both the borrower and the Lender that is selling the Participation. In the event of the insolvency of the selling Lender, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of that Lender and may not benefit from any set-off between the Lender and the borrower.

 

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When the Fund purchases Assignments from Lenders, it acquires direct rights against the borrower on the Loan. In an Assignment, the Fund is entitled to receive payments directly from the borrower and, therefore, does not depend on the selling bank to pass these payments onto the Fund. However, because Assignments are arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and assignors, the rights and obligations acquired by the Fund as the purchaser of an Assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning Lender.

Assignments and Participations are generally not registered under the Securities Act, and thus may be subject to the Fund’s limitation on investment in illiquid securities. Because there may be no liquid market for such securities, such securities may be sold only to a limited number of institutional investors. The lack of a liquid secondary market could have an adverse impact on the value of such securities and on the Fund’s ability to dispose of particular Assignments or Participations when necessary to meet the Fund’s liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event, such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the borrower.

Mortgage Dollar Rolls. The Fund may enter into mortgage dollar rolls with a bank or a broker-dealer. A mortgage dollar roll is a transaction in which the Fund sells mortgage-related securities for immediate settlement and simultaneously purchases the same type of securities for forward settlement at a discount. While the Fund begins accruing interest on the newly purchased securities from the purchase or trade date, it is able to invest the proceeds from the sale of its previously owned securities, which will be used to pay for the new securities, in money market investments until future settlement date. The use of mortgage dollar rolls is a speculative technique involving leverage, and can have an economic effect similar to borrowing money for investment purposes.

Private Mortgage Pass-Through Securities. Private mortgage pass-through securities are structured similarly to the Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage pass-through securities and are issued by United States and foreign private issuers such as originators of and investors in mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. These securities usually are backed by a pool of conventional fixed rate or adjustable rate mortgage loans. Since private mortgage pass-through securities typically are not guaranteed by an entity having the credit status of Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, such securities generally are structured with one or more types of credit enhancement.

Mortgage Assets often consist of a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties. There are usually fewer properties in a pool of assets backing commercial mortgage-backed securities than in a pool of assets backing residential mortgage-backed securities hence they may be more sensitive to the performance of fewer Mortgage Assets. To lessen the effect of failures by obligors on underlying assets to make payments, those securities may contain elements of credit support, which fall into two categories: (i) liquidity protection and (ii) protection against losses resulting from ultimate default by an obligor on the underlying assets. Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the pool of assets, to ensure that the receipt of payments on the underlying pool occurs in a timely fashion. Protection against losses resulting from default ensures ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a portion of the assets in the pool. This protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor from third parties, through various means of structuring the transaction or through a combination of such approaches. The degree of credit support provided for each issue is generally based on historical information respecting the level of credit risk associated with the underlying assets. Delinquencies or losses in excess of those anticipated could adversely affect the return on an investment in a security.

Stripped Mortgage Securities. Stripped Mortgage Securities may be issued by Federal Agencies, or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. Stripped Mortgage Securities not issued by Federal Agencies will be treated by the Fund as illiquid securities so long as the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission maintains its position that such securities are illiquid. Stripped Mortgage Securities issued by

Federal Agencies generally will be treated by the Fund as liquid securities under procedures adopted by the Fund and approved by the Fund’s Board.

Stripped Mortgage Securities usually are structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distribution of a pool of mortgage assets. A common type of Stripped Mortgage Security will have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the principal from the mortgage assets, while the other class will receive most of the interest and the remainder of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class will receive all of the interest (the interest-only or “IO” class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (the principal-only or “PO” class). PO classes generate income through the accretion of the deep discount at which such securities are purchased, and, while PO classes do not receive periodic payments of interest, they receive monthly payments associated with scheduled amortization and principal prepayment from the mortgage assets underlying the PO class. The yield to maturity on a PO or an IO class security is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets. A

 

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slower than expected rate of principal payments may have an adverse effect on a PO class security’s yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience slower than anticipated principal repayment, the Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities. Conversely, a rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on an IO class security’s yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments or principal, the Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities.

The Fund may purchase Stripped Mortgage Securities for income, or for hedging purposes to protect the Fund’s portfolio against interest rate fluctuations. For example, since an IO class will tend to increase in value as interest rates rise, it may be utilized to hedge against a decrease in value of other fixed-income securities in a rising interest rate environment.

Consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies, DoubleLine may also cause the Fund to invest in other types of mortgage- and asset-backed securities offered currently or in the future.

Real Estate Securities and Related Derivatives

The Fund may gain exposure to the real estate sector by investing in real estate-linked derivatives, real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), and common, preferred and convertible securities of issuers in real estate-related industries. Each of these types of investments are subject to risks similar to those associated with direct ownership of real estate, including loss to casualty or condemnation, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, zoning law amendments, changes in interest rates, overbuilding and increased competition, variations in market value, and possible environmental liabilities.

REITs are pooled investment vehicles that own, and typically operate, income-producing real estate. If a REIT meets certain requirements, including distributing to shareholders substantially all of its taxable income (other than net capital gains), then it is not taxed on the income distributed to shareholders. REITs are subject to management fees and other expenses, and so the Fund will bear its proportionate share of the costs of the REITs’ operations. There are three general categories of REITs: Equity REITs, Mortgage REITs and Hybrid REITs. Equity REITs invest primarily in direct fee ownership or leasehold ownership of real property; they derive most of their income from rents. Mortgage REITs invest mostly in mortgages on real estate, which may secure construction, development or long-term loans, and the main source of their income is mortgage interest payments. Hybrid REITs hold both ownership and mortgage interests in real estate. Along with the risks common to different types of real estate-related securities, REITs, no matter the type, involve additional risk factors. These include poor performance by the REIT’s manager, adverse changes to the tax laws, and the possible failure by the REIT to qualify for tax-free distribution of income or exemption under the 1940 Act. Furthermore, REITs are not diversified and are heavily dependent on cash flow.

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Securities

General. Investors should recognize that investing in the securities of non-U.S. issuers generally, and particularly in emerging market issuers, involves special considerations which are not typically associated with investing in securities of U.S. issuers. Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers may involve risks arising from differences between U.S. and non-U.S. securities markets, including less volume, much greater price volatility in and relative illiquidity of non-U.S. securities markets, different trading and settlement practices and less governmental supervision and regulation, from changes in currency exchange rates, from high and volatile rates of inflation, from economic, social and political conditions and, as with domestic multinational corporations, from fluctuating interest rates. Moreover, substantial investments in non-U.S. securities may have adverse tax implications.

Since most non-U.S. securities are denominated in non-U.S. currencies or traded primarily in securities markets in which settlements are made in non-U.S. currencies, the value of these investments and the net investment income available for distribution to shareholders of the Fund may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates or exchange control regulations. Because the Fund may purchase securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies, a change in the value of any such currency against the U.S. dollar will result in a change in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s assets and the Fund’s income available for distribution. The Fund’s foreign currency transactions may give rise to ordinary income or loss, for federal income tax purposes, to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency.

In addition, although the Fund’s income may be received or realized in foreign currencies, the Fund will be required to compute and distribute its income in U.S. dollars. Therefore, if the value of a currency relative to the U.S. dollar declines after the Fund’s income has been earned in that currency, translated into U.S. dollars and declared as a dividend, but before

 

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payment of such dividend, the Fund could be required to liquidate portfolio securities to pay such dividend. Similarly, if the value of a currency relative to the U.S. dollar declines between the time the Fund incurs expenses or other obligations in U.S. dollars and the time such expenses or obligations are paid, the amount of such currency required to be converted into U.S. dollars in order to pay such expenses in U.S. dollars will be greater than the equivalent amount in such currency of such expenses at the time they were incurred.

Certain markets are in only the earliest stages of development. There is also a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of investors and financial intermediaries. Many of such markets also may be affected by developments with respect to more established markets in the region. Brokers in non-U.S. and emerging market countries typically are fewer in number and less capitalized than brokers in the United States. These factors, combined with the U.S. regulatory requirements for closed-end investment companies and the restrictions on foreign investment, result in potentially fewer investment opportunities for the Fund and may have an adverse impact on the investment performance of the Fund.

There generally is less governmental supervision and regulation of exchanges, brokers and issuers in non-U.S. countries than there is in the United States. For example, there may be no comparable provisions under certain non-U.S. laws to insider trading and similar investor protection securities laws that apply with respect to securities transactions consummated in the United States. Further, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs on non-U.S. securities exchanges generally are higher than in the United States. With respect to investments in certain emerging market countries, archaic legal systems may have an adverse impact on the Fund. For example, while the potential liability of a shareholder in a U.S. corporation with respect to acts of the corporation is generally limited to the amount of the shareholder’s investment, the notion of limited liability is less clear in certain emerging market countries. Similarly, the rights of investors in emerging market companies may be more limited than those of shareholders of U.S. corporations.

Other investment risks include the possible imposition of foreign withholding taxes on certain amounts of the Fund’s income which may reduce the net return on non-U.S. investments as compared to income received from a U.S. issuer, the possible seizure or nationalization of foreign assets and the possible establishment of exchange controls, expropriation, confiscatory taxation, other foreign governmental laws or restrictions which might affect adversely payments due on securities held by the Fund, the lack of extensive operating experience of eligible foreign subcustodians and legal limitations on the ability of the Fund to recover assets held in custody by a foreign subcustodian in the event of the subcustodian’s bankruptcy.

In addition, there may be less publicly-available information about a non-U.S. issuer than about a U.S. issuer, and non-U.S. issuers may not be subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial record-keeping standards and requirements as U.S. issuers. In particular, the assets and profits appearing on the financial statements of an emerging market country issuer may not reflect its financial position or results of operations in the way they would be reflected had the financial statements been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, for an issuer that keeps accounting records in local currency, inflation accounting rules may require, for both tax and accounting purposes, that certain assets and liabilities be restated on the issuer’s balance sheet in order to express items in terms of currency of constant purchasing power. Inflation accounting may indirectly generate losses or profits. Consequently, financial data may be materially affected by restatements for inflation and may not accurately reflect the real condition of those issuers and securities markets. Finally, in the event of a default of any such foreign obligations, it may be more difficult for the Fund to obtain or enforce a judgment against the issuers of such obligations. The manner in which foreign investors may invest in companies in certain emerging market countries, as well as limitations on such investments, also may have an adverse impact on the operations of the Fund. For example, the Fund may be required in certain of such countries to invest initially through a local broker or other entity and then have the shares purchased re-registered in the name of the Fund. Re-registration may in some instances not be able to occur on a timely basis, resulting in a delay during which the Fund may be denied certain of its rights as an investor.

Non-U.S. markets have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have failed to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Further, satisfactory custodial services for investment securities may not be available in some countries having smaller, emerging capital markets, which may result in the Fund incurring additional costs and delays in transporting and custodying such securities outside such countries. Delays in settlement or other problems could result in periods when assets of the Fund are uninvested and no return is earned thereon. The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems or the risk of intermediary counterparty failures could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. The inability to dispose of a portfolio security due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the

 

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Fund due to subsequent declines in the value of such portfolio security or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the security, could result in possible liability to the purchaser.

Securities Related Activities. In some countries, banks or other financial institutions may constitute a substantial number of the leading companies or companies with the most actively traded securities. The 1940 Act limits the Fund’s ability to invest in any security of an issuer which, in its most recent fiscal year, derived more than 15% of its revenues from “securities related activities,” as defined by the rules thereunder. These provisions may also restrict the Fund’s investments in certain non-U.S. banks and other financial institutions.

Non-U.S. Subcustodians. Rules adopted under the 1940 Act permit the Fund to maintain its non-U.S. securities and cash in the custody of certain eligible non-U.S. banks and securities depositories.

Certain banks in non-U.S. countries may not be eligible sub-custodians for the Fund, in which event the Fund may be precluded from purchasing securities in certain non-U.S. countries in which it otherwise would invest or which may result in the Fund’s incurring additional costs and delays in providing transportation and custody services for such securities outside of such countries. The Fund may encounter difficulties in effecting on a timely basis portfolio transactions with respect to any securities of issuers held outside their countries. Other banks that are eligible non-U.S. sub-custodians may be recently organized or otherwise lack extensive operating experience. In addition, in certain countries there may be legal restrictions or limitations on the ability of the Fund to recover assets held in custody by non-U.S. sub-custodians in the event of the bankruptcy of the sub-custodian.

Credit Ratings. The securities in which the Fund will invest, including non-U.S. securities, will not be required to meet a minimum rating standard and may not be rated for creditworthiness by any internationally recognized credit rating organization. Such securities, commonly referred to as “junk bonds,” involve significantly greater risks, including price volatility and risk of default of payment of interest and principal, than higher rated securities. An investment in the Fund should not be considered as a complete investment program.

The Adviser will take various factors into consideration in evaluating the creditworthiness of an issuer. For corporate debt securities, such factors typically include the issuer’s financial resources, its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, the operating history of the issuer and the experience and track record of the issuer’s management. For sovereign debt instruments, these will typically include the economic and political conditions within the issuer’s country, the issuer’s overall and external debt levels and debt service ratios, the issuer’s access to capital markets and other sources of funding and the issuer’s debt service payment history. The Adviser will also review the ratings, if any, assigned to the security by any recognized rating organizations, although the Adviser’s judgment as to the quality of a debt security may differ from that suggested by the rating published by a rating service. In addition to the foregoing credit analysis, the Adviser will evaluate the relative value of an investment compared with its perceived credit risk. The Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective may be more dependent on the Adviser’s credit analysis than would be the case if it invested in higher quality debt securities. A description of the ratings used by Moody’s, S&P and Fitch is set forth in Appendix A.

Emerging Market Countries. Certain of the risks associated with international investments and investing in smaller capital markets are heightened for investments in emerging market countries. For example, some of the currencies of emerging market countries have experienced devaluations relative to the U.S. dollar, and major adjustments have been made periodically in certain of such currencies. Certain of such countries face serious exchange constraints. In addition, governments of many emerging market countries have exercised and continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. In certain cases, the government owns or controls many companies, including the largest in the country. Accordingly, government actions in the future could have a significant effect on economic conditions in developing countries which could affect private sector companies and the Fund, as well as the value of securities in the Fund.

Investment in certain emerging market securities is restricted or controlled to varying degrees which may at times limit or preclude investment in certain emerging market securities and increase the costs and expenses of the Fund. Certain emerging market countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons, limit the amount of investment by foreign persons in a particular issuer, limit the investment by foreign persons only to a specific class of securities of an issuer that may have less advantageous rights than other classes, restrict investment opportunities in issuers in industries deemed important to national interests and/or impose additional taxes on foreign investors. Certain emerging market countries may require governmental approval for the repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities by foreign investors which could adversely affect the Fund. In addition, if a deterioration occurs in an emerging market country’s balance of payments, it could impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. Investing in local markets in emerging market countries may require the Fund to adopt special procedures, seek local government approvals or take other actions, each of which may involve additional costs to the Fund.

 

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Sovereign Debt. The Fund may invest in sovereign debt issued by foreign developed and emerging market governments and their respective sub-divisions, agencies or instrumentalities, government sponsored enterprises and supranational government entities. Supranational entities include international organizations that are organized or supported by one or more government entities to promote economic reconstruction or development and by international banking institutions and related governmental agencies. Investment in sovereign debt can involve a high degree of risk. The governmental entity that controls the repayment of sovereign debt may not be able or willing to repay the principal and/or interest when due in accordance with the terms of the debt. A governmental entity’s willingness or ability to repay principal and interest due in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the governmental entity’s policy toward the International Monetary Fund, and the political constraints to which a governmental entity may be subject. Governmental entities also may depend on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and others to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The commitment on the part of these governments, agencies and others to make such disbursements may be conditioned on a governmental entity’s implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of such debtor’s obligations. Failure to implement such reforms, achieve such levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of such third parties’ commitments to lend funds to the governmental entity, which may further impair such debtor’s ability or willingness to service its debts in a timely manner. Consequently, governmental entities may default on their sovereign debt. Holders of sovereign debt (including the Fund) may be requested to participate in the rescheduling of such debt and to extend further loans to governmental entities. There is no bankruptcy proceeding by which sovereign debt on which governmental entities have defaulted may be collected in whole or in part.

The Fund’s investments in foreign currency denominated debt obligations and hedging activities will likely produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. This difference may cause a portion of the Fund’s income distributions to constitute returns of capital for tax purposes or require the Fund to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company for federal tax purposes. For a discussion of the requirements the Fund must meet to qualify as a regulated investment company and the consequences for the Fund’s investments and distributions, see “ Tax Matters” below.

Foreign Currency Transactions

The Fund may purchase and sell foreign currency options and foreign currency futures contracts and related options (see “Derivative Instruments”), and may engage in foreign currency transactions either on a spot (cash) basis at the rate prevailing in the currency exchange market at the time or through forward currency contracts (“forwards”). The Fund may (but is not required to) engage in these transactions in order to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign exchange rates in the purchase and sale of securities. The Fund also may use foreign currency options and foreign currency forward contracts to increase exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another.

A forward 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 may be bought or sold to protect the Fund against a possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar or to increase exposure to a particular foreign currency. Open positions in forwards may be covered by the segregation or “earmarking” of liquid assets and are marked to market daily. Although forwards are intended to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currencies, at the same time, they tend to limit any potential gain which might result should the value of such currencies increase. Forwards would be used by the Fund, if at all, primarily to adjust its foreign exchange exposure with a view to protecting the outlook, and the Fund might be expected to enter into such contracts under the following circumstances:

Lock In. When DoubleLine desires to lock in the U.S. dollar price on the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency.

Cross Hedge. If a particular currency is expected to decrease against another currency, the Fund may sell the currency expected to decrease and purchase a currency which is expected to increase against the currency sold in an amount approximately equal to some or all of the Fund’s portfolio holdings denominated in the currency sold.

Direct Hedge. If DoubleLine wants to a eliminate substantially all of the risk of owning a particular currency, and/or if DoubleLine thinks that the Fund can benefit from price appreciation in a given country’s bonds but does not want to hold the currency, it may employ a direct hedge back into the U.S. dollar. In either case, the Fund would enter into a forward contract to sell the currency in which a portfolio security is denominated and purchase U.S. dollars at an exchange rate

 

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established at the time it initiated the contract. The cost of the direct hedge transaction may offset most, if not all, of the yield advantage offered by the foreign security, but the Fund would hope to benefit from an increase (if any) in value of the bond.

Proxy Hedge. DoubleLine might choose to use a proxy hedge, which may be less costly than a direct hedge. In this case, the Fund, having purchased a security, will sell a currency whose value is believed to be closely linked to the currency in which the security is denominated. Interest rates prevailing in the country whose currency was sold would be expected to be closer to those in the United States and lower than those of securities denominated in the currency of the original holding. This type of hedging entails greater risk than a direct hedge because it is dependent on a stable relationship between the two currencies paired as proxies and the relationships can be very unstable at times.

Costs of Hedging. When the Fund purchases a foreign bond with a higher interest rate than is available on U.S. bonds of a similar maturity, the additional yield on the foreign bond could be substantially reduced or lost if the Fund were to enter into a direct hedge by selling the foreign currency and purchasing the U.S. dollar. This is what is known as the “cost” of hedging. Proxy hedging attempts to reduce this cost through an indirect hedge back to the U.S. dollar.

It is important to note that hedging costs are treated as capital transactions and are not, therefore, deducted from the Fund’s dividend distribution and are not reflected in its yield. Instead such costs will, over time, be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value per Common Share.

The forecasting of currency market movement is extremely difficult, and whether any hedging strategy will be successful is highly uncertain. Moreover, it is impossible to forecast with precision the market value of portfolio securities at the expiration of a foreign currency forward contract. Accordingly, the Fund may be required to buy or sell additional currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of such transaction) if DoubleLine’s predictions regarding the movement of foreign currency or securities markets prove inaccurate. In addition, the use of cross-hedging transactions may involve special risks, and may leave the Fund in a less advantageous position than if such a hedge had not been established. Because foreign currency forward contracts are privately negotiated transactions, there can be no assurance that the Fund will have flexibility to roll-over a foreign currency forward contract upon its expiration if it desires to do so. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the other party to the contract will perform its services thereunder.

The Fund may hold a portion of its assets in bank deposits denominated in foreign currencies, so as to facilitate investment in foreign securities as well as protect against currency fluctuations and the need to convert such assets into U.S. dollars (thereby also reducing transaction costs). To the extent these monies are converted back into U.S. dollars, the value of the assets so maintained will be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency exchange rates and exchange control regulations.

Tax Consequences of Hedging. Under applicable tax law, the Fund may be required to limit its gains from hedging in foreign currency forwards, futures, and options. Although the Fund is expected to comply with such limits, the extent to which these limits apply is subject to tax regulations as yet unissued. Hedging also may result in the application of the mark-to-market and straddle provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Those provisions could result in an increase (or decrease) in the amount of taxable dividends paid by the Fund and could affect whether dividends paid by the Fund are classified as capital gains or ordinary income. For further discussion of the tax consequences of the Fund’s hedging, see “ Tax Matters” below.

Foreign Currency Exchange-Related Securities

Foreign Currency Warrants. Foreign currency warrants such as Currency Exchange WarrantsSM (“CEWsSM”) are warrants which entitle the holder to receive from their issuer an amount of cash (generally, for warrants issued in the United States, in U.S. dollars) which is calculated pursuant to a predetermined formula and based on the exchange rate between a specified foreign currency and the U.S. dollar as of the exercise date of the warrant. Foreign currency warrants generally are exercisable upon their issuance and expire as of a specified date and time. Foreign currency warrants have been issued in connection with U.S. dollar-denominated debt offerings by major corporate issuers in an attempt to reduce the foreign currency exchange risk which, from the point of view of prospective purchasers of the securities, is inherent in the international fixed-income marketplace. Foreign currency warrants may attempt to reduce the foreign exchange risk assumed by purchasers of a security by, for example, providing for a supplemental payment in the event that the U.S. dollar depreciates against the value of a major foreign currency such as the Japanese yen or the euro. The formula used to determine the amount payable upon exercise of a foreign currency warrant may make the warrant worthless unless the applicable foreign currency exchange rate moves in a particular direction (e.g., unless the U.S. dollar appreciates or depreciates against the particular foreign currency to which the warrant is linked or indexed). Foreign currency warrants are severable from the debt obligations with which they may be offered, and may be listed on exchanges. Foreign currency warrants may be

 

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exercisable only in certain minimum amounts, and an investor wishing to exercise warrants who possesses less than the minimum number required for exercise may be required either to sell the warrants or to purchase additional warrants, thereby incurring additional transaction costs. In the case of any exercise of warrants, there may be a time delay between the time a holder of warrants gives instructions to exercise and the time the exchange rate relating to exercise is determined, during which time the exchange rate could change significantly, thereby affecting both the market and cash settlement values of the warrants being exercised. The expiration date of the warrants may be accelerated if the warrants should be delisted from an exchange or if their trading should be suspended permanently, which would result in the loss of any remaining “time value” of the warrants (i.e., the difference between the current market value and the exercise value of the warrants), and, in the case the warrants were “out-of-the-money,” in a total loss of the purchase price of the warrants. Warrants are generally unsecured obligations of their issuers and are not standardized foreign currency options issued by the Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”). Unlike foreign currency options issued by OCC, the terms of foreign exchange warrants generally will not be amended in the event of governmental or regulatory actions affecting exchange rates or in the event of the imposition of other regulatory controls affecting the international currency markets. The initial public offering price of foreign currency warrants is generally considerably in excess of the price that a commercial user of foreign currencies might pay in the interbank market for a comparable option involving significantly larger amounts of foreign currencies. Foreign currency warrants are subject to significant foreign exchange risk, including risks arising from complex political or economic factors.

Principal Exchange Rate Linked Securities. Principal exchange rate linked securities (“PERLsSM”) are debt obligations the principal on which is payable at maturity in an amount that may vary based on the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and a particular foreign currency at or about that time. The return on “standard” principal exchange rate linked securities is enhanced if the foreign currency to which the security is linked appreciates against the U.S. dollar, and is adversely affected by increases in the foreign exchange value of the U.S. dollar; “reverse” principal exchange rate linked securities are like the “standard” securities, except that their return is enhanced by increases in the value of the U.S. dollar and adversely impacted by increases in the value of foreign currency. Interest payments on the securities are generally made in U.S. dollars at rates that reflect the degree of foreign currency risk assumed or given up by the purchaser of the notes (i.e., at relatively higher interest rates if the purchaser has assumed some of the foreign exchange risk, or relatively lower interest rates if the issuer has assumed some of the foreign exchange risk, based on the expectations of the current market). Principal exchange rate linked securities may in limited cases be subject to acceleration of maturity (generally, not without the consent of the holders of the securities), which may have an adverse impact on the value of the principal payment to be made at maturity.

Performance Indexed Paper. Performance indexed paper (“PIPsSM”) is U.S. dollar-denominated commercial paper the yield of which is linked to certain foreign exchange rate movements. The yield to the investor on performance indexed paper is established at maturity as a function of spot exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and a designated currency as of or about that time (generally, the index maturity two days prior to maturity). The yield to the investor will be within a range stipulated at the time of purchase of the obligation, generally with a guaranteed minimum rate of return that is below, and a potential maximum rate of return that is above, market yields on U.S. dollar-denominated commercial paper, with both the minimum and maximum rates of return on the investment corresponding to the minimum and maximum values of the spot exchange rate two business days prior to maturity.

U.S. Government Securities

U.S. Government securities are obligations of and, in certain cases, guaranteed by, the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Some U.S. Government securities, such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds, and securities guaranteed by GNMA, are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; others, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Banks or FHLMC, are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others, such as those of FNMA, are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations; and still others, such as those of the Student Loan Marketing Association, are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. Although U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises, such as the Federal Home Loan Banks, FHLMC, FNMA and the Student Loan Marketing Association may be chartered or sponsored by Congress, they are not funded by Congressional appropriations, and their securities are not issued by the U.S. Treasury or supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government and include increased credit risks.

U.S. Government securities include securities that have no coupons, or have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, individual interest coupons from such securities that trade separately, and evidences of receipt of such securities. Such securities may pay no cash income, and are purchased at a deep discount from their value at maturity. See “— Zero-Coupon Bonds, Step-Ups and Payment-In-Kind Securities” below. Custodial receipts issued in connection with so-called trademark zero-coupon securities, such as Certificates of Accrual on Treasury Securities, are not issued by the U.S.

 

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Treasury, and are therefore not U.S. Government securities, although the underlying bond represented by such receipt is a debt obligation of the U.S. Treasury. Other zero-coupon Treasury securities are direct obligations of the U.S. Government.

While some U.S. Government securities are guaranteed as to principal and interest, their market value is not guaranteed. U.S. Government securities are subject to the same interest rate and credit risks as are other debt securities. The U.S. Government does not guarantee the net asset value or market value of the Fund’s Common Shares. The U.S. Government’s ability to borrow money or otherwise finance its obligations, including as a result of legislatively-imposed limits on the amount of money it may borrow, could cause the values of U.S. Government securities, including those of the U.S. Government’s agencies and instrumentalities and other government-sponsored enterprises, to decline.

Municipal Bonds

The Fund may invest in securities issued by states, municipalities and other political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and instrumentalities of states and multi-state agencies or authorities, including securities the income from which is exempt from federal income tax (“Municipal Bonds”). However, the dividends that the Fund pays that are attributable to such interest will not be tax-exempt to holders of Common Shares (“Common Shareholders”) of the Fund.

Municipal Bonds share the attributes of debt/fixed income securities in general, but are generally issued by states, municipalities and other political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and instrumentalities of states and multi-state agencies or authorities. The Municipal Bonds which the Fund may purchase include general obligation bonds and limited obligation bonds (or revenue bonds), including industrial development bonds issued pursuant to former federal tax law. General obligation bonds are obligations involving the credit of an issuer possessing taxing power and are payable from such issuer’s general revenues and not from any particular source. Limited obligation bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source. Tax-exempt private activity bonds and industrial development bonds generally are also revenue bonds and thus are not payable from the issuer’s general revenues. The credit and quality of private activity bonds and industrial development bonds are usually related to the credit of the corporate user of the facilities. Payment of interest on and repayment of principal of such bonds is the responsibility of the corporate user (and/or any guarantor).

The Fund may invest in Municipal Bonds that finance similar projects, such as those relating to education, health care, housing, transportation, and utilities, and in industrial development bonds. The Fund may be more sensitive to adverse economic, business or political developments if it invests a substantial portion of its assets in the bonds of similar projects or industrial development bonds.

Under the Code, certain limited obligation bonds are considered “private activity bonds” and interest paid on such bonds is treated as an item of tax preference for purposes of calculating federal alternative minimum tax liability. See “Tax Matters.”

The Fund may also invest in municipal lease obligations. A lease is not a full faith and credit obligation of the issuer and is usually backed only by the borrowing government’s unsecured pledge to make annual appropriations for lease payments. There have been challenges to the legality of lease financing in numerous states, and, from time to time, certain municipalities have considered not appropriating money for lease payments. In deciding whether to purchase a lease obligation, DoubleLine will assess the financial condition of the borrower, the merits of the project, the level of public support for the project, and the legislative history of lease financing in the state. These securities may be less readily marketable than other municipal securities. The Fund also may purchase unrated lease obligations if determined by DoubleLine to be of comparable quality to rated securities in which the Fund is permitted to invest.

The Fund may seek to enhance its yield through the purchase of private placements. These securities are sold through private negotiations, usually to institutions or mutual funds, and may have resale restrictions. Their yields are usually higher than comparable public securities to compensate the investor for their limited marketability.

Some longer-term Municipal Bonds give the investor the right to “put” or sell the security at par (face value) within a specified number of days following the investor’s request—usually one to seven days. This demand feature enhances a security’s liquidity by shortening its effective maturity and enables it to trade at a price equal to or very close to par. If a demand feature terminates prior to being exercised, the Fund would hold the longer-term security, which could experience substantially more volatility.

The Fund may invest in municipal warrants, which are essentially call options on Municipal Bonds. In exchange for a premium, municipal warrants give the Fund, as purchaser, the right, but not the obligation, to purchase a Municipal Bond in

 

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the future. The Fund may purchase a warrant to lock in forward supply in an environment where the current issuance of bonds is sharply reduced. Like options, warrants may expire worthless and they may have reduced liquidity.

The Fund may invest in Municipal Bonds with credit enhancements such as letters of credit, municipal bond insurance and Standby Bond Purchase Agreements (“SBPAs”). Letters of credit that are issued by a third party, usually a bank, to enhance liquidity and ensure repayment of principal and any accrued interest if the underlying Municipal Bond should default. Municipal bond insurance, which is usually purchased by the bond issuer from a private, nongovernmental insurance company, provides an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee that the insured bond’s principal and interest will be paid when due. Insurance does not guarantee the price of the bond or the price of the Fund’s Common Shares. The credit rating of an insured bond reflects the credit rating of the insurer, based on its claims-paying ability. The obligation of a municipal bond insurance company to pay a claim extends over the life of each insured bond. Although defaults on insured Municipal Bonds have been low to date and municipal bond insurers have met their claims, there is no assurance this will continue. A higher-than-expected default rate could strain the insurer’s loss reserves and adversely affect its ability to pay claims to bondholders. The number of municipal bond insurers is relatively small, and not all of them have the highest rating. An SBPA is a liquidity facility provided to pay the purchase price of bonds that cannot be re-marketed. The obligation of the liquidity provider (usually a bank) is only to advance funds to purchase tendered bonds that cannot be remarketed and does not cover principal or interest under any other circumstances. The liquidity provider’s obligations under the SBPA are usually subject to numerous conditions, including the continued creditworthiness of the underlying borrower.

Residual Interest Bonds. The Fund may invest in Residual Interest Bonds (sometimes referred to as inverse floaters) (“RIBs”), which brokers create by depositing a Municipal Bond in a trust. The trust in turn issues a variable rate security and RIBs. The interest rate on the short-term component is reset by an index or auction process normally every seven to 35 days, while the RIB holder receives the balance of the income from the underlying Municipal Bond less an auction fee. Therefore, rising short-term interest rates result in lower income for the RIB, and vice versa. An investment in RIBs typically will involve greater risk than an investment in a fixed rate bond. RIBs have interest rates that bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index. Because increases in the interest rate on the other security or index reduce the residual interest paid on a RIB, the value of a RIB is generally more volatile than that of a fixed rate bond. RIBs have interest rate adjustment formulas that generally reduce or, in the extreme, eliminate the interest paid to the Funds when short-term interest rates rise, and increase the interest paid to the Funds when short-term interest rates fall. RIBs have varying degrees of liquidity that approximate the liquidity of the underlying bond(s), and the market price for these securities is volatile. RIBs can be very volatile and may be less liquid than other Municipal Bonds of comparable maturity. These securities will generally underperform the market of fixed rate bonds in a rising interest rate environment, but tend to outperform the market of fixed rate bonds when interest rates decline or remain relatively stable. Although volatile, RIBs typically offer the potential for yields exceeding the yields available on fixed rate bonds with comparable credit quality, coupon, call provisions and maturity. The Fund may also invest in RIBS for the purpose of increasing the Fund’s leverage. Trusts in which RIBS may be held could be terminated, in which case the residual bond holder would take possession of the underlying bond(s) on an unleveraged basis.

In a transaction in which the Fund purchases a RIB from a trust, and the underlying Municipal Bond was held by the Fund prior to being deposited into the trust, the Fund treats the transaction as a secured borrowing for financial reporting purposes. As a result, the Fund will incur a non-cash interest expense with respect to interest paid by the trust on the variable rate securities, and will recognize additional interest income in an amount directly corresponding to the non-cash interest expense. Therefore, the Fund’s net asset value per Common Share and performance are not affected by the non-cash interest expense. This accounting treatment does not apply to RIBs acquired by the Fund where the Fund did not previously own the underlying Municipal Bond.

The Funds also may invest in participation interests. Participation interests are various types of securities created by converting fixed rate bonds into short-term, variable rate certificates. These securities have been developed in the secondary market to meet the demand for short-term, tax-exempt securities.

The Fund may purchase custodial receipts representing the right to receive either the principal amount or the periodic interest payments or both with respect to specific underlying Municipal Bonds. In a typical custodial receipt arrangement, an issuer or third party owner of Municipal Bonds deposits the bonds with a custodian in exchange for two classes of custodial receipts. The two classes have different characteristics, but, in each case, payments on the two classes are based on payments received on the underlying Municipal Bonds. In no event will the aggregate interest paid with respect to the two classes exceed the interest paid by the underlying Municipal Bond. Custodial receipts are sold in private placements. The value of a custodial receipt may fluctuate more than the value of a Municipal Bond of comparable quality and maturity.

 

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The Fund may purchase and sell portfolio investments to take advantage of changes or anticipated changes in yield relationships, markets or economic conditions. The Fund also may sell Municipal Bonds due to changes in DoubleLine’s evaluation of the issuer or cash needs of the Fund.

Municipal Bonds are subject to credit and market risk. Generally, prices of higher quality issues tend to fluctuate less with changes in market interest rates than prices of lower quality issues and prices of longer maturity issues tend to fluctuate more than prices of shorter maturity issues. The secondary market for Municipal Bonds typically has been less liquid than that for taxable debt/fixed income securities, and this may affect the Fund’s ability to sell particular Municipal Bonds at then-current market prices, especially in periods when other investors are attempting to sell the same securities. Prices and yields on Municipal Bonds are dependent on a variety of factors, including general money-market conditions, the financial condition of the issuer, general conditions of the Municipal Bond market, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. A number of these factors, including the ratings of particular issues, are subject to change from time to time. Information about the financial condition of an issuer of Municipal Bonds may not be as extensive as that which is made available by corporations whose securities are publicly traded.

Obligations of issuers of Municipal Bonds are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors. Congress or state legislatures may seek to extend the time for payment of principal or interest, or both, or to impose other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations. There is also the possibility that as a result of litigation or other conditions, the power or ability of issuers to meet their obligations for the payment of interest and principal on their Municipal Bonds may be materially affected or their obligations may be found to be invalid or unenforceable. Such litigation or conditions may from time to time have the effect of introducing uncertainties in the market for Municipal Bonds or certain segments thereof, or of materially affecting the credit risk with respect to particular bonds. Adverse economic, business, legal or political developments might affect all or a substantial portion of a Fund’s Municipal Bonds in the same manner.

Corporate Debt Securities

The Fund may invest in a wide variety of bonds and related debt obligations of varying maturities issued by U.S. and foreign corporations and other business entities, including corporate bonds, debentures, notes and other similar corporate debt instruments, including convertible securities. Bonds are fixed or variable rate debt obligations, including bills, notes, debentures, money market instruments and similar instruments and securities. Bonds generally are used by corporations and other issuers to borrow money from investors. The issuer pays the investor a rate of interest and normally must repay the amount borrowed on or before maturity. The rate of interest on a corporate debt security may be fixed, floating or variable, and may vary inversely with respect to a reference rate. The rate of return or return of principal on some debt obligations may be linked or indexed to the level of exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency or currencies. Debt securities may be acquired with warrants attached. Certain bonds are “perpetual” in that they have no maturity date.

The Fund’s investments in corporate debt securities are subject to a number of risks described in the Prospectus and elaborated upon elsewhere in this section of the Statement of Additional Information, including interest rate risk, credit risk, high yield risk, issuer risk, foreign (non-U.S.) investment risk, inflation/deflation risk, liquidity risk, smaller company risk and management risk.

Commercial Paper

Commercial paper represents short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in bearer form by corporations such as banks or bank holding companies and finance companies. The Fund may invest in commercial paper of any credit quality consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies, including unrated commercial paper for which DoubleLine has made a credit quality assessment. See Appendix A to the Prospectus for a description of the ratings assigned by Moody’s, S&P and Fitch to commercial paper. The rate of return on commercial paper may be linked or indexed to the level of exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency or currencies.

Convertible Securities

Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted or exchanged (by the holder or by the issuer) into shares of the underlying common stock (or cash or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio or predetermined price (the “conversion price”). A convertible security is designed to provide current income and also the potential for capital appreciation through the conversion feature, which enables the holder to benefit from increases in the market price of the underlying common stock. A convertible security may be called for redemption or conversion by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances (including a specified price)

 

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established upon issue. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption or conversion, the Fund could be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third party, which may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Convertible securities have general characteristics similar to both debt and equity securities.

A convertible security generally entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Convertible securities rank senior to common stock in a corporation’s capital structure and, therefore, generally entail less risk than the corporation’s common stock, although the extent to which such risk is reduced depends in large measure upon the degree to which the convertible security sells above its value as a debt obligation. Before conversion, convertible securities have characteristics similar to non-convertible debt obligations and are designed to provide for a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than common stocks. However, there can be no assurance of current income because the issuers of the convertible securities may default on their obligations. Convertible securities are subordinate in rank to any senior debt obligations of the issuer, and, therefore, an issuer’s convertible securities entail more risk than its debt obligations. Moreover, convertible securities are often rated below investment grade or not rated because they fall below debt obligations and just above common equity in order of preference or priority on an issuer’s balance sheet. See “High Yield Securities” below.

Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible debt securities of similar credit quality because of the potential for capital appreciation. The common stock underlying convertible securities may be issued by a different entity than the issuer of the convertible securities.

The value of convertible securities is influenced by both the yield of non-convertible securities of comparable issuers and by the value of the underlying common stock. The value of a convertible security viewed without regard to its conversion feature (i.e., strictly on the basis of its yield) is sometimes referred to as its “investment value.” The investment value of the convertible security typically will fluctuate based on the credit quality of the issuer and will fluctuate inversely with changes in prevailing interest rates. However, at the same time, the convertible security will be influenced by its “conversion value,” which is the market value of the underlying common stock that would be obtained if the convertible security were converted. Conversion value fluctuates directly with the price of the underlying common stock, and will therefore be subject to risks relating to the activities of the issuer and/or general market and economic conditions. Depending upon the relationship of the conversion price to the market value of the underlying security, a convertible security may trade more like an equity security than a debt instrument.

If, because of a low price of the common stock, the conversion value is substantially below the investment value of the convertible security, the price of the convertible security is governed principally by its investment value. If the conversion value of a convertible security increases to a point that approximates or exceeds its investment value, the value of the security will be principally influenced by its conversion value. A convertible security will sell at a premium over its conversion value to the extent investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock while holding an income-producing security.

Synthetic Convertible Securities

DoubleLine may also create a “synthetic” convertible security to be used by the Fund by combining separate securities that possess the two principal characteristics of a traditional convertible security, i.e., an income-producing security (“income-producing component”) and the right to acquire an equity security (“convertible component”). The income-producing component is achieved by investing in non-convertible, income-producing securities such as bonds, preferred stocks and money market instruments. The convertible component is achieved by buying warrants or options to buy common stock at a certain exercise price, or options on a stock index. Unlike a traditional convertible security, which is a single security having a unitary market value, a synthetic convertible comprises two or more separate securities, each with its own market value. Therefore, the “market value” of a synthetic convertible security is the sum of the values of its income-producing component and its convertible component. For this reason, the values of a synthetic convertible security and a traditional convertible security may respond differently to market fluctuations.

More flexibility is possible in the assembly of a synthetic convertible security than in the purchase of a convertible security. Although synthetic convertible securities may be used for the Fund where the two components are issued by a single issuer, thus making the synthetic convertible security similar to the traditional convertible security, the character of a synthetic convertible security allows the combination of components representing distinct issuers, when DoubleLine believes that such a combination would better promote the Fund’s investment objective. A synthetic convertible security also is a more flexible investment in that its two components may be purchased separately. For example, the Fund may purchase a

 

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warrant for inclusion in a synthetic convertible security but temporarily hold short-term investments while postponing the purchase of a corresponding bond pending development of more favorable market conditions.

A holder of a synthetic convertible security faces the risk of a decline in the price of the security or the level of the index involved in the convertible component, causing a decline in the value of the call option or warrant purchased to create the synthetic convertible security. Should the price of the stock fall below the exercise price and remain there throughout the exercise period, the entire amount paid for the call option or warrant would be lost. Because a synthetic convertible security includes the income-producing component as well, the holder of a synthetic convertible security also faces the risk that interest rates will rise, causing a decline in the value of the income-producing instrument. The Fund may also purchase synthetic convertible securities created by other parties, including convertible structured notes. Convertible structured notes are income-producing debentures linked to equity, and are typically issued by investment banks. Convertible structured notes have the attributes of a convertible security; however, the investment bank that issued the convertible note, rather than the issuer of the underlying common stock into which the note is convertible, assumes the credit risk associated with the investment.

Preferred Stock

Preferred stock represents an equity interest in a company that generally entitles the holder to receive, in preference to the holders of other stocks such as common stocks, dividends and a fixed share of the proceeds resulting from a liquidation of the company. Some preferred stocks also entitle their holders to receive additional liquidation proceeds on the same basis as holders of a company’s common stock, and thus also represent an ownership interest in that company. As described below, the Fund may invest in preferred stocks that pay fixed or adjustable rates of return. The value of a company’s preferred stock may fall as a result of factors relating directly to that company’s products or services. A preferred stock’s value may also fall because of factors affecting not just the company, but companies in the same industry or in a number of different industries, such as increases in production costs. The value of preferred stock may also be affected by changes in financial markets that are relatively unrelated to the company or its industry, such as changes in interest rates or currency exchange rates. In addition, a company’s preferred stock generally pays dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of the preferred stock will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Preferred stocks of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than those of larger companies.

Fixed Rate Preferred Stocks. Some fixed rate preferred stocks in which the Fund may invest, known as perpetual preferred stocks, offer a fixed return with no maturity date. Because they never mature, perpetual preferred stocks act like long-term bonds, can be more volatile than other types of preferred stocks that have a maturity date and may have heightened sensitivity to changes in interest rates. The Fund may also invest in sinking fund preferred stocks. These preferred stocks also offer a fixed return, but have a maturity date and are retired or redeemed on a predetermined schedule. The shorter duration of sinking fund preferred stocks makes them perform somewhat like intermediate-term bonds and they typically have lower yields than perpetual preferred stocks.

Adjustable Rate and Auction Preferred Stocks. Typically, the dividend rate on an adjustable rate preferred stock is determined prospectively each quarter by applying an adjustment formula established at the time of issuance of the stock. Although adjustment formulas vary among issues, they typically involve a fixed premium or discount relative to rates on specified debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury. Typically, an adjustment formula will provide for a fixed premium or discount adjustment relative to the highest base yield of three specified U.S. Treasury securities: the 90-day Treasury bill, the 10-year Treasury note and the 20-year Treasury bond. The premium or discount adjustment to be added to or subtracted from this highest U.S. Treasury base rate yield is fixed at the time of issue and cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of the stock. The dividend rate on other preferred stocks in which the Fund may invest, commonly known as auction preferred stocks, is adjusted at intervals that may be more frequent than quarterly, such as every 49 days, based on bids submitted by holders and prospective purchasers of such stocks and may be subject to stated maximum and minimum dividend rates. The issues of most adjustable rate and auction preferred stocks currently outstanding are perpetual, but are redeemable after a specified date at the option of the issuer. Certain issues supported by the credit of a high-rated financial institution provide for mandatory redemption prior to expiration of the credit arrangement. No redemption can occur if full cumulative dividends are not paid. Although the dividend rates on adjustable and auction preferred stocks are generally adjusted or reset frequently, the market values of these preferred stocks may still fluctuate in response to changes in interest rates. Market values of adjustable preferred stocks also may substantially fluctuate if interest rates increase or decrease once the maximum or minimum dividend rate for a particular stock is approached.

 

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Bank Obligations

Bank obligations in which the Fund may invest include certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, and fixed time deposits. Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a specified return. Bankers’ acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which are “accepted” by a bank, meaning, in effect, that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity. Fixed time deposits are bank obligations payable at a stated maturity date and bearing interest at a fixed rate. Fixed time deposits may be withdrawn on demand by the investor, but may be subject to early withdrawal penalties which vary depending upon market conditions and the remaining maturity of the obligation. There are no contractual restrictions on the right to transfer a beneficial interest in a fixed time deposit to a third party, although there is no market for such deposits.

Obligations of foreign banks involve somewhat different investment risks than those affecting obligations of United States banks, including the possibilities that their liquidity could be impaired because of future political and economic developments, that their obligations may be less marketable than comparable obligations of United States banks, that a foreign jurisdiction might impose withholding taxes on interest income payable on those obligations, that foreign deposits may be seized or nationalized, that foreign governmental restrictions such as exchange controls may be adopted which might adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on those obligations and that the selection of those obligations may be more difficult because there may be less publicly available information concerning foreign banks or the accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements applicable to foreign banks may differ from those applicable to United States banks. Foreign banks are not generally subject to examination by any United States Government agency or instrumentality.

Loan Participations and Assignments

The Fund may purchase participations in commercial loans. Such indebtedness may be secured or unsecured. Loan participations typically represent direct participation in a loan to a corporate borrower, and generally are offered by banks or other financial institutions or lending syndicates. The Fund may participate in such syndications, or can buy part of a loan, becoming a part lender. When purchasing loan participations, the Fund assumes the credit risk associated with the corporate borrower and may assume the credit risk associated with an interposed bank or other financial intermediary. The participation interests in which the Fund intends to invest may not be rated by any nationally recognized rating service.

A loan is often administered by an agent bank acting as agent for all holders. The agent bank administers the terms of the loan, as specified in the loan agreement. In addition, the agent bank is normally responsible for the collection of principal and interest payments from the corporate borrower and the apportionment of these payments to the credit of all institutions which are parties to the loan agreement. Unless, under the terms of the loan or other indebtedness, the Fund has direct recourse against the corporate borrower, the Fund may have to rely on the agent bank or other financial intermediary to apply appropriate credit remedies against a corporate borrower.

A financial institution’s employment as agent bank might be terminated in the event that it fails to observe a requisite standard of care or becomes insolvent. A successor agent bank would generally be appointed to replace the terminated agent bank, and assets held by the agent bank under the loan agreement should remain available to holders of such indebtedness. However, if assets held by the agent bank for the benefit of the Fund were determined to be subject to the claims of the agent bank’s general creditors, the Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a loan or loan participation and could suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. In situations involving other interposed financial institutions (e.g., an insurance company or governmental agency) similar risks may arise.

Purchasers of loans and other forms of direct indebtedness depend primarily upon the creditworthiness of the corporate borrower for payment of principal and interest. If the Fund does not receive scheduled interest or principal payments on such indebtedness, the Fund’s share price and yield could be adversely affected. Loans that are fully secured offer the Fund more protection than an unsecured loan in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. However, there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would satisfy the corporate borrower’s obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated.

The Fund may invest in loan participations with credit quality comparable to that of issuers of its securities investments. Indebtedness of companies whose creditworthiness is poor involves substantially greater risks, and may be highly speculative. Some companies may never pay off their indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount owed. Consequently, when investing in indebtedness of companies with poor credit, the Fund bears a substantial risk of losing the entire amount invested.

 

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The Fund generally will treat the corporate borrower as the “issuer” of indebtedness held by the Fund. In the case of loan participations where a bank or other lending institution serves as a financial intermediary between the Fund and the corporate borrower, if the participation does not shift to the Fund the direct debtor-creditor relationship with the corporate borrower, SEC interpretations require the Fund to treat both the lending bank or other lending institution and the corporate borrower as “issuers.” Treating a financial intermediary as an issuer of indebtedness may in certain circumstances restrict the Funds’ ability to invest in indebtedness related to a single financial intermediary, or a group of intermediaries engaged in the same industry, even if the underlying borrowers represent many different companies and industries.

Loans and other types of direct indebtedness may not be readily marketable and may be subject to restrictions on resale. In some cases, negotiations involved in disposing of indebtedness may require weeks to complete. Consequently, some indebtedness may be difficult or impossible to dispose of readily at what DoubleLine believes to be a fair price. In addition, valuation of illiquid indebtedness involves a greater degree of judgment in determining the Fund’s net asset value than if that value were based on available market quotations, and could result in significant variations in the Fund’s daily share price. At the same time, some loan interests are traded among certain financial institutions and accordingly may be deemed liquid. As the market for different types of indebtedness develops, the liquidity of these instruments is expected to improve.

Investments in loans through a direct assignment of the financial institution’s interests with respect to the loan may involve additional risks to the Fund. For example, if a loan is foreclosed, the Fund could become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. In addition, it is conceivable that under emerging legal theories of lender liability, the Fund could be held liable as co-lender. It is unclear whether loans and other forms of direct indebtedness offer securities law protections against fraud and misrepresentation. In the absence of definitive regulatory guidance, the Fund relies on DoubleLine’s research in an attempt to avoid situations where fraud or misrepresentation could adversely affect the Fund.

Bank Loans

The Fund may invest in fixed- and floating-rate loans (including “Senior Loans” (as described below), delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities). Loan interests may take the form of direct interests acquired during a primary distribution and may also take the form of assignments of, novations of or participations in a bank loan acquired in secondary markets.

The Fund may invest in senior floating rate loans made to or issued by U.S. or non-U.S. banks or other corporations (“Senior Loans”). Senior Loans include senior floating rate loans and institutionally traded senior floating rate debt obligations issued by asset-backed pools and other issues, and interests therein. Loan interests may be acquired from U.S or foreign commercial banks, insurance companies, finance companies or other financial institutions who have made loans or are members of a lending syndicate or from other holders of loan interests.

Senior Loans typically pay interest at rates which are re-determined periodically on the basis of a floating base lending rate (such as the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate, “LIBOR”) plus a premium. Although Senior Loans are typically of below investment grade quality, they tend to have more favorable recovery rates than other types of below investment grade quality debt obligations. Senior Loans generally (but not always) hold the most senior position in the capital structure of a borrower and are often secured with collateral. A Senior Loan is typically originated, negotiated and structured by a U.S. or foreign commercial bank, insurance company, finance company or other financial institution (the “Agent”) for a lending syndicate of financial institutions (“Lenders”). The Agent typically administers and enforces the Senior Loan on behalf of the other Lenders in the syndicate. In addition, an institution, typically but not always the Agent, holds any collateral on behalf of the Lenders.

Senior Loans and other types of direct indebtedness may not be readily marketable and may be subject to restrictions on resale. In some cases, negotiations involved in disposing of indebtedness may require weeks to complete. Consequently, some indebtedness may be difficult or impossible to dispose of readily at what DoubleLine believes to be a fair price. In addition, valuation of illiquid indebtedness involves a greater degree of judgment in determining the Fund’s net asset value than if that value were based on available market quotations, and could result in significant variations in the Fund’s daily share price. At the same time, some loan interests are traded among certain financial institutions and accordingly may be deemed liquid. As the market for different types of indebtedness develops, the liquidity of these instruments is expected to improve. DoubleLine will determine the liquidity of the Fund’s investments by reference to market conditions and contractual provisions.

 

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The Fund may purchase assignments and participations in commercial loans, as well as debtor-in-possession loans. Such indebtedness may be secured or unsecured. Loan participations typically represent direct participations in a loan to a corporate borrower, and generally are offered by banks or other financial institutions or lending syndicates. The Fund may participate in such syndications, or can buy part of a loan, becoming a part lender. When purchasing loan participations, the Fund assumes the credit risk associated with the corporate or other borrower and may assume the credit risk associated with an interposed bank or other financial intermediary. The participation interests in which the Fund intends to invest may not be rated by any nationally recognized rating service.

The Fund may invest in loan participations with credit quality comparable to that of issuers of its securities investments. Indebtedness of companies whose creditworthiness is poor involves substantially greater risks, and may be highly speculative. Some companies may never pay off their indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount owed. Consequently, when investing in indebtedness of companies with poor credit, the Fund bears a substantial risk of losing the entire amount invested.

The Fund generally will treat the corporate borrower as the “issuer” of indebtedness held by the Fund. In the case of loan participations where a bank or other lending institution serves as a financial intermediary between the Fund and the corporate borrower, if the participation does not shift to the Fund the direct debtor-creditor relationship with the corporate borrower, SEC interpretations require the Fund to treat both the lending bank or other lending institution and the corporate borrower as “issuers.” Treating a financial intermediary as an issuer of indebtedness may in certain circumstances restrict the Funds’ ability to invest in indebtedness related to a single financial intermediary, or a group of intermediaries engaged in the same industry, even if the underlying borrowers represent many different companies and industries.

The Purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement with the same rights and obligations as the assigning lender. Assignments may, however, be arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, and the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender.

Investments in loans through a direct assignment of the financial institution’s interests with respect to the loan may involve additional risks to the Fund. For example, if a loan is foreclosed, the Fund could become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. In addition, it is conceivable that under emerging legal theories of lender liability, the Fund could be held liable as co-lender. It is unclear whether loans and other forms of direct indebtedness offer securities law protections against fraud and misrepresentation. In the absence of definitive regulatory guidance, the Fund relies on DoubleLine’s research in an attempt to avoid situations where fraud or misrepresentation could adversely affect the Fund.

Unless, under the terms of the loan or other indebtedness (such as may be the case in an assignment), the Fund has direct recourse against the borrower, the Fund may have to rely on the Agent or other financial intermediary to apply appropriate credit remedies against a borrower.

From time to time, DoubleLine and its affiliates may borrow money from various banks in connection with their business activities. Such banks may also sell Senior Loans to or acquire them from the Fund or may be intermediate participants with respect to Senior Loans in which the Fund owns interests. Such banks may also act as Agents for Senior Loans held by the Fund.

The Fund limits the amount of its total assets that it will invest in any one issuer or in issuers within the same industry. See “Investment Restrictions.” For purposes of these limits, the Fund generally will treat the corporate or other borrower as the “issuer” of indebtedness held by the Fund. In the case of loan participations where a bank or other lending institution serves as a financial intermediary between the Fund and the borrower, if the participation does not shift to the Fund the direct debtor-creditor relationship with the borrower, the Fund shall treat both the lending bank or other lending institution and the borrower as “issuers” for the purposes of the Fund’s sub-classification as a “diversified” company under the 1940 Act, for purposes of the Fund’s industry concentration policy set forth in paragraph (1) under “Investment Restrictions – Fundamental Investment Restriction” below and for the purposes of meeting the issuer diversification test under Section 851 of the Code. See “Tax Matters” below. Treating a financial intermediary as an issuer of indebtedness may restrict the Fund’s ability to invest in indebtedness related to a single financial intermediary, or a group of intermediaries engaged in the same industry, even if the underlying borrowers represent many different companies and industries.

Purchasers of loans and other forms of direct indebtedness depend primarily upon the creditworthiness of the corporate borrower for payment of principal and interest. If the Fund does not receive scheduled interest or principal payments on such indebtedness, the Fund’s share price and yield could be adversely affected. Loans that are fully secured

 

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offer the Fund more protection than an unsecured loan in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. However, there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would satisfy the corporate borrower’s obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated.

Lending Fees. In the process of buying, selling and holding Senior Loans, the Fund may receive and/or pay certain fees. These fees are in addition to interest payments received and may include facility fees, commitment fees, commissions and prepayment penalty fees. When the Fund buys a Senior Loan it may receive a facility fee and when it sells a Senior Loan it may pay a facility fee. On an ongoing basis, the Fund may receive a commitment fee based on the undrawn portion of the underlying line of credit portion of the Senior Loan. In certain circumstances, the Fund may receive a prepayment penalty fee upon the prepayment of a Senior Loan by a borrower. Other fees received by the Fund may include covenant waiver fees and covenant modification fees.

Borrower Covenants. A borrower under a Senior Loan typically must comply with various restrictive covenants contained in a loan agreement or note purchase agreement between the borrower and the Lender or lending syndicate (the “Loan Agreement”). Such covenants, in addition to requiring the scheduled payment of interest and principal, may include restrictions on dividend payments and other distributions to stockholders, provisions requiring the borrower to maintain specific minimum financial ratios and limits on total debt. In addition, the Loan Agreement may contain a covenant requiring the borrower to prepay the Senior Loan with any free cash flow. Free cash flow is generally defined as net cash flow after scheduled debt service payments and permitted capital expenditures, and includes the proceeds from asset dispositions or sales of securities. A breach of a covenant which is not waived by the Agent, or by the lenders directly, as the case may be, is normally an event of acceleration; i.e., the Agent, or the lenders directly, as the case may be, has the right to call the outstanding Senior Loan. The typical practice of an Agent or a Lender in relying exclusively or primarily on reports from the borrower may involve a risk of fraud by the borrower. In the case of a Senior Loan in the form of a participation, the agreement between the buyer and seller may limit the rights of the holder of a Senior Loan to vote on certain changes which may be made to the Loan Agreement, such as waiving a breach of a covenant. However, the holder of the participation will, in almost all cases, have the right to vote on certain fundamental issues such as changes in principal amount, payment dates and interest rate.

Administration of Loans. In a typical Senior Loan, the Agent administers the terms of the Loan Agreement. In such cases, the Agent is normally responsible for the collection of principal and interest payments from the borrower and the apportionment of these payments to the credit of all institutions which are parties to the Loan Agreement. The Fund will generally rely upon the Agent or an intermediate participant to receive and forward to the Fund its portion of the principal and interest payments on the Senior Loan. Furthermore, unless under the terms of a participation agreement the Fund has direct recourse against the borrower, the Fund will rely on the Agent and the other members of the lending syndicate to use appropriate credit remedies against the borrower. The Agent is typically responsible for monitoring compliance with covenants contained in the Loan Agreement based upon reports prepared by the borrower. The seller of the Senior Loan usually does, but is often not obligated to, notify holders of Senior Loans of any failures of compliance. The Agent may monitor the value of the collateral, if any, and if the value of such collateral declines, may accelerate the Senior Loan, may give the borrower an opportunity to provide additional collateral or may seek other protection for the benefit of the participants in the Senior Loan. The Agent is compensated by the borrower for providing these services under a Loan Agreement, and such compensation may include special fees paid upon structuring and funding the Senior Loan and other fees paid on a continuing basis. With respect to Senior Loans for which the Agent does not perform such administrative and enforcement functions, DoubleLine will perform such tasks on behalf of the Fund, although a collateral bank will typically hold any collateral on behalf of the Fund and the other lenders pursuant to the applicable Loan Agreement.

A financial institution’s appointment as Agent may usually be terminated in the event that it fails to observe the requisite standard of care or becomes insolvent, enters Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) receivership, or, if not FDIC insured, enters into bankruptcy proceedings. A successor Agent would generally be appointed to replace the terminated Agent, and assets held by the Agent under the Loan Agreement should remain available to holders of Senior Loans. However, if assets held by the Agent for the benefit of the Fund were determined to be subject to the claims of the Agent’s general creditors, the Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a Senior Loan, or suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. In situations involving other intermediate participants similar risks may arise.

Prepayments. Senior Loans usually require, in addition to scheduled payments of interest and principal, the prepayment of the Senior Loan from free cash flow, as defined above. The degree to which borrowers prepay Senior Loans, whether as a contractual requirement or at their election, may be affected by general business conditions, the financial condition of the borrower and competitive conditions among lenders, among others. As such, prepayments cannot be predicted with accuracy. Upon a prepayment, either in part or in full, the actual outstanding debt on which the Fund derives interest income will be reduced. However, the Fund may receive both a prepayment penalty fee from the prepaying borrower and a facility fee upon the purchase of a new Senior Loan with the proceeds from the prepayment of the former. Prepayments generally will not

 

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materially affect the Fund’s performance because the Fund should be able to reinvest prepayments in other Senior Loans that have similar or identical yields and because receipt of such fees may mitigate any adverse impact on the Fund’s yield.

Bridge Financings. The Fund may acquire interests in Senior Loans which are designed to provide temporary or “bridge” financing to a borrower pending the sale of identified assets or the arrangement of longer-term loans or the issuance and sale of debt obligations. The Fund may also invest in Senior Loans of borrowers who have obtained bridge loans from other parties. A borrower’s use of bridge loans involves a risk that the borrower may be unable to locate permanent financing to replace the bridge loan, which may impair the borrower’s perceived creditworthiness.

Secured Senior Loans. To the extent that the collateral, if any, securing a Senior Loan consists of the stock of the borrower’s subsidiaries or other affiliates, the Fund will be subject to the risk that this stock will decline in value. Such a decline, whether as a result of bankruptcy proceedings or otherwise, could cause the Senior Loan to be undercollateralized or unsecured. In most credit agreements there is no formal requirement to pledge additional collateral. In addition, the Fund may invest in Senior Loans guaranteed by, or fully secured by assets of, shareholders or owners, even if the Senior Loans are not otherwise collateralized by assets of the borrower. There may be temporary periods when the principal asset held by a borrower is the stock of a related company, which may not legally be pledged to secure a secured Senior Loan. On occasions when such stock cannot be pledged, the secured Senior Loan will be temporarily unsecured until the stock can be pledged or is exchanged for or replaced by other assets, which will be pledged as security for such Senior Loan. However, the borrower’s ability to dispose of such securities, other than in connection with such pledge or replacement, will be strictly limited for the protection of the holders of secured Senior Loans.

If a borrower becomes involved in bankruptcy proceedings, a court may invalidate the Fund’s security interest in any loan collateral or subordinate the Fund’s rights under a secured Senior Loan to the interests of the borrower’s unsecured creditors. Such action by a court could be based, for example, on a “fraudulent conveyance” claim to the effect that the borrower did not receive fair consideration for granting the security interest in the loan collateral to the Fund. For secured Senior Loans made in connection with a highly leveraged transaction, consideration for granting a security interest may be deemed inadequate if the proceeds of such loan were not received or retained by the borrower, but were instead paid to other persons, such as shareholders of the borrower, in an amount which left the borrower insolvent or without sufficient working capital. There are also other events, such as the failure to perfect a security interest due to faulty documentation or faulty official filings, which could lead to the invalidation of the Fund’s security interest in any loan collateral. If the Fund’s security interest in loan collateral is invalidated or a secured Senior Loan is subordinated to other debt of a borrower in bankruptcy or other proceedings, it is unlikely that the Fund would be able to recover the full amount of the principal and interest due on the secured Senior Loan.

Delayed Funding Loans and Revolving Credit Facilities

The Fund may also enter into, or acquire participations in, delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities are borrowing arrangements in which the lender agrees to make loans up to a maximum amount upon demand by the borrower during a specified term. A revolving credit facility differs from a delayed funding loan in that as the borrower repays the loan, an amount equal to the repayment may be borrowed again during the term of the revolving credit facility. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities usually provide for floating or variable rates of interest. These commitments may have the effect of requiring the Fund to increase its investment in a company at a time when it might not otherwise be desirable to do so (including a time when the company’s financial condition makes it unlikely that such amounts will be repaid). To the extent that the Fund is committed to advance additional funds, it will at all times segregate assets, determined to be liquid by DoubleLine in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees, in an amount sufficient to meet such commitments.

The Fund may invest in delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities with credit quality comparable to that of issuers of its securities investments. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities may be subject to restrictions on transfer, and only limited opportunities may exist to resell such instruments. As a result, the Fund may be unable to sell such investments at an opportune time or may have to resell them at less than fair market value. The Fund currently intends to treat delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities for which there is no readily available market as illiquid for purposes of the Fund’s limitation on illiquid investments. For a further discussion of the risks involved in investing in loan participations and other forms of direct indebtedness see “—Loan Participations and Assignments.” Participation interests in revolving credit facilities will be subject to the limitations discussed in “—Loan Participations and Assignments.” Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities are considered to be debt obligations for the purposes of the Fund’s investment restriction relating to the lending of funds or assets by the Fund.

 

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Zero-Coupon Bonds, Step-Ups and Payment-In-Kind Securities

Zero-coupon securities are debt obligations that do not entitle the holder to any periodic payments of interest either for the entire life of the obligation or for an initial period after the issuance of the obligations. Like zero-coupon bonds, “step-up” bonds pay no interest initially but eventually begin to pay a coupon rate prior to maturity, which rate may increase at stated intervals during the life of the security. Payment-in-kind securities (PIKs) pay dividends or interest in the form of additional securities of the issuer, rather than in cash. Each of these instruments is typically issued and traded at a deep discount from its face amount. The amount of the discount varies depending on such factors as the time remaining until maturity of the securities, prevailing interest rates, the liquidity of the security and the perceived credit quality of the issuer. The market prices of zero-coupon bonds, step-ups and PIKs generally are more volatile than the market prices of debt instruments that pay interest currently and in cash and are likely to respond to changes in interest rates to a greater degree than do other types of securities having similar maturities and credit quality. In order to satisfy a requirement for qualification as a “regulated investment company” under the Code, an investment company, such as the Fund, must distribute each year at least 90% of its net investment income, including the original issue discount accrued on zero-coupon bonds, step-ups and PIKs. Because the Fund will not, on a current basis, receive cash payments from the issuer of these securities in respect of any accrued original issue discount, in some years the Fund may have to distribute cash obtained from selling other portfolio holdings of the Fund. In some circumstances, such sales might be necessary in order to satisfy cash distribution requirements even though investment considerations might otherwise make it undesirable for the Fund to sell securities at such time. Under many market conditions, investments in zero-coupon bonds, step-ups and PIKs may be illiquid, making it difficult for the Fund to dispose of them or determine their current value.

Variable and Floating Rate Securities

Variable and floating rate securities provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the obligations. The terms of such obligations must provide that interest rates are adjusted periodically based upon an interest rate adjustment index as provided in the respective obligations. The adjustment intervals may be regular, and range from daily up to annually, or may be event based, such as based on a change in the prime rate.

The Fund may invest in floating rate debt instruments (“floaters”) and engage in credit spread trades. The interest rate on a floater is a variable rate that is tied to another interest rate, such as a corporate bond index or Treasury bill rate. The interest rate on a floater resets periodically, typically every six months. While, because of the interest rate reset feature, floaters provide the Fund with a certain degree of protection against rising interest rates, the Fund will participate in any declines in interest rates as well. A credit spread trade is an investment position relating to a difference in the prices or interest rates of two bonds or other securities, where the value of the investment position is determined by movements in the difference between the prices or interest rates, as the case may be, of the respective securities or currencies.

The Fund may also invest in inverse floating rate debt instruments (“inverse floaters”). The interest rate on an inverse floater resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater is indexed. An inverse floating rate security may exhibit greater price volatility than a fixed rate obligation of similar credit quality.

Inflation-Indexed Bonds

Inflation-indexed bonds are fixed income securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. Two structures are common. The U.S. Treasury and some other issuers use a structure that accrues inflation into the principal value of the bond. Most other issuers pay out the CPI accruals as part of a semiannual coupon.

Inflation-indexed securities issued by the U.S. Treasury have maturities of five, ten or thirty years, although it is possible that securities with other maturities will be issued in the future. The U.S. Treasury securities pay interest on a semi-annual basis, equal to a fixed percentage of the inflation-adjusted principal amount. For example, if a Fund purchased an inflation-indexed bond with a par value of $1,000 and a 3% real rate of return coupon (payable 1.5% semi-annually), and inflation over the first six months was 1%, the mid-year par value of the bond would be $1,010 and the first semi-annual interest payment would be $15.15 ($1,010 times 1.5%). If inflation during the second half of the year resulted in the whole years’ inflation equaling 3%, the end-of-year par value of the bond would be $1,030 and the second semi-annual interest payment would be $15.45 ($1,030 times 1.5%).

If the periodic adjustment rate measuring inflation falls, the principal value of inflation-indexed bonds will be adjusted downward, and consequently the interest payable on these securities (calculated with respect to a smaller principal amount) will be reduced. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of U.S. Treasury inflation-indexed bonds, even during a period of deflation. However, the current market value of

 

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the bonds is not guaranteed, and will fluctuate. The Fund also may invest in other inflation related bonds which may or may not provide a similar guarantee. If a guarantee of principal is not provided, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.

The value of inflation-indexed bonds is expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates in turn are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. Therefore, if inflation were to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might decline, leading to an increase in value of inflation-indexed bonds. In contrast, if nominal interest rates increased at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in value of inflation-indexed bonds.

While these securities are expected to be protected from long-term inflationary trends, short-term increases in inflation may lead to a decline in value. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation (for example, due to changes in currency exchange rates), investors in these securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the bond’s inflation measure.

The periodic adjustment of U.S. inflation-indexed bonds is tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (“CPI-U”), which is calculated monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI-U is a measurement of changes in the cost of living, made up of components such as housing, food, transportation and energy. Inflation-indexed bonds issued by a foreign government are generally adjusted to reflect a comparable inflation index, calculated by that government. There can be no assurance that the CPI-U or any foreign inflation index will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the rate of inflation in a foreign country will be correlated to the rate of inflation in the United States.

Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-indexed bond will be considered taxable ordinary income, even though investors do not receive their principal until maturity.

Event-Linked Exposure

The Fund may obtain event-linked exposure by investing in “event-linked bonds” or “event-linked swaps,” or implement “event-linked strategies.” Event-linked exposure results in gains that typically are contingent on the non-occurrence of a specific “trigger” event, such as a hurricane, earthquake, or other physical or weather-related phenomena. Some event-linked bonds are commonly referred to as “catastrophe bonds.” They may be issued by government agencies, insurance companies, reinsurers, special purpose corporations or other on-shore or off-shore entities (such special purpose entities are created to accomplish a narrow and well-defined objective, such as the issuance of a note in connection with a reinsurance transaction). If a trigger event causes losses exceeding a specific amount in the geographic region and time period specified in a bond, the Fund may lose a portion or all of its principal invested in the bond. If no trigger event occurs, the Fund will recover its principal plus interest. For some event-linked bonds, the trigger event or losses may be based on company-wide losses, index-portfolio losses, industry indices, or readings of scientific instruments rather than specified actual losses. Often the event-linked bonds provide for extensions of maturity that are mandatory, or optional at the discretion of the issuer, in order to process and audit loss claims in those cases where a trigger event has, or possibly has, occurred. An extension of maturity may increase volatility. In addition to the specified trigger events, event-linked bonds also may expose a Fund to certain unanticipated risks including but not limited to issuer risk, credit risk, counterparty risk, adverse regulatory or jurisdictional interpretations, and adverse tax consequences.

Event-linked bonds are a relatively new type of financial instrument. As such, there is no significant trading history of these securities, and there can be no assurance that a liquid market in these instruments will develop. See “Illiquid Securities.” Lack of a liquid market may impose the risk of higher transaction costs and the possibility that the Fund may be forced to liquidate positions when it would not be advantageous to do so.

Derivative Instruments

The Fund may (but is not required to) use a variety of other derivative instruments (including both long and short positions) in an attempt to enhance the Fund’s investment returns, to hedge against market and other risks in the portfolio, to add leverage to the portfolio and/or to obtain market exposure with reduced transaction costs. Generally, derivatives are financial contracts whose value depends upon, or is derived from, the value of any underlying asset, reference rate or index, and may relate to, among others, individual securities, interest rates, foreign currencies and securities, commodities and other indexes. As described below, derivative instruments that may be used by the Fund include, but are not limited to, options contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and swap agreements. If other types of financial

 

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instruments, including other types of options, futures contracts, or futures options are traded in the future, the Fund also may use those instruments to the extent consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies.

The value of some derivative instruments in which the Fund invest may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and, like the other investments of the Fund, the ability of a Fund to successfully utilize these instruments may depend in part upon the ability of DoubleLine to forecast interest rates and other economic factors correctly. If DoubleLine incorrectly forecasts such factors and has taken positions in derivative instruments contrary to prevailing market trends, the Fund could be exposed to the risk of loss.

The Fund might not employ any of the strategies described below, and no assurance can be given that any strategy used will succeed. If DoubleLine incorrectly forecasts interest rates, currency movements, market values or other economic factors in using a derivatives strategy for the Fund, the Fund might have been in a better position if it had not entered into the transaction at all. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances and DoubleLine may choose not to use derivatives that are available to reduce portfolio risk or otherwise. The use of these strategies involves certain special risks, including a possible imperfect correlation, or even no correlation, between price movements of derivative instruments and price movements of related Fund investments. While some strategies involving derivative instruments can reduce the risk of loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in related investments or otherwise, due to the possible inability of a Fund to purchase or sell a portfolio security at a time that otherwise would be favorable or the possible need to sell a portfolio security at a disadvantageous time because the Fund is required to maintain asset coverage or offsetting positions in connection with transactions in derivative instruments, and the possible inability of a Fund to close out or to liquidate its derivatives positions. In addition, a Fund’s use of such instruments may cause the Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed at ordinary income tax rates) than if it had not used such instruments; also, the requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company can limit the extent to which a Fund may enter into commodity-linked derivatives, such as Commodity Futures Contracts discussed in more detail below. See “Tax Matters.”

Options on Securities and Indexes. The Fund may purchase and sell (write) both put and call options on fixed income or other securities or indexes in standardized contracts traded on foreign or domestic securities exchanges, boards of trade, or similar entities, or quoted on NASDAQ or on an over-the-counter market, and agreements, sometimes called cash puts, which may accompany the purchase of a new issue of bonds from a dealer.

An option on a security (or index) is a contract that gives the holder of the option, in return for a premium, the right to buy from (in the case of a call) or sell to (in the case of a put) the writer of the option the security underlying the option (or the cash value of the index) at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. The writer of an option on a security has the obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the exercise price or to pay the exercise price upon delivery of the underlying security. Upon exercise, the writer of an option on an index is obligated to pay the difference between the cash value of the index and the exercise price multiplied by the specified multiplier for the index option. (An index is designed to reflect features of a particular financial or securities market, a specific group of financial instruments or securities, or certain economic indicators.)

In the case of a call option on a security, the option is “covered” if the Fund owns the security underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, cash or other liquid assets in such amount are segregated or “earmarked”) upon conversion or exchange of other securities held by the Fund. For a call option on an index, the option is covered if the Fund maintains liquid assets with its custodian in an amount equal to the contract value of the index. A call option is also covered if the Fund holds a call on the same security or index as the call written where the exercise price of the call held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written, or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the call written, provided the difference is maintained by the Fund in segregated or “earmarked” liquid assets. A put option on a security or an index is “covered” if the Fund segregates or “earmarks” liquid assets equal to the exercise price. A put option is also covered if the Fund holds a put on the same security or index as the put written where the exercise price of the put held is (i) equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put written, or (ii) less than the exercise price of the put written, provided the difference is maintained by the Fund in segregated or “earmarked” liquid assets.

Generally, if an option written by a Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a short-term capital gain equal to the premium received at the time the option was written. If an option purchased by a Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a short-or- long-term capital loss equal to the premium paid. Prior to the earlier of exercise or expiration, an exchange traded option may be closed out by an offsetting purchase or sale of an option of the same series (type, exchange, underlying security or index, exercise price, and expiration). There can be no assurance, however, that a closing purchase or sale

 

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transaction can be effected when the Fund desires. For more information on the taxation of the options written by the Fund, see “Tax Matters” below.

The Fund may sell put or call options it has previously purchased, which could result in a net gain or loss depending on whether the amount realized on the sale is more or less than the premium and other transaction costs paid on the put or call option which is sold. Prior to exercise or expiration, an option may be closed out by an offsetting purchase or sale of an option of the same series. The Fund will realize a capital gain from a closing purchase transaction if the cost of the closing option is less than the premium received from writing the option, or, if it is more, the Fund will realize a capital loss. If the premium received from a closing sale transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the option, the Fund will realize a capital gain or, if it is less, the Fund will realize a capital loss. The principal factors affecting the market value of a put or a call option include supply and demand, interest rates, the current market price of the underlying security or index in relation to the exercise price of the option, the volatility of the underlying security or index, and the time remaining until the expiration date.

The premium paid for a put or call option purchased by a Fund is an asset of the Fund. The premium received for an option written by a Fund is recorded as a deferred credit. The value of an option purchased or written is marked to market daily and is valued at the closing price on the exchange on which it is traded or, if not traded on an exchange or no closing price is available, at the mean between the last bid and asked prices.

The Fund may write covered straddles consisting of a combination of a call and a put written on the same underlying security. A straddle will be covered when sufficient liquid assets are deposited to meet the Funds’ immediate obligations. The Fund may use the same liquid assets to cover both the call and put options where the exercise price of the call and put are the same, or the exercise price of the call is higher than that of the put. In such cases, the Fund will also segregate or “earmark” liquid assets equivalent to the amount, if any, by which the put is “in the money.”

Risks Associated with Options on Securities and Indexes. There are various risks associated with the Fund’s use of options. As the seller (writer) of a call option on an individual security, the Fund forgoes, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the underlying security above the sum of the premium and the strike price of the call but has retained the risk of loss (net of premiums received) should the price of the underlying security decline. Similarly, the purchaser of an index option written by the Fund has the right to any appreciation in the cash value of the index over the strike price when the option is exercised or on the expiration date. Therefore, as the writer of an index call option, the Fund forgoes the opportunity to profit from increases in the values of securities held by the Fund whose values may be correlated with the securities making up the index. However, the Fund has retained the risk of loss (net of premiums received) should the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities decline. This combination of potentially limited appreciation and full depreciation over time, may lead to erosion in the value of the Fund’s portfolio and the Fund’s performance may be lower than it otherwise would have been if it did not write call options.

The Fund’s use of purchased put options as a hedging strategy would involve certain risks similar to those of written call options, including, in the case of index put options, that the strategy may not work as intended due to a lack of correlation between changes in value of the index underlying the option and changes in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Further, a put option acquired by the Fund and not sold prior to expiration will expire worthless if the cash value of the index or market value of the underlying security at expiration exceeds the exercise price of the option, thereby causing the Fund to lose its entire investment in the option.

The value of options used by the Fund, which will be priced daily, will be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of underlying securities (including those comprising an index), changes in interest payments or dividend rates of underlying securities, changes in market interest rates, changes in the actual or perceived volatility of the relevant markets and underlying securities and the remaining time to an option’s expiration. The value of an option also may be adversely affected if the market for the option is reduced or becomes less liquid.

There are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected events. For instance, the use of written index options involves risk that the changes in value of the indexes underlying the Fund’s options positions will not correlate closely with changes in the market value of securities held by the Fund. To the extent that there is a lack of correlation, movements in the indexes underlying the options positions may result in net losses to the Fund (including at times when the market values of securities held by the Fund are declining) that exceed any gains received by the Fund from options premiums and any increase in value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. In these and other circumstances, the Fund may be required to sell

 

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portfolio securities to satisfy its obligations as the writer of an index option, when it would not otherwise choose to do so. Such sales would involve transaction costs borne by the Fund and may also result in realization of taxable capital gains, including short-term capital gains taxed at ordinary income tax rates, and may adversely impact the Fund’s after-tax returns.

The exercise price of an option may be adjusted downward before the option’s expiration as a result of the occurrence of certain corporate events affecting underlying securities. A reduction in the exercise price of an option might reduce the Fund’s gain potential on underlying securities held by the Fund.

There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to close out an options position. Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions, or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange clearinghouse may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options). If trading were discontinued, the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist.

In addition, the hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which securities held by the Fund are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets. In addition, the Fund’s listed options transactions will be subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities on which the options are traded. These limitations govern the maximum number of options in each class which may be written or purchased by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert, regardless of whether the options are written or purchased on the same or different exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities or are held or written in one or more accounts or through one or more brokers. Thus, the number of options which the Fund may write (sell) or purchase may be affected by options written or purchased by other investment advisory clients of DoubleLine. An exchange, board of trade or other trading facility may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and it may impose other sanctions.

The writer of an option has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as a writer of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying security or the contract value of the relevant index at the exercise price. If a put or call option purchased by the Fund is not sold when it has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying security or the value of the index remains equal to or greater than the exercise price (in the case of a put), or remains less than or equal to the exercise price (in the case of a call), the Fund will lose its entire investment in the option. Also, where a put or call option on a particular security or index is purchased to hedge against price movements in a related security or securities, the price of the put or call option may move more or less than the price of the related security or securities.

To the extent that the Fund utilizes unlisted (or “over-the-counter”) options, the Fund’s ability to terminate these options may be more limited than with exchange-traded options and may involve enhanced risk that counterparties participating in such transactions will not fulfill their obligations.

Foreign Currency Options. The Fund may buy or sell put and call options on foreign currencies, either on exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. A put option on a foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell a foreign currency at the exercise price until the option expires. A call option on a foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option the right to purchase the currency at the exercise price until the option expires. Currency options traded on U.S. or other exchanges may be subject to position limits which may limit the ability of the Fund to reduce foreign currency risk using such options if it would otherwise choose to do so. Over-the-counter options differ from traded options in that they are two-party contracts with price and other terms negotiated between buyer and seller, and generally do not have as much market liquidity as exchange-traded options.

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a security or commodity for a set price on a future date. These contracts are traded on exchanges, so that, in most cases, either party can close out its position on the exchange for cash, without delivering the security or commodity. An option on a futures contract gives the holder of the option the right to buy or sell a position in a futures contract to the writer of the option, at a specified price and on or before a specified expiration date.

 

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The Fund may invest in futures contracts and options thereon (“futures options”) with respect to, but not limited to, interest rates, commodities, and security or commodity indexes. The Fund may also invest in foreign currency futures contracts and options thereon.

An interest rate, commodity, foreign currency or index futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified quantity of a financial instrument, commodity, foreign currency or the cash value of an index at a specified price and time. A futures contract on an index is an agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between the value of the index at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the index contract was originally written. Although the value of an index might be a function of the value of certain specified securities, no physical delivery of these securities is made. A public market exists in futures contracts covering a number of indexes as well as financial instruments and foreign currencies, including: the S&P 500; the S&P Midcap 400; the Nikkei 225; the NYSE composite; U.S. Treasury bonds; U.S. Treasury notes; GNMA Certificates; three-month U.S. Treasury bills; 90-day commercial paper; bank certificates of deposit; Eurodollar certificates of deposit; the Australian dollar; the Canadian dollar; the British pound; the Japanese yen; the Swiss franc; the Mexican peso; and certain multinational currencies, such as the euro. It is expected that other futures contracts will be developed and traded in the future. The Fund may also invest in commodity futures contracts and options thereon. A commodity futures contract is an agreement between two parties, in which one party agrees to buy a commodity, such as an energy, agricultural or metal commodity from the other party at a later date at a price and quantity agreed-upon when the contract is made.

The Fund may purchase and write (sell) call and put futures options. Futures options possess many of the same characteristics as options on securities and indexes (discussed above). A futures option gives the holder the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a long position (call) or short position (put) in a futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of a call option, the holder acquires a long position in the futures contract and the writer is assigned the opposite short position. In the case of a put option, the opposite is true. A call option is “in the money” if the value of the futures contract that is the subject of the option exceeds the exercise price. A put option is “in the money” if the exercise price exceeds the value of the futures contract that is the subject of the option.

The Fund is operated by a person who has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) and, therefore, who is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under the CEA.

Limitations on Use of Futures and Futures Options. The Fund will only enter into futures contracts and futures options which are standardized and traded on a U.S. or foreign exchange, board of trade, or similar entity, or quoted on an automated quotation system.

When a purchase or sale of a futures contract is made by the Fund, the Fund is required to deposit with its custodian (or broker, if legally permitted) a specified amount of liquid assets (“initial margin”). The margin required for a futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded and may be modified during the term of the contract. Margin requirements on foreign exchanges may be different than U.S. exchanges. The initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the futures contract which is returned to the Fund upon termination of the contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. The Fund expects to earn interest income on its initial margin deposits. A futures contract held by the Fund is valued daily at the official settlement price of the exchange on which it is traded. Each day the Fund pays or receives cash, called “variation margin,” equal to the daily change in value of the futures contract. This process is known as “marking to market.” Variation margin does not represent a borrowing or loan by the Fund but is instead a settlement between the Fund and the broker of the amount one would owe the other if the futures contract expired. In computing daily net asset value, the Fund will mark to market its open futures positions.

The Fund is also required to deposit and maintain margin with respect to put and call options on futures contracts written by it. Such margin deposits will vary depending on the nature of the underlying futures contract (and the related initial margin requirements), the current market value of the option, and other futures positions held by the Fund.

Although some futures contracts call for making or taking delivery of the underlying securities or commodities, generally these obligations are closed out prior to delivery by offsetting purchases or sales of matching futures contracts (same exchange, underlying security or index, and delivery month). Closing out a futures contract sale is effected by purchasing a futures contract for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of financial instrument or commodity with the same delivery date. If an offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, the Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is more, the Fund realizes a capital loss. Conversely, if an offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the

 

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Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is less, the Fund realizes a capital loss. The transaction costs must also be included in these calculations.

The Fund may write (sell) straddles consisting of a call and a put written on the same underlying futures contract. A straddle will be covered when sufficient assets are deposited to meet the Fund’s immediate obligations. The Fund may use the same liquid assets to cover both the call and put options where the exercise price of the call and put are the same, or the exercise price of the call is higher than that of the put. In such cases, the Fund may also segregate or “earmark” liquid assets equivalent to the amount, if any, by which the put is “in the money.”

When purchasing a futures contract, the Fund will maintain with its custodian (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) liquid assets that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the market value of the futures contract. Alternatively, the Fund may “cover” its futures position by purchasing a put option on the same futures contract with a strike price as high or higher than the price of the contract held by the Fund.

When selling a futures contract, the Fund will maintain with its custodian (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) liquid assets that are equal to the market value of the futures contract. Alternatively, the Fund may cover its futures position by owning the instruments underlying the futures contract (or, in the case of an index futures contract, a portfolio with a volatility substantially similar to that of the index on which the futures contract is based), or by holding a call option permitting the Fund to purchase the same futures contract at a price no higher than the price of the contract written by the Fund (or at a higher price if the difference is maintained in liquid assets with the Fund’s custodian).

With respect to futures contracts that are not legally required to “cash settle,” the Fund may cover the open position by setting aside or “earmarking” liquid assets in an amount equal to the market value of the futures contract. With respect to futures that are required to “cash settle,” however, the Fund is permitted to set aside or “earmark” liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked to market (net) obligation, if any, (in other words, the Fund’s daily net liability, if any) rather than the market value of the futures contract. By setting aside or “earmarking” assets equal to only its net obligation under cash-settled futures, the Fund will have the ability to utilize these contracts to a greater extent than if the Fund were required to segregate or “earmark” assets equal to the full market value of the futures contract.

When selling a call option on a futures contract, the Fund will maintain with its custodian (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) liquid assets that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, equal the total market value of the futures contract underlying the call option. Alternatively, the Fund may cover its futures position by entering into a long position in the same futures contract at a price no higher than the strike price of the call option, by owning the instruments underlying the futures contract, or by holding a separate call option permitting the Fund to purchase the same futures contract at a price not higher than the strike price of the call option sold by the Fund.

When selling a put option on a futures contract, the Fund will maintain with its custodian (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) liquid assets that equal the purchase price of the futures contract, less any margin on deposit. Alternatively, the Fund may cover the futures position either by entering into a short position in the same futures contract, or by owning a separate put option permitting it to sell the same futures contract so long as the strike price of the purchased put option is the same or higher than the strike price of the put option sold by the Fund.

The requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company also may limit the extent to which a Fund may enter into futures, futures options and forward contracts. See “Tax Matters.”

Risks Associated with Futures and Futures Options. There are several risks associated with the use of futures contracts and futures options as hedging techniques. A purchase or sale of a futures contract may result in losses in excess of the amount invested in the futures contract. There can be no guarantee that there will be a correlation between price movements in the hedging vehicle and in the Fund securities being hedged. In addition, there are significant differences between the securities and futures markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between the markets, causing a given hedge not to achieve its objectives. The degree of imperfection of correlation depends on circumstances such as variations in speculative market demand for futures and futures options on securities, including technical influences in futures trading and futures options, and differences between the financial instruments being hedged and the instruments underlying the standard contracts available for trading in such respects as interest rate levels, maturities, and creditworthiness of issuers. A decision as to whether, when and how to hedge involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived hedge may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected interest rate trends.

Futures contracts on U.S. Government securities historically have reacted to an increase or decrease in interest rates in a manner similar to that in which the underlying U.S. Government securities reacted. To the extent, however, that the Fund

 

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enters into such futures contracts, the value of such futures will not vary in direct proportion to the value of the Fund’s holdings of U.S. Government securities. Thus, the anticipated spread between the price of the futures contract and the hedged security may be distorted due to differences in the nature of the markets. The spread also may be distorted by differences in initial and variation margin requirements, the liquidity of such markets and the participation of speculators in such markets.

Futures exchanges may limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in certain futures contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous day’s settlement price at the end of the current trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a futures contract subject to the limit, no more trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movements during a particular trading day and therefore does not limit potential losses because the limit may work to prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. For example, futures prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of positions and subjecting some holders of futures contracts to substantial losses.

There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist at a time when the Fund seeks to close out a futures or a futures option position, and the Fund would remain obligated to meet margin requirements until the position is closed. In addition, many of the contracts discussed above are relatively new instruments without a significant trading history. As a result, there can be no assurance that an active secondary market will develop or continue to exist.

Risks Associated with Commodity Futures Contracts. There are several additional risks associated with transactions in commodity futures contracts.

Storage. Unlike the financial futures markets, in the commodity futures markets there are costs of physical storage associated with purchasing the underlying commodity. The price of the commodity futures contract will reflect the storage costs of purchasing the physical commodity, including the time value of money invested in the physical commodity. To the extent that the storage costs for an underlying commodity change while the Fund is invested in futures contracts on that commodity, the value of the futures contract may change proportionately.

Reinvestment. In the commodity futures markets, producers of the underlying commodity may decide to hedge the price risk of selling the commodity by selling futures contracts today to lock in the price of the commodity at delivery tomorrow. In order to induce speculators to purchase the other side of the same futures contract, the commodity producer generally must sell the futures contract at a lower price than the expected future spot price. Conversely, if most hedgers in the futures market are purchasing futures contracts to hedge against a rise in prices, then speculators will only sell the other side of the futures contract at a higher futures price than the expected future spot price of the commodity. The changing nature of the hedgers and speculators in the commodity markets will influence whether futures prices are above or below the expected future spot price, which can have significant implications for the Fund. If the nature of hedgers and speculators in futures markets has shifted when it is time for the Fund to reinvest the proceeds of a maturing contract in a new futures contract, the Fund might reinvest at higher or lower futures prices, or choose to pursue other investments.

Other Economic Factors. The commodities which underlie commodity futures contracts may be subject to additional economic and non-economic variables, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs, and international economic, political and regulatory developments. These factors may have a larger impact on commodity prices and commodity-linked instruments, including futures contracts, than on traditional securities. Certain commodities are also subject to limited pricing flexibility because of supply and demand factors. Others are subject to broad price fluctuations as a result of the volatility of the prices for certain raw materials and the instability of supplies of other materials. These additional variables may create additional investment risks which subject a Fund’s investments to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities.

Additional Risks of Options on Securities, Futures Contracts, Options on Futures Contracts, and Forward Currency Exchange Contracts and Options Thereon Traded on Foreign Exchanges. Options on securities, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward currency exchange contracts and options on forward currency exchange contracts may be traded on foreign exchanges. Such transactions may not be regulated as effectively as similar transactions 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. 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) lesser trading volume.

 

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Swap Agreements and Options on Swap Agreements. The Fund may engage in swap transactions, including, but not limited to, swap agreements on interest rates, security or commodity indexes, specific securities and commodities, and credit and event-linked swaps. The Fund may also may invest in currency exchange rate swap agreements, and may enter into options on swap agreements (“swap options”).

The Fund may enter into swap transactions for any legal purpose consistent with its investment objective and policies, such as for the purpose of attempting to obtain or preserve a particular return or spread at a lower cost than obtaining a return or spread through purchases and/or sales of instruments in other markets, to protect against currency fluctuations, as a duration management technique, to protect against any increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date, or to gain exposure to certain markets in the most economical way possible.

Swap agreements are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency, or in a “basket” of securities or commodities representing a particular index. A “quanto” or “differential” swap combines both an interest rate and a currency transaction. Other forms of swap agreements include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or “cap”; interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified rate, or “floor”; and interest rate collars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels. The Fund may also invest in commodity swap agreements. For example, an investment in a commodity swap agreement may involve the exchange of floating-rate interest payments for the total return on a commodity index. In a total return commodity swap, the Fund will receive the price appreciation of a commodity index, a portion of the index, or a single commodity in exchange for paying an agreed-upon fee. If the commodity swap is for one period, the Fund may pay a fixed fee, established at the outset of the swap. However, if the term of the commodity swap is more than one period, with interim swap payments, the Fund may pay an adjustable or floating fee. With a “floating” rate, the fee may be pegged to a base rate, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate, and is adjusted each period. Therefore, if interest rates increase over the term of the swap contract, the Fund may be required to pay a higher fee at each swap reset date.

The Fund also may enter into swap options. A swap option is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation) in return for payment of a premium, 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. The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swap options.

Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, the Fund will generally incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swap option than it will incur when it purchases a swap option. When the Fund purchases a swap option, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. However, when the Fund writes a swap option, upon exercise of the option the Fund will become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.

Most other types of swap agreements entered into by the Fund would calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.” Consequently, the Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”). The Fund’s current obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owed to the Fund).

A swap agreement may be considered a form of leverage, and could magnify the Fund’s gains or losses. In order to reduce the risk associated with leveraging, the Fund may cover its current obligations under swap agreements. If the Fund enters into a swap agreement on a net basis, it may cover its obligations by segregating liquid assets with a daily value at least equal to the excess, if any, of the Fund’s accrued obligations under the swap agreement over the accrued amount the Fund is entitled to receive under the agreement. If the Fund enters into a swap agreement on other than a net basis, it may segregate liquid assets with a value equal to the full amount of the Fund’s accrued obligations under the agreement. Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be “senior securities” for purposes of the Fund’s investment restriction concerning senior securities and borrowings.

 

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Whether the Fund’s use of swap agreements or swap options will be successful will depend on DoubleLine’s ability to predict correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Because they are two party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid. Moreover, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. Certain restrictions imposed on the Fund by the Code may limit the Fund’s ability to use swap agreements. The swaps market is a relatively new market and is largely unregulated. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

Swaps are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques, risk analyses, and tax planning different from those associated with traditional investments. The use of a swap requires an understanding not only of the referenced asset, reference rate, or index but also of the swap itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the swap under all possible market conditions. Swap agreements may be subject to liquidity risk, which exists when a particular swap is difficult to purchase or sell. If a swap transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid (as is the case with many OTC swaps), it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses.

Like most other investments, swap agreements are subject to the risk that the market value of the instrument will change in a way detrimental to the Fund’s interest. The Fund bears the risk that DoubleLine will not accurately forecast future market trends or the values of assets, reference rates, indexes, or other economic factors in establishing swap positions for the Fund. If DoubleLine attempts to use a swap as a hedge against, or as a substitute for, a portfolio investment, the Fund will be exposed to the risk that the swap will have or will develop imperfect or no correlation with the portfolio investment. This could cause substantial losses for the Fund. While hedging strategies involving swap instruments can reduce the risk of loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other Fund investments. Many swaps are complex and often valued subjectively.

Certain swap agreements are exempt from most provisions of the CEA and, therefore, are not regulated as futures or commodity option transactions under the CEA, pursuant to regulations approved by the CFTC. To qualify for this exemption, a swap agreement must be entered into by “eligible participants,” which includes the following, provided the participants’ total assets exceed established levels: a bank or trust company, savings association or credit union, insurance company, investment company subject to regulation under the 1940 Act, commodity pool, corporation, partnership, proprietorship, organization, trust or other entity, employee benefit plan, governmental entity, broker-dealer, futures commission merchant, natural person, or regulated foreign person. To be eligible, natural persons and most other entities must have total assets exceeding $10 million; commodity pools and employee benefit plans must have assets exceeding $5 million. In addition, an eligible swap transaction must meet three conditions. First, the swap agreement may not be part of a fungible class of agreements that are standardized as to their material economic terms. Second, the creditworthiness of parties with actual or potential obligations under the swap agreement must be a material consideration in entering into or determining the terms of the swap agreement, including pricing, cost or credit enhancement terms. Third, swap agreements may not be entered into and traded on or through a multilateral transaction execution facility.

This exemption is not exclusive, and participants may continue to rely on existing exclusions for swaps, such as the Policy Statement issued in July 1989 which recognized a safe harbor for swap transactions from regulation as futures or commodity option transactions under the CEA or its regulations. The Policy Statement applies to swap transactions settled in cash that (1) have individually tailored terms, (2) lack exchange-style offset and the use of a clearing organization or margin system, (3) are undertaken in conjunction with a line of business, and (4) are not marketed to the public.

Credit Default Swaps

An additional type of swap agreement that the Fund may utilize is a credit default swap agreement. Credit default swap agreements that the Fund may use may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by the Fund. The protection “buyer” in a credit default contract is generally obligated to pay the protection “seller” an upfront or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no credit event, such as a default, on a reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the “par value” (full notional value) of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity described in the swap, or the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount, if the swap is cash settled. The Fund may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If the Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund may recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a credit event occurs, the buyer generally may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value may have

 

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significantly decreased. As a seller, the Fund generally receives an upfront payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap provided that there is no credit event. As the seller, the Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, a Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.

Credit default swap agreements involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly since, in addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. A buyer generally also will lose its investment and recover nothing should no credit event occur and the swap is held to its termination date. If a credit event were to occur, the value of any deliverable obligation received by the seller, coupled with the upfront or periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the seller. The Fund’s obligations under a credit default swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund). In connection with credit default swaps in which the Fund is the buyer, the Fund may cover the positions by segregating or “earmarking” liquid assets, or enter into certain offsetting positions, with a value at least equal to the Fund’s exposure (any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed by the Fund to any counterparty), on a marked-to-market basis. In connection with credit default swaps in which the Fund is the seller, the Fund may cover the position by segregating or “earmarking” liquid assets, or enter into offsetting positions, with a value at least equal to the full notional amount of the swap (minus any amounts owed to the Fund). Any such segregation or “earmarking” will not limit the Fund’s exposure to loss.

Structured Notes

Structured notes are derivative debt securities, the interest rate or principal of which is determined by an unrelated indicator. Indexed securities include structured notes as well as securities other than debt securities, the interest rate or principal of which is determined by an unrelated indicator. Indexed securities may include a multiplier that multiplies the indexed element by a specified factor and, therefore, the value of such securities may be very volatile. The terms of the structured and indexed securities may provide that in certain circumstances no principal is due at maturity and therefore, may result in a loss of invested capital. Structured and indexed securities may be positively or negatively indexed, so that appreciation of the reference may produce an increase or a decrease in the interest rate or the value of the structured or indexed security at maturity may be calculated as a specified multiple of the change in the value of the reference; therefore, the value of such security may be very volatile. Structured and indexed securities may entail a greater degree of market risk than other types of debt securities because the investor bears the risk of the reference. Structured or indexed securities also may be more volatile, less liquid, and more difficult to accurately price than less complex securities or more traditional debt securities.

Hybrid Instruments

A hybrid instrument is a type of potentially high-risk derivative that combines a traditional stock, bond, or commodity with an option or forward contract. Generally, the principal amount, amount payable upon maturity or redemption, or interest rate of a hybrid is tied (positively or negatively) to the price of some commodity, currency or securities index or another interest rate or some other economic factor (each a “benchmark”). The interest rate or (unlike most fixed income securities) the principal amount payable at maturity of a hybrid security may be increased or decreased, depending on changes in the value of the benchmark. An example of a hybrid could be a bond issued by an oil company that pays a small base level of interest with additional interest that accrues in correlation to the extent to which oil prices exceed a certain predetermined level. Such a hybrid instrument would be a combination of a bond and a call option on oil.

Hybrids can be used as an efficient means of pursuing a variety of investment goals, including currency hedging, duration management, and increased total return. Hybrids may not bear interest or pay dividends. The value of a hybrid or its interest rate may be a multiple of a benchmark and, as a result, may be leveraged and move (up or down) more steeply and rapidly than the benchmark. These benchmarks may be sensitive to economic and political events, such as commodity shortages and currency devaluations, which cannot be readily foreseen by the purchaser of a hybrid. Under certain conditions, the redemption value of a hybrid could be zero. Thus, an investment in a hybrid may entail significant market risks that are not associated with a similar investment in a traditional, U.S. dollar-denominated bond that has a fixed principal amount and pays a fixed rate or floating rate of interest. The purchase of hybrids also exposes the Fund to the credit risk of the issuer of the hybrids. These risks may cause significant fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund.

Certain hybrid instruments may provide exposure to the commodities markets. These are derivative securities with one or more commodity-linked components that have payment features similar to commodity futures contracts, commodity options, or similar instruments. Commodity-linked hybrid instruments may be either equity or debt securities, leveraged or unleveraged, and are considered hybrid instruments because they have both security and commodity-like characteristics. A

 

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portion of the value of these instruments may be derived from the value of a commodity, futures contract, index or other economic variable.

Certain issuers of structured products such as hybrid instruments may be deemed to be investment companies as defined in the 1940 Act. As a result, the Fund’s investments in these products may be subject to limits applicable to investments in investment companies and may be subject to restrictions contained in the 1940 Act.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Rolls

As discussed below under “Leverage and Borrowings” as soon as reasonably practicable following the completion of the initial public offering of the Common Shares, the Fund intends, subject to then favorable market conditions, to add leverage to its portfolio by investing in reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund may also utilize dollar rolls.

A reverse repurchase agreement involves the sale of a portfolio-eligible security by the Fund, coupled with its agreement to repurchase the instrument at a specified time and price. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund continues to receive any principal and interest payments on the underlying security during the term of the agreement. Reverse repurchase agreements involve leverage risk and the risk that the market value of securities retained by the Fund may decline below the repurchase price of the securities sold by the Fund which it is obligated to repurchase.

A “dollar roll” is similar to a reverse repurchase agreement in certain respects. In a “dollar roll” transaction, the Fund sells a mortgage-related security, such as a security issued by GNMA, to a dealer and simultaneously agrees to repurchase a similar security (but not the same security) in the future at a pre-determined price. A “dollar roll” can be viewed, like a reverse repurchase agreement, as a collateralized borrowing in which the Fund pledges a mortgage-related security to a dealer to obtain cash. However, unlike reverse repurchase agreements, the dealer with which the Fund enters into a dollar roll transaction is not obligated to return the same securities as those originally sold by the Fund, but only securities which are “substantially identical.” To be considered “substantially identical,” the securities returned to the Fund generally must: (1) be collateralized by the same types of underlying mortgages; (2) be issued by the same agency and be part of the same program; (3) have a similar original stated maturity; (4) have identical net coupon rates; (5) have similar market yields (and therefore price); and (6) satisfy “good delivery” requirements, meaning that the aggregate principal amounts of the securities delivered and received back must be within 2.5% of the initial amount delivered.

The Fund also may effect simultaneous purchase and sale transactions that are known as “sale-buybacks.” A sale-buyback is similar to a reverse repurchase agreement, except that in a sale-buyback, the counterparty who purchases the security is entitled to receive any principal or interest payments made on the underlying security pending settlement of the Fund’s repurchase of the underlying security.

In addition to the risks associated with leverage (see “Risks – Leverage Risk” in the Prospectus), the Fund’s use of reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls and similar transactions are subject to the risk that the market value of the securities that the Fund is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. In the event the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement or dollar roll files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Fund’s use of the proceeds of the agreement may be restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce the Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities. Furthermore, these instruments may be “illiquid.”

Repurchase Agreements

For the purposes of maintaining liquidity and achieving income, the Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with domestic commercial banks or registered broker/dealers. A repurchase agreement is a contract under which the Fund would acquire a security for a relatively short period (usually not more than one week) subject to the obligation of the seller to repurchase and the Fund to resell such security at a fixed time and price (representing the Fund’s cost plus interest). In the case of repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, the value of the underlying securities (or collateral) will be at least equal at all times to the total amount of the repurchase obligation, including the interest factor. The Fund bears a risk of loss in the event that the other party to a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligations and the Fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its rights to dispose of the collateral securities. This risk includes the risk of procedural costs or delays in addition to a loss on the securities if their value should fall below their repurchase price. DoubleLine will monitor the creditworthiness of the counter parties.

 

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Credit-Linked Trust Certificates

The Fund may invest in credit-linked trust certificates, which are investments in a limited purpose trust or other vehicle formed under state law which, in turn, invests in a basket of derivative instruments, such as credit default swaps, interest rate swaps and other securities, in order to provide exposure to the high yield or another debt securities market.

Like an investment in a bond, investments in credit-linked trust certificates represent the right to receive periodic income payments (in the form of distributions) and payment of principal at the end of the term of the certificate. However, these payments are conditioned on the trust’s receipt of payments from, and the trust’s potential obligations to, the counterparties to the derivative instruments and other securities in which the trust invests. For instance, the trust may sell one or more credit default swaps, under which the trust would receive a stream of payments over the term of the swap agreements provided that no event of default has occurred with respect to the referenced debt obligation upon which the swap is based. If a default occurs, the stream of payments may stop and the trust would be obligated to pay to the counterparty the par (or other agreed upon value) of the referenced debt obligation. This, in turn, would reduce the amount of income and principal that the Fund would receive as an investor in the trust. See “—Credit Default Swaps” herein for additional information about credit default swaps. The Fund’s investments in these instruments are indirectly subject to the risks associated with derivative instruments, including, among others, credit risk, default or similar event risk, counterparty risk, interest rate risk, leverage risk and management risk. It is expected that the trusts that issue credit-linked trust certificates will constitute “private” investment companies, exempt from registration under the 1940 Act. Therefore, the certificates will be subject to the risks described under “Other Investment Companies” herein and in the Prospectus, and will not be subject to applicable investment limitations and other regulation imposed by the 1940 Act (although the Fund will remain subject to such limitations and regulation, including with respect to its investments in the certificates). Although the trusts are typically private investment companies, they generally are not actively managed such as a “hedge fund” might be. It also is expected that the certificates will be exempt from registration under the 1933 Act. Accordingly, there may be no established trading market for the certificates and they may constitute illiquid investments. See “Risks —Liquidity Risk” in the Prospectus. If market quotations are not readily available for the certificates, they will be valued by the Fund at fair value as determined by the Trustees or persons acting at their direction. See “Net Asset Value” in the Prospectus.

When-Issued, Delayed Delivery and Forward Commitment Transactions

The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery, or forward commitment basis. When such purchases are outstanding, the Fund will segregate until the settlement date assets determined to be liquid by DoubleLine in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees, in an amount sufficient to meet the purchase price. Typically, no income accrues on securities the Fund has committed to purchase prior to the time delivery of the securities is made, although the Fund may earn income on securities it has segregated.

When purchasing a security on a when-issued, delayed delivery, or forward commitment basis, the Fund assumes the rights and risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of price and yield fluctuations, and takes such fluctuations into account when determining its net asset value. Because the Fund is not required to pay for the security until the delivery date, these risks are in addition to the risks associated with the Fund’s other investments. If the Fund remains substantially fully invested at a time when when-issued, delayed delivery, or forward commitment purchases are outstanding, the purchases may result in a form of leverage.

When the Fund has sold a security on a when-issued, delayed delivery, or forward commitment basis, the Fund does not participate in future gains or losses with respect to the security. If the other party to a transaction fails to deliver or pay for the securities, the Fund could miss a favorable price or yield opportunity or could suffer a loss. The Fund may dispose of or renegotiate a transaction after it is entered into, and may sell when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment securities before they are delivered, which may result in a capital gain or loss. There is no percentage limitation on the extent to which the Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery, or forward commitment basis.

Leverage and Borrowings

As soon as reasonably practicable following the completion of the initial public offering of the Common Shares, the Fund intends, subject to then favorable market conditions, to add leverage to its portfolio by using reverse repurchase agreements and other borrowings, such as through loans or lines of credit from banks or other credit facilities, or through the issuance of commercial paper. Although it has no current intention to do so, the Fund also may determine to issue preferred shares to add leverage to its portfolio. The Fund will, however, limit its use of leverage from reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings and any future issuance of preferred shares such that the assets attributable to the use of such leverage will not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (including the amounts of leverage obtained through the use of such instruments)

 

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at the time the leverage is incurred. It is possible that following the incurrence of such leverage, the assets of the Fund will decline due to market conditions such that the 33 1/3% limit will be exceeded. In that case, the leverage risk to Common Shareholders will increase. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Leverage Risk.”

The Fund also expects to enter into transactions other than reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings, and the issuance of preferred shares that may give rise to a form of leverage including, among others, credit default swap contracts and other derivatives transactions. Other such transactions include loans of portfolio securities, short sales and when-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions. These transactions may represent a form of economic leverage and will create special risks. The use of these forms of additional leverage has the potential to increase the volatility of the Fund’s investment portfolio and could result in larger losses than if the strategies were not used. The Adviser does not currently intend to enter into such transactions with the intention of creating investment leverage in the Fund in excess of the percentage stated above, although it is possible that at any time the total leverage created by such transactions and by the use of reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings, and issuances of preferred shares will exceed that percentage. (Investments made by the Adviser to hedge, manage or reduce risk or to equitize a cash position will not be considered to have been made for the purpose of creating investment leverage; the Adviser generally will determine whether an investment has the effect of creating investment leverage by evaluating the effect of the investment on the exposure and risk profile of the Fund as a whole.)

The Fund intends to use reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings, and other forms of leverage opportunistically and may choose to increase or decrease its use of leverage over time and from time to time based on DoubleLine’s assessment of the yield curve environment, interest rate trends, market conditions, and other factors. By using leverage, the Fund will seek to obtain a higher return for holders of common shares (“Common Shareholders”) than if the Fund did not use leverage. Leveraging is a speculative technique and there are special risks and costs involved. There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be used or that it will be successful during any period in which it is employed. See “Leverage” and “Principal Risks of the Fund—Leverage Risk.”

There is no assurance that the Fund will use reverse repurchase agreements or borrowings, issue preferred shares or use other forms of leverage. If used, there is no assurance that the Fund’s leveraging strategies will be successful. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Leverage Risk.” The net proceeds the Fund obtains from its use of reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings (as well as from any future issuance of preferred shares) will be invested in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies as described in this prospectus. So long as the rate of return, net of applicable Fund expenses, on the investments purchased by the Fund exceeds the costs of such leverage to the Fund, the use of leverage should help the Fund to achieve an investment return greater than it would if it were not leveraged.

Leveraging is, however, a speculative technique and there are special risks and costs involved. The Fund cannot assure you that any use of repurchase agreements, borrowings, or other forms of leverage (such as a potential future issuance of preferred shares or the use of derivatives strategies) will result in a higher investment return on your Common Shares. When leverage is used, the net asset value and market price of the Common Shares and the yield to Common Shareholders will be more volatile. See “Principal Risks of the Fund—Leverage Risk.” In addition, fees and expenses of repurchase agreements and borrowings, any future issuance of preferred shares, and other forms of leverage borne by the Fund are borne entirely by the Common Shareholders (and not by preferred shareholders, if any) and will reduce the investment return of the Common Shares.

Because the fees received by the Adviser are based on the total managed assets of the Fund (including assets attributable to any reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings and preferred shares that may be outstanding), there is a financial incentive for the Adviser to cause the Fund to use reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings or to issue preferred shares, which may create a conflict of interest between the Adviser, on the one hand, and the Common Shareholders, on the other hand.

As noted above, the Fund observes a self-imposed limit on its use of leverage from reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings (whether or not these instruments are covered as discussed below) and any future issuance of preferred shares such that the assets attributable to the use of such leverage will not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets at the time used. In addition, under the 1940 Act, the Fund generally is not permitted to engage in most forms of leverage other than preferred shares (including through the use of reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls, bank loans, commercial paper or other credit facilities, credit default swap contracts and other derivatives transactions, loans of portfolio securities, short sales and when-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions, to the extent that these instruments are not covered as described below) unless immediately after the issuance of the leverage the Fund has satisfied the asset coverage test with respect to senior securities representing indebtedness prescribed by the 1940 Act, i.e., the value of the Fund’s total assets less liabilities (other than the leverage and other senior securities) is at least 300% of the principal amount of such leverage. In

 

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addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on Common Shares unless, at the time of such declaration, such asset coverage test is satisfied. The Fund may (but is not required to) cover its commitments under these instruments by the segregation of liquid assets or by entering into offsetting transactions or owning positions covering its obligations. To the extent these instruments are so covered, they will not be considered “senior securities” under the 1940 Act and therefore will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to forms of leverage (other than preferred shares) used by the Fund. To the extent that the Fund engages in borrowings, it intends, to the extent possible, to prepay a portion of the principal amount of the borrowing to the extent necessary in order to maintain the required asset coverage. Failure to maintain certain asset coverage requirements could result in an event of default.

The Fund also may borrow money in order to repurchase its shares or as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including for the payment of dividends or the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of portfolio securities held by the Fund.

As noted above, although the Fund has no present intention to do so, the Fund may determine in the future to issue preferred shares to add leverage to its portfolio.

Equity Securities

While the securities in which the Fund intends to invest are expected to consist principally of debt securities, the Fund may also invest in or hold common stocks and other equity securities. Equity securities, including common stock, represent an ownership interest, or the right to acquire an ownership interest, in an issuer.

Common stock generally takes the form of shares in a corporation. The value of a company’s stock may fall as a result of factors directly relating to that company, such as decisions made by its management or lower demand for the company’s products or services. A common stock’s value also may fall because of factors affecting not just the company, but also companies in the same industry or in a number of different industries, such as increases in production costs. The value of a company’s stock also may be affected by changes in financial markets that are relatively unrelated to the company or its industry, such as changes in interest rates or currency exchange rates. In addition, a company’s stock generally pays dividends only after the company invests in its own business and makes required payments to holders of its bonds, other debt and preferred stock. For this reason, the value of a company’s stock will usually react more strongly than its bonds, other debt and preferred stock to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects, and historical trends would indicate that common stocks are generally subject to higher levels of volatility and market and issuer-specific risk than debt securities. Stocks of smaller companies are generally more vulnerable to adverse developments than those of larger companies. Stocks of companies that DoubleLine believes are fast-growing may trade at a higher multiple of current earnings than other stocks. The value of such stocks may be more sensitive to changes in current or expected earnings than the values of other stocks.

Different types of equity securities provide different voting and dividend rights and priority in the event of the bankruptcy and/or insolvency of the issuer. In addition to common stock, equity securities may include preferred stock, convertible securities and warrants, which are discussed elsewhere in the Prospectuses and this Statement of Additional Information. Equity securities other than common stock are subject to many of the same risks as common stock, although possibly to different or heightened degrees.

Short Sales

The Fund may make short sales of securities as part of its overall portfolio management strategies and to offset potential declines in long positions in securities in the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund may also take short positions as part of its derivative strategies. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline. When the Fund makes a short sale on a security, it must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the broker-dealer through which it made the short sale as collateral for its obligation to deliver the security upon conclusion of the sale. The Fund will often have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and is often obligated to pay over any accrued interest and dividends on such borrowed securities. If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the transaction costs described above. The successful use of short selling may be adversely affected by imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security sold short and the securities being hedged. To the extent that the Fund engages in short sales, it will provide collateral to the broker-dealer.

 

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A short sale is “against the box” to the extent that the Fund contemporaneously owns, or has the right to obtain at no added cost, securities identical to those sold short. The Fund may also engage in so-called “naked” short sales (i.e., short sales that are not “against the box”), in which case the Fund’s losses could theoretically be unlimited, in cases where the Fund is unable for whatever reason to close out its short position. The Fund has the flexibility to engage in short selling to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and rules and interpretations thereunder.

Illiquid Securities

The Fund may invest without limit in securities which are illiquid at the time of investment (i.e., securities that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the amount at which the Fund has valued the securities). Illiquid securities may include, among other things, written over-the-counter options, securities or other liquid assets being used as cover for such options, certain loan participation interests, fixed time deposits which are not subject to prepayment or provide for withdrawal penalties upon prepayment (other than overnight deposits), and other securities whose disposition is restricted under the federal securities laws (other than securities issued pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act and certain commercial paper that DoubleLine has determined to be liquid under procedures approved by the Board of Trustees).

Illiquid securities may include privately placed securities, which are sold directly to a small number of investors, usually institutions. Unlike public offerings, such securities are not registered under the federal securities laws. Although certain of these securities may be readily sold, others may be illiquid, and their sale may involve substantial delays and additional costs.

Rule 144A Securities

The Fund may invest in securities that have not been registered for public sale, but that are eligible for purchase and sale pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. Rule 144A permits certain qualified institutional buyers, such as the Fund, to trade in privately placed securities that have not been registered for sale under the 1933 Act. Rule 144A securities may be deemed illiquid, although the Fund may determine that certain Rule 144A securities are liquid in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees.

Other Investment Companies and Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

The Fund may invest in securities of other closed- or open-end investment companies, including ETFs, to the extent that such investments are consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies and permissible under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Fund may invest a portion of its assets in pooled investment vehicles other than investment companies that invest primarily in municipal securities of the types in which the Fund may invest directly. The Fund may invest in other investment companies either during periods when it has large amounts of uninvested cash, such as the period shortly after the Fund receives the proceeds of the offering of its Common Shares or Preferred Shares, if any, during periods when there is a shortage of attractive investments available in the market, or when DoubleLine believes share prices of other investment companies offer attractive values. The Fund may invest in investment companies that are advised by DoubleLine or its affiliates to the extent permitted by applicable law and/or pursuant to exemptive relief from the SEC. As a stockholder in an investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment company’s expenses, and would remain subject to payment of the Fund’s management fees and other expenses with respect to assets so invested. Common Shareholders therefore would be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies. DoubleLine will take expenses into account when evaluating the investment merits of an investment in an investment company relative to available investments. In addition, the securities of other investment companies may be leveraged and will therefore be subject to the same leverage risks described herein. As described in the Prospectus in the section entitled “Risks—Leverage Risk,” the net asset value and market value of leveraged shares will be more volatile and the yield to shareholders will tend to fluctuate more than the yield generated by unleveraged shares.

ETFs in which the Fund may invest include, among others, Standard & Poor’s Depository Receipts (“SPDRs”), Optimized Funds as Listed Securities (OPALS), Dow Jones Industrial Average Instruments (Diamonds), NASDAQ 100 tracking shares (QQQ) and I-Shares.

SPDRs. SPDRs track the performance of a basket of stocks intended to track the price performance and dividend yields of the S&P 500 until a specified maturity date. SPDRs are listed on the American Stock Exchange. Holders of SPDRs are entitled to receive quarterly distributions corresponding to dividends received on shares contained in the underlying basket of stocks net of expenses. On the maturity date of the SPDRs’ UIT, the holders will receive the value of the underlying basket of stocks.

 

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OPALS. OPALS track the performance of adjustable baskets of stocks until a specified maturity date. Holders of OPALS are entitled to receive semi-annual distributions corresponding to dividends received on shares contained in the underlying basket of stocks, net of expenses. On the maturity date of the OPALS’ UIT, the holders will receive the physical securities comprising the underlying baskets.

I-Shares™. I-Shares are Index Fund Shares. I-Shares track the performance of specified equity market indexes, including the S&P 500. I-Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange Arca and the Chicago Board Option Exchange. Holders of I-Shares are entitled to receive distributions not less frequently than annually corresponding to dividends and other distributions received on shares contained in the underlying basket of stocks net of expenses.

Similarly, block sizes of Index Fund Shares, also known as “Creation Units,” are redeemable from the issuing Index Fund. The liquidity of small holdings of ETFs, therefore, will depend upon the existence of a secondary market.

Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying ETFs purchased or sold by a Fund could result in losses on investments in ETFs. ETFs represent an unsecured obligation and therefore carry with them the risk that the counterparty will default and the Fund may not be able to recover the current value of its investment. ETFs also carry the risk that the price a Fund pays or receives may be higher or lower than the ETF’s net asset value. ETFs are also subject to certain additional risks, including the risks of illiquidity and of possible trading halts due to market conditions or other reasons, based on the policies of the relevant exchange. ETFs and other investment companies in which a Fund may invest may be leveraged, which would increase the volatility of the Fund’s net asset value.

Portfolio Trading and Turnover Rate

Portfolio trading may be undertaken to accomplish the investment objectives of the Fund in relation to actual and anticipated movements in interest rates. In addition, a security may be sold and another of comparable quality purchased at approximately the same time to take advantage of what DoubleLine believes to be a temporary price disparity between the two securities. Temporary price disparities between two comparable securities may result from supply and demand imbalances where, for example, a temporary oversupply of certain bonds may cause a temporarily low price for such bonds, as compared with other bonds of like quality and characteristics. The Fund may also engage in short-term trading consistent with its investment objectives. Securities may be sold in anticipation of a market decline (a rise in interest rates) or purchased in anticipation of a market rise (a decline in interest rates) and later sold, or to recognize a gain.

A change in the securities held by the Fund is known as “portfolio turnover.” The use of certain derivative instruments with relatively short maturities may tend to exaggerate the portfolio turnover rate for the Fund. Trading in debt obligations does not generally involve the payment of brokerage commissions, but does involve indirect transaction costs. The use of futures contracts may involve the payment of commissions to futures commission merchants. High portfolio turnover (e.g., greater than 100%) involves correspondingly greater expenses to the Fund, including brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of securities and reinvestments in other securities. The higher the rate of portfolio turnover of the Fund, the higher these transaction costs borne by the Fund generally will be. Transactions in the Fund’s portfolio securities may result in realization of taxable capital gains (including short-term capital gains which are generally taxed to Common Shareholders at ordinary income tax rates). The trading costs and tax effects associated with portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.

The portfolio turnover rate of the Fund is calculated by dividing (a) the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the particular fiscal year by (b) the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Fund during the particular fiscal year. In calculating the rate of portfolio turnover, there is excluded from both (a) and (b) all securities, including options, whose maturities or expiration dates at the time of acquisition were one year or less.

Warrants to Purchase Securities

The Fund may invest in or acquire warrants to purchase equity or debt securities. Warrants are instruments that give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy a security at a specific price for a specific period of time. Changes in the value of a warrant do not necessarily correspond to changes in the value of its underlying security. The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss. Warrants do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the underlying security and do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. A warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date. These factors can make warrants more speculative than other types of investments. Bonds with warrants attached to purchase equity securities have many characteristics of convertible bonds and their prices may, to some degree, reflect the performance of the underlying stock. Bonds also may be issued with warrants

 

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attached to purchase additional fixed income securities at the same coupon rate. A decline in interest rates would permit a Fund to buy additional bonds at the favorable rate or to sell the warrants at a profit. If interest rates rise, the warrants would generally expire with no value.

Securities Loans

Subject to certain conditions described in the Prospectus and under “Investment Restrictions” below, the Fund may make secured loans of its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. Additionally, under the terms of any exemptive relief that may be granted by the SEC, the Fund may loan its securities to affiliates of the Adviser. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with other extensions of credit, consist of possible delay in recovery of the securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. However, such loans will be made only to broker-dealers that are believed by the Adviser to be of satisfactory credit standing. Securities loans are made to broker-dealers pursuant to agreements requiring that loans be continuously secured by collateral consisting of U.S. Government securities, cash or cash equivalents (negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit) maintained on a daily mark-to-market basis in an amount at least equal at all times to the market value of the securities lent. The borrower pays to the Fund an amount equal to any dividends or interest received on the securities lent.

The Fund may invest the cash collateral received (generally in money market investments or money market funds) or receive a fee from the borrower. In the case of cash collateral, the Fund typically pays a rebate to the borrower. Cash collateral may be invested in a money market fund that is managed by an affiliate of the Adviser and that pays advisory and administrative fees to the Adviser and/or its affiliates. Subject to conditions established by the SEC staff, the Fund may also transfer cash collateral into a joint account along with cash collateral of other affiliated investment companies. Cash collateral in any such joint accounts may be invested in repurchase agreements and/or short-term money market instruments. Although control over, and voting rights or rights to consent with respect to, the loaned securities pass to the borrower, the Fund, as the lender, retains the right to call the loans and obtain the return of the securities loaned at any time on reasonable notice. The Fund may call such loans in order to sell the securities involved or, if the holders of the securities are asked to vote upon or consent to matters which DoubleLine believes materially affect the investment, in order to vote the securities. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, the Fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. These delays and costs could be greater for foreign securities. When engaged in securities lending, the Fund’s performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned and will also reflect the receipt of either interest, through investment of cash collateral by the Fund in permissible investments, or a fee, if the collateral is U.S. Government securities.

Participation on Creditors Committees

The Fund may from time to time participate on committees formed by creditors to negotiate with the management of financially troubled issuers of securities held by the Fund. Such participation may subject the Fund to expenses such as legal fees and may make the Fund an “insider” of the issuer for purposes of the federal securities laws, and therefore may restrict the Fund’s ability to trade in or acquire additional positions in a particular security when it might otherwise desire to do so. Participation by the Fund on such committees also may expose the Fund to potential liabilities under the federal bankruptcy laws or other laws governing the rights of creditors and debtors. The Fund would participate on such committees only when DoubleLine believes that such participation is necessary or desirable to enforce the Fund’s rights as a creditor or to protect the value of securities held by the Fund.

Short-Term Investments / Temporary Defensive Strategies

Upon DoubleLine’s recommendation, for temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may deviate from its principal strategies by investing some or all of its total assets in investments such as high grade debt securities, including high quality, short-term debt securities, and cash and cash equivalents. The Fund may not achieve its investment objective when it does so. The Fund also may deviate from its principal strategies in order to keep its assets fully invested, including during the period in which the net proceeds of this offering are being invested.

Tax Considerations

The requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company limit the extent to which the Fund may invest in certain securities and transactions described above. In addition, the Fund’s utilization of certain investment instruments may alter the character and timing of income attributable to the Fund relative to other means of achieving similar investment exposure. In certain circumstances, accelerated attribution of income may require the Fund to sell assets in order to meet

 

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regulated investment company distribution requirements even when investment considerations make such sales otherwise undesirable. For more information concerning these requirements and the taxation of investments, see “Tax Matters” below.

Legal and Regulatory Risk

Legal, tax and regulatory changes could occur during the term of the Fund and may adversely affect the Fund and its ability to pursue its investment strategies and/or increase the costs of implementing such strategies. New (or revised) laws or regulations may be imposed by the CFTC, the SEC, the U.S. Federal Reserve or other banking regulators, other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that supervise the financial markets that could adversely affect the Fund. In particular, these agencies are empowered to promulgate a variety of new rules pursuant to recently enacted financial reform legislation in the United States. The Fund also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes and rules by these governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations.

In addition, the securities and futures markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations and margin requirements. The CFTC, the SEC, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, other regulators and self-regulatory organizations and exchanges are authorized under these statutes, regulations and otherwise to take extraordinary actions in the event of market emergencies. The Fund and DoubleLine are currently eligible for exemptions from certain regulations. However, there is no assurance that the Fund and the DoubleLine will continue to be eligible for such exemptions. For example, the Fund has filed with the National Futures Association a notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under Commission Regulation 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, with respect to the Fund’s operations. Recently, the CFTC has proposed a change to Regulation 4.5 and other regulations which, if adopted, could require the Fund to register with the CFTC. Such changes could potentially limit or restrict the ability of the Funds to pursue their investment strategies, and/or increase the costs of implementing such strategies.

The U.S. government recently enacted legislation that provides for new regulation of the derivatives market, including clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements. Because the legislation leaves much to rule making, its ultimate impact remains unclear. New regulations could, among other things, restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in derivatives transactions (for example, by making certain types of derivatives transactions no longer available to the Fund) and/or increase the costs of such derivatives transactions (for example, by increasing margin or capital requirements), and the Fund may be unable to execute its investment strategies as a result. It is unclear how the regulatory changes will affect counterparty risk.

The CFTC and certain futures exchanges have established limits, referred to as “position limits,” on the maximum net long or net short positions which any person may hold or control in particular options and futures contracts. All positions owned or controlled by the same person or entity, even if in different accounts, may be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the applicable position limits have been exceeded. Thus, even if the Fund does not intend to exceed applicable position limits, it is possible that different clients managed by DoubleLine and its affiliates may be aggregated for this purpose. Therefore it is possible that the trading decisions of DoubleLine may have to be modified and that positions held by the Fund may have to be liquidated in order to avoid exceeding such limits. The modification of investment decisions or the elimination of open positions, if it occurs, may adversely affect the profitability of the Fund.

The SEC has in the past adopted interim rules requiring reporting of all short positions above a certain de minimis threshold and is expected to adopt rules requiring monthly public disclosure in the future. In addition, other non-U.S. jurisdictions where the Fund may trade have adopted reporting requirements. If the Fund’s short positions or its strategy become generally known, it could have a significant effect on DoubleLine’s ability to implement its investment strategy. In particular, it would make it more likely that other investors could cause a “short squeeze” in the securities held short by the Fund forcing the Fund to cover its positions at a loss. Such reporting requirements may also limit DoubleLine’s ability to access management and other personnel at certain companies where DoubleLine seeks to take a short position. In addition, if other investors engage in copycat behavior by taking positions in the same issuers as the Fund, the cost of borrowing securities to sell short could increase drastically and the availability of such securities to the Fund could decrease drastically. Such events could make the Fund unable to execute its investment strategy. In addition, the SEC recently proposed additional restrictions on short sales. If the SEC were to adopt additional restrictions regarding short sales, they could restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in short sales in certain circumstances, and the Fund may be unable to execute its investment strategies as a result.

The SEC and regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions may adopt (and in certain cases, have adopted) bans on short sales of certain securities in response to market events. Bans on short selling may make it impossible for the Fund to execute certain investment strategies and may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to generate returns.

 

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Pending federal legislation would require the adoption of regulations that would require any creditor that makes a loan and any securitizer of a loan to retain at least 5% of the credit risk on any loan that is transferred, sold or conveyed by such creditor or securitizer. It is currently unclear how these requirements would apply to loan participations, syndicated loans, and loan assignments. If the Fund invests in loans it could be adversely affected by the regulation. The effect of any future regulatory change on the Fund could be substantial and adverse.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

Fundamental Investment Restrictions

The investment restrictions numbered 1 through 7 below have been adopted as fundamental policies for the Fund and may not be changed without the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act).

(1) The Fund may not issue any class of securities which is senior to the Fund’s shares of beneficial interest, except to the extent the Fund is permitted to borrow money, issue preferred shares, or as otherwise consistent with applicable law from time to time.

(2) The Fund may borrow money to the extent permitted by applicable law from time to time.

(3) The Fund may not act as underwriter of securities of other issuers except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities or in connection with the purchase of securities directly from the issuer thereof, it may be deemed to be an underwriter under certain federal securities laws.

(4) The Fund may not purchase any security if as a result 25% or more of the Fund’s total assets (taken at current value) would be invested in a single industry (for purposes of this restriction, (i) loan participations will be considered investments in the industry of the underlying borrower, (ii) investment companies are not considered to constitute an industry, and (iii) derivatives counterparties are not considered to be part of any industry).

(5) The Fund may purchase loan participations or otherwise invest in loans or similar obligations, and may make loans directly to issuers, itself or as part of a lending syndicate. The Fund may purchase debt obligations or other financial instruments in which the Fund may invest consistent with its investment policies, by entering into repurchase agreements, or through the lending of its portfolio securities. The Fund may make loans, including to affiliated investment companies, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.

(6) The Fund may purchase or sell commodities to the extent permitted by applicable law from time to time.

(7) The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate. The Fund may, for clarity, (i) purchase interests in issuers which deal or invest in real estate, including limited partnership interests of limited partnerships that invest or deal in real estate, (ii) purchase securities which are secured by real estate or interests in real estate, including real estate mortgage loans, and (iii) hold and dispose of real estate or interests in real estate acquired through the exercise of its rights as a holder of securities which are secured by real estate or interests therein. (For purposes of this restriction, investments by the Fund in mortgage-backed securities and other securities representing interests in mortgage pools shall not constitute the purchase or sale of real estate.)

The Fund interprets its policies that permit actions or investments that are consistent with or permitted by applicable law to allow the Fund to make any investment, take any action, or omit to take any action that is permitted or consistent with interpretations and guidance regarding applicable law or exemptive or other relief from applicable law, including guidance, interpretations or relief provided by an appropriate regulatory authority, from time to time. Except as stated elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or this SAI, to the extent the Fund has reserved the freedom to invest in a type of investment or to utilize a particular investment practice, the Fund may invest in such investment or engage in such investment practice without limit.

 

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The 1940 Act provides that a “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Fund means the affirmative vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund, or (2) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are represented at the meeting in person.

All percentage limitations on investments in the Fund’s Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information will apply only at the time of an investment to which the policy or restriction is applicable and shall not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of such investment. Accordingly, any later increase or decrease resulting from a change in values, net assets or other circumstances will not be considered in determining whether any investment complies with a Fund’s restrictions and policies.

Under the 1940 Act, a “senior security” does not include any promissory note or evidence of indebtedness when such loan is for temporary purposes only and in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the total assets of the issuer at the time the loan is made. A loan is presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within sixty days and is not extended or renewed.

For purposes of applying the terms of fundamental investment policy number 4, the Adviser will, on behalf of the Fund, make reasonable determinations as to the appropriate industry classification to assign to each issuer of securities in which the Fund invests. As a general matter, an “industry” is considered to be a group of companies whose principal activities, products, or services offered give them a similar economic risk profile vis a vis issuers active in other sectors of the economy. The definition of what constitutes a particular “industry” is an evolving one, particularly for issuers in industries or sectors within industries that are new or are undergoing rapid development. Some issuers could reasonably fall within more than one industry category. For example, some companies that sell goods over the internet (including issuers of securities in which certain of the Funds invest) were initially classified as internet companies, but over time have evolved into the economic risk profiles of retail companies.

To the extent the Fund covers its commitment under a derivative instrument by the segregation of assets determined by DoubleLine to be liquid in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, equal in value to the amount of the Fund’s commitment, such instrument will not be considered a “senior security” for purposes of the asset coverage requirements otherwise applicable to the use of leverage by the Fund or the Fund’s issuance of preferred shares, if any.

If the Fund determines to issue preferred shares, it intends to apply for ratings for such preferred shares from Moody’s, S&P and/or Fitch. In order to obtain and maintain such ratings, the Fund may be required to comply with investment quality, and other guidelines established by Moody’s, S&P and/or Fitch. Such guidelines will likely be more restrictive than the restrictions set forth in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information. The Fund does not anticipate that any such guidelines would have a material adverse effect on Common Shareholders or its ability to achieve its investment objective. No minimum rating is required for the issuance of preferred shares by the Fund. Moody’s, S&P and Fitch receive fees in connection with their ratings issuances.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the oversight of the Board. The Board approves all significant agreements between the Fund and the persons or companies that furnish services to the Fund, including agreements with its distributor, investment manager, administrator, custodian and transfer agent.

Role of the Board of Trustees, Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight

The Board of the Fund consists of [] Trustees, [] of whom are not considered to be “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund (the “Independent Trustees”). The Board is responsible for overseeing the management and operations of the Fund, including general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser and other service providers to the Fund. The Adviser and the Fund’s administrator are responsible for the day-to-day management and administration of the Fund.

[Description of the Board to be added by amendment.]

The name, age and principal occupations for the past five years of the Trustees and officers of the Fund are listed below, along with the number of portfolios in the fund complex overseen by and the other directorships held by each Trustee.

 

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The business address for each Trustee and each officer of the Fund is c/o DoubleLine Capital LP, 333 South Grand Avenue, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA 90071.

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

 

Name

and Age

    

Position(s) Held

with

the Fund

    

Term of Office

And Length of

Time Served

    

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

    

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee(1)

    

Other

Directorships

Held

by Trustee

    

Experience,

Qualifications,

Attributes, Skills for
Board Membership

[]

Age: []

     []      []     

 

[]

     []      []      []

[]

Age: []

     []      []      []      []      []      []

[]

Age: []

     []      []      []      []      []      []

[]

Age: []

     []      []      []      []      []      []
INTERESTED TRUSTEES                         

Each of the following Trustees is an “interested person” of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act because they are officers of the Adviser, and indirect shareholders in the Adviser.

 

Name

and Age

    

Positions
Held with

the Fund

    

Term of Office

And Length of

Time Served

    

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

    

Number of

Portfolios
in Fund

Complex
Overseen

by Trustee(1)

    

Other

Directorships

Held

by Trustee

    

Experience,
Qualifications,
Attributes, Skills for
Board Membership

Ronald R. Redell

Age: 40

     Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer      Indefinite/Since Inception      President at DoubleLine Funds Trust (since January 2010); prior thereto, President and CEO at TCW Funds, Inc. and TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.      1      []      []

 

 

 

(1) The term “Fund Complex” as used herein includes the Fund and the following registered investment companies: DoubleLine Total Return Bond Fund, DoubleLine Core Fixed Income Fund, DoubleLine Emerging Markets Fixed Income Fund, DoubleLine Multi-Asset Growth Fund, and DoubleLine Low Duration Bond Fund.

OFFICERS

 

Name

and Age

    

Position(s)

Held with

the Fund

    

Term of Office

And Length of

Time Served

    

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Ronald R. Redell

Age: 40

     Trustee, President and Chief Executive      Indefinite/Since Inception      President at DoubleLine Funds Trust (since January 2010); prior thereto, President and CEO at TCW Funds, Inc. and

 

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Name

and Age

  

Position(s)

Held with

the Fund

  

Term of Office

And Length of

Time Served

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

   Officer       TCW Strategic Income fund, Inc.

Susan Nichols

Age: 48

   Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer    Indefinite/Since Inception    Assistant Treasurer at DoubleLine Funds Trust (since January 2010); prior thereto, Senior Vice President at TCW.
[]    Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary    Indefinite/Since Inception   
[]    Secretary    Indefinite/Since Inception   
[]    Vice President    Indefinite/Since Inception   
[]    Vice President    Indefinite/Since Inception   
[]    Vice President    Indefinite/Since Inception   

Securities Ownership

For each Trustee, the following table discloses the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the Trustee in the Fund and, on an aggregate basis, in any registered investment companies overseen by the Trustee within the Fund’s family of investment companies as of [], 2011:

 

Name of Trustee

  

Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Fund

  

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in

All Registered Investment Companies Overseen

by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies

[]

   None    []

[]

   None    []

[]

   None    []

[]

   None    []

[]

   None    []

[]

   None    []

For Independent Trustees and their immediate family members, the following table provides information regarding each class of securities owned beneficially in an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Fund, or a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Fund as of [], 2011:

 

Name of Trustee

   Name of Owners
and Relationships
to Trustee
  Company   Title of
Class
  Value of
Securities
  Percent
of
Class
[]    []   []   []   []   []
[]    []   []   []   []   []
[]    []   []   []   []   []
[]    []   []   []   []   []

 

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As of [], 2011, the Fund’s officers and Trustees as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding Common Shares.

Except as noted below in the table, to the Fund’s knowledge, no persons owned of record 5% or more of any class of shares of the Fund. No person is reflected on the books and records of the Fund as owning beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of a Fund as of [], 2011.

 

Shareholder

  

Number of
Common Shares

  

Percentage of the
Fund’s outstanding
shares as of [
], 2011

[]

   []    []

Compensation

The Fund pays each Independent Trustee a fee of (i) $[] per quarter and (ii) $[] for each additional meeting in which that Trustee participates. Interested Trustees of the Fund are not compensated by the Fund. Independent Trustees are also reimbursed for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with attending such meetings. Trustees and officers who are employed by the Adviser or an affiliated company thereof receive no compensation nor expense reimbursement from the Fund. Trustees do not receive any pension or retirement benefits as a result of their service as a trustee of the Fund.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the estimated compensation of the Fund’s Independent Trustees for the calendar year ending December 31, 2011.

 

    Name of Trustee

  Estimated
Compensation
from the Fund for
the
Fiscal Year Ending
[
], 2011*
  Pension or
Retirement
Benefits Accrued as
Part of Fund
Expenses
  Estimated Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement
  Total
Compensation
from the Fund
Complex Paid to
the Trustees for  the
Calendar Year
Ending [
], 2011
[]   $[]   N/A   N/A   $[]
[]   $[]   N/A   N/A   $[]
[]   $[]   N/A   N/A   $[]
[]   $[]   N/A   N/A   $[]

 

* Because the Fund has not completed its first full fiscal year, compensation is estimated based upon future payments to be made by the Fund during the current fiscal year.

Codes of Ethics

Both the Fund and the Adviser have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act (collectively, the “Codes”). While the Codes permit personnel subject thereto to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund, they also subject such personnel, other than Independent Trustees of the Fund, to a number of procedures and prohibitions with respect to investment activities. These procedures include (1) reporting, including on a quarterly and annual basis, of accounts, position and transaction information, other than positions in certain securities that are excluded from the reporting requirements of Rule 17j-1(d); (2) pre-clearance of securities transactions other than transactions in certain excluded securities; and (3) a pre-approval requirement with respect to the purchase of any securities in a private placement, initial public offering or limited offering. A copy of the Code of Ethics will be provided upon request. The Codes also prohibit the investment by subject personnel in (1) any security on the Adviser’s list of restricted securities; (2) uncovered short sales; and (3) uncovered options. Additional restrictions and prohibitions also apply to certain investment personnel subject to the Code, including portfolio managers.

 

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INVESTMENT MANAGER

The Fund and the Adviser are parties to an Investment Management and Advisory Agreement (“Advisory Agreement”). The Adviser was organized in 2009 as a Delaware limited liability company, and was converted into a Delaware limited partnership on December 24, 2009. Jeffrey E. Gundlach, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser and an Interested Trustee of the Fund, holds the largest number of limited partnership interests of the Adviser, and, combined with Philip A. Barach, the President of the Adviser and an Interested Trustee of the Fund, are the majority limited partners of the Adviser. The Adviser issued limited partnership interests to affiliates of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“Oaktree”) pursuant to a binding agreement. The general partner of the Adviser is DoubleLine Capital GP LLC, an entity that is wholly owned by Jeffrey E. Gundlach. As a result, Mr. Gundlach may be deemed to control the Adviser. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund retains the Adviser to manage the investment of its assets, to place orders for the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities, to administer its day-to-day operations, and to be responsible for overall management of the Trust’s business affairs subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Adviser is responsible for obtaining and evaluating economic, statistical, and financial data and for formulating and implementing investment programs in furtherance of each Fund’s investment objective.

Investment Advisory Services

The Adviser furnishes to the Fund office space at such places as are agreed upon from time to time and all office facilities, business equipment, supplies, utilities and telephone service necessary for managing the affairs and investments and arranges for officers or employees of the Adviser to serve, without compensation from the Fund, as officers, trustees or employees of the Fund if desired and reasonably required by the Fund.

The Fund pays a monthly fee to the Adviser, calculated at the annual rate (as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily total managed assets) of 1.25%. “Total managed assets” means the total assets of the Fund (including assets attributable to any reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings and preferred shares that may be outstanding) minus accrued liabilities (other than liabilities representing reverse repurchase agreements and borrowings). For purposes of calculating “total managed assets,” the liquidation preference of any preferred shares outstanding is not considered a liability. With respect to any reverse repurchase agreements, “total managed assets” also includes the value as of the relevant measuring date of the underlying assets sold to the counterparty.

Except for expenses specifically assumed by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund bears all expenses incurred in its operations. Fund expenses include the fee of the Adviser; compensation and expenses of trustees who are not officers or employees of the Adviser; registration, filing and other fees in connection with filings with states and other regulatory authorities; fees and expenses of independent accountants; the expenses of printing and mailing proxy statements and shareholder reports; custodian and transfer and dividend disbursing agent charges; brokerage fees and commissions and securities transaction costs; taxes and government fees; legal fees; the fees of any trade association; the costs of the administrator and fund accountant; compliance support services; the cost of stock certificates, if any, representing shares of the Fund; organizational expenses; expenses of shareholder and trustee meetings; the cost and expense of printing, including typesetting, and distributing prospectuses and supplements thereto to the Fund’s shareholders; premiums for the fidelity bond and any errors and omissions insurance; interest and taxes; and any other ordinary or extraordinary expenses incurred in the course of the Fund’s business.

The Advisory Agreement will continue in effect as to each Fund initially for two years and thereafter from year to year if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (a) the Board of Trustees of the Fund or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and (b) vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated without penalty at any time on 60 days’ written notice, by vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Advisory Agreement terminates automatically in the event of its assignment.

The Advisory Agreement also provides that the Adviser shall not be liable to the Fund for any actions or omissions except for liability resulting from its gross negligence, willful misfeasance, bad faith, or from reckless disregard of its duties.

Administrative Services

Under the Administration Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) between the Fund and [] (the “Administrator”), the Administrator will provide certain services, including: assisting in maintaining the Fund’s office;

 

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furnishing the Fund with clerical and certain other services required by it; compiling data for and preparing notices and shareholder reports to the SEC; calculating the Fund’s daily NAV; preparing any reports that are required by the securities, investment, tax or other laws and regulations of the United States; preparing filings with state securities commissions; coordinating federal and state tax returns; monitoring the Fund’s expense accruals; monitoring compliance with the Fund’s investment policies and limitations; and generally assisting in the Fund’s operations.

For its services, the Administrator is entitled to receive an annual fee, payable monthly, in an amount equal to []% of the Fund’s average daily total managed assets, as defined above.

Information regarding the Fund’s custodian and transfer agent is described in the Prospectus.

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

The following table sets forth certain additional information with respect to the portfolio managers for the Fund. Unless noted otherwise, all information is provided as of March 31, 2011.

Other Accounts Managed By Portfolio Managers

The table below identifies, for each portfolio manager, the number of other accounts for which he or she has day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: (i) the number of registered investment companies, pooled investment vehicles and other accounts managed by the portfolio manager; and (ii) the total assets of such companies, vehicles and accounts, and the number and total assets of such companies, vehicles and accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on performance.

 

                            Performance Fee Accounts

Portfolio

Manager

  Registered
Investment  Companies
  Other Pooled Investment
Vehicles
  Other Accounts   Registered
Investment  Companies
  Other Pooled Investment
Vehicles
  Other Accounts
     Number of
Accounts
  Total
Assets
($Million)
  Number of
Accounts
  Total
Assets
($Million)
  Number
of
Accounts
  Total
Assets
($Million)
  Number
of
Accounts
  Total
Assets
($Million)
  Number
of
Accounts
  Total
Assets
($Million)
  Number
of
Accounts
  Total
Assets
($Million)
Jeffrey E. Gundlach   4   $6,067.1   1   $591   31   $2,471   0   $0   1   $591   0   $0
Philip A. Barach   2   $5,850.3   1   $591   28   $2,210   0   $0   1   $591   0   $0
Luz M. Padilla   2   $135.0   0   $0   2   $251   0   $0   0   $0   0   $0
Joel A. Damiani   []   $[]   []   $[]   []   $[]   []   $[]   []   $[]   []   $[]
Bonnie Baha   2   $39.0   0   $0   0   $0   0   $0   0   $0   0   $0
Joseph J. Galligan   []   $[]   []   $[]   []   $[]   []   $[]   []   $[]   []   $[]

Conflicts of Interest

From time to time, potential and actual conflicts of interest may arise between a portfolio manager’s management of the investments of a Fund, on the one hand, and the management of other accounts, on the other. Potential and actual conflicts of interest also may result because of the Adviser’s other business activities. Other accounts managed by a portfolio manager might have similar investment objectives or strategies as the Fund, be managed (benchmarked) against the same index the Fund tracks, or otherwise hold, purchase, or sell securities that are eligible to be held, purchased or sold by the Fund. The other accounts might also have different investment objectives or strategies than the Fund.

Knowledge and Timing of Fund Trades. A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the portfolio manager’s management of the Fund. Because of their positions with the Fund, the portfolio managers know the size, timing and possible market impact of the Fund’s trades. It is theoretically possible that a portfolio manager could use this information to the advantage of other accounts under management, and also theoretically possible that actions could be taken (or not taken) to the detriment of the Fund.

 

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Investment Opportunities. A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the portfolio manager’s management of a number of accounts with varying investment guidelines. Often, an investment opportunity may be suitable for both the Fund and other accounts managed by the portfolio manager, but securities may not be available in sufficient quantities for both the Fund and the other accounts to participate fully. Similarly, there may be limited opportunity to sell an investment held by the Fund and another account. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to allocate investment opportunities on a fair and equitable basis over time.

Under the Adviser’s allocation procedures, investment opportunities are allocated among various investment strategies based on individual account investment guidelines, the Adviser’s investment outlook, cash availability and a series of other factors. The Adviser has also adopted additional internal practices to complement the general trade allocation policy that are designed to address potential conflicts of interest due to the side-by-side management of the Fund and certain pooled investment vehicles, including investment opportunity allocation issues.

Conflicts potentially limiting the Fund’s investment opportunities may also arise when the Fund and other clients of the Adviser invest in different parts of an issuer’s capital structure, such as when the Fund owns senior debt obligations of an issuer and other clients own junior tranches of the same issuer. In such circumstances, decisions over whether to trigger an event of default, over the terms of any workout, or how to exit an investment may result in conflicts of interest. In order to minimize such conflicts, a portfolio manager may avoid certain investment opportunities that would potentially give rise to conflicts with other clients of the Adviser or the Adviser may enact internal procedures designed to minimize such conflicts, which could have the effect of limiting the Fund’s investment opportunities. Additionally, if the Adviser acquires material non-public confidential information in connection with its business activities for other clients, a portfolio manager or other investment personnel may be restricted from purchasing securities or selling certain securities for the Fund or other clients. When making investment decisions where a conflict of interest may arise, the Adviser will endeavor to act in a fair and equitable manner between the Fund and other clients; however, in certain instances the resolution of the conflict may result in the Adviser acting on behalf of another client in a manner that may not be in the best interest, or may be opposed to the best interest, of the Fund.

Performance Fees and Personal Investments. A portfolio manager may advise certain accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based entirely or partially on performance or in respect of which the portfolio manager may have made a significant personal investment. Such circumstances may create a conflict of interest for the portfolio manager in that the portfolio manager may have an incentive to allocate the investment opportunities that he or she believes might be the most profitable to such other accounts instead of allocating them to the Fund. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to allocate investment opportunities between the Fund and performance fee based accounts on a fair and equitable basis over time.

Use of Leverage. During periods in which the Fund is using leverage, the fees paid to the Adviser for investment advisory services, which may directly or indirectly affect the portfolio manager’s compensation, will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid will be calculated on the basis of the Fund’s total managed assets, including assets attributable to reverse repurchase agreements, borrowings and to any preferred shares that may be outstanding, which may create an incentive for the portfolio manager to leverage the Fund or to leverage using strategies that increase the Adviser’s fee.

Portfolio Manager Compensation

The overall objective of the compensation program for portfolio managers is for the Adviser to attract competent and expert investment professionals and to retain them over the long-term. Compensation is comprised of several components which, in the aggregate are designed to achieve these objectives and to reward the portfolio managers for their contribution to the success of their clients and the Adviser. Portfolio managers are compensated through a combination of base salary, discretionary bonus and equity participation in the Adviser. Bonuses and equity generally represent most of the portfolio managers’ compensation. However, in some cases, portfolio managers may have a profit sharing interest in the revenue or income related to the areas for which the portfolio managers are responsible. Such profit sharing arrangements can comprise a significant portion of a portfolio manager’s overall compensation.

Salary. Salary is agreed to with managers at time of employment and is reviewed from time to time. It does not change significantly and often does not constitute a significant part of a portfolio manager’s compensation.

Discretionary Bonus/Guaranteed Minimums. Portfolio managers receive discretionary bonuses. However, in some cases, pursuant to contractual arrangements, some portfolio managers may be entitled to a mandatory minimum bonus if the sum of their salary and profit sharing does not reach certain levels.

 

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Equity Incentives. Portfolio managers participate in equity incentives based on overall firm performance of the Adviser, through direct ownership interests in the Adviser or participation in stock option or stock appreciation plans of Adviser. These ownership interests or participation interests provide eligible portfolio managers the opportunity to participate in the financial performance of the Adviser as a whole. Participation is generally determined in the discretion of Adviser, taking into account factors relevant to the portfolio manager’s contribution to the success of Adviser.

Other Plans and Compensation Vehicles. Portfolio managers may elect to participate in the Adviser’s 401(k) plan, to which they may contribute a portion of their pre- and post-tax compensation to the plan for investment on a tax-deferred basis. The Adviser may also choose, from time to time to offer certain other compensation plans and vehicles, such as a deferred compensation plan, to portfolio managers.

Summary. As described above, an investment professional’s total compensation is determined through a subjective process that evaluates numerous quantitative and qualitative factors, including the contribution made to the overall investment process. Not all factors apply to each investment professional and there is no particular weighting or formula for considering certain factors. Among the factors considered are: relative investment performance of portfolios (although there are no specific benchmarks or periods of time used in measuring performance); complexity of investment strategies; participation in the investment team’s dialogue; contribution to business results and overall business strategy; success of marketing/business development efforts and client servicing; seniority/length of service with the firm; management and supervisory responsibilities; and fulfillment of the Adviser’s leadership criteria.

Portfolio Manager Securities Ownership in the Fund

Since the Fund is newly formed, currently, the Fund’s portfolio manager does not beneficially own any equity securities of the Fund. However, the portfolio manager may purchase Common Shares of the Fund in this offering and/or thereafter.

Proxy Voting Policies

The determination of how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is made by the Adviser pursuant to its written proxy voting policies and procedures (the “Proxy Policy”), which have been adopted pursuant to Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). The Proxy Policy also applies to any voting rights and/or consent rights on behalf of the portfolio securities, with respect to debt securities, including but not limited to, plans of reorganization, and waivers and consents under applicable indentures.

The Proxy Policy is designed and implemented in a manner reasonably expected to ensure that voting and consent rights are exercised in the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders. Under the Proxy Policy, the Adviser will review each proxy to determine whether there may be a material conflict between the Adviser and the Fund. If no conflict exists, the Adviser will vote the proxy on a case-by-case basis in the best interest of each client under the circumstances, taking into account, but not necessarily being bound by, any recommendation made by any third party vendor that has been engaged by the Adviser to provide recommendations on the voting of proxies.

If a material conflict does exist, the Adviser will seek to resolve any such conflict in accordance with the Proxy Policy, which seeks to resolve such conflict in the Fund’s best interest by pursuing any one of the following courses of action: (i) convening a committee to assess and resolve the conflict; (ii) voting in accordance with the recommendation of an independent third-party service provider; (iii) voting in accordance with the instructions of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, or any committee thereof; or (iv) not voting the Proxy. In voting proxies, including those in which a material conflict may be determined to exist, the Adviser may also consider the factors and guidelines included in its Proxy Policy.

In certain limited circumstances, particularly in the area of structured finance, the Adviser may enter into voting agreements or other contractual obligations that govern the voting of shares and, in such cases, will vote any proxy in accordance with such agreement or obligation.

In addition, where the Adviser determines that there are unusual costs and/or difficulties associated with voting a proxy, which more typically might be the case with respect to proxies of non-U.S. issuers, the Adviser reserves the right to not vote a proxy unless it determines that the potential benefits of voting the proxy exceed the expected cost to the relevant Fund.

The Adviser supervises and periodically reviews its proxy voting activities and implementation of the Proxy Policy.

 

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Information about how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held during the most recent twelve month period ended June 30th is available no later than the following August 31st without charge, upon request, by calling (877) DLine11 (877-354-6311) and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Copies of the written Proxy Policy are available by calling 877-DLine11 (877-354-6311).

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Adviser is responsible for the placement of the Funds’ portfolio transactions and, with respect thereto, the negotiation of prices, brokerage commissions, if any, and mark-ups and mark-downs or spreads on principal transactions. The Adviser may also purchase securities on behalf of the Funds in underwritten offerings at fixed prices that include discounts to underwriters and/or concessions to dealers.

In placing a portfolio transaction, the Adviser seeks to achieve best execution. This means that, in selecting broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the Funds, the Adviser seeks to select broker-dealers that will execute securities transactions in a manner such that the total cost or proceeds of each transaction is the most favorable under the circumstances. This does not mean, however, that portfolio transactions are always executed at the lowest available commission or spread, and the Adviser may effect transactions that cause a Fund to pay a commission or spread in excess of a commission or spread that another broker-dealer would have charged if the Adviser determines that, notwithstanding such commission or spread, such transaction is in the Fund’s best interest. In making this determination, the Adviser may take a variety of factors into consideration, including, (i) execution quality in light of order size, difficulty of execution and other relevant factors; (ii) associated expenses and costs; (iii) the quality, reliability, responsiveness and value of the provided services, (iv) the operational compatibility between the broker-dealer and the Adviser; and (v) the broker-dealer’s safety and soundness.

From time to time, the Adviser receives unsolicited research from various brokers, which may or may not be counterparties to trades placed on behalf of clients. While the Adviser may review and consider certain of the research received, the provision of unsolicited research does not factor into the Adviser’s broker selection process. Research services include items such as reports on industries and companies, economic analyses, review of business conditions and portfolio strategy and various trading and quotation services. Such services also include advice from broker-dealers as to the value of securities, availability of securities, availability of buyers, and availability of sellers. These services also include recommendations as to purchase and sale of individual securities and timing of transactions.

Research may be provided directly by an executing broker-dealer (“direct research providers”) or by third party research providers such as a non-executing third party broker-dealer or other third party research service (“third party research providers”).

In an effort to achieve efficiencies in execution and reduce trading costs, the Adviser and its affiliates may aggregate securities transactions on behalf of a number of accounts, including accounts of the Funds, at the same time. In addition, the Adviser may execute securities transactions alongside or interspersed between aggregated orders when the Adviser believes that such execution will not interfere with its ability to execute in a manner believed to be most favorable to its clients as a whole. The Adviser may exclude trades for accounts that direct brokerage or that are managed in part for tax considerations from aggregate orders.

When executing aggregate orders, trades will be allocated among accounts using procedures that the Adviser considers to be reasonably designed to be non-preferential and fair and equitable over time. This may include making the allocation on a random or pro rata basis or based on such considerations as diversification requirements, duration, investment objectives, client contractual or regulatory investment guidelines and restrictions, existing or targeted account weightings in particular securities or sectors, lot size, account size, cash availability, amount of existing holdings (or substitutes) of the security in the accounts, investment time horizons and directed brokerage instructions, if applicable.

The Adviser shares allocations of public offerings and other desirable but limited opportunities to buy or sell securities in a manner that the Adviser considers reasonably designed to be non-preferential and fair and equitable over time, such that no account or group of accounts receives consistently favorable or unfavorable treatment. Generally, such allocations will be effected either randomly or on the basis of pre-determined ratios based on each account’s documented assets under management and leverage, provided that exceptions may be made due to a variety of considerations.

In addition, and particularly with respect to fixed income securities, if a small amount of an investment is allocated to the Adviser, the Adviser may allocate it disproportionately, taking into consideration lot size, existing or targeted account

 

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weightings in particular securities and/or sectors, account size, diversification requirements and investment objectives/restrictions.

ANTI-TAKEOVER AND OTHER PROVISIONS IN THE DECLARATION OF TRUST

Shareholder Liability

Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. However, the Declaration contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Fund and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Fund or the Trustees. The Declaration also provides for indemnification out of the Fund’s property for all loss and expense of any shareholder held personally liable on account of being or having been a shareholder. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which such disclaimer is inoperative or the Fund is unable to meet its obligations, and thus should be considered remote.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

As described below, the Declaration includes provisions that could have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to change the composition of its Board of Trustees, and could have the effect of depriving shareholders of opportunities to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund.

The Fund’s Trustees are divided into three classes (Class I, Class II and Class III), having initial terms of one, two and three years, respectively. At each annual meeting of shareholders, the term of one class will expire and each Trustee elected to that class will hold office for a term of three years. The classification of the Board of Trustees in this manner could delay for an additional year the replacement of a majority of the Board of Trustees. In addition, the Declaration provides that a Trustee may be removed only for cause and only (i) by action of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the outstanding shares of the classes or series of shares entitled to vote for the election of such Trustee, or (ii) by at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the remaining Trustees.

Except as provided in the next paragraph, the affirmative vote or consent of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the Board of Trustees and at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the shares of the Fund (including Common and Preferred Shares) outstanding and entitled to vote thereon are required to authorize any of the following transactions (each a “Material Transaction”): (1) a merger, consolidation or share exchange of the Fund or any series or class of shares of the Fund with or into any other person or company, or of any such person or company with or into the Fund or any such series or class of shares; (2) the issuance or transfer by the Fund or any series or class of shares (in one or a series of transactions in any twelve-month period) of any securities of the Fund or such series or class to any other person or entity for cash, securities or other property (or combination thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, excluding sales of securities of the Fund or such series or class in connection with a public offering, issuances of securities of the Fund or such series or class pursuant to a Dividend Reinvestment Plan adopted by the Fund and issuances of securities of the Fund or such series or class upon the exercise of any stock subscription rights distributed by the Fund; or (3) a sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition by the Fund or any series or class of shares (in one or a series of transactions in any twelve-month period) to or with any person of any assets of the Fund or such series or class having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, except for transactions in securities effected by the Fund or such series or class in the ordinary course of its business. The same affirmative votes are required with respect to any shareholder proposal as to specific investment decisions made or to be made with respect to the Fund’s assets or the assets of any series or class of shares of the Fund.

Notwithstanding the approval requirements specified in the preceding paragraph, the Declaration requires no vote or consent of the Fund’s shareholders to authorize a Material Transaction if the transaction is approved by a vote of both a majority of the Board of Trustees and seventy-five percent (75%) of the Continuing Trustees (as defined below), so long as all other conditions and requirements, if any, provided for in the Fund’s Bylaws and applicable law (including any shareholder voting rights under the 1940 Act) have been satisfied.

In addition, the Declaration provides that the Fund may be terminated at any time by vote or consent of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the Fund’s shares or, alternatively, by vote or consent of both a majority of the Board of Trustees and seventy-five percent (75%) of the Continuing Trustees (as defined below).

 

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In certain circumstances, the Declaration also imposes shareholder voting requirements that are more demanding than those required under the 1940 Act in order to authorize a conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company. See “Repurchase of Common Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund” below.

As noted, the voting provisions described above could have the effect of depriving Common Shareholders of an opportunity to sell their Common Shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund in a tender offer or similar transaction. In the view of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, however, these provisions offer several possible advantages, including: (1) requiring persons seeking control of the Fund to negotiate with its management regarding the price to be paid for the amount of Common Shares required to obtain control; (2) promoting continuity and stability; and (3) enhancing the Fund’s ability to pursue long-term strategies that are consistent with its investment objective and management policies. The Board of Trustees has determined that the voting requirements described above, which are generally greater than the minimum requirements under the 1940 Act, are in the best interests of the Fund’s Common Shareholders generally.

A “Continuing Trustee,” as used in the discussion above, is any member of the Fund’s Board of Trustees who either (i) has been a member of the Board for a period of at least thirty-six months (or since the commencement of the Fund’s operations, if less than thirty-six months) or (ii) was nominated to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees by a majority of the Continuing Trustees then members of the Board.

The foregoing is intended only as a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Declaration and the Fund’s Bylaws, both of which have been filed as exhibits to the Fund’s registration statement on file with the SEC.

Liability of Trustees

The Declaration provides that the obligations of the Fund are not binding upon the Trustees of the Fund individually, but only upon the assets and property of the Fund, and that the Trustees shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. Nothing in the Declaration, however, protects a Trustee against any liability to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.

REPURCHASE OF COMMON SHARES; CONVERSION TO OPEN-END FUND

The Fund is a closed-end investment company and as such its shareholders will not have the right to cause the Fund to redeem their shares. Instead, the Common Shares will trade in the open market at a price that will be a function of factors relating to the Fund such as dividend levels and stability (which will in turn be affected by dividend and interest payments by the Fund’s portfolio holdings, regulations affecting the timing and character of Fund’s distributions, Fund expenses and other factors) portfolio credit quality, liquidity, call protection, market supply and demand, and similar factors relating to the Fund’s portfolio holdings. Shares of a closed-end investment company may frequently trade at prices lower than net asset value. The Fund’s Board of Trustees regularly monitors the relationship between the market price and net asset value of the Common Shares. If the Common Shares were to trade at a substantial discount to net asset value for an extended period of time, the Board may consider the repurchase of its Common Shares on the open market or in private transactions, the making of a tender offer for such shares or the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company. The Fund cannot assure you that its Board of Trustees will decide to take or propose any of these actions, or that share repurchases or tender offers will actually reduce any market discount. The Fund has no present intention to repurchase its Common Shares and would do so only in the circumstances described in this section.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time when the Fund has any preferred shares outstanding, the Fund may not purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its Common Shares unless (1) all accrued dividends on any such preferred shares have been paid and (2) at the time of such purchase, redemption or acquisition, the net asset value of the Fund’s portfolio (determined after deducting the acquisition price of the Common Shares) is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding preferred shares (expected to equal the original purchase price per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon).

Subject to its investment limitations, the Fund may borrow to finance the repurchase of shares or to make a tender offer. Interest on any borrowings to finance share repurchase transactions or the accumulation of cash by the Fund in anticipation of share repurchases or tenders will reduce the Fund’s net income. Any share repurchase, tender offer or borrowing that might be approved by the Board of Trustees would have to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

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The Fund’s Board of Trustees may also from time to time consider submitting to the holders of the shares of beneficial interest of the Fund a proposal to convert the Fund to an open-end investment company. In determining whether to exercise its sole discretion to submit this issue to shareholders, the Board of Trustees would consider all factors then relevant, including the relationship of the market price of the Common Shares to net asset value, the extent to which the Fund’s capital structure is leveraged and the possibility of re-leveraging, the spread, if any, between the yields on securities in the Fund’s portfolio and interest and dividend charges on outstanding Fund borrowings or any preferred shares issued by the Fund and general market and economic conditions.

The Declaration requires the affirmative vote or consent of holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of each class of the Fund’s shares entitled to vote on the matter to authorize a conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company, unless the conversion is authorized by both a majority of the Board of Trustees and seventy-five percent (75%) of the Continuing Trustees (as defined above under “Anti-Takeover and Other Provisions in the Declaration of Trust—Anti-Takeover Provisions”). This seventy-five percent (75%) shareholder approval requirement is higher than is required under the 1940 Act. In the event that a conversion is approved by the Trustees and the Continuing Trustees as described above, the minimum shareholder vote required under the 1940 Act would be necessary to authorize the conversion. Currently, the 1940 Act would require approval of the holders of a “majority of the outstanding” Common Shares and, if issued, preferred shares voting together as a single class, and the holders of a “majority of the outstanding” any preferred shares voting as a separate class, in order to authorize a conversion. If the Fund converted to an open-end company, it would be required to redeem any preferred shares then outstanding (requiring in turn that it liquidate a portion of its investment portfolio), and the Fund’s Common Shares likely would no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Shareholders of an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem their shares on any business day (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 redemption. In order to avoid maintaining large cash positions or liquidating favorable investments to meet redemptions, open-end companies typically engage in a continuous offering of their shares. Open-end companies are thus subject to periodic asset in-flows and out-flows that can complicate portfolio management.

The repurchase by the Fund of its shares at prices below net asset value will result in an increase in the net asset value of those shares that remain outstanding. However, there can be no assurance that share repurchases or tenders at or below net asset value will result in the Fund’s shares trading at a price equal to their net asset value. Nevertheless, the fact that the Fund’s shares may be the subject of repurchase or tender offers at net asset value from time to time, or that the Fund may be converted to an open-end company, may reduce any spread between market price and net asset value that might otherwise exist.

In addition, a purchase by the Fund of its Common Shares will decrease the Fund’s total assets. This would likely have the effect of increasing the Fund’s expense ratio. Any purchase by the Fund of its Common Shares at a time when Fund borrowings or preferred shares are outstanding will increase the leverage applicable to the outstanding Common Shares then remaining. See the Prospectus under “Risks—Leverage Risk.”

Before deciding whether to take any action if the Fund’s Common Shares trade below net asset value, the Board of Trustees would consider all relevant factors, including the extent and duration of the discount, the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio, the impact of any action that might be taken on the Fund or its shareholders and market considerations. Based on these considerations, even if the Fund’s Common Shares should trade at a discount, the Board of Trustees may determine that, in the interest of the Fund and its shareholders, no action should be taken.

Minimum Fund Size

If the Fund does not raise at least $150 million in its initial public offering, it reserves the right not to commence operations.

TAX MATTERS

The following is a summary discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a Common Shareholder that acquires, holds and/or disposes of Common Shares of the Fund, and reflects provisions of the Code, existing U.S. Treasury regulations, rulings published by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), and other applicable authority, as of the date of this SAI. These authorities are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, possibly with retroactive effect. The following discussion is only a summary of some of the important tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Fund and the discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. There may be other tax considerations applicable to particular investors, such as insurance companies, financial institutions, tax-deferred retirement plans, tax-exempt entities, broker-dealers and foreign shareholders (defined below). In addition, income earned

 

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through an investment in the Fund may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes. Common Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers regarding their particular situation and the possible application of U.S. federal, state, local, foreign or other tax laws.

Taxation of the Fund

The Fund intends to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Code and intends each year to qualify and be eligible to be treated as such. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded RICs and their shareholders, the Fund must, among other things: (i) derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined below); (ii) diversify its holdings so that at the close of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the value of its total assets consists of cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities limited, with respect to any one issuer, to no more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and no more than10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities (other than those of the U.S. government or other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships; and (iii) distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code without regard to the deduction for dividends paid—generally, taxable ordinary income and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and net tax-exempt income for such year.

In general, for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described in (i) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership that would be qualifying income if realized directly by the RIC. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership ( a partnership (a) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof and (b) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in (i) above) will be treated as qualifying income. In general, such entities will be treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes because they meet the passive income requirement under Code Section 7704(c)(2). In addition, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership.

For purposes of the diversification test described in (ii) above, the term “outstanding voting securities of such issuer” will include the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership. Also, for purposes of the diversification test in (ii) above, the identification of the issuer (or, in some cases, issuers) of a particular investment can depend on the terms and conditions of that investment. In some cases, identification of the issuer (or issuers) is uncertain under current law, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to issuer identification for a particular type of investment may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to meet the diversification test in (ii) above.

If the Fund qualifies for treatment as a RIC, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on income distributed to Common Shareholders in a timely manner in the form of dividends (including Capital Gain Dividends, as defined below). The Fund’s intention to qualify for treatment as a RIC may negatively affect the Fund’s return to Common Shareholders by limiting its ability to acquire or continue to hold positions that would otherwise be consistent with its investment strategy or by requiring it to engage in transactions it would otherwise not engage in, resulting in additional transaction costs. In certain circumstances, it may be difficult for the Fund to meet the diversification test set forth in clause (ii) of the third preceding paragraph. If the Fund were to fail to meet the income or diversification test described above, the Fund could in some cases cure such failure, including by paying a Fund-level tax and, in the case of a diversification failure, disposing of certain assets. If the Fund were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure for any year, or if the Fund were otherwise to fail to qualify as a RIC accorded special tax treatment for such year, the Fund would be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to Common Shareholders as dividend income. Some portions of such distributions may be eligible for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders and to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of individuals (at least for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013, see discussion below), provided, in both cases, that the shareholder meets certain holding period and other requirements in respect of the Fund’s Common Shares (as described below). In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before re-qualifying as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment. Thus failure to qualify as a RIC would likely materially reduce the investment return to the Common Shareholders.

 

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The Fund intends to distribute all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income, its net tax-exempt income (if any) and its net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, in each case determined with reference to any loss carryforwards) in each taxable year. Any taxable income including any net capital gain retained by the Fund will be subject to tax at the Fund level at regular corporate rates. In the case of net capital gain, the Fund is permitted to designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a notice to its shareholders who would then (i) be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds on a properly filed U.S. tax return to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If the Fund makes this designation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of Common Shares owned by a shareholder will be increased by an amount equal under current law to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder’s gross income under clause (i) of the preceding sentence and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence. The Fund is not required to, and there can be no assurance that the Fund will, make this designation if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain in a taxable year.

In determining its net capital gain, including in connection with determining the amount available to support a Capital Gain Dividend (as defined below), its taxable income and its earnings and profits, a RIC generally may elect to treat part or all of any post-October capital loss (defined as the greatest of net capital loss, net long-term capital loss, or net short-term capital loss, in each case attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31 (or a later date if the Fund is permitted to elect and so elects)) or late-year ordinary loss (generally, (i) net ordinary loss from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property, attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31 (or a later date if the Fund makes the election referred to immediately above)), plus (ii) other net ordinary loss attributable to the portion of the taxable year after December 31) as if incurred in the succeeding taxable year.

A nondeductible excise tax at the rate of 4% will be imposed on the excess, if any, of the Fund’s “required distribution” over its actual distributions in any calendar year. Generally, the required distribution is 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98.2% of its capital gain net income recognized during the one-year period ending on October 31 (or later if the Fund makes the election referred to in the previous paragraph), plus undistributed amounts from prior years. For purposes of the required excise tax distribution, a RIC’s ordinary gains and losses from the sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of property that would otherwise be taken into account after October 31(or later if the Fund makes the election referred to in the previous paragraph) generally are treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year. Also, for purposes of the excise tax, the Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within the calendar year. The Fund intends to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so. The Fund may determine to pay the excise tax in a year to the extent it is deemed to be in the best interest of the Fund (e.g., if the excise tax is de minimis).

Capital losses in excess of capital gains (“net capital losses”) are not permitted to be deducted against the Fund’s net investment income. Instead, potentially subject to certain limitations, the Fund may carry net capital losses from any taxable year forward to subsequent taxable years to offset capital gains, if any, realized during such subsequent taxable years. Capital loss carryforwards are reduced to the extent they offset current-year net realized capital gains, whether the Fund retains or distributes such gains. The Fund may carry net capital losses forward to one or more subsequent taxable years without expiration. The Fund must apply such carryforwards first against gains of the same character. The Fund’s available capital loss carryforwards, if any, will be set forth in its annual shareholder report for each fiscal year.

Taxation of Fund Distributions

The Fund intends to make level monthly distributions. Unless a shareholder elects otherwise, all distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares of the Fund pursuant to the Plan. A shareholder whose distributions are reinvested in Common Shares under the Plan will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as having received an amount in distribution equal to either (i) if Newly Issued Common Shares are issued under the Plan, generally the fair market value of the Newly Issued Common Shares issued to the shareholder or (ii) if reinvestment is made through Open-Market Purchases under the Plan, the amount of cash allocated to the shareholder for the purchase of Common Shares on its behalf in the open market. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, all distributions are generally taxable in the manner described below, whether a shareholder takes them in cash or they are reinvested pursuant to the Plan in additional shares of the Fund.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income are generally taxable to Common Shareholders as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Fund owned the investments that generated the gains, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her Common Shares. In general, the Fund will recognize long-term capital gain or loss on investments it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for more

 

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than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss on investments it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for one year or less. Distributions of net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, in each case determined with reference to any loss carryforwards) that are properly reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends (“Capital Gain Dividends”) will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains. Long-term capital gain rates applicable to individuals have been temporarily reduced for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013. These reduced rates will expire for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, unless Congress enacts legislation providing otherwise. Distributions of net short-term capital gain (as reduced by any net long-term capital loss for the taxable year) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013, the Fund may report certain dividends as derived from “qualified dividend income” which, when received by an individual, will be taxed at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain, provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Fund levels. This provision will expire for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, unless Congress enacts legislation providing otherwise. The Fund does not expect a significant portion of distributions to be derived from qualified dividend income.

In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder to be qualified dividend income that is eligible for taxation at long-term capital gain rates, the Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to some portion of the dividend-paying stocks in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Fund’s shares. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (1) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (2) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (3) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (4) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (b) treated as a passive foreign investment company.

In general, distributions of investment income reported by the Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income in the hands of a shareholder taxed as an individual, provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Fund’s shares.

As noted above, the special tax treatment of qualified dividend income applies only to taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013, unless Congress enacts tax legislation providing otherwise.

Dividends received by corporate shareholders may qualify for the 70% dividends -received deduction to the extent of the amount of qualifying dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations and to the extent, if any, that a portion of interest paid or accrued on certain high yield discount obligations owned by the Fund is treated as a dividend. A dividend received by the Fund will not be treated as a dividend eligible for the dividends-received deduction (1) if it has been received with respect to any share of stock that the Fund has held for less than 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date in the case of certain preferred stock) or (2) to the extent that the Fund is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the dividends received deduction may otherwise be disallowed or reduced (1) if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its shares of the Fund or (2) by application of various provisions of the Code (for instance, the dividends-received deduction is reduced in the case of a dividend received on debt-financed portfolio stock (generally, stock acquired with borrowed funds)). The Fund does not expect a significant portion of its distributions to be eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction.

Any distribution of income that is attributable to (i) income received by the Fund in lieu of dividends with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction or (ii) dividend income received by the Fund on securities it temporarily purchased from a counterparty pursuant to a repurchase agreement that is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a loan by the Fund, will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporate shareholders.

If the Fund makes a distribution in excess of its current and accumulated “earnings and profits” in any taxable year, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of a shareholder’s tax basis in his or her Common

 

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Shares, and thereafter as capital gain. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholder’s basis in his or her shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of such shares.

A distribution by the Fund will be treated as paid on December 31 of any calendar year if it is declared by the Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid by the Fund during January of the following calendar year. Such distributions will be taxable to shareholders in the calendar year in which the distributions are declared, rather than the calendar year in which the distributions are received.

As required by federal law, detailed federal tax information with respect to each calendar year will be furnished to shareholders early in the succeeding year.

Dividends and distributions on the Common Shares are generally subject to federal income tax as described herein to the extent they do not exceed the Fund’s realized income and gains, even though such dividends and distributions may economically represent a return of a particular shareholder’s investment. Such distributions are likely to occur in respect of Common Shares purchased at a time when the Fund’s net asset value reflects unrealized gains or income or gains that are realized but not yet distributed. Such realized income and gains may be required to be distributed even when the Fund’s net asset value also reflects unrealized losses.

Sale or Exchange of Common Shares

Common Shareholders who sell or exchange their Common Shares will generally recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount received and the Common Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares sold or exchanged. If the Common Shares are held as a capital asset, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of the Common Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months, and otherwise as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Common Shares held by a shareholder for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of Capital Gain Dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares. For purposes of determining whether Common Shares have been held for six months or less, the holding period is suspended for any periods during which the Common Shareholder’s risk of loss is diminished as a result of holding one or more other positions in substantially similar or related property, or through certain options or short sales. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange of Common Shares will be disallowed to the extent those Common Shares are replaced by other substantially identical shares within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date of disposition of the Common Shares (including through the reinvestment of distributions, which could occur, for example, if the Common Shareholder is a participant in the Plan). In that event, the basis of the replacement shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

From time to time the Fund may make a tender offer for its Common Shares. Shareholders who tender all Common Shares held, or considered to be held, by them will be treated as having sold their shares and generally will realize a capital gain or loss. If a shareholder tenders fewer than all of its Common Shares, such shareholder may be treated as having received a taxable dividend upon the tender of its Common Shares. In such a case, there is a remote risk that non-tendering shareholders whose interests in the Fund increase as a result of such tender will be treated as having received taxable distributions from the Fund. The extent of such risk will vary depending upon the particular circumstances of the tender offer, in particular whether such offer is a single and isolated event or is part of a plan for periodically redeeming the common shares of the Fund; if isolated, any such risk is likely remote. If the Fund repurchases common shares on the open market, such that a selling shareholder would have no specific knowledge that he or she is selling his or her shares to the Fund, it is less likely that shareholders whose percentage share interests in the Fund increase as a result of any such open-market sale will be treated as having received a taxable distribution from the Fund. To the extent that the Fund recognizes net gains on the liquidation of portfolio securities to meet such tenders or other repurchases of Common Shares, the Fund will be required to make additional distributions to its Common Shareholders.

Tax Implications of Certain Fund Investments

Securities Issued or Purchased at a Discount

Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance (and zero-coupon debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that are acquired by the Fund will be treated as debt obligations that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount (“OID”) is treated as interest income and is included in the Fund’s taxable income (and required to be distributed by the Fund) over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. In addition, payment-in-kind securities will give rise to income which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.

 

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Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance that are acquired by the Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having “market discount.” Very generally, market discount is the excess of the stated redemption price of a debt obligation (or in the case of an obligation issued with OID, its “revised issue price”) over the purchase price of such obligation. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the “accrued market discount” on such debt security. Alternatively, the Fund may elect to accrue market discount currently, in which case the Fund will be required to include the accrued market discount in the Fund’s income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. The rate at which the market discount accrues, and thus is included in the Fund’s income, will depend upon which of the permitted accrual methods the Fund elects.

Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance that are acquired by the Fund may be treated as having OID or, in certain cases, “acquisition discount” (very generally, the excess of the stated redemption price over the purchase price). The Fund will be required to include the OID or acquisition discount in income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. The rate at which OID or acquisition discount accrues, and thus is included in the Fund’s income, will depend upon which of the permitted accrual methods the Fund elects.

Increases in the principal amount of an inflation indexed bond will be treated as OID. Decreases in the principal amount of an inflation indexed bond will reduce the amount of interest from the debt instrument that would otherwise be includible in income by the Fund.

If the Fund holds the foregoing kinds of securities, it may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or, if necessary, by liquidation of portfolio securities, including at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so. These dispositions may cause a Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates) and, in the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger Capital Gain Dividend than if the Fund had not held such securities.

A portion of the OID accrued on certain high yield discount obligations may not be deductible to the issuer and will instead be treated as a dividend paid by the issuer for purposes of the dividends received deduction. In such cases, if the issuer of the high yield discount obligations is a domestic corporation, dividend payments by the Fund may be eligible for the dividends received deduction to the extent attributable to the deemed dividend portion of such OID.

At-Risk or Defaulted Securities

Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for the Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether or to what extent the Fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation; when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount; when and to what extent the Fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities; and how the Fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by the Fund when, as, and if it invests in such securities in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a RIC and avoid becoming subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

Any investment by the Fund in equity securities of a REIT qualifying under Subchapter M of the Code can result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the REIT’s earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, these distributions could constitute a return of capital to Common Shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Investments in REIT equity securities also may require a Fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received. To generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions, a Fund may be required to sell securities in its portfolio (including when it is not advantageous to do so) that it otherwise would have continued to hold. Dividends received by the Fund from a REIT will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction and generally will not constitute qualified dividend income.

Mortgage-Related Securities

The Fund may invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”) (including by investing in residual interests in CMOs with respect to which an election to be treated as a REMIC is in effect) or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (“TMPs”). Under a notice issued by the IRS in October 2006 and Treasury regulations that have yet to be issued but may apply retroactively, a portion of the Fund’s income

 

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(including income allocated to the Fund from a REIT or other pass-through entity) that is attributable to a residual interest in a REMIC or an equity interest in a TMP (referred to in the Code as an “excess inclusion”) will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in all events. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a RIC will be allocated to shareholders of the RIC in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related interest directly. As a result, a Fund investing in such interests may not be a suitable investment for certain tax-exempt investors, as noted below.

In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income; and (iii) in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax.

Foreign Taxes

Income received by the Fund (or RICs in which the Fund has invested) from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If at the close of any taxable year, more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets consists of securities of foreign corporations (including foreign governments), the Fund will be permitted to make an election under the Code that would allow Common Shareholders who are U.S. citizens or U.S. corporations to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction (but not both) on their income tax returns for their pro rata portion of qualified taxes paid by the Fund to foreign countries in respect of foreign securities that the Fund held for at least the minimum period specified in the Code. In such a case, Common Shareholders will include in gross income from foreign sources their pro rata shares of such taxes paid by the Fund. A Common Shareholder’s ability to claim an offsetting foreign tax credit or deduction in respect of foreign taxes paid by the Fund is subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code, which may result in the shareholder’s not receiving a full credit or deduction (if any) for the amount of such taxes. Shareholders who do not itemize deductions on their U.S. federal income tax returns may claim a credit (but not a deduction) for such foreign taxes. Even if the Fund were eligible to make such an election for a given year, it may determine not to do so.

Foreign Currency Transactions

Any transaction by the Fund in foreign currencies, foreign-currency denominated debt obligations or certain foreign currency options, futures contracts, or forward contracts (or similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. Any such net gains could require a larger dividend toward the end of the calendar year. Any such net losses will generally reduce and potentially require the recharacterization of prior ordinary income distributions. Such ordinary income treatment may accelerate Fund distributions to shareholders and increase the distributions taxed to shareholders as ordinary income. Any net ordinary losses so created cannot be carried forward by the Fund to offset income or gains earned in subsequent taxable years.

Options, Futures and Other Derivative Instruments

In general, option premiums received by the Fund are not immediately included in the income of the Fund. Instead, the premiums are recognized when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder, or the Fund transfers or otherwise terminates the option (e.g., through a closing transaction). If a call option written by the Fund is exercised and the Fund sells or delivers the underlying securities or other assets, the Fund generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (i) the sum of the strike price and the option premium received by the Fund minus (ii) the Fund’s basis in the underlying securities or other assets. Such gain or loss generally will be short-term or long-term depending upon the holding period of the underlying securities or other assets. If securities or other assets are purchased by the Fund pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the Fund generally will subtract the premium received for purposes of computing its cost basis in the securities or other assets purchased. Gain or loss arising in respect of a termination of the Fund’s obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option will be short-term gain or loss depending on whether the premium income received by the Fund is greater or less than the amount paid by the Fund (if any) in terminating the transaction. Thus, for example, if an option written by the Fund expires unexercised, the Fund generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.

Certain covered call writing activities of the Fund may trigger the U.S. federal income tax straddle rules of Section 1092 of the Code, requiring that losses be deferred and holding periods be tolled on offsetting positions in options and stocks deemed to constitute substantially similar or related property. Options on single stocks that are not “deep in the money” may give rise to qualified covered calls, which generally are not subject to the straddle rules; the holding period on stock underlying qualified covered calls that are “in the money” although not “deep in the money” will be suspended during

 

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the period that such calls are outstanding. Thus, the straddle rules and the rules governing qualified covered calls could cause gains that would otherwise constitute long-term capital gains to be treated as short-term capital gains, and distributions that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income or qualify for the dividends-received deduction to fail to satisfy the holding period requirements and therefore to be taxed as ordinary income or to fail to qualify for the 70% dividends received deduction, as the case may be.

The tax treatment of certain futures contracts entered into by the Fund as well as listed non-equity options written or purchased by the Fund on U.S. exchanges (including options on futures contracts, equity indices and debt securities) will be governed by Section 1256 of the Code (“Section 1256 contracts”). Gains or losses on Section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (“60/40”), although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary in character. Also, Section 1256 contracts held by the Fund at the end of each taxable year (and, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Code) are “marked to market,” with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as ordinary or 60/40 gain or loss, as applicable.

In addition to the special rules described above in respect of futures and options transactions, the Fund’s transactions in other derivative instruments (e.g., forward contracts and swap agreements), as well as any of its other hedging, short sale, securities loan or similar transactions, may be subject to uncertainty with respect to their tax treatment, and to one or more special tax rules (e.g., notional principal contract, straddle, constructive sale, wash sale, and short sale rules). These rules may affect whether gains and losses recognized by the Fund are treated as ordinary or capital or as short-term or long-term, accelerate the recognition of income or gains to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, and cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund’s securities. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and/or character of distributions to Common Shareholders.

Because these and other tax rules applicable to these types of transactions are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether the Fund has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification as a RIC and avoid a Fund-level tax.

The Fund’s use of commodity-linked derivatives, as well as its other direct or indirect investments, if any, in commodities, can bear on or be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a RIC. Income and gains from certain commodity-linked derivatives and generally from direct investments, if any, in commodities do not constitute qualifying income to a RIC for purposes of the 90% gross income test described above. The tax treatment of certain other commodity-linked derivative instruments in which the Fund might invest is not certain, in particular with respect to whether income or gains from such instruments constitute qualifying income to a RIC. If the Fund were to treat income or gain from a particular instrument as qualifying income and the income or gain were later determined not to constitute qualifying income and, together with any other nonqualifying income, caused the Fund’s nonqualifying income to exceed 10% of its gross income in any taxable year, the Fund would fail to qualify as a RIC unless it is eligible to and does pay a tax at the Fund level.

Certain of the Fund’s investments in derivatives and foreign currency-denominated instruments, and any of the Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies and hedging activities, are likely to produce a difference between its book income and the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any). If such a difference arises, and the Fund’s book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and its net tax-exempt income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment and to eliminate Fund-level tax. In the alternative, if the Fund’s book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income (including realized capital gains) and its net tax-exempt income, the distribution (if any) of such excess generally will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund’s remaining earnings and profits, (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient’s basis in its Common Shares, and (iii) thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset.

Passive Foreign Investment Companies

Equity investments by the Fund in certain “passive foreign investment companies” (“PFICs”) could potentially subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company. This tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. However, the Fund may elect to avoid the imposition of that tax. For example, the Fund may elect to treat a PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (i.e., make a “QEF election”), in which case the Fund will be required to include its share of the PFIC ’s income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the PFIC. The Fund also may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings “to the market” as though it had sold (and, solely for purposes of this mark-to-market election, repurchased) its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount

 

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required to be distributed by the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require the Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund’s total return. Dividends paid by PFICs will not be eligible to be treated as “qualified dividend income.”

Because it is not always possible to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC, the Fund may incur the tax and interest charges described above in some instances.

Investments in Other RICs

The Fund’s investments in shares of a mutual fund, ETF or another company that qualifies as a RIC (each, an “investment company”) can cause the Fund to be required to distribute greater amounts of net investment income or net capital gain than the Fund would have distributed had it invested directly in the securities held by the investment company, rather than in shares of the investment company. Further, the amount or timing of distributions from the Fund qualifying for treatment as a particular character (for example, long-term capital gain, exempt interest, eligibility for dividends-received deduction, etc.) will not necessarily be the same as it would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the investment company.

If the Fund receives dividends from an investment company and the investment company reports such dividends as qualified dividend income, then the Fund is permitted in turn to report to its shareholders a portion of its distributions as qualified dividend income, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the investment company.

If the Fund receives dividends from an investment company and the investment company reports such dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction, then the Fund is permitted in turn to report to its shareholders its distributions derived from those dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction as well, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the investment company.

Backup Withholding

The Fund generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to such withholding. The backup withholding tax rate is 28% for amounts paid through 2012. This rate will expire and the backup withholding rate will be 31% for amounts paid after December 31, 2012, unless Congress enacts tax legislation providing otherwise.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.

Tax-Exempt Shareholders

Income of a RIC that would be UBTI if earned directly by a tax-exempt entity will not generally be attributed as UBTI to a tax-exempt shareholder of the RIC. Notwithstanding this “blocking” effect, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in the Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Code Section 514(b).

A tax-exempt shareholder may also recognize UBTI if the Fund recognizes “excess inclusion income” derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs as described above, if the amount of such income recognized by the Fund exceeds the Fund’s investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund).

In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (“CRTs”) that invest in RICs that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Under legislation enacted in December 2006, a CRT (as defined in section 664 of the Code) that realizes any UBTI for a taxable year must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI as a result of investing in a Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income.” Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or

 

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instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in a Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income,” then the Fund will be subject to a tax on that portion of its “excess inclusion income” for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, each Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholder’s distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholder’s interest in the Fund.

CRTs and other tax-exempt investors are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in the Fund.

Foreign Shareholders

Dividends properly reported as Capital Gain Dividends are generally not subject to withholding of federal income tax. Absent a specific statutory exemption, dividends (other than Capital Gain Dividends) paid by the Fund to a shareholder that is not a “U.S. person” within the meaning of the Code (a “foreign shareholder”) are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a foreign shareholder directly, would not be subject to withholding.

For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2012, the Fund is not required to withhold any amounts (i) with respect to distributions of U.S.-source interest income that would not have been subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign shareholder, and (ii) with respect to distributions of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, in each case to the extent the Fund properly reports such distributions in a written notice to shareholders.

In the case of Common Shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund reports all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend to shareholders. Foreign shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules.

Under U.S. federal tax law, a foreign shareholder is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of the Fund or on Capital Gain Dividends unless (i) such gain or Capital Gain Dividend is effectively connected with the conduct by the foreign shareholder of a trade or business within the United States, (ii) in the case of a foreign shareholder that is an individual, the shareholder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale or the receipt of the Capital Gain Dividend and certain other conditions are met, or (iii) the special rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of “U.S. real property interests” (“USRPIs”) apply to the foreign shareholder’s sale of shares of the Fund or to the Capital Gain Dividend the foreign shareholder received (see below).

Subject to certain exceptions (e.g., if the Fund were a “United States real property holding company” as described below), the Fund is generally not required to withhold on the amount of a non-dividend distribution (i.e., a distribution that is not paid out of the Fund’s current or accumulated “earnings and profits” for the applicable taxable year) when paid to its foreign shareholders.

Foreign shareholders with respect to whom income from the Fund is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the foreign shareholder within the United States will in general be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the income derived from the Fund at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents or domestic corporations, whether such income is received in cash or reinvested in shares of the Fund and, in the case of a foreign corporation, may also be subject to a branch profits tax. Any effectively-connected dividends received by a foreign shareholder will generally be exempt from the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, provided the shareholder satisfies applicable certification requirements. If a foreign shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United States. More generally, foreign shareholders who are residents in a country with an income tax treaty with the United States may obtain different tax results than those described herein, and are urged to consult their tax advisers.

Special rules would apply if the Fund were either a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions to the definition thereof. Very generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporation’s USRPIs, interests in real property located outside the United States, and other trade or business assets. USRPIs are generally defined as any interest in U.S. real property and any interest (other than solely as a creditor) in a USRPHC or former USRPHC.

 

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If the Fund were a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for the exceptions referred to above, any distributions by the Fund to a foreign shareholder attributable to gains realized by the Fund on the disposition of USRPIs or to distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier RIC or REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands, generally would be subject to U.S. tax withholding. In addition, such distributions could result in the foreign shareholder being required to file a U.S. tax return and pay tax on the distributions at regular U.S. federal income tax rates. The consequences to a foreign shareholder, including the rate of such withholding and character of such distributions (e.g., as ordinary income or USRPI gain), would vary depending upon the extent of the foreign shareholder’s current and past ownership of the Fund. On and after January 1, 2012, the “look-through” USRPI treatment described above for distributions by the Fund (which treatment applies only if the Fund is either a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of the exceptions referred to above) applies only to those distributions that, in turn, are attributable to distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier REIT, unless Congress enacts legislation providing otherwise.

In addition, if the Fund were a USRPHC or former USRPHC, a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder generally would be required to file a U.S. tax return in connection with the sale of its Fund shares, and pay related taxes due on any gain realized on the sale. Moreover, if the Fund were a USRPHC or former USRPHC, it could be required to withhold on amounts distributed to a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder to the extent such amounts are in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated “earnings and profits” for the applicable taxable year.

Foreign shareholders should consult their tax advisers and, if holding shares through intermediaries, their intermediaries, concerning the application of these rules to their investment in the Fund.

In order to qualify for any exemptions from withholding described above or for lower withholding tax rates under income tax treaties or to establish an exemption from backup withholding a foreign shareholder must comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute form). Foreign shareholders should contact their tax advisers in this regard.

Special rules (including withholding and reporting requirements) apply to foreign partnerships and those holding Common Shares through foreign partnerships. Additional considerations may apply to foreign trusts and estates. Investors holding Fund shares through foreign entities should consult their tax advisers about their particular situation. A foreign shareholder may be subject to state and local tax and to the U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the U.S. federal income tax referred to above.

Shareholder Reporting Obligations With Respect to Foreign Financial Assets

Certain individuals (and, if provided in future guidance, certain domestic entities) must disclose annually their interests in “specified foreign financial assets” on IRS Form 8938, which must be attached to their U.S. federal income tax returns for taxable years beginning after March 18, 2010. The IRS has not yet released a copy of the Form 8938 and has suspended the requirement to attach Form 8938 for any taxable year for which an income tax return is filed before the release of Form 8938. Following Form 8938’s release, individuals will be required to attach to their next income tax return required to be filed with the IRS a Form 8938 for each taxable year for which the filing of Form 8938 was suspended. Until the IRS provides more details regarding this reporting requirement, including in Form 8938 itself and related Treasury regulations, it remains unclear under what circumstances, if any, a shareholder’s (indirect) interest in the Fund’s “specified foreign financial assets,” if any, will be required to be reported on this Form 8938. In addition, shareholders that are U.S. persons and own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the Fund could be required to report annually their “financial interest” in the Fund’s “foreign financial accounts,” if any, on Treasury Department Form TD F 90-22.1, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). Shareholders should consult a tax advisor regarding the applicability to them of both of these reporting requirements.

Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements

Rules enacted in March 2010 require the reporting to the IRS of direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts and foreign entities by U.S. persons. Failure to provide this required information can result in a 30% withholding tax on certain payments (“withholdable payments”), beginning in 2014 or 2015, depending on the type of payment. Specifically, withholdable payments subject to this 30% withholding tax include payments of U.S.-source dividends and interest made on or after January 1, 2014, and payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposal of property that can produce U.S.-source dividends or interest made on or after January 1, 2015.

The IRS has issued only preliminary guidance with respect to these new rules; their scope remains unclear and potentially subject to material change. Very generally, it is possible that all or a portion of distributions made by the Fund on or after the dates noted above (or such later dates as may be provided in future guidance) to a Common Shareholder,

 

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including a distribution of income or gains otherwise exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to foreign shareholders described above (e.g., Capital Gain Dividends), will be subject to the 30% withholding requirement. Payments to a foreign shareholder that is a “foreign financial institution” will generally be subject to withholding, unless such shareholder enters into a timely agreement with the IRS. Payments to Common Shareholders that are U.S. persons or foreign individuals will generally not be subject to withholding, so long as such shareholders provide the Fund with such certifications or other documentation as the Fund requires to comply with the new rules. Persons investing in the Fund through an intermediary should contact their intermediary regarding the application of the new reporting and withholding regime to their investments in the Fund.

Common Shareholders are urged to consult a tax adviser regarding this new reporting and withholding regime, in light of their particular circumstances.

Other Tax Matters

Under Treasury regulations, if a Common Shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to Common Shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the Common Shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Common Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Special tax rules apply to investments though defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Common Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the suitability of Common Shares as an investment through such plans and the precise effect of an investment on their particular tax situation.

The foregoing discussion relates solely to U.S. federal income tax laws. Dividends and distributions also may be subject to state and local taxes. Common Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as to federal, state, local, and, where applicable, foreign taxes. Foreign investors should consult their tax advisers concerning the tax consequences of ownership of Common Shares.

The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable provisions of the Code and related regulations currently in effect. For the complete provisions, reference should be made to the pertinent Code sections and regulations. The Code and regulations are subject to change by legislative or administrative actions, possibly with retroactive effect.

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSEMENT AGENT

[·] serves as custodian for assets of the Fund. The custodian performs custodial and fund accounting services, as well as sub-administrative and compliance services, on behalf of the Fund.

[·] serves as the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursement agent for the Common Shares, as well as agent for the Dividend Reinvestment Plan relating to the Common Shares.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

[·] serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund. [·] provides audit services, tax return preparation and assistance and consultation in connection with review of SEC filings to the Fund.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

[TO BE ADDED BY AMENDMENT]

 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

[TO BE ADDED BY AMENDMENT]

 

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PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 25. Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(1)       Financial Statements
      The Registrant has not conducted any business as of the date of this filing, other than in connection with its organization. Financial Statements indicating that the Registrant has met the net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the 1940 Act will be filed as part of the Statement of Additional Information.
            
(2)       Exhibits
      (a)(1)        Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated July 22, 2011, filed herewith.
     

(a)(2)

(b)(1)

      

Amendment Number 1 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated July 29, 2011, filed herewith.

Bylaws of Registrant dated July 22, 2011, filed herewith.

      (c)        Not applicable.
      (d)(1)        Article III (Shares) and Article V (Shareholders’ Voting Powers and Meetings) of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, filed herewith with exhibit (a).
      (d)(2)        Article 10 (Shareholders’ Voting Powers and Meetings) of the Bylaws of Registrant, filed herewith with exhibit (b).
      (d)(3)        Form of Certificate for Common Shares of Beneficial Interest.*
      (e)        Form of Dividend Reinvestment Plan.*
      (f)        Not applicable.
      (g)        Form of Management Contract.*
      (h)(1)        Form of Underwriting Agreement.*
      (i)        Not applicable.
      (j)        Form of Custody Agreement.*
      (k)(1)        Form of Transfer Agency Agreement.*
      (k)(2)        Form of Administration Agreement.*
      (k)(3)        Form of Distribution Assistance Agreement.*
      (k)(4)        Form of Additional Compensation Agreement.*
      (k)(5)        Form of Organizational and Offering Expenses Reimbursement Agreement.*
      (k)(6)        Form of Foreign Custody Agreement.*
      (l)        Opinion and Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP.*
      (m)        Not applicable.
      (n)        Consent of Registrant’s independent public accounting firm.*
      (o)        Not applicable.
      (p)        Form of Subscription Agreement.*
      (q)        Not applicable.
      (r)(1)        Code of Ethics of the Fund.*
      (r)(2)        Code of Ethics of the Investment Manager.*
      (r)(3)        Code of Ethics Pursuant to Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers.*
      (s)        Powers of attorney.*

 

 

* To be filed by amendment.

Item 26. Marketing Arrangements

To be filed by amendment.

Item 27. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution


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The approximate expenses in connection with the offering are as follows:

 

Registration and Filing Fees

   $    *      

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Fees

   *

Printing (Other than Certificates)

   *

Engraving and Printing Certificates

   *

Accounting Fees and Expenses

   *

Legal Fees and Expenses

   *

Miscellaneous

   *
          

Total

   $    *      

* To be completed by amendment.

Item 28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control With Registrant

None.

Item 29. Number of Holders of Securities

Set forth below is the number of record holders as of                  , 2011 of each class of securities of the Registrant:

 

Title of Class

 

   Number of Record
Holders

Common Shares of Beneficial Interest

   0

Item 30. Indemnification

Reference is made to Article VIII, Sections 1 through 4, of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, which is incorporated by reference herein.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant by the Registrant pursuant to the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, its Bylaws or otherwise, the Registrant is aware that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and, therefore, is 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 trustees, officers or controlling persons of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustees, officers or controlling persons 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 Investment Manager

DoubleLine Capital LP serves as investment manager (the “Investment Manager”) to the Registrant and also serves as manager to unregistered funds, institutions and high net worth individuals, and as adviser or subadviser to other registered funds. A description of any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which the Investment Manager, and each partner or executive officer of the Investment Manager, is or has been during the past two fiscal years, engaged in for his or her own account or in the capacity of


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director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, is set forth in the prospectus contained in this Registration Statement in the section entitled “Management of the Fund—Investment Manager.”

The information as to the directors and executive officers of DoubleLine Capital LP is set forth in Form ADV filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (IARD/CRD No. 152606), as amended through the date hereof, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 32. Location of Accounts and Records

All applicable accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by the Registrant by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the Rules promulgated thereunder are in the possession and custody of the Registrant, c/o DoubleLine Capital LP, 333 South Grand Avenue, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, California 90071, the Registrant’s administrator, [            ], or the Registrant’s custodian, [            ].

Item 33. Management Services

Not applicable.

Item 34. Undertakings

 

  1. The Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of its Common Shares of Beneficial Interest until the prospectus is amended if (1) subsequent to the effective date of this registration statement, the net asset value declines more than 10 percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of this registration statement or (2) the net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the prospectus.

 

  2. Not applicable.

 

  3. Not applicable.

 

  4. Not applicable.

 

  5. The Registrant undertakes that:

(a)  for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”), the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and

(b)  for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  6. The Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt of an oral or written request, its Statement of Additional Information.

NOTICE

A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of DoubleLine Opportunistic Credit Fund (the “Fund”), together with all amendments thereto, is on file with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that this instrument is executed on behalf of the Fund by any officer of the Fund as an officer and not


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individually and that the obligations of or arising out of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees of the Fund or shareholders of the Fund individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund.


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and/or the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Los Angeles, and the State of California on the 29th day of July, 2011.

 

DOUBLELINE OPPORTUNISTIC CREDIT FUND
By:  

/s/ Ronald R. Redell

Name:   Ronald R. Redell
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Name

  

Capacity

  

Date

/s/ Ronald R. Redell

   Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer   

July 29, 2011            

Ronald R. Redell      

/s/ Susan Nichols

   Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer   

July 29, 2011            

Susan Nichols      


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DoubleLine Opportunistic Credit Fund

Index to Exhibits

Exhibits for Item 25 of Form N-2

 

Exhibit

    

Exhibit Name

(a)(1)

(a)(2)

    

Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated July 22, 2011.

Amendment Number 1 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated July 29, 2011.

(b)(1)
    

Bylaws of Registrant dated July 22, 2011.