0001048703-18-000052.txt : 20180305 0001048703-18-000052.hdr.sgml : 20180305 20180305160759 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001048703-18-000052 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20180305 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20180305 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Madison Strategic Sector Premium Fund CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001317080 IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-84408 FILM NUMBER: 18666066 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 550 SCIENCE DRIVE CITY: MADISON STATE: WI ZIP: 53711 BUSINESS PHONE: 800-767-0300 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 550 SCIENCE DRIVE CITY: MADISON STATE: WI ZIP: 53711 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Karpus Management, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001048703 IRS NUMBER: 161290550 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NY FISCAL YEAR END: 0630 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 183 SULLY'S TRAIL CITY: PITTSFORD STATE: NY ZIP: 14534 BUSINESS PHONE: 5855864680 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 183 SULLY'S TRAIL CITY: PITTSFORD STATE: NY ZIP: 14534 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: KARPUS MANAGEMENT INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19971029 SC 13D/A 1 MSPD3.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D
(Rule 13d-101)

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO § 240.13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
§ 240.13d-2(a)

(Amendment No. 4)

Madison Strategic Sector Premium Fund
(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)

558268108
(CUSIP Number)
 
Daniel Lippincott, Senior Tax-Sensitive Manager
Karpus Management, Inc.
d/b/a Karpus Investment Management
183 Sully’s Trail
Pittsford, New York 14534
(585) 586-4680

Adam W. Finerman, Esq.
Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP
1325 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019
(212) 451-2300
(Name, Address, and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

February 23, 2018
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box: [ X ]

Note:  Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits.  See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.


_______________
1              The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
 

 
CUSIP NO. 558268108
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
Karpus Investment Management
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
AF
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
NEW YORK
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
1,433,504
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
-
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
1,433,504
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
-
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
1,433,504
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
24.7%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
IA

 

 
CUSIP NO. 558268108
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
George W. Karpus
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
                AF
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
NEW YORK
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
-
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
16.450
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
-
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
16,450
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
16,450
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
Less than 1%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
IN

 

 
CUSIP NO. 558268108
 
 
The following constitutes Amendment No. 4 to the Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned ("Amendment No. 4"). This Amendment No. 4 amends the Schedule 13D as specifically set forth herein.

Item 3.
Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration..
 
Item 3 is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

Karpus, an independent registered investment advisor, has accumulated 1,433,504 Shares on behalf of accounts that are managed by Karpus (the “Accounts”) under limited powers of attorney, which represents approximately 24.7% of the outstanding Shares. All funds that have been utilized in making such purchases are from such Accounts.
 
The aggregate purchase price of the 1,433,504 Shares beneficially owned by Karpus Investment Management is approximately $16,271,139, excluding brokerage commissions.
 
The aggregate purchase price of the 16,450 Shares held by Mr. Karpus and the Karpus Entities is approximately $170,563, excluding brokerage commissions.
 

 

 
CUSIP NO. 558268108
 
 
 
Item 4.
Purpose of Transaction..
 
Item 4 is hereby amended to add the following:
 
Karpus, an indepependent registered investment advisor, with a specialty focus in closed-end funds, believes that the profile of the Issuer fits the investment guidelines for various Accounts. Shares have been acquired since July 10, 2015.
 
On February 7, 2018, Karpus sent a letter containing a stockholder proposal for the Fund's 2018 Annual Meeting. A copy of the letter is attached as Exhibit 99.1.
 

 

 
CUSIP NO. 558268108
 
 
Item 5.
Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
 
Item 5(a)-(c) is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:
 
The aggregate percentage of Shares reported owned by each Reporting Person is based upon 5,798,291 Shares outstanding, which is the total number of Shares outstanding as of June 30, 2017 as reported in the Issuer’s Certified Shareholder Report, Semi-Annual, of Registered Management Investment Companies on Form N-CSRS, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 1, 2017.
 
 
A ..
Karpus Investment Management
 
 
(a)
As of the close of business on February 23, 2018, Karpus Investment Management beneficially owned 1,433,504 Shares held in the Accounts.
 
Percentage: 24.7%
 
 
(b)
1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 1,433,504
 
2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: -
 
3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 1,433,504
 
4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: -
 
 
(c)
The transactions in the Shares by Karpus over the last 60 days are set forth in Schedule B and are incorporated herein by reference.
B ..
George W. Karpus
 
 
(a)
As of the close of business on February 23, 2018, George W. Karpus may be deemed to beneficially own the 16,450 Shares held in the Karpus Entities.
 
Percentage: Less than 1%
 
 
(b)
1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: -
 
2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 16,450
 
3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -
 
4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 16,450

 
(c)
Mr. Karpus nor the Karpus Entities had any transactions in the Shares during the past 60 days.

The filing of this Schedule 13D shall not be construed as an admission that the Reporting Persons are, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the beneficial owners of any of the Shares reported herein. Each Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of such Shares except to the extent of his or its pecuniary interest therein.

 

 
CUSIP NO. 558268108
 
 
Item 6.
Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer.

Item 6 is hereby amended to add the following:
 
On February 7, 2018, Karpus sent a 14a-8 shareholder propsal to the Fund, referenced in Item 4, above, and attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.
 

 

 
CUSIP NO. 558268108
 
 
Item 7.
Material to be Filed as Exhibits..
 
Item 7 is hereby amended to add the following exhibit:

 
99.1
14a-8 Shareholder Proposal sent to the Fund on February 7, 2018
 
 
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and belief, the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
 
Dated:  March 5, 2018

 
KARPUS MANAGEMENT, INC.
     
 
By:
/s/ Daniel Lippincott
   
Name:
Daniel Lippincott
   
Title:
Director of Investment Personnel and
Sr. Tax-Sensitive Portfolio Manager


 
/s/ George W. Karpus
 
GEORGE W. KARPUS

 
CUSIP NO. 558268108
 
 
 
SCHEDULE A
 
Executive Officers & Directors of Karpus Management, Inc., d/b/a Karpus Investment Management
 
Name
Position & Present Principal Occupation
Business Address
Shares Owned
George W. Karpus
President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board
183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534
See Above
Kathleen Finnerty Crane
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer
183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534
0 Shares
Dana R. Consler
Executive Vice President
183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534
700 Shares
Thomas M. Duffy
Vice President
183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534
0 Shares
Sharon L. Thornton
Senior Director of Investments
183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534
0 Shares
Daniel L. Lippincott
Sr. Tax-Sensitive Manager and Director of Investment Personnel
183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534
0 Shares

 
 
 
 
CUSIP NO. 558268108
 
SCHEDULE B
 
Transactions in the Shares over the last 60 days.

Nature of the Transaction
Securities
Purchased/(Sold)
Price Per
Share($)
Date of
Purchase / Sale

KARPUS MANAGEMENT, INC., D/B/A/ KARPUS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
(THROUGH THE ACCOUNTS)

Sale of Common Stock
(250)
$11.52
12/26/2017
Sale of Common Stock
(450)
$11.95
1/16/2018
Sale of Common Stock
(1,075)
$11.88
1/26/2018
Sale of Common Stock
(165)
$11.68
1/30/2018
Sale of Common Stock
(920)
$11.63
1/31/2018
Purchase of Common Stock
3,790
$11.03
2/6/2018
Purchase of Common Stock
3,426
$11.31
2/7/2018
Purchase of Common Stock
270
$11.14
2/8/2018
Purchase of Common Stock
1,502
$11.58
2/21/2018
Purchase of Common Stock
2,540
$11.58
2/22/2018
Purchase of Common Stock
61,300
$11.65
2/23/2018

 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT 99.1
 
14a-8 Shareholder Proposal Sent to the Fund on February 7, 2018
 

VIA FEDERAL EXPRESS & ELECTRONIC MAIL						February 7, 2018

Madison Strategic Sector Premium Fund
Attn: Holly S. Baggot, Secretary
550 Science Drive
Madison, Wisconsin 53711

Re:	14a-8 Shareholder Proposal for the Madison Strategic Sector Premium Fund ("MSP" or the "Fund")

Ms. Baggot:
This letter shall serve as notice to the Madison Strategic Sector Premium Fund ("MSP" or the "Fund"), as to Karpus Management, Inc.'s ("Karpus") timely submittal of a shareholder proposal pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for presentation to MSP shareholders at the Fund's next annual shareholders' meeting anticipated to be held in August 2018, or any postponement or adjournment thereof (the "Meeting").

Karpus' non-binding 14a-8 shareholder proposal (the "Proposal") is as follows:

    BE IT RESOLVED, the shareholders of the Madison Strategic Sector Premium Fund ("MSP" or the "Fund") request that the Trustees promptly consider authorizing a self-tender offer for all outstanding common shares of the Fund at or close to net asset value ("NAV"). If more than 50% of the Fund's outstanding common shares are tendered, the tender offer should be cancelled and the Board should take the steps necessary to liquidate, merge, or convert the Fund to an open-end mutual fund or exchange traded fund.

    Supporting Statement

    At MSP's 2016 and 2017 annual shareholder meetings, shareholders approved the same proposal that we put forth today. However, because the proposal is "non-binding," MSP's Board has repeatedly chosen to ignore it instead of implement it.

    In our opinion, ignoring shareholders is NOT acceptable. Repeatedly doing so is even more egregious.

    Similar to the arguments we set forth last year, although the discount was quite narrow for some time, we don't think this had anything to do with the Board. Instead, the discount narrowing of the Fund appears to be a reaction of the market that the Fund's Board might actually do something to enhance shareholder value. Second, 2017 marks the second consecutive meeting that shareholders approved the proposal above and also the second consecutive year that nothing has been done to implement it.

    How many times must a Board be told by shareholders what it wants before that plan gets carried out?

    We continue to question whether the decision not to implement the proposal was in the best interest of shareholders or the best interests of the Fund's Advisor. Surely, maintaining the status quo is the highest fee generating option for Madison Asset Management, LLC. The same argument, however, cannot be made for MSP shareholders. Does the Board not think that MSP is a strategy that shareholders could get elsewhere or that could be implemented efficiently through another investment vehicle?

    After shareholders repeatedly asked for and approved a plan to receive liquidity close to full value, how can a fiduciary such as the Board argue that doing so is not in their best interest? To us, the only party "harmed" in such a scenario are those that chose to vote against the 2016 and 2017 proposal. In that case, they could have the option to not tender their shares, just as they had the option to vote how they saw fit.

    We do not believe that the Fund's current discount has anything to do with what the Board or the Fund's Advisor has done.

    If you agree, please vote FOR Karpus' Proposal and tell our Fund's Trustees that you want them to listen and take the actions that were already approved at the last two annual shareholder meetings. Shareholders are the owners of the Fund, not the Fund's adviser.

    END OF PROPOSAL

As is required by Rule 14a-8, attached as Exhibits 1 and 2 are letters from U. S. Bank N.A. and the "record" holder of the referenced shares, verifying that the referenced shares were continuously and beneficially owned, and had a market value of $2,000 or more, for at least a one year period prior to the date of the submittal of the above Proposal. Karpus intends to hold the shares referenced through the date of the Meeting.

Please advise us immediately if this notice is deficient in any way or if any additional information is required so that Karpus may promptly provide it in order to cure any deficiency. 

Sincerely,

/s/

Brett D. Gardner
Senior Corporate Governance Analyst

cc: Kevin Thompson, Chief Legal Officer and Assistant Secretary
Exhibit 1
U.S. Bank N.A. Letter

Exhibit 2
Cede & Co. Letter