DEFA14A 1 d839914ddefa14a.htm DEFA14A DEFA14A

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

 

 

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. )

 

 

 

Filed by the Registrant ☑

  

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

Check the appropriate box:

  

☐   Preliminary Proxy Statement

   Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

☐   Definitive Joint Proxy Statement

☑   Definitive Additional Materials

☐   Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund

PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II

PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund III

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

 

 

 

    

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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

    

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LOGO

 

CLOSED-END FUND

PROXY CONTEST FACT SHEET FOR:

PIMCO MUNICIPAL CLOSED-END FUNDS

ANNUAL MEETING IMPORTANT DATES       ANNUAL MEETING LOCATION
Record Date    OCTOBER 18, 2019      

OFFICES OF PACIFIC INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC

 

Mail Date    NOVEMBER 12, 2019      

1633 BROADWAY, 42ND FLOOR

 

Meeting Date    DECEMBER 17, 2019 @ 11:00 AM   (ET)       NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION       CONTACT INFORMATION
Ticker Symbols    SEE PAGE 6       Inbound Line    1-866-406-2288
CUSIPs    SEE PAGE 6       Website    www.pimco.com

PIMCO has received notice that, at the upcoming annual meeting, Dryden Capital Fund, LP intends to nominate another non-incumbent candidate for election as a preferred share Trustee of each Municipal Closed-End Fund.

The current Board-Nominated Trustees do not support the Dryden Nominee and urge you to vote in favor of re-electing the incumbent preferred share Board Nominee,

James A. Jacobson.

 

OVERVIEW

What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?

The Meeting is scheduled as a joint meeting of the holders of all shares of the Funds, which consist of holders of common shares of each Fund (the “Common Shareholders”) and holders of preferred shares of each Fund (the “Preferred Shareholders” and, together with the Common Shareholders, the “Shareholders”). The Shareholders of each Fund will vote on whether to elect the current Board-Nominated Trustees’ nominees for Trustees of the Funds (the “Board Nominees”) (the “Proposal”).

What is the proxy contest about?

In addition to the Board Nominees, Dryden Capital, LLC, operating in concert with a hedge fund it manages (“Dryden”), has nominated Derrick A. Clark as a competing preferred shares Trustee nominee for each Fund (the “Dryden Nominee”). Dryden is a Preferred Shareholder that owns less than 1% of each Fund’s Auction Rate Preferred Shares (“ARPS”).

What is the Board’s recommendation?

 

   

The current Board-Nominated Trustees do not support the Dryden Nominee and urge you to vote in favor of re-electing the incumbent preferred share Board Nominee, James A. Jacobson.

 

   

The current Board-Nominated Trustees have worked well together as a Board and have a strong history of actively supporting the interests of the Funds and all of their shareholders.

 

   

The current Board-Nominated Trustees of the Funds urge you NOT TO RETURN any proxy card sent by Dryden.

 

 

 

 

 

For Internal Distribution Only

   Page 1


How does this proxy contest affect voting by Common Shareholders?

For Common Shareholders, the upcoming annual shareholder meeting for the Funds will be similar to previous meetings. As has been the case at previous meetings, you will be asked to vote, together with the Preferred Shareholders, on the Funds’ incumbent Board Nominees. You will not be asked to vote for any Dryden Nominee.

 

 

Who is paying for the costs of the proxy solicitation?

The solicitation will be primarily by mail and by telephone and the cost of soliciting proxies for each Fund will be borne by PIMCO. PIMCO serves as the investment manager of each Fund.

 

 

What are Shareholders being asked to vote on?

 

  1.

Election of Trustees;

CURRENT BOARD-NOMINATED TRUSTEES’ RECOMMENDATION – “FOR” THE BOARD NOMINEES

 

 

 

COMMON
    
NAME OF NOMINEE     YEAR OF BIRTH     FUNDS
(01) Sarah E. Cogan   1956   PIMCO Municipal Income Fund (“PMF”)
(02) Deborah A. DeCotis   1952   PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund (“PCQ”)
(03) David N. Fisher   1968   PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund (“PNF”)
(04) Hans W. Kertess   1939   PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II (“PML”)
        PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II “PCK”)
        PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II (“PNI”)
         
NAME OF NOMINEE   YEAR OF BIRTH   FUNDS
(01) Sarah E. Cogan   1956  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund III (“PMX”)

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III (“PZC”)

(02) David N. Fisher   1968
(03) Alan Rappaport   1953
        
PREFERRED
    
NAME OF NOMINEE   YEAR OF BIRTH   FUNDS
(01) Sarah E. Cogan   1956  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund (“PMF”)

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund (“PCQ”)

PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund (“PNF”)

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II (“PML”)

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II (“PCK”)

PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II (“PNI”)

(02) Deborah A. DeCotis   1952
(03) David N. Fisher   1968
(04) James A. Jacobson   1945
(05) Hans W. Kertess   1939
     
        
NAME OF NOMINEE   YEAR OF BIRTH   FUNDS

 

 

 

 

For Internal Distribution Only


(01) Sarah E. Cogan    1956   

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund III (“PMX”)

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III (“PZC”)

 

(02) David N. Fisher    1968
(03) James A. Jacobson     1945
(04) Alan Rappaport    1953

 

COMMON & PREFERRED

 

             
      Cogan     DeCotis     Fisher     Jacobson     Kertess     Rappaport 
   
NAME OF FUND             TRUSTEE SINCE          
             

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund (“PMF”)

  2019   2011   2019   2009   2001   2010
             

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund (“PCQ”) 

  2019   2011   2019   2009   2001   2010
             

PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund (“PNF”)

  2019   2011   2019   2009   2001   2010
             

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II (“PML”)

  2019   2011   2019   2009   2002   2010
             

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II (“PCK”)

  2019   2011   2019   2009   2002   2010
             

PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II (“PNI”)

  2019   2011   2019   2009   2002   2010
             

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund III (“PMX”)

  2019   2011   2019   2009   2003   2010
             

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III (“PZC”) 

  2019   2011   2019   2009   2003   2010

THE CURRENT BOARD-NOMINATED TRUSTEES RECOMMEND A VOTE “FOR

THE BOARD NOMINEES

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE PREFERRED PROXY CONTEST

How does the Board fulfill its fiduciary obligations to Preferred Shareholders?

The Funds’ Trustees (including preferred share Trustees) have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the Fund, and in carrying out this duty, they must consider the interests of all shareholders, both common and preferred. This applies to all aspects of the Trustees’ oversight responsibilities, including, without limitation, their oversight of the Funds’ performance and the use of leverage.

 

   

At each of the Funds’ regular quarterly meetings, the Trustees review and consider detailed reports from PIMCO regarding the Funds’ use of leverage, financing costs, and available alternatives to the Funds’ Auction Rate Preferred Shares (“ARPS”).

 

   

In considering such alternatives, PIMCO and the Trustees consider PIMCO’s economic and interest rate outlook, market conditions, the rollover and refinancing risks inherent in alternative forms of leverage, the costs, terms, permanency, asset coverage requirements and covenants, as applicable, associated with the leverage alternatives available in the marketplace and the viability of conducting additional ARPS tender offers at an adequately discounted price. These factors may vary over time and the decision regarding the best form of financing for a Fund is a Fund-specific decision on the particular dynamics of the Fund’s financing profile and other market factors.

 

   

PIMCO and the Trustees have continued to closely monitor the Funds’ leverage and actively consider alternative primary forms of financing that are in the best interests of Funds and all of their shareholders (both common and preferred), and will continue to do so. In this regard, at each quarterly meeting, PIMCO continues to provide the Trustees with extensive materials and

 

 

 

 

For Internal Distribution Only


 

engage in robust discussions regarding the Funds’ use of leverage, including, without limitation, PIMCO’s assessment of the relative costs of ARPS, Variable Rate Municipal Term Preferred Shares (“VMTPS”) and other forms of leverage available to the Funds. PIMCO has continued to explain its views on the value of the ARPS to the Funds as compared to available financing arrangements.

What actions has the Board taken to provide value for preferred holders?

In 2018, at PIMCO’s recommendation, each Fund offered all holders of ARPS, including Dryden, an opportunity to tender up to 100% of their ARPS at a price of 85% of the ARPS’ liquidation preference (i.e., “face value”) in a tender offer.

 

   

In considering the interests of all shareholders, the Board determined that, at the time and under then-current market conditions, this price represented fair value for the ARPS and was in the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders.

 

   

In connection with these tender offers, between 12.26% and 26.58% of the Funds’ then-outstanding ARPS were tendered by shareholders. Through such tender offers, Dryden was offered a 100% liquidity alternative for its ARPS and chose not to participate.

Has the Board ever engaged in discussions with Dryden regarding their concerns?

Prior to Dryden’s nomination of Mr. Buffington to stand for election as a preferred share Trustee at the Funds’ 2018 annual shareholder meeting, PIMCO and certain of the Funds’ Trustees met with and responded to various questions from Dryden to the extent possible without disclosing material, non-public information.

PIMCO and those Trustees explained their views on the value of the permanency of the ARPS to the Funds as compared to available financing alternatives, and explained the Trustees’ fiduciary duty to consider the best interests of all shareholders (both common and preferred), including when considering the Funds’ use of leverage. Following Mr. Buffington’s election last year, PIMCO and the Trustees have continued to closely monitor the Funds’ leverage and actively consider alternative primary forms of financing that are in the best interests of Funds and all of their shareholders (both common and preferred), and will continue to do so.

How does the Board continue to monitor the Funds’ use of leverage?

At each quarterly Board meeting, PIMCO continues to provide the Trustees with extensive materials and engage in robust discussions regarding the Funds’ use of leverage, including, without limitation, PIMCO’s assessment of the relative costs of ARPS, VMTPS and other forms of leverage available to the Funds.

 

   

PIMCO has continued to explain its views on the value of the ARPS to the Funds as compared to available financing alternatives.

 

   

PIMCO has explained to the Trustees that recent declines in market interest rates since the 2018 tender offers have reduced the weekly dividends payable on the ARPS and the Funds’ associated costs, such that the ARPS have, in PIMCO’s view, become an even more valuable source of leverage for the Funds in comparison to alternative forms of leverage available to the Funds, based on, among other considerations, current market conditions and PIMCO’s current interest rate outlook.

 

 

 

 

For Internal Distribution Only


What is Dryden’s ownership of preferred shares?

Dryden is a Preferred Shareholder that owns less than 1% of each Fund’s ARPS. Dryden first purchased ARPS of each Fund in 2016, and continued to purchase ARPS of certain of the Funds at a substantial discount to their face value as recently as June 2018.

 

 

 

 

VOTING METHODS

 

 

PHONE:

  

To cast your vote by telephone with a proxy specialist, call the toll-free number found on your proxy card. Representatives are available to take your voting instructions Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

MAIL:

  

To vote your proxy by mail, check the appropriate voting box on the proxy card, sign and date the card and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. 

TOUCH-TONE:

  

To cast your vote via a touch-tone voting line, call the toll-free number and enter the control number found on your proxy card.

INTERNET:

  

To vote via the Internet, go to the website on your proxy card and enter the control number found on the proxy card.

 

 

Proxy Materials Are Available Online At:

www.pimco.com/closedendfunds and https://vote.proxyonline.com/PIMCOFunds/docs/PIMCO2019.pdf

AST Fund Solutions LLC is mentioned on page 7 of the Proxy Statement.

 

 

 

 

For Internal Distribution Only


 

FUND NAME

 

 

 

CLASS

 

 

 

TICKER

 

  

 

CUSIP

 

 

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund

 

Common Shares

  PCQ      72200N106  

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund

 

Preferred Shares Series A

  PCQ      72200N205  

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund

 

Preferred Shares Series B

  PCQ      72200N304  

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund

 

Preferred Shares Series C

  PCQ      72200N403  

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund

 

Preferred Shares Series 2022

  PCQ      72200N502  
              

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II

 

Common Shares

  PCK      72200M108  

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II

 

Preferred Shares Series A

  PCK      72200M207  

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II

 

Preferred Shares Series B

  PCK      72200M306  

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II

 

Preferred Shares Series C

  PCK      72200M405  

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II

 

Preferred Shares Series D

  PCK      72200M504  

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II

 

Preferred Shares Series E

  PCK      72200M603  

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II

 

Preferred Shares Series 2022

  PCK      72200M702  

    

                   

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III

 

Common Shares

  PZC      72201C109  

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III

 

Preferred Shares Series A

  PZC      72201C208  

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III

 

Preferred Shares Series B

  PZC      72201C307  

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III

 

Preferred Shares Series 2022

  PZC      72201C406  

    

                

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund

 

Common Shares

  PMF      72200R107  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund

 

Preferred Shares Series A

  PMF      72200R206  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund

 

Preferred Shares Series B

  PMF      72200R305  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund

 

Preferred Shares Series C

  PMF      72200R404  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund

 

Preferred Shares Series D

  PMF      72200R503  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund

 

Preferred Shares Series E

  PMF      72200R602  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund

 

Preferred Shares Series 2022

  PMF      72200R701  

    

                

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II

 

Common Shares

  PML      72200W106  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II

 

Preferred Shares Series A

  PML      72200W205  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II

 

Preferred Shares Series B

  PML      72200W304  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II

 

Preferred Shares Series C

  PML      72200W403  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II

 

Preferred Shares Series D

  PML      72200W502  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II

 

Preferred Shares Series E

  PML      72200W601  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II

 

Preferred Shares Series 2022

  PML      72200W700  

    

                

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund III

 

Common Shares

  PMX      72201A103  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund III

 

Preferred Shares Series A

  PMX      72201A202  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund III

 

Preferred Shares Series B

  PMX      72201A301  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund III

 

Preferred Shares Series C

  PMX      72201A400  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund III

 

Preferred Shares Series D

  PMX      72201A509  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund III

 

Preferred Shares Series E

  PMX      72201A608  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund III

 

Preferred Shares Series 2022

  PMX      72201A707  

    

                

PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund

 

Common Shares

  PNF      72200T103  

PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund

 

Preferred Shares Series A

  PNF      72200T301  

    

                

PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II

 

Common Shares

  PNI      72200Y102  

PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II

 

Preferred Shares Series A

  PNI      72200Y201  

PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II

 

Preferred Shares Series B

  PNI      72200Y300  

PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II

 

Preferred Shares Series 2022

  PNI      72200Y409  

 

 

 

 

For Internal Distribution Only


LOGO

    PIMCO Municipal Closed-End Funds
  Proxy Contest Script – Preferred Shares
  (CONFIRM RECEIPT OF PROXY MATERIAL)

Good (morning, afternoon, evening), my name is (AGENT’S FULL NAME).

May I please speak with (SHAREHOLDER’S FULL NAME)?

(Re-Greet If Necessary)

I am calling on a recorded line regarding your current investment with the PIMCO Funds. You should have received a proxy statement and a WHITE proxy card for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for December 17, 2019. Do you still have Management’s WHITE proxy card?

(Pause For Response)

 

STILL HAS WHITE CARD:    (Proceed)

 

DOESN’T HAVE WHITE PROXY CARD:

Registered Holder - We will be happy to send you an additional WHITE proxy card. (Proceed)

Beneficial Holder – Please contact your broker for an additional proxy card. Be sure to inform them that you need the WHITE proxy card representing management. (Proceed)

 

 

The current Board-Nominated Trustees greatly appreciate your support and are asking preferred shareholders to vote using only Management’s WHITE proxy card in support of the incumbent nominees to the Board. The current Board-Nominated Trustees urge preferred shareholders to disregard the GOLD proxy card sent to you by Dryden Capital Fund, LP, a shareholder that owns less than 1% of each Fund’s Auction Rate Preferred Shares.

Your Fund’s current Board-Nominated Trustees believe that the incumbent nominees to the Board are experienced and highly qualified individuals who have worked well together as a Board and have a strong history of actively supporting the interests of the Funds and all of their shareholders.

Do you think that you will be returning the WHITE proxy card in support of the current Board-Nominated Trustees’ recommendation?

(Pause For Response)

 

YES OR POSITIVE RESPONSE:

Thank you. Please vote promptly by mail, internet or telephone by following the instructions on the WHITE proxy card or voting instruction form you received to ensure your shares are counted at the meeting. If you have any questions or you require any assistance, please feel free to call 1-866-406-2288 Monday thru Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time. Thank you and have a good (morning/afternoon/evening).

 

NO RESPONSE - HAS QUESTIONS –NOT VOTING –SENDING OTHER CARD:

May I ask what is stopping you from supporting the view of your current Board-nominated Trustees and returning the WHITE proxy card? (Pause For Response) (Notate)

 

Your vote at the upcoming meeting is very important, and there are a few things the current Board-Nominated Trustees believe you should take into account when making your decision.

(Refer to Fact Sheet)

 

 

 

 

For Internal Distribution Only


Given that information, do you think that you might return the WHITE proxy card in support of the Board-Nominated Trustees’ recommendation?

YES OR POSITIVE (Go to Yes or positive response above)

NO OR NEGATIVE (Go to S/H still sending other card/not voting below)

 

S/H STILL SENDING OTHER CARD/NOT VOTING

I understand. If you have any questions or you require any assistance, please feel free to contact 1-866-406-2288 Mon. – Fri. from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time. Your vote is important and your time is greatly appreciated. Thank you and have a good (morning/afternoon/evening).

 

 

 

 

For Internal Distribution Only


LOGO

PIMCO Municipal Closed-End Funds Proxy Contest

Answering Machine Script

Hello.

I am calling regarding your investment with the PIMCO Municipal Closed-End Funds.

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders is scheduled to take place on December 17, 2019. The current Board-Nominated Trustees greatly appreciate your support and are asking preferred shareholders to vote using only Management’s WHITE proxy card in support of the incumbent nominees to the Board.

The current Board-Nominated Trustees urge preferred shareholders to disregard the GOLD proxy card sent to you by Dryden Capital Fund, LP, a shareholder that owns less than 1% of each Fund’s Auction Rate Preferred Shares.

Please vote by mail, internet or telephone by following the instructions on the WHITE proxy card or voting instruction form you received to ensure your shares are counted at the meeting.

If you have any questions or require assistance, please feel free to call 1-866-406-2288 Monday thru Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time.

Your vote is very important. Thank you and have a good day.


LOGO

PIMCO Municipal Closed-End Funds

Level I Answering Machine Script

Hello.

I am calling on behalf of your investment with the PIMCO Municipal Closed-End Funds.

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders is scheduled to take place on December 17, 2019. All shareholders are being asked to consider and vote on an important matter. As of today, your vote has not been registered.

Please contact us as soon as possible at 1-866-406-2288 Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00am and 10:00pm Eastern Time.

Your vote is very important. Thank you and have a good day.