-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Bg8mmw/RYtyK5rTx00tzPCOK3D/c1aTJ2LmBAAGSfhkmTjLN/yg1twZXuGP/c0qc it10wXuCq0jl07eH+mYnLw== 0000875626-05-000435.txt : 20050318 0000875626-05-000435.hdr.sgml : 20050318 20050318170635 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000875626-05-000435 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: DEF 14A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20051231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20050318 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050318 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20050318 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY INCOME FUND CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001302624 IRS NUMBER: 000000000 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: DEF 14A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-21636 FILM NUMBER: 05692327 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1001 WARRENVILLE ROAD, SUITE 300 CITY: LISLE STATE: IL ZIP: 60532 BUSINESS PHONE: 630-241-4141 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1001 WARRENVILLE ROAD, SUITE 300 CITY: LISLE STATE: IL ZIP: 60532 DEF 14A 1 proxy.txt DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 18, 2005 =============================================================================== 1933 Act File No. 333-119081 1940 Act File No. 811-21636 U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 14A PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. ) Filed by the registrant [X] Filed by a party other than the registrant [ ] Check the appropriate box: [ ] Preliminary proxy statement. [ ] Confidential, for use of theCommission only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)). [X] Definitive proxy statement. [ ] Definitive additional materials. [ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Section 240.14a-12 FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY INCOME FUND - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if Other Than the Registrant) Payment of filing fee (check the appropriate box): [X] No fee required. [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (5) Total fee paid: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. [ ] 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. (1) Amount Previously Paid: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Filing Party: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Date Filed: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ENERGY INCOME AND GROWTH FUND FIRST TRUST VALUE LINE(R) 100 FUND FIRST TRUST/FIDUCIARY ASSET MANAGEMENT COVERED CALL FUND FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY INCOME FUND 1001 Warrenville Road Suite 300 Lisle, Illinois 60532 March 18, 2005 Dear Shareholder: The accompanying materials relate to the Joint Annual Meetings of Shareholders (each a "Meeting" and collectively, the "Meetings") of Energy Income and Growth Fund, First Trust Value Line(R) 100 Fund, First Trust/Fiduciary Asset Management Covered Call Fund and First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund (each a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds"). The Meetings will be held at the offices of First Trust Advisors L.P., 1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle, Illinois 60532 on April 18, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. Central time. At the Meeting, you will be asked to vote on a proposal to elect Trustees of your Fund and to transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting and any adjournments thereof. The proposal is described in the accompanying Notice of Joint Annual Meetings of Shareholders and Joint Proxy Statement. Your participation at the Meeting is very important. If you cannot attend the Meeting, you may participate by proxy. As a shareholder, you cast one vote for each share of a Fund that you own and a proportionate fractional vote for any fraction of a share that you own. Please take a few moments to read the enclosed materials and then cast your vote on the enclosed proxy card. Voting takes only a few minutes. Each shareholder's vote is important. Your prompt response will be much appreciated. After you have voted on the proposal, please be sure to sign your proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. We appreciate your participation in this important Meeting. Thank you. Sincerely, James A. Bowen Chairman of the Board INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIGNING PROXY CARDS The following general rules for signing proxy cards may be of assistance to you and avoid the time and expense to the Fund involved in validating your vote if you fail to sign your proxy card properly. 1. Individual Accounts: Sign your name exactly as it appears in the registration on the proxy card. 2. Joint Accounts: Either party may sign, but the name of the party signing should conform exactly to the name shown in the registration. 3. All Other Accounts: The capacity of the individual signing the proxy should be indicated unless it is reflected in the form of registration. For example: REGISTRATION VALID SIGNATURE CORPORATE ACCOUNTS (1) ABC Corp. ABC Corp. (2) ABC Corp. John Doe, Treasurer (3) ABC Corp. c/o John Doe, Treasurer John Doe (4) ABC Corp. Profit Sharing Plan John Doe, Trustee TRUST ACCOUNTS (1) ABC Trust Jane B. Doe, Trustee (2) Jane B. Doe, Trustee u/t/d 12/28/78 Jane B. Doe CUSTODIAL OR ESTATE ACCOUNTS (1) John B. Smith, Cust. f/b/o John B. Smith, Jr. UGMA John B. Smith (2) John B. Smith John B. Smith, Jr., Executor ENERGY INCOME AND GROWTH FUND FIRST TRUST VALUE LINE(R) 100 FUND FIRST TRUST/FIDUCIARY ASSET MANAGEMENT COVERED CALL FUND FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY INCOME FUND 1001 Warrenville Road Suite 300 Lisle, Illinois 60532 NOTICE OF JOINT ANNUAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS To be held on April 18, 2005 March 18, 2005 To the Shareholders of the above Funds: Notice is hereby given that the Joint Annual Meetings of Shareholders (each a "Meeting" and collectively, the "Meetings") of Energy Income and Growth Fund, First Trust Value Line(R) 100 Fund, First Trust/Fiduciary Asset Management Covered Call Fund and First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund (each a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds"), each a Massachusetts business trust, will be held at the offices of First Trust Advisors L.P., 1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle, Illinois 60532 on April 18, 2005, at 4:00 p.m. Central time, for the following purposes: 1. The election of Trustees of each Fund. 2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meetings or any adjournment thereof. The Board of Trustees has fixed the close of business on February 14, 2005 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meetings. By order of the Board of Trustees, W. Scott Jardine Secretary - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SHAREHOLDERS WHO DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING ARE REQUESTED TO PROMPTLY COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE WHICH DOES NOT REQUIRE POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PROPER EXECUTION OF PROXIES ARE SET FORTH ON THE INSIDE COVER. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ENERGY INCOME AND GROWTH FUND FIRST TRUST VALUE LINE(R) 100 FUND FIRST TRUST/FIDUCIARY ASSET MANAGEMENT COVERED CALL FUND FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY INCOME FUND JOINT ANNUAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS APRIL 18, 2005 1001 Warrenville Road Suite 300 Lisle, Illinois 60532 JOINT PROXY STATEMENT MARCH 18, 2005 This Joint Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Trustees of Energy Income and Growth Fund, First Trust Value Line(R) 100 Fund, First Trust/Fiduciary Asset Management Covered Call Fund and First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund (each a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds"), each a Massachusetts business trust, for use at the Annual Meetings of Shareholders of the Funds to be held on April 18, 2005, at 4:00 p.m. Central time, at the offices of First Trust Advisors L.P., 1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle, Illinois 60532, and at any adjournments thereof (each a "Meeting" and collectively, the "Meetings"). A Notice of the Joint Annual Meetings of Shareholders and a proxy card accompany this Joint Proxy Statement. The Board of Trustees of the Funds has determined that the use of this Joint Proxy Statement is in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders in light of the same matters being considered and voted on by shareholders. Proxy solicitations will be made, beginning on or about March 18, 2005, primarily by mail, but such solicitations may also be made by telephone or personal interviews conducted by officers or employees of each Fund; First Trust Advisors L.P. ("First Trust Advisors" or the "Adviser"), the investment adviser of the Funds; and PFPC Inc. ("PFPC"), the administrator, accounting agent and transfer agent of the Funds and a subsidiary of The PNC Financial Services Group Inc., or any of their affiliates. The costs of proxy solicitation and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation of this Joint Proxy Statement and its enclosures will be paid by the Funds. The Funds will also reimburse brokerage firms and others for their expenses in forwarding solicitation material to the beneficial owners of Fund shares. The Funds' most recent annual and semi-annual reports are available upon request, without charge, by writing to the Adviser at 1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle, Illinois 60532 or by calling (800) 988-5891. This Joint Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy card will first be mailed to shareholders on or about March 18, 2005. If the enclosed proxy card is properly executed and returned in time to be voted at the Meeting, the shares represented thereby will be voted in accordance with the instructions marked thereon. If no instructions are marked on the enclosed proxy card, shares represented thereby will be voted Page 1 in the discretion of the persons named on the proxy card. Accordingly, unless instructions to the contrary are marked thereon, a proxy will be voted FOR the election of the nominees as Trustees, and FOR any other matters deemed appropriate. Any shareholder who has given a proxy has the right to revoke it at any time prior to its exercise either by attending the Meeting and voting his or her shares in person, or by submitting a letter of revocation or a later-dated proxy to the Fund at the above address prior to the date of the Meeting. Under the By-Laws of each Fund, a quorum is constituted by the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of thirty-three and one-third percent (33-1/3%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the Fund. In the absence of a quorum, any lesser number of outstanding shares entitled to vote present in person or by proxy may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum shall be present. For the purposes of establishing whether a quorum is present, all shares present and entitled to vote, including abstentions and broker non-votes (i.e., shares held by brokers or nominees as to which (i) instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or the persons entitled to vote and (ii) the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power on a particular matter), shall be counted. The close of business on February 14, 2005 has been fixed as the record date (the "Record Date") for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meetings and all adjournments thereof. Each Fund has one class of shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, known as Common Shares. On the Record Date, each Fund had the following number of shares (the "Shares") outstanding: Common Shares Fund Outstanding - ----- ------------ Energy Income and Growth Fund 6,434,334 First Trust Value Line(R) 100 Fund 17,490,000 First Trust/Fiduciary Asset Management Covered Call Fund 19,780,236 First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund 17,365,236 Common Shares of Energy Income and Growth Fund and First Trust Value Line(R) 100 Fund are listed on the American Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols FEN and FVL, respectively. Common Shares of First Trust/Fiduciary Asset Management Covered Call Fund and First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols FFA and FAM, respectively. Shareholders of record on the Record Date are entitled to one vote for each Share the shareholder owns and a proportionate fractional vote for any fraction of a Share the shareholder owns. To the knowledge of the Board of Trustees, as of February 15, 2005, no single shareholder or "group" (as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act")) beneficially owned more than 5% of any Fund's outstanding Shares. Information as to beneficial ownership is based on reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") by such holders. Page 2 In order that your Shares may be represented at the Meeting, you are requested to: o indicate your instructions on the proxy card; o date and sign the proxy card; o mail the proxy card promptly in the enclosed envelope which requires no postage if mailed in the continental United States; and o allow sufficient time for the proxy to be received (by 5:00 p.m., on April 15, 2005). Page 3 PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF TRUSTEES Proposal 1 relates to the election of Trustees of each Fund. Management proposes the election of five Trustees: James A. Bowen, Richard E. Erickson, Thomas R. Kadlec, Niel B. Nielson and David M. Oster. Each Trustee has indicated his willingness to continue to serve if elected. If elected, each nominee will hold office until the next annual meetings of shareholders or until his successor is elected and qualified, or until he resigns, retires, or is otherwise removed. Each of the nominees was elected to each Fund's Board by the Fund's initial shareholder on the Fund's respective organizational date, except that the Trustees for First Trust Value Line(R) 100 Fund also were elected by shareholders at the Fund's first annual meeting held on April 19, 2004. The Trustees, including those who are not "interested persons" of the Funds ("Independent Trustees") as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), shall be elected by the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the Shares of each Fund cast in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon, provided a quorum is present. Abstentions and broker "non-votes" will have no effect on the approval of the proposal. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named. Unless you give contrary instructions on the enclosed proxy card, your Shares will be voted FOR the election of the nominees listed if your proxy card has been properly executed and timely received by the Fund. If any of the nominees should withdraw or otherwise become unavailable for election, your Shares will be voted FOR such other nominee or nominees as management may recommend. The Board of Trustees Unanimously Recommends that Shareholders Vote FOR Proposal 1. Page 4 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS The management of each Fund, including general supervision of the duties performed for each Fund under the investment management agreement between each Fund and the Adviser, is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. There are five Trustees of each Fund, one of whom is an "interested person" (as the term "interested person" is defined in the 1940 Act) and four of whom are Independent Trustees. No Independent Trustee has ever been a trustee, director or employee of, or consultant to, the Adviser, any sub-adviser described below under "INVESTMENT ADVISER AND ADMINISTRATOR," or any of their affiliates. The Trustees of the Funds set broad policies for each Fund, choose each Fund's officers, and hire each Fund's investment adviser and, if applicable, sub-adviser. The officers of the Funds manage the day-to-day operations and are responsible to the Funds' Board of Trustees. The following is a list of Trustees and officers of the Funds and a statement of their present positions, principal occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios each oversees and the other directorships they hold, if applicable. Board Nominees ---------------- Interested Trustee ------------------
NUMBER OF PORTFOLIOS TERM OF PRINCIPAL IN FUND POSITION(S) OFFICE AND OCCUPATION(S) COMPLEX OTHER NAME, ADDRESS, AND HELD WITH LENGTH OF DURING PAST FIVE OVERSEEN DIRECTORSHIPS DATE OF BIRTH FUNDS TIME SERVED(2) YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- James A. Bowen(1) President, 1 Year President, First Trust 20 NONE 1001 Warrenville Road Chairman of Portfolios L.P. and Suite 300 the Board, First Trust Advisors; Lisle, IL 60532 Chief Since 2003 Chairman of the DOB: 9/55 Executive Board of Directors, Officer and BondWave LLC and Trustee Stonebridge Advisors LLC - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Independent Trustees -------------------- Richard E. Erickson Trustee 1 Year Physician, 20 NONE c/o First Trust Advisors L.P. Sportsmed/Wheaton 1001 Warrenville Road Orthopedics Suite 300 Since 2003 Lisle, IL 60532 DOB: 4/51 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Niel B. Nielson Trustee c/o First Trust Advisors L.P. 1 Year President (2002 to 20 Director of Good 1001 Warrenville Road Present), Covenant News Publishers- Suite 300 College; Pastor (1997 Crossway Books; Lisle, IL 60532 Since 2003 to 2002), College Covenant DOB: 3/54 Church in Wheaton Transport Inc. - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 5
NUMBER OF PORTFOLIOS TERM OF PRINCIPAL IN FUND POSITION(S) OFFICE AND OCCUPATION(S) COMPLEX OTHER NAME, ADDRESS, AND HELD WITH LENGTH OF DURING PAST FIVE OVERSEEN DIRECTORSHIPS DATE OF BIRTH FUNDS TIME SERVED(2) YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas R. Kadlec Trustee 1 Year Vice-President, Chief 20 NONE c/o First Trust Advisors L.P. Financial Officer 1001 Warrenville Road (1990 to Present), Suite 300 Since 2003 ADM Investor Lisle, IL 60532 Services, Inc. DOB: 11/57 (Futures Commission Merchant); Registered Representative (2000 to Present), Segerdahl & Company, Inc., an NASD member (Broker-Dealer) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- David M. Oster Trustee 1 Year Trader 9 NONE c/o First Trust Advisors L.P. (Self-Employed) (1987 1001 Warrenville Road Since 2003 to Present) (Options Suite 300 Trading and Market Lisle, IL 60532 Making) DOB: 3/64 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Officers -------- NUMBER OF PORTFOLIOS IN TERM OF OFFICE(2) PRINCIPAL FUND NAME, ADDRESS, AND POSITION(S) HELD AND LENGTH OF OCCUPATION(S) COMPLEX SERVED DATE OF BIRTH WITH THE FUNDS TIME SERVED(3) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS BY OFFICER --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark R. Bradley Treasurer, Indefinite Chief Financial Officer, Managing 20 1001 Warrenville Road Controller, Director, Suite 300 Chief Financial First Trust Portfolios L.P. and Lisle, IL 60532 Officer Since 2003 First Trust Advisors; Chief Financial DOB: 11/57 and Chief Officer, BondWave LLC and Stonebridge Accounting Officer Advisors LLC --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Susan M. Brix Assistant Vice Indefinite Representative, First 20 1001 Warrenville Road President Trust Portfolios L.P.; Suite 300 Assistant Portfolio Lisle, IL 60532 Since 2003 Manager, First Trust DOB: 1/60 Advisors --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert F. Carey Vice President Indefinite Senior Vice President, 20 1001 Warrenville Road First Trust Portfolios Suite 300 L.P. and First Trust Lisle, IL 60532 Since 2003 Advisors DOB: 7/63 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- W. Scott Jardine Secretary and Indefinite General Counsel, 20 1001 Warrenville Road Chief Compliance First Trust Portfolios Suite 300 Officer L.P. and First Trust Lisle, IL 60532 Since 2003 Advisors; Secretary, BondWave LLC and DOB: 5/60 Stonebridge Advisors LLC --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kristi A. Maher Assistant Secretary Indefinite Assistant General Counsel 20 1001 Warrenville Road (March 2004 to Present), Suite 300 First Trust Portfolios L.P. and First Lisle, IL 60532 Since 2004 Trust Advisors; Associate (1995 to DOB: 12/66 March 2004), Chapman and Cutler LLP --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Roger Testin Vice President Indefinite Vice President 20 1001 Warrenville Road (August 2001 to Present), First Trust Suite 300 Advisors; Lisle, IL 60532 Since 2003 Analyst (1998 to 2001), Dolan Capital DOB: 6/66 Management --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Mr. Bowen is deemed an "interested person" of the Funds due to his position as President of First Trust Advisors L.P. 2 Trustees are elected each year by shareholders and serve a one-year term until their successors are elected. Officers of the Funds have an indefinite term. 3 Officers were elected in 2003 for First Trust Value Line(R) 100 Fund and in 2004 for the other Funds.
Page 6 In addition to the Funds, the First Trust Fund Complex includes First Defined Portfolio Fund, LLC, an open-end management investment company advised by First Trust Advisors with 11 portfolios, First Trust Value Line(R) Dividend Fund, First Trust/Four Corners Senior Floating Rate Income Fund, Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities Dividend & Income Fund, First Trust Value Line(R) & Ibbotson Equity Allocation Fund, and First Trust/Four Corners Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II. Messrs. Bowen, Erickson, Kadlec and Nielson are trustees of First Defined Portfolio Fund, LLC. Mr. Kadlec was appointed to the Board of Trustees of First Defined Portfolio Fund, LLC on March 8, 2004. Messrs. Bowen, Erickson, Kadlec, Nielson and Oster are Trustees of First Trust Value Line(R) Dividend Fund, First Trust/Four Corners Senior Floating Rate Income Fund, Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities Dividend & Income Fund, First Trust Value Line(R) & Ibbotson Equity Allocation Fund, and First Trust/Four Corners Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II. None of the Independent Trustees, nor any of their immediate family members, has ever been a director, officer or employee of, or consultant to, First Trust Advisors, First Trust Portfolios L.P., any sub-adviser or any of their affiliates. In addition, Mr. Bowen, chief executive officer of each Fund, and the other officers of the Funds, hold the same positions with First Defined Portfolio Fund, LLC, First Trust Value Line(R) Dividend Fund, First Trust/Four Corners Senior Floating Rate Income Fund, Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities Dividend & Income Fund, First Trust Value Line(R) & Ibbotson Equity Allocation Fund, and First Trust/Four Corners Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II, as they hold with the Funds. BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SHARES HELD IN THE FUNDS BY EACH NOMINEE FOR ELECTION AS TRUSTEE The following table sets forth the dollar range and number of equity securities beneficially owned by the Trustees in each Fund and in other funds in the First Trust Fund Complex as of December 31, 2004: Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund/(Number of Shares Held) ---------------------------------------------------------------------
First Trust/ Aggregate Dollar Range of Fiduciary First Equity Securities in All Asset Trust/Aberdeen Registered Investment Energy Income First Trust Management Global Companies Overseen by and Growth Value Line(R) Covered Call Opportunity Trustee in Fund Complex/ Name of Trustee Fund 100 Fund Fund Income Fund (Number of Shares Held) - --------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- ------------------------------ James A. Bowen 0 $10,001-$50,000 0 0 Over $100,000 (2500 Shares) (6750 Shares) - --------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- ------------------------------ Richard E. Erickson $1-$10,000 $1-$10,000 $1-$10,000 $1-$10,000 $10,001-$50,000 (100 Shares) (301 Shares) (100 Shares) (200 Shares) (1201 Shares) - --------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- ------------------------------ Thomas R. Kadlec 0 $10,001-$50,000 0 0 $50,001-$100,000 (1667 Shares) (4954 Shares) - --------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- ------------------------------ Niel B. Nielson 0 $1-$10,000 $1-$10,000 $1-$10,000 $10,001-$50,000 (203 Shares) (202 Shares) (200 Shares) (1005 Shares) - --------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- ------------------------------ David M. Oster $1-$10,000 $10,001-$50,000 $1-$10,000 $1-$10,000 Over $100,000 (200 Shares) (1017 Shares) (200 Shares) (200 Shares) (5961 Shares) - --------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- ------------------------------
Page 7 As of December 31, 2004, the Independent Trustees of each Fund and immediate family members do not own beneficially or of record any class of securities of an investment adviser, sub-adviser or principal underwriter of the Funds or any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with an investment adviser, sub-adviser or principal underwriter of the Funds, nor did any Independent Trustee purchase or sell securities of First Trust Advisors, any sub-adviser or their parents, or subsidiaries. James A. Bowen purchased four limited partnership units of Grace Partners of DuPage L.P., the limited partner of First Trust Advisors L.P., from Kimberly Boyer on or about May 17, 2004 for a purchase price of $500,000 per unit. The units were purchased pursuant to exercise of an option previously granted. As of December 31, 2004, each Fund knows of no person who owns beneficially or of record 5% or more of any Fund's Shares. As of December 31, 2004, the Trustees and executive officers as a group beneficially owned the following number of Shares of each Fund, which is less than 1% of each Fund's Shares outstanding. Fund Common Shares Owned - ----- ------------------- Energy Income and Growth Fund 300 First Trust Value Line(R) 100 Fund 5688 First Trust/Fiduciary Asset Management Covered Call Fund 502 First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund 600 As of December 31, 2004, the Trustees and executive officers as a group beneficially owned 19,871 shares of funds in the First Trust Fund Complex (less than 1% of the shares outstanding). COMPENSATION Effective June 7, 2004, the Trustees approved a revised compensation plan. Under the revised plan, each Fund pays each Trustee who is not an officer or employee of First Trust Advisors, any sub-adviser or any of their affiliates an annual retainer of $10,000 which includes compensation for all regular quarterly board meetings and regular committee meetings. No additional meeting fees are paid in connection with regular quarterly board meetings or regular committee meetings. Additional fees of $1,000 and $500 are paid to non-interested Trustees for special board meetings and non-regular committee meetings, respectively. These additional fees are shared by the funds in the First Trust Fund Complex that participate in the particular meeting and are not per fund fees. Trustees are also reimbursed for travel and out-of-pocket expenses in connection with all meetings. The Trustees adopted the revised plan because the increase in the number of funds in the First Trust Fund Complex had the effect of rapidly increasing their compensation under the previous arrangements. Prior to June 7, 2004, each fund paid each Trustee not affiliated with First Trust Advisors, any sub-adviser or any of their affiliates an annual fee of $10,000 plus $1,000 as compensation for each board meeting (in-person or by electronic means) and $500 per committee meeting (in-person or by electronic means) attended. The Board of Trustees of the Energy Income and Growth Fund held eight meetings Page 8 during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2004. The Board of Trustees of First Trust Value Line(R) 100 Fund held six meetings, the Board of Trustees of First Trust/Fiduciary Asset Management Covered Call Fund held six meetings and the Board of Trustees of First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund held four meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. Each of the Trustees attended all of the meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Funds. The following table sets forth certain information regarding the compensation of each Fund's Trustees for their respective fiscal years. The Funds have no retirement or pension plans.
Estimated Aggregate Estimated Estimated Compensation(3) Aggregate Aggregate Aggregate From First Compensation (3) Compensation (3) Compensation Trust/Fiduciary From First Trust/ Total From Energy From First Trust Asset Management Aberdeen Global Compensation Income and Growth Value Line(sm) 100 Covered Call Opportunity From the Fund Name of Trustee Fund(1) Fund(2) Fund(2) Income Fund(2) Complex(2) - ------------------------ ------------------- ------------------ ------------------- ------------------- ------------------ James A. Bowen $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 - ------------------------ ------------------- ------------------ ------------------- ------------------- ------------------ Richard E. Erickson $10,000 $13,767 $10,000 $10,000 $94,750 - ------------------------ ------------------- ------------------ ------------------- ------------------- ------------------ Thomas R. Kadlec $10,000 $13,767 $10,000 $10,000 $88,625 - ------------------------ ------------------- ------------------ ------------------- ------------------- ------------------ Niel B. Nielson $10,000 $13,767 $10,000 $10,000 $94,750 - ------------------------ ------------------- ------------------ ------------------- ------------------- ------------------ David M. Oster $10,000 $13,772 $10,000 $10,000 $78,000 - ------------------------ ------------------- ------------------ ------------------- ------------------- ------------------ 1 For fiscal year ended November 30, 2004. 2 For fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. 3 The compensation from the Fund has been annualized to reflect revised compensation payable for a full fiscal year.
The total compensation paid to Messrs. Erickson and Nielson, Independent Trustees of each fund in the First Trust Fund Complex, includes compensation for their services as Trustees to First Defined Portfolio Fund, LLC, First Trust Value Line(R) Dividend Fund, First Trust/Four Corners Senior Floating Rate Income Fund, Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities Dividend & Income Fund, First Trust Value Line(R) & Ibbotson Equity Allocation Fund, and First Trust/Four Corners Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II and the Funds. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, Mr. Oster was not a Trustee of First Defined Portfolio Fund, LLC and accordingly, his total compensation was based on compensation paid by First Trust Value Line(R) Dividend Fund, First Trust/Four Corners Senior Floating Rate Income Fund, Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities Dividend & Income Fund, First Trust Value Line(R) & Ibbotson Equity Allocation Fund, and First Trust/Four Corners Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II and the Funds. On March 8, 2004, Mr. Kadlec was appointed as a Trustee of First Defined Portfolio Fund, LLC and accordingly, his total compensation was based on compensation paid by First Defined Portfolio Fund, LLC, First Trust Value Line(R) Dividend Fund, First Trust/Four Corners Senior Floating Rate Income Fund, Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities Dividend & Income Fund, First Trust Value Line(R) & Ibbotson Equity Allocation Fund, and First Trust/Four Corners Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II and the Funds. The officers and the interested Trustee of each Fund receive no compensation from the Funds for serving in such capacity. Page 9 COMMITTEES AUDIT COMMITTEE The Board of Trustees has an Audit Committee, which consists of Messrs. Erickson, Kadlec, Nielson and Oster, all of whom are "independent" as defined in the listing standards of the American Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing each Fund's accounting and financial reporting process, the system of internal controls, audit process and evaluating and appointing independent auditors (subject also to Board approval). The Audit Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2004 for the Energy Income and Growth Fund. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, the Audit Committee met six times for the First Trust Value Line(R) 100 Fund, four times for the First Trust/Fiduciary Asset Management Covered Call Fund and two times for the First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund. Each of the Trustees attended all of the meetings of the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees of each Fund. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Audit Committee pre-approves all audit services for each Fund and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for each Fund and the Adviser by Deloitte & Touche LLP ("Deloitte & Touche"), the Funds' independent registered public accounting firm ("independent auditors"). The Chairman of the Audit Committee is authorized to give such pre-approvals on behalf of the Audit Committee. Any decisions by the Chairman to grant pre-approvals are reported to the full Audit Committee. AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT The role of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Trustees in its oversight of each Fund's accounting and financial reporting process. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a Charter that was most recently reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees on December 13, 2004, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit A hereto. As set forth in the Charter, management of each Fund is responsible for maintaining appropriate systems for accounting and internal controls and the audit process. The Funds' independent auditors are responsible for planning and carrying out proper audits of the Funds' financial statements and expressing an opinion as to their conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In performing its oversight function, at a meeting held on January 19, 2005 for Energy Income and Growth Fund and at a meeting held on February 22, 2005 for First Trust Value Line(R) 100 Fund, First Trust/Fiduciary Asset Management Covered Call Fund and First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management and Deloitte & Touche, the audited financial statements of each Fund and discussed the audit of such financial statements with the independent auditors and management. In addition, the Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors the accounting principles applied by each Fund and such other matters brought to the attention of the Audit Committee by the independent auditors required by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61, Communications with Audit Committees, as currently modified or supplemented. The Audit Committee also received from the independent Page 10 auditors the written disclosures and letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, delineating relationships between the independent auditors and each Fund, and discussed the impact that any such relationships may have on the objectivity and independence of the independent auditors. Members of each Fund's Audit Committee are not professionally engaged in the practice of auditing or accounting and are not employed by the Funds for purposes of accounting, financial management or internal control functions. Moreover, the Audit Committee relies on, and makes no independent verification of, the facts presented and the representations made to it by Fund management and Deloitte & Touche. Accordingly, the Audit Committee's oversight does not provide an independent basis to determine that management has maintained appropriate accounting and/or financial reporting principles and policies, or internal controls and procedures, designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, the Audit Committee's considerations and discussions referred to above do not provide assurance that the audit of the Funds' financial statements has been carried out in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards or that the financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Based on its consideration of the Funds' audited financial statements and the discussions referred to above with Fund management and Deloitte & Touche, and subject to the limitations on the responsibilities and role of the Audit Committee as set forth in the Charter and discussed above, the Audit Committee recommended the inclusion of each Fund's audited financial statements in its Annual Report. Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Funds: Richard E.Erickson Thomas R. Kadlec Niel B. Nielson David M. Oster INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' FEES Deloitte & Touche has been selected to serve as the independent auditors for Energy Income and Growth Fund for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2005 and for the First Trust Value Line(R) 100 Fund, the First Trust/Fiduciary Asset Management Covered Call Fund and the First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005. Deloitte & Touche acted as independent auditors for Energy Income and Growth Fund for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2004 and for the First Trust Value Line(R) 100 Fund, the First Trust/Fiduciary Asset Management Covered Call Fund and the First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. Deloitte & Touche has advised the Funds that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, Deloitte & Touche professionals did not have any direct or material indirect ownership interest in the Funds inconsistent with independent professional standards pertaining to auditors. Deloitte & Touche did note that the trust account of a Deloitte & Touche partner invested in First Trust/Four Corners Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II on May 28, 2004. When notified of the violation, the position was immediately divested. Deloitte & Touche informed the Audit Committee that this situation did not Page 11 materially impact Deloitte & Touche's independence due to the remediation of the transaction and the fact that the partner has no involvement with Deloitte & Touche's engagement with the Funds or First Trust Advisors. It is expected that representatives of Deloitte & Touche will be present at the Meeting to answer any questions that may arise. In reliance on Rule 32a-4 under the 1940 Act, each Fund is not seeking shareholder ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche as independent auditors. Set forth in the table below are fees billed by Deloitte & Touche to each Fund and the Adviser through the fiscal periods noted:
Audit Related Audit Fees Fees Tax Fees All Other Fees - ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- First Trust Value Line(R) 100 Fund $27,677 $0 $0 $0 (from inception on 6/12/03 to 12/31/03) - ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- First Trust Value Line(R) 100 Fund (Fiscal Year Ended 12/31/04) $9,000 $0 $0 $0 - ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Energy Income and Growth Fund (from inception on 6/17/04 to 11/30/04) $52,000 $0 $0 $0 - ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- First Trust/Fiduciary Asset Management Covered Call Fund (from inception on 8/17/04 to 12/31/04) $15,000 $0 $0 $0 - ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund (from inception on 11/16/04 to 12/31/04) $13,500 $0 $0 $0 - ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- First Trust Advisors N/A $20,4001 $6,0002 $0 (Fiscal Year Ended 12/31/03) - ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- First Trust Advisors (Fiscal Year Ended 12/31/04) N/A $0 $6,0002 $0 - ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- 1 These fees were for AIMR-PPS verification services. 2 These fees were for tax return preparation.
All of the services in the table above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee. OTHER COMMITTEES The Board of Trustees of the Funds has three other standing committees: the Executive Committee (and Dividend and Pricing Committee), the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Valuation Committee. The Executive Committee, which meets between Board meetings, is authorized to exercise all powers of and to act in the place of the Board of Trustees to the extent permitted by each Fund's Declaration of Trust and By-Laws. The members of the Executive Committee also serve as a special committee of the Board of Trustees known as the Dividend and Pricing Committee which is authorized to exercise all of the powers and authority of the Board in respect of the declaration and setting of dividends and the issuance and sale, through an underwritten public offering, of the Shares of each Fund and all other such matters relating to such financing, including determining the price at which such Shares are to be sold and approval of the final terms of the underwriting agreement, including approval of the members of the underwriting syndicate. Messrs. Bowen and Kadlec are members of the Executive Committee. Page 12 The Executive Committee serving as the Dividend and Pricing Committee for the Energy Income and Growth Fund met a total of three times during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2004. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, the Dividend and Pricing Committee met two times for the First Trust Value Line(R) 100 Fund; two times for the First Trust/Fiduciary Asset Management Covered Call Fund; and two times for the First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund. Each Fund's Executive Committee met to authorize the Funds' initial public offering of Shares as well as for each dividend declaration. Each Fund's Nominating and Governance Committee (the "Committee") is composed entirely of Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) of each Fund and who are "independent directors" within the meaning of the listing standards of the American and New York Stock Exchanges. Messrs. Erickson, Kadlec, Nielson and Oster are members of the Committee. The purpose of the Committee is to oversee matters related to the nomination of trustees and, as necessary, the corporate governance of each Fund. The Committee is responsible for, among other things, seeking, identifying and nominating qualified candidates for election or appointment as trustees in the event of a vacancy, consistent with criteria approved by the Board, for the next annual meeting of shareholders; evaluating Board performance and processes; reviewing Board committee assignments; and, to the extent necessary or desirable, establishing corporate governance guidelines and procedures. The Committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board, a copy of which is available on the Funds' website at www.ftportfolios.com. The Committee met one time during the fiscal years ended November 30, 2004 and December 31, 2004. If there is no vacancy on the Board, the Board will not actively seek recommendations from other parties, including shareholders. When a vacancy on the Board occurs, the Committee may seek recommendations for candidates from those sources it deems appropriate in its discretion, including shareholders of the Funds. The Committee may retain a search firm to identify candidates. Shareholders of a Fund who wish to recommend a person for nomination as a candidate for a position on the Fund's Board should mail such recommendation to the Fund, attention W. Scott Jardine, 1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle, Illinois 60532. Recommendations must include (a) evidence of Fund ownership of the person or entity recommending the candidate (if a Fund shareholder); (b) a full description of the proposed candidate's background, including their education, experience, current employment and date of birth; (c) names and addresses of at least three professional references for the candidate; (d) information as to whether the candidate is an "interested person" (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) and such other information that may be considered to impair the candidate's independence; and (e) any other information that may be helpful to the Committee in evaluating the candidate. If a recommendation is received with satisfactorily completed information regarding a candidate during a time when a vacancy exists on the Board or during such other time as the Committee is accepting recommendations, the recommendation will be forwarded to the Chairperson of the Committee and outside counsel to the Independent Trustees. Recommendations received at any other time will be kept on file until such time as the Committee is accepting recommendations at which point they may be considered for nomination. In recruiting new trustees, the Committee seeks to recruit and retain qualified independent trustees of high integrity, whose skills and experience will enhance the Board's ability to effectively represent the interests of Page 13 the Funds' shareholders and oversee the wide range of regulatory and business issues affecting the Funds. A candidate for trustee must meet certain basic requirements, including relevant skills and experience, time availability and if qualifying as a non- "interested person" candidate, independence from the Funds, investment adviser or other service providers. The qualifications of a particular candidate, however, may vary depending on the current composition of the Board and the mix of skills and backgrounds of the incumbent trustees since the Committee seeks to establish an effective Board with an appropriate range of skills and experience, in the aggregate. In addition to relevant skills and experience, all candidates must possess high standards of personal integrity that are assessed on the basis of personal interviews, recommendations, or direct knowledge by Committee members. The review process may include, without limitation, personal interviews, background checks, written submissions by the candidates and third party references. Under no circumstances shall the Committee evaluate persons recommended by a shareholder of the Funds on a basis substantially different than that used for other persons recommended for the same election or appointment of trustees. The Committee reserves the right to make the final selection regarding the nomination of any trustees. The Valuation Committee is responsible for the oversight of the pricing procedures of the Funds. Messrs. Erickson, Kadlec and Oster are members of the Valuation Committee. The Valuation Committee did not meet during the fiscal years ended November 30, 2004 and December 31, 2004. ATTENDANCE AT ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS The policy of the Board relating to attendance by Trustees at annual meetings of the Funds is contained in the Funds' Nominating and Governance Committee Charter, which is posted on the Funds' website at www.ftportfolios.com. INVESTMENT ADVISER AND ADMINISTRATOR First Trust Advisors L.P., 1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle, Illinois 60532, serves as the Funds' investment adviser. Fiduciary Asset Management, LLC, 8112 Maryland Avenue, Suite 400, St. Louis, Missouri 63105, serves as the investment sub-adviser to the Energy Income and Growth Fund and the First Trust/Fiduciary Asset Management Covered Call Fund. Aberdeen Asset Management, Inc., 300 SE 2nd Street, Suite 820, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301, serves as the investment sub-adviser to the First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund. PFPC acts as the Funds' administrator and accounting agent and is located at 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581. PFPC is a leading provider of full service mutual fund shareholder and record keeping services. In addition to its mutual fund transfer agent and record keeping service, PFPC provides other services through its own subsidiary business units. Page 14 SECTION 30(h) AND SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE Section 30(h) of the 1940 Act and Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act require the Funds' officers and Trustees, certain persons affiliated with First Trust Advisors, and any sub-adviser and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a Fund's Shares to file reports of ownership and changes of ownership with the SEC, the American Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange and to furnish the Funds with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely upon a review of copies of such forms received by the Funds and certain written representations, the Funds believe that all such filing requirements applicable to such persons were met, except as described below. First Trust Advisors made late Form 3 filings for all of the Funds on behalf of itself as investment adviser. Upon discovery of this oversight in November, 2004, Form 3s were filed on behalf of First Trust Advisors for each of the Funds on December 9, 2004. In addition, First Trust Portfolios L.P. also failed to make the requisite Form 3 filing on behalf of the Energy Income and Growth Fund, the First Trust/Fiduciary Asset Management Covered Call Fund and the First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund. Upon discovery of this oversight in November, 2004, Form 3s were filed on behalf of First Trust Portfolios L.P. on December 9, 2004 for these Funds. In addition, a Form 3 was not filed on time on behalf of Fiduciary Asset Management, LLC, the sub-adviser for the Energy Income and Growth Fund and First Trust/Fiduciary Asset Management Covered Call Fund. On February 17, 2005, Form 3s were filed for the Energy Income and Growth Fund and First Trust/Fiduciary Asset Management Covered Call Fund on behalf of Fiduciary Asset Management, LLC. All of these late Form 3 filings were due to administrative oversight. Two Form 4s were filed late on February 17, 2005 on behalf of Niel B. Nielson, a Trustee of the Funds, for purchases he made on December 21, 2004, of shares in both First Trust/Fiduciary Asset Management Covered Call Fund and First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund. In addition, Form 4's were filed late for all purchases of shares of Energy Income and Growth Fund and First Trust/Fiduciary Asset Management Covered Call Fund made during 2004 by Charles D. Walbrandt, Chief Executive Officer of Fiduciary Asset Management, LLC. All of these late Form 4 filings were due to administrative oversight. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS To be considered for presentation at the annual meetings of shareholders of the Funds to be held in 2006, a shareholder proposal submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the 1934 Act must be received at the offices of the Funds at 1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle, Illinois 60532, not later than November 18, 2005. A shareholder wishing to provide notice in the manner prescribed by Rule 14a-4(c)(1) of a proposal submitted outside of the process of Rule 14a-8 must submit such written notice to the applicable Fund not later than February 1, 2006. Timely submission of a proposal does not mean that such proposal will be included in a proxy statement. Page 15 SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS Shareholders of a Fund who want to communicate with the Board of Trustees or any individual Trustee should write the Fund to the attention of the Fund Secretary, W. Scott Jardine. The letter should indicate that you are a Fund shareholder. If the communication is intended for a specific Trustee and so indicates, it will be sent only to that Trustee. If a communication does not indicate a specific Trustee it will be sent to the chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee and the outside counsel to the Independent Trustees for further distribution as deemed appropriate by such persons. FISCAL YEAR The fiscal year end for the Energy Income and Growth Fund was November 30, 2004. The fiscal year end for the First Trust Value Line(R) 100 Fund, the First Trust/Fiduciary Asset Management Covered Call Fund and the First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund was December 31, 2004. ANNUAL REPORT DELIVERY Annual reports will be sent to shareholders of record of each Fund following the Fund's fiscal year end. Each Fund will furnish, without charge, a copy of its annual report and/or semi-annual report as available upon request. Such written or oral requests should be directed to the Fund at 1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle, Illinois 60532 or by calling (800) 988-5891. Please note that in certain circumstances, only one annual report or proxy statement may be delivered to two or more shareholders of a Fund who share an address, unless the Fund has received instructions to the contrary. To request a separate copy of an annual report or proxy statement, or for instructions as to how to request a separate copy of such documents or as to how to request a single copy if multiple copies of such documents are received, shareholders should contact the Fund at the address and phone number set forth above. GENERAL A list of shareholders entitled to be present and to vote at the Meeting will be available at the offices of the Funds, 1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle, Illinois 60532, for inspection by any shareholder during regular business hours beginning ten days prior to the date of the Meeting. Failure of a quorum to be present at the Meeting will necessitate adjournment and will subject the Funds to additional expense. The persons named in the enclosed proxy may also move for an adjournment of the Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies with respect to the proposal if they determine that adjournment and further solicitation is reasonable and in Page 16 the best interests of the shareholders. Under each Fund's By-Laws, an adjournment of a meeting requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the Shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting. OTHER MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING No business other than the matters described above is expected to come before the Meetings, but should any other matter requiring a vote of shareholders arise, including any question as to an adjournment or postponement of a Meeting, the persons named on the enclosed proxy card will vote thereon according to their best judgment in the interests of the Funds. March 18, 2005 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY. SHAREHOLDERS WHO DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING ARE THEREFORE URGED TO COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE. - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 17 EXHIBIT A AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER I. PURPOSE. The Audit Committee (the "Committee") is appointed by the Boards of Trustees (the "Boards") of investment companies (the "Funds") advised by First Trust Advisors L.P. ("Fund Management") for the following purposes: A. to oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of each Fund and its internal controls and, as the Audit Committee deems appropriate, to inquire into the internal controls of certain third-party service providers; B. to oversee the quality and integrity of each Fund's financial statements and the independent audit thereof; C. to oversee, or, as appropriate, assist Board oversight of, each Fund's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that relate to the Fund's accounting and financial reporting, internal controls and independent audits; and D. to approve, prior to the appointment, the engagement of each Fund's independent auditor and, in connection therewith, to review and evaluate the qualifications, independence and performance of the Fund's independent auditor. II. COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION AND COMPOSITION. A. Size and Membership Requirements 1. The Committee shall be composed of at least three members, all of whom shall be trustees of the Funds. Each member of the Committee, and a Committee chairperson, shall be appointed by the Board on the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee. 2. Each member of the Committee shall be independent of the Fund and must be free of any relationship that, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment as a Committee member. With respect to the Funds which are closed-end funds, each member must meet the independence and experience requirements of the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange (as applicable), and Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and Rule 10A-3 thereunder, and other applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Included in the foregoing is the requirement that no member of the Committee be an "interested person" of the Funds within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), nor shall any Committee member accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the Funds (except in the capacity as a Board or committee member). 3. At least one member of the Committee shall have been determined by the Board, exercising its business judgment, to qualify as an "audit committee financial expert" as defined by the SEC. A-1 4. With respect to Funds that are closed-end funds whose shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, each member of the Committee shall have been determined by the Board, exercising its business judgment, to be "financially literate" as required by the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, at least one member of the Committee shall have been determined by the Board, exercising its business judgment, to have "accounting or financial management expertise," as required by the New York Stock Exchange. Such member may, but need not be, the same person as the Funds' "audit committee financial expert." With respect to Funds that are closed-end funds whose shares are listed on the American Stock Exchange, each member of the Committee shall be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a Fund's balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. In addition, at least one member of the Committee shall have been determined by the Board, exercising its business judgment, to be "financially sophisticated," as required by the American Stock Exchange. A member whom the Board determines to be the Fund's "audit committee financial expert" shall be presumed to qualify as financially sophisticated. 5. With respect to Funds that are closed-end funds, Committee members shall not serve simultaneously on the audit committee of more than two public companies, in addition to their service on the Committee. B. Frequency of Meetings. The Committee will ordinarily meet once for every regular meeting of the Board. The Committee may meet more or less frequently as appropriate, but no less than twice per year. C. Term of Office. Committee members shall serve until they resign or are removed or replaced by the Board. III. RESPONSIBILITIES. A. With respect to Independent Auditors: 1. The Committee shall be responsible for the appointment or replacement (subject if applicable, to Board and/or shareholder ratification), compensation, retention and oversight of the work of any registered public accounting firm engaged (including resolution of disagreements between management and the auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Funds ("External Auditors"). The External Auditors shall report directly to the Committee. 2. The Committee shall meet with the External Auditors and Fund Management to review the scope, fees, audit plans and staffing of the proposed audits for each fiscal year. At the conclusion of the audit, the Committee shall review such audit results, including the External Auditor's evaluation of the Fund's financial and internal controls, any comments or recommendations of the External Auditors, any audit problems or difficulties and Fund Management's response, including any restrictions on the scope of the External Auditor's activities or on access to requested information, any significant disagreements with Fund Management, any accounting adjustments noted or proposed by the auditor but not made by the Fund, any communications A-2 between the audit team and the audit firm's national office regarding auditing or accounting issues presented by the engagement, any significant changes required from the originally planned audit programs and any adjustments to the financial statements recommended by the External Auditors. 3. The Committee shall meet with the External Auditors in the absence of Fund Management, as necessary. 4. The Committee shall pre-approve all audit services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the Fund by its External Auditors. The Chairman of the Committee is authorized to give such pre-approvals on behalf of the Committee, and shall report any such pre-approval to the full Committee. 5. The Committee shall pre-approve the External Auditor's engagements for non-audit services to Fund Management and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with Fund Management that provides ongoing services to the Fund, if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund, subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X. The Chairman of the Committee is authorized to give such pre-approvals on behalf of the Committee, and shall report any such pre-approval to the full Committee. 6. If the External Auditors have provided non-audit services to Fund Management and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with Fund Management that provides ongoing services to the Fund that were not pre-approved pursuant to the de minimis exception, the Committee shall consider whether the provision of such non-audit services is compatible with the External Auditor's independence. 7. The Committee shall obtain and review a report from the External Auditors at least annually (including a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the auditors and the Fund consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 as may be amended, restated, modified or replaced) regarding (a) the External Auditor's internal quality-control procedures; (b) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the firm, or by an inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five years, respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm; (c) any steps taken to deal with any such issues; and (d) the External Auditor's independence, including all relationships between the External Auditors and the Fund and its affiliates; and evaluating the qualifications, performance and independence of the External Auditors, including their membership in the SEC practice section of the AICPA and their compliance with all applicable requirements for independence and peer review, and a review and evaluation of the lead partner, taking into account the opinions of management and discussing such reports with the External Auditors. The Committee shall present its conclusions with respect to the External Auditors to the Board. 8. The Committee shall review reports and other information provided to it by the External Auditors regarding any illegal acts that the External Auditors should discover (whether or not perceived to have a material effect on the Fund's financial statements), in accordance with and as required by Section 10A(b) of the Exchange Act. A-3 9. The Committee shall ensure the rotation of the lead (or concurring) audit partner having primary responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit as required by law, and further considering the rotation of the independent auditor firm itself. 10. The Committee shall establish and recommend to the Board for ratification a policy of the Funds with respect to the hiring of employees or former employees of the External Auditors who participated in the audits of the Funds' financial statements. 11. The Committee shall take (and, where appropriate, recommend that the Board take) appropriate action to oversee the independence of the External Auditors. 12. The Committee shall report regularly to the Board on the results of the activities of the Committee, including any issues that arise with respect to the quality or integrity of the Funds' financial statements, the Funds' compliance with legal or regulatory requirements, the performance and independence of the Funds' External Auditors, or the performance of the internal audit function, if any. B. With respect to Fund Financial Statements: 1. The Committee shall review and discuss with Fund Management and the External Auditors the annual audited financial statements and periodic financial statements of the Funds, major issues regarding accounting and auditing principles and practices, and the Funds' disclosures in their periodic reports under "Management's Discussion and Analysis." 2. The Committee shall review and discuss reports, both written and oral, from the External Auditors or Fund Management regarding (a) all critical accounting policies and practices to be used; (b) all alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for policies and practices that have been discussed with management, including the ramifications of the use of such alternative treatments and disclosures and the treatment preferred by the External Auditors; (c) other material written communications between the External Auditors and management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences; and (d) all non-audit services provided to any entity in the investment company complex (as defined in Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X) that were not pre-approved by the Committee. 3. The Committee shall review disclosures made to the Committee by the Funds' principal executive officer and principal financial officer during their certification process for the Funds' periodic reports about any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls or material weaknesses therein and any fraud involving management or other employees who have a significant role in the Funds' internal controls. 4. The Committee shall discuss with the External Auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards ("SAS") No. 90, Audit Committee Communications (which amended SAS No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees), that arise during the External Auditor's review of the Funds' financial statements. 5. The Committee shall review and discuss with management and the A-4 External Auditors (a) significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation and presentation of the Funds' financial statements, including any significant changes in the Funds' selection or application of accounting principles and any major issues as to the adequacy of the Funds' internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies, and (b) analyses prepared by Fund Management or the External Auditors setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements, including analyses of the effects of alternative GAAP methods on the financial statements. 6. The Committee shall review and discuss with management and the External Auditors the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives on the Funds' financial statements. 7. The Committee shall discuss with Fund Management the Funds' press releases regarding financial results and dividends, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies. This discussion may be done generally, consisting of discussing the types of information to be disclosed and the types of presentations to be made. The Chairman of the Committee shall be authorized to have these discussions with Fund Management on behalf of the Committee, and shall report to the Committee regarding any such discussions. 8. The Committee shall discuss with Fund Management the Funds' major financial risk exposures and the steps Fund Management has taken to monitor and control these exposures, including the Funds' risk assessment and risk management policies and guidelines. In fulfilling its obligations under this paragraph, the Committee may, as applicable, review in a general manner the processes other Board committees have in place with respect to risk assessment and risk management. C. With respect to serving as a Qualified Legal Compliance Committee: 1. The Committee shall serve as the Funds' "qualified legal compliance committee" ("QLCC") within the meaning of the rules of the SEC and, in that regard, the following shall apply. i. The Committee shall receive and retain, in confidence, reports of evidence of (a) a material violation of any federal or state securities laws, (b) a material breach of a fiduciary duty arising under any federal or state laws or (c) a similar material violation of any federal or state law by a Fund or any of its officers, trustees, employees or agents (a "Report of Material Violation"). Reports of Material Violation may be addressed to the Funds, attention W. Scott Jardine, at the address of the principal offices of the Funds, which currently is 1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle, Illinois 60532, who shall forward the Report of Material Violation to the Committee. ii. Upon receipt of a Report of Material Violation, the Committee shall (a) inform the Fund's chief legal officer and chief executive officer (or the equivalents thereof) of the report (unless the Committee determines it would be futile to do so), and (b) determine whether an investigation is necessary. iii. After considering the Report of a Material Violation, the Committee shall do the following if it deems an investigation necessary: A-5 o Notify the full Board; o Initiate an investigation, which may be conducted either by the chief legal officer (or the equivalent thereof) of the Fund or by outside attorneys; and o Retain such additional expert personnel as the Committee deems necessary. iv. At the conclusion of any such investigation, the Committee shall: o Recommend, by majority vote, that the Fund implement an appropriate response to evidence of a material violation; and o Inform the chief legal officer and the chief executive officer (or the equivalents thereof) and the Board of the results of any such investigation and the appropriate remedial measures to be adopted. 2. The Committee shall take all other action that it deems appropriate in the event that the Fund fails in any material respect to implement an appropriate response that the Committee, as the QLCC, has recommended the Fund take. D. Other Responsibilities: 1. The Committee shall receive, retain and handle complaints received by the Funds regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters from any person, whether or not an employee of the Funds or Fund Management, and shall receive submissions of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters by employees of the Funds and Fund Management, administrator, principal underwriter, or any other provider of accounting-related services for the Funds. All such complaints and concerns shall be handled in accordance with the Committee's procedures for operating as a QLCC, outlined in III.C above. 2. The Committee shall review, with fund counsel and independent legal counsel, any legal matters that could have significant impact on the Fund's financial statements or compliance policies and the findings of any examination by a regulatory agency as they relate to financial statement matters. 3. The Committee shall review and reassess the adequacy of this charter on an annual basis, if necessary, and provide a recommendation to the Board for approval of any proposed changes deemed necessary or advisable by the Committee. 4. The Committee shall evaluate on an annual basis the performance of the Committee. 5. The Committee shall review with the External Auditors and with Fund Management the adequacy and effectiveness of the Funds' internal accounting and financial controls. A-6 6. The Committee shall discuss with Fund Management and the External Auditors any correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies that raise material issues regarding the Funds' financial statements or accounting policies. 7. The Committee shall obtain any reports from Fund Management with respect to the Funds' policies and procedures regarding compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The Committee shall perform other special reviews, investigations or oversight functions as requested by the Board and shall receive and review periodic or special reports issued on exposure/controls, irregularities and control failures related to the Funds. 8. The Committee shall prepare any report of the Committee required to be included in a proxy statement for a Fund. 9. The Committee may request any officer or employee of a Fund or Fund Management, independent legal counsel, fund counsel and the External Auditors to attend a meeting of the Committee or to meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Committee. 10. The Committee shall maintain minutes of its meetings. 11. The Committee shall perform such other functions and have such powers as may be necessary or appropriate in the efficient and lawful discharge of its responsibilities. IV. AUTHORITY TO ENGAGE ADVISERS. The Committee may engage independent counsel and other advisers, as it determines necessary to carry out its duties. The Funds' External Auditors shall have unrestricted accessibility at any time to Committee members. V. FUNDING PROVISIONS. A. The Committee shall determine the: 1. Compensation to any independent registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for a Fund; and 2. Compensation to any advisers employed by the Committee. B. The expenses enumerated in this Article V and all necessary and appropriate administrative expenses of the Committee shall be paid by the applicable Fund or Fund Management. VI. MANAGEMENT AND EXTERNAL AUDITOR'S RESPONSIBILITIES. A. Fund Management has the primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining systems for accounting, reporting, disclosure and internal controls. The External Auditors have the primary responsibility to plan and implement an audit, with proper consideration given to the accounting, reporting and internal controls. All External Auditors engaged for the A-7 purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Funds shall report directly to the Committee. The External Auditors' ultimate accountability is to the Board and the Committee, as representatives of shareholders. B. While the Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Charter, it is not the duty of the Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Funds' financial statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with GAAP, nor is it the duty of the Committee to assure compliance with laws and regulations and/or the Funds' Code of Ethics. C. In discharging its responsibilities, the Committee and its members are entitled to rely on information, opinions, reports, or statements, including financial statements and other financial data, if prepared or presented by: (1) one or more officers of a Fund; (2) legal counsel, public accountants, or other persons as to matters the Committee member reasonably believes are within the person's professional or expert competence; or (3) a Board committee of which the Committee member is not a member. A-8 This page is intentionally left blank. DETACH HERE ZFTA62 PROXY FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY INCOME FUND PRROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ANNUAL MEETING ON APRIL 18, 2005 The undersigned holder of shares of the First Trust/Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund (the "Fund"), a Massachusetts business trust, hereby appoints W. Scott Jardine, Mark R. Bradley and Eric F. Fess as attorneys and proxies for the undersigned, with full powers of substitution and revocation, to represent the undersigned and to vote on behalf of the undersigned all shares of the Fund that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Fund (the "Meeting") to be held at the offices of First Trust Advisors L.P., 1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300, Lisle, IL 60532, at 10:00 a.m. Central time on the date indicated above, and any adjournment or adjournments thereof. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement dated March 18, 2005, and hereby instructs said attorneys and proxies to vote said shares as indicated hereon. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Meeting. A majority of the proxies present and acting at the Meeting in person or by substitute (or, if only one shall be so present, then that one) shall have and may exercise all of the power and authority of said proxies hereunder. The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy previously given. - ----------- ----------- SEE REVERSE SEE REVERSE SIDE CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE SIDE - ----------- ----------- FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY INCOME FUND C/O PFPC INC. P.O. BOX 8586 EDISON, NJ 08818-8586 DETACH HERE ZFTA61 [X] Please mark | 3939 votes as in | this example. -------- This proxy, if properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed by the undersigned shareholder. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH NOMINEE SET FORTH. 1. Election of Trustees. (01) James A. Bowen (04) Thomas R. Kadlec (02) Richard E. Erickson (05) David M. Oster (03) Neil B. Nielson FOR WITHHELD ALL [ ] [ ] FROM ALL NOMINEES NOMINEES [ ] _______________________________________ For all nominees except as noted above Mark box at right if an address change or comment has been noted on the reverse side of this card. [ ] PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. NOTE: Please sign exactly as your name appears on this Proxy. If joint owners, EITHER may sign this Proxy. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or corporate officer, please give full title. Signature:_______________ Date:_______ Signature:_______________ Date:_______ -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----