N-2 1 d777190dn2.htm GEMCORP COMMODITIES ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS FUND Gemcorp Commodities Alternative Products Fund
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2024

Investment Company Act File No. 811-23940

 

 

 

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-2

(CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX OR BOXES)

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

   Amendment No.

GEMCORP COMMODITIES ALTERNATIVE

PRODUCTS FUND

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in Charter)

12 East 49th Street, Suite 21-101

New York, NY 10017

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code:

1-646-979-8494

Ahmad Al-Sati

President

Gemcorp Capital Advisors LLC

12 East 49th Street, Suite 21-101

New York, NY 10017

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

COPY TO:

Jonathan Gaines, Esq.

Dechert LLP

1095 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

 

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box ☐


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If any securities being registered on this Form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), other than securities offered in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction A.2 or a post-effective amendment thereto, check the following box ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction B or a post-effective amendment thereto that will become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction B to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box ☐

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

☐ when declared effective pursuant to Section 8(c), or as follows:

 

 

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

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

 

This Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is:    .

 

This Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is:    .

 

This Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is:    .

Check each box that appropriately characterizes the Registrant:

 

Registered Closed-End Fund (closed-end company that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”)).

 

Business Development Company (closed-end company that intends or has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act).

 

Interval Fund (Registered Closed-End Fund or a Business Development Company that makes periodic repurchase offers under Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act).

 

A.2 Qualified (qualified to register securities pursuant to General Instruction A.2 of this Form).

 

Well-Known Seasoned Issuer (as defined by Rule 405 under the Securities Act).

 

Emerging Growth Company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934).

 

If an Emerging Growth Company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.

 

New Registrant (registered or regulated under the Investment Company Act for less than 12 calendar months preceding this filing).

This Registration Statement has been filed by Registrant pursuant to Section 8(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Shares of the Registrant have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)


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and will be issued solely in private placement transactions that do not involve any “public offering” within the meaning of Section 4(2) of, and/or Regulation D under, the Securities Act. Investments in Registrant may only be made by individuals or entities meeting the definition of an “accredited investor” in Regulation D under the Securities Act and an “Eligible Investor” as described in this Registration Statement. This Registration Statement does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, Shares of the Registrant.

PART A — INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS

PART B — INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The information required to be included in this Registration Statement by Part A and Part B of Form N-2 is contained in the private placement memorandum that follows.


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Gemcorp Commodities Alternative Products Fund

CONFIDENTIAL PRIVATE PLACEMENT MEMORANDUM

February [ ], 2024

In making an investment decision, an investor must rely upon its own examination of Gemcorp Commodities Alternative Products Fund (the “Fund”) and the terms of the offering, including the merits and risks involved, of the common shares of beneficial interest (the “Shares”) described in this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum. The Shares have not been registered with, or approved or disapproved by, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any other U.S. federal or state governmental agency or regulatory authority or any national securities exchange. No agency, authority or exchange has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum or the merits of an investment in the Shares. Further, the Shares are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed in any way by any bank and are not insured by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board, or any other governmental agency. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


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TO ALL INVESTORS

The Shares have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the securities laws of any state. The offering contemplated by this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum will be made in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for offers and sales of securities that do not involve any public offering, and analogous exemptions under state securities laws. This Confidential Private Placement Memorandum will not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor will any sale of Shares be made in any jurisdiction in which the offer, solicitation or sale is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make the offer, solicitation or sale. No person has been authorized to make any representations concerning the Fund that are inconsistent with those contained in this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum. Prospective investors should not rely on any information not contained in this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum. This Confidential Private Placement Memorandum is intended solely for the use of the person to whom it has been delivered for the purpose of evaluating a possible investment by the recipient in the Shares and is not to be reproduced or distributed to any other persons (other than professional advisors of the prospective investor receiving this document). Prospective investors should not construe the contents of this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum as legal, tax or financial advice. Each prospective investor should consult its own professional advisors as to the legal, tax, financial or other matters relevant to the suitability of an investment in the Fund for the investor. The Shares are subject to substantial restrictions on transferability and resale and may not be transferred or resold except as permitted under the Fund’s Declaration of Trust, the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, pursuant to registration or exemption from those provisions.

 


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PART A — INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS

Gemcorp Commodities Alternative Products Fund

Class I Shares (“[ ]”) and Class U Shares (“[ ]”)

February [ ], 2024

 

 

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined that this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The Gemcorp Commodities Alternative Products Fund (the “Fund”) is a Delaware statutory trust that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a diversified, closed-end management investment company that is operated as an interval fund. The Fund is offering through this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum two separate classes of common shares of beneficial interest (the “Shares”) designated as Class I and Class U (the “Class I Shares” and “Class U Shares,” respectively).

Investment Objective. The Fund’s investment objective is to provide risk-adjusted returns across various market cycles by investing in a globally diversified portfolio of liquid and illiquid commodity-related and commodity-linked instruments, securities and derivatives, supply chain financings as well as physical commodities. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by (1) providing exposure to asset classes that require specialized expertise (commodities); (2) sourcing differentiated investments through proprietary research and an understanding of the commodities markets; (3) focusing on risk management; and (4) allocating capital opportunistically among different investment strategies within the commodities space based on the Adviser’s assessment of opportunities and their relative value.

Interval Fund. The Fund is designed primarily for long-term investors and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund is an “interval fund” (defined below) pursuant to which it, subject to applicable law, will conduct quarterly repurchase offers for between 5% and 25% of the Fund’s outstanding Shares at net asset value (“NAV”). In connection with any given repurchase offer, it is likely that the Fund may offer to repurchase only the minimum amount of 5% of its outstanding Shares. It is also possible that a repurchase offer may be oversubscribed, with the result that shareholders may only be able to have a portion of their Shares repurchased. The Fund does not currently intend to list its Shares for trading on any securities exchange and it is not anticipated that a secondary market for Shares will develop. The Shares are, therefore, not readily marketable. Even though the Fund will make quarterly repurchase offers to repurchase a portion of the Shares to try to provide liquidity to shareholders, you should consider the Shares to have limited liquidity.

Principal Investment Strategies. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowing for investment purposes, in commodity-related and commodity-linked instruments, securities, derivatives, supply chain financings and physical commodities. The Fund will allocate its investments in credit and equity investments across any number of the following strategies: (a) commodity-linked credit (including broadly syndicated loans and bonds of commodity-producing companies, countries and state owned enterprises, first lien loans, second lien loans, unitranche loans and mezzanine debt as well as relevant credit derivatives) (b) commodity-linked equities (including common and preferred equity, limited partnership interests in commodity related vehicles and private investments in public equity (“PIPES”) as well as relevant equity derivatives), (c) supply chain financing (trade finance,


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physical commodity financings and procurement financings) and (d) physical commodities. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Across these strategies, the Fund will source and execute transactions through different investment strategies including through (i) purchasing debt and equity instruments in the secondary market, (ii) originating transactions by directly engaging with relevant counter parties and (iii) opportunistically investing in special situations that take advantage of market dislocations across both expansionary and recessionary economic cycles, as well as transient periods of market volatility. The Fund may invest in additional strategies in the future. In addition, the Fund may invest its assets in particular sectors of the commodities futures markets.

Unlisted Closed-End Fund. An investment in the Fund is subject to, among others, the following risks:

 

   

There is not expected to be any secondary trading market in the Shares.

 

   

Unlike most closed-end funds, the Shares are not listed on any securities exchange. The Fund will provide liquidity through quarterly offers to repurchase a limited amount of the Fund’s Shares (at least 5%).

 

   

Holders of the Fund’s Shares (the “Shareholders”) should not expect to be able to sell their Shares in a secondary market transaction regardless of how the Fund performs. An investment in the Fund is considered to be of limited liquidity.

 

   

If a Shareholder is able to sell its Shares outside the quarterly repurchase process, the Shareholder likely will receive less than the then-current NAV per Share.

 

   

There is no assurance that quarterly distributions paid by the Fund will be maintained at the targeted level or that dividends will be paid at all.

 

   

The Fund’s distributions may be funded from unlimited amounts of offering proceeds or borrowings, which may constitute a return of capital and reduce the amount of capital available to the Fund for investment. Any capital returned to Shareholders through distributions will be distributed after payment of fees and expenses.

 

   

A return of capital to Shareholders is a return of a portion of their original investment in the Fund, thereby reducing the tax basis of their investment. As a result from such reduction in tax basis, Shareholders may be subject to tax in connection with the sale of Fund Shares, even if such Shares are sold at a loss relative to the Shareholder’s original investment.

 

   

The Fund’s distributions may result from expense reimbursements from Gemcorp Capital Advisors LLC (the “Adviser”), which are subject to repayment by the Fund. Shareholders should understand that any such distributions are not based on the Fund’s investment performance and can only be sustained if the Fund achieves positive investment performance in future periods and/or the Adviser continues to make such expense reimbursements. Shareholders should also understand that the Fund’s future repayments will reduce the distributions that a Shareholder would otherwise receive.

 

   

The Fund may use leverage opportunistically and may choose to increase or decrease its leverage, or use different types or combinations of leveraging instruments, at any time based on the Fund’s assessment of market conditions and the investment environment. Please see the section entitled “Types of Investments and Related Risks—Use of Leverage: Risk of Borrowing by the Fund.”

Investing in Shares involves a high degree of risk. Please see the section entitled “Types of Investments and Related Risks” beginning on page [ ] of this Part A — Information Required in a Prospectus.

 

 

The date of this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum is [ ], 2024.

 

 

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Per Class I Share

  

 Per Class U Share 

  

   Total(1)   

Public Offering Price

  

[Current NAV, plus

sales load]

  

[Current NAV, plus

sales load]

   [Unlimited]

Sales Load

   [None]    [None]    [None]

Proceeds to the

Fund (Before Expenses)(2)

  

[$ amount invested

at current NAV ]

  

[$ amount invested at

current NAV]

   [Unlimited]

 

 

(1)

Generally, the stated minimum initial investment for Class I Shares in the Fund from each investor is at least USD $[1,000,000], and the minimum initial investment in Class U Shares in the Fund from each investor is at least USD $[2,500]. The minimum initial investment may be reduced at the Fund’s discretion, but not below USD $[ ] for any individual investor. Class I Shares and Class U Shares are not subject to a sales load. While Class U Shares do not impose a front-end sales charge, if you purchase Class U Shares through certain financial firms, such firms may directly charge you transaction or other fees in such amount as they may determine. Please consult your financial firm for additional information. Please see the section entitled “Plan of Distribution.” The Fund is offering on a continuous basis an unlimited number of common shares of beneficial interest.

Structure. The Fund does not currently intend to list its Shares for trading on any securities exchange and does not expect any secondary market to develop for its Shares. Shareholders of the Fund are not able to have their Shares redeemed or otherwise sell their Shares on a daily basis because the Fund is an unlisted closed-end fund. To provide some liquidity to Shareholders, the Fund is structured as an “interval fund” and conducts periodic repurchase offers for a portion of its outstanding Shares, as described below. An investment in the Fund is suitable only for long-term investors who can bear the risks associated with the limited liquidity of the Shares.

Investment Adviser. The investment adviser to the Fund is Gemcorp Capital Advisors LLC. Gemcorp Capital Advisors LLC is registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”).

Securities Offered. The Fund is offering on a continuous basis an unlimited number of common shares of beneficial interest. Class I Shares and Class U Shares are offered by this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum. Class I Shares and Class U Shares are not subject to a sales load. While Class U Shares do not impose a front-end sales charge, if you purchase Class U Shares through certain financial firms, such firms may directly charge you transaction or other fees in such amount as they may determine. Please consult your financial firm for additional information. Please see the section entitled “Plan of Distribution.” The minimum initial investment by a Shareholder for Class I Shares is USD $[1,000,000] for regular and retirement accounts; subsequent investments may be made in any amount. The minimum initial investment by a Shareholder for Class U Shares is USD $[2,500] for regular and retirement accounts; subsequent investments may be made in any amount. The Fund reserves the right to waive investment minimums. Shares are being offered through the distributor at an offering price equal to the Fund’s then-current NAV per Share.

This Part A — Information Required in a Prospectus provides the information that a prospective investor should know about the Fund before investing. Investors are advised to read this Part A — Information Required in a Prospectus carefully and to retain it for future reference. The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports and other information filed with the SEC, can be obtained upon request and without charge by writing to the Fund at [ ] or by calling toll-free [ ]. Investors may request the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports and other information about the Fund or make Shareholder inquiries by calling or by visiting [ ]. In addition, the contact information provided above may be used to request additional information about the Fund and to make Shareholder inquiries and is also

 

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available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The address of the SEC’s website is provided solely for the information of prospective investors and is not intended to be an active link.

The Fund expects to rely on exemptive relief which, when granted, would permit the Fund to offer investors multiple classes of common shares of beneficial interest with varying sales loads and asset-based service and/or distribution fees and to impose early withdrawal charges, subject to the conditions of the exemptive relief.

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

Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

SUMMARY OF TERMS

     1  

SUMMARY OF FEES AND EXPENSES

     15  

THE FUND

     17  

THE ADVISER

     18  

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, OPPORTUNITIES AND STRATEGIES

     20  

TYPES OF INVESTMENTS AND RELATED RISKS

     26  

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

     66  

FUND EXPENSES

     69  

MANAGEMENT AND INCENTIVE FEES

     71  

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

     72  

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

     74  

SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

     77  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE

     79  

TAX ASPECTS

     82  

ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

     93  

ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS IN THE DECLARATION OF TRUST

     94  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     95  

DISTRIBUTIONS

     99  

FISCAL YEAR; REPORTS

     102  

INQUIRIES

     103  


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SUMMARY OF TERMS

This is only a summary and does not contain all of the information that a prospective investor should consider before investing in the Fund. Before investing, a prospective investor in the Fund should carefully read the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this confidential private placement memorandum (the “Confidential Private Placement Memorandum”).

 

THE FUND   

The Fund is a Delaware statutory trust that is registered under the 1940 Act as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund is operated as an “interval fund” (as defined below).

 

The Fund offers two separate classes of Shares, designated as Class I Shares and Class U Shares. Class I Shares and U Shares are offered by this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum.

 

Class I Shares and Class U Shares are subject to different fees and expenses. The Fund may offer additional classes of Shares in the future.

THE ADVISER   

Gemcorp Capital Advisors LLC serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC under the Advisers Act.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE   

The Fund’s investment objective is to provide risk-adjusted returns across various market cycles by investing in a globally diversified portfolio of liquid and illiquid commodity-related and commodity-linked instruments, securities and derivatives, supply chain financings as well as physical commodities. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by (1) providing exposure to asset classes that require specialized expertise (commodities); (2) sourcing differentiated investments through proprietary research and an understanding of commodities markets; (3) focusing on risk management; and (4) allocating capital opportunistically among different investment strategies within the commodities space based on the Adviser’s assessment of opportunities and their relative value. To a lesser extent, the Fund may seek to invest in special situations that take advantage of market dislocations across both expansionary and recessionary economic cycles, as well as transient periods of market volatility.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

AND STRATEGIES

  

Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowing for investment purposes, in commodity-related and commodity-linked instruments, securities, derivatives, supply chain financings and physical commodities. As further discussed below, the Fund will allocate its investments in credit and equity investments across any number of the following strategies: (a) commodity-linked credit (including broadly syndicated loans and bonds of commodity-producing companies, countries and state owned enterprises, first lien loans, second lien loans, unitranche loans and mezzanine debt as well as relevant


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credit derivatives), (b) commodity-linked equities (including common and preferred equity, limited partnership interests in commodity related vehicles and private investments in public equity (“PIPES”) as well as relevant equity derivatives), (c) supply chain financings (trade finance, physical commodity financings and procurement financings) and (d) physical commodities. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Across these strategies, the Fund will source and execute transactions through different investment strategies including through (i) purchasing debt and equity instruments in the secondary market, (ii) originating transactions by directly engaging with counter parties and (iii) opportunistically investing in special situations that take advantage of market dislocations across both expansionary and recessionary economic cycles, as well as transient periods of market volatility. The Fund may invest in additional strategies in the future. In addition, the Fund may invest its assets in particular sectors of the commodities futures markets.

 

Commodity-related companies include, but are not limited to, companies in commodities, natural resources, chemicals, renewables and energy businesses and in associated businesses and companies that provide services or have exposure to such businesses (“Commodity-Related Companies”).

 

Commodity-related sovereigns include any country where at least 50% of a given country’s share of allocated merchandise exports results from commodities as defined by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (“Commodity-Related Sovereigns”).

 

There are no restrictions on investment in terms of geography or market-capitalization. The Fund may invest in both U.S. and non-U.S. companies, including companies located in emerging markets, and in securities denominated in both U.S. dollars and foreign currencies. There is no minimum or maximum limit on the amount of the Fund’s assets that may be invested in non-U.S. securities. In addition, the Fund may invest its assets in particular sectors of the commodities futures markets. For limits per country, company or commodity, please see the section entitled “Risk Management.”

 

The Adviser will actively construct and manage a portfolio of commodity-related and commodity-linked investments and, as necessary, periodically rebalance the Fund’s allocation of assets among different types of investments utilizing the Fund’s strategies to seek to optimize the Fund’s allocations. The Adviser will also review and rebalance the portfolio based on the relative value of opportunities in each investment strategy and within each investment strategy to achieve the Fund’s investment objective under the market conditions existing at such time. With respect to

 

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each investment opportunity, the Adviser intends to take an approach to its investment analysis that will focus on each individual investment considering, as part of any given analysis, the market conditions, global macroeconomic factors and the supply and demand dynamics of each commodity. The Adviser’s investment process will seek to be rigorous, proactive, and continuous, with an emphasis on risk management. Close monitoring of each investment in the portfolio provides the basis for making buy, sell and hold decisions. In managing the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser will utilize the broader Gemcorp platform’s deep and experienced teams of commodities specialists to analyze investments and engage in regular monitoring of risk, subject to its overall supervision.

 

 

Commodity-Linked Credit. The Fund may invest in “fixed-income instruments” (of any credit quality and any duration) of Commodity-Related Companies and Commodity-Related Sovereigns. “Commodity-Linked Credit” includes bonds, debt securities and other similar instruments issued by various U.S. and non-U.S. public-or private-sector entities. The Fund may also invest in debt securities that are either unsecured and subordinated to substantial amounts of senior indebtedness, or a significant portion of which may be unsecured or where the documents contain cov-lite provisions and limited protections. The average portfolio duration of the fixed income portion of this Fund will vary based on Fund’s market forecasts. The credit portfolio is expected to have an average duration of no longer than 5 years under normal market conditions. Duration is a measure used to determine the sensitivity of a security’s price to changes in interest rates. The longer a security’s duration, the more sensitive it will be to changes in interest rates.

 

The Fund may invest in instruments with robust liquidity profiles, including, but not limited to, publicly traded debt instruments (including investment grade and high yield bonds, convertible securities and syndicated Loans). The Fund expects these investments to enhance its risk/return profile and serve as a source of liquidity for the Fund.

 

The Fund may also seek to gain exposure to Commodity Linked Credit through investments in commodity-linked derivatives that create long and short exposure to any given investments related to Commodity Linked Credit.

 

Supply Chain Financings. Supply chain financings are privately negotiated between a supplier of a commodity or product in one location and the buyer of that commodity or product at another location. A supply chain financing is typically (but not always) a cross-border transaction. They are sometimes described as “trade finance”, and act as the primary facilitator of commercial transactions globally. Supply chain financings tend to be short

 

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term and self-liquidating in nature with a typical tenure of less than 12 months.

 

Commodity-Linked Equities. The Fund may invest in common and preferred stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of commodity-related companies of any size that the Adviser believes have favorable investment potential. Such equity investments may include: common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants, American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and equity issued on local non-US exchanges globally. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in primary subscriptions to closed-end commodity focused funds (“Portfolio Funds”) managed by third-party managers (“Portfolio Fund Managers”). In addition, Fund Investments include secondary purchases of Portfolio Funds managed by Portfolio Fund Managers and other commodity related or linked assets (together, “Secondary Investments”).

 

The Fund may also seek to gain exposure to Commodity Linked Equities through investments in commodity-linked derivatives that create long and short exposure to any given investments related to Commodity Linked Equity.

 

In addition, from time to time, the Fund may invest in or hold common stock and other equity securities incidental to the purchase or ownership of a debt or quasi debt instrument or in connection with the reorganization of a borrower.

 

Physical Commodities. The Fund may end up with ownership of physical commodities as a result of a credit investment or Supply Chain Financing where the underlying commodity was the collateral of such credit instrument or financing. The Fund may also use physical commodities to hedge against an exposure to a commodity, company or sovereign in the portfolio. The Fund may in the future make investments in physical commodities directly or through a Subsidiary. The Fund may also seek to gain exposure to Physical Commodities through investments in commodity-linked derivatives that create long and short exposure to any given investments related to Physical Commodities.

 

Originated Transactions. The Fund seeks to provide directly originated and privately negotiated capital solutions with bespoke documentation to global and local Commodity-Related Companies and Commodity-Related Sovereigns. The Fund intends to make privately negotiated credit investments. The Fund will seek to invest in directly negotiated and highly structured transactions, and to make investments in opportunities that involve complexity and structural inefficiencies and will retain the ability to invest across the capital structure in both public and private markets. Originated transactions may be in the form of

 

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Commodity Linked Credit, Commodity Linked Equity, Supply Chain Financing or Physical Commodity purchases.

 

Special Situations. To a lesser extent, the Fund may seek to invest in the following instruments of Commodity-Related Companies and Commodity-Related Sovereigns or quasi sovereigns: (i) corporate debt instruments relating to stressed and distressed industries or issuers; (ii) rescue-capital opportunities; (iii) public and private stock issued in connection with restructurings and reorganizations or otherwise; and (iv) other opportunistic investments resulting from periods of market dislocation. Special Situations invested will be limited to 25% of NAV at any given time.

 

Other Investment Strategies. The Fund may also invest in other obligations of Commodity-Related Companies and Commodity-Related Sovereigns or quasi sovereigns such as subordinated notes, overriding royalty interests, mining royalty streams, carbon credits, forward purchase agreements, notes, bills, debentures, bank loans, convertible and preferred securities, government obligations of commodities producing sovereigns or quasi-sovereign and other credit instruments with similar economic characteristics, which are related to or linked to commodities. The Fund may engage in short sales.

LEVERAGE

  

The Fund may borrow money in connection with its investment activities — i.e., the Fund may utilize leverage. Specifically, the Fund may borrow money through a credit facility or other arrangements to achieve its investment objective. The use of leverage has the potential to magnify losses versus funds that do not employ leverage.

 

Subject to prevailing market conditions, the Fund may add financial leverage if, immediately after such borrowing, it would have asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) of 300% or more (for leverage obtained through debt) or 200% or more (for leverage obtained through preferred stock). For example, if the Fund has USD $100 in Net Assets (as defined below), it may utilize leverage through obtaining debt of up to USD $50, resulting in USD $150 in total assets (or 300% asset coverage). In addition, if the Fund has USD $100 in Net Assets, it may issue USD $100 in Preferred Shares, resulting in USD $200 in total assets (or 200% asset coverage). “Net Assets” means the total assets of the Fund minus the Fund’s liabilities. The Fund may use leverage opportunistically and may choose to increase or decrease its leverage, or use different types or combinations of leveraging instruments, at any time based on the Fund’s assessment of market conditions and the investment environment.

 

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES   

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of the members of the Board (each, a “Trustee”) that are considered independent and are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or the Adviser (collectively, the “Independent Trustees”), oversees and monitors the Fund’s management and operations. Please see the section entitled “Management of the Fund.”

MANAGEMENT AND INCENTIVE FEES   

Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, dated as of [ ], 2024 (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”), by and between the Fund and the Adviser, and in consideration of the advisory services provided by the Adviser to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to a fee consisting of two components—a base management fee (the “Management Fee”) and an incentive fee (the “Incentive Fee”).

  

The Management Fee is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears at the annual rate of 1.50% of the quarter-end value of the Fund’s Net Assets).

  

The Incentive Fee is calculated based on an “Incentive Fee Rate” of 15%, multiplied by the amount by which the “Adjusted NAV” (as defined below) of each Class of the Fund exceeds its “Prior High NAV” (as defined below), if the Adjusted NAV of such Class exceeds its “Hurdle NAV” (as defined below).

  

The “Adjusted NAV” of a Class of the Fund is the net asset value at the end of the relevant period, after such net asset value is adjusted for (i) any distributions with respect to or repurchases of Shares; (ii) any net realized or unrealized appreciation and depreciation attributable to the Fund during the relevant period, determined at the time of such exchange; and (iii) any accruals of the Incentive Fee during the relevant period.

  

The “Hurdle NAV” will be the product of the Prior High NAV of the applicable Class of the Fund multiplied by a value, expressed as a percentage, equal to 100% plus a “Hurdle Rate” of 5%

  

The “Prior High NAV” is the net asset value of the applicable Class of the Fund immediately following the date as of which the last Incentive Fee was determined (or if no Incentive Fee has yet been determined, the net asset value at the initial issuance of the Fund) adjusted, if necessary, for any distributions with respect to or repurchases of Shares.

  

The Incentive Fee will be paid annually in arrears as of December 31 of each year. In cases where the Incentive Fee is calculated for a period other than a full calendar year, the Hurdle Rate for such period will be reduced pro rata based on the number of days in such period.

  

The Adviser is obligated to pay expenses associated with providing the investment services stated in the Investment Advisory Agreement, including compensation of and office space

 

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for its officers and employees connected with investment and economic research, trading and investment management of the Fund.

 

The Board will periodically review the Investment Advisory Agreement to determine, among other things, whether the fees payable under such agreement are reasonable considering the services provided.

ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES  

Pursuant to an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with [ ], [ ] furnishes the Fund with clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services. [SS&C] also performs, or oversees the performance of, certain of the Fund’s required administrative services, which include, among other things, providing assistance in accounting, legal, compliance, operations, being responsible for the financial records that the Fund is required to maintain and preparing reports to the Fund’s Shareholders and reports filed with the SEC. In addition, [ ] generally oversees the payment of the Fund’s expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Fund by others. The Administration Agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon 90 days’ written notice to the other party prior to the initial term or renewal date.

DISTRIBUTIONS  

The Fund’s distribution policy is to make annual distributions to Shareholders. The Fund’s distributions may be funded from unlimited amounts of offering proceeds or borrowings, which may constitute a return of capital and reduce the amount of capital available to the Fund for investment. A return of capital to Shareholders is a return of a portion of their original investment in the Fund, thereby reducing the tax basis of their investment. As a result from such reduction in tax basis, Shareholders may be subject to tax in connection with the sale of Fund Shares, even if such Shares are sold at a loss relative to the Shareholder’s original investment. Please see the section entitled “Distributions.”

 

The Board reserves the right to change the distribution policy from time to time.

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN  

The Fund will operate under a dividend reinvestment plan (“DRP”) administered by [ ]. Pursuant to the DRP, the Fund’s income dividends or capital gains or other distributions (each, a “Distribution” and collectively, “Distributions”), net of any applicable U.S. withholding tax, are reinvested in the same class of Shares of the Fund.

 

Shareholders automatically participate in the DRP, unless and until an election is made to withdraw from the plan on behalf of such

 

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participating Shareholder. A Shareholder who does not wish to have Distributions automatically reinvested may terminate participation in the Plan by written instructions to that effect to [ ]. Shareholders who elect not to participate in the DRP will receive all distributions in cash paid to the Shareholder of record (or, if the Shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee). Such written instructions must be received by [ ] by the Repurchase Request Deadline or the Shareholder will receive such Distribution in Shares through the DRP. Under the DRP, the Fund’s Distributions to Shareholders are reinvested in full and fractional Shares. Please see the section entitled “Distributions—Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

PURCHASES OF SHARES   

The Fund’s Shares are offered on a daily basis. Shares are being offered through the distributor at an offering price equal to the Fund’s then-current NAV per Share. Please see the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” on page [ ] for purchase instructions and additional information.

 

The minimum initial investment by a Shareholder for Class I Shares is USD $[1,000,000] for regular and retirement accounts; subsequent investments may be made in any amount. The minimum initial investment by a Shareholder for Class U Shares is USD $[2,500] for regular and retirement accounts; subsequent investments may be made in any amount. The Fund reserves the right to waive investment minimums. Shares are being offered through the distributor at an offering price equal to the Fund’s then-current NAV per Share.

ELIGIBLE INVESTORS   

Each prospective investor in the Fund will be required to certify that it is a “qualified client” within the meaning of Rule 205-3 under the Advisers Act and an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act. The criteria for qualifying as a “qualified client” and an “accredited investor” are set forth in the subscription documents that must be completed by each prospective investor. Please see the section entitled “Purchases of Shares — Eligible Investors.”

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION   

[ ], located at [ ], serves as the Fund’s principal underwriter and acts as the Distributor of the Fund’s Shares on a best efforts basis, subject to various conditions. The Fund’s Shares are offered for sale through the Distributor at NAV. The Distributor also may enter into broker-dealer selling agreements with other broker dealers for the sale and distribution of the Fund’s Shares.

  

The Distributor is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of the Fund’s Shares but will use its best efforts to solicit orders for the sale of the Shares. Shares of the Fund will not be

 

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listed on any national securities exchange and the Distributor will not act as a market maker in Fund Shares.

 

The Adviser or its affiliates, in the Adviser’s discretion and from its own resources, may pay additional compensation to financial intermediaries and their agents that have made arrangements with the Fund and are authorized to buy and sell Shares of the Fund (collectively, “Financial Intermediaries”) in connection with the sale of Fund Shares (the “Additional Compensation”). In return for the Additional Compensation, the Fund may receive certain marketing advantages including access to a broker’s or dealer’s registered representatives, placement on a list of investment options offered by a broker or dealer, or the ability to assist in training and educating the broker’s or dealer’s registered representatives. The Additional Compensation may differ among brokers or dealers in amount or in the amount of calculation. Payments of Additional Compensation may be fixed dollar amounts or, based on the aggregate value of outstanding Shares held by Shareholders introduced by the broker or dealer, or determined in some other manner. The receipt of Additional Compensation by a selling broker or dealer may create potential conflicts of interest between an investor and its broker or dealer who is recommending the Fund over other potential investments.

ERISA PLANS AND OTHER
TAX-EXEMPT ENTITIES
 

Investors subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and other tax-exempt entities, including employee benefit plans, individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”), 401(k) plans and Keogh plans, may purchase Shares. Because the Fund is registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act, the underlying assets of the Fund will not be considered to be “plan assets” of the ERISA plans investing in the Fund for purposes of ERISA’s fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction rules. Thus, neither the Fund nor the Adviser will be a fiduciary within the meaning of ERISA with respect to the assets of any ERISA plan that becomes a Shareholder, solely as a result of the ERISA plan’s investment in the Fund. Please see the section entitled “ERISA Considerations.”

UNLISTED CLOSED-END INTERVAL FUND STRUCTURE  

The Fund has been organized as a continuously offered, diversified closed-end management investment company that is operated as an interval fund. Closed-end funds differ from open-end funds (commonly known as mutual funds) in that investors in closed-end funds do not have the right to redeem their shares on a daily basis. Unlike most closed-end funds, which typically list their shares on a securities exchange, the Fund does not currently intend to list the Shares for trading on any securities exchange, and the Fund does not expect any secondary market to develop for the Shares in the foreseeable future. Therefore, an investment in the Fund, unlike an investment in a typical closed-end fund, is not a liquid investment.

 

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To provide some liquidity to Shareholders, the Fund is structured as an “interval fund” and conducts quarterly repurchase offers for a limited amount of the Fund’s Shares (at least 5%).

 

The Fund believes that a closed-end structure is most appropriate for the long-term nature of the Fund’s strategy. The Fund’s NAV per Share may be volatile. As the Shares are not traded, investors will not be able to dispose of their investment in the Fund, except through repurchases conducted through the share repurchase program, no matter how the Fund performs.

SHARE CLASSES  

The Fund currently offers two different classes of Shares: Class I and Class U. The Fund began continuously offering its common shares on [ ], 2024. An investment in any share class of the Fund represents an investment in the same assets of the Fund. However, the purchase restrictions and ongoing fees and expenses for each share class are different. The fees and expenses for the Fund are set forth in “Summary of Fees and Expenses.” If you have hired an intermediary and are eligible to invest in more than one class of shares, the intermediary may help determine which share class is appropriate for you. When selecting a share class, you should consider which share classes are available to you, how much you intend to invest, how long you expect to own shares and the total costs and expenses associated with a particular share class. Please see the section entitled “Plan of Distribution.”

 

Each investor’s financial considerations are different. An investor should seek professional advice and discuss with their intermediary to help decide which share class is most suitable. Not all Financial Intermediaries offer all classes of shares. If the investor’s Financial Intermediary offers more than one class of shares, the investor should carefully consider which class of shares to purchase.

VALUATIONS  

The Board has designated the Adviser as the Fund’s valuation designee for purposes of Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act. The Adviser is responsible for the valuation of the Fund’s portfolio investments for which market quotations are not readily available, as determined in good faith pursuant to the Adviser’s and the Fund’s valuation policy and consistently applied valuation process. Pursuant to the portfolio valuation process set forth in the Adviser’s and the Fund’s valuation policy, the Adviser utilizes independent third-party pricing services and independent third-party valuation services. Portfolio securities and other assets for which market quotes are readily available are valued at market value. In circumstances where market quotes are not readily available, the Adviser has adopted methods for determining the fair value of such securities and other assets. The Fund determines NAV per Share in accordance with the methodology described in

 

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the Adviser’s and the Fund’s valuation policy. Valuations of Fund investments are disclosed in reports publicly filed with the SEC.

 

The Fund calculates the NAV of each class of its Shares on a daily basis. In addition, the Fund intends to publicly report the NAV per Share of each class of the Fund on its website on a daily basis. For information on the Fund’s daily NAV, please call the Fund toll-free at [ ]. The Adviser will provide the Board with periodic reports, no less than quarterly, that discuss, among other things, the fair valuation of the Fund’s assets, as applicable. As the Fund’s valuation designee, the Adviser, subject to the Board’s oversight, is responsible for the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any market or fair market valuation determinations made with respect to the Fund’s assets. Please see the section entitled “Determination of Net Asset Value.”

SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM   

The Shares have no history of public trading, nor is it intended that the Shares will be listed on a public exchange at this time. No secondary market is expected to develop for the Fund’s Shares.

 

The Fund is an “interval fund,” a type of fund which, to provide some liquidity to Shareholders, makes quarterly offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Shares at NAV, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, unless such offer is suspended or postponed in accordance with regulatory requirements (as discussed below). In connection with any given repurchase offer, it is likely that the Fund may offer to repurchase only the minimum amount of 5% of its outstanding Shares. Quarterly repurchases will occur in the months of January, April, July and October. The offer to purchase Shares is a fundamental policy that may not be changed without the vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act). Written notification of each quarterly repurchase offer (the “Repurchase Offer Notice”) is sent to Shareholders at least 21 calendar days before the repurchase request deadline (i.e., the date by which Shareholders can tender their Shares in response to a repurchase offer) (the “Repurchase Request Deadline”); however, the Fund will seek to provide such written notification earlier but no more than 42 calendar days before the Repurchase Request Deadline. The NAV will be calculated no later than the 14th calendar day (or the next business day if the 14th calendar day is not a business day) after the Repurchase Request Deadline (the “Repurchase Pricing Date”). The Fund will distribute payment to Shareholders within seven calendar days after the Repurchase Pricing Date. The Fund’s Shares are not listed on any securities exchange, and the Fund anticipates that no secondary market will develop for its Shares. Accordingly, you may not be able to sell Shares when and/or in the amount that you desire. Thus, the Shares are appropriate only as a long-term investment. If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed and the Fund determines not to repurchase

 

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additional Shares beyond the repurchase offer amount, or if Shareholders tender an amount of Shares greater than that which the Fund is entitled to purchase, the Fund will repurchase the Shares tendered on a pro rata basis, and Shareholders will have to wait until the next repurchase offer to make another repurchase request. In addition, the Fund’s repurchase offers may subject the Fund and Shareholders to special risks. Please see the section entitled “Types of Investments and Related Risks—Repurchase Offers Risks.”

SUMMARY OF TAXATION   

The Fund intends to elect to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and intends to qualify annually, as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As a RIC, the Fund generally will not be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gains that are currently distributed as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to Shareholders, as applicable. To qualify for and maintain its treatment as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Fund is required to meet certain specified source-of-income and asset diversification requirements and is required to distribute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes of an amount at least equal to 90% of the sum of its net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses each tax year to Shareholders, as applicable. Please see the section entitled “Distributions” and “Tax Aspects.”

FISCAL YEAR   

For accounting purposes, the Fund’s fiscal year is the 12-month period ending on [December 31].

REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS   

As soon as practicable after the end of each calendar year, a statement on Form 1099-DIV identifying the sources of the distributions paid by the Fund to Shareholders for tax purposes will be furnished to Shareholders subject to Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) reporting. In addition, the Fund will prepare and transmit to Shareholders an unaudited semi-annual and an audited annual report within 60 days after the close of the period for which the report is being made, or as otherwise required by the 1940 Act.

 

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RISK FACTORS   

Investing in the Fund involves risks, including the risk that a Shareholder may receive little or no return on their investment or that a Shareholder may lose part or all of their investment. Below is a summary of some of the principal risks of investing in the Fund. For a more complete discussion of the risks of investing in the Fund, please see the section entitled “Types of Investments and Related Risks.” Shareholders should consider carefully the following principal risks before investing in the Fund:

  

●   Unlike most closed-end funds, the Fund’s Shares will not be listed on any securities exchange;

  

●   Although the Fund intends to implement a quarterly share repurchase program, there is no guarantee that an investor will be able to sell all of the Shares that the investor desires to sell. The Fund should therefore be considered to offer limited liquidity;

  

●   The Fund expects to have exposure to the commodities markets, subjecting the Fund to risks not associated with investments in traditional securities;

  

●   The performance of certain of the Fund’s investments may be substantially dependent upon prevailing prices of commodities such as electricity, oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, consumable fuels and other commodities (such as metals and agricultural products), which have been, and are likely to continue to be, volatile and subject to wide fluctuations;

  

●   The Fund may invest in securities of companies based in emerging market countries, including countries considered to be frontier markets, or issued by the governments of such countries, which involves certain considerations not usually associated with investing in securities of developed countries or of companies located in developed countries;

  

●   The valuation of securities or instruments that lack a central trading place (such as fixed-income securities or instruments) may carry greater risk than those that trade on an exchange;

  

●   Derivative investments have risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets of the Fund;

 

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●   The Fund may be materially adversely affected by market, economic and political conditions and natural and man-made disasters, including pandemics, wars and supply chain disruptions, globally and in the jurisdictions and sectors in which the Fund invests;

 

●   To qualify and remain eligible for the special tax treatment accorded to RICs and their shareholders under the Code, the Fund must meet certain source-of-income, asset diversification and annual distribution requirements, and failure to do so could result in the loss of RIC status.

 

Accordingly, the Fund should be considered a speculative investment that entails substantial risks, and a prospective investor should invest in the Fund only if they can sustain a complete loss of their investment.

 

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SUMMARY OF FEES AND EXPENSES

The following table illustrates the aggregate fees and expenses that the Fund expects to incur and that Shareholders can expect to bear directly or indirectly.

 

     Class I      Class U  

SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION FEES

    

Maximum sales load imposed on purchases(1)

     [None     [None

Early Withdrawal Charge on Shares Repurchased Within 365 Days of Purchase (as a percentage of proceeds)

     [None     [None

Maximum contingent deferred sales charge

     [None     [None
ANNUAL FUND EXPENSES             

(as a percentage of average net assets attributable to Shares)

    

Management Fee

     [1.5]%       [1.5]%  

Incentive Fee(2)

     [15]%       [-15]%  

Interest payments on borrowed funds and securities sold short(3)

     [ ]%       [ ]%  

Other expenses(4)

    

Distribution fee(5)

     [None]       [0.75]%  

Shareholder Servicing fee

     [None]       [None]  

All non-distribution and/or shareholder servicing other expenses

     [ ]%       [ ]%  

Total annual fund expenses

     [ ]%       [ ]%  

 

 

(1)

Class I Shares and Class U Shares are not subject to a sales load. While Class U Shares do not impose a front-end sales charge, if you purchase Class U Shares through certain financial firms, such firms may directly charge you transaction or other fees in such amount as they may determine. Please consult your financial firm for additional information. Please see the section entitled “Plan of Distribution.”

 

(2)

The Incentive Fee is calculated based on an “Incentive Fee Rate” of 15%, multiplied by the amount by which the “Adjusted NAV” of each Class of the Fund exceeds its “Prior High NAV”, if the Adjusted NAV of such Class exceeds its “Hurdle NAV”. The Incentive is determined by reference to the net realized or unrealized appreciation and depreciation attributable to the Fund during the relevant period, among other variables, and, accordingly, an estimate cannot be provided at this time.

 

(3)

Interest expenses represent estimated interest related costs the Fund currently expects to incur in connection with the use of its credit facility. Please see the section entitled “Summary of Terms — Leverage.” The amount shown in the table above is based on the assumption that the Fund borrows money for investment purposes at an average rate of [ ]% of Net Assets [and includes dividends payable on the Fund’s Preferred Shares, which, in the aggregate, have an average interest rate of [  ]% per annum].

 

(4)

Other expenses include reasonably estimated costs the Fund can expect to incur related to accounting, custody, transfer agency, legal, valuation agent, pricing vendor and auditing fees of the Fund, organizational and offering costs applicable to each class, as well as the reimbursement of the compensation of administrative personnel and fees payable to the Independent Trustees.

 

(5)

The Fund may charge a distribution and/or shareholder servicing fee totaling up to [0.75]% per year on Class U Shares. With respect to Class U Shares, the entire fee is characterized as a “distribution fee.”

 

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The Fund may use these fees, in respect of the relevant class, to compensate Financial Intermediaries or financial institutions for distribution-related expenses, if applicable, and providing ongoing services in respect of clients with whom they have distributed Class U Shares of the Fund. Such services may also include electronic processing of client orders, electronic fund transfers between clients and the Fund, account reconciliations with the Fund’s transfer agent, facilitation of electronic delivery to clients of Fund documentation, monitoring client accounts for back-up withholding and any other special tax reporting obligations, maintenance of books and records with respect to the foregoing, and such other information and liaison services as the Fund or the Adviser may reasonably request.

Example:

The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in Shares. In calculating the following expense amounts, the Fund has assumed its direct and indirect annual operating expenses would remain at the percentage levels set forth in the table above.

An investor would pay the following expenses on a USD $1,000 investment, assuming a 5.0% annual return:

 

Share Class    1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years 

Class I

   $[ ]     $[ ]     $[ ]     $[ ] 

Class U

   $[ ]     $[ ]     $[ ]     $[ ] 

The example and the expenses in the tables above should not be considered a representation of the Fund’s future expenses, and actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. While the example assumes a 5.0% annual return, as required by the SEC, the Fund’s performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5.0%. For a more complete description of the various fees and expenses borne directly and indirectly by the Fund, please see the sections entitled “Fund Expenses” and “Management and Incentive Fees.”

 

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THE FUND

The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company that is registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund is structured as an “interval fund” and continuously offers its Shares. The Fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on February 16, 2024. The principal office of the Fund is located at 12 East 49th Street, Suite 21-101, New York, NY 10017 and its telephone number is 646-979-8494.

The Fund’s investment objective is to provide risk-adjusted returns across various market cycles by investing in a globally diversified portfolio of liquid and illiquid commodity-related and commodity-linked instruments securities, derivatives, supply chain financings and physical commodities. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by (1) providing exposure to asset classes that require specialized expertise (commodities); (2) sourcing differentiated investments through proprietary research and an understanding of the commodities markets; (3) focusing on risk management; and (4) allocating capital opportunistically among different investment strategies within the commodities space based on the Adviser’s assessment of opportunities and their relative value.

Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowing for investment purposes, in commodity-related and commodity-linked instruments, securities, derivatives, supply chain financings and physical commodities. The Fund will allocate its investments in credit and equity investments across any number of the following strategies: (a) commodity-linked credit (including broadly syndicated loans and bonds of commodity-producing companies, countries and state owned enterprises, first lien loans, second lien loans, unitranche loans and mezzanine debt as well as relevant credit derivatives) (b) commodity-linked equities (including common and preferred equity, limited partnership interests in commodity related vehicles and private investments in public equity (“PIPES”) as well as relevant equity derivatives), (c) supply chain financing (trade finance, physical commodity financings and procurement financings) and (d) physical commodities. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Across these strategies, the Fund will source and execute transactions through different investment strategies including through (i) purchasing debt and equity instruments in the secondary market, (ii) originating transactions by directly engaging with counter parties and (iii) opportunistically investing in special situations that take advantage of market dislocations across both expansionary and recessionary economic cycles, as well as transient periods of market volatility. The Fund may invest in additional strategies in the future. In addition, the Fund may invest its assets in particular sectors of the commodities futures markets.

There are no restrictions on investment in terms of geography or market-capitalization. The Fund may invest in both U.S. and non-U.S. companies, including companies located in emerging markets, and in securities denominated in both U.S. dollars and foreign currencies. There is no minimum or maximum limit on the amount of the Fund’s assets that may be invested in non-U.S. securities. In addition, the Fund may invest its assets in particular sectors of the commodities futures markets. For limits per country, company or commodity, please see the section entitled “Risk Management.”

For a further discussion of the Fund’s principal investment strategies, please see the section entitled “Investment Objective, Opportunities and Strategies.” There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

The Fund’s investment adviser is Gemcorp Capital Advisors LLC. Please see the section entitled “The Adviser.” Responsibility for monitoring and overseeing the Fund’s investment program, management and operation is vested in the individuals who serve on the Board.

 

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THE ADVISER

Gemcorp Capital Advisors LLC, an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Advisers Act, serves as the Adviser.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

The proceeds from the sale of Shares are invested by the Fund to pursue its investment program and strategies. The Fund expects to invest the proceeds obtained by it promptly (and in any event, within three months) after receipt of such proceeds to pursue its investment program, investing the proceeds first in more liquid credits, then into other credit strategies as the opportunities become available to the Fund.

 

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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, OPPORTUNITIES AND STRATEGIES

Investment Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to provide risk-adjusted returns across various market cycles by investing in a globally diversified portfolio of liquid and illiquid commodity-related and commodity-linked instruments, securities and derivatives, supply chain financings as well as physical commodities.

Investment Opportunities and Strategies

Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowing for investment purposes, in commodity-related and commodity-linked instruments, securities, derivatives, supply chain financings and physical commodities. The Fund will allocate its investments in credit and equity investments across any number of the following strategies: (a) commodity-linked credit (including broadly syndicated loans and bonds of commodity-producing companies, countries and state owned enterprises, first lien loans, second lien loans, unitranche loans and mezzanine debt as well as relevant credit derivatives) (b) commodity-linked equities (including common and preferred equity, limited partnership interests in commodity related vehicles and private investments in public equity (“PIPES”) as well as relevant equity derivatives), (c) supply chain financing (trade finance, physical commodity financings and procurement financings) and (d) physical commodities. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Across these strategies, the Fund will source and execute transactions through different investment strategies including through (i) purchasing debt and equity instruments in the secondary market, (ii) originating transactions by directly engaging with counter parties and (iii) opportunistically investing in special situations that take advantage of market dislocations across both expansionary and recessionary economic cycles, as well as transient periods of market volatility. The Fund may invest in additional strategies in the future. In addition, the Fund may invest its assets in particular sectors of the commodities futures markets.

Opportunities may range across the various investment strategies outlined herein but with a focus on Commodity-Linked Companies and Commodity-Linked Sovereigns with compelling valuations and return profiles relative to their underlying cash flow characteristics and/or collateral value. The Adviser intends to focus on what the Adviser believes are the most attractive investment ideas from a risk-adjusted return standpoint to achieve its investment objective. The Adviser intends to be opportunistic, as such, the Adviser has the flexibility to invest where they see opportunities, based on its extensive commodities expertise and analysis of the relevant markets, in a variety of instruments with varying yield and risk profiles.

Commodity-related companies include, but are not limited to, companies in commodities, natural resources, chemicals, renewables and energy businesses and in associated businesses and companies that provide services or have exposure to such businesses (“Commodity-Related Companies”). These companies include, without limitation, companies engaged in the exploration, ownership, production, refinement, processing, transportation, distribution or marketing of commodities, companies that use commodities extensively in their products such as food processing and specialty chemicals companies and companies that provide technology and services to commodity-related companies. This includes companies that are engaged in businesses such as integrated renewable energy companies, oil and gas exploration and production, energy services and technology, chemicals and oil products, energy producing and other consumable fuels, gold and precious metals, metals and minerals, forest products, agricultural chemicals and services, farm land, alternative energy sources, environmental services and agricultural products (including crop growers, owners of plantations, and companies that produce and process foods), as well as

 

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related transportation companies, equipment manufacturers, service providers and engineering, procurement and construction (“EPC”) companies.

Commodity-related sovereigns include any country where at least 50% of a given country’s share of allocated merchandise exports results from commodities as defined by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (“Commodity-Related Sovereigns”).

The Fund normally will invest in a number of different countries. There are no restrictions on investment in terms of geography or market-capitalization. The Fund may invest in both U.S. and non-U.S. companies, including companies located in emerging markets, and in securities denominated in both U.S. dollars and foreign currencies. There is no minimum or maximum limit on the amount of the Fund’s assets that may be invested in non-U.S. securities. The Adviser will determine, with the Fund’s Board, the Fund’s allocation to any geography, including limits on any given geography or any specific issuer. The Fund’s geographic areas of focus are subject to change from time to time and may be changed without notice to Shareholders. For limits per country, company or commodity, please see the section entitled “Risk Management.”

The Adviser will actively construct and manage a portfolio of commodity-related and commodity-linked investments and, as necessary, periodically rebalance the Fund’s allocation of assets among different types of investments utilizing the Fund’s strategies to seek to optimize the Fund’s allocations. The Adviser will also review and rebalance the portfolio based on the relative value of opportunities in each investment strategy and within each investment strategy to achieve the Fund’s investment objective under the market conditions existing at such time. With respect to each investment opportunity, the Adviser intend to take an approach to their investment analysis that will focus on each individual investment considering, as part of any given analysis, the market conditions, global macroeconomic factors and the supply and demand dynamics of a commodity. The Adviser’s investment process will seek to be rigorous, proactive, and continuous, with an emphasis on risk management. Close monitoring of each investment in the portfolio provides the basis for making buy, sell and hold decisions. In managing the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser will utilize the broader Gemcorp platform’s deep and experienced teams of commodities specialists to analyze investments and engage in regular monitoring of risk, subject to its overall supervision.

The Fund may invest in additional strategies in the future.

Although actual exposure to any strategy may vary over time, under normal circumstances, the Fund expects its allocations to each strategy will be within the following ranges. For a description of the various categories, please see the section entitled “Portfolio Composition.”

 

Commodity-Linked Credit

  20-60%   

Commodity-Linked Equity

  10-20%   

Supply Chain Financing

  20-40%   

Physical Commodities

  0-25%   

Access to Gemcorp Transaction Flow and Benefits of Platform.

The Gemcorp Group was founded in 2014 and currently manages approximately USD $1.1 billion and has over 150 direct employees across its investment management and commodities businesses. Over 10 years, the Gemcorp Group has developed a business model addressing a significant untapped market, delivering high impact investments, and is led by a strong management team with investing experience across multiple credit and commodities cycles. The Gemcorp Group operates globally, utilizing, as appropriate, a one-platform approach to investing and business building in the emerging and commodities markets.

 

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The Adviser seeks to benefit from the market presence, scale, infrastructure and demonstrated investment experience and risk management of the Gemcorp Group to enhance its access to transaction flow and a broad set of investment opportunities across the commodities investment spectrum. This presence allows the Adviser to draw from the collective market insight, industry expertise, contacts and experience across the commodities investment space.

The Adviser believes that there are substantial benefits to the Fund from having access to the Gemcorp Group’s industry experience and insight. Such benefits include, but are not limited to:

 

   

Benefiting from the global experience of principals, propriety network, on the ground presence as well as direct ownership of commodity assets,

 

   

An existing robust and tested risk management framework tailored to the commodities and supply chain finance space.

The Investment Process

The Adviser oversees the allocation of the Fund’s assets among the various investment strategies, and is broadly responsible for (i) formulating, monitoring and updating the investment policy statement of the Fund, (ii) advising as to strategic and tactical allocation in response to dynamic market conditions and reviewing weightings across investment strategies to ensure they are consistent with the investment committee’s target allocations, (iii) oversight of the investment portfolio of the Fund, (iv) reviewing the valuation of the underlying investments and (v) monitoring the risk management process for the Fund.

The Adviser’s experienced origination, underwriting and portfolio management team will adopt an existing investment process utilized by the Adviser’s affiliates. This process was developed through a 10-year investment period in which funds managed by certain regulated entities which are part of the Gemcorp Group deployed capital across multiple jurisdictions and with different counterparties to invest in commodities and commodities linked to corporates and sovereigns.

The following is a high-level summary that seeks to capture the process of analyzing, picking, structuring, monitoring and exiting any given investment or position.

The process begins by identifying target geographies, industries and themes that result in a specific opportunity set. The approach is augmented by proprietary research, origination and on-the-ground presence using existing local networks in the relevant jurisdictions.

Once a commodity-related theme has been identified and confirmed through qualitative and data analysis of internal and third-party industry resources, the investment team will deploy proprietary screening tools that seek to identify the risk adjusted potential of investment opportunities in the primary or secondary markets. Transactions are then tailored to seek to minimize downside risks. The Adviser will apply this process to all positions in the Fund’s portfolio in a replicable iterative manner working across the investment and operations teams.

In addition, once an investment is made, the Adviser engages in ongoing compliance and risk review: regulatory, reputational, and financial, through informational rights and its own market intelligence. Each investment is subject to a risk management process that seeks to limit the adverse effects of any given investment on the larger portfolio as well as to maximize the value of any given position on a standalone basis. Please see the section entitled “Risk Management.”

Risk Management.

The Adviser’s active portfolio and risk management processes are designed to seek to obtain optimal portfolio positioning across geographies, commodities and issuers and replicates an existing risk

 

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management process utilized by the Adviser’s affiliates. Under this process risk is managed throughout the lifecycle of an investment by experienced risk teams and supported by an operations team with experience in the relevant investment instruments, using robust and replicable processes and systems.

The Fund’s investments, allocations, performance attribution, risk sensitivities and characteristics are monitored by the Adviser daily. Stress testing and scenario analysis is also performed before making an investment and at regular intervals. The Fund will also adhere to certain concentration guidelines where, under normal market condition, the Adviser expects the following limits to apply to the portfolio:

 

Single Name Net Exposure

  

10% of Fund NAV

Country Net Exposure

  

25% of Fund NAV

Commodity Net Exposure

  

40% of Fund NAV

Special Situations Investments

  

Up to 25% of Fund NAV

Fund Leverage

  

Up to 1.3x NAV

Portfolio Composition

The Fund’s portfolio will consist of some combination of the following types of investments:

Commodity-Linked Credit. The Fund may invest in “fixed-income instruments” (of any credit quality and any duration) of Commodity-Related Companies and Commodity-Related Sovereigns. “Commodity-Linked Credit” includes bonds, debt securities and other similar instruments issued by various U.S. and non-U.S. public-or private-sector entities. The Fund may also invest in debt securities that are either unsecured and subordinated to substantial amounts of senior indebtedness, or a significant portion of which may be unsecured or where the documents contain cov-lite provisions and limited protections. The average portfolio duration of the fixed income portion of this Fund will vary based on Fund’s market forecasts. The credit portfolio is expected to have an average duration of no longer than 5 years under normal market conditions. Duration is a measure used to determine the sensitivity of a security’s price to changes in interest rates. The longer a security’s duration, the more sensitive it will be to changes in interest rates.

The Fund may invest also in instruments with robust liquidity profiles, including, but not limited to, publicly traded debt instruments (including investment grade and high yield bonds, convertible securities and syndicated Loans). The Fund expects these investments to enhance its risk/return profile and serve as a source of liquidity for the Fund.

The Fund may also seek to gain exposure to Commodity Linked Credit through investments in commodity-linked derivatives that create long and short exposure to any given investments related to Commodity Linked Credit.

Supply Chain Financings. Supply chain financing is privately negotiated between a supplier of a commodity or product in one location and the buyer of that commodity or product at another location. A supply chain financing is typically (but not always) cross-border transactions. They are sometimes described as “trade finance”, and act as the primary facilitator of commercial transactions globally. Supply chain financing tends to be short term and self-liquidating in nature with a typical tenure of less than 12 months.

 

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Commodity-Linked Equities. The Fund may invest in common and preferred stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of commodity-related companies of any size that the Adviser believes have favorable investment potential. Such equity investments may include: common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants, American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and equity issued on local non-US exchanges globally. The Fund may make primary subscriptions to closed-end commodity focused funds (“Portfolio Funds”) managed by third-party managers (“Portfolio Fund Managers”). In addition, Fund Investments include secondary purchases of Portfolio Funds managed by Portfolio Fund Managers and other commodity related or linked assets (together, “Secondary Investments”).

The Fund may also seek to gain exposure to Commodity Linked Equities through investments in commodity-linked derivatives that create long and short exposure to any given investments related to Commodity Linked Equity.

In addition, from time to time, the Fund may invest in or hold common stock and other equity securities incidental to the purchase or ownership of a debt or quasi debt instrument or in connection with the reorganization of a borrower.

Physical Commodities. The Fund may end up with ownership of physical commodities as a result of a credit investment or Supply Chain Financing where the underlying commodity was the collateral of such credit instrument or financing. The Fund may also use physical commodities to hedge against an exposure to a commodity, company or sovereign in the portfolio. The Fund may in the future make investments in physical commodities directly or through a Subsidiary. Physical commodities are assets that have tangible properties, such as oil, metals, and agricultural products. If investments are made through a wholly owned subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”), then the Subsidiary would be managed by the Adviser and have the same investment objective as the Fund. The assets of the Subsidiary would be subject to the same investment restrictions and limitations, and follow the same compliance policies and procedures, as the Fund, except that the Subsidiary would not invest in equity of debt securities of commodity-related companies and may invest without limitation in commodity-linked derivative instruments. In order to comply with certain issuer diversification limits imposed by the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the Subsidiary measured at the time of investment. The Fund may also seek to gain exposure to Physical Commodities through investments in commodity-linked derivatives that create long and short exposure to any given investments related to Physical Commodities.

Originated Transactions. The Fund seeks to provide directly originated and privately negotiated capital solutions with bespoke documentation to global and local Commodity-Related Companies and Commodity-Related Sovereigns. The Fund intends to make privately negotiated credit investments. Unlike dedicated senior secured loan funds or captive mezzanine funds, with its originated credit strategy, the Fund will seek to invest in directly negotiated and highly structured transactions, providing bespoke flexible solutions for company or sovereign specific needs and/or complex situations. The Fund will seek to make investments in opportunities that involve complexity and structural inefficiencies and will retain the ability to invest across the capital structure in both public and private markets, including senior secured credit, structurally- or lien-subordinated credit, and certain opportunities through equity and equity-linked securities. Originated transaction may be in the form of Commodity Linked Credit, Commodity Linked Equity, Supply Chain Financing or Physical Commodity purchases.

Special Situations. To a lesser extent, the Fund may seek to invest in the following instruments of Commodity-Related Companies and Commodity-Related Sovereigns or quasi sovereigns: (i) corporate debt instruments relating to stressed and distressed industries or issuers; (ii) rescue-capital opportunities; (iii) public and private stock issued in connection with restructurings and reorganizations or otherwise; and (iv) other opportunistic investments resulting from periods of market dislocation, including primary and

 

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secondary market investments in liquid debt instruments that arise as a result of temporary market volatility (e.g., hung bank syndications and stressed liquid credit). A hung bank syndication occurs when a bank provides funding for a transaction, expecting it to be refinanced at a later date, and market forces cause the bank to sell the bonds at a discount in order to attract investor interest contrary to prior expectations. Special Situations invested will be limited to 25% of NAV at any given time.

Other Investment Strategies. The Fund may also invest in other obligations of Commodity-Related Companies and Commodity-Related Sovereigns or quasi sovereigns such as subordinated notes, overriding royalty interests, mining royalty streams, forward purchase agreements, notes, bills, debentures, bank loans, convertible and preferred securities, government obligations of commodities’ producing sovereigns or quasi-sovereign and other credit instruments with similar economic characteristics, which are related to or linked to commodities. The Fund may engage in short sales.

 

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TYPES OF INVESTMENTS AND RELATED RISKS

Investors should carefully consider the risk factors described below, before deciding on whether to make an investment in the Fund. The risks set out below are not the only risks the Fund faces. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Fund or that the Fund currently deems to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect the Fund’s business, financial condition and/or operating results. If any of the following events occur, the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, the NAV of the Fund’s Shares could decline, and investors may lose all or part of their investment.

Investors should be aware that in light of the current uncertainty, volatility and distress in economies, financial markets, and labor and health conditions over the world, the risks below are heightened significantly compared to normal conditions. The fact that a particular risk below is not specifically identified as being heightened under current conditions does not mean that the risk is not greater than under normal conditions.

Risks Relating to Investment Strategies, Fund Investments and the Fund’s Investment Program

Commodities Risk. The Fund may have exposure to the commodities markets, subjecting the Fund to risks not associated with investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-related investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, including drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, and tariffs. The prices of industrial metals, precious metals, agriculture, and livestock commodities may fluctuate widely due to changes in value, supply and demand, and governmental regulatory policies.

Commodities and Commodity-Linked Derivatives. Exposure to the commodities markets, such as precious metals, industrial metals, gas and other energy products and natural resources, may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The production and marketing of commodities may be affected by actions and changes in governments. In addition, commodity-related instruments may be cyclical in nature. During periods of economic or financial instability, commodity-related instruments may be subject to broad price fluctuations, reflecting volatility of energy and basic material prices and possible instability of supply of various commodities. Commodity-related instruments may also experience greater price fluctuations than the relevant commodity. In periods of rising commodity prices, such instruments may rise at a faster rate; and conversely, in times of falling commodity prices, such instruments may suffer a greater price decline.

The Fund may seek to gain exposure to the commodity markets by investing in commodity swap agreements and may also invest in other commodity-linked derivatives. The value of a commodity-linked derivative investment generally is based upon the price movements of a physical commodity (such as energy, mineral or agricultural products), a commodity futures contract or commodity index, or other economic variable based upon changes in the value of commodities or the commodity markets.

The risk of loss in trading commodities can be substantial. If the Fund purchases a commodity option, it may sustain a total loss of the premium and of all transaction costs. If the Fund purchases or sells a commodity futures contract or sells a commodity option, it may sustain a total loss of the initial margin funds and any additional funds that it deposits with its broker to establish or maintain its position. If the market moves against its position, the Fund may be called upon by its broker to deposit a substantial amount of additional margin funds, on short notice, in order to maintain its position. If it does not provide the requested funds within the prescribed time, its position may be liquidated at a loss, and it will be liable for any resulting deficit in its account.

 

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The tax treatment of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be adversely affected by changes in legislation, regulations, or other legally binding authority. If, as a result of any such adverse action, the income of the Fund from certain commodity-linked derivatives were treated as non- qualifying income, the Fund might fail to qualify as a regulated investment company and/or be subject to federal income tax at the Fund level. The uncertainty surrounding the treatment of certain derivative instruments under the qualification tests for a regulated investment company may limit the Fund’s use of such derivative instruments.

Natural Resources Risk. The Fund’s investments in securities of natural resource companies involve risks. The market value of securities of natural resource companies may be affected by numerous factors, including events occurring in nature, inflationary pressures and international politics. Because the Fund invests significantly in natural resource companies, there is the risk that the Fund will perform poorly during a downturn in the natural resource sector. For example, events occurring in nature (such as earthquakes or fires in prime natural resource areas) and political events (such as coups, military confrontations, acts of terrorism or sanctions) can affect the overall supply of a natural resource and the value of companies involved in such natural resource. Political risks and the other risks to which foreign securities are subject may also affect domestic natural resource companies if they have significant operations or investments in foreign countries. In particular, Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine has increased the volatility of many natural resources investments. Rising interest rates and general economic conditions may also affect the demand for natural resources. In addition, because certain natural resources and commodities may be closely related, the Fund’s investments in natural resource companies may also be subject to the risks described under “Commodities Risk.”

Infrastructure Companies Risk. Securities and instruments of infrastructure companies are more susceptible to adverse economic or regulatory occurrences affecting their industries. Infrastructure companies may be subject to a variety of factors that may adversely affect their business or operations, including high interest costs in connection with capital construction and improvement programs, high leverage, costs associated with environmental and other regulations, the effects of economic slowdown, surplus capacity, increased competition from other providers of services, uncertainties concerning the availability of fuel at reasonable prices, the effects of energy conservation policies and other factors. Infrastructure companies may also be affected by or subject to:

 

   

difficulty in raising capital in adequate amounts on reasonable terms in periods of high inflation and unsettled capital markets;

 

   

inexperience with and potential losses resulting from a developing deregulatory environment;

 

   

costs associated with compliance with and changes in environmental and other regulations;

 

   

regulation or adverse actions by various government authorities;

 

   

government regulation of rates charged to customers;

 

   

service interruption due to environmental, operational or other mishaps;

 

   

the imposition of special tariffs and changes in tax laws, regulatory policies and accounting standards;

 

   

technological innovations that may render existing plants, equipment or products obsolete; and

 

   

general changes in market sentiment towards infrastructure and utilities assets.

Commodity Pool Operators and Commodity Trading Advisors.The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) has adopted regulations that subject registered investment companies and their investment advisers to regulation by the CFTC if the registered investment company invests more than a prescribed level of its liquidation value in futures, options on futures or commodities, swaps, or other financial instruments regulated under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) and the rules thereunder

 

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(“commodity interests”), or if the Fund markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments.

With respect to the Fund, the Adviser has claimed an exclusion from registration as a CPO pursuant to CFTC Rule 4.5. For the Adviser to remain eligible for this exclusion, the Fund must comply with certain limitations, including limits on its ability to use any commodity interests and limits on the manner in which the Fund holds out its use of such commodity interests. These limitations may restrict the Fund’s ability to pursue its investment objectives and strategies, increase the costs of implementing its strategies, result in higher expenses for the Fund, and/or adversely affect the Fund’s total return. To the extent the Fund becomes ineligible for this exclusion from CFTC regulation, the Fund may consider steps in order to continue to qualify for exemption from CFTC regulation, or may determine to operate subject to CFTC regulation. Changes in the laws or regulations of the United States, including any changes to applicable tax laws and regulations, could impair the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective and could increase the operating expenses of the Fund or the Subsidiary. The CFTC has neither reviewed nor approved the Fund or the Subsidiary, their investment strategies, or this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum.

Foreign Subsidiary. The Subsidiary will be treated as a controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”), and the Fund investing in its Subsidiary will be treated as a “U.S. shareholder” of that Subsidiary. As a result, it is generally expected that the Fund will be required to include in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes all of its Subsidiary’s income for each taxable year, whether or not such income is distributed by the Subsidiary. The Fund’s recognition of its Subsidiary’s income will increase the Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary’s stock. Distributions by the Subsidiary to the Fund will be tax-free and will correspondingly reduce the Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary’s stock to the extent of the Subsidiary’s income that was previously included in income by the Fund. These income inclusions will constitute ordinary income, regardless of the character of the Subsidiary’s underlying income. Although the Fund generally expects to take the position that such income inclusions constitute qualifying income for purposes of the RIC income test, there can be no assurance in this regard. If a net loss is realized by the Subsidiary, such loss is not available to offset the income earned by the Fund and such loss cannot be carried forward to offset taxable income of the Fund or the Subsidiary in future period.

Volatility of Commodity Prices. The values of commodities which underlie the commodity futures contracts and other types of financial instruments are generally affected by, among other factors, the cost of producing commodities, changes in consumer demand for commodities, the hedging and trading strategies of producers and consumers of commodities, speculative trading in commodities by commodity pools and other market participants, disruptions in commodity supply, weather and climate conditions, changes in interest rates, rates of inflation, currency devaluations and revaluations, embargoes, tariffs, regulatory developments, governmental, agricultural, trade, fiscal, monetary and exchange control programs and policies, political and other global events and global economic factors. In addition, governments from time to time intervene, directly and by regulation, in certain markets, often with the intent to influence prices directly. The effects of governmental intervention may be particularly significant at certain times in certain markets and this intervention may cause these markets to move rapidly. The Fund has no control over the factors that affect the price of commodities. Accordingly, the value of the Fund’s investments could change substantially and in a rapid and unpredictable manner.

Other factors contributing to the volatility of commodity prices may includeany of the following: (i) relatively minor changes in the supply of and demand for electricity or such other commodities; (ii) market uncertainty and the condition of various economies (including interest rates, levels of economic activity, the price of securities and the participation by other investors in the financial markets); (iii) political conditions in the United States and other project locations; (iv) the extent of domestic production and importation of oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, or metals in certain relevant markets; (v) the foreign supply of oil, natural gas and metals; (vi) the prices of foreign imports; (vii) the level of consumer demand;

 

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(viii) the price and availability of alternative electric generation options; (ix) the price of steel and the outlook for steel production; (x) pandemics, wars, sanctions and weather conditions; (xi) the competitive position of electricity, ethanol/biodiesel, oil, gas or as a source of energy as compared with other energy sources; (xii) the industry-wide or local refining, transportation or processing capacity for natural gas or transmission capacity for electric energy; (xiii) the effect of United States and non-U.S. federal, state and local regulation on the production, transportation and sale of electric energy and other commodities; (xiv) breakthrough technologies (such as improved storage or clean technologies) or government subsidies, tax credits or other support that allow alternative fuel generation projects to produce more reliable electric energy or lower the cost of such production compared to natural gas fueled electric generation projects; (xv) with respect to the price of oil, actions of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries; or (xvi) the expected consumption of coking in steel production. While the Adviser will endeavor to take into account existing and anticipated future applicable greenhouse gas regulation in its investment decisions, changes in the regulation of greenhouse gases could impact an investment or make future investments undesirable.

Market Risk. The success of the Fund’s activities will be affected by general economic and market conditions, such as interest rates, availability of credit, credit defaults, inflation rates, economic uncertainty, changes in laws (including laws relating to taxation of the Fund’s investments), trade barriers, currency exchange controls, disease outbreaks, pandemics, and national and international political, environmental and socioeconomic circumstances (including wars, terrorist acts or security operations). In addition, the current U.S. political environment and the resulting uncertainties regarding actual and potential shifts in U.S. foreign investment, trade, taxation, economic, environmental and other policies under the current Administration, as well as the impact of geopolitical tension, such as a deterioration in the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and China, an escalation in conflict between Russia and Ukraine or other systemic issuer or industry-specific economic disruptions, could lead to disruption, instability and volatility in the global markets. Unfavorable economic conditions also would be expected to increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us.

Economic sanctions may be, and have been, imposed against certain countries, organizations, companies, entities and/or individuals. Economic sanctions and other similar governmental actions or developments could, among other things, effectively restrict or eliminate the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell certain foreign securities or groups of foreign securities, and thus may make the Fund’s investments in such securities less liquid or more difficult to value. Such sanctions may also cause a decline in the value of securities issued by the sanctioned country or companies located in or economically tied to the sanctioned country. In addition, as a result of economic sanctions and other similar governmental actions or developments, the Fund may be forced to sell or otherwise dispose of foreign investments at inopportune times or prices.

Current and historic market turmoil has illustrated that market environments may, at any time, be characterized by uncertainty, volatility and instability. Serious economic disruptions may result in governmental authorities and regulators enacting significant fiscal and monetary policy changes, including by providing direct capital infusions into companies, introducing new monetary programs and considerably increasing or lowering interest rates, which, in some cases resulted in negative interest rates.

As global systems, economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, events that once had only local impact are now more likely to have regional or even global effects. Events that occur in one country, region or financial market will, more frequently, adversely impact issuers in other countries, regions or markets. These impacts can be exacerbated by failures of governments and societies to adequately respond to an emerging event or threat. These types of events quickly and significantly impact markets in the U.S. and across the globe leading to extreme market volatility and disruption. The extent and nature of the impact on supply chains or economies and markets from these events is unknown, particularly

 

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if a health emergency or other similar event, such as the recent COVID-19 outbreak, persists for an extended period of time. The value of the Fund’s investment may decrease as a result of such events, particularly if these events adversely impact the operations and effectiveness of the Adviser or key service providers or if these events disrupt systems and processes necessary or beneficial to the investment advisory or other activities on behalf the Fund.

The Fund’s investment strategy and the availability of opportunities satisfying the Fund’s risk-adjusted return parameters relies in part on observable trends and conditions in the financial markets and in some cases the improvement of such conditions. Trends and historical events do not imply, forecast or predict future events and, in any event, past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. There can be no assurance that the assumptions made or the beliefs and expectations currently held by the Adviser will prove correct and actual events and circumstances may vary significantly.

Many of the issuers in which the Fund will make investments may be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay the loans made to them during these periods. Therefore, non-performing assets may increase and the value of the Fund’s portfolio may decrease during these periods as the Fund is required to record the investments at their current fair value. Adverse economic conditions also may decrease the value of collateral securing some of the Fund’s loans and the value of its equity investments. Economic slowdowns or recessions could lead to financial losses in the Fund’s portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and assets. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase the Fund’s and the issuers’ funding costs, limit the Fund’s and the issuers’ access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to the Fund or the issuers. These events could prevent the Fund from increasing investments and harm its operating results.

An issuer’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by the Fund or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, acceleration of the time when the loans are due and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross- defaults under other agreements and jeopardize the issuer’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt that the Fund holds. The Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting issuer. In addition, if one of the issuers were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which the Fund will actually provide significant managerial assistance to that issuer, a bankruptcy court might subordinate all or a portion of the Fund’s claim to that of other creditors.

The prices of financial instruments in which the Fund may invest can be highly volatile. General fluctuations in the market prices of securities may affect the value of the investments held by the Fund. Instability in the securities markets may also increase the risks inherent in the Fund’s investments.

Emerging Market Investments. The Fund may invest in securities of companies based in emerging market countries, including countries considered to be frontier markets, or issued by the governments of such countries. Investing in such securities involves certain considerations not usually associated with investing in securities of companies located in developed countries or issued by the government of such countries, including security and economic considerations, such as greater risks of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, imposition of withholding or other taxes on dividends, interest, capital gains, other income or gross sale or disposition proceeds, limitations on the removal of funds, nationalization and general social, political and economic instability; the small size of the securities markets in such countries and the low volume of trading, resulting in potential lack of liquidity and in price volatility; fluctuations in the rate of exchange between currencies and costs associated with currency conversion; certain government policies that may restrict the Fund’s investment opportunities; and problems that may arise in connection with the clearance and settlement of trades. In addition, accounting and financial reporting standards that prevail in certain of such countries generally are not equivalent to standards in more developed countries and, consequently, less information is available to investors in companies located in these countries than is available to investors in companies located in more developed countries.

 

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Emerging market countries also may have relatively unstable governments, weaker economies, and less-developed legal systems with fewer security holder rights, and may be subject to greater risks of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, imposition of withholding or other taxes on dividends, interest, capital gains, other income or gross sale or disposition proceeds, limitations on the removal of funds, nationalization and general social, political and economic instability. Investments in emerging markets countries may also be affected by government policies that restrict foreign investment in certain issuers or industries. may restrict the Fund’s investment opportunities.

There is also less regulation, generally, of the securities markets in emerging countries than there is in more developed countries. Placing securities with a custodian in an emerging country may also present considerable risks. Many of the laws that govern private and foreign investment, equity securities transactions and other contractual relationships in certain countries, particularly in emerging countries, are new and largely untested. As a result, the Fund may be subject to a number of unusual risks, including inadequate investor protection, contradictory legislation, incomplete, unclear and changing laws, ignorance or breaches of regulations on the part of other market participants, lack of established or effective avenues for legal redress, lack of standard practices and confidentiality customs characteristic of developed markets and lack of enforcement of existing regulations. Furthermore, it may be difficult or impossible or there may be significant delays in obtaining and enforcing a judgment in certain countries in which assets of the Fund are invested. There can be no assurance that this difficulty in protecting and enforcing rights will not have a material adverse effect on the Fund and its operations.

Potentially smaller securities markets and lower trading volumes can make investments in emerging market countries relatively illiquid and potentially more volatile than investments in developed countries, and such securities may be subject to abrupt and severe price declines. Due to this relative lack of liquidity, the Fund may have to accept a lower price or may not be able to sell a portfolio security at all. An inability to sell a portfolio position can adversely affect the Fund’s value or prevent the Fund from being able to meet cash obligations or take advantage of other investment opportunities.

Emerging market countries may be subject fluctuations in the rate of exchange between currencies and costs associated with currency conversion, as well as problems that may arise in connection with the clearance and settlement of trades. Placing securities with a custodian in an emerging markets country may also present considerable risks

In addition, accounting and financial reporting standards that prevail in certain of such countries generally are not equivalent to standards in more developed countries and, consequently, less information is available to investors in companies located in these countries than is available to investors in companies located in more developed countries.

Market Disruptions Risk. The U.S. capital markets have experienced extreme volatility and disruption following the spread of COVID-19 in the United States and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Disruptions in the capital markets have increased the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities, resulting in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets. These and future market disruptions and/or illiquidity would be expected to have an adverse effect on the Fund’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Unfavorable economic conditions also would be expected to increase the Fund’s funding costs, limit the Fund’s access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to the Fund. During periods of market disruption, portfolio companies may be more likely to seek to draw on unfunded commitments the Fund has made, and the risk of being unable to fund such commitments is heightened during such periods. These events have limited and could continue

 

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to limit the Fund’s investment originations, limit the Fund’s ability to grow and have a material negative impact on the Fund’s operating results and the fair values of the Fund’s debt and equity investments.

U.S. and global markets recently have experienced increased volatility, including as a result of the recent failures of certain U.S. and non-U.S. banks, which could be harmful to the Fund and issuer in it invests. For example, if a bank in which the Fund or issuer has an account fails, any cash or other assets in bank accounts may be temporarily inaccessible or permanently lost by the Fund or issuer. If a bank that provides a subscription line credit facility, asset-based facility, other credit facility and/or other services to the Fund or an issuer fails, the Fund or the issuer could be unable to draw funds under its credit facilities or obtain replacement credit facilities or other services from other lending institutions with similar terms. Even if banks used by the Fund and issuers in which the Fund invests remain solvent, continued volatility in the banking sector could cause or intensify an economic recession, increase the costs of banking services or result in the issuers being unable to obtain or refinance indebtedness at all or on as favorable terms as could otherwise have been obtained. Conditions in the banking sector are evolving, and the scope of any potential impacts to the Fund and issuers, both from market conditions and also potential legislative or regulatory responses, are uncertain. Continued market volatility and uncertainty and/or a downturn in market and economic and financial conditions, as a result of developments in the banking industry or otherwise (including as a result of delayed access to cash or credit facilities), could have an adverse impact on the Fund and issuers in which it invests.

Credit Risk. One of the fundamental risks associated with the Fund’s investments is credit risk, which is the risk that an issuer will be unable to make principal and interest payments on its outstanding debt obligations when due. The Fund’s return to investors would be adversely impacted if an issuer of debt in which the Fund invests becomes unable to make such payments when due.

Although the Fund may make investments that the Adviser believes are secured by specific collateral, the value of which may initially exceed the principal amount of such investments or the Fund’s fair value of such investments, there can be no assurance that the liquidation of any such collateral would satisfy the borrower’s obligation in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal payments with respect to such investment, or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. The Fund may also invest in leveraged loans, high yield securities, marketable and non-marketable common and preferred equity securities and other unsecured investments, each of which involves a higher degree of risk than senior secured loans. Furthermore, the Fund’s right to payment and its security interest, if any, may be subordinated to the payment rights and security interests of a senior lender, to the extent applicable. Certain of these investments may have an interest-only payment schedule, with the principal amount remaining outstanding and at risk until the maturity of the investment. In addition, loans may provide for payments-in-kind, which have a similar effect of deferring current cash payments. In such cases, an issuer’s ability to repay the principal of an investment may depend on a liquidity event or the long-term success of the company, the occurrence of which is uncertain.

With respect to the Fund’s investments in any number of credit products, if the borrower or issuer breaches any of the covenants or restrictions under the credit agreement that governs loans of such issuer or borrower, it could result in a default under the applicable indebtedness as well as the indebtedness held by the Fund. Such default may allow the creditors to accelerate the related debt and may result in the acceleration of any other debt to which a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies. This could result in an impairment or loss of the Fund’s investment or a pre-payment (in whole or in part) of the Fund’s investment.

Similarly, while the Fund will generally target investing in companies it believes are of high quality, these companies could still present a high degree of business and credit risk. Companies in which the Fund invests could deteriorate as a result of, among other factors, an adverse development in their business, a change in the competitive environment or the continuation or worsening of the current (or any future) economic and financial market downturns and dislocations. As a result, companies that the Fund expected to be stable or

 

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improve may operate, or expect to operate, at a loss or have significant variations in operating results, may require substantial additional capital to support their operations or maintain their competitive position, or may otherwise have a weak financial condition or experience financial distress. In addition, exogenous factors such as fluctuations of the equity markets also could result in warrants and other equity securities or instruments owned by the Fund becoming worthless.

Credit Spread Risk. Credit spread risk is the risk that credit spreads (i.e., the difference in yield between securities that is due to differences in their credit quality) may increase when the market expects below-investment-grade bonds to default more frequently. Widening credit spreads may quickly reduce the market values of below-investment-grade and unrated securities. In recent years, the U.S. capital markets experienced extreme volatility and disruption following the spread of COVID-19, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and other economic disruptions, which increased the spread between yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities, resulting in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets. Central banks and governments played a key role in reintroducing liquidity to parts of the capital markets. Future exits of these financial institutions from the market may reintroduce temporary illiquidity. These and future market disruptions and/or illiquidity would be expected to have an adverse effect on the Fund’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Risks Related to Investments in Loans. The Fund expects to invest in loans, either through primary issuances or in secondary transactions, including potentially on a synthetic basis. The value of the Fund’s loans may be detrimentally affected to the extent a borrower defaults on its obligations. There can be no assurance that the value assigned by the Adviser can be realized upon liquidation, nor can there be any assurance that any related collateral will retain its value. Furthermore, circumstances could arise (such as in the bankruptcy of a borrower) that could cause the Fund’s security interest in the loan’s collateral to be invalidated. Also, much of the collateral will be subject to restrictions on transfer intended to satisfy securities regulations, which will limit the number of potential purchases if the Fund intends to liquidate such collateral. The amount realizable with respect to a loan may be detrimentally affected if a guarantor, if any, fails to meet its obligations under a guarantee. Finally, there may be a monetary, as well as a time cost involved in collecting on defaulted loans and, if applicable, taking possession of various types of collateral.

The portfolio may include first lien senior secured, second and third lien loans and any other loans.

Covenant-Lite Loans. Some of the loans in which the Fund may invest may be “covenant-lite” loans. “Covenant-lite” loans refer generally to loans that do not have a complete set of financial maintenance covenants. Generally, “covenant-lite” loans provide borrower companies more freedom to negatively impact lenders because their covenants are incurrence-based, which means they are only tested and can only be breached following an affirmative action of the borrower, rather than by a deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition. Accordingly, to the extent the Fund invests in “covenant-lite” loans, the Fund may have fewer rights against a borrower and may have a greater risk of loss on such investments as compared to investments in or exposure to loans with financial maintenance covenants.

First Lien Senior Secured Loans. It is expected that when the Fund makes a senior secured term loan investment in an issuer, it will generally take a security interest in substantially all of the available assets of the issuer, including the equity interests of its domestic subsidiaries, which the Fund expects to help mitigate the risk that it will not be repaid. However, there is a risk that the collateral securing the Fund’s loans may decrease in value over time, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the business and market conditions, including as a result of the inability of the issuer to raise additional capital, and, in some circumstances, the Fund’s lien could be subordinated to claims of other creditors. In addition, deterioration in an issuer’s financial condition and prospects, including its inability to raise additional capital, may be accompanied by deterioration in the value of the collateral for the loan. Consequently, the fact that a loan is secured does not guarantee that the

 

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Fund will receive principal and interest payments according to the loan’s terms, or at all, or that it will be able to collect on the loan should it be forced to enforce its remedies.

Second Lien Senior Secured Loans and Junior Debt investments. Second and third lien loans are subject to the same investment risks generally applicable to senior loans described above. The Fund’s second lien senior secured loans will be subordinated to first lien loans and the Fund’s junior debt investments, such as mezzanine loans, generally will be subordinated to both first lien and second lien loans and have junior security interests or may be unsecured. As such, to the extent the Fund holds second lien senior secured loans and junior debt investments, holders of first lien loans may be repaid before the Fund in the event of a bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding. Therefore second and third lien loans are subject to additional risk that the cash flow of the related obligor and the property securing the second or third lien loan may be insufficient to repay the scheduled payments to the lender after giving effect to any senior secured obligations of the related obligor. This may result in an above average amount of risk and loss of principal. Second and third lien loans are also expected to be more illiquid than senior loans.

Unsecured Loans. Unsecured loans are subject to the same investment risks generally applicable to loans described above but are subject to additional risk that the assets and cash flow of the related obligor may be insufficient to repay the scheduled payments to the lender after giving effect to any secured obligations of the obligor. Unsecured loans will be subject to certain additional risks to the extent that such loans may not be protected and such loans are not secured by collateral, financial covenants or limitations upon additional indebtedness. Unsecured loans are also expected to be a more illiquid investment than senior loans for this reason.

Other Risks Related to Loans. Under the agreements governing most syndicated loans, should a holder of an interest in a syndicated loan wish to call a default or exercise remedies against a borrower, it could not do so without the agreement of at least a majority of the other lenders. Actions could also be taken by a majority of the other lenders, or in some cases, a single agent bank, without the consent of all lenders. Each lender would nevertheless be liable to indemnify the agent bank for its ratable share of expenses or other liabilities incurred in such connection and, generally, with respect to the administration and any renegotiation or enforcement of the syndicated loans. Moreover, an assignee or participant in a loan may not be entitled to certain gross-up payments in respect of withholding taxes and other indemnities that otherwise might be available to the original holder of the loan.

Furthermore, the Adviser may invest a portion of the Fund’s assets in bank loans and participations. The special risks associated with these obligations include (i) the possible invalidation of an investment transaction as a fraudulent conveyance under relevant creditors’ rights laws, (ii) adverse consequences resulting from participating in such instruments with other institutions with lower credit quality and (iii) limitations on the ability of the Fund or the Adviser to directly enforce its rights with respect to participations. The Adviser will seek to balance the magnitude of these and other risks identified by it against the potential investment gain prior to entering into each such investment. Successful claims by third parties arising from these and other risks, absent bad faith, may be borne by the Fund. Bank loans are frequently traded on the basis of standardized documentation which is used in order to facilitate trading and market liquidity. There can be no assurance, however, that future levels of supply and demand in bank loan trading will provide an adequate degree of liquidity or that the current level of liquidity will continue or that the same documentation will be used in the future. The settlement of trading in bank loans often requires the involvement of third parties, such as administrative or syndication agents, and there presently is no central clearinghouse or authority which monitors or facilitates the trading or settlement of all bank loan trades. Often, settlement may be delayed based on the actions of any third party or counterparty, and adverse price movements may occur in the time between trade and settlement, which could result in adverse consequences for the Fund.

 

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In recent years, a number of judicial decisions in the United States have upheld the right of borrowers to sue lending institutions on the basis of various evolving legal theories (collectively termed “lender liability”). Generally, lender liability is founded upon the premise that an institutional lender has violated a duty (whether implied or contractual) of good faith and fair dealing owed to a borrower or has assumed a degree of control over the borrower resulting in a creation of a fiduciary duty owed to the borrower or its other creditors or shareholders. Because of the nature of certain of the Fund’s investments, the Fund could be subject to allegations of lender liability.

The Fund may acquire interests in bank loans either directly (by way of sale or assignment) or indirectly (by way of participation). The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations of the assigning institution and becomes a contracting party under the credit agreement with respect to the debt obligation; however, its rights can be more restricted than those of the assigning institution. Participation interests in a portion of a debt obligation typically result in a contractual relationship only with the institution participating out the interest and not with the borrower. In purchasing participations, the Fund typically will not have the right to vote on matters requiring a vote of holders of the underlying debt and may have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, or any rights of set-off against the borrower, and the Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the debt obligation in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, if the Fund were to hold a participation, it would assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the institution selling the participation to the Fund. In certain circumstances, investing in the form of participation may be the most advantageous or only route for the Fund to make or hold any such investment, including in light of limitations relating to local laws or the willingness of administrative agents or borrowers to allow the Fund to become a direct lender.

Finally, loans may become non-performing for a variety of reasons. Non-performing debt obligations may require substantial workout negotiations, restructuring or bankruptcy filings that may entail a substantial reduction in the interest rate, deferral of payments and/or a substantial write-down of the principal of a loan or conversion of some or all of the debt to equity. Additional costs associated with these activities may reduce returns.

Unitranche Loans. Unitranche loans provide leverage levels comparable to a combination of first lien and second lien or subordinated loans. From the perspective of a lender, in addition to making a single loan, a unitranche loan may allow the lender to choose to participate in the “first out” tranche, which will generally receive priority with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due, or to choose to participate only in the “last out” tranche, which is generally paid after the “first out” tranche is paid. The Fund intends to participate in “first out” and “last out” tranches of unitranche loans and make single unitranche loans.

Syndicated Corporate Loans. Senior secured corporate loans (“Syndicated Loans”) generally benefit from liens on collateral, are rated below-investment grade and typically pay interest at rates that are determined periodically on the basis of a floating base lending rate, primarily Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”),or another reference rate, plus a spread. Syndicated Loans are typically made to U.S. and, to a lesser extent, non-U.S. corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies and other business entities (together with issuers of high yield securities) and other debt securities, (“Borrowers”) which operate in various industries and geographical regions. Borrowers may obtain Syndicated Loans, among other reasons, to refinance existing debt, engage in acquisitions, pay dividends, recapitalize, complete leveraged buyouts and for general corporate purposes. Syndicated Loans rated below investment grade are sometimes referred to as “leveraged loans.” There is a risk that the issuers of Syndicated Loans may not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by an instrument. The Fund may invest in Syndicated Loans through assignments of or, to a lesser extent, participations in Syndicated Loans. The Fund may also utilize various types of derivative instruments for the purpose of gaining additional exposure to Syndicated Loans.

 

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Supply Chain Financings (trade finance). The Fund may seek to originate and underwrite trade finance transactions. Trade finance as an asset class typically consists of the financing of commodities during the time it takes to transport the commodities from one geographic location to another. Transactions are privately negotiated between a supplier of a commodity in one location and the buyer of that commodity in another location and are sometimes referred to as “supply chain financing.” The Fund may invest in trade finance, structured trade finance, export finance, and project finance, or related obligations of companies or other entities with potential for exposure to emerging markets, all through a variety of forms, structures, and terms. Investing in trade finance may present emerging market risk, where the Fund considers risks tied to political and economic factors (different and often more complex than those faced domestically), ranging from but not limited to: expropriation, confiscation, nationalization, election, or war. Emerging market risk can also produce risk associated with loan market health, additional costs, regulatory practices, accounting standards, credit systems, taxation, and currency risk. Additionally, trade finance may entail transportation and warehousing risk, legal risk, collateral value risk, liquidity risk, and global market risk. Counterparty risk exists in default and fraud, as well as custody risks of theft and natural disaster. Finally, to the extent the buyer does not follow through on the contractual purchase, the Fund bears the price risk of reselling the goods to a new buyer.

Investments in Less Established Companies. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in the securities of less established companies. Certain of the investments may be in businesses with little or no operating history. Investments in such early-stage growth companies may involve greater risks than are generally associated with investments in more established companies. To the extent there is any public market for the securities held by the Fund, such securities may be subject to more abrupt and erratic market price movements than those of larger, more established companies. Less established companies tend to have lower capitalizations and fewer resources and are, therefore, often more vulnerable to financial failure. Such companies also may have shorter operating histories on which to judge future performance and in many cases, if operating, will have negative cash flow. There can be no assurance that any such losses will be offset by gains (if any) realized on the Fund’s other investments. In addition, less mature companies could be deemed to be more susceptible to irregular accounting or other fraudulent practices. In the event of fraud by any company in which the Fund invests, the Fund may suffer a partial or total loss of capital invested in that company.

The Fund may invest in issuers that: (i) have little or no operating history, (ii) offer services or products that are not yet ready to be marketed, (iii) are operating at a loss or have significant fluctuations in operating results, (iv) are engaged in a rapidly changing business or (v) need substantial additional capital to set up internal infrastructure, hire management and personnel, support expansion or achieve or maintain a competitive position. Such issuers may face intense competition, including competition from companies with greater financial resources, more extensive capabilities and a larger number of qualified managerial and technical personnel.

Distressed Credit Investments. The Fund may invest in obligations of issuers in weak financial condition, experiencing poor operating results, having substantial capital needs or negative net worth, facing special competitive or product obsolescence problems, including companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization and liquidation proceedings. These obligations are likely to be particularly risky investments although they also may offer the potential for correspondingly high returns. Among the risks inherent in investments in troubled entities is the fact that it frequently may be difficult to obtain accurate information as to the true condition of such issuers. The Fund’s distressed credit investments (e.g., investments in defaulted, out-of-favor or distressed bank loans and debt and equity securities) are inherently speculative and are subject to a high degree of risk. Companies experiencing financial distress are often those operating at a loss or with substantial variations in operating results from period to period. Companies experiencing financial distress may be involved in insolvency proceedings and have the need for substantial additional

 

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capital to support continued operations or to improve their financial condition and may have very high amounts of leverage. Distressed companies typically are in default under, or have a significant risk of an inability to service, their debt obligations, especially during an economic downturn or periods of rising interest rates, may not have access to more traditional methods of financing and may be unable to repay debt by refinancing. Investments in distressed companies may be premised on a turnaround strategy. If turnarounds are not achieved, these companies could experience failures or substantial declines in value, and the Fund may not be able to divest itself of such unprofitable investments in a timely fashion or at all. Additionally, turnarounds may not be achieved within the contemplated investment horizons.

The value of distressed instruments tends to be more volatile and may have an increased price sensitivity to changing interest rates and adverse economic and business developments than other securities or instruments. Distressed credit investments are often more sensitive to company-specific developments and changes in economic conditions than other securities. Furthermore, distressed debt instruments are often unsecured and may be subordinated to senior debt. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund should only be considered by persons who can afford a loss of their entire investment.

Mezzanine Investments. Most of the Fund’s mezzanine investments (if any) are expected to be unsecured and made in companies whose capital structures have significant indebtedness ranking ahead of the investments, all or a significant portion of which may be secured. While the investments may benefit from the same or similar financial and other covenants as those enjoyed by the indebtedness ranking ahead of the investments and may benefit from cross-default provisions and security over the issuer’s assets, some or all of such terms may not be part of particular investments. Moreover, the ability of the Fund to influence an issuer’s affairs, especially during periods of financial distress or following an insolvency, is likely to be substantially less than that of senior creditors. Mezzanine investments generally are subject to various risks, including, without limitation: (i) a subsequent characterization of an investment as a “fraudulent conveyance”; (ii) the recovery as a “preference” of liens perfected or payments made on account of a debt in the 90 days before a bankruptcy filing; (iii) equitable subordination claims by other creditors; (iv) so-called “lender liability” claims by the issuer of the obligations; and (v) environmental liabilities that may arise with respect to collateral securing the obligations.

Interest Rate Risk. General interest rate fluctuations and changes in credit spreads on floating rate loans may have a substantial negative impact on the Fund’s investments and investment opportunities and, accordingly, may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s rate of return on invested capital, the Fund’s net investment income and the Fund’s NAV. Certain of the Fund’s debt investments will have variable interest rates that reset periodically based on benchmarks such as LIBOR, SOFR and the prime rate, so an increase in interest rates may make it more difficult for issuers to service their obligations under the debt investments that the Fund will hold. In addition, to the extent the Fund borrows money to make investments, its returns will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which it borrows funds and the rate at which it invests those funds. As a result, there can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s net investment income to the extent it uses debt to finance its investments. In periods of rising interest rates, the Fund’s cost of funds would increase, which could reduce its net investment income. In general, rising interest rates will negatively impact the price of a fixed rate debt instrument and falling interest rates will have a positive effect on price. Adjustable rate instruments also react to interest rate changes in a similar manner, although generally to a lesser degree (depending, however, on the characteristics of the reset terms, including the index chosen, frequency of reset and reset caps or floors, among other factors). From time to time, the Fund may be exposed to medium- to long-term spread duration securities. Longer spread duration securities have a greater adverse price impact to increases in interest rates. Interest rate sensitivity is generally more pronounced and less predictable in instruments with uncertain payment or prepayment schedules.

If general interest rates rise, there is a risk that the portfolio companies in which the Fund holds floating rate securities will be unable to pay escalating interest amounts, which could result in a default under their

 

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loan documents. Rising interest rates could also cause portfolio companies to shift cash from other productive uses to the payment of interest, which may have a material adverse effect on their business and operations and could, over time, lead to increased defaults. In addition, rising interest rates may increase pressure on the Fund to provide fixed rate loans to the Fund’s portfolio companies, which could adversely affect the Fund’s net investment income, as increases in the cost of borrowed funds would not be accompanied by increased interest income from such fixed-rate investments.

Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of certain assets or income from the Fund’s investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of investments and distributions can decline. In addition, during any periods of rising inflation, the dividend rates or borrowing costs associated with the Fund’s use of leverage would likely increase, which would tend to further reduce returns to shareholders.

Physical Commodities Investments Risk. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities and credit instruments associated with physical commodities assets, including infrastructure and aviation, which have historically experienced substantial price volatility. The value of companies engaged in these industries is affected by (i) changes in general economic and market conditions; (ii) changes in environmental, governmental and other regulations; (iii) risks related to local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition; (iv) increases in property taxes and operating expenses; (v) changes in zoning laws; (vi) casualty and condemnation losses; (vii) surplus capacity and depletion concerns; (viii) the availability of financing; and (ix) changes in interest rates and leverage. In addition, the availability of attractive financing and refinancing typically plays a critical role in the success of these investments. As a result, such investments are subject to credit risk because borrowers may be delinquent in payment or default. Borrower delinquency and default rates may be significantly higher than estimated. The Adviser’s assessment, or a rating agency’s assessment, of borrower credit quality may prove to be overly optimistic. The value of securities in these industries may go through cycles of relative under-performance and over-performance in comparison to equity securities markets in general.

Sovereign Bond Risks. Investments in sovereign bonds involves special risks not present in corporate bonds. The governmental authority that controls the repayment of the bonds may be unable or unwilling to make interest payments and/or repay the principal on its bonds or to otherwise honor its obligations. If an issuer of sovereign bonds defaults on payments of principal and/or interest, the Fund may have limited recourse against the issuer. During periods of economic uncertainty, the market prices of sovereign bonds, and the Fund’s NAV, may be more volatile than prices of corporate bonds, which may result in losses. In the past, certain governments of emerging market countries have declared themselves unable to meet their financial obligations on a timely basis, which has resulted in losses for holders of sovereign bonds.

Several factors may affect (i) the ability of a government, its agencies, instrumentalities or its central bank to make payments on the debt it has issued, including securities that the investment personnel believe are likely to be included in restructurings of the external debt obligations of the issuer in question, (ii) the market value of such debt and (iii) the inclusion of sovereign debt in future restructurings, including such issuer’s (x) balance of trade and access to international financing, (y) cost of servicing such obligations, which may be affected by changes in international interest rates, and (z) level of international currency reserves, which may affect the amount of exchange available for external debt payments. Significant ongoing uncertainties and exposure to adverse conditions may undermine the issuer’s ability to make timely payment of interest and principal, and issuers may default on their sovereign debt.

Many jurisdictions in the markets in which the Fund invests have a history of default on external debt when their economies experience a downturn. These risks of sovereign default could adversely affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio. Further, certain of these markets are dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls,

 

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managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. In addition, the economies of certain of these markets may be based predominantly on only a few commodities or industries and therefore may be vulnerable to changes in commodity prices or trade conditions. Economic disruptions in such jurisdictions could lead to increased volatility in equity and other markets and a sovereign default could lead to substantial losses in value in these markets, potentially compounded by currency and foreign exchange conversion restrictions. Such events could lead to a material, if not complete, loss of the Fund’s investment in that jurisdiction.

Preferred Stock. Investments in preferred stock involve risks related to priority in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation of the issuing company and how dividends are declared. Preferred stock ranks junior to debt securities in an issuer’s capital structure and, accordingly, is subordinate to all debt in bankruptcy. Preferred stock generally has a preference as to dividends. Such dividends are generally paid in cash (or additional shares of preferred stock) at a defined rate, but unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer’s board of directors. Dividends on preferred stock may be cumulative, meaning that, in the event the issuer fails to make one or more dividend payments on the preferred stock, no dividends may be paid on the issuer’s common stock until all unpaid preferred stock dividends have been paid. Preferred stock may also be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions..

Convertible Securities. Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted into or exchanged for a specified amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security generally entitles its holder to receive interest or a dividend until the convertible security matures or is redeemed or converted. Convertible securities generally: (i) have higher yields than the dividends on the underlying common stocks, but lower yields than non-convertible securities of a comparable duration; (ii) are less volatile in price than the underlying common stock due to their fixed-income characteristics; (iii) have a significant option component to their value which is directly impacted by the prevailing market volatility and interest rates; and (iv) provide the potential for capital appreciation if the market price of the underlying common stock increases.

The value of a convertible security is a function of its “investment value” (determined by its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion feature) and its “conversion value” (the security’s worth, at market value, if converted into the underlying common stock). The investment value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates (with investment value declining as interest rates increase) as well as market volatility (with the conversion value increasing as market volatility increases). The credit standing of the issuer and other factors may also have an effect on investment value. The conversion value of a convertible security is determined by the market price of the underlying common stock. If the conversion value is low relative to the investment value, the price of the convertible security is governed principally by its investment value. To the extent that the market price of the underlying common stock approaches or exceeds the conversion price, the price of the convertible security will be increasingly influenced by its conversion value. A convertible security generally will sell at a premium over its conversion value by the extent to which investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock while holding a fixed-income security. Generally, the amount of the premium decreases (as with an option) as the convertible security approaches maturity.

A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be required either to permit the issuer to redeem the security or convert it into the underlying common stock. Either of these actions could have an adverse effect on the value of the position.

 

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Risks Associated with Changes in LIBOR. On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdom (the “UK”) Financial Conduct Authority announced that it intended to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit LIBOR rates after 2021. More recently, the administrator of LIBOR announced that it will cease the publication of the one week and two month LIBOR settings immediately following the LIBOR publication on December 31, 2021, and the remaining U.S. dollar LIBOR settings immediately following the LIBOR publication on June 30, 2023. In connection with supervisory guidance from regulators, certain regulated entities have ceased to enter into certain new LIBOR contracts after January 1, 2022. It is not possible to predict the effect of these changes, any establishment of alternative reference rates or any other reforms to LIBOR that may be enacted in the UK or elsewhere. It is possible that banks will not continue to provide submissions for the calculation of LIBOR. Similarly, it is not possible to predict whether LIBOR will continue to be viewed as an acceptable market benchmark, what rate or rates may become accepted alternatives to LIBOR, or what the effect of any such changes in views or alternatives may have on the financial markets for LIBOR-linked financial instruments.

To identify a successor rate for U.S. dollar LIBOR, the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (“ARRC”), a U.S.-based group convened by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, was formed. Financial regulators in the UK, the European Union (the “EU”), Japan and Switzerland also formed working groups with the aim of recommending alternatives to LIBOR denominated in their local currencies. On July 22, 2021, the ARRC formally recommended SOFR as its preferred alternative rate for LIBOR. SOFR is a measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight, collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities, and is based on directly observable U.S. Treasury-backed repurchase transactions. Although SOFR appears to be the preferred replacement rate for U.S. dollar LIBOR, it is unclear if other benchmarks may emerge or if other rates will be adopted outside the U.S. The Bank of England’s current nominated replacement for sterling LIBOR is the Sterling Overnight Interbank Average Rate (“SONIA”). Given the inherent differences between LIBOR and SOFR, or any other alternative benchmark rate that may be established, including SONIA, there remains uncertainty regarding the future utilization of LIBOR and the nature of any replacement rate.

In any event, LIBOR is likely to perform differently than in the past and, ultimately, cease to exist as a global benchmark going forward. Until an alternative benchmark rate(s) becomes generally accepted and regularly implemented in the market, the uncertainty as to the future of LIBOR, its eventual phase-out, the transition to one or more alternate benchmark rate(s), and the implementation of such new benchmark rate(s) may impact a number of factors, which, either alone or in the aggregate, may cause a material adverse effect on the Fund’s performance and the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. The Adviser does not have prior experience in investing during a period of benchmark rate transition and there can be no assurance that the Adviser will be able to manage its business in a profitable manner before, during or after such transition.

The discontinuance of LIBOR may require the Fund to renegotiate credit agreements entered into prior to the discontinuation of LIBOR and extending beyond the discontinuance with the Fund’s portfolio companies that utilize LIBOR as a factor in determining the interest rate, in order to replace LIBOR with the new standard that is established, which may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to receive attractive returns.

In addition, the Fund may need to renegotiate certain terms of the Fund’s credit facility. If the Fund is unable to do so, amounts outstanding under the Fund’s credit facility may bear interest at a higher rate, which would increase the cost of the Fund’s borrowings and, in turn, affect the Fund’s return on capital.

Depending on several factors, including those set forth above, and the related costs of negotiating and documenting necessary changes to documentation, the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely impacted by the market transition or reform of certain reference rates and benchmarks. Other factors include the pace of the transition to replacement or reformed rates, the

 

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specific terms and parameters for and market acceptance of any alternative reference rates, prices and liquidity of trading markets for products based on alternative reference rates, and the Fund’s ability to transition and develop appropriate systems and analytics for one or more alternative reference rates.

Securities on a When-Issued or Forward Commitment Basis. The Fund may purchase securities on a “when-issued” basis and may purchase or sell securities on a “forward commitment” basis to acquire the security or to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. When such transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for the securities take place at a later date. When-issued securities and forward commitments may be sold prior to the settlement date, but the Fund will enter into when-issued and forward commitments only with the intention of actually receiving or delivering the securities, as the case may be. If the Fund disposes of the right to acquire a when-issued security prior to its acquisition or disposes of its right to deliver or receive against a forward commitment, it might incur a gain or loss. There is always a risk that the securities may not be delivered and that the Fund may incur a loss. Settlements in the ordinary course, which may take substantially more than five business days, are not treated by the Fund as when-issued or forward commitment transactions. The settlements of secondary market purchases of senior loans in the ordinary course, on a settlement date beyond the period expected by loan market participants are subject to delayed compensation. Furthermore, the purchase of a senior loan in the secondary market is typically negotiated and finalized pursuant to a binding trade confirmation, and therefore, the risk of non-delivery of the security to the Fund is reduced or eliminated when compared with such risk when investing in when-issued or forward commitment securities.

Equity Investments. The Fund may purchase equity securities. Equity securities represent an ownership interest, or the right to acquire an ownership interest, in an issuer. Equity securities also include, among other things, preferred securities, convertible stocks and warrants. The values of equity securities, such as common stocks and preferred securities, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. They may also decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed income securities. These risks are generally magnified in the case of equity investments in distressed companies.

Investments in Publicly Traded Companies. The Fund’s investment portfolio may contain securities or instruments issued by publicly-held companies. Such investments may subject the Fund to risks that differ in type or degree from those involved with investments in privately-held companies. Such risks include, without limitation, greater volatility in the valuation of such companies, increased obligations to disclose information regarding such companies, limitations on the ability of the Fund to dispose of such securities or instruments at certain times, increased likelihood of shareholder litigation against such companies’ board members (which may include members of the Adviser) and increased costs associated with each of the aforementioned risks.

In addition, in respect of the Fund’s publicly traded debt investments, the Fund will not obtain financial covenants or other contractual rights, including management rights, that it might otherwise be able to obtain in making privately-negotiated investments. Moreover, the Fund may not have the same access to information in connection with investments in public securities, either when investing a potential investment or after making an investment, as compared to privately-negotiated investments. Furthermore, the Fund may be limited in its ability to make investments, and to sell existing investments, in public securities because the Adviser may be deemed to have material, nonpublic information regarding the issuers of those securities or as a result of other internal policies.

 

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Private Investments in Public Equity. The Fund may purchase equity securities in a private placement that are issued by issuers who have outstanding, publicly-traded equity securities of the same class (“private investments in public equity” or “PIPEs”). Shares in PIPEs generally are not registered with the SEC until after a certain time period from the date the private sale is completed. This restricted period can last many months. Until the public registration process is completed, PIPEs are restricted as to resale and the Fund cannot freely trade the securities. Generally, such restrictions cause the PIPEs to be illiquid during this time. PIPEs may contain provisions that the issuer will pay specified financial penalties to the holder if the issuer does not publicly register the restricted equity securities within a specified period of time, but there is no assurance that the restricted equity securities will be publicly registered, or that the registration will remain in effect.

Prepayment Risk. Prepayment risk relates to the early repayment of principal on a loan or debt security. Loans are generally callable at any time, and certain loans may be callable at any time at no premium to par. The Adviser is generally unable to predict the rate and frequency of such repayments. Whether a loan is called will depend both on the continued positive performance of the issuer and the existence of favorable financing market conditions that allow such issuer the ability to replace existing financing with less expensive capital. As market conditions change frequently, the Adviser will often be unable to predict when, and if, this may be possible for each of the Fund’s issuers. Having the loan or other debt instrument called early may have the effect of reducing the Fund’s actual investment income below its expected investment income if the capital returned cannot be invested in transactions with equal or greater yields.

Investments in Highly Leveraged Issuers. The Fund’s investments are expected to include investments in issuers whose capital structures have significant leverage (including substantial leverage senior to the Fund’s investments), a considerable portion of which may be at floating interest rates. The leveraged capital structure of such issuers will increase their exposure to adverse economic factors such as rising interest rates, downturns in the economy or further deteriorations in the financial condition of the issuer or its industry. This leverage may result in more serious adverse consequences to such companies (including their overall profitability or solvency) in the event these factors or events occur than would be the case for less leveraged issuers. In using leverage, these issuers may be subject to terms and conditions that include restrictive financial and operating covenants, which may impair their ability to finance or otherwise pursue their future operations or otherwise satisfy additional capital needs. Moreover, rising interest rates may significantly increase the issuers or project’s interest expense, or a significant industry downturn may affect a company’s ability to generate positive cash flow, in either case causing an inability to service outstanding debt. The Fund’s investments may be among the most junior financing in an issuer’s capital structure. In the event such issuer cannot generate adequate cash flow to meet debt obligations, the company may default on its loan agreements or be forced into bankruptcy resulting in a restructuring or liquidation of the company, and the Fund, particularly in light of the subordinated and/or unsecured position of the Fund’s investments, may suffer a partial or total loss of capital invested in the company, which could adversely affect the return of the Fund.

Bankruptcy and Restructuring Risk. The Fund may invest in restructurings involving, or otherwise acquire or hold securities and other obligations of, issuers that are in financial difficulty, and/or may be in, entering, or emerging from, bankruptcy proceedings.

Bankruptcy or other insolvency proceedings are highly complex and may result in unpredictable outcomes. In any investment opportunity involving work-outs, liquidations, spin-offs, reorganizations, bankruptcies and similar transactions, there exists the risk that the contemplated transaction may be unsuccessful. Similarly, if an anticipated transaction does not in fact occur, the Fund may be required to sell the investment at a loss. The level of analytical sophistication, both financial and legal, necessary for successful investment in companies experiencing significant business and financial difficulties is unusually high. Because there is a substantial uncertainty concerning the outcome of transactions involving financially troubled companies in which the Fund may invest, there is a potential risk of loss of the entire investment

 

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in such companies, as well as the risk that the Fund may be required to accept cash or new securities with a value less than the Fund’s original investment and/or may be required to accept payment over an extended period of time. Under such circumstances, the returns generated from the Fund’s investments may not compensate it adequately for the risks assumed.

The return on investment sought or targeted by the Fund in any investment in a restructuring may depend upon the restructuring progressing in a particular manner or resulting in a particular outcome (including regarding the conversion or repayment of the Fund’s investments). There can be no assurance that any such outcome, development or result will occur or be successful and, as a result, the premise underlying the Fund’s investment may never come to fruition and the Fund’s returns may be adversely affected. Investments in restructurings could, in certain circumstances, subject the Fund to certain additional potential liabilities that may exceed the value of the Fund’s original investment therein. For instance, under certain circumstances, payments to the Fund and distributions to Shareholders may be reclaimed if any such payment or distribution is later determined to have been a fraudulent conveyance, preferential payment or similar transaction under applicable bankruptcy and insolvency laws. Furthermore, investments in restructurings may be adversely affected by statutes relating to, among other things, fraudulent conveyances, voidable preferences, lender liability and the court’s discretionary power to disallow, subordinate or disenfranchise particular claims or characterize investments made in the form of debt as equity contributions. For certain restructurings, the Fund may utilize blocker corporations, which may incur federal and state income taxes. In restructurings, whether constituting liquidation (both in and out of bankruptcy) and other forms of corporate reorganization, there exists the risk that the restructuring either will be unsuccessful (due to, for example, failure to obtain requisite approvals), will be delayed (for example, until various liabilities, actual or contingent, have been satisfied) or will result in a distribution of cash or a new security or instrument the value of which will be less than the purchase price to the Fund of the security in respect to which such distribution was made. The Fund may not be “hedged” against market fluctuations, or, in liquidation situations, may not accurately value the assets of the company being liquidated. This can result in losses, even if the proposed restructuring is consummated. Under certain circumstances, a lender that has inappropriately exercised control of the management and policies of a debtor may have its claims subordinated or disallowed, or may be found liable for damages suffered by parties as a result of such actions.

When a company seeks relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (or has a petition filed against it), an automatic stay prevents all entities, including creditors, from foreclosing or taking other actions to enforce claims, perfect liens or reach collateral securing such claims. Creditors who have claims against the company prior to the date of the bankruptcy filing must petition the court to permit them to take any action to protect or enforce their claims or their rights in any collateral. Such creditors may be prohibited from doing so if the court concludes that the value of the property in which the creditor has an interest will be “adequately protected” during the proceedings. If the Bankruptcy Court’s assessment of adequate protection is inaccurate, a creditor’s collateral may be wasted without the creditor being afforded the opportunity to preserve it. Thus, even if the Fund holds a secured claim, it may be prevented from collecting the liquidation value of the collateral securing its debt, unless relief from the automatic stay is granted by the court. Bankruptcy proceedings are inherently litigious, time consuming, highly complex and driven extensively by facts and circumstances, which can result in challenges in predicting outcomes. The equitable power of bankruptcy judges also can result in uncertainty as to the ultimate resolution of claims.

Security interests held by creditors are closely scrutinized and frequently challenged in bankruptcy proceedings and may be invalidated for a variety of reasons. For example, security interests may be set aside because, as a technical matter, they have not been perfected properly under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law. If a security interest is invalidated, the secured creditor loses the value of the collateral and because loss of the secured status causes the claim to be treated as an unsecured claim, the holder of such claim will almost certainly experience a significant loss of its investment. There can be no

 

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assurance that the security interests securing the Fund’s claims will not be challenged vigorously and found defective in some respect, or that the Fund will be able to prevail against the challenge.

Moreover, debt may be disallowed or subordinated to the claims of other creditors if the creditor is found guilty of certain inequitable conduct resulting in harm to other parties with respect to the affairs of a company filing for protection from creditors under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Creditors’ claims may be treated as equity if they are deemed to be contributions to capital, or if a creditor attempts to control the outcome of the business affairs of a company prior to its filing under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Serving on an official or unofficial creditors’ committee, for example, increases the possibility that the Fund will be deemed an “insider” or a “fiduciary” of an issuer it has so assisted and may increase the possibility that the Bankruptcy Court would invoke the doctrine of “equitable subordination” with respect to any claim or equity interest held by the Fund in such issuer and subordinate any such claim or equity interest in whole or in part to other claims or equity interests in such issuer. Claims of equitable subordination may also arise outside of the context of the Fund’s committee activities. If a creditor is found to have interfered with a company’s affairs to the detriment of other creditors or shareholders, the creditor may be held liable for damages to injured parties. While the Fund will attempt to avoid taking the types of action that would lead to equitable subordination or creditor liability, there can be no assurance that such claims will not be asserted or that the Fund will be able to successfully defend against them. In addition, if representation of a creditors’ committee of an issuer causes the Fund or the Adviser to be deemed an affiliate of such issuer, the securities of such issuer held by the Fund may become restricted securities, which are not freely tradable.

While the challenges to liens and debt described above normally occur in a bankruptcy proceeding, the conditions or conduct that would lead to an attack in a bankruptcy proceeding could in certain circumstances result in actions brought by other creditors of the debtor, shareholders of the debtor or even the debtor itself in other state or U.S. federal proceedings, including pursuant to state fraudulent transfer laws. As is the case in a bankruptcy proceeding, there can be no assurance that such claims will not be asserted or that the Fund will be able to defend against them successfully. To the extent the Fund assumes an active role in any legal proceeding involving the debtor, the Fund may be prevented from disposing of securities or instruments issued by the debtor due to the Fund’s possession of material, non-public information concerning the debtor.

From time to time, the Fund may invest in or extend loans to companies that have filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. These debtor-in-possession or “DIP” loans are most often revolving working-capital facilities put into place at the outset of a Chapter 11 case to provide the debtor with both immediate cash and the ongoing working capital that will be required during the reorganization process. While such loans are generally less risky than many other types of loans as a result of their seniority in the debtor’s capital structure and because their terms have been approved by a federal bankruptcy court order, it is possible that the debtor’s reorganization efforts may fail and the proceeds of the ensuing liquidation of the DIP lender’s collateral might be insufficient to repay in full the DIP loan.

In addition, issuers located in non-U.S. jurisdictions may be involved in restructurings, bankruptcy proceedings and/or reorganizations that are not subject to laws and regulations that are similar to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and the rights of creditors afforded in U.S. jurisdictions. To the extent such non-U.S. laws and regulations do not provide the Fund with equivalent rights and privileges necessary to promote and protect its interest in any such proceeding, the Fund’s investments in any such issuer may be adversely affected. For example, bankruptcy law and process in a non-U.S. jurisdiction may differ substantially from that in the United States, resulting in greater uncertainty as to the rights of creditors, the enforceability of such rights, reorganization timing and the classification, seniority and treatment of claims. In certain developing countries, although bankruptcy laws have been enacted, the process for reorganization remains highly uncertain.

Non-Performing Investments. The Fund’s portfolio may include investments whose underlying collateral are “non-performing” and that are typically highly leveraged, with significant burdens on cash flow and,

 

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therefore, involve a high degree of financial risk. During an economic downturn or recession, securities of financially troubled or operationally troubled issuers are more likely to go into default than securities or instruments of other issuers. Securities or instruments of financially troubled issuers and operationally troubled issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities or instruments of companies not experiencing financial difficulties. Investment, directly or indirectly in the financially and/or operationally troubled issuers involves a high degree of credit and market risk. These difficulties may never be overcome and may cause borrowers to become subject to bankruptcy or other similar administrative proceedings. There is a possibility that the Fund may incur substantial or total losses on its investments and in certain circumstances, subject the Fund to certain additional potential liabilities that may exceed the value of the Fund’s original investment therein.

Risks of Certain Non-U.S. Investments. The Fund expects to invest a portion of its portfolio outside of the United States. Non-U.S. securities or instruments involve certain factors not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities or instruments, including risks relating to (i) currency exchange matters, including fluctuations in the rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and the various non-U.S. currencies in which the Fund’s non-U.S. investments are denominated, and costs associated with conversion of investment principal and income from one currency into another; (ii) differences in conventions relating to documentation, settlement, corporate actions, stakeholder rights and other matters; (iii) differences between the U.S. and non-U.S. securities markets, including higher rates of inflations, higher transaction costs and potential price volatility in, and relative illiquidity of, some non-U.S. securities markets; (iv) the absence of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and disclosure requirements and less governmental supervision and regulation in some countries; (v) certain economic, social and political risks, including potential exchange control regulations and restrictions on non-U.S. investment and repatriation of capital, the risks of political, economic or social instability, including the risk of sovereign defaults, and the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation and adverse economic and political development; (vi) the possible imposition of non-U.S. taxes on income and gains recognized with respect to such securities or instruments; (vii) differing, and potentially less well developed or well-tested laws regarding creditor’s rights (including the rights of secured parties), corporate governance, fiduciary duties and the protection of investors; (viii) difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations; (ix) differences in the legal and regulatory environment or enhanced legal and regulatory compliance; (x) reliance on a more limited number of commodity inputs, service providers and/or distribution mechanisms; (xi) political hostility to investments by foreign or private investment fund investors; and (xii) less publicly available information.

In addition, the Fund’s investments in the debt of issuers located in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions may be adversely affected as a result of the ownership or control of an equity stake in such issuers by the Adviser and/or its affiliates. For example, in certain circumstances, the Fund could be subject to German “equity substitution rules” (similar to equitable subordination in the United States) if an issuer in which the Fund holds a debt investment and in which the Adviser and/or its affiliates holds an equity investment was to become insolvent. In such case, among other things, (i) the Fund may not be able to enforce its rights with respect to collateral, if any, (ii) the debt held by the Fund may be subordinated and (iii) the receiver may be entitled to reclaim amounts paid to the Fund within one year of the filing for commencement of insolvency proceedings or thereafter. The laws of other non-U.S. jurisdictions in which the Fund may seek to invest may have rules similar to Germany’s “equity substitution rules” discussed above, and the consequences to the Fund with respect to such rules may be more or less severe. Moreover, additional laws and regulations in non-U.S. jurisdictions in which the Fund may invest may affect the Fund’s investments in such jurisdictions in a manner that differs adversely from the results that would occur under U.S. laws and regulations applied to similar facts.

Additionally, the Fund may be less influential than other market participants in jurisdictions where it or the Adviser do not have a significant presence. The Fund may be subject to additional risks, which include

 

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possible adverse political and economic development, possible seizure or nationalization of non-U.S. deposits and possible adoption of governmental restrictions which might adversely affect the payment of principal and interest to investors located outside the country of the issuer, whether from currency blockage or otherwise. Furthermore, some of the securities may be subject to brokerage taxes levied by governments, which has the effect of increasing the cost of such investment and reducing the realized gain or increasing the realized loss on such securities at the time of sale. While the Adviser intends, where deemed appropriate, to seek to manage the Fund in a manner that will minimize exposure to the foregoing risks and will take these factors into consideration in making investment decisions for the Fund, there can be no assurance that adverse developments with respect to such risks will not adversely affect the assets of the Fund that are held in certain countries.

Foreign Currency Risks. A significant portion of the Fund’s investments (and the income and gains received by the Fund in respect of such investments) may be denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. However, the books of the Fund will be maintained, and contributions to and distributions from the Fund will generally be made, in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, changes in foreign currency exchange rates and exchange controls may materially adversely affect the value of the investments and the other assets of the Fund. For example, any significant depreciation in the exchange rate of the Euro, or any other currency in which the Fund makes investments, against the U.S. dollar, could adversely affect the value of dividends or proceeds on investments denominated in the Euro or such other currencies. In addition, the Fund will incur costs, which may be significant, in connection with the conversion of various currencies.

Currency Hedging Risk. The Adviser may seek to hedge all or a portion of the Fund’s foreign currency risk. For example, the Fund may enter into foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the Fund’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies. In a foreign currency forward contract, the Fund agrees to receive or deliver a fixed quantity of one currency for another, at a pre-determined price at a future date. Forward foreign currency contracts are marked-to-market at the applicable forward rate. There is no guarantee that it will be practical to hedge currency risks or that any efforts to do so will be successful. The use of foreign currency forward contracts is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with investments in more traditional securities and instruments, and there is no guarantee that the use of foreign currency forward contracts will achieve their intended result. If the Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of the timing or level of fluctuation in securities prices, currency prices or other variables, the use of foreign currency forward contracts could result in losses, which in some cases may be significant. A lack of correlation between changes in the value of foreign currency forward contracts and the value of the portfolio assets (if any) being hedged could also result in losses.

Use of Leverage: Risk of Borrowing by the Fund. The Fund may employ leverage through a secured credit facility to achieve its investment objective and may consider other potential uses in the future. The Fund’s willingness to use leverage, and the extent to which leverage is used at any time, will depend on many factors, including the Adviser’s assessment of the yield curve environment, interest rate trends, market conditions and other factors. The use of leverage has the potential to magnify losses versus funds that do not employ leverage.

The Fund may incur permanent, Fund-level leverage including through, but not limited to, bridge, subscription, asset-backed facilities, financing transactions from prime brokers or custodians, short-sales and/or related to the Fund’s hedging activities. Borrowings by the Fund will further diminish returns (or increase losses on capital) to the extent overall returns are less than the Fund’s cost of funds. Such debt exposes the Fund to refinancing, recourse and other risks. As a general matter, the presence of leverage can accelerate losses.

Subject to prevailing market conditions, the Fund may add financial leverage if, immediately after such borrowing, it would have asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) of 300% or more (for leverage

 

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obtained through debt) or 200% or more (for leverage obtained through preferred stock). For example, if the Fund has USD $100 in Net Assets (as defined below), it may utilize leverage through obtaining debt of up to USD $50, resulting in USD $150 in total assets (or 300% asset coverage). In addition, if the Fund has USD $100 in Net Assets, it may issue USD $100 in Preferred Shares, resulting in USD $200 in total assets (or 200% asset coverage). “Net Assets” means the total assets of the Fund minus the Fund’s liabilities. The Fund may use leverage opportunistically and may choose to increase or decrease its leverage, or use different types or combinations of leveraging instruments, at any time based on the Fund’s assessment of market conditions and the investment environment.

The Fund is also permitted to borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets for temporary purposes without regard to asset coverage, which borrowings would not be considered senior securities, provided that any such borrowings in excess of 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets would be subject to the asset coverage ratio requirements of the 1940 Act, even if for temporary purposes.

The Fund may elect to use borrowings, reverse repurchase agreements, the leverage potentially incurred in securities lending and short selling, together with any other senior securities representing indebtedness, by requiring asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) immediately after any borrowing of 300% or more. To the extent the Fund “covers” its commitment under these transactions, such instrument will not be considered a “senior security” by the Fund and therefore will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings. In the event that the Fund elects not to treat reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions in the same manner of indebtedness, it must treat them as derivatives as discussed below.

The Adviser expects that the Fund’s borrowings may ultimately be secured with a security interest in investments. In times of adverse market conditions, the Fund may be required to post additional collateral which could affect the Fund’s liquidity.

Subject to certain exceptions, the Fund is required to trade derivatives and other transactions that create future payment or delivery obligations (except reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions if the Fund has elected to treat them as borrowings) subject to a limit on notional derivatives exposure as a limited derivatives user or subject to a value-at-risk (“VaR”) leverage limit and certain derivatives risk management program and testing requirements and requirements related to board reporting. These requirements may limit the ability of the Fund to invest in derivatives, short sales and similar financing transactions, limit the Fund’s ability to employ certain strategies that use these instruments and/or adversely affect the Fund’s efficiency in implementing its strategy, liquidity and/or ability to pursue its investment objectives.

Leverage creates several major types of risks for Shareholders, including: (i) the likelihood of greater volatility of NAV of Shares, and of the investment return to Shareholders, than a comparable portfolio without leverage; (ii) the possibility either that Share distributions will fall if the interest and other costs of leverage rise, or that distributions paid on Shares will fluctuate because such costs vary over time; (iii) the effects of leverage in a declining market or a rising interest rate environment, as leverage is likely to cause a greater decline in the NAV of the Shares than if the Fund were not leveraged; (iv) to the extent that Fund revenues are required to meet principal payments, Shareholders may be allocated income (and therefore tax liability) in excess of cash distributed; and (v) in certain circumstances, the Fund may be required to dispose of investments at a loss or otherwise on unattractive terms in order to service its debt obligations or meet its debt covenants. In addition, in connection with one or more credit facilities entered into by the Fund , distributions to Shareholders may be subordinated to payments required in connection with any indebtedness contemplated thereby. There can be no assurance that the Fund will have sufficient cash flow to meet its debt service obligations. As a result, the Fund’s exposure to foreclosure and other losses may be increased due to the illiquidity of its investments.

 

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In addition, the Fund may need to refinance its outstanding debt as it matures. There is a risk that the Fund may not be able to refinance existing debt or that the terms of any refinancing may not be as favorable as the terms of the existing loan agreements. If prevailing interest rates or other factors at the time of refinancing result in higher interest rates upon refinancing, then the interest expense relating to that refinanced indebtedness would increase. These risks could adversely affect the Fund’s financial condition, cash flows and the return on its investments.

With respect to any asset-backed facility entered into by the Fund (or an affiliate thereof), a decrease in the market value of the Fund’s investments (due to market conditions, the fair valuation of the Fund’s investments or otherwise) would increase the effective amount of leverage and could result in the possibility of a violation of certain financial covenants pursuant to which the Fund must either repay the borrowed funds to the lender. Liquidation of the Fund’s investments at an inopportune time in order to satisfy such financial covenants could adversely impact the performance of the Fund and could, if the value of its investments had declined significantly, cause the Fund to lose all or a substantial amount of its capital. In the event of a sudden, precipitous drop in the value of the Fund’s assets, the Fund might not be able to dispose of assets quickly enough to pay off its debt resulting in a foreclosure or other total loss of some or all of the pledged assets. Fund-level debt facilities typically include other covenants such as, but not limited to, covenants against the Fund incurring or being in default under other recourse debt, including certain Fund guarantees of asset level debt, which, if triggered could cause adverse consequences to the Fund if it is unable to cure or otherwise mitigate such breach.

Change of Law Risk. Government counterparties or agencies may have the discretion to change or increase regulation of a portfolio investment’s operations or implement laws or regulations affecting the portfolio investment’s operations, separate from any contractual rights it may have. A portfolio investment also could be materially and adversely affected as a result of statutory or regulatory changes or judicial or administrative interpretations of existing laws and regulations that impose more comprehensive or stringent requirements on such portfolio company. Governments have considerable discretion in implementing regulations and tax reform, including, for example, the possible imposition or increase of taxes on income earned by a portfolio company or gains recognized by the Fund on its investment in such portfolio company, that could impact a portfolio company’s business as well as the Fund’s return on investment with respect to such portfolio company.

Force Majeure Risk. Issuers may be affected by force majeure events (i.e., events beyond the control of the party claiming that the event has occurred, including, without limitation, acts of God, fire, flood, earthquakes, outbreaks of an infectious disease, pandemic or any other serious public health concern, war, terrorism and labor strikes). Some force majeure events may adversely affect the ability of a party (including an issuer or a counterparty to the Fund or an issuer) to perform its obligations until it is able to remedy the force majeure event. In addition, the cost to an issuer or the Fund of repairing or replacing damaged assets resulting from such force majeure event could be considerable. Certain force majeure events (such as war or an outbreak of an infectious disease) could have a broader negative impact on the world economy and international business activity generally, or in any of the countries in which the Fund may invest specifically. Additionally, a major governmental intervention into industry, including the nationalization of an industry or the assertion of control over one or more issuers or its assets, could result in a loss to the Fund, including if its investment in such issuer is cancelled, unwound or acquired (which could be without what the Fund considers to be adequate compensation). Any of the foregoing may therefore adversely affect the performance of the Fund and its investments.

Terrorist Activities. Terrorist attacks have caused instability in the world financial markets and may generate global economic instability. The continued threat of terrorism and the impact of military or other action could affect the Fund’s financial results.

 

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Regulatory Approvals. The Fund may invest in portfolio companies believed to have obtained all material United States federal, state, local or non-U.S. approvals, if any, required as of the date thereof to acquire and operate their facilities. In addition, the Fund may be required to obtain the consent or approval of applicable regulatory authorities in order to acquire or hold certain ownership positions in portfolio companies. A portfolio company could be materially and adversely affected as a result of statutory or regulatory changes or judicial or administrative interpretations of existing laws and regulations that impose more comprehensive or stringent requirements on such portfolio company. For example, in the case of oil and gas drilling, handling and transportation, such activities are extensively regulated, and statutory and regulatory requirements may include those imposed by energy, zoning, environmental, health, safety, labor and other regulatory or political authorities. Moreover, additional regulatory approvals, including without limitation, renewals, extensions, transfers, assignments, reissuances or similar actions, may become applicable in the future due to a change in laws and regulations, a change in the companies’ customers or for other reasons. There can be no assurance that a portfolio company will be able to (i) obtain all required regulatory approvals that it does not have at the time of the Fund’s investment or that it may be required to have in the future; (ii) obtain any necessary modifications to existing regulatory approvals; or (iii) maintain required regulatory approvals. Delay in obtaining or failure to obtain and maintain in full force and effect any regulatory approvals, or amendments thereto, or delay or failure to satisfy any regulatory conditions or other applicable requirements could prevent operation of a facility or sales to or from third parties or could result in fines or additional costs to a portfolio company. Regulatory changes in a jurisdiction where a portfolio investment is located may make the continued operation of the portfolio investment infeasible or economically disadvantageous and any expenditures made to date by such portfolio investment may be wholly or partially written off. The locations of the portfolio investments may also be subject to government exercise of eminent domain power or similar events. Any of these changes could significantly increase the regulatory-related compliance and other expenses incurred by the portfolio investments and could significantly reduce or entirely eliminate any potential revenues generated by one or more of the portfolio investments, which could materially and adversely affect returns to the Fund.

Political and Societal Challenges. Energy and energy-related infrastructure projects may be subject to siting requirements. Siting of energy projects is also frequently subject to regulation by applicable state, county and local authorities. For example, proposals to site an energy plant or engage in drilling activities in a particular location may be challenged by a number of parties, including special interest groups based on alleged security concerns, disturbances to natural habitats for wildlife and adverse aesthetic impacts, including the common “not in my backyard” phenomenon. Concerns regarding some of the techniques used in the extraction of shale gas in order to enhance recovery, such as the use of natural gas hydraulic fracturing (also known as “fracking”) may also arise, which may require governmental permits or approvals and which have recently been the subject of heightened environmental concerns and public opposition in some jurisdictions (as more fully described below). The failure of any portfolio investment to receive, renew or maintain any required permits or approvals or any inability to satisfy any requirement of any permits or approvals may result in increased compliance costs, the need for additional capital expenditures or a suspension of project operations.

Environmental Matters. Environmental laws, regulations and regulatory initiatives play a significant role in the electric power industry and can have a substantial impact on investments in this industry. For example, global initiatives to minimize pollution have played a major role in the increase in demand for natural gas and alternative energy sources, creating numerous new investment opportunities. Conversely, required expenditures for environmental compliance have adversely impacted investment returns in a number of segments of the industry. The electric power industry will continue to face considerable oversight from environmental regulatory authorities and significant influence from non-governmental and special interest groups, and the Adviser will seek to evaluate carefully the expected impact of environmental compliance on all potential investments. The Fund may invest in portfolio companies that are subject to changing and increasingly stringent environmental and health and safety laws, regulations and permit

 

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requirements. There can be no guarantee that all costs and risks regarding compliance with environmental laws and regulations can be identified. New and more stringent environmental and health and safety laws, regulations and permit requirements or stricter interpretations of current laws or regulations could impose substantial additional costs on portfolio companies or potential investments. Compliance with such current or future environmental requirements does not ensure that the operations of the portfolio companies will not cause injury to the environment or people under all circumstances or that the portfolio companies will not be required to incur additional unforeseen environmental expenditures. In particular, the oil and gas industry, for example, is subject to environmental hazards, such as oil spills, natural gas leaks and ruptures, discharges of petroleum products and hazardous substances and historic disposal activities. These environmental hazards could expose the Fund’s investments to material liabilities for property damages, personal injuries or other environmental harm, including costs of investigating and remediating contaminated properties. Moreover, failure to comply with any regulatory or legal requirements could have a material adverse effect on a portfolio company, and there can be no assurance that portfolio companies will at all times comply with all applicable environmental laws, regulations and permit requirements. Past practices or future operations of portfolio companies could also result in material personal injury or property damage claims. Any noncompliance with these laws and regulations could subject the Fund and its properties to material administrative, civil or criminal penalties or other liabilities. Certain environmental laws and regulations may require that an owner or operator of an asset address prior environmental contamination, which could involve substantial cost. Such laws and regulations often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the release or presence of environmental contamination. The Fund may therefore be exposed to substantial risk of loss as a result of environmental claims against portfolio companies. Community and environmental groups may protest about the development or operation of power generation assets which may induce government action to the detriment of the Fund. Some of the most onerous environmental requirements regulate air emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases; these requirements may particularly affect companies in the energy sector, and in particular in its power generation fragment.

Derivatives Risks. Generally, derivatives are financial contracts whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index, and may relate to individual debt or equity instruments, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates, commodities, related indexes and other assets. The Fund may, directly or indirectly, use various derivative instruments including, but not limited to, options contracts, futures contracts, forward contracts, options on futures contracts, indexed securities, credit default swaps, interest rate swaps and other swap agreements primarily for hedging and risk management purposes. The Fund may treat reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions as derivatives. The Fund also may use derivative instruments for investment purposes and/or to approximate or achieve the economic equivalent of an otherwise permitted investment (as if the Fund directly invested in the securities, loans or claims of the subject portfolio company) or if such instruments are related to an otherwise permitted investment. The Fund’s use of derivative instruments involves investment risks and transaction costs to which the Fund would not be subject absent the use of these instruments and, accordingly, may result in losses greater than if they had not been used. The use of derivative instruments may have risks including, among others, leverage risk, market risk, volatility risk, duration mismatch risk, correlation risk, counterparty risk, market liquidity risk, fund liquidity risk and legal and operational risk. When used for hedging or synthetic investment purposes, an imperfect or variable degree of correlation between price movements of the derivative instrument and the underlying investment sought to be hedged or tracked may prevent the Fund from achieving the intended hedging effect or expose the Fund to the risk of loss. Derivative instruments, especially when traded in large amounts by the Fund or other investors with a concentrated exposure, may not be liquid in all circumstances, so that in volatile markets the Fund may not be able to close out a position without incurring a loss. In addition, daily limits on price fluctuations and speculative position limits on exchanges on which the Fund may conduct its transactions in derivative instruments may prevent prompt liquidation of positions, subjecting the Fund to the potential of greater losses. Exchange-traded derivatives may experience increased settlement risk when

 

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trade volumes dramatically increase such that a futures commission merchant or options exchange may not be able to reconcile their positions in the ordinary course. This could cause a delay in calculation of the NAV of the Fund and result in losses. Derivative instruments that may be purchased or sold by the Fund may include instruments not traded on an exchange. Derivative instruments not traded on exchanges are also not subject to the same type of government regulation as exchange traded instruments, and many of the protections afforded to participants in a regulated environment may not be available in connection with such transactions. In addition, significant disparities may exist between “bid” and “asked” prices for derivative instruments that are not traded on an exchange. Additionally, when a company defaults or files for protection from creditors (e.g., U.S. chapter 11 proceedings), the use of derivative instruments presents special risks associated with the potential imbalance between the derivatives market and the underlying securities market. In such a situation, physical certificates representing such securities may be required to be delivered to settle trades and the potential shortage of such actual certificates relative to the number of derivative instruments may cause the price of the actual certificated debt securities to rise, which may adversely affect the holder of such derivative instruments. The risk of non-performance by the counterparty on such an instrument may be greater and the ease with which the Fund can dispose of or enter into closing transactions with respect to such an instrument may be less than in the case of an exchange traded instrument. The stability and liquidity of derivative investments depend in large part on the creditworthiness of the parties to the transactions. If there is a default by the counterparty to such a transaction, the Fund will under most normal circumstances have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. However, exercising such contractual rights may involve delays or costs which could result in a loss to the Fund. Furthermore, there is a risk that any of such counterparties could become insolvent. It should be noted that in purchasing derivative instruments, the Fund typically will not have the right to vote on matters requiring a vote of holders of the underlying investment. Moreover, derivative instruments, and the terms relating to the purchase, sale or financing thereof, are also typically governed by complex legal agreements. As a result, there is a higher risk of dispute over interpretation or enforceability of the agreements. It should also be noted that the regulation of derivatives is evolving in the United States and in other jurisdictions and is expected to increase, which could impact the Fund’s ability to transact in such instruments and the liquidity of such instruments. The Adviser may cause the Fund to take advantage of investment opportunities with respect to derivative instruments that are neither presently contemplated nor currently available, but which may be developed in the future, to the extent such opportunities are both consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and legally permissible. Any such investments may expose the Fund to unique and presently indeterminate risks, the impact of which may not be capable of determination until such instruments are developed and/or the Adviser determines to make such an investment.

Options and Futures Risk. The Fund may utilize options and futures contracts and so-called “synthetic” options or other derivatives written by broker-dealers or other permissible intermediaries. Options transactions may be effected on securities exchanges or in the OTC market. When options are purchased OTC, the Fund’s portfolio bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the option contract. Options may also be illiquid and, in such cases, the Fund may have difficulty closing out its position. OTC options also may include options on baskets of specific securities.

The Fund may purchase call and put options on specific securities, and may write and sell covered or uncovered call and put options for hedging purposes in pursuing its investment objective. A put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, the underlying security at a stated exercise price, typically at any time prior to the expiration of the option. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and obligates the writer to sell, the underlying security at a stated exercise price, typically at any time prior to the expiration of the option. A covered call option is a call option with respect to which the seller of the option owns the underlying security. The sale of a call option exposes the seller during the term of the option to possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the

 

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market price of the underlying security or to possible continued holding of a security that might otherwise have been sold to protect against depreciation in the market price of the security. In the sale of a put, losses may be significant, and, in the sale of a call, losses can be unlimited.

The Fund may close out a position when writing options by purchasing an option on the same security with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option that it has previously written on the security. In such a case, the Fund will realize a profit or loss if the amount paid to purchase an option is less or more than the amount received from the sale of the option.

Purchasing a futures contract creates an obligation to take delivery of the specific type of financial instrument at a specific future time at a specific price for contracts that require physical delivery, or net payment for cash-settled contracts. Engaging in transactions in futures contracts involves risk of loss to the Fund. No assurance can be given that a liquid market will exist for any particular futures contract at any particular time. All terms of futures contracts are set forth in the rules of the exchange on which the futures contracts are traded. Many futures exchanges and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended for specified periods during the trading day. Futures contract prices could move to the limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and potentially subjecting the Fund to substantial losses. Successful use of futures also is subject to the Adviser’s ability to predict correctly the direction of movements in the relevant market, and, to the extent the transaction is entered into for hedging purposes, to determine the appropriate correlation between the transaction being hedged and the price movements of the futures contract. Futures contracts may be subject to price swings in daily settlements with exchanges and clearing houses.

Credit Derivatives. The Fund may engage in trading or investing in credit derivative contracts, which are contracts that transfer price, spread and/or default risks of debt and other instruments from one party to another, both for bona fide hedging of existing long and short positions, but also for independent profit opportunities. Such instruments may include one or more credits. The market for credit derivatives may be relatively illiquid, and there are considerable risks that may make it difficult either to buy or sell the contracts as needed or at reasonable prices. There are also risks with respect to credit derivatives in determining whether an event will trigger payment under the contract and whether such payment will offset the loss or payment due under another instrument. Generally, a credit event means bankruptcy, a failure to pay, the acceleration of an obligation or modified restructuring of a credit obligation or instrument.

The Fund may be either the buyer or seller in these transactions. If the Fund is a buyer of credit protection and no credit event occurs, the Fund may recover nothing. Worse still, if a credit event occurs, the Fund, as a buyer, typically will receive full notional value for a reference obligation that may have little or no value. Buyers of credit derivatives carry the risk of non-performance by the seller due to an inability to pay.

As a seller of credit protection, the Fund would typically receive a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the contract, which typically is between one month and five years, provided that no credit event occurs. If a credit event occurs, the seller may pay the buyer the full notional value of the reference obligations. Sellers of credit derivatives carry the inherent price, spread and default risks of the underlying instruments.

Credit default swaps involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly. In addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to liquidity risk and credit risk. A buyer of credit protection also may lose its investment and recover nothing should no credit event occur. If a credit event were to occur, the value of the reference obligation received by the seller, coupled with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the Fund. Further, in certain circumstances, the buyer can receive the notional value of a

 

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credit default swap only by delivering a physical security to the seller, and is at risk if such deliverable security is unavailable or illiquid. Such a delivery “crunch” is a distinct risk of these investments.

The credit derivatives market is a rapidly evolving market. As a result, different participants in the credit derivatives markets may have different practices or interpretations with respect to applicable terms and definitions, and ambiguities concerning such terms or definitions, may be interpreted or resolved in ways that are adverse to the Fund. Additionally, there may be circumstances and market conditions (including the possibility of a large number of buyers of credit default swaps being required to deliver the same physical security in the same time frame) that have not yet been experienced that could have adverse effects on the Fund’s investments.

The regulation of derivatives in the United States and other countries is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to ongoing modification by governmental and judicial action. Accordingly, the impact of this evolving regulatory regime on the Fund is difficult to predict, but it could be substantial and adverse.

Interest Rate Swaps Risk. The Fund may enter into interest rate swap agreements with another party to receive or pay interest (e.g., an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments) to protect itself from interest rate fluctuations. This type of swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to a specified interest rate(s) for a specified amount. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other. Interest rate swap agreements are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk and interest rate risk.

Counterparty Risk. The Fund is exposed to the risk that third parties that may owe the Fund, or its issuers, money, securities or other assets will not perform their obligations. These parties include trading counterparties, clearing agents, exchanges, clearing houses, custodians, prime brokers, administrators and other intermediaries. These parties may default on their obligations to the Fund or its issuers, due to bankruptcy, lack of liquidity, operational failure or other reasons. This risk may arise, for example, from entering into swap or other derivative contracts under which counterparties have long-term obligations to make payments to the Fund or its issuers, or executing securities, futures, currency or commodity trades that fail to settle at the required time due to non-delivery by the counterparty or systems failure by clearing agents, exchanges, clearing houses or other intermediaries. Also, any practice of rehypothecation of securities of the Fund or its issuers held by counterparties could result in the loss of such securities upon the bankruptcy, insolvency or failure of such counterparties. In addition, any of the Fund’s cash held with a prime broker, custodian or counterparty may not be segregated from the prime broker’s, custodian’s or counterparty’s own cash, and the Fund therefore may rank as an unsecured creditor in relation thereto. The inability to recover the Fund’s assets could have a material impact on the performance of the Fund. The consolidation and elimination of counterparties resulting from the disruption in the financial markets has generally increased the concentration of counterparty risk and has decreased the number of potential counterparties.

Payment-in-Kind (PIK) Income Risk. The Fund may hold investments that result in PIK income or PIK dividends. PIK income creates the risk that incentive fees will be paid to the Adviser based on non-cash accruals that ultimately may not be realized, while the Adviser will be under no obligation to reimburse the Fund for these fees. PIK income may have a negative impact on liquidity, as it represents a non-cash component of the Fund’s taxable income that may require cash distributions to shareholders in order to maintain the Fund’s ability to be subject to tax as a RIC. PIK income has the effect of generating investment income at a compounding rate, thereby further increasing the incentive fees payable to the Adviser. Similarly, all things being equal, the deferral associated with PIK income also increases the loan-to-value ratio at a compounding rate. The market prices of PIK securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of interest-bearing securities and are likely to respond to a greater degree to changes in interest rates than interest-bearing securities having similar maturities and credit quality. Because PIK income results in

 

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an increase in the size of the PIK securities held, the Fund’s exposure to potential losses increases when a security pays PIK income.

Limited Operating History. The Adviser is responsible for managing the Fund’s investment portfolios and has substantial experience in managing investments. In addition, the Fund generally invests primarily with portfolio managers that have established track records and the Adviser may utilize the services of consultants with substantial experience in providing investment research, analytical data, and due diligence services relating to investments in private investment funds. However, the Fund may invest in investment funds that have no or limited operating history and that may be managed by portfolio managers with limited experience or performance records.

Other Risks Relating to the Fund

Senior Management Personnel of the Adviser. Since the Fund has no employees, it depends on the investment expertise, skill and network of business contacts of the Adviser. The Adviser evaluates, negotiates, structures, executes, monitors and services the Fund’s investments. The Fund’s future success depends to a significant extent on the continued service and coordination of the Adviser and its senior management team. The departure of any members of the Adviser’s senior management team could have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

The Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective depends on the Adviser’s ability to identify, analyze, invest in, finance and monitor companies that meet the Fund’s investment criteria. The Adviser’s capabilities in managing the investment process, providing competent, attentive and efficient services to the Fund, and facilitating access to financing on acceptable terms depend on the employment of investment professionals in an adequate number and of adequate sophistication to match the corresponding flow of transactions. To achieve the Fund’s investment objective, the Adviser may need to hire, train, supervise and manage new investment professionals to participate in the Fund’s investment selection and monitoring process. The Adviser may not be able to find investment professionals in a timely manner or at all. Failure to support the Fund’s investment process could have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, the Investment Advisory Agreement has termination provisions that allow the parties to terminate the agreements without penalty. The Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by the Adviser upon 60 days’ notice to the Fund. If the Investment Advisory Agreement is terminated, it may adversely affect the quality of the Fund’s investment opportunities. In addition, in the event the Investment Advisory Agreement is terminated, it may be difficult for the Fund to replace the Adviser. Furthermore, the termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement may adversely impact the terms of the Fund’s or its subsidiaries’ financing facilities or any financing facility into which the Fund or its subsidiaries may enter in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s business and financial condition.

Key Personnel Risk. The Adviser depends on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of certain professionals. The Adviser also depends, to a significant extent, on access to other investment professionals and the information and deal flow generated by these investment professionals in the course of their investment and portfolio management activities. The Fund’s success depends on the continued service of such personnel. The investment professionals associated with the Adviser are actively involved in other investment activities not concerning the Fund and will not be able to devote all of their time to the Fund’s business and affairs. The departure of any of the senior managers of the Adviser, or of a significant number of the investment professionals or partners of the Adviser’s affiliates, could have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Individuals not currently associated with the Adviser may become associated with the Fund and the performance of the Fund may also depend on the

 

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experience and expertise of such individuals. In addition, there is no assurance that the Adviser will remain the Fund’s investment adviser or that the Adviser will continue to have access to the investment professionals and partners of its affiliates and the information and deal flow generated by the investment professionals of its affiliates.

The Adviser’s Incentive Fee Risk. The Investment Advisory Agreement entitles the Adviser to receive incentive compensation on income regardless of any capital losses. In such case, the Fund may be required to pay the Adviser incentive compensation for a fiscal quarter even if there is a decline in the value of the Fund’s portfolio or if the Fund incurs a net loss for that quarter.

Any Incentive Fee payable by the Fund that relates to its net investment income may be computed and paid on income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan that is structured to provide accrued interest, it is possible that accrued interest previously included in the calculation of the Incentive Fee will become uncollectible. The Adviser is not under any obligation to reimburse the Fund for any part of the Incentive Fee it received that was based on accrued income that the Fund never received as a result of a default by an entity on the obligation that resulted in the accrual of such income, and such circumstances would result in the Fund’s paying an Incentive Fee on income it never received.

The Incentive Fee payable by the Fund to the Adviser may create an incentive for it to make investments on the Fund’s behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. The way in which the Incentive Fee payable to the Adviser is determined may encourage it to use leverage to increase the return on the Fund’s investments. In addition, the fact that the Management Fee is payable based upon the Fund’s Managed Assets, which would include any borrowings for investment purposes, may encourage the Adviser to use leverage to make additional investments. Under certain circumstances, the use of leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor Shareholders. Such a practice could result in the Fund’s investing in more speculative securities than would otherwise be in its best interests, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during cyclical economic downturns.

Shares Not Listed; No Market for Shares. The Fund has been organized as a closed-end management investment company. Closed-end funds differ from open-end management investment companies (commonly known as mutual funds) because investors in a closed-end fund do not have the right to redeem their shares on a daily basis. Unlike most closed-end funds, which typically list their shares on a securities exchange, the Fund does not currently intend to list the Shares for trading on any securities exchange, and the Fund does not expect any secondary market to develop for the Shares in the foreseeable future. Therefore, an investment in the Fund, unlike an investment in a typical closed-end fund, is not a liquid investment.

Closed-end Interval Fund; Liquidity Risks. The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company structured as an “interval fund” and designed primarily for long-term investors. The Fund is not intended to be a typical traded investment. There is no secondary market for the Fund’s Shares and the Fund expects that no secondary market will develop. An investor should not invest in the Fund if the investor needs a liquid investment. Closed-end funds differ from open-end management investment companies, commonly known as mutual funds, in that investors in a closed-end fund do not have the right to redeem their shares on a daily basis at a price based on NAV. Although the Fund, as a fundamental policy, will make quarterly offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Shares at NAV, the number of Shares tendered in connection with a repurchase offer may exceed the number of Shares the Fund has offered to repurchase, in which case not all of your Shares tendered in that offer will be repurchased. In connection with any given repurchase offer, it is likely that the Fund may offer to repurchase

 

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only the minimum amount of 5% of its outstanding Shares. Hence, you may not be able to sell your Shares when and/or in the amount that you desire.

Highly Volatile Markets. The prices of commodities contracts and derivative instruments, including futures and options prices, are highly volatile. Price movements of forward contracts, futures contracts and other derivative contracts in which the Fund’s assets may be invested are influenced by, among other things, interest rates, changing supply and demand relationships, trade, fiscal, monetary and exchange control programs and policies of governments, and national and international political and economic events and policies. In addition, governments from time to time intervene, directly and by regulation, in certain markets, particularly those in currencies and interest rate related futures and options. Such intervention often is intended directly to influence prices and may, together with other factors, cause all of such markets to move rapidly in the same direction because of, among other things, interest rate fluctuations. Investment funds also are subject to the risk of the failure of any of the exchanges on which their positions trade or of their clearinghouses.

Short Selling. The Fund may engage in short sales. Selling securities short creates the risk of losing an amount greater than the amount invested. Short selling is subject to the theoretically unlimited risk of loss because there is no limit on how much the price of a stock may appreciate before the short position is closed out. A short sale may result in a sudden and substantial loss if, for example, an acquisition proposal is made for the subject company at a substantial premium over the market price. Irrespective of the risk control objectives of the Fund’s multi-asset, multi-manager approach, such a high degree of leverage necessarily entails a high degree of risk. The risks involved in the use of leverage are increased to the extent that the Fund itself leverages its capital. An increasing number of jurisdictions are limiting the ability of market participants to engage in short selling in respect of certain securities. In some cases, these rules may also limit the ability of market participants to enter into a short position through a credit default swap or other similar derivatives contract. These rules may limit or preclude the Fund from entering into short sales or otherwise taking short positions that the applicable portfolio manager believes could be advantageous to the Fund.

Special Situations. The Fund may seek to invest in the following instruments of commodity-related companies, Commodity-Related Sovereigns and commodity-related quasi-sovereign entities: (i) corporate debt instrument relating to stressed and distressed industries or issuers; (ii) rescue-capital opportunities; (iii) public and private stock issued in connection with restructurings and reorganizations; and (iv) other opportunistic investments resulting from periods of market dislocation, including primary and secondary market investments in liquid debt instruments that arise as a result of temporary market volatility (e.g., hung bank syndications and stressed liquid credit). These instruments are inherently speculative and are subject to a high degree of risk, including the risk of borrower default, insolvency risk, liquidity risk, and the risk that an investment will decline significantly in value. In addition, the Fund may not be able to readily dispose of Special Situations and, in some cases, may be contractually prohibited from disposing of such investments for a specified period of time. Special Situations investments and other assets and liabilities for which no such market prices are available will generally be carried on the books of the Fund at fair value (which may be cost). There is no guarantee that fair value will represent the value that will be realised by the Fund on the eventual disposition of the investment or that would, in fact, be realised upon an immediate disposition of the investment.

Illiquid or Restricted Securities. The Fund’s investments may include illiquid securities or restricted securities. A principal risk of illiquid securities or investing in restricted securities is that they may be difficult to sell. Securities and other investments purchased by the Fund may be illiquid at the time of purchase, or liquid at the time of purchase and may subsequently become illiquid due to events relating to the issuer of the securities, market events, economic conditions or investor perceptions. Securities may also be less liquid (i.e., more difficult to sell) because of trading preferences, such as a buyer disfavoring

 

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purchases of odd lots or smaller blocks of securities. Domestic and foreign markets are becoming more and more complex and interrelated, so that events in one sector of the market or the economy or in one geographical region, can reverberate and have negative consequences for other market, economic or regional sectors in a manner that may not be reasonably foreseen. With respect to securities traded OTC, the continued viability of any OTC secondary market depends on the continued willingness of dealers and other participants to purchase and sell such securities. Restricted securities, including 144A securities and securities of private companies, are not publicly traded and generally are subject to statutory and/or contractual restrictions on resale. Accordingly, there may be no market or a limited market for the resale of such securities. Therefore, the Fund may be unable to dispose of such securities when it desires to do so or at the most favorable price, which may result in a loss to the Fund. This potential lack of liquidity also may make it more difficult to accurately value these securities. There may be less information publicly available regarding such securities as compared to publicly issued securities. Restricted securities are securities that are sold only through negotiated private transactions and not to the general public, due to certain restrictions imposed by federal securities laws.

Competition for Investment Opportunities. The Fund competes for investments with other closed-end funds and investment funds, as well as traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks and other sources of funding. Moreover, alternative investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, have begun to invest in areas in which they have not traditionally invested. As a result of these new entrants, competition for investment opportunities may intensify. Many of the Fund’s competitors are substantially larger and may have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than the Fund. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that are not available to the Fund. In addition, some of the Fund’s competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than it has. These characteristics could allow the Fund’s competitors to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships and pay more competitive prices for investments than it is able to do. The Fund may lose investment opportunities if it does not match its competitors’ pricing. If the Fund is forced to match its competitors’ pricing, it may not be able to achieve acceptable returns on its investments or may bear substantial risk of capital loss. A significant increase in the number and/or the size of the Fund’s competitors could force it to accept less attractive investment terms. Furthermore, many of the Fund’s competitors have greater experience operating under, or are not subject to, the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on it as a closed-end fund.

“Best-Efforts” Offering Risk. This offering is being made on a best efforts basis, whereby the Distributor is only required to use its best efforts to sell the Shares and has no firm commitment or obligation to purchase any of the Shares. To the extent that less than the maximum offering amount is subscribed for, the opportunity for the allocation of the Fund’s investments among various issuers and industries may be decreased, and the returns achieved on those investments may be reduced as a result of allocating all of the Fund’s expenses over a smaller capital base.

Inadequate Return Risk. No assurance can be given that the returns on the Fund’s investments will be commensurate with the risk of investment in its Shares.

Inadequate Network of Broker-Dealer Risk. The success of the Fund’s continuous public offering, and correspondingly the Fund’s ability to implement its investment objective and strategies, depends upon the ability of the Distributor to establish, operate and maintain a network of selected broker-dealers to sell the Shares. If the Distributor fails to perform, the Fund may not be able to raise adequate proceeds through the Fund’s continuous public offering to implement the Fund’s investment objective and strategies. If the Fund is unsuccessful in implementing its investment objective and strategies, an investor could lose all or a part of his or her investment in the Fund.

 

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Registration under the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act. Registration with the CFTC as a “commodity pool operator” or any change in the Fund’s operations necessary to maintain the Adviser’s ability to rely upon exemption from registration as such could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to implement its investment program, conduct its operations and/or achieve its objective and subject the Fund to certain additional costs, expenses and administrative burdens.

Repurchase Offers Risks. As described under “Share Repurchase Program,” the Fund is an “interval fund” and, to provide some liquidity to Shareholders, makes quarterly offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Shares at NAV, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act. The Fund believes that these repurchase offers are generally beneficial to the Fund’s Shareholders, and generally are funded from available cash or sales of portfolio securities. However, the repurchase of Shares by the Fund decreases the assets of the Fund and, therefore, may have the effect of increasing the Fund’s expense ratios. Repurchase offers and the need to fund repurchase obligations may also affect the ability of the Fund to be fully invested or force the Fund to maintain a higher percentage of its assets in liquid investments, which may harm the Fund’s investment performance. Moreover, diminution in the size of the Fund through repurchases may result in untimely sales of portfolio securities, and may limit the ability of the Fund to participate in new investment opportunities. If the Fund uses leverage, repurchases of Shares may compound the adverse effects of leverage in a declining market. In addition, if the Fund borrows money to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect Shareholders who do not tender their Shares by increasing Fund expenses and reducing any net investment income. Certain Shareholders may from time to time own or control a significant percentage of the Fund’s Shares. Repurchase requests by these Shareholders of these Shares of the Fund may cause repurchases to be oversubscribed, with the result that Shareholders may only be able to have a portion of their Shares repurchased in connection with any repurchase offer. If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed and the Fund determines not to repurchase additional Shares beyond the repurchase offer amount, or if Shareholders tender an amount of Shares greater than that which the Fund is entitled to purchase, the Fund will repurchase the Shares tendered on a pro rata basis, and Shareholders will have to wait until the next repurchase offer to make another repurchase request. Shareholders will be subject to the risk of NAV fluctuations during that period. Thus, there is also a risk that some Shareholders, in anticipation of proration, may tender more Shares than they wish to have repurchased in a particular quarterly period, thereby increasing the likelihood that proration will occur. The NAV of Shares tendered in a repurchase offer may fluctuate between the date a Shareholder submits a repurchase request and the Repurchase Request Deadline, and to the extent there is any delay between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the Repurchase Pricing Date. The NAV on the Repurchase Request Deadline or the Repurchase Pricing Date may be higher or lower than on the date a Shareholder submits a repurchase request. Please see the section entitled “Share Repurchase Program.”

Distribution Payment Risk. The Fund cannot assure investors that the Fund will achieve investment results that will allow the Fund to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of the Board and may depend on the Fund’s earnings, the Fund’s net investment income, the Fund’s financial condition, maintenance of the Fund’s RIC status, compliance with applicable regulations and such other factors as the Board may deem relevant from time to time.

In the event that the Fund encounters delays in locating suitable investment opportunities, all or a substantial portion of the Fund’s distributions may constitute a return of capital to Shareholders. To the extent that the Fund pays distributions that constitute a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it will lower an investor’s tax basis in his or her Shares. A return of capital generally is a return of an investor’s investment, rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from the Fund’s investment activities, and generally results in a reduction of the tax basis in the Shares. As a result from such reduction in tax basis, Shareholders may be subject to tax in connection with the sale of Fund Shares, even if such Shares are sold at a loss relative to the Shareholder’s original investment.

 

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Risks Associated with the Fund Distribution Policy. The Fund intends to make regular distributions. Currently, in order to maintain a relatively stable level of distributions, the Fund may pay out less than all of its net investment income to the extent consistent with maintaining its ability to be subject to tax as a “regulated investment company” under the Code, pay out undistributed income from prior months, return capital in addition to current period net investment income or borrow money to fund distributions. The distributions for any full or partial calendar year might not be made in equal amounts, and one distribution may be larger than the other. The Fund will make a distribution only if authorized by the Board and declared by the Fund out of assets legally available for these distributions. This distribution policy may, under certain circumstances, have certain adverse consequences to the Fund and its Shareholders because it may result in a return of capital, which would reduce the NAV of the Shares and, over time, potentially increase the Fund’s expense ratios. If a distribution constitutes a return of capital, it means that the Fund is returning to Shareholders a portion of their investment rather than making a distribution that is funded from the Fund’s earned income or other profits. The Fund’s distribution policy may be changed at any time by the Board.

There is a possibility that the Fund may make total distributions during a calendar or taxable year in an amount that exceeds the Fund’s net investment company taxable income and net capital gains for the relevant taxable year. In such situations, if a distribution exceeds the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes), a portion of each distribution paid with respect to such taxable year would generally be treated as a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes, thereby reducing the amount of a Shareholder’s tax basis in such Shareholder’s Fund Shares. When a Shareholder sells Fund Shares, the amount, if any, by which the sales price exceeds the Shareholder’s tax basis in Fund Shares may be treated as a gain subject to tax. Because a return of capital reduces a Shareholder’s tax basis in Fund Shares, it generally will increase the amount of such Shareholder’s gain or decrease the amount of such Shareholder’s loss when such Shareholder sells Fund Shares. To the extent that the amount of any return of capital distribution exceeds a Shareholder’s tax basis in Fund Shares, such excess generally will be treated as gain from a sale or exchange of the Shares.

Tax Risk Associated with Fund Distributions. Even if a stockholder chooses to “opt out” of the DRP, the Fund will have the ability to declare a large portion of a dividend in shares of its common stock instead of in cash in order to satisfy its RIC requirements. As long as a portion of this dividend is paid in cash and certain requirements are met, the entire distribution will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a shareholder generally will be subject to tax on 100% of the fair market value of the dividend on the date the dividend is received by the stockholder in the same manner as a cash dividend, even though most of the dividend was paid in shares of common stock.

Investment Dilution Risk. The Fund’s investors do not have pre-emptive rights to any Shares the Fund may issue in the future. The Fund’s Limited Liability Company Agreement authorizes it to issue an unlimited number of Shares. The Board may make certain amendments to the Limited Liability Company Agreement. After an investor purchases Shares, the Fund may sell additional Shares in the future or issue equity interests in private offerings. To the extent the Fund issues additional equity interests after an investor purchases its Shares, such investor’s percentage ownership interest in the Fund will be diluted.

Anti-Takeover Risk. The Limited Liability Company Agreement and bylaws, as well as certain statutory and regulatory requirements, contain certain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire it. Subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act, the Board may, without Shareholder action, authorize the issuance of Shares in one or more classes or series; and the Board may, without Shareholder action, make certain amendments to the Limited Liability Company Agreement. These anti-takeover provisions may inhibit a change of control in circumstances that could give Shareholders the opportunity to realize a premium over the value of the Shares.

 

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Conflicts of Interest Risk. The Adviser is an entity in which the Fund’s Interested Board member, officers and members of the investment committee of the Adviser may have indirect ownership and economic interests. Certain of the Fund’s Managers and officers and members of the investment committee of the Adviser also serve as officers or principals of other investment managers affiliated with the Adviser that currently, and may in the future, manage investment funds with investment objectives similar to the Fund’s investment objective. In addition, certain of the Fund’s officers and Managers and the members of the investment committee of the Adviser serve or may serve as officers, trustees or principals of entities that operate in the same or related line of business as the Fund does or of investment funds managed by the Fund’s affiliates. Accordingly, the Fund may not be made aware of and/or given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by investment funds managed by advisers affiliated with the Adviser. However, the Adviser intends to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner in accordance with the Adviser’s investment allocation policy, consistent with each fund’s or separate account’s investment objective and strategies and legal and regulatory requirements.

Potential Conflicts of Interest Risk—Allocation of Investment Opportunities. The Adviser has adopted allocation procedures that are intended to treat each fund they advise in a manner that, over a period of time, is fair and equitable. The Adviser and its affiliates currently provide investment advisory and administration services and may provide in the future similar services to other entities (collectively, “Advised Funds”). Certain existing Advised Funds have, and future Advised Funds may have, investment objectives similar to those of the Fund, and such Advised Funds will invest in asset classes similar to those targeted by the Fund. Certain other existing Advised Funds do not, and future Advised Funds may not, have similar investment objectives, but such funds may from time to time invest in asset classes similar to those targeted by the Fund. The Adviser will endeavor to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner, and in any event consistent with any fiduciary duties owed to the Fund and other clients and in an effort to avoid favoring one client over another and taking into account all relevant facts and circumstances, including (without limitation): (i) differences with respect to available capital, size of client, and remaining life of a client; (ii) differences with respect to investment objectives or current investment strategies, including regarding: (a) current and total return requirements, (b) emphasizing or limiting exposure to the security or type of security in question, (c) diversification, including industry or company exposure, currency and jurisdiction, or (d) rating agency ratings; (iii) differences in risk profile at the time an opportunity becomes available; (iv) the potential transaction and other costs of allocating an opportunity among various clients; (v) potential conflicts of interest, including whether a client has an existing investment in the security in question or the issuer of such security; (vi) the nature of the security or the transaction, including minimum investment amounts and the source of the opportunity; (vii) current and anticipated market and general economic conditions; (viii) existing positions in a borrower/loan/security; and (ix) prior positions in a borrower/loan/security. Nevertheless, it is possible that the Fund may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by investment funds managed by investment managers affiliated with the Adviser.

In the event investment opportunities are allocated among the Fund and the other Advised Funds, the Fund may not be able to structure its investment portfolio in the manner desired. Furthermore, the Fund and the other Advised Funds may make investments in securities where the prevailing trading activity may make impossible the receipt of the same price or execution on the entire volume of securities purchased or sold by the Fund and the other Advised Funds. When this occurs, the various prices may be averaged, and the Fund will be charged or credited with the average price. Thus, the effect of the aggregation may operate on some occasions to the disadvantage of the Fund. In addition, under certain circumstances, the Fund may not be charged the same commission or commission equivalent rates in connection with a bunched or aggregated order.

It is likely that the other Advised Funds may make investments in the same or similar securities at different times and on different terms than the Fund. The Fund and the other Advised Funds may make investments

 

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at different levels of a borrower’s capital structure or otherwise in different classes of a borrower’s securities, to the extent permitted by applicable law. Such investments may inherently give rise to conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest between or among the various classes of securities that may be held by such entities. Conflicts may also arise because portfolio decisions regarding the Fund may benefit the other Advised Funds. For example, the sale of a long position or establishment of a short position by the Fund may impair the price of the same security sold short by (and therefore benefit) one or more Advised Funds, and the purchase of a security or covering of a short position in a security by the Fund may increase the price of the same security held by (and therefore benefit) one or more Advised Funds.

Applicable law, including the 1940 Act, may at times prevent the Fund from being able to participate in investments that it otherwise would participate in, and may require the Fund to dispose of investments at a time when it otherwise would not dispose of such investment, in each case, in order to comply with applicable law.

The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to certain transactions between registered investment companies and certain affiliates (including any investment advisers or sub-advisers), principal underwriters and certain affiliates of those affiliates or underwriters. Because the Fund is a registered investment company, the Fund is not generally permitted to make loans to companies controlled by the Adviser or other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates. The Fund is also not permitted to make any co-investments its affiliates (including any fund managed by its affiliates) without exemptive relief from the SEC, subject to certain exceptions. The Fund has applied for an exemptive order from the SEC that permits it to co-invest with other persons, including certain affiliated accounts managed and controlled by the Adviser. Subject to the 1940 Act and the conditions of any such co-investment order issued by the SEC, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, co-invest with certain affiliated accounts in investments that are suitable for the Fund and one or more of such affiliated accounts.

There can be no assurance that the Fund will receive such exemptive relief. Moreover, even if the Fund does receive such exemptive relief and is permitted to co-invest in the same securities as one or more affiliated accounts, conflicts of interest may still arise. If the Adviser is presented with co-investment opportunities that generally fall within the Fund’s investment objective and other Board-established criteria and those of one or more affiliated accounts advised by the Adviser, whether focused on a debt strategy or otherwise, the Adviser will allocate such opportunities among the Fund and such affiliated accounts in a manner consistent with the exemptive order and the Adviser’s allocation policies and procedures, as discussed in this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum. There is no assurance that the co-investment exemptive order will be granted by the SEC.

With respect to co-investment transactions conducted under the contemplated exemptive order, initial internal allocations among the Fund and other investment funds affiliated with the Adviser will generally be made, taking into account the allocation considerations set forth in the Adviser’s allocation policies and procedures as described above. If the Fund invests in a transaction under a co-investment exemptive order and, immediately before the submission of the order for the Fund and all other funds, accounts, or other similar arrangements advised by the Adviser and its affiliates, the opportunity is oversubscribed, it will generally be allocated on a pro-rata basis based on available capital. To the extent the Fund does not obtain a co-investment exemptive order, or if the granting of such order is delayed, the Fund may only be able to participate in certain negotiated investment opportunities on a rotational basis. The Board regularly reviews the allocation policies and procedures of the Adviser.

To the extent consistent with applicable law and/or exemptive relief issued to the Fund, in addition to such co-investments, the Fund and the Adviser or an affiliated account may, as part of unrelated transactions, invest in either the same or different tiers of a portfolio company’s capital structure or in an affiliate of such portfolio company. To the extent the Fund holds investments in the same portfolio company or in an affiliate

 

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thereof that are different (including with respect to their relative seniority) than those held by the Adviser or an affiliated account, the Adviser may be presented with decisions when the interests of the two co-investors are in conflict. If the portfolio company in which the Fund has an equity or debt investment and in which an affiliated account has an equity or debt investment elsewhere in the portfolio company’s capital structure, becomes distressed or defaults on its obligations under the private credit investment, the Adviser may have conflicting loyalties between its duties to the affiliated account, the Fund, certain of its other affiliates and the portfolio company. In that regard, actions may be taken for such affiliated account that are adverse to the Fund, or actions may or may not be taken by the Fund due to such affiliated account’s investment, which action or failure to act may be adverse to the Fund. In addition, it is possible that in a bankruptcy proceeding, the Fund’s interest may be adversely affected by virtue of such affiliated account’s involvement and actions relating to its investment. Decisions about what action should be taken in a troubled situation, including whether to enforce claims, whether to advocate or initiate restructuring or liquidation inside or outside of bankruptcy and the terms of any work-out or restructuring, raise conflicts of interest. In those circumstances where the Fund and such affiliated accounts hold investments in different classes of a company’s debt or equity, the Adviser may also, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, take steps to reduce the potential for adversity between the Fund and such affiliated accounts, including causing the Fund to take certain actions that, in the absence of such conflict, it would not take, such as (A) remaining passive in a restructuring or similar situations (including electing not to vote or voting pro rata with other security-holders), (B) divesting investments or (C) otherwise taking action designed to reduce adversity.

The Adviser, its affiliates and their clients may pursue or enforce rights with respect to a borrower in which the Fund has invested, and those activities may have an adverse effect on the Fund. As a result, prices, availability, liquidity and terms of the Fund’s investments may be negatively impacted by the activities of the Adviser and its affiliates or their clients, and transactions for the Fund may be impaired or effected at prices or terms that may be less favorable than would otherwise have been the case.

The Adviser may have a conflict of interest in deciding whether to cause the Fund to incur leverage or to invest in more speculative investments or financial instruments, thereby potentially increasing the management and incentive fee payable by the Fund and, accordingly, the fees received by the Adviser. Certain other Advised Funds pay the Adviser or its affiliates greater performance-based compensation, which could create an incentive for the Adviser or an affiliate to favor such investment fund or account over the Fund.

Potential Conflicts of Interest Risk—Allocation of Personnel. The Fund’s executive officers and Managers, and the employees of the Adviser, serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as the Fund or of investment funds or accounts managed by the Adviser or its affiliates. As a result, they may have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which might not be in the best interests of the Fund or its Shareholders. Additionally, certain personnel of the Adviser and their management may face conflicts in their time management and commitments.

Potential Conflicts of Interest Risk—Lack of Information Barriers. By reason of the various activities of the Adviser and its affiliates, the Adviser and such affiliates may acquire confidential or material non-public information or otherwise be restricted from purchasing certain potential Fund investments that otherwise might have been purchased or be restricted from selling certain Fund investments that might otherwise have been sold at the time.

Portfolio Fair Value Risk. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is required to carry its portfolio investments at market value or, if there is no readily available market value, at fair value. There is not a public market for the securities of the privately held companies in which the Fund may invest. Many of the Fund’s

 

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investments are not exchange-traded, but are, instead, traded on a privately negotiated OTC secondary market for institutional investors. The Fund may seek to invest in directly negotiated and highly structured transactions, providing for bespoke flexible solutions for company specific needs. The Adviser, as valuation designee, is responsible for the valuation of the Fund’s portfolio investments and implementing the portfolio valuation process set forth in the Adviser’s and the Fund’s valuation policy. Valuations of Fund investments are disclosed quarterly in reports publicly filed with the SEC. Please see the section entitled “Determination of Net Asset Value.”

A high proportion of the Fund’s investments relative to its total investments are valued at fair value. Certain factors that may be considered in determining the fair value of the Fund’s investments include dealer quotes for securities traded on the OTC secondary market for institutional investors, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s earnings and its ability to make payments on its indebtedness, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to selected publicly-traded companies, discounted cash flow and other relevant factors. The factors and methodologies used for the valuation of such securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities nor can it be assured that the Fund can realize the fair value assigned to a security if it were to sell the security. Such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, and they often reflect only periodic information received by the Adviser about such companies’ financial condition and/or business operations, which may be on a lagged basis and can be based on estimates. Determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if an exchange-traded market for these securities existed. Investments in private companies are typically governed by privately negotiated credit agreements and covenants, and reporting requirements contained in the agreements may result in a delay in reporting their financial position to lenders, which in turn may result in the Fund’s investments being valued on the basis of this reported information. Further, the Fund is offered on a daily basis and calculates a daily NAV per Share. The Adviser seeks to evaluate on a daily basis material information about the Fund’s portfolio companies; however, for the reasons noted herein, the Adviser may not be able to acquire and/or evaluate properly such information on a daily basis. Due to these various factors, the Adviser’s fair value determinations could cause the Fund’s NAV on a valuation day to materially differ from what it would have been had such information been fully incorporated. As a result, investors who purchase shares may receive more or less shares and investors who tender their shares may receive more or less cash proceeds than they otherwise would receive.

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

Cybersecurity Risks. Cybersecurity incidents and cyber-attacks have been occurring globally at a more frequent and severe level and will likely continue to increase in frequency in the future. The Adviser faces various security threats on a regular basis, including ongoing cyber security threats to and attacks on its information technology infrastructure that are intended to gain access to its proprietary information, destroy data or disable, degrade or sabotage its systems. These security threats could originate from a wide variety of sources, including unknown third parties outside of the Adviser. Although the Adviser is not currently aware that it has been subject to cyber-attacks or other cyber incidents which, individually or in the aggregate, have materially affected its operations or financial condition, there can be no assurance that the various procedures and controls utilized to mitigate these threats will be sufficient to prevent disruptions to its systems.

The Adviser’s and issuers’ information and technology systems may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from computer viruses, network failures, computer and telecommunication failures, infiltration

 

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by unauthorized persons and security breaches, usage errors by their respective professionals, power outages and catastrophic events such as fires, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes and earthquakes.

In addition, the Fund will heavily rely on the Adviser’s and third parties’ financial, accounting, information and other data processing systems. Any failure or interruption of those systems, including as a result of the termination of an agreement with any third- party service providers, could cause delays or other problems in its activities. If any of these systems do not operate properly or are disabled for any reason or if there is any unauthorized disclosure of data, whether as a result of tampering, a breach of its network security systems, a cyber-incident or attack or otherwise, the Fund and/or the Adviser could suffer substantial financial loss, increased costs, a disruption of its businesses, liability to its investors, regulatory intervention or reputational damage. In addition, the Adviser operates in a business that is highly dependent on information systems and technology. The information systems and technology that the Adviser relies on may not continue to be able to accommodate their growth, and the cost of maintaining such systems may increase from its current level. Such a failure to accommodate growth, or an increase in costs related to such information systems, could have a material adverse effect on the Fund and/or the Adviser.

A cybersecurity incident could have numerous material adverse effects, including on the operations, liquidity and financial condition of the Fund. Cyber threats and/or incidents could cause financial costs from the theft of Fund assets (including proprietary information and intellectual property) as well as numerous unforeseen costs including, but not limited to: litigation costs, preventative and protective costs, remediation costs and costs associated with reputational damage, any one of which, could be materially adverse to the Fund. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will be able to prevent or mitigate such incidents. If systems and measures to manage risks relating to these types of events, are compromised, become inoperable for extended periods of time or cease to function properly, the Adviser, the Fund and/or an issuer may have to make a significant investment to fix or replace them. The failure of these systems and/or of disaster recovery plans for any reason could cause significant interruptions in the Adviser’s, the Fund’s and/or an issuer’s operations and result in a failure to maintain the security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data, including personal information relating to investors (and the beneficial owners of investors).

In addition, the Fund or the Adviser may not be in a position to verify the risks or reliability of third parties with which the Fund’s and the Adviser’s operations interface with and/or depend on third parties, including the Fund’s administrator and other service providers. The Fund may suffer adverse consequences from actions, errors or failure to act by such third parties, and will have obligations, including indemnity obligations, and limited recourse against them.

Risks Relating to Fund’s RIC Status. Although the Fund intends to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, no assurance can be given that the Fund will be able to qualify for and maintain RIC status. If the Fund qualifies as a RIC under the Code, the Fund generally will not be subject to corporate-level federal income taxes on its income and capital gains that are timely distributed (or deemed distributed) as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to its Shareholders. To qualify as a RIC under the Code and to be relieved of federal taxes on income and gains distributed as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the Fund’s Shareholders, the Fund must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution requirements. The distribution requirement for a RIC is satisfied if the Fund distributes dividends each tax year for U.S. federal income tax purposes of an amount generally at least equal to 90% of the sum of its net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, if any, to the Fund’s Shareholders.

RIC-Related Risks of Investments Generating Non-Cash Taxable Income. Certain of the Fund’s investments will require the Fund to recognize taxable income in a tax year in excess of the cash generated on those investments during that year. In particular, the Fund expects to invest in loans and other debt instruments that will be treated as having “market discount” and/or original issue discount (“OID”) (such

 

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as debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or issued with equity or warrants) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Because the Fund may be required to recognize income in respect of these investments before, or without receiving, cash representing such income (e.g., PIK interest), the Fund may have difficulty satisfying the annual distribution requirements applicable to RICs and avoiding Fund-level U.S. federal income and/or excise taxes. Accordingly, the Fund may be required to sell assets, including at potentially disadvantageous times or prices, raise additional debt or equity capital, make taxable distributions of Shares or debt securities, or reduce new investments, to obtain the cash needed to make these income distributions. If the Fund liquidates assets to raise cash, the Fund may realize additional gain or loss on such liquidations. In the event the Fund realizes additional net capital gains from such liquidation transactions, Shareholders may receive larger capital gain distributions than it or they would in the absence of such transactions.

Instruments that are treated as having OID for U.S. federal income tax purposes may have unreliable valuations because their continuing accruals require judgments about the collectability of the deferred payments and the value of any collateral. Loans that are treated as having OID generally represent a significantly higher credit risk than coupon loans. Accruals on such instruments may create uncertainty about the source of Fund distributions to Shareholders. OID creates the risk of non-refundable cash payments to the Adviser based on accruals that may never be realized. In addition, the deferral of PIK interest also reduces a loan’s loan-to-value ratio at a compounding rate.

Uncertain Tax Treatment. The Fund may invest a portion of its Net Assets in below investment grade instruments. Investments in these types of instruments may present special tax issues for the Fund. U.S. federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless instruments, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the Fund to the extent necessary in connection with the Fund’s intention to distribute sufficient income each tax year to minimize the risk that it becomes subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Trustees

Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust and bylaws, the Fund’s business and affairs are managed under the direction of the Board, which has overall responsibility for monitoring and overseeing the Fund’s management and operations. The Board consists of [ ] members, [ ] of whom are considered Independent Trustees. The Trustees are subject to removal or replacement in accordance with Delaware law and the Declaration of Trust. The Trustees serving on the Board were elected by the organizational Member of the Fund. Part B — Information Required in a Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the Trustees.

The Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, oversees and monitors the Fund’s management and operations. The Board reviews on an annual basis the Investment Advisory Agreement to determine, among other things, whether the fees payable under such agreement are reasonable in light of the services provided.

The Adviser

Gemcorp Capital Advisors LLC serves as the Fund’s investment adviser pursuant to the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement and subject to the authority of, and any policies established by, the Board. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser manages the Fund’s investment portfolio, directs purchases and sales of portfolio securities and reports thereon to the Fund’s officers and Trustees regularly. As an investment adviser, Gemcorp Capital Advisors LLC has expertise in managing a range of credit and commodity related portfolios and investments, including portfolios of illiquid investments.

Investment Personnel

Investment sourcing and investment decisions are primarily the responsibility of the following portfolio managers:

Atanas Bostandjiev

Atanas is responsible for the overall management of the Gemcorp Group and is a member of Gemcorp Capital’s investment committee. He is a former Partner at Goldman Sachs and most recently the U.K. and International CEO of VTB Capital. Prior to this, he was a Managing Director at Merrill Lynch.

Parvoleta Shtereva

Parvoleta is responsible for the Adviser’s risk portfolio as well as execution and management of investments. She is also a member of Gemcorp Capital’s investment committee. Parvoleta has spent most of her career managing credit portfolios for Black River Asset Management and Goldman Sachs. She has 25 years of experience across Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Felipe Berliner

Felipe is responsible for the Group’s structuring team and is a member of Gemcorp Capital’s investment committee. Prior to Gemcorp, he spent most of his career at Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs in emerging markets structuring financing and derivative transactions and at VTB Capital working on financing companies, financial institutions and sovereigns in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia. Before his banking career, he worked as a capital markets, M&A and project finance lawyer in Brazil. Felipe holds an MBA degree from INSEAD.

Philippe Balland

Philippe is the Gemcorp CRO, Head of Quantitative Research and is a member of Gemcorp Capital’s investment committee. He is responsible for the risk management and development of analytics and

 

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research at the firm. Philippe spent most of his career at Merrill Lynch and UBS where he was Managing Director, globally responsible for the Foreign Exchange, Rates, Inflation, Commodity, Credit and Hybrid Quantitative teams. He graduated from Ecole Centrale Paris. He also has a Master of Science in Mathematical Modelling and a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Oxford University.

Ahmad Al-Sati. Ahmad is the portfolio manager of the Adviser. Ahmad has almost 20 years of experience investing and executing transactions globally and across the capital structure in the energy, renewables, and commodities sectors. Prior to Gemcorp, Ahmad was President of Pandion Mine Finance, LP and RiverMet Resource Capital, L.P. - a fund focused on investing in precious metals and commodities. In that role, he was responsible for managing the investment portfolio as well as day-to-day operations of the SEC registered investment advisor. Previously, Ahmad was an investment partner and a voting member of the investment committee at Albright Capital - a global investment firm focused on the global emerging markets. Ahmad received a BA from Wesleyan University with Honors, a JD from Columbia Law School, and an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business.

Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities

A control person generally is a person who beneficially owns more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or has the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such company. As the Fund had not commenced operations as of [ ], 2024, the Fund does not know of any persons who own of record or beneficially 5% or more of any class of the Fund’s shares as of that date.

Administrative Services

Pursuant to the Administration Agreement with [ ], [ ] furnishes the Fund with clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services. [ ] also performs, or oversees the performance of, certain of the Fund’s required administrative services, which include, among other things, providing assistance in accounting, legal, compliance, operations, being responsible for the financial records that the Fund is required to maintain and preparing reports to the Fund’s Shareholders and reports filed with the SEC. In addition, [ ] generally oversees the payment of the Fund’s expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Fund by others. The Administration Agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon 90 days’ written notice to the other party prior to the initial term or renewal date.

Indemnification

The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, the Adviser, its members and their respective officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with any of them are entitled to indemnification from the Fund for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Adviser’s duties or obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Fund.

Custodians, Distribution Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar

[ ], serves as custodian for the Fund.

[ ], which has its principal office at [ ], serves as the Fund’s distribution paying agent, registrar and transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”). Under the Transfer Agency Agreement, the Fund pays the Transfer Agent an annual fee in monthly installments.

 

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The Fund has entered into arrangements with one or more financial intermediaries to provide sub-transfer agency and other services associated with Shareholders whose Shares are held of record in omnibus accounts. In return for these services, the Fund pays sub-transfer agency fees to such financial intermediaries.

 

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FUND EXPENSES

The Adviser bears all of its own costs incurred in providing investment advisory services to the Fund. As described below, however, the Fund bears all other expenses incurred in the business and operation of the Fund.

Expenses borne directly by the Fund include:

 

   

corporate, organizational and offering costs relating to offerings of Shares;

 

   

the cost of calculating the NAV of Shares, including the cost of any third-party pricing or valuation services;

 

   

the cost of effecting sales and repurchases of Shares and other securities;

 

   

the Management Fee and Incentive Fee;

 

   

distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees;

 

   

investment related expenses (e.g., expenses that, in the Adviser’s discretion, are related to the investment of the Fund’s assets, whether or not such investments are consummated), including, as applicable, brokerage commissions, borrowing charges on securities sold short, clearing and settlement charges, recordkeeping, interest expense, line of credit fees, dividends on securities sold but not yet purchased, margin fees, investment related travel and lodging expenses and research-related expenses;

 

   

professional fees relating to investments, including expenses of consultants, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants and other experts;

 

   

transfer agent, sub-transfer agent and custodial fees;

 

   

Distributor costs;

 

   

fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts;

 

   

federal and any state registration or notification fees;

 

   

federal, state and local taxes;

 

   

fees and expenses of Trustees not also serving in an executive officer capacity for the Fund or the Adviser;

 

   

the costs of preparing, printing and mailing reports and other communications, including repurchase offer correspondence or similar materials, to Shareholders;

 

   

fidelity bond, Trustees and officers errors and omissions liability insurance and other insurance premiums;

 

   

legal expenses (including those expenses associated with preparing the Fund’s public filings, attending and preparing for Board meetings, as applicable, and generally serving as counsel to the Fund or the Independent Trustees of the Fund);

 

   

external accounting expenses (including fees and disbursements and expenses related to the annual audit of the Fund and the preparation of the Fund’s tax information);

 

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any costs and expenses associated with or related to due diligence performed with respect to the Fund’s offering of its Shares, including but not limited to, costs associated with or related to due diligence activities performed by, on behalf of, or for the benefit of broker-dealers, registered investment advisors and third-party due diligence providers;

 

   

costs associated with reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and applicable federal and state securities laws, including compliance with The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

 

   

all other expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with administering the Fund’s business, including expenses by [ ] for performing administrative services for the Fund, subject to the terms of the Administration Agreement; and

 

   

any expenses incurred outside of the ordinary course of business, including, without limitation, costs incurred in connection with any claim, litigation, arbitration, mediation, government investigation or similar proceeding and indemnification expenses as provided for in the Fund’s organizational documents.

Except as otherwise described in this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum, the Adviser will be reimbursed by the Fund, as applicable, for any of the above expenses that it pays on behalf of the Fund.

Offering Costs

The Fund’s initial offering costs include, among other things, legal, printing and other expenses pertaining to this offering. Ongoing offering costs will be expensed as incurred.

 

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MANAGEMENT AND INCENTIVE FEES

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, and in consideration of the advisory services provided by the Adviser to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to a fee consisting of two components—the Management Fee and the Incentive Fee.

Management Fee

The Management Fee is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears at the annual rate of 1.50% of the quarter-end value of the Fund’s Net Assets.

Incentive Fee

The Incentive Fee is calculated based on an “Incentive Fee Rate” of 15%, multiplied by the amount by which the “Adjusted NAV” (as defined below) of each Class of the Fund exceeds its “Prior High NAV” (as defined below), if the Adjusted NAV exceeds its “Hurdle NAV” (as defined below).

The “Adjusted NAV” of a Class of the Fund is the net asset value at the end of the relevant period, after such net asset value is adjusted for (i) any distributions with respect to or repurchases of Shares; (ii) any net realized or unrealized appreciation and depreciation attributable to the Fund during the relevant period, determined at the time of such exchange, ; and (iii) any accruals of the Incentive Fee during the relevant period.

The “Hurdle NAV” will be the product of the Prior High NAV of the applicable Class of the Fund multiplied by a value, expressed as a percentage, equal to 100% plus a “Hurdle Rate” of 5%.

The “Prior High NAV” is the net asset value of the applicable Class of the Fund immediately following the date as of which the last Incentive Fee was determined (or if no Incentive Fee has yet been determined, the net asset value at the initial issuance of the Fund adjusted, if necessary, for any distributions with respect to or repurchases of Shares.

The Incentive Fee will be paid annually in arrears as of December 31 of each year. In cases where the Incentive Fee is calculated for a period other than a full calendar year, the Hurdle Rate for such period will be reduced pro rata based on upon the number of days in such period.

Approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement

Board approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement was made in accordance with, and on the basis of an evaluation satisfactory to the Board, as required by Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder, including consideration of, among other factors, (i) the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by Gemcorp Capital Advisors LLC under the Investment Advisory Agreement; (ii) comparative information with respect to advisory fees and other expenses paid by other comparable investment companies; and (iii) information about the services performed by Gemcorp Capital Advisors LLC and the personnel of Gemcorp Capital Advisors LLC providing such services under the Investment Advisory Agreement. A discussion of the factors considered by the Fund’s Board of Trustees in approving the Advisory Agreement will be set forth in the Fund’s first annual or semi-annual report following the commencement of operations.

 

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DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The Fund’s NAV per Share will be determined on the last business day of any given calendar month or at such other times as the Board may determine. In accordance with the procedures adopted by the Board, the NAV per Share of the Fund’s outstanding Shares of beneficial interest is determined, on a class-specific basis, by dividing the value of total assets minus liabilities by the total number of Shares outstanding.

The Adviser conducts the valuation of the Fund’s assets, pursuant to which net asset value shall be determined, at all times consistent with US GAAP and the 1940 Act. The Adviser, as the valuation designee, determines the fair value of the Fund’s assets on at least a quarterly basis, in accordance with the terms of FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”). The valuation procedures are set forth in more detail below.

ASC 820 defines fair value as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.” Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. For some assets and liabilities, observable market transactions or market information might be available. For other assets and liabilities, observable market transactions and market information might not be available. However, the objective of a fair value measurement in both cases is the same—to estimate the price at which an orderly transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability would take place between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions (that is, an exit price at the measurement date from the perspective of a market participant that holds the asset or owes the liability).

ASC 820 establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework which ranks the observability of inputs used in measuring financial instruments at fair value. The observability of inputs is impacted by a number of factors, including the type of financial instrument, the characteristic specific to the financial instrument and the state of the marketplace, including the existence and transparency of transactions between market participants. Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices, or for which fair value can be measured from quoted prices in active markets, will generally have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment applied in determining fair value.

The three-level hierarchy for fair value measurement is defined as follows:

Level 1 — inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date. The types of financial instruments included in Level 1 generally include unrestricted securities, including equities and derivatives, listed in active markets. The Adviser does not adjust the quoted price for these investments, even in situations where we hold a large position, and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price.

Level 2 — inputs to the valuation methodology are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date and are those other than quoted prices in active markets. The type of financial instruments in this category generally includes less liquid and restricted securities listed in active markets, securities traded in other than active markets, government and agency securities, and certain over-the-counter derivatives where the fair value is based on observable inputs.

Level 3 — inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to overall fair value measurement. The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation. Financial instruments that are included in this category generally include investments in privately held entities, non-investment grade residual interests in securitizations, collateralized loan obligations, and certain over-the-counter derivatives where the fair value is based on unobservable inputs.

 

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In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the overall fair value measurement. The Adviser’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the investment.

The Adviser values securities/instruments traded in active markets on the measurement date by multiplying the closing price of such traded securities/instruments by the quantity of shares or amount of the instrument held. The Adviser values liquid securities/instruments that are not traded in an active market using a bid-price determined by an approved independent pricing vendor.

The Fund expects that it will hold a high proportion of Level 3 investments relative to its total investments, which is directly related to the Fund’s investment philosophy and target portfolio. The Adviser has engaged independent valuation firms to fair value the Fund’s Level 3 investments on a monthly basis. A retained independent valuation firm will have expertise in complex valuations associated with alternative investments and utilize a variety of techniques to calculate a security’s/instrument’s valuation. The valuation approach may vary by security/instrument but may include comparable public market valuations, comparable transaction valuations and discounted cash flow analyses. All factors that might materially impact the value of an investment (e.g., operating results, financial condition, achievement of milestones, economic and/or market events and recent sales prices) may be considered. The factors and methodologies used for the valuation of such securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities nor can it be assured that the Fund can realize the fair value assigned to a security if it were to sell the security. Because such valuations are inherently uncertain, they often reflect only periodic information received by the Adviser about such companies’ financial condition and/or business operations, which may be on a lagged basis and therefore fluctuate over time and can be based on estimates. Determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if an exchange-traded market for these securities existed.

The Adviser seeks to evaluate on a monthly basis material information about the Fund’s portfolio companies; however, for the reasons noted herein, the Adviser may not be able to acquire and/or evaluate properly such information on a daily basis. Due to these various factors, the Adviser’s fair value determinations can cause the Fund’s NAV on a given day to materially understate or overstate the value of its investments. As a result, investors who purchase shares may receive more or less shares and investors who tender their shares may receive more or less cash proceeds than they otherwise would receive.

If the Adviser reasonably believes a valuation from an independent valuation firm or pricing vendor is inaccurate or unreliable, the Adviser’s Valuation Committee will consider an “override” of the particular valuation. The Valuation Committee will consider all available information at its disposal prior to making a valuation determination.

The Fund calculates the NAV of each class of its Shares on a daily basis. In addition, the Fund intends to publicly report the NAV per Share of each class of the Fund on its website on a daily basis. For information on the Fund’s daily NAV, please call the Fund toll-free at [ ]. The Adviser, subject to the Board’s oversight, is responsible for the determination, in good faith, of the fair value of the Fund’s portfolio investments. As the Fund’s valuation designee, the Adviser, subject to the Board’s oversight, is responsible for the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any market or fair market valuation determinations made with respect to the Fund’s assets.

 

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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

As a result of the expansion of Gemcorp’s platform into various lines of business in the alternative asset management industry, Gemcorp is subject to a number of actual and potential conflicts of interest and subject to greater regulatory oversight than that to which it would otherwise be subject if it had just one line of business. In addition, as Gemcorp expands its platform, the allocation of investment opportunities among its investment funds, including the Fund, is expected to become more complex. In addressing these conflicts and regulatory requirements across Gemcorp’s various businesses, Gemcorp has and may continue to implement certain policies and procedures (for example, information barriers). In addition, the Fund may come into possession of material non-public information with respect to issuers in which it may be considering making an investment. As a consequence, the Fund may be precluded from providing such information or other ideas to other funds affiliated with Gemcorp that benefit from such information or the Fund may be precluded from otherwise consummating a contemplated investment. To the extent the Fund or any other funds affiliated with Gemcorp fail to appropriately deal with any such conflicts, it could negatively impact the Fund’s reputation or Gemcorp’s reputation and the Fund’s ability to raise additional funds and the willingness of counterparties to do business with the Fund or result in potential litigation against the Fund.

An affiliated investment fund, account or other similar arrangement currently formed or formed in the future and managed by the Fund’s Adviser or its affiliates may have overlapping investment objectives and strategies with the Fund’s own and, accordingly, may invest in asset classes similar to those targeted by the Fund. This creates potential conflicts in allocating investment opportunities among the Fund and such other investment funds, accounts and similar arrangements, particularly in circumstances where the availability or liquidity of such investment opportunities is limited or where co-investments by the Fund and other investment funds, accounts or arrangements are not permitted under applicable law, as discussed below.

For example, Gemcorp sponsors several investment funds, accounts and other similar arrangements. The Fund expects to rely on exemptive relief that permits the Fund and certain present and future funds advised by Gemcorp-controlled investment advisers to co-invest in suitable negotiated investments (the “Exemptive Relief”). Co-investments that will be made under the Exemptive Relief are subject to compliance with the conditions and other requirements contained in the exemptive relief, which could limit the Fund’s ability to participate in a co-investment transaction. If Gemcorp is presented with investment opportunities that generally fall within the Fund’s investment objective and other board-established criteria and those of other Gemcorp investment funds, accounts or other similar arrangements whether focused on a debt strategy or otherwise, Gemcorp allocates such opportunities among the Fund and such other Gemcorp investment funds, accounts or other similar arrangements in a manner consistent with the Exemptive Relief, the Adviser’s allocation policies and procedures and Gemcorp’s other allocation policies and procedures, where applicable, as discussed below.

More specifically, investment opportunities in suitable negotiated investments for investment funds, accounts and other similar arrangements managed by the Adviser, and other investments funds, accounts or similar arrangements managed by affiliated investment advisers that seek to co-invest with the Fund, are allocated in accordance with the Exemptive Relief, if and when received, the Adviser’s allocation policies and procedures and Gemcorp’s other allocation policies and procedures, where applicable. Investment opportunities for all other investment funds, accounts and other similar arrangements not managed by the Adviser are allocated in accordance with their respective investment advisers’ and Gemcorp’s other allocation policies and procedures. Such policies and procedures may result in certain investment opportunities that are attractive to the Fund being allocated to other funds that are not managed by the Adviser. Gemcorp’s, including the Adviser’s, allocation policies and procedures are designed to allocate investment opportunities fairly and equitably among its clients over time, taking into account a variety of factors which may include the sourcing of the transaction, the nature of the investment focus of each such

 

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other Gemcorp fund, account or other similar arrangement, each fund’s, account’s or similar arrangement’s desired level of investment, the relative amounts of capital available for investment, the nature and extent of involvement in the transaction on the part of the respective teams of investment professionals, any requirements contained in the limited partnership agreements and other governing agreements of the Gemcorp investment funds, accounts or other similar arrangements and other considerations deemed relevant by Gemcorp in good faith, including suitability considerations and reputational matters. The application of these considerations may cause differences in the performance of different Gemcorp investment funds, accounts and similar arrangements that have similar strategies.

The Fund’s executive officers and directors, other current and future principals of the Adviser and certain members of the Adviser’s investment committee may serve as officers, directors or principals of other entities and affiliates of the Adviser and funds managed by the Fund’s affiliates that operate in the same or a related line of business as the Fund does. Currently, the Fund’s executive officers, as well as the other principals of the Adviser, manage other funds affiliated with Gemcorp. In addition, the Adviser’s investment team has responsibilities for sourcing and managing private debt investments for certain other investment funds and accounts. Accordingly, they have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which may not be in the best interests of, or may be adverse to the interests of, the Fund and its shareholders. Although the professional staff of the Adviser will devote as much time to management of the Fund as appropriate to enable the Adviser to perform its duties in accordance with the Investment Advisory Agreement, the investment professionals of the Adviser may have conflicts in allocating their time and services among the Fund, on the one hand, and investment vehicles managed by Gemcorp or one or more of its affiliates on the other hand.

Although the Adviser will endeavor to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner in accordance with its allocation policies and procedures, it is possible that, in the future, the Fund may not be given the opportunity to participate in investments made by investment funds managed by the Adviser or an investment manager affiliated with the Adviser, including Gemcorp.

During periods of unusual market conditions, the Adviser may deviate from its normal trade allocation practices.

The Fund and its affiliates may own investments at different levels of a portfolio company’s capital structure or otherwise own different classes of a portfolio company’s securities, which may give rise to conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest. Conflicts may also arise because portfolio decisions regarding the Fund’s portfolio may benefit its affiliates. The Fund’s affiliates may, subject to the applicable Gemcorp policies and procedures, pursue or enforce rights with respect to one of the Fund’s portfolio companies, and those activities may have an adverse effect on the Fund.

Conflicts of interest may arise from the fact that any service provider or any affiliate of a service provider may provide services to, or have business, financial, personal or other relations with (i) other funds or accounts with investment programs similar to that of the Fund or (ii) Gemcorp and its affiliates. Any service provider or any affiliate of a service provider may be an investor in the Fund, a source of investment opportunities or a co-investor or commercial counterparty or entity in which the investment personnel have investments.

The Fund has implemented certain policies and procedures to screen transactions for any possible affiliations between the proposed portfolio investment, the Fund and other affiliated persons, including the Adviser, shareholders that own more than 5% of the Fund, employees, officers and directors of the Fund and the Adviser and certain persons directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the foregoing persons. The Fund will not enter into any agreements unless and until it is satisfied that doing so will not raise concerns under the 1940 Act or, if such concerns exist, the Fund has

 

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taken appropriate actions to seek Board review and approval or SEC exemptive relief for such transaction.In the course of the Fund’s investing activities, it pays the Management Fee and Incentive Fee to the Adviser and reimburses the Adviser for certain expenses it incurs in accordance with the Investment Advisory Agreement. As a result, investors in the Fund’s common stock invest on a “gross” basis and receive distributions on a “net” basis after expenses, resulting in a lower rate of return than an investor might achieve through direct investments. Accordingly, there may be times when the senior management team of the Adviser has interests that differ from those of the Fund’s shareholders, giving rise to a conflict.

The Incentive Fee may create an incentive for the Adviser to direct the best investment ideas to, or to allocate or sequence trades in favor of, (i) accounts with performance compensation arrangements over accounts that are not charged, or from which the Adviser will not receive (e.g., because the Account is below its high water mark), performance compensation, and (ii) Accounts from which the investment personnel will receive a greater performance compensation over accounts from which the Adviser will receive lesser performance compensation.

Because the Incentive Fee is calculated on a basis which includes unrealized appreciation of the Fund’s assets, it may be greater than if such compensation were based solely on realized gains. The Incentive Fee may give rise to potential conflicts of interest, including the following:

 

   

The Incentive Fee may create an incentive for the Adviser to increase valuations, especially with respect to illiquid securities.

 

   

The Incentive Fee may create an incentive for the Adviser to make investments that are riskier or more speculative than would be the case if a performance-based compensation arrangement were not in effect.

 

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SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

The Fund does not currently intend to list its Shares on any securities exchange and does not expect any secondary market for them to develop in the foreseeable future. Therefore, Shareholders should expect that they will be unable to sell their Shares for an indefinite time or at a desired price. No Shareholder will have the right to require the Fund to repurchase such Shareholder’s Shares or any portion thereof. Shareholders may not transfer their investment from the Fund to any other registered investment company. Because no public market exists for the Shares, and none is expected to develop in the foreseeable future, Shareholders will not be able to liquidate their investment, other than through the Fund’s share repurchase program, or, in limited circumstances, as a result of transfers of Shares to other investors.

To provide Shareholders with limited liquidity, the Fund is structured as an “interval fund” and intends to conduct quarterly offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Shares at NAV, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, unless such offer is suspended or postponed in accordance with regulatory requirements (as discussed below). In connection with any given repurchase offer, it is likely that the Fund may offer to repurchase only the minimum amount of 5% of its outstanding Shares.

Quarterly repurchases will occur in the months of January, April, July and October. The offer to purchase Shares is a fundamental policy that may not be changed without the vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act). The Repurchase Offer Notice will be sent to Shareholders at least 21 calendar days before the Repurchase Request Deadline; however, the Fund will seek to provide such written notification earlier but no more than 42 calendar days before the Repurchase Request Deadline. The NAV will be calculated no later than the Repurchase Pricing Date, which will be no later than 14 calendar days after the Repurchase Request Deadline or the next business day if the fourteenth day is not a business day. The Fund will distribute payment to Shareholders within seven calendar days after the Repurchase Pricing Date. Thus, the Shares are appropriate only as a long-term investment. In addition, the Fund’s repurchase offers may subject the Fund and Shareholders to special risks.

Determination of Repurchase Offer Amount

The Board, in its sole discretion, will determine the number of Shares that the Fund will offer to repurchase (the “Repurchase Offer Amount”) for a given Repurchase Request Deadline. The Repurchase Offer Amount, however, will be between 5% and 25% of the total number of Shares outstanding on the Repurchase Request Deadline.

If Shareholders tender for repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount for a given repurchase offer, the Fund will repurchase the Shares on a pro rata basis. However, the Fund may accept all Shares tendered for repurchase by Shareholders who own less than one hundred Shares and who tender all of their Shares, before prorating other amounts tendered.

Notice to Shareholders

No less than 21 days and no more than 42 days before each Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund shall send to each Shareholder of record and to each beneficial owner of the Shares that are the subject of the repurchase offer a notification (“Shareholder Notification”). The Shareholder Notification will contain information Shareholders should consider in deciding whether to tender their Shares for repurchase. The notice also will include detailed instructions on how to tender Shares for repurchase, state the Repurchase Offer Amount and identify the dates of the Repurchase Request Deadline, the scheduled Repurchase Pricing Date, and the date the repurchase proceeds are scheduled for payment. The notice also will set forth the NAV that has been computed no more than seven days before the date of notification, and how Shareholders may ascertain the NAV after the notification date.

 

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Repurchase Price

The repurchase price of the Shares will be the Fund’s NAV as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE on the Repurchase Pricing Date. You may call [ ] to learn the NAV. The notice of the repurchase offer also will provide information concerning the NAV, such as the NAV as of a recent date or a sampling of recent NAVs, and a toll-free number for information regarding the repurchase offer.

Repurchase Amounts and Payment of Proceeds

Shares tendered for repurchase by Shareholders prior to any Repurchase Request Deadline will be repurchased subject to the aggregate Repurchase Offer Amount established for that Repurchase Request Deadline. Payment pursuant to the repurchase offer will be made by check to the Shareholder’s address of record, or credited directly to a predetermined bank account on the Purchase Payment Date, which will be no more than seven calendar days after the Repurchase Pricing Date. The Board may establish other policies for repurchases of Shares that are consistent with the 1940 Act, regulations thereunder and other pertinent laws.

If Shareholders tender for repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount for a given repurchase offer, the Fund may, but is not required to, repurchase an additional amount, of Shares not to exceed 2% of the outstanding Shares of the Fund on the Repurchase Request Deadline. If the Fund determines not to repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount, or if Shareholders tender Shares in an amount exceeding the Repurchase Offer Amount plus 2% of the outstanding Shares on the Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund will repurchase the Shares on a pro rata basis. However, the Fund may accept all Shares tendered for repurchase by Shareholders who own less than one hundred Shares and who tender all of their Shares, before prorating other amounts tendered. With respect to any required minimum distributions from an IRA or other qualified retirement plan, it is the obligation of the shareholder to determine the amount of any such required minimum distribution and to otherwise satisfy the required minimum. In the event that shareholders in the aggregate tender for repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount for a given repurchase offer, the Fund will repurchase the shares on a pro rata basis, which may result in the Fund not honoring the full amount of a required minimum distribution requested by a shareholder.

If during any consecutive 24-month period, the Fund does not engage in a repurchase offer in which the Fund accepts 100% of properly tendered shares (a “Qualifying Tender”), the Fund will not make any new investments (excluding short-term cash management investments under 30 days in duration) and the Fund will reserve all available investable assets to satisfy future tender requests until a Qualifying Tender occurs.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE

The following description is based on relevant portions of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, as amended, and on the Declaration of Trust and bylaws. This summary is not intended to be complete. Please refer to the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, as amended, and the Declaration of Trust and bylaws, copies of which have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum forms a part, for a more detailed description of the provisions summarized below.

Shares of Beneficial Interest

The Declaration of Trust authorizes the Fund’s issuance of an unlimited number of common shares, of beneficial interest, par value USD $0.001 per share. There is currently no market for Shares and the Fund does not expect that a market for Shares will develop in the foreseeable future. Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust and as permitted by Delaware law, Shareholders are entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations organized for profit under Delaware law, and therefore generally will not be personally liable for the Fund’s debts or obligations.

Shares

Under the terms of the Declaration of Trust, all Shares, when consideration for Shares is received by the Fund, will be fully paid and non-assessable. Distributions may be paid to Shareholders if, as and when authorized and declared by the Board. Shares will have no preference, pre-emptive, appraisal, conversion, exchange or redemption rights, and will be freely transferable, except where their transfer is restricted by law or contract. The Declaration of Trust provides that the Board shall have the power to repurchase or redeem Shares. In the event of the Fund’s dissolution, after the Fund pays or adequately provides for the payment of all claims and obligations of the Fund, and upon the receipt of such releases, indemnities and refunding agreements deemed necessary by the Board, each Share will be entitled to receive, according to its respective rights, a pro rata portion of the Fund’s assets available for distribution. Each whole Share will be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional Share will be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. Shareholders shall be entitled to vote on all matters on which a vote of Shareholders is required by the 1940 Act, the Declaration of Trust or a resolution of the Board. There will be no cumulative voting in the election or removal of Trustees. Under the Declaration of Trust, the Fund is not required to hold annual meetings of Shareholders. The Fund only expects to hold Shareholder meetings to the extent required by the 1940 Act or pursuant to special meetings called by the Board or a majority of Shareholders.

The Declaration of Trust provides that the Board may, subject to the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions and the requirements of the 1940 Act, authorize and cause the Fund to issue securities of the Fund other than Shares, by action of the Board without the approval of Shareholders. The Board may determine the terms, rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions of such securities as the Board sees fit.

Limitation on Liability of Trustees and Officers; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses

Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust, Trustees and officers of the Fund will not be subject in such capacity to any personal liability to the Fund or Shareholders, unless the liability arises from bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard for the Trustees’ or officer’s duty.

Except as otherwise provided in the Declaration of Trust, the Fund will indemnify and hold harmless any current or former Trustee or officer of the Fund against any liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees relating to the defense or disposition of any action, suit or proceeding with which such person is involved or threatened), while and with respect to acting in the capacity of a Trustee or officer of the Fund, except with respect to matters in which such person did not act in good faith in the reasonable

 

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belief that his or her action was in the best interest of the Fund, or in the case of a criminal proceeding, matters for which such person had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. In accordance with the 1940 Act, the Fund will not indemnify any Trustee or officer for any liability to which such person would be subject by reason of his or her willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties of his or her position. The Fund will provide indemnification to Trustees and officers prior to a final determination regarding entitlement to indemnification as described in the Declaration of Trust.

The Fund has entered into the Investment Advisory Agreement with Gemcorp Capital Advisors LLC. The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard for its obligations and duties thereunder, the Adviser is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss the Fund suffers.

Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust, the Fund will advance the expenses of defending any action for which indemnification is sought if the Fund receives a written undertaking by the indemnitee which provides that the indemnitee will reimburse the Fund unless it is subsequently determined that the indemnitee is entitled to such indemnification.

Number of Trustees; Appointment of Trustees; Vacancies; Removal

The Declaration of Trust provides that the number of Trustees shall be no less than one and no more than 15, as determined in writing by a majority of the Trustees then in office. As set forth in the Declaration of Trust, a Trustee’s term of office shall continue until his or her death, resignation or removal. Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, individuals may be appointed by the Trustees at any time to fill vacancies on the Board by the appointment of such persons by a majority of the Trustees then in office. Each Trustee shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been appointed pursuant to the Declaration of Trust. To the extent that the 1940 Act requires that Trustees be elected by Shareholders, any such Trustees will be elected by a plurality of all Shares voted at a meeting of Shareholders at which a quorum is present.

The Declaration of Trust provides that any Trustee may be removed (provided that after the removal the aggregate number of Trustees is not less than the minimum required by the Declaration of Trust) from office with cause only by action taken by a majority of the remaining Trustees (or, in the case of an Independent Trustee, only by action taken by a majority of the remaining Independent Trustees).

Action by Shareholders

The Declaration of Trust provides that Shareholder action can be taken only at a meeting of Shareholders or by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting. Subject to the 1940 Act, the Declaration of Trust or a resolution of the Board specifying a greater or lesser vote requirement, the affirmative vote of a majority of Shares present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the Shareholders with respect to any matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders.

Amendment of Declaration of Trust and Bylaws

Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, pursuant to the Declaration of Trust, the Board may make certain amendments to the Declaration of Trust without any vote of Shareholders. Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust and bylaws, the Board has the exclusive power to amend or repeal the bylaws or adopt new bylaws at any time.

No Appraisal Rights

In certain extraordinary transactions, some jurisdictions provide the right to dissenting Shareholders to demand and receive the fair value of their Shares, subject to certain procedures and requirements set forth

 

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in such statute. Those rights are commonly referred to as appraisal rights. The Declaration of Trust provides that Shares shall not entitle Shareholders to appraisal rights.

Conflict with Applicable Laws and Regulations

The Declaration of Trust provides that if and to the extent that any provision of the Declaration of Trust conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, the provisions under the Code applicable to the Fund as a RIC or other applicable laws and regulations, the conflicting provision shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of the Declaration of Trust; provided, however, that such determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of the Declaration of Trust or affect the validity of any action taken or omitted to be taken prior to such determination.

 

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TAX ASPECTS

The following is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the Fund and an investment in the Fund. The discussion below provides general tax information related to an investment in the Fund, but does not purport to be a complete description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Fund and does not address any state, local, non-U.S. or other tax consequences. It is based on the Code and U.S. Treasury regulations thereunder and administrative pronouncements, all as of the date hereof, any of which is subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. In addition, it does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant in light of a Shareholder’s particular circumstances, including (but not limited to) alternative minimum tax consequences and tax consequences applicable to Shareholders subject to special tax rules, such as certain financial institutions; dealers or traders in securities who use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting; persons holding Shares as part of a hedging transaction, wash sale, conversion transaction or integrated transaction or persons entering into a constructive sale with respect to Shares; entities classified as partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes; insurance companies; U.S. Shareholders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; or tax-exempt entities, including “individual retirement accounts” or “Roth IRAs.” Unless otherwise noted, the following discussion applies only to a Shareholder that holds Shares as a capital asset and is a U.S. Shareholder. A “U.S. Shareholder” generally is a beneficial owner of Shares who is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust if it (a) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A prospective Shareholder that is a partner in a partnership holding Shares should consult the Shareholder’s personal advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of Shares.

The discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Tax laws are complex and often change, and Shareholders should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences of an investment in the Fund.

Taxation of the Fund

The Fund intends to elect to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and intends to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, the Fund generally will not be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes as dividends to Shareholders. To qualify as a RIC in any tax year, the Fund must, among other things, satisfy both a source of income test and asset diversification tests. The Fund will qualify as a RIC if (i) at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income for such tax year consists of dividends; interest; payments with respect to certain securities loans; gains from the sale or other disposition of shares, securities or foreign currencies; other income

 

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(including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such shares, securities or currencies; and net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly-traded partnerships” (such income, “Qualifying RIC Income”); and (ii) the Fund’s holdings are diversified so that, at the end of each quarter of such tax year, (a) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash equivalents, securities of other RICs, U.S. government securities and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (b) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested (x) in securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses or (y) in the securities of one or more “qualified publicly-traded partnerships.” The Fund’s share of income derived from a partnership other than a “qualified publicly-traded partnership” will be treated as Qualifying RIC Income only to the extent that such income would have constituted Qualifying RIC Income if derived directly by the Fund. A “qualified publicly-traded partnership” is generally defined as an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes if (1) interests in such entity are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof and (2) less than 90% of its gross income for the relevant tax year consists of Qualifying RIC Income. The Code provides that the Treasury Department may by regulation exclude from Qualifying RIC Income foreign currency gains that are not directly related to the RIC’s principal business of investing in shares or securities (or options and futures with respect to shares or securities). The Fund anticipates that, in general, its foreign currency gains will be directly related to its principal business of investing in shares and securities.

In addition, to maintain RIC tax treatment, the Fund must distribute on a timely basis with respect to each tax year dividends of an amount at least equal to 90% of the sum of its “investment company taxable income” and its net tax-exempt interest income, determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid, to Shareholders (the “90% distribution requirement”). If the Fund qualifies as a RIC and satisfies the 90% distribution requirement, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its “investment company taxable income” and net capital gains (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) that it distributes as dividends to Shareholders (including amounts that are reinvested pursuant to the DRP). In general, a RIC’s “investment company taxable income” for any tax year is its taxable income, determined without regard to net capital gains and with certain other adjustments. The Fund intends to distribute all or substantially all of its “investment company taxable income,” net tax-exempt interest income (if any) and net capital gains on an annual basis. Any taxable income, including any net capital gains that the Fund does not distribute in a timely manner, will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates.

If the Fund retains any net capital gains for reinvestment, it may elect to treat such capital gains as having been distributed to Shareholders. If the Fund makes such an election, each Shareholder will be required to report its share of such undistributed net capital gains attributed to the Fund as long-term capital gain and will be entitled to claim its share of the U.S. federal income taxes paid by the Fund on such undistributed net capital gains as a credit against its own U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, and to claim a refund on a properly-filed U.S. federal income tax return to the extent that the credit exceeds such liability. In addition, each Shareholder will be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis of its Shares by the difference between its share of such undistributed net capital gain and the related credit. There can be no assurance that the Fund will make this election if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain for a tax year.

As a RIC, the Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on certain undistributed amounts for each calendar year (the “4% excise tax”). To avoid the 4% excise tax, the Fund must distribute in respect of each calendar year dividends of an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of its ordinary taxable income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of its

 

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capital gain net income (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) generally for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year and (3) any ordinary income and capital gains for previous calendar years that were not distributed during those calendar years. For purposes of determining whether the Fund has met this distribution requirement, the Fund will be deemed to have distributed any income or gains previously subject to U.S. federal income tax. Furthermore, any distribution declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to Shareholders, of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following calendar year, will be treated for tax purposes as if it had been paid on December 31 of the calendar year in which the distribution was declared. The Fund generally intends to avoid the imposition of the 4% excise tax, but there can be no assurance in this regard.

If the Fund fails to qualify as a RIC or fails to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement in respect of any tax year, the Fund would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on its taxable income, including its net capital gains, even if such income were distributed, and all distributions out of earnings and profits would be taxed as ordinary dividend income. Such distributions generally would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of certain corporate Shareholders and may be eligible to be qualified dividend income in the case of certain non-corporate Shareholders. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay taxes and make distributions (any of which could be subject to interest charges) before re-qualifying for taxation as a RIC. If the Fund fails to satisfy either the income test or asset diversification test described above, in certain cases, however, the Fund may be able to avoid losing its status as a RIC by timely providing notice of such failure to the IRS, curing such failure and possibly paying an additional tax or penalty.

Some of the investments that the Fund is expected to make, such as investments in debt instruments having market discount and/or treated as issued with OID, may cause the Fund to recognize income or gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes prior to the receipt of any corresponding cash or other property. As a result, the Fund may have difficulty meeting the 90% distribution requirement necessary to maintain RIC tax treatment. Because this income will be included in the Fund’s investment company taxable income for the tax year it is accrued, the Fund may be required to make a distribution to Shareholders to meet the distribution requirements described above, even though the Fund will not have received any corresponding cash or property. The Fund may be required to borrow money, dispose of other securities or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose.

There may be uncertainty as to the appropriate treatment of certain of the Fund’s investments for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In particular, the Fund expects to invest a portion of its Net Assets in below investment grade instruments. U.S. federal income tax rules with respect to such instruments are not entirely clear about issues such as whether and to what extent the Fund should recognize interest, OID or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless instruments, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the Fund, to the extent necessary, in connection with the Fund’s general intention to distribute sufficient income to qualify for and maintain its treatment as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and to minimize the risk that it becomes subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

Income received by the Fund from sources outside the United States may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries, thereby reducing income available to the Fund. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. The Fund generally intends to conduct its investment activities to minimize the impact of foreign taxation, but there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in this regard. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its tax year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be eligible to elect to “pass-through” to the Fund the foreign source amount of income deemed earned and the respective amount of foreign taxes paid by the Fund. If at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close

 

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of each quarter of its tax year is represented by interests in other RICs, the Fund may elect to “pass-through” to Shareholders the foreign source amount of income deemed earned and the respective amount of foreign taxes paid or deemed paid by the Fund. If the Fund so elects, each Shareholder would be required to include in gross income, even though not actually received, each Shareholder’s pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid or deemed paid by the Fund, but would be treated as having paid its pro rata share of such foreign taxes and would therefore be allowed to either deduct such amount in computing taxable income or use such amount (subject to various limitations) as a foreign tax credit against federal income tax (but not both).

The Fund may invest in shares of foreign companies that are classified under the Code as passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”). In general, a foreign company is considered a PFIC if at least 50% of its assets constitute investment-type assets or 75% or more of its gross income is investment-type income. In general under the PFIC rules, an “excess distribution” received with respect to PFIC shares is treated as having been realized ratably over the period during which the Fund held the PFIC shares. The Fund generally will be subject to tax on the portion, if any, of the excess distribution that is allocated to the Fund’s holding period in prior tax years (and an interest factor will be added to the tax, as if the tax had actually been payable in such prior tax years) even though the Fund distributes the corresponding income to Shareholders. Excess distributions include any gain from the sale of PFIC shares as well as certain distributions from a PFIC. All excess distributions are taxable as ordinary income.

The Fund may be eligible to elect alternative tax treatment with respect to PFIC shares. Under one such election (i.e., a “QEF” election), the Fund generally would be required to include in its gross income its share of the earnings of a PFIC on a current basis, regardless of whether any distributions are received from the PFIC. If this election is made, the special rules, discussed above, relating to the taxation of excess distributions, would not apply. Alternatively, the Fund may be able to elect to mark its PFIC shares to market, resulting in any unrealized gains at the Fund’s tax year end being treated as though they were recognized and reported as ordinary income. Any mark-to-market losses and any loss from an actual disposition of the PFIC’s Shares would be deductible as ordinary losses to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains included in income in prior tax years with respect to shares in the same PFIC.

Because the application of the PFIC rules may affect, among other things, the character of gains, the amount of gain or loss and the timing of the recognition of income, gain or loss with respect to PFIC shares, as well as subject the Fund itself to tax on certain income from PFIC shares, the amount that must be distributed to Fund Shareholders, and which will be recognized by Fund Shareholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased substantially as compared to a fund that did not invest in PFIC shares. Note that distributions from a PFIC are not eligible for the reduced rate of tax on distributions of “qualified dividend income” as discussed below.

If the Fund holds more than 10% of the interests treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes in a foreign corporation that is treated as a CFC [, including equity tranche investments and certain debt tranche investments in a CLO treated as a CFC], the Fund may be treated as receiving a deemed distribution (taxable as ordinary income) each tax year from such foreign corporation of an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of the foreign corporation’s earnings for such tax year (including both ordinary earnings and capital gains), whether or not the corporation makes an actual distribution to the Fund during such tax year. This deemed distribution is required to be included in the income of certain U.S. shareholders of a CFC, such as the Fund, regardless of whether a U.S. shareholder has made a QEF election with respect to such CFC. The Fund is generally required to distribute such income in order to satisfy the distribution requirements applicable to RICs, even to the extent the Fund’s income from a CFC exceeds the distributions from the CFC and the Fund’s proceeds from the sales or other dispositions of CFC stock during that tax year. In general, a foreign corporation will be treated as a CFC for U.S. federal income tax purposes if more than 50% of the shares of the foreign corporation, measured by reference to combined voting power or value, is owned (directly, indirectly or by attribution) by U.S. Shareholders. A “U.S. Shareholder,” for this

 

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purpose, is any U.S. person that possesses (actually or constructively) 10% or more of the combined voting power or value of all classes of shares of a corporation.

The Subsidiary will be treated as a CFC and the Fund investing in its Subsidiary will be treated as a “U.S. shareholder” of that Subsidiary. As a result, it is generally expected that the Fund will be required to include in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes all of its Subsidiary’s income for each taxable year, whether or not such income is distributed by the Subsidiary. The Fund’s recognition of its Subsidiary’s income will increase the Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary’s stock. Distributions by the Subsidiary to the Fund will be tax-free and will correspondingly reduce the Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary’s stock to the extent of the Subsidiary’s income that was previously included in income by the Fund. These income inclusions will constitute ordinary income, regardless of the character of the Subsidiary’s underlying income. Although the Fund generally expects to take the position that such income inclusions constitute qualifying income for purposes of the RIC income test, there can be no assurance in this regard. If a net loss is realized by the Subsidiary, such loss is not available to offset the income earned by the Fund and such loss cannot be carried forward to offset taxable income of the Fund or the Subsidiary in future periods.

The functional currency of the Fund, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is the U.S. dollar. Gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that occur between the time the Fund accrues interest income or other receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such receivables or pays such liabilities generally are respectively characterized as ordinary income or ordinary loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Similarly, on the sale of other disposition of certain investments, including debt securities, certain forward contracts, as well as other derivative financial instruments, denominated in a foreign currency, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the security or contract and the date of disposition also are generally treated as ordinary gain or loss. These gains and losses, referred to under the Code as “section 988” gains and losses, may increase or decrease the amount of the Fund’s investment company taxable income subject to distribution to Fund Shareholders as ordinary income. For example, fluctuations in exchange rates may increase the amount of income that the Fund must distribute to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC and to prevent application of an excise tax on undistributed income. Alternatively, fluctuations in exchange rates may decrease or eliminate income available for distribution. If section 988 losses exceed other investment company taxable income during a tax year, the Fund would not be able to distribute amounts considered dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and any distributions during a tax year made by the Fund before such losses were recognized would be re-characterized as a return of capital to Fund Shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, rather than as ordinary dividend income, and would reduce each Fund Shareholder’s tax basis in Fund Shares.

If the Fund utilizes leverage through borrowings, it will be prohibited from declaring a distribution or dividend if it would fail the applicable asset coverage test(s) under the 1940 Act after the payment of such distribution or dividend. In addition, certain covenants in credit facilities or indentures may impose greater restrictions on the Fund’s ability to declare and pay dividends on Fund Shares. Limits on the Fund’s ability to pay dividends on Fund Shares may prevent the Fund from meeting the distribution requirements described above and, as a result, may affect the Fund’s ability to be subject to tax as a RIC or subject the Fund to the 4% excise tax. The Fund endeavors to avoid restrictions on its ability to make distribution payments.

Certain of the Fund’s investments are expected to be subject to special U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (1) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (2) convert lower-taxed long-term capital gains into higher-taxed short-term capital gains or ordinary income, (3) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss, the deductibility of which is more limited, (4) adversely affect when a purchase or sale of shares or securities is deemed to occur, (5) adversely alter the intended characterization of certain complex financial transactions, (6) cause the Fund

 

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to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (7) treat dividends that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income as non-qualified dividend income, (8) treat dividends that would otherwise be eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction as ineligible for such treatment and (9) produce income that will not constitute Qualifying RIC Income. The application of these rules could cause the Fund to be subject to U.S. federal income tax or the 4% excise tax and, under certain circumstances, could affect the Fund’s status as a RIC. The Fund monitors its investments and may make certain tax elections to mitigate the effect of these provisions.

The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Fund has qualified for and maintained its treatment as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes and has satisfied the distribution requirements described above.

Taxation of U.S. Shareholders

Distributions

Distributions of the Fund’s ordinary income and net short-term capital gains will, except as described below with respect to distributions of “qualified dividend income,” generally be taxable to Shareholders as ordinary income to the extent such distributions are paid out of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Distributions (or deemed distributions, as described above), if any, of net capital gains will be taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time a Shareholder has owned Shares. The ultimate tax characterization of the Fund’s distributions made in a tax year cannot be determined until after the end of the tax year. As a result, the Fund may make total distributions during a tax year in an amount that exceeds the current and accumulated earnings and profits of the Fund. A distribution of an amount in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated by a Shareholder as a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce the Shareholder’s tax basis in its Shares. To the extent that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the Shareholder’s tax basis in its Shares, the excess will be treated as gain from a sale or exchange of Shares. Distributions will be treated in the manner described above regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash or invested in additional Shares. Generally, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a Shareholder receiving Shares under the DRP will be treated as having received a distribution equal to the fair market value of such Shares on the date the Shares are credited to the Shareholder’s account.

A return of capital to Shareholders is a return of a portion of their original investment in the Fund, thereby reducing the tax basis of their investment. As a result from such reduction in tax basis, Shareholders may be subject to tax in connection with the sale of Fund Shares, even if such Shares are sold at a loss relative to the Shareholder’s original investment.

It is expected that a substantial portion of the Fund’s income will consist of ordinary income. For example, interest and OID derived by the Fund characterized as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, gain derived by the Fund from the disposition of debt instruments with “market discount” (generally, securities with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance acquired by the Fund at a price below the lesser of their stated redemption price at maturity or accreted value, in the case of securities with OID) will be characterized as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of the market discount that has accrued, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, at the time of such disposition, unless the Fund makes an election to accrue market discount on a current basis. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Section 451 of the Code generally requires any accrual method taxpayer to take into account items of gross income no later than the time at which such items are taken into account as revenue in the taxpayer’s financial statements. Treasury Regulations provide that Section 451 does not apply to market discount. If the IRS were to change its position and Section 451 were to apply to the accrual of market discount, the Fund would be required to include in income any market discount as it takes the same into account on its financial statements.

 

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Distributions made by the Fund to a corporate Shareholder will qualify for the dividends-received deduction only to the extent that the distributions consist of qualifying dividends received by the Fund. In addition, any portion of the Fund’s dividends otherwise qualifying for the dividends-received deduction will be disallowed or reduced if the corporate Shareholder fails to satisfy certain requirements, including a holding period requirement, with respect to its Shares. Distributions of “qualified dividend income” to an individual or other non-corporate Shareholder will be treated as “qualified dividend income” to such Shareholder and generally will be taxed at long-term capital gain rates, provided the Shareholder satisfies the applicable holding period and other requirements. “Qualified dividend income” generally includes dividends from domestic corporations and dividends from foreign corporations that meet certain specified criteria. Given the Fund’s investment strategy, it is not expected that a significant portion of the distributions made by the Fund will be eligible for the dividends-received deduction or the reduced rates applicable to “qualified dividend income.”

Certain distributions reported by the Fund as Section 163(j) interest dividends may be eligible to be treated as interest income by shareholders for purposes of the tax rules applicable to interest expense limitations under Code Section 163(j). Such treatment by the shareholder is generally subject to holding period requirements and other potential limitations, although the holding period requirements are generally not applicable to dividends declared by money market funds and certain other funds that declare dividends daily and pay such dividends on a monthly or more frequent basis. The amount that the Fund is eligible to report as a Section 163(j) dividend for a tax year is generally limited to the excess of the Fund’s business interest income over the sum of the Fund’s (i) business interest expense and (ii) other deductions properly allocable to the Fund’s business interest income.

If a person acquires Shares shortly before the record date of a distribution, the price of the Shares may include the value of the distribution, and the person will be subject to tax on the distribution even though economically it may represent a return of the person’s investment in such Shares.

Distributions paid by the Fund generally will be treated as received by a Shareholder at the time the distribution is made. However, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a distribution that is paid during the following tax year as if it had been paid during the tax year in which the income or gains supporting the distribution was earned. If the Fund makes such an election, the Shareholder will still be treated as receiving the distribution in the tax year in which the distribution is received. In this instance, however, any distribution declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to Shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following calendar year, will be treated for tax purposes as if it had been received by Shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which the distribution was declared.

Shareholders will be notified annually, as promptly as practicable after the end of each calendar year, as to the U.S. federal tax status of distributions, and Shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional Shares will receive a report as to the NAV of those Shares.

Sale or Exchange of Shares

The repurchase or transfer of Shares may result in a taxable gain or loss to the tendering Shareholder. Different tax consequences may apply for tendering and non-tendering Shareholders in connection with a repurchase offer. For example, if a Shareholder does not tender all of his or her Shares, such repurchase may not be treated as a sale or exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and may result in deemed distributions to non-tendering Shareholders. On the other hand, Shareholders holding Shares as capital assets who tender all of their Shares (including Shares deemed owned by Shareholders under constructive ownership rules) will be treated as having sold their Shares and generally will recognize capital gain or loss. The amount of the gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the amount received for the Shares and the Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the relevant Shares. Such gain or loss generally will be

 

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a long-term capital gain or loss if the Shareholder has held such Shares as capital assets for more than one year. Otherwise, the gain or loss will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss.

Losses realized by a Shareholder on the sale or exchange of Shares held as capital assets for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital losses to the extent of any distribution of long-term capital gains received (or deemed received, as discussed above) with respect to such Shares. In addition, no loss will be allowed on a sale or other disposition of Shares if the Shareholder acquires (including through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) Shares, or enters into a contract or option to acquire Shares, within 30 days before or after any disposition of such Shares at a loss. In such a case, the basis of the Shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Under current law, net capital gains recognized by non-corporate Shareholders are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax at lower rates than the rates applicable to ordinary income.

In general, U.S. Shareholders currently are generally subject to a maximum federal income tax rate of either 15% or 20% (depending on whether the Shareholder’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts) on their net capital gain (i.e., the excess of realized net long-term capital gains over realized net short-term capital losses), including any long-term capital gain derived from an investment in Shares. Such rate is lower than the maximum rate on ordinary income currently payable by individuals. Corporate U.S. Shareholders currently are subject to U.S. federal income tax on net capital gain at the maximum 21% rate also applied to ordinary income. Non-corporate Shareholders with net capital losses for a tax year (i.e., capital losses in excess of capital gains) generally may deduct up to USD $3,000 of such losses against their ordinary income each tax year. Any net capital losses of a non-corporate Shareholder in excess of USD $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent tax years as provided in the Code. Corporate Shareholders generally may not deduct any net capital losses for a tax year, but may carry back such losses for three tax years or carry forward such losses for five tax years.

An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts. U.S. persons that are individuals, estates or trusts are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the applicability of this tax to their income and gains in respect of their investment in the Fund.

The Fund (or if a U.S. Shareholder holds Shares through an intermediary, such intermediary) will send to each of its U.S. Shareholders, as promptly as possible after the end of each calendar year, a notice detailing, on a per Share and per distribution basis, the amounts includible in such U.S. Shareholder’s taxable income for such year as ordinary income and as long-term capital gain. In addition, the federal tax status of each year’s distributions generally will be reported to the IRS, including the amount of distributions, if any, eligible for the preferential maximum rate generally applicable to long-term capital gains. Distributions paid by the Fund generally will not be eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction or the preferential tax rate applicable to Qualifying Dividends because the Fund’s income generally will not consist of dividends. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on a U.S. Shareholder’s particular situation.

Under U.S. Treasury regulations, if a Shareholder recognizes losses with respect to Shares of USD $2 million or more for an individual Shareholder or USD $10 million or more for a corporate Shareholder, the Shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Direct Shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper.

 

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Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Reporting of adjusted cost basis information is required for covered securities, which generally include shares of a RIC acquired after January 1, 2012, to the IRS and to taxpayers. Shareholders should contact their Financial Intermediaries with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for their accounts.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with payments on Shares and the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of Shares. A Shareholder will be subject to backup withholding on all such payments if it fails to provide the payor with its correct taxpayer identification number (generally, in the case of a U.S. resident Shareholder, on an IRS Form W-9) and to make required certifications or otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding. Corporate Shareholders and certain other Shareholders generally are exempt from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against the applicable Shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders

Whether an investment in the Fund is appropriate for a non-U.S. Shareholder (as defined below) will depend upon that investor’s particular circumstances. An investment in the Fund by a non-U.S. Shareholder may have adverse tax consequences. Non-U.S. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors before investing in Shares.

The U.S. federal income taxation of a Shareholder that is a nonresident alien individual, a foreign trust or estate or a foreign corporation, as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes (a “non-U.S. Shareholder”), depends on whether the income that the Shareholder derives from the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the Shareholder.

If the income that a non-U.S. Shareholder derives from the Fund is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by such non-U.S. Shareholder, distributions of “investment company taxable income” will generally be subject to a U.S. federal withholding tax at the then-current rate (or a lower rate provided under an applicable treaty). Alternatively, if the income that a non-U.S. Shareholder derives from the Fund is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. Shareholder, the Fund will not be required to withhold U.S. federal tax if the non-U.S. Shareholder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements, although such income will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the manner described below and at the rates applicable to U.S. residents. Backup withholding will not, however, be applied to payments that have been subject to the respective rate of withholding tax applicable to non-U.S. Shareholders.

A non-U.S. Shareholder whose income from the Fund is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business will generally be exempt from U.S. federal income tax on capital gains distributions, any amounts retained by the Fund that are designated as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or exchange of Shares. If, however, such a non-U.S. Shareholder is a nonresident alien individual and is physically present in the United States for 183 days or more during the tax year and meets certain other requirements such capital gains distributions, undistributed capital gains and gains from the sale or exchange of Shares will be subject to the applicable U.S. tax rate.

Furthermore, properly reported distributions by the Fund and received by non-U.S. Shareholders are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax when they (a) are paid by the Fund in respect of the Fund’s “qualified net interest income” (i.e., the Fund’s U.S. source interest income, subject to certain

 

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exceptions, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income), or (b) are paid by the Fund in connection with the Fund’s “qualified short-term capital gains” (generally, the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital gains over the Fund’s long-term capital losses for such tax year). However, depending on the circumstances, the Fund may report all, some or none of the Fund’s potentially eligible distributions as derived from such qualified net interest income or from such qualified short-term capital gains, and a portion of such distributions (e.g., derived from interest from non-U.S. sources or any foreign currency gains) would be ineligible for this potential exemption from withholding. Moreover, in the case of Shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may have withheld amounts even if the Fund reported all or a portion of a distribution as exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax. To qualify for this exemption from withholding, a non-U.S. Shareholder must comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. tax residency status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8IMY or IRS Form W-8EXP, or an acceptable substitute or successor form). Thus, an investment in the Shares by a non-U.S. Shareholder may have adverse tax consequences as compared to a direct investment in the assets in which the Fund will invest.

If the income from the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a non-U.S. Shareholder, any distributions of “investment company taxable income,” capital gains distributions, amounts retained by the Fund that are designated as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or exchange of Shares will be subject to U.S. income tax, on a net income basis, in the same manner, and at the graduated rates applicable to, U.S. persons. If such a non-U.S. Shareholder is a corporation, it may also be subject to the U.S. branch profits tax.

A non-U.S. Shareholder other than a corporation may be subject to backup withholding on net capital gains distributions that are otherwise exempt from withholding tax or on distributions that would otherwise be taxable at a reduced treaty rate if such Shareholder does not certify its non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establish an exemption.

If the Fund distributes net capital gains in the form of deemed rather than actual distributions, a non-U.S. Shareholder will be entitled to a U.S. federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the Shareholder’s allocable share of the tax the Fund pays on the capital gains deemed to have been distributed. To obtain the refund, the non-U.S. Shareholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a federal income tax return even if the non-U.S. Shareholder would not otherwise be required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number or file a federal income tax return.

Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act provisions of the Code, the Fund is required to withhold U.S. tax (at the applicable rate) on payments of taxable dividends made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive reporting and withholding requirements in the Code designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to the Fund to enable the Fund to determine whether withholding is required.

The tax consequences to a non-U.S. Shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may differ from those described herein. Non-U.S. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund, including the potential application of the U.S. estate tax.

Other Taxes

Shareholders may be subject to state, local and non-U.S. taxes applicable to their investment in the Fund. In those states or localities, entity-level tax treatment and the treatment of distributions made to Shareholders under those jurisdictions’ tax laws may differ from the treatment under the Code. Accordingly, an investment in Shares may have tax consequences for Shareholders that are different from

 

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those of a direct investment in the Fund’s portfolio investments. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

 

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ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

Employee benefit plans and other plans subject to ERISA or the Code, including corporate savings and 401(k) plans, IRAs and Keogh Plans (each, an “ERISA Plan”) may purchase Shares. ERISA imposes certain general and specific responsibilities on persons who are fiduciaries with respect to an ERISA Plan, including prudence, diversification, prohibited transactions and other standards. Because the Fund is registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act, the underlying assets of the Fund will not be considered to be “plan assets” of any ERISA Plan investing in the Fund for purposes of the fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction rules under Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code. Thus, neither the Fund nor the Adviser will be a fiduciary within the meaning of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code with respect to the assets of any ERISA Plan that becomes a Shareholder, solely as a result of the ERISA Plan’s investment in the Fund.

The provisions of ERISA are subject to extensive and continuing administrative and judicial interpretation and review. The discussion of ERISA contained herein is, of necessity, general and may be affected by future publication of regulations and rulings. Potential investors should consult their legal advisers regarding the consequences under ERISA of an investment in the Fund through an ERISA Plan.

 

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ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS IN THE DECLARATION OF TRUST

The Declaration of Trust includes provisions that could have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to change the composition of the Board. These provisions may have the effect of discouraging attempts to acquire control of the Fund, which attempts could have the effect of increasing the expenses of the Fund and interfering with the normal operation of the Fund. The Trustees are elected for indefinite terms and do not stand for reelection. A Trustee may be removed from office with cause only by action taken by a majority of the remaining Trustees (or, in the case of an Independent Trustee, only by action taken by a majority of the remaining Independent Trustees). The Declaration of Trust does not contain any other specific inhibiting provisions that would operate only with respect to an extraordinary transaction such as a merger, reorganization, tender offer, sale or transfer of substantially all of the Fund’s asset, or liquidation. Reference should be made to the Declaration of Trust on file with the SEC for the full text of these provisions.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

[  ], located at [  ], serves as the Fund’s principal underwriter and acts as the Distributor of the Fund’s Shares on a best efforts basis, subject to various conditions. The Fund’s Shares are offered for sale through the Distributor at NAV. The Distributor also may enter into agreements with Financial Intermediaries for the sale and servicing of the Fund’s Shares. Such Financial Intermediaries are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and repurchase orders on the Fund’s behalf. Class I Shares and Class U Shares are not subject to a sales load. While Class U Shares are not subject to a front-end sales charge, if you purchase Class U Shares through certain financial firms, such firms may directly charge you transaction or other fees in such amount as they may determine. Please consult your financial firm for additional information. The Fund intends to offer its Shares, on a continual basis, through the Distributor. The Distributor is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of the Fund’s Shares but will use its best efforts to solicit orders for the purchase of the Shares. Shares of the Fund will not be listed on any national securities exchange and the Distributor will not act as a market marker in Fund Shares. Class U Shares will pay to the Distributor a Distribution Fee that will accrue at an annual rate equal to 0.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class U Shares and is payable on a quarterly basis.

The Adviser or its affiliates, in the Adviser’s discretion and from its own resources, may pay Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries in connection with the sale of Fund Shares. In return for the Additional Compensation, the Fund may receive certain marketing advantages including access to a Financial Intermediary’s registered representatives, placement on a list of investment options offered by a Financial Intermediary, or the ability to assist in training and educating a Financial Intermediary. The Additional Compensation may differ among Financial Intermediaries in amount or in the manner of calculation: payments of Additional Compensation may be fixed dollar amounts, based on the aggregate value of outstanding Shares held by Shareholders introduced by the Financial Intermediary or determined in some other manner. The receipt of Additional Compensation by a selling Financial Intermediary may create potential conflicts of interest between an investor and its Financial Intermediary who is recommending the Fund over other potential investments. Additionally, the Fund pays a servicing fee to the Financial Intermediaries or financial institutions and for providing ongoing services in respect of clients with whom it has distributed Shares of the Fund. Such services may include electronic processing of client orders, electronic fund transfers between clients and the Fund, account reconciliations with the Fund’s transfer agent, facilitation of electronic delivery to clients of Fund documentation, monitoring client accounts for back-up withholding and any other special tax reporting obligations, maintenance of books and records with respect to the foregoing, and such other information and ongoing liaison services as the Fund or the Adviser may reasonably request.

Purchasing Shares

Investors may purchase Class I Shares and Class U Shares directly from the Fund in accordance with the instructions below. Investors will be assessed fees for returned checks and stop payment orders at prevailing rates charged by SS&C. The returned check and stop payment fee is currently USD $[  ]. Class I Shares and Class U Shares of the Fund may be purchased through Financial Intermediaries offering such Shares. Orders will be priced at the appropriate price next computed after it is received by a Financial Intermediary and accepted by the Fund. A Financial Intermediary may hold Shares in an omnibus account in the Financial Intermediary’s name or the Financial Intermediary may maintain individual ownership records. The Fund may pay the Financial Intermediary for maintaining individual ownership records as well as providing other shareholder services. Financial Intermediaries may charge fees for the services they provide in connection with processing your transaction order or maintaining an investor’s account with them. Investors should check with their Financial Intermediary to determine if it is subject to these arrangements. Financial Intermediaries are responsible for placing orders correctly and promptly with the Fund, forwarding payment

 

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promptly. The Fund accepts initial and additional purchases of Shares on each day that the NYSE is open for business. Orders will be priced based on the Fund’s NAV next computed (at the close of regular trading (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on a day that the NYSE is open for business) after it is received by the transfer agent.

Class I Shares and Class U Shares are not subject to a sales load. While Class U Shares are not subject to a front-end sales charge, if you purchase Class U Shares through certain financial firms, such firms may directly charge you transaction or other fees in such amount as they may determine. Please consult your financial firm for additional information. Investors in Class I Shares may be subject to purchase deadlines set by their Financial Intermediary. Financial Intermediaries who miss Fund deadlines on behalf of their clients on any day may have their purchases delayed until the next day that the Fund accepts purchases orders.

If an investment is made through an IRA, Keogh plan or 401(k) plan, an approved trustee must process and forward the subscription to the Fund. In such case, the Fund will send the confirmation and notice of its acceptance to the trustee.

Eligible Investors

Each prospective investor in the Fund will be required to certify that it is a “qualified client” within the meaning of Rule 205-3 under the Advisers Act and an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act. The criteria for qualifying as a “qualified client” and an “accredited investor” are set forth in the subscription documents that must be completed by each prospective investor. Investors who are “qualified clients” and an “accredited investors” are referred to in this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum as “Eligible Investors.” Existing Shareholders who subscribe for additional Shares will be required to qualify as Eligible Investors at the time of each additional purchase. Qualifications that must be met in becoming a Shareholder are set out in the application form that must be completed by each prospective investor. The Distributor and/or any Selling Agent may impose additional eligibility requirements for investors who purchase Shares through the Distributor or such Selling Agent. The Distributor or any registered investment adviser (a “RIA”) who offers Class I Shares may impose additional eligibility requirements on investors who purchase Class I Shares from the Distributor through such RIA. Please see the section entitled “Plan of Distribution.”

By Mail — Initial Investment

To make an initial purchase by mail, complete an account application and mail the application, together with a check made payable to [GEMX] to:

 

Overnight:

   Regular Mail:

[  ]

   [  ]

All checks must be in US Dollars drawn on a domestic bank. The Fund will not accept payment in cash or money orders. To prevent check fraud, the Fund will neither accept third-party checks, Treasury checks, credit card checks, traveler’s checks or starter checks for the purchase of Shares, nor post-dated checks, postdated on-line bill pay checks, or any conditional purchase order or payment.

The transfer agent will charge a USD $5.00 fee against an investor’s account, in addition to any loss sustained by the Fund, for any payment that is returned. It is the policy of the Fund not to accept applications under certain circumstances or in amounts considered disadvantageous to Shareholders. The Fund reserves the right to reject any application.

 

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By Wire — Initial Investment

To make an initial investment in the Fund, the transfer agent must receive a completed account application from a Financial Intermediary before an investor wires funds. The Financial Intermediary may mail or overnight deliver an account application to the transfer agent. Upon receipt of the completed account application, the transfer agent will establish an account. The account number assigned will be required as part of the instruction that should be provided to an investor’s bank to send the wire. An investor’s bank must include both the name of the Fund, the account number, and the investor’s name so that monies can be correctly applied. If you wish to wire money to make an investment in the Fund, please call the Fund at [ ] for wiring instructions and to notify the Fund that a wire transfer is coming. Any commercial bank can transfer same-day funds via wire. The Fund will normally accept wired funds for investment on the day received if they are received by the Fund’s designated bank before the close of regular trading on the NYSE in accordance with the procedures described above. Your bank may charge you a fee for wiring same-day funds. The bank should transmit funds by wire to:

[ ]

[ ] as Agent for [GEMX]

ABA #: [ ]

Account #: [ ]

Further Credit: Shareholder registration and account number

In compliance with the USA Patriot Act of 2001, [ ] will verify certain information on each account application as part of the Fund’s Anti-Money Laundering Program. As requested on the application, investors must supply full name, date of birth, social security number and permanent street address. Mailing addresses containing only a P.O. Box will not be accepted. Registered representatives/investment advisers may call the Fund at [ ] for additional assistance when completing an application.

If [ ] does not have a reasonable belief of the identity of a customer, the account will be rejected or the customer will not be allowed to perform a transaction on the account until such information is received. The Fund also may reserve the right to close the account within five business days if clarifying information/documentation is not received.

Purchase Terms

Generally, Class I Shares and Class U Shares are offered through Financial Intermediaries on brokerage or transactional platforms. Class I Shares and Class U Shares are generally available through fee-based programs, registered investment advisers and other institutional accounts. Share instructions must be submitted by a duly authorized party in respect of the applicable client.

The minimum initial investment by a Shareholder for Class I Shares is USD $[1,000,000] for regular and retirement accounts; subsequent investments may be made in any amount. The minimum initial investment by a Shareholder for Class U Shares is USD $[2,500] for regular and retirement accounts; subsequent investments may be made in any amount. The Fund reserves the right to waive investment minimums. Shares are being offered through the distributor at an offering price equal to the Fund’s then-current NAV per Share. Class I Shares and Class U Shares are available for purchase by current and former Trustees, by employees and registered representatives (including the employee’s or registered representative’s spouse or minor children) of a broker-dealer authorized to sell Shares of the Fund and by employees (including the employee’s spouse, domestic partner, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, siblings or any dependent of the employee, as defined in Section 152 of the Code) of the Fund’s Adviser or its affiliates (a trust, pension, profit sharing or other benefit plan which beneficially owns Shares for an associated

 

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individual or eligible family member also qualifies) (collectively, the “Eligible Participants”). Subsequent investments may be processed by contacting your financial intermediary.

The Fund’s Shares are offered for sale through its Distributor at NAV. Class I Shares and Class U Shares are not subject to a sales load. While neither the Distributor nor the Fund imposes a front-end sales charge on Class U Shares, if you purchase Class U Shares or through certain financial firms, such firms may directly charge you transaction or other fees in such amount as they may determine. Please consult your financial firm for additional information. The price of the Shares during the Fund’s continuous offering will fluctuate over time with the NAV of the Shares.

 

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DISTRIBUTIONS

The Fund intends to accrue dividends daily and make annual distributions to its Shareholders of the net investment income of the Fund after payment of Fund operating expenses. The dividend rate may be modified by the Board from time to time.

To the extent that any portion of the Fund’s annual distributions are considered a return of capital to Shareholders, such portion would not be considered dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and would represent a return of the amounts that such Shareholders invested. Although such return of capital distributions are not currently taxable to Shareholders, such distributions will have the effect of lowering a Shareholder’s tax basis in such Shares, and could result in a higher tax liability when the Shares are sold, even if they have not increased in value, or in fact, have lost value. The Fund’s final distribution for each tax year is expected to include any remaining investment company taxable income and net tax-exempt income undistributed during the tax year, as well as any undistributed net capital gain realized during the tax year. If the total distributions made in any tax year exceed investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt income and net capital gain, such excess distributed amount would be treated as ordinary dividend income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. This distribution policy, may, under certain circumstances, have adverse consequences to the Fund and its Shareholders because it may result in a return of capital resulting in less of a Shareholder’s assets being invested in the Fund and, over time, increase the Fund’s expense ratios. The distribution policy also may cause the Fund to sell securities at a time it would not otherwise do so to manage the distribution of income and gain. The initial distribution will be declared on a date determined by the Board.

Each year, a statement on Form 1099-DIV identifying the sources of the distributions (i.e., paid from ordinary income, paid from net capital gains on the sale of securities, and/or a return of capital, which is a nontaxable distribution) will be furnished to Shareholders subject to IRS reporting. Fund ordinary distributions may exceed the Fund’s earnings, especially during the period before the Fund has substantially invested the proceeds from this offering. To the extent that the Fund pays distributions that constitute a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it will lower an investor’s tax basis in his or her Shares. A return of capital generally is a return of an investor’s investment rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from the Fund’s investment activities. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to pay distributions at a specific rate or at all.

As discussed in the section entitled “Tax Aspects,” to qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment, the Fund is required to distribute on a timely basis with respect to each tax year dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes of an amount at least equal to the sum of 90% of “investment company taxable income” and net tax-exempt interest income, determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid, for such tax year. To avoid certain excise taxes imposed on RICs, the Fund is required to distribute in respect of each calendar year dividends of an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of capital gain net income (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) generally for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year and (3) any ordinary income and capital gain net income for previous calendar years that were not distributed during such calendar years and on which the Fund paid no U.S. federal income tax. The Fund can offer no assurance that it will achieve results that will permit the payment of any cash distributions. If the Fund issues senior securities, the Fund will be prohibited from making distributions if doing so causes it to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act or if distributions are limited by

 

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the terms of any of the Fund’s borrowings. Any such limitations would adversely impact the Fund’s ability to make distributions to Shareholders.

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

The Fund will operate under the DRP administered by [  ]. Pursuant to the DRP, the Fund’s Distributions, net of any applicable U.S. withholding tax, are reinvested in the same class of Shares of the Fund.

Shareholders automatically participate in the DRP, unless and until an election is made to withdraw from the plan on behalf of such participating Shareholder. A Shareholder who does not wish to have Distributions automatically reinvested may terminate participation in the DRP by written instructions to that effect to [ ]. Shareholders who elect not to participate in the DRP will receive all distributions in cash paid to the Shareholder of record (or, if the Shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee). Such written instructions must be received by [  ] by the Repurchase Request Deadline or the Shareholder will receive such Distribution in Shares through the DRP. Under the DRP, the Fund’s Distributions to Shareholders are automatically reinvested in full and fractional Shares as described below.

When the Fund declares a Distribution, [  ], on the Shareholder’s behalf, will receive additional authorized Shares from the Fund either newly issued or repurchased from Shareholders by the Fund and held as treasury stock. The number of Shares to be received when Distributions are reinvested will be determined by dividing the amount of the Distribution by the Fund’s NAV per share.

[  ] will maintain all Shareholder accounts and furnish written confirmations of all transactions in the accounts, including information needed by Shareholders for personal and tax records. [  ] will hold Shares in the account of the Shareholders in non-certificated form in the name of the participant, and each Shareholder’s proxy, if any, will include those Shares purchased pursuant to the DRP. Each participant, nevertheless, has the right to request certificates for whole and fractional Shares owned. The Fund will issue certificates in its sole discretion. [  ] will distribute all proxy solicitation materials, if any, to participating Shareholders.

In the case of Shareholders, such as banks, brokers or nominees, that hold Shares for others who are beneficial owners participating under the DRP, [  ] will administer the DRP on the basis of the number of Shares certified from time to time by the record shareholder as representing the total amount of Shares registered in the Shareholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners participating under the DRP.

Neither [  ] nor the Fund shall have any responsibility or liability beyond the exercise of ordinary care for any action taken or omitted pursuant to the DRP, nor shall they have any duties, responsibilities or liabilities except such as expressly set forth herein. Neither shall they be liable hereunder for any act done in good faith or for any good faith omissions to act, including, without limitation, failure to terminate a participant’s account prior to receipt of written notice of his or her death or with respect to prices at which Shares are purchased or sold for the participants account and the terms on which such purchases and sales are made, subject to applicable provisions of the federal securities laws.

The automatic reinvestment of Dividends will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such Dividends. Please see the section entitled “Tax Aspects.”

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the DRP upon 60 days’ notice to Shareholders. There is no direct service charge to participants with regard to purchases under the DRP; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the DRP to include a service charge payable by the participants.

 

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All correspondence concerning the DRP should be directed to [ ] at [ ]. Certain transactions can be performed by calling the toll free number [  ].

 

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FISCAL YEAR; REPORTS

For accounting purposes, the Fund’s fiscal year and tax year is expected to end on [December 31]. As soon as practicable after the end of each calendar year, a statement on Form 1099-DIV identifying the sources of the distributions paid by the Fund to Shareholders for tax purposes will be furnished to Shareholders subject to IRS reporting. In addition, the Fund will prepare and transmit to Shareholders an unaudited semi-annual and an audited annual report within 60 days after the close of the period for which the report is being made, or as otherwise required by the 1940 Act.

 

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INQUIRIES

Inquiries concerning the Fund and the Shares should be directed to the Fund at [ ].

 

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Investors should rely only on the information contained in this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum. No dealer, salesperson or other individual has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations that are not contained in this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum. If any such information or statements are given or made, investors should not rely upon such information or representations. This Confidential Private Placement Memorandum does not constitute an offer to sell any securities other than those to which this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum relates, or an offer to sell to, or a solicitation of an offer to buy from, any person in any jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would be unlawful. This Confidential Private Placement Memorandum speaks as of the date set forth below. Investors should not assume that the delivery of this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum or that any sale made pursuant to this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum implies that the information contained in this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum will remain fully accurate and correct as of any time subsequent to the date of this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum.


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[ ]

COMMON SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

 

CONFIDENTIAL PRIVATE PLACEMENT MEMORANDUM

PART A — INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS

 

 

[ ], 2024

 

 

 

 


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GEMCORP COMMODITIES ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS FUND COMMON SHARES OF

BENEFICIAL INTEREST

Class I Shares

Class U Shares

 

 

CONFIDENTIAL PRIVATE PLACEMENT MEMORANDUM

PART B — Information Required in a Statement of Additional Information

February [ ], 2024

 

 

Gemcorp Commodities Alternative Products Fund(the “Fund”) is a Delaware statutory trust that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a diversified, closed-end management investment company that is operated as an interval fund. The Fund’s investment objective is to provide risk-adjusted returns across various market cycles by investing in a globally diversified portfolio of liquid and illiquid commodity-related and commodity-linked instruments, securities and derivatives, supply chain financings as well as physical commodities. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by (1) providing exposure to asset classes that require specialized expertise (commodities); (2) sourcing differentiated investments through proprietary bottom-up research and an understanding of the commodities markets; (3) focusing on risk management; and (4) allocating capital opportunistically among different investment strategies within the commodities space based on the Adviser’s assessment of opportunities and their relative value. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

This Part B — Information Required in a Statement of Additional Information should be read in conjunction with the Part A — Information Required in a Prospectus. The Confidential Private Placement Memorandum, and other information about the Fund, are also available on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov. The address of the SEC’s website is provided solely for the information of prospective investors and is not intended to be an active link.

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Part B — Information Required in a Statement of Additional Information have the meanings ascribed to them in Part A — Information Required in a Prospectus.


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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, POLICIES AND RISKS

     B-1  

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

     B-11  

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

     B-13  

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

     B-18  

PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROXY VOTING RECORD

     B-19  

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

     B-20  

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     B-20  

LEGAL COUNSEL

     B-20  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     B-20  

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-1  


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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, POLICIES AND RISKS

The following disclosure supplements the disclosure set forth under the caption “Types of Investments and Related Risks” in Part A — Information Required in a Prospectus of this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum and does not, by itself, present a complete or accurate explanation of the matters disclosed. Prospective investors must refer also to “Types of Investments and Related Risks” in Part A — Information Required in a Prospectus of this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum for a complete presentation of the matters disclosed below.

Bank Loan Assignments and Participations

The Fund’s investment program may include bank loan assignments and participations. These obligations are subject to unique risks, including (i) the possible avoidance of an investment transaction as a “preferential transfer,” “fraudulent conveyance” or “fraudulent transfer,” among other avoidance actions, under relevant bankruptcy, insolvency and/or creditors’ rights laws; (ii) so-called “lender liability” claims by the issuer of the obligations; (iii) environmental liabilities that may arise with respect to collateral securing the obligations; (iv) limitations on the ability of the Fund to directly enforce its rights with respect to participations; and (v) the contractual nature of participations where the Fund takes on the credit risk of the participant rather than the actual borrower.

The Fund may acquire interests in loans either directly or indirectly (by way of assignment or participation). The Fund typically acquires loans directly, but may in some instances purchase loans by assignment or participation. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations of the assigning institution and becomes a contracting party under the loan agreement with respect to the loan; however, its rights can be more restricted than those of the assigning institution. Participation in a portion of a loan typically results in a contractual relationship only with the institution participating out the interest and not with the obligor. The Fund would, in such a case, have the right to receive payments of principal and interest to which it is entitled only from the institution selling the participation, and not directly from the obligor, and only upon receipt by such institution of such payments from the obligor. As the owner of a participation, the Fund generally will have no direct right to enforce compliance by the obligor with the terms of the loan agreement or to vote on amendments to the loan agreement, nor any rights of set-off against the obligor, and the Fund may not directly benefit from collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation. In addition, in the event of the insolvency of the selling institution, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of such selling institution, and may not have any exclusive or senior claim with respect to the selling institution’s interest in, or the collateral with respect to, the applicable loan. Consequently, the Fund will assume the credit risk of both the obligor and the institution selling the participation to the Fund. As a result, concentrations of participations from any one selling institution subject the Fund to an additional degree of risk with respect to defaults by such selling institution. In addition, because bank loans are not typically registered under the federal securities laws like stocks and bonds, investors in loans have less protection against improper practices than investors in registered securities.

Commodities

Commodities are assets that have tangible properties, such as oil, agricultural products and precious metals. The value of commodities may be affected by, among other things, changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. These factors may have a larger impact on commodity prices and commodity-linked instruments than on traditional securities. Certain commodities are also subject to limited pricing flexibility because of supply and demand factors. Others are subject to broad price fluctuations as a result of the volatility of the prices for certain raw materials and the instability of supplies of other materials. These additional variables may create additional risks which subject a Fund’s investments to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. In order to gain exposure to the commodities markets the Fund may invest directly in physical commodities in addition to indirect investments in commodities-linked or related instruments.

The Fund may invest in precious metals. Precious metals, such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, at times have been subject to substantial price fluctuations over short periods of time and may be affected by unpredictable monetary and political policies such as currency devaluations or revaluations, economic and social conditions within a country, trade imbalances, or trade or currency restrictions between countries. Investments in precious metals can present concerns such as delivery, storage and maintenance, possible illiquidity, and the unavailability of accurate market

 

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valuations. The Fund may incur higher custody and transactions costs for precious metals than for securities. Also, precious metals investments do not pay income.

Warrants to Purchase

The Fund may purchase warrants, which are privileges issued by corporations enabling the warrant holders to subscribe for and purchase a specified number of shares of the corporation at a specified price during a specified period of time. The purchase of warrants involves the risk that the Fund could lose the purchase value of a right or warrant if the right to subscribe for additional shares is not exercised prior to the warrants’ expiration. Also, the purchase of warrants involves the risk that the effective price paid for the right and/or warrant added to the subscription price of the related security may exceed the value of the related security’s market price such as when there is no movement in the level of the underlying security. In addition, the shares purchased upon exercise of the warrants may not be immediately liquid and the value of such shares may fluctuate.

Equity Securities

In addition to common stock, the Fund may invest in other equity securities, such as depositary receipts.

Depositary Receipts. The Fund may hold investments in sponsored and unsponsored American depositary receipts (“ADRs”), global depositary receipts (“GDRs”) and other similar global instruments. ADRs typically are issued by a U.S. bank or trust company and evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a non-U.S. corporation. GDRs are depositary receipts structured like global debt issues to facilitate trading on an international basis. Unsponsored ADR and GDR programs are organized independently and without the cooperation of the issuer of the underlying securities. As a result, available information concerning the issuer may not be as current as for sponsored ADRs and GDRs, and the prices of unsponsored ADRs and GDRs may be more volatile than if such instruments were sponsored by the issuer. Investments in ADRs and GDRs present the additional investment considerations of non-U.S. securities.

Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Debt Securities

For temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash equivalents and short-term debt securities. Short-term debt securities are defined to include, without limitation, the following:

(1) U.S. government securities, including bills, notes and bonds differing as to maturity and rates of interest that are either issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. government securities include securities issued by: (a) the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Small Business Administration and Government National Mortgage Association, the securities of which are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; (b) the Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks and Tennessee Valley Authority, the securities of which are supported by the right of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (c) the Federal National Mortgage Association, the securities of which are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and (d) the Student Loan Marketing Association, the securities of which are supported only by its credit. While the U.S. government provides financial support to such U.S. government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it always will do so since it is not so obligated by law. The U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities do not guarantee the market value of their securities. Consequently, the value of such securities may fluctuate. The economic crisis in the United States during 2008 and 2009 negatively impacted government-sponsored entities. As the real estate market deteriorated through declining home prices and increasing foreclosure, government-sponsored entities, which back the majority of U.S. mortgages, experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases, a lack of liquidity. The Adviser will monitor developments and seek to manage the Fund’s portfolio in a manner consistent with achieving the Fund’s investment objective, but there can be no assurance that it will be successful in doing so.

(2) Certificates of deposit issued against funds deposited in a bank or a savings and loan association. Such certificates are for a definite period of time, earn a specified rate of return and are normally negotiable. The issuer of a certificate of deposit agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the certificate on the date specified thereon. Certificates of deposit purchased by the Fund may not be fully insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

 

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(3) Repurchase agreements, which involve purchases of debt securities. At the time the Fund purchases securities pursuant to a repurchase agreement, it simultaneously agrees to resell and redeliver such securities to the seller, who also simultaneously agrees to buy back the securities at a fixed price and time. This assures a predetermined yield for the Fund during its holding period, since the resale price is always greater than the purchase price and reflects an agreed-upon market rate. Such actions afford an opportunity for the Fund to invest temporarily available cash. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements only with respect to obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities; certificates of deposit; or bankers’ acceptances in which the Fund may invest. Repurchase agreements may be considered loans to the seller, collateralized by the underlying securities. The risk to the Fund is limited to the ability of the seller to pay the agreed-upon sum on the repurchase date; in the event of default, the repurchase agreement provides that the Fund is entitled to sell the underlying collateral. If the value of the collateral declines after the agreement is entered into, and if the seller defaults under a repurchase agreement when the value of the underlying collateral is less than the repurchase price, the Fund could incur a loss of both principal and interest. The Adviser will monitor the value of the collateral at the time the action is entered into and at all times during the term of the repurchase agreement. The Adviser will do so in an effort to determine that the value of the collateral always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price to be paid to the Fund. If the seller were to be subject to a federal bankruptcy proceeding, the ability of the Fund to liquidate the collateral could be delayed or impaired because of certain provisions of the bankruptcy laws.

(4) Commercial paper, which consists of short-term unsecured promissory notes, including variable rate master demand notes issued by corporations to finance their current operations. Master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and a corporation. There is no secondary market for such notes. However, they are redeemable by the Fund at any time. The Adviser will consider the financial condition of the corporation (e.g., earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios) and will continuously monitor the corporation’s ability to meet all of its financial obligations, because the Fund’s liquidity might be impaired if the corporation were unable to pay principal and interest on demand. Investments in commercial paper will be limited to commercial paper rated in the highest categories by a major rating agency and which mature within one year of the date of purchase or carry a variable or floating rate of interest.

When-Issued and Forward Commitment Securities

The Fund may purchase securities on a “when-issued” basis and may purchase or sell securities on a “forward commitment” basis to acquire the security or to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. When such transactions are negotiated, the price, which is generally expressed in yield terms, is fixed at the time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for the securities take place at a later date. When-issued securities and forward commitments may be sold prior to the settlement date, but the Fund will enter into when-issued and forward commitments only with the intention of actually receiving or delivering the securities, as the case may be. If the Fund disposes of the right to acquire a when-issued security prior to its acquisition or disposes of its right to deliver or receive against a forward commitment, it might incur a gain or loss. Securities purchased on a when-issued or forward-settling basis will be deemed not to involve a senior security, provided that: (i) the Fund intends to physically settle the transaction; and (ii) the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date. There is always a risk that the securities may not be delivered and that the Fund may incur a loss. Settlements in the ordinary course, which may take substantially more than five business days, are not treated by the Fund as when-issued or forward commitment transactions and accordingly are not subject to the foregoing restrictions.

Securities purchased on a forward commitment or when-issued basis are subject to changes in value (generally changing in the same way, i.e., appreciating when interest rates decline and depreciating when interest rates rise) based upon the public’s perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and changes, actual or anticipated, in the level of interest rates. Securities purchased on a forward commitment or when-issued basis may expose the Fund to risks because they may experience such fluctuations prior to their actual delivery. Purchasing securities on a when-issued basis can involve the additional risks that the yield available in the market when the delivery takes place actually may be higher than that obtained in the transaction itself. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment or when-issued basis when the Fund is fully invested may result in greater potential fluctuation in the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”).

The risks and effect of settlements in the ordinary course on the Fund’s NAV are not the same as the risks and effect of when-issued and forward commitment securities.

 

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The purchase price of when-issued and forward commitment securities are expressed in yield terms, which reference a floating rate of interest, and is therefore subject to fluctuations of the security’s value in the market from the date of the Fund’s commitment (the “Commitment Date”) to the date of the actual delivery and payment for such securities (the “Settlement Date”). There is a risk that, on the Settlement Date, the Fund’s payment of the final purchase price, which is calculated on the yield negotiated on the Commitment Date, will be higher than the market’s valuation of the security on the Settlement Date. This same risk is also borne if the Fund disposes of its right to acquire a when-issued security, or its right to deliver or receive, a forward commitment security, and there is a downward market movement in the value of the security from the Commitment Date to the Settlement Date. In some instances, no income accrues to the Fund during the period from the Commitment Date to the Settlement Date. On the other hand, the Fund may incur a gain if the Fund invests in when-issued and forward commitment securities and correctly anticipates the rise in interest rates and prices in the market.

The settlements of secondary market purchases of senior loans in the ordinary course, on a settlement date beyond the period expected by loan market participants (i.e., T+7 for par loans and T+20 for distressed loans, in other words more than seven or twenty business days beyond the trade date, respectively) are subject to the delayed compensation mechanics prescribed by the Loan Syndications and Trading Association (“LSTA”). For par loans, income accrues to the buyer of the senior loan (the “Buyer”) during the period beginning on the last date by which the senior loan purchase should have settled (T+7) to and including the actual settlement date. Should settlement of a par senior loan purchase in the secondary market be delayed beyond the T+7 period prescribed by the LSTA, the Buyer is typically compensated for such delay through a payment from the seller of the senior loan (this payment may be netted from the wire released on settlement date for the purchase price of the senior loan paid by the Buyer). In brief, the adjustment is typically calculated by multiplying the notional amount of the trade by the applicable margin in the Loan Agreement prorated for the number of business days (calculated using a year of 360 days) beyond the settlement period prescribed by the LSTA, plus any amendment or consent fees that the buyer should have received. Furthermore, the purchase of a senior loan in the secondary market is typically negotiated and finalized pursuant to a binding trade confirmation, and therefore, the risk of non-delivery of the security to the Fund is reduced or eliminated when compared with such risk when investing in when-issued or forward commitment securities.

Other Fund Strategies

Short Sales

The Fund may engage in short sales of securities. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security it does not own as a means of attractive financing for purchasing other assets or in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline. The Fund may make short sales for financing, for risk management, to maintain portfolio flexibility or to enhance income or gain.

When the Fund makes a short sale, it must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the broker-dealer through which it made the short sale as collateral for its obligation to deliver the security upon conclusion of the sale. The Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and is often obligated to pay over any payments received on such borrowed securities.

The Fund’s obligation to replace the borrowed security may be secured by collateral deposited with the broker-dealer, usually cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid securities. The Fund may also be required to designate on its books and records similar collateral with its custodian to the extent, if any, necessary so that the aggregate collateral value is at all times at least equal to the current market value of the security sold short. Depending on arrangements made with the broker-dealer from which it borrowed the security regarding payment over of any payments received by the Fund on such security, the Fund may not receive any payments (including interest) on its collateral deposited with such broker-dealer.

Short selling involves a number of risks. If a security sold short increases in price, the Fund may have to cover its short position at a higher price than the short sale price, resulting in a loss. The Fund may, but is not expected to, have substantial short positions and may engage in short sales where it does not own or have the immediate right to acquire the security sold short, and as such must borrow those securities to make delivery to the buyer under the short sale transaction. The Fund may not be able to borrow a security that it needs to deliver or it may not be able to close out a short position at an acceptable price and may have to sell related long positions earlier than it had expected. Thus, the Fund may not be able to successfully implement any short sale strategy it employs due to limited availability of desired

 

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securities or for other reasons. Also, there is the risk that the counterparty to a short sale may fail to honor its contractual terms, causing a loss to the Fund.

Until the Fund replaces a security borrowed in connection with a short sale, it may be required to maintain a segregated account of cash or liquid assets with a broker or custodian to cover the Fund’s short position.

Generally, securities held in a segregated account cannot be sold unless they are replaced with other liquid assets. The Fund’s ability to access the pledged collateral may also be impaired in the event the broker becomes bankrupt, insolvent or otherwise fails to comply with the terms of the contract. In such instances, the Fund may not be able to substitute or sell the pledged collateral and may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding.

In times of unusual or adverse market, economic, regulatory or political conditions, the Fund may not be able, fully or partially, to implement its short selling strategy. Periods of unusual or adverse market, economic, regulatory or political conditions generally may exist for as long as six months and, in some cases, much longer.

Derivatives

General Limitations on Futures and Options Transactions. The Adviser with respect to the Fund has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) and the National Futures Association (the “NFA”), which regulate trading in the futures markets. Pursuant to CFTC Regulation 4.5, the Adviser and the Fund are not subject to regulation as a commodity pool or commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (the “CEA”). If the Adviser or the Fund becomes subject to these requirements, as well as related NFA rules, the Fund may incur additional compliance and other expenses.

Various exchanges and regulatory authorities have undertaken reviews of options and futures trading in light of market volatility. Among the possible actions that have been presented are proposals to adopt new or more stringent daily price fluctuation limits for futures and options transactions and proposals to increase the margin requirements for various types of futures transactions.

Options. The Fund may purchase put and call options on currencies or securities. A put option gives the purchaser the right to compel the writer of the option to purchase from the option holder an underlying currency or security or its equivalent at a specified price at any time during the option period. In contrast, a call option gives the purchaser the right to buy the underlying currency or security covered by the option or its equivalent from the writer of the option at the stated exercise price.

As a holder of a put option, the Fund will have the right to sell the currencies or securities underlying the option and as the holder of a call option, the Fund will have the right to purchase the currencies or securities underlying the option, in each case at their exercise price at any time prior to the option’s expiration date. The Fund may seek to terminate its option positions prior to their expiration by entering into closing transactions. The ability of the Fund to enter into a closing sale transaction depends on the existence of a liquid secondary market. There can be no assurance that a closing purchase or sale transaction can be effected when the Fund so desires.

Certain Considerations Regarding Options. The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The purchase of options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the Fund in purchasing an option will be lost as a result of unanticipated movements in prices of the securities on which the option is based. Imperfect correlation between the options and securities markets may detract from the effectiveness of attempted hedging. Options transactions may result in significantly higher transaction costs and portfolio turnover for the Fund.

Some, but not all, of the Fund’s options may be traded and listed on an exchange. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular option at any particular time, and for some options no secondary market on an exchange or elsewhere may exist. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing sale

 

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transaction with respect to options on securities that it has purchased, it would have to exercise the option to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.

Futures Contracts. The Fund may enter into securities-related futures contracts, including security futures contracts, as an anticipatory hedge. The Fund’s derivative investments may include sales of futures as an offset against the effect of expected declines in securities prices and purchases of futures as an offset against the effect of expected increases in securities prices. The Fund does not enter into futures contracts which are prohibited under the CEA and will, to the extent required by regulatory authorities, enter only into futures contracts that are traded on exchanges and are standardized as to maturity date and underlying financial instrument. A security futures contract is a legally binding agreement between two parties to purchase or sell in the future a specific quantity of a security or of the component securities of a narrow-based security index, at a certain price. A person who buys a security futures contract enters into a contract to purchase an underlying security and is said to be “long” the contract. A person who sells a security futures contract enters into a contract to sell the underlying security and is said to be “short” the contract. The price at which the contract trades (the “contract price”) is determined by relative buying and selling interest on a regulated exchange.

Transaction costs are incurred when a futures contract is bought or sold and margin deposits must be maintained. To enter into a security futures contract, the Fund must deposit funds with its futures commission merchant equal to a specified percentage of the current market value of the contract as a performance bond. Moreover, all security futures contracts are marked-to-market at least daily, usually after the close of trading. At that time, the account of each buyer and seller reflects the amount of any gain or loss on the security futures contract based on the contract price established at the end of the day for settlement purposes.

An open position, either a long or short position, is closed or liquidated by entering into an offsetting transaction (i.e., an equal and opposite transaction to the one that opened the position) prior to the contract expiration. Traditionally, most futures contracts are liquidated prior to expiration through an offsetting transaction and, thus, holders do not incur a settlement obligation. If the offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, a gain will be realized; if it is more, a loss will be realized. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, a gain will be realized; if it is less, a loss will be realized. The transaction costs must also be included in these calculations. However, there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular futures contract at a particular time. If the Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting transaction, the Fund will continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the futures contract and the Fund may not be able to realize a gain in the value of its future position or prevent losses from mounting. This inability to liquidate could occur, for example, if trading is halted due to unusual trading activity in either the security futures contract or the underlying security; if trading is halted due to recent news events involving the issuer of the underlying security; if systems failures occur on an exchange or at the firm carrying the position; or, if the position is on an illiquid market. Even if the Fund can liquidate its position, it may be forced to do so at a price that involves a large loss.

Under certain market conditions, it may also be difficult or impossible to manage the risk from open security futures positions by entering into an equivalent but opposite position in another contract month, on another market or in the underlying security. This inability to take positions to limit the risk could occur, for example, if trading is halted across markets due to unusual trading activity in the security futures contract or the underlying security or due to recent news events involving the issuer of the underlying security.

There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist at a time when the Fund seeks to close out a futures contract position. The Fund would continue to be required to meet margin requirements until the position is closed, possibly resulting in a decline in the Fund’s NAV. In addition, many of the contracts discussed above are relatively new instruments without a significant trading history. As a result, there can be no assurance that an active secondary market will develop or continue to exist.

Security futures contracts that are not liquidated prior to expiration must be settled in accordance with the terms of the contract. Depending on the terms of the contract, some security futures contracts are settled by physical delivery of the underlying security. At the expiration of a security futures contract that is settled through physical delivery, a person who is long the contract must pay the final settlement price set by the regulated exchange or the clearing organization and take delivery of the underlying securities. Conversely, a person who is short the contract must make delivery of the underlying securities in exchange for the final settlement price. Settlement with physical delivery may involve additional costs.

 

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Depending on the terms of the contract, other security futures contracts are settled through cash settlement. In this case, the underlying security is not delivered. Instead, any positions in such security futures contracts that are open at the end of the last trading day are settled through a final cash payment based on a final settlement price determined by the exchange or clearing organization. Once this payment is made, neither party has any further obligations on the contract.

As noted above, margin is the amount of funds that must be deposited by the Fund to initiate futures trading and to maintain the Fund’s open positions in futures contracts. A margin deposit is intended to ensure the Fund’s performance of the futures contract. The margin required for a particular futures contract is set by the exchange on which the futures contract is traded and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the futures contract.

If the price of an open futures contract changes (by increase in the case of a sale or by decrease in the case of a purchase) so that the loss on the futures contract reaches a point at which the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, the broker will require an increase in the margin. However, if the value of a position increases because of favorable price changes in the futures contract so that the margin deposit exceeds the required margin, the broker will pay the excess to the Fund. In computing daily NAV, the Fund will mark to market the current value of its open futures contracts. The Fund expects to earn interest income on its margin deposits.

Because of the low margin deposits required, futures contracts trading involves an extremely high degree of leverage. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in an immediate and substantial loss or gain to the investor. For example, if at the time of purchase 10% of the value of the futures contract is deposited as margin, a subsequent 10% decrease in the value of the futures contract would result in a total loss of the margin deposit, before any deduction for the transaction costs, if the account were then closed out. A 15% decrease would result in a loss equal to 150% of the original margin deposit, before any deduction for the transaction costs, if the account were then closed out. Thus, a purchase or sale of a futures contract may result in losses in excess of the amount initially invested in the futures contract. However, the Fund would presumably have sustained comparable losses if, instead of the futures contract, it had invested in the underlying financial instrument and sold it after the decline.

In addition to the foregoing, imperfect correlation between futures contracts and the underlying securities may prevent the Fund from achieving the intended hedge or expose the Fund to risk of loss. Under certain market conditions, the prices of security futures contracts may not maintain their customary or anticipated relationships to the prices of the underlying security or index. These pricing disparities could occur, for example, when the market for the security futures contract is illiquid, when the primary market for the underlying security is closed or when the reporting of transactions in the underlying security has been delayed.

In addition, the value of a position in security futures contracts could be affected if trading is halted in either the security futures contract or the underlying security. In certain circumstances, regulated exchanges are required by law to halt trading in security futures contracts. For example, trading on a particular security futures contract must be halted if trading is halted on the listed market for the underlying security as a result of pending news, regulatory concerns or market volatility. Similarly, trading of a security futures contract on a narrow-based security index must be halted under circumstances where trading is halted on securities accounting for at least 50% of the market capitalization of the index. In addition, regulated exchanges are required to halt trading in all security futures contracts for a specified period of time when the S&P 500 Index experiences one-day declines of 7%, 13% and 20%. The regulated exchanges may also have discretion under their rules to halt trading in other circumstances, such as when the exchange determines that the halt would be advisable in maintaining a fair and orderly market.

A trading halt, either by a regulated exchange that trades security futures or an exchange trading the underlying security or instrument, could prevent the Fund from liquidating a position in security futures contracts in a timely manner, which could expose the Fund to a loss.

Each regulated exchange trading a security futures contract may also open and close for trading at different times than other regulated exchanges trading security futures contracts or markets trading the underlying security or securities. Trading in security futures contracts prior to the opening or after the close of the primary market for the underlying security may be less liquid than trading during regular market hours.

 

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Swap Agreements. The Fund may enter into swap agreements. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns, differentials in rates of return or some other amount earned or realized on the “notional amount” of predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. Some swaps are structured to include exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors, such as interest rates, commodity prices, non-U.S. currency rates, mortgage securities, corporate borrowing rates, security prices, indexes or inflation rates. Swap agreements may be negotiated bilaterally and traded OTC between two parties or, in some instances, must be transacted through a futures commission merchant and cleared through a clearinghouse that serves as a central counterparty. Certain risks are reduced (but not eliminated) if a fund invests in cleared swaps. Certain standardized swaps, including certain credit default swaps, are subject to mandatory clearing, and more are expected to be in the future. The counterparty risk for cleared derivatives is generally lower than for uncleared derivatives, but cleared contracts are not risk-free.

Swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of the Fund’s investments and the price of Fund Shares. The performance of swap agreements may be affected by a change in the specific interest rate, currency or other factors that determine the amounts of payments due to and from the Fund. If a swap agreement calls for payments by the Fund, the Fund must be prepared to make such payments when due. In addition, if the counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of a swap agreement would likely decline, potentially resulting in losses.

Generally, swap agreements have fixed maturity dates that are agreed upon by the parties to the swap. The agreement can be terminated before the maturity date only under limited circumstances, such as default by or insolvency of one of the parties and can be transferred by a party only with the prior written consent of the other party. The Fund may be able to eliminate its exposure under a swap agreement either by assignment or other disposition, or by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same party or a similarly creditworthy party. If the counterparty is unable to meet its obligations under the contract, declares bankruptcy, defaults or becomes insolvent, it is possible that the Fund may not be able to recover the money it expected to receive under the contract.

A swap agreement can be a form of leverage, which can magnify the Fund’s gains or losses.

The use of swaps can cause the Fund to be subject to additional regulatory requirements, which may generate additional Fund expenses.

The Fund monitors any swaps with a view towards ensuring that the Fund remains in compliance with all applicable regulatory, investment and tax requirements.

Equity Swaps. In a typical equity swap, one party agrees to pay another party the return on a security, security index or basket of securities in return for a specified interest rate. By entering into an equity index swap, the index receiver can gain exposure to securities making up the index of securities without actually purchasing those securities. Equity index swaps involve not only the risk associated with investment in the securities represented in the index, but also the risk that the performance of such securities, including dividends, will not exceed the interest that the Fund will be committed to pay under the swap.

Derivatives Regulatory Matters. The Adviser with respect to the Fund has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” with the CFTC and the NFA, which regulate trading in the futures markets. Pursuant to CFTC Regulation 4.5, the Adviser and the Fund are not subject to regulation as a commodity pool or commodity pool operator under the CEA. If the Adviser or the Fund becomes subject to these requirements, as well as related NFA rules, the Fund may incur additional compliance and other expenses.

The Fund is required to trade derivatives and other transactions that create future payment or delivery obligations (except reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions if the Fund has elected to treat them as borrowings) subject to a limit on notional derivatives exposure as a limited derivatives user or subject to value-at-risk (“VaR”) leverage limits and certain derivatives risk management program and reporting requirements. Such requirements may limit the ability of the Fund to invest in derivatives, short sales and similar financing transactions, limit the Fund’s ability to employ certain strategies that use these instruments and/or adversely affect the Fund’s efficiency in implementing its strategy, liquidity and/or ability to pursue its investment objectives.

 

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Reverse Repurchase Agreements

The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with respect to its portfolio investments subject to the investment restrictions set forth herein. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase the securities at an agreed upon price, date and interest payment. The Fund may elect to treat reverse repurchase agreements as a borrowing by the Fund. The use by the Fund of reverse repurchase agreements involves many of the same risks of leverage since the proceeds derived from such reverse repurchase agreements may be invested in additional securities. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities acquired in connection with the reverse repurchase agreement may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold but is obligated to repurchase. Also, reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities retained in lieu of sale by the Fund in connection with the reverse repurchase agreement may decline in price.

If the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, such buyer or its trustee or receiver may receive an extension of time to determine whether to enforce the Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities, and the Fund’s use of the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement may effectively be restricted pending such decision. Also, the Fund would bear the risk of loss to the extent that the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement are less than the value of the securities subject to such agreement.

Securities Lending

To the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the Fund may make secured loans of its marginable securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions; provided, however, that the value of such loaned securities may not exceed one-third of the Fund’s total asset value, including collateral received in respect of such loans. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with other extensions of credit, consist of possible delay in recovery of the securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. However, such loans will be made only to broker-dealers and other financial institutions that are believed by the Adviser to be of relatively high credit standing. Loans of securities are made to broker-dealers pursuant to agreements requiring that such loans be continuously secured by collateral consisting of U.S. government securities, cash or cash equivalents (negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit) maintained on a daily mark-to-market basis in an amount at least equal at all times to the market value of the securities lent. The borrower pays to the Fund, as the lender, an amount equal to any dividends or interest received on the securities lent. The collateral must have a market value at least equal to 100% of the market value of the loaned securities at all times during the duration of the loan. The Fund invests the cash collateral received in accordance with its investment objective, subject to the Fund’s agreement with the borrower of the securities. In the case of cash collateral, the Fund typically pays a rebate to the borrower. The reinvestment of cash collateral may result in a form of effective leverage for the Fund. Although voting rights or rights to consent with respect to the loaned securities pass to the borrower, the Fund, as the lender, retains the right to call the loans and obtain the return of the securities loaned at any time on reasonable notice, and it will do so in order that the securities may be voted by the Fund if the holders of such securities are asked to vote upon or consent to matters materially affecting the Fund’s investment. The Fund may also call such loans to sell the securities involved. When engaged in securities lending, the Fund’s performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned and will also reflect the receipt of interest through investment of cash collateral by the Fund in permissible investments.

Involuntary Repurchases and Mandatory Redemptions

The Fund, consistent with the requirements of the Fund’s Declaration of Trust, the provisions of the 1940 Act and rules thereunder, including Rule 23c-2, has the right to repurchase or redeem Shares of a Shareholder or any person acquiring Shares from or through a Shareholder under certain circumstances, including:

 

 

ownership of Shares by a Shareholder or other person will cause the Fund to be in violation of, or subject the Fund to additional registration or regulation under, the securities, commodities or other laws of the U.S. or any other relevant jurisdiction;

 

 

continued ownership of such Shares may be harmful or injurious to the business or reputation of the Fund or the Adviser, or may subject the Fund or any Shareholder to an undue risk of adverse tax or other fiscal consequences;

 

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any of the representations and warranties made by a Shareholder in connection with the acquisition of Shares was not true when made or has ceased to be true; or

 

 

it would be in the best interests of the Fund to repurchase or redeem Shares.

 

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INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The Fund may not:

 

  (1)

Purchase or sell real estate, except that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Fund may (i) invest in securities directly or indirectly secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by entities that invest in real estate or interests therein; (ii) acquire, hold and sell real estate acquired through default, liquidation, or other distributions of an interest in real estate as a result of the Fund’s ownership of other assets; and (iii) purchase and sell forward contracts, financial futures contracts and options thereon. The Fund may purchase or sell physical commodities.

 

  (2)

Issue senior securities or borrow money except as permitted by Section 18 of the 1940 Act or otherwise as permitted by applicable law;

 

  (3)

Underwrite securities of other issuers, except insofar as the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) in selling its own securities or portfolio securities;

 

  (4)

Make loans to other persons, except that (i) the Fund will not be deemed to be making a loan to the extent that the Fund makes debt investments in accordance with its stated investment strategies; (ii) the Fund may take short positions in any security or financial instrument; and (iii) the Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an amount not in excess of 331/3% of its total assets, taken at market value, provided that such loans shall be made in accordance with applicable law; and

 

  (5)

Invest more than 25% of its total assets (taken at market value at the time of each investment) in the securities of issuers in any one industry, except that the Fund will invest 25% or more of its total assets (taken at market value at the time of each investment) in commodities and commodities-related securities. Securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities and tax-exempt securities of governments or their political subdivisions will not be considered to represent an industry (other than those securities backed only by the assets and revenues of non-governmental users with respect to which the Fund will not invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets (taken at market value at the time of each investment) in securities backed by the same source of revenue). The Fund determines industries by reference to the [Global Industry Classification Standard as it may be amended from time to time.]

The Fund will treat with respect to participation interests both the financial intermediary and the borrower as “issuers” for purposes of fundamental investment restriction (5).

The Fund was previously registered as a non-diversified investment company. Pursuant to current positions of the SEC staff, the Fund’s classification has changed from non-diversified to diversified, and the Fund will not be able to become non-diversified unless it seeks and obtains the approval of its shareholders. Accordingly, the Fund may not make any investment inconsistent with its classification as a diversified company under the 1940 Act.

In addition, the Fund has adopted a fundamental policy that it will make quarterly repurchase offers pursuant to Rule 23c-3 of the 1940 Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, for between 5% and 25% of the Shares outstanding at NAV, unless suspended or postponed in accordance with regulatory requirements, and each repurchase pricing shall occur no later than the 14th day after the Repurchase Request Deadline (as defined in this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum), or the next business day if the 14th day is not a business day.

The fundamental investment limitations set forth above restrict the ability of the Fund to engage in certain practices and purchase securities and other instruments other than as permitted by, or consistent with, applicable law, including the 1940 Act. Relevant limitations of the 1940 Act as they presently exist are described below. These limitations are based either on the 1940 Act itself, the rules or regulations thereunder or applicable orders of the SEC. In addition, interpretations and guidance provided by the SEC staff may be taken into account to determine if a certain practice or the purchase of securities or other instruments is permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or

 

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applicable orders of the SEC. As a result, the foregoing fundamental investment policies may be interpreted differently over time as the statute, rules, regulations or orders (or, if applicable, interpretations) that relate to the meaning and effect of these policies change, and no vote of Shareholders, as applicable, will be required or sought.

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The Fund is also subject to the following non-fundamental restrictions and policies, which may be changed by the Board of Trustees without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Fund may not:

 

(1)

Change or alter the Fund’s investment objective or 80% policy;

 

(2)

Purchase securities of other investment companies, except to the extent that such purchases are permitted by applicable law, including any exemptive orders issued by the SEC; and

 

(3)

Purchase any securities on margin except as may be necessary in connection with transactions described under “Investment Objective, Policies and Risks” above and except that the Fund may obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio investments (the deposit or payment by the Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with swaps, forward contracts and financial futures contracts and options thereon is not considered the purchase of a security on margin).

Compliance with any policy or limitation of the Fund that is expressed as a percentage of assets is determined at the time of purchase of portfolio securities. The policy will not be violated if these limitations are exceeded because of changes in the market value or investment rating of the Fund’s assets or if a borrower distributes equity securities incident to the purchase or ownership of a portfolio investment or in connection with a reorganization of a borrower. The Fund interprets its policies with respect to borrowing and lending to permit such activities as may be lawful for the Fund, to the full extent permitted by the 1940 Act or by exemption from the provisions therefrom pursuant to an exemptive order of the SEC.

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

The Fund’s business and affairs are managed under the direction of the Board. The Board currently consists of [ ] members, [ ] of whom are not “interested persons” of the Fund as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. The Fund refers to these individuals as its independent trustees. The Board annually elects the Fund’s officers, who serve at the discretion of the Board. The Board maintains an audit committee, a nominating and governance committee and an independent trustees committee and may establish additional committees from time to time as necessary.

Board of Trustees and Officers

Trustees

Information regarding the members of the Board is set forth below. The Trustees have been divided into two groups—Interested Trustees and Independent Trustees. As set forth in the Fund’s declaration of trust, each Trustee’s term of office shall continue until his or her death, resignation or removal.

 

Name, address(1) and
age
  

Position(s)
Held with

the Trust

  

Term of

Office and

Length of

Time Served

  

Principal

Occupation(s)

During Past 5

Years

  

Number of

Portfolios

in Fund

Complex

Overseen

by Trustee

  

Other Directorships

Held by Trustee

  

   

                          

Interested Trustee(2)

                          
[ ]    [ ]    [ ]    [ ]    [ ]    [ ]
                          

Independent Trustees

           
                          
[ ]    [ ]    [ ]    [ ]    [ ]    [ ]

 

(1)

The address of each Trustee is care of the Secretary of the Fund at [ ]

 

(2)

“Interested person,” as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Fund.

Officers

 

Name, address(1) and
age
  

Position(s) Held with

the Trust

  

Term of

Office and

Length of

Time

Served

  

       Principal Occupation(s)

       During Past 5 Years

  

   

                
[ ]    [ ]    [ ]            [ ]         
                
[ ]    [ ]    [ ]            [ ]

 

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Name, address(1) and
age
  

Position(s) Held with

the Trust

  

Term of

Office and

Length of

Time

Served

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  

   

                
[ ]    [ ]    [ ]    [ ]      
                
[ ]    [ ]    [ ]    [ ]

 

(1)

The address of each officer is care of the Secretary of the Fund at [ ].

Biographical Information and Discussion of Experience and Qualifications, etc.

Trustees

The following is a summary of the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each Trustee that support the conclusion, as of the date of this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum that each Trustee should serve as a Trustee of the Fund.

Interested Trustee

[ ]

Independent Trustees

[ ]

Board Structure and Role of the Board in Risk Oversight

The 1940 Act requires that at least 40% of the trustees be independent trustees. Certain exemptive rules promulgated under the 1940 Act require that at least 50% of the trustees be independent trustees. Currently, [ ] of the [ ] Trustees are Independent Trustees. The Independent Trustees exercise their informed business judgment to appoint an individual of their choosing to serve as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, regardless of whether the trustee happens to be independent or a member of management. [ ] serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

The Board expects to perform its risk oversight function primarily through (a) its three standing committees, which report to the entire Board and are comprised solely of Independent Trustees and (b) monitoring by the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer in accordance with the Fund’s compliance policies and procedures.

Committees of the Board

The Board has established an audit committee, a nominating and governance committee and an independent trustees committee. The Fund does not have a compensation committee because its officers do not receive any direct compensation from the Fund.

Audit Committee. The members of the audit committee are [ ], [ ] and [ ], each of whom is independent for purposes of the 1940 Act. [ ] serves as chair of the audit committee. The audit committee is responsible for approving the Fund’s independent accountants, reviewing with the Fund’s independent accountants the plans and results of the audit

 

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engagement, approving professional services provided by the Fund’s independent accountants, reviewing the independence of the Fund’s independent accountants and reviewing the adequacy of the Fund’s internal accounting controls.

Nominating and Governance Committee. The members of the nominating and governance committee are [ ], [ ] and [ ], each of whom is independent for purposes of the 1940 Act. [ ] serves as chair of the nominating and governance committee. The nominating and governance committee is responsible for selecting, researching and nominating trustees for election by the Fund’s shareholders, selecting nominees to fill vacancies on the Board or a committee of the Board Trustees, developing and recommending to the Board a set of corporate governance principles and overseeing the evaluation of the Board and its committees.

The nominating and governance committee may consider recommendations for nomination of individuals for election as trustees from shareholders.

Trustee Beneficial Ownership of Shares

The following table sets forth the dollar range of Shares beneficially owned by each Trustee as of December 31, 2023.

 

Name of Trustee

       

Dollar Range of Equity Securities
in the Fund(1)

Interested Trustee

    

[ ]

     None

Independent Trustees

    

[ ]

     None

 

(1)

Dollar ranges are as follows: None, $1–$10,000, $10,001–$50,000, $50,001–$100,000, $100,001–$500,000, $500,001–$1,000,000 or Over $1,000,000.

Compensation of Trustees

The Independent Trustees are paid an annual retainer of $[ ] and the chair of each committee is paid an additional annual fee of $[ ].All Trustees are reimbursed for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. The Trustees do not receive any pension or retirement benefits from the Fund.

The following table shows information regarding the compensation earned by the Trustees for services as a Trustee for the fiscal year. The Trustees who are “interested persons”, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Fund and the Fund’s officers do not receive compensation from the Fund.

 

Name of Trustee

            

Aggregate Compensation
from the Fund

          

Interested Trustee

    

[ ]

     None

Independent Trustees

    

[ ]

     [ ]

Shareholder Communications

Shareholders may send communications to the Board. Shareholders should send communications intended for the Board by addressing the communication directly to the Board (or individual Trustees) and/or otherwise clearly indicating in the salutation that the communication is for the Board (or individual Trustees) and by sending the communication to the Fund’s office at [ ]. Other Shareholder communications received by the Fund not directly

 

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addressed and sent to the Board will be reviewed and generally responded to by management, and will be forwarded to the Board only at management’s discretion based on the matters contained therein.

Codes of Ethics

The Fund, the Adviser and [ ] have each adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that establishes procedures for personal investments and restrict certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to these codes may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the applicable code’s requirements. The codes of ethics are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Part B — Information Required in a Statement of Additional Information forms a part. The codes of ethics are available on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Shareholders may also obtain copies of each code of ethics, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

The Adviser

Gemcorp Capital Advisors LLC, an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. For more information regarding CGCIM, see “The Adviser” in Part A — Information Required in a Prospectus of this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum. For more information on the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund, see “Management of the Fund” in Part A — Information Required in a Prospectus of this Confidential Private Placement Memorandum.

An investment advisory agreement was approved by the Board and Shareholders and became effective on [ ]. The Board approved a second amended and restated investment advisory agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”), which became effective on [ ]. Following an initial two-year term beginning on [ ], the Investment Advisory Agreement will continue in effect for successive periods of twelve months, provided that continuance is specifically approved at least annually by both (1) the vote of a majority of the Board or the vote of a majority of the outstanding securities of the Fund entitled to vote and (2) by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees. In addition, the Investment Advisory Agreement has termination provisions that allow the parties to terminate the agreement without penalty. The Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by the Adviser upon 60 days’ notice to the Fund.

Portfolio Management

Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Managers

The portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund also manage other registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts, as indicated below. The following table identifies, as of [ ], 2024: (i) the number of other registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts managed by each portfolio manager; (ii) the total assets of such companies, vehicles and accounts; and (iii) the number and total assets of such companies, vehicles and accounts that are subject to an advisory fee based on performance.

 

     Number of
Accounts
     Assets of
Accounts
(in billions)
     Number of
Accounts Subject to
a Performance Fee
     Assets Subject to
a Performance Fee
(in billions)
 

[Atanas Bostandjiev]

 

           

Registered Investment Companies

     [ ]      $   [ ]        [ ]      $ [ ]  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     [ ]      $ [ ]        [ ]      $ [ ]  

Other Accounts

     [ ]      $ [ ]        [ ]      $ [ ]  

[Parvoleta Shtereva]

 

           

Registered Investment Companies

     [ ]      $ [ ]        [ ]      $ [ ]  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     [ ]      $ [ ]        [ ]      $ [ ]  

Other Accounts

     [ ]      $ [ ]        [ ]      $ [ ]  

 

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[Felipe Berliner]

 

                                                        

Registered Investment Companies

     [ ]        $   [ ]          [ ]        $     [ ]  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     [ ]        $ [ ]          [ ]        $ [ ]  

Other Accounts

     [ ]        $ [ ]          [ ]        $ [ ]  

[Philippe Balland]

 

                 

Registered Investment Companies

     [ ]        $ [ ]          [ ]        $ [ ]  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     [ ]        $ [ ]          [ ]        $ [ ]  

Other Accounts

     [ ]        $ [ ]          [ ]        $ [ ]  

[Ahmad Al-Sati]

 

                 

Registered Investment Companies

     [ ]        $ [ ]          [ ]        $ [ ]  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     [ ]        $ [ ]          [ ]        $ [ ]  

Other Accounts

     [ ]        $ [ ]          [ ]        $ [ ]  

Compensation of Portfolio Managers

[Portfolio managers are compensated with an annual salary and a discretionary year-end annual bonus, the amount of which is based on a multitude of quantitative and qualitative factors and are benchmarked against peers and local markets. Depending on seniority within the firm, portfolio managers also may be eligible to receive performance fees from private funds that they manage that vest over time. Performance fees can make up a significant portion of a portfolio manager’s overall compensation, and primarily are based on the investment performance of the private funds managed by the portfolio manager. This compensation structure aligns a portfolio manager’s and investors’ long-term interests and helps the Adviser retain talented investment personnel. Portfolio managers also may receive discretionary compensation through awards under the Adviser’s equity incentive plan.]

Securities Ownership of Portfolio Managers

The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities in the Fund beneficially owned by each of the portfolio managers as of [ ], 2024.

 

Name

            

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in  the Fund(1)

          

[Atanas Bostandjiev]

     [None]

[Parvoleta Shtereva]

     [None]

[Felipe Berliner]

     [None]

[Philippe Balland]

     [None]

[Ahmad Al-Sati]

     [None]

 

(1)

Dollar ranges are as follows: None, $1–$10,000, $10,001–$50,000, $50,001–$100,000, $100,001–$500,000, $500,001–$1,000,000 or Over $1,000,000.

 

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PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund will bear any commissions or spreads in connection with its portfolio transactions, if any. In placing orders, it is the policy of the Fund to seek to obtain the best results, taking into account the broker-dealer’s general execution and operational facilities, the type of transaction involved, and other factors such as the broker-dealer’s risk in positioning the securities involved. While the Adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive spreads or commissions, the Fund will not necessarily be paying the lowest spread or commission available. In executing portfolio transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, the Adviser seeks to obtain the best overall terms available for the Fund. In assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction, the Adviser considers factors deemed relevant, including the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis.

Subject to policies established by the Fund’s Board, the Adviser is primarily responsible for the execution of any traded securities in the Fund’s portfolio and the Fund’s allocation of brokerage commissions. The Adviser does not expect to execute transactions through any particular broker or dealer, but seeks to obtain the best net results for the Fund, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, and operations facilities of the firm and the firm’s risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities.

Subject to applicable legal requirements, the Adviser may select a broker based partly upon brokerage or research services provided to the Adviser and the Fund and any other clients. In return for such services, the Fund may pay a higher commission than other brokers would charge if the Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided.

 

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PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROXY VOTING RECORD

The Fund has delegated its proxy voting responsibility to the Adviser. The proxy voting policies and procedures of the Adviser are set forth below. The guidelines are reviewed periodically by the Adviser and the Independent Trustees and, accordingly, are subject to change.

It is the policy of the Fund to delegate the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Fund to the Fund’s Adviser as a part of the Adviser’s general management of the Fund’s portfolio, subject to the continuing oversight of the Board. The Board has delegated such responsibility to the Adviser, and directs the Adviser to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Fund consistent with the proxy voting policies and procedures. The Adviser may retain one or more vendors to review, monitor and recommend how to vote proxies in a manner consistent with the proxy voting policies and procedures, to ensure that such proxies are voted on a timely basis and to provide reporting and/or record retention services in connection with proxy voting for the Fund.

The right to vote a proxy with respect to portfolio securities held by the Fund is an asset of the Fund. The Adviser, to which authority to vote on behalf of the Fund is delegated, acts as a fiduciary of the Fund and must vote proxies in a manner consistent with the best interest of the Fund and its Shareholders. In discharging this fiduciary duty, the Adviser must maintain and adhere to its policies and procedures for addressing conflicts of interest and must vote proxies in a manner substantially consistent with its policies, procedures and guidelines, as presented to the Board.

The Fund shall file an annual report of each proxy voted with respect to portfolio securities of the Fund during the twelve-month period ended June 30 on Form N-PX not later than August 31 of each year.

 

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CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

To the knowledge of the Fund, as of [   ], 2024, the following persons owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding Fund shares of a class, including any outstanding Preferred Shares. For so long as a shareholder has a greater than 25% interest in the Fund, they respectively may be deemed to be a “control person” of the Fund for purposes of the 1940 Act. A control person generally is a person who beneficially owns more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or has the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such company. As of [   ], 2024, there were no shareholders that held greater than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund. Control persons could have the ability to vote a majority of the shares of a fund on any matter requiring the approval of shareholders of such fund.

 

Class    Name & Address    Percentage of Class

 

Class I

 

   [ ]    [ ]

 

Class U

 

   [ ]    [ ]

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

An independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund performs an annual audit of the Fund’s consolidated financial statements. The Board has engaged [ ], located at [ ], to serve as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.

LEGAL COUNSEL

The Board has engaged Dechert LLP, located at 1095 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036 to serve as the Fund’s legal counsel.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A registration statement on Form N-2, including amendments thereto, relating to the Shares offered hereby, has been filed by the Fund with the SEC. The Confidential Private Placement Memorandum does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, including any exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Fund and the Shares offered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement. A copy of the registration statement may be reviewed on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Prospective investors can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC’s e-mail address (publicinfo@sec.gov).

 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

[To be provided.]

 

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PART C

 

(1)    Financial Statements:
   Part A: Not applicable, as Registrant has not yet commenced operations.
   Part B: Not applicable, as Registrant has not yet commenced operations.
(2)    Exhibits:
   (a)(1)    Certificate of Trust. (1)
   (a)(2)   Declaration of Trust. (1)
   (a)(3)   Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust. (2)
   (b)   By-Laws. (2)
   (c)   Not Applicable.
   (d)   Not Applicable.
   (e)   Dividend Reinvestment Plan. (2)
   (f)   Not Applicable.
   (g)(1)   Investment Advisory Agreement. (2)
   (h)Distribution Agreement. (2)
   (i)   Not Applicable.
   (j)(1)   Custody Agreement. (2)
   (k)(1)   Administration Agreement. (2)
   (k)(2)   Form of Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement. (2)
   (k)(3)   Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan. (2)
   (k)(4)   Multiple Class Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3. (2)
   (k)(5)   Transfer Agency Services Agreement. (2)
   (l)   Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP. (2)
   (m)   Not Applicable.
   (n)   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. (2)
   (o)   Not Applicable.
   (p)   Form of Subscription Agreement. (2)
   (q)   Not Applicable.
   (r)(1)   [Joint] Code of Ethics of the Registrant and the Adviser. (2)
   (r)(2)   [Code of Ethics of the Adviser. (2)]
   (s)   Powers of Attorney. (2)

 

 

 

(1)

Filed herewith.

 

(2)

To be filed by subsequent amendment.

MARKETING ARRANGEMENTS

Not Applicable.


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OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with the offering described in this registration statement:

 

  

        
 

Blue Sky Fees

   $ [ ]
 

Printing

   $ [ ]
 

Registration Fees

   $ [ ]
 

Legal Fees

   $ [ ]
 

Total

   $ [ ]

PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL

No other person is directly or indirectly controlled by or under common control with the Registrant, except that the Registrant may be deemed to be controlled by Gemcorp Capital Advisors LLC, the investment adviser to the Registrant, and [ ], the sole shareholder of the Registrant. The Adviser was formed under the laws of the State of Delaware. Additional information regarding the Adviser is set out in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC File No. [ ]).

NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

Set forth below is the number of holders of securities of the Registrant as of [ ]:

 

    

Title of Class

  

 Number of Record Holders 

 

Shares of Beneficial Interest, Class I

   [ ]
 

Shares of Beneficial Interest, Class U

   [ ]

INDEMNIFICATION

Reference is made to Articles [7 through 9] of the Fund’s Declaration of Trust filed as Exhibit (a)(2) to this Registration Statement. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to the Advisers, officers and controlling persons of the Fund pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the Fund has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Fund of expenses incurred or paid by the Advisers, officer or controlling person of the Fund in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by the Advisers, officer or controlling person, the Fund will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The Fund hereby undertakes that it will apply the indemnification provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust in a manner consistent with Investment Company Act Release No. 11330 (Sept. 4, 1980) issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, so long as the interpretation of Sections 17(h) and 17(i) of the 1940 Act contained in that release remains in effect. The Fund, in conjunction with the Advisers and the Fund’s Board of Trustees, maintains insurance on behalf of any person who is or was an Independent Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Fund, against certain liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her or arising out of his or her position. In no event, however, will the Fund pay that portion of the premium, if any, for insurance to indemnify any such person or any act for which the Fund itself is not permitted to indemnify.

BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF ADVISER

A description of any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature in which the Adviser, and each executive officer or partner of the Adviser, is or has been, at any time during the past two fiscal years, engaged in for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, is set out in Registrant’s Confidential Private Placement Memorandum in the section entitled “Management of the Fund” and in the section of the Statement


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of Additional Information captioned “Management of the Fund.” The information required by this Item 31 with respect to each director, officer or partner of the Adviser is incorporated by reference to Form ADV with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (File No. [ ]).

LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

The Administrator maintains the required accounting related and financial books and other records of the Registrant at [ ].

MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Not Applicable.

UNDERTAKINGS

Not Applicable.


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, Gemcorp Commodities Alternative Products Fund has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York and State of New York on the 27th day of February 2024.

 

  GEMCORP COMMODITIES ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS FUND
  (A Delaware statutory trust)  
 

/s/ Ahmad Al-Sati

     
  By:    Ahmad Al-Sati  
  Title:    Sole Trustee  

Pursuant to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

    

Title

    

Date

/s/ Ahmad Al-Sati

 

       

Ahmad Al-Sati

     Sole Trustee      February 27, 2024


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EXHIBIT INDEX

(a)(1) Certificate of Trust

(a)(2) Declaration of Trust