NHS Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until

the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is

not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction

where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion

Preliminary Prospectus dated October 30, 2024

PRELIMINARY BASE PROSPECTUS

$150,000,000

Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc.

Shares of Common Stock

Subscription Rights to Acquire Shares of Common Stock

Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) may issue, from time to time, in one or more offerings, shares of common stock, each with a par value of $0.0001 per share (each a “share of Common Stock” and together, the “Common Stock”), and/or its transferable subscription rights to acquire shares of Common Stock (“Rights,” and, together with the Common Stock, “Securities”) to its Stockholders of record on the record date for the offering (the “Record Date”) entitling the holders of these Rights to subscribe (an “Offer”) for additional shares of Common Stock. The Securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this prospectus (this “Prospectus,” and each supplement thereto, a “Prospectus Supplement” or “Supplement”). You should read this Prospectus and the applicable Supplement(s) carefully before you invest in the Fund’s Securities.

 

The net asset value (“NAV”) per share of the Fund’s Common Stock at the close of business on October 9, 2024, was $7.98 and the last reported sale price of a share of Common Stock on the NYSE American on that date was $8.51, representing a premium to NAV of 6.64%. The Fund’s Common Stock is traded on the NYSE American under the symbol “NHS.”

 

Investing in the Fund’s Securities involves risks, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment or that you may lose part or all of your investment. Before buying any Securities, you should read the discussion of the principal risks of investing in the Fund. The principal risks of investing in the Fund are summarized in “Prospectus Summary — Risk Factors” beginning on page 6 of this Prospectus and further described in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 29 of this Prospectus.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Investment Objective. The Fund is a closed-end, diversified management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund’s investment objective is to seek high total return (income plus capital appreciation).

 

Principal Investment Strategy. Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets are invested in high yield debt securities of U.S. and foreign issuers. High yield debt securities include securities that, at the time of investment, are rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as “junk”) by at least one independent credit rating agency or, if unrated, determined by the Fund’s portfolio managers to be of comparable quality. High yield debt securities may include distressed securities. To the extent not invested in high yield debt securities, the Fund may invest a portion of its assets (normally, not more than 20% of its total assets) in other securities and financial instruments, including investment grade debt securities, equity securities and derivatives. The Fund may also invest

up to 15% of its total assets in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”). The Fund’s investment objective and its policy of investing at least 80% of its total assets in high yield debt securities of U.S. and foreign issuers are not fundamental and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Directors without stockholder approval, however stockholders would be provided at least 60 days’ notice of any changes.

The Fund uses leverage to pursue its investment objective. The Fund currently utilizes leverage through a secured credit facility (the “Facility”) and the issuance of preferred stock and may otherwise borrow money, issue notes or use a variety of additional strategies to increase funds available for investment. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is permitted to issue debt up to 33 1/3% of its total Managed Assets (defined below) or equity securities (e.g., preferred stock) up to 50% of its total Managed Assets. “Managed Assets” means the Fund’s total assets minus liabilities other than the aggregate indebtedness entered into for purposes of leverage. The Fund may voluntarily elect to limit its leverage to less than the maximum amount permitted under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Fund may be subject to certain asset coverage, leverage or portfolio composition requirements imposed by the Fund’s credit facility and preferred stock governing instruments or by agencies rating the preferred stock, which may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. As of October 9, 2024, the Fund had 400 Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares, Series D outstanding, with an aggregate liquidation preference of $40,000,000, and principal balance of $45,500,000 of loans outstanding under the Facility, resulting in a total leverage ratio of 26.8%.

Securities purchased by the Fund may have fixed or variable principal payments and various types of interest rate and dividend payment and reset terms, including fixed rate, variable rate, floating rate, zero coupon, deferred, payment in kind and auction rate features. Although the Fund may invest in debt securities having a broad range of maturities, the average portfolio maturity of the Fund is expected to be within the intermediate range (2 to 7 years) and will vary over time, based on the judgment of the Fund’s portfolio managers.

The Fund may invest in a variety of direct debt instruments, including bank loans, notes and other interests in amounts owed to financial institutions by borrowers, such as companies and governments. Corporate loans in which the Fund may invest will primarily consist of direct obligations of borrowers. The Fund may invest in corporate loans at origination as a co-lender or may acquire loans in the secondary market by purchasing participations in, assignments of or novations of corporate loans. The bank loans in which the Fund invests may be structured and administered by a third party that acts as agent for a group of lenders that make or hold interests in the loan. The Fund may acquire interests in such loans by taking an assignment of all or a portion of a direct interest in a loan previously held by another institution or by acquiring a participation in an interest in a loan that continues to be held by another institution.

The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities, such as CLOs, mortgage-backed securities and equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks, depositary receipts, warrants and rights. The Fund may also invest in bonds and preferred stocks that are convertible into equity securities. The Fund invests primarily in securities of U.S. issuers, but may also invest in securities of foreign issuers. Up to 25% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in securities of foreign issuers traded outside of the U.S. Liquid securities purchased by the Fund may subsequently become illiquid.

The Fund may invest in derivatives. The Fund may purchase and sell derivative instruments such as exchange listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities, foreign currencies and securities indices. It may also purchase and sell financial futures contracts (and options thereon) and enter into various other types of transactions in derivatives, such as swaps, caps, floors and collars. These transactions may include the use of interest rate swaps (to hedge against adverse changes in interest rates affecting securities held by the Fund, dividends payable on any preferred stock issued by the Fund or interest payable on the Fund’s borrowings) and credit default swaps. Although the Fund will not use derivatives as a primary investment technique, it may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, including: (1) as a hedge against adverse changes in securities prices, interest rates or foreign currency exchange rates; and (2) as a substitute for purchasing or selling securities.

The Fund may invest in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds, if the investment companies invest principally in the types of investments in which the Fund may invest directly.

In connection with the Fund’s use of leverage through the Facility and the issuance of preferred stock, the Fund may seek to hedge the interest rate risks associated with leverage through interest rate swaps, caps or other derivative transactions. These transactions involve investment techniques and risks different from those associated with portfolio transactions in securities of high yield debt securities. There is no assurance that any interest rate hedging transactions, if undertaken, will be successful, and such transactions may adversely affect the Fund’s achievement of its investment objective. See “Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategy” and “Leverage” below and “Investment Restrictions” in the Statement of Additional Information, dated [    ], 2024 (the “SAI”).

The Fund’s portfolio managers will seek high total returns through in-depth credit research utilizing proprietary analytics processes to assess the strength of a company’s credit profile, examples of which include but are not limited to: their ability to pay principal and interest, their cash flow and balance sheet composition, and their market position relative to competitors. As part of their fundamental investment analysis the Fund’s portfolio managers consider Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors they believe are financially material to individual investments, where applicable.

Management.  Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC (“NBIA” or the “Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. NBIA, an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), is located at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10104-0002. See “Management of the Fund.” As of September 30, 2024, Neuberger Berman and its affiliates had $509 billion in assets under management and continue an asset management history that began in 1939. 

This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities by us through agents, underwriters or dealers unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement. This Prospectus, together with any applicable Prospectus Supplement, sets forth concisely the information about the Fund that a prospective investor should know before investing. You should read this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement before deciding whether to invest in the Securities, and retain both for future reference. The SAI containing additional information about the Fund, has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus. You can review the table of contents of the SAI at the end of this Prospectus. You may receive free of charge a copy of the SAI or the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders by visiting our website at www.nb.com, by calling (877) 461-1899, or by writing to the Fund, or obtain a copy (and other information regarding the Fund) from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The SAI is only updated in connection with an offering and is therefore not available on the Fund’s website.

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

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement in making your investment decisions. The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The Fund is not making an offer to sell Securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this Prospectus or any applicable Prospectus Supplement is accurate as of any date other than the dates on their covers. The Fund’s business, financial condition and prospects may have changed since the date of its description in this Prospectus or the date of its description in any Prospectus Supplement.

As permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual stockholder reports will not be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website www.nb.com/CEFliterature, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Page
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY	1
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES	16
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS	17
THE FUND	19
THE OFFERING	19
USE OF PROCEEDS	20
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY	20
PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION	21
USE OF LEVERAGE AND RELATED RISKS	27
RISK FACTORS	29
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND	45
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS	46
NET ASSET VALUE OF COMMON STOCK	46
DISTRIBUTIONS	48
CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE	49
DISTRIBUTION REINVESTMENT PLAN	49
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE	51
REPURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK; TENDER OFFERS; CONVERSION TO OPEN-END FUND	55
TAX MATTERS	56
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS IN THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS	59
CUSTODIAN, DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT, TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR	62
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION	62
LEGAL OPINIONS	63
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM	63
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION	63
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION	64

Cautionary notice regarding forward-looking statements

 

This Prospectus and the SAI incorporated by reference into the Prospectus contain “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “may,” “will,” “intend,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “anticipate,” and similar terms with the negative of such terms. By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Several factors that could materially affect the Fund’s actual results are the performance of the portfolio of securities the Fund holds, the price at which the Fund’s shares will trade in the public markets and other factors discussed in the Fund’s periodic filings with the SEC.

 

Although the Fund believes that the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in the Fund’s forward-looking statements. Future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, such as those disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of this Prospectus. All forward-looking statements contained in this Prospectus or in the SAI are made as of the date of this Prospectus or SAI, as the case may be. Except for ongoing obligations under the federal securities laws, the Fund does not intend and is not obligated, to update any forward-looking statement.

 

This is only a summary. You should review the more detailed information elsewhere in this prospectus (“Prospectus”), in any related supplement to this Prospectus (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”), and in the Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) prior to making an investment in the Fund. See “Risk Factors.”

 

Information Regarding the Fund

 

Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) is the surviving entity of a reorganization between a predecessor to the Fund and another Neuberger Berman closed-end fund, which reorganization was completed after the close of business on August 6, 2010.  As of October 9, 2024, the Fund had outstanding loans under the Facility with an aggregate principal value of $45,500,000 and Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series D (“MRPS”) with an aggregate liquidation preference of $40,000,000. The Facility has a 360-day rolling maturity date and the MRPS have a maturity date of September 29, 2026. As of October 9, 2024, the Fund’s NAV per share of Common Stock was $7.98.

The Offering

The Fund may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (each a “share of Common Stock” and together, the “Common Stock”), and/or transferable rights to purchase such shares of Common Stock (“Rights,” and together with the Common Stock, “Securities”). The Securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this prospectus (this “Prospectus,” and each supplement thereto, a “Prospectus Supplement” or “Supplement”). The offering price per share of Common Stock will not be less than the net asset value per share of Common Stock at the time the Fund makes the offering, exclusive of any underwriting commissions or discounts; however, transferable rights offerings that meet certain conditions may be offered at a price below the then current net asset value per share of Common Stock of the Fund. You should read this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement carefully before you invest in the Fund’s securities.

NYSE American Listed

 

As of October 9, 2024, the Fund had 29,291,360 shares of Common Stock outstanding. The Fund’s Common Stock is traded on the NYSE American under the symbol “NHS.” As of October 9, 2024, the last reported sales price of a share of Common Stock of the Fund on the NYSE American was $8.51, representing a premium to NAV of 6.64%. See “The Fund.”

Use of Proceeds

Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the Adviser anticipates that investment of the net proceeds of an offer in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies will take up to three months after completion of such offer depending on market conditions and the availability of appropriate securities. Depending on market conditions and operations, a portion of the proceeds to be identified in any relevant Prospectus Supplement may be used to pay distributions in accordance with the Fund’s distribution policy.

Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategy

 

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek high total return (income plus capital appreciation). There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its total assets in high yield debt securities of U.S. and foreign issuers. High yield debt securities include securities that,

at the time of investment, are rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as “junk”) by at least one independent credit rating agency or, if unrated, determined by the Fund’s portfolio managers to be of comparable quality.  High yield debt securities may include distressed securities. To the extent not invested in high yield debt securities, the Fund may invest a portion of its assets (normally, not more than 20% of its total assets) in other securities and financial instruments, including investment grade debt securities, equity securities and derivatives. The Fund may also invest up to 15% of its total assets in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”). The Fund’s investment objective and its policy of investing at least 80% of its total assets in high yield debt securities of U.S. and foreign issuers are not fundamental and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board” or “Board of Directors”) without stockholder approval, however stockholders would be provided at least 60 days’ notice of any changes.

The Fund invests primarily in securities of U.S. issuers, but may also invest in securities of foreign issuers. Up to 25% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in securities of foreign issuers traded outside of the U.S. Liquid securities purchased by the Fund may subsequently become illiquid.

The Fund uses leverage to pursue its investment objective. The Fund currently utilizes leverage through a secured credit facility (the “Facility”) and the issuance of preferred stock and may otherwise borrow money, issue notes or use a variety of additional strategies to increase funds available for investment. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is permitted to issue debt up to 33 1/3% of its total Managed Assets (defined below) or equity securities (e.g., preferred stock) up to 50% of its total Managed Assets. “Managed Assets” means the Fund’s total assets minus liabilities other than the aggregate indebtedness entered into for purposes of leverage. The Fund may voluntarily elect to limit its leverage to less than the maximum amount permitted under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Fund may be subject to certain asset coverage, leverage or portfolio composition requirements imposed by the Fund’s credit facility and preferred stock governing instruments or by agencies rating the preferred stock, which may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. As of October 9, 2024, the Fund had 400 Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares, Series D outstanding, with an aggregate liquidation preference of $40,000,000, and principal balance of $45,500,000 of loans outstanding under the Facility, resulting in a total leverage ratio of 26.8%.

Securities purchased by the Fund may have fixed or variable principal payments and various types of interest rate and dividend payment and reset terms, including fixed rate, variable rate, floating rate, zero coupon, deferred, payment in kind and auction rate features. Auction rate securities are preferred securities and debt securities with dividends/coupons based on a rate set at auction. The auction is usually held weekly for each series of a security, but may be held less frequently. The auction sets the rate, and securities may be bought and sold at the auction, normally at par value at specified intervals.

Although the Fund may invest in debt securities having a broad range of maturities, the average portfolio maturity of the Fund is expected to be within the intermediate range (2 to 7 years) and will vary over time, based on the judgment of the Fund’s portfolio managers.

The Fund may invest in a variety of direct debt instruments, including bank loans, notes and other interests in amounts owed to financial institutions by borrowers, such as companies and governments. Corporate loans in which the Fund may invest will primarily consist of direct obligations of borrowers. The Fund may invest in corporate loans at origination as a co-lender or may acquire loans in the secondary market by purchasing participations in, assignments of or novations of corporate loans. The bank loans in which the Fund invests may be structured and administered by a third party that acts as agent for a group of lenders that make or hold interests in the loan. The Fund may acquire interests in such loans by taking an assignment of all or a portion of a direct interest in a loan previously held by another institution or by acquiring a participation in an interest in a loan that continues to be held by another institution.

The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities, such as CLOs, mortgage-backed securities and equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks, depositary receipts, warrants and rights. The Fund may also invest in bonds and preferred stocks that are convertible into equity securities.

The Fund may invest in derivatives. The Fund may purchase and sell derivative instruments such as exchange listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities, foreign currencies and securities indices. It may also purchase and sell financial futures contracts (and options thereon) and enter into various other types of transactions in derivatives, such as swaps, caps, floors and collars. These transactions may include the use of interest rate swaps (to hedge against adverse changes in interest rates affecting securities held by the Fund, dividends payable on any preferred stock issued

by the Fund or interest payable on the Fund’s borrowings) and credit default swaps. Although the Fund will not use derivatives as a primary investment technique, it may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, including: (1) as a hedge against adverse changes in securities prices, interest rates or foreign currency exchange rates; and (2) as a substitute for purchasing or selling securities.

The Fund may invest in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds, if the investment companies invest principally in the types of investments in which the Fund may invest directly.

In connection with the Fund’s use of leverage through the Facility and the issuance of preferred stock, the Fund may seek to hedge the interest rate risks associated with leverage through interest rate swaps, caps or other derivative transactions. These transactions involve investment techniques and risks different from those associated with portfolio transactions in securities of high yield debt securities. There is no assurance that any interest rate hedging transactions, if undertaken, will be successful, and such transactions may adversely affect the Fund’s achievement of its investment objective.

The Fund’s portfolio managers will seek high total returns through in-depth credit research utilizing proprietary analytics processes to assess the strength of a company’s credit profile, examples of which include but are not limited to: their ability to pay principal and interest, their cash flow and balance sheet composition, and their market position relative to competitors. As part of their fundamental investment analysis the Fund’s portfolio managers consider Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors they believe are financially material to individual investments, where applicable, as described below. While this analysis is inherently subjective and may be informed by internally generated and third-party metrics, data and other information, the portfolio managers believe that the consideration of financially material ESG factors, alongside traditional financial metrics, may improve credit analysis, security selection, relative value analysis and enhance the Fund’s overall investment process. As part of this analysis, the Fund’s portfolio managers also regularly engage with the management teams of issuers on issues that the portfolio managers believe are material to the credit risk of an issuer. The specific ESG factors considered and scope and application of integration may vary depending on the specific investment and/or investment type. The consideration of ESG factors does not apply to certain instruments, such as certain derivative instruments, other registered investment companies, cash and cash equivalents. The consideration of ESG factors as part of the investment process does not mean that the Fund pursues a specific “impact” or “sustainable” investment strategy.

In an effort to achieve its goal, the Fund may engage in active and frequent trading.

Temporary Investments. For temporary defensive purposes, or to manage cash pending investment or payout, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its total assets in cash and cash equivalents, U.S. Government and Agency Securities, commercial paper and certain other money market instruments, as well as repurchase agreements collateralized by the foregoing. The Fund may not achieve its investment objective under these circumstances.

Leverage

 

The Fund uses leverage to pursue its investment objective. The Fund currently utilizes leverage through loans under the Facility and the issuance of preferred stock and may otherwise borrow money, issue notes or use a variety of additional strategies to increase funds available for investment. See “Use of Leverage and Related Risks.” Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is permitted to issue debt up to 33 1/3% of its total Managed Assets or equity securities (e.g., preferred stock) up to 50% of its total Managed Assets. The Fund may voluntarily elect to limit its leverage to less than the maximum amount permitted under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Fund may be subject to certain asset coverage, leverage or portfolio composition requirements imposed by the Fund’s credit facility and preferred stock governing instruments or by agencies rating the preferred stock, which may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act.

  

Use of leverage creates an opportunity for increased income and return for the Fund’s holders of Common Stock (the “Common Stockholders”) but, at the same time, creates risks, including the likelihood of greater volatility in the NAV and market price of, and distributions on, the Common Stock. There is a risk that fluctuations in the dividend rates on any preferred stock issued by the Fund may adversely affect the return to the Common Stockholders. If the income from the securities purchased with such funds is not sufficient to cover the cost of leverage, the return on the Fund will be less than if leverage had not been used, and therefore the amount available for distribution to Common Stockholders as dividends and other distributions will be reduced and may not satisfy the level dividend rate distribution policy set by

the Board. There can be no assurance that the Fund will continue to use leverage or that its leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed. The Fund may be subject to investment restrictions of one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (each, an “NRSRO”) as a result of its use of financial leverage. These restrictions may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act. It is not anticipated that these covenants or portfolio requirements will significantly impede the Advisers in managing the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with its investment objective and policies. Nonetheless, if these covenants or guidelines are more restrictive than those imposed by the 1940 Act, the Fund may not be able to utilize as much leverage as it otherwise could have, which could reduce the Fund’s investment returns. In addition, the Fund’s outstanding loans contain covenants that, among other things, will likely impose credit quality minimums, liquidity minimums, concentration limitations and currency hedging requirements on the Fund. These covenants also likely limit the Fund’s ability to pay distributions in certain circumstances, incur additional debt, change fundamental investment policies and engage in certain transactions, including mergers and consolidations. Such restrictions could cause the Adviser to make different investment decisions than if there were no such restrictions and could limit the ability of the Board of Directors and Common Stockholders to change any fundamental investment policies.

The costs of a financial leverage program (including the costs of offering preferred stock and loans under the Facility) are borne by Common Stockholders and consequently will result in a reduction of the NAV of the Common Stock. During periods in which the Fund is using leverage, the fees paid by the Fund for investment advisory services will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the investment advisory fees paid will be calculated on the basis of the Fund’s Managed Assets, which includes proceeds from (and assets subject to) any issuance of preferred stock or loans under the Facility, so that the investment advisory fees payable to the Adviser will be higher when leverage is utilized. This creates a conflict of interest between the Adviser, on the one hand, and Common Stockholders, on the other hand. Fees and expenses in respect of financial leverage, as well as the investment advisory fee and all other expenses of the Fund, will be borne entirely by the Common Stockholders, and not by preferred stockholders, noteholders or any other leverage providers.

 

The Fund may enter into other transactions that may give rise to a form of leverage including, among others, swaps, futures contracts, options and other derivative transactions. See “Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategy — Use of Leverage and Related Risks” and “Risk Factors.” The potential loss on derivative instruments may be substantial relative to the initial investment therein. See “Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategy,” “Portfolio Composition,” “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Investing in the Fund’s Common Stock — Derivatives Risk.”

 

The Adviser

 

NBIA serves as the Fund’s investment manager. NBIA is located at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10104-0002. See “Management of the Fund.” As of September 30, 2024, Neuberger Berman and its affiliates had $509 billion in assets under management and continue an asset management history that began in 1939.

During periods when the Fund is using leverage, the fee paid to NBIA (for various services) will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid are calculated on the basis of the Fund’s Managed Assets, which includes the assets purchased through leverage. See “Management of the Fund — Management Agreement.”

The Administrator

 

NBIA, located at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10104-0002, serves as administrator to the Fund. Under the administration agreement, NBIA is generally responsible for managing the administrative affairs of the Fund.

 

For administration related services, NBIA is entitled to receive a fee that is accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets, plus certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) serves as sub-administrator of the Fund and is paid by NBIA out of the fees it receives as the Fund’s administrator.

Distributions

The Fund distributes its net investment income on a monthly basis. The Fund intends to distribute at least annually, all of its realized net long- and short-term capital gains, if any. Both monthly and annual distributions to Common Stockholders will be made only after paying any accrued dividends on, or redeeming or liquidating, any preferred stock and making interest and required principal payments on borrowings under the Facility or any other borrowings.

Over time, all the net investment income of the Fund will be distributed. That income will consist of all dividends earned and interest income accrued on portfolio assets less all expenses of the Fund, which will be accrued each day.

 

To maintain more stable monthly distributions, the Fund may include a return of capital as part of the distributions or may distribute less than the entire amount of its net investment income earned in a particular period (the “Level-Rate Distribution Policy”). A return of capital is a distribution by the Fund that exceeds the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits and which represents a return of a Common Stockholder’s original investment. To the extent a distribution paid by the Fund represents a return of capital, a Common Stockholder’s cost basis in Fund shares will be reduced, which will increase a capital gain or reduce a capital loss upon sale of those shares. The undistributed net investment income may be available to supplement future distributions. Therefore, the distributions the Fund pays for any particular monthly period may be more or less than the amount of net investment income it actually earns during the period, and the Fund may have to sell a portion of its investment portfolio to make a distribution at a time when independent investment judgment might not dictate such action. Undistributed net investment income is included in the Common Stock’s net asset value, and, correspondingly, distributions from net investment income will reduce the Common Stock’s net asset value.  Pursuant to the requirements of the 1940 Act and other applicable laws, a notice would be provided for each monthly distribution that does not consist entirely of net investment income that would provide estimated sources of the distribution made.

 

While the Fund intends to pay a level dividend, investors should understand that there is no assurance that it will always be able to pay a dividend or that the dividend will be of any particular size.

The Fund has exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to permit it to pay long-term capital gain more frequently than is currently allowed under the 1940 Act, which would allow it to adopt a managed distribution policy (“Managed Distribution Policy”). Pursuant to a Managed Distribution Policy, the Fund could make regular cash distributions to Common Stockholders, at a fixed rate per share of Common Stock or at a fixed percentage of its NAV, that may include periodic distributions of net long- and short-term capital gains or, in certain instances, return of capital.

If the Board determines to rely on the exemptive relief and adopt a Managed Distribution Policy, the Fund would terminate its Level-Rate Distribution Policy.

The distribution rate that the Fund expects to pay on its Common Stock will depend on a number of factors, including the level of investment income received by the Fund and other Fund fees and expenses. As portfolio and market conditions change, the rate of distributions on the Common Stock could be adjusted upward or downward from time to time.

See “Distributions” and “Distribution Reinvestment Plan.”

 

An investor who acquires Common Stock in an offering issued after the record date for a monthly distribution (if any) to be paid by the Fund will not receive such distribution.

 

Distribution Reinvestment Plan

 

Unless you elect to receive distributions in cash, all of your distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock under the Fund’s Distribution Reinvestment Plan. See “Distribution Reinvestment Plan.”

Custodian, Dividend Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar

State Street Bank and Trust Company serves as custodian (the “Custodian”) for the Fund. Equiniti Trust Company, LLC serves as Transfer Agent, Dividend Paying Agent and Registrar.

Closed-End Fund Structure

 

Closed-end funds differ from open-end management investment companies (commonly referred to as mutual funds) in that closed-end funds generally list their shares for trading on a securities exchange and do not redeem their shares at the option of the shareholder. By comparison, mutual funds issue securities redeemable at NAV at the option of the shareholder and typically engage in a continuous offering of their shares. Mutual funds are subject to continuous asset in-flows and out-flows that can complicate portfolio management, whereas closed-end funds generally can stay more fully invested in securities consistent with the closed-end fund’s investment objectives and policies. In addition, in comparison to open-end funds, closed-end funds have greater flexibility in the employment of financial leverage and in the ability to make certain types of investments, including investments in illiquid securities.

 

However, shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount from their NAV. In recognition of the possibility that the Common Stock might trade at a discount to NAV and that any such discount may not be in the interest of Common Stockholders, the Board, in consultation with the Adviser, from time to time may review possible actions to reduce any such discount, such as tender offers for Common Stock at NAV. There can be no assurance, however, that the Board will decide to undertake any of these actions or that, if undertaken, such actions would result in the Common Stock trading at a price equal to or close to NAV.

  

Risk Factors

Investing in any investment company security involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment or even that you may lose part or all of your investment. The following summarizes some of the risks that you should consider before making an investment in the Fund under any offering. A more detailed description of these and other risks of investing in the Fund are described under “Risk Factors” below. You should carefully consider the following risk factors, as well as the other information in this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement, before making an investment in the Fund under any offer. The Securities do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and are not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution, and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other government agency.

The actual risk exposure taken by the Fund in its investment program will vary over time, depending on various factors including the portfolio managers’ evaluation of issuer, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments. There can be no guarantee that the portfolio managers will be successful in their attempts to manage the risk exposure of the Fund or will appropriately evaluate or weigh the multiple factors involved in investment decisions, including issuer, market and/or instrument-specific analysis, valuation and ESG factors. Information used by the portfolio managers in their assessment of ESG factors, like other information used in their credit analysis discipline and security selection process, may not be readily available, complete, or accurate, which could negatively impact the Fund’s performance or create additional risk in the portfolio.

Each of the following risks, which are described in alphabetical order and not in order of any presumed importance, can significantly affect the Fund’s performance. The relative importance of, or potential exposure as a result of, each of these risks will vary based on market and other investment-specific considerations.

 

Anti-takeover Provisions Risk. The Fund’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to an open-end fund. If the Fund were converted to open-end status, the Fund would have to redeem preferred stock and repay any borrowings under the Facility.  By resolution of the Board, the Fund has opted into the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act and the Maryland Business Combination Act.  See “Anti-Takeover Provisions in the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws” below for additional information.

Call Risk. Upon the issuer’s desire to call a security, or under other circumstances where a security is called, which may happen for a number of reasons, such as declining interest rates or changes in credit spreads, the issuer can opt to repay the obligation underlying a “callable security” early. When this occurs, the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in an investment offering a lower yield or with a higher risk of default and may not realize the full anticipated benefit from such investment.

Collateralized Loan Obligations Risk. CLOs issue classes or “tranches” of securities that vary in risk and yield and may experience substantial losses due to interest rate fluctuations, actual defaults, collateral defaults, disappearance of subordinate tranches, market anticipation of defaults, and investor aversion to CLO securities as a class. The risks of investing in CLOs depend largely on the quality and type of the underlying debt and the tranche of the CLO in which the Fund invests.  In addition, CLOs that obtain their exposure through derivative instruments entail the additional risks associated with such instruments.  CLOs can be difficult to value, may at times be illiquid, may be highly leveraged (which could make them highly volatile), and may produce unexpected investment results due to their complex structure. In addition, CLOs involve many of the same risks of investing in debt securities and asset-backed securities including, but not limited to, interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and valuation risk.

Conflicts of Interest Risk. The Adviser’s advisory fees are based on Managed Assets. Consequently, the Adviser will benefit from an increase in the Fund’s Managed Assets resulting from an offering. In addition, a Director who is an “interested person” (as such term is defined under the 1940 Act) of the Fund or a portfolio manager of the Fund could benefit indirectly from an offering because of such affiliations.

Convertible Securities Risk. The value of a convertible security, which is a form of hybrid security (i.e., a security with both debt and equity characteristics), typically increases or decreases with the price of the underlying common stock. In general, a convertible security is subject to the market risks of stocks when the underlying stock’s price is high relative to the conversion price and is subject to the market risks of debt securities when the underlying stock’s price is low relative to the conversion price. The general market risks of debt securities that are common to convertible securities include, but are not limited to, interest rate risk and credit risk. Many convertible securities have credit ratings that are below investment grade and are subject to the same risks as an investment in lower-rated debt securities. To the extent the Fund invests in convertible securities issued by small- or mid-cap companies, it will be subject to the risks of investing in such companies. The securities of small- and mid-cap companies may fluctuate more widely in price than the market as a whole and there may also be less trading in small- or mid-cap securities.

Forward Contracts. There are no limitations on daily price movements of forward contracts. Changes in foreign exchange regulations by governmental authorities might limit the trading of forward contracts on currencies.

Futures.  Futures contracts are subject to the risk that an exchange may impose price fluctuation limits, which may make it difficult or impossible for a fund to close out a position when desired. In the absence of such limits, the liquidity of the futures market depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than taking or making delivery.  To the extent the Fund enters into futures contracts requiring physical delivery (e.g., certain commodities contracts), the inability of the Fund to take or make physical delivery can negatively impact performance.

Options. The use of options involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. By writing put options, the Fund takes on the risk of declines in the value of the underlying instrument, including the possibility of a loss up to the entire strike price of each option it sells, but without the corresponding opportunity to benefit from potential increases in the value of the underlying instrument. When the Fund writes a put option, it assumes the risk that it must purchase the underlying instrument at a strike price that may be higher than the market price of the instrument. If there is a broad market decline and the Fund is not able to close out its written put options, it may result in substantial losses to the Fund. By writing a call option, the Fund may be obligated to deliver instruments underlying an option at less than the market price. When the Fund writes a covered call option, it gives up the opportunity to profit from a price increase in the underlying instrument above the strike price. The Fund will receive a premium from writing options, but the premium received may not be sufficient to offset any losses sustained from exercised options. If an option that the Fund has purchased is never exercised or closed out, the Fund will lose the amount of the premium it paid and the use of those funds.

The purpose of the following table and the example below is to help you understand the fees and expenses that you, as an investor in the Fund, would bear directly or indirectly. The tables also reflect the use of leverage by the Fund through preferred stock and borrowings representing in the aggregate 29.2% of Managed Assets (consistent with the percentage of leverage in place as of April 30, 2024) of the Fund’s total assets (including the assets subject to, and obtained with the proceeds of, such leverage), and show Fund expenses as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Stock.

 

 

(2)	The Plan Agent’s fees for the handling of the reinvestment of distributions will be paid by the Fund. However, you will pay brokerage charges if you direct the Plan Agent to sell your Common Stock held in a distribution reinvestment account. See “Distribution Reinvestment Plan.”

Example

The following example illustrates the expenses that Common Stockholders would pay on a $1,000 investment in Common Stock, assuming (i) total annual expenses of 4.40%; (ii) a 5% annual return; and (iii) all distributions are reinvested at NAV:

 

The example should not be considered a representation of future expenses or rate of return and actual Fund expenses may be greater or less than those shown. For more complete descriptions of certain of the Fund’s costs and expenses, see “Management of the Fund.” In addition, while the example assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at NAV, participants in the Fund’s distribution reinvestment plan may receive Common Stock purchased or issued at a price or value different from NAV. See “Distribution Reinvestment Plan.” The example does not include sales load or estimated offering costs, which would cause the expenses shown in the example to increase.

 

 

Financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance. The financial highlights as of and for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2014 through 2023 are derived from the Fund’s financial statements audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund, and such financial highlights are incorporated by reference to the Fund’s Annual Report on Form N-CSR for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018 and the Annual Report on Form N-CSR for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023. The financial highlights as of and for the six-month semi-annual period ended April 30, 2024 are derived from the Fund’s unaudited financial statements for that period which may be found in the Fund’s Semi-annual Report on Form N-CSR for the six-month semi-annual period ended April 30, 2024 and are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. The report of  Ernst & Young LLP and the Fund’s financial statements are included in the Fund’s Annual Report on Form N-CSR for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, and are incorporated by reference into the SAI.

Senior Securities

The following table sets forth information about the Fund’s outstanding senior securities as of the end of each fiscal year for the past ten years and the end of the most recent six-month semi-annual period.

(1)	Total amount of each class of senior securities outstanding at the end of the period presented. Floating Rate Senior Notes listed for the period from October 31, 2018 to October 31, 2022 are gross of unamortized deferred issuance costs.

(2)

The asset coverage ratio for the floating rate senior notes is calculated by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities (excluding the liquidation preference of mandatory redeemable preferred shares, the outstanding principal of the notes and accumulated unpaid liabilities on the notes and the mandatory redeemable preferred shares) from the Fund’s total assets, dividing the result by the outstanding notes payable balance, and then multiplying by $1,000. The asset coverage ratio for the loans payable is calculated by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities (excluding the liquidation preference of mandatory redeemable preferred shares, the outstanding principal of the loans payable and accumulated unpaid liabilities on the loans payable and the mandatory redeemable preferred shares) from the Fund’s total assets, dividing the result by the outstanding loans payable balance, and then multiplying by $1,000.The asset coverage ratio for the mandatory redeemable preferred shares is calculated by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities (excluding the liquidation preference of mandatory redeemable preferred shares and accumulated unpaid distributions on mandatory redeemable preferred shares) from the Fund’s total assets, dividing the result by the number of mandatory redeemable preferred shares outstanding. With respect to the mandatory redeemable preferred shares, the asset coverage per unit figure is expressed in terms of dollar amounts per share of the outstanding mandatory redeemable preferred shares.

(3)	The amount to which a holder of mandatory redeemable preferred shares would be entitled upon the involuntary liquidation of the Fund in preference to the holder of any class of security with a junior ranking.

(4)	Not applicable, as senior securities are not registered for public trading.

 

The Fund is the surviving entity of a reorganization between a predecessor to the Fund and another Neuberger Berman closed-end fund, which reorganization was completed after the close of business on August 6, 2010. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on March 18, 2010.  As of October 9, 2024, the Fund had outstanding loans under the Facility with an aggregate principal value of $45,500,000 and Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares (“MRPS”), Series D with an aggregate liquidation preference of $40,000,000. The Facility has a 360-day rolling maturity date and the MRPS have a maturity date of September 29, 2026. As of October 9, 2024, the Fund’s NAV per share of Common Stock was $7.98. The Fund was organized a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company registered under the 1940 Act.   Under the 1940 Act, the status of a fund that was registered as non-diversified may, under certain circumstances, change to that of a diversified fund. The Fund is currently a diversified fund.

 

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek high total return (income plus capital appreciation). There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

 

The Fund’s Adviser is NBIA. NBIA is located at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10104-0002. See “Management of the Fund.” As of September 30, 2024, Neuberger Berman and its affiliates had $509 billion in assets under management and continue an asset management history that began in 1939.

 

The Fund may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, shares of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and/or transferable rights to purchase such Shares of Common Stock (“Rights,” and together with the Common Stock, “Securities”). The Securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this prospectus (this “Prospectus,” and each supplement thereto, a “Prospectus Supplement” or “Supplement”). The offering price per Share of Common Stock will not be less than the net asset value per share of Common Stock at the time the Fund makes the offering, exclusive of any underwriting commissions or discounts; however, transferable rights offerings that meet certain conditions may be offered at a price below the then current net asset value per share of Common Stock of the Fund. You should read this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement carefully before you invest in the Fund’s securities.

 

Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the Adviser anticipates that investment of the net proceeds of an offer in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies will take up to three months after completion of such offer, depending on market conditions and the availability of appropriate securities. Depending on market conditions and operations, a portion of the proceeds to be identified in any relevant Prospectus Supplement may be used to pay distributions in accordance with the Fund’s distribution policy.

 

 

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek high total return (income plus capital appreciation). There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its total assets in high yield debt securities of U.S. and foreign issuers. High yield debt securities include securities that, at the time of investment, are rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as “junk”) by at least one independent credit rating agency or, if unrated, determined by the Fund’s portfolio managers to be of comparable quality. High yield debt securities may include distressed securities. To the extent not invested in high yield debt securities, the Fund may invest a portion of its assets (normally, not more than 20% of its total assets) in other securities and financial instruments, including investment grade debt securities, equity securities and derivatives. The Fund may also invest up to 15% of its total assets in CLOs. The Fund’s investment objective and its policy of investing at least 80% of its total assets in high yield debt securities of U.S. and foreign issuers are not fundamental and may be changed by the Fund’s Board without stockholder approval, however stockholders would be provided at least 60 days’ notice of any changes.

The Fund invests primarily in securities of U.S. issuers, but may also invest in securities of foreign issuers. Up to 25% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in securities of foreign issuers traded outside of the U.S. Liquid securities purchased by the Fund may subsequently become illiquid.

The Fund uses leverage to pursue its investment objective. The Fund currently utilizes leverage through the Facility and the issuance of preferred stock and may otherwise borrow money, issue notes or use a variety of additional strategies to increase funds available for investment. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is permitted to issue debt up to 33 1/3% of its total Managed Assets or equity securities (e.g., preferred stock) up to 50% of its total Managed Assets. The Fund may voluntarily elect to limit its leverage to less than the maximum amount permitted under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Fund may be subject to certain asset coverage, leverage or portfolio composition requirements imposed by the Fund’s credit facility and preferred stock governing instruments or by agencies rating the preferred stock, which may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. As of October 9, 2024, the Fund had 400 Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares, Series D outstanding, with an aggregate liquidation preference of $40,000,000, and principal balance of $45,500,000 of loans outstanding under the Facility, resulting in a total leverage ratio of 26.8%.

Securities purchased by the Fund may have fixed or variable principal payments and various types of interest rate and dividend payment and reset terms, including fixed rate, variable rate, floating rate, zero coupon, deferred, payment in kind and auction rate features. Although the Fund may invest in debt securities having a broad range of maturities, the average portfolio maturity of the Fund is expected to be within the intermediate range (2 to 7 years) and will vary over time, based on the judgment of the Fund’s portfolio managers. Auction rate securities are preferred securities and debt securities with dividends/coupons based on a rate set at auction. The auction is usually held weekly for each series of a security, but may be held less frequently. The auction sets the rate, and securities may be bought and sold at the auction, normally at par value at specified intervals.

The Fund may invest in a variety of direct debt instruments, including bank loans, notes and other interests in amounts owed to financial institutions by borrowers, such as companies and governments. Corporate loans in which the Fund may invest will primarily consist of direct obligations of borrowers. The Fund may invest in corporate loans at origination as a co-lender or may acquire loans in the secondary market by purchasing participations in, assignments of or novations of corporate loans. The bank loans in which the Fund invests may be structured and administered by a third party that acts as agent for a group of lenders that make or hold interests in the loan. The Fund may acquire interests in such loans by taking an assignment of all or a portion of a direct interest in a loan previously held by another institution or by acquiring a participation in an interest in a loan that continues to be held by another institution.

The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities, including CLOs, mortgage-backed securities and equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks, depositary receipts, warrants and rights. The Fund may also invest in bonds and preferred stocks that are convertible into equity securities.

The Fund may invest in derivatives. The Fund may purchase and sell derivative instruments such as exchange listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities, foreign currencies and securities indices. It may also purchase and sell financial futures contracts (and options thereon) and enter into various other types of transactions in derivatives, such as swaps, caps, floors and collars. These transactions may include the use of interest rate swaps (to hedge against adverse changes in interest rates affecting securities held by the Fund, dividends payable on any preferred stock issued by the Fund or interest payable on the Fund’s borrowings) and credit default swaps. Although the Fund will not use derivatives as a primary investment technique, it may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, including: (1) as a hedge against adverse changes in securities prices, interest rates or foreign currency exchange rates; and (2) as a substitute for purchasing or selling securities.

The Fund may invest in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds, if the investment companies invest principally in the types of investments in which the Fund may invest directly.

In connection with the Fund’s use of leverage through the Facility and the issuance of preferred stock, the Fund may seek to hedge the interest rate risks associated with leverage through interest rate swaps, caps or other derivative transactions. These transactions involve investment techniques and risks different from those associated with portfolio transactions in securities of high yield debt securities. There is no assurance that any interest rate hedging transactions, if undertaken, will be successful, and such transactions may adversely affect the Fund’s achievement of its investment objective.

The Fund’s portfolio managers will seek high total returns through in-depth credit research utilizing proprietary analytics processes to assess the strength of a company’s credit profile, examples of which include but are not limited to: their ability to pay principal and interest, their cash flow and balance sheet composition, and their market position relative to competitors. As part of their fundamental investment analysis the Fund’s portfolio managers consider Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors they believe are financially material to individual investments, where applicable, as described below. While this analysis is inherently subjective and may be informed by internally generated and third-party metrics, data and other information, the portfolio managers believe that the consideration of financially material ESG factors, alongside traditional financial metrics, may improve credit analysis, security selection, relative value analysis and enhance the Fund’s overall investment process. As part of this analysis, the Fund’s portfolio managers also regularly engage with the management teams of issuers on issues that the portfolio managers believe are material to the credit risk of an issuer. The specific ESG factors considered and scope and application of integration may vary depending on the specific investment and/or investment type. The consideration of ESG factors does not apply to certain instruments, such as certain derivative instruments, other registered investment companies, cash and cash equivalents. The consideration of ESG factors as part of the investment process does not mean that the Fund pursues a specific “impact” or “sustainable” investment strategy.In an effort to achieve its goal, the Fund may engage in active and frequent trading.

Temporary Investments. For temporary defensive purposes, or to manage cash pending investment or payout, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its total assets in cash and cash equivalents, U.S. Government and Agency Securities, commercial paper and certain other money market instruments, as well as repurchase agreements collateralized by the foregoing. The Fund may not achieve its investment objective under these circumstances.

The Fund may engage in certain practices and invest in certain securities in addition to those described as its “Principal Investment Strategy” in the summary section above. The following provides further descriptions of certain investments

that the Fund may make, and are not intended to be an exhaustive discussion of the Fund’s investments. For additional information on the types of investments the Fund may make, please see the SAI.

High Yield Debt Securities. High yield debt securities are rated below investment grade by a rating agency, or are unrated debt securities determined to be of comparable quality by the Adviser, at the time of purchase. Debt securities rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as “high yield securities” or “junk bonds” and are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. They involve greater risk of loss, are subject to greater price volatility and are potentially less liquid, especially during periods of economic uncertainty or change than higher rated debt securities. For purposes of the Fund’s investment policies relating to credit quality, if a security receives different ratings from two or more nationally recognized securities rating organizations, the Fund will use the rating chosen by the Adviser as most representative of the security’s credit quality.

 

Although the Fund may invest in debt securities having a broad range of maturities, the average portfolio maturity of the Fund is initially expected to be within the intermediate range (2 to 7 years) and will vary over time, based on the judgment of the Adviser.

 

Direct Debt Instruments. Direct debt includes interests in bank loans, notes and other interests in amounts owed to financial institutions by borrowers, such as companies and governments. Direct debt instruments are interests in amounts owed by corporate, governmental, or other borrowers to lenders or lending syndicates. The direct debt instruments in which the Fund may invest may be rated below investment grade or, if unrated by either of those entities, considered by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. Direct debt determined to be below investment grade will be included in the Fund’s calculation of its 80% investment in high yield debt securities.

Purchasers of loans and other forms of direct indebtedness depend primarily upon the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of principal and interest. The borrower may be in financial distress or may default. If the Fund does not receive scheduled interest or principal payments on such indebtedness, the Fund’s share price and yield could be adversely affected. Participations in debt instruments may involve a risk of insolvency of the selling bank. In addition, there may be fewer legal protections for owners of participation interests than for direct lenders.

Direct debt instruments may have floating interest rates.  These interest rates will vary depending on the terms of the underlying loan and market conditions.   

Corporate Loans. The Fund may invest in corporate loans, including various types of direct obligations of corporate borrowers and loan participations. Corporate loans may be of investment grade quality or below investment grade quality, as determined by the Adviser. Corporate loans determined to be below investment grade will be included in the Fund’s calculation of its 80% investment in high yield securities. Corporate loans in which the Fund may invest will primarily consist of direct obligations of borrowers. The Fund may invest in corporate loans at origination as a co-lender or may acquire loans in the secondary market by purchasing participations in, assignments of or novations of corporate loans. Many corporate loans are secured, although some may be unsecured. Loans that are fully secured offer the Fund more protection than unsecured loans in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. However, there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would fully satisfy the corporate borrower’s obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated. Like debt securities, corporate loans involve a risk of loss in case of default or insolvency of the borrower; however, they may offer less legal protection to the Fund in the event of fraud or misrepresentation. In addition, loan participations involve a risk of insolvency of the lending bank or other financial intermediary. The markets in corporate loans are not regulated by federal securities laws or the SEC.

 

As in the case of other high yield investments, corporate loans may be rated in the lower rating categories of rating agencies (Ba or lower by Moody’s or BB or lower by S&P or Fitch), or may be unrated investments determined by the Adviser to be of comparable credit quality. Lower rated corporate loans can be expected to provide higher yields than lower yielding, higher rated fixed income securities, but may be subject to greater risk of loss of principal and income. There are, however, some significant differences between corporate loans and high yield bonds. Corporate loans are frequently secured by pledges of liens and security interests in the assets of the borrower, and the holders of corporate loans are frequently the beneficiaries of debt service subordination provisions imposed on the borrower’s bondholders. These arrangements are designed to give corporate loan investors preferential treatment over high yield investors in the event of deterioration in the credit quality of the borrower. Even when these arrangements exist, however, there can be no assurance that the borrowers will repay principal or pay interest in full. Corporate loans generally bear interest at

rates set at a margin above a generally recognized base lending rate that may fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, such as the prime rate of a U.S. bank. Thus, the value of corporate loans held by the Fund may be expected to fluctuate less than the value of fixed rate, debt obligations as a result of changes in the interest rate environment. On the other hand, the secondary dealer market for corporate loans is not as well developed as the secondary dealer market for high yield debt securities and, therefore, presents increased risk relating to liquidity and pricing. By purchasing a participation interest in a loan, the Fund will acquire some or all of the interest of a bank or other lending institution in a loan to a borrower.

 

Bank Loans. Bank loans, which are a type of a direct debt instrument, are a type of debt security that may be made in connection with, among other things, recapitalizations, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, dividend issuances and refinancings. The bank loans in which the Fund invests may be structured and administered by a third party that acts as agent for a group of lenders that make or hold interests in the loan. The Fund may acquire interests in such loans by taking an assignment of all or a portion of a direct interest in a loan previously held by another institution or by acquiring a participation in an interest in a loan that continues to be held by another institution.

Banks are subject to extensive governmental regulations that may limit both the amounts and types of loans and other financial commitments that may be made and the interest rates and fees that may be charged. The profitability of this industry is largely dependent upon the availability and cost of capital, which can fluctuate significantly when interest rates change. Also, general economic conditions, consolidation and competition among banking and savings institutions play an important part in the operations of this industry and exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers might affect a bank’s ability to meet its obligations. Bank obligations may be general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch by the terms of the specific obligations or by government regulation.

Asset-Backed Securities. The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities represent direct or indirect participations in, or are secured by and payable from, pools of assets such as, among other things, motor vehicle installment sales contracts, installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, and receivables from revolving credit (credit card) agreements, or a combination of the foregoing. These assets are securitized through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations. Credit enhancements, such as various forms of cash collateral accounts or letters of credit, may support payments of principal and interest on asset-backed securities. Although these securities may be supported by letters of credit or other credit enhancements, payment of interest and principal ultimately depends upon individuals paying the underlying loans, which may be affected adversely by general downturns in the economy. Asset-backed securities are subject to the same risk of prepayment described with respect to mortgage-backed securities and to extension risk (the risk that an issuer of a security will make principal payments slower than anticipated by the investor, thus extending the securities’ duration). The risk that recovery on repossessed collateral might be unavailable or inadequate to support payments, however, is greater for asset-backed securities than for mortgage-backed securities. 

Equity Securities. The Fund may invest, to a limited extent, in equity securities, which may include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities and warrants. Common stocks and preferred stocks represent shares of ownership in a corporation. Preferred stocks usually have specific dividends and rank after bonds and before common stock in claims on assets of the corporation should it be dissolved. Increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a corporation’s stock price. Convertible securities are debt or preferred equity securities convertible into common stock. Usually, convertible securities pay dividends or interest at rates higher than common stock, but lower than other securities. Convertible securities usually participate to some extent in the appreciation or depreciation of the underlying stock into which they are convertible. Warrants are options to buy a stated number of shares of common stock at a specified price anytime during the life of the warrants.

To the extent the Fund invests in such securities, the value of securities held by the Fund will be affected by changes in the stock markets, which may be the result of domestic or international political or economic news, changes in interest rates or changing investor sentiment. At times, the stock markets can be volatile and stock prices can change substantially. Because some investors purchase equity securities with borrowed money, an increase in interest rates can cause a decline in equity prices. The equity securities of smaller companies are more sensitive to these changes than those of larger companies. This market risk will affect the Fund’s NAV per share, which will fluctuate as the value of the securities held by the Fund changes. Not all stock prices change uniformly or at the same time and not all stock markets move in the same direction at the same time. Other factors affect a particular stock’s prices, such as poor earnings reports by an issuer, loss of major customers, major litigation against an issuer, or changes in governmental

regulations affecting an industry. Adverse news affecting one company can sometimes depress the stock prices of all companies in the same industry. Not all factors can be predicted.

 

Convertible Securities. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock, or other security or debt obligation that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. Convertible securities generally have features of, and risks associated with, both equity and fixed income instruments. As such, the value of most convertible securities will vary with changes in the price of, and will be subject to the risks associated with, the underlying common stock.  Additionally, convertible securities are also subject to the risk that the issuer may not be able to pay principal or interest when due and the value of the convertible security may change based on the issuer’s credit rating. A convertible security may have a mandatory conversion feature or a call feature that subjects it to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the security’s governing instrument. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be required to convert it into the underlying common stock, sell it to a third party or permit the issuer to redeem the security. Any of these actions could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

 

Preferred Stocks. The Fund may invest in preferred stocks. Shares of preferred stock are equity securities, but they have many characteristics of debt securities, such as a fixed dividend payment rate and a liquidation preference over the issuer’s Common Stock. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, dividends on preferred stock are generally payable at the discretion of the issuer’s board of directors. Preferred stockholders may have certain rights if dividends are not paid but generally have no legal recourse against the issuer. Stockholders may suffer a loss of value if dividends are not paid. The market prices of preferred stocks are generally more sensitive to changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness than are the prices of debt securities. Because shares of preferred stock are equity securities, they may be more susceptible to risks traditionally associated with equity investments than the debt securities in which the Fund invests.

 

Structured Securities. The Fund may invest in structured securities. Structured securities are securities whose value is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, securities, interest rates, commodities, indices or other financial indicators (the “Reference”) or the relative change in two or more References. Investments in structured securities may provide exposure to certain securities or markets in situations where regulatory or other restrictions prevent direct investments in such issuers or markets. The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon the maturity or redemption of those securities may increase or decrease depending upon changes in the applicable Reference. The terms of the structured securities may provide in certain circumstances that no principal is due at maturity and, therefore, may result in a complete loss of the Fund’s investment. Changes in the interest rate or principal payable at maturity may be a multiple of the changes in the value of the Reference. Consequently, structured securities may entail a greater degree of risk than other types of fixed income securities.

 

Derivatives. The Fund may invest in derivatives. A derivative is a financial instrument the value of which is determined by reference to the value or the change in value of one or more securities, currencies, indices or other financial instruments. The Fund may, but is not required to, use various types of derivatives as a hedge against adverse changes in securities prices, interest rates or foreign currency exchange rates; or as a substitute for purchasing or selling securities. Although the Adviser may use derivatives to further the Fund’s investment objective, no assurance can be given that it will be successful or that this result will be achieved.

 

The Fund may purchase and sell derivative instruments such as exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities, foreign currencies and securities indices. It may also purchase and sell financial futures contracts (and options thereon) and enter into various other types of transactions in derivatives, such as swaps, caps, floors or collars. These transactions may include the use of interest rate swaps (to hedge against adverse changes in interest rates affecting securities held by the Fund, dividends payable on any preferred stock issued by the Fund or interest payable on the Fund’s borrowings) and credit default swaps. The Fund also may purchase derivative instruments that combine features of these instruments. The Fund may invest in derivative instruments for a variety of reasons, including: to protect against possible adverse changes in the market value of securities held in or to be purchased for the Fund’s portfolio; to facilitate the sale of certain securities for investment purposes; to manage the effective interest rate exposure of the Fund or the effective maturity or duration of the Fund’s portfolio; or to establish positions in the derivatives markets as a substitute for purchasing or selling particular securities. These transactions may include the use of derivatives, such as interest rate swaps, to hedge against adverse changes in interest rates affecting dividends payable on any preferred stock issued by the Fund or payable on borrowings by the Fund.

 

The primary risks in using derivatives are:  (1) imperfect correlation or no correlation between changes in market value of the securities or currencies held or to be acquired by the Fund and the prices of derivatives; (2) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability to close out derivatives when desired; (3) the fact that the skills needed to use derivatives are different from those needed to select the Fund’s securities; (4) the fact that, although use of derivatives for hedging purposes can reduce the risk of loss, they also can reduce the opportunity for gain, or even result in losses, by offsetting favorable price movements in hedged investments; and (5) when traded on non-U.S. exchanges, derivatives may not be regulated as rigorously as in the United States.

In addition, derivatives may contain leverage to magnify the exposure to the underlying asset or assets.

The Fund’s use of derivatives may be limited by the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and Treasury Department regulations with which it must comply to continue to qualify as a RIC. See “Tax Matters.”

 

U.S. Government and Agency Securities. “U.S. Government Securities” are obligations of the Treasury Department backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.  During times of market turbulence, investors may turn to the safety of securities issued or guaranteed by the Treasury Department, causing the prices of these securities to rise and their yields to decline.  As a result of this and other market influences, yields of short-term Treasury Department debt instruments are currently near historical lows.

“U.S. Government Agency Securities” are issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or by instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, such as Ginnie Mae (also known as the Government National Mortgage Association), Fannie Mae (also known as the Federal National Mortgage Association), Freddie Mac (also known as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation), SLM Corporation (formerly, the Student Loan Marketing Association) (commonly known as “Sallie Mae”), Federal Home Loan Banks (“FHLB”), and the Tennessee Valley Authority.  Some U.S. Government Agency Securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, while others may be supported by the issuer’s ability to borrow from the Treasury Department, subject to the Treasury Department’s discretion in certain cases, or only by the credit of the issuer.  Accordingly, there is at least a possibility of default.  U.S. Government Agency Securities include U.S. Government agency mortgage-backed securities.  The market prices of U.S. Government Agency Securities are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government and generally fluctuate inversely with changing interest rates.

U.S. Government Agency Securities are deemed to include (i) securities for which the payment of principal and interest is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities and (ii) participations in loans made to foreign governments or their agencies that are so guaranteed.  The secondary market for certain of these participations is extremely limited.  In the absence of a suitable secondary market, such participations may therefore be regarded as illiquid.

The Fund may invest in separately traded principal and interest components of securities issued or guaranteed by the Treasury Department.  The principal and interest components of selected securities are traded independently under the Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities (“STRIPS”) program.  Under the STRIPS program, the principal and interest components are individually numbered and separately issued by the Treasury Department at the request of depository financial institutions, which then trade the component parts independently.  The market prices of STRIPS generally are more volatile than that of Treasury Department bills with comparable maturities.

Other Investment Companies. Investments by the Fund in shares of other investment companies are subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Effective January 19, 2022, the SEC rescinded related fund of funds exemptive orders, certain no-action letters related to fund of funds investments, and Rule 12d1-2 under the 1940 Act.  As of that date, fund of funds arrangements must comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act, Rule 12d1-4, or another rule.  Pursuant to Rule 12d1-4, the Fund is permitted to exceed the limits of Section 12 of the 1940 Act if the Fund complies with Rule 12d1-4’s conditions, which contain elements from the SEC’s prior exemptive orders permitting fund of funds arrangements, including (i) limits on control and voting; (ii) required evaluations and findings; (iii) required fund of funds investment agreements; and (iv) limits on complex structures. The Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies, including open-end management companies, closed-end management companies (including business development companies (“BDCs”)) and unit investment trusts, that are consistent with

its investment objective and policies. Such an investment may be the most practical or only manner in which the Fund can invest in certain asset classes or participate in certain markets, such as foreign markets, because of the expenses involved or because other vehicles for investing in those markets may not be available at the time the Fund is ready to make an investment.  When investing in the securities of other investment companies, the Fund will be indirectly exposed to all the risks of such investment companies’ portfolio securities.  In addition, as a shareholder in an investment company, the Fund would indirectly bear its pro rata share of that investment company’s advisory fees and other operating expenses.

Repurchase Agreements. In a repurchase agreement, the Fund purchases securities from a bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System, from a foreign bank or from a U.S. branch or agency of a foreign bank, or from a securities dealer that agrees to repurchase the securities from the Fund at a higher price on a designated future date.  Repurchase agreements generally are for a short period of time, usually less than a week. Costs, delays, or losses could result if the selling party to a repurchase agreement becomes bankrupt or otherwise defaults. The Adviser monitors the creditworthiness of sellers.  If the Fund enters into a repurchase agreement subject to foreign law and the counter-party defaults, the Fund may not enjoy protections comparable to those provided to certain repurchase agreements under U.S. bankruptcy law and may suffer delays and losses in disposing of the collateral as a result.

 

Cash Positions. In anticipation of or in response to adverse market conditions, for cash management purposes, during a reasonable start-up period following any future offering of additional preferred stock or notes or for defensive purposes, the Fund may temporarily hold all or a portion of its assets in cash, money market instruments or bonds or other debt securities. Doing so may help the Fund avoid losses but may mean lost opportunities for the Fund to achieve its investment objective. A reasonable start up period following any offering generally would not exceed three months.

 

Money market instruments in which the Fund may invest its cash reserves will generally consist of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, repurchase agreements collateralized by such obligations, commercial paper and shares of money market funds. To the extent the Fund purchases shares of a money market fund, the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of the advisory fees and other operating expenses of such fund.

 

Securities Lending. The Fund may lend portfolio securities to banks, brokerage firms, and other institutional investors, provided that cash or equivalent collateral, initially equal to at least 102% (105% in the case of foreign securities) of the market value of the loaned securities, is maintained by the borrower with the Fund or with the Fund’s lending agent, who holds the collateral on the Fund’s behalf.  Thereafter, cash or equivalent collateral, equal to at least 100% of the market value of the loaned securities, is to be continuously maintained by the borrower with the Fund. The Fund may invest the cash collateral and earn income, or it may receive an agreed upon amount of interest income from a borrower that has delivered equivalent collateral. During the time securities are on loan, the borrower will pay the Fund an amount equivalent to any dividends or interest paid on such securities. These loans are subject to termination at the option of the Fund or the borrower. The Fund may pay reasonable administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan and may pay a negotiated portion of the interest earned on the cash or equivalent collateral to the borrower. The Fund does not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan.  However, it is the Fund’s policy to attempt to terminate loans in time to vote those proxies that the Fund has determined are material to the interests of the Fund.  The Adviser believes the risk of loss on these transactions is slight because if a borrower were to default for any reason, the collateral should satisfy the obligation. However, as with other extensions of secured credit, loans of portfolio securities involve some risk of loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. The Fund may loan securities through third parties not affiliated with Neuberger Berman BD LLC (“Neuberger Berman”) that would act as agent to lend securities to principal borrowers.

 

Portfolio Turnover. The Fund may engage in portfolio trading when the Adviser considers it to be appropriate, but the Fund will not use short-term trading as the primary means of achieving its investment objective.  There are no limits on the rate of portfolio turnover, and investments may be sold without regard to the length of time held when, in the opinion of the Adviser, investment considerations warrant such action. A higher turnover rate would result in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that are borne by the Fund. High portfolio turnover may result in the Fund’s realization of net short-term capital gains that, when distributed to stockholders, will be taxable as ordinary income. See “Tax Matters.”

 

Temporary investments. For temporary defensive purposes, or to manage cash pending investment or payout, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its total assets in cash and cash equivalents, U.S. Government and Agency Securities, commercial paper and certain other money market instruments, as well as repurchase agreements collateralized by the foregoing. The Fund may not achieve its investment objectives under these circumstances.

 

 

The Fund utilizes financial leverage for investment purposes (i.e., to purchase additional portfolio securities consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and primary investment strategy). The Fund has utilized various forms of leverage since shortly after it began investment operations and expects to continue to use leverage, although there can be no assurance that the Fund will continue to engage in any leveraging techniques. Immediately prior to a leverage refinancing in September 2023, the Fund utilized Privately Placed Notes (“PNs”) and mandatory redeemable preferred shares (“MRPS”) Series C. The Fund currently utilizes leverage through a revolving debt financing facility (“Facility”) and MRPS Series D, and may otherwise borrow money, issue notes or use a variety of additional strategies to increase funds available for investment.  The Facility has a 360-day rolling maturity date and the MRPS have a maturity date of September 29, 2026. The interest on the Facility loans is charged based on an adjusted overnight SOFR rate and is accrued daily and paid monthly. The MRPS Series D have a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share plus any accumulated unpaid distributions, whether or not earned or declared by the Fund, but excluding interest thereon. The distributions on the MRPS Series D are based on floating rates and are accrued daily and paid monthly.  During the six-months ended April 30, 2024, the average annualized interest rate on the loans under the Facility was 6.48%, and average annualized distribution rate on the MRPS Series D was 7.09%.

The Fund may not declare dividends or make other distributions on Common Stock or purchase any such Common Stock if, at the time of the declaration, distribution or purchase, certain asset coverage requirements with respect to outstanding borrowings or preferred stock is not met. The Facility includes customary provisions regarding requirements to repay outstanding loans or incur a penalty rate of interest upon the occurrence of certain events of default, and indemnification of the lender against liabilities it may incur in connection with the Facility. The MRPS Series D contain provisions requiring the Fund to redeem the MRPS in certain circumstances, including the failure to meet certain asset coverage ratios. The Facility also includes customary covenants that, among other things, limit the Fund’s ability to incur additional debt, change certain of its investment policies and engage in certain transactions, including mergers and consolidations, and require asset coverage ratios in addition to those required by the 1940 Act. In connection with the Facility, the Fund has granted a security interest in a substantial portion of its assets to the lender.

There can be no assurance that the Fund will not replace or refinance the Facility or the MRPS with one or more credit facilities or other preferred stock, having substantially different terms, or with other forms of leverage.

Preferred stock and notes typically pay dividends, distributions or interest and loans under a credit facility typically require interest payments all based on short-term interest rates. The proceeds of preferred stock and amounts borrowed would be used to buy portfolio securities that pay interest based on intermediate- and long-term yields.  These interest payments are typically, although not always, higher than short-term interest rates. High-yield debt securities, as well as long-term and short-term interest rates, fluctuate. If short-term interest rates rise, distributions rates on preferred stock and interest payments on loans may rise so that the amount of distributions to be paid to holders of preferred stock and the amount of interest due on loans outstanding exceed the income from the portfolio securities.  Because income from the Fund’s entire investment portfolio would be available to pay distributions on preferred stock and interest on loans, however, dividend rates on preferred stock and interest rates on loans would need to greatly exceed the Fund’s net portfolio income before the Fund’s ability to pay dividends on preferred stock and interest due on loans would be jeopardized.  If long-term interest rates rise, this could negatively impact the value of the Fund’s investment portfolio, reducing the amount of assets serving as asset coverage for the preferred stock and loans. The Fund anticipates entering into interest rate swap or cap transactions with the intent to reduce or eliminate the risk posed by an increase in short-term interest rates. There is no guarantee that the Fund will engage in these transactions or that these transactions will be successful in reducing or eliminating interest rate risk.

 

The Fund is permitted to obtain leverage using any form or combination of financial leverage instruments, including derivative instruments discussed above, additional loans and through the issuance of additional preferred stock or notes. Subject to prevailing market conditions, the Fund intends to use leveraging instruments to maintain leverage on its portfolio representing up to approximately 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (including the assets subject to, and

obtained with the proceeds of, such instruments), the maximum amount of leverage allowable under the 1940 Act. The Fund intends to 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.

In October 2020, the SEC adopted Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act which regulates the use of derivatives by registered investment companies (“Rule 18f-4”). The Fund has adopted a Rule 18f-4 Policy which provides, among other things, that unless the Fund qualifies as a ‘‘limited derivatives user’’ as defined in Rule 18f-4, the Fund is subject to a comprehensive derivatives risk management program, must comply with certain value-at-risk based leverage limits and must provide additional disclosure both publicly and to the SEC regarding its derivatives positions. If the Fund qualifies as a limited derivatives user, Rule 18f-4 requires the Fund to have policies and procedures to manage its aggregate derivatives risk. Rule 18f-4 permits the Fund to enter into derivatives transactions and certain other transactions notwithstanding the restrictions on the issuance of “senior securities” under Section 18 of the 1940 Act.

  

Leverage creates risks for holders of the Common Stock, including the likelihood of greater volatility in the NAV and market price of, and distributions on, the Common Stock. There is a risk that fluctuations in the distribution rates on any outstanding preferred stock or interest due on loans may adversely affect the return to the holders of the Common Stock. If the income from the investments purchased with such funds is not sufficient to cover the cost of leverage, the return on the Fund will be less than if leverage had not been used, and therefore the amount available for distribution to Common Stockholders will be reduced. The Fund in its reasonable judgment nevertheless may determine to maintain the Fund’s leveraged position if it deems such action to be appropriate in the circumstances.

 

Changes in the value of the Fund’s investment portfolio (including investments bought with the proceeds of leverage) will be borne entirely by the Fund and indirectly by the Fund’s Common Stockholders. If there is a net decrease (or increase) in the value of the Fund’s investment portfolio, the leverage will decrease (or increase) the NAV to a greater extent than if the Fund were not leveraged. The use of leverage by the Fund may magnify the Fund’s losses when there is a decrease in the value of a Fund investment and even totally eliminate the Fund’s equity in its portfolio or a Common Stockholder’s equity in the Fund. During periods in which the Fund is using leverage, the fees paid by the Fund for investment advisory services will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the investment advisory fees paid will be calculated on the basis of the Fund’s Managed Assets, which include proceeds from leverage.

 

Leverage creates an opportunity for a greater return per share of Common Stock, but at the same time it is a speculative technique that will increase the Fund’s exposure to capital risk. Unless the income and appreciation, if any, on assets acquired with leverage exceeds the cost of such leverage, the use of leverage will diminish the investment performance of the Fund’s Common Stock compared with what it would have been without leverage.

 

The Fund’s willingness to utilize further leverage, and the amount of leverage the Fund will assume, will depend on many factors, the most important of which are market conditions and interest rates. Successful use of a leveraging strategy may depend on the Fund’s ability to predict correctly interest rates and market movements, and there is no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed.

Assuming that leverage will represent approximately 29.2% of the Fund’s Managed Assets and that the Fund will bear expenses relating to that leverage at an average annual rate of 6.84%, the income generated by the Fund’s portfolio (net of estimated expenses) must exceed 3.06% in order to cover the expenses specifically related to the Fund’s use of leverage. These numbers are merely estimates used for illustration. Actual leverage expenses will vary frequently and may be significantly higher or lower than the rate estimated above.

The following table is furnished in response to requirements of the SEC. It is designed to illustrate the effects of leverage on Common Stock total return, assuming investment portfolio total returns (consisting of income and changes in the value of investments held in the Fund’s portfolio) of -10%, -5%, 0%, 5% and 10%. These assumed investment portfolio returns are hypothetical figures and are not necessarily indicative of the investment portfolio returns expected to be experienced by the Fund. The table assumes that the Fund continues to use financial leverage in its portfolio through the Facility and MRPS representing 29.2% of Managed Assets (the percentage of leverage as of April 30, 2024) of the Fund’s total assets (including the assets subject to, and obtained with the proceeds of, such instruments) with an estimated blended annual interest and distribution rate of 6.84%.

 

 

Common Stock total return is composed of two elements — the Common Stock distributions paid by the Fund and gains or losses on the value of the securities the Fund owns. As required by SEC rules, the table above assumes that the Fund is more likely to suffer capital losses than to enjoy capital appreciation. For example, to assume a total return of 0% the Fund must assume that the interest it receives on its investments is entirely offset by losses in the value of those investments.

 

In addition to leverage for investment purposes, the Fund may also borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including the payment of distributions and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Fund investments.

 

Investing in any investment company security involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment or even that you may lose part or all of your investment. The following summarizes some of the risks that you should consider before making an investment in the Fund under any offering. You should carefully consider the following risk factors, as well as the other information in this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement, before making an investment in the Fund under any offer. The Securities do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and are not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution, and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other government agency.

The actual risk exposure taken by the Fund in its investment program will vary over time, depending on various factors including the portfolio managers’ evaluation of issuer, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments. There can be no guarantee that the portfolio managers will be successful in their attempts to manage the risk exposure of the Fund or will appropriately evaluate or weigh the multiple factors involved in investment decisions, including issuer, market and/or instrument-specific analysis, valuation and ESG factors. Information used by the portfolio managers in their assessment of ESG factors, like other information used in their credit analysis discipline and security selection process, may not be readily available, complete, or accurate, which could negatively impact the Fund’s performance or create additional risk in the portfolio.

Each of the following risks, which are described in alphabetical order and not in order of any presumed importance, can significantly affect the Fund’s performance. The relative importance of, or potential exposure as a result of, each of these risks will vary based on market and other investment-specific considerations.

Anti-takeover Provisions Risk

 

The Fund’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to an open-end fund. If the Fund were converted to open-end status, the Fund would have to redeem preferred stock and repay borrowings under its credit facility.  By resolution of the Board, the Fund has opted into the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act (“MCSAA”) and the Maryland Business Combination Act.  In general, the MCSAA provides that “control shares” of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition may not be voted except to the extent approved by stockholders at a special meeting by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter (excluding shares owned by the acquirer and by officers or by directors who are employees of the corporation).  

In general, the Maryland Business Combination Act prohibits an interested stockholder (a stockholder that holds 10% or more of the voting power of the outstanding stock of the corporation) of a Maryland corporation from engaging in a business combination with the corporation for a period of five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder. Such provisions may limit the ability of stockholders to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging an investor from seeking to obtain control of the Fund. There can be no assurance, however, that such provisions would be sufficient to deter investors that seek to obtain

control of the Fund or otherwise cause the Fund to take actions that may not be aligned with the interests of other stockholders.  See “Anti-Takeover Provisions in the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws” for additional information, including relating to litigation.

Call Risk

Closed-End Fund Risk

The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company and designed primarily for long-term investors. 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. The Fund’s Common Stock may trade at a discount to the Fund’s NAV. See “Market Premium/Discount Risk.”

Collateralized Loan Obligations Risk

CLOs issue classes or “tranches” of securities that vary in risk and yield and may experience substantial losses due to interest rate fluctuations, actual defaults, collateral defaults, disappearance of subordinate tranches, market anticipation of defaults, and investor aversion to CLO securities as a class. CLOs carry risks including, but not limited to, (i) the possibility that distributions from the underlying debt securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments, (ii) the quality of the underlying debt securities may decline in value or default, particularly during periods of economic downturn, (iii) the Fund may invest in CLOs that are subordinate to other classes of securities, (iv) the investment return could be significantly different than those predicted by financial models; (v) the risk of forced “fire sale” liquidation due to technical defaults such as coverage test failures, (vi) the manager of the CLO may perform poorly, (vii) the complex structure may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results, and (viii) the lack of a readily available secondary market for CLOs. Interest on certain tranches of a CLO may be paid in kind or deferred and capitalized (paid in the form of obligations of the same type rather than cash), which involves continued exposure to the risk of default with respect to such payments. The risks of investing in CLOs depend largely on the quality and type of the underlying debt and the tranche of the CLO in which the Fund invests.  In addition, CLOs that obtain their exposure through derivative instruments entail the additional risks associated with such instruments.  CLOs can be difficult to value, may at times be illiquid, may be highly leveraged (which could make them highly volatile), and may produce unexpected investment results due to their complex structure. CLOs may also charge fees and expenses, which are in addition to those of the Fund. In addition, CLOs involve many of the same risks of investing in debt securities and asset-backed securities including, but not limited to, interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and valuation risk.

Conflicts of Interest Risk

The Adviser’s advisory fees are based on Managed Assets. Consequently, the Adviser will benefit from an increase in the Fund’s Managed Assets resulting from an offering. In addition, a Director who is an “interested person” (as such term is defined under the 1940 Act) of the Fund or a portfolio manager of the Fund could benefit indirectly from an offering because of such affiliations.

Convertible Securities Risk

The value of a convertible security, which is a form of hybrid security (i.e., a security with both debt and equity characteristics), typically increases or decreases with the price of the underlying common stock. In general, a convertible security is subject to the market risks of stocks, and its price may be as volatile as that of the underlying stock, when the underlying stock’s price is high relative to the conversion price, and a convertible security is subject to the market risks of debt securities, and is particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, when the underlying stock’s price is low relative to the conversion price. The general market risks of debt securities that are common to convertible

Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques, analysis and risks different from, and in some respects greater than, those associated with investing in more traditional investments, such as stocks and bonds. Derivatives can be highly complex and highly volatile and may perform in unanticipated ways.  Derivatives can create leverage, which can magnify the impact of a decline in the value of the reference instrument underlying the derivative, and the Fund could lose more than the amount it invests. Derivatives can have the potential for unlimited losses, for example, where the Fund may be called upon to deliver a security it does not own. Derivatives may at times be highly illiquid, and the Fund may not be able to close out or sell a derivative at a particular time or at an anticipated price.  Derivatives can be difficult to value and valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil.  The value of a derivative instrument depends largely on (and is derived from) the value of the reference instrument underlying the derivative.  There may be imperfect correlation between the behavior of a derivative and that of the reference instrument underlying the derivative, and the reference instrument may not perform as anticipated. An abrupt change in the price of a reference instrument could render a derivative worthless. Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the reference instrument. Suitable derivatives may not be available in all circumstances, and there can be no assurance that the Fund will use derivatives to reduce exposure to other risks when that might have been beneficial.  Derivatives may involve fees, commissions, or other costs that may reduce the Fund’s gains or exacerbate losses from the derivatives.  In addition, the Fund’s use of derivatives may have different tax consequences for the Fund than an investment in the reference instruments, and those differences may increase the amount and affect the timing and character of taxable distributions payable to shareholders. Thus, the Fund could be required at times to liquidate other investments in order to satisfy its distribution requirements.  Certain aspects of the regulatory treatment of derivative instruments, including federal income tax, are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations, or other legally binding authority. See “Use of Leverage and Related Risks.”

Derivatives involve counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party to the derivative will fail to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the derivative. Counterparty risk may arise because of market activities and developments, the counterparty’s financial condition (including financial difficulties, bankruptcy, or insolvency), or other reasons. Not all derivative transactions require a counterparty to post collateral, which may expose the Fund to greater losses in the event of a default by a counterparty.  Counterparty risk is generally thought to be greater with OTC derivatives than with derivatives that are exchange traded or centrally cleared. However, derivatives that are traded on organized exchanges and/or through clearing organizations involve the possibility that the futures commission merchant or clearing organization will default in the performance of its obligations. In addition, during periods of market volatility, such exchanges or clearing organizations may suspend or limit trading in a derivative, which may make the contract temporarily illiquid and difficult to price.

When the Fund uses derivatives, it will likely be required to provide margin or collateral; these practices are generally intended to satisfy contractual undertakings and will not prevent the Fund from incurring losses on derivatives.  The need to provide margin or collateral could limit the Fund’s ability to pursue other opportunities as they arise.  Derivatives that have margin requirements involve the risk that if the Fund has insufficient cash or eligible margin securities to meet daily variation margin requirements, it may have to sell securities or other instruments from its portfolio at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.  A relatively small price movement in a derivative may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. The Fund normally will remain obligated to meet margin requirements until a derivatives position is closed.

Ongoing changes to regulation of the derivatives markets and actual and potential changes in the regulation of funds using derivative instruments could limit the Fund’s ability to pursue its investment strategies. New regulation of derivatives may make them more costly, or may otherwise adversely affect their liquidity, value or performance.

Although the Fund may use derivatives to attempt to hedge against certain risks, the hedging instruments may not perform as expected and could produce losses.

Additional risks associated with certain types of derivatives are discussed below:

Forward Contracts. There are no limitations on daily price movements of forward contracts. Changes in foreign exchange regulations by governmental authorities might limit the trading of forward contracts on currencies.

Futures.  There can be no assurance that, at all times, a liquid market will exist for offsetting a futures contract that a Fund has previously bought or sold and this may result in the inability to close a futures position when desired.  This could be the case if, for example, a futures price has increased or decreased by the maximum allowable daily limit and there is no buyer (or seller) willing to purchase (or sell) the futures contract that the Fund needs to sell (or buy) at that limit price. In the absence of such limits, the liquidity of the futures market depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than taking or making delivery.  To the extent the Fund enters into futures contracts requiring physical delivery (e.g., certain commodities contracts), the inability of the Fund to take or make physical delivery can negatively impact performance.

Options. The use of options involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. By writing put options, the Fund takes on the risk of declines in the value of the underlying instrument, including the possibility of a loss up to the entire strike price of each option it sells, but without the corresponding opportunity to benefit from potential increases in the value of the underlying instrument. When the Fund writes a put option, it assumes the risk that it must purchase the underlying instrument at a strike price that may be higher than the market price of the instrument. If there is a broad market decline and the Fund is not able to close out its written put options, it may result in substantial losses to the Fund. By writing a call option, the Fund may be obligated to deliver instruments underlying an option at less than the market price. In the case of an uncovered call option, there is a risk of unlimited loss. When an uncovered call is exercised, the Fund must purchase the underlying instrument to meet its call obligations and the necessary instruments may be unavailable for purchase.  Additionally, volatility in the market for equity securities, which has been dramatically increased recently for certain stocks, can meaningfully increase the risk of loss associated with options. When the Fund writes a covered call option, it gives up the opportunity to profit from a price increase in the underlying instrument above the strike price. If a covered call option that the Fund has written is exercised, the Fund will experience a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying instrument, depending on the price at which the Fund purchased the instrument and the strike price of the option. The Fund will receive a premium from writing options, but the premium received may not be sufficient to offset any losses sustained from exercised options. In the case of a covered call, the premium received may be offset by a decline in the market value of the underlying instrument during the option period. If an option that the Fund has purchased is never exercised or closed out, the Fund will lose the amount of the premium it paid and the use of those funds.

Swaps. Swap transactions generally do not involve delivery of reference instruments or payment of the notional amount of the contract. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to swaps generally is limited to the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make or, in the case of the other party to a swap defaulting, the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. If the Fund sells a credit default swap, however, the risk of loss may be the entire notional amount of the swap.

Some swaps are now executed through an organized exchange or regulated facility and cleared through a regulated clearing organization. The absence of an organized exchange or market for swap transactions may result in difficulties in trading and valuation, especially in the event of market disruptions. The use of an organized exchange or market for swap transactions is expected to result in swaps being easier to trade or value, but this may not always be the case.

From time to time, the trading market for a particular investment or type of investment in which the Fund invests is or may become less liquid or even illiquid. Illiquid investments frequently can be more difficult to purchase or sell at an advantageous price or time. An illiquid investment means any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Judgment plays a greater role in pricing these investments than it does in pricing investments having more active markets, and there is a greater risk that the investments may not be sold for the price at which the Fund is carrying them. The Fund may receive illiquid securities as a result of its investment in securities involved in restructurings.  Certain investments that were liquid when the Fund purchased them may become illiquid, sometimes abruptly, particularly during periods of increased market volatility or adverse investor perception. Additionally, market closures due to holidays or other factors may render a security or group of securities (e.g., securities tied to a particular country or geographic region) illiquid for a period of time, which can be extensive. An inability to sell a portfolio position can adversely affect the Fund’s value or prevent the Fund from being able to take advantage of other investment opportunities.  Market prices for such securities or other investments may be volatile.  Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar investment at the same time as the Fund could decrease the liquidity of such investments, especially during times of market volatility.  During periods of substantial market volatility, an investment or even an entire market segment may become illiquid, sometimes abruptly, which can adversely affect the Fund’s ability to limit losses.

Interests in secured loans have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets, although many covenants may be waived or modified with the consent of a certain percentage of the holders of the loans even if the Fund does not consent. There is a risk that the value of any collateral securing a loan in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the loan. In most loan agreements there is no formal requirement to pledge additional collateral. In the event the borrower defaults, the Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, in the event of a default, second or lower lien secured loans, and unsecured loans, will generally be paid only if the value of the collateral exceeds the amount of the borrower’s obligations to the senior secured lenders, and the remaining collateral may not be sufficient to cover the full amount

owed on the loan in which the Fund has an interest. In addition, if a secured loan is foreclosed, the Fund may bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral.  The collateral may be difficult to sell and the Fund would bear the risk that the collateral may decline in value while the Fund is holding it. Further, there is a risk that a court could take action with respect to a loan that is adverse to the holders of the loan and the Fund may need to retain legal counsel to enforce its rights in any resulting event of default, bankruptcy, or similar situation, which may increase the Fund’s operating expenses.  Interests in loans expose the Fund to the credit risk of the underlying borrower and may expose the Fund to the credit risk of the lender.

The Fund may acquire a loan interest by direct investment as a lender, by obtaining an assignment of all or a portion of the interests in a particular loan that are held by an original lender or a prior assignee or by participation in a loan interest that is held by another party.  As an assignee, the Fund normally will succeed to all rights and obligations of its assignor with respect to the portion of the loan that is being assigned. However, the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of a loan assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the original lenders or the assignor.

When the Fund’s loan interest is a participation, the Fund may have less control over the exercise of remedies than the party selling the participation interest, and the Fund normally would not have any direct rights against the borrower. As a participant, the Fund also would be subject to the risk that the lending bank or other party selling the participation interest would not remit the Fund’s pro rata share of loan payments to the Fund. It may be difficult for the Fund to obtain an accurate picture of a lending bank’s financial condition. It is possible that the Fund could be held liable, or may be called upon to fulfill other obligations, with respect to loans in which it receives an assignment in whole or in part, or in which it owns a participation.  The potential for such liability is greater for an assignee than for a participant.

The liquidity of floating rate loans, including the volume and frequency of secondary market trading in such loans, may vary, sometimes significantly, over time and among individual floating rate loans and loans may be subject to wide bid/ask spreads. During periods of infrequent trading, valuing a floating rate loan can be more difficult; and buying and selling a floating rate loan at an acceptable price can be more difficult and delayed.

Lower-rated debt securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) and unrated debt securities determined to be of comparable quality involve greater risks than investment grade debt securities. Such securities may fluctuate more widely in price and yield and may fall in price, sometimes abruptly, due to changes in interest rates, market activity, economic conditions, such as when economic conditions are deteriorating or are expected to deteriorate, or other factors. These securities may be less liquid and also may require a greater degree of judgment to establish a price, may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires, and may carry higher transaction costs. In particular, these securities may be issued by smaller companies or by highly indebted companies, which are generally less able than more financially stable companies to make scheduled payments of interest and principal.  Lower-rated debt securities are considered by the major rating agencies to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to pay principal and interest and carry a greater risk that the issuer of such securities will default in the timely payment of principal and interest. Such securities are susceptible to such a default or decline in market value due to real or perceived adverse economic and business developments relating to the issuer, the industry in general, market interest rates and market liquidity.  Such securities may be unsecured or have insufficient collateral and may be subordinated to other creditors, which increases the risk of loss on these securities. Issuers of securities that are in default or have defaulted may fail to resume principal or interest payments, in which case the Fund may lose its entire investment.  Where it deems it appropriate and in the best interests of Fund Stockholders, the Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery on a defaulted security and/or to pursue litigation to protect the Fund’s investment.

The credit rating of a security may not accurately reflect the actual credit risk associated with such a security. The creditworthiness of issuers of these securities may be more complex to analyze than that of issuers of investment grade debt securities, and the overreliance on credit ratings may present additional risks.

Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, such as a high profile default, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of such securities, especially in a thinly traded or illiquid market.  To the extent the Fund owns or may acquire illiquid or restricted lower-rated debt securities or unrated debt securities of comparable quality, these securities may involve special registration responsibilities, liabilities, costs, and liquidity and valuation difficulties.

Market Premium/Discount Risk

The market price of the Fund’s shares of common stock will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in the Fund’s NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for shares on the secondary market. The Adviser cannot predict whether shares will trade below, at or above their NAV per share because the shares trade on the secondary market at market prices and not at NAV per share. Because the market price of the Fund’s shares of Common Stock will be determined by factors such as relative supply of and demand for shares in the market, general market and economic circumstances, and other factors beyond the control of the Fund, the Fund cannot predict whether the Common Stock will trade at, below or above NAV. This characteristic is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that the Fund’s NAV could decrease as a result of investment activities. Common Stockholders bear a risk of loss to the extent that the price at which they sell their shares is lower in relation to the Fund’s NAV than at the time of purchase.

Market Volatility Risk

Markets may be volatile and values of individual securities and other investments, including those of a particular type, may decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, economic or other developments that may cause broad changes in market value, public perceptions concerning these developments, and adverse investor sentiment or publicity. Changes in the financial condition of a single issuer may impact a market as a whole. Changes in value may be temporary or may last for extended periods and may not have the same impact on all types of securities and instruments. If the Fund sells a portfolio position before it reaches its market peak, it may miss out on opportunities for better performance.

Geopolitical risks, including terrorism, tensions or open conflict between nations, or political or economic dysfunction within some nations that are major players on the world stage or major producers of oil, may lead to overall instability in world economies and markets generally and have led, and may in the future lead, to increased market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects.  Similarly, environmental and public health risks, such as natural disasters or epidemics, or widespread fear that such events may occur, may impact markets and economies adversely and cause market volatility in both the short- and long-term.

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk

The value of mortgage- and asset-backed securities, including collateralized mortgage instruments, will be influenced by the factors affecting the housing market or the assets underlying the securities.  These securities differ from more traditional debt securities because the principal is paid back over the life of the security rather than at the security’s maturity; however, principal may be repaid early if a decline in interest rates causes many borrowers to refinance (known as prepayment risk), or repaid more slowly if a rise in rates causes refinancings to slow down (known as extension risk).  Thus, they tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates than other types of debt securities and as a result, these securities may exhibit additional volatility during periods of interest rate turmoil.  Asset-backed securities also may not have the benefit of any security interest in the related assets. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities may be “subordinated” to other interests in the same pool and a holder of those “subordinated” securities would receive payments only after any obligations to other more “senior” investors have been satisfied. In addition, investments in mortgage- and asset-backed securities may be subject to call risk, credit risk, valuation risk, and illiquid investment risk, sometimes to a higher degree than various other types of debt securities.  These securities are also subject to the risk of default on the underlying mortgages or assets, particularly during periods of market downturn, and

an unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the underlying assets will adversely affect the security’s value.  Further, such securities may have credit support, the utility of which could be negatively affected by such conditions as well.

Other Investment Company Risk

To the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies, including money market funds and ETFs, its performance will be affected by the performance of those other investment companies and to the allocation of its assets among those other investment companies. Investments in other investment companies are subject to the risks of the other investment companies’ investments, as well as to the other investment companies’ expenses. If the Fund invests in other investment companies, the Fund may receive distributions of taxable gains from portfolio transactions by that investment company and may recognize taxable gains from transactions in shares of that investment company, which could be taxable to the Fund’s stockholders when distributed to them.

An ETF may trade in the secondary market at a price below the value of its underlying portfolio, may not be liquid and may be halted by the listing exchange. An actively managed ETF’s performance will reflect its adviser’s ability to make investment decisions that are suited to achieving the ETF’s investment objectives. A passively managed ETF may not replicate the performance of the index it intends to track because of, for example, the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or discrepancies between the ETF and the index with respect to the weighting of securities or the number of stocks held. A passively managed ETF may not be permitted to sell poorly performing stocks that are included in its index. Investing in ETFs could incur brokerage and other trading costs for the Fund.

Operational and Cybersecurity Risk

The Fund and its service providers, and your ability to transact with the Fund, may be negatively impacted due to operational matters arising from, among other problems, human errors, processing and communications errors, counterparty and third-party disruptions or errors, systems and technology disruptions or failures, or cybersecurity incidents.  Cybersecurity incidents may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to fund assets, customer data, or proprietary information, or cause the Fund or its service providers, as well as the securities trading venues and their service providers, to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality, including those related to critical functions. Cybersecurity incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. A cybersecurity incident could, among other things, result in the loss or theft of customer data or funds, customers or employees being unable to access electronic systems (“denial of services”), loss or theft of proprietary information or corporate data, physical damage to a computer or network system, or remediation costs associated with system repairs. Any of these results could have a substantial adverse impact on the Fund and its Stockholders.

Variable and Floating Rate Instruments Risk

The market prices of instruments with variable and floating interest rates are generally less sensitive to interest rate changes than are the market prices of instruments with fixed interest rates. Variable and floating rate instruments may decline in value if market interest rates or interest rates paid by such instruments do not move as expected. Conversely, variable and floating rate instruments will not generally rise in value if market interest rates decline.  Thus, investing in variable and floating rate instruments generally allows less opportunity for capital appreciation and depreciation than investing in instruments with a fixed interest rate.  Certain types of floating rate instruments, such as interests in bank loans, may be subject to greater liquidity risk than other debt securities, may have restrictions on resale and may lack an active market, which may make them more difficult to value or sell.

Certain variable and floating rate instruments have an interest rate floor feature, which prevents the interest rate payable by the instrument from dropping below a specified level as compared to a reference interest rate (the “reference rate”), such as SOFR. Such a floor is designed to protect the Fund from a decrease in the reference rate below the specified level. However, if the reference rate is below the floor, there will be a lag between a rise in the reference rate and a rise in the interest rate payable by the instrument, and the Fund may not benefit from increasing interest rates for a significant period of time.  Rates on certain variable rate instruments typically only reset periodically.  As a result, changes in prevailing interest rates, particularly sudden and significant changes, can cause some fluctuations in the Fund’s value to the extent that it invests in variable rate instruments.

Warrants and Rights Risk

Warrants and rights do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights with respect to the securities that they entitle their holder to purchase, and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. As a result, warrants and rights may be considered more speculative than certain other types of investments and are subject to the risks associated with the security underlying the warrant. In addition, the value of a warrant or right does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities and it may never be advantageous to exercise a warrant or right. If a warrant or right to subscribe to additional shares is not exercised or, when permissible, sold prior to the warrant’s or right’s expiration date or redemption by the issuer, the Fund would lose all or substantially all of the value of the warrant or right. The market for warrants and rights may be very limited and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for warrants and rights.

Zero coupon securities and step coupon securities are debt obligations that are issued and traded at a discount from their face amount or par value (known as “original issue discount” or “OID”) and do not entitle the holder to any periodic payment of interest prior to maturity or that specify a future date when the securities begin to pay current interest. The Fund may also acquire certain debt securities at a discount. These discount obligations involve special risk considerations. OID varies depending on prevailing interest rates, the time remaining until cash payments begin, the liquidity of the security, and the perceived credit quality of the issuer. Zero coupon securities and step coupon securities are redeemed at face value when they mature. Accrued OID must be included in the Fund’s gross income for federal tax purposes ratably each taxable year prior to the receipt of any actual payments. Pay-in-kind securities pay “interest” through the issuance of additional securities. The market prices of zero coupon securities, step coupon securities, pay-in-kind securities and discount obligations generally are more volatile than the prices of securities that pay cash interest periodically. Those securities and obligations are likely to respond to changes in interest rates to a greater degree than other types of debt securities having a similar maturity and credit quality. 

 

 

The management of the Fund, including general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser, is the responsibility of the Board under the laws of the State of Maryland and the 1940 Act.

 

 

NBIA provides day-to-day investment management services to the Fund and serves as the Fund’s investment manager. NBIA is located at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10104-0002. See “Management of the Fund.” As of September 30, 2024, Neuberger Berman and its affiliates had $509 billion in assets under management and continue an asset management history that began in 1939.

 

 

The Fund retains NBIA as its investment manager under a Management Agreement. For such investment management services, the Fund pays NBIA an investment management fee computed at an annual rate of 0.60% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets. Managed Assets equal the total assets of the Fund, less liabilities other than the aggregate indebtedness entered into for purposes of leverage. For purposes of calculating Managed Assets, the liquidation preference of any MRPS outstanding and principal amount of borrowings outstanding are not considered liabilities.

A discussion regarding the basis for the approval of the management agreement by the Board is available in the Fund’s annual report to stockholders for the period ending October 31, 2023.

In addition to the fees of NBIA, the Fund will pay all other costs and expenses of its operations, including compensation of its Directors (other than those affiliated with NBIA), custodial expenses, transfer agency and distribution disbursing expenses, legal fees, expenses of independent auditors, expenses of repurchasing shares, leveraging expenses, expenses of preparing, printing and distributing Prospectuses, stockholder reports, notices, proxy statements and reports to governmental agencies, and taxes, if any.

During periods when the Fund is using leverage, the fee paid to NBIA (for various services) will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid are calculated on the basis of the Fund’s Managed Assets, which includes the assets purchased through leverage. NBIA will benefit from any offering because its fees are based on the Managed Assets of the Fund. It is not possible to state precisely the amount of additional compensation NBIA will receive as a result of any offering because it is not known how many shares of Common Stock will be subscribed for and because the proceeds of such offering will be invested in additional portfolio securities, which will fluctuate in value.

 

Christopher Kocinski, CFA, is a Managing Director of NBIA. Mr. Kocinski joined the firm in 2006 and is Co-Head of High Yield and a member of the Credit Committee for Non-Investment Grade Credit. Before being named co-Portfolio Manager to the Fund in 2019, Mr. Kocinski was co-director of non-investment grade credit research and a senior research analyst for the Adviser.

Joseph Lind, CFA, is a Managing Director of NBIA. He has served as a Portfolio Manager for the Fund since 2018. Mr. Lind is Co-Head of High Yield and a member of the Credit Committee for Non-Investment Grade Credit. He joined the Firm in 2018.

Please see the SAI for additional information about each Portfolio Manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by each Portfolio Manager, and each Portfolio Manager’s ownership of stock of the Fund.

 

The Administrator

 

The Fund retains NBIA as its administrator under an Administration Agreement. The Fund pays NBIA an administration fee at the annual rate of 0.05% of its average daily Managed Assets under this agreement. Additionally, NBIA retains State Street as its sub-administrator under a Sub-Administration Agreement. NBIA pays State Street a fee for all services received under the Sub-Administration Agreement.

 

Affiliates of NBIA may act as principal brokers for the Fund, subject to periodic evaluation by the Portfolio Transactions and Pricing Committee of the Board of the quality and cost of execution.

In effecting securities transactions, the Fund seeks to obtain the best price and execution of orders. While affiliates of NBIA are permitted to act as brokers for the Fund in the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities (other than certain securities traded on the OTC market) where such brokers are capable of providing best execution, the Fund generally will use unaffiliated brokers.

The Common Stock is listed on the NYSE American. The NAV of the Common Stock of the Fund is computed based upon the value of the Fund’s total assets. NAV is generally determined daily by the Custodian as of the close of the regular trading session on each day that the NYSE American is open for business. The NAV of the Common Stock is determined by calculating the total value of the Fund’s assets (the value of the securities, plus cash or other assets, including interest accrued but not yet received), deducting its total liabilities (including accrued expenses or distributions), and dividing the result by the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding of the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to calculate the NAV more frequently if deemed desirable.

The Fund generally values its investments based upon their last reported sale prices, market quotations, or estimates of value provided by an independent pricing service as of the time as of which the Fund’s share price is calculated.

The Fund uses one or more independent pricing services approved by NBIA to value its equity portfolio securities (including exchange-traded derivative instruments and securities issued by ETFs). An independent pricing service values equity portfolio securities (including exchange-traded derivative instruments and securities issued by ETFs) listed on the NYSE Exchange, the NYSE MKT LLC or other national securities exchanges, and other securities or instruments for which market quotations are readily available, at the last reported sale price on the day the securities are being valued. Securities traded primarily on the NASDAQ Stock Market are normally valued by the independent pricing service at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”) provided by NASDAQ each business day. The NOCP is the most recently reported price as of 4:00:02 p.m., Eastern time, unless that price is outside the range of the “inside” bid and asked prices (i.e., the bid and asked prices that dealers quote to each other when trading for their own accounts); in that case, NASDAQ will adjust the price to equal the inside bid or asked price, whichever is closer. Because of delays in reporting trades, the NOCP may not be based on the price of the last trade to occur before the market closes. If there is no sale of a security or other instrument on a particular day, the independent pricing services may value the security or other instrument based on market quotations.

The Fund uses one or more independent pricing services approved by NBIA to value its debt portfolio securities and other instruments, including certain derivative instruments that do not trade on an exchange. Valuations of debt securities and other instruments provided by an independent pricing service are based on readily available bid quotations or, if quotations are not readily available, by methods that include considerations such as: yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type; indications as to values from dealers; and general market conditions. Valuations of derivatives that do not trade on an exchange provided by an independent pricing service are based on market data about the underlying investments. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of less than 60 days may be valued at cost, which, when combined with interest earned, approximates market value, unless other factors indicate that this method does not provide an accurate estimate of the short-term security’s value.

NBIA has developed a process to periodically review information provided by independent pricing services for all types of securities.

Investments in non-exchange traded investment companies are valued using the respective fund’s daily calculated NAV per share. The prospectuses for these funds explain the circumstances under which the funds will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.

If a valuation for a security is not available from an independent pricing service or if NBIA believes in good faith that the valuation received does not reflect the amount the Fund might reasonably expect to receive on a current sale of that security, the Fund seeks to obtain quotations from brokers or dealers. If such quotations are not readily available, the Fund may use a fair value estimate made according to methods NBIA has approved in the good-faith belief that the resulting valuation will reflect the fair value of the security. Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, the Board designated NBIA as the Fund’s valuation designee. As the Fund’s valuation designee, NBIA is responsible for determining fair value in good faith for any and all Fund investments. The Fund may also use these methods to value certain types of illiquid securities and instruments for which broker quotes are rarely, if ever, available, such as options that are out of the money, or for which no trading activity exists. Fair value pricing generally will be used if the market in which a portfolio security trades closes early or if trading in a particular security was halted during the day and did not resume prior to the Fund’s NAV calculation. Numerous factors may be considered when determining the fair value of a security or other instrument, including available analyst, media or other reports, trading in futures or ADRs, and whether the issuer of the security or other instrument being fair valued has other securities or other instruments outstanding.

The value of the Fund’s investments in foreign securities is generally determined using the same valuation methods used for other Fund investments, as discussed above. Foreign security prices expressed in local currency values are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m., Eastern time.

If, after the close of the principal market on which a security is traded and before the time the Fund’s securities are priced that day, an event occurs that NBIA deems likely to cause a material change in the value of that security, NBIA may ascertain a fair value for such security. Such events may include circumstances in which the value of the U.S. markets changes by a percentage deemed significant with respect to the security in question.

Foreign securities are traded in foreign markets that may be open on days when the NYSE is closed.

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is required to act in good faith in determining the fair value of portfolio securities. The SEC has recognized that a security’s valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value. The fair value ascertained for a security is an estimate and there is no assurance, given the limited information available at the time of fair valuation, that a security’s fair value will be the same as or close to the subsequent opening market price for that security.

NBIA has approved the use of ICE Data Service (“ICE”) to assist in determining the fair value of foreign equity securities when changes in the value of a certain index suggest that the closing prices on the foreign exchanges may no longer represent the amount that the Fund could expect to receive for those securities or on days when foreign markets are closed and U.S. markets are open. In each of these events, ICE will provide adjusted prices for certain foreign equity securities using a statistical analysis of historical correlations of multiple factors. NBIA has also approved the use of ICE to evaluate the prices of foreign income securities as of the time as of which the Fund’s share price is calculated. ICE utilizes benchmark spread and yield curves and evaluates available market activity from the local close to the time as of which the Fund’s share price is calculated to assist in determining prices for certain foreign income securities. In the case of both foreign equity and foreign income securities, in the absence of precise information about the market values of these foreign securities as of the time as of which the Fund’s share price is calculated, NBIA has determined on the basis of available data that prices adjusted or evaluated in this way are likely to be closer to the prices the Fund could realize on a current sale than are the prices of those securities established at the close of the foreign markets in which the securities primarily trade.

When a Common Stockholder sells Common Stock, he or she will typically receive the market price for such Common Stock, which may be less than the NAV of such Common Stock. See “Closed-End Fund Structure.”

 

 

The Fund intends to distribute its net investment income on a monthly basis. At least annually, the Fund intends to distribute all of its realized net long- and short-term capital gains, if any. Both monthly and annual distributions to Common Stockholders will be made only after paying any accrued distributions on, or, if applicable, redeeming or liquidating, preferred stock, if any, and making interest and required principal payments on notes or any other borrowings, if any. See “Tax Matters.” There is no guarantee that the Fund’s investment strategy will be successful and/or that the Fund will generate a consistent or specific amount of investment income. The Fund may distribute short-term capital gain and/or return of capital to Common Stockholders in an effort to maintain a level distribution. A return of capital distribution may involve a return of a Common Stockholder’s original investment.

 

 

The Fund is a closed-end management investment company. Closed-end funds differ from open-end management investment companies (commonly referred to as mutual funds) in that closed-end funds generally list their shares for trading on a securities exchange and do not redeem their shares at the option of the stockholder. By comparison, mutual funds issue securities redeemable at NAV at the option of the stockholder and typically engage in a continuous offering of their shares. Mutual funds are subject to continuous asset in-flows and out-flows that can complicate portfolio management, whereas closed-end funds generally can stay more fully invested in securities consistent with the closed-end fund’s investment objective and policies. In addition, in comparison to open-end funds, closed-end funds have greater flexibility in the employment of financial leverage and in the ability to make certain types of investments, including investments in illiquid securities.

 

  

 

Equiniti Trust Company, LLC (the “Plan Agent”) will act as Plan Agent for stockholders who have not elected in writing to receive dividends and distributions in cash (each a “Participant”), will open an account for each Participant under the Distribution Reinvestment Plan (“Plan”) in the same name as their then-current shares of the Fund’s common stock (“Shares”) are registered, and will put the Plan into effect for each Participant as of the first record date for a dividend or capital gains distribution.

Whenever the Fund declares a dividend or distribution with respect to the Shares, each Participant will receive such dividends and distributions in additional Shares, including fractional Shares acquired by the Plan Agent and credited to each Participant’s account. If on the payment date for a cash dividend or distribution, the net asset value is equal to or less than the market price per Share plus estimated brokerage commissions, the Plan Agent shall automatically receive such Shares, including fractions, for each Participant’s account. Except in the circumstances described in the next paragraph, the number of additional Shares to be credited to each Participant’s account shall be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend or distribution payable on their Shares by the greater of the net asset value per Share determined as of the date of purchase or 95% of the then-current market price per Share on the payment date.

Should the net asset value per Share exceed the market price per Share plus estimated brokerage commissions on the payment date for a cash dividend or distribution, the Plan Agent or a broker-dealer selected by the Plan Agent shall endeavor, for a purchase period lasting until the last business day before the next date on which the Shares trade on an “ex-dividend” basis, but in no event, except as provided below, more than 30 days after the payment date, to apply the amount of such dividend or distribution on each Participant’s Shares (less their pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent’s open-market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of such dividend or distribution) to purchase Shares on the open market for each Participant’s account. No such purchases may be made more than 30 days after the payment date for such dividend or distribution except where temporary curtailment or suspension of purchase is necessary to comply with applicable provisions of federal securities laws. If, at the close of business on any day during the purchase period the net asset value per Share equals or is less than the market price per Share plus estimated brokerage commissions, the Plan Agent will not make any further open-market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of such dividend or distribution. If the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full dividend or distribution amount through open-market purchases during the purchase period, the Plan Agent shall request that,

with respect to the uninvested portion of such dividend or distribution amount, the Fund issue new Shares at the close of business on the earlier of the last day of the purchase period or the first day during the purchase period on which the net asset value per Share equals or is less than the market price per Share, plus estimated brokerage commissions, such Shares to be issued in accordance with the terms specified in the third paragraph hereof. These newly issued Shares will be valued at the then-current market price per Share at the time such Shares are to be issued.

For purposes of making the reinvestment purchase comparison under the Plan, (a) the market price of the Shares on a particular date shall be the last sales price on the New York Stock Exchange (or if the Shares are not listed on the New York Stock Exchange, such other exchange on which the Shares are principally traded) on that date, or, if there is no sale on such exchange (or if not so listed, in the over-the-counter market) on that date, then the mean between the closing bid and asked quotations for such Shares on such Exchange on such date and (b) the net asset value per Share on a particular date shall be the net asset value per Share most recently calculated by or on behalf of the Fund. All dividends, distributions and other payments (whether made in cash or Shares) shall be made net of any applicable withholding tax.

Open-market purchases provided for above may be made on any securities exchange where the Fund’s Shares are traded, in the over-the-counter market or in negotiated transactions and may be on such terms as to price, delivery and otherwise as the Plan Agent shall determine. Each Participant’s uninvested funds held by the Plan Agent will not bear interest, and it is understood that, in any event, the Plan Agent shall have no liability in connection with any inability to purchase Shares within 30 days after the initial date of such purchase as herein provided, or with the timing of any purchases effected. The Plan Agent shall have no responsibility as to the value of the Shares acquired for each Participant’s account. For the purpose of cash investments, the Plan Agent may commingle each Participant’s funds with those of other stockholders of the Fund for whom the Plan Agent similarly acts as agent, and the average price (including brokerage commissions) of all Shares purchased by the Plan Agent as Plan Agent shall be the price per Share allocable to each Participant in connection therewith.

The Plan Agent may hold each Participant’s Shares acquired pursuant to the Plan together with the Shares of other stockholders of the Fund acquired pursuant to the Plan in noncertificated form in the Plan Agent’s name or that of the Plan Agent’s nominee. The Plan Agent will forward to each Participant any proxy solicitation material and will vote any Shares so held for each Participant only in accordance with the instructions set forth on proxies returned by the Participant to the Fund.

The Plan Agent will confirm to each Participant each acquisition made for their account as soon as practicable but not later than 60 days after the date thereof. Although each Participant may from time to time have an undivided fractional interest (computed to three decimal places) in a Share, no certificates for a fractional Share will be issued. However, dividends and distributions on fractional Shares will be credited to each Participant’s account. In the event of termination of a Participant’s account under the Plan, the Plan Agent will adjust for any such undivided fractional interest in cash at the market value of the Shares at the time of termination, less the pro rata expense of any sale required to make such an adjustment.

Any Share dividends or split Shares distributed by the Fund on Shares held by the Plan Agent for Participants will be credited to their accounts. In the event that the Fund makes available to its stockholders rights to purchase additional Shares or other securities, the Shares held for each Participant under the Plan will be added to other Shares held by the Participant in calculating the number of rights to be issued to each Participant.

The Plan Agent’s service fee for handling capital gains and other distributions or income dividends will be paid by the Fund. Participants will be charged their pro rata share of brokerage commissions on all open-market purchases.

These terms and conditions may be amended or supplemented by the Plan Agent or the Fund at any time or times but, except when necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or the rules or policies of the SEC or any other regulatory authority, only by mailing to each Participant appropriate written notice at least 30 days prior to the effective date thereof. The amendment or supplement shall be deemed to be accepted by each Participant unless, prior to the effective date thereof, the Plan Agent receives written notice of the termination of their account under the Plan. Any such amendment may include an appointment by the Plan Agent in its place and stead of a successor Plan Agent under these terms and conditions, with full power and authority to perform all or any of the acts to be performed by the Plan Agent under these terms and conditions. Upon any such appointment of any Plan Agent for the purpose of receiving dividends and distributions, the Fund will be authorized to pay to such successor Plan Agent, for each Participant’s account, all dividends and distributions payable on Shares held in their name or under the Plan for retention or application by such successor Plan Agent as provided in these terms and conditions.

The Plan Agent shall at all times act in good faith and agrees to use its best efforts within reasonable limits to ensure the accuracy of all services performed under this Agreement and to comply with applicable law, but assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable for loss or damage due to errors unless such error is caused by the Plan Agent’s negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct or that of its employees.

These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of the State of Maryland.

Reinvested dividends and distributions are taxed in the same manner as cash dividends and distributions — i.e., reinvestment in additional Shares does not relieve stockholders of, or defer the need to pay, any income tax that may be payable (or that is required to be withheld) on Fund dividends and distributions. Participants should contact their tax professionals for information on how the Plan impacts their personal tax situation. For additional information about the Plan, please contact the Plan Agent by telephone at 1-866-227-2136 or by mail at P.O. Box 500, Newark, NJ 07101 or online at https://equiniti.com/us/ast-access/individuals. 

 

 

The Fund is a closed-end, diversified management investment company registered under the laws of the State of Maryland pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation signed by Arthur C. Delibert dated March 18, 2010. The Fund is authorized to issue 1,000,000,000 shares of capital stock, par value $0.0001 per share. The Fund intends to hold annual meetings of Stockholders so long as the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange and such meetings are required as a condition to such listing. An investor who acquires Common Stock in an Offer issued after the Record Date for a meeting of Stockholders will not be entitled to vote such Common Stock, or otherwise participate with respect to such Common Stock, at such meeting.

 

 

Set forth below is information with respect to the Fund’s outstanding capital stock as of October 9, 2024:

 

 

 

Each share of Common Stock represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets of the Fund with each other share of Common Stock in the Fund. Common Stockholders will be entitled to the payment of distributions when, as and if

declared by the Board. Under the stable distribution policy, in certain circumstances, the Fund may be required to sell a portion of its investment portfolio to fund distributions. Therefore, these payments may represent a reduction of the stockholder’s principal investment. The 1940 Act or the terms of any borrowings or preferred stock may limit the payment of distributions to the Common Stockholders. Each whole Share of Common Stock shall be entitled to one (1) vote as to matters on which it is entitled to vote pursuant to the terms of the Articles of Incorporation on file with the SEC. Upon liquidation of the Fund, after paying or adequately providing for the payment of all claims and obligations of the Fund and the liquidation preference with respect to any outstanding preferred stock, and (upon receipt of such releases, indemnities and refunding agreements as they deem necessary for their protection), the directors may distribute the remaining assets of the Fund among the holders of the Common Stock.

 

In general, except as provided in the following paragraph, when there are any borrowings, including preferred stock and/or loans outstanding, the Fund may not be permitted to declare any cash distribution on its Common Stock, unless at the time of such declaration, (i) all accrued distributions on preferred stock or accrued interest on borrowings have been paid and (ii) the value of the Fund’s total assets (determined after deducting the amount of such distribution), less all liabilities and indebtedness of the Fund not represented by senior securities, is at least 300% of the aggregate amount of such securities representing indebtedness and at least 200% of the aggregate amount of securities representing indebtedness plus the aggregate liquidation value of the outstanding preferred stock (expected to equal the aggregate original purchase price of the outstanding preferred stock plus the applicable redemption premium, if any, together with any accrued and unpaid distributions thereon, whether or not earned or declared and on a cumulative basis). In addition to the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund may be required to comply with other asset coverage requirements as a condition of the Fund obtaining a rating of the preferred stock from a NRSRO. These requirements may include an asset coverage test more stringent than under the 1940 Act. This limitation on the Fund’s ability to make distributions on its Common Stock could in certain circumstances impair the ability of the Fund to maintain its qualification for taxation as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes. The Fund intends, however, to the extent possible to purchase or redeem preferred stock or reduce borrowings from time to time to maintain compliance with such asset coverage requirements and may pay special distributions to the holders of the preferred stock in certain circumstances in connection with any such impairment of the Fund’s status as a regulated investment company. See “Distributions.” Depending on the timing of any such redemption or repayment, the Fund may be required to pay a premium in addition to the liquidation preference of the preferred stock to the holders thereof.

Any offerings of the Fund’s Common Stock, if made, will require approval of the Board or an authorized Committee thereof. Any additional offering will not be sold at a price per Share of Common Stock below the then current NAV (exclusive of underwriting discounts and commissions) except in connection with an offering to existing Common Stockholders or with the consent of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding Common Stockholders. The Shares of Common Stock have no preemptive rights.

 

The Fund currently issues its Common Stock without certificates.

 

The Fund is authorized to issue 1,000,000,000 Shares of Common Stock. All Shares of Common Stock have equal voting, dividend, distribution and liquidation rights. The Shares of Common Stock outstanding are, and the Shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Rights, when issued and paid for pursuant to the terms of any offering, will be, fully paid and non-assessable. Shares of Common Stock are not redeemable and have no preemptive rights, conversion rights, cumulative voting rights or appraisal rights.

  

The Fund’s Common Stock is publicly held and is listed and traded on the NYSE American under the symbol “NHS”. The following table sets forth for the fiscal quarters indicated the highest and lowest daily prices during the applicable quarter at the close of market on the NYSE American per Share of Common Stock along with (i) the highest and lowest closing NAV and (ii) the highest and lowest premium or discount from NAV represented by such prices at the close of the market on the NYSE American. 

NYSE American Market Price(1)

Corresponding NAV per share on Date of NYSE American Market Price(1)

Corresponding Market Premium/(Discount) to NAV per share on Date of NYSE American Market Price(1)

Quarter Ended(2)

High

Low

High

Low

High

Low

(1)		Source: Bloomberg
(2)		Data presented are with respect to a short period of time and are not indicative of future performance.

 

On October 9, 2024, the Fund’s NAV was $7.98 and the last reported sale price of a Share of Common Stock on the NYSE American was $8.51, representing a premium to NAV of 6.64%.  The Fund’s shares of Common Stock have historically traded at both a premium and discount to NAV.

 

As of October 9, 2024, the Fund had outstanding loans under the Facility with an aggregate principal value of $45,500,000 and MRPS with an aggregate liquidation preference of $40,000,000. The Facility has a 360-day rolling maturity date and the MRPS have a maturity date of September 29, 2026. The interest on the Facility loans is accrued daily and paid monthly. The MRPS have a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share plus any accumulated unpaid distributions, whether or not earned or declared by the Fund, but excluding interest thereon.

The Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of 1,000,000,000 of capital stock, including preferred stock, having a par value of $0.0001 per share, in one or more series, with rights as determined by the Board, by action of the Board without the approval of the Common Stockholders.  To the extent the Directors authorize the issuance of any preferred stock, the Directors are also permitted to amend or supplement the Articles of Incorporation, as they deem appropriate. Any such amendment or supplement may set forth the rights, preferences, powers and privileges of such preferred stock.

Prior to issuance of additional preferred stock, the Board of Directors is required by Maryland law and by the Fund’s Charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for such shares. Thus, the Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for Common Stockholders or otherwise be in their best interest.

Under the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund must, immediately after the issuance of any preferred stock, have an “asset coverage” of at least 200%. Asset coverage means the ratio which the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all liability and indebtedness not represented by senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), bears to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness of the Fund, if any, plus the aggregate liquidation preference of the preferred stock. If the Fund seeks a rating of the preferred stock, asset coverage requirements, in addition to those set forth in the 1940 Act, may be imposed. The liquidation value of the preferred stock is expected to equal their aggregate original purchase price plus the applicable redemption premium, if any, together with any accrued and unpaid distributions thereon (on a cumulative basis), whether or not earned or declared. The terms of the preferred stock, including their distribution rate, voting rights, liquidation preference and redemption provisions, will be determined by the Board (subject to applicable law and the Fund’s charter) if and when it authorizes the preferred stock. The Fund may issue preferred stock that provide for the periodic redetermination of the distribution rate at relatively short intervals through an auction or remarketing procedure, although the terms of the preferred stock may also enable the Fund to lengthen such intervals. At times, the distribution rate on the Fund’s preferred stock may exceed the Fund’s return after expenses on the investment of proceeds from the preferred stock, resulting in a lower rate of return to Common Stockholders than if the preferred stock were not outstanding.

 

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, the terms of any preferred stock may entitle the holders of preferred stock to receive a preferential liquidating distribution (expected to equal the original purchase price per share plus the applicable redemption premium, if any, together with accrued and unpaid distributions, whether or not earned or declared and on a cumulative basis) before any distribution of assets is made to Common Stockholders. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the preferred stockholders would not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund.

 

If issued, the Fund expects that holders of preferred stock, voting as a class, shall be entitled to elect at least two of the Fund’s directors. Under the 1940 Act, if at any time distributions on the preferred stock are unpaid in an amount equal to two (2) full years’ distributions thereon, the holders of all outstanding preferred stock, voting as a class, will be allowed to elect at least a majority of the Fund’s Directors with the number of Directors increased appropriately to the extent necessary to effectuate such rights until all distributions in arrears have been paid or declared and set apart for payment. The 1940 Act also requires that, in addition to any approval by stockholders that might otherwise be required, the approval of the holders of a majority of any outstanding preferred stock, voting separately as a class, would be required to (1) adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the preferred stock and (2) take any action requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, including among other things, changes in the Fund’s sub-classification as a closed-end investment company or changes in its fundamental investment restrictions. In addition, if required by a NRSRO rating the preferred stock or if the Board determines it to be in the best interests of the Common Stockholders, issuance of the preferred stock may result in more restrictive provisions than required by the 1940 Act being imposed. In this regard, holders of the preferred stock may be entitled to elect a majority of the Fund’s Board in other circumstances, for example, if one payment on the preferred stock is in arrears.

 

The Fund expects that the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of any outstanding preferred stock, voting as a separate class, will be required to amend, alter or repeal any of the preferences, rights or powers of holders of preferred stock so as to affect materially and adversely such preferences, rights or powers, or to increase or decrease the authorized number of preferred stock. The class vote of holders of preferred stock described above will in each case be in addition to any other vote required to authorize the action in question.

 

The Fund currently has ratings from an NRSRO on its MRPS and currently intends that, as long as the MRPS are outstanding, the composition of its portfolio will reflect guidelines established by such NRSRO. In order to maintain these ratings, the Fund is required to comply with asset coverage requirements that are currently more restrictive than those under the 1940 Act, restrictions on certain portfolio investments and investment practices, requirements that the Fund maintain a portion of its assets in short-term, high-quality investments at certain times and certain mandatory redemption or prepayment requirements relating to the MRPS.

 

The Fund also may enter into other transactions that may give rise to a form of leverage including, among others, swaps, futures and forward contracts, options and other derivative transactions. As of the date of this prospectus, to the extent that the Fund covers its obligations under such other transactions, as described in this prospectus, such transactions should not be treated as borrowings for purposes of the 1940 Act. However, these transactions, even if covered, may represent a form of economic leverage and will create risks. Further, the Fund may incur losses on such transactions (including the entire amount of the Fund’s investment in such transaction) even if they are covered.

The Fund may issue subscription rights to holders of our common stock to purchase additional common stock.  Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered security and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the subscription rights. In connection with a subscription rights offering to holders of our common stock, the Fund will provide a Prospectus Supplement to Common Stockholders as of the record date set for determining the stockholders eligible to receive subscription rights in such subscription rights offering.

 

The applicable Prospectus Supplement would describe the following terms of subscription rights in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered, along with general risks associated with subscription rights such as risks relating to dilution, market price volatility and undersubscription:

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each subscription right would entitle the holder of the subscription right to purchase for cash such number of shares of common stock at such exercise price as in each case is set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Subscription rights would be exercisable at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for such subscription rights set forth in the prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised subscription rights would become void.

 

Subscription rights would be exercisable as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Upon expiration of any rights offering and the receipt of payment and the subscription rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription rights agent or any other office indicated in a prospectus supplement the Fund would issue, as soon as practicable, the shares of common stock purchased as a result of such exercise. To the extent permissible under applicable law, the Fund may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to persons other than Stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, as set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Because shares of closed-end management investment companies frequently trade at a discount to their net asset values, the Board of Directors has determined that from time to time it may be in the interest of Common Stockholders for the Fund to take action. The Board, in consultation with NBIA, periodically reviews the possibility of various actions, which may include tender offers for Common Stock and/or open market repurchases and considers in connection with such review such factors as the market price of the Common Stock, the net asset value of Common Stock, the liquidity of the assets of the Fund, effect on the Fund’s expenses, whether such transactions would impair the Fund’s status as a regulated investment company or result in a failure to comply with applicable asset coverage requirements, general economic conditions and such other events or conditions, which may have a material effect on the Fund’s ability to consummate such transactions. There are no assurances that the Board will decide to undertake any actions or, if

undertaken, that such actions will result in the Fund’s shares of Common Stock trading at a price which is equal to or approximates their net asset value.

The Fund may be converted to an open-end management investment company at any time if approved by (i) both (a) a majority of the Board of Directors, including a majority of the directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, and (b) the holders of seventy-five percent (75%) of the outstanding shares of the Fund’s Common Stock or (ii) if approved by the affirmative vote of 75% of the directors, including a majority of the directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, in addition to any requirements under federal or Maryland law. The composition of the Fund’s portfolio and/or its investment policies could prohibit the Fund from complying with regulations of the SEC applicable to open-end management investment companies unless significant changes in portfolio holdings, which might be difficult and could involve losses, and investment policies are made. Conversion of the Fund to an open-end management investment company also would require the redemption of any outstanding preferred stock and could require the repayment of borrowings, which would reduce the leveraged capital structure of the Fund with respect to the Common Stock. In the event of conversion, the Common Stock would cease to be listed on the NYSE American or other national securities exchange or market system. The Board believes the closed-end structure is desirable, given the Fund’s investment objective and policies. Investors should assume, therefore, that it is unlikely that the Board would vote to convert the Fund to an open-end management investment company. Common Stockholders of an open-end management investment company can require the company to redeem their stock at any time (except in certain circumstances as authorized by or under the 1940 Act) at their NAV, less such redemption charge, if any, as might be in effect at the time of a redemption. If converted to an open-end fund, the Fund expects to pay all redemption requests in cash, but reserves the right to pay redemption requests in a combination of cash or securities. If such partial payment in securities were made, investors may incur brokerage costs in converting such securities to cash. If the Fund were converted to an open-end fund, it is likely that new Common Stock would be sold at NAV plus a sales load.

The following discussion briefly summarizes certain rules applicable to federal income taxation of the Fund and its stockholders. This discussion does not purport to be complete or to deal with all aspects of that taxation that may be relevant to Stockholders in light of their particular circumstances. It is based on current provisions of the Code and the Treasury regulations and judicial decisions and administrative pronouncements published at the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, some of which may be retroactive. Record Date Stockholders and potential future Rights holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisers for more detailed information and for information regarding other federal tax considerations and any state, local, or foreign taxes concerning their continued investment in the Fund and of their receipt and exercise of any Rights.

The Fund has elected to be treated and to qualify each year as a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) under the Code. Accordingly, the Fund intends to satisfy certain requirements relating to sources of its income and diversification of its total assets and to distribute substantially all of its net income and net short-term capital gain (after reduction by net long-term capital loss and any available capital loss carryforwards) in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Code, so as to maintain its RIC status and to avoid paying U.S. federal income or excise tax thereon. To the extent it qualifies for treatment as a RIC and satisfies the above-mentioned distribution requirements, the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income paid to its stockholders in the form of dividends or capital gain distributions.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, except with respect to capital gain distributions described below, distributions paid out the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits generally will be taxable as ordinary dividend income. The Fund generally does not expect to pay dividends that would qualify as qualified dividend income taxable at lower rates for individuals or dividends that would be eligible for the dividends received deduction if received by Common Stockholders that are corporations. For this purpose, “qualified dividend income” means dividends received from U.S. corporations and “qualified foreign corporations,” provided that certain holding period and other requirements in respect of the stock of such corporations are met.

At least annually, the Fund intends to distribute any net capital gain (which is the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) or, alternatively, to retain all or a portion of the year’s net capital gain and pay U.S.

federal income tax on the retained gain. As provided under U.S. federal tax law, Common Stockholders of record as of the end of the Fund’s taxable year will include their attributable share of the retained gain in their income for the year as long-term capital gain (regardless of holding period in Common Stock), and will be entitled to a tax credit or refund for the tax paid on their behalf by the Fund. Common Stockholders of record for the retained capital gain also will be entitled to increase their tax basis in their Common Stock by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit. Distributions of the Fund’s net capital gain (“capital gain distributions”), if any, are taxable to Common Stockholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of their holding period in Common Stock. Distributions of the Fund’s net realized short-term capital gain will be taxable as ordinary income.

If, for any calendar year, the Fund’s total distributions exceed the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a return of capital to each Common Stockholder (up to the amount of the Common Stockholder’s basis in his or her Common Stock) and thereafter as gain from the sale of Common Stock (assuming Common Stock is held as a capital asset). The amount treated as a return of capital reduces the Common Stockholder’s adjusted basis in his or her Common Stock, thereby increasing his or her potential gain or reducing his or her potential loss on the subsequent sale or other disposition of his or her Common Stock. See below for a summary of the current maximum tax rates applicable to long-term capital gain (including capital gain distributions).

For federal income tax purposes, the Fund is generally permitted to carry forward a net capital loss incurred in any taxable year, for an unlimited period to offset net capital gains, if any, during its taxable years following the year of the loss. Capital losses carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. To the extent subsequent net capital gains are offset by such losses, they would not result in federal income tax liability to the Fund and would not be distributed as such to stockholders.

To qualify as a RIC for income tax purposes, the Fund must derive at least 90% of its annual gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gain from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gain from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in stock, securities and currencies, and net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership. A “qualified publicly traded partnership” is a publicly traded partnership that meets certain requirements with respect to the nature of its income. To qualify as a RIC, the Fund must also satisfy certain requirements with respect to the diversification of its assets. The Fund must have, at the close of each quarter of the taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets represented by cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities that, in respect of any one issuer, do not represent more than 5% of the value of the assets of the Fund nor more than 10% of the voting securities of that issuer. In addition, at those times not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s assets can be invested in securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, or of two or more issuers, which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses, or of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships. If the Fund fails to meet the annual gross income test described above, the Fund will nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the test if (i) (a) such failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (b) the Fund reports the failure, and (ii) the Fund pays an excise tax equal to the excess non-qualifying income. If the Fund fails to meet the asset diversification test described above with respect to any quarter, the Fund will nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the requirements for such quarter if the Fund cures such failure within 6 months and either (i) such failure is de minimis or (ii) (a) such failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (b) the Fund reports the failure and pays an excise tax.

As a RIC, the Fund generally will not be subject to federal income tax on its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code, but without regard to the deductions for dividend paid) and net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, that it distributes in each taxable year to its stockholders, provided that it distributes at least the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income and 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income for such taxable year. The Fund intends to distribute to its stockholders, at least annually, substantially all of its investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt income and net capital gain. In order to avoid incurring a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax obligation, the Code requires that the Fund distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) 98.2% of its capital gain net income (which is the excess of its realized net long-term capital gain over its realized net short-term capital loss), generally computed on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31 of such year, after reduction by any available capital loss carryforwards and (iii) 100% of any

ordinary income and capital gain net income from the prior year (as previously computed) that were not paid out during such year and on which the Fund paid no U.S. federal income tax.

If the Fund does not qualify as a RIC for any taxable year, the Fund’s taxable income will be subject to corporate income taxes, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including distributions of net capital gain (if any), will be taxable to the stockholder as ordinary income. Such distributions generally would be eligible (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of individual and other non-corporate stockholders and (ii) for the dividends received deduction (“DRD”) in the case of corporate stockholders. In addition, in order to requalify for taxation as a RIC, the Fund may be required to recognize unrealized gain, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make certain distributions.

Certain of the Fund’s investment practices are subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i) convert dividends that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income into ordinary income, (ii) treat dividends that would otherwise be eligible for the corporate DRD as ineligible for such treatment, (iii) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain loss or deductions, (iv) convert long-term capital gain into short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (v) convert an ordinary loss or deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (vi) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (vii) adversely affect when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (viii) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions, and (ix) produce income that will not qualify as good income for purposes of the income requirement that applies to RICs. While it may not always be successful in doing so, the Fund will seek to avoid or minimize the adverse tax consequences of its investment practices.

The Fund may recognize gain (but not loss) from a constructive sale of certain “appreciated financial positions” if the Fund enters into a short sale, offsetting notional principal contract, or forward contract transaction with respect to the appreciated position or substantially identical property. Appreciated financial positions subject to this constructive sale treatment include interests (including options and forward contracts and short sales) in stock and certain other instruments. Constructive sale treatment does not apply if the transaction is closed out not later than thirty days after the end of the taxable year in which the transaction was initiated, and the underlying appreciated securities position is held unhedged for at least the next sixty days after the hedging transaction is closed.

Gain or loss from a short sale of property generally is considered as capital gain or loss to the extent the property used to close the short sale constitutes a capital asset in the Fund’s hands. Except with respect to certain situations where the property used to close a short sale has a long-term holding period on the date the short sale is entered into, gain on short sales generally are short-term capital gain. A loss on a short sale will be treated as a long-term capital loss if, on the date of the short sale, “substantially identical property” has been held by the Fund for more than one year. In addition, entering into a short sale may result in suspension of the holding period of “substantially identical property” held by the Fund.

Gain or loss on a short sale generally will not be realized until such time as the short sale is closed. However, as described above in the discussion of constructive sales, if the Fund holds a short sale position with respect to securities that have appreciated in value, and it then acquires property that is the same as or substantially identical to the property sold short, the Fund generally will recognize gain on the date it acquires such property as if the short sale were closed on such date with such property. Similarly, if the Fund holds an appreciated financial position with respect to securities and then enters into a short sale with respect to the same or substantially identical property, the Fund generally will recognize gain as if the appreciated financial position were sold at its fair market value on the date it enters into the short sale. The subsequent holding period for any appreciated financial position that is subject to these constructive sale rules will be determined as if such position were acquired on the date of the constructive sale.

The Fund will inform Common Stockholders of the source and tax status of all distributions promptly after the close of each calendar year.

Selling Common Stockholders generally will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale and the Common Stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Stock sold. If Common Stock is held as a capital asset, the gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss. The maximum tax rate applicable to net capital gain recognized by individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers is (i) the same as the maximum ordinary income tax rate for gain recognized on the sale of capital assets held for one year or less (currently 37%), or (ii) for gain

recognized on the sale of capital assets held for more than one year (as well as any capital gain distributions), 20%, 15%, or 0% for individuals depending on the amount of their taxable income for the year. An additional 3.8% Medicare tax will also apply in the case of some individuals.

Any loss on a disposition of Shares of Common Stock held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions received with respect to those Shares of Common Stock. For purposes of determining whether Shares of Common Stock have been held for six months or less, the holding period is suspended for any periods during which the Common Stockholder’s risk of loss is diminished as a result of holding one or more other positions in substantially similar or related property, or through certain options or short sales. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange of Common Stock will be disallowed to the extent those Shares of Common Stock are replaced by other Common Stock within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date of disposition of Common Stock (whether through the reinvestment of distributions or otherwise). In that event, the basis of the replacement Common Stock will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

An investor should be aware that, if Common Stock is purchased shortly before the record date for any taxable distribution (including a capital gain distribution), the purchase price likely will reflect the value of the distribution and the investor then would receive a taxable distribution that is likely to reduce the trading value of such Common Stock, in effect resulting in a taxable return of some of the purchase price.

Taxable distributions to certain individuals and certain other non-corporate Common Stockholders, including those who have not provided their correct taxpayer identification number and other required certifications, may be subject to “backup” U.S. federal income tax withholding at the fourth lowest rate of tax applicable to a single individual (24%). Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be refunded or credited against such stockholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

An investor also should be aware that the benefits of the reduced tax rate applicable to long-term capital gain and qualified dividend income may be impacted by the application of the alternative minimum tax to individual stockholders.

The Fund’s investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes on dividends, interest, or capital gain, which will decrease the Fund’s yield. Foreign withholding taxes may be reduced under income tax treaties between the U.S. and certain foreign jurisdictions.

Depending on the number of non-U.S. stockholders in the Fund, however, such reduced foreign withholding tax rates may not be available for investments in certain jurisdictions.

The foregoing briefly summarizes some of the important U.S. federal income tax consequences to Common Stockholders of investing in Common Stock, reflects the U.S. federal tax law as of the date of this Prospectus, and does not address special tax rules applicable to certain types of investors, such as corporate and non-U.S. investors. A more complete discussion of the tax rules applicable to the Fund and the Common Stockholders can be found in the SAI that is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. Unless otherwise noted, this discussion assumes that an investor is a U.S. person and holds Common Stock as a capital asset. This discussion is based upon current provisions of the Code, the regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative ruling authorities, all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations by the courts or the IRS retroactively or prospectively. Investors should consult their tax advisors regarding other U.S. federal, state or local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances, as well as any proposed tax law changes.

 

The Fund’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund, to cause it to engage in certain transactions or to modify its structure.  The Articles require a vote by either (1) both of (a) a majority of the Fund’s Directors, including a majority of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Directors”) and (b) the holders of at least 75% of

the Fund’s capital stock outstanding and entitled to vote or (2) the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the Fund’s Directors, including a majority of the Independent Directors, in addition to any requirements under federal or Maryland law, except as described below, to authorize the following types of actions:

The term “Principal Stockholder” shall mean any corporation, person, entity, or group (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), which is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Fund and shall include any affiliate or associate, as such terms are defined in clause (2) below, of a Principal Stockholder.  For the purposes of this Article, in addition to the shares of capital stock which a corporation, person, entity, or group beneficially owns directly, any corporation, person, entity, or group shall be deemed to be the beneficial owner of any shares of capital stock of the Fund (1) which it has the right to acquire pursuant to any agreement or upon exercise of conversion rights or warrants, or otherwise or (2) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly (including shares deemed owned through application of clause (1) above), by any other corporation, person, entity, or group with which it or its “affiliate” or “associate,” as those terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, has any agreement, arrangement, or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting, or disposing of capital stock of the Fund, or which is its “affiliate” or “associate” as so defined.  For purposes of determining a Principal Stockholder, calculation of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Fund shall not include shares deemed owned through application of clause (1) above.

The percentage vote required under these provisions is higher than that required under Maryland law or by the 1940 Act. The Board believes that the provisions of the Articles relating to such a higher vote threshold are in the best interest of the Fund and its Common Stockholders. Even if agreed to by the Fund, however, certain of the transactions described above may be prohibited by the 1940 Act unless exemptive or other relief is sought from the SEC. In addition, preferred stockholders vote together with Common Stockholders on all matters on which Common Stockholders vote. The 1940 Act requires approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding preferred stock, tallied separately, for any conversion from a closed-end to an open-end management investment company. As the 1940 Act also prohibits doing indirectly what cannot be done directly, a vote of the preferred stockholders may be required to effect some of the other transactions described above if the effective result would be conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end structure.

The Board is classified into three classes, each with a term of three years with only one class of Directors standing for election in any year. Such classification may prevent replacement of a majority of the Directors for up to a two-year

period. Directors may be removed from office only for cause and only by vote of the holders of at least 75% of the stock entitled to be voted for such Director in an election of directors.

The Fund has opted in to the Maryland Business Combination Act. In general, the Maryland Business Combination Act prohibits an interested stockholder (a stockholder that holds 10% or more of the voting power of the outstanding stock of the corporation) of a Maryland corporation, or affiliates of such interested stockholder, from engaging in a business combination (generally defined to include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, sale of a substantial amount of assets, a transfer of the corporation’s securities and similar transactions to or with the interested stockholder or an entity affiliated with the interested stockholder) with the corporation for a period of five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder.

While some of the provisions described above are permitted by Maryland law, certain of the provisions described above are neither permitted nor prohibited by Maryland law. A final judgment by a court about these provisions has not been made as of the date of this Prospectus and it is not clear what judgment a court would reach regarding these provisions.

The Fund has opted in to the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act (the “MCSAA”), which provides that control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Stock owned by the acquirer, by officers of the acquirer or by an employee of the acquirer who is also a director of the acquirer are excluded from stock entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting stock of stock which, if aggregated with all other stock of stock owned by the acquirer, or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power: (i) one-tenth or more but less than one-third; (ii) one-third or more but less than a majority, or (iii) a majority or more of all voting power.  Control shares do not include stock the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the stock. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.

If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the MCSAA, then the corporation may redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. The right of the corporation to redeem control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquirer or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of the stock are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the stock entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the stock as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquirer in the control share acquisition.

There is currently ongoing litigation in a different jurisdiction against other funds that have opted into the MCSAA.  A recent decision by a New York federal district court, which was affirmed on appeal, ruled against the funds remaining in the litigation based on the court’s interpretation of Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act. That decision is currently being appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Although the decisions in that litigation are not binding on the Fund, it is possible that a court could ultimately determine to apply the reasoning of any ruling in that litigation to the Fund’s decision to opt in to the MCSAA.

Reference should be made to the Articles and Bylaws on file with the SEC for the full text of certain of these provisions. See the SAI under “Certain Provisions in the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws” for a discussion of the voting requirements applicable to certain other transactions.

 

State Street Bank and Trust Company serves as Custodian for the Fund. The Custodian holds cash, securities, and other assets of the Fund as required by the 1940 Act and also provides certain Fund accounting services. The principal business address of State Street is One Congress Street, Suite 1, Boston, Massachusetts 02114-0216. Equiniti Trust Company, LLC serves as Transfer Agent, Dividend Paying Agent and Registrar. The principal business address of Equiniti Trust Company is 48 Wall Street, Floor 23, New York, NY 10005.

The Fund may sell Common Stock, including to existing shareholders in a rights offering, through underwriters or dealers, directly to one or more purchasers (including existing shareholders in a rights offering), through agents, to or through underwriters or dealers, or through a combination of any such methods of sale. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will identify any underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the Fund’s Securities, any sales loads, discounts, commissions, fees or other compensation paid to any underwriter, dealer or agent, the offering price, net proceeds and use of proceeds and the terms of any sale. In the case of a rights offering, the applicable Prospectus Supplement will set forth the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of each right and the other terms of such rights offering.

The distribution of Securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices. Sales of shares of Common Stock may be made in transactions that are deemed to be “at the market,” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on an exchange or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange.

The Fund may sell its Securities directly to, and solicit offers from, institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act for any resales of the Securities. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. The Fund may use electronic media, including the Internet, to sell offered Securities directly.

In connection with the sale of Securities, underwriters or agents may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell Securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the Securities may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions received and any profit realized by them on the resale of Securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any such underwriter or agent will be identified and any such compensation received will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The maximum amount of compensation to be received by any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed eight percent for the sale of any securities being offered pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. The Fund will not pay any compensation to any underwriter or agent in the form of warrants, options, consulting or structuring fees or similar arrangements. In connection with any rights offering to existing shareholders, we may enter into a standby underwriting arrangement with one or more underwriters pursuant to which the underwriter(s) will purchase shares of Common Stock remaining unsubscribed after the rights offering.

If a Prospectus Supplement so indicates, we may grant the underwriters an option to purchase additional shares of Common Stock at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, within 45 days from the date of the Prospectus Supplement, to cover any over-allotments.

Under agreements into which we may enter, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of Securities may be entitled to indemnification by the Fund against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with the Fund, or perform services for the Fund, in the ordinary course of business.

To the extent permitted under the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, any underwriters may from time to time act as brokers or dealers and receive fees in connection with the execution of the

Fund’s portfolio transactions after such underwriters have ceased to be underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, each may act as a broker while it is an underwriter.

A Prospectus and accompanying Prospectus Supplement in electronic form may be made available on the websites maintained by underwriters. Such underwriters may agree to allocate a number of Securities for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Such allocations of Securities for Internet distributions will be made on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, Securities may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell securities to online brokerage account holders.

In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, our Securities offered hereby will be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

 

 

Certain legal matters in connection with the Common Stock will be passed on for the Fund by K&L Gates LLP.

 

 

The financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 are incorporated by reference in the SAI have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. The principal place of business of Ernst & Young is located at 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116. Ernst & Young provides audit services, tax return preparation, and consultation with respect to the preparation of filings with the SEC.

 

The Prospectus and the SAI do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement that the Fund has filed with the SEC (File No. 811-22396) and available at www.sec.gov. The SAI can be obtained without charge by calling (877) 461-1899.

 

Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other documents referred to are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. To the extent they would be material to an investor’s decision to invest in the Offer, the terms of any such contract or other document are described in the Prospectus or will be described in a Prospectus Supplement thereto.

64

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Name, (Year of Birth), and Address(1)	Position(s) and Length of Time Served(2)	Principal Occupation(s)(3)	Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen	Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex(3)
Class I
Independent Fund Directors
Marc Gary (1952)	Director since 2015	Executive Vice Chancellor Emeritus, The Jewish Theological Seminary, since 2020; formerly, Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer, The Jewish Theological Seminary, 2012 to 2020; formerly, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Fidelity Investments, 2007 to 2012; formerly, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, BellSouth Corporation, 2004 to 2007; formerly, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, BellSouth Corporation, 2000 to 2004; formerly, Associate, Partner, and National Litigation Practice Co-Chair, Mayer, Brown LLP, 1981 to 2000; formerly, Associate Independent Counsel, Office of Independent Counsel, 1990 to 1992.	50	Director, Jewish Federation of Atlanta, since 2023; Director, Israel Policy Forum, since 2023; Director, JCC of Westchester, since 2022; Director, Jewish Democratic Counsel of America, since 2022; Chair and Director, USCJ Supporting Foundation, since 2021; Director, UJA Federation of Greater New York, since 2019; Trustee, The Jewish Theological Seminary, since 2014; Director, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (not-for-profit), since 2005; formerly, Director, Jewish Federation of New York, 2017 to 2023; formerly, Director, Legility, Inc. (privately held for-profit company), 2012 to 2021; formerly, Director, Equal Justice Works (not-for-profit), 2005 to 2014; formerly, Director, Corporate Counsel Institute, Georgetown University Law Center, 2007 to 2012; formerly, Director, Greater Boston Legal Services (not-for-profit), 2007 to 2012.

Name, (Year of Birth), and Address(1)	Position(s) and Length of Time Served(2)	Principal Occupation(s)(3)	Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen	Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex(3)
Martha C. Goss (1949)	Director since 2007	Formerly, President, Woodhill Enterprises Inc./Chase Hollow Associates LLC (personal investment vehicle), 2006 to 2020; formerly, Consultant, Resources Global Professionals (temporary staffing), 2002 to 2006; formerly, Chief Financial Officer, Booz-Allen & Hamilton, Inc., 1995 to 1999; formerly, Enterprise Risk Officer, Prudential Insurance, 1994 to 1995; formerly, President, Prudential Asset Management Company, 1992 to 1994; formerly, President, Prudential Power Funding (investments in electric and gas utilities and alternative energy projects), 1989 to 1992; formerly, Treasurer, Prudential Insurance Company, 1983 to 1989.	50	Director, American Water (water utility), since 2003; Director, Allianz Life of New York (insurance), since 2005; formerly, Director, Berger Group Holdings, Inc. (engineering consulting firm), 2013 to 2018; formerly, Director, Financial Women’s Association of New York (not-for-profit association), 1987 to 1996 and 2003 to 2019; Trustee Emerita, Brown University, since 1998; Director, Museum of American Finance (not-for-profit), since 2013; formerly, Non-Executive Chair and Director, Channel Reinsurance (financial guaranty reinsurance), 2006 to 2010; formerly, Director, Ocwen Financial Corporation (mortgage servicing), 2005 to 2010; formerly, Director, Claire’s Stores, Inc. (retailer), 2005 to 2007; formerly, Director, Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc. (engineering consulting firm), 2007 to 2010; formerly, Director, Bank Leumi (commercial bank), 2005 to 2007; formerly, Advisory Board Member, Attensity (software developer), 2005 to 2007; formerly, Director, Foster Wheeler Manufacturing, 1994 to 2004; formerly, Director, Dexter Corp. (Manufacturer of Non-Wovens, Plastics, and Medical Supplies), 1992 to 2001.

Name, (Year of Birth), and Address(1)	Position(s) and Length of Time Served(2)	Principal Occupation(s)(3)	Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen	Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex(3)
Michael M. Knetter (1960)	Director since 2007	President and Chief Executive Officer, University of Wisconsin Foundation, since 2010; formerly, Dean, School of Business, University of Wisconsin - Madison; formerly, Professor of International Economics and Associate Dean, Amos Tuck School of Business - Dartmouth College, 1998 to 2002.	50	Director, 1WS Credit Income Fund, since 2018; Board Member, American Family Insurance (a mutual company, not publicly traded), since March 2009; formerly, Trustee, Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc., 2007 to 2011; formerly, Director, Wausau Paper, 2005 to 2011; formerly, Director, Great Wolf Resorts, 2004 to 2009.
Class II
Independent Fund Directors

Michael J. Cosgrove (1949)	Director since 2015	President, Carragh Consulting USA, since 2014; formerly, Executive, General Electric Company, 1970 to 2014, including President, Mutual Funds and Global Investment Programs, GE Asset Management, 2011 to 2014, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mutual Funds and Intermediary Business, GE Asset Management, 2007 to 2011, President, Institutional Sales and Marketing, GE Asset Management, 1998 to 2007, and Chief Financial Officer, GE Asset Management, and Deputy Treasurer, GE Company, 1988 to 1993.	50	Member of Advisory Board, Burke Neurological Institute, since 2021; Parish Councilor, St. Pius X, since 2021, and Treasurer, since 2020; formerly, Director, America Press, Inc. (not-for-profit Jesuit publisher), 2015 to 2021; formerly, Director, Fordham University, 2001 to 2018; formerly, Director, The Gabelli Go Anywhere Trust, June 2015 to June 2016; formerly, Director, Skin Cancer Foundation (not-for-profit), 2006 to 2015; formerly, Director, GE Investments Funds, Inc., 1997 to 2014; formerly, Trustee, GE Institutional Funds, 1997 to 2014; formerly, Director, GE Asset Management, 1988 to 2014; formerly, Director, Elfun Trusts, 1988 to 2014; formerly, Trustee, GE Pension & Benefit Plans, 1988 to 2014; formerly, Member of Board of Governors, Investment Company Institute.
Ami G. Kaplan (1960)	Director since 2023	Formerly, Partner, Deloitte LLP, 1982 to 2023, including Vice Chair, 2017 to 2020; formerly, President and Board Chair, Women’s Forum of New York, 2014 to 2016.	50	None.

Name, (Year of Birth), and Address(1)	Position(s) and Length of Time Served(2)	Principal Occupation(s)(3)	Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen	Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex(3)
Deborah C. McLean (1954)	Director since 2015	Member, Circle Financial Group (private wealth management membership practice), since 2011; Managing Director, Golden Seeds LLC (an angel investing group), since 2009; Adjunct Professor (Corporate Finance), Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, since 2008; formerly, Visiting Assistant Professor, Fairfield University, Dolan School of Business, Fall 2007; formerly, Adjunct Associate Professor of Finance, Richmond, The American International University in London, 1999 to 2007.	50	Board Member, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, since 2020; Board Member, Norwalk Community College Foundation, since 2014; formerly, Dean’s Advisory Council, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, 2014 to 2023; formerly, Director and Treasurer, At Home in Darien (not-for-profit), 2012 to 2014; formerly, Director, National Executive Service Corps (not-for-profit), 2012 to 2013; formerly, Trustee, Richmond, The American International University in London, 1999 to 2013.
George W. Morriss (1947)	Director since 2007	Formerly, Adjunct Professor, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, 2012 to 2018; formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, People’s United Bank, Connecticut (a financial services company), 1991 to 2001.	50	Director and Audit Chair, 1WS Credit Income Fund, since 2018; Director and Chair, Thrivent Church Loan Income Fund, since 2018; formerly, Trustee, Steben Alternative Investment Funds, Steben Select Multi-Strategy Fund, and Steben Select Multi-Strategy Master Fund, 2013 to 2017; formerly, Treasurer, National Association of Corporate Directors, Connecticut Chapter, 2011 to 2015; formerly, Manager, Larch Lane Multi-Strategy Fund complex (which consisted of three funds), 2006 to 2011; formerly, Member, NASDAQ Issuers’ Affairs Committee, 1995 to 2003.

Name, (Year of Birth), and Address (1)	Position(s) and Length of Time Served(2)	Principal Occupation(s)(3)	Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen	Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex(3)
Paul M. Nakasone (1963)	Director since 2024	Formerly, Director, National Security Agency, 2018 to 2024; formerly, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command, 2018-2024.	50	None.
Class III
Independent Fund Directors
Franklyn E. Smith (1961)	Director since 2023	Formerly, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 1989 to 2021.	50	Director, Zurich American Insurance Company, Zurich American Life Insurance Company and Zurich American Life Insurance Company of New York, since 2023.

Name, (Year of Birth), and Address(1)	Position(s) and Length of Time Served(2)	Principal Occupation(s)(3)	Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen	Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex(3)
Tom D. Seip (1950)	Director since 2006; Chair of the Board since 2008; Lead Independent Director from 2006 to 2008	Formerly, Managing Member, Ridgefield Farm LLC (a private investment vehicle), 2004 to 2016; formerly, President and CEO, Westaff, Inc. (temporary staffing), May 2001 to January 2002; formerly, Senior Executive, The Charles Schwab Corporation, 1983 to 1998, including Chief Executive Officer, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.; formerly, Trustee, Schwab Family of Funds and Schwab Investments, 1997 to 1998; formerly, Executive Vice President-Retail Brokerage, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., 1994 to 1997.	50	Trustee, University of Maryland, Shore Regional Health System, since 2020; formerly, Director, H&R Block, Inc. (tax services company), 2001 to 2018; formerly, Director, Talbot Hospice Inc., 2013 to 2016; formerly, Chairman, Governance and Nominating Committee, H&R Block, Inc., 2011 to 2015; formerly, Chairman, Compensation Committee, H&R Block, Inc., 2006 to 2010; formerly, Director, Forward Management, Inc. (asset management company), 1999 to 2006.
Fund Director who is an “Interested Person”
Joseph V. Amato* (1962)	Chief Executive Officer and President since 2018; Director since 2009	President and Director, Neuberger Berman Group LLC, since 2009; President and Chief Executive Officer, Neuberger Berman BD LLC and Neuberger Berman Holdings LLC (including its predecessor, Neuberger Berman Inc.), since 2007; Chief Investment Officer (Equities) and President (Equities), NBIA (formerly, Neuberger Berman Fixed Income LLC and including predecessor entities), since 2007, and Board Member of NBIA, since 2006; formerly, Global Head of Asset Management of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.’s (“LBHI”) Investment Management Division, 2006 to 2009; formerly, member of LBHI’s Investment Management Division’s Executive Management Committee, 2006 to 2009; formerly, Managing Director, Lehman Brothers Inc. (“LBI”), 2006 to 2008; formerly, Chief Recruiting and Development Officer, LBI, 2005 to 2006; formerly, Global Head of LBI’s Equity Sales and a Member of its Equities Division Executive Committee, 2003 to 2005; President and Chief Executive Officer, ten registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator.	50	Member of Board of Advisors, McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University, since 2001; Member of New York City Board of Advisors, Teach for America, since 2005; Trustee, Montclair Kimberley Academy (private school), since 2007; Member of Board of Regents, Georgetown University, since 2013.

(1)

The business address of each listed person is 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10104.

(2)

The Board of Directors shall at all times be divided as equally as possible into three classes of Directors designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Class I, Class II and Class III Directors shall serve until the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held in 2027, 2025 and 2026, respectively, and then until each third Annual Meeting of Stockholders thereafter, or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.

(3)

Except as otherwise indicated, each individual has held the positions, including directorships, shown for at least the last five years. “Other Directorships” includes directorships held during the past five years by the applicable Director.

*

Indicates a Director who is an “interested person” within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Mr. Amato is an interested person of the Fund by virtue of the fact that he is an officer of NBIA and/or its affiliates.

Name, Address and (Year of Birth)(1)	Position(s) and Length of Time Served(2)	Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Claudia A. Brandon (1956)	Executive Vice President since 2008; Secretary since 2006	Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman, since 2007 and Employee since 1999; Senior Vice President, NBIA, since 2008 and Assistant Secretary since 2004; formerly, Vice President, Neuberger Berman, 2002 to 2006; formerly, Vice President, Mutual Fund Board Relations, NBIA, 2000 to 2008;  formerly, Vice President, NBIA, 1986 to 1999 and Employee, 1984 to 1999; Executive Vice President and Secretary, twenty-eight registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator.
Agnes Diaz (1971)	Vice President since 2013	Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman, since 2012; Senior Vice President, NBIA, since 2012 and Employee since 1996; formerly, Vice President, Neuberger Berman, 2007 to 2012; Vice President, ten registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator.
Anthony DiBernardo (1979)	Assistant Treasurer since 2011	Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman, since 2014; Senior Vice President, NBIA, since 2014, and Employee since 2003; formerly, Vice President, Neuberger Berman, 2009 to 2014; Assistant Treasurer, ten registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator.

Name, Address and (Year of Birth)(1)	Position(s) and Length of Time Served(2)	Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Corey A. Issing (1978)	Chief Legal Officer since 2016 (only for purposes of sections 307 and 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002); Interim Chief Compliance Officer since 2024	General Counsel, Mutual Funds, since 2016 and Managing Director, NBIA, since 2017; formerly, Associate General Counsel, 2015 to 2016; Counsel, 2007 to 2015; Senior Vice President, 2013 to 2016; Vice President, 2009 to 2013; Chief Legal Officer (only for purposes of sections 307 and 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), twenty-eight registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator.
Sheila R. James (1965)	Assistant Secretary since 2006	Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman, since 2023 and Employee since 1999; Senior Vice President, NBIA, since 2023; formerly, Vice President, Neuberger Berman, 2008 to 2023; Assistant Vice President, Neuberger Berman, 2007; Employee, NBIA, 1991 to 1999; Assistant Secretary, twenty-eight registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator.
Brian Kerrane (1969)	Chief Operating Officer since 2015; Vice President since 2008	Managing Director, Neuberger Berman, since 2013; Chief Operating Officer, Mutual Funds, and Managing Director, NBIA, since 2015; formerly, Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman, 2006 to 2014; Vice President, NBIA, 2008 to 2015 and Employee since 1991; Chief Operating Officer, ten registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator; Vice President, twenty-eight registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator.
Anthony Maltese (1959)	Vice President since 2015	Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman, since 2014 and Employee since 2000; Senior Vice President, NBIA, since 2014; Vice President, ten registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator.
Josephine Marone (1963)	Assistant Secretary since 2017	Senior Paralegal, Neuberger Berman, since 2007 and Employee since 2007; Assistant Secretary, twenty-eight registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator.

Name, Address and (Year of Birth)(1)	Position(s) and Length of Time Served(2)	Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Owen F. McEntee, Jr. (1961)	Vice President since 2008	Vice President, Neuberger Berman, since 2006; Vice President, NBIA, since 2006 and Employee since 1992; Vice President, ten registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator.
John M. McGovern (1970)	Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer since 2006	Managing Director, Neuberger Berman, since 2022; Senior Vice President, NBIA, since 2007 and Employee since 1993; formerly, Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman, 2007 to 2021; formerly, Vice President, Neuberger Berman, 2004 to 2006; formerly, Assistant Treasurer, 2002 to 2005; Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer, ten registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator.
Frank Rosato (1971)	Assistant Treasurer since 2006	Vice President, Neuberger Berman, since 2006; Vice President, NBIA, since 2006 and Employee since 1995; Assistant Treasurer, ten registered investment companies for which NBIA acts as investment manager and/or administrator.

(1)

The business address of each listed person is 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10104.

(2)

Pursuant to the Bylaws of the Fund each officer elected by the Directors shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, inability to serve, or resignation. Officers serve at the pleasure of the Directors and may be removed at any time with or without cause.

Name and Position with the Fund	Aggregate Compensation from the Fund for the Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2023	Total Compensation from Registered Investment Companies in the Neuberger Berman Fund Complex Paid to Directors for Calendar Year Ended December 31, 2023
Independent Fund Directors
Michael J. Cosgrove, Director	$5,356	$265,000
Marc Gary, Director	$5,178	$255,000
Martha C. Goss, Director	$5,178	$255,000
Ami G. Kaplan, Director*	$1,551	$135,989
Michael M. Knetter, Director	$5,178	$255,000
Deborah C. McLean, Director	$5,381	$265,000
George W. Morriss, Director	$5,356	$265,000
Paul M. Nakasone, Director**	--	--
Tom D. Seip, Chairman of the Board and Director	$6,295	$310,000
Franklyn E. Smith, Director*	$1,551	$135,989
James G. Stavridis, Director***	$4,873	$240,000
Director who is an “Interested Person”
Joseph V. Amato, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director	$0	$0

*

Ami G. Kaplan and Franklyn E. Smith became Fund Directors on June 30, 2023.

**

Paul M. Nakasone became a Fund Director on September 24, 2024.

***

James G. Stavridis retired from his position as Fund Director effective June 30, 2024.

Name of Fund Director	Dollar Range of Equity Securities Held in the Registrant	Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities Owned in all Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Fund Director in Family of Investment Companies
Independent Fund Directors
Michael J. Cosgrove	A	E
Marc Gary	A	E
Martha C. Goss	A	E
Ami G. Kaplan	A	A
Michael M. Knetter	A	E
Deborah C. McLean	A	E
George W. Morriss	E	E
Tom D. Seip	A	E
Franklyn E. Smith	A	A
Fund Director who is an “Interested Person”
Joseph V. Amato	A	E

Type of Account	Number of Accounts Managed	Total Assets Managed ($ millions)	Number of Accounts Managed for which Advisory Fee is Performance-Based	Assets Managed for which Advisory Fee is Performance- Based ($ millions)
Joseph Lind
Registered Investment Companies*	1	$720	0	$0
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles**	25	$8,981	1	$522
Other Accounts***	23	$5,463	3	$317
Christopher Kocinski
Registered Investment Companies*	1	$720	0	$0
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles**	25	$8,981	1	$522
Other Accounts***	22	$5,387	3	$317

*

Registered Investment Companies include: Mutual Funds.

**

A portion of certain accounts may be managed by other portfolio managers; however, the total assets of such accounts are included above even though the portfolio manager listed above is not involved in the day-to-day management of the entire account.

***

Other Accounts include: Institutional Separate Accounts, Sub-Advised Accounts and Managed Accounts (WRAP Accounts).

Portfolio Manager	Dollar Range of Equity Securities Owned in the Registrant
Christopher Kocinski	A
Joseph Lind	E
A = None		E = $100,001-$500,000
B = $1-$10,000		F = $500,001-$1,000,000
C = $10,001 - $50,000		G = Over $1,000,000
D =$50,001-$100,000

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner	Class	Amount of Beneficial Ownership	Percent of Class
First Trust Portfolios L.P. First Trust Advisors L.P. The Charger Corporation 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187	Common	6,047,846 (1)	23.32%
Bank of America Corporation Bank of America Corporate Center 100 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28255	Preferred	400(2)	100%

(1)

Based on an amended Schedule 13G filed by First Trust Portfolios L.P., First Trust Advisors L.P. and The Charger Corporation on October 11, 2024.

(2)

Based on a Schedule 13G filed by Bank of American Corporation on October 6, 2023.